Chapter 28: Kieran
Jesse was supervising another marching practise when a servant came to inform him that he had a visitor.
-A visitor?- Jesse asked slightly surprised. He hadn't invited anyone. -Who is it?-
-I don't know.- The servant admitted. -He gave his name only as Kieran from the Warworld. I've never heard of him.-
-Neither have I as far as I can remember.- Jesse said. -Did he say what he wants with me?-
-Only that he needs to talk with you right away.- The servant reported. -From the looks of him he's here on convalescent leave, so perhaps a message from one of your friends stationed on the Warworld?-
-He isn't one of my troops.- Jesse mused as he followed the servant into the house. Whoever Kieran was he at least seemed to have been allowed inside. -And Razzle went through Helkret last time, so he's unlikely as well. Must be Gaspar, then, except that surely he'd send the massager directly to Jean Claude ...-
-Why should he prefer Jean Claude?- The servant asked, probably just to make polite conversation while he waited for Jesse to make it up the stairs.
-Why because ...- Oh right, don't give the impression that there might be anything special going on between Jean Claude and Gaspar. -The only reason for Gaspar to send a messenger rather than a holo-message would be to say that he can't come to my birthday ceremony and send his hair for the wristband. That should obviously go to Jean Claude and not me.-
-Maybe some other object he'd like you to see?- The servant suggested.
-I guess it must be.- Jesse agreed. -I just can't imagine what it could be.-
They had arrived outside a small meeting room now. The servant stopped to open the door for Jesse.
-In here, Commander.- He said. -I'll stay out here in case you want me to escort your guest back out right away. No need for you to strain your leg doing it yourself.-
-Thank you.-
So the stranger was welcome to enter the house and trusted to wait unsupervised, but not to find his way back out by himself. Interesting.
Jesse entered and found himself facing a man so weak he actually found it a struggle to get up from his chair. But get up he did.
Then he looked Jesse up and down in obvious surprise.
-You are Commander Jesse?- He demanded hoarsely.
-I am.- Jesse confirmed. -And who exa...-
-Well, you've got some guts then, you fucking bastard!-
-I can't honestly deny any of those accusations.- Jesse stated slightly amused and possibly incorrectly since he hadn't actually been that intimate with any woman since parting with Rissa. -But you certainly do, too.-
While taller and more broad-shouldered than Nemo, Kieran struck Jesse as the most pathetic excuse for an Outrider soldier he'd ever met, emaciated and weak as he was, with much too pale bluish skin. Even his purple hair looked somehow faded. All in all, he didn't look like he could have been in battle even as recently as Jesse himself had, but rather like someone who'd been too sick to get out of bed for months.
Could this be a messenger from Moku rather than Gaspar?
-Me? I've nothing to do with this. How dare you do that to Razzle?- Kieran hissed voicelessly, balling his hands into fists trembling with weakness rather than anger.
-Razzle?- Jesse echoed stupidly. -What's Razzle got to do with it?-
-How dare you?- Kieran repeated. -A pathetic child like you? What's the world come to that we're calling children Commanders now?-
-I ... Did Razzle send you then?- Jesse asked. -I thought it must have been Gaspar or Moku. I ...-
-Send? They wouldn't even let me see him!- Kieran hissed. -Nobody sent me! I ... Who the fuck is Gaspar? Or Moku?-
-I ...- Jesse took a deep breath. This was leading nowhere. -Look, Kieran, is it? I think we're talking past each other here. We need to sit down before either of us falls down and talk this over calmly from the beginning.-
-I don't have civil conversations with Razzlesz enemies!-
-I'm not Razzlesz enemy!- Jesse easily outshouted Kieran. -At least we were getting on perfectly fine last time I saw him. So if that has changed I'd really like to know how and why.-
Kieran blinked.
-You don't know?- He asked.
-No.- Jesse said. -I don't. So can we please sit down and just establish the status quo?-
This was the wording usually used to refer to the first phase of military mission planning during which you viewed the available data on the area and conditions your mission would take you into and known facts about the enemy you expected to encounter. Thus Jesse was rather surprised when Kieran reacted by a confused contemplative look and then enquired: -Status of scientific knowledge?-
-Er?- Made Jesse. - What does science have to do with it?-
Kieran let himself drop back into the chair he'd hieved himself out of with such effort and nodded towards the one across from it.
