Of Families II

II. Introspection

Alysianna sat in the boarding terminal, attempting to breathe deeply and calm herself. Soon she would be boarding the transport that would take her into Caldari State space. Space where she was wanted, preferably dead. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the identicard she had obtained for the trip. False identification was somewhat outside her area of expertise, but contacts inside the Federal Intelligence Office, and a liberal application of credits, seemed to produce good results.

A quick look at the chronometer showed that the transport should begin boarding in ten minutes.

Her mind began to wander while she waited for the transport boarding call. She had not been able to get much information on the estate she was going to be breaking into, aside from a basic floor plan. She also had to assume that there would be private security troops on site as well.

Seven minutes.

A pair of boots stopped in front of her, boots that should not have been there.

“I thought you were going to be on a beach, Aly my dear?” asked the man belonging to the boots. “Warm sun, white sands and blue waters... perhaps dare to show some of that skin you're always trying to hide? Running off to the State however is not what most people would call a vacation.”

Alysianna looked up into the face of her friend, Mjalnar Gessanier. “Of course, I've not always done things in a manner that others consider normal, now have I?” she countered.

“No, no you haven't.” He sat down next to her and pulled the identicard from her hand. “So...... Arakaki Misao. Going home?”

Alysianna shook her head. “Just visiting family.” Looking up, she narrowed her eyes slightly. “So what exactly are you doing here? I'm pretty sure my message clearly indicated that I would be taking vacation on the other side of the Federation.”

Mjalnar smiled in amusement as he lounged back in his seat. “Oh, I'm quite the jealous man Aly. I thought you were going to elope with some dashing rogue, besides myself. So, when you sent the notice that you'd be taking some time off to relax, I had some friends keep an eye on you.”

“Translation: Damith told you.” Alysianna accused.

“I neither confirm nor deny the allegation.” He looked up at the chronometer. “When do we leave?”

Four minutes.

Alysianna stared at her hands on her lap for a moment. “So, exactly why are you here again? Just tell me Zagamesh. I'm not up to games right now.”

“Hush now Aly,” he said, smiling as he held up a hand to keep her from interrupting. “I also need a vacation my dear, and all things considered the State seems to me like just the place to indulge in some of my favourite pastimes. Besides, you're my friend and I can't let you go off and have all the fun for yourself now can I?”

Two minutes.

They sat in silence, waiting for the transport to begin boarding. Alysianna withdrew into her mind again, trying to work out her feelings. Logically, having help made sense; and Zagamesh had experience that would surely increase the likelihood of her mission succeeding. Her duty to her sister demanded that she do everything in her power to rescue Akikho from the terror in which she lived; but she felt honor bound to do it herself. For years, all she had was her honor to sustain and guide her. Could she give it all up just to make this job easier? Duty and honor had defined her life for so long, what was she supposed to do when they were opposed like this?

Or was it honor that demanded she do this alone? Was it honor speaking to her, or pride? Was it pride that was preventing her from doing what her sister needed her to do? Preventing her from taking help that had been offered freely?

One minute.

A memory rose to the surface of Alysianna's mind, from when she was a child and learning at the monastery. Brother Hirotoro had been trying to show her a better way of accomplishing a task, but she had insisted that her way was better, as only an eight year old could. Brother Hirotoro has just smiled, shook his head, and said: 'Confidence is good, but never believe that pride will be better than good counsel.' Then he had left her to think, and learn on her own. And perhaps she had after all.

From the boarding ramp, the attendant announced the beginning of boarding for the transport.

Alysianna stood, and looked down at the man sitting next to her. A man who was her friend. “Time to go,” she said and offered her hand to him. “Come on.”