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  "School is important and will be especially challenging this year. That combined with working for the spooks ... would take away from my time with you, and our time together is more important." I said, my eyes tearing. When I wiped them clear, Alexa was crying too. She came around the table, and we stood hugging for a long time. Red seemed unconcerned about Alexa, although he did wind his way into my hair and lie with his head dangling next to our faces. Family.

  * * *

  My fourth year proved as challenging as I had predicted. The subject matter was new and tended to concentrate on an assignment to a cruiser, which most officers would experience sometime during their career. I loved navigational theory and the mathematics that permitted us to calculate the time between stars as the cruiser slid down currents of energy like a boat down a river. I doubted I would ever be on a cruiser, but the math was interesting and the concept intriguing. Other fourth-year subjects dealt with a cruiser's environmental, weapons, electronic counter measures, propulsion, and communications systems.

  Commander Stauffer arranged several tours of his division, each time with the individual who was an expert with the equipment I would be learning about that day. For me it was like touring paradise.

  "How do you like our spook world?" He quipped when he joined me at the end of my fifth and last tour.

  "Amazing. Like ... finding a ship of alien wonders," I said, excited at the thought of using the equipment to prevent crime and people getting hurt and killed. He didn't laugh, just nodded.

  "I was disappointed when you decided not to accept my offer. I made it intentionally seductive, and that was wrong of me. After talking with Alexa, I think you made the right decision. Ironically, it's made me more comfortable working with you. You are very young, age-wise, but you have good judgment. Welcome to Spook Heaven," he said, looking like a mischievous kid.

  Several months passed without hearing from him, which was disappointing, but I was enjoying my classes, maintaining a five grade-point average, and had hours of mother-daughter time with Alexa. Life was good. A week later, Lieutenant Nollad hailed me just as I was about to enter the car.

  "Anna, wait a moment," he said as he approached, waving. Lowering his voice, he said, "Commander Stauffer asked me to deliver this to you." He handed me a plain white twenty-by-twenty-five-centimeter envelope. "Have fun."

  "Thanks. Good timing. I thought he’d forgotten me."

  "No. You’re the talk of his group. There is always some competition when new ... material is discovered. But I think you've intensified the pressure to be first."

  "Or at least not second to a teenager," I said, grinning.

  "Exactly, although they would rather you find the solution if no one else can. We are professionals, and stopping the bad guys is everyone's goal." He looked and felt sincere. In the car, I tore open the package and found three sets of messages. They were all current, judging by the time stamps, but they were different like three different individuals had written them. I wondered if they might not all be coded messages or three separate cases or ... In any event, the timing was good because I felt my classes were under control so I could afford to spend some time examining Stauffer's material, and Alexa would understand. She new I loved puzzles.

  "You look happy. Like the cat that caught the mouse," Alexa said as I bounced into her office.

  "I am," I said, waving the envelope. "From Commander Stauffer, and I think it's real, not a test."

  "A test and practice and real," she said, taking a sip of wine as she leaned back in her chair.

  "A test? Why?"

  "A test in the sense that he probably has several teams working on it. So it's an opportunity to see how you do—a test. And practice because it provides an opportunity to gain experience."

  "Oh, I see what you mean. That makes sense. Well, I'm off to wash and get ready for dinner." I gave her a kiss and ran up the stairs. I curbed my desire to begin analyzing the messages and put the envelope aside for later. As Alexa had said, Stauffer had others working on it, so I could consider this practice and experience.

  As usual, dinner was a recap of our day. I found I was learning a lot about the law listening to Alexa talk about her cases and the law that applied to them. She already knew everything I was studying but enjoyed listening to me talk about the classes, instructors, and people.

  Afterward we retired to the couch, where I decided to spend an hour on the message before doing my homework, which was mostly reading. I took out the message and Red settled on my head. I would have loved to know what Red was thinking or seeing or feeling. Whatever, his lying on my head with his nose pointing at the material was a deliberate act.

  One message concerned crates being returned to Eastar, the United Alliance of Stars capital. The second talked about a children's party, decorations, food, etc., and the third was recipes for several entrees and desserts. Red seemed more interested in the crates being returned to Eastar than the other messages. Or at least, he seemed to be more restless when I was reading that message. Normally he lay quiet as I read. I laughed, which caused Alexa to look up.

  "Red's like a baby who can't talk. When it cries, you know something is wrong but not what," I said, feeling frustrated. In a way, Red was like an itch I couldn’t scratch.

  "You're convinced Red is more than just a krait that likes the Coaca Virus," she said. I didn't get the feeling she was making fun of me but rather trying to understand.

  "Yes, too many instances of intelligent-like or non-krait-like behavior."

  "Like lying on your forehead when you are reading, and killing that man who stole him when he also had the Coaca Virus?"

  "And I feel I learn better when he reads along with me. I can't prove it, but I'd wager it happens." I wanted to mention my growing ability to feel others’ emotions but decided not to. I hated keeping secrets, but I was afraid it would make her nervous around me.

  "And your ability to read people," she said as if she had heard my thoughts. I closed my mouth when I realized it was hanging open in shock. I felt only curiosity and amusement. "Anna, it doesn't bother me. I love you and will always be honest with you. No pretenses, ever."

