Excerpt: Eternity's Hatchet

“Aren't you nervous?” She seductively whispered her question into his ear while brushing her soft lips to his earlobe.
“Relax Ma'am, there are enough ESC guards to make sure nothing goes wrong,” he said with a smile as they glided across the dance floor.
“So you're not afraid of little ol' me are you?” She softly asked into his ear as her fingernails gently stroked his muscled back.
“Easy Ma'am, you might break this old cowpoke,” he responded with a boyish smile on his square jaw.
“Well that sidearm poking me in the hip isn't so easy.”
“Aw, they make us ESC soldiers carry one, it's only got a six inch barrel,” he replied as he twirled her and quickly brought her back into his arms.
“Well if your gun is only six inches I might have to find me another date for the night,” she teasingly whispered to him while her soft lips caressed his neck.
“Ma'am I grew up on a ranch on Mars, there ain't nothing little about the main cannon,” he retorted playfully as they danced into a group of similar couples, they giggled.
Her hair was golden blond, the color she chose for the day, and her eyes were chosen to be a light green. She had her hair feathered away from her face as it waved its length to the small of her back, neatly trimmed the entire way and having a look of freshness about it. Her lips painted ruby red while her cheeks were lightly blushed and her eyes lined with light gold colors. The dress of the day was a formal type set for spring, having a low cut neck and no sleeves, and colored emerald green with a sparing amount of sequence and gems placed in strategic locations to make sure she would be noticed. The golden six-inch stiletto heels chosen for the day to match her eyes and hair and subsequently to match the gold and emerald bracelets and necklace she wore that day. The bracelets were nothing special and anyone with good credit could get them. Her necklace’s fourteen carrot center stone got her the envious stares of the other women. Perhaps, she thought that maybe the emerald was just what drew their looks but it might also have had been the eight, ten carrot, diamonds that circled it that may have cause the looks that could kill.
Major Terrence Marshal of the Earth Strike Command, an elite military unit, had never had the privilege to have such an eloquent woman at his side during formal events. With his great height dwarfing her, even with the additional six inches from her heels, he towered over her, as his narrow eyes look at her beauty he could see a woman like no other. Her long gold hair offset his short sandy high and tight military cut and while he was almost in good physical condition her more than ample curves made him wish he was a lot more fit. His black and red uniform was clean and pressed with almost razor sharp military edges as it displayed a chest-full of medals on his left pictorial. Not a bad looking man, or so he thought, with a average nose and square jaw while savoring his boyish appearance as his forty second birthday came closer with each passing moment. Pride showed on his face as he danced with his thirty five year old counterpart and excellent dance partner, still he remembered that little bar where they met a few months ago, and how she was not impressed that he was an ESC officer.
Happiness had greeted him when it became apparent that she had her own resources and had not needed his military benefits or the prestige that came with his rank. He was a simple man and was raised to be such; since he joined the ESC many women had approached him with varying offers, most of which offended him. Some came to him seeking his benefits for pleasure but most came for the monetary advantage of an ESC officer and did not understand that he sent most of his pay to his parents, to help support his three brothers and his sister as well as making sure the family ranch could survive. She had never questioned it and in fact a month ago when a water shortage hit the ranch hard she had used some contacts and her own money to help, to him that simple act of helping made her more beautiful than even the most luscious of Jonarian women.
He has no delusions of grandeur nor any hopes of a fantastic paradisiacal love as she had made it clear on several occasions that she had no intentions of such things but nevertheless they dated frequently and only that over the last few months. Though he did not mind helping support his family he knew he was not a family man and he worried not about it for his younger brothers had already married and produced offspring as well as his sister. He had not pressured her and she had not offered any sexual context but on more than one occasion a woman had knocked upon his door with a note from her, he had graciously taken these offers for the gifts they were. He enjoyed the time they spent together albeit a dinner, at a show, the occasional opera, many plays, most off all he enjoyed the evening strolls they would take whether they were in the woodlands or by a beach.
