by Mike Luoma
BC is laying on a couch in the Cardinal's office, basking in the warm glow of sympathy from The Cardinal and Governor Edwards, and obsessively wondering who could've saved him.
I should be dead. That's a sobering thought. But someone did save me. Maybe that last ship. It had no markings. I've never seen anything like it before. It could have just been a hallucination, but then why am I still here? What's he saying?
Edwards is talking, "...and we're all surprised she was able to maintain her cover for so long. We're lucky you found her communicating with the UIN ships when you did. You probably stopped more killings."
BC motions for the styli and screen to write his response.
I can still spin it my way, as long as I can write...
"She was very nice to me," BC writes, "I'd never had guessed she was a UIN Agent."
"She seemed to like you, Father Campion," the Cardinal offers, reading BC's response.
"She did at that," Edwards adds, "probably just looking for information."
BC erases, writes and turns the screen so the others can read it, "Ouch!"
"You should rest, my boy," the Cardinal says. "You found the killer! It had to be her! The whole attack was just to get her out of here!"
Jeesh, the Cardinal should work for the OPO... he's doing my job for me! Not that I can't use the help just now.
"Too bad you couldn't hold her. She did quite a job on you."
BC holds his "Ouch!" back up again.
Edwards laughs. "I value your help, Father Campion," BC tries to protest, Edwards corrects himself, "I mean, BC. But you shouldn't have tried to chase her down yourself. You should have called in Lunar Security."
BC erases the screen, writes, "She was LSC. Who could I trust?" and holds it up.
"She was an exception, BC, not the rule... Never mind. You need some rest. Near vacuum is no fun! All you can really do is rest up and get better. Thanks for trying to help."
BC erases, writes, and holds up, "You're welcome!"
"He'll be fine with some rest," the Cardinal says. "Your excellent medical staff worked on him for hours. Now it's time for prayer, time to let the Lord do His work,"
"Yeah. Well, thanks again, BC. We'd never have suspected the UIN had infiltrated our security forces. It's disturbing. I don't know how Governor McEntyre could have let this happen."
BC erases his screen, writes, "Remember what I told you. She might have known."
Edwards shakes his head, "I still don't know about that, Father Campion. This all has happened so fast, I don't know what to think. Plus, I've got a moon to run now. I'm a little overwhelmed. You're a little injured. Let's talk about this when we can both talk some more, huh?"
BC nods. Edwards turns and leaves BC alone with the Cardinal.
"You should get some rest, Father Campion. Stay here on the couch if you like. Your rooms were pretty badly hit. Stay here for the time being. I'll have someone look in on you. You know, I don't think we've heard the end of this one, Father Campion."
I know we haven't. This is only the beginning, Cardinal. Only the beginning.
Chapter Nine
