Keeper Hunter

It was getting dark as I looked out the open window of the Security office. Copper sat on the edge of her bed her head lowered, I was beginning to think Copper’s friends weren’t coming. It was past the time that they were due to arrive? I was starting to think this had been a huge waste of time. Even Copper had started to worry she tried several times to get them on the comms without success. Suddenly I perked up my hand going the Seven Double ‘M’ in my pocket. I could hear the distant rumble of shuttle engines. Copper lifted her head and stared at me uncertainty in her eyes.

“If things go south,” I said to her. “Hit the ditch and head for the forest.”

She just nodded in return. The sound of the engines grew louder. It roared overhead hovered for a moment then settled down in the square. I had to admire the pilot of the shuttle landing like they did without damaging the ATV or the surrounding buildings. The shuttle was a standard craft painted in a dark grey almost nondescript. I couldn’t see any markings that would distinguish it. It sat on the ground until the dust cleared before the door opened. Four figures stepped out. Two T’Arni, a Human and a very tall woman who could only be Valkyrie.

Copper came over to the window she looked down on the shuttle and gave a gasp of delight and was down the stairs before I could stop her. I floundered after her worried she was running into a trap. Yes I was that paranoid. “Wait!” I called out to no avail. I had no choice but to follow her ready to draw my weapon at a moment’s notice.

“P!” Copper called out to a T’Arni in a lavender jumpsuit with some sort of harness over the top of it. She ran across the square and hugged the T’Arni who I’d assumed was Phedra, Copper’s friend. The second T’Arni had the same long blonde hair as the first and I would have said was a sister to her. She was wearing a jumpsuit with a harness in a dark blue, darker than Alliance colours. The Human was wearing a white T-shirt and dark coloured pants she had olive skin and black hair. Like the others she had a harness and over one shoulder was a canvas type bag the type Kelli often carried. The Valkyrie was in grey, one of those Confed jumpsuits that they called skinnies. She also had the same harness but added to it was Security chest armour. She had her long blond hair plaited and piled on top of her head in the style the Valkyrie used when going into combat. She was the one I was wary of. I turned my attention back to Copper slightly shocked at her blatant behaviour. The way she was caressing and kissing Phedra was more akin with a bedroom and not a public place. I felt my face heat up embarrassed I guess. I’d been with the Valkyrie too long I was taking on their morals.

“You must be our cargo?” The second T’Arni said to me.

“Gwen Hunter!” I replied my hand clenching and unclenching I though I’d got rid of that habit.

“Not Glenda Hampton?” the T’Arni asked.

“That was an alias that was foisted on me.”

I had my eye on the Human and the Valkyrie. Of the two I was certain if anything happened the Valkyrie would be the one to instigate it. I saw the Valkyrie was studying me. I kept an eye on her I was watched Copper take both of Phedra’s hands and lead her back to the Security office. I knew what was going to happen next. I had been so long in the wilderness that sort of action was a long and distant memory.

The second T’Arni shook her head and sighed. “Best let them work through their sexual tensions.”

“Sorry you had to see our bad side,” the Human apologised. “I’m Claudia LaGrange, that’s Vesna the second in command.” She pointed to the Valkyrie. “And that mountain with a scowl is Frigga.”

I automatically checked to see if Frigga was Palkkasir I couldn’t see a tattoo on her cheek. I had to be careful not all Palkkasir were on my side. Since she wasn’t about to tell me her Clan I’d have to be more wary. Some Clans were openly hostile to vaihdokas such as I. Being here with Humans and T’Arni made me less certain that was the case.

“As I’ve said I’m Gwen Hunter.” I raised my arm to brush my hair out of my face. I really needed to get it trimmed again. Somehow the Valkyrie got a glimpse of my bracelet. I had no warning but with her being Valkyrie I was expecting trouble.

