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Here you'll find
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Mount Robillard
18. A FugitiveArria read the message once more and his brow creased, just like it had done each time he'd read it before."One of ours intercepted during a mission, managed to evade pursuers, currently in hiding somewhere on Jainah. No communication since the sixteenth. Please assist if possible. Your message awaited." It was from a fellow rebel group known as the Wolves of Ashanti, the source had been confirmed beyond doubt. Obviously they were trying to make extra sure that even if the message got into wrong hands, the security of their man (or woman?) wouldn't be compromised. And that of course meant that its contents left quite a lot to hope for. Arria sighed. He had also received a word from Maurice a couple of days before, stating that he had a wanted person in custody who ought to be urgently removed to a safer place. Probably the same one, but some more information sure would have been nice. As it were, Corinn had again been sent to Trelissac at the earliest opportunity for some supplies, and oh by the way, could you pick up a fellow rebel who is obviously very much sought after by the Union? The commander didn't like the situation, but he felt he really didn't have much choice in the matter. He could only hope that Corinn would be back as soon as possible, and was in fact calculating the times needed for the trip. The man had left early, he should have reached the city already a good three hours earlier, and with the places he was to visit not forgetting Maurice, whom he needed to see to find out the whereabouts of the mysterious Ashanti Wolf he could be expected back in the late afternoon. Arria glanced at his watch, then gasped when someone brushed warm fingertips on the back of his neck. "Come on, you're not that busy," drawled a very familiar voice. "Osip!" Arria swung around in his chair and stared at the tall man who stood in front of him wearing a uniform that didn't hug his body quite as snugly as before. "What're you doing here?" "What a welcome!" Osip cocked his head, hands on hips. "I suppose you might have forgotten, but in fact I work here." "Oh, really? But Osip, seriously, how are you here? Have they let you out?" Arria managed to find his legs again and stood up, not knowing if he'd really dare to touch the man at all. Osip solved at least part of the problem: he spread his arms and swept Arria to his chest, bracing himself against the touch. But Arria felt the tensing and just pressed into the embrace, hand rising to touch Osip's back very gently. "How are you feeling?" he muttered into the dully shimmering jacket. "For your information, lover, I walked here..." Osip's voice rippled with laughter. "And yes, I was seriously let out. I especially did not resort to threats, whining, blackmail or armed assault. Nothing worse than giving a lot of solemn promises to go there every afternoon for a checkup and to tell them immediately if I have trouble with anything related to everyday living." "And how are you feeling now?" Arria repeated and fixed him with a penetrating glance. Osip threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Don't give me that glare! I'm feeling good, considering the circumstances, a little light-headed but nothing worse. Yes, I need to have a little rest soon. And all the burned half of my body is damn sensitive to touch, so no sudden movements, please." He grinned. "Don't worry, I sure will be careful enough. But what was that message to which you were making such a face?" "Mysterious, that's what!" Arria showed him both messages and Osip looked intrigued. "The one from the Wolves is reliable, we've checked and double-checked it enough times to be sure. I'm just hoping that I haven't put Corinn in unnecessary danger." "That guy knows what he's doing," Osip said decisively. "Well, looks like I'll have to thank the medics for picking exactly today to set me loose. Otherwise I'd have missed yet another interesting event!" "Don't you think you ought to make sure you're still around for the event?" Arria asked. "Meaning, should you consider resting a little now, and not only until you can't keep on your legs anymore?" "Good idea. Clever idea. Sensible idea. Sounds exactly like someone I know." Osip gave Arria a bone-melting smile and wrapped a long arm around his shoulders. "How about going to the common room? This office isn't exactly designed for anything but work." "Can you sit down?" Arria put an arm loosely around Osip's waist and looked at him questioningly. "I'll try. If not, I guess we'll have to retire to