Two Worlds – Chapter 194

Eve Berg

Location: Capitol City, New Washington, United Commonwealth of Colonies

Eve would have walked if she had the option. Hell, she would have even settled for a cab. Human driven cabs could get expensive in the capitol city of the Commonwealth, but the auto-driven cabs were affordable on a CPL’s salary. She’d taken one earlier to go pick out clothing with GYSGT Cunningham.

It had been funny as hell when the GYSGT walked into the shop and the owner nearly fainted. Being the twin of a Commonwealth-renowned supermodel had that effect on people in the fashion industry, and the woman who owned the small boutique clothing store thought she’d just won the lottery. She tried to hide the disappointment when she figured out it was only two soldiers, but she was running a business, so she put on a smile and saw to their needs.

The shop was small, but it was well-situated in the fashion district of the city, so it was up-to-date on all the latest trends. Since Eve’s knowledge of fashion over the last year was CMUs and LACSs she needed all the help she could get. Not that she wanted any in the first place.

The current fashion trend, which made a comeback every twenty years or so, could only be described as clingy. With body science having advanced as far as it had, anyone in the upper circles of New Washington society was bound to be an eight or higher on the hotness scale and have the full body package only prenatal genetic tweaks or metabolic enhancers could provide.

“You both look fabulous.” The owner had Eve and Cunningham modeling dresses, and even requested to take a few photos of the ones she really liked.

“I feel like it’s suffocating me,” Eve grumbled as she yanked the smartcloth fabric off her skin. There was no way in hell she was going to a dinner with her mother without full mobility, which meant all the hip-hugging dresses were out.

In the end, after letting the woman use the pictures she’d taken in exchange for a discount on their purchases, Eve opted for something unfashionable. The skirt was knee-length but loose and airy instead of tight. The top was strapless, which she didn’t like, so she paired it with a coat. New Washington had just started its spring season, so it was still cool enough at night to pull off. The GYSGT went the opposite way and embraced the opportunity. The rough-and-tough ranger might be an ass kicker on the battlefield, but watching her shop, Eve thought she might have been a bit of a girly-girl at one point. She ended up with a stunning full-length dress that showed off enough thigh to ensure she grabbed anyone’s attention she wanted.

In the end, even with the discounts, it would have cost a quarter month’s pay without the clothing stipend the SGM had awarded them. So, when the private limo arrived at the barracks and everyone got in, their bank accounts weren’t suffering.

SGT Sullivan tried hard to keep his eyes averted from the GYSGT, and failed half the time. He’d bought what looked like an expensive smartcloth tuxedo. That showed Eve the SGT was way outside his comfort zone. The SGM on the other hand looked more relaxed. He still had on a suit, but it had a worn  look, not like it was old or bad quality, but more like it was fashioned that way on purpose. He wore his shirt unbuttoned in what was probably flagrant disregard of the restaurant’s dress code, but Eve dared the management to say anything to the warrior.

The limo slid silently through the crowded night skies of Capitol City. It must have had a priority beacon because they didn’t hit any traffic despite the congestion they could see all around them. The limo steadily gained elevation as it drew closer to the center of the entertainment district. It was next to the fashion district, but on the opposite side of the city from the business and political districts. The planners of the Commonwealth’s capitol city had thought it was best to divide things into districts with similar districts being located near each other. That led to art, entertainment, and fashion dominating one half of the city while business, politics, and military owned the other. People intermingled and traveled between the districts freely, but you could tell when you’d moved from one to the other by the atmosphere and architecture.

The limo stopped in front of a small hole-in-the wall restaurant near the top of a two-kilometer-high tower. The place didn’t look it, but Eve spotted human and electronic security everywhere. If she had to guess, this small place was a regular for powerful people who valued privacy.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please follow me.” The maître d’ greeted them at the door and led them inside. As Eve passed through the door it glowed red and a burly, armed man stepped in her path.

