Ancient Hunter
Chapter 9

I arrived outside Central Processing and got out of my cab. It was an imposing duraconcrete building of two stories and partial basement. It had a grim façade that told you exactly what it was. A set of broad steps led up to the entrance. Above the entrance it said ‘Central Processing’ in both in Galactic the language of the Confederacy and in USE or Universal Standard English the language of the Empire. This would be my first time through the front entrance. Before I’d used the shuttle bay. Or on my first visit here the back entrance where they processed suspects. I’d first met Ljufu while I was being interrogated over the incident where the Black Stripes had attacked us. I’d got my team out of there while I delayed the Security Officers by allowing myself to get arrested. She was a Valkyrie exile that had given up her Clan for a human called Ana. I walked up to the door and entered. The interior was more like a med waiting room than what I knew a Security lobby looked like. As a former Security Officer myself I knew the difference. This place was light and airy compared to a Security Offices on Earth. Bright holo posters adorned the light blue walls and the benches overlooking the Security desk were comfortable. But looks were deceptive. I hadn’t failed to notice the shutters over the windows and door and the Security desk was behind thick glass windows. Only a total idiot would try and assault this place. I suspected scanners lined the place, which was why I’d decided to leave my weapon behind in my old apartment. I didn’t want to set off the alarms in here.

Several people sat on the benches a mix of Humans and T’Arni. I ignored them and walked up to the desk. Behind it sat a male T’Arni in the black and yellow Security uniform that characterised Saros Security. I hadn’t the heart to tell him that he was wearing Clan Thidrikdor’s colours. He looked up as I approached his eyes assessing me professionally. He had sergeant stripes on his sleeve but wasn’t anyone I recognised.

“Can I help you?” he said in a disinterested voice.

“I’m Gwen Hunter,” I said in a hope that he’d recognise my name at least. When he showed no recognition I continued. “Can you let Ljufu Weredale know that I’m here to see her.” Weredale was Ana, Ljufu’s Human lover’s surname. It showed how far Ljufu had thrown off her Valkyrie heritage her Clan was Thidrikdor. She still yearned to be part of a Clan and Securities adoption of her Clan colours told me that wasn’t a lie. She may pretend not to part of a Clan but she attached herself to me. Because of my Valkyrie heritage although she didn’t know the truth of how deeply involved in with the Valkyrie I really was.

The sergeant frowned. “I’m sorry she won’t be in today. Best you come back tomorrow,” he said in rough USE. Obviously he was reacting to my accent. I had a strong Imperial accent when speaking Galactic.

“That’s ok I know where she lives.” I turned and exited the building. That was a total bust. I hoped that Ljufu hadn’t moved since I last saw her.

I made a detour back to my apartment before heading to Ljufu’s place. The cab stopped outside a glass and steel single floor house. A set of steps led to the front door. The glass was one direction you could see out but no one can look in.

I walked up to the door it was glass like the rest of the house. I pressed a button on the door console and waited. I dreaded the thought I’d gone to the wrong house. After some hesitation the door slid open to reveal a short woman with wild brown hair. She wore a grey dress under a paint stained apron Ana, Ljufu’s partner. I noticed something different about her. Her belly had a bulge, she was pregnant they already had one child Juliet. Ana’s egg implanted in Ljufu’s womb. It looked like they had got over the fear of the Valkyrie Elders taking this child. I had convinced Ljufu to hold off until Juliet was 18 before sending her to the Elders.

“Is Ljufu in?” I asked her mildly.

“You know she is,” Ana replied icily then sighed to herself.

“I’m only here to talk to her not to take her. Her heart will always be yours.”

“Sorry,” Ana said. “I let my possessiveness get the better of me.

“I need her help that’s all.”

Ana nodded. “Best come in and sorry again Gwen.” She led me through the house to the back door. “Be careful she’s in a mood.”

“That’s normal for a Valkyrie.”

“Over a year and no word from you?”

It had been that long. “It’s complicated I only hope she won’t have to arrest me.”

“What have you done. I won’t have Lulu hurt!” Lulu was Ana’s pet name for Ljufu.

