Aurora Blazing

by Jessie Mihalik

I did my whole head, shaking my hair and repeating until no brown remained. I waved away the preview and checked my true reflection for any missed strands.

  I didn’t look at all like myself, which was the point, but it was still weird. I put the coloring wand back where it belonged and tried not to stare at my reflection.

  Next, I went through makeup options. I ended up with dull, sallow skin, dark circles under my eyes, and careful contouring that made my nose appear wider than it actually was. The woman staring out of the mirror looked overworked and at least a decade older than twenty-five.

  I returned to the bedroom to get Ian’s opinion. He glanced up when I entered the room, then did a quick double take. He squinted and tilted his head to the side, as if that would help him see the truth through the changes.

  “That’s impressive,” he said at last. “I wouldn’t have recognized you.”

  “Your turn. I’m going to go brush up on deadly diseases and figure out if I have any clothes that scream MineCorp peon.”

  “Good luck. I’ll meet you on the flight deck in an hour.”

  Chapter 23

  My only clothing option had been the pair of gray slacks and a white blouse I’d bought from Madame Blanchard in what felt like a lifetime ago. As expected, all of the clothes Ada had included were more practical than pretty. My shoe options had been the heels I’d worn with the gold dress or heavy combat boots. I’d opted for boots. It looked a little odd, but I didn’t relish running in bare feet again anytime soon.

  When I entered the flight deck, Aoife was in the captain’s chair, and Alex and Ian were standing beside her. Ian had changed to dark brown hair, graying at the temples. He’d also given the stubble shadowing his jaw a salt-and-pepper coloring, giving him a more grizzled appearance.

  Alex turned to glance at me. He pulled a blaster before frowning. “Bianca?”

  “Yes. Did you think I was a stowaway?”

  “The disguise is good,” he said.

  Aoife spun around. “You were not kidding about the hair and makeup making a difference,” she agreed.

  I moved closer to Ian, trying to get used to the new hair color. He’d also grown a paunch in the last hour. “Is that going to pass a scanner?” I asked with a glance at his newly enlarged belly.

  “Of course,” he said. He patted his stomach proudly. “Nothing but too much beer and good food in here. And a blaster, a knife, and a small amount of explosives.”

  It was my turn to frown. “Is that safe?”

  “Safe enough,” was his entirely unsatisfactory answer. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.” It came out as more confident than I felt.

  “Aoife is going to be the captain for this run. I’m the hired help and Alex is going to stay out of sight as our backup plan. We jump in, land, grab Ferdinand, and then make a break for the gate or the von Hasenberg system, depending on how things look.”

  “We should discuss contingency plans,” I said. “What if we’re discovered or one of us gets caught?”

  “If we get caught before we find Ferdinand, we’ll make a decision then as to whether we bail or keep looking. Afterward, our priority is to get both of you out. If Aoife has to leave before we’re out, she’ll try to go stealth and come back for us in twelve hours. Otherwise we’re on our own.”

  “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” I murmured. I slid into the tactical station and double-checked the ship’s registration. The MineCorp authorization was set to broadcast upon request. Everything was as ready as I could make it. “We’re good to go.”

  “I’ve already requested a jump point from the gate,” Aoife said. “We’re jumping in to the most distant of the points you loaded into the system. We should have a little over an hour before we’re on-planet.”

  “You have the ship,” Ian said. “Jump when you are ready. Be prepared to talk to Rockhurst on the other side.”

  Aoife grinned and rolled her eyes. “Piece of cake.”

  Now that the time was here, fear and hope and terror churned in my stomach. The engine noise changed and the lights flickered as the FTL engaged. Everything went quiet. My stomach dropped as we jumped. I started a timer on the secondary com I’d be using for this trip. Six hours until we could escape.

  The main engine had barely started back up before we were hailed. “Incoming communication,” the ship intoned.

  Aoife waved us away from her, then accepted the request on her console. It would prevent whoever was on the other end of the communication from seeing the entire flight deck.

