Chapter 2
Aesir Barracks, Northern Sector, Galen Province
“I tried Lehman, but the bitch won’t budge.”
“Christ Lt. it was only a Native. A fucking Native!”
Numan sat back in his chair and watched the Sergeant….no Private, wrestle with his fear. Chewing his bottom lip, his eyes darting around.
“Couldn’t you try Brellier?” he gasped, clinching at whatever hope he could.
“No dice Hans. She has already threatened to contact him. Christ she probably will and I will be following you out there!” Numan forced a small laugh, but it was weak. He could barely contain his own fear at the thought of being transferred. “You should have told me she was an ‘Elite’” barked Numan. He tapped a few commands into his terminal.
Transfer orders.
Restricted Zone.
Handing the data crystal over Numan sighed. “I’m sorry Hans, you have to go. The transport is outside, get your things, it leaves in five minutes.”
CO Office, Aesir Barracks, Northern Sector, Galen Province
Lt. Commander Telfor Brellier sat behind his desk reading the day’s notices. Most were personnel reports and logistics but one caught his eye. A message from Commander Helkovaara, interest piqued he opened it.
To: Lt. Cmdr Telfor Brellier
From: Cmdr Jerryn Helkovaara
Subject: Order Violation and Unauthorised Contact
Lt. Cmdr Brellier,
Further to my report yesterday regarding Private Lehman. His direct superior, Lt. Numan, contacted me last night at home requesting that I rescind my order. I have attached another official report, this time on Lt. Numan. My official report on Lehamn stands. I do not appreciate being contacted at home nor my orders questioned. I request you deal with this incident personally.
Cmdr Jerryn Helkovaara
Chief Biomedical Scientist
Bioengineering Institute
Galen Province
PS Telf, you really need to keep your house in order!!!
Snorting at the cheek of the woman, Telfor activated his consol and input the details for Jerryn’s communicator. The screen blinked into life and Jerryn’s face appeared on the screen. Not for the first time, Telfor appreciated the beauty of the young woman. Many thought her cold, aloof and arrogant, yet Telfor knew that was the price to be paid for being an ‘Elite’. The best of the best. Although the Aesir where superior, the ‘Elite’ where on another level. A smil broke out on his face.
“Good morning, Cmdr Helkovaara. How are you?”
“I am fine. Would I be correct in assuming the formal use of rank is an indication that this is not a social call?” said Jerryn, her left eyebrow raised and a small smile playing on her lips.
“Yes, I am afraid this is official. I have received your message and report and wish to offer my sincere apologies that Lt. Numan saw fit to question your orders. Lehman’s punishment has been upheld and he shall shortly be making his way to the Restricted Zone. I will deal with Numan myself” said Telfor.
“Thank you. I will however need another driver. Would it be possible to request a female?” asked Jerryn.
“Of course, I can think of a couple. I am sure they will prove less…troublesome. Definitely less likely to molest the Natives at any rate” chuckled Telfor. That comment got a grin from Jerryn.
“On a less official note, how are you doing Jerryn?”
“Fine, Telfor. I am doing fine. Keeping me busy though. I have tracked down some Native research which may be of use to us.”
“Do you ever think about anything other than work!” said Telfor shaking his head. “You know, such a pretty lady shouldn’t spend all that time working”
“Pretty lady! My God Telf, your chat up lines are getting worse!”
“You can’t blame a guy for trying”
“You call that trying!” said Jerryn incredulously.
“That’s the effect you have on me”
“That’s the effect anything remotely female has on you” and with that Jerryn terminated the link.
“She can’t resist me” said Telfor to the blank screen.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jerryn sat back in her chair shaking her head at the conversation. He never gives up! Thankfully it was all banter. She couldn’t help but smile as she thought back to when they were younger. Telfor was five years older, Talia three, and they both looked out for their younger friend. They had played together in the field of Valerian and after they had left, they played on the ships. Jerryn had sulked when they had gone off to school, but she had quickly caught up to them and where all selected for ‘Elite’ training together. They worked hard and they played hard. Mentally they surpassed their peers and where second only to The Elders. Physically, they where in a league of their own, surpassing all in their beauty. They were also faster, stronger and had better reflexes.