“No weapons allowed on the premises.” He held out his hand, and Eve unstrapped the small pistol from the inside of her thigh and handed it to him.

“What?” she asked when everyone else just looked at her. “We’re going to dinner with my mother. I thought it best to be armed.”

The SGM was the first one to break the silence with a small chuckle, before turning around and following the maître d’ through the main area of the restaurant. It had dim lighting and a smoky atmosphere although there was no smoke to be seen. Red velvet covered the walls where holo-photos of the rich and famous hung, autographed, and with quick messages jotted on them. The booths had high backs and seemed to curl in on themselves, but the biggest thing Eve noticed was it vas virtually quiet in the crowded place.

“Directional sound suppression in the walls and furniture.” The GYSGT pointed out. They could only hear people when they were standing right next to them, and even then, just for a short period of time.

The whole placed smelled like lies and secrets to Eve, <So, Mom definitely picked the venue.>

They passed through the main area and into a rear hallway. Off the hallway were several rooms. The maître d’ led them to the first one on the right and opened the door. Two people sat conversing at the table. Both stood as the SGM led the small group into the room. Eve recognized both of the hosts immediately.

The first was the woman who gave birth to her. She was wearing a conservative dress that went all the way up to her throat. It still showed off every curve of her body, which was more than a daughter wanted to see from her mother. The second man was none other than Admiral Michael Ward, Commander of the victorious Third Fleet.

Admiral Sonya Berg’s stern, unreadable eyes passed over the small group. They lingered just a moment longer on Eve, although Eve had no idea what she was thinking, until they came to rest on the SGM. To everyone’s surprise, warmth spread through her features and she smiled.

“Andrew, you’re still alive and kicking.” She stepped forward and hugged the larger man.

“I’m like a cockroach, Sonya, it’s really hard to get rid of me.” He returned her hug and smile.

<What the hell is going on here?> Eve felt betrayed that the SGM had such a good relationship with her mother, but she kept the emotion off her face.

They went around the room with introductions before taking their seats. Eve ended up sandwiched between the GYSGT and her mother, but she didn’t give her mom the satisfaction of being the first one to talk. The first course arrived immediately once everyone was seated, and Eve concentrated on her salad.

“That was good work you did at PDC-Seven, Sergeant Major.” Admiral Ward wasn’t as familiar with the SGM, so they kept it more formal.

“Just doing my job, Sir.”

“You’ve been doing your job well for a very long time,” the ADM followed up, and Eve sensed he was building up to something.

“I’ve always found it best to just get to the point with Andrew.” Sonya cut in with a smile at the SGM. “You’ve always done a great job and we’ve got another one for you. All of you in fact.” That was when she turned and finally acknowledged Eve.

Eve didn’t know whether to feel relieved or hurt. This dinner was a work thing, her mother didn’t want to catch up with her.

“Ok then.” The Admiral stopped the conversation briefly so they servers could take away the salads and deliver the main course. The slice of meat was so tender and marinated that Eve almost forgot to pay attention.

“The short of it is that we’re in a pickle.” ADM Ward began as he thoughtfully chewed on the tender chunk of New Washington’s version of a cow. “Rear Admiral Nelson greeted our new trading partners in New Lancashire before being pushed out of the system and then brought them here.” The ADM didn’t seem too happy that the RADM had lost a system and then brought the aliens to the Commonwealth’s capitol planet. “We agreed to the biggest audit in the history of the human race so the Twigs can evaluate our credit standing and strength of our economic currency within the greater Hegemony.”

“And that’s where we run into a problem.” Sonya stepped in. “My sources are certain that Windsor has already gone through this process and knows how to stall it.”

<Stall?> Eve chewed thoughtfully on her own piece of beef.

“Raiding parties are hitting systems all throughout the Outer Rim.” Sonya hit a few buttons and a small holo appeared above the table. At least half a dozen systems were highlighted in red. “They destroyed the system’s infrastructure, landed a small infantry force, destroyed key targets, and then left. If they encounter any resistance from the fleet they either destroy the ship or seize it.

