Deuces Wild Boxed Set: Books 1-4: Beyond the Frontiers, Rampage, Labyrinth, Birthright

by Ell Leigh Clarke

  Stay where you are. We’re on our way to pick you up.

  Chapter 13

  Tabitha

  QBS Achronyx, Bridge

  Tabitha bounced around in her captain’s chair as the adrenaline of the chase poured through her. “We nearly got him that time. Pull back.”

  Cuthbert’s small one-person ship darted in and out of the rocks as Cuthbert tried every evasive maneuver in the book to shake the Achronyx. Sort of. In reality, they were herding him in the hopes of turning up his accomplices.

  They’d already given him a short head start when they made the side trip to return Stacy and the others to Traveler’s Rest. It was actually kind of laughable that he thought he could outrun some of the best ship tech in the Empire in his tiny junker, so Tabitha did laugh. She laughed damned hard because she was on her way to deliver Cuthbert’s just desserts. Well, his and his accomplices’. “As soon as he lands and goes running to Scroat, we swoop in and take them both down.”

  Hirotoshi made a face.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Just keep in mind that there are a whole bunch of monks down there.” He indicated the map with a nod. “It looks like he’s going to the main temple. We suspect that he may not have been working alone, so we might have a fight on our hands. Bethany Anne was very specific about not drawing attention to ourselves.”

  Tabitha grinned as the mountain loomed on the screen. “Well, as long as we didn’t start it, there’s nothing she can say.”

  “There’s plenty she can say,” Ryu countered. “‘You look like you need a workout,’ for one.”

  That gave them pause since all three had been on the receiving end of Bethany Anne’s “workouts” on too many occasions to count.

  Tabitha shook herself as the temple came into view. “Here we go.”

  They landed the Achronyx next to Cuthbert’s discarded ship and walked toward the temple building. Before they were halfway across the grounds, the monks began to file out of the side door Tabitha and the Tontos had entered by on their last visit.

  Tabitha waved as they approached. “Hey, remember us? The Rangers who came to fix your problem?”

  The Yollin female they’d met previously stepped forward. “Brother Cuthbert tells us he is in fear of his life.”

  Tabitha came to a stop in front of the assembled monks. “What Brother Cuthbert is in fear of is facing the consequences of his actions.”

  “I don’t understand,” one of the monks groaned. “What actions?”

  Tabitha raised an eyebrow at the dramatic monk. “Cuthbert is responsible for the missing people, the fear at Traveler’s Rest, and the missing communication to the Empress. All so he could sell the Loren’s contract to the highest bidder.”

  The difference in reactions around the monks told Tabitha everything she needed to know. “Your order is rotten at the core. I can tell that this news is a shock to some of you, and those can rest easy.” She pointed at Silan and a few others. “The rest of you can kiss your asses goodbye. It’s over. Things will be back to normal around here soon enough. We can make a start with you turning Cuthbert over to face Justice.”

  The greater portion of the Order appeared amenable to her request. A few even turned to go and get Cuthbert.

  “Wait!” Silan called. “We don’t have to hand him over.”

  Tabitha folded her arms and tapped her foot. “Yes, you do. That’s how it works. Ranger sees criminal, Ranger arrests criminal. Criminal is given due process whether they believe in it or not, and the universe keeps turning on its axis, or whatever.”

  Silan had a desperate shrill to his voice. “You can’t prove Brother Cuthbert is guilty of anything!”

  Tabitha smirked. “That’s where you’re wrong.” She pulled her drones out of their pouch. “I have all the evidence I need, and I bet once I go through all the data I copied from the computers in Cuthbert’s hideout I’ll find more than a little on your involvement in this.”

  The Yollin glared at Silan. “Brother Cuthbert has technology? After he was the strongest proponent of the tech ban, after you?”

  All of the innocent monks began to mutter angrily and look at each other with suspicion. The group which had been tight a moment ago fractured into two distinct sides; those who were outraged by the travesties committed under their noses, and those who had known about it all along.

  Silan raised his hands and started to back away. “I…”

  He was saved from further explanation when Tabitha was suddenly blown backward by a mini-missile to the chest. The commotion was enough to turn the murmurs into a full-blown brawl.

  Hirotoshi and Ryu darted among the angry monks, breaking up the worst of the fights to make sure nobody died as they made their way over to get to Tabitha.

  Tabitha flew a good thirty feet, then skidded another ten feet or so on her ass after she landed before coming to a stop. She flopped onto her back and stuck a thumb in the air to let Hirotoshi and Ryu know she was okay. Just keep that mob under control.

  Hirotoshi and Ryu dived back in as Cuthbert strode out of the temple with the portable missile launcher cradled in his arms. He had a manic grin on his face as he stalked toward them. “Where’s my money?”

  Tabitha sat up with a hand clutched to her chest. “Why do they always go for the tatas? That shit hurts!” She got up and dropped the charred robe, revealing full armor underneath. “Nice try, asshole.”

