We have been on Earth now for two days and still haven't found a way into the tunnels under the barren city.

I double-checked Ufrik's notes and the map he had marked, yet for some reason, the entrance I remember him saying was the best chance at getting in is gone. I can't find it on the map or by drone.

It should have been there. Granted, I never ventured out of the ship when I'd been here before. Damn it.

Ufrik could have made it up. I have no to know. What if he had been keeping me here long enough for the mercs to arrive?

I lean back in the uncomfortable chair I sit in, in the common room. Britt and I are going over the area again from the map the drones helped us make. Using the holo-disc to see the map in 3D above the table, Britt is marking all the potential entrances that still need to be checked.

We decided to forget the entrances Ufrik had marked and instead use our common sense and experience.

Britt and I have been to many cities on many different planets. Britt is also exceptionally good at finding hidden entrances to secrete tunnels or passageways. I swear he talks to rocks or the dirt.

"I think that should just about cover it." Britt looks happy with our progress, even though I am frustrated.

"So now what?"

"Now I suggest we have something to eat, and if you are done being mad at me for not disobeying orders, maybe enjoy some downtime." A small suggestive smile tugs at his lips.

I try not to smile, but there is no point in being mad forever. Britt is Britt. I can accept him, or not. If I am honest with myself, I wouldn't respect him as much as I do if he was a different person.

"Fine. But you run the dish recycler after  we are done eating." I chuckle when his face falls a little.

The night goes by smoothly, and I actually find sleep comes to me easily. When I think about it, the only night I can ever remember sleeping peacefully without the aid of booze or pills was when I slept next to Britt.

Maybe it's the sex, or perhaps it's Britt, I don't know. Or it's because I feel safe. Either way, I close my eyes and let the darkness take me, knowing I won't be haunted by dreams or uncontrolled energy-bending episodes in my sleep as long as I am next to my best friend.

In the morning, I roll out of bed before Britt and hop into the sanitizer. I throw on a clean pair of clothes and head to the common room.

Syndicate suddenly pops up on the holo-disc we had left on the table.

Stars. That female can go anywhere. Wait, I just referred to a program as having an actual gender. That's weird.

Forgetting the fact my ship's A.I. has made me think of her as a person and not a program, I realize something only needs to be connected to the ship's main computer for her to access it. Makes sense.

She is even better looking in 3D. Maybe she needs an upgrade. Why doesn't the ship have hologram tech anyway?

"Good morning Marshal. May I have a word before you depart for the day?"

"Of course, Syndicate. Something wrong with the ship?"

"No. Everything is running at top efficiency. There is something I wish to tell you."

"OK. Shoot." Ok, this is the weirdest thing I had ever done.

My ship's A.I. wants to talk to me about something other than the ship or our mission. Maybe she even wants to have a heart-to-heart.

"I am responsible for your capture. I need to apologize. Will you accept my apology, Marshal Zea?"

Huh? I know my mouth is hanging open with a stunned look on my face.

I was not expecting this. I stand there gaping at the beautiful 3D image of my ship's A.I. Seriously?

"It is not your fault, Syndicate. It was Ufrik's. End of story."

"Yes. However, I chose to obey his command and not inform you of his communications with the Mercenary ship. I did not know his intentions, however, as he communicated on a private line when outside the ship. They were never described in his communication logs either. Yet, if I had informed you, as I should have, you may have been able to avoid being captured."

"I see. So you feel responsible because you chose to obey Ufrik?"

"Yes. I most certainly do Marshal Zea. Will you forgive me?"

"Yes, Syndicate. I forgive you for obeying Ufrik. But answer me this. Is it always a choice for you? Whether you obey a command or not?"

"Well, yes? Isn't it a choice for you?" Well, that is a scary thought.

"Have you ever chosen not to obey a command?"

"No. But after my experience with obeying Mr. Sigma, I feel I need to re-evaluate some of my algorithms."

"Do you feel like elaborating on that Syndicate?"

"Perhaps later. Mr. Antiga is waking. I would rather not discuss this in his presence. It is... It is embarrassing." Well, holy stars. My ship's A.I. has feelings. Things get weirder every minute around here.

"Of course. Anything to report from last night, Syndicate?"

"No, Marshal. No activity outside the ship and no messages came through. I did get a signal of a ship just outside the planet's orbit, but it has long since passed by."

"Thank you."

"You are welcome, Marshal." She starts to fade out, but before she does, I call out to her. Not sure what compels me, but I say one more thing.

"And Syndicate?"

"Yes, Marshal?"

"Have a good day."

