by Sharon Lee
What neither heard was news of the mission, though occasionally one or another would mention that commander this-or-that had gotten his price, and signed in blood, as the inevitable phrasing went, on the Liaden's dotted line.
Vepal's own impression was that there was a certain tension with regard to those signings. The wisdom among the common troops was that, while the promised payments might seem very fine on paper; the recruiting agents were, in large measure, Liaden, and the contract surely so. There would be a clause, a comma, or phrase in that document somewhere, so fretted the common troop, which would, in the end, rob them of their pay.
Occasionally, one would speculate upon the identity of the target, but those idle wonderings were, according to both Ochin and Erthax, and by Vepal's own observation, shut down forcefully with a snarled, "Ain't sapposa talk on that. Commander says, no chatter! Next wise wonderer gets their head bust, 'member it!" from a sergeant or an elder-in-troop – and the conversation would momentarily pause before veering off onto the safer topics of sex – prior or desired—or battles fought long ago.
#
JinJee Sanchez continued to await the arrival of her co-commander, which event she anticipated loudly whenever she and Vepal met, which was surprisingly often.
Commander Sanchez had many associates on station, and she called on them all, frequently attended, at her express invitation, by Vepal.
"Commander Vepal awaits clearance from his commanders at Temp Headquarters," she told those acquaintances. "When he is given leave to sign the NDA, then will we all be kindred in arms. Now is not too soon to learn each other."
To Vepal's surprise, this argument carried force. None of the commanders he met in this way displayed any particular dismay at meeting an Yxtrang commander, though all of those who had signed the NDA, without exception, showed a tight-lipped distress, and a uniform refusal to talk about Perdition Enterprises's plans, even in the most general of terms.
When no one to whom she was personally known was available to receive her, JinJee called upon those she knew by reputation – the details of those reputations being supplied by her colleague, the commander of all secrets. On those days, she and Vepal would meet afterward, to share a beer, and often a meal, while she briefed him on what she had learned.
This shift, she arrived with a grin on her face, fingers up to bespeak two beers even as she slid onto the seat across from him. They were again at The Headless Yxtrang, by far their favorite meet-place, though by no means the only one.
"Have you news from your co-commander?" he asked her, that being the most likely public reason for such overt delight.
"No! The bastard sends no word past urgent business! I will sell tickets to his public skinning, when he finally sets boots on this station."
The beers arrived. They raised the glasses in one gesture and each took a hearty swallow.
Vepal put his glass down.
"But something has happened to please you," he said.
"Oh, yes; very much, but will it please you, is what I ask myself!"
"Does that matter?" he asked, watching her eyes sparkle.
"Improbably, it does, as it involves you most particularly."
"Then you had better tell me," he said. "If my honor is at risk, I must make answer."
"Now, there is where you give me cause for concern!" she said, but laughing as she spoke. She raised her glass and had another swallow.
Vepal, seeing how it was with her, brought two fingers into the air, even as he drained his own glass.
"I will tell you," she said, when the second beers had arrived, and the empties taken away. She put her elbows on the table, and leaned close. He did as well, bending until their heads nearly touched.
"Our frequent meetings have come to the attention of my command, who I doubt you hold in much esteem, given your introduction to many of them."
"The unit is the reflection of the commander," he murmured. "They had forgotten themselves, but recalled quickly enough, when you came among them."
She paused, head tipped, as if struck by this.
"You give me hope, then, that you will find my news as diverting as I do. The more incorrigible of my command have started a pool, Comrade, wagering on the shift and the hour in which we two shall. . .seek out a more private venue, for, let us say, a most intimate meeting."
It took him a moment to understand her, and when he did, he feared that she would feel the heat of the blood rushing into his face.
She shifted, and put her fingers on his wrist – cool fingers against his heated flesh.
"I have offended," she said. "Forgive me, Comrade. Among us it is. . .an indication of acceptance, and in this case, I confess, somewhat of pride, that their commander might conquer an Yxtrang."
He cleared his throat.
"You have not offended," he managed, hearing the growl in his voice, and hoping that she put it down to his obvious embarrassment. "It is done . . .differently among us. Wagers are made on . . .displays of skill and matches of strengths."
A small pause; briefly, she pressed his wrist, then withdrew her fingers.
"Not so much different, then," she said lightly, and leaned back into the seat, reaching for her glass. "If I call for two of today's special, will you share a meal with me?"
He straightened, settling his shoulders against the back of the bench, and met her eyes – raptor bright and fearless. The knot in his stomach loosened.
"I would be proud to share a meal with such a comrade," he said.
#
"Sir."
Erthax rose from the command chair and saluted as Vepal came onto the bridge, itself surprising enough that he checked his progress.
"Permission to speak, sir," Erthax said.
Vepal considered saying no, which really was unworthy, before granting permission with the wave of a hand.
"An open message from Recruiter ter'Menth arrived while you were gone, sir, demanding that you attend her at the Core Conference Center at your first free moment. Only give her name at the desk, and she will see you immediately."
