Alien Legion: Arrows of Artemis
By C.S. Hayden
Alien Legion is the trademarked and copyrighted creative property of Carl Potts as published by Epic Comics/Marvel Entertainment 1984-1993. This is a work of fiction loosely based on the characters of Alien Legion and is unauthorized by its creator Carl Potts.
Plot and additional original characters copyrighted 2002 to Christi Smith Hayden
Arrows of Artemis
III. Downtime on Greelbase:
Besides him, Torie Montroc stifled another yawn and privately, Major Sarigar had to agree - these mandatory intelligence briefings were deadly dull. The rat-faced bureaucrat that was currently speaking was didactic to a fault, droning on about obscure points of Orestran and Harkilon politics. Sarigar had finally resorted to taking out his personal compupad and jotting down a few more lines of the Jentekian verse that he wrote in his spare time.
The intelligence chief mercifully cut the politics discussion short. "Thank you, Captain Fremmick. We have new information on the Harkilon/Orestran cabal on thanks to the work of Artemis squadron working undercover on Orestran VII. Captain Jaikira headed the operation and will present her findings."
Both Sarigar and Torie sat up at mention of her name. Gone was the elaborate hair and costumes; a slim, serpentine figure in the black-and-silver uniform of Defense Intelligence took the podium. Unlike the previous speaker, Jaikira cut directly to the facts without meandering or getting sidetracked. She listed names, numbers and incidents in a precise manner that both impressed and distracted Sarigar. He hadn't forgotten how the infuriating female had affected him in their first meeting and when he'd looked up her in the Legion registry in the course of putting her on report, he'd found that her achievements balanced her demerits. Given her poise on the podium, she had more than earned her reputation.
"Quite a difference," Torie commented. "She's got more faces than an Audelian thespian."
"Indeed," Sarigar agreed, "although we shouldn't be surprised. This is the exactly the same kind of ingenuity that she showed on Orestra VII, both in the swamps and on the stage."
"She certainly knows how to play to an audience," Torie nodded. "It's just a performance in a different venue."
Sarigar nodded. He tapped the viewscreen on his armrest to get a better view of her. The last time he had seen her, Jaikira had been directing the evacuation of her squad still covered in swamp muck. Artemis had shipped out on a different battlecruiser than Nomad, however, and he really hadn't expected their paths to cross again. He wondered if she would mention Nomad in her report and he soon had his answer.
"...Our mission was brought to a premature end by the arrival of Nomad Squad," Jaikira said bluntly. "After nearly two years of recording activity on Orestra VII, our reports finally gained enough attention that Legionnaires were dispatched for an investigation." She cast a sidelong look at the cluster of D.I. agents and Sarigar assumed that she was making a sarcastic dig at someone. "After some initial clashes over mission objectives, simultaneous attacks were scheduled against both space and planetary targets. What we did not know, and what the Orestran nobles that were under surveillance did not know, was the depths of Harkilon treachery."
"After extensive interrogations of former Orestran trade minister Tamauk Reis and of the two captured Harkilon Imperials, we learned that the Harks had been using the swamps of Orestra VII as breeding grounds inside Tophan Galactic Union space." Jaikira paused as a murmur rose around the auditorium. "My science officer, F'marrl, has documented this fact and you can find it in Appendix C, attached to this report in your compupads."
"As result, when a joint Nomad/Artemis venture attempted their initial attack, they were overwhelmed by unexpected numbers of Harkilon brood soldiers. It was necessary for Artemis to scrub our undercover intelligence mission and stage an emergency assault on the swamp fortress. Fortunately, before her untimely death, Lieutenant Devra M'tombe and her section had been able to mine the underwater supports of the base and we were able to use that as part of a three-pronged retaliatory strike. The distraction enabled us to free members of the first attack wave and to seriously debilitate the enemy until reinforcements from the battlecruiser were able to arrive."
"Well, she managed to put a positive spin on that situation," Torie said quietly, "and she made it sound like we were working together. That's a nice little bit of damage control."
"Yes," Sarigar said speculatively. "I wonder why?"
He continued to study her while Jaikira took questions from the floor. She seemed totally at ease in the spotlight, giving animated responses that while factual, also entertained, thus keeping the audience interested. An officer sitting not far from him asked a question and while he was speaking, Sarigar thought he saw Jaikira glance briefly at him. If she noticed him, she certainly didn't show it and continued on with her presentation.
The briefing broke up a short time later with a reminder for all officers to attend the ambassador's reception later that evening. Sarigar groaned - diplomatic functions were nearly as tedious as staff meetings.
