Trevor walked the exterior of the otherworldly estate listening to alien-sounding chirps from some manner of bird as it announced the arrival of morning. With a bounce in his step, he passed a sentry, patting the man on the shoulder who responded, "Cold out today, sir."
"Not as cold as it is for those dead Geryons, is it, Morris?"
"No, sir!" the soldier smiled.
Trevor found satisfaction in the man's spirit. Here they were out in the wilderness far from safety and if another Geryon battleship sailed over the horizon they would stand no chance.
Yet Morris felt a sense of invincibility. Trevor had led them to victory over a superior enemy, as he had done many times on his world. How? He knew part of that came from the dark spot of his heart, the part that bubbled to the surface last night with the Major.
At the same time, his strength also came from the righteousness of his cause. Standing on the moral high ground gave him a free hand. No tactic could be too brutal, too nasty for the invading scum. Indeed, the more brutal the blow the more effective; a frightened enemy is more easily defeated. Certainly it would frighten the Geryons to find one of their powerful Battleships obliterated by a handful of humans.
He came upon Reverend Johnny near the front gate staring into the distance with binoculars. On the lake, strands of smoke still smoldered from the destroyed dirigible, but no fires and apparently no sign of Geryon survivors.
"Good morning, sunshine," Trevor greeted lightheartedly.
"I see you have pulled yourself out of bed, Mr. Stone. I feared you might stay there all day," Johnny responded without lowering his binoculars.
That annoyed Trevor. He was, after all, the Emperor. Johnny should damn well turn around and Stop it.
Trevor let it go, instead asking, "What do you mean? It’s bright and early."
"I figured you would be loath to leave behind the warmth you found there."
Trevor played coy, "What are you talking about?"
"My dear Mr. Stone, you and the Major-how should I put this within the bounds of good taste? — you and the Major were quite… enthusiastic. Yes. The acoustics of the empty mansion and the cavern into which it is built are quite conductive."
Trevor pinched his nose and grimaced. "Oh. Um. Yeah well…"
Johnny finally pulled away the binoculars and looked at his friend. "Fear not, for I have found a more interesting sight to judge this morning." He pointed toward the mountainside. "There. Behold a curious sight. Perhaps the answers you think are here can be gleaned from the events under our very noses."
Trevor pulled his own field glasses from a pouch on his belt and followed Johnny’s direction to a strip of thin woodlands between destroyed cottages. There he saw a common hostile nicknamed a Rat-Thing, essentially a car-sized rodent with needle-like tufts of fur.
"Not sure what the big deal is, I've seen plenty of these-wait a second. I’ll be damned."
Trevor spied a pack of predators hunting the Rat-Thing. Four Gray Wolves emerged from the debris of the ruined homes.
Johnny and Stone observed the wolves stalk and attack their target. The horrid beast squealed and scampered in an attempt to flee, but the wolves ripped at its hind legs until it fell.
"Amazing," Trevor whispered.
Johnny stopped watching. He did not need to see the tearing and shredding of the Rat-Thing’s hide. Stone, on the other hand, stood hypnotized by the brutal and efficient pack.
"I imagine wolves would attack any creature if promised a good breakfast," Johnny said.
"After all these years, they've learned that some of the invaders are good eats. Still, makes me think about this whole thing. Maybe it’s our entire environment. That might explain why more than just alien armies came to our world. Or, I guess, ‘worlds.’ Maybe it explains why predator and prey have come here. To show their-what? — superiority?"
"Or maybe," Johnny suggested, "the wolves are just hungry."
Trevor smiled. "Maybe so."
– The extraction flight arrived mid-morning and evacuated the remaining team members with no interruption, no incident. The Skippers flew over the mountains and plains under a sky that was as clear as the day before.
Nina napped next to Trevor in the passenger compartment. He had missed as much sleep as she had but he felt invigorated, not exhausted. He spent the return flight gazing out the side portal watching the landscape go by.