Bigger.
Stronger.
Faster.
They were the brightest and the best, and in Jerryn’s eyes Talia shone brightest. Oh Telfor had been interested once upon a time, but even he had realised that he could not compete with Talia. Accepting that, he had become her older brother, but it didn’t stop the lame chat up lines. She expected nothing less now. Telfor had been her rock when her parents had died. They had been on a scout ship, a routine mission. An ion storm struck. They had found the ship 4 days over due hanging dead in space. The small ships shield’s couldn’t withstand the force of the storm, hull breaches voided the atmosphere killing all ten of the crew. Jerryn had thrown herself into her studies.
Bigger.
Stronger.
Faster.
Jerryn’s features darkened at the memory. Telfor had helped her through those dark days and Talia had been waiting for her on the other side. Talia. For Jerryn there was no one who could compare. They had been friends for years and finally became lovers. Talia had been her first, the one she though she would spend her life with. Talia was as beautiful as Jerryn but where Jerryn was reserved Talia was a free spirit, and at stark contrast to the teachings of the Aesir. And Jerryn adored her.
Bigger.
Stronger.
Faster.
None of that had mattered five years ago. Jerryn fingered the spider web of scars above her left eye. Faint to the naked eye, but they were there. Gloves hiding the scars on her left hand and no one, bar the doctors, saw the scars on her torso and back. Her enhanced abilities had been unable to help Talia. The accident was as vivid now as it was five years ago. Working their engineering rotation, a relay had exploded. The fire quickly spread causing a cascade. Jerryn and Talia had been working in the cooling tower. The explosion had caused their gantry to collapse. Jerryn had tried to reach Talia, could see her losing her grip. Jerryn launched herself forward to catch her. But she wasn’t fast enough. Talia had fallen to her death and Jerryn had met her eyes as she fell. Another relay panel exploded then and slammed into Jerryn knocking her unconscious. Her injuries so severe they never expected her to survive let alone make a full recovery. Feeling the pinprick of tears behind her eyes, Jerryn scolded herself for bringing up such memories and resorted to tried and tested methods. She threw herself into her work.
Aesir Barracks, Northern Sector, Galen Province
“I tried Lehman, but the bitch won’t budge.”
“Christ Lt. it was only a Native. A fucking Native!”
Numan sat back in his chair and watched the Sergeant….no Private, wrestle with his fear. Chewing his bottom lip, his eyes darting around.
“Couldn’t you try Brellier?” he gasped, clinching at whatever hope he could.
“No dice Hans. She has already threatened to contact him. Christ she probably will and I will be following you out there!” Numan forced a small laugh, but it was weak. He could barely contain his own fear at the thought of being transferred. “You should have told me she was an ‘Elite’” barked Numan. He tapped a few commands into his terminal.
Transfer orders.
Restricted Zone.
Handing the data crystal over Numan sighed. “I’m sorry Hans, you have to go. The transport is outside, get your things, it leaves in five minutes.”
CO Office, Aesir Barracks, Northern Sector, Galen Province
Lt. Commander Telfor Brellier sat behind his desk reading the day’s notices. Most were personnel reports and logistics but one caught his eye. A message from Commander Helkovaara, interest piqued he opened it.
To: Lt. Cmdr Telfor Brellier
From: Cmdr Jerryn Helkovaara
Subject: Order Violation and Unauthorised Contact
Lt. Cmdr Brellier,
Further to my report yesterday regarding Private Lehman. His direct superior, Lt. Numan, contacted me last night at home requesting that I rescind my order. I have attached another official report, this time on Lt. Numan. My official report on Lehamn stands. I do not appreciate being contacted at home nor my orders questioned. I request you deal with this incident personally.
Cmdr Jerryn Helkovaara
Chief Biomedical Scientist
Bioengineering Institute
Galen Province
PS Telf, you really need to keep your house in order!!!
Snorting at the cheek of the woman, Telfor activated his consol and input the details for Jerryn’s communicator. The screen blinked into life and Jerryn’s face appeared on the screen. Not for the first time, Telfor appreciated the beauty of the young woman. Many thought her cold, aloof and arrogant, yet Telfor knew that was the price to be paid for being an ‘Elite’. The best of the best. Although the Aesir where superior, the ‘Elite’ where on another level. A smil broke out on his face.
