This time, the Echelon was allowed to land in the main port when they got to Lum. Mel elected to stay on the ship with Sarah. The incident that happened in Aleman weighed on the doctor even though everything turned out alright. Sarah welcomed the company, even if he seemed to be staying in his room.

As soon as the others left, she took out a mop and broom. The floors weren't that dirty, but she figured it would be a nice surprise. It Also gave her something to do besides study.

She swept uninterrupted and mopped the hall. Dave told her that everyone cleaned the floors of their own room and Ash took care of the kitchen. She started on the bridge when someone knocked on the door. A quick glance revealed someone in a Syrealian uniform. She let them in.

"Good morning, Ms. Hidalgo." Sergeant Ivanov greeted as he entered. "Is Captain Sherman on board?"

"He left to take care of some business along with some of the crew. Mel and I are the only ones here right now. If you need to see Dave, he shouldn’t be too long.”

“I was just coming by to deliver the docking permits. All he’ll need to do is sign them and they’ll be valid.” He put the folder on the pilot’s seat. “The Colonel didn’t want to give them to this crew, but the final decision wasn’t up to him. How was Aleman?”

“Interesting, though I think it’s best if we limit how many trips we take there.” She grabbed the bucket and pulled it to where she could access it easier. “Do you need anything else, Sergeant?”

“No, but…” He sighed a bit and straightened his slightly askew hat. “I apologize for my offer the day we met. I didn’t think of how you might’ve interpreted it. Had I known that soldiers earlier had offered you the same thing, I would’ve worded it differently.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Sergeant Ivanov. As the Colonel has probably pointed out to you, I wasn’t being truthful with you.” There was nothing wrong with admitting it now, seeing that everything had been settled.

“If you hadn’t been trying to get away, you would’ve still refused?”

Sarah paused but nodded. “What reason would a Syrealian officer want to have tea with a Liban?”

“I suppose you’re right. Then I will say farewell and return to my duties.” He headed back to the door. His hand was on the handle to open it when the door swung open from the other side. The Sergeant stepped back a bit.

The Colonel charged past him and straight toward Sarah, who was still holding the mop. His face was completely red and a vein was showing on his forehead. They had been docked for twenty minutes. What could she have done to make him upset?

His arm extended and the back of his hand made impact with her cheek. The leather cushioned the impact somewhat, but the force sent her stumbling into the table that held the radio. The corner dug into her side. That hurt more than the slap.

Sergeant Ivanov stepped between her and his commanding officer.

He snapped at him, pushing him aside. Either Colonel Smirnov was stronger than he looked or Ivanov allowed himself to be moved. He got right in Sarah’s face, grabbed the lapels of her coat, and tugged her forward.

And this exact scenario was why she had never mentioned it. But Sarah had a feeling that he wouldn’t accept that answer. She tried to break away from his grip so she wouldn’t feel like he would toss her across the room at any second. She dropped the mop in the attempt.

She demanded, dropping any politeness she had planned for a conversation like this. The slap hadn’t been entirely unexpected, Syrealians tended to get physical with each other during confrontations, but the fact that he hung onto her reminded her a bit too much of Zehn and to a lesser degree, Yager.

Smirnov breathed heavily and his trip on her overcoat tightened. Maybe he was going to throw her across the room. He was probably strong enough to do that. While not in as good of shape as Ivanov, the Colonel seemed to have kept up some of his physical regiment. The Sergeant, a bit flustered, put a hand on his CO’s wirst.

He shook her a bit.

That did make the Sergeant step back.

“R-release her at once!” Everyone turned their heads to see Mel standing in the hall. He had no doubt heard the yelling and rushed there to investigate. The doctor stomped up to Smirnov, despite the fact that he was trembling. “J-just because A-ash isn’t here doesn’t mean y-you can just come in and-and bully us!”

Smirnov yelled back, only to realize that unlike Sarah, Mel clearly didn’t understand what he said. “Nothing to do with you. Just Liban. Back off or be placed under arrest. Your choice, Dr. Whitmore.”