-I.- He explained. -Am a technological historian. So in everything I do I must first establish what scientific principles were known to the people of the time I am studying. You are called a Commander, but ... well, I see that you are just a child. I expected an adult.-
-I am an adult.- Jesse snapped. -Well, practically. I am a half-Fleshling. Fleshlings are smaller and usually more delicately built than Outriders which makes them look like children to us. They also mature faster and are adults at fifteen. I got my military training by them, so have been an active officer for five years despite being only twenty. I'm a strategist like Razzle, but being much younger I lack his experience. Therefore Nemesis assigned me to work closely with Razzle and Razzle told me he was happy to pass on as much knowledge as he could so it won't be lost when he retires. I in turn promised to mentor other young strategy talents. That was the situation when I last parted with Razzle due to having been injured.- He nodded towards his crutches by way of illustration. -What's your connection with Razzle?-
-I'm his companion.- Kieran stated. -I ...-
-Hold on, Gattler is ... No, of course, Gattler is dead.- Jesse realised. -You are Razzlesz new companion then? Don't take this amiss, but I rather expected ... well ...-
-No, I ... I am his old companion.- Kieran said suddenly looking embarrassed. -You have to understand. I spent the last thirty-two years in the vapour chambers and only awakened less than a week ago. So the situation as it was thirty-two years ago still seems very present to me now. I was Razzlesz companion thirty-two years ago, since our academy days. I have not seen him since then and of course he must have found a new companion since then. Gattler you say? I do not know any Gattler.-
-Gattler is ... was our fellow Commander and dormmate. He died in the recent battle at the Warworld just after my injury and I still remember him as very much alive, too.- Jesse explained. -He is dead, though, so Razzle is without a companion and you're returning at just the right time though ... Well, thirty years in the chambers do explain a lot. You'll probably look the part much better once you've recovered.-
-It's different, isn't it?- Kieran asked. -I mean, it was odd being companions when I was a science student and he a warrior one and not even in my year, but we were both students. Now that he's a Commander and used to having a Commander for his companion, he can have better than me.-
-I don't ... Hold on, you are Razzlesz first companion!- Jesse realised suddenly. -He ... why he still mentions you sometimes.-
-He told the chamber technicians to alert him when they unpacked me, but then they couldn't do it because of you!- And suddenly Kieran was angry again.
-Because of me? What do I have to do with it?- Jesse asked all at sea again. -I wasn't even there. If I broke something during the battle of Yuma, well, I didn't do that on purpose and I really thought it would have been repaired by now. It's been a year.-
-I know nothing of any battle of Yuma and there wasn't anything broken. They couldn't tell Razzle and I couldn't see him because he's in isolation because of you.-
-He's in isolation?- Jesse gasped. -But he already flipped out when it was only three of us in the dorm! He can't handle isolation. It's the one thing he really doesn't cope well with.-
-Exactly!- Kieran snapped. -So will you help me get him out?-
Jesse nodded. -Of course. But I'll need all the information I can get. I can yell at Nemesis without it, of course, but I don't think that'll get us anywhere. Or we could break him out, but that might get him into more trouble if we're caught and I still don't know his door trick so we'd need to get a mechanic to help us and I don't know any of them well enough to be sure we can trust them. ... Unless ... I suppose we could ask Sanzar. He hates soldiers, but is Razzlesz friend, so he'd probably help us for his sake. If he does know the door trick ...-
-Sanzar's Razzlesz friend now?- Kieran said and then laughed. -He always used to make such a face when we brought him along. But he did come to the headmaster's office with us that time when Razzle ran away to look for his sister and they certainly had a lot of fun together that time they broke into the gym for Sanzarsz Chemistry project and it exploded right in their faces. Yes, Sanzar will help us if he can. What's that door trick supposed to be, though?-
-Oh, just, Razzle once told me there's a way to open any door, even a locked or dead one, with a magnet. He promised to teach me if I beat him in training that day, but ... well, he's a tough opponent and I'd been out of training for a while.-
-Oh that.- Kieran said. -Of course Sanzar knows that, but we don't need him for it. I can do it. In fact, I'm the one that taught both of them.-
-Right, then give me a few minutes to pack and bully Irozz into lending us his spaceship.- Jesse decided and headed for the door.
-Just like that, eh?- Kieran laughed. -You're as bad as Razzle is. I came on the mail ship, you know. It returns tomorrow morning.-
And Irozz did indeed make them spend that night with the Elhessare and take the mail ship back.
-But what about your birthday ceremony!- Jean Claude yelped.
-I don't care.- Jesse told him. -There's something more important I have to do on the Warworld.-
-They'll make you go back on active duty if you return there.- Irstz warned him.
-Then I'll go back on active duty.- Jesse declared. -I can spell Razzle dancing attendance in strategy meetings in any case. It won't matter that I can't run or fly yet for that and Razzle can be used more efficiently in the next attack wave.-
He didn't want to tell them that Razzle had been put in isolation. Istar would probably gloat and he still didn't know what it was that Razzle was supposed to have done to deserve it. Kieran seemed to think it was somehow Jesse's fault, but Jesse didn't see how it could be and since his only source of information seemed to be some nurse or technician that helped with the unpacking of vapour chambers Jesse assumed that whatever Kieran had been told had been more rumour than fact. He needed to talk with somebody who actually had first hand information before he took the matter up with Nemesis and that meant he'd have to catch Gaspar before he reported in.
