Mayhap, A Mistake?

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

Private Starship STAR DIAMOND slid quietly towards planetary orbit. Snowaters, her Captain and Owner, glanced over at a huge ship floating just behind the planets moon as they passed.

"It's ready?" she asked.

<Confirm. Contract Completed. Two days ago.>

"Fine, now find me that little minx. These apology gifts are starting to thin out even my resources."

<It did help. That the hull. Was abandoned. And cheap.>

"Sure was, planetary governments just make mistakes. Most times." Snowaters stretched her back, feeling tired bones pop back into place. Even with the plantwoman Yuki helping, caring for two young children was tiring. She smiled to herself, at least they were weaned now.

<Located. Moving to orbit. Above city.>

"That was fast" Snowy replied, "How'd you manage it?"

<I sent. Request. Three days ago.>

Snowaters laughed. "Your getting better every day 'lith, soon you won't need me anymore." The silicon beach ball was silent. Some comments were to dangerous to answer truthfully, and even more dangerous to lie about.

<Stationary position. Over city.>

"What about her problems" Snowy asked, glancing at the waiting Yuki.

<Subjects children. Are asleep. Too much Pizza. I suspect.>

"Another three day ago request?"

<Guilty. As charged.>

"Umm... humm..." Okay, start up TINKERBELLE, this really shouldn't take long.

<Acknowledged.>

Shuttle TINKERBELLE drifted quietly through early morning traffic, quietly settling in a large park near Snowaters destination. She spoke rapidly to some bureaucrat for several minutes, then shut the system down.

"Money grubbing Mayors" she cursed as she exited the shuttle, pulling her lace shawl around her against the morning chill. "You'd think I was made of money." She hurried to the street, catching a cab as it drifted along.

Minutes later she stood before a darkened door. Glancing about she touched her wrist communicator. "Your certain she's awake?"

<Affirmative. Remember. Her abilities. She knows. Someone is there.>

Lifting her hand, Snowaters gently tapped the huge oak door. There was the slightest of sounds, then a worried, yet defiant voice came from the other side.

"Who there?"

"Snowaters" the Diamonds owner answered. "May I see you?"

"Not do kite?"

"No. In fact, I've come to apologize for that" she answered.

The door opened and a figure, smaller than Snowaters, slipped out. Quietly the door latched behind the fairy woman.

"What want?" Halys asked, guardedly watching the larger woman.

"About two hours of your time, and don't worry about your children. I've half the local constabulary watching this place the next three hours."

Halys mentally ‘glanced around,’ easily picking out half a dozen 'hidden' police officers. "'kay, two hours" she agreed.

TINKERBELLE rocketed towards the planets moon, the two women inside remaining silent, each remembering their first, and only meeting.

<72 seconds>

Snowy nodded, turning towards the winged woman beside her.

"I never really got to apologize' she said, one hand absently playing with her hair. "I was wrong. All I can say is I made a mistake. You see, every since I arrived people had been playing jokes, good and bad, on me. When you grabbed me.... Well you looked so delicate I was deathly afraid to touch you. Then well... I sort of lost it." She sighed and held out a small packet.

"What this?" Halys asked as she accepted the envelope. "'Nother ice cream joke?"

"No" Snowaters answered, glancing out the ports. "Papers to your new ship. Since 17th Provo fired you, and your 'husband' abandoned you. Well you've done well for yourself, and it's the best idea I could come up with."

"What is? Old ship like yours?"

Snowaters smiled. "Not quiet. You see a ship entered the galaxy a year or so ago, my probes managed to pick this design up through the Gate it used. There's nothing like it in this galaxy."

TINKERBELLE cleared the moon, heading for the two thousand meter monster still in drydock.

Halys eyes went wide, her wings stiffened in excitement. "Is mine? What called?"

"It's yours, and it's unnamed." Snowaters reached out absently, softly touching the other womans delicate cheek. "Name her what you want lo... Halys." She shook herself, pulling her hand away by shear willpower. Taking a deep breath, she looked away from her passenger. "All I can tell you is that in that other galaxy... They called her a Star Destroyer."