Mindspace - Complete Series

by A. K. DuBoff

  “Got it,” Leon acknowledged.

  “Walking is easy—just take a natural stride and the gyros will balance the suit. If you break into a flat-out sprint, a spring system will kick in to boost your speed—your legs won’t actually move any faster, but each stride will cover a lot of distance. I wouldn’t recommend trying that on your first go around.”

  “Considering my plan was to sit quietly in the corner, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Kira popped off the helmet and pressed the load button on the armor’s chest plate. The torso, arms, and legs split open to receive an occupant. “Come on, step in.”

  Leon slowly backed into the armor, positioning his arms and legs to match the angle of the suit’s limbs. When he made contact with the back interior, the armored plates folded around him. “Whoa!”

  “Oh, yeah. Should have warned you that it pressurizes. These work as EVA suits in a pinch, but they’re not rated for long-term vacuum exposure.”

  “It… tingles.” Leon stood still with his arms out at an awkward angle from his sides.

  She mounted the helmet to its holding clip on his left shoulder. “Move around. The pressure will adjust.”

  He circled his arms and took a cautious step. Then another. “Okay, this really isn’t that bad.”

  Kira smiled. “That’s the spirit.”

  She hurriedly donned her own armor, which had been custom-fitted for her. The suit included some stealth tech that wasn’t standard on all combat armor, though it was looking like she wouldn’t get to put that to use until the next op. This one was going to be a firefight, despite their best intentions. She checked the charge on her plasma rifle and stowed it in the designated slot on her back, and she then grabbed a multi-handgun for the holster on her thigh—one of her favorite weapons, capable of firing kinetic rounds and sonic blasts to daze enemies. Two concussion grenades in her belt and some extra kinetic rounds completed her loadout.

  “Ready?” Kira asked Leon. She mounted her helmet to her shoulder until she got the comm frequency for the op from her team.

  “Good to go.”

  They exited the prep area. Upon returning to the open space at the top of the ramp, they found it empty. Kaen’s voice carried from outside, so they descended the ramp.

  “Ready for duty,” Kira said to Kaen and Sandren when she spotted them on the grass several meters from the landing craft.

  “Good, almost ready to make our move,” Major Sandren replied.

  “What do we know about the situation, sir?” Kira asked.

  “It looks like this might be related to a larger political move. Someone seems to want a conflict to escalate between Mysar and Elusia,” Kaen explained. “The Mysaran government is taking the Guard’s presence here as a sign that the Elusians are only signing the reunification agreement with the Taran Empire so that we’ll take out Mysar and claim this whole system for ourselves.” He paused, a grimace flitting across his face. “While we were landing, I received a confidential tip that Mysar has launched a battleship toward Elusia.”

  Sandren looked at the colonel, eyes wide. “I’m shocked they’d do that.”

  “How long before it arrives?” Kira asked.

  “At its current speed, seven hours. But that trip can be made in far less time if they boost hard,” Kaen said.

  “Oh, shite, I have to warn Ellen!” Leon exclaimed. “Have you told Elusia about the ship?”

  “Until the unification agreement is signed, we can take no official military action. We’re skirting the rules enough by being here on Valta.” Kaen shook his head.

  “What about an unofficial notice?” Leon pressed. “My sister works in the president’s office.”

  “Their people deserve time to prepare for an attack, if there is going to be one,” Sandren chimed in. “I think a tip like that is just what’s in order.”

  Kaen deliberated for longer than Kira would have expected, but he eventually nodded. “Do it. You may use the comm room on the landing vessel, but be sure to tie the message to a local civilian code.”

  “Yes, sir!” Kira raced with Leon back up the ramp.

  “I never wanted her to take that job,” Leon muttered. “Politics in this system are such a mess.”

  “That’s probably why she took it, you know. She wants to make a difference.”

  “I guess you two always did have that in common.”

  When they reached the communications room, Kira dismissed the comm tech and created a civilian-coded feed, like Kaen had instructed. “Do you know your sister’s direct contact?”

  “Yeah.” Leon entered the necessary information on the screen.

  “Okay, this should just take a minute to connect.” Kira initiated a vidcall. She checked the local time in the Elusian capital; it was 10:15 local time, so she should be available.

  After thirty seconds the call connected, and a woman in her early thirties matching Leon’s hair and eye coloration answered. “Hello, this is— Wait, Leon? Is that you?”

  “Hey, Sis,” he greeted with a smile. “Remember Kira?”

  “Wow, yeah… What are you doing back on Valta?” Ellen asked.

  “Long story,” Kira replied. “We’re calling to pass on some information that you need to get to the president. It didn’t officially come from us.”

  Leon’s tone turned solemn. “The Mysaran Coalition launched a battleship that’s headed for Elusia. It will likely show up on your scan soon, but we wanted to give you as much advance warning as possible.”

  Ellen’s face drained. “No, that’s not possible. This isn’t how it was supposed to go…”

  “I know it’s difficult to believe that it’s come to this after years of trying to find peace, but you need to have the people of Elusia prepare for a potential attack,” Kira urged.