  "Yes, and that. Too many strange things to discount."

  "I agree. It's easy to assume it's your imagination because of your symbiotic relationship and the years you've been together, but I don't blame you for wondering if there isn't something more going on. Like why hasn't he bitten me? It's easy to say he ignores me, but I don't get the feeling I'm being ignored so much as being accepted."

  "Thank you, Mother. Anyone else would think me crazy or delusional or impressionable, insisting that Red is nothing but a krait—" Krait ... crate. I grabbed my tablet and began typing. As I did, I felt Alexa slide closer. After twenty minutes of research using access Stauffer had given me, I sent an urgent message to him:

  Red-headed kraits are being smuggled out on the Wheeler tomorrow.

  "That was clever," Alexa said, as she leaned back. She had been following my search of the space-station's records.

  "Red knew. I know that sounds insane, but he knew hours ago."

  "I don't doubt you, but I would warn you to keep it a secret."

  * * *

  "How did you know it was the Wheeler?" Stauffer asked as I sat in his office with several others of his staff.

  "The message gave the time of delivery in Eastar, so I computed the time to Eastar from Oxax and then used the access you gave me to check the merchant ships scheduled for departure over the next week. Only the Wheeler met the criteria."

  "And the Red kraits?"

  "The reference to crates started me thinking, and then it all became clear."

  "Excellent work. They had three red-headed kraits on board. Our medical folks are delighted. They only had two. The trouble is everyone is looking for them, but they are not being turned over to the medical department when they’re found. I've been told they bring thousands of credits on the black market here and can be sold for a hundred thousand
and more on other planets, like Eastar."

  "I would prefer to remain anonymous, sir."

  "That's one of the negatives working for Intelligence. We don't advertise who works in the group. So when someone does something noteworthy he or she gets congratulated among his peers but gets no public recognition."

  "Good, since I have one of those hundred-thousand-credit kraits," I said with relief and received nods of agreement.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Graduation

  Alexa, Stauffer, and I sat on the balcony watching the cadets receiving their diplomas, which officially made them junior lieutenants. They were currently calling names beginning with the letter K. I felt a bit nostalgic as cadets I knew from my classes walked onto the stage to receive their diploma and letter of promotion. These past four years had been the best years of my life. But now what? I cringed at the thought. Where would I go and what would I do? I had begun to panic when Stauffer thankfully distracted me.

  "Seems like you should be receiving your diploma down there," he said, knowing I had received mine in the academy president's office in a private ceremony with several of my instructors and Alexa.

  "No. They had to endure drills, daily exercises, lectures on supervising, extra duties like cleaning latrines, and only got to see their family for short periods of time. I had all the fun classes and got to go home each night. No, it wouldn't be right for me to be receiving my diploma with them," I said, satisfied with having a diploma from the academy and more importantly, a good education … to do what? I was mentally being pulled into that dark tunnel of self-pity and depression.

  "I offered you a job last year, which you turned down for good reasons. But you've helped me several times this year for free. I can't in good conscience expect you to continue with that arrangement. Besides, I want you full time. You are too young to be commissioned as an officer, and offering you an enlisted slot wouldn't be right with your education and experience with my department. Therefore, I'm offering you a civilian consultant's position at a position equivalent to the rank of a junior lieutenant." He smiled.

  I sat with my mouth open in disbelief.

  "It doesn't even require your mother’s approval, although I'm sure you will want to discuss it with her, and you should. I've talked with my team, and they all want you in the group. Age isn't as important to them as catching the bad guys, and you've proven you can contribute. Take whatever time you need to decide."

  "Thank you, Commander Stauffer. The offer sounds too good to be true, but you're right. I do want to discuss it with my mother," I said looking to Alexa, who smiled but said nothing. I was sure there were a million things I needed to consider, and she would know what they were. Regardless of how much I wanted to accept, I wouldn't if it endangered my relationship with her. She was my lighthouse, guiding me to safety past treacherous rocks in stormy seas. There was nothing in my life more important than her.

  I continued taping the ceremony, but my mind raced with excitement: a job I liked, a salary to support myself, a future ... After the ceremony ended and Stauffer left, Alexa took me to an expensive restaurant in Eteos City, which was close to the academy and the Naval Intelligence offices but more than an hour from our house.

  The restaurant looked and felt old. Not old and decrepit but old money and steeped in tradition. The wooden tables were covered in maroon satin tablecloths and set with china plates, crystal glasses, and heavy silverware. The chairs were padded and covered in a maroon material with a crest I didn't recognize. The walls were covered with oil paintings: portraits, various landscapes, and scenes from old Earth. And the lighting and background music subdued to make for a relaxing and intimate atmosphere.

  "Wow!" I whispered.

  "This is the Aughoes, one of the oldest restaurants on Oxax. It attracts the rich and famous. You will never be rushed or interrupted here. You could sit here all night with just a cup of coffee."

  "It seems very inefficient. How do they stay in business?" I had studied economics and understood the basics of running a business.

