I wasn’t sure that he’d manage to get away. But then wasn’t sure I would either. The supreme commander can be unpredictable after all, she’s well known for it.

As it was it went like clockwork, as my granny used to say. Not that she ever did manage to explain what, exactly, clockwork was.

He wasn’t what I expected, and I certainly wasn’t what he must have done. The tiny room was dim but even so I could see the frown between his eyes as he looked at me for the first time,
“This is dangerous, it was stupid for me to have come,” was his opening gambit.

Not exactly friendly but then it had been a long time since he could risk having friends. I knew exactly how he felt.

“Maybe, but an opportunity like this can’t be missed", was my reply.
He looked at me in silence for a moment, then the frown faded and he shrugged in what looked to be weary resignation, and maybe even relief.
“No maybe not." He seemed to relax a little, "You have something for me?”
“Of course.”
I turned away and checked the door before handing him the small disc, it was indistinguishable from any other handed out in the casino, at least to any one but us two.

“You had no trouble getting away?” I prompted.
He smiled at that, and something cold ran up my back, reminding me, if I needed it, of just who it was that I was dealing with.
“None whatsoever, a word, nothing more than a suggestion and the deed was done.” The smile brightened and his voice was lazy and tinged with some like contempt, but an indulgent contempt.
He turned the disc in his hands.

“The contents are as I told you.” I said and smiled in return, that smile I don’t use these days, reminding him that he wasn’t the only danger in the room.
His eyes narrowed slightly at my look, then his smile widened in a flash of charm that took me by surprise.
“Well done Commander, well done.”
I wasn’t sure exactly what he was congratulating me on, but that was as he intended it to be. Then he tucked the chip into his pocket,
“I’ll see that it makes it home safely.”
Maybe I imagined it but I thought I heard a tremor of sorrow on the word home. If I did? Well, I understood.

I looked at him more closely then. Even in the dim light I could see the strain and fatigue in his face and I felt a sudden pang of sympathy. Even the strongest of us need to rest. He’d had an arduous tour of duty, been on his way home when he’d been suddenly and unexpectedly redeployed. God, how he must resent it! But, like me, he would do his duty. Anything else would be unthinkable.

Yet in that moment I felt such sympathy for him that it hurt, and my understanding showed in my voice, unusual for me; but then he was one of my own, such a rare meeting that my guard slipped for a moment.
“It’s going well?”
I hadn’t meant to ask, shouldn’t have asked. I saw the flash of anger brought under quick control and suppressed a smile; I knew only too well how he felt.
“Keeping Blake alive gets harder by the day,” he snapped.
Then, just as suddenly, he seemed to remember whom he was talking to and he relaxed again, smiling ruefully, the charm reappearing,
“But then I expect that keeping the Supreme Commander contained is just as taxing.”

I matched the smile and held out my hand.
“Speaking of Supreme Commanders, I had better be getting back. Krantor will have to hand Travis over soon, I need to be there when he does; she’s as devious as the monster of the loch.”
He nodded in understanding, the smile glittering brightly in the gloom.
“Of course.”
He gripped my outstretched hand tightly for a moment; his fingers warm against my own. A double legend to those who knew; yet only a man just the same, and as alone as I was. Bound to the same danger and misunderstandings by the same oath.

He met my eyes without evasion and I saw understanding there, and respect. It pleased me, more than I had expected. His voice was warm, and his eyes were honest as he spoke;
“Good luck Commander, God be with you.”
I think he meant it.

I nodded, no words were needed, and then he dipped his head in a brief salute and turned away.

He bent to pick up something from the shadows on the floor and with one quick glance up the passageway he slipped from the room; after a moment I followed. I just saw the flash of silver as he disappeared through the draperies and back into the casino.
“And with you Brigadier,” I whispered under my breath before I hurried back towards the Terminus and Servalan.