Doorways Chapter 2a

“Have ... where? Lunch?” Bowles said in confusion. “Er ... I'm not sure. Hector?”

“Whatever's going in the canteen.” Hector shrugged. “Beef pasta today, I think.” Alexandria made a noise that was a cross between a groan and a slurp and Bowles had to look at his boots to hide a laugh.

“And lemon meringue pie. There's always piles of that left. It doesn't seem to be a favourite with the soldiers.” He added, trying to keep a straight face.

“Here! Sod her! I'll go with you.” Barney butted in. “At least I can read your bloody forms!”

“Piss off, Cope!” Alexandria snapped. “As if they want a rancid little stoat like you in their canteen!”

“I'll have you back in that cell, you scraggy witch!”

“Up yours!” Alexandria hopped backwards as Barney grabbed for her. “Oh no you don't, you midden.” She waved her form at Barney. “It says here that Mr Bowles will have your tatty arse in a sling if you touch me.”

“Does it hell!”

“Yah! It so does. Safe, it says. What's safe about your armpit stench half gassing me? Go boil your head.” Alexandria darted behind Bowles, who's insides were aching with pent up laughter. “Tell you what. Cope! I'll eat so much, I'll puke. Then I'll bag it and send you it. Ha-ha! Come on Mr Bowles.” Alexandria darted out of the lockup. Bowles and Hector looked mildly disgusted, then followed her. Two more Officers were standing with the Military shuttle, mainly to protect it, and it's peripheral parts, from the Minor Sector's population.

“So what does Master Hawk want with a rough lot like that?” Hector asked quietly.

“I've no idea.” Bowles shrugged. “I have University endorsed papers to say I've to escort her around safely, if and when needed. That's all I know. She's funny isn't she?” He sniggered when he saw Alexandria helping herself to the wristwatch of one of the officers. He didn't even notice.

“She's horrible! Oi! You give that back!”

“Well there's thanks for you.” Alexandria sniffed. “He'd have lost that if I hadn't saw it was loose. There you go mate. The catch is faulty on it.” She returned the watch and bounced into the shuttle.

“OK. Strap yourselves in and sit on your hands.” Bowles barked, sitting in the pilot's seat. Alexandria nodded and did so. She was feeling apprehensive and excited, all at the same time. She had an official, armed bodyguard!

“Sit on your hands?” Hector looked at his colleague in confusion.

“Do you want her pilfering half the ship?”

“Oh. Good point.” Hector sat on his hands, and the other two officers followed his example.

“So do you often sleep in static street trams, Miss Rayne?” Bowles asked, manoeuvering the shuttle.

“Sometimes.” Alexandria answered casually. “They aren't as easy to open as the miniskis but they're worth it just for the room. I didn't damage it, you know. If that lard-arsed dope of an officer hadn't seen me, they'd never know I'd been in it.”

“I told you, it isn't an issue.” Bowles answered her. “So I take it you have no alternate accommodation?”

“Not just now, no. The Bright Port Hotel is fully booked.” Alexandria rolled her eyes. “No, I don't live nowhere, if that's what you're asking. I never have.”

“Not even as a child?” Bowles asked.

“Just drifted from group to group, camp to camp. Nothing fixed.” Alexandria shrugged. “That's group, not gang. Never was into the gang shit.” Bowles nodded, he already knew that. “So who's this here bloke I'm going to see?”

“Professor Darius Hawk. Master Hawk. He's a lecturer at the University.” Bowles told her.

“So what the buggery does he want with me?”

“I don't know, Miss Rayne. I was asked to assure you that you weren't in trouble and that you were safe and that he'll explain the situation to you himself. He's a very nice man. I'm to take you to the Military building first, Master Hawk is meeting us there.”

“Military building? Jail?”

“Not the part we're going to. You are not under arrest. How many more times? You're a guest of the Major Sector. Master Hawk decided on the Military building as a neutral location. He could hardly just cart you off to his quarters, now could he?” Bowles said patiently.

“How chivalrous.” Alexandria laughed.