“Nothing to-to do with me!? You’re the one-one holding S-sarah like she tried to-to pick your p-pockets and you caught her! At least let her sit-sit down if you’re holding some-some sort of interrogation!”

“Fine. Can be civil.” He shoved her into the chair she sat when using the radio. He stepped back, nearly tripping over the mop she had dropped. Sergeant Ivanov caught him and straightened him back up before moving the mop out of the way with his foot. Smirnov cursed the mop as he righted his uniform. “You speak Syrealian. How?”

“I learned it from some neighbors that moved from Syreal around... the time that the government changed.” It had been a revolution, but Syrealian officers didn’t like that word and she didn’t need him even more annoyed with her. “They brought their grandmother with them and I was volunteered to look after her when no one else was home.”

It had been her mother’s attempt to see how she’d do in a serving role. Thanks to her good marks in math and science, her mother had always hoped that Sarah would choose the path of nursing. She had been hesitant because of her lack of people skills. Her mother thought it would be a good opportunity to gain some.

“The grandmother didn’t speak any Aboloanian, never did as long as she lived. I think she understood it, even when she pretended not to. I learned Syrealian so I could understand her because without it, communication was not clear.”

Both the Sergeant and Mel were nodding, but Smirnov continued to look skeptical. He probably wanted proof, but there would be no way she could offer it. She never took any sort of test for it. He pulled out a partly used cigar and a lighter.

“Neighbors from where in Syreal?” The lighter clicked as the flame sprang to life and caught the end of the cigar on fire. He put it back in his pocket.

“Um, I don’t remember the region name, but it’s one by the sea and the dialect is a bit different from most of Syreal.”

“The Rus region.” The Sergeant offered helpfully. “I thought I heard a slight accent with the Syrealian you spoke earlier, but I thought it might just be your Liban accent coming out.”

“Rus.” The Colonel took a drag of his cigar and then blew the smoke aside. Mel sneezed a bit afterwards. “Troublesome region. Why keep fact secret? Would have saved trouble.”

Sarah thought that the answer was obvious. She had been scared to tell because of the reaction any Syrealian soldier would have to it. They disliked her on principle. It would make things even harder for her if they knew she could understand them. It would also make the accusations of her being a spy harder to disapprove if they ever led to anything. Plus he had been using Syrealian as a way to make comments about her friends while they were in the room.

“I... I thought you’d be upset and accuse me of all sorts of things and…”

He took another puff of his cigar and blew the smoke in her face. Now, it was her turn to cough. Mel sneezed again before he could object. The Colonel shook his head and tutted.

“No. Not reason. Part of reason, perhaps. Complete reason, no. Wanted us to remain unaware, give you advantage. Allow you to eavesdrop.” Now that he had a cigar, his color seemed to return and the vein disappeared. “Still think Liban so innocent now, Sergeant Ivanov?”

“Colonel Smirnov,” Ivanov pleaded slightly. “Let’s discuss that in private later…”

But the Colonel stopped him with a hand, the other holding his cigar out to the side as he tapped the end of it off. The ash fell on the floor and Mel rushed to sweep it up. He sneezed once again and had to take his glasses off to rub his eyes that had turned a little pink. Apparently, he was allergic to the smoke from the cigar. Sarah nearly told him to go outside, but that meant she would be left alone with Smirnov. She didn’t want that.

“Sergeant Ivanov advocated for Liban. Said “She just nervous” or “Just not used to talking to people”. Never thought Liban had devious side. But Sergeant still young and learning ways of life.”

Sarah was pretty sure she fell under that category too. After all, she assumed the Sergeant was older than her. There was probably no way he made Sergeant at age eighteen. He had to at least be twenty five if not a little older. Twenty three would be pushing it.

The Sergeant cleared his throat. She couldn’t blame him for being a bit embarrassed. It was one thing when a parent said something like that, but she couldn’t imagine listening to a boss talk about her that way.