“Admiral Komana exiled me to Earth. And said that if I came back to the Confederacy she’d have me arrested.”

“Why would she do that?” Ana wonder aloud.

“That is the million dollar question.” I said candidly. “I really don’t know the answer.”

“If this falls back on Lulu you’ll face my full wrath.”

“I’m not here to cause trouble. That’s the last thing I want.”

“Trouble follows you like it’s your shadow no matter where you are.”

I couldn’t disagree with that and I shivered at the thought. It was the reason I wanted to get this done and be gone. The longer I lingered the more likely I’d get arrested by the Alliance.

The garden out the back was surrounded by a high wall and was mostly grass. At the far end was a set of flowerbeds more Ana’s thing than Ljufu’s. The gym equipment was hers. That was still there, what was new was a child’s playhouse and chairs and table with an umbrella in it. There was a training dummy and a punch bag with the gym equipment. Ljufu stood in front of the punch bag and was hammering at it with her fists. From the way it was bouncing around she wasn’t holding anything back. She looked the same as I had last seen her. Her long blonde hair was in plaits which flew around her head as she punched out and danced back ready for the next punch. She was dressed in a grey tracksuit patches of dark rimmed her armpits and front. I approached with caution.

“Ljufu?” I said slowly.

She punched the bag extra hard. For a moment I thought it was going to fly off its stand. She turned to regard me her face saying nothing but she’d taken a fighting stance her fists raised.

“You want to fight now or later after I’ve said what I have to say?” I asked her directly.

Ljufu scowled at me. “No matter how angry I am with you I can’t to that here.” She waved to the garden. “Ana wouldn’t allow it and stress isn’t good for the baby.”

I couldn’t see into the house but sure as I could guess Ana was watching us.

She lowered her fists. “Why are you here?”

“Two things, no three things, Vanessa first and foremost,” I stated.

I saw her glance to the house before answering. “That I can do. And about the other things we can talk about on the way. It’s best I show you and you’ll understand.”

I followed Ljufu back to the house. “Speak to Ana, I need to shower and change.”

“Thanks for this,” I said. At least I’d able to lay Solstrid’s ghost to rest.

“Don’t thank me yet,” she said with a wave to the living room.

I walked into the living room Ana was waiting for me.

“Coffee?” she asked politely.

“That would be delightful,” I responded wondering about her sudden swap around.

I sat on the couch marvelling that everything here was the same as the last time I was here. An island of stability in my ocean of chaos. What I did notice was a lack of black and yellow Ljufu’s Clan colours. She returned moments later with a cup of coffee and handed it to me. She sat in the armchair opposite staring into the distance deep in thought.

“Where’s Juliet?” I asked trying to fill the silent void.

“At kindergarten I worry about her its her first time. I know I shouldn’t worry she’s a head taller than the others in her class and still growing.”

“I know the feeling I’ve been through quite a few first time experiences.”

Ana glanced at me. “Listen I don’t want you upsetting Lulu. She has enough on her plate.”

“I’m only here as a courtesy to Ljufu. I don’t want to cause trouble.” I seemed to be repeating that a lot. “Do you think it would be worse if I hadn’t stopped by?”

Ana considered my words. “Lulu would be angry thinking you snubbed her.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why now of all times?”

I wasn’t sure what she was on about. “Ljufu promised to take me to Vanessa.”

Unbidden a sudden violent urge rose up inside me. I wanted to kill her to throttle her with my bare hands. I threw off the urge almost choking on my anger. That wasn’t me I wasn’t that blood thirsty. I could blame it Regitha and her betrayal, or I could blame it on my guilt at Hlanhildr’s wounds. She ordered her team to disarm and then the traitors attacked. Of course she was injured protecting me and that was where my guilt stemmed from.

“I see,” Ana apologised suddenly. She patted her belly. “I seem to get emotional at times. I can’t see how Lulu coped when she was in my condition?” She glanced around as Ljufu entered.

She was wearing her uniform. She kissed Ana on her cheek and looked at her seriously.

“I’m going out I shouldn’t be long.” She cocked an eye at me. “Come on Gwen let’s get this done.”

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