Torie heard him and laughed. "If you'll recall," he said lightly, "I'm under orders from General Gokk to tell you that, and I quote, 'There is no way Sarigar is getting out of missing another one of these things, so tell him to get his sorry tail decked out in his dress greens now!'"
"Yes, I remember," Sarigar sighed. "I was there when he said it."
"It's a shame that Jugger got demoted," Torie continued, "because I think the general was looking forward to parading him by the high brass and all those dignitaries."
The thought of the psychotic Thracian at a diplomatic function was so ridiculous that even Sarigar had to laugh at it. "Yes, now that is exactly the sort of joke that Trillian Gokk would delight in. Pity Jugger disliked being an officer so much." He turned off at the administrative offices. "I've got some reports to file. I'll meet you and the squad for arms drills later."
Montroc tossed off a salute for the benefit of the officers passing by. "Will do, sir!"
A few hours later, Sarigar finally found the time to visit the mess hall for some well-deserved nourishment. Jentekian metabolisms required a careful balance of nutrients and calories or else they became lethargic. To keep from dropping into an unexpected stupor, Sarigar had adapted to a precise schedule of several small high-protein meals. He collected a nutrient shake and glanced about for a secluded seat to take his ease. His eyes passed over her the first time but on a second sweep of the room, he noticed Jaikira sitting by herself near a window, typing on a compupad and sipping a drink.
It had been so ... odd to see her at the meeting, dressed in the somber silver-and-black of Defense Intelligence. The officer's jacket hung from the back of her chair so it was clear that she was currently off-duty; regulations required the jacket to be worn at all times while on duty. The uniform was more conservative than what he'd seen her wearing on Orestran VII but its modesty made Jaikira seem more attractive somehow. Before he realized it, Sarigar was halfway to her table.
He cleared his throat. "Captain? Is this seat taken?"
Jaikira looked up, startled for a brief moment before the corners of her mouth quirked up. "Isn't that my line, major?" She gestured to an empty seat. "Please join me. It's feeding time at the zoo, eh?"
"Something like that." He settled down, winding his tail up in a coil around the base of the chair to keep it out of harm's way. "I see you've splurged on your food rations." Instead of settling for a nutrition shake, Jaikira had number of small dishes spread out on the table.
"I'm enjoying being back in civilization." She picked up a dish of ghostly white vegetable sticks and offered them to him. "I couldn't get Jentekian food while we were working undercover. Try these misli stalks - they're very good."
Sarigar took a few and tried them. The delicate-looking stalks were crisp and had a surprisingly spicy aftertaste. "Not bad," he admitted. "They'd go well with Zhaa'tok stew."
"I could never get the ingredients for that offworld, but you're right, it would." Jaikira saved the document she was working on and set the compupad aside. "So, major -- what military protocols have I broken now?"
"None that I know of."
Jaikira laughed. "What? Not even one? A month back in civilization and I'm slipping." She took up her drink and looked at him over the rim of the glass. "I thought that was you in that meeting this morning. You looked so serious."
"I was impressed."
"Why?" Her eyes danced.
He shrugged and pretended to study the activity outside the window. "Your presentation was very concise and informative. I hadn't realized that your team had done so much surveillance on Orestra VII."
"You'd be surprised how much snooping you can do while slinking around in a sequined dress."
The memory of their first meeting made Sarigar flick his tail subconsciously. Her face was innocently blank but he had the feeling that Jaikira was laughing at him. "I know you flirted with me then on purpose," he countered, using her point-blank questioning technique back at her. "Why?"
"I wanted to see what kind of male you were," Jaikira answered with a shrug. "The quiet ones go one of two ways when confronted; they either flee in terror or they reveal their inner beast."
"So you're saying I'm beastly?" Years of command experience helped Sarigar keep a straight face.
"Very." Jaikira proved two could play that game. "You certainly didn't run, not with the way you had your hand on my ass."
Sarigar chose not to dignify that with a response. "So that would make us Beauty and the Beast."
"That depends on whether you turn out to be a prince or not."
"Point taken."
"Anyway," Jaikira drawled out, "that whole business on Orestra VII worked out in the end, in spite of our little personality conflicts."
"Montroc and I were pleased that you didn't mention the more unsavory aspects of that mission."
"Well, I knew you hadn't reported everything I did so I thought I'd return the favor. I know that I have no regard for rank and I have a bad habit of speaking my mind. Most gung ho types like you can't stand me." She took on a very knowing look. "So, major, is that the only reason you decided to sit with me?" She leaned her cheek on her hand and fluttered her eyelashes like a coquettish schoolgirl.
