Ancient Hunter
Chapter 6

I entered the shuttle bay holdall across my back ad trundling one of my red cases behind me. I was wearing faux leather coat in dark blue. Underneath I had a pale green blouse and brown slacks. On my feet were ankle boots. I’d dressed like this to pretend I was just a tourist. I didn’t want Security asking too many questions before I had a chance to speak to Ljufu. Wulfgara and Gudbjorga were waiting for me.

“Gwen,” Wulfgara nodded to me.

“Captain,” I replied with a Confed salute.

“Be careful,” Gudbjorga said before Wulfgara could answer.

“I will and thank you for most things.”

Gudbjorga smirked at that. “You’re not still holding a grudge?”

“I kept telling you I was bad at it.”

“Bad at what?” Wulfgara asked I saw her eye Gudbjorga.

“Staffing fighting.” Gudbjorga shook her head at me.

“Well you can’t be good at all things at all times. I imagine all Silvers have at least one flaw?”

“None that I’ve ever found?” I muttered aloud.

Wulfgara decided to ignore my comment. “I’m just here to let you know that once we drop you off on Saros we have to head out. I’m afraid you’ll have to find a different way out. I’m sorry,” she apologised. “Hlanhildr and her team will be released from their confinement. Once we leave orbit that is.”

I knew they were aboard. I hadn’t seen them they had been under guard. I did feel sorry for Hlanhildr though. She had saved my life of Davenport taking a bullet in the process.

Gudbjorga knew how I’d felt she knew I felt guilty for putting them there. “She’ll be ok,” she assured me.

“Pending an investigation by the Silver Guard which is why we have to go,” Wulfgara added.

There was nothing I could say to that. “Good bye,” I said with a lump in my throat.

As much as I had enjoyed my time here despite Gudbjorga trying to take my head off. I had to go we all knew that. I boarded the shuttle and buckled myself in. The door to the shuttle closed. The door to the pilot’s compartment was also closed.

“Ok pilot let’s go,” I shouted hoping I was heard.

The only acknowledgement was the rumble of engines as the shuttle powered up. I sat back as the sound intensified I was leaving. I felt a moments pang of regret and suppressed it I had a job to do and Keepers to find. On the short trip to the planet I had a lot to think about. Most of it was what I’d say to Ljufu. I’d never had the chance to speak to her over the comms I was too busy travelling and then there was Admiral Komana’s threat hanging over me.

The shuttled landed and the door slid open. I smelt the stench of singed damp concrete as I picked up my holdall and case. I stepped out into a light rain. The concrete walls of the shuttle bay rose to chest height around me. The concrete surface blacked by previous launches and landing. Walls surrounded three sides of the bay the four had a narrow exit. I was glad of my coat with the persistent rain I’d be soaked by the time I reached the terminal building had I not been wearing it. It was a long walk to the building somehow the shuttle was in the furthest bay from the terminal. I did wonder if it was some ploy to get me back on the shuttle and back to Alfheimir. Well it wasn’t going to work. I was here now and was determined to see this through to the end. I looked towards the terminal building it looked the same from the distance. A squat building with a tall tower at one end and the main concourse light and airy. I’d been here on numerous occasions when I worked for a miming company. It had been my cover as I hunted for Vanessa in the end I’d failed that and now she could be anywhere. I gritted my teeth against the thought and walked towards the terminal. As soon as I was far enough away the shuttle lifted leaving me with no other choice but to continue to the terminal building.

