Stone Blade

by James Cox

  A roar in the distance caught Jenn's attention. Starships occasionally lofted close enough to be heard. After a moment's search she caught sight of it. Sparkling, flashing, moving across the sky, ever upward, the ship again sounded the distant thunder of its passage. Jenn wished a blessing upon it and those it carried. A short, sharp pang of loneliness washed through her and she turned her eyes back downward.

  Jenn entered her billet, closed and locked the door, flipped on the light and headed toward the kitchen, mind intent on dinner.

  “Hi Jenn.”

  Jenn jumped! A stranger leaned against her table! Panic washed through her. Entering her billet meant high-level access privileges. Highcarder! That meant... What he would do...

  Then she looked at his eyes. Disbelief, then wonder, then joy flooded away her fear.

  “Micah?”

  She had a bare instant to realize the truth of it before his arms went around her.

  Micah held Jenn a long, long time, savoring every warmth and scent and nuance of her. He ran his hand across her, stroked her hair, held her.

  “Micah! It's really you!”

  Fingers along his face, his shoulder. Her lips soft and sweet against his, warming and filling him. He held her closely and trembled against her as she did him.

  “I don't believe it,” she finally whispered.

  “It's really me, Jenn.” Micah touched her cheek, his voice husky with emotion, “I've missed you so much.”

  “Me too!” She brushed his lips softly again. “So what brings you back?”

  “Deke's graduating tomorrow,” he said, “And I really, really wanted to see you?”

  “For truth?” Her smile turned impish. “So why was I second on the list?”

  “Uh, because I've already seen them?”

  “Silly. Of course you have.” After another long hug and another warm after-hug Jenn stepped back.

  “You've changed, Micah.” Her still-soft voice now held a bare hit of uncertainty.

  “Yeah.” Micah felt a tinge of sadness. “Yeah. I guess I have. It's been a long time, Jenn. In lots of ways.”

  “I see.” Jenn took his hands in hers. “Micah, have you found someone?”

  “No!” The question shocked Micah. “No, Jenn! My only someone is you. That... That hasn't changed.”

  “I'm glad,” she smiled.

  “Umm... Have you...”

  “No, silly! Can't you tell?”

  Micah blushed and she pulled him to the table. They sat, still holding hands.

  “So tell me what changed you, punkin'. The ships came for you. Tell me where they took you.”

  Micah talked for a time, a soft time, a long time. He kept her hands firmly in his. He edited the stories, of course, but still managed to tell her enough.

  “So you're going back after tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, Jenn. Mother and Father, they won't be going. I tried. I tried... They're sending Deke but they won't leave.”

  She kissed his hand comfortingly. “I know, Micah. They're rooted here. They'll leave someday, just not now.”

  Micah nodded. He steeled himself around the anxious knot forming in his stomach.

  “I know that, Jenn.” Micah mustered up all the courage he had. “Jenn, I want you to come with me, too.”

  ***

  “The worlds out there,” said Micah, “they're wonderful. I mean, there are some bad ones, too. It's not all paradise but it's so much better than here. There's so much out there. You won't believe how different it is but it's wonderful! We won't have to worry about highcarders or Status or Constables. It's so... Different!” Micah tried hard to organize his jumbled thoughts and put them into words. “Please say you will, Jenn. I wanted to take all of you. Please. Please, Jenn.”

  Jenn sighed, softly and almost silently. She squeezed his hands. Then she let go. Then, slowly, she shook her head.

  “No, Micah.” Then, after a moment, “I'm sorry. No.” A single tear trickled from each eye. Then she looked down.

  Cold numbness froze Micah's soul. He felt as though the world had been ripped out from under him.

  “Jenn... Why?”

  “It... Micah, I don't have a lot here,” she said, searching for words, “But what I do have is mine. I know it wasn't much but I always treasured that night with you.” Jenn wiped her eyes. “I know my teasing embarrassed you but... It was so sweet the way you treated me. When you worked late. I know you didn't but I always pretended you were staying just for me. Just so I could flirt with you and make you blush and talk to you. Those memories. They're mine too. I don't want to lose them, Micah.”

