[IC] Wear a Badge, Carry a Gun

[Adina]

Having sat through graduation ceremonies for five children and three classes of the Police Academy at home, Bear is expecting the ceremony to run late. So after receiving his badge and accoutrement's he positions himself for a quick exit. After the last of his classmates have received their badges he slips away to his waiting air-taxi.

Arriving at the Hermeline’s, Bear makes a quick check of his uniform and accoutrement's (including origami flower) and presents himself at the door.

Lisa (after a brief kiss)

Bear, you’re early, we are not quite ready yet. Liselle has been in such a tizzy today she’s driving me nuts.

Bear (chuckles)

Ah, her first ball then? All of my daughters were the same way. Take your time, I shall wait.

Lisa

She’s been to dances at school before, what’s another stuffy ball? I will go hurry her along. We will be out momentarily.

Bear

Well for us it may be stuffy, but for her, this is a big night.

A few moments later Liselle sweeps into the room. She is a sight to make young men swoon and any mans' heart beat faster. Her shoulders, cheeks, and brow are wide, her eyes brown and well-spaced, and her foxy-red hair is pulled up on top of her head and artfully coiffed. A turquoise-green dress that sets off her hair drops from her right shoulder (leaving the left bare) down to just below her hips where it flares out into a full skirt that ends at her ankles. The waist is high and accented by a row of crystals matching the one in her hair.

Liselle

Oh, you understand! Mother just doesn’t get it…

Her voice trails off as she looks up at him then she continues in a small voice

Mom didn’t tell me how big you were.

Bear

And she didn’t tell me how lovely you are. Anyway I’m just an average bear.

But now I have a question. Since you seem to be ready shall we leave now or do you want to wait for your parents?

Liselle

Can we?____Right now?

Bear nods.

Liselle

Yes!

Liselle rushes in and hugs him then steps back awkwardly. Bear gracefully goes down on one knee unfolding a paper flower in his hands.

Bear

For you mademoiselle. Shall I?

Liselle (confused)

It’s beautiful. Shall you ?.?.?

Lisa comes through the door behind her daughter.

Lisa (amused)

I told you he was a nice man ‘Selle. It’s a corsage dear.

Liselle

Of course it is. _____ Yes you may.

She nods regally to Bear and he carefully pins the flower to Liselle’s gown.

He’s a very nice BEAR, mother.

He rises to his feet grinning, and winks to Lisa over Liselle’s head.

Bear

Now if you ladies would assist me in updating this uniform?

Bear hands the labels to Liselle and holds out his arms. Lisa leans over and whispers instructions in Liselles’ ear and then steps forward and gives the silver cadet's buttons on Bear's cuffs a sharp tug each. A thread snaps, and they come off.

Lisa

You should give these to the Principal of your school some time before you ship out.

Liselle then looses the first stitch of the chain-stitch holding the bases of the labels, the chain unravels, and they come free. She takes Bears’ arms one at a time, and attaches the commissioning pips through the thread-holes left by the buttons. The self-darning backings weave the embroidered patches into the fabric of the coat.

Bear (quietly)

The chains are supposed to go to my parents I think. But I never knew who they were.

(continues calmly, in a more normal tone)

All I have from them is this great conglomeration of a name.

Liselle (softly)

Could, could I keep them?

Bear (with a bow)

I would be honored, child.

Bear straightens, looks at Lisa, then at Liselle, and offers Liselle his arm.

Bear

I shall have to beat them away with a stick. Indeed I think I shall. Now if I may have your ladies kind permission?

Lisa grins at Bear as she adjusts her daughters’ hair then pats them both on the shoulder.

Lisa

Yes go on you two.

Liselle

I am ready Sir Bear.

Bear offers Liselle his arm and they step out to the ball.

Liselle

Would you really beat them away?

Bear

Only the ones you wanted me to, I don’t think I’ll need a stick though.

Liselle (laughing)

I don’t think so either!

