Chapter 19

“Young man, I can commiserate with you and your mother’s current situation, but it’s out of my hands. As I’ve already stated, a formal request for the antibiotic was sent through the proper channels. Regarding whether or not that request is fulfilled depends on the closest station’s availability for the current business period. All I can offer you is my word that I'll reach out if we receive any prudent updates on the matter. Are we clear?”

Despite nearing the end of his second month at his new post, the clerk still hadn’t warmed up to nor made much of an effort to connect with any of the local townsfolk. Often driving them away with logistical jargon whenever they came to him making what he considered absurd requests. Only Wash had built up a resistance to the eccentric tactic, thanks in large part to his daily visits to the location. The town’s new government bureau office.

“Maybe if you sent another request, to help them understand just how urgent—!”

“I’m afraid that’s not how things work. Even if I humored your little request, they’d only file it alongside the existing one or possibly flag it as an administrative error. In a worst-case scenario they might even misconstrue the intent of a follow-up as an attempt to force the needs of my jurisdiction to the front of a VERY long line. Now unless you have another matter that requires my attention, we’re done here.”

The bleak man narrowed his already sharp eyes in a silent form of challenge. Content none would come, he returned to the stack of paperwork he’d prepared ahead of time. Wash could only ball his calloused hands in frustration. Both at the inconvenience of the so-called ‘proper channels’ and himself for falling victim to the same song and dance as previous visits.

Suddenly feeling very taxed by the exchange, the young man removed himself from the bureau and resumed his somber commute to the ironworks. At least there he could exhibit some measure of control, even if it only extended to the works he created from the smelted ore.

Said ironworks employed nearly half the town, and yet neither Wash nor his mother ever imagined that he’d be contributing to that number someday. And at such a young age no less. Granted his working there was seen as a temporary solution to his mother’s absence. Given her deteriorating condition it had fallen to Wash to pick up her shifts so they could support themselves. The money that his mother had saved up beforehand having already been exhausted by a combination of living costs and medical bills. Something that would have come to pass regardless of how frugally they’d been living.

The one saving grace here was that Wash was quite skilled with his hands. And while the gap in experience was too wide to compare to his mother’s abilities, he’d proven more than capable of meeting her quotas thus far.

Despite this his mother remained adamant that he should quit the ironworks and let her lose the position. Convinced her illness had come in part due to long periods working in what could be a very unforgiving environment. Seeing that her affliction was respiratory related, those suspicions likely weren’t far off. And while he doubted a few months would be long enough for the welding fumes and mineral fibers to do any permanent damage, Wash still took steps to limit exposure by utilizing a mask.

Arriving at the front entrance of the ironworks he exchanged pleasantries with some of the other arriving workers. The spouses of some of which had taken to visiting his mother during the day to check up on her condition. Wash did his utmost to express gratitude whenever he ran into one of them in town but was often waved off. Explaining they were only returning the favor for all the times his mother had come to the aide of their partners in the workplace.

It could be said that Wash experienced the benefits of a close-knit community at a young and impressionable age. The first of many he’d come to appreciate in his life.

*

“Are you so desperate to keep your position that you’d throw away the opportunity we have here!”

Reed stormed his way up to the party leader only to be ignored as the man as he scanned one of their many maps of the region. Another high-ranking party member by the name of Matus beside him.

“Say your piece and go Reed. We’re busy revising the gameplan.”

Reed proceeded to remove one of his lantern shields and thrust it downwards through the map the two had been digesting. But rather than recoil at the display of anger both men regarded the Volt with mild irritation.

“I just got word that the little welcome party you sent out was chased off with its collective tail between its legs! The very same I argued against sending in the first place! And now we’ve made them privy to our usage of the cave tunnels!”

“Sounds like they’ve served their purpose. You ought to be praising them instead of picking fights with me.”

Reed grabbed the party leader by his black shoulder cape and backed him against the adjacent limestone outcropping. Matus made to reach for a concealed firearm but was stopped by the steady raise of Hite’s hand.

“I suggest you start making sense before I settle this leadership dispute right here and now!”

Hite purposefully remained silent for a moment or two. Long enough for his subordinate to realize how unbecoming this scene was for someone striving to earn and maintain the respect of his comrades. Or better yet, if Baugh himself would ever stoop to such a childish outburst.

“I meant for them to learn about our underground tunnels. Gives them one more thing to worry about.”

Reed’s hold loosened as he took a deep breath, needing some of the red to fade before he could consider the party leader’s reply.

“You mean to tell me such a meager objective justifies our losses?”

“That depends, how many did we lose?”

The inquiry into the casualties coincided with the firm hand of Matus coming to a rest on Reed’s shoulder, prompting him to release Hite and take a step back.

