As we rest from the excitement of escape a tall Majah-tu comes to where we are recovering, and I notice the rank on his shoulder. It's the equivalent of Colonel in our military. He come right to Jahní and bows his respect to her royal person and then to Lahí; he ignores Hal and me, which is typical of those snobby types on Earth.
"My Lady Princess, welcome to our humble outpost." He eyes us dubiously for the first time, "Will you need accommodations for you man servants..."
"They are not man servants!" Lahí says exasperated with that comment.
Jahní puts up a hand causing Lahí to calm down. "Commandant, I will make this clear so there are no misunderstandings. This man." Pointing to me. "He is my pledged and the father of my unborn child. Please extend all the courtesy to him and his companion."
There is a collective gasp in the room at this revelation. "Surely My Lady Princess you jest?" He looks at me and it's not friendly and heart warming. I find myself instinctively moving my hand toward my pistol, which he notices and goes to draw his sword. Jahní puts the muzzle of her pistol against the temple of his head.
"Commandant, I find it irritating that so many want to harm my pledged that perhaps I should make an example of someone with rank, to teach a lesson." beads of sweat run down the commandants forehead. "What do you think? Is that necessary?" Jahní speaks low, but the venom in her voice is clear as day.
He turns to Lahí seeking help or something. Instead he sees cold indifference, because she has someone she must protect as well. "No lesson is needed My lady Princess, please forgive me."
"Good. See to it that all your men understand that no matter what they see they will contain themselves." The warning Jahní gives is understood by all in that place. The Commandant bows to her and to Lahí, gesturing for us to come with him. He leads us through the building to a central court yard, where a table has been set up with food.
He asks us to take places at the table that's ready in the honor of the princess's, to dine near the beauty of the garden. "Please forgive the modesty of our outpost, but I hope it is to your liking." Jahní inclines her head as does Lahí. A Majah-tu priest walks into the court yard, and he reminds me of the scumbag who roughly cut Jahní's hair. "Ah Moltahn , would be so kind as to bless this fine fair we are about to eat."
He starts to pray in their language, and even though Jahní has been teaching me her tongue it's just to fast and I miss most of what is said. He finishes looking at Jahní's hand then to mine, but he gives no indication of anything untoward us. I hate being a suspicious guy, but it's in my nature to be. I watch him leave and damn it all he looks back at us, with that I must report this expression on his face.
I concentrate on Jahní for a moment. Jahní that priest is going to rat us out for sure.
She slightly reacts to my thought send, that's all I call this because it's what I do, she looks to the door he left through. Are you certain he is going to tell someone we're here?
I nod slightly and she gets it. "So Commandant what is going on with all the Phahl- tehn on this planet?" Jahní asks.
The Commandant looks down at his food. "Well, this is a world outside of the jurisdiction of the three major powers, so once a year they come to have their meetings and trade their goods." He obviously dislikes them, but he doesn't have the power to deal with them alone.
I look at the other sat the table. "Is it me or do they sound like some type of government having a summit." Everyone looks at me. "Hey, I'm not to familiar with all this yet; However, I have to say it that the thugs are running the show here."
"Well... I'm sorry what is your name again?" The Commandant inquires.
"I never said, but now that you ask it's Captain Antonio Valdez of the United Earth Alliance." He folds his hands some what surprised at what I just said.
"You are a human from the back water world at the edge of our space." I sit there and man I feel insulted, with a retort about to come out of my mouth.
"You know it's a Damn good thing that we back water people are civilized, or I might go all caveman on you right about now!" Hal is flaming mad and I can hear it in his voice and the change in his mannerism. The Commandant focuses on Hal sipping his drink casually.
Putting his glass down he smiles coldly. "Is that a challenge?"
I shoot daggers at Hal to cool it down and let it slide, but he's Marine and that is a block right now. This Commandant is pushing all his buttons trying to push this confrontation, to his final point. "You can take it any way you want you snobbish bastard!" Damn it Gunny! your falling right into the trap he set up!
I stand up. "Wait just one second Commandant." I look at Hal. "We've come here in peace and we will maintain that peace. This will not happen and that Gunnery Sergeant is an order." Hal looks down disappointed, as he and his pride are crushed, though most importantly uninjured.
The Commandant sits gloating in his small victory against us, but he can have his little dance. "Jahní, I think we should retire for the day don't you?"
"Of course." She picks up right on cue. "We will and in particular I need to rest, and thank you for the meal." We all stand up and the Commandant waves over one of his men speaking in their language. The officer bows to us, or rather to Jahní and Lahí asking us to follow him. He leads us to an upper level of the headquarters. We get on the lift, which takes us about five levels up. Stepping out I glance out through the window on the left over looking the street.
