Interesting Times, Dangerous Places #363: “Deep Down” 05/31/3133
INN - Interstellar News Network
“You are not welcome here.”
The harshness of the words was a stark contrast to the beauty that spoke them. Of
course, I’d heard of Lisabet Wolf, Captain Padilla’s XO and a descendent of those
who followed Katya Kerensky into The Republic. Wolf believed in the Clan lifestyle
but didn’t support Kal Raddick, and instead had chosen to fight alongside her friends
under Sandoval command.
“Not to you, perhaps, but Lord Sandoval approved of my presence.” I handed her the
laissez-passer that approved my presence on the world. Okay, saying that the Duke
had approved my presence was perhaps stretching it a little – it was a one of his staff
that I’d browbeaten into allowing me to ride on the Alacrity and to report from Ronel.
Wolf glanced at it, noting the Duke’s veri-signed signature, and grunted before
handing it back. “Against my better judgment.” She turned on her heels and strode
down the DropShip’s gangplank, taking a dozen steps before turning back to me with
a scowl. “What are you waiting for?” She motioned for me to follow. I grabbed my
kitbag and dashed after her. Wolf climbed into the driver’s seat of a skimmer, and I
threw my bag into the back before hauling myself into the passenger seat. “Hold on.”
She grinned maliciously and gunned the engine.
She wasn’t kidding. I’ve been on some wild rides in my time but that run across the
LZ to Padilla’s command post was one of the most nerve-wracking. We dodged in
and out of traffic, skidded around piles of newly unloaded supplies, even leaped
between legs of a Black Hawk . . . as it was walking down the rough-hewn roadway.
Needless to say, I wasn’t in top form by the time we reached the CP, which I’m sure
was Wolf’s intention. She leapt from the skimmer and ushered me into the canvas
tent that served as Captain Padilla’s HQ. I struggled to pull my bag free then walked –
a little unsteadily – into the Swordsworn’s command post.
I’d seen pictures of Santiago Padilla on the run-in to Ronel but the real deal seemed to
be less impressive; his stooped pose and the bags under his eyes showed the strain the
campaign had placed on him. Nonetheless, the captain was jovial and greeted me
much more warmly than his XO. “Lizzie gave you the tour, I presume?” Wolf
scowled at her CO but he grinned. “Word to the wise – never accept a ride from a
hovertank driver. They think the entire world is a race track.”
“Duly noted.” I offered him my pass but he waved my hand away, instead gesturing
to a canvas chair. I sat and he did likewise. Wolf remained standing, unwilling to relax
her guard. “Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Shaw, and I’ll offer you all the
assistance I can. The Duke’s compliments. And mine. Just let Lizzie or me know.”
“Santi . . . ” Wolf’s scowl deepened.
“We’ve been over this, Liz. Ankaa wasn’t his fault.” Then I realized why she’d been
so aggressive.
“If you’ll excuse me.” Wolf saluted and then turned on her heel.
“A case of shooting the messenger?” I asked.
“Indeed. One of her sibs was with the Steel Wolves on Ankaa, and Liz learned of his
death through your articles.” I nodded. It wasn’t the first time I’d been blamed for
simply reporting the facts. “At least you won’t have to wait long. We’re in final prep
for an assault on the Dragon’s Fury at the Omar-Hyrogi mine. Once the equipment
you rode down with is ready, we’ll go. Shouldn’t be long.” He handed me some
images of the encampment around the mine-head and then drew us off some juice. I
sipped it slowly and studied the images.
“That looks like it could be an interesting fight.” Of course, I meant a bloody fight. A
close-quarters battle against a dug-in enemy would never be pleasant. I’d seen enough
of those in my time, both back in the League and in the more recent conflict within
The Republic. Fortunately, I was saved from having to elaborate by Wolf sticking her
head back through the tent flap.
She scowled at me again, then turned her attention to Padilla. “We’re about done,
Santi.”
Santiago gestured toward the exit and we joined the tanker outside. “You know what
to do, Lizzie.” She saluted and loped off toward her waiting chariot. Santiago watched
her go, and then strode purposefully toward the Swordsworn’s waiting ’Mechs,
unzipping his jumpsuit as he did. He gestured to a soldier, who approached.
“Find Mr. Shaw somewhere to stow his gear.” He turned back to me. “Want to take a
ride?”
Towne Log
+ Anyone got a picture of Lisabet Wolf? She sounds like a real cutie. :- Beetle
+ She’d eat you for breakfast, little boy. Give it up. :- Lu
+ I’m with Lu. Forget the kiddy fantasy. You saw what she did to Shaw, and that
was just because she didn’t like something he wrote. :- Kaywood
+ Hey, I was only asking! :- Beetle
+ So what do you think the Swordsworn’s chances are? Shaw doesn’t seem too
optimistic. :- Johnson
+ Well, they’re 0 for 2 so far, and this looks to be a tougher nut to crack. My money
is on the Snakes, probably 2:1 in their favor. I just don’t think “Santi” has what it
takes. :- Kaywood
+ Yay for us! Go Furies! :- Shinjo
+ I hardly think that’s appropriate, do you? Not after what the Furies tried to do to the
HPG here. :- Lu
+ He’s allowed free speech – and delusions of adequacy. :- Storm
+ Storm, play nice. :- Kaywood
+ That is nice. You know what I’m like when I’m not being nice! :- Storm
+ Hang on a sec, I just realized something . . . is Shaw going to ride into battle with
Santiago? He’s never done that before, has he? :- Johnson
+ He’s ridden in one before – back in the League, I think – but never during a battle.