Or did he stand a better chance of catching Sanzar? The head of weapons technology was usually in all the strategy meetings so unless Razzle's punishment had been handed out in Nemesis' office he too would have been there. And if it had happened in the office chances were that Gaspar hadn't been an eye, and ear, witness either.
-One of the two in any case.- Jesse muttered to himself when he came to that conclusion shortly after their start from Rukkat. -At least that doubles our chances.-
-Eh, what?- Kieran asked him finally distracted from his uncomfortable contemplation of Avada who was a bit too close for his taste in the narrow cabin.
-We need to track down either Gaspar or Sanzar before news of my arrival reach Nemesis. They should be able to tell us exactly what happened to Razzle and why. Once I know that I can work out what to tell Nemesis.- Jesse explained.
-Who's Nemesis?- Kieran asked.
Jesse gaped at him.
-What?-
-Oh my, you're still in Graztasz days mentally, aren't you? Nemesis is His Nastiness.-
-I've never even heard of a Nemesis.- Kieran confirmed. -What's his full name?-
-Nemesis Dareksz Mithgath.- Jesse informed him almost casually. -He's only been in office for seven years, though. Amiss Usztesz Gusten went between him and Grazta.-
-Urgh.- Kieran commented. -I remember him. I've still got a scar from when I ran into him and his buddy Istar trying to help Razzle once. ... I can't believe you're all buddy buddy with both of them, you know.-
-Both of whom? I never even met Amiss.-
-Istar and Razzle.- Kieran explained. -Those two go together like stoje and cumbate. Or at least they did in my time.-
-They still do.- Jesse assured him. -And I'm not really buddy buddy with both. Jean Claude's my companion and Irozz ... Irozz and I have a mutually beneficial alliance, but I don't think he actually likes me.-
-They let you stay at their house.- Kieran pointed out.
-They let you stay at their house last night.- Jesse returned.
-Yes, but that was only for a night. You looked pretty much at home there.-
-It's an alliance. I stay on their side in the civil war and they give me a place to retreat to since I obviously can't return to my own clan while it's on the wrong side of the war.- Jesse explained.
-You really have to be some sort of hot shot to merit that.- Kieran decided.
-I'm ... not really that hot.- Jesse assured him. -But I am a strategist and those are currently pretty thin on the ground. Razzle thinks something's gone wrong with the Academy and it's kind of suppressing the talent or at least not furthering it anymore. Anyway, with me sticking with the old blood the colonists haven't got a single proper strategist and must make due with a large scale tactician to plan their strategy. That's our advantage.-
That reminded Jesse of another important point, though.
-What clan are you anyway?- He asked Kieran.
Kieran looked rather surprised at that.
-Rstozz, for whatever that's worth to you.- He replied readily enough however.
-I've never heard of that one, I'm afraid.- Jesse admitted.
-Of course not.- Kieran agreed. -No reason you should have. Technically we're vassals of Kone, or used to be. I'm not sure where we stand now, though. We weren't needed anymore so they put us in the chambers and Kone never said a word. ... Do you know what's to become of vassal clans that are abandoned in the move to Rukkat?-
-No.- Jesse admitted. -I didn't even realise it was a possibility. I ... never thought much about the situation of the old blood's vassal clans at all. Nor was I there when the plans for settling Rukkat were made. I can see how historians wouldn't be anybody's first priority when settling a new world, though. Is that your clan's usual line of work?-
-We're scientists and artists.- Kieran explained. -But most of us like history, so we have a lot of historians, yes. If you grow up with fascinating tales of ages past you learn to crave them like food. Even our art is often historical. My younger brother made movies and most were about historical wars.-
-Razzle must have loved those.- Jesse realised. -He's full of historical facts ... I guess he probably got them from you, though?-
-Some.- Kieran said. -But he's quite capable of doing his own research even if it is only by reading of others' works. He always was full of ideas what Kiez should make a movie of next. He's actually even in most of them, though you'd hardly ever notice. I think the only one he didn't have a hand in at all is the one that's actually sort of about his sister. That one isn't historical either, though.-
-Your brother made a movie about Razzlesz sister?- Jesse asked rather doubtful that he could have interpreted that correctly.
