Chapter Four

Hansen ripped his helmet off and turned out of his chair to ascend the ladder. "Lanca, run diagnostics on the ship and see that we are clear. Bring us out of jump on the edge of the field."

"Very well sir," responded the A.I.

Hansen went to the back aft section, poking his head inside the cramped engine room. The twin engines hummed like a choir inside a stone cathedral. Grease stains covered most of them as lights flickered from several control panels.

"Shawn!" he barked.

"Right here!" Shawn's hand poked out from underneath the port side engine.

Hansen walked over kneeling down in the cramped space. "How is she holding up?" he asked

Shawn pulled his torso halfway out from under the section he'd been nursing. "As sturdy as the day we got her Captain. But please get some better fuel next time. The lube in this one is gumming the filters."

Hansen chuckled. "We are going to drop out of a jump near an asteroid field known for mining colonies. Before the registry satellites pick us up I need the Intrepid's registration pulled and replaced. You have six hours. Give or take."

Shawn shook his head. "That's only a temporary fix," he stated.

"Just do it Shawn!" snapped Hansen. He stood and made for the bulkhead door.

From there he headed to Réna's turret. " Réna?" he asked.

Réna was already getting out of her turret and heading back toward her tiny quarters to check on the girl to make sure she was alright. She saw Hansen at the entry of her turret when he called her. She looked up with a start but gave him a small smile. "Yes," she said softly.

Hansen looked at her and nodded. "Good shooting today." He turned and left heading to his own quarters.

"Um, thanks," she said watching him leave. She turned the opposite way and headed to her quarters. A part her in no hurry to see the child, knowing her purpose but also realizing the child most likely had no idea what she was, let alone her purpose and tried to keep her composer calm. She carefully entered her room to check on the child.

The girl, Ramira, was sleeping soundly on Réna's bed. She looked at peace. Her black hair was draped over her face and over the edge of the bed.

Réna was impressed, seeing the girl still asleep through the battle. The ship had shook somewhat. She came next to her seeing her breathing quietly as she slept and moved her hair from her face and back behind her ear. Réna shook her head as she quickly took her hand back. Such an innocent child and to be used like a puppet for the empire's games.

Ramira stirred at the touch. Her eyes opened followed by a yawn. "Hi pretty lady," she said tiredly.

Réna smiled at her comment. "Hello little one," she said. "I didn't mean to wake you. How are you feeling," she asked remembering what Lanca had informed them about her well being.

"I feel better thank you," Ramira sat up on the bed and yawned again. "This ship feels smaller then it is why?"

Réna nodded her head as if to agree with the child. "Yes it does, but I'm not sure why," she said not telling the child the truth. She may be innocent and may not know what she was, but she was still empire property. "Are you thirsty," she asked trying to avert the conversation somewhere else.

Ramira looked at her quizzically then nodes her head.

Réna then stood and gave the child her hand. "Let's go to the galley then and get you a glass of water," she said kindly.

Ramira took her hand and followed giggling excitedly. "Water!" she cried.

Réna looked down at her surprised and quizzically wondered when it had been the last time the child had water. She turned away slightly troubled remembering at time in her trial of slavery she would have killed for some water. She took the young child to the galley and sat her at the table. A few moments later she returned with the glass of water and placed it down in front of her. "Here you go," she said watching her closely.

Ramira gave another laugh before taking it in her hands to sip it gently. Her manners were well honed for one so young. She looked at Rena with thank full eyes. "You're the best. This tastes good."

She smiled at the girl. "I'm glad you like it," she said kindly then took a seat in front of her. "How old are you Ramira," she asked intrigued.

Ramira paused looking puzzled at the question. "I don't know. Elders said, age is not important. Only living."

"Wise words, I guess," said Réna. "Tell me Ramira," she added leaning against her arms coming a little closer to the girl as she was intrigued to learn more, "do you know who put you in that case we found you in and why?"

"The funny man did after he brought me to his house. He was nice and let me play games. He said I needed to stay sharp."

"Stay sharp," repeated Réna questioningly.

"Yes, like flying ships and finding our way through space to discover treasure. It's great fun!"

"What kind of treasure are you expecting to find," asked Réna casually looking at the child kindly.

"Oh just sparkly things with gold coins. It's fun when I win. Sometimes he played with me." She smiled at the memory.

"Oh, I see," she said understanding now. "Did he tell you why you were put in that case we found you in?" she asked trying again.

Ramira looked thought full for a moment. "Funny man said that he needed me to play hid and seek for a bit. But, he promised to find me." She looked down shyly for a moment. "I guess we are still playing"

"So he mentioned nothing about you leaving with us?" she asked intrigued.

"Just that I would meet some strangers. That they were friendly."

"I see." She looked away slightly troubled then noticed the girl's glass was empty. "Would you like more?" she asked gesturing toward the cup.

Ramira looked at the glass and then at her "Really?" She asked in surprise. "Yes please."

