Gate Quest (Star Kingdom Book 5)

by Lindsay Buroker

  Was he in more trouble than he thought? Dr. Sikou had been autopsying that body, the body that had been stabbed to death and stuffed in a compartment. He’d thought someone hadn’t wanted it to be found so as to escape blame for the murder. But what if someone had locked it up for another reason?

  Casmir scratched his chin. His skin was warm and dry. “You think the body was carrying a disease? Can bodies do that?”

  “Maybe.” There was that hesitation again. “There are a handful of viruses in the Twelve Systems that can infect humans and are virulent enough to continue living in and around a body for days after death. But we shouldn’t be premature. It’s possible you have a simple flu. I asked Yas to come check you out.” She glanced back and lifted a hand. “I should have asked him earlier. He may have something that could help.”

  “Something superior to fizzop? Is there such a thing?” Casmir smiled, but it was a distracted smile. His antivirus program was munching on the intruder file. Soon, he could unlock his chip and try again to get on the network.

  “Nothing as tasty, I’m certain.” Kim rose, and Dr. Peshlakai took the empty seat.

  Casmir hoped he didn’t get all of his visiting seat mates sick.

  “Mind if I take a blood sample?” Yas asked.

  “Go for it. I’m not uppity and secretive about that like some people.”

  The submarine rose upward with a lurch and turned hard. Something bright skimmed past the window. An energy bolt? Casmir didn’t know, but he grabbed his stomach as the craft swerved more than should have been possible for a long cylinder moving through water.

  “I may have another kind of sample for you in a minute,” he muttered.

  “That’s not necessary,” Yas said. “You can keep that to yourself.”

  “If only I could.”

  Yas gave him an anti-nausea medication, took the blood sample, patted him on the shoulder, and left.

  Kim returned to sit beside Casmir, pretending not to sneak worried glances at him. Dear God, what awful disease had he contracted? And was he in danger of giving it to everyone else in the submarine? Maybe he should have locked himself in one of those back cabins instead of sitting in the main compartment.

  “Should I quarantine myself somewhere?” he whispered to Kim.

  “It’s probably too late for that if you’re contagious.”

  He groaned. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  The thought of making everyone sick latched on to him like a tick, and he almost missed the notification that one of his programs had found an access code—if it could be called that. It was nothing like the typical numbers and letters and symbols massed together for passwords, and more of an equation to a complicated math problem relayed in binary. But his program sent the right answer, and he gained access.

  Something struck the submarine, and curses and alarmed shouts came from the mercenaries.

  “Got a leak!” someone shouted.

  “Stick your tongue on it and stop it up,” came a reply.

  People shuffled around, and a banging started up that echoed in Casmir’s skull. He wrapped his hands over his head and leaned his head forward, trying to ignore the maneuvers of the submarine and find out what he could access in the network that might give him some insight into what was going on around him.

  “What’s attacking us?” someone asked.

  “Drones. You can see them out there.”

  “Send that knight outside with his axe to chop them down.”

  “It’s a halberd,” Asger grumbled.

  Casmir found identifications on the network that might represent the drones, except there were a lot of them, and when he pulled up locations, they were forming a rough circle of more than fifty miles. An alarm was flashing for one, and it was reported as unavailable. Not drones, he realized. Those were the monitoring buoys, including the one the Kingdom commander had destroyed.

  A thwump emanated through the submarine. Another torpedo launching.

  Something slammed into the hull of their craft, the force knocking Casmir around in his seat.

  “He’s going to end up dying right here today,” Kim muttered.

  “Who?”

  “Nobody.”

  “Nobody gets a gender? Interesting.” Casmir couldn’t find identifiers for the drones attacking their craft. “Weird, very weird,” he muttered.

  “Are you talking about genders or something else?”

  He shook his head and pointed at the closest porthole. Another bright light flashed outside. It was pale green rather than the typical orange or red of DEW-Tek bolts. They had to be dealing with some special underwater weapon. Or were the drones themselves emitting light?