For every sight that accentuated the difference between this Earth and his, there were a dozen that drove home the similarities.
Yes, the architecture of the homes seemed a warped version of what he knew. Instead of open fields, the developers of this Earth preferred mountains and hills from which sprouted neighborhoods, sometimes on terraced levels, the same type of deigns he had noticed at the lake. Furthermore, the few roads he spied from the sky seemed wider than those back home.
Such subtleties meant little. If he closed his eyes, he could see children playing in the fields that were marked with lines for some sport or another; he could hear the ringing of worship bells in the triangular steeples of the churches; he could hear families gathering in their homes for the evening meal.
When he opened those eyes again he saw the devastation. Fields of bomb craters, toppled steeples, the charred remains of burned homes, the occupants either dead or enslaved.
Yes, the more tiny differences he found the more he saw similarities. The more he grew convinced that this Earth needed him.
– Trevor and his team returned to Thebes that afternoon. Nothing much happened the rest of the day. Nina disappeared to write reports and as the day went on Trevor's exhilaration turned to exhaustion as fighting alien blimps and shapely Majors finally got the better of him. He did not see her that night as he collapsed sound asleep in the apartment he shared with Johnny.
However, the next morning she knocked frantically on their door.
"We have to appear before The Committee."
He would have suspected that The Committee wanted to pin a medal on him for winning such an unlikely victory. However, the grumpy expression on her face suggested otherwise.
"What is it?"
She spat, "Our fearless leaders are not happy about our expedition."
Reverend Johnny broke in, "Not happy? Why, you would think they would be ringing bells of celebration after the sound pummeling we delivered unto-"
"What is their problem?" Trevor interrupted his friend’s sermon.
"I don’t know. I just know they want to see us."
Johnny volunteered, "Do not fear, Major. We will show them the error of their ways."
"Actually, Reverend," Forest tried to tell him delicately. "They just want to see the officers involved."
Before Johnny could be offended Trevor consoled, "Don’t sweat it. Why don’t you do me the favor of reviewing the city’s defenses. I’d like to know what we’ve got to work with."
Johnny huffed. "Very well."
Trevor followed the Major to the first floor where they met ground transportation to the Ops Center.
They traversed the city under a silky gray quilt of clouds blanketing the morning sky. No blue; no beams of sun, just a steady dull light. However, those clouds trapped enough heat to keep the temperature from plummeting too far. It actually felt slightly warmer than Trevor would expect for a mid-February day, perhaps the tenth or so.
He had lived in Thebes for more than two weeks with the exception of that night at the lake. Trevor’s time inside the walls-or what remained of the walls-had been spent mainly training soldiers from the Third Legion.
Trevor realized that he did not like being out on the vacant, decaying streets. They reminded him of the challenge he faced and the scope of failure that had befallen these people.
My people.
Yes, they were becoming his people.
Only a handful knew of his presence; Nina said most officers in the Third Legion received a briefing as to who and what he was. As for the others in Thebes, well, Nina heard that the rumor of his 'return' spread through the city.
Would they believe him a reincarnation of their Emperor? If they knew the whole story, would they accept this man from another universe as their leader?
The only thing he knew with certainty was that any leader who could bring victory to these people, who could wake this city from its defeat-induced coma, would find willing followers. After all, what choice did they have?
In reality, he had seen very little of the city but he had seen enough to know this was a leaderless flock wandering without direction.
That angered him; angered him enough to stay and fight a battle against the Geryons, a battle his head told him he should avoid. Yet he had sensed he could win. More importantly, he sensed that these people needed him to win.
And now what? And now The Committee called him on the carpet to tell him he had done wrong? That made him angrier still.
The driver delivered them to the Ops Center.
Trevor’s time whipping the Third Legion into shape had not spread to the heart of Thebes. The guards, the techs, and couriers, they still looked as lazy, as disinterested, and as unconcerned as they had the first time he had walked through those doors.