(seriously)

What if I told you to beat them all away and only dance with me?

Bear (calmly)

Then you would be disappointed.

Liselle (laughing again)

Well I want to dance with lots of people tonight so I won’t do that. Besides you’re Mom’s luvah-bear.

Bear (with a slight snort as he stifles a laugh)

Well I did enjoy dancing the foxtrot with her last night.

They walk on for a moment until it hits her. Then her eyes go wide and she takes her hand off his arm and smacks him in the shoulder.

Liselle (loudly)

Dancing the foxtrot! Yeahh..,right!

Liselle starts laughing so hard she has to stop and Bear can’t help but laugh with her.

After a moment Bear offers her his arm and they resume walking until they reach the air-taxi, chatting as they go.

Liselle

An air-taxi! Oh thank you! This is perfect!

As Bear hands Liselle into the air-car and climbs in himself he thinks to himself:

Back on Pegasex Liselle’s mother would be considered criminally negligent. She picks up a strange man at a club, invites him home for the night where they do some horizontal dancing, and then lets this stranger take her eighteen year old daughter to the New Years Eve ball held by the highest politico in light-years. Yet here neither Lisa nor Liselle have any fears or even think anything about it. And they are right, for here it is safe.

He puts one hand around Liselle’s shoulder and hugs her to him, kissing her on the top of the head.

Liselle (looking at him curiously)

What was that for?

Bear

That was a thank you, my dear. For reminding me why I’ve worked my tail off for six straight months. Why I am going to spend years freezing my tail off amongst the heathens. Hoping that because of what I do, more children can grow up like you did here, and less will have to grow up like I did.

Liselle

What was it like when you were growing up?

Bear (shaking his head from side to side)

That’s like asking what it’s like being in combat. Those who have been there don’t need to ask. And words can never explain it to those who haven’t. I will tell you a little though, because you have grown up in Paradise and are ready to go out and make a difference in the galaxy. Not to scare you, or to try and change your mind, but because there are tigers in this galaxy, tigers you have never seen, tigers you should know about. __This is not for you to talk about, not even with your mother.

He pauses and looks directly at Liselle, who slowly nods in agreement.

When I was thirteen I was sleeping inside an abandoned shipping container, along with a half a dozen other street kids. By the time I was your age, I had been shot once, stabbed three times, and had beaten or been beaten more times than I can count. And I had to kill a person who was trying to kill me and my other__kin.

Liselle

You’re a palimpsest? You were MINDWIPED!?

Bear (laughs and Liselle relaxes slightly)

No, no. Well not exactly, I joined the Imperial Marines.

Liselle

I knew it! When you were waiting you stood just like the Marines do! I knew you were a Marine!

The air-taxi begins its’ descent to the ball.

Bear (grinning)

Almost there dear, we can save the galaxy later. Now it’s time to dance. We will dance the first dance together of course and the last unless you make other arrangements and others in between as it may fall out. Don’t worry there will be lots of people who will want to dance with you. I have classmates as well as your mother to dance with but if you need me to beat someone away find me or call me and I will. Ah, here we are.

Bear escorts Liselle into the ball; both of them are tall wide-shouldered redheads. He is taller, looks to be in his late thirties, and is wearing a double-breasted cream-colored dress jacket over maroon shirt and dark-gray trousers with maroon piping. She has lighter hair, is dressed in a sparkling turquoise gown, and is on the cusp of adulthood; coltish adolescent one moment and confident young woman the next. Many of the onlooking guests take them to be father and daughter.

[t@nya]

As the ball starts, Penny arrives on the arm of her uncle, stifling a sigh as she glances around. She had never enjoyed this kind of formal function, though she'd learnt to endure it and even disguise her boredom with the etiquette painstakingly taught to her by her parents.

Mentally shrugging, she decides to make the best of it and try to enjoy herself. Luckily, her uncle is a charming guest and helps raise her spirits, entertaining her with gossip about the high-status guests at the ball, as they perform a couple of dances.

