Looking at Trouble (2 page)

“I could have, but I would then have become the fatality. The woman was determined to kill someone today. She was watching Liimar for an excuse. If I had not acted as I did, I would have been the first casualty and Liimar would have been the second. They would have succeeded in their theft, and the peacekeepers would have arrived far too late.”

He nodded. “How far into the future can you look?”

“I can only see violent action or approaching danger. I can feel a hostile environment passively and seek out the specific trouble with my talent. It isn’t a matter of time; it is a matter of the situation.”

He nodded and made more notes. “Right. Please wait here.”

Reeda sat quietly, not sure what was happening next, but her senses didn’t alert her to an issue, so she remained where she was. Trouble wasn’t on the way, so she just needed patience.

When the officer escorted a woman in a tight bodysuit and wide hooded robes into the room, Reeda knew something was up.

Officer Quiddad made the introductions. “Miss Rrkra, this is Recruiter Ambroth of the Citadel.”

Reeda nodded and fell back on her manners. “Pleased to meet you.”

“And I you. You may have noticed the group of folk lined up outside.” The recruiter took a seat.

“I did.”

“Well, we are running a recruitment here today, and we are looking at local talents to determine which of you might have a fate beckoning in the stars.”

Reeda nodded. “I understand.”

“Yes. Would you be interested in a more detailed interview? The application of your talent is fascinating, and I agree with the officers that you have the potential to make an amazing Specialist.”

Reeda quirked a small smile. “I see.”

The recruiter cocked her head. “You are not interested.”

“I have roots here, a family—”

Officer Quiddad snorted. “You were adopted.”

Reeda crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. “Would you care to tell my mother that I am not her own?”

His sneer suddenly became wary.

Recruiter Ambroth inclined her head. “May I speak with your family?”

Reeda grinned. “If you have the time. We live on the edge of the settlement, and you will see why the officer suddenly changed his tone from mocking to serious.”

“I have the time. I am looking for one candidate to bring to the Citadel with me, and I am getting a good feeling about you, Reeda Rrkra.”

The way she said she was getting a good feeling sparked recognition with Reeda. She smiled slowly. “When would you like to go?”

“Now is acceptable if the officer has completed his interview.”

Quiddad nodded. “She is free to go.”

The recruiter smiled. “Ready when you are.”

Reeda got to her feet, and the officer put up his hand. “Go out the back and avoid the crowd. They are all looking for the Citadel staff, and the sight of her may cause a bit of a fuss.”

Reeda nodded and smiled at Ambroth. “Please, come with me.”

The woman followed her through the offices and out the back of the station.

“You have lived here all your life?” The recruiter made polite conversation as they walked to the rail site.

“I have. I was born here and have spent most of my teen and adult years in the market. My mother found that the less she came into the city, the larger the sales for the day.”

The recruiter was concerned. “Does she have a disfigurement?”

Reeda grinned. “No, she is a prime example of her species, but folks consider her a little off putting. She is not really a people person.”

They got into a car, and Reeda keyed in the location of her home. When they settled in, the car slid onto the rail and whisked them over the city.

“I am guessing that you and your mother are not the same species.” Ambroth smiled.

“That is a very fair guess. She will explain it to you.” Reeda grinned.

“Why won’t you?”

“It breaks family protocol. I am her daughter, not the head of the clan.”

Ambroth suddenly smiled. “I see. I shall instead ask you about selling goods in the marketplace. Do you enjoy it?”

Reeda shrugged. “I know nearly all the vendors in the market. I have grown up with them and acted as emergency security for most of my life there. It is where I feel at home.”

“Do you think you would be willing to leave here and seek out a new occupation in the stars?”

Reeda smiled and shrugged. “It is up to my mother.”

That was all she would say on the matter. Whatever she did, wherever she went, she was focused on supporting her mother.

The ride was only ten minutes, but the recruiter was tense by the time they arrived and stepped out of the transport car.

“The property is only a short walk. Have you been on Amdor long?”

