Stone Blade (41 page)

Derek's graduation put Micah in mind of his own. Same boring speeches, similar topics. Micah saw several teachers he'd had, some he liked and others he hadn't. They didn't recognize him, though, and he made no efforts toward them. After the last round of applause Micah pocketed the graduation program carefully.

Micah enjoyed the reception afterward. Four young ladies, obviously Jenn's friends, swarmed Deke and posed avidly for the datacaster. Deke bore it with good grace; they knew he'd be leaving soon and planned to have an evening of him before the fact. Micah's parents snapped enough holos to fill a datacube and Micah snapped some of them as well.

Finally, when the crowd, along with Micah's hope, started to thin and vanish, Derek's face brightened. When Micah turned he saw Jenn.

“Congratulations, studpanther!” Jenn gave Deke a ferocious hug and peck on the lips. “Hi Mr. Stone, Mrs. Stone.” Dora received a hug, Lawrence a hug and kiss on the cheek. Then she turned to Micah. “Hi.” Then she hugged him. Nothing more.

“I'm glad you made it, Jenn,” said Derek, “Steff, Lori, Tracy and Anna are here somewhere.”

“I saw them at the 'fresher. I hear they'll all be missing you before long.”

“Yeah. Micah's taking me away to college.”

“I know, stud. He asked me to go, too.”

Micah's parents exchanged warm looks. Derek's face brightened.

“And?” asked Lawrence.

“Well, I've been thinking.”

Time slowed. Micah held his expression steady but bleak hollowness slammed into him. The moment froze around him as every detail etched itself into his brain.

Jenn looked at Micah. “Micah, will I like it on Azure? Can I find a job there?”

“Yes!” said Micah, nearly weeping from the happiness now suffusing him, “Oh yes. Yes, yes and yes!”

Then she was in his arms and nothing else mattered!

From Graduation the group of them went to the Plaza for a celebratory dinner. The girls with Derek marveled at what they saw there and Micah encouraged them to tell their parents. The meal they had was the best Micah had ever eaten, even though he had no idea what he ordered. Then, meal done, they walked back to the billets. Derek and his friends headed for the commons after an admonition from Lawrence not to be too late. Micah knew Deke wouldn't sleep tonight but that he'd have ample time on board the ship.

Micah walked slowly now, his arm around Jenn, content with the world. After too short a time they reached her door.

“Thank you, Jenn. I'm glad you're coming with me.”

Jenn smiled. “Me too.” She brushed his lips. “In case you haven't figured it out, Micah Stone, I happen to be madly, passionately, deeply and mindlessly in love with you.”

“Uhhh...” Micah felt a serious blush starting.

Jenn looked into his eyes, then past them, then deep into his soul.

“I love you, Micah.”

Her lips against his.

“I love you, Jenn.” Speaking the words cost Micah no effort at all; he knew, deeply, the simple truth behind them.

“Good. I'll see you tomorrow, then.”

***

Micah remembered little of his walk back to the hotel. He saw several constables in the distance but they didn't bother him nor he them. Back in his room, heart and steps now light, Micah tugged at his uniform. He didn't really like wearing full formal but tonight was worth it. Plus-plus!

“Hello, my brother!”

Micah jumped, turned and clawed to draw the blaster he didn't have.

“Heaven's flames, Agent Stone! Are your shorts clean?”

“Charlie! What the hades are you doing here?”

Ferrel, seated on the bed with his back to the wall, graced Micah with his most mischievous grin.

“Micah, my brother, have we not slaved and toiled together? Have we not worked and sweated our way through the worst the League and its foes have to offer?” Ferrel waved his arm airily about. “Have we not suffered fear and fatigue and endless labor and struggle to overcome odds too terrible to speak? Of course I'm here. After all you've said about your younger brother where else would I be?”

Calmer now, Micah finished changing his uniform.

“That was a fine graduation, by the bye. You burned quite a swath, my friend.” Ferrel's expression took on a superior smugness Micah knew all too well. “Speaking of burning...”

“Yes?” Micah sat facing his friend.

“You should be ashamed of yourself. I know the nets around here aren't sophisticated but even you should have done better! Just so you know I reburned most of your monitors and feeds. They weren't efficient and there was no failover.”