  “Did that one have fins?” Kim squinted at the porthole.

  “I… Oh, maybe that’s it.” Casmir unbuckled his belt, swaying before he caught himself on the seats, and pressed his nose to the porthole, hoping to see one again.

  “What’s it?” Kim asked.

  “The torpedoes are missing them by a mile,” someone groaned. “They’re too small and too fast.”

  “Casmir Dabrowski,” Zee said from the aisle as another thwump sounded, “we are threatened.”

  “Yes, we are,” Casmir said.

  The sound of water dripping came from somewhere inside the submarine. Another leak?

  “Do you wish me to go outside of the submarine and combat these nemeses up close?”

  “How’s your swimming?”

  Another drone zipped past. It did have fins. And it wasn’t a drone at all, not in the mechanical sense. “No wonder. They’re biological.”

  “Better,” Zee said, “now that I’ve realized I can fill up bubbles of air within my body so that I do not sink.”

  “Go tell Rache,” Casmir started to say, but Rache ran down the aisle, glancing at them as he passed.

  “New plan,” he said before disappearing into the back.

  “Tell him we’re being attacked by some sea creatures the astroshamans must have engineered, not drones,” Casmir said.

  “I will.” Kim rose from her seat as they were struck again, the deck plating rattling underfoot. “He may have already figured it out.”

  “Good. I’ll try to pinpoint the location of the base before someone realizes I’m on the network and kicks me off.” Casmir closed his eyes, trying to concentrate—and not to hear the drip of water leaking in.

  11

  They had less than an hour until the Maze Runner arrived—Viggo had confirmed that it was continuing on course and hadn’t been deterred by the Kingdom warship also heading in this direction—when Qin and Bonita walked through the airlock tube and onto the Machu Picchu.

  All of the scientists save for Professor Beaumont and Scholar Sato had transferred aboard the Dragon, and Viggo was speeding them toward Tiamat Station. Captain Amazing shouldn’t guess that Qin and Bonita, both well-armed and armored, had stayed behind. He would only get readings for three people, and with luck, he would assume they were civilians without combat experience.

  Qin lifted her chin. He would be in for a surprise.

  A door opened as they walked across the ship’s cargo hold, and Johnny walked in, his tattooed cheeks twitching in surprise.

  “Your ship just left,” he said.

  “You’re right,” Bonita told Qin. “Knights are observant.”

  “I didn’t say that,” Qin replied. “I said they take academic tests and combat exams before getting their knighthood.”

  “Where they must learn to be observant.”

  “It is encouraged.” Johnny’s voice had turned dry, but it remained puzzled. He glanced at his duffel slung over Qin’s shoulder. “All I thought I’d find down here was my underwear.”

  “I assumed from your flirtatious tone that you wanted me to deliver it personally.” Bonita pulled a tied-up galaxy suit out from under her arm. “Along with this. Which may or may not fit. It’s the largest one I had on the ship.”r />
  “I do appreciate you noticing and appreciating my substantial size.” Johnny walked forward and caught the suit as she tossed it, more like one might hurl a grenade than gently lob a gift.

  “I noticed it. Whether I appreciate it remains to be determined.”

  Johnny stopped in front of them—in front of Bonita, specifically, but he did nod politely at Qin. “I’m glad you brought this, but you shouldn’t have stayed. I’m confused about why you would want to, to be frank. This is a Kingdom matter, and you’re just a—”

  “Just?” Bonita’s eyebrows flew up. “I’m an excellent bounty hunter and skilled with my guns, as you’ll see when that asshole captain comes over. Or, as is more likely, sends his minions in while he sits in his command chair on the bridge and sucks down his saladitos.”

  “His what?”

  “Dried plums.”

  Johnny’s forehead furrowed.

  “They’re coated in chile and lime, and delicious when I make them. Qin, give the man his weapons. We need to decide where we’re going to make a stand. Is there some area in particular that they’ll angle for? Something beyond the usual engine and other salvageable ship parts that they’ll target? I assume there’s gold bullion in a vault somewhere since everybody is after this ship.”

