Fall of Icarus bod-2

by Jon Messenger

  As though reading her mind, Captain Hodge interrupted. “I can see you’re still not sold on the idea,” she said in her musical tones. “Come with me, Keryn.”

  With no more directive than that, the Captain stood and began walking toward the front of the ship. Curious, Keryn climbed to her feet and followed. Leading her through winding halls and past dozens of work crews, Captain Hodge never looked back to ensure Keryn was still behind her. A strange sixth sense let her know that Keryn hadn’t strayed far. The Captain was cryptically quiet, something that only piqued Keryn’s interest further. As they neared midship, Captain Hodge came to a stop in front of a bank of elevators. More than familiar with this particular lift, Keryn had taken this specific elevator down to the hangar bay many times before. As the doors opened, both women stepped inside.

  Confined in a smaller space, Keryn couldn’t resist asking questions. “Exactly what is it you need to show me in the hangar bay?”

  “You’ll see,” the Avalon replied, adjusting her feathery wings. “It’s my final gift to you before I ship you down to the planet for your shore leave.”

  Keryn rolled her eyes, but was sure to do it in a way that the Captain couldn’t see.

  As the doors slid open, Keryn was surprised to see that they were not on the hangar bay floor. Instead, the elevators opened onto the observation deck which overlooked the open bay. Keryn had come here many times since the battle with the Terran Fleet, often to check on the repair work being conducted on her ships. They had patched up the fighters and transport ships as much as possible, but some repairs could only be conducted once they reached a facility like the space station.

  Captain Hodge stepped toward the glass and motioned for Keryn to join her at the window. Nonchalantly, Keryn stepped forward. She already knew what she would see. Welders and munitions specialists would be working diligently to repair and rearm the Squadron, making it space worthy for any eventuality. Once, Keryn would have thought them daft for spending so much effort preparing a Squadron of ships during peacetime operations. But now that they were at war with the Empire, the next battle could truly be only months away.

  When she stepped to the glass, Keryn was floored by what she saw. The repairs were evidently completed long ago. The piles of scrap metal and worker’s tools had long since been removed. Both the Duun fighters and Cair ships were stored in their alcoves, glistening in the halogen lights. From her vantage point, she could even see the Cair Ilmun, fully repaired as though no harm had ever come to her. But it wasn’t the repairs that surprised Keryn. Around a large number of the Cair ships, men in jumpsuits swarmed over the vehicles, moving large engine-like machines into position near the rear of the crafts. The men in jumpsuits were completely unfamiliar. She had seen the work crews when they came aboard from the space station. Their uniforms looked nothing like these.

  “Who are those men and what are they doing to my ships?” Keryn asked with a mixture of surprise and anger. Those ships were her direct responsibility as the Squadron Commander. She found it hard to believe that Captain Hodge would approve anyone to make modifications to her ships without her consent.

  “Keep watching,” Captain Hodge said calmly.

  Looking closer, Keryn watched as one of the men turned around, his eyes cast toward the observation deck where they watched. Emblazoned upon his chest in stark red design was an emblem with which everyone in the Fleet was familiar. The men working on the Cair ships worked directly for the High Council.

  As Keryn turned, the Captain shook her head, stopping her question before it could be asked. “I can’t tell you why they’re here or what they’re doing to your ships. Everything they’re doing is classified, though I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough. I only brought you here because you need to realize that it would be better if you’re not around while they’re doing their work. Stumbling upon them in the middle of their operation and asking the wrong questions could damage your career.”

  Taking her gently by the arm, Captain Hodge turned Keryn away from the window. “Believe me when I tell you that I fully support what they’re doing. But for the next few days, the best thing you could do is take my advice and enjoy your shore leave.”

  “I don’t know what they’re doing down there,” Keryn said curtly, “but I won’t be able to just forget about it and enjoy my leave.”

  “Then find something to take your mind off it,” the Captain replied playfully.