Someone needs to knock sense into these people.
Trevor and Nina marched the hallway to the main control room. Along the way, he saw a man flirting with a woman and a sentry leaning lazily against a wall.
He was about ready to explode by the time they came upon a group of technicians and junior officers laughing in a corner.
"You should have seen him! He was so drunk he puked right there in the office!"
"Oh, man, we were wasted."
"Didn’t you have guard duty after?"
"Yeah, I think I slept through half of it."
Trevor stopped. Nina actually took three steps before realizing she walked alone.
Stone approached the group of three male techs and both a female and male officer.
"What is going on here? You, soldier, you on duty?"
The female officer staggered, "Um, yes, I’m here to-"
"Any one here off duty? Any one here on break?"
Nina hovered in the distance and watched.
The male officer responded, "What’s it to you?"
Apparently their lack of attention kept them from recognizing his face but they did notice a lack of rank on his collar.
"What? What…is…it…to…me?"
Stone shot over, grabbed the guy with one hand on his chest, another on his throat, and slammed him against the wall. The thud echoed along the hall grabbing the attention of dozens.
"Listen here you worthless fuck. I just got back from two days of fighting. I watched people die on the battlefield to keep you useless sacks of shit alive back here. You will NOT dishonor them by acting like a bunch of god damn teenyboppers bullshitting in the hall between classes. Are you hearing me?"
The stunned junior officer reacted only with coughs. The blow to his head had sent him into a daze.
Trevor turned his attention to the others in the group. He spoke first to the female officer.
"What is it you are supposed to be doing?"
"I…I’m here from Second Legion to file readiness reports…ah…um…"
"Then what the fuck are you waiting for? Go file the reports then get back to your unit!"
She scurried away.
"And you?"
Trevor addressed the remaining three technicians. The first two answered in a miss-mash of stuttering sentences.
"Serv-servicing electrical junctions."
"Supplies. I mean-inventory. I mean, inventorying supplies at the-"
Stone shouted, "Then get in gear before I tear you new assholes."
They hurried off.
"And you?" Trevor addressed the third.
"Um. Actually, I, um, just went off duty."
Trevor let go of the officer who fell to the ground and tried to catch his breath.
"Well don’t hang around here. Go get some rest." Trevor considered then pointed at the guy on the floor. "Take him to the infirmary first."
The technician nodded nervously. Trevor joined Nina and they continued on.
– While Trevor Stone went to meet with The Committee, Reverend Johnny decided on a walk around the city to study their defenses and to learn more about their hosts.
He exited the main entrance of the dormitory skyscraper out into an overcast day.
A supply truck with six big wheels drove by spewing noxious exhaust and a Skipper whirred overhead. Otherwise, the neighborhood felt deserted.
To his left, the street continued toward a series of smaller buildings that looked commercial in nature, perhaps shops. He also saw a small park with a cluster of trees and benches. At some point it must have been an area for recreation. If those trees were in bloom-if it were the summer months-then the little park might have looked cozy. Instead, it looked sad.
To his right, far in the distance, the start of the industrial district including some kind of power sub-station and a big garage. He spied streams of smoke drifting into the sky.
He walked to his left.
The sound of his footsteps clicked off the concrete walkway and echoed among the buildings. The occasional beep or bell joined the sound of those footsteps, but otherwise the day felt heavy with silence.
That silence broke as he passed the small, sad park. "They say your name is Johnny."
A person stood next to one of the thin, barren trees wearing a gray jacket with a dark hood over technician’s garb.
"Why yes. You may call me Reverend Johnny."
"You are a friend of Trevor Stone’s? You came here with him?"
"That is correct. Now may I ask who are you?"
She removed the hood revealing a lovely face marred by a scarred cheek and hair cut short to match her military appearance. Nonetheless, he recognized the woman.
"My name is Ashley Trump."
