The Ballard of Cairo
Part thirty-two: Day off
Lootera City, Huntress
Kerensky Cluster
Clan Space
O'Brien was beginning to wonder where everyone was when she found Jackson on the bridge of the Wataru. "Paul, have you seen Steven? He seems to be avoiding me."
The pilot shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "He gave everyone the day off: McCoy and his Techs are off shooting pool with the boys from Shadow Company, Dancer's hang-gliding, and the Clanners are off visiting the Smoke Jaguar genetic repository. I don't know where Steve is." O'Brien walked off to find McCoy.
The Shadow Company compound was a hive of activity. Techs were trying to repair the damage done to the units Mech's during the battle with the Clan Wolf Trinary two days before. She found McCoy in the officers' mess, counting out his winnings. "It's like I told you Dimitri, Diego Sanchez is the best pool-player I've ever seen." The old sergeant turned when he saw her enter. "Oh, hey Sinead; you feeling better?"
"Shamus, have you seen Steven?" she asked walking over to the side of the pool table.
McCoy shook his head, "Sorry, haven't see him since this morning."
O'Brien had given up hope and had walked back to the Spaceport when she saw a familiar figure on top of the Wataru. She climbed up the inspection ladder and found Cairo sitting against the main turret, reading a book. He turned to look at her, and then went back to reading.
"Steven, why have you been avoiding me?" O'Brien asked, blocking his reading-light. Cairo looked at her, then pulled a note-puter out of his pocked and handed it to her. She recognised the letter on the screen:
From: General Maeve Wolf, commanding officer, Wolfs Dragoons.
To: Sergeant Sinead O'Brien.
Subject: Cairo, Lt. Steven.
Message reads:
I am glad to hear that you and the Lt Cairo have become close friends, but do not let this interfere with your mission. You are to get a close as you can 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.
For the first time, O'Brien could see the hurt in his eyes. "Where did you find this?"
Cairo put his book down, "I had Paul go through your note-puter to try and find any information on the Clan Wolf unit that took you. If it makes you feel any better, he didn't want to show it to me, but he, like you, was following orders." His voice dripped with venom.
Cairo stood up and climbed back down the side of the DropShip. When O'Brien reached the bottom, Jackson was standing there. "He had a right to know. He would have found out, sooner or later." He went to walk away, but turned back. "The dumb thing is, he still loves you: he just doesn't trust you." O'Brien was left with her thoughts.
To Be Continued...