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Strategos (A Great Captain Roberts Tale!!) - Part 2
Chapter 18 - Details[]
Trying Help Jane[]
"We don't know how long she was in their hands…
…but I know it was sustained and traumatic." The Outworlder psychiatric doctor had thick gray hair framing a lined face that must've been pretty, forty or fifty years ago. "Jane is… reticent about her past."
"Jane?"
"She refuses to answer to names, no identity documents except a number, unidentified persons are 'Jane Does' in my trade, and it seems to stick…most days."
“And when you try to call her Elizabeth?” Helena studied the doctor.
"She enters the kind of panic state you just witnessed," Dr. Hammond confirmed. "We have the gene-markers, and according to the Raven doctors, she's either the real thing or the best clone that ever was, without so much as a single deviation…and I'm almost inclined to agree with them, but that suggests a truly horrific amount of time in that prison. Victims of long term incarceration often have significant difficulties, Ma'am."
“I gathered as much. I expect if we were introduced it would actually be quite the set back at this stage. She needs more rebuilding.” Helena was fighting a tear again.
Dr. Hammond shook her head. "You're presuming we're making any progress at all," she said. "And I'm running out of techniques! Every move forward and she sees, or hears, or thinks something and it's right back to the autistic rocking back and forth, and those rhymes, sometimes with a tantrum. We don't put an auto-injector loaded with sedatives on non-violent patients!"
“Perhaps you are right. I have a nasty habit of trying to duck people. Relationships have been hard for me with few exceptions. I am willing to try it.” Helena looked toward where her sister’s room should be.
"I'm hoping, ma'am, that you have some insight, some way to get her free of this, because after sixty years in this profession, I can't help her," Hammond said with utter defeat in her voice. "I can diagnose-she has symptoms of long-term isolation, deep post traumatic stress, and possible schizophrenic degradation…but worse, I think, if it's not."
“I can only really think of one thing that might help. I will try and tell her about the last time we were all a family and happy together. It is the only thing I can think of that might shake her free but it will also likely shake free other, darker things with it.”
"You're her family and presumably is able to make legal decisions for her, but I'm going to need to see any treatment suggestions you have, because, unless she is withdrawn into custody, she's still my patient-I'm responsible for her well-being, as much as can be obtained." Hammond explained, "and the first duty of any doctor is to do no harm."
“I understand. I just fear my own experiences may make me ill suited for the task you ask of me. I have been fed a lot of information about clinical psychology over my life but because of my own history and isolation I lack the practical person to person experience that you have, Doctor. But I will formulate something as best I can.” Helena nodded.
"You mentioned having some unresolved issues of your own, I can give you a referral if your current provider isn't working out," Dr. Hammond said suggestively. "If that is… if you wish it, Miss… Cameron?"
“The funny thing is, Doctor Hammond, you are probably the most versed and experienced person with the kind of things me and my sister are dealing with now. Probably could make a career writing papers about us,” Helena laughed.
Hammond began scribbling on a pad of actual paper. "This is the comm number for a colleague who also specializes in severe abuse cases, then, Miss Cameron. Doctor Wiley's case load is a fair bit smaller than it was back when we started, but she's a solid listener."
“Thanks Doctor Hammond. If nothing else it will make for an interesting change of pace from my usual social circles,” Helena smiled.
<You do realize what she implied, Helena?> Simon whispered in the back of her mind. <Doctor Hammond apparently believes you have been the victim of sexual abuse.>
<Honestly I can’t be sure Richard didn’t do that to me. Those memories are still a little fuzzy.> Helena answered Simon mentally.
“Well doc, not quite the issue I was referring to but then again a woman has her needs and the only companionship I had was battery operated for a rather long time.”
"Doctor Franks only sees patients once a week for that," Hammond said with a grim set. "But I can tell you, your sister in there? She was raped fairly frequently, we have medical proof of multiple abortions as well as damage to the cervical walls consistent with that type of abuse. Still, Wiley can probably help you with your anxiety and self-image problems."
“I find myself shocked yet unsurprised. I know the man responsible for this is dead. I still have the odd dream of the laser digging into my skull. I know the man holding it was Amaris but it all seems so disconnected now.” Helena slightly shuddered.
"Memories retreat, Miss Cameron," Dr. Hammond assured her. "And dealing with them in a healthy manner can be difficult when they refuse to go… back in the box. Have your practitioner C-mail me his or her recommended therapies… unless you're going to take her off our hands?" the older-looking woman paused. "And see Doc Wiley, she's discreet."
