"Tomb of the Unknown Friend"

[Ultima 0]

"Tomb of the Unknown Friend"

 

Sten nodded to Lieutenant Tovan, then stood and began walking toward the coastal batteries that had been designated as lodging for the night. Parker, who had been sitting nearby for the entirety of Tovan and Sten's discussion, rose to follow him. The two walked together in silence for a few minutes, one lost in thought, the other wondering what the first was thinking about. Parker broke the silence.

 

"Was it true what you said to him, about never living on a planet?" she asked quietly. Most of the Manticore's crew had retired already for the night, and the lack of ambient noise usually produced by human settlements or other lifeforms was noticeably absent. Parker found it eerie, a grim reminder of how bleak their situation was. It was as if the planet itself knew that the crew did not belong here.

 

Sten nodded as they continued walking. "Yes," he replied softly. "I was on Earth to attend the academy, of course, but I look at that as little more than temporary residence." Sten smiled, recalling the experience. "It's not as if we had time to explore the planet with the schedules we had to keep." Parker grinned as he continued. "I feel the same way about the two years at the academy prep school, as it was really just more of the same."

 

"I didn't know that." Parker was silent for another few moments. "Huh, I just realized that you never really talk about yourself much." Parker looked at Sten in mock anger and punched him playfully on the shoulder. "How have you gotten away with that for four years!?"

 

Sten turned to face her and grinned wryly. "What, Katie, like I could ever get a word in edgewise between you and Bee at the academy! And it's not like you've grown quieter once we were assigned here!" Sten chuckled as he easily dodged another punch, this one with more intent behind it. "Settle down, girl. You know throwing punches at me will only result in your being tickled mercilessly."

 

Parker humphed dramatically. "We're officers now, you wouldn't dare disgrace our uniform in such a plebeian display." Parker took a step back and raised a finger accusingly as Sten made to close in. "That wasn't a challenge, mister!" she managed to command without breaking into giggles, barely.

 

Sten grinned and winked at her, then changed his tone. "In all seriousness though, I never had much to talk about," he reflected. "My mother always said the most valuable lesson she had learned was to keep her mouth shut and let others assume what they will."

 

Parker nodded and waved her hand excitedly. "See, that's what I mean!" She sighed as Sten raised an eyebrow. "You always say things like that, but never anything real. All I know about your mother is that she is in a security department!"

 

"Was in, actually. She's back to being a counselor now that the war's been over," Sten said, smiling at Parker's exasperated grunt. He shrugged. "I don't have any secrets, it's just not something that came up, really."

 

Parker's eyes narrowed as she pointed at him again. "Well, I'm on to you now, Ensign Castle. You cannot escape interrogation now that you've been exposed for what you are!"

 

"And what am I, then, Detective Parker?" Sten asked playfully.

 

Parker started to snap something, then stopped. She thought for a moment, then glared at him. "I can't think of a clever moniker at the moment, but have no doubt I will come up with something appropriate for your vile nature!"

 

Laughing, Sten raised his hands in a placating manner. "I am powerless against your expert verbal skills." He laughed harder as her glare deepened. "Ok ok, we'll sit down and have a talk. You can grill me to the bone. But not tonight."

 

Parker nodded, satisfied. "Agreed, I'm dead tired. But your day will come, Sten!"

 

Sten sighed in dramatic resignation and resumed walking, hoping Lieutenant Holmes had included some duct tape in their supplies.