Snorting at her presumptuous attitude, Sarigar stared back out the window. "You just happen to have the best view of the incoming shuttles at this table, that's all." He pointed. "For example, that ship is bringing in the envoys from Auron system for the ambassador's reception tonight."
"I've heard it's going to be quite a party," she commented. "Are you going?"
"Unfortunately." He sighed and took a sip of nutrient shake. "If I don't show up at some of these diplomatic functions, I miss out on chances to be tapped for promotion. I've never had much patience for office politics."
"Well, you'll have to tell me how it goes," Jaikira said. "Artemis only arrived on base a couple of days ago. I wouldn't know anyone there."
"Oh? I didn't know Defense Intelligence quartered their troops here."
"Well, we've been in the field so long that the head office wants our combat status re-evaluated." She rolled her eyes. "You'd think they'd actually read the reports and figure it out for themselves that we know our stuff but no...."
Sarigar snorted. "If they'd seen you strangle that guard, they certainly wouldn't have had the nerve to suggest it."
"Hmm, there's a cheerful thought." Jaikira toyed with the bracelet on her right wrist and pulled out a thin cable. "Pity it would only work once."
The conversation dwindled into pleasant small talk until finally both of their com-units went off at once.
"Blast," Jaikira muttered, "Artemis is scheduled for a session on the obstacle course. Luckily, Jez is bringing my armor."
"Nomad is set to go on the target range," Sarigar replied as he uncoiled and stood up. "If you don't mind, captain, I'll share a ride with you."
Jaikira tucked her compupad and her jacket in one arm as she slid away from the table. "Are you sure, major? Soldiers will talk..."
"Not if they don't want to land extra grunt duty, they won't," Sarigar said grimly. He was rewarded with one of the most beguiling smiles she had delivered yet.
Nomad and Artemis had convened at the central point for most of the Legion's practice areas, a bare bones facility consisting of observation posts and first aid stations. Sun-baked bricks lined the large courtyard where individual squads were lining up. Captain Torie Montroc, Sarigar's second-in-command, was counting heads and double-checking their equipment. Nomad prided itself in always scoring high in the Legion marksmanship trials.
"Hur, hur, hur --- wouldja look at those bints over there?" Jugger Grimrod commented to no one in particular. "Ain't they from that Artemis squad, the one the Major's snakegirl heads up?"
Torie flicked a wary look at him. "Watch the mouth, Jugger."
"Hey, I'm just askin!'"
Zeerod looked up from his perch on the ammo boxes. "I do believe you're right, Jugger. I think I'll go say hello." The kangaroo-like alien with the distinctive diamond-shaped markings over his eyes stepped out jauntily across the pavement with his new cybernetic legs gleaming in the sunshine.
"Damn," Jugger muttered. "It just ain't fair. If I went over there, they'd just spit in my face."
Pausing in his work, Torie joined his fellows in watching Zeerod working his charms on the ladies and being greeted quite amiably by members of Artemis squad. Species and gender had long desegregated the Legion but it wasn't unusual to have a few squads that were all male, or as in the case with Artemis, all female. They had proven to be highly effective in undercover and surveillance, as well as vicious fighters.
"That little green mutie keeps glaring at me," Jugger grumbled. "Wonder what's got her panties in a bunch?"
"Perhaps you it is that she likes," Meico suggested mildly, proving that the pink-skinned, four-armed medic wasn't above needling his teammates. "Thracian, is she not?"
"Bah, you're barking up the wrong tree," Jugger snorted. "She barely comes up to my chestplate and she's ugly to boot."
"How do you know?" Torie asked, joining in the teasing. "You've never seen her with her helmet off."
The whine of a shuttle landing mercifully drowned out any reply. Both squads looked with interest to see who would disembark. The hatch opened on the far side, away from plain view so it was a minute or two before two black clad tails slithered into view.
Jugger held out his hand. "Sarigar's snakegirl, like I said. You guys owe me some creds."
"A fine couple they make," Meico commented. "Most positive emotions I am sensing."
"Looks promising," Zeerod agreed as he returned to their side of the compound. "Put your best manners forward, lads, for the major and his lady."
"Zip it, legionnaires," Torie advised. He headed over to landing pad just as Jaikira's diminutive bodyguard trotted past on the same errand. As he approached, Torie noticed the careful distance that the two Jentekians were keeping between them - almost too regulation, too careful to keep from touching. He kept a knowing smile off his face as he saluted.
