Ancient Astronauts

Dangerously Close

"I'm sorry, Aly honey, there's nothing I can do," Miriam said, accepting the glass of water Alyonna offered her. It was pretty much the only drink Aly had, and on this day of the twelve day year, it tended to run a little hot.

"I know Miriam," Aly sighed, brushing a lock of red hair over one ear, "I'm just so anxious. I figured if anyone could pull strings it would be you or your husband."

"I know, baby," Miriam whispered softly, turning her head away to hide the look of shame washing over her face like a wave. She got it under control quickly, but Aly was looking at the table anyway.

"Have you tried asking the Stalbots or the Benzalis?" Miriam asked.

She knew there wasn't really anything anyone could do, but if someone could, it would be one of those two families. The Benzali family was one of the few that came over on the Astral Ark as a tribe. They were Israeli and had made their fortune developing ever more advanced forms of irrigation, something that was not only useful but imperative in a new world. Miriam was surprised at first to learn that the hundred family members who came to Proxima-B made up the larger half of the Jews in the colony. Her confusion was dispelled upon landing when she heard James and Mr. Galloway joking about it.

"I work closely with the Benzalis," Aly replied, "but they can't do anything more than offer comfort–"

"Which is pretty useless," Miriam finished forcing back a sigh.

"No," Aly reached across the table and took Miriam's hands, "Your friendship means everything to me, Miriam. If I had to sit here alone every morning, I don't know how I'd even walk out that door."

Miriam turned away as tears threatened her eyes. Thankfully she had a large mess of curly dark brown hair to hide behind.

"What is it, Miriam?" Aly asked, "Are you ok?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes I'm fine baby," Miriam said, controlling herself, "It's stressful for all of us getting settled in this new world, but I shouldn't bring that here at a time like this."

"Hmm," Aly sighed, "It's ok, Miriam. I'm not a porcelain doll prone to shattering. You can talk to me about anything." She smiled at the older woman, gave her hands a squeeze, and let them go.

When Miriam didn't say anything, Aly continued, "I did speak to Dr. Ahriman Alulim. He's extremely influential and assured me of his friendship. He even offered to pay the Stalbots for their attorney services, but Kathy refused. He's wise and wealthy and has favors in his pocket from almost everyone, but there's only so much he can do with the military. That is kind of..." Alyonna paused for a breath, "Hans' department."

"Yes," Miriam sighed, "I suppose if this were still a civilian case he could do more, but the damn top brass is hellbent on getting control back from Hans."

Miriam paused and her face flushed when she realized she'd said too much.

"What?" Aly whispered, "What did you say?"

Miriam said nothing and looked away.

"Mi-riam," Aly's voice had that cool stern tone she used on Hans when it was time to stop pissing around the bush and come clean.

It almost worked on Miriam too, "I–I overheard General Kellerman talking to some of his subordinates," she lied, "He's concerned that Hans will be unfit for command even if he wakes up, and that the longer we wait the more that 'needs doing around the colony' won't get done."

"Guh," Aly stood up, knocking over her chair in the process and made her way to the closet door, "if that snake thinks he can subvert Hans while he's asleep, he's got another thing coming."

"Aly please!" Miriam was on her feet, "Think about this first!"

Aly paused but didn't turn around.

"What happens if you go tearing off to give General Kellerman, the JUDGE in your present trial, a bit of Hans' MSP?"

Aly didn't hear the question. She turned around, fury written all over her face and crossed the room quickly getting right up in Miriam's face, "What did you just say?"

"I said that going after General–"

"Not that!" Aly's raised voice brought Sgt. Batts, the NCO who'd assigned himself as Alyonna's aid, through the door, "You said MSP. That acronym didn't exist before my hearing, how did you get wind of it?"

"Oh baby," Miriam sniffled, "Everyone knows about your hearing. The record was published in the colony library and distributed to the more influential houses...like us, the Martins."

The cold fury faded from Aly's face. She turned away, leaning on the table with one hand and holding her belly with the other.

"It's not fair," Miriam whispered through tears that were now flowing down her cheeks, "It's not fair. Those bastards have no respect or decency. A woman in your condition should not be subject to this kind of stress."

Miriam sidled away from the wall toward the side with the door. She knew there was no way of getting past Sgt. Batts, whose short stocky frame blocked the way, but she felt better having a sorta way out, "I only wish I'd been so lucky as to have a baby with a loving man."

Aly raised her head slightly. She'd known there was something off about Mr. Martin. She hadn't met him but once, and now her suspicions seemed to be confirmed. She walked around the table and embraced Miriam.

"It seems like I'm not the only woman in Second Chance who needs a friend right now," she whispered.