AWF Chpt 25

=Chapter 25=
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
-----
==A Warrior's Family==
----
===Double Dating===
Monhegan
October 3029
----
At the 0900 work call Kelly explained the Company would be on light duty for the next week. It would be minimal manning in ops and maintenance, and one daily patrol alternating between the Coyotes and the Dullahans. Everyone would need to stay close, but he wanted people to relax a little after Klathandu and the long voyage. Kelly told them starting in November they'd start to retrain, re-hone their martial skills and he'd find some side work, but for the next week everyone should try to relax, a little.
After the morning brief Hap found Yorik and Fletch, and explained the situation with the lack doors in the barracks. Yorik told him the contract did not allow for making modifications to the building. They could put up shower curtains with tension bars, but anything permanent would be violate the contract. Fletch explained that when Hap was in AFFS his life was guided by military regulations and general orders, now that he was a mercenary contracts generally replaced regulations. Hap got the message.
Hap returned the barracks and found most of the MechWarriors there. The Saints were running Ops, so he'd have to go and talk to them later. Hap explained the situation with the doors and everyone seemed to just accept it. Anastasia wasn't pleased, and Hap suspected the Saints would be annoyed. The MechWarriors had returned at all hours last night and when the Saints got up at 0430 they got ready as loudly as possible as their own form of revenge. Hap would have to talk to them about that as well.
Hap reminded everyone they had to share the space and when they had more missions and night operations it would be more important to be respectful of everyone's schedules. To Hap's surprise everyone seemed receptive. Kelly had told Hap that if anyone really gave him problems there were fines, and ways to dock pay for problematic behavior, but Kelly didn't think it would come to that. He explained most of the mercenaries were hand-picked. Kelly intentionally tried to hire people that could work and live together. Hap's job was to give polite reminders, not be a drill sergeant to conscripts.
So far that seemed to be holding true. Mags and Joker probably were the most problematic of the mercenaries, but Hap assumed that was more an age and experience problem. When he was a Leftenant he had seen and heard about situations from other companies of discipline nightmares, and extreme interpersonal problems. Hap realized he actually had a pretty good group to work with.
After talking to everyone Hap returned to his room. He hadn't fully unpacked, and he hadn't figured out the entertainment system left to him. He also had to get ready for his new wardrobe. As he re-arranged his meager possessions in his closet Anastasia knocked on his door frame. "Harold, may I come in?"
Hap half closed his wall locker door so he could see her, "Sure."
Anastasia sauntered in wearing the same blouse and skirt from the previous night but her hair was in a loose sloppy bun. "Since we don't have a patrol today, I thought we could go to the ComStar office, send Mother a message, and then get some lunch. We can also pick up some of the other essentials, such as shower curtains, privacy screens." She glanced into his bathroom, "and towels."
Hap nodded, "Yeah, I'd love to, just let me get changed."
"No rush, I was hoping to use your bathroom to put on makeup."
"Help yourself" Hap started to change, "You're putting on makeup to send a note to your Mom?"
"Not a note, a video message, so yes. Also I like to look good when I'm out, and I like to look good for you, and I hope that's a sentiment you share." Anastasia said from the bathroom.
"Like you to look good? I certainly do. However, I have to say you tend to always look good." Hap said
"Thank you. But you know what I was saying. I like you to look good, which I why I went through all the trouble dragging you kicking and screaming and pushing you around that store last night."
"It was an experience I won't soon forget." Hap pulled on khakis and tucked in his T-shirt.
"Good, and just so you understand. We will be sending a video message to mother. You will be in it, because I want her to see you. You don't have to say much, really just a simple hello. We need to keep the message brief, but it will be from both of us." Anastasia's tone was almost patronizing.
Hap ignored her tone as he buttoned his shirt "How much does it costs to send a video message?"
"We'll be using my mother's diplomatic account. Father and I learned that if you can keep a message under two minutes it's not too expensive, but you have to use ComStar's equipment to record your message. Their video compression system is optimized for hyper pulse transmissions. Even though they charge to use their booths, it's still much cheaper."
Hap slid his belt into the khaki's belt loops, "I thought your father didn't trust ComStar."
"Daddy was certain ComStar was meddling in political and government affairs. He was just a businessman refining existing products. He assumed they wouldn't take much notice of him until they learned of his plan to build competitive HPG technology, but we were years from even a prototype."
"When you researched HPG tech for him at NAIS, how'd you get him the information?" Hap asked.
