Ancient Hunter
Chapter 19

Ljufu was waiting for me as I exited my apartment building the next day. I hoped that last night I had repaired the bridges I had burnt with Kelli and Jervic.

“Jennifer has made time in her schedule to see you,” Ljufu told me.

I nearly asked Jennifer ‘who’ but stopped myself in time. I hated deceiving her about my real reasons but if this went south I could plead plausible deniability on Ljufu’s part. A telepath would report that if things went that far but only if they read her mind. A telepath wouldn’t be unable to read mine the Keepers had seen to that. I got in Ljufu’s ground car and buckled myself in. She got in sliding comfortably into the driver’s seat with a frown on her face.

“You’re not going to tell me what this is about?” She sounded unhappy that I was keeping things from her.

I was keeping a darn slight more just to keep her safe. “I can’t,” I replied being as honest as I could.

“This to do with your trip to the ruins. The planet isn’t about to explode.”

The last time the computer was on a countdown to overload, which would have destroyed half the planet. “No the planet won’t explode,” I assured her.

“Then what aren’t you telling me?”

“Because I can’t,” I said simply.

“Not even for your Clan sister?”

Ljufu was really pushing it.

“I can’t, I’m not putting Saros in danger.”

“Alright,” she huffed. “I’ll get to the truth one way or another. I am very persistent?”

“I know that but as your Clan Mother.” I waved my bracelet in her face. “I’ve sealed it with a code of silence.”

“Clan Mother?” Ljufu said slowly.

“Did you not say how much you wanted to be back in a Clan and now you are, you are part of my Clan. A Landottir!”

“Landottir!” Ljufu protested.

“Did I tell you that already. I’m a Landottir the last of them.” I waved my bracelet at her again. “And what was this made of. Does it have any relevance?”

“Are you serious about reviving the Landottir?”

I had to be honest. “Not really but I have a feeling the Elders will force my hand.” I grimaced. “Besides Mother Hardgera made it clear you are welcome back anytime you want without any attachments?” I looked suggestively at her belly. “What about what you are carrying. Juliet will grow up without her little brother or sister?”

Ljufu frowned. “You certainly do have a way of making a point?”

“Did it work?” I asked her directly.

“Yes,” she hissed the words whistling through her teeth. “On one proviso I have Ana and Juliet with me.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

We drove on in companionable silence. Ljufu pulled her ground car up to the gates of a walled compound. Tall buildings surrounded it. There were guards on the gate in the black and yellow of Saros Security. Ljufu stopped at the gate. The guards regarded us carefully. She wasn’t wearing her Security uniform and I was an unknown.

“ID please!” One of the guards ordered.

Ljufu showed hers and I showed mine. “Commander Weredale and Gwen Hunter with an appointment to see Jennifer Valden.”

“D9,” the guard said and waved the ground car through.

I couldn’t fault their professionalism. “D9?” I said to Ljufu.

“Space D9,” Ljufu replied.

It was a large car lot D9 was at the far end.

I got out of the ground car and scanned my surroundings. The car lot was nearly full of all types of ground cars there was even one of those MRCVS parked opposite the entrance. Obviously they were taking security seriously. I followed Ljufu as she confidently strode towards the other smaller gate. We were stopped at this gate before being allowed to proceed. Ljufu’s people were certainly on their toes I secretly applauded them. On the other side of gate was a park with neat lawns, groves of trees, flowerbeds and even several small lakes. A straight concrete path led to a towering Office building looking no different from those the surrounded it. I’d never been in this part of the city and there was a no fly zone over the area. The building was a mix of concrete, steel and glass. Saros Senate was not an iconic building if I could say so. The one on Earth was seriously more imposing. I followed after Ljufu my eyes taking in the sights. I was surprised to see a Japanese Zen garden. A set of steps led up the entrance. The concrete base of the Senate had been painted in the pastel colours and shapes beloved by the T’Arni. Four guards in full armour stood in front of the entrance. We halted to answer a barrage of questions before we were allowed inside. I stood in what I assumed was a grand foyer more imposing than the exterior. The concrete replaced by shinier stone. If Miranda were here she’d be able to tell me what it was. But she wasn’t and I hoped and prayed that she was ok. It was busy there were people of all the Confed races in here. I even saw a few Valkyrie I made a mental note to steer clear of them. All of these people were smartly dressed some were seated on the numerous leather like couches scattered across the foyer. At the far end was what looked like a reception desk flanked by what looked like elevators.

Ljufu marched up the desk and spoke to a T’Arni long haired male in a Security uniform.

“We have an appointment with Jennifer Valden she is expecting us.”

The T’Arni looked from Ljufu to me. “I’ll have to scan your ID’s you know the policy Commander.” And from the look of it the T’Arni wasn’t going to be moved on this.

Ljufu nodded I had expected her to fly off the handle like most Valkyrie I knew when confronted this way. She thrust her arm into a wide band on the desk. It pinged and then she removed it.

“Your turn Gwen,” she said to me.

I followed suit and was rewarded with the same ping as Ljufu.

“That’s fine,” the T’Arni said handing us two white plastic cards the length of my shortest finger. “Please wear these at all times.”

I’d already noted others wearing these what I supposed were badges. There were a number of different colours I surmised that there was a reason for this. The elevator was pristine and mirrored all round. There was a handrail on three sides. Ljufu immediately gripped it as she entered. I wasn’t sure if she suffered from claustrophobia. She had a fixed expression on her face.

“It will be ok,” I assured her.

“It won’t I hate these elevators.” I saw her look at me. “I suggest you take a grip of the rail before I start this up.”

I did as she asked and put my hand on the rail. I couldn’t see the point but I did it to humour her.

Satisfied Ljufu tapped in a code on the little panel beside the door. I stumbled at the sudden acceleration, boy this elevator was fast. It stopped as suddenly as it started unfortunately my body was still travelling up. For a moment I felt light then the weight of gravity pulled me down. I understood it all, little wonder Ljufu hated the feeling I did the same. The door opened to reveal a ‘T’ junction. A red carpet led from the elevator and the walls were a cream colour and framed holos marched down the corridors. There were mostly pastoral scenes interspersed with industrial and mining facilities. Ljufu walked down the corridor directly opposite the elevator. The corridor opened in to a large room. Red leatherette couches edged the room. In the centre was a large desk and flanking it were two guards in full combat armour. Another two were at the back guarding three other doors. Seated at the desk was a young Human woman with dark hair done into a bun. She was wearing a black suit with yellow piping on the collar. The only thing that marred it was her pink cravat.

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