TOW63

Chapter 63 - The Other War
Babylon Star System
Pentagon Worlds, Clan Space
February, 3063
The light in the hallway turned off leaving her in the all encompassing darkness only obtained underground. Rebekah was no stranger to the sensation, desert caverns were her home for the first half of her time in Sibko but at least there she could walk out and look at the stars. The warming sensation of the floor was welcome but she would have preferred to keep her clothes on and options open. Now she was trapped one day into her mission by potentially hostile locals. “So stupid!”
She was angry at herself for not taking into account her clothes and mannerisms. Everything she knew of the Vaga was from a Scorpion Sage she had met aboard CGS Andromeda which now headed down the Exodus Road with a large detachment of Seekers. Their Corps was growing at an astounding rate among the Goliath Scorpions as the Clan expanded its holdings. Khan Suvorov was trading one of the maintenance and manpower intensive Potemkins Troop Cruisers to the Wolves for four smaller Molyina transports to support the growing Chi Galaxy while encouraging trade or conquest down the Exodus Road.
Seekers never tried to blend in. They were distinct with broader cultural training, more firepower, and the backing of their Clan. None of those had were an option for her. The Coyote Watch had improved its training, but she had received none. She suspected that it would not have covered such a subtle cue. Officially she was dead of suicide on Kirin. She had been smuggled down to Babylon with limited resources and no top cover despite acting as an agent of her Galaxy Commander in order to prove some of Cara's leaked data that might lead to the background of Jeremi. His prototype battlemech not even known to the Khan. “Of course, I should have done more prep for this mission; was just so eager to get it over with and back to Leo.”
Rebekah felt around the room and found a straw stuffed mattress with no pillow, a toilet, and built in sink. She had not spent any time in a brig but heard that was about what one could expect. Unfortunately she did not know what to expect from her 'hosts.' Locals referred to the Sheikh in frightful awe. With nothing to do she simply drifted off in the bed, hoping for decent rest before a likely unpleasant day tomorrow.
Rest was long in coming, straw poked her in uncomfortable places, and the bunker was crushingly silent except her rustling and a faint hum of air vents. There was something of an over pressure which made sense for a military bunker to keep dust and gases out. The subtle light creeping in from the hallway woke her and she readied to pounce against anyone trying to enter. It was a long shot that she could escape mostly naked and in unfamiliar terrain but she had to try. If she could last long enough to send a distress message rescue might come before she was dead.
A faint shadow was cast over the light. She heard the keypad buzz and door unlock. The steel door opened and she leapt onto the woman standing outside. Caught off guard the woman dropped the bundle of clothes and wrestled with her prisoner on the concrete floor. Rebekah got into a top mount looking down to see a young woman roughly her own age but with an exotic face framed by long wavy brown hair unlike other Vaga. “Who are you?”
The woman calm despite being in such an unusual position. Her voice was musical with a distinctive accent, “I am known as Chan.”
She leaned in on Chan, “I will not be a caged Coyote. Where are the others?”
“My sister-wives, our husband, or his guards?”
“Either.”
“There's no one else down here except us.”
“I don't believe you. There has to be a guard somewhere. This is a jail and you are one of the Sheikh's wives.”
“Who is quite capable of taking care of an unarmed mostly naked woman if necessary. Sharazad sent me down here to deliver clothes and ensure you are bathed before lunch.”
“The First Wife. Am I to be a slave like you.”
Chan looked her over which felt terribly invasive, “He probably won't fancy you. You're too light skinned for his taste. I merely do what she requests, asking why is beyond my station.”
“What do the First Wife and your husband request of you?”
“Caring and teaching their younger children or entertainment. I was a Kisaeng on Itabaiana before Star Colonel Rosse claimed possession of me. Amun killed him two years ago and now I serve him.”
This woman was frustratingly patient and confident. Rebekah thought deeper on it, Why wouldn't she be? This was a bad idea from the start. “In what way do you serve Amun, this Sheikh of Sumral?”
