Neutral Space(9)

They bought the story hook line and sinker. Kheada must have been practicing it all week if not from the moment she was put in chains. I had no clue what would happen from here. The center judge called a recess to allow them to gather their questions. I looked up and noticed Tessa hovering in the door. The monitor went black. “You need to rest now, Jack.”

“Teesa, I’m fine.”

“Now Jack, don’t give me any trouble.” She gave me an injection, and I was out before I could object.

I came to hours later as I was being hauled to my feet “Damn, Tessa.” I grumbled and received an angry smack on the back of my head. I looked over at the culprit. “Sorry, Salea. did she really have to knock me out though?” Salea was Teesa’s lover.

“You were supposed to be in need of medical attention remember Jack?” he looked at me as he made sure I was steady on my feet. “Why were you so interested in the trial anyway? It was a Kelsairan affair.”

“Is it over?”

“Sentenced her while you slept.” Salea looked at me from the corner of his eye.

“Where’s she headed?” I tried to act uninterested.

“What’s this about?” He stopped walking.

“The major and I have a score to settle if she’s headed this way I want first crack at her.” I balled up my fists trying to be angry.

“Were you in the army Jack?” Salea’s shoulders sagged. He and I actually got along.

“My brother was.” He bought it.

“Then you’ll be disappointed she’s going to Rotea. The judges are convinced she can be rehabilitated. What a shock, especially after it came out that she and that human had an affair. I thought she was headed here for sure.” An affair? I was blown away she and I hadn’t done anything. I didn’t show my shock though I had to get Salea to commit just in case plans changed.

“But if she does come I get first crack at her right Salea?” I asked.

“Jack, I can’t promise.” He shook his head.

I pulled him in close. “Right now everyone knows Teesa is having an affair, but they think it’s with me. Somehow in your twisted Kelsairan culture, that’s all right. I’d hate to see what happens if they found out what’s really going on.”

“You wouldn’t.” Salea was shocked I would stoop so low.

“Try me.” I dared him.

“All right Jack, on one condition. Get Dan to beat you up in three days just like today.” I grinned at him. Relationships between and men and women really didn’t change no matter what race. I nodded my agreement, and he took me back to my cell.

Dan, Jim, and Crowe were waiting for me. They pulled me to the far corner to talk as soon as the cell door was closed. “Why didn’t you tell us?” Jim asked.

“It never happened,” I assured them.

“They had it on tape.” I stared at Dan dumbfounded. “You didn’t see it? What happened to our plan then?”

“Teesa knocked me out all afternoon.”

“It was blurred, but it looked like her.” Crow offered.

“Well, it wasn’t me.” I got up and paced a moment before returning to them “did the coverage of the trial seem to jump?”

“It did,” Dan replied. “I noticed it did the same thing a few days ago.”

“Then, at her sentencing, she had on different clothes, almost like it was the next day.”

“They edited her trial. There’s something they didn’t want anyone to see.” I heaved a sigh. “What does it matter it’s over now she’s going to Roteo.”

“She’ll escape from Roteo,” Dan commented.

“Not if she wants her career.”

“If they’re editing her trial she may not have one. I say she’s coming here.” Dan replied.

I nodded. “Then you’ll beat me up again?” Dan stared at me as if I were crazy.

I hardly slept that night. I thought about her all night and the way we really spent our days together.

“You know, Jeep, I’d hate to ruin both our vacations. We could spend them together. What I mean is you could drop me off just before meeting up with your ship.”

“Then what will we do for three days?”

“You could teach me to fish.” She offered. I knew the situation was dangerous. Not the kind of danger you face in combat but the kind that comes in relationships. She was so close as I handed her my pole I could smell her perfume. The sun in her blonde hair and the way the breeze pushed it into her eyes; I should have been more careful. But I think by then it was too late. I helped her reel in another fish and showed her how to bait the hook. She was the first woman I’d met that wasn’t squeamish about it.

We spent all afternoon fishing and talking. Kheda told me about Kelsair, and I told her about Sirus Seven. It was as if here on Micea the war didn’t exist, and we weren’t soldiers fighting for opposite sides. I showed her how to clean the fish but wouldn’t let her do it. It was for selfish reasons really; I just didn’t want her to smell like them. I went for a quick swim in the lake trying to wash the smell away, but she still complained. It didn’t keep her from sitting close though.

That evening, we walked the perimeter of the entire island. She pointed out the stars she knew, and I merely listened. I couldn’t help but notice she slowed her pace as we neared the base. I matched it not in a hurry to go in either. But once we were there we went into our own rooms. My gun went back under its pillow that night.