– Trevor took one step closer toward The Committee, purposely setting himself apart from Nina. Director Snowe stood off to the side, waiting for the confrontation to unfold. However, as usual, the three Committeemen whispered amongst themselves as they sat at their elevated table, not yet acknowledging Trevor or Major Forest's presence.
Trevor fidgeted, clenching and unclenching his fists with growing impatience.
Finally, he blurted, "Did you want to see me or can I get back to trying to save all your asses?"
That drew their attention, but only long enough to shoot him down.
"You will be addressed."
"We are still formulating our position."
"Despite your unique situation, interruptions will not be tolerated."
Trevor grunted. The men returned to their whispers for a bit longer, no doubt a punishment for his brashness.
At long last, The Committee spoke.
"We have analyzed the after-action reports from special mission number forty-two seventy-six. After reviewing these reports we realized we had made an error."
"Yes. A procedural error. You should know that we do not hold you responsible for this error. It was our mistake."
Trevor cocked his head, "Error? What error?"
"We received reports from all involved including Corporal Brewer and Major Forest."
"This is, of course, standard procedure."
"Then we realized that we had not requested a written report from you."
"You hold an honorary position with the Third Legion therefore we did not feel that a written report from you would hold enough legitimacy to be a part of our official findings."
"However, after discussing the matter we have concluded that we should grant you the opportunity to provide a detailed account of forty-two seventy-six."
"We believe this to be the most equitable course. Taking disciplinary actions against you for negligence would be unfair until after we have received your report."
"This is true. You should know that both Director Snowe and Major Forest face sanctions as a result of their role in the poor judgment displayed in the authorization and execution of mission number forty-two seventy-six."
It took Trevor a moment to process what he heard.
"Huh? Did you just say…wait a second, you consider this mission a failure? You think we did something wrong?"
One of the Committeemen referenced a sheet of paper.
"One AATC willfully destroyed-"
Trevor looked at Nina who translated, "Air Assault and Transport Craft. A Skipper."
"— unacceptable fatalities and casualties. Expenditure of excess ammunition and willful destruction of several crates of ordnance stored on the destroyed AATC."
"Wasted fuel for initial transportation plus the follow-up extraction team not to mention fuel onboard the purposely destroyed AATC.
"Wait one damn second," Trevor failed to muster a full head of steam because he was so flabbergasted at The Committee's reaction. He tried, "We knocked out a Battleship and brought back a shit load of parts from the Steel Guard’s Golems. This mission-"
"Oh, yes," a Committeeman interrupted. "We must also consider that the decision to engage the Geryon Reich has destabilized our eastern border."
"The Geryons have not pushed west for nearly two years. It is possible that your actions will encourage reprisals against us. This has increased our peril."
Major Forest tried to intervene, "I remind The Committee of this man's special disposition as we discussed in the past."
But Trevor did not let her go on. He did not even hear her. His jaw practically unhinged as he gasped, "Destabilized? Peril? Do you hear yourselves? You’re the last human beings on Earth and you think I could possibly increase your peril?"
Major Forest raised her voice louder this time and pointed out, "His people have fought and won many victories like this. That is why on his Earth, humanity is the dominant force."
He heard her that time, but she only added to his momentum.
"Damn right. Since I’ve been here I’ve seen nothing but half-assed soldiers. I honestly have no friggin’ idea how your city is still around. You’ve been living lucky."
Director Snowe stepped forward, apparently deciding the time had come to join the fray.
"With respect, I remind The Committee of our prior discussions regarding this Trevor Stone. I must re-emphasize the assistance we are receiving as a result of his presence here."
Trevor glanced at Snowe. He did not like the man. His first instinct suggested that this Director Snowe shared more in common with the bureaucrats sitting on The Committee than with the soldiers of Thebes. However, regardless of his politician-like words, it became clear that Snowe aimed to help.