The recruiter smiled at the neutral topic. “We have been here for five weeks. Hrevek is one of our last stops.”

“Have you enjoyed your time here?”

“I have been surprised by the variety of species present in the population. It is shocking to me that so many different species could live in the cities and not form large, insulated communities.”

Reeda smirked, “It is forced integration. It wouldn’t work on any other world, but on this one, the Avatar has been insistent on blending all the species together. We have clean air, clean water, organized cities and a blended population. There isn’t a lot of cross breeding, but we are a community, and that is what Amdor wants.”

The property was fenced. The gate opened as Reeda approached, and it closed behind the recruiter.

She made a series of clicks in the back of her throat, and she heard the barn door thud in response.

Recruiter Ambroth smiled nervously. “What did you say?”

“It translates into
Hello, Mom. I have brought a guest you should not eat.
”

The rush of many feet got closer.

“Does she have a translator?”

Reeda smiled. “She does, but I have to speak to her directly. It is a mark of respect.”

Her mother appeared around the corner, and the recruiter took a step back.

Using the l’nal formal language, Reeda introduced her companion to the nine-foot spider who had adopted her. “Mother, this is Recruiter Ambroth, and she wishes to speak with you.”

Mother looked at the recruiter with her segmented eyes, and she reached in and turned on her translating module. “Welcome to our home. Daughter, please prepare tea for our guest.”

Reeda inclined her head and went into the kitchen to prepare tea.

* * * *

Mother looked down at the interloper. “What do you want with my daughter?”

The Citadel representative straightened and bowed low.

Mother felt grudging respect for the formality. “I wish to discuss an option with you. She has skills”

Mother clicked and spoke with exasperation. “I am aware of her skills.”

“She could be doing more than acting as an ersatz security guard at the marketplace.” The recruiter was scowling at her. “She feels loyalty to you and does not want to leave you.”

Mother grunted. “She is a good daughter, but I am financially set for the next decade. She does not need to stay for me.”

The recruiter scowled. “She said it was up to you.”

Mother clucked. “It is. I am her mother, and she wishes to have my blessing. Come inside and we will discuss my daughter.”

Mother turned and walked in front of the woman, knowing that most beings did not appreciate her coming up behind them.

They would have tea, and then, they would discuss Reeda. Mother was excited for this opportunity for her daughter. Few would have dared to ask, and it just went to prove that the recruiter was made of stern stuff.

Reeda might have a career after all.

* * * *

Reeda set out tea for herself and the recruiter and an acid blend for Mother. High-protein snacks were on a tray, and she offered one to Mother before the recruiter.

To Ambroth’s credit, she didn’t hesitate. She bit into the treat and smiled at the flavour.

Reeda grinned.

Mother lifted her cup to her mouth and sipped the tea through the straw. “Now, what do you wish to know about my child?”

Recruiter Ambroth lifted her teacup. “How did you come to raise her?”

Reeda sat back and sipped her tea.

Mother clicked for a moment. “Her mother was a good friend who had a relationship with a man in the capitol. She gave birth to Reeda and named me as alternate guardian. She died of complications after the birth.”

“Who is Reeda’s father?”

Mother clicked slowly. “It is unknown, but I have my suspicions.”

That was news to Reeda. “Who?”

Mother waved it off. “I will tell you when you are older.”

Reeda knew that tone, and even through the translation unit, it was clear that there would be no more information coming.

She sighed and ate one of the treats. To her surprise, the recruiter reached for another and nibbled at it.

“Is Reeda able to come with me and join the Citadel, Madame Rrkra?”

Mother clicked for a moment, and then, she said, “How much would she be paid? She is already trained.”

Reeda watched in shock as the recruiter leaned forward and the bargaining began.

The offers and counteroffers for a pay rate flared back and forth. An assistant to help in the market was offered, three times Mother’s annual income was offered beginning the moment that Reeda completed her training and was active as a Specialist.