Réna gave her a puzzled look then gently took the glass from her to refill it. "When's the last time you were given a drink of water?" she asked nonchalantly as she filled it up.

"We are given water every day. Only once." Ramira looked at her with a sense of excitement. "It's never looked so clean before either."

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"Really," was all Réna could find herself saying at the child's remark as she handed her the glass of water. She was surprised. She figured the child would be treated better than this being what she was and who she was created by. "Well, you can have as much as you want here," she informed.

Ramira giggled in delight before taking another sip. She smiled seeming to savor the taste.

Afterwards she declared, "This ship feels funny. Like a tiger."

"A tiger?" questioned the Baijin confused.

Ramira looked at her like it was obvious. "The orange and black cats. They are really big. As big as you!" She held her hands out for emphasis. "They can be really quiet and not make any noise." Her voice fell to a whisper before she climbed on top of the table. Crawling on all fours she came closer to Réna. "When they're really close to their prey; that's what the elders call the little animals that tigers hunt."

She grew quiet tightening her legs to spring. "They jump on them!" She leapt into the air laughing wildly.

Réna watched her closely with wonder. She jumped slightly at her jumped toward her causing her stand and catch Ramira; the wild cat. Réna gave her a strange smile as she caught the girl in her arms. "I have never seen a tiger before," she said with a smile as she carefully put the girl back down on the floor next to her. "They seem like interesting creatures. Are they a type of pet?" she asked innocently.

Ramira shook her head. "No they are free and wild!"

"Uh, how lucky," said Réna as she took her seat again.

Ramira sat down again drinking the rest of the water.

"I see you both becoming friends." Hansen was standing in the hallway forward of the ship. He smiled faintly. He had just finished clearing his bunk off and shoved a small pile of date pads and random items into the corner of his room.

Ramira suddenly grew shy at his presence.

"Yes, you could say that," said Réna looking over her shoulder to find her Captain in the doorway. "She was telling me of the tiger," she informed still a little perplexed about the creature. "She stated that our ship felt like one," she added as she turned back to the girl and gave her a faint smile.

Hansen looked at Ramira with a new interest. "A tiger? Tell me why do you think so?"

"It's quiet and yet powerful! I want a ship like a tiger!"

Hansen shook his head. "Well this ship is taken. Lanca does a good job for me."

"Why thank you sir!" said Lanca suddenly.

Ramira smiled as though she held all the cards. She spoke as though it was pure doctrine. "But I would be a better soul then a computer! The Elders said so! We can make decisions faster. That's why I always won the games!"

Hansen sat down next to her like she was an equal stroking her hair gently. "Yes I am sure but you wouldn't want to be partnered with me. I am a horrible monster that eats little children who link with my ship."

Ramira looked at him like a demon had appeared. Hansen smirked before messing her hair. "You're a cute kid. My bunk is open, Réna will take you there. Oh and Réna, meet me in the engine room when you're done." He stood and made his way down to the back of the ship.

"Yes sir," said Réna then gently took the girl by the hand. "Come, let's get you some more rest," she said as she headed toward Hansen's bunk to put the child down.

"But I don't wanna rest I wanna play!" The girl protested.

"Perhaps another time," said Réna kindly. "For now, you must rest. I have things I need to do."

Ramira grew saddened but said nothing more about it. She sat on the bunk as told and watched the door close with pleading eyes.

Hansen was waiting with Shawn inside the engine room. "I need to get some things straight before we reach a check point of sorts in our journey," he declared.

Réna leaned back against the door for a moment slightly bothered by those eyes. She felt bad for leaving the young child. She gave a sigh and headed toward the engine room as ordered.

She leaned against the wall near the doorway of the room listening to Hansen with her arms folded and waited for him to continue.

"We are about to come out near an asteroid field. But not under the same registered name. The scanning satellites there will pick us up under the new name. From there we jump for the Signus cluster and Andromeda. It will take us three weeks to get there. Shawn you know your job. Keep this engines running. Réna I want you to keep the girl in your sights. She isn't coming back here for any reason. They have already trained her to feel a ship out. I just want this over with."

Shawn nodded his head in agreement. "Captain why would they pick us specifically for this job?"

Hansen shared Shawn's concerns. He feared he knew the answer however. "Because they want me. It isn't coincidence that they are dangling our old friends in front of us."

Shawn gave a "Humph!" sound but stayed silent.

"Yes sir," said Réna and listened carefully as the two exchanged conversation. She wasn't liking this more and more. "Captain?" she said questioningly after Shawn gave his grunt, "What does she mean by the Elders," she said confused.

Hansen tapped his foot. He could see Shawn trying to make a decision. He decided to speak up before Shawn could. "I know what you're thinking Shawn. I don't like it either. However they aren't bound to have everything they need."

Shawn put a hand up. Hansen stopped at this and held his breadth as the mechanic spoke, "I still think it's too convenient." Shawn then turned away to start pushing buttons on a console.

Hansen shook his head sighing. He turned to leave motioning for Réna to follow.