“I learned many arts from the Draconis Combine and he enjoys all of them. I have not shared his bed outside of our first night if that is what you are asking. He prefers Masika and until recently Amin.” She leaned forward to take up some of the gap between them, “Often at the same time.”
“Did that anger you?”
The woman once more relaxed back to the ground, “I had my fill under Leon. Now are we going to have a problem or will you follow me?”
Rebekah dismounted and accepted the white robes. This was not what she had expected after yesterday afternoon's treatment. She had wanted to present her case not bring harm to the settlement so perhaps a night off and the cooler head of this Sharazad would give her the opportunity. Chan led the way and like her was barefoot and dressed in a simple robe. The bunker was kept at a comfortable temperature and mostly vacant, she could see crates and barrels of various sizes stocked up in machine spaces and relatively simple cots were stockpiled atop one another. Steel doors barred entrances to arsenals and critical junctions, the bunker was as much prison as fortification. 
“Why is it so vacant?”
“If you had an option to live under the sun or beneath the earth which would you choose? Babylon may not be a very hospitable host, but I would rather live under a sky than rock like so many of your other towns. Sharazad claims this place was built by one of her great ancestors, to resist your people, and it continues to serve in this role.”
“My people?”
“Yes, The Clans of Kerensky. Many Babylonians were butchered during KLONDIKE and throughout your brief history. The Combine has only engaged in such barbarism once and we paid a dear price for it. 
Now Clanborn members of the Sheikh's war-band are feared, Smoke Jaguars with the strength of two men and ferocity of a dozen. Nova Cat sharpshooters that can see in the dark and bring death from unseen places. I hear many stories from hostages taken and personal experience at the hands of one.”
“Yet you stay loyal and serve.”
“Badlands bandits are hardly more honorable. I would sooner throw myself off a cliff than fall into their hands. These Warriors accept surrender, take bondsmen for security only, commit no atrocities, or threaten civilians under their protection, lest they face a lash or be cast from cliffs and fed to the crows. The Sheikh's methods may be cruel but necessary in the face of such savage opposition.”
Chan led her up closer to the palace level, decorations and staff began to appear, bowing slightly to the woman while ignoring her companion. “This is where most of the palace staff lives and works.”
A large steel door painted with a stylized picture of women bathing with inscriptions in gilded script below. Once opened a brief fog filled their immediate area, Chan bade her in and closed the door behind. Within was a richly decorated bathhouse with a large pool surrounded by colorful mosaic tiles and accessories cast in precious metals decorated with gemstones. “Everything you require is within.”
“Are you going to remain here?”
“Aff, I cannot leave my guest unattended. It would a grave rudeness.”
“And security breach.”
“You have nowhere to go but the Shaykah's chambers. On your feet or in chains, your choice.”
Rebekah removed the robe and disappeared under the water while Chan sat seiza style on a small handwoven rug. The desert clothes that Rebekah wore yesterday were in one of the wall insets next to the bath, looking faded, washed, and aged, “Who messed with my clothes?”
“I did, they stand out too much but are of good construction. A little artificial wear for comfort and a proper washing to remove excess dye was all that was required.”
“They look nice.”
The young woman nodded, “Thank you”
Rebekah and Chan woman entered into the Shaykah's dining chamber, refreshed, dressed, and with hair and makeup done properly. What she could see of the woman herself was striking gorgeous, she was dressed and veiled in black to mourn her sister, as were Zahra, Masika, and four children. All except Rebekah, and Chan who wore white, as was custom where she originated. The Matriarch bade her to sit and she did so alongside a young boy that looked at her curiously before saying something in a language she did not understand. They shared a filling meal although rather awkwardly as the others talked around her in that same language. At its conclusion the children and other wives disappeared and Rebekah sat face to face across a tea kettle with the Shaykah herself.
The woman removed her veil poured a cup of tea for both of them, presented the maps, and leaned forward her eyes intense. “You have ten minutes to tell me on why I should not execute you as a spy." She tipped a gilded hourglass, "Starting now.”
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