Reeda refilled everyone’s tea and sat back to watch as the finer details were hammered out. She was to be given one month on Amdor every eighteen months, aside from her travel time. If she mated while she was away, the child was to be reared on Amdor in Rrkra’s guardianship.

Reeda sat and stared in shock as they discussed her having children. She wanted to butt in, but her mother flicked her a look. She sat and focused on drinking her tea.

After an hour of negotiations, they finally shook on the agreement.

“When can she leave, Madame Rrkra?”

“I require three days. I know you will give her protection, but she is my daughter and I will see her off in the clothing that will keep her from harm.”

Recruiter Ambroth smiled. “Three days it is. I will meet Reeda at the peacekeeper station, and we will depart from there. Your assistant will arrive tomorrow so that Reeda can take her through the tasks you require.”

Reeda nodded. “Have her meet me in the marketplace. I will be working there most of the day.”

The recruiter nodded and bowed. “Thank you both for your agreements. I will file the contract and get the assistant lined up. Madame Rrkra, it was an honour to meet you.”

Reeda got to her feet. “I will walk you out.”

When they got to the door, Reeda whispered, “Look for a Skuban. She likes them but won’t be tempted to taste.”

Recruiter Ambroth nodded. “I will see if there are any available. Thank you for the tip. I look forward to seeing you take over your new occupation.”

“Do you know where you are sending me?”

She shrugged. “It depends on your assessment. That will be done at Citadel Balen.”

Reeda nodded. “Right.”

The recruiter paused. “How many languages do you speak?”

“Aside from Alliance and Nyal Common? About twelve.”

“Excellent. I will see you in three days.”

The recruiter headed down the walk and left past the gate. Clicks sounded from inside, and Reeda returned to Mother.

“Reeda, get me all the grimfa weed that you can gather.” Mother put one of her legs on Reeda’s shoulder.

Reeda nodded and reached for the tea tray.

“Leave it. I will deal with it. Go get the weed and bring it to my workshop.”

It was strange enough that Reeda moved quickly, worried about Mother. Grimfa weed was rampant on Amdor, but it was mostly useless. Mother had told her that it had a purpose, but Reeda had no idea what that purpose was.

She went to the workshop and grabbed her scythe. The field behind the house was rimmed with weeds, so she took the scythe and swept them down. When she had taken out all the weeds she could see, she put the scythe back in the workshop, grabbed her collection bags and started collecting the impromptu harvest.

When her back burned but the bags were filled, she brought them to the workshop, and her mother stroked her cheek before kicking her out for the night.

“You have done enough, daughter. Get some rest.”

Ordered into the house, Reeda took a shower and got some rest. The light in the workshop burned into the night.

Mother wasn’t around in the morning, and the workshop was locked. Reeda could hear Mother’s soft feet moving around, so she wasn’t worried.

“I am going to the market. I have my com with me if you need me.”

“Have a good day, daughter.”

Mother’s voice mumbled around something, but Reeda had her dismissal. She headed into the city to get some breakfast and open the kiosk.

Four hours later, Reeda had thwarted two shoplifters and sold twelve scarves. There was always a surge in both crime and retail after news of an altercation spread. When a woman appeared with spikes instead of hair, Reeda looked up with a smile. “Good day to you.”

The woman smiled, her solid black eyes bright and enthusiastic. “I am Mertwyn. I am here to be your erstwhile apprentice and your mother’s assistant.”

“I am Reeda Rrkra, and you will be working with and for my mother, Rrkra of the l’nal.” Reeda extended her hand, and she nodded in satisfaction when the contact reading didn’t reveal any hidden hostilities in the new assistant.

Smiling, Reeda took Mertwyn through the basics of the stall. “We sell one item and one only, l’nal silk. Mother generates and weaves the silk, as well as dying it. We sell it.”

Mertwyn carefully handled the silk, moving so that the spikes on her hands didn’t catch on the fine weave. “These are beautiful.”

“Mother will be pleased that you think so. They are beautiful and often a target for theft.”

Mertwyn smiled shyly. “I am good at spotting theft.”