"Major, Nomad is all here and accounted for, sir. Ready to hit the target range."
"Very well, Captain." Sarigar glanced at Jaikira. "You remember my SIC, Torie Montroc, Captain Jaikira?"
"Yes, of course." Jaikira returned Torie's salute. "I'm looking forward to breaking Nomad's time on the obstacle course today."
"You may find that difficult," Sarigar replied.
"Not really," she shot back. "You've got to beat Artemis' scores on the target range. We set the record yesterday."
"Sounds like we've been challenged, sir," Torie said, clearly amused.
The green-skinned woman at Jaikira's elbow snorted and made several rapid hand gestures.
Jaikira interpreted for her mute aide. "Jez says, 'You're on, pretty boy.'" She arched a browridge at Sarigar. "So, loser buys the grogh?"
Torie exchanged a look with his commander and replied, "Works for me."
Sarigar, however, took the Jentekian female aside and said quietly in her ear, "Tell you what, if you score higher on the obstacle course than I do on the target range, I'll escort you to the reception tonight."
Jaikira grinned and whispered back, "Seriously?"
"Yes."
"This is just between you and me?"
"Yes."
"I certainly can't pass that up." Jaikira took the pack from her aide. "C'mon, Jez. We've got to check the current stats."
As the two females hurried away, Torie asked, "What was that all about?"
Sarigar shrugged. "I upped the stakes with a side bet." His face hardened and he was once again the no-nonsense leader of Nomad squad. He slithered down the line of troops, checking their ordinance.
"Nomad Squad?" called the attendant. "The target range will be ready in five minutes."
"We'll be right there," Torie answered. "Zeerod, do you have the major's armor?"
"Right here, sir." The old soldier came forth with a large case. "The down side to all those meetings is having to wear the dress uniforms. I remember how gaudy and ornate they used to make my ceremonial uniforms. The weight of the gold braid would make your shoulders sag to your knees."
Tuning out Zeerod while he droned on about past fashion statements, Sarigar went about the arduous task of donning his battle armor. He wondered how Jaikira was doing with hers and glanced across at Artemis squad. Someone had just helped braid up that mass of dark curls and she was shimmying the chestplate into place. Jez Shivblade was standing by with her gauntlets and shoulderpads.
Zeerod nudged Sarigar as the major stood watching Jaikira adjusting her armor across the courtyard. Jez caught him looking and glared back at him. "If I may say so, major," the old warrior said sagely, "I'm not so old that I cannot spot a lady of rare quality and breeding."
Jaikira said something to Jez and smiled back at them. Her expression made Sarigar's heart leap in his chest. "Yes," he answered slowly. "She is remarkable, isn't she?" He turned his attention back to putting on his own armor.
"I should court her properly if I were you." No other legionnaire would have dared to speak so familiarly with an officer but Zeerod had never really observed that protocol, having served as an officer in the Regulars prior to joining the Legion. "Such an elegant lady deserves a well-crafted and vigorous pursuit."
It was such an audacious statement that Sarigar had to scowl at the old warrior. "Zeerod..."
The kangaroo-like alien merely grinned like the rogue he was. "You've begun the chase, major, admit it."
It was an intriguing thought. Sarigar had enjoyed talking with Jaikira in the officer's mess surprisingly well considering how much she'd irritated him on Orestra VII. Aside from a purely physical attraction, he didn't think he was that interested in her. Zeerod was imagining things, no doubt, but he chose to indulge the old soldier. "Possibly," he said, "but aren't you the one that's always going on about being an officer and a gentleman?"
"True, all true." Zeerod held out the gun belt to be put on. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, sir."
"He offered to take you to the reception?" F'marrl repeated incredulously. "But he put you on report!"
"And he's such a hardass," Jez signed. "His troops call him old snake. Too reg!"
"I know, I know, I know!" Jaikira replied as she tucked her weapons into place. "He's arrogant and overbearing, I know, but just look at him! He's got those broad shoulders and a dimple in his chin and he's not bad-looking when he smiles, okay, which is rarely, but I can work on that --"
"She's got it bad," Jez signed disgustedly and waved both hands away from her.
"Look, just score higher than Nomad today, and they'll treat you to drinks later." Jaikira shot a look over her shoulder across the compound and smiled slowly. "I can kick his ass easy, and then we'll see just what he's up to."
Jez made a rude noise in the back of her throat, and estimated a certain length between her hands.
"Oh, thank you SO much for the visual aids," Jaikira retorted, shaking her head. "How am I supposed to look him in the face after that?"