While the women spoke, Simon browsed Dr. Hammond's remarkably poorly protected data networks. The records were spare and sparse, much to his surprise, but there were signs of efforts to document electronically, with references to…<Helena, they're still using paper records! Hardcopy! You need to get a look at those!!>
“I understand Doctor Hammond. I think Victoria would be the best one to C-mail you those recommendations but she would need access to your notes as well.” Helena looked at the Doctor again.
Dr. Hammond led Helena to a stout looking filing cabinet, and opened a drawer. The file was almost twenty centimeters thick. "These are copies, Miss Cameron, but I only have two sets, so please don't lose them?"
“No need to worry. I should have everything I need in a few moments.” Helena started going through the notes.
"A recorder in your prosthetic eye?" Hammond asked.
“I am not sure what you have been briefed on Doctor, but yes that is one of its functions.” Helena finished going through the papers.
"Must be nice…" Dr. Hammond said wistfully. "Lostech is so rare, and even the Ravens sometimes run short."
“It only started a chain of wars that cost humanity nearly everything and my soul.” Helena answered flatly.
"I find that devices are devices, Miss Cameron," Dr. Hammond stated. "But then, I spent most of two years ago counseling a Warship's AI through similar traumas."
“Oh good. Thank god I do not have to hold that back anymore Doctor. You see I said people are hard for me but I do have friends. In the 680,000 ton weight range. They are a bit quirky but they are the only people who really get me because of how long I have lived and how little time matters to them.” Helena relaxed.
"Erin was an M-11, at that weight range… Caspars?" Dr. Hammond asked. "She did insist that the SDS ships were sentient, and did so vehemently…point of caution? Don't mention that to our Snow Raven friends just yet. Some of them are…somewhat bigoted."
“I don’t know if all of them were sentient but I know a good number were. But agreed and the only form of displeasure my friends can express is a violation of the Ares Conventions or a War Crime,” Helena smiled.
"If you have everything you need, Miss Cameron, I do have patients to get back to?" Hammond suggested.
“Yes I think I do.” Helena handed the papers back to Doctor Hammond.
"I look forward to your…recommendations. Keep in touch? And see Doctor Wiley before you put to space again?"
“Vicky’s probably already got the C-mail drafted and if Loremaster Howe will allow it I will see the Doctor. We do have a lot to see to.” Helena stood up and extended her hand.
Dr. Hammond shook it with firm, callused hands.
Talking to the Roberts Family[]
The Roberts farm…
…was one jump and four hours by rover from the commercial port, or twenty minutes from the Raven base.
Helena took the short route with an 'escort' from the Raven Watch. "What can I expect?" Helena asked her escort, a young Raven officer named 'Leon'. This close the size imbalance was almost like being a child next to an adult, Leon's elemental bulk was there as a show, and the both knew it.
"Daryl Lamb Roberts is the first one you should meet-he is the most open minded of the bunch, and his wife is at least semi friendly, or tolerant, of outsiders," Leon explained. "So, if you don't mind Ma'am, that's who we are seeing first."
“That should be fine. I need to learn a lot about Amanda before we meet. This is as good a way as any.” Helena kept her eyes on the farm.
The staff car rolled up a graveled drive nearly two and a third kilometers long to a two-story wooden house flanked by a barn made of solar panels and repeated painting, with a dented four wheel utility vehicle with an open bed out front. Several other ground-cars and agricultural machines sat nearby, and she could see a large tree with a tire swing, and children running in a fenced area.
Helena smiled at the sight of children playing. No matter how old she was, that infectious joy only found in the young still found a way into her heart.
She strode up slowly to the door.
"Knock, or get off the porch." a woman's voice spoke from the other side of the door.
“Hello. I have come to speak with Daryl.”
"He's on up-mile…" the woman's confused expression softened. "Leon Snow Raven, who did you bring to my door?"
"This is…Helena…Helena Ian, Ma'am," the Elemental's tone showed familiarity. "She is here about your sister-in-law."
"Oh…I see I need to make introductions. I'm Samantha Baines Roberts, Daryl's wife. Please come in, get out of the sun. I've got tea in the kitchen… And Leon, wipe your feet, you been here often enough to know the rule."
“Thank you, Mrs. Roberts. I do apologize… Where I come from, it is poor manners for a guest to show up uninvited without a token for their host,” Helena stifled a smile.
"Folkie, huh? It's alright, down here we only sometimes remember the old ways," Samantha said. "Now, this might cause issue with the Granbys or the Lesters. As hostess, I'll forgive the breach of guestrite on account of I'm interested in what you're looking into."