  Keryn frowned, knowing what she was alluding to. “No offense, ma’am, but I’m not exactly looking for a relationship right now.”

  “Who said anything about a relationship? Just find a cute guy down on the space station and let him help you relax.”

  Keryn couldn’t help but let her mouth fall open. This was not the conversation she was expecting to have with her Captain. “Ma’am, I just can’t do that.”

  “Then you need to learn. Sometimes, when you’re piloting a ship, it’s not about reaching your final destination. When you’re caught in a nebula, sometimes any port in the storm will do.” The Captain let her words hang in the air a moment longer before ushering Keryn back toward the lift. “Go pack your things. I’ll expect you on the next lift heading down to the city. And yes, Commander, that is an order.”

  The Captain’s smile vanished as the elevator doors closed and the lift carried Keryn back to the living quarters. Stunned, both by her odd conversation and what she had seen in the hangar bay. She absently threw clothes into her bag and changed out of her uniform. The next lift would be leaving in less than an hour, granting her almost no time to consider everything before she had to depart. Keryn wondered if that wasn’t part of the Captain’s plan all along.

  Riding the lift to the city itself gave Keryn lots of time to think. The High Council wouldn’t be involved in ship modifications unless something big was being planned. After the Fleet battle, though, Keryn had trouble imagining what could be so big that it would require their intervention. The thought of it both excited and scared Keryn to death. The Fleet encounter had been daunting and frightening. But this, she could guarantee, would be much bigger than anyone would believe.

  Lost in her own thoughts, Keryn didn’t pay attention to the cheering crowds as she walked under the arch and into the city. Turning a sharp left, she rode the lift up to the residential level and found the closest, cheapest hotel available. Not caring about the niceties that could have been found with a little more effort, Keryn dropped her bag on the bed and looked out her slightly dingy window toward the canals that wound through the street. Yen would have loved a place like this, she realized. Frowning, Keryn knew that it was thoughts like those that she had come here to escape. The upper level was beautiful, she had to admit, but she wasn’t overly interested in admiring the city’s architecture. Captain Hodge’s parting words still ran through her mind. Smiling to herself, Keryn realized that maybe the Captain was smarter than she even let on. No more thoughts of Yen, she promised herself. Maybe any port in the storm was exactly what she needed right now.

  Switching the placard on the door to read “do not disturb” just in case she was too engrossed to remember to do so later, Keryn walked down to street level and made her way back to the lifts. Two levels down, she’d find the entertainment district and, somewhere, the perfect distraction to the stresses of command.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Music from a dozen clubs spilled into the wide street as Yen, Adam, and Penchant made their way through the entertainment district. Neon lights flashed overhead, advertising musical acts and carnal pleasures. Scantily clad women and intoxicated men walked down the dimly lit streets, their bodies swaying to the beat of the music. The normally bright, artificial light had dimmed overhead, replaced with a soft ambient light like that of a nearby moon. False constellations sparkled in the ceiling overhead, giving the illusion of wandering the streets of a planet-side city.

  Though Yen had been resistant to the idea of going out tonight, he was glad that he had finally caved to Adam�
�s persistence. The heavy bass beats that pounded through open doorways drowned out the negative thoughts that had been filling his mind. Closing his eyes, Yen let himself get washed away in the competing music.

  Adam led the trio toward a club on the far end of the street, though his eyes wandered constantly from side to side as he admired the passing women. Yen’s eyes wandered as well, though he was too busy reading the passing marquees for movie theaters. A number of new films were being shown, but new was a very relative term for Yen. Even before joining the Revolution and fighting the Terrans, Yen had been with a covert operations team. Being cooped up on a Cruiser for months at a time as they transited from one mission to another had left him detached from popular culture. It wasn’t just the movies that seemed foreign. Yen was very self-conscious of his clothing as well. The loose shirt and hide pants he wore had been fashionable once, but that was apparently years ago. He felt dated compared to the contemporary and revealing clothing that the younger Crewmen and soldiers wore.