Afterwards, her uncle laughs as he is pulled away by star-struck young ladies, recognising him as the singer of one of the latest rock hits.

Penny, then, strolls around perimeter of the room, until she spots Bear who has just finished dancing with Kiloni. She walks up to him to fulfil her promise to him, about a dance.

Penny (as they dance)

You're a very good dancer, Bear. Much better than me, I'm afraid. My mother was always scolding me about hiding from my dancing lessons to bury my nose in a book.

Despite her words, Penny isn't a bad dancer. Not an expert, by any means, but she knows the steps well enough not to embarrass herself.

Bear

You do quite nicely. Dancing has always been a joy for me. Plus it helps to make the time pass at these 'high-society' mutual admiration affairs

Penny smiles indulgently as she sees her uncle being fought over by several young ladies.

Penny

I was afraid my uncle would be bored here. He doesn't have much patience for these kind of formal events. Looks like I was wrong.

Penny spends much of the rest of the evening, simply watching the dancers, impatiently waiting until she can leave the party.

As soon as it acceptable, she does so. Her uncle leaves at the same time, waving goodbye to her at the front door, accompanied by two very attractive young ladies. Penny is touched that he hadn't left long since, since he's never been one to follow the rules when they don't suit him. She knows that he is behaving himself for her sake and she gives him a smile of thanks as they depart.

The next morning she wakes at a bright and early 7 am, feeling refreshed after her sleep. At that point she notices the message that Hart had left to her, and she is especially happy that she did leave the ball early.

She quickly she quickly eats a hearty breakfast, showers, and then changes, and then heads to the meeting.

It's only as she's arriving at that meeting that she realises that she still has to drop off the cadet pins, which are still in her quarters. With a frown for her own forgetfulness, she resolves to return them as soon as the meeting is over.

[ladyarcana55]

About thirty minutes after the official start of the ball, there are a lot of people and the festivities are in full swing. Kiloni comes in, escorted by her father. Her brothers follow suit with their escorts and her mother comes in with Hart. Kiloni put in quite a bit of effort on her hair and make up and it does show. The men are in finely tailored tuxedos with Victor in his dress uniform. Their mother is in a beautifully tailored evening dress and though she is older she looks absolutely magnificent. The family is clearly in their element and Kiloni's eyes shine with pure excitement. They all mingle and they dance with their escorts at least twice in the night, but they do dance with other partners.

Kiloni sees Bear and waits for the proper time to approach him about her promised dance. She is light on her feet and she knows the steps well.

Kiloni

Wow Karapyetchenko! I never would have guessed a former Marine would be interested in learning these dances!

Bear

My first section leader started teaching me. She told me "Dmitri, if you want to meet girls you gotta know how to dance". She was right, and I found I liked to dance, so I kept it up. It turned out well later on too. At the Police Commissioners' Ball I was able to spend most of the time dancing. That way I didn't get stuck listening to politicians and well-bred civilians carry on about 'proper' this and 'proper' that.

Kiloni looks over at her family as they stay congregated in their own group while their escorts mingle with friends. They are watching the goings on with interest and a slight bit of confusion. There is a look of concern on her mother's face as she watches her daughter run to and fro greeting people and socializing. But, since it does not seem to be a problem, she relaxes and let's it go. It is her night, let her enjoy it.

Kiloni

<sigh> The social opportunities in Metheglin tend to be really formal affairs so it's really strange for my family that everyone is so casual. I know it was weird to me. It took me a little bit to get used to it.

Bear

...

Kiloni

But once they get more accustomed to the situation, they will follow suit.