This could be interesting. :- Kaywood
INN - Interstellar News Network
“You are not welcome here.”
The harshness of the words was a stark contrast to the beauty that spoke them. Of
course, I’d heard of Lisabet Wolf, Captain Padilla’s XO and a descendent of those
who followed Katya Kerensky into The Republic. Wolf believed in the Clan lifestyle
but didn’t support Kal Raddick, and instead had chosen to fight alongside her friends
under Sandoval command.
“Not to you, perhaps, but Lord Sandoval approved of my presence.” I handed her the
laissez-passer that approved my presence on the world. Okay, saying that the Duke
had approved my presence was perhaps stretching it a little – it was a one of his staff
that I’d browbeaten into allowing me to ride on the Alacrity and to report from Ronel.
Wolf glanced at it, noting the Duke’s veri-signed signature, and grunted before
handing it back. “Against my better judgment.” She turned on her heels and strode
down the DropShip’s gangplank, taking a dozen steps before turning back to me with
a scowl. “What are you waiting for?” She motioned for me to follow. I grabbed my
kitbag and dashed after her. Wolf climbed into the driver’s seat of a skimmer, and I
threw my bag into the back before hauling myself into the passenger seat. “Hold on.”
She grinned maliciously and gunned the engine.
She wasn’t kidding. I’ve been on some wild rides in my time but that run across the
LZ to Padilla’s command post was one of the most nerve-wracking. We dodged in
and out of traffic, skidded around piles of newly unloaded supplies, even leaped
between legs of a Black Hawk . . . as it was walking down the rough-hewn roadway.
Needless to say, I wasn’t in top form by the time we reached the CP, which I’m sure
was Wolf’s intention. She leapt from the skimmer and ushered me into the canvas
tent that served as Captain Padilla’s HQ. I struggled to pull my bag free then walked –
a little unsteadily – into the Swordsworn’s command post.
I’d seen pictures of Santiago Padilla on the run-in to Ronel but the real deal seemed to
be less impressive; his stooped pose and the bags under his eyes showed the strain the
campaign had placed on him. Nonetheless, the captain was jovial and greeted me
much more warmly than his XO. “Lizzie gave you the tour, I presume?” Wolf
scowled at her CO but he grinned. “Word to the wise – never accept a ride from a
hovertank driver. They think the entire world is a race track.”
“Duly noted.” I offered him my pass but he waved my hand away, instead gesturing
to a canvas chair. I sat and he did likewise. Wolf remained standing, unwilling to relax
her guard. “Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Shaw, and I’ll offer you all the
assistance I can. The Duke’s compliments. And mine. Just let Lizzie or me know.”
“Santi . . . ” Wolf’s scowl deepened.
“We’ve been over this, Liz. Ankaa wasn’t his fault.” Then I realized why she’d been
so aggressive.
“If you’ll excuse me.” Wolf saluted and then turned on her heel.
“A case of shooting the messenger?” I asked.
“Indeed. One of her sibs was with the Steel Wolves on Ankaa, and Liz learned of his
death through your articles.” I nodded. It wasn’t the first time I’d been blamed for
simply reporting the facts. “At least you won’t have to wait long. We’re in final prep
for an assault on the Dragon’s Fury at the Omar-Hyrogi mine. Once the equipment
you rode down with is ready, we’ll go. Shouldn’t be long.” He handed me some
images of the encampment around the mine-head and then drew us off some juice. I
sipped it slowly and studied the images.
“That looks like it could be an interesting fight.” Of course, I meant a bloody fight. A
close-quarters battle against a dug-in enemy would never be pleasant. I’d seen enough
of those in my time, both back in the League and in the more recent conflict within
The Republic. Fortunately, I was saved from having to elaborate by Wolf sticking her
head back through the tent flap.
She scowled at me again, then turned her attention to Padilla. “We’re about done,
Santi.”
Santiago gestured toward the exit and we joined the tanker outside. “You know what
to do, Lizzie.” She saluted and loped off toward her waiting chariot. Santiago watched
her go, and then strode purposefully toward the Swordsworn’s waiting ’Mechs,
unzipping his jumpsuit as he did. He gestured to a soldier, who approached.
“Find Mr. Shaw somewhere to stow his gear.” He turned back to me. “Want to take a
ride?”
Towne Log
+ Anyone got a picture of Lisabet Wolf? She sounds like a real cutie. :- Beetle
+ She’d eat you for breakfast, little boy. Give it up. :- Lu
+ I’m with Lu. Forget the kiddy fantasy. You saw what she did to Shaw, and that
was just because she didn’t like something he wrote. :- Kaywood
+ Hey, I was only asking! :- Beetle
+ So what do you think the Swordsworn’s chances are? Shaw doesn’t seem too
optimistic. :- Johnson
+ Well, they’re 0 for 2 so far, and this looks to be a tougher nut to crack. My money
is on the Snakes, probably 2:1 in their favor. I just don’t think “Santi” has what it
takes. :- Kaywood
+ Yay for us! Go Furies! :- Shinjo
+ I hardly think that’s appropriate, do you? Not after what the Furies tried to do to the
HPG here. :- Lu
+ He’s allowed free speech – and delusions of adequacy. :- Storm
+ Storm, play nice. :- Kaywood
+ That is nice. You know what I’m like when I’m not being nice! :- Storm
+ Hang on a sec, I just realized something . . . is Shaw going to ride into battle with
Santiago? He’s never done that before, has he? :- Johnson
+ He’s ridden in one before – back in the League, I think – but never during a battle.
This could be interesting. :- Kaywood
| May 31, 3133 |