  Reaching the club, the trio slipped through the door and was instantly awash in a sea of sensations. Loud music pulsed heavily enough that Yen could feel the beating drum in his chest, as though it had replaced his own heartbeat. The air was full of a mixture of smoke, sweat, and pheromones. Their mixture alluded to the dancing in the middle of the room. Half-naked bodies writhed together in barely concealed allusions to sexual acts. Watching the sweaty figures, Yen felt his pulse quicken beyond even that of the beating drum.

  Adam led them around the edge of the dance floor until they reached the bar. He gestured for drinks, his own words decimated by the general din of noise. Soon, they were relaxing at a booth, enjoying both the view and their strong drinks. Yen had to admit that this sort of entertainment was exactly what he needed. The loud music and alcohol quickly obliterated his sour mood and he found himself smiling, not just at the ambiance but at the women whose eyes he caught from across the room. Recognizing his improved attitude, Adam leaned across the table to be heard.

  Though his lips moved, Yen struggled to hear what he said. Frowning, he leaned closer, but the words were still lost to the pounding music. Yen leaned back in his seat and shook his head, to which Adam scowled angrily. Holding up his hand to warn Adam, Yen closed his eyes. Around him, the air began to shimmer slightly and the loud noise slowly faded. Opening his eyes, Yen could hear Adam’s thoughts clearly.

  “Is this better?” Yen said, the words forming directly in Adam’s mind. Though Adam heard Yen speak, the psychic never moved his lips.

  Adam began to speak aloud, but Yen shook his head and pointed to his temple. Concentrating, Yen heard Adam’s response.

  “No, this is not better. This is actually really creepy.”

  Yen smiled. “But at least I can hear you now. What were you saying?”

  “I was trying to tell you that you need to go find a girl. I’m glad you came out tonight, but if I don’t find you some sort of entertainment by the time this night is over, I’m going to feel like I failed you as a wingman.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m just here to relax.”

  Adam winked at Yen. “So am I, but I’ve found the best way to relax is with a woman sitting on your…”

  Yen didn’t let him finish the sentence as he severed the psychic connection between the two, allowing the loud music to once again crash back into his ears. He could see Adam laughing at his obvious discomfort at the topic of conversation, but didn’t press the issue any further.

  After an hour in the bar, the mixture of music and alcohol began to wear on Yen and his head began to ache. It had been exactly what Yen needed, getting away from the ship and enjoying time with his friends, but he could feel himself growing tired of the scene and eager to just get some good rest tonight. Despite both Adam and Penchant’s urgings to stay, Yen stood and waved goodnight. Sliding past the dancing bodies and slipping along the wall toward the front door, Yen opened the door and reveled in the doorway as the blast of cool air struck his face. Though the recycled breeze was artificial, Yen didn’t care as it quickly dried the glistening sweat on his skin.

  Stepping out of the doorway, Yen turned down the street and inadvertently ran right into a woman walking the opposite direction. Though Yen staggered backward, the woman actually slipped and fell backwards, landing roughly on her bottom. Startled, Yen immediately rushed over and extended his hand to help her to her feet. He had expected a disgruntled scowl from the woman, but was surprised to find the Pilgrim actually smiling and laughing softly. As she took his hand and climbed to her feet, not an easy task in the tall heels she wore, Yen took a moment to admire her figure.

  Though surprisingly shorter than he had expected, she was well proportioned. Her long blonde hair was hanging loose and it framed her youthful face. Her bright blue eyes sparkled in the night air and her smile was both relaxed and enchanting. As much as he tried to keep his gaze above her neck, she wore a low cut blouse that clearly left her ample cleavage on display. As he helped her to her feet, he let his eyes pass admiringly over her chest.

  “I am so sorry,” Yen gushed. “I didn’t even see you there.”

  Standing her full height, the woman was still a head shorter than Yen. “It’s okay. You’d be surprised how many times I get overlooked.” The Pilgrim smiled broadly at her own personal joke. Even after being nearly trampled by Yen, she kept a surprisingly positive sense of humor.

