Peter Prellwitz - Shards Book One

"Please. Don't be shy on my account, young lady. You didn't act too shy last night."

"Last night I was ready to kill you."

"Yes. Well, not all our plans turn out. It's all for the better, I believe. Unplanned events are the spice of life. Oh, step up, girl! I think anyone who's capable of getting as far as you did last night can stand up to a little bit of guilt. Front and center!"

His voice was very compelling, but without malice. Years of military training woke up, and I stepped up beside Susie, coming to attention. He nodded, as if having discovered something of interest.

"At ease, miss. You've served, haven't you?"

"Yes, sir. Recon, Company A, 138th Regiment, Second Armored."

"Rank?"

"Corporal, sir!? I responded. Not wanting to make it awkward for him, I decided to hedge my rank.

My high voice made my replies sound comical.

"Duties?? I remained silent. He spoke again, a little firmer.? Duties?"

Again, I remained silent, the flashback slowly fading, and common sense reasserting itself. Still, it had felt nice, like for a moment I had belonged. I relaxed.

"They were varied and… classified, Lieutenant."

"I see. And you will not give me details, Corporal? Not even after six centuries?"

"No, sir. Not yet. I'm not sure of the situation, sir. Perhaps after awhile."

"And if I ordered you?? he asked quietly.

It was my turn to smile.? Order? Well, I'll obey your orders in the here and now, Lieutenant. But first, those duties were classified, so I could respond only on a need to know basis. Second, they were in a different military. And, I'm sorry, sir, but third, corporal was not the military rank I mustered out with. I held a commission. The actual rank I held was… well,? my smile spread wider with the delicious thought,? would you take orders from me?"

He laughed.? No, I wouldn't. You're doing well, young lady! Take a look at Susan.? She was again looking at me like she'd been stunned.? Our Cue counselors like to think they've got you people all figured out. Sometimes I think that when looking into your memories and finding everything they can about you, they forget that you've lived those memories. It helps to shake them up now and then."

"Yes, sir. Ummm, I'm sorry for the trouble I caused last night.? And for a little while ago, but last night was serious.

He waved it off.? Don't apologize. I wasn't looking for an apology. I was looking for you.? He tapped me on the chest.? You showed ingenuity and guts last night.? Yeah, it was real clever of me, fainting to throw everyone off their guard.? I've always told my dogs to stay alert, and they think they are. Yet a teenager rouses herself from Healer's Sleep, roams freely in the halls, arms herself with a gun from Dusty's room, and comes within a password of stealing a hov and pilot. You're getting a bit of a name for yourself.? I wonder what kind of name I'd have when my tantrum in the bathroom became common knowledge. Of course, since all Cues went through the same right of passage, perhaps it wouldn't be too bad.

"Raul, let's not go over…? Susan started, but was cut short.

"Susan. Please. I've handled many male Cues, just as you've done many female ones. We share this one.

? He looked at me,? You like it straight, don't you?"

"Yes,? I said frankly. Susan gave me an irritated look.

He nodded.? I thought so. I don't know what your specific duties were, but I do know something of recon units, even from that era. They didn't pick you because you had a pretty face.? He smiled.?

Though you've got one now.? I blushed. Susan face was also red, but she wasn't blushing.

"Raul! Please! We've already talked about this. It was agreed…"

"Corporal!? he barked, all friendliness disappearing like a vapor. Susan snapped to, as rigid as Lot 's wife.

"Sir!? She remained immobile.

"I have chosen command prerogative."

"Yes, sir!"

"Very well.? He stepped up close, inspecting her eyes, which were riveted straight ahead.? See that you remember.? He stepped back and looked at me. I felt my body tightening into attention of its own volition-he had that effect. He smiled again at me, bowing slightly and elegantly.? I look forward to dinner with you tomorrow evening. I very much want to call you by your new name.? His tone became neutral as he switched back to Susie. He said,? Dismissed,? and walked away toward one of the larger disabled vehicles, rolling up his sleeves.

Susan yanked me by the arm in the other direction, nearly pulling me off my feet. She stormed off in the direction of the wide ramp leading up toward the medical corridor. I was like a helpless leaf, caught up in the backwash of her fury. I staggered along for a few steps, but protested when we got to the edge of the ramp.

"Hey, Susie! Slow down! And calm down!"

She seemed aware of me for the first time. She stopped and released my arm, staring back at Sanchez.

He had disappeared beneath the frame. Flickering shafts of bright light came out from under the chassis

DAMAGE TO THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HULLS IS CONSIDERABLE. THAT LOSS OF LIFE WAS MINIMAL IS DUE TO THE QUICK ACTION OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW. WELDING DETAIL IS BEING DISPATCHED WITH REPAIR SPECIFICATIONS. COMPLETION IN 32 HOURS, 17 MINUTES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HIGH DENSITY RESIN BE USED AT A 65% SATURATION LEVEL BETWEEN HULLS AT THE SITE OF THE REPAIR, WITH 40% SATURATION AT AREAS WITHIN 2.5 METERS OF THE REPAIR SITE. ESTIMATED INCREASE IN REPAIR TIMES: 4 HOURS, 52 MINUTES.

as he welded. I was impressed. Susie was not. She looked as if she wanted to use her eyes to weld him to the chassis underbelly. If a girl had given me that look in my day, I'd have become a monk. On the spot.

"Oh! That man can be so… so… uhhhhh!"

"What?? I asked intelligently.

"Didn't you see? He was all ready to treat you like a dog, just because you'd been one centuries ago.

Like it makes a difference now!"

"Oh, I don't know. I kinda liked it."

"You wha t? But he didn't even pay any attention to your feelings, that insensitive ape!"

"I know. And it was nice. C'mon Susie. I'll admit I'm female now. Heck, I'll even admit I'm learning to enjoy it. A lot. But for thirty-one years, 'me' has been from his side of the gender. I don't care how much things have changed; that doesn't get wiped out in two days. It doesn't matter how pumped full of estrogen I am. If it did, what would be the point in restoring me? So I liked his direct attitude. And I like your emotional and relational approach.? I took her hand and looked at her.? Hey, this is supposed to be for me, isn't it?? She nodded.? Then let Raul do his bit. Believe me, I think it'll help without messing up my signals. Please?"

She nodded again and looked toward Sanchez.? I'm sorry. But sometimes he gets me so angry and…"

"Excited?? I had a sudden insight and shook my head. It was so crystal clear.? Wow.? Susie looked at me, a distrustful look in her eye.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I think I just had my first flash of woman's intuition.? I looked at her.? You… you like him, don't you?"

" Him? Of course not!? she lied.

"No, you do! I don't know how, but I'm certain of it! You've feelings for Raul Sanchez!? I said triumphantly. And loudly. And without thinking. Fortunately, Susan was thinking and crammed her hand into my mouth as I blurted it out. Several people in the general vicinity glanced our way, but if they had any opinions as to the wisdom of choking someone they'd risked their lives for, they kept them to themselves.

"Are you crazy? Somebody will hear you! True or not, I'd never live it down!"

"Shaaawwee,? I choked out through her fingers. She pulled them free.? I suppose I'd better keep those woman intuition things to myself, huh?"

She smiled at me sweetly.? That wasn't woman's intuition, girl. That was pure delusion. Let's go see Doctor Barrett. Maybe he can give you something to soothe your imagination.? She started leading me up the ramp.? Like shock treatment."