  Johnny recovered and nodded. “Not gold bullion. All the data the Kingdom has on gate technology and everything they could dig up that might be pertinent to nullifying some defense system the gates can ooze.” He glanced at Qin. “Professor Beaumont gave me some details. I haven’t been in the loop for anything regarding the gate, so I’m playing catchup.”

  “I’ve had firsthand experience with it,” Qin said.

  “It’s absolutely real then?”

  “Yes. When I say firsthand experience, I should say only that I fought a battle on the cargo ship that eventually stole it from your system. I was there for less than an hour, and I wasn’t in the hold where all the pieces were being stored, but it was long enough and close enough that I received deadly levels of the pseudo radiation it exudes. My genes are extra hardy at handling radiation, but that’s typical space radiation. This was something different. Kim Sato treated me on this very ship.”

  Bonita waved away the discussion. “I doubt Captain Amazing is in anyone’s loop, either, so he shouldn’t have heard about any of that.”

  Qin wasn’t so sure—the astroshamans knew about the gate, and many people in the Kingdom knew about it, so it seemed plausible that information could have leaked out—but maybe it didn’t matter. All they had to do was defend the Machu Picchu long enough for the warship to get here.

  “More likely, he wants the fancy medical and astronomical research equipment here,” Bonita added. “It’s a new ship—or it was. I seem to recall someone mentioning there’s a lot of high-end stuff here.”

  “Much of it was damaged in the attack,” Johnny said. “Beaumont said the pirates targeted it specifically when they boarded, either because they knew something or because an employer who hired them knew something. Someone didn’t want this ship to reach the warships and help the Kingdom retrieve the gate and research it. I suppose the smugglers coming now might not know anything and only want it for salvage.”

  “Who is this Professor Beaumont? Should he have gone on the Dragon?” Bonita frowned.

  “He’s the one who insisted on staying and begged me to help,” Johnny said.

  “Begged?” Qin asked. “From what I saw, he just requested that you, a knight, assist him.”

  “His eyes were imploring.”

  “His android eyes.”

  “They can implore,” Johnny said. “My point is that he stayed. He and Kelsey-Sato are down in engineering, reading technical manuals and trying to get more of the ship’s systems back online. They would prefer it if the Machu Picchu could fly away before the smugglers arrive, and avoid another fight altogether.”

  “What’s he a professor of?” Bonita asked.

  “Archaeology, the same as Kelsey-Sato.”

  Bonita snorted. “Just the experts needed to repair engines. We’re not going anywhere.”

  Johnny smiled slightly. “Probably not.”

  “It’s too bad Casmir isn’t around,” Bonita said. “I would believe he could repair engines by reading technical manuals.”

  “What’s he a professor of?”

  “Robotics.”

  “That’s probably closer to engines than archaeology.”

  “Yes,” Bonita said. “It’s doubtful this state-of-the-art ship has potsherds embedded in its parts.”

  “I knew you missed him,” Viggo’s voice came over Qin’s helmet speaker. And also Bonita’s, judging by the way she rolled her eyes behind her faceplate. “You tried to deny it,” he added, “but Casmir is exceedingly handy to have around.”

  “Viggo,” Bonita said, “Qin and I are maintaining an open channel with each other so we can discuss battle tactics, not so you can chime in about your fantasy lover.”

  “That’s not fair, Bonita. I’ve been forced to listen to you and Johnny discuss his substantial size.”

  Qin expected Johnny to hear that and jump in, but all he said was, “As for your earlier question, I think we should lay a few booby traps in here and then set a trail of breadcrumbs. I would love to rid the galaxy of criminal salvage operators, but with our smaller numbers, the best we may be able to do is delay them. The longer we keep them winding around in a maze, the better.”

  “What kind of breadcrumbs does one use on smugglers?” Qin imagined a trail of physical Miners’ Union dollars, or maybe valuable pieces from an engineering component, strategically placed to lure them to some desired locale.