Sure enough, after a few more minutes, they begin to break off and talk to other people. Before long, her parents are talking to some of the other officials who have honored the graduates with their presence. The brothers are off in their own new-found groups talking, laughing, playing games ot whatever tickles their fancy. Their manners are impeccable and their charm irresistable. Much later in the night, when it is acceptable to do so, at least one of the brothers leaves the ball with a pretty young lady on his arm. Much later, Kiloni leaves with her parents. She is tired and eager to go to bed. Her parents escort her to her dorm and they stay long enough to watch her enter the building. They wait another minute or two before heading off to their room. As soon as Kiloni gets to her room, she puts away her uniform and crashes into bed, exhausted.

The next morning she wakes up at 0800. She is still tired but she forces herself up. She bathes and gets dressed. Before she heads to her meeting, she stops by the principal's office to drop off the buttons. She is not the first to do so, but she is the second. She waits patiently for the Principal to finish with the person who came before her and when it is her turn, she comes into the office and after some pleasantries, she hands the buttons to her.

Kiloni

Ma'am, I just wanted to say thank you for everything.

After a few more pleasantries, she leaves the office feeling exhilerated. But she needs her cup of tea because she is still tired. She heads off to her favorite café and orders a cup, daydreaming all the while and not paying attention to the time. When she gets her tea, she notices the time and realizes that she is going to be late for her meeting. She runs as fast as she can to get to the classroom.

[Adina]

Bear easily guides them through the crowd, greeting his classmates and instructors, and making introductions as he goes. When the Imperial Anthem is played he too stands to attention. Liselle glances at him, then matches his stance as best she can.

Bear leads Liselle out for the first waltz. At it's conclusion they are caught up in a swirl of graduands asking to dance with Bear or Liselle respectively. The next time Bear gets to dance with Liselle, she is positively glowing with excitement. She peppers him with questions but gives him no time to answer. Then they are called away by other partners.

Bear sweeps up Kiloni's mother for a dance.

Bear

Miss Queldrona there is no need to apologize for your husband. I have five children of my own. I know your concerns all to well.

Michelle Queldrona (smiles wistfully)

Thank you, Karapyetchenko. I can see why my daughter calls you Bear.

They both chuckle and she continues.

(sighs)

It's just that she's our youngest. And our only girl. AND she's so tiny.

Bear

You DO know she graduated ahead of me? She would not have made it, these last six months, unless she was tough enough, and capable enough, to do the job. Let her fly. She is destined to soar.

Bear gathers Liselle up for dinner. He tells her stories about all of his classmates that she danced with. She demands to know what all of his medals are and so, reluctantly, he has to explain. They mingle cheerfully through dinner and return to the dance floor.

Though the crowd has thinned, Bear and Liselle both continue to attract partners asking for a dance. One of these, of course, is Lisa, claiming Bear for a quickstep.

Lisa

Bear, you are a dear. Liselle is having the time of her life.

Bear (cheerfully)

Hey! don't let that slip out. Yes, this is a big night for her. She's expecting to have the last dance with me, I'm afraid. So I can't go getting myself thrown out early.

Lisa (with a moue)

How disappointing!

They both grin at each other.

Lisa (smiling)

She was up this whole night past. She'll be asleep by the time you get her home. I'll wait up.

And the dancing continues, later there comes a shriek.

You want me to foxtrot!?

Those who are close enough can see that Bear has apparently just asked Liselle to dance. She is blushing and has one hand over her mouth trying to contain her laughter. She giggles her way through the foxtrot.

At the end of the night Bear takes Liselle out for the final dance. They stand to attention for Auld Lang Syne. Bear sings all the verses and choruses. Liselle joins him on the choruses. Quietly they leave the ball.

They walk arm in arm out to the waiting air-taxi.

Liselle

Thank you, sir. I will remember this night as long as I live.

She hugs him tighter, then reaches up and pulls him down so she can kiss him on the cheek.

Bear (embarrassed)

So will I, child, so will I.

As Bear hands Liselle into the air-taxi, a soft tone sounds from his datastick. Bear gets in himself then looks at his message.

Bear (amazed)

It's my boss. He's wishing me a Happy New Year, and what? A meeting at 10:00, is he crazy?