“Good morning, Cmdr Helkovaara. How are you?”
“I am fine. Would I be correct in assuming the formal use of rank is an indication that this is not a social call?” said Jerryn, her left eyebrow raised and a small smile playing on her lips.
“Yes, I am afraid this is official. I have received your message and report and wish to offer my sincere apologies that Lt. Numan saw fit to question your orders. Lehman’s punishment has been upheld and he shall shortly be making his way to the Restricted Zone. I will deal with Numan myself” said Telfor.
“Thank you. I will however need another driver. Would it be possible to request a female?” asked Jerryn.
“Of course, I can think of a couple. I am sure they will prove less…troublesome. Definitely less likely to molest the Natives at any rate” chuckled Telfor. That comment got a grin from Jerryn.
“On a less official note, how are you doing Jerryn?”
“Fine, Telfor. I am doing fine. Keeping me busy though. I have tracked down some Native research which may be of use to us.”
“Do you ever think about anything other than work!” said Telfor shaking his head. “You know, such a pretty lady shouldn’t spend all that time working”
“Pretty lady! My God Telf, your chat up lines are getting worse!”
“You can’t blame a guy for trying”
“You call that trying!” said Jerryn incredulously.
“That’s the effect you have on me”
“That’s the effect anything remotely female has on you” and with that Jerryn terminated the link.
“She can’t resist me” said Telfor to the blank screen.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jerryn sat back in her chair shaking her head at the conversation. He never gives up! Thankfully it was all banter. She couldn’t help but smile as she thought back to when they were younger. Telfor was five years older, Talia three, and they both looked out for their younger friend. They had played together in the field of Valerian and after they had left, they played on the ships. Jerryn had sulked when they had gone off to school, but she had quickly caught up to them and where all selected for ‘Elite’ training together. They worked hard and they played hard. Mentally they surpassed their peers and where second only to The Elders. Physically, they where in a league of their own, surpassing all in their beauty. They were also faster, stronger and had better reflexes.
Bigger.
Stronger.
Faster.
They were the brightest and the best, and in Jerryn’s eyes Talia shone brightest. Oh Telfor had been interested once upon a time, but even he had realised that he could not compete with Talia. Accepting that, he had become her older brother, but it didn’t stop the lame chat up lines. She expected nothing less now. Telfor had been her rock when her parents had died. They had been on a scout ship, a routine mission. An ion storm struck. They had found the ship 4 days over due hanging dead in space. The small ships shield’s couldn’t withstand the force of the storm, hull breaches voided the atmosphere killing all ten of the crew. Jerryn had thrown herself into her studies.
Bigger.
Stronger.
Faster.
Jerryn’s features darkened at the memory. Telfor had helped her through those dark days and Talia had been waiting for her on the other side. Talia. For Jerryn there was no one who could compare. They had been friends for years and finally became lovers. Talia had been her first, the one she though she would spend her life with. Talia was as beautiful as Jerryn but where Jerryn was reserved Talia was a free spirit, and at stark contrast to the teachings of the Aesir. And Jerryn adored her.
Bigger.
Stronger.
Faster.
None of that had mattered five years ago. Jerryn fingered the spider web of scars above her left eye. Faint to the naked eye, but they were there. Gloves hiding the scars on her left hand and no one, bar the doctors, saw the scars on her torso and back. Her enhanced abilities had been unable to help Talia. The accident was as vivid now as it was five years ago. Working their engineering rotation, a relay had exploded. The fire quickly spread causing a cascade. Jerryn and Talia had been working in the cooling tower. The explosion had caused their gantry to collapse. Jerryn had tried to reach Talia, could see her losing her grip. Jerryn launched herself forward to catch her. But she wasn’t fast enough. Talia had fallen to her death and Jerryn had met her eyes as she fell. Another relay panel exploded then and slammed into Jerryn knocking her unconscious. Her injuries so severe they never expected her to survive let alone make a full recovery. Feeling the pinprick of tears behind her eyes, Jerryn scolded herself for bringing up such memories and resorted to tried and tested methods. She threw herself into her work.
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