Chapter 7
The tap-tapping on the door wasn't unexpected. At least this time, she chose politeness rather than bursting in unwelcomed. Jake was waiting, having been promised an approximate arrival time. He was already in arm's reach of the door to lift a steady hand and open her way in. Toby gladly walked in, greeting Jake as she made sufficient room for the second Hork-Bajir to enter.
He gazed around the shadowy home like an eager kid entering the world's biggest adventure park, the most anticipative grin on his face. He instantly took note of Jake and chirped a happy hello. Jake stood back, still wary of the giant blades that adorned the Hork-Bajir bodies.
The male Hork-Bajir stepped forward into the circle gang that we had formed in the living room. He shook off dead leaves that had caught onto his body from the journey, and they fluttered onto the floor. I saw how desperate Ely was becoming to fetch his broom. He'd just cleaned the floor a couple of hours earlier.
"This is Sten Arhif," Toby announced proudly to us. "I chose him to lead your new sentry team; he is eager to meet you."
"Hello!" Sten said, treating us all with brief individual glances. "Sten will make Human house safe."
The doubtful, silent exchanges between us did nothing to dissuade him. Jake offered Sten a place on the sofa where I was. I made an excuse for why I had to get up. I needed to stretch my legs after being on the PlayStation all morning. Sten made himself comfortable.
"Humans very nice," he murmured. "Good for learning. Maybe Sten will learn lots."
Toby watched him closely, but us even more so. Seeing what was going through her mind was almost impossible, but I didn't think she regretted it. I was close enough to hear her conversation with Jake when they moved away, nearer to the kitchen door.
"Why this guy?" Jake asked, still watching Sten as Santorelli decided to join him on the sofa.
Toby replied, "Sten is more than capable of leading a small team. He's had experience in the past."
Jake was intrigued. "He has?"
"His Yeerk was a Sub-Visser," Toby explained quietly. "A Sub-Visser whose job it was to organize sentries. Sten has witnessed it enough that I trust he knows how it works on more than a superficial level. I must warn you, though. He has bouts of post-war trauma. He may occasionally grow agitated at little things that would seem trivial to most."
I didn't see the worry on Jake's face, but I knew it was there. "Is the rest of the team picked?"
Toby nodded. "Yes. They have also been selected for their experience and their determination. Also, their location. They're mostly local to this area."
"And they're all aware of the arrangement?"
"Yes, but Sten will visit you most often for the daily reports. I've made plans to get a weekly report personally. I will visit myself when I'm available, but… I'm not often available. Telf has agreed to get the reports when I can't." She huffed a small laugh. "You may have to give it to him in paper form. He'll have to do it next week since I'll be in New York for a gathering."
"Thank you," Jake said. "We appreciate this."
"It's the least I can do."
Tobias arrived a little later and was not surprised to see the two Hork-Bajir present. He was livelier with Toby around, I had noticed. It didn't come as a surprise, and it even seemed to liven her mood, too. Menderash, meanwhile, was keeping his distance. He'd overheard about Sten's tendency to succumb to PTSD and was overly wary. He never revealed his true identity and probably never would. Sten, however, was forceful in acquainting himself with everybody in the room.
"Marco help to save Hork-Bajir," he said when it was finally my turn. I was busy drinking coffee in the corner at the time. "Sten is very happy. Sten will do good for friend Marco!"
He was getting a little close. Hork-Bajir don't have the same personal space policies as most Humans. Still, I didn't want to appear reluctant to his company, despite how I felt. "Great! That's great," I said with an insincere smile. "When do you start?"
"Start soon," he hummed contentedly. "Sarge says Marco plays games. What games do Marco play?"
I thought for a second and came up with something quickly. "I play a fun game. I mean, a really fun game. You'll love it."
His eyes widened, and he waited with bated breath. "What is game?"
"It's upstairs," I explained. "There's a room on the left when you get up there. It's in a big box in there. You should go find it."
Sten rushed off excitedly. He wouldn't be back for some time since all he would find in that box were old dirty rags and the occasional spider.
I needed a break from them, so when I overheard Jake talking about Jeanne, I quickly jumped into the conversation he and Santorelli were having.
"What's going on?" I interjected.
