"I'm buying, Kel, so I assume your tastes haven't changed."
Morris left, giving them time to break the ice. When he returned Jena wore a warm smile and Kelven a sheepish grin.
"You are a dirty dog, Morris," he said, "I hope you enjoyed your little prank."
"Truth pure and plenty of it," replied Morris.
After dinner they walked to the club next door. While not totally out of favor primate had declined in popularity. With drinks served and a table claimed Jena grabbed Morris' hand.
Morris still danced poorly but he absolutely did not care. He was on the floor with a gorgeous lady who attracted more eyes than his and he had faced fates a thousand times worse than being a bad dancer. When a slow song started he led her back to the table.
"I'm going out for some air," he said, "but I will be back, no blather."
Outside in the pleasantly cool air Morris leaned against a rail and gazed upward.
"Hi," said a voice beside him, "Light?"
Morris used his new tool for the second time. The lady smiled and leaned against the rail with her arm against him.
"Nice view, yes," she asked.
"It always is. Always different and always the same."
"One day I'll visit them, for truth. I've never been offplanet but I think there's so much interesting stuff out there."
"It's overrated," said Morris, "There's interesting stuff there, sure, but I can think of something a lot more interesting and that is right here."
Laughter.
"I like that," she said, "I'm Shelli. With an 'i.'"
"I'm Morris," he replied, "With... an 'M.'"
"Tell me, Morris with an M, what do you do when you're not looking at the stars."
"I fix things."
Shelli wound her arm under his.
"Do you dance?"
"Badly."
"Polar." She pulled gently toward the club. "I'm a good teacher. Six sigmas."
Back inside Morris spotted Jena and Kelven at the same time she saw him. Shelli tightened her grip on Morris' arm when Jena put hers on his shoulder.
"We're going to get better acquainted, Morris. I think I may keep him a while." Jena gave him a kiss on the cheek then spoke to Shelli. "Take care of him, sweets. He's worth it."
Shelli pulled Morris toward the dance floor without speaking. When the lights flashed across her Morris found her easily as gorgeous as her voice sounded. A slow song started and she smiled and snuggled herself against him.
"Polarity, Morris with an M. The secret is just to relax."
As she claimed Shelli was indeed a good teacher. A very good teacher! She and Morris danced until the club closed.
***
The next morning found Morris outside the Guildhall. As soon as the media frenzy died down Reichsson ordered him to take at least a week's vacation. Now, one week later, Morris sat in Reichsson's outer office.
"Six-sigmas punctual," said Reichsson, motioning him inside, "I didn't really expect you to take me up on the 'at least' part. I suppose you want an assignment."
"Yes sir. Work is good. It pays my bills."
"Such as are," said Reichsson with a chuckle, "Sorry to disappoint you Supervisor Taylor - now that has a nice sound to it - but you're to receive training now. Supervisor is more than a title and a pay grade. It's a job and I expect you to perform it well."
Reichsson eyed Morris evenly.
"I realize you don't like politics, Morris, but they're not going away. The Guild needs people who can treat them with the distance they deserve and who can go around them when necessary to do what needs done."
Morris shifted uncomfortably at this. Reichsson hit close to home.
"The simple fact is the F37A mission was a pizzle party orbit-wide. Rumor says Intelligence had one or more agents present in the mission staff."
That stunned Morris.
"I don't know who they were," continued Reichsson, "or technically even if they were but if so then they rutted the puppy. What I do know is it could have been a disaster for the League and the Halcyon Region even if the Consortium didn't try to invade them. That's the silver bar in the cesspool.
"The League and Halcyon both decided that it's in their mutual best interests to increase trade and commerce between the both. They want to continue and expand the training program and to develop classes and curricula that will transfer both ways. I don't suppose I need to tell you that both governments are also going to study the hades out of the F37A installation."
Reichsson smiled at Morris' expression.
"All truth, no blather," he smiled, "Before long that place will be full of scientists and other scholarly types, all studying every aspect of every thing there. The Consortium almost pulled off the biggest hoax Intelligence has ever seen and rumor says their Department of Strategy and Planning is on the opposite side of the galaxy from happy about that. Bet me ten credits they won't be absorbing every scrap of data that comes off that planet."
"Sucker bet, sir."
Reichsson grinned. "The Guilds also want to be involved in this. More so the training programs than the exploration, but involved all the same. That involves establishing LINC beacons on the route to F37A which means our Guild will need additional experts on Helene. That way we'll all have a stake. Of course this also requires a Guild member, preferably from the Technical Guild, who can supervise the training and help with the other details."
Morris shifted very uncomfortably at this.
