Chapter 23: Shaking Ground — Part 6

“Five weeks. We didn’t disturb you because you were adapting at such a quick pace for a person well past puberty.” Susan said gently.

Her fine Captain’s clothes no longer fit properly, hanging over sized and awkward. Shadow discarded them, opting for nudity before being tied down by uncomfortable clothing that smelled moldy anyway. She let out a distinct sigh of discomfort: Even though she didn’t mind the exposure, she knew her gun and sword belt would look both out of place and chaff her skin wherever it touched. Susan’s face was close, her smile genuine, the scent of her breath was something like honeysuckle. She expected Shadow to be upset, and was trying to be careful with her words.

“We’ve repaired your ship and upgraded the weapons and drive system, Captain Storm. You can leave whenever you’re ready.” Susan said.

“Sounds like you’re trying to get rid of us.” Shadow added, intending humor.

Susan hugged Shadow tightly. “I would never send you away. I just know you’ll go crazy stuck on one planet. I want you to feel like you can leave when you and your crew are ready. And you can always come back whenever you want.”

Shadow stretched out. “My arms are shorter. I’ll have to retrain my reflexes to allow for my smaller frame. I’ll do it in space.”

Susan nodded, then led Shadow and her crew to the recently overhauled Mercy. The Mercy looked as if it had never seen battle, it looked as if it had been produced in a factory, and awaited its first flight with Shadow.

Shadow whistled appreciatively. “I’m impressed. What do I owe you for the damage repair, and for Roxy?”

“Not a thing.” Susan said, squeezing Shadow’s hand.

Shadow looked slyly at Susan. “I doubt you mean that. If you happen to be in trouble, and I’m close enough to help, you can count on my guns — no matter what the odds.”

“I was hoping you’d say that, since we’re undoubtedly going to war.” Susan sounded relieved.

“Good day then, Susan. Take it easy, your childbearing’s going to be a hard one, from what I can see. You’d best keep a physician close by, and a midwife as well.”

“Good day, Shadow. Try getting pregnant soon, as word has it that you’re the last of your family, just like me.” Susan said.

“I might just take that advice.” Shadow said, taking Xeti’s hand. The two boarded the ship.

Once within, she sealed the hatch, noticing how wonderfully the Antansi humans had restored her vessel. She grabbed a flight manual, set in the pilot’s seat, and read through it quickly.

“AI, identify yourself.” Shadow snapped, feeling more like her old self.

“AI mirror of Ferret’s core matrix security program, FA-30, self-adapted for the smaller environment and population. Awaiting Captain Storm’s initialization orders.” The program seemed a little more emotional than the voice once emanating from Ferret’s lips.

Shadow kissed Xeti, mistakenly assuming that the AI had identified itself by name instead of by its program and version information. “Faitherty, get us off planet and into deep space. I’ll make a decision as to where to go as soon as the honeymoon’s over.”

Accepting Faitherty as its nomenclature, the mind of the ship followed its orders. The Mercy rose off the planet’s surface, and deep into space. The crew had coupled up so that David and Didi were in one room, Roxy and Ferret were in another, and that left Shadow and Xeti to drift to the Captain’s chambers. She closed her door and let Faitherty take control of the Mercy.

 

Susan stood at the blast edge of the Launch pad, looking up in wonder as the Mercy rose quickly out of sight. Devon squeezed her hand tightly. He pulled Susan into his arms, hugging her from behind. She was quiet for a moment too long, so he made a comment.

“You showed Captain Storm a great deal of respect.”

“She is a Leader, after all.” Susan said. “She could take this world, if she wanted it.”

“You would give it to her?” Devon asked.

Susan didn’t answer.

Devon let the enormity of the truth that silence betrayed sink in. “It must be difficult, being a Leader in a time of war.”

“It most definitely must be to one such as her, bearing as much as she does. It must drain her so.” Susan turned, put her head on Devon’s shoulder. “I’m tired dear, Let’s go home.”

* * *

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