FIRST MEETING

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

Terency Owens Characters used with Permission

Kena stood alone among the hundreds bustling around the Starport's huge open terminal. Her heavy winter clothing was whipped around her tiny frame by the approaching storm. Any observer would catch tiny glimpses of light brown fur and huge dark pools of eyes. Silently she read the list of independent ships available for transport. Then, without a sound, the one known throughout the cities dark places as 'Mind Stealer', to others simply as Mouse, turned towards the huge bank of rental stalls.

Krystal Star Clancy leaned back against the tiny stalls walls. She had been standing here since early morning bargaining with shippers, smugglers, and police informants for cargo transports. Her unique ability of observation made her the best choice to represent Atlas Aerospace's concerns. She just wished Terry had decided to arrive during the Fall, instead of this almost impossible Winter. She studied the approaching storm, calculating in her mind both this mornings weather report, her current contracts, and the possibility of anything worth her while showing up before she froze to death. What she came up with caused her to utter one of the darker oaths Mimi had inadvertently taught her.

Kena stepped up to Krystal's stall, absently scanning the taller woman. Surprise flickered momentarily across her face as she encountered a mind half child, half machine-like, impossible to read. Taking a breath she reached up to tap the stalls sliding window.

Krystal leaned forward at the tap, then forward some more. Standing on the other side of her closed, more for show than any possibility of heat savings, window was a small, child sized form. Sliding the window open she smiled.

"Atlas Aerospace, You pay, We deliver" she said. To herself she wondered what this was all about, none of the standard trappings of a shipper, drug runner, or any of the myriad other low lifes she had talked to were in evidence.

Kena dug under her thick cloak. Carefully she selected one of her few remaining pouches, quietly setting it on the windows wide ledge. "Please anywhere, passage" she answered very slowly, her words very carefully selected.

Krystal sighed, 'Another one' she thought to herself. Ignoring the small pouch she shook her head. "I'm sorry, we don't take passengers" she replied.

Another pouch, slightly larger, joined the first. "?Please"

Leaning back slightly Krystal read the pouches weight on the hidden combination scale - elemental scanner. Whistling slightly to herself she tapped a stud. Onboard the SHREVEPORT a tiny alarm chirped. Moments later Casey Suzuki answered in Krystal's tiny ear mounted receiver.

"What's the cargo?" she asked, interest heavy in her voice.

Tapping a second button brought Kena's tiny form into view.

"We don't take passengers Krys" Casey said, disappointment creeping in her voice. "Especially underage ones."

Leaning forward again Krystal again shook her head. "Please understand child, we can't take passengers. Especially children."

Kena sighed, digging out her small wallet she placed it beside the two pouches. Somehow a third pouch joined the two. "Today leave I must, important" she begged. A quick scan had warned her of several parties suddenly interested in the non-descript character, and her pouches. She didn't know if she could handle them all, certainly she couldn't manage the night. Not outside her safe haven.

Krystal carefully picked up the tiny wallet. Opening it showed an official looking document and a genetic coding. Pushing anther button activated the stalls tiny biological scanner. Its findings matched the documents code. Krystal returned the wallet, again alerting Casey.

"Its an awful lot of money" Casey whispered. "I'm really tempted. Let me talk with Terry."

Clicking her tongue in answer Krystal smiled slightly at the tiny form. "Hold on, if you will" she said. "There may be an exception."

Kena almost relaxed. Fully half her funds were on the ledge between the two. Should Krystal decide to simply take the money and run... Kena shivered. Trying to find another ship with limited funds would be impossible, at least before nightfall. Carefully she reached out with her mind, gentle touching the others surface thoughts. Even those were so structured it was like trying to stand on ice, her mindtouch kept slipping away from even the most simple thoughts. She quickly found that maintaining more than the most gentle of touches was impossible. Still, even that was enough to tell her the decision was slowly going against her. Making up her mind she shoved her hand deep into her blouse.

Casey gasped as her readouts suddenly rose. Glancing wide eyed at Terry she made the decision. "Krys, take her" she ordered. “Then close down and return.”

Krystal nodded, turning back to her window, nodding at the five pouches laying there. Handing Kena her wallet she smiled. "They say ok. Remember though, Star Rules apply from the moment you first step foot on the ramp until your last foot steps off at destination." She gathered in the heavy pouches, activating the stalls security mode. "Bay doors now register you, Have your baggage and yourself ready in thirty minutes or we leave without you."

The last wasn't strictly true, the SHREVEPORT wasn't cleared to launch for another four hours. There was cargo to accept and fuel to load. Closing her stall down Krystal watched as the tiny form walked quickly towards the terminals depths. Gathering her papers she headed for the ship.