By the time I reached the door to the terminal those bits of my clothing not covered by my coat were wet. Even my coat felt heavy with the rain. Saros seemed to have taken a leaf out of the Valkyrie ideology that being exposed to the elements was character building. I could have done with a bit of shelter on the way to the building. Thirika would cuss me for being too soft. The doors slid open and I walked into the welcoming dryness of the lobby before the main concourse. I walked and dripped water leaving a trail of wet footprints. I must look quite the sight with my hair bedraggled and wet soaking my clothes. The lobby was as long as it was wide with a number of benches before the door in to the concourse. At the far end of the lobby was a Security station manned by two black uniformed Security officers. An array of scanners flanked the door to concourse. The place was virtually deserted. I squelched across to the Security Station with some trepidation. I didn’t know what to expect and I was wet from the rain. The faces of the two Security officers weren’t anyone I recognised. Suddenly the alarms triggered and lights over the station flashed casting a red glow over the lobby. I hadn’t expected that. None of the other places I’d been had done this when I passed through Security. The Security Officers drew their weapons and pointed them at me. Secretly I was pleased the Security was so tight. I did wonder if they had put this in, in the last couple of years. It had been about that long since I was last on Saros. Everything seemed to teeter on the edge of a razor. I raised my arms carefully aware of the sodden state I was in.

“We’ve detected at weapon,” one Security Officer demanded pointing his pistol at me. He was Human with dark hair and as dark skin. His companion was lighter and blonde.

“Oh that’s my Seven Double ‘M’ I’ve got it locked in my case.” I looked at the man. “The last time I was one Saros I was permitted to carry one?”

The second officer pointed to the comms reader. It was a large ring you could easily place your had through. I did as I was ordered an put my wrist through it. A little light above the reader turned green. The alarms immediately shut off. Both officers must have seen something on their holo screens. Their faces went red with embarrassment and they rapidly holstered their pistols.

“Apologies ma’am,” the first officer said. “The scanners are set to go off if a weapon is detected.”

“We didn’t know it was you. Anyone registered to have a weapon is voided from our systems there seems to be an oversight,” the second officer said.

“Sorry ma’am,” the first said.

The second glanced at his colleague. “We’re not going to get into trouble over this?” he asked anxiously.

The first officer looked at me pleading with his eyes.

“I’m glad you are alert, carry on Saros’ safety is in your hands.”

“Sorry for the inconvenience ma’am,” the first officer said repeating his earlier words.

“I don’t mind the inconvenience if it keeps Saros safe.”

The second waved me to the exit. As I passed I heard the two Security Officers’ whisper to each other.

“Now that the Hero of Saros is here are we going to see some action?”

I frowned at that and passed into the main concourse. Compared to the lobby the main concourse was light and airy windows from the ground to the ceiling, coloured holo signs and throngs of people. I guessed most were hanging around to keep dry. I on the other hand looked as if I had taken a swim in the nearest lake in my clothes. I noticed a few people eye me as I sloshed past. This part of the terminal serviced the airport and was far busier that the shuttle port.

“At least they board in the dry,” I grouched.

Security Officers moved through the crowds fortunately for me none were heading in my direction. I avoided the few Valkyrie I could see. That was the easiest to do since they towered above everyone else. Even so I kept my bracelet hidden I wasn’t sure what reaction it would elicit from them. I headed to the washrooms to change and get into some dry clothes. It didn’t take me long to change and I dried my coat the best I could with the facilities of the washrooms. They were standard with a mix of Human and T’Arni furnishings really nothing to write home about. As I exited I felt better I’d at least brushed my hair but my coat had retained some of it damp. Well I couldn’t have it all. With my holdall over my shoulder and a case in my hand I walked out of the concourse, glad that the waiting area outside had been roofed over. In the shelter of the roof I could see the rain coming down heavier. Today was not a day to go out in it. Yet the Valkyrie trained in it and in the snow all in the buff. I bet if Thirika was here she’d have me training in it. The only thing I needn’t worry about was my clothes getting wet. Lined up in front of the terminal was a number of those red teardrop shaped driverless cabs they had in the Confederacy. When I’d first arrived I’d been afraid of them what Imperial wouldn’t. Mistrust of something like this was deep in our subconscious. I had a moment’s hesitation before boarding one. I guess I hadn’t lost that part of me. The cab was big enough to accommodate four people. It had metal floors and walls and two sets of seats. With a parcel compartment at the back. In front of the seat was a console to input your destination. You could vocalise your destination as well. After placing my gear in the storage compartment I punched in the code for my destination. The cab pulled out into the traffic I was out and away nothing could stop me now.

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