  Despite himself, Yen laughed. “I won’t make that mistake twice, I promise. Listen, I feel terrible about knocking you down. Let me at least buy you a drink to make up for it.”

  The woman raised an eyebrow as though thinking over his offer before replying. “No.”

  “No?” Yen asked, surprised.

  “No, you can’t buy me a drink,” she explained. “I just left a bar and I think I’ve had my fill for the night.” Her tone changed, taking on a coy undertone. “However, there was a pretty nice outdoor cafe a little ways down the street. I’d be willing to let you buy me coffee. It seems like a pretty fair deal after nearly trampling me.”

  Yen’s smile broadened. “How can I say no? I think I might be able to suffer through buying you coffee as a fair trade to almost killing you.”

  The woman turned and extended her elbow, which Yen slipped his hand through. Leading her down the street, they quickly found their way to the outdoor cafe and took a seat at a small table.

  “This is much better than talking in the street,” she remarked as she looked at the menu.

  Sitting across from one another, she seemed remarkably at ease with a perfect stranger. “I just realized that I don’t even know your name,” Yen said with a sudden surprise. He extended his hand across the table. “I’m Yen Xiao.”

  “Iana Morven,” the Pilgrim woman replied as she shook his hand. “You here on shore leave?”

  “I am,” Yen said, but paused immediately afterward. He knew her name from somewhere before, but couldn’t quite place it. “You seem familiar somehow. Have we met before?”

  Iana arched an eyebrow. “I don’t think so. I’ve only been a few places since joining the Fleet, so it would be a very small circle that I would travel in.”

  “I didn’t even realize you were Fleet. What ship are you assigned to?”

  Iana frowned. The perky attitude faded quickly, replaced by a darker and saddened visage. Yen immediately regretted the question. “I’m sorry,” he said. “You don’t have to answer that.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Iana replied softly. “I was assigned to the Vindicator until…”

  She left the statement hanging, but Yen knew how it ended. The Vindicator had been one of the Cruisers that was destroyed during the battle with the Empire. Everyone on board had been killed, leaving its Squadron stranded and homeless.

  “I’m really sorry,” Yen consoled.

  “Don’t be. I was only assigned to the Vindicator a few weeks before the battle. I hardly knew anyone on board, except for the members of the Squadron. Now we’re all being spl
it up and reassigned.”

  “Any idea where they’re sending you?”

  “I’m being reassigned to the Revolution,” Iana answered.

  His interest piqued, Yen smiled broadly. “Then I guess it’s not just chance that brought us together. I’m from the Revolution.”

  Iana returned his broad smile as the waiter brought them both cups of coffee. She sipped her drink as she stared into Yen’s dark eyes. “You know, my fortune told me I’d run into a nice guy today. I just didn’t think to take it so literally. So what can you tell me about my future Squadron Commander?”

  Yen’s smile froze on his face, his cup equally frozen halfway to his lips. It felt as though a blast of cold air had struck him, cooling the burning emotions running through his veins. “She’s a very well decorated pilot,” Yen said a little flatly. “She’s a little harsh at times, but all in all she’s a good Commander.”

  “That’s it?” Iana chided. “Just that she’s a good Commander?”

  Yen shook his head. “Forget about work. We’re both on shore leave right now and shouldn’t be talking about assignments and the leadership. We’re here to enjoy ourselves.” Though his earlier lust was cooled, he still enjoyed spending time with Iana and figured it was worth trying his hand at extending their evening together. “Listen, I hardly feel like buying you some coffee makes up for me trying to kill you. When was the last time you saw a good movie?”

  “Are you asking me out on a date?” she asked matter-of-factly.

  Yen blushed slightly. “I guess I am.”

  “Then I’d be delighted.”

  Signaling toward the waiter, Yen scanned his card and paid for their drinks. Pointing down the street toward one of the neon flashing marquees, Yen led her toward the movie theater as they resumed their pleasant conversation.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN