Sabine: The rise of an Assassin:

[Sabrina Bergin]

Ceri:

“I have a proposition for you.”

“The last one didn’t turn out to well for me Ceri why the hell should I listen to you? This time”

“Because I can give you a chance to walk again, we have more advanced facilities here than they do at the hospital at Black hole sun we also have had some success with the procedure I’m offering you.”

“Alright spell it out, how certain are you this will work, and more importantly Ceri what’s in it for you? I’ve never known you to be generous.”

“You wound me Arlen the procedure works seventy percent of the time ask Pol when you get here, I’ve got a transport waiting to collect you just tell me where you are and I’ll have you picked up.”

Yeah as if I was going to give her the location of my apartment, I thought about if for a moment before answering. “I have some personal matters to take care of Ceri, I’ll give you a call tomorrow. Have your transport standing by.”

Ceri winced as Arlen cut the link she was not used to being so lightly dismissed, if it wasn’t for the fact that the planners said the woman was necessary for this mission she would have gone with her original plan. Command had ruled that out early on though wanting complete deniability. Now they were facing a time critical mission and the preselected lead player was playing hard to get. Time to play hard ball.

“Okay Pol go and get her, and tell your men not to injure her the doctors won’t have time to fix her properly if they start breaking things.

“She’ll be here before dinner time, unharmed I promise.”

Pol walked off to collect the necessary men and equipment he would need, Arlen wouldn’t know what hit her. It would also teach her just who was in charge. Ceri couldn’t help but smile as she anticipated the look on the girls face when she woke up in the morning.

I wasn’t smiling when I saw the transport arrive in system and head straight for the station, seems Ceri wasn’t prepared to wait. Still if nothing else it proved that she had tracked down my supposedly safe hideaway. Still she’d had jazura to do that, and we had been bound to make a mistake somewhere down the line, too many people had been here. That was a mistake I wouldn’t make again. Time to make preparations to receive my guests, security would be powerless to intervene I imagine the people she was sending to snatch me were all carrying identification that would make the security people on station keep out of the way. I could run of course but where to? I had nowhere prepared, if I had the Mamba on station with Selma at the stick I would have had a chance. thinking of her I made a com call to Antigone and told Selma I would be out of touch for a while, the last thing I needed was for her to worry or try and rescue me that would only get her killed. I activated the apartment’s security systems and opened my weapons locker.

I only took out stun grenades and a couple of stunners I figured if I killed some of her people Ceri might not be inclined to offer me this treatment she was so certain could help me, even so I wasn’t going anywhere without a fight.

Ceri threw the pad down in anger then looked at Rames the man who had led the actual snatch operation. His report had been meticulous as had his acceptance that he had seriously underestimated the abilities of his target. The only good thing about the whole mess was that there were no bodies to deal with, it seemed Poler had managed to restrain herself for once. She dismissed Rames given the circumstances and her insistence on Arlen not being harmed she had limited his options. This was Arlen’s way of giving her the bird a gesture of defiance which she admired almost as much as it offended her.

“How’s she doing Pol?”

“Better than expected, the doctors were worried because she wasn’t screaming at the pain she’s going through.”

“That’s not her way Pol, you trained her too well I think.”

“Perhaps…. she’s conscious if you want to talk to her.”

“In a minute how about our people?”

“Tomes is the worst case, he broke his leg when she stunned him so he’ll be out of action for a day or two, the others are being treated for the effects of the gas she used on them when they stormed the apartment.... The techs are quite interested in the stuff seems she made it herself. To be honest Ceri if she had used anything other than stun weapons she could have killed all of them. What about the boyfriend has he been contacted?”

Ceri smiled and thought about straightening Pol out as regards Arlen’s true partner that was just spite on her part though, better to leave that be if it made Arlen more amenable to cooperating on future operations.

“He’s just finishing his medical check over but he’s up for it as long as Arlen is. We have our strike team in hand Pol you go and see to the logistical details and I’ll have a word with Miss Poler.”

Ceri approached Arlen making sure the girl knew she was coming, the doctors had warned her not to provoke a physical response from her at this stage as it could adversely affect the treatment. The girl was clearly in a lot of pain her body was drenched in sweat and she was clearly unable to control the small muscle spasms that were the only external signs of the pain she was experiencing. It was a bit disconcerting to see her being held face down in the gravity field suspension unit and why she had to be naked was a mystery the doctors had not yet shared with her. They would before the day was out though.

“What do you want Ceri or are you here just to watch me suffer?” I hissed forcing myself to be still despite the urge I felt to curl up into a ball and scream.

“To be honest I came to apologise for forcing our reunion sooner then you wanted but the mission I want you to carry out is time critical, as it is once you have recovered from the operation we will have less than a Wozura to prepare a plan and then for you to execute it.”

“As I said earlier Ceri what’s in it for me?”

“Why the gratitude of a grateful nation isn’t that enough….? No of course it isn’t so let’s just say that you will be handsomely rewarded for your time and if the mission succeeds with no one suspecting our involvement there will be a bonus payment as well as the possibility of future equally well paid operations, and more importantly to yourself perhaps access to our information resources.”

That I had to admit was not what I expected, the security service tended to limit access to that data to themselves, even the senate in Argon prime only got what it was judged they should be allowed to see. “Alright Ceri I want to know what the target is where it will be and I want Pico he can handle things for me till I get the use of my limbs back. I also want them to turn the heat up in here my ass is freezing”

Ceri smiled she had anticipated that Arlen would demand her own team for this, Pico was waiting in a room just down the hall from this one. True to form Arlen was going only with those she truly trusted.

“Alright I’ll arrange it but be warned Arlen once you’ve seen the details there’s no backing out.”

“I assumed as much Ceri, now what about my apartment? I expect that to be restored to its original condition without surveillance gear being installed and I want the security chief there to be told that it was a case of mistaken identity or some such load of twaddle I have to live there you know.”

“Already in hand dear now if you’ll excuse me I’ll go and see if I can lay my hands on Pico for you.” She also intended to see why the doctors felt it necessary to keep their patient in such an undignified not to mention uncomfortable environment.

[Sabrina Bergin]

The Paranid:


“Pol you’re early, dinner won’t be ready for at least another twenty mizura.” I said as I put down the vegetable I was preparing.

“Was it really necessary Ceri?” Ah this would be about the unfortunate loss of the transport with some of our finest doctors aboard earlier today. Pol had obviously learnt I had ordered it.

“If it wasn’t I wouldn’t have ordered it Pol you know I don’t waste assets unnecessarily, or would you rather I let them sell their pornography and risk exposing the whole operation? What would you have had me do Pol? If Arlen had ever seen those vids she would have tracked them down and killed them and their families, and she would not have given them a clean death as I did. Now that’s out of the way why don’t you bring me up to speed with the team’s progress.”

“They’re ready…. Hell they couldn’t be more ready, in truth if we don’t launch them soon they will lose their edge.”

"Then after we have had our dinner I will give them their final briefing now go and get changed. You smell of the training rooms.”

I took the call in the lounge that had been set aside for our use, Ceri seemed more intense than usual which told me what this call was for.

“The missions is a go you will board the transport after breakfast in the morning, ensure you leave all identification in your accommodation units. Arlen…. Good luck.”

That last sentiment surprised me was Ceri merely human after all, ever since I met her all those jazura ago I had considered her to be a threat to me. Was that still true I wondered? Putting that aside I turned to the team I would be taking with me all thirty of them.

“Heads up people we are traveling after breakfast, secure all id carry no personal effects of this station. Those that want to should take the time to write their letter. I suggest an early night, I’m turning in now myself.”

What I didn’t say was that I would be writing a letter for Selma just in case, it would give her the name of the family’s lawyer back on Antigone he held my will along with the necessary authorisations that would give Selma access to my estate. I also wrote a personal letter as well which I expected Ceri would censor before forwarding. There wasn’t much for her to worry about as regards the details of the mission or of the unit, I'd omitted any reference to it and attached a note asking Ceri to suggest I had simply failed to recover from the surgical procedure. That done I turned in and tried to get some sleep , my thoughts centred on a woman thousand’s of light years away.

The attack had gone exactly as planned the Paranid’s ship was damaged enough to make it vulnerable as I led the team towards it. The Carrick we had launched from was keeping just out of range as the Paranid Captain sought to bring his mains into range.

“Okay contact in two, Pico you got the grapples ready?” I asked over the wire that linked us.

“Copy that skip ready to latch on all I need is one chance.” He got that chance and once we were secure we unwound the reels till we were all positioned around the airlock.

I don’t know how Ceri had managed to get the access code but before we could use it Pico had to disconnect the alert function that would tell the Nids they were being boarded. Once again the man did his thing in record time and all eight of us squeezed into the small airlock. The rest would follow once we had taken control of the engineering level.

The inner door slid aside silently and we stepped out into the lower deck which would lead us to the engineering spaces. Our weapons were gas powered pistols loaded with darts that would paralyse a Nid almost instantly with death following less than two to three sezura afterwards. I killed a Nid that came up behind us before he recognised the fact we were intruders. We kept count of the ones we shot we knew there were twenty of them on board as well as a detachment of eight marines. Six of them we dealt with in their quarters before we went down to the engineering deck. The other two were probably near or on the bridge of the ship. The Nid there didn’t even see us. Once he was secured out of sight. Pico got to work disabling the self-destruct sequencer and controls that could be operated remotely from the bridge.

Illsa took over the engine controls as we went upwards towards the crew’s quarters. By rights they should all be at their stations but experience had taught us to not to rely on what we expected the enemy to be doing. That was just as well as we found a Nid preparing a meal for the crew and even though he hurled a large pot of whatever he was cooking at us he died a
few moment later.

“Hey that doesn’t taste half bad” Daborah whispered as she sucked her fingers clean.

“Too bad you didn’t ask for the recipe before you shot him then” Karry whispered back grinning like a fool as we went up the next ladder that led to the main level corridor. I used a periscope array to scan the corridor, sure enough there was a guard position set up just behind the bridge access doors he would have to be taken out before we could make any further progress.

“Okay Karry hand me the launcher” I whispered back. Then switched to the com link. “Illsa in two stazura I want you to shut down the lighting in the main corridor then bring it back a half mizura later you got that?” Illsa acknowledged the instruction.

I braced myself waiting for the lights to go out, that was when I would make my move. I had an awful feeling of de Ja vue when the lights went out and with the launcher in my hands I walked along the roof of the corridor towards the Nid twenty metres away. The second team should be attached to the hull by now waiting to enter the ship once we had cleared out the crew or got ourselves killed.

I felt the ship shake as the mains opened and used the noise to cover any sound I might make as I ran towards the Nid. I strapped the launcher to my back and grabbed the pistol from my holster. As soon as the lights came back on I shot the Nid and rolled through the open doors killing the other marine who was stood just inside as soon as I spotted him, I came to my feet in a fluid motion and dancing between the consoles I quickly shot the four bridge crew who hadn’t even begun to react to my arrival. The rest of the team arrived a sezura later and quickly assumed their positions at the controls after shoving the dead Nids out of the way.

I contacted the second team and told them to come aboard their task was to take the Paranid holed up in the stateroom back to base. Our job was to create the cover story that would discredit the Nid hiding in there forever.

[Sabrina Bergin]

The Prize:

We cleared the dead Nids from the bridge putting them in a cargo hold on the lower deck which we then sealed. After a few Mizura the air no longer stank of death and I looked around the bridge where my team were waiting for me to initiate the final stage of the mission, I felt a sense of achievement that had been missing from my life since I had left the fleet.There were just a couple of details to take care of then I could go home.

One of the details Ceri had insisted on I intended to add a few wrinkles to she hadn’t anticipated. I took the controls and made the unfocussed jump. That was the reason they had wanted me along on this mission. They wanted no evidence left as to what had actually happened to it.

I imagined the targets bank account would suddenly be thirty million credits or so heavier than it had prior to the operation which would make the Paranid believe he had stolen the ship. There would be other evidence of course pointing to various betrayals of his race which Ceri would plant as well. Chances were that once the Nid had told Ceri all she wanted to know and she let him go he wouldn’t live long.

I checked the sector display, fortunately there were to many Xenon nearby to complete this stage of the mission so I had the excuse I needed to make another jump back to normal space whilst we were being attacked.

After a brief return to Hatvikahs The next jump I made wasn’t to an UFJD sector... though it was to one none of my team would know about, chances were I was the only one that did having discovered it by chance whilst pursuing an evasive target who had tried to shake me of his tail.

I set the auto pilot and ordered Pico and Sandy to get into the Mamba prototype the Nid had been taking back to Paranid prime as part of his mission then started making my own preparations. I transferred enough E-cells to the M3 they'd boarded then sent it to a position behind the nearby asteroid to protect it from the coming explosion. Only when they were behind it did I lay in a new course for the Hyperion and drop a missile container out of the cargo bay before transporting myself of the ship.

I jetted over to the container and set the demolition charges I had bought with me just for this then headed for the Mamba that was now safely tucked behind the asteroid. I had timed it just right, I sealed the cockpit as the glare of the explosion illuminated space all around us.

“Okay you two stay in the cargo bay and keep the noise down, we still have to get this baby back to base undetected.”

This was a part of the plan they had been briefed on so there were no arguments, I made one extra stop though to refuel in Althes before jumping for Shareholders Fortune. Only then did I follow the route Ceri had ordered me to take. I had no doubt she would check the amount of fuel we had used during our return trip and I had calculated my own route carefully to ensure it matched her expectations.

We rendezvoused with the mammoth in Circle of labour exactly on schedule and within mizura it was jumping back to M148 after having deployed the wheat farm it had been transporting. My team stayed in the cabin we had been assigned till the ship was firmly docked at the military outpost, a short while after that we were escorted back to our quarters on board the station itself to be debriefed.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Snared:

Ceri was waiting for me in her offce, the summons to meet her there had come only a few mizura before I was due to board the transport that would take me home.

“Thank you for coming Arlen, and please don’t be concerned the transport will wait for you to board before leaving.”

That was something I suppose but it didn’t explain why she wanted to see me, I took the seat she’d pointed out before asking what was on her mind. I had considered coming armed but I had ruled that out… hell if she wanted me dead there was little I could do about it here.

“What do you want Ceri? The mission was a success, and as I said previously I am already well overdue.”

“I know dear there are some points I need to discuss with you regarding our agreement.”

I almost made it out of the chair before she pressed a button on her desk and I lost all feeling in my legs. “What the frack have you done, I thought we had a deal?” I screamed at her feeling the rage building as I collapsed back into the chair.

“Just making a point Arlen, the nanites that we used when we replaced the damaged part of your spine have been shut down, they need to be replaced at regular intervals. Call it a safety precaution on my part. You were quite a difficult person to track Arlen, you were very clever in masking your shall we say side line from us but as I have told you before I have access to resources most other organisations don’t. Ooh don’t look so worried I have no objections to what you’ve been doing Arlen but there are certain people I don’t want harmed. Here’s the list, it’s quite extensive I’m afraid, suffice to say you harm any of these people and your supply of nanites and the drugs you need will be cut off.”

Ceri handed me a data pad and I began scrolling through the names, most were obvious but a few surprised me. I stopped when I saw Lannar’s name on the list. “What makes you think I would want to hurt my sister?” Ceri didn’t show any sign that fact was news to her which was disturbing in itself.

“Because I know how your mind works Arlen, but that is beside the point she is one of our unit’s best researcher’s. She’s the one who figured out what you’ve been doing as a side line for me, though she doesn’t know it was you she was tracking. You ever harm her directly or indirectly you lose your legs for good Arlen. You can keep the pad for reference purposes and now and again I will update it. These are the ampoules that will restore the use of your legs Arlen along with the other drugs you're going to have to take from now on. There is enough there to last you a Mazura I would advise you only use them when your lying down, the side effects are quite debilitating” She handed me a case of them along with a custom made injector.

Pol came into the room then pushing a wheel chair, he picked me up easily then wheeled me down to the docks where the transport was waiting. He came with me on the flight and took me back to my apartment where all traces of my abduction and damage had been erased.

“There is one thing you should know Arlen, the nanites only ever had a limited lifespan. Ceri should have told you that.”

“So why didn’t she?”

“Because she knew you would resent her no matter whether she did or not, the scientist who developed them died recently and only he knew the key to producing and programming them for you specifically. We can of course manufacture them but you won’t find anyone able to reproduce his work, any attempt to scan them or remove them from their ampoules will result in all of them disintegrating.... If that happens we stop production.”

He left me after letting that warning sink in probably anticipating the venting I was going to be doing, the bitch had trapped me and there appeared to be nothing I could do about it. Rant over I made the call to Selma, just in time it seemed. It was sort of sweet her thinking about trying to come to my rescue, even though that would have been suicidal. I then had to give some thought as to what I was going to do about Lannar, everntually deciding it might be prudent to demonstrate to Ceri that I would do as she wanted in that regard. In time that would change, it was just a question of waiting for the right opportunity to arise.

Once I completed that call I swept every millimetre of the apartment for surveillance devices I knew they would have installed disabling the ones in the bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom. The ones in the lounge I would leave till Lannar had been and gone. There was no point in not letting Ceri see how nice I could be to Lannar for the moment. Only after I had checked my computer terminal for any spyware or monitoring devices did I contact Bran and arrange a meeting. After that I tidied up the mess I had made earlier before going to my bedroom and injecting myself following the instructions contained in the ampoules case carefully and waited for Selma to arrive.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Clarification:

I will in due course post a full list of Sabine's assets, but for the purposes of the present storyline Arlen/Sabine only has her Mamba later to be replaced with the Prototype variant, and approximately 58 million credits.

This is because she will not use the Stolen Hyperion or other assets till much later in the story. The complex's I have built to fund her will appear over a period of time, but only as necessary.

As some of you might have guessed Sabine does have a team of marines saved from the war sectors (23 to be precise and ten others bought at three four star in fighting) as such the rescued ones are all pretty much five star in everything. They too will not be used until much later except as part of missions for the Black ops people in M148 this also applies to the ships used in those missions. I have deliberately avoided doing the plots for reasons that will become apparent later on.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Ps:

For those who have had the patience to read through the story to date things are about to get much more interesting now as Sabine starts full time in her chosen profession with more action and less dialogue.

Current timeline a little over one Jazura before the war starts.

Now I have just got rid of some very confusing errors I made regarding third and first person usage. If I have missed any please let me know.

As ever any comments or criticism will be given careful consideration.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Lannar:

Selma woke me just prodding me gently till I opened my eyes, the mug of Sonra in her hand is what saved her from me screaming at her for waking me up. I drank greedily wondering what the hell time it was.

“Hell baby you said they were going to fix you.” Selma said wrapping me up in her arms and trying to comfort me.

“They did sort….. of Selma. It takes a while for it to kick in is all, where’s Lannar?”

“Waiting to see you hang on I’ll get you in your chair.”

“Screw the chair” I reached for the crutches by the side of the bed and forced myself to stand. I was a bit shaky and my sense of balance was just a bit off but I could feel my legs again. Ceri had been right about lying down when taking the damned injections. I could tolerate the pain though I had feared they would take my legs away until they needed me to do a mission, like a toy doll you kept in its box till you wanted to play with it. I checked the transports arrival at the docks so Pol had come through with that request, seems they wanted to keep me happy which was an encouraging sign. With Selma hovering protectively over me I managed to walk into the lounge almost unaided. Lannar made as if to rise and help me but I waved her off


“Hey Lannar no offence but this is something I have to learn to do by myself, don’t worry I am assured this is temporary just waiting for the drugs to kick in and do their thing”. Nil will be joining us shortly his transport just docked. About time we had a family reunion don’t you think…..? Selma I put a couple of bottles out earlier I think we all need a drink about now, and I ordered a meal for four to be delivered from the restaurant if you could take care of it when it arrives.”

I had managed to get myself seated comfortably before Selma returned with the wine. We had barely touched it when Nil arrived and joined us a look of concern on his face as he saw the crutches by my seat. It was amusing to realise that till he had seen them he had not known which of us was me.


“Arlen what in Gunnes name is going on my commander told me to get on a transport and get my ass over here?”

“Let’s just say the corps owe me one, maybe several to be honest Nil so I called in a favour.”

“It’s true then what Selma said you’re like Nil…… a marine.”

“I was Lannar….. I guess you could say I’m sort of semi-retired now. Apparently the Corps does want to retain my services as a consultant.”

“Well that’s good isn’t it I mean if you’re still in the Corp…..

Lannar fell silent as she realised she had somehow said the wrong thing. It wasn’t her fault though, not this time but it hurt me and Nil saw that.

“It’s not the same Lannar, as marines we are trained to do our jobs and once we’ve been trained if you are really good like Arlen here, you get selected to join a combat unit. That’s the goal of every marine Lannar to be the best there is. You get taken off Combat status it’s painful.”

It was also painful never being selected to join a combat unit, given a chance to prove yourself. I could see that in his eyes as he spoke. He was coming to an age now where he was beginning to accept it would never happen for him, no matter how much he yearned for it. I could have told him why he had never been selected but why hurt the man.

“Hey somebody’s got to mind the store as well” I whispered squeezing his arm.” Now let’s change the subject, this one is depressing.” The look he gave me told me he wasn’t going to let it go and that we would be having a conversation about it later. Well I’d deal with that when I had to I guess.

Selma saved the day she started telling stories of the crazy things she had seen happen whilst she was in the fleet. The one about the rookie squadron leader that thought he was such a hotshot trying to land in a hanger with his gear still up had us all in stitches. Especially when she described what the Hanger chief had done to the man after he totalled his Nova. That led to a detailed explanation of who actually ran the hanger decks despite what the officers liked to believe. I chipped in with a story that always had tickled me.

“So there we are a bunch of fully armed and armoured marines and we’ve just cut our way into this Carrack when this pirate slips into the room we are in and closes the door real quiet with us just watching him. I think he was trying to hide. Of course when he turned round and saw all our rifles pointing at him he just said Ooh frack! And passed out on the spot, the look on his face was priceless.”

“What Happened to him?”


“Hell if I know Lannar we just tagged him and went off to reach our target, I expect the follow up teams took care of him and shipped him off to a holding centre somewhere to be processed once we had captured the ship.”

Yeah I had tagged him with a single shot to the head but I didn’t tell her that. Our team had never taken prisoners unless specifically ordered to.

The food arrived at the door then and the delivery guy’s laid it all out on a hostess trolley for us, I ‘’m pretty sure the man in charge was impressed with the size of the tip Selma handed him discreetly, he was grinning like a fool when he left. Selma did the honours whist she was there and laid out the various dishes on the table that we all helped ourselves to when we felt the urge. It was much later after a few more bottles of wine that Lannar finally got up the courage to ask the question that had been on her mind since she had first learnt about me.

“Why didn’t you come home Sabine? I mean you knew who you really were and where we live.”

“I did once” I admitted, “got to within sight of the house and I just couldn’t do it, hell I got scared and ran straight back to my ship and all the way back to Aladna Hill.”

“I can’t imagine you being scared of anything” Lannar said softly.

“We all have our demons Lannar, look maybe one day I’ll get over it just not yet okay?” She took that as a promise and dropped it which is when Selma opened another bottle of wine and fetched a case of beer from the cooler. I opted for a beer myself I knew there was no way I could outdrink Lannar on the wine and I wanted to stay fairly sober, well at least not shit faced.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Changes:

Okay so things didn’t quite go to plan, I blamed Selma for that. I slipped out of bed delighted at the absence of pain in my lower back I felt pretty good….. Well except for the headache that was hovering just behind my right eye, my legs were working properly again. I moved silently out of our room and into Sandy's where Lannar was sound asleep. I sat in the chair by the door just looking at her, wondering what to do now. Selma had grown fond of her that much was obvious, she also suspected that I resented Lannar's very presence here. I was trapped in a dilemma I could see no clear way out of. If I harmed Lannar both Selma and more importantly Nil would come to hate me, and that I would rather avoid. I looked at Lannar as she slept and asked myself why I still hated her, perhaps it was because she had known Nil all her life… Enjoyed a sense of kinship I had been denied, which I both resented and envied.

Was that her fault though? It had been my parents who had allowed me to be locked away, they ultimately bore the responsibility for what had happened? I couldn’t confront them now of course they were dead, was that why I directed all my anger at the twin who had betrayed me…? Not intentionally of course I was fairly certain she had no idea what she had done. No I despised her because she was weak. I had long ago learnt to loathe weakness in others. That raised another question…. If she was to die would I revert back to what I had once been, a creature of mindless rage?

With that thought still worrying me I left the room and went to get myself a coffee, the lights were on in the kitchen when I went in, I poured myself and Nil a mug and sat down next to him.

“You’re up early Nil.”

“Yeah couldn’t sleep.” That was worrying Nil would normally never admit to something bothering him.

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not really, I think this is something I’ll have to sort out on my own. Thanks for the offer though.”

I left him to it judging that he would probably feel better if I left him alone to sort it out. Going back to my bedroom I put my cup of coffee on the desk and powered up the terminal muting the sound so as not to wake Selma up, deciding it was about time I checked up on my finances. I checked my secure private accounts first and noted that Ceri had been as good as her word, she had added a sizable bonus to the original payment for the mission. She had also sent an encrypted message giving me the name of a Teladi that I should use as an intermediary contact for future operations, with a note that the teladi was an independent who might be of use to me.
I made a note of the com number she had attached then erased the message. I would check this Teladi out carefully before I even considered contacting her.

Then I pulled up the latest reports from my company to see if I had enough capital on hand to begin the next stage of expansion I’d planned for. Pretty soon I was starting to feel uneasy, I don’t know why at first glance everything seemed as it should be but I had a nagging feeling something was wrong. I was still trying to work it out when Selma put a fresh coffee beside me giving my shoulders a massage as she looked at what I was working on.

“What’s wrong you look worried?” she asked after a mizura or so.


“I’m not sure, I mean everything looks okay but I have a gut feeling I’m missing something here.”


“Why not ask Lannar…. she handles this sort of stuff all the time?”

Actually that was probably a good idea, Lannar had been handling the estates accounts for jazura, and would probably be able to see at a glance why it just felt wrong to me. Selma went and fetched her whilst I stared at the confusing mass of numbers on the display. Lannar arrived shortly after, and once I explained my sense of unease she moved me aside and started going through the files that were referred to in the reports. I left her to it and watched in awe at the speed with which she was working her way through the pages of information. She was making notes on her data pad as she worked, even so it took nearly a stazura before she finally moved away from the terminal.

“Well he’s been very clever Sabine and to be honest even a full audit might not have caught it. I will have to do a bit more research to get you the exact numbers involved, what he’s been doing is illegal it would definitely be enough to get him fired with prejudice. Most companies that have had this sort of problem tend to avoid taking the culprit through the courts to avoid embarrassment, which is why he thinks he’ll get away with it.” I obviously had a different interpretation of firing with prejudice than Lannar but there was no need for her to know that.

“Okay tell me what he’s been doing in simple terms, remember I’m not an accountant.”

“Well by the statements I’ve gone through just over a Jazura ago you expanded your company’s scope of operations, I guess that was when he suggested setting up a clearing account for payments received from your clients to streamline the company’s cash flow.”

He did, I remembered the meeting when he had suggested it…. “Go on.” I prompted feeling my anger building as I guessed where this was going.

“To put it simply that account does exactly what he promised except for the fact there is a Mazura delay in payments being made into your primary account, more importantly that account only receives payments from one outside account not several different ones as should be the case. I would bet he owns that outside account and he’s using the payments made to your company to earn interest, before passing the payments on to your clearing account. I would estimate he’s probably keeping about two million credits of your money back at any given time. I noticed that you’ve been allowing your credit balance to increase so I assume you plan another period of expansion. My guess is that you sort of knew what the balance should be about now and when the numbers didn’t fit what you’d anticipated you knew something was wrong.”

“Okay Lannar if you could prepare a detailed report for me I’d be grateful I expect an invoice as well for the time you’ve spent on this. As it happens I had planned on visiting the Company office in the near future so I might as well take care of this at the same time. Now…. we’re too late to have breakfast so I’ll prepare a proper lunch for us.” Selma joined me as I went to the kitchen whilst Lannar turned her attention back to the terminal. Gunnes she was relentless when she was working, I guessed that’s what made her such a good researcher.

I had to send Selma to fetch her when lunch was ready, even then she was still making notes on her Data pad whilst she ate. No sooner had we finished our coffees than Lannar asked me to join her back in the bedroom so she could finalise her report. By the end of the day Lannar had produced a detailed report as well as an estimate of how much money Kellar had embezzled that she assured me was accurate to within plus or minus one percent. She was very reluctant to charge me for her work till I explained that I intended to make the thief pay back every credit so it wouldn’t actually be costing me anything.

When we returned to the lounge Nil surprised me by saying he had to leave in the morning to get back to his base, I assumed it was to do with whatever was bothering him. No doubt he would let me know what that was in due course. Selma of course immediately offered him a ride. What the hell Kellar could live one more day I suppose.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Continued:

There was a drawback I hadn’t considered of course… once Selma and Nil had gone I was left alone with Lannar and because of her inhibitions it meant we were both stuck in the apartment, it would be impossible to avoid her without it being blatantly obvious. I decided to bite the bullet and tough it out it was only for one day for fracks sake.

I put a box of cookies on the tray with the coffee pot and carried it into the lounge where she was waiting to talk to me. Sister to sister so to speak, I had to take the initiative so the conversation went where I wanted and not where she hoped it might.

“You don’t really like me do you” Sabine she said surprising me speaking softly her voice trembling. Gods this was not what I wanted.

“To be honest no I don’t Lannar… no please hear me out that is just a statement, let me explain things from my point of view please.”

I carried on choosing my words carefully so she didn’t go running of in tears to the bedroom. “All my life I have envied you being at home Lannar,” I raised my hand to stop her interrupting me. “Over time that envy turned to resentment and I admit none of this was your fault. It’s very hard to overcome Jazura of that kind of negative thinking Lannar but I am trying I promise. The other thing you have to bear in mind is that I have a vicious temper and I tend to lash out and hurt people I shouldn’t…. people like you Lannar.” She couldn’t see it of course had probably never really lost her temper with anyone ever.

“Selma loves you.” As if that made it alright, me being the bitch I was.

“To be honest Lannar Selma keeps me sane if it wasn’t for her I don’t know how I’d get by. I’d probably end up being locked away again….. Sorry bad choice of words that wasn’t meant to be a dig at you or a reference to the past. Do you see why I thought it was a bad idea meeting you Lannar?”

“Because no matter how much we tiptoe around it, our past would always be there to haunt us” she suggested. Damn the girl was a lot smarter than I'd given her credit for.

“That’s hitting the nail square on the head Lannar so I think if we could talk about anything else I would be a lot more comfortable.”

“So would I to be honest” she admitted, “when Selma told me about you I got all sorts of silly ideas in my head about how things would turn out alright… but they won’t”

“We can’t change the past Lannar but we can perhaps, plan a better future that will allow us to look back at it in a different way.” She got that and seemed to relax a bit.


“I think I envy you Sabine you’ve done things I can only dream of.”

That was truer than she could imagine, I think she might consider some of those things to be the stuff of nightmares though. I didn’t tell her that of course being all too aware that the microphones in this room were still active.

“You could do some of those things, hell Lannar we are basically the same person in many ways. I think by locking yourself away you became afraid to go out into the world in case you got hurt. That’s a conditioned response and it can be overcome with practice, and training.”

“Could you help me do that?” She so wanted that, and to be honest I did actually consider it for a moment, but it would end badly.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea Lannar, I have serious anger management issues that I struggle to deal with myself..... I do know a man who could though, don’t look so alarmed I’m talking about Selma’s brother here Lannar. He would never hurt you.”

Are you sure Sabine? I mean… when I meet strangers, especially men I tend to run away and hide. Or I just sort of freeze and black out, I’m really scared pretty much all the time even at home.”

I actually felt sorry for her when she said that, I wondered what it would be like to live like that. A constant feeling of dread hanging over every moment, too afraid to even attempt to enjoy life, never able to go out and meet people. I shuddered at the thought. Then I remembered Ceri’s message… the new Mamba was due to be delivered here this evening. I sent her a quick message to arrange matters, before replying to Lannar.

Look Sandy will be coming here… to the station that is later today.... would you like to meet him here? In the apartment it will be quite safe I promise you, he really is a sweet man, hell Lannar I hate men as a rule but even I like Sandy and I think…. No I am sure you will as well.” She was starting to tremble at the suggestion but I was certain she’d get over it I activated the displays and bought up some stills of Sandy including a few with Nil in them.

That’s Sandy there” I pointed to an image of him with his arms around Selma and me in a bar somewhere.

Lannar gazed at the picture and the trembling eventually stopped, as she looked at all the stills, there were even some recordings of us including that damn passing out reception at the outpost Gunne I thought I had erased that one. The result was that after nearly twenty mizura of looking at all the images of Sandy she actually began to look forward to meeting him. I’d have to explain things to him I suppose, if nothing else it would take his mind of Galin. Why he still carried a torch for that bastard was beyond me.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Continued:


I cracked open a bottle of white and after a while we actually began to relax in each other’s company, I asked her about the research work she did and I was pleased to note that she never once referred to working for the Argon military, or government. I was pretty sure Ceri would make a note of that, she did explain some of the methods she used and even offered to send me some software packages she had developed herself. I pushed the conversation to applications for vetting prospects for my own company. She seized on that as it would require me knowing more about the applicants than they did about themselves. I promised I would put together an optimal profile of the people I employed and what their duties would be. More importantly in some cases information about the clients would also be necessary. Lannar of course wanted to get started straight away but I reminded her I still had to get my own house in order before we could start that. I did tell her I would be sending her a list of anyone Kellar had sponsored for the company that she could look into. Once she accepted the fact I intended taking the next two days of before I did anything she stopped pushing to get started at once.

Later I got an alert from the stations traffic controllers advising me Sandy was in bound and told Lannar I would get a meal going for us. I hadn’t realised how late it was we had totally missed lunch so I thought I’d do a light dinner now and a supper later. Lannar joined me in the kitchen and promptly took charge as she began ransacking the cupboards to find the ingredients for whatever she had in mind. From what Selma had told me about Theresa I guessed that Lannar spent a lot of time in that kitchen. I got reduced to supplying ingredients and pots to order as she worked, and of course I had the task of cleaning them once she had finished with them. That’s why I had my arms in the sink covered in soap when the door chime announced Sandy’s arrival, Lannar must have forgotten where she was for a moment, being so engrossed in what she was doing as she just told me she’d get it and went through to open the door for him. I grabbed a towel expecting the worse but the truth was comical. Sandy came through the door clearly agitated and kissed Lannar on the cheek absently,

“Sorry Arlen too many coffees before I took off.” With that he practically ran through the lounge to get to the bathroom.

Lannar was stood by the door a confused look on her face as she gently closed it. A moment later Sandy came back into the room. “Sorry Arlen I thought transport were bringing the ship over so I had a few too many. Nearly caught me embarrassing myself.”

“Too late Sandy” I said from the kitchen doorway, “would you care to tell me just what your intentions are towards my sister.”

It was hysterical he looked to me in surprise then back to Lannar who he had just kissed his face going a beautiful shade of red.

"Oh Gunne I am so sorry Lannar, I thought…. I mean.”

Lannar started laughing at his discomfort, and I must admit I was having trouble holding back myself, "Lannar this rude young man is Sandor or as he prefers to be called Sandy Hayak Selma’s brother.” It didn’t help that Lannar was still giggling at his discomfort as she replied

“Pleased to meet you I think.”

“Well I guess that’s the introductions done with, why don’t you go and get changed? We're busy cooking anyway, don’t worry I’ll put a fresh pot of coffee on for you.”

Sandy took the opportunity to escape to his bedroom, that set Lannar blushing as she realised it was his bed she had been sleeping in. She followed me into the kitchen and picked up where she had left off. I kept an eye on her but she didn’t look like she was unduly upset by what had happened, which prompted me to wonder if she felt safe with him for the same reason I did. If so this could work out better than I could have hoped for.

Lannar finished preparing the meal and had set the pot on the hotplate before she began cleaning up the kitchen. We were soon done so we joined Sandy in the lounge for coffee.

Fortunately he’d gotten over his earlier embarrassment, and listened intently as Lannar spoke about her life on the estate, and of her work as a data researcher. Sandy responded in kind by telling her about his life on an ore mine, and then of some of the lighter moments he could talk about since he had enlisted. For myself I was delighted it kept me from focussing on Lannar and the constant irritation I felt at her presence faded. Seeing they were comfortable with each other I popped into my bedroom and closed the door then activated the rooms shielding before powering up my secure com terminal.

I caught Bran at his desk which was unusual. “Arlen a pleasure as always what can I do for you?”

“I need your help cleaning house I’m afraid I need someone kidnapped and held to ransom.” He didn’t even blink so I laid out what the man had been doing and what I had in mind to get my money back.

“It’s doable Arlen but why such an elaborate plan just kill him after he gives you your money back?”

“Because this way I get paid twice over Bran, the Insurers will pay out for a corporate executive kidnapping and I have always kept my premiums up to date. Add that to the money we recover from Kellar and we all get a good payday out of it as it happens I can give you his travel schedules for the next Wozura.”

“Okay so you arrange a meeting at your complex here, and according to you we snatch Kellar as an alternative to you who we are really after when your ship suffers a mechanical problem and gets recovered to LOH ship yard. We then leave the man in this shaft here where he won’t be found and wait for the Insurance company to pay out that could take some time Arlen.”

“No it won’t I have a special security clause with my Insurers due to the sensitive nature of my companies operations each day he is missing the amount they have to pay me increases.”

“What about the ship Centaurs don’t come cheap Arlen.”

“I’ll replace it with a heavy prototype version as it happens I came across one a while back, I think you’ll agree you’re coming out ahead on that part of the deal.”

“Fair enough Arlen well seeing as you have things all worked out I’ll await your go signal.”

I cut the link and sent a command signal to the warehouse, then contacted Gari, and informed him there would be a contract for destroying a Centaur soon, and to stand by for me to give him its coordinates. I liked the symmetry of the plan all my friends would get paid out of this and Kellar would be buried forever. Unless I got merciful and killed him of course. I had considered implicating him in the kidnapping but that would mean the insurers might have an excuse not to pay out.

Even after factoring in the costs for Bran and his men I would still receive more than double the amount missing from my accounts and the money I recovered from Kellar would be the icing on the cake. Well not just that of course I had been feeling out of sorts of late and I needed an outlet for all that pent up frustration.

I returned to the lounge genuinely pleased to see that Lannar had overcome her shyness and was talking quite freely with Sandy. I went into the kitchen to check on the meal Lannar had prepared and was a little startled when she joined me a moment later.

“I am so sorry Arlen I lost all track of time.”

It seems Sandy had been busy noting that she had called me Arlen, instead of using my birth name which had felt like a slap in the face to me every time she did, so it was a step in the right direction.

“Don’t worry about it Lannar I know how difficult it is to get Sandy to shut up once he gets started.”

Of course then she started telling me all about what they had been discussing as we set the table for dinner it seems Sandy had done more than make an impression with her. She kept dancing round it till I put it to her straight.

“Look Lannar Sandy is like a brother to me and its clear how you feel about him, you won’t be hurting my feelings if you make a pass at him. Are you strong enough to handle it if he declines the offer? That’s the real question.”

“Well I hadn’t thought that far ahead it’s just that it’s obvious he loves you and I didn’t want to do anything to upset you.” She replied blushing furiously.

She actually had a point there, to be honest I had no objection to her jumping Sandy’s bones, but I doubted he would allow it. A pity because he needed something to stop him pining after Galin all the fracking time.

“Look Lannar I would be quite happy if you and Sandy became friends but I don’t think he’d allow himself to go that far with me here, so how about I go take my new ship for a test flight after dinner. I might head over to Black hole sun there are a few things I want to discuss with Nil anyway.”

Of course that got her blushing furiously again, for my own part I thought she was heading for a little heartache here, but at least she wouldn’t be able to blame me when Sandy rejected her. She just grabbed me and gave me a hug I suppose I should have anticipated that. Dinner was very pleasant and mindful of the fact I would be flying later I kept to beer rather than the wine. Sandy picked me up on that.

“Not drinking Arlen?”

“No I want to take that new ship for a test flight see if the yard put it together right. So if you don’t mind keeping an eye out for Lannar, I thought I could give her a spin this evening.”

“You did it didn’t you? You got Ceri to get me to deliver the ship so you could go swanning of enjoying yourself, I had my own plans dammit Arlen you are a selfish bitch.”

“Guilty as charged Sandy, look I really do want to test the ship out?”

“You don’t have to stay Sandy I can manage just fine on my own honestly.”

“Keep out of this Lannar” he snapped “Sorry I didn’t mean to bite your head, of this is about Arlen admitting what she did for a change. One thing you have to know about her is she can be a devious bitch when she wants something.”

“I already did that or hadn’t you noticed Sandy, alright if it’s too much of a problem the test flight can wait till Selma gets back.”

“Oh no you don’t get of that light, you bugger of and enjoy yourself Arlen, just remember you owe me one.”

“I’ll write it down some where," I promised unable to keep the satisfaction out of my voice. I finished my beer and got changed into my flight gear and left before he had a chance to change his mind.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Lannar:

Lannar caught a glimpse of Sabine leaving, no Arlen! she had to remember what Sandy had told her about that.

Sandy was still angry and she wondered if she was making a mistake she was a bit naive in such things. Oh she had thought about it and had even managed to do the deed as it were on occasion but she had never enjoyed it not really. Probably due to all the tranquilisers she’d had to take to make it even possible she supposed. Sandy was different though, she knew instinctively she could trust him. The thing is with him so angry she wasn’t sure it was such a good idea anymore, then like someone had thrown a switch he just grinned as he realised Arlen had left them alone together.

“Sorry about the theatrics Lannar but sometimes you have to go over the top with Arlen to make sure she gets the message. She is still a selfish manipulating bitch though, bear that in mind.”

“You were just pretending to be angry then?”

“Of course I was well… mostly, but look on the bright side I got a favour point with Arlen.... which is a bonus, it also gives us a chance to talk without you having to worry about every word you say in front of her.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“It is.... every time she’s nearby you close up and get all defensive, I prefer it when you’re not.”

Lannar felt herself blushing again and took a large gulp of wine to cover it, he really was sweet and Arlen had said she didn’t mind, had even gone out of her way to give them time alone together. She’d also made it clear she had her doubts about the outcome which both puzzled and annoyed her no end.

Lannar sent Sandy into the lounge so she could clear up, typical man didn’t even consider offering to stay and help, no matter she had soon cleared everything away. Only when everything was pristine again did she join him. He was watching the news channel and seemed intensely interested in the report that was on live, so without disturbing him she refilled both their glasses and joined him on the couch. Without thinking about it he pulled her to his side draping his arm around her neck. That set her spine tingling and she felt herself blushing again.

“What is it?" she asked quietly trying to get a handle on what the broadcast was about.

“The Terrans they just stepped up their patrols in Heretics end, the Argon senate have filed a formal protest. Which means they no doubt will increase the fleets presence in Circle of labour, if one of the sides don’t back off soon this could get ugly.”

“They couldn’t be that stupid could they the last thing we need is to start a war Sandy?”

“I think it may already have started, Lannar if you get politicians talking about the possibility of conflict it usually means that something has already happened somewhere, and lives have already been lost. The question is was it a minor incident or was it serious enough to provoke a retaliatory action.”

Lannar thought about that then considered the last contract she had carried out for the Argon security service. They had asked her to prepare a projection of terran military strength based on information they had obtained from Gunne knew where, she had done the job though she had advised in her summary that the Terran forces though at a fairly low level by their standards were still significantly larger than any of the commonwealth races, and that they had a huge reserve of ships that they kept in a state of readiness. It was only their struggling economy that kept those ships mothballed.

Was she in anyway…. even partly to blame for this she wondered? Sandy was as upset as she was at the possibility of a war at least he kept drinking was he involved in `that something’ happening he had mentioned earlier, she had guessed enough about what Arlen and Sandy did for the fleet to know it was a possibility, that’s probably why he was trying so hard to get drunk……

No! She realised feeling her blood boil with uncommon rage.... he was trying to get her drunk..... Selma should have told him wine wouldn’t cut it with her. She placed her hand over the top of her glass when he tried to refill it again.

“Selma should have told you It takes a hell of a lot more wine than that to get me drunk Sandy, if you didn’t want me you could have just said so.”

Lannar slapped him really hard then, seeing the look of both shock and yes guilt appear on his face. She stormed off to the bedroom ignoring the tears running down her face, she slammed the door behind her feeling totally humiliated.

Arlen had tried to warn her, had perhaps guessed that to Sandy the thought of being with her would be too much like sleeping with his sisters lover. She’d leave in the morning she decided, Selma would take her back or she could charter a transport. The knock at the door broke that line of thought.

“Lannar can I come in please?”

She wanted to say no, wanted to scream a lot of things at him but something in his voice stopped her, “the doors not locked.” She called out cursing her weakness, knowing she had left it that way deliberately.

“You didn’t have to bring the wine I already told you that won’t work with me, it’s alright Sandy. I get it sleeping with me would be like sleeping with Arlen we look too much alike.”

“No you don’t,actually you look quite different..... Its in the eyes Lannar, you look into Arlens and she’s got this adamantine gaze. That’s the difference yours are normal.”

Lannar thought about that, it was true she had seen the fire that burned behind Arlens eyes it was both terrible and beautiful to behold at the same time.

“Whatever I’ll be leaving in the morning so there’s no need to, worry about it anymore is there?”

“Look I apologise I wasn’t trying to get you drunk… no that’s not true I was, but I was drinking a lot because I was... I was trying to get up the courage to…. to proposition you, and I thought if you got drunk first I’d have an excuse not to..... and I’m not explaining this very well it’s just, I want you so much but I’m worried... I haven’t had a lot of experience with women.”

“Sometimes you talk too much Sandy, Arlen was right about that."

She grabbed hold of him pulled him close and kissed him in a manner that made it clear what she wanted. Her blood started to boil again but for an entirely different reason this time. After that things just happened almost as if they were inevitable and Lannar was happier than she had been in years as she drifted off to sleep with Sandys arm draped possessively over her chest.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Nil:

Too be honest I was glad to get out of the apartment, there was so much suppressed sexual tension in the air it was starting to get to me. I ignored the speed limits as I headed straight for the south gate Sandy had topped up the fuel tanks before he had docked so I could have just jumped to the outpost in Black hole sun but I wanted to get a feel for this ship since the yard had rebuilt her. Once through the gate I contacted Ceri.

“You like your new toy I take it.”

“It’s good Ceri and it only registers as a standard Mamba you’ll have to tell me how you managed that someday.”

“Perhaps… we’ll see but you didn’t contact me to discuss the Mamba what do you want?”

“My brother Nil, he’s been passed over for combat training, I checked his stats and that wasn’t justified.”

“He was passed over when you entered the program Arlen I thought you knew that.”

“No but I sort of guessed that, anyway I want you to speak to whoever necessary to give him a shot at it, if he fails… he fails that will be the end of it.”

“Did he ask you to speak to me I notice he left your place a while ago.”

“He might have been thinking about it but no he didn’t ask, look Ceri do this for me as a favour and I’ll owe you one.”

I could almost see the gears turning in her head as she considered my offer, I knew that now I was technically out of the fleet I didn’t have to do missions for her anymore but she knew I enjoyed the work not to mention the perks that came with the job.

“Alright Arlen I’ll get him his chance but as you said he has to make the cut himself. So even if he fails…..”

“Yeah I know, I will still owe you one thanks Ceri.”

With that out of the way I jumped to Black hole sun and headed for the outpost. I should have guessed I’d find him in the bar I suppose, he wasn’t drunk yet but he sure was working on it.

“Hey Marine buy a girl a drink” I asked fluttering my eyelash’s at him?