“You did?”

“Yes. Mine will stay in place without maintenance. I also managed a redundant transfer through a more stable link.”

Micah sighed. “Charlie, I wish you hadn't done that.”

“Whyso, Micah? It was no trouble at all and I rather enjoyed it!”

“I know, Charlie. But it wasn't exactly legal either. I stepped way over the line here. Several ways. I didn't want you involved. I'm going to report myself when we get back.”

“Oh flames,” said Ferrel, “Well... I fear it's a bit late for that.”

Before Micah could register Ferrel's words the balcony door opened and Ionoski stepped through.

“Hello, Micah. That was a very good graduation indeed. I took the liberty of scanning your brother's records. He'll do quite well. No problem with scholarships at all!”

Micah's heart dropped into his shoes.

“Ted. I don't suppose I'll be surprising you with my report.”

Ionoski shook his head.

“In that case I'll report myself for discipline now. I'll file a full report once I have the chance to scribe it. When we get back I'll accept whatever decision is made.”

“Oh, Micah. Agent Stone. Of all people you, you should have known better. I am very disappointed. You had this planned in advance, did you not?”

Micah nodded. “Yes. And I didn't want to drag down anyone else.”

“Admirable loyalty,” said Ionoski, “But, what is the Fourth Rule of the Mission, Agent Stone?”

“Always bring backup,” snapped Micah automatically, “But... That's for official missions. This wasn't!”

Ferrel chuckled and Ionoski, unable to keep his dour face, grinned to match.

“I want you to see something, Micah. You were evaluated long before you entered Intel training, my friend.” Ionoski handed Micah a terminal.

Micah scanned the document. “... motor skills, excellent; coordination, excellent; combat skills, excellent;...” Micah skimmed ahead. “... moral character, outstanding; determination, excellent; integrity, outstanding; ... So on... 'Highest recommendation for League Intelligence'?”

“Keep on,” said Ionoski.

“Evaluated Agent in Charge... Blake Glade?”

The balcony door opened again and Glade himself walked through.

“Hello, Micah. It's good to see you again.”

Micah shook the man's hand numbly. “What...”

“What I'm doing here, Agent Stone, is having a very enjoyable conversation with an old friend I've just now met.” Glade nodded toward Ionoski. “I am also prepared, if you wish, to take any official reports you'd care to make.”

“I'm certain you have the details,” said Micah, “As I told Ted I will place myself on official discipline and accept whatever decision is made. I didn't know there was an operation already in progress.”

“As to that,” said Glade, “In case it escaped your training, Agent Stone, the League does not in the most emphatic sense of the words, and I quote, interfere with the inner structure or workings of the local governments on its member worlds, end quote. Doing so without specific  invitation violates almost every tenet of the League charter!”

Micah felt a sudden sense of calmness. At least Deke and Jenn would have a chance.

“So it's treason,” said Micah simply.

Micah knew he would 'vanish' under appropriate circumstances. His parents, his brother, Jennifer, they would lack for little. The pay he'd saved plus his geld would go to them.

“In truth, Agent Stone,” said Glade, “it's more a matter of
courtesy
that concerns me. It is considered simple manners to notify local personnel when you plan a mission on their turf.”

Micah examined every face around him. None of them showed the least concern about a traitor in their midst.

“I know that,” said Micah, “Will you please tell me what I'm missing?”

“Flames,” said Ferrel, “Only the obvious, my brother!”

“Micah,” said Ionoski, “By its own mandate the League will not interfere locally without official invitation.”

“Absolutely correct,” confirmed Glade, “And unless you filed a Transfer of Citizenship - which will not be granted, if you're interested - after my office closed this afternoon you are still a citizen of this world.”

“Yes?” said Micah.

“That means, my poor suffering friend,” said Ferrel, “that you are eminently qualified to request such intervention here!”

“Me? Request intervention? That's well and good but I'm hardly an official source or a government employee!”

Glade waved a hand in dismissal. “A minor point. One for solicitors to argue. Micah, the League considers Caustik's government deplorable, reprehensible, abhorrent and quite a few other nasty things. More so since we learned the truth about the 113th. We have been working for years to reform the power structure here. But, we were severely limited because we didn't have any grounds for direct action.”