“I will be direct then. I am looking into Amanda. I have reason to believe she may be of an important family line. I need to find out more about her and her past to be sure though.” Helena said, finding a seat.
She gazed at Leon, "So this is about those genetic tests you made Daryl and my boys go through, Leon?"
The Elemental winced, "Some of it, Ma'am." He said it almost-submissively under the redhead's steady stare.
"Aight then. Seeing as you're not here with a squad of infantry and orders to round us up, I'm going to assume it's 'good news' and not 'congratulations you're descended from the not-named clan, here's your mass execution'. Am I right?"
"Yes Ma'am." He looked outright chagrined.
<He could crush us if he got his hands on us and this woman has him tamed? I think I like her.> Simon interjected.
“I hope you do not mind answering some questions while we wait then? What was Amanda like growing up? I am curious if she had any stand out traits.” Helena smiled.
"Amanda Roberts was a tomboy, she got into everything she was big enough to and a few things she should've left alone, Miss Ian," Samantha asserted. "I babysat her and her brother Jeff a few times while I was seeing Daryl in high school. The girl was good training for Colin and Derek out back there. When she wasn't reading, she was getting herself into trouble she could scarce get out of."
“Sounds so much like… Stacey at her age. She caused so much damage around the family lands that I almost had to do something really drastic,” Helena caught herself.
"Her mother tried that. Ever seen a girl in lace get caught in a spider-tree? Because I had to get her down from that once, when she was eight."
“Can not say that I have. I did catch Stacey almost burning down the garage. She was a bit of a pyromaniac at that age and her tutors were no help.” Helena could not stop herself from smiling at the memory.
"Some don't have the gift," Samantha noted. "I helped Amanda work through her dyslexia when she was seven. It's why she'd be reading all the time. Once she started, she couldn't stop herself from trying to make up time."
“Her favorite tutor was Samantha, Samantha Booker Roberts. She loved story time with her. Those two were both trouble and good for each other. She took the Roberts name when she joined the Folk.”
Mrs. Roberts chuckled. "So, another me? That's almost story material right there, Miss Ian." Mrs. Roberts refilled their glasses.
“The similarities are not lost on me. I find history has a way of doing that,” Helena sipped the tea.
"Your sister sounds like Amanda," Samantha stated. "I take it something tragic happened, or you wouldn't be talking on her in the past tense."
“To be honest I lost track of Stacey shortly after she went full Folk so I don’t know what really happened. I do know she had children of her own.” Helena drank more of the tea.
"So, an older sister then." Samantha filled in on her own the way people do, and jarred Helena a little with the reminder of how young she looked.
“It is a long and strange story really. But I believe Amanda is long lost kin.”
"Hm. Maybe." Samantha stood up, "You'll excuse a moment, Derek's doing something he oughtn't be!" She strode to the kitchen door, opened it, and bellowed "DEREK JOSHUA ROBERTS!! YOU PUT THAT SNEK DOWN RIGHT NOW!!"
Helena heard a plaintive boy's voice, "But mama!"
"Don't you 'but-mama' me young man! You're scarin' that poor animal to death!! And where's your little brother? Don’t make me come get you!”
“Reminds me of a time with my daughter…” Helena stopped herself too late.
"She stayin' with her father then? Or …you didn't hire a nanny before coming all this way, did you?" Samantha turned, "Even if you're off of Alpheratz, that's a long trip without a parent."
“She is with the stars now...” Helena sank in her chair a little.
Samantha's expression softened to sympathy. "God, it must be hard, lose them when you're so young."
“I was just 17 when I got pregnant with her. God my family would have thrown a fit of epic proportions if they knew. But I am still thankful for having her in my life as long as I did.” Helena smiled at her host.
"Leon, you can go back to base now, I'll call when Miss Ian needs a ride, and I'm sure you have your duties," Samantha said. Then she added, "This talk needs something stronger than tea, and warriors on duty don't get to drink."
"She is my duty, Ma'am."
"Then, you'll have to keep your mouth shut, young man." Samantha drew out a jar filled with clear fluid, and added a dose to Helena's tea and her own, before putting it back.
“Been a long time since I’ve had ‘shine. But what the hell, you’re only young and stupid once.” Helena lightened up.
"That's a truth," Samantha said. "The boys are back to where I can see 'em."
Meeting Daryl[]
An engine out front…
Announced the arrival of Daryl Roberts. "Sammy?"
"In here, we've got guests, Daryl wipe your feet." Daryl Roberts was almost Elemental sized himself. A big man, and to Helena, he looked like some god or goddess took an image of Simon Cameron in his early thirties, and expanded it, adding a farmer's tan and muscle, along with a workman's shave.
