Book 3: Chapter 106: The good and the bad

Book 3: Chapter 106: The good and the bad

USD: 35 Days after arrival at Fort Glisson

Location: Van Biesbroecks star, Meltisar, Fort Glisson, Company S, 1st Cadre

Red group had scored well all week, and it had gotten them several more days as the first to eat in the mess hall. What it had not got them was Mail Call. At least, not until after a week of having it dangled over their heads like an enticing carrot. The worst thing was that when they had finally received it, Alex wasnt even angry. She was just relieved that theyd finally be getting a double rest day on Saturday and Sunday.

The cynical side of her said that was just so the DIs could have the weekend off as well.

As usual, Alex and Rachel sat together and halfway through meal time, Jessica joined them.

Theyd been eating quickly, but Jessica broke the silence. I heard that if you get close to one of the DIs and theyre interested, you can get off base for a day.

Alex paused with a piece of chicken halfway to her mouth. That sounds like bullshit to me. Or worse, something theyd spread around to catch someone trying it.

Rachel nodded. Im with Alex on this one, Jess. Stupidest thing Ive heard all day, and I had to listen to Tasha complaining about how hard it was to fit into the air vent to scrub it with a toothbrush.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

Alex stifled a laugh.

Jessica shook her head. At least Tia didnt do anything again.

Conversation died for a few minutes at that unhappy thought. The other girl from their bunkroom hadnt let up her harassment of Rachel, and it had even spread to Jessica. Alex hadnt really been affected, but the tension whenever they did anything was always pushed to an extreme because of it.

Alex bit her lip lightly in annoyance at not knowing what to do. It felt like she had to shield the other two because Tia was certainly a force to be reckoned with, but outright going to the DIs and complaining would be infinitely worse than not.

Why do you think she has it out for you two? Do you think she just doesnt like sharing the same room with someone? Alex asked.

Rachel winced and then nodded. Yeah that might be it.

Jessicas cheeks heated slightly before mumbling, Shes just a jealous bitch.

Alex frowned; something told her there was something more to it. She glanced over at Rachel.

What about that time she cornered you outside our room? What was that about? Alex asked.

Rachel immediately had a guarded expression. I asked you to drop that.

Alexs brow furrowed. Okay, Okay. Im not the enemy, okay?

Rachel smiled at her. Sorry. Just a bit on edge.

The rest of the meal went by in silence. As the three girls finished, Alex poked Rachels arm to get her attention.

Hey, can you help me? Alex asked.

With?

I want to go put in a request to visit my sister, but I need a plus one since its in the commandery.

Rachel shrugged, Sure. No problem.

It wasnt that long of a walk to the main administrative office. A bored-looking Instructor Riley was sitting behind a desk. She looked up as they entered.

What is it, recruits?

Id like to put in a request for leave to visit my sister, Drill Sergeant!

Riley frowned. Are you sure youre not just looking to crawl back to your mommy, recruit?

No, Drill Sergeant! My sister is in a coma and I wanted to go check on her. Im her only family who can.

Rachel spoke up, Theyre refugees. From 92 Pegasi.

Riley looked them both over as if she was trying to discern if they were trying to pull one on her, but she was seemingly satisfied as she proceeded to open several desk drawers until she found a dusty datapad.

Here. Fill this out. Sign and date it. Youll have an answer by the end of the day from command. Dont take it out of the office.

So, youre defective as well as unhinged. Fallon replied.

Thea looked at him without emotion. Just because I have a reason not to kill you doesnt mean you should test your luck.

Ill keep it in mind, Phi Thea. Fallon said as he started down the ramp. We need to go to the embassy. There is a diplomatic pouch to deliver as well as some data chits we need to collect. They already started searching for the IND Iron Horse as well and might have a lead.

Thea nodded and followed. The security checkpoint at the end of the Mooring arm waved through their diplomatic pouch but still made them go through the scanners, so she made them to appear to work when really shed turned them off completely. It would take a tech hours to figure out how to invert the software change without the help of a programming GAI and she hoped whoever got sent to do it appreciated the work hours she had provided.