Casey stood at the ramps foot. Terry was busy clearing out a spare cabin, leaving her to greet their passenger. She glanced at the small book in her hand, one of five rush delivered by the Starports legal department. It spelled out the laws that applied to all passengers and ships carrying them. She tapped the embossed book against her hip, wondering what kind of trouble they were getting into this time. It wasn't long before a tiny form appeared at the bays entrance door.

Half dragging a duffel bag almost as large as herself Kena struggled towards the SHREVEPORT's loading ramp, and the human woman waiting for her. Reaching the ramp she paused to catch her breath, at the same time unsnapping the bags lock. "SHREVEPORT. Kena passenger." She stepped away from her bag and the woman. "Inspection baggage for you mine."

Casey reached down, taking the bags strap. She was surprised at its lightness, either her passenger was weak, or ill she thought. Carrying it to the ramps top she emptied its contents on a table in the airlock. She already knew there wasn't anything to worry about, the scanner she had passed was still glowing green. Still, for looks and her own peace of mind a physical search wasn't that much of a problem. Keeping one eye on the tiny form still standing outside the airlock she sorted through the pile, and whistled.

Soft pretty things had tumbled out, mixed with shoes, books, feminine supplies, boxs of cookies and a few common video disks. Carefully sorting throughout the pile she fed everything to the waiting secondary scanner, dragged out just for this show. No alarms sounded, no hidden drugs, jewels, or weapons. Surprised she stuffed everything back in the bag, silently wondering just why their passenger had chosen them and not a normal carrier.

Closing the bag she motioned Kena to climb the ramp, handing her the embossed book as she entered SHREVEPORT's airlock. "Read these" she ordered. "They tell you your rights and ours. If you disobey any of these rules you'll be spaced instantly, without a suit. Understand?"

Taking the book Kena nodded. "Yes mam" she answered as she reached for her bag. "Certain be I difficulty will not cause yours and you."

Just then Terry arrived. Wearing a spotless ornate uniform he nodded to Casey. "I'll show our passenger to her cabin. You continue with the loading, and inform me when Mimi and Krystal return from their shopping trip."

Casey nodded, turning back to seal the airlocks open door. Moments after Terry had left she started giggling. 'Just where did he dig up that doormans suit' she asked herself. Dropping into a setting position on the deck she pulled out a duplicate of the book she had given Kena. Opening to her mark she continued reading.

Kena looked around the tiny cabin. Signs of a quick cleanup were everywhere, but Terry's mind had put her at ease. Competent in his own way he was also a gentleman. This room had been last used for a special passenger. His memories of that passenger, and what had occurred here, had brought a blush to even her jaded face. She was also certain there were no monitors other than the intercom to bother with. Thanking him for his assistance, and for carrying her bag she carefully locked her door and started pulling her bulky clothing off.

Terry wandered back to Casey, leaning over to quietly nip at her neck. "I wonder what she would think if she knew what went on in that room" he asked.

Casey settled back down, closing her book. "Probably not much" she answered as she started the scanners tape. "Look at that clothing she brought with her."

Terry's eyes widened as the tape ran. "Snowy has one of those" he whispered. "And that, but her's is pure silver."

Casey giggled "And has useful straps" she replied. Turning back to her book she pointed out a paragraph. "Look at this. Are you aware that all we're responsible to our passenger for is two meals and three liters of water a day, plus life support for the duration of her trip?"

Taking the book Terry studied the passage, a low whistle escaped from him. "Mimi would kill both of us if we followed this page." He flipped to the next, continuing his reading. After a few minutes he sat the book down. "Casey. If our passenger follows this book to the letter she's not going to have a pleasant voyage." He looked up as two figures entered the bay. "Well now. Here comes the rest of our wandering family." He headed down the ramp towards the two struggling women, and their cart full of packages.

Kena had settled in as quickly as she could. Digging out a data disk about SHREVEPORT's next listed stop while ignoring the Star Rules book they had given her. She had her own copy. A well worn tome she had purchased and memorized the week before. Settling into the nest of unneeded winter clothing she triggered the disc reader, munching on some of the cookies purchased just before boarding.

Hours later Mimi settled into her couch. "All buttoned up below" she announced. "Our passenger's been warned and reports ready for liftoff." Studying her instruments she threw Terry a warm smile as she ordered the powerplant on-line. "Light her up. Lets blow this snowball."

Terry nodded, turning back to the communications panel. His job this trip. "SHREVEPORT to Winter Control. Request liftoff clearance."

Static filled the momentary silence before a bored voice crackled over the loudspeaker. "Winter control. Your clear to depart as filed. See you next trip."

Krystal snorted. "In a pigs eye" she grumbled. "This place is either frozen or mud. Except in high summer when it's nothing but ice cold blowing dust." Touching her board she brought up her navigation screen. "Skies clear, like Mimi said, lets blow this place."