  Speaking cost her. Her tears now streamed.

  “But... I don't understand. Jenn... I feel the same way. You don't know it but you kept me... You kept me sane! There were times. Horrible times. There were times I wanted to just lay down and die. Or lay down my... My soul and do horrible, awful things. Just the thought of you kept me sane. Kept me alive!”

  “I love my little Micah,” said Jenn with obvious effort, “B-but... He changed. He changed into someone I don't really know. I want... I want my little treasure, my pumpkin, but I don't know if he's still there.”

  Jenn put her head down and sobbed, silent but hard.

  “But he is! I mean, I'm still me, Jenn! There are some things... I mean you don't... I don't... Jennifer, please!”

  She shook her head. “I... I can't take that chance. Please don't ask me to.”

  Micah tried to think past the desolation inside him.

  “I can get you a ticket. Anywhere. Well, almost. Somewhere that isn't here! There's so much opportunity out there!”

  “And what would I do? Be a kept woman for you or someone else to take care of?”

  “No! That isn't what I said, Jenn. Burnit! I want you away from here! It doesn't have to be... Flames. Anywhere but here? I made it! You can, too!”

  “You left with so much more than me, Micah. I don't think years of Caustik stipes would count for much, out there.”

  “Jenn, it's not like that! There's a lot you can do! A lot you can learn! There are ways.”

  Again she shook her head.

  Micah thought hard and long.

  “Okay. What... What about here? What about a job at the League Plaza?”

  “Doing...”

  “Doing exactly what you do now! Cargo transfer, loading, unloading. Listen! It's exactly the same job! Same job, better equipment!”

  “So you'll just wave your fingers and make that happen? Are you that powerful now?”

  “Jenn...” Micah sighed. “No, but I can pull a string or two.” Then, more softly. “Maybe. I think. I hope. Jenn... Jennifer, I just want you to be safe! That's all. I love you and I want you safe. Please. Will... Will you at least think about it?”

  “Micah, I think you should leave now. Please.”

  Icicles stabbed Micah from the desolation.

  “Jenn... Will you think about it?”

  After a moment, “Yes.”

  Micah rose, let himself out and locked the door. A dismal despair settled over him.

  Chapter 19. Treason And Manners

  Micah's mother and father arranged to have graduation day off. Their supervisors charged them five vacation days and grudgingly approved it. Micah met his family early and treated them to breakfast. Then they began a day of power shopping! Lawrence and Dora both knew something troubled Micah but they kept their silence.

  “Polar to orbit,” said Derek, running an admiring finger across the portable terminal. Though not fancy by League standards it far outstripped anything available to Caustik lowcarders.

  “You like it?” asked Micah with some cheer returning.

  “It's fantastic!” Derek powered it up and ran it through some paces. “Imagine this baby hooked up to a dex! It would scorch rock!”

  “I think you're right,” said Micah. He motioned to the clerk and handed over his card. “Happy graduation, little brother.”

  Derek's eyes widened and almost p
opped as Micah began adding software modules.

  “Micah...” said Lawrence.

  “He'll need it,” said Micah, “Trust me. I know. These mods are fairly standard and the better he knows them the easier class will be.”

  Derek grinned wide enough to dispel the last of Micah's mood. “Thanks, Micah! I'll know 'em! Inside out and frontwards back!”

  Nor did Micah limit his purchases to Derek. He bought his parents a selection of items that were not expensive but also not readily available. He also, over objections, bought his mother a dress and his father a new suit. Not, thought Micah, that he'd wear it past graduation. Still, from the look in Lawrence's eye he might just find an occasion or two to dress up. Micah's final purchase was a datacaster.

  “This way you can send us pictures,” said Micah, “Don't worry. Deke will have plenty of access. I can guarantee that!”

  Before they left the Plaza Micah took his parents to the First League Financial branch there. Over vehement objection he opened them an account there and deposited a hefty balance.