“Also said Liban was pretty. Can forgive for that. Looks not limited to borders.” The Colonel chuckled as Ivanov looked like he wished he could retract his head into his uniform like a turtle. He tapped some more ash onto the floor. “Liban feels same way about Sergeant, no? Not make eye contact other day.”

“I don’t think he’s pretty.” She answered plainly without thinking. “And I felt bad for having to lie to him since he was decent to me.”

“Liban must not have felt too bad since didn’t say anything.” Smirnov remarked, looking pretty pleased with himself. “Do not hide big thing again. Next time, will not be pleasant.”

“Yes sir.” Sarah unconsciously replied. The only problem was what he considered a “big thing”. If he twisted the logic enough, he could make it mean anything.

He reached out again, but this time to pat the cheek that he had slapped. She barely held back a flinch.

“Good. Relationship will be much plesentarer now. Now, where Captain keep good drink? Last one lousy.”

“Perhaps we should be getting back to the office, Colonel.” Sergeant Ivanov stated now that he seemed to have collected himself. Smirnov shook his head.

“Have plenty time.”

So it looked like their unexpected guests weren’t leaving any time soon. That wasn’t so bad, but she wished he would at least stop smoking. Not only was the cigar smoke affecting Mel poorly, but she wasn’t fond of the smell. It was pretty strong, leaving her to wonder what exactly he was smoking.

But before he could order her to go get the “good drink” again, the rest of the crew came back. Dave let out a long sigh when he saw the situation.

“Doc, go get some air. You look terrible.” He ordered, pointing to the door. “And why have you chosen to grace us with your presence today, Colonel Sme-Smirnov? We got all the paperwork done and I believe that’s the permit sitting in the pilot’s seat.”

Heather picked up that folder and put it with the other paperwork. Both Claire and Ash eyed Sarah and the Colonel suspiciously while Mel made a hasty exit. Some air was probably what he needed.

“Captain, right on time! Radio operator not know where good drink is!” He exclaimed, as if he had just stopped by for a casual chat. “Last bottle not so great.”

“Let me go fetch it for you so you can be on your way.” Dave headed toward the kitchen. Colonel Smirnov got up and followed him, probably to see where they kept such things for future reference.

“Did he hit you?” Claire suddenly asked. “He did, didn’t he?”

“He backhanded me when he came in.” She replied honestly. “But it’s already stopped hurting and…”

But the mechanic rounded on the Sergeant. “And you just let him? What kind of man are you letting him go around hitting people!?”

“He did it before I could stop him! And I’m his subordinate, I can’t tell him what to do. But I made sure he didn’t hurt her any further.”

Claire took a step toward him, but Heather intervened. “Claire, go check on Mel. You know how allergic he is to smoke. We’ll handle this.”

The mechanic sighed, but obeyed the navigator and went outside. She and Ash came over to Sarah. Ash leaned against the table.

“It doesn’t look too bad,” he remarked in reference to her cheek. “Did he do anything else besides slap you?”

“He pushed me into the desk so I’m going to have a nice bruise, but nothing else.” She assured them while rubbing her side. “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone that angry before and I’m not eager to see it again. I’m fine, really.”

Ivanov remained silent. Claire’s words must stung at least a little. He looked down the hall and then back to the door. Anywhere but at the people staring at him. Fortunately for him, the Colonel soon came back down the hall with a bottle in his hand. Judging about the small amount of liquid missing from the top, he had already taken a sample.

“Now we go, Sergeant. Share a drink and talk about life.”

“Yes sir.” He fell in step behind him as the Colonel left the airship.

“Remember, no secrets!” The Colonel exclaimed before Ash slammed the door shut. Dave went and sat in his chair.

“Well, at least we got the rest of the payment. I say we take a short vacation once we get back to Kingsgrove. I think we can all use a break.”

Sarah had to agree with that sentiment. Maybe once back in Aboloan, she’d be able to see if the rumors about a Syrealian blockade had any substance to them now that some time had passed.