The tram line wasnt busy, and she found herself surfing the various nets idly as her MainComputer worked on sifting through surveillance and data logs. She had found no records of the Iron Horse in her surface search, which meant it had somehow avoided any of the civilian relays or dry-docks.

Scanning the system-wide securities market, she caused a market spike, then crash before they made it to the embassy. A dozen ghost accounts packed in hundreds of billions of credits before she filtered them through a hundred thousand other accounts. She set up a majority to ultimately end up in the hands of the current incoming prime minister, who liked to brag about reigning in NAI sometimes as part of his platform.

She pocketed a billion credits into even further divorced ghost accounts that would remain under her control. She was certain that even a financial GAI or another NAI would never unravel the threads back to her, especially when the foghorn of evidence she had left behind for her prime minister scapegoat to deal with.

Of course, if Moneta or Rea ever figured out shed done this, shed be burned worse than having her assets confiscated, but Thea wasnt feeling cautious.

As they exited the tram, panicked people were talking on their datapads and running around. Fallon furrowed his brow. Wonder whats going on with them.

Maybe some evil capitalist took advantage of them and raided their retirement accounts. Thea commented.

He looked at her like she was crazy, but didnt have any reply.

Somehow, she managed to reach the embassy without finding any more trouble to cause.

It wasnt an actual building, but a series of compartments that were sealed off and considered Corpo territory while still being on the soil of the station. It was an old diplomatic tradition that Thea felt was outdated. If they were smart, they would have had each embassy in its own segregated orbital somewhere outside the defense net.

The main corridor of the embassy was quite wide, allowing for a semi-sort of waiting area. The bare metal floor and walls were covered with a plush carpet and ornately embroidered tapestries covered the walls. Antique tables with more antiques were spaced along the walls between the doorways to other compartments.

It would have made an anachronist excited. Thea just saw a colossal waste of credits.

The desk clerk waved them through a small unguarded checkpoint inside, so they dodged the bureaucratic hurdles at least.

Thea wasnt sure where they were going exactly, so she just let Fallon take the lead. Halfway through the corridor, the double doors at the end of the hall opened and two ornately dressed men exited with two aides dressed in military uniforms following behind them.

The two men were locked on each other in a devolving argument, although neither raised their voices. Fallon hobbled to the side, moving out of their way to wait for them to pass, so she did the same.

She realized the white uniforms were Solarian, and the golden tassels over each of the gold filigreed men marked them as ambassadors. So the Solarian and Corporate Ambassadors were talking; Thea wondered what it was about.

As they neared, she picked up a small piece of the conversation.

We cannot agree to a cease-fire, even if I did so the routing would take months.

We can give diplomatic immunity to one of your craft to take the shorter route. Moneta is more concerned about the rogue NAI there, more than the Octanis Treaty violations. The Corpo Ambassador replied.

Alleged Octanis violations. Everything so far presented is mere conjecture and there is no proof. The Solarian Ambassador answered. He stopped just as they came to where Fallon and Thea were standing.

The man looked up and down at Fallons injured state. I see you already are receiving the wounded back from the front lines. How fortunate you are that your lines are so much shorter.

The Corporate Ambassador looked at Fallon and her with a furrowed brow, probably wondering who they were Thea thought.

The Solarian stepped forward and did the same examination of Thea, her eyes narrowing unhappily. I see you still are hiring the amazons. Is she a good lay? Perhap

Thea punched him in the throat with her fist. His two aides reached for their sidearms but of course they had been disarmed when entering the embassy.

The Corporate Ambassador jumped back and started yelling, SECURITY!

She stepped forward to kick the Solarian ambassador between the legs, still maintaining a neutral smile as the ambassador on the ground choked and gagged on his destroyed trachea unable to breathe.

Who the fuck are you!

Thea smiled at her nations ambassador. Phi Thea.

Guards flooded the hallway and raised weapons toward her but the rifles let out loud antagonistic bloops as the weapons suddenly depowered.

The man on the ground grabbed her ankle, still in the throes of agony.

Would you like to get your friend some medical service? Id consider letting him go if you are willing to contribute to my Chi upgrade fund, Ambassador.