I sit in that little room that Jah-jahní gave me access to, and wallow in my misery. Mandy simply refuses to open her door and won't even answer her comm unit. I look out of the window feeling down at the turn of events, to the point that I want to just stay alone for a while. I found a bed roll in here that I hadn't noticed last time and I'm thinking I'll sleep here tonight, in order to stay out of sight. This is a tough pickle that I'm in; I mean fighting a WAR is easier than this. I look at my watch 21:50. Normally I don't feel tired at this hour, but today that bed roll is calling my name.
I walk over and unroll it. There is a small pillow tucked inside of it, so I set up the whole thing. I unbutton the jacket of my dress grays and take it off folding it neatly, and placing it on the small table in the corner. I get into the futon like bed roll, laying there staring at the ceiling just not wanting to think.
I guess sleep caught up to me cause the sound of the door opening wakes me up. I get up on to one knee pulling out my plas pistol leveling at the door. Suddenly I see Jah-jahní step in and I drop my pistol and my head. She sees the pistol in my hand and comes to where I am, and kneeling down in front of me she reaches out pulling me in and embraces me. I sag and a tear wells up in my eye, but I fight it back, refusing to cry in front of her. She actually cradles me and I can't stop the flow of tears now; I drop my pistol and wrap my arms around her bawling my eyes out.
I must've fallen asleep because I open my eyes and realize that I'm laying down on my side, and my face is buried in Jah-jahní's bosom. I can sense that she is asleep as well, but I stay still listening to the rhythm of her heart and her breathing. I feel like a child in a safe warm place, so I close my eyes again and just kind of doze off. I feel her stir a bit, so I lift my head and her eyes are open and we stay silent just gazing at each other. She reaches out and caresses my cheek with the back of her fingers. This feeling I've only experienced once in my life that I can remember; as a child in a dream. "Are you alright?" She asks me, but I'm still not ready to open up, so she puts her hand on my face and I hesitantly touch her face. Her skin is soft and smooth; she closes her eyes and her lips part a bit. I touch her lips lightly with my thumb and she does the same to me, but I don't dare to ruin this moment by trying something stupid.
I move closer to her face and I gently touch her lip to mine and she responds in kind; the kiss gradually get more passionate by the moment. Suddenly my comm unit snaps to life. [Hotel six actual this is Hotel Mike 2 do you read.] We slow down gradually pulling away from each other with a great effort; this is like nothing I've ever felt before, with any one. [Hotel six actual do you read.] We catch our breaths and I gently caress her face before I sit up and pull my comm from my back pocket. Never has been being in the military irked me more than right now.
" Hotel six actual I read over." Jah-jahní stays there, so I reach down and take her hand and hold it. I check the time Damn 03:15, what could be the problem.
[Hotel Mike 2 report breach sec Hotel P1.] What?
"Hotel six actual on my way."I grab my jacket and pistol as jah-jahní gets on her feet and we head out towards the hallway; Jah-jahní grabs my arm just before we reach the hallway and tenderly touches my cheek and I touch hers. She smiles and we both take off at a good sprint and in in a matter of minutes we are in the wing of the palace where my crew is bivouaced, and I spot the Gunny and a couple of other marines standing watch. "Gunny what is the sitrep." He turns to me and then to Jah-jahní.
"One of my Marines who was pulling security spotted someone at the other end of this section." He looks into the dark point ahead. "He called the password and the individual turned tail and ran, so he called in the breach code." He stops, listening to the chatter in his ear piece. "Who ever it was is gone now." I turn to see a team of Majah-tu security team come in holding weapons and one with a hand held scanner, from what I can tell.
Jah-jahní gives them instructions in her language, and they move forward with their equipment. I look seeing some of the crew men are now out and about joining in the search, for this intruder who may still be in the area. "Antonio," Jah-jahní says my name in a low voice and I notice the Gunny turn his face away, trying to ignore the familiarity between us. "My men are finding some trace elements of the intruder, but it is not enough to say for certain of his identity." She relates, Damn it!
"This person is obviously aware of your SOP." She gives me a blank stare I put my hands up in apology "Your standard operating procedure, he knows what you do, therefore he can avoid detection." I clarify for her.