“You did not get that from Stacey’s side of the family…” Helena muttered.
"Who's 'Stacey'?" he asked.
"Miss Ian's here tracing a lost sister.," Samantha said. "Older sister…or cousin. Anyway, I broke out the Lemon Essence, and we've been havin' a nice drink!"
<Simon, how do we handle this? I should be drunk off my ass right now but I know you’re keeping me sober.>
<I am not sure honestly. Just try slurring your speech more.> Simon answered.
“Heeey Daryl…” Helena laughed.
"Well, I guess it's nice enough to barbecue then." Daryl said soberly, "If that's alright, Hon??"
"Fine..fine..she also wants to know more about your little sister. Got her a minder from the base, even."
"Leon! Come on, I'll need a hand setting up and if you're playing escort you have nought better to be doing than re-learning the fine art of fire and meat!" Daryl said, then looked at Helena, "we can talk after."
“Works for me. I think I need to sober up a little though.”
The next few hours were a flurry of preparations in the kitchen, while the men were working outside on the fire pit.
Helena had given up on offering to help after her hosts seemed almost offended
.
"No, you just set and relax, Miss Ian." Samantha told her, "I don't need to be stitchin' your hand from cutting the tubers."
“I just feel so idle though.”
"Then, if'n you must do something, go keep an eye on the boys, maybe tell them a story." Samantha said, "you don't need to be doing work while you're visiting."
“That I can do.” Helena smiled before heading out to the yard.
Chat over food and home movies[]
The food was…
…good. Not palace-grade, but in the same way something prepared well, by practiced hands who would also be eating it, was good. After that, came the migration to the living room as it grew dark outside, and the unboxing of a projector and screen.
Accompanied by anecdotes, so many anecdotes.
“It is weird. I actually spent some time in a Royal Palace and yet despite everything being perfect to the last detail the best coffee I ever had came from a simple traveling cart in the downtown area of a refugee town that sprang up during the Succession Wars.” Helena smiled.
"That's because the guy running it was running it for his life, not for prestige." surprisingly, Samantha was stone sober despite the amount of alcohol Helena had seen her down.
<I think I figure out how she tamed that ‘Elemental’. Even with my help I think she can drink us under the table> Simon sounded equally worried and impressed.
"Secret here? We've cultivated Chikory root, first settlers did it, and the beans are grown on the North equatorial zone." Samantha said, "though it's the Marsdens in town what roast them and do the actual blend."
“Each doing their part for the betterment of the whole. A Principle I have tried to embrace but being human I fail at sometimes.”
"I'd say more like 'everyone trying to make a living in perptually hard times." Samantha quipped. "We do okay, but if I stopped making the shine, we'd be under water pretty quick. The meat market's volatile, but everyone likes to get hammered."
“That they do. It is just that I have seen first hand what happens when people confuse prosperity for materialism, or would that be the other way around. I’m still drunk enough I am rambling and talking nonsense.” Helena laughed.
"I like a good nonsense contest." Samantha noted, "And philosophy is a fun one…"
"Honey.." Daryl spoke.
"Okay dear." Samantha said, then, "he hates it when I argue politics, especially with his mother." she added conspiratorially.
“My parents hoped I would go into politics but of course I tried to rebel against that and wound up doing it anyway. I think the universe does have a god and that god loves that kind of poetry.”
"Poetic justice, or irony. That's not an unusual view of god out here." Samantha noted, "Daryl's grandfather, Jeremiah, he was practically a legend in the OMC, forward observer and field commando, three generation long career, his son, my husband's daddy, joined a pacifist cult."
Her tone was clear in its disapproval.
'Dear.." Daryl interrupted again, "Helena's not an in-law, please."
"She looks like your sister." Samantha's sober image almost cracked at that, and Helena realized she was actually roaring drunk. "For that matter, she could be your OTHER little sister, she's even got your mum's eyes."
“We do seem related but it is more distant than that I think because I know who my father was and my mother.” Helena was leaning heavily on Simon still to combat her own intoxication.
"Snow Raven escort, looking for distant relatives.." Daryl sighed, "Okay, so this has to do with those genetic screenings last April...and somehow, my sister's involved in it."
“I am not allowed to talk specifics but you, your sister, you all come from a very important family. At least I am damned sure of it now. I wish I could tell you, but that would cause a lot of problems right now.” Helena tried to stand then sat back down in her chair.
'I'll take that as fair." Daryl said.
They watched home movies for the remainder of the evening.
Helena felt tears of joy that her family was sharing this with her. She wished she could do the same for them.