"Our hypothetical supervisor," continued Reichsson, "must have a wide range of experience, a very strong set of ethics and integrity, the ability to handle himself under pressure and, of course, be an exemplary Tech. Can you think of such a person?"
"Not one who wants that kind of responsibility," said Morris.
"I know, Morris, but the one I have in mind is the perfect candidate for the job. Even when he doesn't particularly like the assignment he gives it full effort and usually earns a bonus on it."
Morris thought hard for a moment. "Was that the plan when you assigned me this mission?"
"Great nebula no!!" Those words exploded instantly out of Reichsson, "Heaven's flames, Morris, if I'd known even half the details Harper gave you I'd have refused on behalf of the Guild. Bet me Poltano wouldn't've backed me on it, too. No, Morris, all I knew was what I told you."
Morris nodded. He believed Reichsson.
"You know I'll still need to pass the Junior Supervisor certs and exams."
"Which you will in the high orbits. None of this will happen instantly and you'll have ample time to study, pass cert and prepare for your new duties. So. Do you refuse?"
"No sir, pending sufficient accomplishment on my exams."
Reichsson smiled, rose and offered Morris his hand.
"You also know the Guilds will be backing you six-sigmas on this. You won't be alone."
"I know, sir. Believe me when I say I know it better than I've ever known it before."
Reichsson nodded. "In that case, Probationary Supervisor, I'll let you start your studies. Oh. On a slightly less professional note, please consider taking some more vacation. It's mildly embarrassing to the Guilds in general and ours in particular to have a new supervisor with over seventeen months of accumulated leave."
"Yes sir."
Morris smiled as he left Reichsson's office. He knew his bonus pay added up but the bonus leave time surprised him. Perhaps he'd take another week or two. Later, though, after he passed his cert.
When Morris checked his messages he found one from Jena.
'Morris: Thought you might like to know. Crystal's being discharged from the hospital this afternoon. Luv, hugz 'n' smoochies. JL.'
This afternoon.
Today.
***
Morris stood outside the door to her room. He held a bouquet of flowers; buying them seemed like a good idea but now it felt ridiculous. Still, there were no trash bins nearby. After a long time thinking, he still had no idea what he wanted to say and no idea how to
say it. He didn't need to be here, she didn't need to see him, she'd live her life with this time an aberration on it: these thoughts plagued him and turned him away to leave. Then the guilt and shame at what he'd done and the gratitude at what she wrote turned him right back to it.
If he left she would never know.
If he left he would never forget it.
The decision was taken from Morris' hands. As he stood there, knotted with tension, the door opened and an orderly stepped out.
"Oh, seigneur, there's no need to wait. You can go in now." And the man held the door open.
***
She stood, a silhouette against the window. Her jet-black hair cascaded down past her shoulders and framed the face every bit as beautiful as Morris said. She turned to face him when he walked in.
"Good afternoon, Specialist."
"Technician." She spoke without meeting his eyes.
"Um..." He handed her the flowers.
She took the bouquet, sniffed it and placed it atop her bag.
"I... I wanted to say," stammered Morris, "Thank you for what you did."
"I told the truth, Technician."
"Yes. But... You didn't have to. I... Thank you. I hope... someday, that is... you can forgive me."
She looked up for a bare instant.
"I ahh... I talked to Jena."
"She told me."
"Oh." Morris couldn't meet her eyes. "What I did was inexcusable. I know there aren't any words I can say to... I know you hate me. I know an apology isn't anywhere close to good enough but it's all I can do."
She spoke after a moment of silence. "I don't hate you."
"You should," he mumbled, eyes still down "I understand if you do."
He turned to leave when he felt a touch, feather-light, on his arm.
"Technician... I don't hate you. I don't want to." Briefly, no longer than she'd touched him, she smiled. "Given just the facts I know... I do understand."
"Thank you." He still couldn't meet her eyes. "I don't deserve it." He saw the flowers on top of her bag. "I don't know why I got those. You can toss them if you want."
"No," she said, "You gave them to me."
A lady walked in the room with a professional smile and a datapad.
"Signora Delroy? Good. Let me have your signature and you're done here."
She read the 'pad, signed it and gave her retinals.
"Thank you Signora, Signor." She smiled at both of them as she left.
"Shall I carry your bag," asked Morris, his mouth working on its own.
"If you like." She turned and walked toward the door.
Morris picked up her bag and followed her. Outside the building she stopped for a pack of drugsticks. Morris tried to organize his chaotic thoughts.
"Are you Intelligence," he asked, then realized how stupid it sounded.
"No," she said simply, "Are you? My graph said there might be one."
"Not me."
"Nor me."
"So you were trying to help."
Morris didn't need her slight nod to make him feel even worse. Given what Lace said about her that made a lot more sense. She walked toward a linear station across the plaza.