"Like YOU would be looking that far up!"
"That's it!" Jaikira said disgustedly. "Jez, you're up first and you'd better get a perfect score!"
"Forrr what it's worrrth," Zora purred as she gathered her gear, "Zeerrrod, that old charmerrr helping the majorrr with his arrrmor, says Sarrrigarrr looked up yourrr files. He's currrious about you."
"Really?" Jaikira thought about it a moment and smiled slyly. "What else did Zeerod say?"
Zora twitched her whiskers in amusement. "He is very chatty, that one. He's been with the majorrr forrr many yearrrs. We did not talk for long but I suspect he enjoyed talking to me. He seems perrrsistant."
Jaikira laughed. "Sounds to me like you may have a suitor of your own."
"No, no," Zora protested. "I have had my fill of rrromance, captain, thank you. I will leave that to young ones like you!"
"Um, Major?" There was a cautious tone in Torie's voice.
Sarigar continued to plug away at the target, meticulously framing the target by hitting just outside the rim. "Yes?"
"Your aim is a little off today."
"So it is," he commented. "Has Artemis finished its obstacle run yet?"
Torie looked around and yelled at Zeerod. "Check the monitor! Is Artemis done yet?"
Zeerod tapped a few keys. "Almost - Captain Jaikira is just finishing."
"And her score?"
"A moment -- she's coming over the finish line." He whistled. "Not bad. 492 out of a possible 500 and well under the time limit."
"Speaking o' which," Jugger said disgustedly, "you've got ten seconds left an' you ain't shot crap, major."
"Ah." Sarigar narrowed his eyes and neatly perforated his target, nailing several bull's-eyes in a row. "That should do it." The time buzzer went off and his score was displayed overhead.
"A 450!" Jugger exclaimed. "That's pitiful."
Torie, meanwhile, was looking at Sarigar thoughtfully with an amused smile on his face. "This has something to do with that side bet you made with Captain Jaikira, doesn't it?"
"But he lost!" Jugger was thoroughly disgusted. "And his score was what we needed to beat them." He slumped against the wall.
"We managed to tie them," Torie pointed out, "so I think Nomad and Artemis will probably just buy each other a round and call it even." He kept looking at Sarigar. "I still say that you were deliberately missing."
"Sometimes one must lose in order to win," Sarigar said simply with a straight face as he holstered his sidearm. "Haven't you ever studied your classic literature, Montroc?"
Zeerod clucked his tongue as he looked out towards the compound. "Tsk, tsk -- I think you'd better get out there, major. Someone looks rather excited about something."
Pushing through the crowd, Sarigar had an excellent view of Artemis squad coming off of the obstacle range. Jaikira was just pulling off her helmet and laughing at something that Jez was gesturing at her. She glanced his way and grinned through the grime on her face.
"A bet's a bet, major, and I won," she called out as they approached each other. "You're not thinking about going back on it, are you?"
"I wouldn't dream of it, captain" he replied mildly. "It's a diplomatic function so you might want to wash off that dirt off your nose."
Jaikira scowled at him playfully. "Ha! When I'm all dressed up, no one will even notice you." She smiled self-consciously as the other members of their squads began to mill about them. "So, want to meet between our barracks? What time?"
"Around nineteen hundred hours." Sarigar managed to sound casual in spite of the audience. "The worst of the diplomatic speeches will be over by the time we get there."
"You make it sound so appealing," Jaikira teased. "I'll see you later."
She brushed by him and he turned his head to watch her slither away with her tail curling and uncurling in a particularly flirtatious manner. He must have been smiling foolishly because when he turned around, Nomad squadron broke out in a riot of catcalls and whooping.
Sarigar let them get it out of their system before scowling and calling out, "All right, that's enough!" He shook his head. "Are you soldiers or schoolchildren?"
"Your bet was about taking her to the ambassador's reception?" Torie guessed with a knowing grin. "Why not just ask her?"
"She seems to like a challenge," Sarigar said with a shrug. "Besides, other than being Jentekian and officers, we don't have that much in common. I wasn't really sure if she'd be interested."
"A diplomatic function?" Zeerod stroked his beard and circled his commander thoughtfully. "This is going to take a lot of work."
"What is?" Sarigar asked suspiciously.
Zeerod merely raised one spiked eyebrow. At that same moment, Torie and Meico took the very same pose, all of them staring at him. It was then that Sarigar knew he was in very deep trouble.
To be continued in "Part IV: At the Ambassador's Reception"
