The Ballard of Cairo
Part twenty-seven: In the Company of Shadows.
Lootera City, Huntress
Kerensky Cluster
Clan Space
Cairo and Jackson walked up the front steps of the Star League Defence Force HQ building. They had an appointment to see the garrison commander and wanted to ask how to get to the Clan Wolf base at the city of Bagera. The regimental standard behind the reception desk showed a white ghost wolf on a black shield with a white border. Underneath the emblem were the words 'Shadow Company, SLDF'. Neither Cairo nor Jackson recognised the unit, but as they were relatively new to the Inner Sphere, they just forgot about it.
They were directed to an office on the second floor. Cairo knocked on the door and a voice on the other side responded "Enter". Inside the room were three men in SLDF uniforms. Cairo saluted the captain and nodded to the two lieutenants. The senior officer returned the salute, "Ah yes; the man from the Periphery".
Cairo tried to hide his feelings over the man's contempt. "Lieutenants Steven Cairo and Paul Jackson of the Los Alamos Defence Force. We have come here to recover a member of my unit who was taken by a Clan Wolf Trinary. The three bondsmen we captured informed us their next posting was to be the city of Bagera. I would like any information you have on the city".
The SLDF captain stood up and for the first time, Cairo could read the name on the man's uniform: Piecemaker. "And you just plan to waltz in there and take your lost solider, is that it?" The Captain's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Cairo kept a straight face. "No sir, I intend to demand a Trial of Possession for the Sergeant in question. I will fight the warrior who defeated her. If I win, we will leave Huntress on the first available ship back to the Inner Sphere. If I lose...well...we will have to wait and see".
Piecemaker looked at the two SLDF lieutenants who were trying to hold back laughter. "Very well Lt. Cairo", he reached into a draw in his desk and pulled out a map, "This will get you as far as Bagera. Good luck". Cairo and Jackson saluted and left. No sooner had they closed the door than laughter echoed from the other side.
Cairo smiled at Jackson, a dangerous look in his eyes, "Let's go".
To Be Continued...