She followed but she was even more confused than before. "What was that about," she asked once they were out and away from the engine room.

Hansen looked at her acting clueless. "What?"

Réna looked at him seriously beside herself. She seriously didn't understand what just happened. She had asked a simple question - so she thought - as to why the child called her teachers Elders. Her question was never answered. In fact she felt ignored as Hansen and Shawn had gone off on something she didn't fully understand. She took in a deep breath. "Never mind Captain, I'll go watch the girl," she said figuring it was none of her business and she went to push her way beside him to leave.

Hansen caught her and sighed, "Sorry Réna but there is one thing you need to understand. I taught the first generations of Conquerors. I am the one that ended the experiment as well. The ones she refers to as elders are most likely the team of scientists that raised her from her tube." He watched her expressions and body movements closely.

Chapter five

Réna went to check on the girl. Her mind raced with the thoughts of what she just learned. Hansen, the very man she had been working with for the last three years, learning to trust, protecting, was the very group of men who helped corrupt her people's leadership and bring havoc. She didn't know what to do anymore. She needed some space to think and unfortunately she didn't have much of it. Neither did she have time. They'd be at the asteroid belt soon and despite what she had just learned, Hansen gave her on order and she had enough self respect to obey him. He did save her life, after all. And he did leave the empire…

Hansen found himself back in the cockpit a quiet tune played in the back ground. Lanca spoke up as he stretched out to rest for a moment. "Miss Réna took that news rather well."

Hansen smiled, "How do you figure?"

"Well, given her history for violence I would marvel, if I could, about how your ribs aren't broken."

Hansen shook his head. "I knew there was a reason I turned you off Lanca. Perhaps I should readdress my decision of turning you back on."

Lanca's response was rather quick for an AI with no emotion. "Might I point out that should your own or Shawn's fears come true I should be ready and able to assist you. Shutting down my matrix will only compound the problem."

Hansen just sighed and leaned back in his chair.

Meanwhile, the girl was resting on Hansen's bunk. She had found a small stuffed animal. A bird of some kind, now tucked under her arm as she rested.

Réna gave herself a light smile as she saw the girl. 'So that's why the Politician gave you to Hansen,' thought Réna to herself as she closed the door again and sat across the hall to watch the room. 'To show him they are restarting the program…' she wondered. She brought her knees up to her chin as a shiver of fear brushed across her shine. She sighed and hid her face in her arms.

***

A notice came across the Ensigns board as he finished running scans of the damage. It had been three hours since the attack. They hadn't moved anywhere out of the system. The cruising way station picked them up and remote dry docked them. It was an embarrassment to the crew. But he knew what would happen if he let his mood slip in front of the Commander. He looked at the notice and felt his fingers freeze.

It was addressed from the Head Inquisitor. "Commander," he called you have an incoming message from the High Inquisitor."

Cecelia looked toward him as she was informed. Her jaw twitched then she said, "I'll take it in my ready room." She walked away, quickly leaving the bridge in a fluid manner and disappeared into her private room. She sat down behind her desk with a sigh but kept her face hard as she hesitantly touched the panel with her fingertip. The High Inquisitor's face appeared. "Sir," was all she said.

A man easily fifty years her Senior was displayed in the screen. His features were handsome but age had grab his youth long ago. White hair adorned his head along with a kept beard. He looked less then pleased.

"Cecelia you have been busy." He held a data up and skimmed through it.

"Three arrests this last week alone. But this last one here might just scar your record. The rebel Hansen Miko. You made contact with him. Your report reads that your ship was disabled when you jumped in close to finalize the arrest?"

His features held their scowl but his voice was even throughout the reading.

"Yes sir," she said folding her arms across the top of the desk. Her voice was respectable but inside she just wanted to get this over with and get back to work. She'd make Hansen pay next time she saw him. If it wasn't for that damned child he had taken, she would have been less than careful. It was humiliating, one hit from his cannon and it disabled her shields as if they weren't even there. "He hit the ship with his cannon," she informed as her jaw twitched involuntarily.

The high inquisitor tossed the pad aside and grunted in dismissal. "You should have known he would do that! You graduate at the top of your class. Have an outstanding record of service to the empire! But your sense seems to have left your head! He captains a fighter cruiser hybrid! Has been on the run for four years! What did he say to draw you in so close?"

"He was being cooperative sir," she tried. "He said," she paused with a breath, "he 'claimed' he was handing over the child that went missing." She kept calm and collective but there was a slight edge to her voice as she explained.

The man looked at her with an incredulous expression. "You have access to all the files of known fugitives. Did you ever think to look at his?" The sound of his tapping fingers came through the speaker. "That child is to be captured at all costs. I am sending another ship to pick you up. I want that child brought back to the empire! You may choose your command crew if you wish. But Cecilia... " he paused for a short time to let it hang in the air, "this is your last chance."

Her jaw twitched again. "Yes, sir," she said trying not to grind her teeth in front of him. She clenched her hand into a fist. Hansen was going to pay.