-Inspired by her story. The tale wasn't exactly hers, of course, just about ... shadow children and how their lives go wrong so easily. It's ... rather a phenomenon of our time so quite a departure from his usual style, but having seen the consequences up close like that we wanted to do something about it. So, Kiez made a movie. I don't think Razzle liked it, though.-
-Maybe it was just too painful to watch.- Jesse suggested. -He still gets rather upset when people talk about his sister.-
-What became of her?- Kieran asked him. -Did she die? Or go to the chambers?-
-I don't know.- Jesse admitted trying to remember everything anybody had ever said about Razzle's sister. -As far as I know she left him and he misses her.-
-So he never found out? She ran away in her ... third year at the Academy. Razzle tried to follow her and bring her back, but they caught him before he caught up with her and all it did was almost get him expelled. We had a huge protest over it and in the end they made an exception because Razzle was an extraordinarily good student and she was his twin.-
-I never heard that before. I always thought he'd been a model student.-
-Well, he was. Sort of. In his own way.- Kieran said. -It wasn't exactly model for a warrior student to join a science club and spend all his spare time at the Science Academy, but he was top of all his classes and always obedient to the teachers. Mostly they thought he was just a bit weird and probably blamed that on the trauma of being a shadow child and losing his twin. Do you have a twin?-
-No.- Jesse said. -I have twin sisters and a brother and sister that are growing up like twins, but have different mothers. I ... don't see much of them, though. Maybe I'll never see them again what with us being on opposite sides of this war.-
-Pshaw. Sides change all the time.- Kieran told him. -The only constant in history is change, especially in periods of civil war. The future is very unpredictable, but the one thing I feel certain of right now is that this war won't last until the end of my lifetime. Three or four years tops.-
-I don't think it can last forever either.- Jesse told him. -But we could be destroyed. I might be executed or killed in battle ... while I suppose as a historian of a common clan you're pretty safe. Or we might end up with two separate realms and closed borders.-
-Not without any diplomatic relations at all.- Kieran predicted. -Travel between the two realms might be difficult, but you can almost bet that you'll be one of the chosen few, be it to throw your defection in the other side's faces or as a demonstration of good will because you can be expected to wish no ill on your clan's home realm. You'll need a clan to live with, though.-
-Which is precisely what Elhessar has offered me.- Jesse informed him. -Or, I suppose I could marry into another clan? I know it's usually the woman that moves in with her husband's clan, but surely there must be some precedent of men moving in with their wives?-
-Members of common clans marrying nobles, of course.- Kieran replied promptly. -The Hjzen culture back on the homeworld. A number of defectors in the absorption wars of the Szothet period ... That probably comes closest to your situation. I'd point at them if you have to. Do you have a specific clan or woman in mind then?-
Jesse shook his head.
-Not at all. I have a number of Elhessar children trying to throw themselves at me, but those are just girls playing at romance. I prefer older women that know what they want and what they're getting themselves into and so far I haven't got any longing for something as permanent as marriage. So, if you happen to know a woman that's looking for someone to take her out to the fights or watch some movies with and maybe have a quick shag on the way ...-
-I don't know anyone at all in this time yet.- Kieran reminded him. -And I'm not interested in meeting any women before we've freed Razzle.-
-I'm not planning on taking that long to do that.- Jesse assured him. -It'd help to know what he actually did to get punished like that, though.-
-I already told you: He's supposed to be at fault for your injury.- Kieran said. -How did you get that?-
Well, now ...
-Swear you'll keep it secret if I tell you all the details? If we start making explanations for something Nemesis doesn't even know about we might drag Razzle into even deeper trouble than he's already in.-
Gattler was dead and could no longer be punished after all and Kieran was on Razzle's side.
-Of course. But what happened that you think there might be punishable offences His Nastiness didn't know of when punishing Razzle?-
-Well, because the one thing that I can think of that Razzle really could be blamed for didn't cause my injury. He let Gattler escape when he could have killed or captured him or at least made the attempt at several points. But that didn't cause my injury. In fact, Gattler treated it, but nobody on the Warworld ought to know that. I told Moku I didn't know who did it since I was unconscious and he decided it must have been done by one of Lutazsz shuttle crews. Apparently it looked like very professional work that's not likely to have been performed by a med officer, so they'll hardly suspect Gattler as long as we keep our mouths shut.-
-So what exactly happened?- Kieran asked.
Jesse told him in as much detail as he remembered.