Micah's thoughts finally clicked into place. “But now you do!” He felt like laughing in relief.

“I trust,” added Glade, “that you won't mind giving your official nod and invitation to any future actions we may wish to undertake?”

“Not in the least, sir!” Micah snapped to attention and saluted smartly. “Tell me, Agent Glade, did you have my future planned when I left your office that first time?”

“No, sirra, I did not,” said Glade, “I evaluated you and flagged your record. That only shows potential, though. The rest of it was all you.”

The main door opened and slammed as Kidwell stomped into the room. She speared Micah with a truly icy glare and helped herself to a drink. She then sat on the bed and once again fixed Micah with her worst stare.

“You, lover, have one rutting sorry excuse for a planet here.”

“Hello, Vera. It's nice to see you too.”

Kidwell stuck out her tongue. “I also most emphatically do not like your constables. They are entirely too free with their hands.”

“What happened,” demanded Ionoski, mien serious now.

“Oh, nothing permanent. They'll eventually stand up straight. They will, however, be most reluctant to cuff and frisk any 'sweet prollie meat' they find walking after dark.” Kidwell flashed Micah a grin. “Micah, my soon-to-be-ex- lover, besides the Fourth Rule you overlooked a most significant wager.”

Kidwell turned to Glade. “I found some really good crowds to work, Blake. Your Emigration desk should be getting some applicants before long. I planted a few simple facts about the League and just how proper it is to visit and what to expect outside Caustik. I took exceptional care to seed strongest among your lowcarders.”

Micah's heart finally climbed into its proper place.

“Thank you,” said Micah, “All of you!”

“I suggest,” said Glade, “that we finalize this mission with a trip downstairs to this hotel's most excellent facilities. I for one intend to pop a bottle of Spiral's best sparkling and you are all invited to join me.”

As they headed out Ionoski drew Micah aside.

“Micah, I know this is hard to realize, but we in Intelligence take care of our own. A few senior agents back at base think you three hit lucky with Unity. Most of the rest, myself included, give it to skill, training, bone-dog stubborn refusal to quit and pure raw and refined talent. As hard as you are willing to serve and take care of the League, the League will take care of you and yours, too. You're a part of that now and we're going to look after you. Don't forget that.”

“I won't.”

They joined the others now walking down the hallway.

“Don't think you'll get out of debriefing either,” said Ionoski, “We have an entire trip back for it. We'll have quite a time, Agent Stone, testing your skill at finding time for us whilst under the influence of so many distractions.”

Micah grinned at that. He knew he had some serious ribbing coming his way.

“One other thing, my soon-to-be-former lover,” said Kidwell, “Your brother is five times fine. He's young and trainable and I doubt he'd give me a plastic... Something.”

Micah bit down a rejoinder and turned his mind to devious plans. Plans in which Kidwell figured prominently. Micah knew he would owe her several by the time they reached Azure.

All things considered, thought Micah, it would be a good trip home.

*** THE END ***

Chapter X: Afterword

Thanks for reading my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If so please consider giving me a review at the retailer where you purchased it.

If you're interested in more information concerning the League please check out my blog and Facebook pages. In addition to notes about writing, life and programming you will find data about the League, its Guilds and general comments on an average citizen's life there. These were kindly provided by Dr. Ferdinand Kincaid, a noted and well-published League archivist and member of the Artisan's Guild. 

In addition to writing books I'm also an open-source Java developer. My magnum opus in this world is Matt's MathTools, a Java application designed to help design and format mathematical things for written (or HTML-based) tests or worksheets. If you find that interesting please visit the site and grab the software. Several tutorials are provided and all of it is FREE! 

About the Author

James Matthew Cox, Jr. was born in Texarkana, Arkansas and he grew up on a farm seven miles outside of it. His mother made sure he learned to enjoy reading at an early age and his father made sure he learned to enjoy science fiction, also at an early age. Growing up, his heroes had names like Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke and (E.E.) Smith.

After graduating high school James completed a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Mathematics. He then spent many years as a college math and computer instructor. His writing career began in junior high school and, after many years of practice, he finally decided to
do
something about it.