The Ballard of Cairo
Part twenty-six: Secrets and lies
ISS Scapa Flow
Zenith Jump Point
Waypoint Juniper
Deep Periphery
Cairo was relaxing on the grav-deck of the merchant-class JumpShip when Jackson found him. In the two months since the battle for Constance, Cairo had spent all of his time integrating their bondsmen into the team. MechWarrior Rebecca had taken to the change in life very easily, mainly due to her freebirth origins. Star Commander Scot and Aerospace pilot Jennet however, were products of the Clans' genetic engineering system and tended to be a little full of themselves around everyone else.
Jackson sat in a chair opposite Cairo and handed him a note-puter. Cairo put down his drink and read the information on the small screen:
From: General Maeve Wolf, commanding officer, Wolf's Dragoons.
To: Sergeant Sinead O'Brien.
Subject: Cairo, Lt. Steven.
Message reads:
I am glad to hear that you and Lt Cairo have become close friends, but do not let this interfere with your mission. You are to get as close as you can to Lt. Cairo and find out if his mission really is to find Cain.
Use any and all means at your disposal to gain his trust and confidence and as soon as you have any evidence as to what his true mission is, transmit it us at the earliest possible convenience. I recommend that you use the obvious attraction the lieutenant has for you to our advantage.
Message ends.
Cairo put down the note-puter and Jackson saw tears in his eyes. Jackson spoke softly, "The message was received just before we left Idlewind - about the time your 'relationship' with the sergeant began. I'm not saying that she only slept with you because she was ordered to. I think she does indeed like you, but the timing is too much of a coincidence".
Cairo was openly crying now, tears running down his face. "For the first time since the attack on my home town I thought I'd found something good, something to hold onto other than the pain. I trusted her, I LOVE her and now I don't know if she was just using me to get information or not".
Jackson tried to be as diplomatic as he could. "Are we still heading for Huntress, or do I try and find a ship heading back to the Inner Sphere?"
Cairo shook his head, "No, we go on. I need to know the truth".
To Be Continued...