Suddenly the Valkyrie lashed out I instinctively ducked under her fist and punched out. In a way I had been expecting that. I wished I hadn’t punched her it was like hitting a brick wall pain radiated up my arm. I flipped and rolled back as she counter attacked. Frigga tried to kick my legs out from under me and I dodged out of her reach. I noted neither of the other two intervened happy to stay on the sidelines and watch. Frigga leapt at me trying to get a grip on me. I knew if she did she’d have the advantage of size and weight. I sidestepped her attack using my superior turn of speed. She flailed and landed face first in the dirt. She was up in an instant before I could take advantage. She lashed out again I grabbed her arm as it sailed past me and using her momentum I threw her to crash into the side of the shuttle. She bounced off it stunned.

“Ooh that will leave a dent?” Claudia commented the first word she’d spoken since the start of the fight.

“Enough!” Vesna roared and stepped between Frigga and I. “There you are both badasses, are you satisfied now before you wreck the shuttle. If you have a point to prove take it elsewhere!”

Her voice was enough for me to snap to attention. “Sorry ma’am.” I almost snapped a salute but I stopped myself before I could embarrass myself further.

Vesna put her hand to her head rubbing her temple. “Please don’t do that.”

“Sorry I’m the new girl here,” I apologised.

Vesna nodded.

Frigga stared at me her face thoughtful. “Who trained you?”

I knew what she was asking. “Thirika Yanik, my Moi.”

“Your Clan?” It was a question she should not be asking but I sensed she wasn’t being insulting. In fact I was sure her attack was a test a test I’d passed.

“I have none I’m Clanless.”

“Where did you train?” Frigga said any aggression in her voice had faded.

“Alfheimir,” I told her.

“That explains much, only someone ignorant of us would wear something she wasn’t entitled to. And you clearly aren’t.”

“Tell that to the Elders they gave me this.”

“Would you tell me in the name of the Ancients what this is about?” Vesna said looking from Frigga to me. “Frigga why did you attack our passenger?” She hadn’t stopped Frigga either.

“I do have a name!” I protested.

Frigga spoke up. “Because she wears the Silver.”

“Silver?” Vesna interjected.

“Nothing to concern you,” Frigga replied.

“Oh Frigga?” Vesna’s voice took on a warning note.

“As I’ve said it’s nothing to concern you.”

Vesna turned to me. “And you will answer my question. I know I’ve I indulged Frigga’s attack on you. I would have stopped it if I didn’t think you weren’t up to it.”

I didn’t think she was telling the truth about that. I really was unsure what her game was.

“Which would have left me to pick up the pieces. ‘P’ would be angry,” Claudia stated. “I’m not getting involved in a row between the two of you. Remember we’re only getting paid on completion.”

Vesna snorted exasperated ignoring Claudia’s warning. “Please will you answer my question?”

“I can’t it’s a Valkyrie matter.”

“Ha!” Vesna exclaimed. “ That’s not true you’re Human.”

“I’ve got enough Valkyrie blood for the Elders to say I’m not Human.” That was a bone of contention as far as I was concerned. The Elder had hidden my Valkyrie blood in hiding my great grandfather on Miranda’s suggestion. I’d spent most of my life thinking I was Human when it was a lie.

“’V’” Claudia said pulling a medical gauntlet out of her bag. The type that Kelli used except it looked like an older model. “A simple scan will clear things up.” She glanced at me. “That ok with you?”

“No problem,” I replied.

Claudia ran her scan running her hand all over my body. “Yep that confirms it. Not all Human.”

“Gee thanks,” I said sarcastically.

“Sorry about having to put you through that Miss Hunter,” Claudia peered at me anxiously. “You don’t mind me calling you Miss Hunter?”

“I prefer Gwen,” I replied.

“Well ‘V’, Gwen is part Valkyrie, enough of one to pass muster.”

Vesna looked surprised. “Well I’ll be.” She turned to me. “I apologise for jumping to the wrong conclusions.”

“That’s ok,” I replied waving it off. “We’re all friends now?”

“Yes, I’m sorry,” Vesna apologised again.

“Can I put my gear on the shuttle now?” I asked.

“Sure, sister,” Frigga said with a glare at Vesna.

I wasn’t going to answer that. I headed to the ATV where I stored what I’d wanted to take with me.