The Light Blue Jumper Page 7

  “YOU winked at ME Commander, which I graciously accepted. Are you now trying to walk out of your obligations?” I called him out on it.

  “I feel that I have had this conversation before, many times, with many women, and it has never ended well,” the Commander said.

  “Commander, are you asking to be released from your vow freely given?” Salaar interrupted.

  “Yes, most certainly I am,” the Commander replied.

  Finally, The Good Doctor decided to enter the conversation, “Well, that isn’t possible, I’m afraid there is no known way to be released from a vow of servitude. Dying is an option of course. Actually, at this moment it is your only one.”

  I was at a loss as to why the Commander would insult me so. He pledged himself to me and then tried to release himself. Oh, the shame! I decided to make things crystal clear. “Commander, I am sure you will find me a fair person, but if the honour of my family name is at stake I will go to any lengths to protect it.” I followed up the threat with a menacing squat which resulted in The Good Doctor rushing to my side and asking me if I was going to be ill; not quite the effect I had hoped to achieve.

  Lieutenant Salaar seemed impatient to start his training so he signalled again for me to follow him into the ring. I turned to the Commander and did likewise, prepared to forgive his earlier outburst. When I turned back to the Lieutenant, he was waving frantically at someone. I wheeled around to see the recipient of his attention, and missed a breath.

  25. Madam X

  I could not believe my eyes. There they were; all four of them in a secret huddle! “Just what in the name of all the planets is going on here? Why are you all together at this hour of the morning? Doctor, I warn you, if you’re planning a coup d’état, I have no problem resolving conflicts with violence, and contrary to popular belief, I do have adequate combat training to carry out my threat.” I had heard ugly rumours that apparently, I lacked combat expertise.

  I scrutinised each one in turn to see if anyone looked even remotely guilty. The Lieutenant looked panicked, The Good Doctor, resigned, while the Commander seemed positively ecstatic to see me, which was in itself highly suspicious. I would have to follow that one closely, he was a slippery customer. I finally sneaked a look at Zaaro who seemed to be enthralled by me, which was exactly the effect I had hoped to achieve. Clearly, my new matte grey lipstick worked as advertised. I puckered my lips for added effect.

  The Good Doctor spoke up, “It is nothing of the sort Madam. I simply accompanied the Commander here to take part in the training exercises.”

  The Commander stopped grinning long enough to say, “I came down here to meet Mr Nian and the Lieutenant, and join in the training exercises, same as the Doctor.”

  “And what do you have to say for yourself, Lieutenant?”

  “I came with Zaaro for the training exercises as well, Madam,” he said apologetically.

  “All of you gathered here for the training exercises and you did not think it fit to consult or inform me regarding the time and the place appointed, when I told you I would handle it personally,” I said with rising vitriol.

  To my surprise, Zaaro chimed in, “Madam, I actually wanted the training to be underway as soon as possible, hence the urgency with which we approached the matter. I must admit though, after hearing the conversation between all of you, I am delighted and honoured.” I saw a look of pure horror pass over the Commander’s face at the mention of honour and made a mental note to query it later. “I had absolutely no idea I was surrounded by so many talented and unique individuals on this ship and I would love to work with each one of you for your particular training purposes. Though I am sure none of you are as talented as Lieutenant Salaar!”

  “That is a wonderful solution to our problem Zaaro. I am sure we can all share our time with you to focus on one area each of the training program,” Lieutenant Salaar was quick to agree. A little too quick perhaps? I was still trying to digest Zaaro’s frank admiration for the Lieutenant, but he did look directly at me when he said delighted, I reminded myself. We were all more talented than the Lieutenant, well I most certainly was! Nevertheless, I decided to go along with the combined training plan for the moment. I would slowly but surely inch everyone else out. This could potentially be the one place where Zaaro and I could spend uninterrupted quality time together, and I wasn’t about to let the rest of the overzealous training crew get in the way of that. Also, I had long since accepted the fact that I had to personally take charge of anything that I wanted done right on this ship.

  “That is fine by me. Lieutenant Salaar, you will have today, Commander, tomorrow, and I will have the third day, in rotation.” The Doctor was clearing his throat. I decided to be polite yet firm, “You can only observe and take notes, except on my days, on which you will neither be observing nor taking notes,” I added in an undertone. He wore his customary expression of besieged acceptance. It was the Lieutenant’s turn to be pleased. A little too pleased perhaps? The Commander looked amused, while Zaaro’s watery blue eyes were positively twinkling at the thought of spending time with me. I allowed myself a tiny giggle of anticipation as I swept out of the room, confident that no one was within earshot.

  26. Zaaro Nian

  I was absolutely astounded that there were three people on the ship who wanted to train with me! The most important of them, of course, was the Lieutenant. I gleaned from the conversation that The Good Doctor was more of an observer and recorder of events than an originator; a role to which he looked quite resigned.

  Now that the glorious Madam had cleared all the confusion and left, I really wanted to get on with things. After all, the Lieutenant wasn’t about to train himself. I walked into the ring and positioned myself in front of the Lieutenant. “Any further instructions for the Commander, Zaaro?” he asked politely.

