Peter Prellwitz - Shards Book One

He looked like he wanted to say something mean, but instead just nodded.

I stepped out of the laundry and blinked at the bright pseudo sunlight pouring down from the high ceiling.

It felt warm and wonderful. The mess had about thirty people in it, most of whom waved when they saw me. I waved back tiredly and trudged off to my quarters. I'd gone only a few steps down the corridor when I heard Susie calling my name and running up behind me. I turned and waited for her to catch up.

She looked wonderful. She had on a more feminine cut of uniform, with skirt, and had her hair done nicely. Maybe even a little make up, though I couldn't really tell. She was smiling as she approached, but stopped when she got up to me. I started walking again.

"Hey, you okay, girl?? she said, a note of concern taking some of the cheerfulness out of her voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let my next of kin know the reading of the will is Tuesday, okay? Open, please.? I walked through the door and to my dresser.

"You don't have to ask to enter, anymore. The door's keyed to your presence as well as voice now."

"Great. Thanks.? I started to pull out a change. I heard my bed calling to me, but I wasn't going to even think about sleeping until I'd washed the laundry and Jackson down the shower drain.

"Sorry about the duty, Abigail. Jackson 's a jerk."

"I'd noticed that, too. I can handle him."

"Are you sure? I could rough him up a bit. You know, pick him out for 'training' exercises."

I laughed at the thought. She smiled at my perk up.? Thanks, Susie, but no. I've got to deal with him myself. He thinks I'm everyone's favorite toy, and if I hide behind you all the time, he might be right."

"You can't take on Jackson by yourself, he's three times your size. And you're not our toy, but you…"

"I said let me handle it, okay?? I snapped angrily and immediately regretted it.? I'm sorry, Susie. I'm just real, real tired. But I mean it. Let me handle him. He's not the enemy, or anything like that. He's just a bully. And you've got to stand up to bullies."

"All right. If you change your mind…"

"Thanks. Listen, I'm going to clean up. What's on my duty for today?"

"Nothing official. We're going to ease you into the routine. Later this afternoon, I'd like to take you to the armory, and have you pick out a sidearm. Then maybe some target practice and tactics orientation.

Tonight we'll hit the gym."

"Fine, as long as we're not hitting each other."

"Not likely. If I have my way, I'll never face you again except in very controlled conditions. I'd also like to get you in a workout with Company A. Company B is on skirmish tomorrow afternoon, so they'll be in briefing."

"How about the Research room? I still haven't seen that yet.? She seemed a little uneasy, and I could guess why.? Never mind. But when the time comes that you can trust me completely, I'd like a look."

"It's not that, Abigail. We do trust you. It's just that we're in the final stages of research on another Cue, and the place is pretty busy and very restricted. I don't even go in there too much now. Probably in a week or two.? That made me feel better.

Later, though, standing in the shower, letting the hot water pour over my head and aching shoulders, my feelings were a little more mixed. A new Cue? I wondered what she would be like. Or he. Would I get to meet her? Did I want to? I suppose I was feeling a little jealous. I did have a privileged position as a Cue, even though it did come with a price. Would that be diminished or lost with the new Cue? That was pretty petty, I had to admit to myself. Of course I'd help her or him out. I'd be in the best position to sympathize certainly. I just wish I could have had a little more time as-and here I conceded Jackson a point-everyone's new toy.

I finished cleaning up, brushing my teeth this time, and went to bed. I'd now been in the showers so many times I could have gotten another hour of sleep by just moving my bed into the bathroom. Tired? I could have slept on the tiles. I dropped my clothes into a heap in the laundry chute, then dropped myself into a heap in bed. I squirmed around for a while, finding the very best position to relax my body. My shoulders and back hurt so much that I reached over to Susie's bed and swiped her pillow to lay on. It helped.

Turning down the lights to late evening, I fell off into a deep sleep.

When I woke up, I felt much, much better. The computer told me it was almost three p.m. and that Susie was not in the compound. I dressed into another work uniform, which was pants, blouse and jacket. I didn't bother with the sheath this time. It had helped immensely keeping me cool in the laundry, but it felt like I had a layer of oil on, it was so slippery. I stomped into my heavier boots-I had been issued two pairs of shoes and one pair of boots-and headed for the armory. Susie had mentioned I would be issued a sidearm today, and I was very keen on selecting my own.

The armory was in the hanger, cut into the far wall away from the gym area. There was an older man working at a table when I walked up. He was working on a heavy rifle of some sort and didn't hear my approach. When I cleared my throat politely, he looked up. Recognizing me, he cracked a wide smile.

"Why, hello there. Abigail, isn't it?? He set down the rifle and picked up a rag.

I nodded.? Hello. Yes. Abigail Wyeth. Sus-uh, Corporal Lendler said I would be issued a sidearm today, and I was hoping to have a chance to pick one."

"Well now, that sounds reasonable.? He tapped a couple times on his terminal. He looked up at me and winked.? I don't need the thing, but I've gotta keep them thinking I know what I'm doing.? I smiled.?

Here we go. Yep. Got you on the issue list right here. But I can't release any weapon without the Corporal's thumbprint

IS VERIFIED. THE DOCKING CONTROLS ARE NOW YOURS, PILOT. PLEASE NOTE THAT NAVIGATIONAL BUOYS GAMMA 23 AND EPSILON 24 ARE CURRENTLY DAMAGED AND INOPERATIVE. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A SOLAR FLARE WARNING ISSUED FROM 0500 UNTIL 2030 TOMORROW NIGHT. I HAVE DETECTED A SMALL FLUCTUATION IN PORT THRUSTER SIX. COMPENSATION BURST FROM PORT THRUSTER FIVE HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. DOCKING WILL COMMENCE IN TWO POINT ONE MINUTES. STATION GAMMA HAS CLEARED PLATFORM 189 AND WISHES TO INFORM YOU

"Hey, kid!"

"Yes?? I started as he broke off his conversation abruptly.? You were saying about Corporal Lendler's thumbprint?"

He shook his head.? Teenagers. You gotta be hundreds of years old, but,? and he shook his head again.? Gotta be the hormones. Teenagers."

While I stood there trying to figure out this odd comment, he went over to a weapons locker and pulled out a sampling of side arms. He motioned me to step inside, so I joined him. He held them out like a proud father showing off his beloved triplets.

"Just 'cause I can't issue you one doesn't mean you can't try 'em out. One of these should do the trick.

Let's start with this one.? He set two of them down and offered me the remaining one.

I hefted it in my hand. It was heavy, but considerably lighter than the one I'd swiped during my aborted escape. It was small caliber, projectile based and seemed to have a limited magazine. The balance was decent, but sluggish.

"Is there someplace I can try this?"

"Sure. Right here. Hey, Agnes!"

"Whadaya want, bean pole?? The computer's voice took on a shrill woman's tone.? Gonna shoot off some guns again?"

"Yep. Shut 'er off and open 'er up."

"Yeah, yeah,? the computer grumbled. I could almost picture her shuffling off slowly to get whatever it was he'd asked for. But it was only imagination. Very quickly the sound from the hanger was cut off, and a long, fairly wide opening appeared in the rear wall of the armory. It looked to be a tunnel, but was clearly a target range.