Free Mission by Viola Grace

Chapter One
     
     
    Jewel Springs was nervous, but everyone around her was completely calm. She was in a room full of men who had just finished combat training, and while a few were giving her sly looks, the majority were relaxing and sitting back.
    “Well done, Ms. Springs. Your sister was correct.”
    Amanda was standing next to Recruiter Norz and smiling like a fool. “Told you.”
    The men in the room were staring at Amanda, and she began to preen under all the attention.
    Jewel stepped toward Amanda and the men calmed down. Her sister put her hands on her hips. “See?”
    Jewel sighed. “Fine. I see. I understand and I will go.”
    Amanda sighed. “I am not telling you to go. I am just saying that you actually have the ability to calm people down. That has to be good for something more important than Thanksgiving with the family.”
    Jewel sighed and smiled. “If I leave, I will miss this year.”
    “I look forward to the fistfights.” Amanda hugged her. “I mean it. Knowing that you are out there and using what you have been given is an amazing gift, but don’t think that I won’t be expecting something for Christmas or my birthday.”
    Jewel looked at the Recruiter and he nodded.
    She smiled and muttered. “I will try to send you something.”
    Recruiter Norz called out, “Dismissed!”
    The security detachment got up and filed out of the room. The recruiter herded them into the hall and down to a meeting room where Jewel signed away her right to her own world.
    “You can return in three years, if you so wish, or stay out there if you find that you are doing well. It will be up to you, Jewel.” Norz’s voice was kind.
    Amanda looked at him curiously, “What job do you think she could do?”
    He looked at her and then Jewel with a slow smile. “I think she has a career in riot control ahead of her. The ability to calm folk is not a common one, or at least it is not as obvious as hers is.”
    Jewel leaned back, “I always strive to be unobtrusive.”
    “That is what makes you effective. Be at this address in ten days. Your future awaits.”
    Jewel took the card and nodded.
    Amanda snatched it. “She will be there.”
    Her sister bustled her out and took her for a celebratory coffee to toast the new direction in her life.
    Jewel blinked. “Why are you so excited about this?”
    “Because it is exciting, Jewel. I know you can’t recognize it when you see it, but trust me, this is a good thing.”
    Jewel sipped at her coffee and smiled. “I trust you, Amanda.”
    Amanda looked at her and there was sadness behind her bright and determined eyes. “I know you do, so I am making this choice for you, but don’t trust anyone who hasn’t proved to have your best interests at heart.”
    Jewel wrinkled her nose. “How can I figure that out?”
    “You have to watch them and wait until they put themselves between you and trouble without asking for anything in return. Someone who does that, you can trust.”
    Jewel nodded and finished her coffee. “You can tell Mom.”
    “Talk about potentially hazardous duty.” Amanda grinned.
     
    * * * *
     
    Jewel smirked and struck at her opponent with the batons and whirled, kicked and hit the other two from her position on her knees. She rose to her feet and waited for another holographic opponent.
    “Done. You are done, Jewel.” Her instructor came up and patted her on the shoulder. “You are on your way to your first mission in twelve hours.”
    She nodded and holstered her batons. “Okay. I will pack up.”
    He nodded and smiled. “Good. Good luck, Jewel. Your fixation on combat has been a welcome change from those who only do it because it is part of their mandated training.”
    Jewel shook his hand and headed for her quarters. She had packing to do.
     
    Adapting to life as a peacekeeper on Frekiad mining colony was rather fun. Jewel still didn’t have a good grasp of emotion, but here, she didn’t need it.
    Anytime a riot situation started, from ball