"Walk beside me," she said softly.
At the station she checked the schedule, lit a 'stick and sat down to wait. Feeling awkward Morris sat beside her. The silence grew as did the tempest inside him. Finally, when the boards displayed her linear the pressure within him reached its peak.
"Specialist... I'm not good at this and you have every reason to hate me for it but I'd like to talk. I don't know what about and I don't know why but I do know I don't want you to board that linear right now."
After an eternity she spoke.
"I told you I don't hate you. I won't hate you. I don't want to hate you."
The sincerity in her voice made Morris look up. This time she met his eyes and trapped them within hers.
"I want to talk to you, too."
Morris felt his face smile and her smile returned. Her brilliant, bright, beautiful smile returned and stayed. He remained lost in it until he realized she had spoken.
"What," he mumbled.
"I said I'm a little hungry."
"Uhh..." Morris looked frantically around the plaza.
She stood. "We'll find something."
Walking closer with each step they started back into the plaza. Behind them the hovertran arrived and eventually departed.
* * * The End * * *
Chapter X: Afterword
Thanks for reading my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If so please consider giving me a review at the retailer where you downloaded it.
If you're interested in more information concerning the League please check out my blog and Facebook pages. In addition to notes about writing, life and programming you will find data about the League, its Guilds and general comments on an average citizen's life there. These were kindly provided by Dr. Ferdinand Kincaid, a noted and well-published League archivist and member of the Artisan's Guild.
In addition to writing books I'm also an open-source Java developer. My magnum opus in this world is Matt's MathTools, a Java application designed to help design and format mathematical things for written (or HTML-based) tests or worksheets. If you find that interesting please visit the site and grab the software. Several tutorials are provided and all of it is FREE!
About the Author
James Matthew Cox, Jr. was born in Texarkana, Arkansas and he grew up on a farm seven miles outside of it. His mother made sure he learned to enjoy reading at an early age and his father made sure he learned to enjoy science fiction, also at an early age. Growing up, his heroes had names like Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke and (E.E.) Smith.
After graduating high school James completed a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Mathematics. He then spent many years as a college math and computer instructor. His writing career began in junior high school and, after many years of practice, he finally decided to do something about it.
Web: https://moldyripegrape.wix.com/newstarstradeleague
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Facebook Book Page: https://www.facebook.com/NewStarsTradeLeagueArchive
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Twitter: @moldyripegrape
Matt's MathTools: https://www.sourceforge.net/projects/mattsmathtools
Cover Artist: https://www.viladesign.net
Chapter Y: Preview
Presented here is a brief description of the first five books in the Stone Blade series, set in the same universe as A Pattern of Details. The main character, Micah Stone, starts out in life as an ordinary guy stuck at the bottom of the food chain on the dismal planet of Caustik. An unlikely chain of events throws him out of his go-nowhere life and into one of interstellar adventure and intrigue.
If you enjoyed A Pattern of Details, please check out these books as well! Thanks!
Stone Blade (#1). When Micah Stone left work late he started down a path to change the fates of more worlds than his. Forced into his planet's military, he excels. Then kicked out by a coward, he joins the League Marines. Haunted by demons of his past he enters a world of shadow and intrigue and must face a planet of foes with only two friends to help him. Success means survival. Failure is not an option.
Double Bait (#2). Robin Macy, more comfortable in the virtual world than the real one, is a law-abiding and hard-working data tech until her online boyfriend vanishes. When she shows her skill by tracking him she lands in the clutches of a charming criminal only to be rescued by two people almost as scary. Now she must decide who she can trust as danger and intrigue shadow her every step.
The Radical Factor (#3). The Semids are a peaceful people and staunch League friends and trade partners. When a group of interstellar terrorists detonates a nuclear bomb at the dedication of their Peace Spire the Semids call on the League for help tracking them down. Micah Stone and his team
then embark on a journey of action, intrigue and interstellar trade to track down the ones responsible and bring them to justice.
The Burning Crown (#4). Failing a mission can cost Micah Stone his life, that's not new, but success may cost him his friends! A trail of defective parts that fail in combat leads Micah to the Starcrown sector: a tight-knit group of rival Noble Houses. He and his team must untangle a complex knot of plot and counter-plot to find who is sabotaging the League. What stands between him and success? The lives of his friends.
Expedient Measures (#5). Politics can be hazardous to your health! When Micah Stone and his team are assigned to help with elections in Grakis Major, they enter a quagmire of bickering unions, vicious crime cartels, squabbling candidates, apathetic citizens and yellow-armored security guards who fight like elite military. Behind it all they find a massive conspiracy to disrupt dozens of economies, including the League's!
A Pattern of Details Page 30