He did not know much more than her first name and that intrigued him as it surrounded her in mystery. She had made it clear that one day she would be gone, she preferred not to be emotional attached, and he understood that. Though he had his suspicions, he did not even know what she did for a living, once the thought had crossed his mind that she was a novelist specializing in mysteries. Another time he suspected that she might be a currier, really, he did not care, and a deep wisdom inside him told him that suspicion only lead to deep hurt.
“Something on your mind dear sir?” She playfully asked him as she caressed the side of his face.
The music had stopped and they were still on the dance floor wrapped in each other’s arms, “No ma'am, just a lost in childhood dreams.”
“Oh you must tell me these dreams, perhaps I can help make them come true,” she responded as she nibbled on his ear and lead him off the dance floor.
“You're feeling frisky tonight Ma'am,” he said as he followed.
“You might get lucky,” she replied playfully.
In fact, she was frisky; in the twenty second century finding an appropriate mate, even for one night, was a tough act indeed. She would need the comfort of physical contact if her suspicions were right and the night will take the turn that she knows it will. She will be gone before Saturn raises into the sky and the ring shine lights up the moon of Titan with its shimmering glow. He had been such a gentle man to her that she almost felt remorse about having to leave but on more than one occasion, she had made it crystal clear that her heart belonged to someone else, but it would not hurt for one evening that her body belong to him.
“Oh,” He responded, “Should I prepare my will?”
“Depends if your heart will hold out or not,” she stated seductively.
“You had better beat all your worth.” He said with a slight laugh as he looked at his chest.
Wrapping her right arm around his left, she thought that they were like unto a prom king and queen as they strolled around the gorgeous complex and mingled with other couples. He a handsome Major in the ESC and well prideful of his uniform and she the golden blond beauty with a fortune strung around her neck. The colony of Alpha Nine One prided itself for its beauty, often promoted as a mystical elf city of celestial beauty romanced by many fantasy novels, as its structures were pieces of artwork all into themselves as artisan sculptures slaved for years to make them. Down to the last detail this colony was a piece of art, from every pebble on the ground to the pipes that plumb the water in and out; they fit in nicely with it.
Greeting everyone with a courtesy and smiles, some of which she had known and others that she did not, they seem to an almost perfect couple. He could see the jealous eyes of other woman and the envious eyes of other men, most of which far wealthier than he can ever hope, his chest swelled with pride and content. Just a ranch kid's wild dream of making dukes and aristocrats wish that they were like him, a wild dream that she had made come true as her mannerism and her beauty made them wish they had her upon their arms.
“Nice to see you again, Major,” came the distinguished voice of Colonel Jeremiah Jackson, a tall man in his mid sixties with coal black hair and amber eyes. His ESC uniform pressed to excellence and showing more than a chest full of metals compliments his large frame that showed signs of being well feed. His large hand seemed to swallow the smaller hand of the Major as they greet.
“Same with you, Colonel Jackson,” he replied, “You remember Rachel?”
“Yes, yes I do. How could I forget the envy of the ESC?” The Colonel asked mannerly.
“Thank you, sir,” she responded with a slight blush as was customary. She was thankful that she had special cybernetic implants added that allow her to blush as needed.
“You've no need to thank him, dear, you are very beautiful,” came the voice of a woman walking up to the colonel's left side. She, the true envy of the ESC, the beautiful and youthful wife of the Colonel enjoyed every moment of her husband. Dressed in a long black gown weighted down by many jewels and her shoulder length hair the color of a raging fire offset her crystal green eyes. Her face had a natural beauty that rivaled even Jonarian women and with light applications of make-up, she was a shinning beauty much brighter than any star. Her companion dwarfed her, like Rachel, as her five foot five height offset her husband’s seven foot two height. She was wearing seven-inch heels, which brought her and Rachel almost eye to eye.
“I am but a match standing next to your raging inferno,” Rachel responded with a slight feminine bow.