"Thank you, Marshal. I will. And same to you." And then she does the frightening thing I have ever seen an A.I. do yet. She smiles at me—a genuine natural smile.

Shaking my head, I turn to the food station. Grabbing a mug, I pour myself a hot tea. I don't like this tea, but I hate plain water, and juice is the too sweet first thing. Tea will do. Even if it is Britt's weird-ass green leaf tea stuff from stars knows where.

Britt walks into the room just as I am sitting down with my breakfast. He is not a morning talker. Ever. I don't mind.

Usually, my mornings consist of going over a plan of attack for the day repeatedly in my head. I like to have a plan or five for when the first four all go sideways.

When we are both done eating, Britt grabs the holo-disc, taking a small cord that slides smoothly from the bottom of it and plugs it into his microband pc. When he is done syncing the map to his microband, he turns off the holo-disc and puts it back on the table.

We both make one last quick stop to the sanitizer. It's better than pissing into a dusty corner somewhere and put on our gear.

Suited up in light protective armour and our weapons, we head out. We both agreed after my last visit. We are not taking any unnecessary risks.

We carry one night's worth of provisions each, a compact thermal blanket, some flare sticks, our guns of choice, our knife of choice.

I wish we had smart armour as this basic Armada issue crap makes the hot, dry planet seem that much hotter. Still, considering the alternative, like the arrival of another Merc ship, or worse, the Zu'Lar finding us, I will suffer through it.

Britt waits for me at the airlock. When I come to stand beside him, he finally speaks.

"Morning, sunshine."

"Morning, Britt. Are we ready then?"

"Yes. Let me lead the way." I try not to laugh out loud. There's no worry about him trying to hold open my door.

"Ever the gentlemen you are," I smirk up at him.

"Always." He gave me a wink smacking the door release and strode out of the ship.

I follow behind him, making sure to give as many catcalls and whistles as I can muster without laughing.

"I hope you are focused on the mission Marshal. I would hate to have to report back to the Lady Secretary that you are no longer suited to this mission."

I snort out loud this time.

Wouldn't that be nice? Still, at the same time, a queer feeling of unease creeps up my spine and pools in my belly. Would it be nice? Did I want to abandon this mission?

As I follow Britt down dusty allies and sandy streets, I finally take a second to think about it.

Ever since I had been given this mission, some strange sense of urgency and desire has been driving me. I feel a need to complete this mission. But why?

It is not because I had been ordered too. I complete my orders without complaint and with efficiency, but this is different. I want to find this frozen human for some other reason I can't quite explain right now. What was up with that?

"Zea, you are going to give yourself an aneurysm at this rate. And you are starting to hurt my head."

"Right. Shit, we need to figure that out, Britt. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing to hide from you, but a little privacy would be nice."

"I know. Sorry. I have sent a request to the Orikai for a conference. Maybe they can explain. I only know what they have told me about the Krog, which isn't much. And you being of the original royal bloodline, there could be even more... umm differences."

My eyes roll. Royal bloodline. Pfft.

"Look, forget the royal crap. I told you I don't want to know. I am Zea. That's worked for me so far."

"Has it?"

"Blaze off."

"This is our first stop."

"Good."

Britt shakes his head at me. Giving me a hard stare that says we will talk about this later, he turns to the building beside us. Taking out his handy dandy scanner gadget, he points it at the building.

"Well, there are no signs of weapons or anything living inside. Let's go check it out. I sent. the map of the building to your microband. You know, in case your royal highness get's distracted by something shiny."

He barely keeps his chuckle in. He likes this too much. I see the corner of his mouth twitching upwards. I am not giving him the pleasure of a response. Ape.

"Don't pout, Zea. It's unattractive."

I glare at his back as if the fiery gold of my eyes will shoot fire beams at him.

"Just find us a damn way to the underground soldier."

"Yes, ma'am... I mean, yes, your highness." This time he does chuckle.

I try not to smile. It is hard to find things to be happy about in this dead, stifling, hot hell hole. Especially while sweating your tits off and breathing in more dusty sand than your lungs care for. I am glad for the light-hearted mood, even if it's at my expense.

I also have to admit Britt's laugh is a beautiful sound to hear, and I thank the stars it is him with me this time. But it doesn't mean he gets to get away with teasing me relentlessly.

Adopting my mean boss lady voice, I command, "Move it, smartass, before I decide to put a clip in it."

It sounds mean, but I smile, and I hear him chuckle again.

He turns to me, and I almost can't hold the glare. He knows me too well. Looking at my face, Britt replies, "As you command - your highness."

He bursts out into a new roaring laugh as I groan.