-And what exactly did you tell His Nastiness?-
-Nothing. He never asked me. In fact I haven't seen him or heard from him since before it all happened. That's what makes it so difficult.-
-Alright.- Kieran said. -Then whom did you tell? ... any tale about your injury at all, I mean.-
-Well, the Elhessare, of course.- Jesse said. -Mostly the kids and elders, though, but of course the brothers wanted to know as well. I never mentioned Gattler or Razzle in those tales as far as I can remember, though. It was supposed to be an exciting adventure tale about fighting Ettar. Especially for the kids I focussed more on Ramszetsz part.-
-Ramszetsz part? What was that and who the hell is Ramszet?-
-My Subcomander who was outside the cave in his plane and got shot down bravely trying to stop Ettarsz escape. You know, bravery, duty, dedication. The sort of stuff one praises in front of children that are supposed to grow up to become soldiers.-
-Actually I don't.- Kieran admitted. -We don't raise soldiers in my clan.-
-Right. Well, the Elhessare are very big on it. They're all on Rukkat, though. The only one that might have passed my tale on to Nemesis is Istar and I know better than to give him any weapons against Razzle ... and expect Nemesis would take any comments Istar makes about Razzle with a grain of salt to start with. He's not blind to their relationship much as he likes Istar.-
-So you're sure it wasn't any of the Elhessare?-
-Well, Jatt was on the Warworld for a while in between the Arhame mission and coming home for his brother's birthday ceremony.-
-Who's Jatt?-
-Istarsz second son. He was an acting Subcommander under me in the battle, but he wasn't an eyewitness to anything that happened in the cave nor did I ever tell him anything about it. He'd know whatever my troops on Arthame were told about the matter and that probably once again is the tale of Ettar injuring and escaping me and then shooting down Ramszet. They also ought to know that Gattler and Razzle met and Gattler escaped, but Razzle had ample opportunity to put whatever spin he liked on their perception of the matter. He's good at manipulating people and most of the ones there are loyal to him.-
-So any of your troops could have told His Nastiness a tale we don't know at all, but it wouldn't be likely to be damaging to Razzle unless said person had it in for him to start with. ... Anybody else you told? On the Warworld rather than Rukkat or Arthame?-
-Gaspar.- Jesse remembered. -I think I did blame Razzle for not joining my chase after Ettar in that tale. I was pretty angry at everybody at the time since I was in a lot of pain and unable to even get out of bed. Gaspar wouldn't do anything to bring Nemesissz wrath down on a dormmate, though. He's helped me in such a situation before and he likes Razzle much better than me.-
-He might have let something slip by accident, though. Or seen an advantage in hurting Razzlesz position never expecting it to get back to His Nastiness or anger him as much as it did.-
Jesse frowned trying to imagine such a scenario.
-Maybe.- He allowed finally. -But I think he knows to watch his mouth in strategy meetings and around Orat.-
-That's all the possible sources then? You didn't have any other visitors while in med bay?-
-Ramszet.- Jesse said. -But Ramszet is about as stupid as one can be and still be an officer in the Outrider army. I'm pretty sure Razzle could have talked Ramszet into believing that he'd misunderstood the story and retracting it. Besides Ramszet would be more likely to talk of his own part in the events and how I praised him for it. He's scared of both Razzle and Nemesis.-
-Scared of Razzle?- Apparently Kieran found it rather difficult to imagine anybody being afraid of his old friend.
-Razzle isn't someone to take on lightly.- Jesse assured him. -And if you do it, especially when you have Ramszetsz low IQ, you're well advised to keep it in the physical arena. Verbally and intellectually Ramszet would be sure to be crushed.-
-Alright, probably not Ramszet then. Your other visitors?-
-None, except Irstz and he just came to fetch me to Rukkat. If he saw Nemesis during that visit it was before I told him anything. ... Irstz could and would take Razzle on in an intrigue, but if he did he'd probably keep track of the results and he was quite puzzled by Razzlesz stationing on the Warworld when we discussed it at Elhessar house. Besides I don't see why he'd do it in the current situation. I've never known Irstz to intrigue out of spite alone.-
-He also would have been told the harmless version you told the other Elhessare, I assume? You were recovered enough to walk by then and no longer in pain.-
-Yes, and I knew he was likely to tell Istar anything he learned from me.-
-Nurses?- Kieran suggested suddenly. -Do you have any idea what you might have said to them while under pain medication? I've heard that the stuff used to knock one out during surgery will leave one having entire conversations one doesn't even remember afterwards.-
-I don't know. I doubt any nurses would dare carry tales to Nemesis or buy trouble with Razzle. They are both too far above them. Moku talks to Nemesis of course, but not simple nurs... Moku!-
-What about him and who is he?- Kieran demanded excited at Jesse's sudden outburst.
-The head doctor. He was very eager to hear my tale and I was still very angry at the time. In fact, I think I exaggerated Razzlesz part rather out of proportion. But Moku has no reason to harm Razzle and he's much too nice to do anything of the sort.-
-Yet he was eager, you say?-
-Probably for psychological purposes. He wanted me to talk about the experience so I'd deal with it and not suppress anything that might come back to haunt me latter. Maybe Iktrz even asked him to do it. Iktrz had to treat me for nightmares caused by my last serious battle injury.- Jesse added hastily. -So prevention was advisable.-
-So what exactly did you tell Moku?- Kieran asked.
The reply made him wince several times.
-If that is the tale that His Nastiness heard ...- He stated finally.
-Then at least it shouldn't be difficult for me to retract it. I gave Moku an exaggerated and one-sided report. I think we're more likely to have to deal with a malicious rumour started by one of my troops, though. Something that Orat overheard and used to hurt our dorm. That'd be like him.-
-And just who is Orat?-
Jesse spent the rest of the trip bringing Kieran as close to up to date on recent Outrider history and the current key players in Outrider politics as he could. It was a difficult undertaking as he himself knew almost nothing of the situation and key figures that Kieran remembered from just before he'd been packed away and that still were fresh enough in his mind to influence all his thoughts and expectations.
