Pilot: Chapter 39

Chapter 39

“I hate politics,” Elena muttered to herself as she made her way through the corridors and back towards her quarters.

“So I guess some things never change,” a familiar voice said from behind her.

“Angie,” Elena said throwing her arms around her friend.

“Did you think you could sneak back dockside with no one noticing?” Angie asked when Elena released her. “Especially with everything going on.”

“I suppose not,” Elena said with a chuckle. “So how’s life?”

“Good, good. Several of us are down in the Aerie. We heard you had a reprieve from babysitting duties so I was sent to find you.”

“That sounds like heaven,” Elena sighed dramatically. “You don’t suppose they have a glass or two of Draxio around do you? I could really use a drink.”

“As long as Lucy and Rowan haven’t gotten into one of their philosophical debates recently there should be a glass or two left.”

“Tell me the truth they aren’t still debating the Varcas war are they?” Elena shuttered and Angie laughed.

“Nope we put a gag order on them over that. They have managed to find several other almost as annoying topics to fill the gap in the time you’ve been gone.” They headed off to the Aerie, one of their group’s favorite watering holes. Elena was more than happy to shuck all talk of partnerships and have conversations merely to enjoy another’s company.

Across the bazaar she spotted Talbot leading a frowning Smith and a note taking Jonathan. Jonathan waved when he spotted her and looked like he wanted to call her over. She waved back and continued on her way unfazed. Tonight was about catching up with old friends. She walked into the Aerie to enthusiastic greetings from friends she had tried very hard not to miss and she broke out into a grin. It was the start of a fun evening.

“This is not the way to start a good morning,” Elena told herself the next day as she fought to keep her brains from leaking out of her ears. “At least this headache isn’t from the Calling.” There had been more than a few glasses of Draxio around last night, although Elena was pretty sure it was in scarce supply this morning.

“Just how many toasts did I drink last night?” As she dressed she tried to count. Laura’s wedding, Karen’s first ship, Dina’s new ship, her own new ship, Angie’s partnership with the house of Havers, Haley’s securing a trade agreement with the Otrasal. The list continued long past Elena’s recall. “Apparently a lot has happened in five years.” Elena knew from experience that a nice tall glass of icy cold wanoc would settle her stomach and banish the hangover quicker than anything.

“Besides I have to make appearances anyway.” Elena made her way down to the bazaar and saw Angie nursing a cup of wanoc. She slid into the chair opposite her.

“You look as bad as I feel,” she told her friend.

“You don’t look so great either,” Angie told her. “Why did you let me drink so much?”

“Why did you keep proposing toasts?”

“Wanoc?” a waiter asked, sidling up to the table. Elena nodded and tried to keep her head from snapping off of her neck. “Thought so.” He whisked a glass from behind his back and Elena mentally tripled his forthcoming tip in her mind. The man was obviously a god in disguise. The two of them sipped their drinks, keeping conversation to a minimum until they could take effect. At the halfway mark, Elena found she had become human again and sighed with relief.

“I think we ought to canonize the first person to put this stuff on ice,” she told Angie.

“Amen,” her friend said reverentially. “The red haze over everything is fading away. And just in time too it looks.” Elena looked to see what her friend had spotted and found Smith and Jonathan walking towards her. Talbot was nowhere to be seen.

“Shit,” Elena said, but there was no force behind the word.

“I have some questions,” Smith said in his customary demanding way. Apparently nice stopped at the docking tube.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Angie said standing. “I need to be elsewhere.” She mouthed the word ‘Sorry’ at Elena before fairly turning on her heels and walking quickly away. Elena didn’t blame her. She had the suspicion that everyone who didn’t have to talk to the military was to avoid them at all costs. Unfortunately she didn’t get that memo.

“When do you not have questions?” She asked Smith. He and Jonathan took this as an invitation to sit down. She glared at them to no effect and took another sip of her drink.

“The goods here are not earth goods. They are from elsewhere but all of the people here are human.” Smith stated. Elena stared at him.

“Was there a question in there?”

“Why?”

“Because the docking facility is a human place. Our home away from home. We trade and bring stuff here where other people can buy it.” She didn’t tell him that all of the non-humans had been asked to remain hidden for the next few days. If Talbot hadn’t mentioned it then she wasn’t about to spill the beans.

“That makes more sense,” Jonathan said.

“More sense than what?” Elena asked.

“Then Talbot’s version.”

“Oh.” Elena didn’t ask what Talbot’s version was. She didn’t want to know. “Where is Talbot?”

“Around,” Jonathan said evasively. Elena frowned realizing they had probably deliberately dodged Talbot. Her suspicions were confirmed when a red faced and panting Talbot appeared on the edge of the bazaar and practically raced over when he spotted Smith and Jonathan.

“I think he found you,” Elena said dryly. Both men looked over and scowled. “I suppose I had better leave you,” She told them.

“Why,” Smith demanded. “Do you have more important secret guild business to attend to?”

“Actually,” she said. “I was going shopping.”

“Then we will come with you.” Elena looked to Talbot who had joined them. He nodded.

“If that is all right with you, Ms. Calabrese.”

“Fine,” Elena said shrugging. “I could use some people for the heavy lifting.” Elena gulped the last of her drink and paid up, leaving the large tip she had already decided upon. The bazaar was as always a wondrous place of the glittering and mundane. Dazzling artwork produced by people whose names the human tongue could never pronounce pressed side by side with phony star charts leading to lost cities built of precious gems. Fruit vendors vied for space beside fortunetellers.

Elena smiled as she made her way through the exotic yet familiar mix. Talbot seemed content to let her answer questions since she kept things simple and chose not to elaborate. He wore a small smile and Elena couldn’t tell if he was pleased with her responses or if he was just happy he didn’t have to answer the questions. By the end of the day she had accumulated quite a tidy pile and led the group back towards her rooms. Smith and Jonathan, as expected placed their parcels down and began examining the room. She shrugged as Talbot shook his head. The rooms were new, what could they learn?

“Its similar to ours,” Smith said. He sounded disappointed.

“Did you expect it to be different?"

“It doesn’t have any pilot things,” Jonathan said. He too sounded disappointed.

“I believe we have imposed upon Ms. Calabrese long enough. If you will follow me please. It is nearly dinner time and your dinner has been arranged. Ms. Calabrese, thank you.” Talbot efficiently herded Smith and Jonathan out of her rooms and she sank onto one of the chairs in exhaustion.