The Director continued, "If it pleases The Committee, I recommend you review the readiness reports for Third Legion. You will notice a significant improvement in efficiency and tactics. This is due in no small part to Mr. Stone’s efforts."
"Yes, this is true," The Committee admitted. "We have taken this into consideration as we evaluate Trevor Stone's usefulness to our defense and we will continue to honor the parameters regarding his position here."
"We are willing to give you the benefit of the doubt that you were doing what you thought was best."
"We remind you that you do not hold any official rank. You are considered an advisor."
"This is why the sanctions will primarily be against Director Snowe and Major Forest."
"You are not to take any action without first consulting-"
"Action?" Trevor interrupted. "Let me tell you something because you folks need to hear it. You’re all dead! Every last one of you inside these walls, you are already dead."
"You are out of line!"
Stone disagreed, "No! You are out of line. This entire city is a big graveyard! You sit up there and do nothing but file reports. I’ll bet you have one Hell of a set of push pins!"
The insubordination stunned The Committee into silence.
"I am trying to save you. Do you understand? You have nothing left to lose! If you are going to survive, if you are going to keep this Earth for yourself, then we have to start fighting! We have to risk everything because there’s nothing left to lose, anyhow!"
One of the Committeemen appeared ready to pounce but another took his arm and whispered in his ear. To Trevor's disappointment, all three of the men retreated from the heated discussion in favor of their monotone approach.
"We can not and will not waste supplies and resources on foolish ventures."
"For all that you say you still found nothing of value. You returned empty handed."
"Indeed, one may interpret your decision to fight with the Geryon Reich as an attempt to distract us from the truth that your mission was a failure."
Trevor responded, "Empty-handed? Failure? Then you have not looked into the eyes of the soldiers who returned from that mission!"
One Committeeman said, "Less than two dozen soldiers returned, many of them injured."
Stone nearly screamed, "I tell you that those men-that handful of men-could take over your entire Operations Center in five minutes! They are better soldiers now! Their enthusiasm will grow and spread until maybe- just maybe — it might revive what’s left of your sad army."
Director Snowe decided to join the discussion again. "Trevor Stone speaks the truth, your Honors. His victory during mission forty-two seventy-six has improved morale among those who fought there. I agree the result will be an improvement in the defensive capabilities of the city."
Trevor stammered, "The defensive capabilities? You don’t understand-"
"I agree," Nina stopped Stone with a hand on his shoulder and her words. "I think the defensive posture of Thebes has been greatly improved directly as a result of this mission."
Snowe continued on his end. "I would add that the likelihood of a Geryon Reich retribution strike against our city is unlikely. Our sources indicate that the Geryons have been under constant assault by the Chaktaw. I doubt they will risk expanding this one engagement into a full blown war on their western flank. They’d have little to gain by it."
"Then it’s agreed. We are concentrated on defensive actions for the immediate future."
"The Committee expects a written report from Trevor Stone. Due to the positive side effects of mission forty-two seventy-six we anticipate that sanctions against those involved will be confined to credits and punitive assignments."
"However, further insubordination and misuse of vital supplies will not be tolerated. All parties are hereby duly warned. This Trevor Stone's special disposition may change if this type of transgression occurs again. You are dismissed."
Trevor’s mouth worked open. Nina tugged at his shoulder.
"Not now," she whispered. "C’mon."
Major Forest glanced to Snowe and then pulled Trevor from the chamber.
– Reverend Johnny sat on the bench with the Ashley of that alternate world. A cold breeze brushed through the leafless trees. The gray clouds overhead felt oppressive.
"I’m a support specialist in Records and Information Systems. That’s how I know about you and the other…the other dimension. I sneak a look at a lot of those records and reports. I know, well, I know all about you and Trevor and why they brought you here."
"I see," Johnny listened.
"Tell me about your Trevor. I’d like to know if he’s…if he’s the same man I knew."