“Two dead, one missing...”

“You say missing but I find it hard to believe our Hussards failed to keep track of such a modest force.”

“It was Emica. And according to the report she was taken captive.”

Their leader dusted himself off and approached the map once more, removing the lantern shield with remarkable ease despite it having punctured the stone it’d been sprawled on. Handing it off to Matus who tossed it back over to Reed with a grin.

“You don’t say...she predates even you if I’m not mistaken.”

“Barely.”

“Didn’t realize it was a competition. Then again, if the runner-up for last place was awarded the position of party leader, it must be a fruitless one.”

Reed’s countenance darkened once more and an animalistic growl escaped him.

“You wouldn’t understand...!”

“More like I don’t want to. Honestly, it’s moments like these I begin to miss Roy.”

This comment earned him looks of wariness from both men present, something he expected but felt no regret or concern over.

“Either way Ms. Emica’s presence onboard a Crusader will be more of a handicap for the LCF than a benefit. Because at some point they’ll be forced to leave her alone. At which time the threat of sabotage will do more damage psychologically than any action she actually takes.”

“And if she coughs up intel on the castles we’re occupying?”

Hite smoothed out the creases in the map and began folding it neatly.

“Only way that woman will talk is if she thinks it’s to her benefit.”

“You’re saying she won’t chirp unless she believes the LCF has a chance.”

“Which is why we won’t give them one.”

Hite wouldn’t admit to it out loud, but he did have his reservations about the woman. Hence the reason he placed her in the welcome party to begin with. Granted the source of his caution was unrelated to her having any affiliation with Reed’s faction. He’d approached her and other senior members about joining his own budding group after all. And it was the fact she didn’t seem to go either way that made him question where her allegiances lay. One didn’t stay in the game this long without them.

“Time to move out, the processions getting closer and I want to make sure we make it to our seats on time.”

*

“Wash! You still keep antiseptic wipes on you? Stemming Faust’s blood loss proved to be messier than anticipated.”

The pilot didn’t look back at Lux nor move to retrieve the wipes himself, his entire focus on the narrow route in front of them.

“Drop pouch. They’re lemon scented.”

“Of course they are...”

Lux went about rifling through the disorganized pouch to the tune of chatter reverberating from the nearby speaking tubes. The main culprit being the tube that connected down to the engine room. Nice to know Cade wasn’t wasting any time in his roundabout interrogation.

“Oi, try not to get Faust’s blood all over my stuff.”

“Can’t be helped. Didn’t have a chance to grab medical gloves on the way out of Varza. And I wasn’t about to go searching through Youn’s drop pouch for a pair while Faust was clinging to consciousness.”

Wash frowned as Lux finally acquired the aforementioned wipes and ripped them open with her teeth.

“Will he be able to remain part of the rotation?”

“I’m listing him as doubtful for the remainder of the convoy. Sat his ass down in the cargo bay with plenty of water and some raisins in the meantime.”

“You forgot gloves but remembered to bring raisins?”

“We were in the commissary when the summons was made. Grabbed a snack on the way out.”

Lux returned the wipes to the drop pouch with her slightly more sterile hands and called out over her shoulder as she resealed it.

“Feel free to relay that updated injury report Katsurn! And while you’re at it, did the others report any casualties?!”

Jericka crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair.

“If I’m free to send the updated injury report, does that mean I’m also free to ignore your supplemental demands, Officer Ayfer?”

“Is someone jealous they didn’t get any raisins?”

Lux stood and turned around, cocking her hip to drive home the snark. Unperturbed, Jericka met it with some of her own.

“You’ll be joining that injury report if you keep it up blondie.”

One could’ve sworn a spark sounded when their two glares met.

“Will you two knock it off! How am I supposed to concentrate on piloting and eavesdrop on the Crusader with all these verbal jabs flying.”

“Pfft, as if she can throw a jab...”

“You would know a thing or two about being thrown wouldn’t you.”

Not unlike her physical form two weeks earlier, Lux’s composure was subsequently thrown off the bridge of the Crusader.

“Alright! Who the fuck spilled!?”

“Spilled what, the raisins? Don’t have any remember.”

Before jabs could really start flying, Wash interjected for the second time.

“Hey Lux, Cade wants me to remind you that your presence on the front deck is of the utmost importance right now.”

Too true. Although to Lux’s credit she always kept an internal timer running whenever she temporarily vacated a deck position. And while it was cutting it close, said timer still had a few ticks remaining. At least enough to get a parting shot in.

“Duty calls. Try not to strain yourself holding that chair down. Self-reporting would be pretty awkward for you.”