I see him. One of those pirates watching the building, just leaning on the corner of the building a block or so away; even though there are Majah- tu troops in the area. He shows no fear at being caught. This shows the extent of power these pirates have on this world. They don't respect the so called authority because they hold this place in their yoke, with out repercussions.
So, the real power is held by these men and not the legitimate authority. We get to the room set aside for jahní and I, but poor Lahí and Hal have been given separate rooms; there's nothing that they can say to change that. It's a good thing we leave tomorrow.
The next morning I'm up before the sun rise showered and as ready as I can be, to leave this place behind. Jahní stirs propping herself on her elbow studying me. "Why did you get up so early? Could you not sleep well?"
I'm just to amped up hoping that these guys can provide transportation. "This is not a good place to be, so we need to move quickly and Didi from here." She looks at me not understanding what I just said.
"I don't understand Didi. what does it mean?" Oh, yeah she wouldn't know those old terms from a by gone era in Earths history.
I smile at her. "It means 'get lost,' in one of Earths many languages." She absorbs everything I teach her of Earth, since she has told me that she wants to visit my home world. One day we will go so Jahní can get to know my home.
I can tell that she's putting it in context to what I mean. "So, it is an expression for us to leave as quick as possible, right?"
"You got it Baby." She smiles knowing that she will learn more and more as time goes on. "I'm going to get Hal and Lahí up, though I'm sure the Gunny is up already especially after yesterday." Just as I stand to there's a knock at the door. I glance at Jahní pulling out my pistol I wave Jahní to get low on the other side of the bed. I cautiously step to one side of the door holding my pistol ready. "Who is it."
"It's me Skipper." I motion for Jahní to stay exactly where she is. I open the door and Hal steps in and relief is what I feel, but I check the hall any way. Hal is armed as well, as I go to close the door Hal stops me. "Lahí is coming soon." He looks out into Hall in both directions; he motions for Lahí to hurry. She quickly steps in and I quickly close the door. As I close it I see movement in the hall.
"Hal." He looks at me. "I think the jig is up." He pulls out his pistol. "Jahní, how trust worthy are these Majah-tu here?"
She considers my question coming to her conclusion, that I had already felt. "They've been far from scrutiny and oversight; No, I would not trust them." Well I guess this is going to be a tough trip to the ship.
"Skipper."
"Yeah Hal?"
He calls Lahí over. "Tell him what you saw Honey."
"I noticed a skiff, which is a small transport that can handle four people." Ok, this is good. If we can get to it we're out of here.
"Where is it stationed?" Lahí draws a map of the building and marks our position, in reference to the skiff. I study the map marking the route we must take, and possible traps along the way. Boy this is not going to be fun or easy, because I'm sure that they won't think twice of gunning Hal or me down.
These Majah-tu pistols are superior to ours, so they give us a fighting chance. The only thing is how well trained and determined the troops here are, to stopping us from leaving. Our choice is clear, we need to leave. "Alright, we're going to need a distraction to let the one of us capable to pilot that skiff here to this exterior window. Jahní can't run, so that leaves Lahí as the logical choice."
" who will provide the distraction?" Lahí worriedly asks looking at us.
I shrug my shoulders. "It's going to be Hal and me; there's no other choice."
Lahí gazes at Hal with those sad eyes that just breaks your heart. "Promise me that you will come back to me, and Bring the Captain home to my sister." Hal grabs her by her waist pulling her towards him. I never thought of the difference in hight between them; Hal is almost half a head taller than Lahí. He looks into her eyes as only a man in love with his woman can kissing her.
I look away giving them their moment and Jahní is right in front of me. "I know you will come back; I have no doubt about that." She says confidently.
I put my arms around her holding on tightly as does she. "You better believe it baby." I whisper into her ear. She looks at me with her sliver eyes and there is no doubt in them, that I'm coming home. We kiss passionately to seal the promise. I pull away and look at Hal nodding. He pulls out two small wads of C4 that he brought with him in his cargo pocket.
He smiles. "it's always good to bring insurance." Handing me one with the triggers.
"Damn straight Gunny!" clapping him on the shoulder since I knew I could count on him to be prepared always, for the unforeseen.
"I figured this is so low tech it wouldn't even register as a threat, and I was right." He smirks.
"Lets get to it then!" I look at Lahí putting my hand on her shoulder. "You know what to do. Wait for the first explosion then take the skiff." She nods and turns to the door looking back for one last glance at Hal, then she takes off. I turn to Hal "Pick a good spot then let her rip." We bump fists and he's off; I look back to Jahní. "If somebody comes to the door without identifying him or herself you blow 'em away." She nods. I turn stepping out into the hallway and I'm off.