"He came to NAIS every couple months as part of the weapons research project. I'd just give him what I had then, or sometimes when there was a military or government transport headed to Hazelhurst I'd send things in a diplomatic pouch. Either way we avoided using ComStar to talk about it."
"Is that what you did for the weapons research too?" Hap smoothed his shirt adjusted his slacks.
"Mostly. There'd be a few things we'd send over the HPG net, but we used the project's code words."
Hap brought his shoes to the futon to put them on, "Cody was telling us how ComStar suppresses discovering or rediscovering technology. Wasn't your Dad afraid they'd 'suppress' him?"
"No, but several of the other researchers and Team Banzai members wanted him to move to NAIS's secure campus. Their concern was the intelligence agencies of the other houses might try to kill or capture the research team members. Daddy thought he was insignificant to the grand designs of most intergalactic powers. He was just a business man who specialized in electronics working on magnets and capacitors as far as anyone outside of NAIS and the AFFS weapons project team was concerned."
Anastasia continued, "Mother, on the other hand, as a lady of state and the leader of a planet, has some enemies. She retains a Personal Security Detachment to guard us, the house and grounds. Daddy assumed if anyone attempted anything Mother's PSD would stop them. Either way he wasn't worried."
"Do you think Cody's right? Does ComStar suppress technology advances?" Hap leaned back on the futon and glanced over at Anastasia. The top of her blouse was unbuttoned, and she had pulled it back loosely around her shoulders. She was leaning over the sink and using a brush to apply concealer.
"It's hard to say. Daddy often noted we've been at war for centuries, but technology has been regressing. He doubted it was by chance." Anastasia moved her head and continued applying concealer.
"I'm not sure I understand, war is inherently destructive" Hap stood up and walked toward her.
"Harold, outside of exploration, mankind has known no greater catalyst for innovation than waging war." Anastasia started applying blush. "And it hasn't exactly been 'total war'. Technology centers are generally preserved, and irreplaceable things, like jump ships, are protected. There should not be constant technological regression, especially not with the Ares Convention and Honors of War."
Hap leaned against the door post. Anastasia's makeup kit was spread out on the sink's counter, and he suspected it would likely stay there. He was annoyed as he felt she was encroaching on his space, but he reminded himself that he had offered it to her. He glanced at her décolletage and his eyes continued to drift downward. He considered how relationships were about give and take, including sharing space. He noticed his 'Mech charm on the chain with her blood chit and ID tag neatly tucked in her lacy bra.
Anastasia looked at Hap's reflection and smirked, "Although it could be argued trying to impress the opposite sex has spurred some creativity and inventiveness. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Yeah, I was just…uh…I noticed your…Do you always wear my 'Mech charm?"
Anastasia put the finishing touches on her cheeks, "Certainly. Since I acquired it I haven't been in any mortal danger, so of course I always wear it. But, I suspect that wasn't what you were staring at."
Hap shrugged and grinned sheepishly as Anastasia stood up and adjusted her blouse to cover her better. She pulled out the comb that was keeping her hair in its tall loose twisty bun. As she took out the pins in her hair it slid down her back and hung below her waist. "Rather than stare awkwardly at me, may I suggest you make yourself useful? Can you braid hair?"
Hap shook his head as she pushed a brush into his hand, "Well at least brush it out." She said
Anastasia neatly organized her makeup on the left side of the sink. Hap tried to brush her hair, but found it difficult because of the length. "I don't think your hair was in regs when you were a cadet."
Anastasia shrugged, "You'd be amazed at how a few tiny subversive acts can raise morale."
Hap laughed, "Don't let Joker hear you say that." Hap noticed several red triangles and red blotches in the dark brown silk. "Were you trying to color your hair?" He held up a section with red triangles.
"No, that's where the sun bleached my hair, but it was in a braid. This, and freckles, is what happens when you leave your Anastasia out in the sun. Which reminds me, can you see any freckles? I don't want mother commenting about 'too much sun'. It wasn't my fault I just kept getting stupid outdoor duties."
Hap studied her reflection in the mirror. "You look flawless."
"Thank you." She turned around, "We should get you a haircut, but I sort like you're your scruffy look." She smiled mischievously as she messed up his hair, and combed it with her fingers.
Hap pushed her hand away, "If you want me to finish, you're going to have to turn around."
She gently pushed him back and reached for the hair brush, "It will be faster if I do it myself."
Hap kept hold of the brush and they struggled and laughed, "I can't learn if you don't let me try."
"You were doing it wrong, and it didn't feel very nice." She giggled, but tried to look angry.
"I'll try to be gentler." Hap raised his the brush high over her head.