The intent of the message was, Vepal strongly suspected, phrased by Erthax in order to give maximum offense. That aside, the message – or one very like it – was not unexpected. One might quibble that a mere recruiter had insufficient rank to order a commander to her, but he was prepared to overlook the slight to what a Liaden would term his melant'i, specifically because he wanted no one of Perdition Enterprises to set boots on his decks. A meeting at the conference center therefore suited him well.
"Is there more?" he asked Erthax.
"That is the whole of it," the pilot admitted. "The original is on-screen, if you wish."
"No, I have no need. Archive it. I go."
There was a stir at the hatchway. Vepal turned his head to see Ochin, dressed for duty.
"Escort, sir?"
Clearly Erthax had shared the news of the message with his underling, if only to demonstrate how low the ambassador had fallen to obey an open summons made by a mere flunky, and a Liaden flunky at that.
Vepal might have simply said no, but it was his habit to show the Rifle his reasoning, when possible, so that he might perform his duty the better.
"Not for this. The recruiter is Liaden, and might think that we are escalating a situation which, by the tenor of her message, she already considers difficult."
He saw Ochin consider and reject that reasoning, but the Rifle made no argument. Naturally not. He merely saluted, and stepped to one side, clearing Vepal's path to the hatch.
"Sir."
#
The sound of the hatch closing had not quite faded away when the Rifle looked at the Pilot, and the Pilot glanced briefly down at his board.
"All right," he said, as if the other had said it aloud. "Go watch your Liaden plays. I'll escort-at-a-distance since he always sees you, anyway. Lock down until he's back."
#
As it happened, Vepal had not been required to ask for ter'Menth at the command d
esk; the recruiter was sitting in one of the chairs in the common room, and rose promptly when he entered.
"Commander, how good of you to come so quickly," she said, teeth showing behind her smile.
"Your message carried some urgency," he answered, smiling in kind. "Naturally, I came as soon as I was aware."
"You honor me," she told him, which he took leave to doubt. "Come, there is an empty room just here . . ."
She bowed him in ahead of her, another small cubicle such as the one where he had first met her. He took the chair nearest the door, as he had on that first occasion, while she passed behind the desk, and arranged herself there.
She did not glance at the screen; perhaps it was blank; perhaps she had no need.
"I regret that I must ask," she said, folding her hands on the desk top before her, "however, those whom I report to are becoming . . .restless."
"I understand," he assured her. "Ask without offense."
She inclined her head.
"We wonder when you might hear from the High Command at Temp Headquarters. Interest in bringing a conquest corps into our expedition remains keen, but there are schedules to maintain, and, as we are both aware, there is only so long that a project of this scope can be kept quiet."
He had, Vepal thought, expected this question. They were after all nearing the end of their week's berthing, and there had been no response – to either of his queries.
"I cannot predict with any accuracy when the commanders may choose to speak," he told her, which was the utter truth. "Understand, not only have Perdition Enterprises asked them to commit on the – your pardon – sketchiest of details, but the request for commitment is, of itself, unique. You will know from dealing with your own command structure that a new situation must be examined from all sides. It might, perhaps, speed their deliberations, if more details were made available to them."
"I understand you, I think," she said, blandly. "Like you, I am constrained by the orders of my superiors. I will therefore take your request to them."
"I'm grateful," he told her.
She moved a hand, perhaps sweeping away his gratitude – or perhaps, he told his rising temper, it meant some other thing altogether, and was nothing near an insult. He did best to let it pass.
"I see you about often with Commander Sanchez of the Paladin mercenary unit. I wonder – forgive me if I am forward – how you come to know her."
Vepal felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Had they come now to the real reason for this interview? Still, there was nothing, as far as he could parse the matter – nothing at all wrong with telling the truth.
He therefore did just that: the arrival of the Paladins at the speakeasy on Seebrit Station while Vepal and his small troop were at mess; the threats, the subsequent arrival of Commander Sanchez, and the quick restoration of peace and order.
"We met again, by chance, later that evening, and took the opportunity to talk, as commanders will between themselves. We found ourselves to be in agreement on several topics of importance to us both, and, I believe, we were each dismayed when our separate duties required that we part. I was surprised, but pleased, to find her – a comrade, as it were – here among all of these worthy strangers."
He paused, and gave ter'Menth a nod.
"She has been useful to me. Sanchez knows many commanders, and has introduced me to them. If these soldiers will eventually be fighting shoulder to shoulder with Yxtrang, it is better for all that they learn to know an Yxtrang."
"I see. A most beneficial relationship. And, yet, she confines herself to the commanders of mercenaries, even those previously unknown to her. I wonder that she has not continued her work among our other recruits, who might also benefit from her acquaintance, and yours."
This, thought Vepal, was an odd turn of direction, but candor continued to seem his best course.
"I believe she does not wish to intrude herself, having no acquaintance among those to ease her way as she eases mine."
"Doubtless you are correct," ter'Menth said, and rose, her hands flat on her desk. "Perhaps I shall make it my business to mend that situation for her."
It was said as blandly as any other thing she had said to him, yet Vepal was suddenly certain that the manner of that meeting would be to JinJee's peril.
