Crineal Chronicles 1: In Hera's Service

by Raymond L Jennings

  Carrying the filth-soaked cloths, he went to the kitchen and dumped them into the recycler before washing his hands. Crineal then collected two towels from a drawer on his way through the bedroom to the bathroom. The shower cubicle was filled with steam and he knocked on the door panel. The sound of the water cut off and the door panel slid back. Crineal held out a towel for her. Cyndora took it and wrapped it around herself affording him another partial view of her body. But right now, it just didn’t feel sexy. Once she had the first towel secure, she took the second one and wrapped her hair up in it.

  “I’ll leave you to dry off. I should go and check my messages,” Crineal said indicating towards the lounge.

  Cyndora nodded, the towel on her head bobbing precariously. “But… leave the doors open… please?”

  Walking through into the lounge, Crineal punched up his message list. There didn’t appear to be anything urgent, just a few memos. That task completed he realized he was hungry, but thought that some exercise first might be a good idea. A rustling sound from the direction of the bedroom made him turn his head. Still wrapped in a towel Cyndora stood in the doorway drying her hair. “I was thinking that we could go to the gym and then come back for a nice leisurely lunch… if you think your stomach is up to it?” he ventured.

  A moue of disgust wrinkled her face. “After I just showered? But yeah, I think the exercise might help me settle and take my mind off things. I’ll get ready,” and she disappeared back through the door.

  “I’ll wait until you’re done,” he called after her.

  It wasn’t long before she reappeared in her exercise gear. She looked a lot better apart from the redness in her eyes. Crineal quickly changed and they headed off to the gym. As they made their way there Cyndora waited until they were in an empty corridor and then said quietly. “I’ve been a complete bitch these last few days, haven’t I?”

  “I wouldn’t say that,” he replied cautiously.

  “Oh? And what would you say then?”

  “I’d say that I’m not required to give any answers that could incriminate me.”

  Cyndora punched his upper arm lightly. “Smart ass.” Glancing at her, Crineal could see by the look in her eyes that she still pretty shaken, but trying to put on a brave face. They arrived at the gym and put in a good forty-five minutes of workout. Most of the pilots were currently on duty or on leave, so Crineal and Cyndora weren’t approached and they headed back to his quarters to shower and eat.

  With her stomach still a little unsettled, Cyndora’s lunch was just a light salad. Crineal was less affected and made up for missing breakfast by tucking into soup and salad along with a hearty ham sandwich.

  Once it was all cleared away he checked the time. “I need to go and visit med bay.”

  The look on Cyndora’s face told him that she didn’t want to be left alone right now, but all she said was “Oh, ok.”

  Thinking about it, he wandered over to his data access panel and had a quick look at the regs regarding recreation assistants. They weren’t allowed to go anywhere without permission, outside of the dorm and recreation areas. But that was it. As long as they were accompanied or given authorization, they could go anywhere but security areas. “Want to come with me?”

  Her face lit up. “Really?”

  “Sure, you’ll need to get changed I’m afraid.” After her shower, she’d gone back to wearing her long pants and top.

  Cyndora bounced to her feet. “That’s ok, it’ll only take a minute,” and with that she practically ran into the bedroom, emerging just a few minutes later in her short toga uniform. As she adjusted it she looked up at Crineal. “You know, after seeing that crystal, having to wear this doesn’t seem that bad.” Her face was somber.

  Crineal nodded, sadness in his eyes. “It put a lot of things in perspective for me.” Straightening up a little he palmed the door open. “Let’s go.”

  When they arrived at medical section Crineal found that only one bed was occupied. Lieutenant Feldea’s head turned towards him as he entered and she smiled before a puzzled expression crossed her face as she saw Cyndora follow Crineal in.

  “Lieutenant, have the good captains managed to escape?” he asked jovially.