  “We might be able to close off bulkheads and light certain corridors over others to entice them along a certain route,” Johnny said. “Or we can assume they’ll head for the research laboratories to grab the mass spectrometers and other valuable science equipment.”

  “I’ve met Captain Amazing. I’m skeptical he knew what a mass spectrometer was before I shot him in the head and fried his brain cells.”

  “You’ve shot him before?” Johnny almost purred the words, as if he was proud of her for this.

  “Actually, I only grazed his temple. Intentionally. At the time, I didn’t know he would vex me further if he survived. I try not to murder people. My religion frowns upon it, and more importantly, you never know who has a lover or sibling who will make a career of hunting you down afterward.”

  “Not to mention the pesky legal repercussions,” Johnny said.

  “I’ve found lovers more problematic. Mine and other people’s.” Bonita pointed to the tops of the stacks of crates in the hold. “Given my perspective as a sharpshooter, these would be a good place to lay an ambush. I could be up there and have high ground and some cover. I brought my best rifle and Qin has her anti-tank gun—we’ve both got explosive rounds that will give even armored opponents trouble.”

  “They’ll have explosives, too, I’m sure. If you’re overcome, that’s the only door out into a corridor, and it’s exposed and out in the open.” Johnny pointed at the exit.

  “Now.” Bonita’s eyes glinted. “Qin, want to help me rearrange some crates?”

  “Does helping you mean I do the moving while you point to where they go?”

  “I see you’ve been my employee long enough to know how things work.” Bonita clapped her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I just got some bonus money, so I’ll make it worth your while.”

  “That’s not necessary, Captain. Judging by the way your flirting is going—” Qin waved at Johnny, “—you may need your extra money to buy a larger bed.”

  “She noted my substantial size, too, I see,” Johnny said.

  “I hope not. She’s too young and sweet for you.” Bonita stalked off, looking at crates and the sight lines in the cargo hold.

  “I’ll help you move them,” Johnny told Qin. “I’m not sure it’s wise to attack a boarding party when they’re expecting it, but I thin
k the professor will be happy if we can keep them from getting into the rest of the ship and doing damage. More damage.”

  Qin nodded. “Do you think they’ll run away when the warship gets close?”

  “Let’s hope so.”

  “Can I ask you something?” Qin hesitated, feeling strange about requesting a favor when she and Bonita had kept him locked up for the last week and she still wasn’t sure if he was what he said he was.

  “Yes.” Johnny untied the galaxy suit and held it up to his body to check the size.

  “Our ship is heading to Tiamat Station since that burned man was in bad shape. When the warship gets here, we’ll need a ride there or somewhere where we can catch a ride there.”

  “Yes, I will too. This wasn’t my original assignment, though it does look like it ties in.”

  “I’m sure they’ll see the captain as normal, but I’ve had trouble in the past with Kingdom people thinking I’m… Well, they might refuse to take me.”

  He’d been pulling on the legs of the suit, but he paused to regard her. “Ah, yes. I’ve been out of System Lion for so much of my career now that I’ve stopped seeing modded people as anything odd. But we do have our ingrained prejudices, don’t we?”

  It seemed strange that the father might be more liberal and open-minded than the son. But she also knew Asger had her back these days and would shoo away any Kingdom soldiers or Guard officers who wanted to shoot her or lock her up. She still didn’t know what to think about Johnny. She also didn’t know if his own people would recognize him as the knight he said he was. Since she’d searched his bag, she knew there wasn’t a purple cloak, liquid armor, or a pertundo in it. Did he have an ident and banking chip embedded in his fingers that would prove who he was? Or were those removed when someone went undercover?

  “Toes,” Bonita yelled from atop a crate she’d climbed—her knees were definitely better these days. “What’d you do with my Lady Shufflebottom?”

  “What would I do with it? Rub it if you like.”

  “You know I’m talking about the stunner.”

  “Ah, of course. I believe Professor Beaumont is borrowing it. I’ll be sure to retrieve it once we’ve annihilated the bad guys.”