Using the mail ship might have been a good way to arrive on the Warworld without drawing much attention for Kieran who was a complete stranger to everybody they met, but Jesse was recognised by several bystanders the moment he limped down the ramp and there was much speculation about the reason for his return and his choice of transport before he'd even left the hangar.
-Uh ...- Kieran started.
-We'd better head straight for my dorm.- Jesse cut him off. -It'll be easiest to pull off if we can catch Gaspar there.-
-I don't ...-
But Jesse didn't wait to hear what doubts Kieran had. It was lucky for the historian that the Commander wasn't able to run properly, yet, or he'd have been left by himself in some corridor that no longer led where he remembered it going.
By the time they reached the right door Kieran was quite exhausted and made only a token protest when Jesse impatiently told him to follow him inside.
-I don't have the dorm elder's permission.- He said feebly.
-Razzle's the dorm elder.- Jesse informed him.
-Razzle?- Kieran looked so baffled that Jesse almost inquired what was so unexpected about that, but they had no time for that now.
-And Point in his absence, but with Razzle in isolation and Point in command of the space line ... Well, the only Commanders remaining on the planet are Gaspar, Orat and Brunhilda. Orat's of another dorm, Brunhilda's a woman. ... Oh. damn it, Gaspar will have moved into some other dorm for company.-
The dorm was empty of all inhabitants in any case. It hadn't been abandoned finally, though. Not only Gaspar and Razzle, but also Point and Jean Claude had left some personal items about the rooms. Kieran picked up an old holopicture viewer from beside Razzle's bed and ran his fingers over it almost absent-mindedly.
Since Jesse hadn't told him that that was Razzle's bed he could only conclude that he had actually recognised the viewer. Maybe he too, should take up that viewer sometime. If it was that old there had to be a lot of interesting pictures in it, possibly even ones of historical value, and judging from Jean Claude's surprised reaction to Jesse's objections to him handling the only picture Jesse had of his fleshling parents it would be perfectly acceptable for him to look at Razzle's holopictures if he left them lying around openly in their dorm.
-We'll have to take a risk, then.- He decided. -Gasparsz office is pretty close to Nemesissz, but he is more likely to be in the strategy room and we can get there from the other side, if we take a small detour on the level below. The problem is that I'm not entirely sure whom we might run into there. It's equipment storage management and I only ever paid attention to my own troops there. I have no idea whose is where.-
-With only four Commanders present chances are good that we won't run into one of them.- Kieran judged. -Besides, we want to run into Gaspar and have no reason to fear Razzle either. That halves that risk.-
Quite true, but as it turned out rather short-sighted planning. Commanders weren't the only people on the planet that knew Jesse, after all, nor were they the only ones that might talk to Nemesis. Subcommanders had more direct business with storage management than Commanders did, wing leaders made routine calls and medical, maintenance and scientific supplies needed just as much managing as the military ones.
A very familiar looking nurse and several technicians stared at Jesse in surprise as they walked past, though none of them dared to address him. Jesse had no illusions that the same reticence would apply to mentioning having seen him to their superiors. They were running out of time fast.
Unbeknown to him they also passed by a young man that Razzle would have recognised as 'that idiot underfoot' Sanzar usually sent out of the lab on some busywork when he arrived for a visit. This generally inquisitive, but quite cowed individual in turn did recognise Jesse, but had no further interest in him. After all, what were Commanders to him or any of Sanzar's lab staff? They belonged in another sphere and surely Sanzar had no reason to be at all interested in their doings.
Gaspar's office was almost entirely deserted. All the door guard could tell them was that he'd left to inspect ... something or other somewhere or other. Gaspar had a lot of troops and guns and posts and whatnot all over the planet.
Jesse informed the guard that he was a hopeless waste of space and inquired after better informed individuals' whereabouts. Those, too, were unknown to the waste of space ... or maybe she was merely feeling insulted and unwilling to be of any use to Jesse and some weirdo just out of the chambers.
Whichever was the case, it left them with only one option: find Sanzar.
-At least I'm pretty sure he can't be out to inspect anything.- Jesse tried to put a positive light on that predicament. -But I don't know where his office is. Most of the science area is off limits to those who don't work there.-
-Lab.- Kieran informed him. -Sanzar would be more likely to have a lab than an office. Or turn his office into a lab. He even experimented in the Academy dorm when we were boys. He blew a hole into the wall once, but it was the wrong wall at least according to Razzle. He thought Sanzar should have blown up the wall that separated us from the warrior students. ... Only, I'm not so sure any of us would have liked it if Amiss and Istar had come through, so it was probably fine as it was.-
-Right.- Jesse said and steered Kieran towards what he hoped was a particularly rarely used lift.
It certainly was from this floor, but since Jesse had no idea of the layout of the science floor nor who up there was in the habit of going where he wasn't at all sure it wasn't much more frequented there.
They were in luck, though. The cabin was empty when it arrived and didn't make an interim stop on the way, though they almost collided with two lab assistants carrying large beakers when they got off. One of the assistants yelped, but both managed not to drop anything and Jesse strode past them as if he knew where he was going.