  “Please tell him to observe our training exercises until further instructions,” I told him. At which point the Commander promptly left the drill station. I was beginning to despair of his intellectual capabilities. I would have to explain his duties to him in some detail as soon as the training session was over. Just because he wanted to train with me did not mean that he could avoid fulfilling his pledge.

  Lieutenant Salaar was possibly the best student I had ever had, along with being the first. He was a quick study, confident in his abilities, a taker of initiative, and I dare say he even appeared to be helping me on occasion with some of the trickier parts of hand-to-hand combat. On later reflection, of course, I realised that it was merely my exceptional skill as a teacher that was evident from my protégé’s quick ascent. I also realised that perhaps my ability to encourage my students may have to be toned down somewhat, given that I seemed to have unwittingly led the Lieutenant to believe that he was actually in charge of the training exercises.

  “That was very well done indeed Lieutenant! Should we call it a day?” I asked, at my most munificent.

  “We have a lot of ground left to cover, Zaaro. We must stay focused and train rigorously. Many precious lives may depend on the results of our training.”

  “Of course, Lieutenant, and we shall.” He was conscientious and modest. Such a delight!

  27. Lieutenant Salaar

  Zaaro was a terrible student. His motor skills were abysmal. There was absolutely no coordination between his hands and feet. At this rate, he would just trip over something and compromise the entire Movement.

  It was crucial that he be trained and confident in hand-to-hand combat before undertaking the mission. Madam had queried as to why that was important, considering he could just jump out of any dangerous situation, without having to fight his way out. I had tried to explain to her that if his body perceived danger, it would remove itself immediately from the surroundings, even if his mission was incomplete. Hence we had to train his body and his mind not to view every IPF officer as a mortal threat, once he identified the IPF as the enemy of course. He had to be confident he could take them on physically, to prevent him hav
ing to abort his mission at the slightest provocation.

  Once he was battle ready, we would have to work on his jumping abilities, to enable him to gain control over when he jumped and where he landed. There wouldn’t be much point in sending a Jumper who instinctively jumped back to our ship the minute he was discovered, bringing the IPF with him.

  I decided to have a word with the Commander about how to get him out of his current predicament, even though I was enjoying his discomfiture immensely. My main concern was for Zaaro. I would not let his sensibilities be offended by anyone on my team. He deserved better than that.

  As for The Good Doctor, I would have to have a word with Madam. I really could not countenance his absurd giggling habit.

  28. Commander Lethalwulf

  My first day back on board and I was already craving the relative quiet of my undercover missions.

  I did not know what to make of Zaaro. He was the most unassuming hero I had ever come across, if he was a hero at all. He wouldn’t last a minute in hand-to-hand combat, no matter what Salaar tried to teach him. Basically his jumping abilities made him indestructible, unless he received a punch in the face. In which case, he would be dead. What use could he possibly be to our mission or the Movement, for that matter?

  I had to figure out a way to get out of the lifelong servitude issue. Zaaro seemed adamant about enforcing the pledge. Salaar could probably make him see reason but he was enjoying the joke a little too much to intervene at this stage. I wondered if I should disclose the faux pas to Madam and seek her help. I dismissed the Doctor’s good offices out of hand, considering his penchant for resignation in the face of all of life’s problems. He would probably just advise me to be a good and loyal servant and find comfort in that.

  My chain of thought was broken by a knock on the door. “Identify yourself,” I said, following standard IPF protocol.

  “Door, I mean Zaaro Nian.” There was a pause. “Actually, I meant lord and master.”

  “Please do come in. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  He muttered something under his breath. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that,” I said.

  “I found the door at the first attempt,” he said proudly. At my obvious confusion, he assumed a serious expression, “I believe we have started off on the wrong foot Commander. I came to resolve the little issue we had earlier.”

  “Please take a seat,” I said, gesturing towards a chair. Finally some sensible talk. I guessed Salaar had stopped finding the situation amusing.

  “I am Zaaro III of the House Nian. We are a very proud family bearing an ancient and noble name on Zaaron. I have in turn heard great tales of your heroic exploits within the IPF,” he continued.

  Perhaps he was not so impervious to sense after all.

  “When you offered so promptly upon meeting me to honour my house with your pledge, I was very pleased. I hastened to accept it, lest the tiniest hesitation on my part serve as a slight to your name. The truth is, Commander, we have not considered anyone worthy of fealty for the last ten thousand years.”

  He was such a considerate fellow and so appreciative of my abilities. I wondered how intolerable it would be to play along for a while and help him out every now and then.

  “However, if you feel you have been too hasty and seek to withdraw your pledge, thereby dishonouring my house and my name forever, so be it. I will release you from your vow, heaping upon myself the ignominy and the shame.”

  That settled it. I couldn’t possibly repay him for his adulation in such an ungrateful manner, heaping shame on him no less. I would have to continue the charade until an opportune moment presented itself for my release. There was just one thing I had to ask. “Would you have accepted a similar pledge from the Lieutenant?”

