Fractured Earth

Chapter 6

 "Kalam," His aunty's face flickered onto the comms display. He grinned at her. "Arbiter Saight."

"Oh come off it, I'm not on duty."

"Aunty Saight," He corrected himself, and grinned all the wider. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"How's your work going there?" She jumped right in. This was the lead-up, he knew. She rarely called during the day unless it was business, on duty or not.

"Good. We're making decent progress. Not great, but decent."

"Oh? What's holding you back?" He saw her lean back in her chair.

"Lack of a proper mediator. There are Commensurate here who've been working with the natives a long while, but they can only do so much. We don't have a go-between."

His aunty smiled - he knew that look. A sly smile where the corners of her eyes crinkled and she leaned forwards with barley concealed excitement.

"I might have just the thing for you, then."

"Oh?" His interest was piqued. He quickly racked through the latest gossip he'd heard from the passing ships, but nothing stood out. Well - there'd be a replacement for Marshal Garisay, but that wouldn't help much - they'd still be someone from within the Commensurate.

"You're getting a pay rise," She winked. "Congratulations, Marshal Kalem."

He arched a brow, stunned into a very uncharacteristic silence. "Oh. Oh. Wow. Thank you!"

Saight laughed. "Oh come on, you knew it was coming."

He shrugged. "Yeah, but - not right now! Really? Are they sure?"

" 'They' are very sure. You've earned it, and completely without my influence -" She held her hands up - "I know you were thinking it. Don't worry, I would be too. Garisay will be leaving next week to spend time with his wife during the pregnancy."

"Well," He said, and then "Wow," again. "Wait - how does this help our situation, though?"

"Because I've got an understudy for you."

This was intriguing. "Understudy?" He leaned forwards and crossed his forearms on the desk. "Has to be an Old-Earther if it's going to help us out here?"

"Indeed. You remember the assignment Warden Isen was on?"

"Over in Denmor? Sure. Heard it wasn't going so well."

"That may be true," His aunty explained, "But we've pulled someone from that small village, Nyis, who's looking for a transfer. I think she'll be perfect for you."

"Pulled? Transfer? I don't think I understand."

"I'm sure she'll explain it all to you when she gets there," His aunty smiled that sly smile again. "Which should be later today."

"So soon?" Kalam arched a brow. "You're piling on the surprises here, aunty! Have you met her?"

"I have, briefly. You'll like her. She's pretty. Hey, I have to go."

"Wait! What's her name?" Pretty, he thought. You'll like her. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his aunt.

"Oleipha Kall. Bye, Kalam!" And she hung up.

Warden - nay, Marshal! - Kalam leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms behind his head as he swung casually from side to side. Marshal Kalam. It sounded odd, but he was sure he'd get used to it. He wondered whether or not Garisay knew, and then realised that he had to - he'd have given the go-ahead for Kalam to replace him here. He made a note to find him and thank him, after he'd taken a few minutes in his tent to process everything.