Kieran followed him past a number of doors labelled with large danger warning signs.
Jesse stopped at the first unlabelled door, glanced up and down the corridor and when he was sure there was nobody in sight put his ear to the door.
-I can't hear a thing.- He informed Kieran. -Think we should go in?-
-No.- Kieran said. -It can't be a weapons lab and certainly not Sanzarsz. That's got to be at the centre of activity around here. I say we go that way.-
The centre of activity was certainly not where Jesse wanted to go, but they did need to find Sanzar and thus he let Kieran take the lead. The direction at least seemed to be correct. The further they went the more people in lab coats they saw going about and the more curious glances they got. Jesse expected to be stopped and asked his business at any moment, but despite the ever increasing number of warning signs there were no guards in evidence.
-Do you know what the colours of the signs mean?- He hissed at Kieran when they were at a comparatively safe distance from the closest scientist.
-They indicate different types of danger.- Kieran replied promptly and more loudly than Jesse liked. -And, yes, all the red and yellow around here means we've taken a wrong turn somewhere. The section we ought to be in should have green and blue signs with no red around at all.-
-Brilliant.- Jesse stated.
-So just what are you looking for?- A blue-skinned woman carrying a large notepad asked. -This isn't exactly the best area to stumble around lost in, you know.-
-And don't I know it.- Kieran told her with a sigh. -But you know, I used to know my way to Sanzarsz lab just fine before they put me in the chambers and I keep forgetting how much time has passed. I thought I knew where I was until about a minute ago.-
The woman snorted.
-Well, won't he ever be pleased to see you.- She commented.
-Oh, I'm sure he will. We go way back. All the way to the Academy.-
-That won't help you when you show up with ... him.- The woman declared glancing meaningfully at Jesse. -But no skin off my back. If you two want your heads bitten off, keep on going straight ahead, turn left after you pass the turbolift, then right at electrical weapons testing, left at the next intersection, forth door on the right. Or you could take my advice and take the turbolift back down to medbay and forget old Sourpuss.-
-Thank you.- Kieran said with a charming smile. -That's most kind of you.-
Unlike most Outriders Jesse knew he apparently had no problems remembering those instructions or which side was left. The next door in front of which he stopped was indeed marked with a large green and blue danger warning.
Jesse reached for the door button, but Kieran slapped his hand away.
Jesse hissed at him in outrage, but Kieran merely pointed at a little lamp glowing above the button.
-Work in progress.- He explained. -We have to wait until that goes out before we can go in ... unless we want to be blown up, or electro-shocked, or burned, or something.-
-Just brilliant.- Jesse declared and wondered just how long they could wait for Sanzar to finish his current experiment without being found by an angry message from Nemesis demanding to know what he was doing here.
On second thought, probably quite a while as long as no reports of him having been seen on this floor filtered through to His Nastiness. After all, nobody would expect him to be where he had no business being and had never set foot before and whomever Nemesis would send wasn't likely to be allowed on this floor any more than Jesse himself was.
He settled in for a long wait.
A second later the light went out.
-There.- Kieran announced triumphantly hitting the door button. -Now we can go in.-
-Well, at least it didn't take l...- Jesse started.
-... know warriors with more brains than you! In fact, I suspect the most stupid warrior alive would know where not to put the firing button on a hand-held weapon! Three years of studying Weapons Technology and you give me this?-
Apparently the test had been cut short by abject failure.
-But I did boost the output.- The hapless victim of Sanzar's ire tried to save himself. -And the button can be moved. It's only a test prototype after all.-
-Test prototype? You call this a prototype? It's a useless pile of junk!- Sanzar raged. -What use is boosting the output if the weapon is so heavy and malformed it takes two people to carry and three to fire it? When I say give me a hand-held weapon, I mean hand-held as in one soldier carries and fires it. Along with the rest of his kit! Now get out of my sight and don't come back until you've produced something that will at least not render all of us a laughing stock the moment an actual soldier sees it!-
-It doesn't look funny to me.- Jesse declared bending over the large gun that lay on the cluttered table in the middle of the room.
Sanzar snorted.
-That's because you're looking at the wrong weapon.- He explained. -That is a hand-held rocket launcher the Mejx lost in their last attack on Fokthet. This here is the joke.-
He held up a strangely shaped object that Jesse had assumed to be some kind of spare part - or maybe something only partially assembled.
-Ooooh.- Made Kieran. -Reminds me of some of the early designs of the Thelth period. Would you mind very much if I have a look at it later?-
Sanzar looked at him, opened his mouth for another outburst, blinked and started. -Kieran?-
-The same.- Kieran announced and then looked back at him and stared as well. -You look ... older.-
-Duh.- Said Jesse, but apparently it was another change Kieran found difficult to assimilate.