Casey quietly activated her pilots deck. Carefully lifting the sleek craft off its pad she held its drift in the rising winds to a bare flinch. SHREVEPORT shuddered slightly as it felt the winter storm. "Approaching clock" she announced, her voice a measured flat tone. "Power on my mark."

"On your mark" Mimi answered. Liftoff from a Starport was always boring. She much preferred the easier launches from open plains, city parks, and other places where a thousand eyes weren't recording every move.

"Mark" Casey called.

Mimi shoved her thrust controls deep into the Green, sending power to the hungry A-grav unit deep within the ship. Behind her the engines rumbled as the ship lifted smoothly into the darkening sky. She felt herself shoved lightly into her couch and cursed. "Damn dampers are out of calibration Krys" she cursed.

Krystal slapped at a control deck, making a fast adjustment. "Patched" she answered. "I'll fix it as soon as we're out of the system and in Hyper."

Mimi nodded as the slight push faded away. Not that it bothered her but if they lost the dampers half of the SHREVEPORT's advantage in speed went with them.

Private ship SHREVEPORT pushed through the stormclouds in minutes and moments later it left most of the planets heavy atmosphere far behind as it reached for deep space. Tension drained from the cockpit as another planet was left behind. Terry keyed his mike "SHREVEPORT to Station Icecap. Clear of atmosphere" he called.

A second, less bored voice answered him. Sharp and crisp the female naval officers warm rich voice filled the cabin. "Read you" she answered. "On course. No deviations. Starport reports clean launch and regards." There was a pause, as if she were checking something. "Voyager. You list a passenger."

"Acknowledged" Terry replied. He reached over to touch Casey's shoulder. She nodded in unspoken reply to his signal.

"Snowball reports possible wanted your passenger. Suspicion in death of several known criminals. Heave too for transfer."

"Is that a request or order Icecap" Terry answered. "We're clear of planetary boundaries and could claim Star Law."

A chuckle answered him. "Understood SHREVEPORT" the unknown officer replied. "Your clear of planetary boundaries and its only a 'Suspicious', have a good trip. But be careful. I hear she real dangerous." She paused again, then continued "To murderers and rapists that is. Good voyage. Icecap out."

Casey reset her controls then pulled a small lever before turning to Mimi. "You and Krys see to our passenger" she ordered. "I've flooded her cabin with sleepy gas."

The two nodded, leaving rapidly.

Terry unstrapped and moved to his security station. "You think she's trouble?" he asked.

Casey waited before answering, turning things over in her mind. "You heard the charges. You know Winter as well as the rest of us. What are the chances someone that delicate could survive long down there. Alone."

"Gotcha. Cutting back on gas release. I'll monitor the intercom" Terry replied.

Mimi dropped into firing position as Krystal pushed the security override on their passengers door. With a hiss the heavy door slide aside. Silence greeted them.

"Wait here Krys" Mimi whispered through her breathing mask. Moving slowly the huge woman entered the room.

Kena lay across her bed asleep. Her disc still ran, a young mans voice in rough Winter'ese talking about social customs. Mimi jumped at the sound, then slowly approached the unconscious mouse laying naked on the bed. Reaching out with one hand she grabbed Kena's hanging arm, with a swift movement she jerked the tiny body onto the deck.

Kena made no sound, no movement at the rough handling.

Mimi stepped over to the intercom, triggering the small unit. "Ok Terry. Kill the gas. She's out hard." Turning towards Krystal she motioned the smaller woman in. "Get her bound" she ordered as she turned back to guard their helpless captive. "I'll carry her to Cargo Bay four. Its empty, she shouldn't cause us any grief until we get where were going."

Krystal knelt down beside the tiny body. Carefully she rolled Kena over on her stomach. Drawing the unconscious woman's arms to her back Krystal locked the heavy alloy cuffs. It was a matter of minutes to hobble her prisoner, then lock the cuffs to a chain wrapped around her waist. Motioning to Mimi she rolled her prisoner over, and gasped.

Mimi's reaction was textbook. Her stunner sent a heavy jolt into Kena's body almost instantly. "What was it" Mimi asked, still watching the body.

"Her neck" Krystal gasped. "She's got a slaver collar on."

Mimi stepped forward and knelt beside the motionless body. Putting her hand on Kena's neck she pulled the long thick fur away. Gold alloy glinted in the cabins light. Marked with the unmistakable symbols of slavers the collar lay there, like some living thing ready to strike.

"I don't recognize the Clan markings" Mimi whispered. "Your right though. Its a slavers collar." Setting her weapon down she gently lifted the abused mouse, carefully placing her on the bed. "What's the air read" she asked.

Krystal glanced at her sampler a moment. "Clear. We can take these things off."