  “State your name and business,” a male voice asked.

  “This is Captain Glenda Starling of the Opportunity,” Aoife said. Her accent had roughened around the edges. “I’m on a run for MineCorp to XAD Seven. Got one of their suits onboard. Must be urgent from what they’re paying me.”

  “We don’t have any MineCorp deliveries on the schedule,” the man said.

  “This isn’t a delivery. This is a suit doing some sort of inspection. She was mumbling something about checking the last deliveries and wondering if we had any hazmat suits onboard. As if a merc ship carries hazmat suits.” Aoife made a derisive noise. “Whatever it is, I’m glad it’s her and not me.”

  “We’ll clear you through to Seven. Do not deviate from the approved flight plan. Talk to ground control when you get there and they’ll direct you. Good luck.” The man sounded relieved that he wasn’t dealing with whatever issue required hazmat suits.

  He cut the connection and Aoife looked up. “How often has MineCorp shown up that it was that easy?”

  “Often,” I said.

  “The flight plan they sent has us arriving in seventy-two minutes,” Aoife said. “So if you have any last-minute prep, now is the time.”

  I couldn’t stay here, where I could do nothing but watch and worry. “Come get me when we’re ten minutes from entry,” I said.

  The ship was too small for much escape, but I headed down to the lower level. It had a crew bunk and head, the medbay, and a tiny exercise room. I entered the exercise room and looked around. There was resistance equipment, a treadmill, and a small open space. The far wall was lined with mirrors.

  I couldn’t do much in my slacks and blouse, but all von Hasenberg children had been taught various martial arts forms. I moved to the open space and chose a gentle, flowing kata that would allow me to work out my excess energy while also sharpening my focus.

  It had been a long time since I’d gone through this kata and my forms were shaky and weak. I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t see my reflection and focused on the movement. Gradually, muscle memory returned and my movements softened and flowed properly.

  By the time I finished the sequence, I felt better. Calmer and more confident. I opened my eyes and nearly jumped out of my skin when I caught unexpected movement in the mirror. I yelped and nearly tripped over my own feet in an attempt to leap away.

  Ian’s hand flashed out and he steadied me. I gulped in air, trying to get my heart rate under control. So much for my relaxed confidence.

  “You scared me,” I said, once I could breathe. “I didn’t hear you come in, and you don’t look like yourself.”

  “Sorry. I came to make sure you were okay, but then your movements were so mesmerizing, I kept watching. I apologize.”

  “It’s okay. I don’t mind an audience, but I had just calmed down and now I’m wound up again.”

  “If you go through it again, will you teach me?”

  I glanced at him in surprise. “Sure, I can teach you. If you want to get the forms correct, we won’t be able to do them all, but if you just want to get close, we can probably do the whole kata.”

  “Which do you recommend?”

  “If you’re going to do it, you should do it right,” I said. He nodded in agreement. “The movements are intentionally slow and controlled. Keep your breathing even and your core engaged. Find your balance.”

  I moved through the first three forms, explaining as I went, then I turned to
face him. “Follow along and I’ll correct your form.” At first, I gave him verbal corrections, but as he gained confidence in the movements and didn’t need a guide, I touched him, adjusting the angle of his arms, shifting his center of balance.

  I was achingly aware of him even as I fought to keep my touch professional. He had balance and strength and a natural grace that was beautiful to watch. It didn’t help that he watched me with smoldering eyes.

  We made it through a dozen forms before Aoife announced that we were fifteen minutes out. I bowed to Ian and he returned the gesture.

  “Thank you,” he said. “It’s harder than it looks, but I can see how it would be meditative.”

  “You’re welcome. I can teach you the rest later, if you’re still interested.” I sank enough emphasis into the phrase that he couldn’t miss the fact that I wasn’t just talking about martial arts lessons.

  His expression heated deliciously before he remembered to wipe it clean. “I should go,” he said.

  I took a deep breath and decided to be brave. “Wait. Please. Why did you apologize for kissing me before?”