  “Yes, Sir. I think they finally managed to find a bribe big enough for Doctor Marrash this morning. He says it might still be another two weeks for me. Captain Saymes and Treynar both said to give you their regards.”

  Catching the constant flicker of her brown eyes towards Cyndora, he thought he’d better introduce them. “Lieutenant, this is Assistant Cyndora; she’s been assigned to me from recreation. Cyndora, this is Lieutenant Feldea. She was wounded in a battle the day before you came on board.” Turning back to his injured officer, Crineal smiled. “She asked if she could accompany me to visit you.” It perhaps wasn’t the absolute truth with regard to Cyndora’s motives, but putting it that way couldn’t hurt.

  “Pleased to meet you, Ma’am. The general is always checking in with med bay. I know he’s been very worried.”

  The copper-haired redhead on the bed looked at the chestnut-haired one standing next to Crineal, and then back to him. General Crineal shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a mother hen.”

  Chuckling, Feldea looked at Cyndora once more. “Good to meet you, too, Cyndora. It’s always nice to see a new face. Isn’t this your down day, Sir?”

  The general shrugged self-deprecatingly. “You know me. I have too much spare time so I thought I’d come and bore you instead. Cyndora came along to try and keep the conversation interesting. I’m sure her fashion sense is better than mine.”

  The lieutenant took in Cyndora’s short stature and perked up. “You’re from Earth?” Cyndora nodded. “What sort of things do they wear down there? Young women like us, I mean?”

  Sitting back and watching as the two ladies discussed clothes, fashion and cosmetics, Crineal reflected that bringing Cyndora along had been good for both her and Feldea. The junior officer seemed to be more relaxed chatting to Cyndora than she was with him. It took Feldea nearly ten minutes to realize that Crineal wasn’t adding anything to the conversation. She looked mortified and blushed, her face turning almost the same color as her hair. “I’m so sorry, Sir. I was…”

  Waving her apology off with a smile, Crineal tried to reassure his anxious subordinate. “You’re fine, Lieutenant. I’m glad you two have something to talk about.” He spotted Doctor Marrash talking to a med tech. “I’ll check in with the doc and you two can carry on with your discussion of haute couture.” Leaving them to it, Crineal cornered Marrash to get a more accurate appraisal of Feldea’s likely recovery time. The doctor was more upbeat about Feldea’s recovery than Crineal expected which left the general feeling much better. Sauntering back over to her bedside, he saw that the ladies were still chattering away. They looked up as he approached.

  “Sir, is there any chance I might get a little bit of leave before we pull out from Earth Orbital? Cyndora has been telling me about some really intriguing sounding ethnic fashions. I’d love to get a chance to try them out.” Feldea looked ready to check herself out of medical there and then.

  Crineal smiled understandingly. “Doctor Marrash says if you keep up your current progress you might be out in ten days. That would leave you perhaps five days to do some shopping.”

  “Oh great. Ummm... Sir?” she hesitated and then rushed on. “Could I borrow Cyndora to visit me again? I have lots more I want to know.”

  Sparing a glance at his friend told the general that this wouldn’t be an unwelcome idea. “I think that would be acceptable. I’m sure she gets bored when I’m on duty.” Crineal spotted Marrash advancing on them. “Looks like the doc wants you again, Lieutenant, so I think we’ll make a retreat. See you tomorrow, Fel.” Cyndora gave her a little wave, too, as they headed out of medical section.

  “She seems nice. Is it really ok for me to visit her without you?” she asked.

  “Sure, I’ll set you up with permission. Keep it official.�
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  “Sir? Could I visit a friend in the Rec dorm, too? I was hauled out of there without any warning and she’s probably wondering if I’m ok.” Jaydea was probably frantic by now, Cyndora thought.

  “I don’t have a problem with it. Just make sure that you’re not interfering with her work schedule, though. That will cause problems. Why don’t you go there after visiting Feldea tomorrow?” Crineal suggested.

