Vickie groaned when Sci finished. Nine AM? Didn't anyone around here believe in sleeping in? She winced slightly as Josh C. slapped her shoulder.
"Aw, come on," he said with a lopsided grin. "I know you get up earlier than that most days. Rich has to have breakfast ready for the early risers."
"Doesn't mean I have to," she replied sullenly.
He chuckled, shaking his head, and moved on. She stuck out her tongue at his retreating form. "I saw that," he said with a laugh. "Just remember, I'm in charge of this mission." He turned through the doorway and headed to check on the Red Home.
"He's getting good," she mumbled to herself. Just out of the corner of her eye, she could see Crispy grinning from ear to ear. "What are you looking at, Aussie boy?"
He could no longer contain it and fell out of his chair laughing. "Smeg! You've taught the bugger too well!"
"Yeah, yeah," she replied with a wave of her hand as she headed from the briefing room.
Crispy went to stand when he found his pants at his ankles. Looking up, he saw Emily and PK barely containing their own laughter.
"Never piss off a Jedi," Emily said as she burst into laughter.
Vickie came up the ramp into the Red Home. It had changed a bit since the Battle of Terra. Mike had been busy refitting the engines, making the cannons operational and repairing all the damage. He even added a few touches to the inside, like the beaded curtain he put up leading into the cockpit.
She pushed her way through the curtain and moved to sit in the copilot's chair. "Yo, Mikey."
The young Brit looked up and smiled. "Ah, Jedi Boyd. What a pleasure. Have you come to help get the Home ready for tomorrow's little jaunt?"
"Yes, I have. Best to get it done now. What needs to be taken care of?" She leaned towards him and they began to go over all the systems.
She was testing the upper turret when she felt Lord Thayer enter the cave. It struck her odd that he was down here slumming, so she went to check it out.
Hearing her name, she came down the ramp. "Becki? Oh, she went off somewhere with Z-3PO, I think."
Josh looked at her in confusion. "She did? Why?"
Vickie shrugged. "I don't know."
"That'd be my doing," Mike chimed in. Realizing he had it under control, she returned to the turret to continue the tests.
She finished just in time for dinner. She chatted with Mike on their way to the Mess Hall, as they had dubbed the dining area after the pancake breakfast oh so long ago.
Vickie ducked into the kitchen to speak with her husband before sitting down to eat. He wasn't exactly thrilled that she was going on a mission, but he did understand. That's why she loved him so.
Rekla dashed in and quickly slid into the chair beside her. "You will never guess what I just saw," he whispered excitedly.
She chuckled at the young man. He was now fifteen, but had lost none of his youthful energy. "What?"
"Thayer has a new Lady in his office." He nodded knowingly.
Feigning shock, Vickie grinned. "Oh my. Not another one."
He rolled his eyes at her. "A new one. As in the third one in less than two months. And do you know what she was doing?"
"Do tell?"
"Typing."
"Typing?"
He nodded enthusiastically. "And Lord Thayer didn't seem upset, either."
What does Llessur have up her sleeve, she thought. "Don't tell anyone else, ok?"
"Of course," he replied and began digging into the plate of food in front of him.
"Rekla, why did you decide to tell me this?"
He swallowed and wiped his mouth before answering. "You are friends with the Queen Mother as well as Lady Becki."
"And you thought I might be able to find out just what is going on." She said it more as a statement than a question.
He nodded and downed his glass of apple juice. "Yes ma'am."
She smiled. "Anything for you, Rekla. That is if you will do something for me."
"What," he asked, eyes wide.
"I need you to watch over Richie, Leia and the ferrets while I'm gone."
"You're going on the mission," he asked excitedly.
She nodded. "Yes. And I expect you to be able to beat me at Tricky when I get back."
"Yes ma'am!" He leaped to wrap his arms around her neck. "You are the best."
A soft smile came across her face as she hugged him. Yes, she would have to talk to Thayer and Fir soon.
Vickie looked from her bag to the clothes on the bed and back again. She was so frustrated. Most of her clothes would make her seem like a tourist. At least it was cold over there at this time of year. A jacket would help keep her undercover.
As she began to pack the bag, there was a knock at the front door. "I wonder who that is," she said to herself as she went down to open it. "Sisi?"
The young woman looked at her. "Yes, Captain Boyd. My Mistress wishes to see the ferrets."
Inwardly she groaned. Perfect timing as always, Llessur. "I really don't have..." She looked at the obviously frightened young woman. "Where's Sunev?"
"Regretfully, she had to leave Lady Atner's service." Sisi fidgeted.
She sighed and waved her inside. "Come in. I will be but a moment." She turned, not even checking to see if the young woman had come in, and moved back up the stairs to gather the ferrets.
They immediately left and arrived at Llessur's quarters shortly thereafter. Vickie followed Sisi inside and looked around for the Queen Mother. "M'Lady?"
Eti stepped in from the balcony. "She is here, Captain Boyd."
She nodded and stepped out onto the balcony, the cage rattling at her side. The ferrets noticed the change and were eager to get out and explore.
Llessur sat looking out over the castle towards the ocean. Today would have been Enad's and her 30th anniversary. She missed her husband. This whole fiasco never would have happened had he still been alive.
She looked up and saw Vickie with the ferrets. Running a hand quickly over her face, she waved her over.
"Lady? Are you alright?" She sat down the cage and bowed slightly before sitting in the chair in front of the Queen Mother.
"Yes, I am fine. I understand you will be going to France in the morning."
"Yes ma'am. I really should go brush up on my French. It's been too long since I took language classes." She smiled.
"I have a proposal for you, Captain." Llessur leaned forward.
Vickie raised an eyebrow. "What is that, M'Lady?"
"I will help you brush up on your French if you will do something for me."
"What is that?"
The older woman's eyes narrowed. "I wish you to do something about Lieutenant Bush." She spat Becki's name out with venom. "See that she forgets my Thayer while you are on your trip."
Her jaw dropped open. "Madam, I have no control over..."
"But you could steer her away, perhaps towards Lieutenant Cochran. I'm sure given the time away, Thayer will have developed more of a fondness for Lady Lenka."
Her eyes narrowed. I do need the practice and getting on Llessur's good side is always good. But, I can't push Josh and Becki together. "I'll do what I can," she said softly.
Llessur's eyes narrowed and a toothy grin crossed her face. "Good. Now, let us begin with your syntax."
It was almost 2130 when Vickie left Llessur's chamber. Rekla had come earlier and taken the ferrets home. Once out of the castle, she yawned and stretched as she made her way to the house.
**WHEEP**
She stopped. "What the..."
**WHEEP WHEEP**
"ARUGH!" Josh Cochran dashed across the courtyard, heading for the castle. His hands covered his head as he ran.
**WHEEP WHEEP**
Behind him ran two people carrying...
"Squeaky aliens?" She looked closely and recognized Crispy as being the one wielding the blue alien. A strange dark-haired young woman carried the green one. She had never seen this woman before, yet she seemed to know the Joshs.
There was more, however. Something nagged at her senses whenever she looked at the woman. She shrugged it off at her being tired. "Time for bed. 0900 is going to come way too early."