  “No, you don’t understand.” Ellen shook her head.

  “Ellen, the media has it wrong,” Leon told her. “Whatever you think you know about what’s been going on the past few days, it’s not the whole story.”

  Her brow knitted. “What do you mean?”

  “The specifics are classified, but let’s just say that the Guard definitely isn’t making a military move against Mysar,” Kira replied.

  “Stars…” Tears filled Ellen’s violet eyes.

  “Sis, are you okay?” Leon asked.

  “I think I’ve been played,” she murmured.

  Kira examined the other woman on the screen. “What are you talking about?”

  “I was sent to Elusia to get close to the government.” Ellen wiped a tear from her cheek. “My… my role was to take out the Elusian president.”

  “What?!” Kira and Leon shouted simultaneously.

  “I’m not going to go through with it now, obviously. But the plan was to assassinate him and blame it on the Guard, undermining the reunification agreement to keep the entire Elvar Trinary out of the Empire.”

  Kira’s stomach turned over. “That’s a pretty foked up plan.”

  Ellen ignored the comment. “I’ll talk with the president and see if we can stave off an attack and keep things from spiraling into a worse political nightmare.”

  “Good luck. Talk to you on the other side,” Leon said and ended the call.

  “Assassinate the president? Is she out of her mind?!” Kira exclaimed.

  Leon scoffed. “That is not the woman I grew up with.”

  “Shite, me either.” Kira took an unsteady breath. “I can’t wait to get the fokers who’ve orchestrated this madness.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  Kira stepped toward the door. “All right, let me give Kaen and Sandren the update. We need to shut down that lab.”

  CHAPTER 17

  Ellen stared at her desktop in silence. I just admitted I was about to murder a head of state. Hearing the words out loud had made her realize just how misguided she’d been. Assassination wasn’t the way to bring about a better future.

  She reached for h
er desk drawer, realizing that her hands were shaking. Inside was the syringe she’d been given by her secret contact for the purposes of the impending deed. She’d hidden it under a stack of hardcopy reports no one was likely to go looking for. The slim, metal case looked like something an old-fashioned fountain pen might be presented in as a gift. Ellen pulled the box from its hiding place and examined the contents. It was just like she’d left it.

  No, someone has been playing me. I can’t trust one side over the other. Everyone has their own agenda. I’m not helping my world if I’m just a tool in some sick master plan. She rose from her desk and dropped the case and syringe into a hatch set on the back wall, which led to an incinerator—one perk of being in a government office dealing in sensitive information. I won’t use this. Not now or ever.

  Ellen took several calming breaths. It was time to really make an impact.

  She left her office with nothing in hand and took the elevator to the level housing the president’s administrative suite.

  Nico was in his customary position behind the reception desk. “Hi, Ellen. I don’t have you on the president’s calendar for today.”

  “It’s an urgent matter—can’t wait,” she said, not breaking stride.

  The two guards outside his office tensed as she approached.

  Ellen spread her arms. “I have critical information regarding Elusia’s safety. Please let me pass.”

  The left guard held up his finger and then knocked on the door. He stuck his head inside and said something. After five seconds, he swung the door open and gestured Ellen through.

  “Thank you.” She nodded to him.

  Inside, the president was seated at his desk. “Ellen, what information do you have?”

  She closed the door behind herself. “Sir, I’m sorry to interrupt.”

  Joris frowned. “We’re in the middle of a crisis here. If this is a new issue, I’d rather not know yet.”

  “It’s connected—regarding the Coalition. They’ve sent a battleship toward Elusia.”

  “No! They wouldn’t…”

  Ellen swallowed. “This isn’t an official tip, but it’s coming from a source I trust. They wanted to give us time to prepare.”

  “Whoever your friends are, we’re indebted. I’ll reach out to the chancellor right away and see if I can get to the bottom of this.” He activated his desk.

  “That’s not all, sir.” Her stomach turned over.

  “I’m listening.”

  “Sir…” Ellen searched for the words. There was no right way to put it—may as well go all-in. “Sir, I originally was sent here to kill you.”

  The president’s face drained. “What?”

  Ellen held up her hands to show she was unarmed. “But I’m not going to do that. I realize now that I was manipulated into thinking about my world as an individual entity and that remaining isolated was the best way forward. I believed that with all my heart, and much of me still does. But I’ve come to believe that there are powerful forces working behind the scenes to pit Mysar and Elusia against each other. For what end, I have no idea. But I do know that the only way we can stand up to an opponent like that is by unifying, not separating.”

  Joris’ hand hovered over his desktop. “I should call security on you.”

  “I’ll understand if you do. But I beg you to trust in my conviction to save my world.”

  He studied her. “We both share the Elusian ideals of peace and goodwill—and forgiveness. But this…”

  Ellen lowered her hands. “I didn’t have to say anything about my original mission, but I couldn’t move forward with that weighing on my mind. If we’re to work together going forward, I want it to be based on a relationship founded in trust.”

  “You never gave me a reason to doubt you. You played your role well.”