Just then there is a touch on his shoulder. Liselle has indeed fallen asleep. Bear puts an arm around Liselle to hold her steady and keys in a response to Harts message.

Boss? You know this is New Years, right? It's a Holiday? We're supposed to be relaxing and having fun before returning to work on the second, Right? Can you postpone the meeting until 14:00 or 15:00? I don't expect to be awake by 10:00.
Karapyetchenko.

The air taxi arrives at Liselle's school and Bear walks her to the door. Gently they say goodbye and modestly kiss goodnight.

The well-traveled air-taxi returns Bear to Lisa's. She is indeed waiting up. They kiss with no modesty whatsoever.

Bear

Hang on a moment, I've got to set an alarm. My boss wants a 10:00 meeting.

Lisa (incredulously)

10:00? On New Years?

Bear

Yeah, I know it's crazy. Ah well, I will get no sleep at all this morning.

***************

[Icelander]

Jorge Borger, His Excellency the Agent for Rohan, finally leaves Hart to his own devices. The Agent for New Venice, a tediously oily man who has undoubtedly heard exaggerated stories of his childhood exploits from Agent Borger, is eager to entice Hart to a game of speed chess, but Hart declines politely. Then he wanders off to see if Mrs. Queldrona is in need of her escort. He finds her in conversation with her husband and decides that she will most likely manage on her own. Hart has no desire to visit the bar and thus elects to take a walk in the garden.

When he believes that he is absolutely unobserved, Hart reaches surreptitiously for his visor. It was not a part of the dress uniform, but he‘d managed to slip it in an inside pocket. Trying to put the visor on discreetly, Hart leaned against a marble statue of a nymph while he called up the Imperial Supply Net. Time to see if legends of the vaunted efficiency of the Empire were exaggerated. Hart found with pleasure that his access was indeed updated and as an Investigator, he was able to find the newest data on the Rohan Residence supply situation. Unfortunately, almost as soon as he started to cross-reference his preliminary requisition list with the Rohan stock, a small chime sounded to remind him that supper was abot to be served. The first strains of the orchestra reinforced the message and Hart hurriedly hid visor again.

Happily, supper was served in the garden close to where he had been standing. An even greater stroke of fortune was that it was not sit-down and he was able to indiscriminately grab a few morsels of food without having to suffer through a round of tedious toasts. After having eaten, Hart became acutely aware of fatigue. Not only the uncharacteristic excesses of the previous night were to blame, for Hart had been working hard with little time for rest for a whole six months now and he was far from being a young man. Even with the powerful temptation of the new access and the enticing prospect of having to equip and organise a whole team of investigators, Hart was not certain he‘d be able to keep himself awake much past midnight.

During and after the supper the gardens were far too crowded for there to be any hope of working with his visor. Hart settled for mentally reviewing the needs of his team. Soon enough, he was utterly absorbed in work, his formidable intellect ruminating on all the variables involved in the upcoming trip to Rohan and what would greet his people there when they got there. Although the time drew closer to midnight, Hart neither noticed nor cared. It was not until he heard a familiar and welcome voice that he came out of his state of concentration.

Vomact

I say, Hart, are you aware that you’re dressed as a Cadet?

Vomact is standing there with a drink in his hand and a slightly amused smile on his handsome face. Hart looks at his uniform lapels and discovers that Horus Vomact is quite right. He still hasn’t removed his silver buttons and replaced them with commissioning pips.

Vomact (handing Hart his drink)

Hold this, you unlettered colonial oaf. And hand me your pips.

With a few deft touches, Vomact transforms Hart from Cadet to Investigator. Then he takes his drink back and deposits the silver buttons in Hart’s hand instead.

Vomact

Give them to Wickramanaijke before we ship out. She’ll understand.