She shakes her head looking around at her men. "No one knows our procedures except for those in the security forces." She puts her hand on her mouth thinking the impossible. "We have a traitor among our people." The thought seems to be extremely troubling to her; she turns to one of her guards and speaks quickly to him, and he leaves to follow her orders. "I've sent him to inform the king of the potential traitor in our midst, he must beware now of who he trusts."
Mandy walks up to where we are and looks at me with my unbuttoned jacket and Jah-jahní's disheveled appearance, and she tightens her grip on her plas pistol. I step casually between her and Jah-jahní. "Don't even consider it Mandy." I say in a low voice; Mandy looks at me and murder is clear in her eyes. "Major, this is not the way, so please control yourself." She looks at me and the hate is clear, but she holsters her pistol. Mandy looks past me and I glance at Jah-jahní who is now aware of Mandy's intent just a few moments ago, though she says nothing to her guards. She could've had her detained, but she probably thought in would not be in the best interest of the recently signed treaty. Mandy glares at her and Jah-jahní averts her eyes. "Listen, just get yourself back until you calm down."
"Of course, I'll get back to my quarters since it seems you have all under control." She looks at Jah-jahní once more then at me and stalks off toward her quarters.
I turn and look at Jah-jahní, who is disturbed by Mandy's reaction at us being so near each other. I lean bit closer to her. "I'm sorry about that; I promise it won't happen again." Her face brightens and she shyly grabs my fingers and I hold hers and a smile forms on my face; Mandy could've easily shot me. Though her true target would've been Jah-jahní I'm almost sure of it, so it's a good thing she left.
The Gunny comes towards us and Jah-jahní let's go. I offer no resistance to her letting go of my hand. "Sir, I think we're all clear here for the moment." He says. I notice the look on his face as he analyzes Jah-jahní and I, a bit of disapproval is clearly visible.
Jah-jahní turns to me and inclines her head. "Captain, it seems that things are returning to a more normal status if you'll excuse me I will retire now." I incline my head to her and she shows the Gunny the same courtesy and leaves.
I look at the Gunny and I can tell he has something on his mind. "Go ahead Gunny, get it off your chest." He looks at me in that special way that only Marine sergeants can.
"I think you're royally screwing up, no pun intended here, fraternizing with those that obviously above you station and on top of that not even human!" He fumes. "Sir."
I study the the Gunny for just a second. "Walk with me Gunny." We start to move towards my quarters.
"Corporal, you're in charge till I return." Corporal Hendrix nods to the Gunny, as we walk on.
"Gunny, things are not as simple as that." I say.
"They seldom are sir." He responds not giving any ground at all.
"Gunny ," I say. "I've come to a joining in time." I look around to make sure no one is listening to us. "It seems That I'm supposed to be here and meet the princess. We are linked maybe even tied here." The Gunny says nothing in return. "As difficult as it is to believe when she and I are together things are right."
"Sir, please don't go on about fate being the reason you're putting your foot in it." He says to me in very gruff manner. "We're here on behalf of the UEA gov, to find and engage with our enemy." He looks around making sure no one is around. "Sir, personally I don't care if you stick your wick in a hole in the fence, but you can't compromise our mission!" He says forcefully. "Sir!"
"Gunny , I'm well aware of my position and the reason of our being out here." I say to him trying to keep my cool. I turn away for a second . "I was supposed to be in command of the Hyperion, so my reason is no less important, to get a little payback for the men and women aboard that vessel." I face him again. "However, my personal life and who I have emotional connections with really don't come into play here; nor are they your concern." I look him straight in the eye. "Do I make myself crystal clear Gunnery sergeant!"
He steps back standing at attention and salutes me. "Sir yes Sir!"
"I'm glad we cleared this up; now carry on." I turn and walk towards my quarters, not even sparing a glance back at the Gunny. He needs to stay focused, as well as I do and I will do my duty. As I turn the corner I sense some one in the shadows to my right. I pull out my plas pistol aiming in the general direction. "If you value your skin show yourself."
"My my Captain, you have a very quick draw, I'm most impressed by it." Out of the shadow steps the the Prince Zahn-dohlran, Jah-jahní's brother. "Please Captain, I am not threat to you. Please, lower your weapon." I holster my pistol and look around. "We are perfectly alone. I would like to speak to you privately if you have the time." Now what?