our room for a while..." Osip wiggled his eyebrows. "But remember, while we're in the common room, you'll have to watch my back." "Just about literally, too. But don't worry, I'll make sure no overjoyed flyboys get close enough to give you a welcoming slap." "Ouch!" Osip's muscles spasmed at the mere thought. "That was a bad joke, Commander." "Not a joke. Merely a statement of a fact. I'll be a good watchdog." In the common room, Baris and Merez were in the middle of an argument concerning a fascinating question: whether or not Scott and Lancer could still wiggle themselves free of the intricate knot in which they had entwined their slender limbs. The objects of the argument were listening to the twins, faces registering mild interest and generally appearing thoroughly comfortable as they lounged in an armchair designed for one medium-sized person. Baris was convinced that since the boys had managed to get themselves in their current predicament on their own they certainly could get out of it, too, while Merez considered the arrangement too complex to be taken apart without external aid. Scott chuckled. "Lancer, will you get us something to drink?" he asked. "I am a little hot." "No wonder. After all, I have been sitting on top of you for the past twenty minutes already," Lancer said mildly and extracted himself. Merez rolled his eyes. "That defies all laws of nature," he huffed. "And that defies something else," Lancer said pointing towards the door. Everybody turned to look, and Baris grinned. "Ahh Fonzo and tag-along." "That should be impossible." Scott shook his head, eyes round with wonder. "I still find it hard to believe that we could override the Code so easily." "Me too! I'm sure you hit the nail on the head, Scott, when you said his batch has been activated in a real hurry." The small figure hanging on Fonzo's arm made the man look more gigantic than ever. Bright, dark-blue eyes surveyed the room, then lighted upon the twins and their companions, and the face broke into a radiant smile. The boy nudged Fonzo urgently and began to pull him towards Scott and Lancer. "Upon my word, I think the kid has a major crush on Fonzo the Formidable!" Baris said. "But he's not even twelve yet!" Lancer protested. "Oh, please!" Baris puffed. "Being twelve hasn't prevented anyone from having a crush before!" "Yeah, you should know after all, when you were twelve you were busy drooling after half of the female population in Remball High," Merez said and ducked to avoid a fist that came flying towards him. "Don't you reveal all the dirty details of my past!" Baris groaned. "Guys, you'd better drop that kind of talk right now," Lancer admonished. "You'll just embarrass Fonzo even more." Shaun the S-clone had seemed an inseparable part of Fonzo ever since an air battle, about a week earlier, during which the AD guns had been especially active. Their blasts had been echoing all around the base, audible even in the remotest rooms and corridors. Scott had naturally been in the air and Lancer operating his cannon with murderous efficiency, so there had been nobody around to check on Shaun. When one of the caterers had rushed into the common room and told about the commotion inside his small room, Fonzo had been the first to run there and hear Shaun, totally panicked, banging on the door and shrieking for somebody to let him out. Hearing his desperate pleas had been too much for Fonzo. The man had been sure he could handle a small, unarmed clone even in an emergency, and opened the door. Shaun had hurtled straight into his arms, out of his mind with fear, and hung on so that Fonzo couldn't do anything but hold him and wonder whatever had happened to the Code that forbade a clone from physical contact. Apparently Shaun didn't spare half a thought to such stupidities anyway and had steadfastly remained with Fonzo. As a consequence, wherever Fonzo went these days, it never happened without his little sidekick dubbed his 'tag-along' by an amused Corinn who thought the whole thing hilarious. Shaun would hang on, hover nearby when Fonzo was working on a piece of machinery, follow him like a shadow when he went to eat, snuggle a skinny body to his side when he crawled to bed. Fonzo couldn't have been any more baffled by the turn of events, but there was nothing he or anyone else could do. Shaun wanted to be with Fonzo. He trusted Fonzo. He wouldn't go anywhere without Fonzo, or let Fonzo go anywhere without him. Corinn had played along, moving permanently out of their shared room and leaving Fonzo to 'baby-sit' the clone on his own. Fonzo wasn't entirely sure if such easy compliance should have made him grateful or