  She shook her head. “You made it easy to follow you, sir. Elusia is lucky to have a leader like you, and they need you more than ever right now.”

  The president took a slow breath. “Against any advice I’d receive, I’ll give you the chance to regain my trust. It took courage to come clean.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Few would have such forgiveness in their heart. If anyone was worthy of her enduring loyalty, it was him.

  Joris motioned to the chair across from him. “Sit in on this call with the chancellor. I could use another set of ears.”

  — — —

  Allowing his would-be killer to remain in his presence had put President Joris in an odd mood. On the one hand, it saddened and terrified him to think that this woman he’d trusted for two years had only worked her way into his employ so that she could end his life. On the other hand, he was humbled that she’d alter long-held convictions because she believed him to be a worthy leader. He’d need time to process the development, but right now he had to focus on finding out why the Mysaran Chancellor had authorized a battleship to advance on Elusia.

  “Pay attention to her wording,” Joris instructed Ellen while he prepared the video call. “We need to determine if she’s lying, subverted, or just really does hate us that much for whatever reason.”

  “I’m ready,” Ellen confirmed.

  Joris activated the connection. Let’s hope she even picks up.

  He watched the call status on the desktop readout. It had been acknowledged by the chancellor’s administrative assistant and appeared to be on hold. Come on…

  Fifteen seconds later, the call was accepted in the chancellor’s private office.

  Chancellor Cynthia Hale’s dark brown hair and pale green eyes were almost as opposite to Joris’ as their personalities. “President Joris, I’m surprised to hear from you.”

  “Really? I thought one of your battleships heading for my planet was a worthwhile reason for us to have a chat.”

  “What?” She shook her head and cracked a smile. “You must be joking.”

  “According to my scan data, it’s no joke at all.” Stars, I hope Ellen’s contacts had this right—we have no scan data or physical proof.

  The chancellor leaned forward, her hands folded on the table. “Joris, I can account for all of my ships. Can you?”

  He faltered. “You know Elusia’s space military barely has a ship between them.”

  “And Mysar’s is not so large that one battleship could go rogue without me knowing.” She looked down, then back up at him. “I have confirmed—as I already knew—that they are all in their respective berths at the stardock or on patrol. If there’s a ship heading toward you, it’s not one of ours.”

  “Chancellor, please forgive the accusation. My information—”

  “You have always distrusted us.” Hale’s eyes narrowed. “I wonder if perhaps we shouldn’t claim your planet and be done with this.”

  “Cynthia, we both know—”

  “Oh, so first name familiarity, eh? Not this time, President Joris. I know the Guard is staging at Valta. This was all a distraction so you can make a play for Mysar. Well, we’re not going down without a fight, that’s for sure.” She ended the call.

  Joris slumped back in his chair. He glanced at Ellen. “No, I don’t think I need a second opinion on that.”

  Ellen looked ill. “Sir, I would trust those who told me that information with my life.”

  I’m not sure how much value she puts on a life, given what she was going to do to me. But he didn’t see deceit in her eyes.

  “Your contacts may have been misled themselves. Maybe this was the real plan all along.”

  “Stars…” Ellen hugged herself.

  “We only have one option.” Joris took a deep breath. “I need to sign the reunification agreement with the Taran Empire.”

  “Right now?” Ellen paled further.

  “We need immediate military support. If Mysar wants war, I want the biggest military we can get.”

  — — —

  All told, sixty new subjects had been added to Monica’s collection. Unfortunately, not a single one of them had responded to the first treatment
in the way she’d hoped, nor had the man she’d tested earlier that day.

  “Worthless! Every one of them. They have all the same markers. Why isn’t it taking?” she mused aloud, not expecting a response.

  “I think I’ve identified the problem,” Jared replied from the adjacent workstation. He had dark circles under his eyes from working through the night, but his passion was stronger than ever. Probably trying to make up for giving away all their secrets, if Monica had to guess.

  “What is it?”

  “We missed one sequence in our splicing. The nanites are still looking for one telekinetic marker in order to activate. We need to strip out that remaining reference, and then it should work.”

  There were thousands of lines of genetic code programming within the nanotech. It wasn’t surprising they’d overlooked one tiny segment. “Except it’s worthless to us without a subject. It’ll take two weeks for the existing batch to clear from the subjects’ blood. I was so certain it would work…”

  “I was, too. I’m sorry I let you down again.”

  “Oh, Jared, a pity party will win you no favor. Redeem yourself through the work.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He turned back to his station. “I’m completing the corrections now. We should have a new batch of nanites ready within half an hour.”

  “Finally, some good news.”

  The question remained, however, for who to test it on. Subjects were all disposable, but she was running out of time and needed to maximize her investments.

  While Monica could use just about anyone—perhaps even Jared, himself, if she got desperate—she’d much rather find a native Valtan. If her estimations were correct, such a person would possess far stronger abilities than someone with no innate extrasensory abilities. A Reader, in particular, would make a most excellent prototype to bring to her benefactors, even if that would be over-selling the product a bit. After all, that was the nature of sales.