by Amwhere » Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:27 pm
Soon, the group was back on the highway heading back towards the city. "Sis," Mieu said, "what did you say to Miya?"<p>"Nothing," Miun replied.<p>"But, I heard..."<p>"It was nothing more than a goodbye, sis," Miun said firmly, "alright?"<p>"Alright."<p>Tim hadn't realize he had nodded off until he felt someone shaking his leg. "I'm awake," he said groggily.<p>"We're back," Miun said.<p>They got out and entered the girl's apartment. Tim sat down heavily on the couch. "Home sweet home."<p>"Agreed, but this isn't your home, Tim," Mieu said with a sly smile.<p>Miun went into her room and sprawled herself out on the bed. As she lay there, though, she wondered why she had done that in the first place. After all, she couldn't become tired, and any position for her was as comfortable as any other. Doesn't matter, she thought.<p>The android connected to the apartment's computer and ran the encryption program she had secretly installed on it. Now ensured that her communications couldn't be eavesdropped, she ordered the computer to dial General Pyre's office.<p>"This is General Pyre's office," the woman/cyborg (Miun couldn't prove it either way) answered, "All inquires for the defense for..."<p>"This is Colonel Rydori."<p>"Understood, ma'am. The general has been expecting you, and will be with you in a minute."<p>Exactly a minute later, Pyre said in his warm and deep voice, "Greetings, Miun."<p>"Hello, sir."<p>"So Zyram tells me that you've stumbled upon his enclave."<p>"Yes, sir"<p>"I figured you might after Zy told me that they found an old box."<p>"Why didn't you tell me, sir?"<p>"New-Camineet needs to be kept secret as long as possible."<p>"You don't trust me, sir?"<p>"You are one of my most trusted officers, Miun. I want you at my side, but right now that would cause trouble."<p>"Then why didn't you tell me, sir?"<p>"Consider it a test, my dear android."<p>"Did I pass?"<p>"Of course," Pyre chuckled, "I would be worried if you hadn't."<p>"Thank you, sir."<p>"Did the box contain proof that the Earthman is telling the truth?"<p>"Yes sir, beyond a doubt."<p>"Good. You are still to protect him, then."<p>"Consider it done, sir. Any news of the folk upstairs?"<p>"Not a peep."<p>"Good." Miun replied. "Anything else, sir?"<p>"No, Miun, except for you'll be getting a mission from Jager in a about a week."<p>"Jager..." Miun muttered.<p>"Look, Miun. Jager may be a nutcase, but he is loyal to the cause... and, somehow, he's somewhat of a local hero." Pyre sighed. "I'll see what I can do, but no promises."<p>"That's all I can ask, sir."<p>"Good work out here, Miun. Xvar Toris."<p>"Xvar Toris, sir." Xvar Toris was an archaic Palman phrase that meant "Victory as one." Pyre hung up.<p>Miun went back into the living room and noticed that Tim had gone back to his apartment. "So," Mieu asked, "Where'd you call this time?"<p>Miun had expected this; Mieu could easily detected the communication between Miun and the computer, even if she couldn't read it. "No one important, why?"<p>"Why did you encrypt your traffic, then?"<p>"Maybe I wanted a little privacy?"<p>"Humph," Mieu snorted. "Whatever."<p>"Trust me, Mieu, it was nothing."<p>"I always trust you, Miun. I just don't trust the people who order you around,"<p>You'd be so mad at me, Mieu, if you knew the truth... "Yeah."<p>"Anyway," Mieu said, figured that Miun couldn't tell her the truth, no matter how much she bugged her, "have you reported the cave already?"<p>"No, and I won't."<p>"Why?" Mieu replied, somewhat puzzled. "It's a large group of rebels right off the road!"<p>"Mieu, there's more to this group than you think."<p>"You and your secrets!" Mieu exclaimed, then continued calmly, "It's not your fault that you can't tell me..."<p>I really, really want to tell you, sis, but not yet... "You're just going to have to trust me."<p>"Alright."<p>"Good. I've got to leave now. I'll be back in a bit."<p>"Why? We've just got back!"<p>"I've got a date tonight. I've got to go shopping!"