Jericka clicked her tongue as the blonde strode out the doorway, but just as easily shifted gears back to contacting Sumiye about the injury report. Only stopping short to clarify something with Wash.

“Cade didn’t say anything did he. Probably preoccupied working over our guest downstairs.”

“He sure didn’t. But I knew invoking the Cade card would get Lux to refocus. Try not to get her so riled up will you. Sharpshooters of her caliber don’t grow on trees, and we’ll need her in optimal condition for the castles.”

“Please, we both know my yapping isn’t enough to phase her.”

“Speaking from experience, presuming anything about another’s mental state always leads to trouble.”

An exasperated expression crossed the CO’s face.

“You pick the strangest times to wax philosophical.”

“Jericka, you read me?”

“Can this wait Kircher, I need to update Sumi on the injury report.”

“I’ll make it quick; I just want to run something by you.”

“What? Before your precious Miss Endellion? This should be good.”

“...”

“Uh, hello?”

“Sorry, needed to step out of the bridge.”

“Now I almost don’t want to hear this.”

“Just listen. There have been some...troubling sentiments...swirling among the security officers onboard.”

“Please tell me this isn’t related to your ongoing grievance with Hayes.”

“Ways things are shaping up, that’s the least of my worries.”

“Well he is C274’s security rep.”

“Not anymore. Following our little dust up that honor was passed over to Rohner.”

“Bullshit, no way someone as crass as Hayes would agree to that in the middle of a convoy. Not unless he got nicked liked Faust.”

“No nicks. By all intents and purposes Hayes deferred his position of security division representative to Rohner.”

It was at this point Jericka realized she was out of the loop in regards to this Rohner person and sought to rectify this by tugging on Wash’s uniform to get his attention. As he looked down at her she mouthed the name in question while using her face to communicate her ignorance on the subject. And it was very telling that Wash’s kneejerk reaction to the name was to wince.

“Anxious about the chain of command much?”

“Rohner isn’t exactly shy about his criticisms of Dandridge. He nearly put a stop to the order to drop smoke.”

“Why participate in the run then? The Commander was present when the crew roster was being filled out.”

“Rohner showed last minute. Literally walked off a Crusader from an arriving convoy and boarded one of ours without any context outside of a thrown together copy of the crew roster. Then he spent all of departure and a good chunk of time after sawing logs in the turret bay.”

“So your telling me this guy woke up and chose violence.”

“I’m realizing that contacting you might have been a mistake...”

“Took you long enough! And just making sure, but you took steps to collect or remove the second headset right?”

“I have it on me...I’d better go now. Do me a favor and bring the matter up with Lux. Her support of Commander Dandridge could end up being a deciding factor in a worst-case scenario.”

“Yeah, about that. Me and Lux were at each other’s throat not even a few seconds ago, so...”

“Counting on you.”

Jericka muttered a few curses and scratched at her thick mop of crimson as Kircher left the call. Sensing she was done, Wash made to elaborate further on the name she’d asked about but stopped short after seeing how put out their CO seemed.

“How you doing buddy?”

“Seems we should have spent less time monitoring Cloud Nine’s potential infighting and more time assessing the crew dynamics of this convoy’s current roster...”

*

“Mind if I stretch my legs out?”

The storage compartment turned holding cell was no more than a nook located on the wall opposite the sliding door and didn’t afford the height necessary for a hypothetical prisoner to stand. Making a seated posture all but mandatory.

“Fine by me.”

Given the woman’s above average height it was to be expected, though he could’ve refused her under the pretense of a tripping hazard. But Cade had always been very mindful of his immediate surroundings and found the likelihood of a trip doubtful. Assuming Miss Anonymous didn’t make a concentrated effort to take him out that is.

“Nice place you got here. Dare I call it cozy.”

“You expect me to believe you’ve never been in an engine room before.”

The raider considered her response carefully, well aware the game had already started. To her credit however the air of nonchalance she’d carried into the room didn’t falter.

“Just once, a lifetime ago.”

“How poignant...”

“Mhm, you’re young. You’d have to be to believe the person you are now will last into your 30’s.”

“No, I’d say your stance is sound. What I take exception with is your phrasing. Bit over romanticized for my tastes.”

“Those tastes will change too. Though I can’t guarantee it’ll be for the better.”

“Uh huh.”

Cade strode over to the room’s speaking tube and reached into his drop pouch, producing a light green cotton handkerchief. Using an elastic from the same pouch he placed the fabric over the opening of the tube. The woman watched this unfold with a hint of concern.

“Do I need to be worried?”

It took the engineer a moment to grasp how his actions must look from her perspective, and another to decide whether he’d use her misread to his advantage. No, that felt a step too far.

“No need to fret, I just want this conversation to remain private. You see our pilot has a nasty habit of eavesdropping.”

