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

VI. Away mission, en route:

Stars streaked past the bridge viewports as the Legion battlecruiser passed through the warpstream on their way to yet another trouble spot on the frontier bordering the Harkilon Empire. Sarigar was standing his watch on the bridge while the majority of his troops slumbered in the quarters below. They'd been sent out on this insane detail thanks to his momentary lapse of discipline and yet Nomad had made him proud -- not a man in his command had complained or shirked in their duties. It was like they were determined to show the politicians just what the Legion was made of.

The bridge crew was going about their duties efficiently so Sarigar decided to catch up on his correspondence. He had been delighted to receive three letters from Jaikira in the courier pouch that had arrived with General Gokk last week. His old friend had assured him that he had taken Jaikira's commanding officer into his confidence and had arranged Artemis to take over duty stations at Greelbase for the duration of this tour. That alone had relieved Sarigar's mind somewhat but it was Jaikira's letters that reassured him the most.

"...Yesterday I got the best news - Fremmick was demoted to second lieutenant and assigned to Devil Squad! It cheered me up so much that I didn't mind what horrible things my physical therapist did to me later. Jez is taking bets on how long Fremmick will last on the front lines. The betting is divided on which side will want to kill him first.

Trillian says he will put this letter into your hands personally. He really is a good friend of yours, isn't he? He told me the most interesting story about you and some cabana girl on Carras IV. Now that couldn't possibly be true, could it, major?"

Pausing his compupad, Sarigar popped up an auxiliary window and made a note to have a private word with Gokk. He felt the last thing he needed was Jaikira to think he had some kind of playboy reputation to live up to.

"I've heard so many stories about you since you've been gone. I wish you were here so you could tell me which ones are true and which ones are just barracks talk. Jez says that you jumped down the side of an observation tower and bowled over a squad of rookies when I went down in the minefield. She says that you were even angrier than you were at me when we were at odds in the swamp fort. Funny how that turned out -- opposites do attract, even when they butt heads like we did. Admit it, you liked it when I sat on your lap, didn't you? I certainly enjoyed your reaction to it."

Sarigar smiled ruefully. He wondered if she was referring to the tail-rattling or to the other physical reaction he'd had, although he suspected she meant the latter. He began to compose a response when his second-in-command, Torie Montroc came on the bridge, stifling a yawn.

"You're not scheduled for duty for another hour, captain," Sarigar commented. "Couldn't sleep?"

The sandy-haired human adjusted the fit of his armor. "The vibrations of the ship change when they adjust the warp drive. For some reason, I just can't sleep through that." He glanced briefly at the compupad in Sarigar's hand. "Putting your downtime to good use, I see."

Unlike some members of his squad, Sarigar was more at ease in confiding in Montroc. "Just writing back to Jaikira," he admitted wryly. "General Gokk has been filling her head with wild stories from our junior officer days."

Chuckling, Torie grinned and asked, "Are they true?"

"Yes and no." Sarigar looked at Jaikira's letter again and frowned. "The problem is that General Gokk tends to embellish his stories so there's no telling what she's heard."

"She works in intelligence, major. Chances are whatever he's told her, she's already double-checked it."

"Unfortunately, you're probably right."

"Major Sarigar, your turn it is." Meico's mild voice over his com-unit interrupted their conversation. "Your physical examination the last it is. To the infirmary please report."

The Jentekian sighed. "Torie, you have the bridge."

"Aye, Major."

Sarigar didn't see the point of having yet another physical when he was in his usual good health, but protocol was protocol. Medical had to clear everyone before they made planetfall. His tail spikes clattered irritably against the metal flooring all the way to Meico's office.

The four-armed medic was examining something under his medi-scanner when Sarigar entered. Meico raised one arm and pointed to the exam bed.

"Major, on the table, please. No excuses today I will be having."

"You sound like my mother."

Meico snorted. "A most reluctant patient you are." He stepped up to the controls and made some modifications. "Now still to be while scanning."

Sarigar willed himself to remain motionless and closed his eyes as the tingling sensation of the scanner swept over him. It was rather like sunning one's self at the neurobaths. He wondered for a moment where that thought had come from - it had been ages since he'd been back to Jentek - but then he recalled that it had been one of things that Jaikira had mentioned in her letters. His expression stayed sober but his mind wandered. He had a lot of leave time built up and it was tempting to think of spending some of it with her.

"Your heart rate increasing it is," Meico commented blandly. "Something on your mind there is?"

Sarigar shook his head. "It's nothing."

Lowering his eyelids in disbelief, the Polaran quietly shut the infirmary door. "Something it is, I am thinking." His didactic voice took on a shrewd tone. "Or someone, hmm?"

"Damn." He turned his head and scowled. "Isn't there anything else to gossip about on this damn tub?"

"My pardons, Major. An important matter between patient and doctor we must discuss." Meico linked his two upper arms behind his back as he regarded his commander. "If serious about Captain Jaikira you are, certain precautions must be observed." He tapped his console and a medical file came up. "Years ago your last contraceptive shots were taken. Wise it would be the shots to resume, I am thinking."

Stunned, Sarigar could only stare dumbly at his medical officer. He found his voice slowly. "I - I hadn't really given it any thought," he admitted. His blood grew hot thinking of it. She had made no secret of her affection for him, and living on the edge as they both did, intimacy probably wasn't too far off. Relationships in the Legion tended to move faster than most civilian romances."You're right, of course." He shook his head and gave an embarrassed laugh. "It's been such a long time since I've had to think about these things, it's almost like the first time again."

"Obvious your feelings to her even to a non-telepath this is," Meico chuckled. "For maximum efficiency of the inoculations, now you should begin. When over the mission it is and to the base we return, safe it will be mating games for you to play."

Sarigar raised a browridge. "Barracks life has been a bad influence on your bedside manner."

"Not at all." Meico dialed up a dose of the male contraceptive shot and loaded his hypospray. "Forget you do once married I was." He wrinkled his eyelids amiably in lieu of a knowing smile. "Forever pleasant some memories are."

To be continued in "Part VII: In the Natatorium"