Vomact sits down with him and they talk for a short while. Once Vomact finishes his drink, though, he insists that Hart follow him inside. It is almost midnight and it Would Not Do to be hanging around outside when the New Year was welcomed. Reluctantly, Hart accepts this argument and is led to the bar where Vomact has another martini. Hart has a club soda and shudders. After polishing off his drink with indecent haste, Vomact insists upon a dance, which is duly granted. They have considerably more trouble than the Minister and Deputy Commissioner with determining who should lead, but unlike those august personages, are able to laugh heartily at their failure to do so.

Finally, they agree that the only way to find an equitable settlement is to dance two dances and alternate the lead. Both are light enough on their feet to execute a credible tango, but their quickstep is less successful. After these after two dances, they notice that the time is almost midnight and agree that their dancing duties have been well and truly fulfilled. Vomact informs Hart that if this wasn’t a ‘working’ social event filled with colonials; he would show him how an Imperial Marine could devastate this dance floor with a funky jitterbug.

As the clock strikes midnight, they both join in the shout of ‘Happy New Year’, but only Vomact sings ‘Auld Lang Syne’. He was a Marine and knows all the four verses, singing them with heartfelt emotion in his voice. His face unreadable, Hart listens in rapt silence and squeezes Vomact’s hand gently.

When the song concludes, the men bid each other an affectionate farewell. Vomact plans to join the more adventurous of the guests in seeking out a party which still rages, but Hart is heading for quarters. He chooses to walk, composing a short message while he does so. It's addressed to the three members of his team and is as follows:

Hart (via message to Bear, Kiloni and Penny)

Happy New Year.

This is to notify those investigators posted to Rohan that we will meet at 1000 hours ZULU in classroom 203. Service uniforms and caps.

Be well.

After a very short period of time, he receives an answer from Karapyetchenko.

Bear (by message)

Boss? You know this is New Years, right? It's a Holiday? We're supposed to be relaxing and having fun before returning to work on the second, Right? Can you postpone the meeting until 14:00 or 15:00? I don't expect to be awake by 10:00.
Karapyetchenko.

Hart (answering the message)

Fun is authorised at all times not otherwise allocated until we receive our shipping orders.

As we do not know the date of these orders, we should make an effort to be prepared as soon as possible.

If should prove unable to attend the meeting, we will have to make do without you. I cannot make it compulsory.

The intention was simply to coordinate our activities during the day.

Be well.

Hart out.

[Icelander]

Hart consciously allows himself an extra two hours of sleep. He’s aware that if he’s physically and mentally beat, he’ll be less effective at his job. Waking up, therefore, at 0700 ZULU, Hart performs his morning routine with vigour. As he finishes, at 0800, he’s feeling refreshed and eager to get to grips with his working day. The fact that it is technically a holiday scarcely impinges on his consciousness.

Hart is wearing service uniform, even as he sits alone at his desk and works. To his delight, his credentials as future Acting Imperial Marshal enable him to utilise the Imperial computer network much more freely than before. Using his newfound access, Hart calls up the personnel files and psych profiles of his team members. He spends an hour reviewing the conclusions, checking raw data whenever he needs clarification or is struck by something interesting. After having developed at least a working knowledge of their personalities and motivations, Hart moves on to the logistics of the Residence on Rohan. Not writing anything down, he applies himself to a thorough analysis of the available technology and manufacturing capabilities and what they’ll need to take with them.

When the time shows 15 minutes until the meeting with his team, Hart saves his work to his pocketcomp. He rises from his chair and walks to the second floor. Once he gets to classroom 203, he starts setting up the displays and waits for his team to arrive. The scenescape is set to show a mural of Rohan, both views from space and scenes of daily life from the area around the Residence.

Just as Hart starts to look up and check if the team isn't coming, Bear arrives. He's just in time and still wearing dress uniform. Hart gives him an inquiring look.

Bear

Just now getting back on post. Haven't had time to change yet.

Hart

Very good, Karapyetchenko.

You'll find a complete list of Rohan''s supply condition on your readscreen. Our issue gear as well.