The woman settled back down but remained on edge at the unexpected move from the engineer. Because just as Cade was tasked with pulling useful intel from her, she now had to figure out what he had to gain by monopolizing said information. Assuming that was his intent. Because the notion that the guise of privacy would make her more prone to divulging intel was far too ludicrous.

“Plan on locking that door as well?”

She used her head to motion towards the engine room’s sliding door.

“No, the crew can come and go as they please. Also need to account for emergencies.”

“It’s someone else on the bridge you’re worried about then. The pilot was your excuse, but that was a veiled attempt to shift my attention away from the CO. Hesitant to provide them sensitive information I see. Not that I plan on providing any.”

Cade chewed on the inside of his cheek as he debated where to go from here. Because this woman was reading him like a good book.

“I’m surprised you didn’t extrapolate further. Though I suppose it would be counterproductive to have me give up too quickly.”

A beat, followed by a grin.

“Well at least you bounce back quickly. And here I was worried this would be boring.”

She’d conceded a point to keep him invested. A tad vexing but he’d take it. And she’d confirmed that her agenda involved passing some choice bits of information over to them. The real trick would be determining whether that information was meant to lead them astray or buy her favorable treatment when this was all over.

“But you really should remove that buffer from the speaking tube. As we’ve both just witnessed to varying extents, this route demands quite a bit of maneuvering. And you won’t be able to do your job properly if you can’t hear what adjustments need to be made.”

“Considerate of you to bring that up. Worried your buddies will prioritize silencing you over saving you? Or maybe you’ve been looking for a chance to defect from the party? A chance your now in position to make a reality.”

The woman erupted into mirthful laughter at the suggestion, so much so she had to flare her legs out to keep from toppling over. Watching this, Cade felt his patience already beginning to wane.

“Young people are so cute. Always trying to find a rhyme or reason behind every little action. Doesn’t it get tedious? Searching for motives in every act, be it cruelty or kindness.”

Cade squatted down so they’d be at eye level.

“Go ahead and put a leash on that thing you call kindness, because what you consider tedious is par for the course for guys like me. It’s how we keep people at arm’s length. It also makes throwing liabilities like you overboard easy in the event I deem you more trouble than your worth.”

“Scary.”

And yet the woman’s expression screamed anything but.

*

“Sir—I’m here to report on a delicate situation developing near station grounds.”

[Philip Eagen, 54, Riga Station Manager]

The balding man set his pen atop the stack of paperwork occupying his desk and crossed a pair of weathered hands with a sigh.

“Matters taking place off station grounds are of no concern to us. Report whatever it is to the city authorities.”

The station’s head of security grimaced ahead of having to share the next bit of information.

“I’m afraid this matter does concern us, rather we’ve played the role of involuntary instigators.”

The weary man sat back in his leather chair and motioned with his hand for the officer to continue. At the very least this gave him respite from the paperwork for the arriving Galen Run.

“As your aware we took steps to leak intel through unofficial channels as a means to limit potential damage to the otherwise fragile cargo that’s enroute.”

The manager raised a brow.

“And?”

“One of the city’s news outlets also caught wind of the leak and seeking to take advantage of the populace’s declining mental state, released a timely piece on the vaccine’s anticipated arrival time.”

“And gave the citizens the push they needed to break quarantine you mean?”

“In force I’m afraid. The article in question similarly drummed up concerns that the vaccine could be distributed according to the LCF’s pre-existing relationships with the city’s business partners. Which in turn gave way to fears that people will have to pay a steep price for access to the inoculation.”

“And cause irreparable damage to the Federation’s reputation?! Nonsense!”

“I’m afraid demand for the vaccine had superseded the demand for reason.”

The station manager of six years pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to alleviate his growing headache.

“I suppose the fact we haven’t been overrun yet is a means to rejoice. Damage control on the city’s part I expect.”

“We’ve been told that steps are being taken to bring the situation under control. Fortunately the violators couldn’t even drum up enough reason to organize properly. It’s made rounding them up a fair bit easier. Though there is one mob that may be cause for concern.”

“Hence you’ve brought this to my attention.”

The security officer nodded and spared a glance out the window where the station personnel below awaited direction nervously.

“Institute lockdown measures for the front entrance and position the bulk of our officers in and around the receiving yard. Put the rest of the staff on high alert and have them review evacuation procedures.”

“Yes sir.”

The head of security wasted little time leaving the office so he could carry out the orders, leaving the manager alone with his thoughts and paperwork. But rather than resume his desk work the middle-aged man lifted himself out of his chair and walked over to the city map decorating the back wall of his office. Running a hand over his head, he scrutinized several locations on the map.

“The amphitheater it is then...”