“Arlen what the frack are you doing here Selma just left for Montalar?”

“I know, it’s you I want to talk to lets grab a table at the back kay.” Nil grabbed the bottle and an extra glass for me then joined me at the table.

“We should have had this conversation at my place Nil.”

“Nah wanted too…. too much pride I guess, could hardly ask my little sister for help could I?”


“I suppose not but you better not have put your papers in Nil you’re going to get your chance to prove yourself, you don’t make the cut it’s your fault not mine you got that?” Wow talk about a shock sobering a body up, all of a sudden he was just `On’ again rather than looking all dejected and miserable.

“You shouldn’t have done that Arlen.”

“Why not I heard they would have given you a shot except I was in the unit, they don’t like relatives serving together remember? So I just reminded them I was out now, and as I said they owed me a few favours.”

“It’s really down to me then because I don’t want a free ride.”

“Trust me Bro before you finish that course you are going to be cursing me for this so will you pour me that drink now or were you planning on keeping that bottle to yourself?”

Ceri must have been talking very hard and fast to whoever it was who managed such things I had barely finished my first drink when a courier found Nil and handed him his orders. Sure enough it was an order to report to the outpost in enduring light within two days. I assumed the delay was because technically that’s when his current leave ended. He was made up I could tell, he poured us both a stiff measure and read orders the orders again.

“Don’t worry about transport Nil I’ll drop you…. of it will have to be tomorrow though, they won’t take kindly you turning up half cut.”

“I won’t be I’m not drinking anymore.”

“Best tell your friends that they obviously think otherwise I expect they just read the notice board" I said as a group of marines spotted Nil and headed in our direction. The result of that was predictable, it turned into one hell of a party and even though Nil made his drinks last I ended up carrying him back to his apartment later that evening.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Selma:

The smell was the thing Selma thought as she stepped out of the mamba onto the decking of the docking gantry. There was the smell of sulphur, oil and of ground ore that pervaded every centimetre of the station as well as more unpleasant smell associated with men who were not particular about hygiene.

It had been a while since I’d been here so was not as easily ignored as it had been, hell I nearly puked as I climbed into the docking arm corridor. As I entered the main arrivals lounge I was a little surprised to see the place was deserted except for old Ned who always managed to swing the night shift here. He just waved me through acknowledging my passing with a slight nod.

To be honest I had forgotten to check the local time before docking, if I had realised how late it was I would have just returned home after dropping Nil off. Oh well too late to go back now, Arlen was going to give me hell for being late as it was and to be honest I wasn’t in the mood for that right now. I would wait till the morning before letting her know where I was. I opened the door of our mom’s home quietly and slipped into the hallway trying to make as little noise as possible. The last thing I wanted was to wake mom and dad up. I slipped into the kitchen suddenly feeling hungry, I had intended to grab some lunch at the outpost but I had been too upset to eat.

Too much had happened in the last few wozura and it was starting to take its toll on me. It wouldn’t have been so bad if Nil had made some effort at conversation on the journey to his base but he had been worrying about something he had made clear he didn’t want to talk about. I poured myself a coffee glad to see mom was still using the Sonra we’d sent her. Once I’d had a few sips I opened the cooler to see if there was anything I could make a sandwich out of. That’s when the lights went up to normal and mom walked in.

“Sit yourself down Selma I’ll cook you up something tasty.”

I sat down as much by reflex as anything else I had learnt to obey mom at a very early age, it was both relaxing and familiar watching her move about the kitchen as she put together a meal for me. I had been sat in this kitchen countless times when I was growing up, and just for a moment I had a flash back of countless meals taken at this very table with all of us together. My reverie was interrupted when mom put down a bowl of chilli in front of me, with a plate of rice and some bread slices to go with. It had been a while since I had tasted this, I dived in scooping up a goodly amount of the chilli and rice with a slice of the bread. It was delicious I would have to get Arlen to try a bowl of moms chilli someday, Arlen made a thing of her fancy foods but I was sure she would enjoy this. Pretty soon I was wiping the bowl clean with the last of the bread feeling better than I had in a fair while. Mom just smiled at me as she put the dishes in the cleaner and sat back down and poured us both another coffee.

“Okay spill it Selma much as I love you calling by, why are you here? You have a row with Arlen?”

“No but I think she’s going to be pissed with me I should have been home like a half stazura ago, but I want her to spend some time alone with her sister.”

“Well that don’t sound too bad so what’s eating you up about it?”

“Because she blames her sister for every bad thing that’s ever happened to her, and that’s not fair Lannar is one of the gentlest people I’ve ever met.”

“Okay I get it now, you upped and left her with her sister and you hope they will work their problems out. Trouble with that plan Selma is that you’re not sure it will work, may in fact make things worse. That about the size of it?”

“Yeah I think I’ve fracked up mom.”

“Well if you have there’s not a lot can be done about it now, you’ve thrown the dice now you’ve got to wait and see how they fall. Or is it that you think you already know how this is going to work out and that’s what’s got you so upset?”

“Yeah that’s pretty much it in a nutshell mom, I love Arlen more than I can tell you in words and I know this is going to hurt her me forcing this on her, she doesn’t handle being hurt or forced into things very well mom. I think I might lose her.”

“Oh baby you always were the one to make the hard call that’s why I love you, now Arlen does love you that’s one thing I am certain of and I am pretty sure she’s smart enough and knows you well enough to see why you have done this, why you had to. If she can’t accept this, then she doesn’t love you enough. If that’s the case it’s going to be her losing you, and I think she would be a fool to let that happen. Now finish your coffee and let’s get you to bed, you look wore out baby.”

[Sabrina Bergin]

Continued:

I woke up immersed in a comfortable warmth and absently reached for Arlen, I panicked for a second when I realised she wasn’t there. That’s when I remembered where I was and for a moment I had a terrible sense of foreboding. I hit the shower wishing I had done that last night or rather earlier this morning before I got dressed and went down to the kitchen.

Dad got up from the table when he saw me and rushed over and did his best to crack my ribs as he hugged and kissed me, I was really pleased to see him again it had been a while.

“Put her down Theo the poor thing wants breakfast not your beard in her face” mum told him, smiling at the sight of the pair of us.”

“Sorry mother, Selma… damn it’s good to see you again girl, mom told me you came in late last night come on sir yourself down or mom will be bending both our ears.”

I took my place at the table and was glad when mom only served me up a normal breakfast, unlike the plateful pop’s was eating. I think he was going to say something about that till he caught mom staring him down.

“S’Okay pops mom knocked me up a meal when I got in, so I’m not that hungry.”

Honour satisfied on that count dad returned his attention to his own breakfast, he wasn’t a greedy man but I knew that would be his only meal till he came of shift later today.

“So what brings you here today Selma, not that I’m objecting mind.” he said quickly seeing the warning look in mom’s eyes. “You checking over that new complex of your girlfriends.”

“No I just thought I’d call in for a quick visit, just to prove I haven’t forgotten where you live,” I answered wondering what complex he was talking about. Arlen hadn’t said anything about constructing stations out this way.

I didn’t let that show of course as pops kept blathering on about it, I think mom saw it was all news to me but she didn’t say anything till dad had finished his breakfast and left to start his shift kissing me briefly in passing as he rushed off. Crazy even though he owned the place he made a point of always being on time when he started work.

“I take it you didn’t know about the factories Selma.”

“No I didn’t she must have forgotten to mention, them she has been rather busy of late mom. I don’t really pay much attention to her business dealings I admitted.”

“Well you should girl,” Yeah mom was angry she never called me that unless I had done something that upset her. “Well as it happens the complex she built has been good for business, we had the man in charge come down here and he struck a fair deal to buy our surplus stocks at average price. Most companies would have tried to go for minimum, to be honest I thought you’d had a hand in that.”

“No that would be Arlens doing mom, she’s always hated the way corporations stick it to the independents so I don’t think it was anything special you getting that deal.”

“I hope not girl you know how I feel about charity. But enough of that you came here to rest not have me add to your troubles. You feeling any better now you’ve had a chance to get some sleep?”

“Some I admitted, I think you’re right mom I have to go back and speak to her, explain how I feel about things.”

“You want some advice baby… remind her you love her, her being let go by the fleet after she got herself all banged up for them must have hurt her real bad, she needs your support now more than ever Selma and you running of like this has bound to have hurt her, make her doubt herself and you, and that’s not good in any relationship. You can tell her why you think her attitude with her sister is wrong but you shouldn’t interfere Selma, I thought I taught you better than that.”

“You did mom I just forgot that for a while.”

Mom just gave me that look of hers then, the one she normally reserved for dad when he fracked up which told me she wasn’t buying that as an excuse. She let it go this time, then asked how Sandy was doing.

I was glad to change the subject to be honest, I knew why mom had done that she had made her point about where she thought I should be right now, and talking about Sandy was just a way for me to accept that and for us to part company with no ill feelings.

To be honest I knew she was right so after a decent interval I made my excuses and left promising to call by more often which she just smiled at. Still the visit and the advice had given me the direction I had been lacking so I was glad I’d came. I jumped for the outpost in black hole sun and did a quick refuelling stop before jumping again for Elena’s.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Continued:

Normally I would have stopped to refuel at the outpost, but ever since I had left Black hole sun that sense of foreboding I’d experienced when I’d woken earlier returned with a vengeance. I headed straight for the trade station and got through customs as quickly as possible fretting at the delay. It was already midmorning local time by the time I got home.

I was stunned to find the place empty when I arrived even the coffee pot was stone cold for fracks sake. I put that to rights before realising the whole place was spotless, someone had taken their time to clear up properly and left as if not intending to come back.