"Jeanne has an update," Jake explained quietly. "She's at Cassie's right now."
"Well, how about we go see her?" I suggested.
Jake narrowed his eyes. "I was planning to."
"I'll go," I offered without hesitation.
"Wanna come for a fly, monkey man?" Santorelli chuckled. "You haven't played Ridge Racer for at least an hour. You'll be getting withdrawal symptoms any time now."
"You think I'm some sort of addict?" I snorted. "At least I can go five minutes without spewing some crap story about sleeping in a ditch with only a rifle for a pillow."
Jake actually managed a sly smile. "You both have bad habits."
"Says you," I muttered.
"Get out of here," Jake said, holding back a laugh. "Go see what Jeanne's got for us. All the gory details."
I was happy to get out of there. It was strange how I preferred to learn of the next crazy mission we would be enduring rather than spend time with Yellowstone's resident can openers.
They brought back too many memories. It wasn't their fault, but I didn't want to be around them. I hurried Santorelli along, and soon, we were flying high above the wintery trees toward Cassie's home. It was a few miles away, just enough for an enjoyable wing stretch but short enough not to tire. The sights were good, too.
Feels good to be out of there, huh? Santorelli called to me to end a wordless phase of the journey.
Totally, I replied. I needed some fresh air.
What do you think of that Sten guy?
Hardly spoke to him, I answered.
Yeah, I noticed, Santorelli said. You don't like them, do you?
It's not like that… I sighed.
Ah. Right, he replied, quickly gathering my reasons why. So long as he's good at his job. If he doesn't get shit done right, I'll kick his ass out and do the job myself.
Are you serious? I laughed. We'll be too busy being dead. Sounds like Jeanne's got us some info on how best to get ourselves killed.
Can't wait!
We swooped down toward the lone house on the hill, hidden by its old wooden barn that homed probably dozens of wounded animals. It was a hobby that Cassie never shook off. Smoke rose warmly from the house's defrosted chimney, and several lights were glowing behind the shimmering windows. Three cars were blocking up the small driveway that twisted all the way back to a distant line of trees. One was Cassie's. The other two, I didn't recognize.
Three cars… I pondered. Cassie's the sort of person who would have one busted-up old wagon and never use it because the fumes would choke all the local newborn skunks.
Did Jeanne have a car? Santorelli asked.
Only one way to find out, I said, diving toward the driveway and bouncing gracefully between two cars. Santorelli wasn't far behind, and we quickly demorphed, awaiting the warmth of the fire that was evident inside.
I knocked hard on the frosty door and shuddered in the cold. Santorelli shook his head in shame as if he wasn't affected. He just hid it better.
The door opened with a creak, and Cassie emerged, along with the orange glow of a glorious fire. "Oh, hey," she said. "Come on in."
"Thanks, Cassie," I said, forcing my way through the door frame and into the instant warmth of her open-plan first floor. I rubbed my hands together vigorously and embraced the temperature. "I missed this place too much."
"You guys want a drink?" she asked us both. We requested anything hot.
"Ronnie!" she called. It then became apparent who owned the second of the three cars.
"Yeah?!" came Ronnie's low voice from the kitchen.
"Could you do an extra two coffees?" she continued. "We have more guests!"
"Sure thing!"
Cassie smiled at his reply. I'd never met Ronnie in person, but I'd seen him on television before. He seemed like a nice guy and shared similar ideals with Cassie. They worked closely together in Yellowstone. I got the impression that that's how they met.
I became aware of another presence in the house. When I turned to look at the roaring fireplace, she emerged from behind a wooden pillar. It was definitely her, but… she was different. Her hair was a shade lighter and styled to look like something from a hairdresser's shop window. Her face was heavily coated in make-up, just enough to bring out every desirable feature but not overbearing. Her earrings sparkled in the room's ambiance and her clothing illuminated every brilliant curve.
"Jeanne?" I gasped. "What have you…?"
"Hey!" she giggled. It wasn't a French accent any longer. "Wow, you're Marco, aren't you?! God, I've been so looking forward to meeting you!"
Santorelli and I were left speechless.
Cassie coughed into her hand. "Marco. Colin. This is Clarissa."