  “If you won't come with me,” said Micah, “at least I can help you here. Father, it really isn't that much and I can afford it.”

  Lawrence seemed on the verge of another round of objections when Dora put her hand on his arm.

  “Of course, son,” she said, “We'll just use it for emergencies. Nothing past that.”

  Lawrence thought to object to that too but grinned instead. “Boy, I guess you did get my stubborn blood. Emergencies only, though.”

  “And just write me if you need more.”

  His parents nodded, mentally vowing not to do that very thing!

  Micah scanned the crowd in the auditorium looking for Jenn. She hadn't said whether or not she'd attend but Micah hoped she would.

  Micah grinned inwardly at the stir he caused. The full formal League Marine uniform he still had but seldom wore cut a path through the crowds there. Commonwealth service uniforms were rare and others much more so. To have such in the lowcarder section was unheard-of. That plus Micah's confidence and the ease with which he carried himself helped matters. No one bothered them as they took their seats.

  Derek's graduation put Micah in mind of his own. Same boring speeches, similar topics. Micah saw several teachers he'd had, some he liked and others he hadn't. They didn't recognize him, though, and he made no efforts toward them. After the last round of applause Micah pocketed the graduation program carefully.

  Micah enjoyed the reception afterward. Four young ladies, obviously Jenn's friends, swarmed Deke and posed avidly for the datacaster. Deke bore it with good grace; they knew he'd be leaving soon and planned to have an evening of him before the fact. Micah's parents snapped enough holos to fill a datacube and Micah snapped some of them as well.

  Finally, when the crowd, along with Micah's hope, started to thin and vanish, Derek's face brightened. When Micah turned he saw Jenn.

  “Congratulations, studpanther!” Jenn gave Deke a ferocious hug and peck on the lips. “Hi Mr. Stone, Mrs. Stone.” Dora received a hug, Lawrence a hug and kiss on the cheek. Then she turned to Micah. “Hi.” Then she hugged him. Nothing more.

  “I'm glad you made it, Jenn,” said Derek, “Steff, Lori, Tracy and Anna are here somewhere.”

  “I saw them at the 'fresher. I hear they'll all be missing you before long.”

  “Yeah. Micah's taking me away to college.”

  “I know, stud. He asked me to go, too.”

  Micah's parents exchanged warm looks. Derek's face brightened.

  “And?” asked Lawrence.

  “Well, I've been thinking.”

  Time slowed. Micah held his expression steady but bleak hollowness slammed into him. The moment froze around him as every detail etched itself into his brain.

  Jenn looked at Micah. “Micah, will I like it on Azure? Can I find a job there?”

  “Yes!” said Micah, nearly weeping from the happiness now suffusing him, “Oh yes. Yes, yes and yes!”

  Then she was in his arms and nothing else mattered!

  From Graduation the group of them went to the Plaza for a celebratory dinner. The girls with Derek marveled at what they saw there and Micah encouraged them to tell their parents. The meal they had was the best Micah had ever eaten, even though he had no idea what he ordered. Then, meal done, they walked back to the billets. Derek and his friends headed for the commons after an admonition from Lawrence not to be too late. Micah knew Deke wouldn't sleep tonight but that he'd have ample time on board the ship.

  Micah walked slowly now, his arm around Jenn, content with the world. After too short a time they reached her door.

  “Thank you, Jenn. I'm glad you're coming with me.”

  Jenn smiled. “Me too.” She brushed his lips. “In case you haven't figured it out, Micah Stone, I happen to be madly, passionately, deeply and mindlessly in love with you.”

  “Uhhh...” Micah felt a serious blush starting.

  Jenn looked into his eyes, then past them, then deep into his soul.

  “I love you, Micah.”

  Her lips against his.

  “I love you, Jenn.” Speaking the words cost Micah no effort at all; he knew, deeply, the simple truth behind them.

  “Good. I'll see you tomorrow, then.”