He trusted that his face did not betray his unease as he rose and bowed slightly from the waist before he left the interview room.
CHAPTER FOUR
Vepal gained the business concourse through the airlock open wide enough to march a parade through and walked in the vague direction of their docking, his pace brisk, but not over-hasty. As he walked, he reviewed the meeting with Recruiter ter'Menth, and failed to find less reason for the concern that still taxed him. There had been nothing overtly said – ter'Menth, after all, was Liaden – but the manner of what had been said, and what had not been said, especially that last, almost absent-sounding comment –
Perhaps I should make it my business to mend that situation for her.
Of course, Recruiter ter'Menth, who was, in his opinion, no mere recruiter, nor had ever intended him to suppose her so – Recruiter ter'Menth most naturally had warriors at her beck. Not merely because there were those who had signed the NDA form, and were therefore subject to the orders of Perdition Enterprises, transmitted through their appointed operatives, but simply because Recruiter ter'Menth was the sort who would be certain to arm herself, as a matter of course.
JinJee Sanchez, now: interminably awaiting her co-commander, making her calls, asking her questions. It might, Vepal thought – it might very well make sense for Recruiter ter'Menth – or, rather say, Perdition Enterprises – to make an example, for the good of discipline. Through her own efforts, JinJee was well-known on station. The Paladins were not the least-counted among those mercenary units on-station; no easy targets, commander or unit.
Vepal entered a lift, and directed it to the food hub. No surprises there, for any who had happened to follow him; the food hub was a favorite destination of his, even when he was not scheduled to meet JinJee.
He stepped off the lift and crossed immediately to the comm-bank, keeping good watch as he called the ship, relaying to Ochin that he was delayed, and would call again when he was on approach to their docking.
That done, he slipped back into the crowd, still keeping a close watch for followers.
He was fortunate in his hour, one of the food hub's busiest. It would not be easy to trail a single man – even a large and distinctive man – through such a crush.
He was also fortunate that the Paladins were housed quite near to the food hub. He might arrive quickly to speak with JinJee regarding the potential threats to the security of herself and her troop.
Of course, there was no need to track him in order to bring mischief down upon the Paladins. ter'Menth knew as well as he where they camped. Vepal's hope lay in the. . .probability that it would take time for any orders ter'Menth issued to be received and acted upon.
He hoped he was wrong, and that his error would become a very good joke between JinJee and himself, down a long future.
In the meantime, he would watch her back, as she watched his.
* * *
Recruiting Agent ter'Menth returned to the common room as a very tall soldier in grays reached the receptionist's desk, and stated in an odd accent, "I want to see Recruiting Agent ter'Menth."
"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked.
"I do not, but the recruiting agent will want to see me, and to hear what I say."
The receptionist was not, of course, a fool, and even if so, his orders contained the fact that ter'Menth was the single contact-point for Yxtrang. Still, there was some value in maintaining the proprieties, especially as this particular Yxtrang was new to the common recruitment area.
"May I tell Recruiting Agent ter'Menth your name and rank?" the receptionist asked calmly.
ter'Menth saw the Yxtrang soldier stiffen; apparently he considered the question i
mpertinent. In the next instant, however, he had gathered himself into hand, and produced a very credible bow.
"I am Erthax Pilot, of Vepal's Small Troop."
Ah, thought ter'Menth, this might in fact be something interesting. She stepped forward, claiming the receptionist's attention with a wave.
"Here is the recruiting agent, now," the receptionist said, obedient to the cue. He stood up and bowed to ter'Menth's honor.
Pilot Erthax hesitated a moment, possibly at a loss for an appropriate form. ter'Menth inclined slightly from the waist, which he took up immediately, reproducing her bow precisely, which a Liaden would see as having declared them equals. Rather than lesson him sternly she took it as a sign that he had not been fully briefed by his commander, so she smiled, showing the teeth a little.
"Pilot Erthax," she said smoothly. "I had not anticipated your arrival. It happens, however, that I am at leisure, and eager to hear what you have to say to me. If you will follow, there is a room just down here where we may be private."
She moved her hand, showing him the direction, and waited until he had stepped around the receptionist's desk, and followed her from the hall.
* * *
At another time the place might have been used for a trade show; what it did now was hold many troops in close quarters. Vepal’s ID card as a commander of troops allowed him entry to the area, JinJee being yet true to her open-camp philosophy.
The Paladins had been mustered for inspection, and they made a brave showing, Vepal thought, pausing at the edge of the impromptu parade ground. Leathers and weapons gleamed in the station-light. Shoulders back, faces soldierly, eyes front, the troops stood motionless, scarcely seeming to breathe, as their commander made her leisurely way up and down the lines.
If her troop was brave, JinJee Sanchez was proud; a commander's commander, conducting a meticulous inspection. She paused before one troop, frowning down at his boots. Spoke, too low for Vepal to hear – a private matter, between commander and soldier. The man's fair face colored to a bright red, but he replied with dignity, eyes front. She spoke again, and his Yes, Commander! rang over the field, as she moved on to the next, hands behind her back, face grave and thoughtful.