angry, though. "We have been doing maintenance on my fighter," Shaun announced happily as soon as they were within hearing distance. Scott smiled from the depths of the comfortable armchair. "That is very good," he said. "So it will be in top form when you some day join us in the air." "When will that be?" Shaun asked, looking slightly worried. Fonzo hugged him with one arm. "Don't be so hasty, kid," he grumbled. "You've still got a lot to learn." "Yes, you need to be able to work together with all the other pilots," Scott confirmed. "And believe me, that takes time to master." He didn't see any need to specify; after all, his long learning curve had been largely due to his struggle with the Code and everything it entailed. But he had found in himself a distinct protective streak for the 'little brother' and certainly did not want to put him in action anytime soon. Shaun didn't need to know that, though. "When is Corinn going to be back, any idea?" Merez asked. Fonzo shrugged. "He said he'll be as quick as he can," he said. "Before evening, that was his guess. Depends, of course, on how long he'll need to find the place where that guy from Ashanti is lurking." "Shouldn't be very long anyway," Lancer said. "And I'm definitely going to be around when they get here. I mean, meeting somebody from that bunch wow!" The Wolves of Ashanti were easily the most famous rebel group in existence or notorious, if you happened to be on the Union's side. They had an impressive record and kept in steady contact with other factions on different planets, even though communications were necessarily sporadic. Commanded by Quenty Oyston and Bonita Heywik, two legendary pilots, the Wolves had a reputation for well-planned, spectacular and successful missions that tended to hit the Ziroshel Union whenever maximum damage could be inflicted. The results invariably involved not only major losses for the Union but also an enormous ego boost for all rebel groups associated with them. Understandably, Lancer wasn't the only one who was curious to meet somebody with the gloss of a rebel hero, and so the little group made themselves comfortable around the small table and prepared to wait as long as necessary. Their vigil, however, was soon interrupted by Shaun's clear voice: "Captain Dahomey!" All faces snapped to look towards the door and everyone jumped on their feet. The pilots beat them to the spot but were repelled by a determined Arria before they got within two meters of their commander. "Keep your distance, everybody! Osip's far from healed yet, and you'd better bear in mind that about half of his skin is still in the process of growing back if you don't, I'll personally skin you lot alive!" The threat was taken seriously enough, but everybody wanted to at least shake Osip's hand. He received the flood of welcomes and congratulations with a broad smile, enjoying every moment of it. Fonzo waited patiently with Shaun by his side for their turn, but just before the route cleared he turned sharply and fixed Shaun with a penetrating glance. "Shaun how exactly did you know him?" Shaun met the dark brown gaze and blinked. "He is Captain Dahomey, is he not?" "Yes he is. But how do you know it? You haven't seen him before!" "But I have!" Shaun insisted. A hush fell over the room and everyone turned to stare at the little clone. "Where? When?" "At the base," Shaun said, his tone adding 'of course' to the end. "What base?" Fonzo couldn't believe his ears. "At the base the Plains Base, as you call it." Again the 'of course' was clearly audible. "But Shaun... I've never set foot in the Plains Base." Shaun gaped at Osip and frowned. "But but I have seen you there!" He looked Osip up and down and frowned deeper. "Though... you sound different." Osip drew a long breath and crossed his arms. Arria was looking from Osip to Shaun and back, slowly shaking his head. Nobody else seemed able to do even that much. "Shaun... so you mean to say that you have seen somebody who looks very much like me, and is known as Captain Dahomey? In the Plains Base?" Shaun nodded decisively. "Yes. That is right." "Oh my goodness." Osip rubbed his forehead. "Oh damn. Oh fuck. For heaven's sake. Orwel." "What is this all about?" Arria managed to utter at last. "What is he talking about? What are you talking about, Osip?" "I can think of only one explanation," Osip said weakly. "And I don't like it one goddamn bit." "Out with it, Osip!" "My brother Orwel. It must be him working in the Plains Base." "Your brother?" Arria stared at him. "I remember you mentioning a younger brother once." "Yes, my one and only brother, Orwel Dahomey, two years younger than me. We went to the