"On my world, Trevor Stone is a great leader who won numerous battles when the odds were tall and has shown wisdom." Johnny considered and offered an addendum, "I should say he usually shows wisdom. Alas, he allowed his emotions to get the better of his head and that is why we are here in your world. He made a few brash errors along the way."
She clutched her hands on her lap, cast her eyes down, and solemnly said, "He sounds very much like the Trevor of our world."
"He is my friend. I would do anything for him," Johnny tilted his head in introspection and added, "Which is why, I suppose, I ended up here, too."
"You followed him, no matter where it would lead? Not surprising. Trevor always had a great deal of control."
"Control? My dear, you misunderstand. I volunteered to be by his side even in the face of danger. He is my friend, and he has earned my loyalty, and I have been inspired by his courage and even-on occasion-his compassion. While he does his best to display a suit of emotional armor, I know he is a man who feels things deeply."
She brought her eyes up quick and widened in what had to be surprise, or perhaps shock.
"The only things the Trevor I knew ever felt deeply were anger and cruelty."
Ashley clamped her lips down abruptly as if trying to stop the words.
"What do you mean, my dear?"
"Nothing. Never mind. I talk too much. Trevor always told me I talked too much."
She stood to leave. He touched her arm. "You have nothing to fear."
She reconsidered. The trees rocked from the gentle persuasion of another cool breeze.
"Nothing…nothing to fear…" she sat again and rolled the words on her tongue.
"I understand how foolish that may sound. After all, your city is under siege. I know that you have plenty to fear, and you have my sympathy."
A short, sardonic chuckle escaped her lips. "Fear? Oh yes, we have much to fear. But for me-for many of us-we had more to fear before, when Trevor was still alive."
"I do not understand."
"Trevor and I were together before…before-"
Johnny used the phrase that was common on his world to finish her sentence: "All this?"
Ashley nodded. "I suppose so, yeah. Then the war came. He grew into the great leader. He inspired those around him and they followed him to victory after victory."
"I see our Trevors are indeed similar."
"Please don’t say that. Please. I had hoped… I have hope… that is not true. That maybe on your Earth, that your Trevor…that he…"
"What? What happened here to Mr. Stone? I know he was killed on the battlefield."
"Yes. And many of us cheered that day."
"Cheered?"
She absently touched the scar on her cheek. "I read, in the reports, that your Trevor Stone has a son. Is that true?"
Johnny nodded. She went on, "Our Trevor may have had children. Probably does, from his mistresses. But he never wanted a family. One of the few things he didn’t want."
"It sounds to me," the Reverend contemplated, "that your Trevor indulged himself. A man, perhaps, of passion?"
"A horrible, terrible, frightening man. Is that the Trevor Stone you know?"
He answered, "Not at all. He has done some horrible things and made decisions that haunt him to this day, but I know his heart is in the right place."
"Haunt? Could it be that your Trevor has a conscience? That is something my Trevor Stone discarded as he grew into the great leader. The great warrior. The killer."
"Wait one moment. What is it you’re trying to tell me?"
"I am telling you that the Trevor Stone here, on my world, became a brutal man. He killed all of our enemies and did it with delight."
"Ms. Trump, on our world, we, too, have killed our enemies without mercy. Even I have sometimes been infected with a righteous vengeance. I have dispatched an untold number of our foes, and will gladly do so again in the name of survival."
"The name of survival?" She echoed. "How many of your enemies did you torture for pleasure? How many of your foes did you enslave for fun? How many of his own people did your Trevor execute because they questioned an order or spoke ill of their Emperor?"
"Um, well, I don’t think he ever would-"
"I loved Trevor Stone; until he became a killer. Before he had unquestioned authority. Before he became…" Again, she stroked the scar on her face.
"He did that to you?"
"When I left him. When I could take no more of his abuse. He visited pain unto his enemies…and to those who loved him. Used them. He…he…explored all…everything…he indulged. Whatever he wanted. Whatever desire, whatever whim. On the battlefield or…or…"
"…or in the home?" Johnny spared her from rougher words.