That sense of foreboding turned to one of dread as I went to check on Lannar and saw her bed hadn’t been slept in. Damn it Arlen must have sent her home almost as soon as I’d left the station, so much for my hopes that they might at least try to get along with each other, she hadn’t even tried. Despite the unspoken promise I had made to mom that angered me, I intended to give Arlen a piece of my mind and to hell with the consequences.

I opened the door to our room and just froze, unable to believe what I was seeing, her and Sandy…… and in our bed for fracks sake. I pulled the door closed and in a daze I walked back into the kitchen feeling my heart breaking. I’d never expected this, couldn’t even grasp how she could do this to me.

Did she really hate me that much? I asked myself. It wasn’t just her though I remembered jazura ago Sandy saying he was tempted when he had seen her walk through the lounge. Just how long had this been going on? I started to put it together then knowing I should have seen the signs, but then I had hadn’t I? On Antigone I’d even guessed the truth, then there were the things I knew she wasn’t telling me like that complex over in Aladna. Her supposedly prolonged recovery in M148 after her operation, yeah I had swallowed that one. I gave into the pain then letting it burn through me with an intensity that tore the very air from my lungs and shattered my thoughts. I lost it then everything just span away from me leaving me feeling dead inside.

“Hey baby are you all right?” She asked me gently.

The concern in her voice was an empty lie. Which made the question laughable, mocking even, I didn’t even bother turning around, I didn’t want to look at her let alone give her the satisfaction of seeing how much she had totally fracked me up.

“You want to give me that gun Selma?” she asked just as gently sounding worried now.

What gun I wondered? Then I looked at the blaster I was holding and wondered how that had got there, what had I done with it I wondered, suddenly seeing myself shooting Sandy with it? Had I done that, no I couldn’t have could I? This was some sort of nightmare, had to be unless I had gone nuts. It was the only thing that made any kind of sense. That’s why she was worried of course I needed to wake up then everything would be alright and I wouldn’t feel so lost. I watched fascinated as my hand moved all on its own, I knew that the pain would soon end, gods I wanted that more than anything. Then she was just there had her arms around me, and took the gun out of my hand easily despite me trying to stop her.

“Oh baby what were you thinking?” she whispered pulling me close looking deep into my eyes as if she might gain some understanding of what was going on behind them.

Good luck with that girl I thought as I started to lose it again. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t say it was okay, that I understood why. That I was sorry for killing Sandy, I just fell in on myself at that, nothing made any sort of sense to me anymore, I could hear her calling out to me but I couldn’t didn’t want to go back, not to that! my mind shattered into fragments even at the thought of it. The pain that wracked me only ending when the darkness swallowed me whole.

I woke up eventually, despite trying hard not to. It was like I was swimming against a tide in a river of liquid clay as the fog slowly lifted from my mind. My mouth was dry and my tongue tasted like ashes in my mouth.

“Here we go Selma you need to drink this” mom whispered gently easing my head off the pillow.

The liquid was overly sweet and sickly but mom made me drink all of it including the powdery dregs. So it had all been a nightmare I thought with relief, till I saw Arlen curled up on the end of the bed.

“Don’t you go waking her Selma, that’s the first time she’s slept since she bought you home. She said to tell you Lannar and Sandy are just fine, and she will be speaking to them once you’re feeling better. He’s been calling every ten mizura or so but Arlen told me not to speak to him till she’s had a chance to talk to you. Now you just stay still till she wakes up, then when you’re both up for it come down to the kitchen.”

I don’t know what was in that drink but I felt a lot better than I had any right to, memories or rather disjointed fragments of them passed through my mind as I watched her sleeping. I still felt terrible but that was because I’d thought she’d… I shied away from that. I should have known it was Sandy and Lannar but they were the last two people I would ever have expected to get together like that.

I felt like the fool I was, and grateful now that Arlen had stopped me when she had. Gods how did I lose it so quickly, that just doesn’t happen... it did though, I knew that now. Gods I’d never be able to look Sandy or Lannar in the eye again.

“Hey baby its okay I’m here” she whispered taking my hand, and smiling as she looked into my eyes, suddenly I knew it would be okay Arlen was here, and she still loved me that was all that mattered.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Consequences:

I parked the Mamba into the slot they kept open for me, waving to the familiar faces of the ground crew I knew before going down into the cargo bay to check on Nil. He had just got out of his flight suit and was straightening his tunic.

“You all set Nil?”

“I guess so it feels weird going back to training again though.”

“Well just remember what I told you, don’t think about your orders and don’t try and discuss, them no matter how crazy they may seem to you just obey them. You have to consider yourself a rookie here Nil so behave accordingly.”

“Okay I got all that, are you going to walk me in?”

“Hell no Nil I told you you’re on your own, here besides if I did you’d have to salute me and I don’t want to do that to you on your first day. Now get going and make me and Lannar proud.”

Nil grabbed me and kissed me then before donning his cap and striding across the hanger kitbag in hand. I just hope he felt as kindly towards me once he got into training proper. I waited till he was clear till I went up to see Ceri. I had needed to pick up my next batch of meds and I also wanted a word about the surveillance gear at my place. I was ushered straight into her office and took a seat in the room whilst I waited her to finish speaking.

“Arlen a pleasant surprise, what brings you here in person?”

“I thought I might as well call in I took the opportunity to drop Nil off and thought I might as well say hello whilst I was here, I also wanted a chat about the surveillance gear at my place.”

“That was out of my hands I’m afraid, I assume you’ve dealt with it by now.”

“Mostly the rest I’ll switch off when I get back, now one other matter my office manager is going to disappear in Aladna I would rather the military not get involved.”

“Your company does have links to Argon security Arlen, they will be concerned.”

“The man will be thoroughly questioned Ceri, if there are any matters that might be of concern I’ll pass them onto you.” I handed her the pad that detailed when and how Kellar would be snatched as well as the disposition of the Centaur complete with the crew that would be aboard it.

“Well that seems to have comprehensively answered any questions I might have raised. I seem to recall word of a sector defence training exercise in Montalar about that time. You know this is rather well thought out, no loose ends, I might ask you to produce similar operational strategies in the future if you have no objection.”

“None I quite enjoyed working on it to be honest before I leave there is one more thing.... I’ve told my brother he won’t be getting a free ride here I want him treated the same as everyone else. He’ll know if he’s being given an assist.”

“I got that message first time around so you can rest assured if he qualifies he will have done so by his own efforts, now if that is all?”

“It is thanks for your time Ceri.”

Ceri watched her leave then followed her progress through the station on the monitors, she hadn’t been lying when she’d said the plan she'd proposed for the man who had been stealing from her was well thought out. Once the operation was done with she’d have the strategist’s look it over. They would only confirm her own suspicions that Arlen was a natural planner.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Continued:

I left the outpost feeling quite pleased with myself, Nil was getting his chance with the corp, Bran wouldn’t have to worry about military intervention which had been a concern to him and Ceri had hinted she would be offering me more than just boarding operations in the future.

I contacted Bran and gave him the go ahead and the coordinates I wanted his Centaur to be at once the bounty was announced. I also gave him the access codes and the location for the prototype Centaur I had promised him. They would deposit Kellar in that cell which had enough cold rations to last him a mazura if he rationed himself. I figured that in less than a third of that time I would have been paid out by the insurers and when that happened he would be mine.

I had left my med pack and carryall on the ship figuring I didn’t want Lannar to ask questions about them, which reminded me I was nearly a day late from my test drive, yeah I bet Sandy had to earn that bonus point. Still if it had kept Lannar quiet I was happy enough. I wondered if she’d had any luck in trying to get him into the sack, I doubted it… he was still pining after that piece of crap he thought was Mr wonderful.

My first thought when I arrived was that they must have gone out, had Sandy managed to get her that far so soon or had he? Chances were he had left her here with Selma and gone of station to avoid me having a go at him. No favour point for him then. I went to check on Lannar. She wasn’t there of course which figured, she’d probably got herself a transport home right after Sandy kissed her off. Pity that connection might have been of some use to me. No matter I could deal with her long distance, I was pretty sure she’d have secure com gear at the estate.

Right time to get changed I thought after I’d had a shower I opened the door to the bedroom and I knew at once why Selma wasn’t here. Oh frack I whispered as I about turned and headed for the front door, Selma was on station somewhere. I had seen the other Mamba in the hanger.

I heard the slight noise from the kitchen just as I reached for the door handle.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Continued:

I was starting to worry now we kept the weapons in a locker in the kitchen, and not just stunners. I slowly pushed the door open to see Selma sat at the table, she was shaking like she was going into shock. Probably was after what she thought she’d seen, that’s when I saw the gun in her hand. I knew what was likely to happen next and none of those options appealed to me. The main thing I knew from experience was to keep calm.

“Hey baby are you all right?” I asked inching closer. She didn’t say anything but she started shaking harder then so I knew she was hearing what I was saying. Just a metre more and I could stop this. She was staring at the gun now, this was definitely not good.

“You want to give me that gun Selma?”

Oh frack no she didn’t, I moved faster than I had thought possible and tangled her arms up in mine ignoring her trying to fend me off and got my hand on it. I stuffed it into my belt behind my back. I turned her round so I could look into her eyes.

“Oh baby what were you thinking?” I was looking into her eyes when I saw her let go.

I staggered as she almost fell on top of me catching her before she could hit the floor. She was definitely in shock without thinking about it I got my injector from the table drawer and gave her a shot of sedatives. I needed to get her away from here somewhere she would feel safe when she came to. I managed to get her into my wheel chair and onto the Mamba without incident. And within seconds of clearing the station I was jumping for Black hole sun to refuel.

I could have made the jump straight to Montalar, but then I wouldn’t have had fuel for the turbo and time was a critical factor now. The drugs I had shot into her would have to be counteracted or they might kill her, and I definitely didn’t want to give her a dose of flash intravenously unless she was tied down.