“Honestly darling, you’re gonna keep my head in the clouds with those compliments,” the Colonels wife replied.
“You remember my wife, Myra?” Colonel Jackson asked as he looked at the major.
Taking her by the left hand, he lowered his head and gently kissed her hand, “Misses Jackson, always an honor.”
“Major, it we who are honored, after all you have been the driving force behind the ceremony tonight.”
“You have even been put in for a promotion after the ceremony this evening,” the colonel said with some excitement.
“Jeremiah, stop teasing him and do tell our fine Major all the good news,” Myra said in a playful but serious tone.
“Alright, no secret anymore anyway, Major after tonight you will be Lieutenant Colonel and Governor of the state of Alpha Nine One, along with that comes a substantial pay increase and more paperwork,” Colonel Jackson stated in a professional manor.
“I don't know what to say,” the Major responded.
“Just say, “Thank You” dear,” Rachel coached him.
“Thank you, Colonel,” he said with slight embarrassment.
“It is only a small amount in comparison of the hard work you have done here on Titan, turning muck into art,” Colonel Jackson replied.
“A miracle if ever one to be had,” Myra injected.
“Just a lot of elbow grease, Ma'am,” Major Marshal responded.
“Dedication and hard work are always appreciated in the ESC and you’re going to need the pay raise if you’re going to keep such a beautiful woman by your side,” Myra stated.
“You'll need the extra money if you plan on starting a family,” The Colonel commented, “When is the wedding anyhow?”
“We have not yet discussed those matters,” the Major replied in a low tone.
“What the Major means...,” Rachel interjected, “is that I have to leave soon to file some reports and do some research and it may be a long time before I come back.”
“I see,” Myra retorted, “What exactly do you do?”
“I am a ghostwriter and my employer wishes to remain anonymous,” Rachel replied with sincerity, as it was not a total lie she did not have to worry with not sounding sincere. Her employer did want to stay anonymous and he did require her to report and those reports dealt with ghost, usually she was the cause of the spectral activity that she reported about, her profession did require a lot of research.
“My, that must be fascinating work,” Myra said with some fascination.
“Yes and it pays well, only it takes me away from home anywhere from weeks to years at a time,” Rachel responded.
“Must pay very well for you to wear such expensive jewels,” Colonel Jackson injected.
“Oh no, sir, the jewelry I wear are family heirlooms. I only wear them for very special occasions like this one,” Rachel said as she rubbed the huge emerald.
“Well it looks absolutely marvelous on you, dear,” Myra stated smiling.
“May I,” Colonel Jackson said to his wife as the music started and he held his left hand towards her.
“But of course Colonel,” she replied taking his hand and they headed to the dance floor.
“A ghostwriter huh?” he asked her.
“More accurately I write about ghost,” she responded playfully, she grasped his hand and led him to the dance floor.
As they danced the next dance in almost perfect style they noticed the gazes from the other couples, the jealousy and envy made them smile wide. They were feeling spectacular and with good reason for this May fifth not only would the colony of Titan be recognized as its own territory but also this celebration was taking place on the one thousand seventy three anniversary of the ESC. Almost hard for her to believe as she saw it conceived and implemented in the year twenty twenty five. Seemingly the only down side would be that she would be gone before what is known as morning here.
As the song stopped and they exited the dance floor the Colonel and his wife once again met them.
“You dance absolutely divine darling,” Myra said to her.
She stopped and gasped as she noticed a small ruby pendent on the dress that Myra was wearing, normally this would not have caught her attention, but the shape was burned deep in her mind. The ruby was shaped as a pentagram with a circle surrounding it and a sword going through it, the mark of Star-Slayers.
“I'm sorry I had to catch my breath for a second, I have had lots of dance instructions,” Rachel huffed politely.
“Seems as they were all worth it,” Colonel Jackson replied.
“What a lovely pendent,” Rachel said to Myra, as she seemed fascinated by it.