“Their shields allow them to get in close enough for boarding actions.” Cunningham nodded; she hadn’t touched her meal yet. “It makes sense. Despite their technological superiority they’re only a single system. They don’t have the population or numbers to create a massive fleet like ours, so it’s easier for them to take hostages to work their industry and steal ships that they can then retrofit.”

“Correct, Gunney,” Sonya gave praise where praise was due. “But every time they destroy a system the auditors have to update their data and take the losses into consideration. Not only is the kingdom stalling our audit, they’re also depreciating our value to the Hegemony.”

“The only piece of good news is that they haven’t hit anything big, but that’s only a matter of time. Their area of operations continues to expand, and sooner or later they’re going to run up against something big.” ADM Ward polished off his steak faster than anyone else. “My money is on Queensland. Not only because I think they’d love to take a system named Queensland, but also because that’s the first big junction in the Mid Worlds along the path of their current advance.

“Then you have another New Lancashire,” Eve took a chance and spoke. Everyone else in the room was many pay grades higher than her, and the only one close, SGT Sullivan, was keeping his mouth shut. “Do we hold our ground at Queensland or risk losing a fleet? I’m sure the loss of a junction system’s infrastructure along with the destroyed tonnage would further hurt us in the auditors’ eyes.”

“We’re confident we can hold the system.” ADM Ward didn’t look too happy at Eve’s no-win situation, but a quick look in her peripherals showed he mother was nodding agreement.

“We’re sending an appropriate blocking force to augment the system’s local defenders, but that isn’t why you are here.” Sonya retook control of the conversation. “While the preponderance of technology is still out of our hands until the audit is completed and trade is fully opened with the Hegemony, there are still a few things we were able to get through loopholes from our soon to be trading partners.”

“I’m guessing that’s where I come in.” The SGM was done with his meal.

“We’re forming up several teams with this new technology at its core. We need you to train one, lead it, and certify them for a multitude of special duties.”

“Any chance you’ll tell me the operational plans for these teams?” The SGM seemed to know the answer before he asked the question.

“Negative.” ADM Ward’s answer got a nod from the SGM. “Go there, get them ready, and more details will follow.”

“Andrew,” Sonya took a softer approach. “You walked down that street today. You saw the unrest. We’re at war with the Blockies, and although we won round one, we’re on our tiptoes waiting for the counterattack. We’re at war with Windsor. They’re kicking ass and taking names, and despite our best efforts, news of the system defeats is starting to spread. It’s an election year, so the politicians are busy covering their asses and trying to stay as far away from the defeats as possible, while also dealing with the normal unrest the voter registration laws bring. Then, last but not least, we’ve made first contact with an alien race, and it looks like the government is incompetent because things are taking so long to get moving. We’re at a precarious position with internal and external events. We need you to lead this team so we can start pushing into the future instead of wallowing in the present.” Sonya finished her little ra-ra speech by taking a swig of wine.

Eve put down her knife and fork. She suddenly wasn’t hungry anymore. Despite the cool atmosphere of the restaurant, the nice clothing everyone was wearing, and the exquisite food, she could see how all of this was on the edge. It could all go wrong so easy.

Eve shook her head and pushed the negativity to the side. She was a ranger. It was her job to face those threats head on and kill them dead.

“Your orders.” ADM Ward made a swiping gesture and their PADs pinged with a new message. The SGM might be the leader of this team, but it was clear the rest of the people here were on it. “You leave first thing in the morning.” With that, the ADM wiped his mouth with a napkin, got up, and left.

Eve’s mother also got to her feet. “Good luck.” Were her final words, accompanied by a small nod for Eve.

Eve didn’t have time to ask if that was an “I’m proud of you” nod, or just a “do your job” nod, or anything in between. The door shut behind Sonya, and Eve focused her attention on her PAD.

“Where is…?”

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