She grabbed his arm, and tried to pull it down, "It wasn't that. You need to use a smoother full stroke."
"The problem with my stroke is I need more room." Hap struggled to keep the brush out her reach.
"Just let me show you how I prefer to do this." Anastasia pulled on his arm with her full weight.
"Hey! What are you two doing in here?" Joker rushed in and looked around expectantly.
"Damn it! Knock before entering," Hap snapped, "We could've been changing or something."
"I know. That's why I rushed in. I was hoping to catch you two making little princesses."
Anastasia snatched her brush from Hap, rushed Joker, and hit him on the shoulder while yelling, "Out. Get out."
Hap tried to stop her, but she dodged him and hit him with the brush on the backside, "You too. Go away and let me finish getting ready." Hap laughed as she pushed him and Joker toward the door.
"Damn. Mags and I were going to catch a cab, and wanted to know if you wanted to join us." Joker said.
Hap turned to watch Anastasia return to his bathroom sink. "Yeah, Anastasia and I wanted to go to the ComStar office, and find some type of temporary doors. What are you guys doing?"
"Mags wants to send money to her dad, and I like to get out." Joker said as he stopped in the hallway.
"What did you guys end up doing last night?" Hap asked.
"We found a good bar with hot wings, lots of beers, and holo screens with every major sports game and several of the Solaris VII leagues. We hung out with Grizzly, Dillon, and Rolph watching games. We saw an Solaris VII Assault League match-up. That was brutal. We also caught part of Albion game.
"Football or Basketball?" Hap asked
"Football, and before you ask, it was also brutal, but not in Albion's favor." Joker told him
Hap grimaced, "They haven't had a good year in a while."
"And their match-up with NAIS, is coming up." Anastasia called out cheerfully.
"Are you ready yet?" Hap snapped
"Almost." Anastasia replied sweetly. "You want to make wagers on the NAIS Albion game?"
"I haven't seen NAIS play, but from what I saw last night. I'd bet on NAIS." Joker told Hap quietly.
Mags walked into the hallway. "What's Anastasia doing?"
"Her hair." Joker replied.
Mags shook her head and leaned against the wall, "We'll be here a few minutes."
"I see Joker found new clothes. Did you find a good tattoo parlor?" Hap asked.
"Not really." Mags said.
"What was wrong with the second place we went?" Joker asked.
"The one with the naked woman in the window? I talked to her. All her good tattoos were by the artist up the street. I didn't like him though because he told me I needed all my tattoos touched up."
Hap glanced at the tattoos on Mag's wrist and leg, they looked good to him, but they did have the common fade of a time, "Is there a reason you wouldn't want your tattoos touched up?"
"The way he talked, I knew he didn't respect the other artists that had given me these tattoos. I choose my tattoos very carefully, Jefe, and the artist too." She held up her arm with the cross, Hap could see there was a delicate scroll with a name and two years wrapped around the cross. "My cousin did this one after my Mother died." She held up the other wrist with La Familia, "My dad did this one when McFinnigan agreed to let me be part of the Company. Dad has one just like it."
She took off her jacket and rolled up her sleeve, "I got the flag after I joined Dad. We were on shore leave and it took three days to find the right artist. Part of the payment was one of the bottles of Cerillos extra Anejo Tequila that I brought for Dad from Cerillos. The artist, my Dad, and I drank the bottle as he worked. I was seventeen and it was the first time I really drank. I think Dad carried me back to the ship."
Anastasia entered the hallway. Her hair was in a braided and coiled bun, "Everyone ready?" She said.
"Yeah, like five minutes ago." Joker replied, "Although I think if you had given us another five minutes, Mags would have shown her some of best tattoos, the ones near her saucy bits."
Mags scowled, "You just want to see me naked."
"What if I promise to look but not touch?" Joker asked as they started to walk.
"Why don't you just look at your dirty magazines?" Mags replied
"I get bored with them, and I was lying, I was going to touch." Joker laughed.
Mags shook her head, "You just keep your porn, and touch yourself."
"I saw the pictures of naked guys in your locker. I'm not the only one touching myself." Joker said.
"We might want to find our own cab." Anastasia said quietly as she put her arm around Hap's waist.
Hap shook his head, "Mags, what's your favorite Phelan McQuaid movie?"
"Los Lobos of Cerillos." Mags said, "It's the best action movie made about the Third Succession War."
"That's bullshit." Joker howled as they started down the stairs and left the barracks. "John Stallion's First Blood is a way better."
----
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
025, Chapter