Both women were removing their masks as Terry arrived. "What's the problem?" he asked. A moments glance and he turned away. "Um, Let me know when she's covered will you?"

Krystal sat beside the bed, carefully turning the collar as she studied each strange marking. "Better clue them in Mimi" she whispered. "This one will be asleep until tomorrow. These markings look like star symbols, maybe I can figure something out."

Grabbing Terry's arm Mimi headed for the bridge. "Come on lover. Lets let the scientist solve our puzzle while I fill you and Casey in." She looked at her watch. "Besides. Jumps in five hours and there's lots to do before then."

Casey entered the small conference / living room and tossed her worn jacket in a corner. Half throwing herself on one of the sofas she groaned. "Another successful jump into Hyperspace" she reported. Taking a playful swipe at Terry she laid her head in his lap and sighed. "Now. What about this passenger of ours" she asked.

Terry absently rubbed her head as he pulled up a piece of paper from under her shoulder. Turning it over he read what Krystal had written. "Krys says she thinks the mouse is from somewhere in the Centaurus Arm. At least those constellations she's been able to recognize only known to exist from that position."

Casey almost purred as Terry's hand absently worked her tight neck muscles. "Speaking of the minx. Where is she?"

Mimi laughed. "I'm sure she'd love to hear you call her that. After all, she's more Snow Leopard and mouse than anything else. Anyway, she's in her lab. Something about a blood sample."

"Kind'a like her half-mother isn't she" Terry replied.

"Yeah" Casey agreed. "But she still has a lot to learn if she's going to be as... Interesting."

Terry rattled the paper. "Back to our report dear Captain" he continued. "As far as Krys can tell, this Kena isn't any threat. Her claws were removed so long ago the scars are healed white." He pushed Casey back down as she reacted. "Keep it down hun, you've seen worse. Anyway, she's got the muscle tone of a martial artist. But I can't see her taking you on, much less Mimi. The only really abnormal thing is her brain structure, I'm not surprised. Krys can't find her DNA type in any of our records. There's probably lots of differences."

"Then why the reputation?" Casey asked.

"Can't say" Terry replied. "Dumped a lot of money but Mimi's search of her room only turned up the one other pouch. It looks like she spent everything just to get on the ship." He dropped the paper on Casey's chest. "Either she's a good poisoner... Or something none of us have ever seen before."

Casey snatched the report out of the air, crumpling it absently. "I donno. Wish Aries or Kela were here. This is more their line." She sat up, leaning back to snuggle into Terry's arms. "Krys is as good as both of them. Even if she is 'on loan' until they cough up that sixty kay they lost the last trip." She sighed as Terry's warmth heated her chilled frame. "Wonder what this mouse is" she whispered.

Krystal switched on the overhead lights as she stepped into Kena's room. Movement on the bed caught her by surprise. "Awake?" she asked.

Kena twisted around, facing the taller woman. "Yes mam" she answered, all hope seemingly lost in her words. "I suspected not slavers you to be. Excellent trap my congratulations on."

Krys jerked, almost dropping the tray in her hand. "We are not Slavers" she growled. Her anger at such an accusation causing her lips to pull back slightly.

"Bindings then why" the mouse asked.

“Your a wanted woman... A murderess" Krystal answered. Carefully setting the tray down next to Kena's bed she picked up a tiny knife. "We're protecting ourselves."

Kena pulled back at the knife. She wished she could scan the others mind. Not knowing frightened her. "Please" she begged, "Kill not me... Please." Real fear laced her words, bringing Krystal's head up from her work.

"Kill you?" she asked. "No, I'm just going to lance some of that scar tissue on your neck. Its infected and this will make you more comfortable, until we can get that thing off your neck." She reached over and started cutting fur away from the ugly, infected tissue. "Besides" she continued. "As soon as we're sure its safe these chains come off."

Kena whimpered as the deadly blade left her vision. Several times she felt the sharp sting that meant the blade had tasted her flesh. Krystal fussed over her like a mother hen, dabbing ointments and burning liquids on the open wounds. Finally she set the blade down and picked up a hypodermic. Rolling the mouse on her stomach she shoved the needle deep into Kena's rump, plunging over five CC's of antibiotics into her victim. Finished she picked up the tray and stood.

"That's all I can do for now" she told the whimpering mouse. "I've crossed checked the antibiotic against your blood. It won't hurt you. You get some sleep, I'll be back in the morning." She turned out the light as she left the room, locking the door behind her.

Kena relaxed a little. Even chained she could still protect herself from the rest of the crew, and Krystal really seemed to be worried about her. Still, as she laid chained on her in the dark, she wished the strange woman hadn't left quite so quickly. Settling down she sighed to herself, it was going to be a long night... and she already needed to go to the bathroom.