Academy together. But he got in... wrong company. Too Union-minded company for my liking." Osip sighed. "That's why I never breathed a word to him about my plans to join the rebellion, and haven't seen him ever since. It's got to be him, this Captain Dahomey who looks deceptively like me, as he always did." "So it was not you? But you are Captain Dahomey, too?" Shaun wanted to get his facts straight. "Yes, though I prefer to be called just Osip," the man said and smiled to the boy. "Especially now that there are two of us on the same planet." The fuss created by his appearance gradually calmed down. Osip eased his big body into a reclining armchair and flashed a reassuring smile to Arria who was watching him anxiously. Arria sat down next to him and handed him a drink that he gratefully accepted. "Shit, I could well have lived without that piece of information," Osip muttered. "Of all places, why Jainah?" "Obviously he's then involved with the cloning program," Arria surmised. "Though maybe he hasn't been here long." "Long or short, I wish he were anywhere else!" Osip banged his fist on the armrest. "Being on the Union side is already bad enough. Being involved in the clone thing is even worse." He smiled weakly. "I guess I wouldn't be so upset about this if we hadn't been so close when we were smaller. Union or not, I can't help thinking of the fact that he's my brother." "It could be worse, though," Arria said. "I take it he's not a pilot. So, at least you don't have to wonder which one of the Union fighters he might be flying, next time you're up there in a battle." "That is a consolation," Osip agreed. "And yet... shit. Damn shit. I guess that kind of summarizes my feelings right now." "Don't brood, lover!" Arria ordered. "There's nothing you or me or anyone else here can do about it. Just try to forget about it, and relax. You need to give yourself a break, otherwise you'll be completely out of it by the time Corinn gets back." "Yes, mom," Osip muttered and grinned as his blond partner emitted an ungraceful snort. About one and a half hours later Arria nearly jumped out of his pants as his comm began to beep somewhere deep in his pocket. "Arria, we've just been contacted by Corinn. Everything's gone smoothly, and they'll be here in twenty minutes. Transport chute ten." "Well, at last!" Arria helped Osip up, and together they headed to the corridor, tailed by roughly one third of the people in the common room. "It sure took him a long time, though..." "Don't grumble. Main thing is that they're safely here," Osip chided. "You're getting demanding in your old age." "You !" Arria pushed his hands deep into his pockets. "Oh, I can't wait till you're again well enough to be properly pummeled..." "Shh, lover, don't reveal our private activities to the whole base!" Arria rolled his eyes and decided to ignore the man who followed him, shoulders shaking with laughter. About twenty people gathered in the entrance hall of transport chute number 10 to wait for Corinn's arrival. They didn't need to wait long before Roadrunner crawled in and stopped in the middle. The door glided open and two figures emerged: Corinn, followed by another tall man who at first sight might have been his identical twin, if it hadn't been for his very blond hair. He glanced around the hall and whistled quietly. Corinn said something to him and walked towards the Commanders, then his eyes widened impossibly big as he noticed Osip. The commanders greeted him warmly and then turned their attention to the newcomer. Fonzo waited a bit further away, looked hard at his friend who was currently standing next to the athletic-looking man, and frowned. If he hadn't known better, he could have sworn that Corinn was blushing. But that was impossible. He'd known the man for years, ever since they were hardly more than two rowdy boys from the same neighborhood, boys with the same interests and the same penchant for getting in trouble. They'd been best friends for what seemed an eternity, had grown into men together, fought and partied and joined the rebels side by side, and he could claim to know Corinn almost as well as himself. Corinn Jakunschek was brash, self-assured, occasionally foul-mouthed, and sometimes obnoxiously loud. Corinn's sense of humor bordered on raunchy. Corinn liked practical jokes. Corinn very definitely was not shy. And Corinn did not blush. Sure, he could be flushed and hot after some particularly strenuous physical activity, such as a vigorous session in the gym. But he did not blush. So what was that ruddy color that had crept on his face at Arria's question concerning his later-than-expected return from Trelissac? Fonzo