"When he died, we cheered and then fought ensure there would be no second Emperor."
"You had a civil war. I have heard. The result was The Committee and led to reversals in the war, did it not?"
She agreed. "We were weakened by the infighting. First our enemies overran outlying outposts and re-supply centers. We didn’t realize how weak we were until it was too late."
"Please forgive me, Miss Ashley, but your Committee appears certain to be the end of humanity on this planet. I fear for your future if new leadership is not found."
"I know. We all know."
A vehicle-a kind of elongated station wagon-rumbled along the road. Ashley waited until the sound faded then spoke again, "I read the reports from the expedition to your world. It sounded as if your Trevor was still with…still with…"
"Yes," Johnny saw no reason to hide the truth. "On my world Trevor Stone is with Ashley. Together they have a son. A very special young boy."
A smile tugged at the edges of her lips.
He asked, "And here, did Major Forest help turn him into a monster?"
She shook her head and answered, "I wish I could blame it on her. I wish I could say that she stole him away. I knew Nina from military training school. Her, I, and Jolene Crawford."
"I see there is much that is different here."
Ashley barely heard him. She strolled about in memories. "Nina was a shy girl. Quiet. Not liked at all; an outcast. Except in a fight. That was the one thing she was good at. That changed after Trevor took an interest in her. Anything-any body-he took an interest in was changed. Usually for the worse."
Johnny put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Tell me, what is it you seek from all this? What do you want me to do?"
Ashley pondered that question for several long seconds before finding a way to word her answer. Those words came but laced with nerves, as if she spoke a state secret.
"I’m not supposed to be talking to you, none of us are. We've been told to stay away from you. Someone may be listening. I have to watch my words."
"Why on Earth would you be told that?"
"Keep Trevor safe. Get him away from here, back to your world as fast as you can. If you can’t get him home right away, then keep him safe."
"Safe? Your city is weakening and the foul beasts are reaching for humanity’s collective throat. I’m not sure I can keep him safe from that."
"That’s not what I mean."
"Then what?" He asked. "What is it I must save him from?"
"Reverend Johnny, you must save him from himself."
– "They’re idiots!" Trevor ranted to Major Forest in the back seat of the car.
"Yes, yes I know," she said. "But I had to get you out of there."
"Or what? Or I’d rip their throats out? Maybe that’s what should have happened. Maybe you should let me toss them out. They’re a disgrace."
Trevor spotted the unnamed driver’s eyes glance at him in the rear view mirror.
"What? You got a problem?"
"Easy," Nina soothed. "He’s okay. He’s a friend."
"A friend? Ain’t that just great. Yippee and all that-" He stopped and considered her words. The inflexion. The suggestion. "A…friend?" He repeated, softer.
"Yep. I mean, me and Snowe, we’ve got lots of friends. You know?"
"Yeah. Okay. And The Committee, do they have lots of friends?"
Nina slumped in her seat and ran a hand across his cheek. "Yep. They’ve got lots of friends. Some in the technical departments. Some in operations. A whole bunch in logistics and supply. Why, they’ve even got some friends in the officer corp."
"Some?"
"Yeah. I figure two out of the three Legion Generals are their friends."
"Not Director Snowe though, huh? He runs the Third Legion, right?"
The Major told him, "That's right. You should know that Jakob-Snowe-is the one who got us the inside skinny on how to get over and fetch you. He’s pretty well connected."
"But The Committee has two out of three. On my world, we say that ain't bad."
"On my world we say ‘give things time.’ Word of the Emperor being back is starting to spread. I mean, officers see those readiness reports. They hear about things like knocking a Battleship out of the sky. Those things make an impression."
Trevor looked out the side window and considered. Despite the uneasy feeling her suggestions conjured in his belly, he nodded, and told her, "Well, I always like to make a good impression. I suppose I’ll be on my best behavior…for now."