  “I already explained.”

  “But I don’t understand,” I said softly. “I enjoyed the kiss. I didn’t expect you to propose marriage afterward, if that’s what you were worried about. The Consortium is weird, but we’re not that weird. Hookups happen all the time.”

  He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I refuse to lead you on when nothing can come of it. You’re so far out of my league, you’re in another universe.”

  I laughed bitterly. I couldn’t help it. “I’m damaged goods, a widow accused of killing her husband. You’re out of my league.”

  He huffed at me. “You know what I mean.”

  I did. Even tainted, I was still a von Hasenberg and some would see that before they saw anything else. I tried a new tactic. “What if I want you to lead me on? Will you think less of me if I don’t plan ten steps ahead and instead decide that I want this little piece of happiness for however long it lasts? Will you deny me that?”

  “Bianca, you’re killing me,” he groaned.

  “Walk away right now and I won’t bother you again,” I said. “I will respect your decision. We will be professional colleagues and nothing more. Or stay and see where it goes. With me.”

  Ian stood frozen and for an endless moment I thought he was going to turn and leave. I held my breath, waiting.

  “I’m still here,” he said a few seconds later. I’d expected him to leave, so it hadn’t even registered that he’d stayed.

  I edged closer. He stood his ground. I reached for him but stopped before I touched his chest. I met his eyes again, silently asking permission.

  He wrapped his hand around mine and pressed it to his chest. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it properly,” he growled. “You can touch me.” A devilish grin tilted the corners of his lips. “And I can return the favor.”

  I ran my hand over his firm chest before curling it around the back of his neck. I stepped close enough that his fake belly pressed against me. “If we’re doing this properly, how about a kiss?” I asked. “For luck.”

  His arms slid around me gently as he gauged my reaction. When I tucked myself closer to him, his grip tightened. “How about a kiss because I’ve wanted to kiss you for the last hour?”

  I leaned into him and pulled his lips down to mine. He buried a hand in my hair and plundered my mouth with lips and tongue. I moaned as goose bumps shivered over my skin, bringing my whole body to instant awareness.

  I pressed closer still and slid my tongue into his mouth. He groaned low and the hand on my ass clenched tight. He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his hips for balance. He took two steps, his muscles doing delicious things under my arms and legs, before I felt the cool metal of the wall at my back.

  He pressed against me then growled in frustration at the lump of fake belly between us. I giggled, tried to stop, and only giggled harder. “Excuse me, sir, is that a blaster in your belly or are you just happy to see me?” I managed to gasp out between giggles.

  He leaned back, his expression wicked. “You tell me, love,” he said, his voice deep. He wrapped his hands around my hips and pulled my lower body closer, so the thick length of him pressed teasingly between my thighs, only separated by a few flimsy layers of cloth.

  He pulled away then rocked back into me. My giggles died in a gasp. I squirmed and arched away from the wall, trying to get the right friction, but his hands held me immobile. I clenched my legs around him, digging my heels into his ass to pull him closer. He relented and captured my moan with his mouth.

  He kissed me like we had all the time in the world, but all too soon, the one-minute atmospheric entry warning sounded. I reluctantly let him go. He stepped back and I leaned against the wall, needy and on edge.

  His gaze was scorching, his eyes hot with desire. “We are not done,” he said, his voice a low command. “We’re going to go rescue your brother. We’re going to win. And after we do, you and I are going to have a long talk. Without any interruptions.”

  I nodded mutely. I’d reached for something I wanted, and so far, it hadn’t gone to shit. I just hoped that held true for the next twenty-four hours.

  Opportunity settled into XAD Seven’s main hangar without any fanfare. From what we could tell on the way in, there was only the one main base. The planet had not been terraformed, so the hangar was one of the few surface buildings.

  An atmospheric field shimmered across the hangar’s open door, illuminated by the overhead light panels. We’d been advised the air in the building was breathable. However, hangar space was at a premium. Ships with extra crew were required to drop off passengers and move out into the unbreathable open, which ratcheted up my anxiety. Our quick getaway just became a lot more hazardous.

