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Chapter 66

Mother Confessor:

It had taken a little time after the female plant had been setup in the medical bay for recovery, to replace out if her mate was on-board or not. A big obstacle for me is my low rank, but thankfully I got through to somebody up the chain to help me replace the other. He was at her side once he arrives. Falling to his knees, and his face buried in her shoulder, rust colored tears pouring down his face. A small warmth fills me at seeing this reunion. I only hope the others will be able to replace this long awaited return to some form of familial reconstruction. Though taking into account that it may not be the case all around, as it was to early to know if everything will work out like these two.

Stripping off the tunic and shoes, I redress back into my issued fatigues and boots. The uniform felt much more mine than my old clothes did. Placing the garments into the hamper indicating that they were to be cleansed and repackaged for another time.

Stepping out into the chaos of the living river in the corridor just outside the medical bay. Finding the opening to join the heavy foot traffic. Setting off to the training facility where Captain Graxis was teaching me to use a sword. Sure in the sense that I had passed the final that Arinassi had anticipated for me earlier this afternoon. It was little more than a quarter past sixteen hundred hours, as I made my way to the facility. I was making progress with my sword skills. The Captain was correct that it is a fluid art to master. It was a mastery of mind and body as well as a discipline. Dueling was a form of dance the Captain had said once. That it was also about not letting anger or frustration cloud your judgment, as it will cause downfall in the end.

Arriving at the training facility I see my C.O. effortlessly honing his skills. I watch him for a moment trying to memorize the moves he makes, his muscles rippling as he went through the motions.

“Sir”, half shouting to get his attention. He comes to a halt mid motion, his sudden rigidity causes his whole body to waver from the inertial energy.

“Yes”, he says back taking a neutral stance with the practice swords.

“Perhaps another lesson, sir”, I say back to him as I am sure he must know the Major is out on assignment. Standing at attention as the Captain takes a few moments before responding.

“I welcome the distraction”, he says back with a smile on his face, he offers me one of the short swords. I approach him promptly and accept the wooden weapon from him. Gripping the mock melee weapon and taking a few paces back from him. Readying myself for the duel taking a defensive stance. Staying alert trying to anticipate what he will do, allowing some slack in my muscles as to not go stiff. The moments hang in the still air all around us. Off in the distance I can hear the footsteps of a few officers and higher ranking soldiers take to the benches on the side of the facility. They make petty bets in low voices, as we continue our showdown till the first strike. Without thinking, we begin to circle the mock arena, stepping lightly.

Graxis:

Catching wind that some of the soldiers are betting against me. I hear their low voices as they set watching, as one would of a sporting event. So many times my responsibility had all, but beaten me in the past couple of duels. She indeed is a fast learner, as the analysis of her stated. Putting the others and their little wagers from my mind. Peering into her narrowed azure eyes. Darting in taking a slash at her torso, she hops back deflecting my blade. Taking another step toward her as she backs up, placing a swipe at her right legs. She moves to her left blocking me once more. Taking a pace back, assessing what my next move should be. She uses my back step. Swiftly closing the gap catching me off guard. Her strike is quick, and I barley defend at the last moment. Preventing her from landing a blow at my left knee. She did not relent in her advance. We became a close whirl wind of lighting fast hands and swords. She uses her smaller stature to stay close, rendering my reach useless. Each time our wooden blades connect loud clacking echoed in the silent walls of the training facility. Many raps of sharp clacking as we continue. Placing a boot in her belly at a very small opening. Knocking the breath from her, she lands a slice across my leg as she travels back from me. Taking advantage of the stunning blow I move into to cleave at her shoulder. Using both hands on the weapon she catches my move before it makes purchase. Her free hand on the back of the blade for leverage. Pushing more weight into my own blade, to see how she will get out of this situation. Steadily applying more pressure on my smaller opponent, watching her face start to bead with sweat on her brow.

Things take an unexpected turn. My trainee uses the pressure to buildup speed into an arch to round me at my right. This surprise also allows her to whirl around in her travels. By the time I could react to the movement of her it is already to late. As she rolls around me as I try to catch her en route. She has me from behind. The wooden blade firmly pressed against my neck at an angle upward.

The small group off to the side that was watching the exercise erupts in quiet cheers, and low growls from the wagers in their private gambling. All I could do for a few moments was smile in my defeat. Standing still as if it were a real duel, knowing that this is the killing blow. “Good”, I say to her, “Stand down.”

Listening to her complicit steps as she comes back around me. Standing tall, a gleam in her eye with her first time winning a duel. Tilting my head to look upon her as she stands before me. I am welling with both pride and humbled at having been beaten. It has been a long time since that has ever happened. Despite this being a short lesson in the exercise, it is getting into the early evening. Another four hours until we are to meet face to face with Commander Kionxxia for dinner and the more delicate matters to be firmed up. Sure hope the situation on Callisto is coming to a head, as they have been tearing the Confederation installation deep within the crust apart, layer by layer.

“Come with me”, I instruct my responsibility, “I should like to hear of the days tasks.” It will be refreshing to hear from her instead of my selected men and her mentors.

“Yes, Sir”, she bellows back, taking the training sword from me to place it back where it belongs along with her own.

Marckus:

Down to the last Confederation soldier inside the maze of a base. Watching as he drags himself with his arms, missing his left leg. Taken from him by a grenade. He drags himself slowly away from us. Striding after him, sheathing the knife, and holstering my pistol. Feeling the immense blood thirst waning in my veins. I give way in this slow chase after the wounded man. Catching up to him, I grab him by the web belt harnessed around him. I drag him to a wall, setting him in a sitting position. The gaunt look on his face tells me that his time is running out. He does not try to strike me. Either from a weakening body, or in acceptance of the inevitable. Setting there squatting before him. He does not speak, and neither do I. Looking at him he looks a bit young for a Corporal, but that does not matter in his final moments. We just look into each other’s eyes. What I see behind the eyes of the dying man is grief. Not the grief of a mans regrets. The grief of a mother. A father. A waiting lover. All torn apart by the ever hungry maw of war. To embrace the cloaked figure in escort to his next journey. Relinquishing his body and soul to the keeper of the dead with his last breath. His eyes slowly close. Peace be with you son, silently I offer in reverence.

Standing up from the dead man, I take my leave of this cursed hole. My men in tow, we head back to the surface. There has been enough loss for the day from both sides. The air feels filled with a sense of guarded remorse. Are not all battle fields?