A Dreamer's Knight

Chapter 32 - The Classic Approach

Private Biggs of the Ronisgald Security Force stood at attention at the very edge of camp. His twin brother, Private Wedge, stood beside him, not so much at attention as at a relaxed casual awareness. 

"I heard he's a sentient," Private Biggs said, his eyes scanning the woods for any sign of trouble.

Reclining against the tree with his energy rifle hanging from a low branch, Wedge asked, "Who?"

Biggs broke attention to quickly glance at his brother. "Triumvate Fairchilde's new confidant."

Wedge considered this for a moment before shaking his head. "Nah, I don't think so."

"Me either," Biggs agreed. "I've been around birds before, and the feeling I get from him is different."

"Different as in?"

Biggs looked around nervously. "We shouldn't be talking about this. If Sarge catches us goofing off again-"

Wedge slapped his brother on the shoulder. "Hey, you started this! Besides, Sarge hates the guy as much as you do. Come on, how is he different?"

"Well, he feels ... darker. I don't know how else to describe it, but that man makes me feel uneasy."

Wedge nodded in agreement. "I know the feeling, buddy. Still, if Triumvate Fairchilde trusts him, he must be loyal to the cause."

Biggs shook his head. "Reminds me of Glenda. No matter how innocent she acts, you can tell just lookin' in her eyes that she's up to something."

"Yeah," Wedge agreed after a few moments. "I got that too. Man's definitely up to something."

The sound of a twig snapping nearby made them both jump and fumble with their weapons. They breathed a collective sigh of relief as a squirrel darted out of the bush, looked at them curiously for a moment, and scampered away.

Leaning back against the tree, Wedge asked, "What do you think about our 'guests'?"

"Frankly, the birds make me nervous, but the cyborg seems to be in high spirits. He understands the situation and hasn't given us any trouble. Personally, I'm more worried about those two slamm players. Have you seen the Muonsol Marauders in action?" He shook his head. "Glad we're not guarding them."

"Could be worse. I hear Guardian Myssohn's part of Longshore's Council delegation this year." Wedge grinned at his brother. "Speakin' of, whatcha think about the ladies? That one they just brought in was a real beauty, eh?"

"Eh. I like the Rimstakken better."

"Oh? Do you now?"

"Don't start," Biggs snapped. "I'm already catching enough crap from those spooks they've got watching us."

"Yeah, about that," said Wedge, dropping his carefree air for a few moments, "Why are we working with them again? It's bad enough they're pretending to be monks, but have you heard the way they talk about the non-Galdens. If I didn't know any better, I'd think they were Calliban sympathizers."

"Not so loud! Private Hawkins was caught bad-mouthing them yesterday and they-"

Another snap made both of the guards jump again. When nothing was forthcoming, they started to ease up, but the sound of a small crash from behind the bushes followed muffled swearing prompted Biggs to shine his searchlight at the bush.

"Who goes there?" he called out.

There was no response other than the continued chirping of crickets.