and smiled, “Hey, we know, we know! Oh, by the
way, we have food being brought up... Care for Annescalt dumplings?”
Theodore would have made an excellent running for one of
Pavlov's dogs as he instantly started salivating! He hadn't had those since he
left home! “Actually, yes, please!” Suddenly a thought flashed across his
mind, “You are a consultant you said... anthropologist, I assume?”
Alec nodded, “One of many titles... does that bother you?”
Theodore shook his head and laughed, “So long as the
dumplings are hot, you could be the town fool!”
They all laughed at that and soon both the smiles and food
flowed freely. Alec was a wonderful man to talk to, and while he did prod and
poke with a few more embarrassing questions than Theodore would have normally
felt comfortable with, Alec did so more like a concerned uncle than a man in
law enforcement. Theodore needed that... the comfort of family...
Three hours passed and passed well from good company.
Theodore didn't realize he could talk so much, but there is was. Finally he
had a simple question of his own, “If I leave presently, is there any chance of
picking my scholarship back up once this has all cooled down?”
Alec just grinned, “Normally, no. The TetzWeyr Foundation
is very strict about such things. Fortunately, the head of the Foreign Office
is also one of the chairs for the foundation. Exceptions have been made! Not
that they were ultimately necessary, Major Riggs of the Mikaer Military
Academy has also arranged to sponsor you on behalf of the alumni of the
Shukurae's 798 th CSOG. You have good friends, lad! Be grateful for
them.”
Theodore just smiled, “Everywhere I've been, I've meet
wonderful people. That's what makes this all so... well...”
“Confusing,” Alec offered. “There is a ship that can pick
you up in the morning, if you'd rather head back presently. No shame in that:
wanting to protect your friends and classmates. Just promise that you will
come back.”
“Thank you sir. Yes, I would love to leave tomorrow. And
yes, I will be back!”
“Good lad! Finish up your supper, and good luck on your
trip!” They all smiled and smartly departed.
Theodore started to polish off the rest of the food that had
been so lavishly laid out for him, it was all perfect! Not only was it food in
the style of the Highlands, it was also consistent with food from the region he
was from. Alec had really done his research... Suddenly he broke out laughing
at the obviousness of it all, Alec wasn't just an anthropologist, he was
probably a psychologist as well! He had played Theodore perfectly! That
should have made him feel indignant, but no... he needed Alec as a
perfect friend and host... even if it was an act. No, it probably wasn't an
act. Alec was trying to help everyone...
Sleep soon followed, good food had made that so much
easier. But just as the perfect realms of sleep had engulfed him there was a
knock at the door... Morning had come all too early.
“Come in,” he called as he sat up in bed.
Agent Telmark smiled as he poked his head in, “If you can be
ready in twenty minutes or so, we should be able to get a big breakfast in you
before we head to the space port. Same cook as last night!”
“Oh no, just slam my tail in the door,” grinned Theodore.
“For that I'll be ready in ten!” He quickly changed and cleaned himself
up. A suitcase with his items from the dorm that hadn't been sequestered as
evidence had been provided the night before. Such a small case now...
A wonderful breakfast was soon followed by a well escorted
trek to the rooftop. Apparently they were taking a repulsar gunship to the
space port! He took school-boy excitement in the chance to be on such a
craft. His humor was tempered by the serious expressions and even more serious
hardware that the soldiers on the gunship handled. These were professionals
and they had a
way, we have food being brought up... Care for Annescalt dumplings?”
Theodore would have made an excellent running for one of
Pavlov's dogs as he instantly started salivating! He hadn't had those since he
left home! “Actually, yes, please!” Suddenly a thought flashed across his
mind, “You are a consultant you said... anthropologist, I assume?”
Alec nodded, “One of many titles... does that bother you?”
Theodore shook his head and laughed, “So long as the
dumplings are hot, you could be the town fool!”
They all laughed at that and soon both the smiles and food
flowed freely. Alec was a wonderful man to talk to, and while he did prod and
poke with a few more embarrassing questions than Theodore would have normally
felt comfortable with, Alec did so more like a concerned uncle than a man in
law enforcement. Theodore needed that... the comfort of family...
Three hours passed and passed well from good company.
Theodore didn't realize he could talk so much, but there is was. Finally he
had a simple question of his own, “If I leave presently, is there any chance of
picking my scholarship back up once this has all cooled down?”
Alec just grinned, “Normally, no. The TetzWeyr Foundation
is very strict about such things. Fortunately, the head of the Foreign Office
is also one of the chairs for the foundation. Exceptions have been made! Not
that they were ultimately necessary, Major Riggs of the Mikaer Military
Academy has also arranged to sponsor you on behalf of the alumni of the
Shukurae's 798 th CSOG. You have good friends, lad! Be grateful for
them.”
Theodore just smiled, “Everywhere I've been, I've meet
wonderful people. That's what makes this all so... well...”
“Confusing,” Alec offered. “There is a ship that can pick
you up in the morning, if you'd rather head back presently. No shame in that:
wanting to protect your friends and classmates. Just promise that you will
come back.”
“Thank you sir. Yes, I would love to leave tomorrow. And
yes, I will be back!”
“Good lad! Finish up your supper, and good luck on your
trip!” They all smiled and smartly departed.
Theodore started to polish off the rest of the food that had
been so lavishly laid out for him, it was all perfect! Not only was it food in
the style of the Highlands, it was also consistent with food from the region he
was from. Alec had really done his research... Suddenly he broke out laughing
at the obviousness of it all, Alec wasn't just an anthropologist, he was
probably a psychologist as well! He had played Theodore perfectly! That
should have made him feel indignant, but no... he needed Alec as a
perfect friend and host... even if it was an act. No, it probably wasn't an
act. Alec was trying to help everyone...
Sleep soon followed, good food had made that so much
easier. But just as the perfect realms of sleep had engulfed him there was a
knock at the door... Morning had come all too early.
“Come in,” he called as he sat up in bed.
Agent Telmark smiled as he poked his head in, “If you can be
ready in twenty minutes or so, we should be able to get a big breakfast in you
before we head to the space port. Same cook as last night!”
“Oh no, just slam my tail in the door,” grinned Theodore.
“For that I'll be ready in ten!” He quickly changed and cleaned himself
up. A suitcase with his items from the dorm that hadn't been sequestered as
evidence had been provided the night before. Such a small case now...
A wonderful breakfast was soon followed by a well escorted
trek to the rooftop. Apparently they were taking a repulsar gunship to the
space port! He took school-boy excitement in the chance to be on such a
craft. His humor was tempered by the serious expressions and even more serious
hardware that the soldiers on the gunship handled. These were professionals
and they had a
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