  Ian and I had mikes and earpieces once again, and Aoife promised to monitor the transmissions. We had to assume Rockhurst would be listening in, even to our encrypted stream, so we set some predetermined codes to use in case of emergency.

  I had my freshly recharged shielding cuff and a pair of hidden knives that would pass through a scanner, one at my waist and one near my ankle. Ian carried a range of weapons, some openly, some hidden. It would be weirder for a merc guard to be unarmed. We also wore air filtration masks we’d found in the emergency supplies. I had to sell this virus from the first minutes or we’d be toast.

  I deactivated my main identity chip, activated the secondary chip, and touched my right thumb and ring finger together for five seconds. I stashed my main com in my crate of stuff. “Who am I?” I asked. The mask muffled my voice, an added benefit.

  “Anna White, MineCorp middle manager who drew the short stick,” Ian said.

  “And you are Noah Peterson, flat-broke mercenary for hire. Glenda took you on because she owes her sister a favor.”

  “Ready?” Ian asked.

  “Not even close,” I muttered. “But I’m going anyway.”

  We both turned on our mikes and Ian lowered the ship’s cargo ramp. We took a cautious breath. We didn’t asphyxiate. Our first win.

  A stern-looking older woman stood on the far side of the hangar. When she saw us, she waved an impatient arm. We moved to greet her, but she just turned her back with a sharp “This way.”

  She led us through a thick air-lock door and to an elevator next to a stairwell. She jabbed the elevator button then turned to look at me. “You are not our normal inspector.”

  They had already requested our identity information and the MineCorp authorization before we had been allowed to land. Still, I held up my secondary com and showed her the MineCorp badge I’d lifted while I was in their systems.

  “No, I’m not,” I said. “I’m Anna White. I’m here on a special, high-priority mission.”

  “What mission? What’s so high priority that you couldn’t wait until a decent hour to arrive?” She shot an irritated look at my mask. “The air here is perfectly breathabl
e.”

  “I know it’s breathable,” I said, ignoring her questions, “but I’m not sure it’s safe.” I pulled a penlight out of my pocket. “Would you mind letting me do a brief examination before we go any farther?”

  “Examination for what?” she asked warily.

  I smiled, even though she couldn’t see it through my mask. “Are you the base commander?” I asked.

  “I’m the interim commander. General Morius is away. I’m Lieutenant General Kora Imbor.”

  “May I call you Ms. Imbor?” I asked. “Lieutenant General is a mouthful.” When she nodded, I continued, “Ms. Imbor, we have received a credible threat that one of our last two shipments was compromised. I was dispatched to verify the authenticity of such a threat.”

  I watched her connect the dots. “I have House Rockhurst nanos, as do all base personnel.”

  “It is merely a precaution,” I soothed. “Have any of your workers experienced any recent illness or strange behavior? Aggression, fear, anxiety?”

  She frowned. “A few of the miners attacked their guards yesterday morning,” she said slowly. “The guard was bruised, but he recovered. The perpetrators have been dealt with.”

  Dread wrapped sharp claws around my heart. “Killed?” I asked.

  “No, but they’ll wish they had been by the time their punishment is over.”

  “I will need to examine them, too,” I said firmly. “But first, if you wouldn’t mind following the light with your eyes.” I held the light up before she could protest and she tracked it. I quickly shined it in each of her eyes, then clicked it off. “I don’t see any signs of illness,” I said.

  The elevator opened and Ms. Imbor breathed out a silent sigh of relief. She might be feeling better, but once Ian and I descended, we’d be trapped. I reached out for the signals flying through the air, but they were just typical base messages, nothing to indicate they were on to us.

  We stepped into the elevator and Ms. Imbor pressed the only button. The ride took nearly twenty seconds. Just how deep underground were we? Ian—Noah, I reminded myself—was tense beside me.