  "Both the membership fees and the coffee are very expensive." She laughed but looked pensive until we were seated and given menus. "Well, my daughter, what do you think of Stauffer's offer?"

  "The job is wonderful, but ..." In truth I wasn't smart enough to know what questions I should be asking. "You've provided me everything I’ve ever needed. That's been wonderful, but it means I don't know how to take care of myself or what this new job would require or what you expect of me. Can I still live at home ... your house?" Tears clouded my vision as emotions and fears I hadn't had in years surfaced. She reached out and took my hand in hers.

  "Anna, you are my daughter. Everything I have is yours to share while I'm alive and yours when I die. It's not my house; it's our home. But you are right; there are lots of things to consider with this job or any job. For example, would you prefer to live on your own or stay home for now—?"

  "Home!" I blurted, squeezing her hand. The thought of living on my own terrified me as much as not having Alexa's companionship each day.

  "I'd like that. But we must consider how you are going to get to work and back. Jason won't work, for two reasons. First, the hours. You and I will have far different schedules, and I believe yours will be less predictable. You will need transportation of your own—"

  "I can't drive!" I interrupted, feeling desperate. I was starting to feel like a child and wanted to run home to my bedroom and throw the covers over my head.

  "I hired Jason to drive a ground vehicle. Although it is much slower, it provides me an opportunity to relax and read if I want. You will not want to spend nearly three hours driving back and forth. I suggest we buy a small two-person skimmer—"

  "I can't fly ... sorry, I keep interrupting."

  "It's all right. Having graduated the academy, you’ll only need driving practice. You already know the theory. I'll set up the classes. You'll also need work clothes. And ..." Alexa stared at me for a long time without talking, her eyes growing misty. "I've gotten a magistrate to sign an order authorizing you to carry a weapon, concealed if you wish. He agrees with me that Red is an asset valuable enough to justify you being armed to defend against theft, and your cadet training qualifies you to carry one." She studied me carefully. I understood her concern and fear. Before, I was either home, going or coming with Jason, or on a military base. Now I would be out and about on my own and the threat exponentially higher. "So, daughter mine, you are going to take the week off and go shopping with your mother for clothes, a skimmer, and a laser, and eat out and have fun."

  * * *

  The next day, I told Stauffer I accepted but explained I had a bunch of things to take care of before I'd be ready to start work. He told me to take as much time as I needed.

  I had dressed work-appropriately for my classes at the academy, as the cadets were always in uniform, but Alexa had me buy a couple of extra outfits and a small suitcase to keep a day or two of clothes, as she knew there would be times when I'd have to stay overnight or possibly even travel.

  Next, we found a shop that sold civilian weapons and purchased a small laser with enough power to burn through most materials along with a belt, holster, and charger.

  The following day we went to a skimmer mall. For two days, we were shown a variety of models and given demo rides.

  "Well, which one did you like?" Alexa asked that night back at the hotel. My head spun with the cost of the twenty or so skimmers we had seen or ridden in.

  "Something inexpensive. You've spent so much money on me. How can I ever repay you?" This shopping trip had been a revelation, because I had little idea of the cost of things. It made my head ache.

  "We needn’t be conscious of cost. I'm well off because I never spent any money while I was in service, have a retirement, and get a good salary as a magistrate. And you working will help. Nevertheless, I can't think of a better way to spend my money than on you. You never ask for anything. Consider this your graduation gift."
She gave me a tight hug.

  I didn't know what to say and couldn't with the lump in my throat. I vowed to learn the cost of running the house, skimmer, and everything else—and to help now that I was earning a salary. A good start would be learning how much I'd earn. I couldn't help laughing.

  "You have a clueless daughter. I promise to get smarter."

  "All right. Which one?" she asked, smiling. We spent the next hour going over each one: design, functions, and I insisted—cost. Late that night we reached a compromise: a middle of the price range, four-seat Air Stream sports model with all the latest navigation and communications devices and a few nice-to-have features like especially comfortable seats.

  The next day we signed the paperwork, and the salesman promised to have it delivered to the training school where we arranged for lessons for Alexa and me. I had insisted she learn to fly it too, as it was our skimmer. She agreed and would only need familiarization training, as she knew how to fly one, although it had been a long time. I didn't have a clue, although I knew the theory on how to fly a cruiser.

  * * *

  "That's a nice skimmer, Miss Paulus," he said after walking around it and explaining all the things I should look for on a visual inspection. I knew I'd remember, as Red's head was on my shoulder the entire time—watching. Timothy was nervous for the first twenty minutes but relaxed as the time went by and Red didn't show signs of wanting to attack him or even move, and I assured him it was harmless. I thought the lie easier than the truth, since the end result was the same—except for the time to explain the truth.

  "Magistrate Bellona says you graduated from the Naval Academy, so mostly you need driver lessons, but let me briefly go over the gauges." He spent some time pointing out each gauge and the signs that would indicate trouble of some kind or another. "All right Miss Paulus—"

  "Anna, please."

  "All right Anna, I'm going to take us for a ride, so you and your friend watch carefully because next time it's your turn." He smiled and started the engine. Three hours later, I couldn't wait until the next day.