The Cairo Saga, Book 2: The Solaris Irregulars
Part 16: Honour and Duty
Recharge Station
Nadir Jump Point
Luthien
Draconis Combine
Even Cairo had to admit that the recharge station was impressive: built during the first Star League, the huge space station was built to facilitate the recharging of JumpShips in less time then would normally be necessary.
Clearwater was waiting for Cairo as he stepped through the airlock that linked the Spirit Sight to the station: "Hello again Captain. Good to see you made it on time."
Cairo grunted an answer. He still didn't like the ComStar Precentor, if that was he really was: Clearwater seemed to have more power and recourses then anyone with his rank should have. The only time Cairo had seen him act in a normal way had been over a year before, when he had asked Cairo for help. Cairo looked around "So where are these packages that I'm meant to take with me?"
A voice came from behind him "I have them, Cairo Steven-san."
Cairo span round and almost lost his balance when he saw who had spoken.
Hohiro Kurita stood flanked by a pair of ISF agents who looked at Cairo with contempt. The heir to the throne of the Draconis Combine handed Cairo a large round box, sealed with the official mark of House Kurita "If you would be so kind as to see this reaches Khan Jorgensson of the Ghost Bears."
Cairo took the package and bowed "I would be honoured to perform such a duty, Kurita Hohiro-san."
Hohiro smiled, then handed him a much smaller package "I request that you place this in the hands of Preccentor Martial Victor Davion personally."
There was pain in his eyes as he spoke, but Cairo bit back the question of why: he had read of the friendship between Hohiro Kurita and Victor Davion, and how it seemed to have ended after the Star League conference on Marik four years before. He bowed again "I will see to it that it reaches him safely."
Kurita bowed in return and walked off.
Cairo turned to Clearwater once the heir to the Dragon was out of sight "What was that all about? Couldn't he send a message to the Preccentor Martial through normal channels?"
The Precentor shook his head "There's a rift between the two of them. It is a complicated personal matter, and I will not go into it with you at this time." Clearwater stood silently for a moment, and then turned to Cairo "Good luck on your trip to Alshain. The Ghost Bears are a honourable people, and will treat you with the same respect you give them. I recommend that you keep your bondsman close to you as a sign of your respect for them as warriors, and try to play down the fact that you are married with a daughter. The Ghost Bears may be tolerant compared to other Clans, but the Trueborn's are still very self-superior."
Cairo smiled "I'll try not to start a war."
With that, he returned to the Spirit Sight.
To Be Continued...