  “Really? Oh that would be so good.” Beaming at the thought she happily walked with the general back to his quarters.

  Once there Crineal stripped out of his uniform jacket and checked his messages once more. Cyndora, now feeling a little hungrier, fixed herself a small snack without bothering to change and watched the man she had known for years as he waded through some memos. He was the same but different, harder in a lot of places. The changes he’d gone through had certainly been good for his physique though, not muscle bound but very nicely fit. Cyndora blushed as she caught herself thinking that way and concentrated on finishing her food. Yawning as she cleared her plate away, she felt like she needed a nap. It had been an emotional day and sleep had been in short supply this last week due to her frustrations and anger. He looks tired too, she thought.

  “Crin? I thought I might take a nap. It looks like you could use one, too.” She moved to stand by where he was seated working on his data pad. “Is there anything that can’t wait?” motioning with her hand towards it.

  Shaking his head, he turned it off. “No, and you’re right, I could use some more sleep.” The data pad went onto the table and he followed her into the bedroom. They changed into their sleep wear and settled into their respective beds. Crineal killed the lights and started to relax into sleep. He could hear Cyndora moving restlessly. Just as he was about to drift off he felt the bed cover move and the air mattress shift under extra weight. An arm snaked over his waist and Cyndora cuddled up to his back. Gently, so as not to alarm her, he placed his hand over the arm wrapped around him to comfort her. Within minutes they were both asleep.

  Crineal woke up before the alarm went off, having slept himself out. Something was draped over him and a warm body was nicely pressed up against his back. He tried to move carefully to avoid disturbing the young woman in his bed.

  “Mumppphh,” came from behind him. Followed by “uuuuh… wha time isit?”

  Checking the display, Crineal replied softly. “Oh five hundred. It’s early.”

  The response was first an “uuuh” followed by Cyndora stiffening against him as she suddenly realized where she was.

  Smiling to himself in the dark, Crineal greeted her without turning and palmed the lights to very dim. “Good morning. You must have slept well?”

  “Ummm, I guess.” She seemed at a loss for how to react to finding herself sharing his bed. Crineal gently peeled her arm from around him, rose and headed to the bathroom without looking at her to give Cyndora a chance to regain her composure. When he returned she was still lying there, looking embarrassed. He sat on the bed next to her and stroked her hair.

  “It’s ok. You were still pretty upset last night. I know I have nights like that after a bad mission sometimes,” he tried to reassure her.

  Her head turned to look up at him, the blush fading a little. “Who do you get to cuddle up to, to make it feel better?”

  He shook his head sadly. “No one, I just end up with a sleepless night.”

  Cyndora’s hand covered his. “Let me know if I can return the favor.”

  “That’s the best offer I’ve had in ages,” Crineal smiled at her.

  “Really? You’re hardly ugly. I’d have thought that you’d have them queuing up at your door?” She propped her head up on her hand to look at him.

  “Not allowed. Regs say that fraternization of that kind between crew members of different ranks in the same command chain is strictly forbidden. And technically, if anything happens to the admiral and captain, I’m next in command. So that makes the entire strike force off limits to me.”

  “Wow, that’s gotta make it hard,” she offered sympathetically.

  Grinning, Crineal looked at her. “I’m not even going to think about touching that line.” She smacked him with a pillow in good-humored disgust. “Hey, no assaulting a senior officer.”

  “You wish!” Cyndora teased him.

  “Anyway, I thought I’d head to the gym early and get started on the day. Are you going to join me or just lay there, testing my self-control?”

  “Better get you to the gym and work off that energy you have this morning,” she grumbled.

  Two hours later they were finishing up breakfast and Cyndora was considering her planned visit to the Rec dorm. She was thinking that she’d like to take something to Jay, but she didn’t have anything to give. Then she remembered about what that woman had said on her first, and only, night in the dorm.