shrugged and sauntered closer, curious to meet the new guy. The man looked every inch like a member of the illustrious rebel group, determined and professional. Ice-blue eyes peered from a tanned face topped by thick, spiked, flaxen-blond hair. His shoulders were broad, body lean and muscular. He stood only slightly shorter than Corinn and extended a large hand to Arria in greeting. "Vanya Shenovski from Ashanti, honored to meet you, Commander!" His voice tinkled with good humor. "Qualified Class B transport pilot, trained in explosives, and gladly your man whenever you wanna blow up anything." He gave Corinn a quick sideways glance and a grin, and Fonzo blinked. This time there was no mistaking it: Corinn was blushing, a bit deeper than a moment earlier. What the hell? "You're most welcome, Vanya!" Arria shook the offered hand and smiled to the newcomer. "This is Osip Dahomey, my fellow Commander and the head pilot." As the two men greeted each other, Fonzo caught Corinn's eyes and raised a questioning eyebrow. Corinn looked at him, opened his mouth, then closed it again and averted his eyes, but not before Fonzo had caught a hint of embarrassment in them. "I'm afraid I'm to blame if the journey took longer than you expected," Vanya said. "Sorry if we alarmed you. Thing is, I'm not used to staying within the same five square meters for several days on end, and once we were safely out of the city, I persuaded Corinn to let me out to stretch my legs a little. Especially as this is not like that hellhole Ashanti where one cannot go to the surface without a ton of gear. So we made a little detour and stopped for a while in the forest." "I can understand that very well," Osip said. "I'm fresh out of a hospital bed where I've spent several weeks now, so I sure sympathize with you there." "Yeah." Vanya stretched his arms above his head and grinned lazily. "It sure was bliss to relax in the open, lie down on the moss, listen to the brook, have s" Corinn cleared his throat very audibly and shot him a dirty look. " some fresh air," Vanya continued unfazed. "Real bliss." The Commanders exchanged an intrigued look. "Well, now that you're here we need to arrange your accommodation..." "No need for that, Commander." Corinn's voice was clear as ever, though slightly tinged with something that Fonzo could not place. "He'll be staying in my room." "... right. Well, that solves that question." Arria's voice was matter-of-factly to the extreme. "There'll be time to show you around tomorrow, so just get settled now and have something to eat. Make yourself at home." "Sure." Vanya picked up a small bag he had dropped on the floor. "I'm traveling light, so this is all I've got with me. OK, right behind you, big boy!" "This way." Corinn nodded to the commanders. "We'll drop in at the canteen later." They disappeared into the corridor, though not before Fonzo caught a glimpse of Vanya's free hand. On the small of Corinn's back. As if it actually belonged there. Somebody shook Fonzo's arm and he looked down into the inevitable pair of blue eyes. "Fonzo, I would like to know more about this place, Ashanti!" Shaun pleaded. "Where is it? What is it like there? Could we please go and talk to them?" "No." Fonzo swallowed, his brain gleefully mulling over what exactly his friend might soon be engaged in. "No, Shaun, we won't do that now." He'd never known Corinn to be particularly aggressive about his sexuality, but the bizarre exchange definitely suggested that something involving sex had taken place along the way, mere hours after the first meeting between the two men. "We can talk to them tomorrow." And, of course, when they'd still lived in the city Corinn had had the occasional fling when faced with the right kind of guy someone loud-mouthed, with enough muscle and a wicked sense of humor... Fonzo swallowed a groan. Why hadn't the feeling of déjà vu hit him immediately? "They probably want to rest after the journey." "Oh, right." Shaun followed him into the corridor, never letting go of his hand. "Traveling must be rather strenuous, after all they had a break during the trip, too, did they not?" This time Fonzo groaned aloud. "Come on, kid," he said hoarsely. "How about viewing some videos in our room?" "Yes!" Shaun's already sunny face brightened up even more and he began to tug Fonzo forward. "Come! I have not viewed episodes fifty-six and fifty seven yet!" Somewhat belatedly Fonzo remembered that Shaun's favorite, the one he had caught him viewing just the other day, had these two intolerably cute schoolboys who seemed to have something going on between the lessons.
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