As you know, we'll be requisiting any additional gear by tomorrow, so today we'll be figuring out what that is going to be.

Penny Drake arrives shortly after Bear does, looking fresh and dressed in an immaculate set of service uniform.

Penny Drake

Morning sir, sorry if I'm a bit late.

Good morning, Mr Karapyetchenko

She sits down at one of the desks and takes out a pad and pencil, ready to take notes.

When Kiloni arrives, she nods in greeting.

Penny

Good to see you, Ms Queldrona

[ladyarcana55]

Kiloni rushes into the room, breathless, about five minutes late.

Kiloni

Sorry! Sorry! I really needed my tea this morning!

She obviously is not suffering a hang over or any other ill effects from the festivities last night. She is still as bubbly and cheerful as she was the day you first met her. She sits down, opens er bag and takes out a notebook. She opens it and has a pen ready. She looks up expectantly.

As the people come in she will greet each person with a cheerful "Hi!"

Kiloni

Hart, I hate to do this but how long will this meeting take? I have to meet my family at around noon.

[Icelander]

Hart smiles indulgently at Kiloni as she comes through the door and takes her seat.

Hart (to Kiloni)

Don't worry about being late, Ms. Queldrona. You're here now; ready to start the new day and the New Year in the best way possible, with some honest labour.

I certainly don't intend to keep you from your family, though. We'll manage to finish this well before lunch and you'll have more than enough time to spend with them.

[Icelander]

Looking very much like teacher, Hart stands up in front of his team. He's using his datastick to fiddle with the display when appropriate or to point out something on the scenescape.

Hart

Right, now that we are all here we may begin.

We don't have our marching orders yet, but we might be taking ship as early as 05:45 on Saturday, which means that everything we need to take with us, everything that isn't already in the commissary on Rohan and that we will need in our first two months has to be ordered on Wednesday so that it can be inspected on Thursday, corrected and crated and ready for loading on Friday.

On your screens there is a list of the things I have already ordered and an inventory of the commissary at Rohan.

Dr. Queldrona, you will have special responsibility for autopsies and physical evidence analysis. Is there anything you need for that which is not on my list or in the inventory?

Kiloni

Uh, your list looks fine. The Residence has a pretty good medical department.

Maybe add a few things we've access to at the course here. I don't think there's a T-175 kit on Rohan. Ooh, and I could use some more LMX drones for internal video!

I'll give you a holler if I think of anything else.

Hart (making notes)

Very well. And anything you will need for more general inquiries?

Kiloni (grabs a folded piece of paper from her notebook and hands it to him)

This is my overall equipment list. More like a wish list, but not everything there is absolutely vital. The non-vital items are marked with stars. I thought it would be best to give you the entire list, that way whatever they do give us can be checked off. I just thought it would be easier than finding out at the wrong time that I forgot something.

Hart (taking the list)

I'll see what I can do. I'm sure you've been becomingly modest and frugal in your requests.

Now, Ms. Drake. You will be taking the lead on background inquiries and financial analysis. I believe that Rohan is rather backward when it comes to electronic records. With that in mind, what will you need?

Penny Drake

A dual-processor rig with time share on a parallel. Specced with a standard array of intrusion and security software. Datadocs, compilers, search and analysis programs.

Hart (making notes)

Well, I don't suppose that a Superhacker is illegal for us. I'll order one.

Now, what about other equipment for use outside your speciality?

Penny

I like to cook when I'm mulling over cases, sir. Helps me clarify my thoughts. So, I'd like to request a good quality kitchen, one good enough to produce gourmet food

Hart (making notes)

. . . and a commercial-quality gourmet kitchen. Okay.

Kiloni

Oo! I like cooking too! I wish I'd thought to ask for that!

Bear

I like to eat....

Hart

Lunch will wait until after we finish this.

Mr. Karapyetchenko, will you apply your mind, please, to our tactical needs?

