Living With Syn

Chapter 1-1

Chapter 1

“And he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.”

—Ali ibu-Abi-Talib

The Brightstar landed smoothly on Sarran. After the firefight in engineering, the bridge, and in the Admiral’s quarters, the arrival was anticlimactic for Syn. A Yeoman Warrior knocked on the door of her cabin to give her a message from Anya. Prince Tonas, Co-Admiral with Prince Jonal, received a leg wound in engineering but was recovering. The yeoman told Syn that Anya would meet her after the unbonded fem were processed on the tarmac. Tonas and Jonal had agreed that Syn would accompany Anya to her new home.

Syn glowed with the warmth of Anya’s consideration after her isolation on the ship. The new princess insisted on extending her hand in friendship despite Syn’s somewhat dubious reputation.

Duchess adamantly refused to ride in her cat carrier and Syn was forced to put her in the cat bed that once served as a market basket, but was now outfitted with a soft pillow. She sighed. It’s easier than hauling the carrier, but only if she decides to stay put.

::Of course I’ll stay put. I wouldn’t want to lose you in the confusion.::

Syn turned her head looking about the cabin. There were rumors that Anya’s cat, Tigger, had psy ability. Could Duchess be similarly talented?

“Was that you, Duchess?”

::Since there isn’t anyone else in the room, dear, either you’re hearing voices, or I’m speaking to you. I think you might prefer it to be me.:: Syn sat down on the bunk, amazed. Duchess had psychic abilities. Anya told her Tigger did, but Syn was skeptical about Duchess. The fluffy white Persian climbed back onto to the bunk and sat next to the basket. ::We should go. I don’t want to be trampled in the rush.::

Well, Syn thought, if I’m crazy so be it. So much has happened since Philadelphia, this is just one more shock. I always suspected she understood, so it shouldn’t come as such a surprise she can communicate.

Syn took one more look around the small cabin. The com, a cross between an iPad and a TV- and hologram projector, told her that all of her belongings would be transported separately to her destination. She grabbed her purse, slung it over her shoulder, and took hold of the basket handle where Duchess had settled herself. Thank the stars she isn’t as heavy as Tigger. With her free hand she rubbed the nape of her neck. The headache and accompanying buzz in her ears had intensified over the last day or two. As a clinical psychologist, she diagnosed her condition as stress. When she finally met up with Anya, she was going to ask for some aspirin. She opened the cabin door and found the yeoman on guard. She sat down on the bunk and waited.

Syn knew that she would have to face Madelyn Dixon-Howard and it was enough to turn her stomach. Duchess jumped from the basket onto the bunk alongside of her and curled up in her lap. I wouldn’t be so calm if it weren’t for the cat. She thought back…