Rachel hadn't realised at first but her new rank afforded her an office. When she enquired where it might be she found that it was on level 143 of the White Spear. Lance and Vanmarek had their offices on the same level. Penning, Drefnig and Harris had their offices one level above. At Beacon Station, Rachel had never had an office. She always worked in her own quarters or in one of the joint operations rooms. Having her own dedicated space to work from was quite a new experience.
The office was small, like most others. A black composite desk sat in the middle of the room with a single console that could be tilted to any angle. A small hole in the top of the desk offered a place to insert a memory cube. The walls were bare white stone, and the floor was made from a dark metal mesh. It was much more practical than the polished marble of the corridor outside.
Rachel sat on her cushioned chair and rested her hands on the surface of the desk. The console turned itself on automatically, projecting a light blue keypad in front of her fingers. She stared at the keypad and realised that she had absolutely no idea what she was going to do next. Without realising what she was doing, she brought up a comms call to her home.
Annie answered the call, her face appearing on the console's small display. Her soft brown hair was dishevelled and her eyes looked tired.
'Rachel,' she said. 'How are you settling in?'
'Hi, Annie. I'm okay. I meant to call yesterday but everything's been such a rush around here. I've been promoted to commander. Can you believe that? After all these years.'
Annie cupped her hands together with delight. 'Oh Rachel, I'm so pleased for you. You must be so happy.'
Rachel nodded, but her joy was already fading away. She felt as though she had been a commander for years, even if her job description hadn't always matched her role. Titles came and went. When she had been a major, she had put such great importance into becoming a commander, but now that she had achieved her goal, it seemed much less relevant. She realised that the title was more about receiving the validation of her peers. She had already been fulfilling the role for many years.
'How is Lisa?'
Annie pulled a face. 'She's lonely, I think. I try to play with her and take her for walks, but she misses you. I can see it in her eyes.'
'Has she said anything?'
Annie shook her head. 'She doesn't talk to me so much these days. I was close to her before, but when you spent so much time at home I think Lisa thought you were going to stay with her this time. She was hoping for too much. I tried to explain things to her, but she's old enough to have thoughts of her own. She's not as open to me as she once was.'
Rachel lowered her head. She had hoped that Lisa would open up to Annie once she had returned to work but it looked as though it might take longer than she had expected. Lisa was a complicated girl, just like her mother.
'Is she there?' Rachel said. 'Can I speak to her?'
'I'll check where she is,' Annie said. She stood up and walked out through the kitchen door behind her.
Rachel could hear Annie calling Lisa's name. She sat in her office, watching the empty kitchen on her console as the minutes passed by. It was taking a long time to find her. Eventually Annie returned alone.
'I'm sorry, Rachel. I can't find her. I think she's hiding again. I called her. I told her you were waiting to speak to her, but wherever she is, she isn't coming out.'
Rachel felt cold inside. Lisa was taking her absence worse than she had expected. She was still young but she already carried such weight on her small shoulders.
'Shall I call her again?' Annie said.
Rachel shook her head. 'No, Annie. It's okay. Maybe she needs some time to herself. Maybe our little Lisa isn't so little anymore. I'll call again in a day or two. If she changes her mind later, can you call me back?'
'Okay,' Annie said. Her eyes looked as sad as Rachel felt.
'Talk to her for me, will you?'
Annie nodded. 'I will.'
'Tell her I love her. Tell her I hope she's doing okay. Tell her...' Rachel hung onto the tight knot that was forming in her chest. 'Tell her I'll call again soon.'
'I'll tell her,' Annie said. 'Rachel? Are you okay?'
Rachel sat up straight in her chair. 'I'm fine,' she said. 'I have to go now. Let me know if you need anything, okay.'
'Rachel?'
'Yes?'
'That diplomat came to the house looking for you. I told him you were at the White Spear. I hope I did the right thing.'
Rachel let out a sigh. 'When will he stop this?'
'Sorry?'
'I don't know what he wants. If he calls again, send him away. He shouldn't be calling at the house. He knows I'm here. I already spoke to him.'
'Sorry, Rachel. I shouldn't have let him in.'
'Did he ask you any questions?'
'Not really. We had some tea and then he left.'
'Okay. If he calls again send him away. Tell him to talk to me direct instead of playing whatever game he's playing.'
Annie nodded.
'I need to go now,' Rachel said.
'Okay. Bye, Rachel.'
'Bye.' Rachel shut down the comms link.