For a moment Sanzar looked shocked, then delighted, then amused, but in the end his face settled on apprehensive. Something wasn't quite right here. Maybe a distraction was required before he blew up again.
-Much as I hate to disrupt such a touching reunion of old friends.- Jesse said stepping between the two. -I'm afraid we don't have the time for it or to examine any rocket launchers. We need information before Nemesis tracks me down and demands to know what I'm here for.-
-To waste my time, obviously.- Sanzar declared. -I certainly didn't ask to see you, nor did I ever want to and I don't see why I should put up with your presence.-
-Now, Sanzar ...- Kieran started.
-We need your help.- Jesse snapped.
-Tough luck.- Sanzar declared. -I don't need yours, so I have no reason to help you.-
-How about Razzle?- Jesse challenged.
-Razzle?- Sanzar said quite surprised. -What does he have to do with it?-
-We need your help to help Razzle.- Jesse explained. -You have no reason to want to help us, but as I understand it Razzle is a different matter. Might there be some reason you might want to help him?-
-You want to help Razzle?- Sanzar asked. -Now why do I find that rather hard to believe?-
That didn't bode well.
-I want to help Razzle.- Jesse confirmed. -Because Kieran here tells me that I'm supposed to have gotten him in trouble in the first place. It wasn't my intention to. He's done nothing to deserve any ill from me and I'm not at all sure how it could have happened.-
Sanzar had fallen silent, but said nothing when Jesse stopped and looked at him.
-That's where you come in.- Kieran added helpfully. -Commander Jesse thinks you ought to be able to tell us just what His Nastiness knows that Razzle has done to him.-
-Thinks he knows.- Jesse corrected. -Because Razzle hasn't done anything to me. Except the usual insults, of course. And that's just words and ... damnit, Nemesis's got to know better than to punish Razzle for some casual insult. He's got to know just as well as the rest of us that he doesn't really mean anything by those. So what fucking rumour has he heard and from whom that he actually believes it?-
Sanzar looked Jesse up and down coldly.
-You are not behind that?- He asked finally.
-No!- Jesse yelled quite exasperated. -Why does everybody think I am? Razzle's my dorm elder. Why the fuck would I pick a fight with him?-
-You could change dorms.- Sanzar suggested.
-You could want to take over.- The hapless young scientist with the misshapen gun said.
-At my age?- Jesse asked him.
-Are you still here?- Sanzar demanded.
-Who are you anyway?- Kieran inquired.
-Get out!- Sanzar snarled and didn't take his eyes off the man until the door swished shut behind him breaking the line of sight.
-I like it in Razzlesz dorm.- Jesse informed the head scientist. -I don't think I'd get on well in Istarsz. Orat and I don't get on in any case. And Razzle ... well, we get on fine. Or at least we got on fine until this thing happened. So, I'd like to fix it, Kieran wants to see Razzle and we kind of hope you want him out as well.-
Sanzar nodded suddenly.
-Very well, but then I want to know what Moku has against Razzle.- He declared.
-Moku? It really was Moku?- Jesse asked. -But that doesn't make any sense. Moku's always seemed like a perfectly nice guy. Why would he want to draw the enmity of any Commander?-
-That's exactly what I want to know.- Sanzar said. -Moku is a pathetic coward, always making nice with everybody. So what's driven him to attack Razzle and at the risk of drawing your ire as well?-
-Well, I may have ... It was right after my surgery and I wasn't quite clear in the head from the medicine. I thought Moku of all people would have known I was just babbling nonsense under those circumstances, though.-
-Oh, just brilliant.- Sanzar snapped. -And just how are we going to explain that to a moronic soldier like Nemesis?-
-We'll need to get Moku to confirm it.- Kieran decided. -Withdraw his tale.-
Sanzar snorted.
-Nemesis may be a soldier, but he isn't a moron.- Jesse said. -He's one of the smartest Outrider soldiers there are.-
-That's not saying much.- Sanzar sneered.
-And he was meant to study Medicine himself.- Jesse continued undaunted. -He knows quite a bit about it. I'm sure he must know about the effect painkillers have on one's mind if we all do. Neither of you studied Medicine, right? Besides, we can get Razzle to confirm it. Razzle knows exactly how to talk to Nemesis.-
-He wasn't any good at talking himself out of the accusation the first time around.- Sanzar pointed out.
-That's because he didn't know how he came to be accused at all.- Jesse insisted. -Because he hadn't done anything and didn't expect me or Moku to attack him. He can do this with me there to explain and confirm it all.-
-But he won't be there unless Nemesis sends for him.- Sanzar pointed out.
-Unless I bring him. Kieran says he knows how to open a locked door with a magnet. Do you have a magnet?-
Sanzar snorted, pulled an assortment of all sorts of odds and ends out of his pocket, picked out a coin-shaped object and flipped it at Jesse.
-That should do for that little trick.- He stated. -Just don't get him in deeper trouble than he's already in or I'll show you what I can do with magnets, though.-