  “I would have hesitated,” he admitted.

  “Then I am your servant, master,” I bowed as I held the door open for him to leave. He seemed pleased. “I will collect you from your quarters at 0800 for tomorrow’s training session,” I told him.

  “What area would you like to work on?” Zaaro asked eagerly.

  “I think some undercover role play exercises would be best.”

  “Sure. I know just the thing!” he said as he left.

  Tomorrow promised to be interesting.

  29. Zaaro Nian

  The Commander knocked on my door at exactly 0800 hours. I stepped out eagerly to greet him.

  “Good Morning, Commander,” I smiled.

  “Yes, yes, good morning. Let’s proceed to the study rooms.”

  “Of course,” I replied, handing him my bag of disguises, another thoughtful gesture by Salaar, I assumed. I hurried along to keep up with him; the Commander was a tall fellow who took rather long strides. I could hardly imagine the Lieutenant in this role; he was far too unique! We were there before we knew it, even though I was a little out of breath.

  “I was thinking, as a first scenario, why don’t we pretend that you are a double agent, Commander?” He looked at me sharply. I couldn’t gauge whether he was pleased by my suggestion or not.

  “I have a better idea. Let us assume you are on an undercover mission, where you are posing as an IPF employee,” he said.

  “I am an IPF employee. There’s no drama in that. Anyway, I would like you to act it out.” I could understand that he wanted me to show him how it was done, but he wouldn’t learn anything if he didn’t take the initiative.

  “We will both act out each scenario, hence the name role play. Now we begin,” the Commander said.

  “Just one moment,” I raised my hand to signal a time out and groped around in my bag. Aha! I found the perfect prop. I adjusted my handlebar moustache and horn-rimmed glasses and told him to start.

  Commander: “Officer, explain your presence on board this ship!”

  Me: “IPF weapons specialist 3445, reporting for duty sir!”

  “Good improvisation! Wait, is that your actual designation?” he asked after a pause.

  “Yes, of course.” I had thought it was fairly obvious.

  “You absolutely cannot state your true identity; that is called blowing your cover,” the Commander warned me, his tone serious. “What is the point of your disguise if you tell them who you actually are?”

  “What am I supposed to say then?”

  “You give a different identity code and designation as a random IPF officer.”

  “Why would I do that?” I didn’t understand that part at all.

  “That is because you are undercover. You are simply pretending to be an IPF officer so you have to have a fake identity,” the Commander explained patiently.

  “Am I pretending to be a real or a fake IPF officer?” I attempted to get to grips with what he was saying.

  He seemed taken aback by my question and answered after a moment’s hesitation, “A real officer.”

  “Let me state this clearly for my own understanding, I’m pretending to be a real IPF employee, which I actually am, so I should use a fake identity which would fall apart if investigated, rather than my real identity, which is verifiable? Why am I pretending to be a fake me?” I asked him, now even more confused.

  “Because you are undercover! You are in disguise! The whole point of the exercise is to pretend you are someone else! You cannot disclose who you really are to the IPF! ” Commander Lethalwulf insisted.

  “Why not?” I asked again, hoping it would become clear this time round.

  He let out an exasperated groan and put his head in his hands. “If they know who you really are, they will know why you are there and that will compromise the mission, putting everyone in danger along with you,” he hissed through his fingers.

  “Why, though? If they know who I really am, which they do, in any case, why would they have any inkling I was on a secret mission? They would just think I had turned up for work. I see much more danger in the other route. If they see me using a false identity they will be on to me in a flash and investigate the matter until they figure out exactly what the miss
ion is.” My logic was flawless.

  He exhaled slowly. “You may have a point. But they think you stole the executable codes for the new weapons, so they would arrest the real you immediately.”

  “If I were to go in as me, I could give them the codes, clearing up any misunderstanding and no one would suspect a thing. To them I would simply be the real me, doing my real job, but instead, I would be carrying out my mission secretly.”

  “You may have a point again. However, if you gave them the codes, they would use the weapons to kill innocent people.”

  “The weapons are only for deterrence,” I reassured him, but decided to take a different tack when he appeared unconvinced. “What if I gave them fake codes? They would never be able to make anything work with them.”

  “In which case, again, you would be arrested,” he said, brow furrowed.

  “I would be out before they realised and, you forget, I would be in disguise.” I had read a few spy novels in my spare time.

  “Sounds like an incredible risk to me, but if you think you could manage it, I would support your plan,” he said kindly, “other than the part about you wearing fancy dress while going in as yourself, which doesn’t make any sense at all.”

  I was glad of his support, even if he didn’t understand the basics of undercover work. Not that I would be going on any undercover missions myself, I was simply the guide.

  “How about we do a scenario now where your cover has been blown and you are a prisoner on board an IPF ship? It certainly happens to me often enough,” the Commander continued. He was very serious about his training exercises, I thought, with a twinge of pride.

  “Go on,” I said.

  Commander: “Prisoner, explain your status on board this ship.”