  ***

  Micah remembered little of his walk back to the hotel. He saw several constables in the distance but they didn't bother him nor he them. Back in his room, heart and steps now light, Micah tugged at his uniform. He didn't really like wearing full formal but tonight was worth it. Plus-plus!

  “Hello, my brother!”

  Micah jumped, turned and clawed to draw the blaster he didn't have.

  “Heaven's flames, Agent Stone! Are your shorts clean?”

  “Charlie! What the hades are you doing here?”

  Ferrel, seated on the bed with his back to the wall, graced Micah with his most mischievous grin.

  “Micah, my brother, have we not slaved and toiled together? Have we not worked and sweated our way through the worst the League and its foes have to offer?” Ferrel waved his arm airily about. “Have we not suffered fear and fatigue and endless labor and struggle to overcome odds too terrible to speak? Of course I'm here. After all you've said about your younger brother where else would I be?”

  Calmer now, Micah finished changing his uniform.

  “That was a fine graduation, by the bye. You burned quite a swath, my friend.” Ferrel's expression took on a superior smugness Micah knew all too well. “Speaking of burning...”

  “Yes?” Micah sat facing his friend.

  “You should be ashamed of yourself. I know the nets around here aren't sophisticated but even you should have done better! Just so you know I reburned most of your monitors and feeds. They weren't efficient and there was no failover.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes. Mine will stay in place without maintenance. I also managed a redundant transfer through a more stable link.”

  Micah sighed. “Charlie, I wish you hadn't done that.”

  “Whyso, Micah? It was no trouble at all and I rather enjoyed it!”

  “I know, Charlie. But it wasn't exactly legal either. I stepped way over the line here. Several ways. I didn't want you involved. I'm going to report myself when we get back.”

  “Oh flames,” said Ferrel, “Well... I fear it's a bit late for that.”

  Before Micah could register Ferrel's words the balcony door opened and Ionoski stepped through.

  “Hello, Micah. That was a very good graduation indeed. I took the liberty of scanning your brother's records. He'll do quite well. No problem with scholarships at all!”

  Micah's heart dropped into his shoes.

  “Ted. I don't suppose I'll be surprising you with my report.”

  Ionoski shook his head.

  “In that case I'll report myself for discipline now. I'll file a full report once I have the chance to scribe it. When we get back I'll accept whatever decision is made.”


  “Oh, Micah. Agent Stone. Of all people you, you should have known better. I am very disappointed. You had this planned in advance, did you not?”

  Micah nodded. “Yes. And I didn't want to drag down anyone else.”

  “Admirable loyalty,” said Ionoski, “But, what is the Fourth Rule of the Mission, Agent Stone?”

  “Always bring backup,” snapped Micah automatically, “But... That's for official missions. This wasn't!”

  Ferrel chuckled and Ionoski, unable to keep his dour face, grinned to match.

  “I want you to see something, Micah. You were evaluated long before you entered Intel training, my friend.” Ionoski handed Micah a terminal.

  Micah scanned the document. “... motor skills, excellent; coordination, excellent; combat skills, excellent;...” Micah skimmed ahead. “... moral character, outstanding; determination, excellent; integrity, outstanding; ... So on... 'Highest recommendation for League Intelligence'?”

  “Keep on,” said Ionoski.

  “Evaluated Agent in Charge... Blake Glade?”

  The balcony door opened again and Glade himself walked through.

  “Hello, Micah. It's good to see you again.”

  Micah shook the man's hand numbly. “What...”

  “What I'm doing here, Agent Stone, is having a very enjoyable conversation with an old friend I've just now met.” Glade nodded toward Ionoski. “I am also prepared, if you wish, to take any official reports you'd care to make.”

  “I'm certain you have the details,” said Micah, “As I told Ted I will place myself on official discipline and accept whatever decision is made. I didn't know there was an operation already in progress.”

  “As to that,” said Glade, “In case it escaped your training, Agent Stone, the League does not in the most emphatic sense of the words, and I quote, interfere with the inner structure or workings of the local governments on its member worlds, end quote. Doing so without specific invitation violates almost every tenet of the League charter!”