We will often be many hours' flight from backup, and there is no real SWAT unless we can rely on the locals; who will be under-armed by our standards and we cannot be certain that all of them will like our presence there.

We will need equipment in out aircars for opposed arrests and high-risk warrant service. What will we need?

[Adina]

Bear has pulled out his datastick and is working with one of the wall screens as he keys up a list.

Bear (briskly)

Right, boss. Masks and cold-weather gear should be available locally. Secure comms, surveillance gear, transport - at least two air-cars, probably a third so we have a backup, local non-electronic currency in unremarkable, ordinary denominations for working up contacts. For weapons; concealed carry pistols; longarm of choice for each of us in the air-car; Somme with grenade launcher for myself. For high threat or Swat situations - 40mm grenade launcher with flash-bang, tangler, and gas grenades, tactical grade body armor and helmets, shotgun for breaching rounds. I can handle the 40mm, and the breeching shotgun in pistol format, so holsters and lanyards for both on an underslung belt I can add when needed. LBV to carry grenades, battery packs, and extra shotgun magazines. All of that probably in a lockable case. Standard configuration 40mm and breeching shotgun if any of you are comfortable with them. Heavy-duty stun rifles or SMG's available on post. I'll work up the spec's later today. Any questions, suggestions?

Hart looks at the former Marine for a long beat. There is silence. When Hart finally speaks, it is with a diffident and quiet air, like the teacher he appears to be.

Hart (to Bear)

Mr. Karapyetchenko, are you quite sure that you'll require a total of two grenade launchers and a pistol shotgun just for your lonesome self? In addition to a military rifle, two pistols and what sounded like enough grenades and explosives to require specialised equipment to carry them?

Bear (mildly)

If you don't want to hear the answers, Hart, don't ask the questions.

(continuing in a matter-of-fact tone)

My hope is that none of us ever has to draw a weapon. At any time in our entire careers. But it's not going to happen that way. Some one, somewhere, will test an Imperial Marshall. If it's us, and we have to respond, I want our response, our winning response, to be quick, decisive, and so overwhelming; that everybody who even hears about it; will think, 'Whoa, don't mess the Marshall's, they'll kick your butt into next month'. Like the man said "If you want peace, prepare for war".

So I am anticipating, not expecting, not wanting, but anticipating us, in two teams, at two different locations, coming under fire or having to make a hostile entry, all at the same time. Not anticipating the worst is lethal stupidity, (and so is fighting if you don't have to).

Right, then. Moving on. Each of you should choose a sidearm and longarm, that you are confident that, you can shoot someone with.

Dr Queldrona, for you I would recommend a stun SMG. You may remember we practiced with them here at school, thats the stunner you needed both hands to use. I know you don't want one, but could you use a stunner like that, if some one was shooting at us?

There's a long pause as she thinks about it. Thoughts are visibly chasing across her face, then she nods.

Kiloni

Yes, I think so Bear.

Hart smiles at Bear. It is a natural and even an apparently kindly smile. There's no reason it should make anyone uncomfortable. And yet it does.

Hart (calmly)

I perfectly agree that we should carry sidearms and have longarms available. Longarms such as a shotgun, for example. And now that you mention it, there is merit in a weapon which can deploy tear gas and flash bangs through windows and even doors.

But that does not, Mr. Karapyetchenko, explain why you feel you need a 25mm grenade launcher to attach under your rifle.

What possible law enforcement utility can a weapon designed to fire shaped-charged rounds at armoured vehicles or battlesuited troopers have? It's too small to deploy non-lethal grenades and that leaves, what? Fighting a war?

Bear grins and casually leans back in his seat.

Bear (amused)

Firing shaped-charged rounds at armoured vehicles? when the Mayor of Podunk is staring at Imperial mindwipe, panics, sends a couple of police cruisers to gun us down? And the Marines are on the other side of the planet? That kind of utility? Oh pardon me, you have a point to make, right?