“It was a gift from Ambassador Rayshe from Riegis Eight of the Perseus arm of the Milky Way. He is coming here tonight,” Myra replied.
“Oh, I had better brush up on my social skills then,” Rachel said.
“Your skills are just fine,” replied Major Marshal.
As is on some mystical cue the trumpets sounding the arrival of the Ambassador sounded off. “Seems as our guest is here, time to begin the ceremony,” Colonel Jackson stated. It was, in fact, thirty minutes prior to the scheduled time but the Colonel had anticipated that the Ambassador would be tired from his eight-month trip and willing to start the service immediately as to end it as quick as possible. He was correct, as he usually was, the Ambassador did wish to start immediately.
The race that Ambassador Rayshe belonged to was bipedal and not very tall, the average height being only four-foot six. They had tough leathery skin that is gray in color and as thick as a cow's hide, a small ivory horn that protruded from the start of their hairline. Their heads were oval, similar to Human, three large eyes and flat nostrils. They had a wide and thick mouth on a pointed chin, their face grew no hair with the exception of very long eyelashes that would make any woman jealous. Their bodies were short and stocky with small thick hands and feet, to look at one would remind one of a rhinoceros that was shrunk, made to walk on two feet, given a third eye and added three fingered hands with silky white hair attached to its head. Though the race was slightly clumsy, they were extremely intellectual and had some of the best sciences in the known systems.
Ceremonial rites of being the date of the Major that reformed the moon she was introduced to the Ambassador. During the introduction, she noticed that at the base of his horn was carved the hated symbol and she did not question him about it. He asked her about her huge emerald and she dodged the question as she had before as she dodged having had a last name using the excuse of her employer's wish to be anonymous. She also dodged the question of the relationship between her and the Major as well as the question about family. She was thankful that she took the time to be well prepared otherwise; this born Star-Slayer might have penetrated her defenses and guessed her real identity. Star-Slayer henchmen either have the symbol tattooed on them or they wear something representative of it, those born as Star-Slayer have the symbol engraved onto them like a birthmark because they are born with it.
They sat quietly at a long table as the ceremony progressed until Major Marshal was called to give a speech on his new promotion; she stood to let him by as a spotlight that covered him almost blinded her eyes. She wavered and he caught her.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yes, the light hit me in the eyes. Go give your speech dear," she replied softly. The intensity of the spotlight had overwhelmed her circuits for a few seconds, again not a total lie.
His speech was clumsy and unprepared, he had not known of the promotion until that evening, he struggled to remain regal and professional. He had informed everyone that he had been caught unprepared and then gave thanks to everyone, mostly to the people under him, the ones that did the actual work. His usually cowpoke type of voice sounded angelic when he had included her in his speech, not for helping with the ESC but rather he told of when his family had trouble and she had cured it for him allowing him to remain focused on the situations at hand. Her enhanced ears heard things about the nature of a good wife were to do things like that and she had earned the respect of several of the women as well. He told of future plans and hopes he had for the territory and was well received and as he wound down he turned the floor over to the Ambassador, who had little to say other than a few congratulations and he was pleased that Humans had advanced to a level where they could fully adapt worlds like Mars and moons like Titan. The Ambassador had said that he would definitely sign a trade agreement between Titan and Rolksta, an agreement he would not sign with Earth until Humans learned to properly repair it.
This news had a surprising effect, it had not been expected that he would offer such an agreement as those of his home world pride themselves for their world still possessing a self-sustaining echo system in its original state. There was no such thing as anything being extinct on Rolksta as harmony with that which was before was so honored that to disobey means brutal death. This offering of a trade agreement made the work that Major Terrence Marshal had done so important that he would surely receive a second promotion, providing he would recover from the events soon to happen. She felt sadness for him and made a decision, one she would get in trouble for but it would not be the first time she had ever been in trouble.
As the evening wound down and ambassador had left to return home she softly whispered to him, "Ready to try to make a woman out of me?"