  “Crin?” He looked up from his data pad as he sipped his tea. “One of the other women said that we shouldn’t steal from each other and I saw a few of the other people there seemed to have a few things. I thought as prisoners we weren’t allowed possessions?”

  Putting his cup down Crineal looked thoughtful. “Yes and no. Technically, the recreation staff are no longer prisoners; you all signed on for the Space Corps. Therefore, you have some of the rights that any crew member does. However, you don’t get paid and have no authority to request goods. So it’s pretty hard for you to get anything. I understand that some of the regular crew do give presents to their favorites once in a while. That’s the stuff you likely saw and what the woman was talking about.”

  Cyndora mulled this over for a while. “But you gave me money and I bought clothes and a few personal items with it. What about those?”

  “Ah, well, I didn’t actually give you any money. I just allocated a portion of my money for you to buy things for yourself on my behalf. Technically, it’s still all my stuff unless I actually give it to you.”

  “Oh… So I still don’t own anything then?”

  “Afraid not. I guess that officers who have personal recreation assistants recycle any clothes back to the stores once they return the person to the dorm. They might let them take a few trinkets, like make-up, I guess. Why? What’s the curiosity for?” Crineal laid his data pad on the table to give her his full attention.

  “I was wondering if I could take something as a present to Jaydea. I’m sure she’s been worrying about me and I wanted to give her something to show her I’m sorry and that everything is alright.” Cyndora felt a little down now she knew that she didn’t have anything.

  “What does she like?” he asked, as he sat back in his chair to consider the problem.

  “All kinds of things, I guess. I used to buy her little boxes of chocolates for her birthday and holidays, or maybe take her out for a meal or go shopping for something.” The memories of those shopping trips felt very distant to her now.

  “Punch up some chocolate bars from the food replicator. They’re consumables and no one would mind you taking those to her. If anyone asks, you can tell them that you have my permission. Do they have them available in the dorm?” He was totally unaware of what was allowed the people there but he guessed it wasn’t much, if anything, above the basics.

  “No, it was just standard subsistence foods I guess, still better than the prison though. I haven’t even seen chocolate since we were arrested.” She picked up the breakfast trays and took them to the recycler before looking through the food replicator menu to find some chocolate. She came back to the table with five medium sized bars. “Would it be ok to take these?” Uncertainty colored her question.

  “Sure, wrap them in something, though, or they’ll get a bit icky carrying them around.” They would still get in a mess carrying them by hand, Crineal realized. He stood up and went to the main replicator and produced some foil to cover the bars in. Crineal handed the sheet to Cyndora, who went to wrap up the chocolate. He turned back to the replicator whilst she was busy and scrolled through some items
until he found something that fitted his requirements and punched in the request.

  Returning to the table where Cyndora had just finished wrapping the bars up he looked over at the small pile. “Hmmm… you could use something to carry them in.”

  Cyndora studied the foil covered bars and then looked around. “A bag would be a good idea.”

  From behind his back, Crineal produced a small rectangular ladies’ purse complete with a carry strap to go over a shoulder. It was white with gold trim and, to his inexpert eye, he thought it might go well with her toga dress as an accessory without causing too much comment. “Now you own something.”

  She stood there looking at it for a moment and then gave a little squeal whilst throwing her arms around Crineal and giving him a huge hug. “It’s perfect.” She thought it would have been a nice present to receive even when she was back on Earth. “Thank you.” Her eyes misted up.

  “And here’s your access card for the Rec dorm and med bay.” Crineal held up a grey plastic card with her name and picture on it. “It’s registered to you so don’t lose it and if you do, report it straight away.” He checked the time. “I need to get going. You have fun and try not to give anything away about us.”

  Cyndora stood clutching the precious purse. “I’ll be careful. Thank you so much. You’re a real sweetie.” The general left the room shaking his head in amusement.

  When he reached his office he found a message had been left for him to call the admiral. Crineal punched the office comm link and Ken’Rathel’s face appeared.