I abused my security clearance by hot docking at the outpost after calling an emergency and giving them my access authorisation. I got refuelled even before I had come to a halt and got an immediate launch clearance. Once again I made the jump as soon as I was clear of the stations shields and moments later I was burning across Montalar at the maximum boost speed I could get out of the ship heedless of the risk of damage to the engines. Some idiot at the station wanted me to wait in the docking queue, so I screamed at him to put Theo on.

“Arlen what the frack is going on?” He asked alarmed at my closing speed.

“Theo I haven’t got time to explain I have got to dock now, Selma’s hurting bad and if I don’t get docked double quick she could die out here.”

Theo cleared all the gantry’s I picked the nearest one and hot docked. I was running down the gantry arm with Selma slung over my shoulder when he met us, without a word he took her of me.

"Get her home Theo, I’ll catch you as soon as I get my breath back.” I ran after him amazed at the speed he was moving at as he barrelled through anyone that got in his path. I arrived at the house a sezura after he did and told him to get her into her bed.

“Mom I need some straps, binding’s anything to tie her down. She’s going to be thrashing around quite a bit in a moment and I don’t want her hurting herself. I’ll explain all this in a mizura I just don’t have the time right now.”

Mom ran off and was back within moments with some pallet straps which were ideal, I ripped of my belt and after doubling it I told Theo to hold it between her teeth. Only when she was securely tied down did I give her the shot of flash. The effect was immediate and I suppose frightening to mom and Theo as she began thrashing against the restraints.

“It’s alright this is normal I assured them just give it a moment and it will stop.”

My real concern was that her heart might give out, she had been under an extraordinary amount of stress, for god knows how long before I’d found her. The convulsions stopped as suddenly as they had started.

“Okay we can untie her now…. we need to keep her warm though she’s had a nasty shock, mom, if you could give me a hand we’ll get her into bed Theo I‘ll be down in a mizura and explain all this.” I promised.”

Theo didn’t want to leave but mom chivvied him out of the room, and between us we had Selma all tucked up in no time at all.

“Mom I best go down and explain all this or Theo is going to explode could you watch over her for me?”

“Of course I will Arlen, go on down the poor man is going crazy not knowing what’s happened.”

The was sat in the kitchen waiting for me as soon as he saw me come in he poured me a large whiskey and let me settle myself before asking what had happened. I didn’t hide anything and I could see the pain it caused him.

When he had finally learned the truth about me and Selma he had taken a while to accept things for what they were, I sat there waiting for him to blame me for what had happened to Selma but he didn’t instead he hugged me close and thanked me.

“I know you think I don’t approve of you and Selma but she made her choice jazura ago, I have come to care deeply for you Arlen, how could I not my daughter loves you. It is obvious you love her just as deeply you have flown half way across the verse to save her and for that I will be eternally grateful. Now you go upstairs and send mother down I will tell her what has happened.”

“Thank you Theo” I replied kissing him “One thing if Sandor calls tell him I will speak to him later say nothing of what has happened till I have a chance to talk to Selma, he hasn’t done anything wrong Theo he just made a mistake.”

“You are more generous in your mercy than I would be, I will wait for Selma to tell me what she wants done.”

That was the best I could hope for I suppose, so I went back upstairs and took moms place in the chair by the bed. This was the hard part the waiting’ I’d only given her enough flash to prevent the tranquiliser stopping her heart. Anymore would have been too risky for someone who’d never had it before, so I didn’t really know how long she would be unconscious. I made a note of a stimulant she would need when she did wake up I was pretty sure the ingredients would be on station here or at the trading port, when mom came up with a tea for me I explained what I needed and she promised she would make sure it was ready.

“Hey mom she’s over the worst of it I promise,” seeing the tears in her eyes.

“You should get some rest yourself Arlen you look exhausted.”

“I will” I promised to which she said nothing as was her way when she didn’t want to call someone a liar to their face.

“I’ll bring you a meal up soon she promised” leaving me to my vigil.

The hours passed slowly but I saw a gradual improvement in Selma that boded well her breathing grew stronger and she began to get some colour back in her cheeks. Theo was more than pleased to hear that and even though he tried not to show it he was desperately worried about her. Mom Kept him out of the way for the most part otherwise he would have been pacing backwards and forwards at the end of Selma’s bed. I suppose it was some time after supper that I fell asleep, I woke to quiet voices and heard mom say something about the kitchen. I waited till I was properly awake before I reached out and took her hand and looked into her eyes and smiled.

“Hey baby its okay I’m here now.”

[Sabrina Bergin]

Aftermath:

I explained everything to Selma, it was hard for her to hear but I think she pretty much remembered most of it anyway.

“I’ve made a complete frack up here haven’t I Babe?

“You didn’t plan on this Selma and I’m not letting myself of the hook here either, when I got hurt I wanted to push you away.” I admitted “Yes I know that sounds crazy but I’m certifiable its official remember?” That got a smile out of her reminding her of the psyche report that said I actually was crazy. “I should have kept a better eye on you rather than have you running round the verse doing errands for me, no wonder you were starting to doubt me. Hell based on the evidence even I would have said I was guilty as charged. I was being selfish as always and I am sorry for all this Selma.

"Now the first thing I have to do is speak to Sandy, Gunne he must be going mad with worry. What I don’t want is Lannar knowing what triggered this or she will find some way to see it as being her fault she’s like that.”

“What will you tell her?”

“The truth just not all of it, I’m pretty certain she can read me almost as well as I can read you…. When I pay attention that is. Now neither one of us mentions the gun okay?”

“What about Theo?”

“I didn’t tell him about it either, I’m not that stupid Babe.”

I put a com call through to the apartment and was relieved to find Sandy in his room waiting for it. He did look like crap I had to admit but there was a part of me that blamed him for this despite what I’d told Selma.

“Arlen thank gods I’ve been worried as hell, what’s going on what’s happening?”

“Sorry for not contacting you earlier Sandy, I had to get Selma home she had a breakdown, and she needed to be away from things for a bit, she’s okay, or at least better, she wants to speak to you I’ll put her on in a minute.”

“I’ll be blunt Sandy apparently Selma has been worrying for some time that I was trying to ease her out of my life, not true but she thought it was. So to cut to the chase Selma got home before I did yesterday and found you and Lannar in our bed. It sort of fracked her up because who else but me would be in that bed? Luckily I arrived home in time and I brought her here to get her away from the apartment she was in shock so I had to give her some pretty strong meds. You know which ones I mean.” Yeah he knew alright, I mean what other strong meds did I have to hand?

Now Selma feels pretty bad with herself at the moment and she thinks that if Lannar finds out what triggered this she will find a way to blame herself and lord knows she’s not strong enough to handle that. So you will say it was a stress thing, nothing else okay? Now go and get Lannar we’re going to go down stairs so give us a mizura then call us back from the lounge.”

“You up for this Hun because now we have to show Theo how you could have thought it was me in bed with Sandy I think he still has doubt’s he’s never seen Lannar, come to think of it nor has mom.”

So I picked her up and carried her down into the front room where we would take the call on the big display.

“Theo mom you might want to sit down” Selma warned as the com call came through.

Theo took a large gulp of his whiskey when he saw Lannar he had to look at the both of us twice to make sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. I watched that last bit of doubt about me evaporate.

“Arlen, Selma, Lannar exclaimed in delight on seeing us both, heavens we were so worried about you, Selma are you okay… do you need anything?”

“Well my doctor here recommends a couple of Wozura vacation and I’m holding her to that, I’m sorry for causing you any concern.”

“You could come to the estate….

[Sabrina Bergin]

Continued:


Lannar fell silent as she realised what she had just said, it wasn’t what I'd wanted to hear I looked to Selma and saw how much she would like that. I figured I owed her this… so what the hell.

“Do you mind if we bring a couple of guests along Lannar? I am sure they want to meet Sandy’s latest girlfriend” I teased watching her blush, as I heard Theo nearly choke on his whiskey behind me.

“Look I am going to put Selma back on now she’s been worried about you as well Lannar, leave the travel arrangements to me I’ll call when we are all set okay?”

“Okay Arlen I’ll speak to you soon, and thank you.”

I stepped aside and went to join Theo sitting on the arm of his chair after pouring myself a large tumbler of his whiskey. Tuning out whatever Lannar and Selma were discussing. He still could not believe what his eyes were seeing.

“Do you see now how Selma misunderstood things Theo, why no one is to blame?”

“I’ll be honest I was uncertain Arlen, but this… this is incredible.”

“I know that’s why I needed you to see her for yourself, now what Selma saw must never be mentioned to Lannar Theo. She’s not like me she’s a gentle soul, it would hurt her badly if she thought she was even partly to blame for what happened to Selma. Also its very important you speak to her she is frightened of men she does not know, I will tell you why later if you insist but I would rather not, if she recognises you she will not be so worried when she actually meets you.”

“Arlen were you telling me the truth.... that your sister is Sandor’s girlfriend?”

“She is I thought she had better taste but still, he was her choice.”

I could almost read his thoughts right then he was so transparent, He had thought his son would never be a man in the sense he took it to mean. Now that was proven false, even mom was a little taken aback at that revelation, of course she handled it better than Theo did.

“Your sister is strikingly good looking Arlen.”

“I know mom” I answered shamelessly. As Selma came over and told her parents Lannar would like to speak with them.

After which she dragged me out of the room and into the kitchen, to give them some privacy she also wanted to question me about agreeing to go home.

“Are you sure about this Arlen, there’s still time to call Lannar back and beg off, I could say I’m not up for the trip.”

“No you won’t besides it’s about time I got over my fear of the place, don’t worry I’ll take plenty of sedatives with me. You’ve got the hardest task anyway, you’ve got to persuade Theo to leave this rock longer than a couple of Tazura.”