  Cuthbert brought the missile launcher up again. “My money, where is it? I know you took it!” He swung his head from side-to-side until he located Silan. “She took your money too,” he screamed. He lifted the missile launcher a little more to get Tabitha in his sights. “Give it back, or you die.”

  Tabitha rolled her shoulder and returned his threat by treating him to a view of the inside of her Jean Dukes’ barrel. “Yeah, I don’t think so. Your last missile didn’t even scratch the paint on my armor. Drop the missile launcher. You have one chance.”

  Cuthbert let out a harsh laugh. “I think I’ll keep it. After all, you aren’t wearing a helmet.” His head exploded in a fine spray of brain matter and bone fragments.

  “Neither are you,” Scroat deadpanned from behind Cuthbert’s corpse. He looked up at Tabitha as he stuck his blaster in his waistband and nodded curtly. “Ranger.”

  Tabitha caught the missile launcher with her free hand before it hit the ground and went off accidentally and returned the Skaine’s nod before she realized what she was doing.

  While she was busy kicking herself for acknowledging him, Scroat made his way to the nearest rock. He climbed on top and stood for a moment. Tabitha could have sworn she saw sadness cross his face as he looked at the fighting going on all around them.

  She was not expecting what happened next.

  Scroat put his fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle. The effect was instantaneous. The free-for-all ground to a halt and they all turned to face the little blue monk on the rock. He opened his arms wide and gave them a puzzled smile. “My brothers and sisters, what the fuck is going on?” Scroat’s demeanor changed now he had their attention. “This Order is dedicated to one thing: providing sanctuary. Why are you brawling out here like a bunch of Shrillexians on a bar crawl?”

  Two of the monks dragged Silan in front of Scroat. Another three monks were brought forth similarly, and Scroat stared down at them unerringly. “Well?”

  Silan looked everywhere but at Scroat.

  Scroat looked around. “Does anyone want to tell me what’s going on?”

  An ancient, wispy white-haired Noel-ni came tottering out of the temple toward them. He called ahead in a whisper-dry voice, “Scroat, did you find out what all the racket was about?”

  Scroat hopped down from the rock and rushed to aid the elder. “I was just about to, father. Why don’t you come and sit by the nice Ranger while we work it out?” He tucked a hand under the Noel-ni’s elbow and helped him over to Tabitha before heading back to his rock.

  Tabitha smiled at
the Noel-ni. “Ranger Tabitha. Pleased to meet you.”

  “Abbot Dremmen. Good to meet you, too, Ranger, although it could have been on a more auspicious occasion.”

  Tabitha nodded. “So you’re the top monk around here. Is that why Scroat called you ‘father?’”

  Dremmen smiled. “No. He called me father because he is my son.”

  Tabitha almost fell off the rock she was perched on. “Your son?”

  “Indeed. He was abandoned here as a Skainlet. I raised him as my own since no one else would have anything to do with a Skaine.”

  Tabitha tried not to let her prejudice show. She watched Scroat work with Hirotoshi and Ryu to restore some order to the chaotic tableau in front of the temple. She had never seen anything so surreal. All her experience amounted to nothing when it came to the little Skaine monk.

  Dremmen was used to much worse than unasked questions. “You want to ask, go ahead. I can see you are asking in the name of knowledge.”

  “What was he like growing up? I mean, Skaines aren’t known for their social skills at the best of times. How did you cope with raising someone from a species genetically predisposed toward violence?”

  The abbot gave Tabitha a very hard look. “I do not know, dear human. Perhaps you can tell me?”

  Tabitha realized she’d overstepped. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  The abbot smiled. “And neither did I. It seems we both touched a nerve. Please, accept our hospitality for the night as an apology and as thanks for uncovering the corruption within the Order.”

  Tabitha smiled brightly. A few hours of R&R wouldn’t hurt. “That would be wonderful. I’ll have to go back to my ship to spend some time with Achronyx first. He’s been lonely.”

  The abbot tilted his head in question. “Is that a member of your crew? They are welcome, too.”

  Tabitha shrugged. “Not unless you suddenly lift the prohibition against EIs.”

  The abbot waved her off. “Oh, that. That was all Cuthbert and Silan’s doing. They persuaded enough of the Order to vote for it. As soon as I find someone who can recalibrate the systems, the ban will be lifted universally.”

  Tabitha jumped up and gave the surprised abbot a quick hug. “Thank you! I can help with the recalibration. I’m so glad I don’t have to come back and kick your ass about that.”

  The abbot looked at her doubtfully.

  Tabitha nodded seriously. “Some things you just can’t let slide, no matter how much trouble it causes.”

  That brought a chuckle from the elderly abbot that caught in his chest and became a rattling cough. “Oh, you sound so young, Ranger. Perhaps I should not have ‘let it slide.’ Perhaps this is the sign I’ve been waiting for to tell me it’s time to step down and enjoy the remainder of my days in contemplation.”

  Tabitha noticed that the confrontation was done. The monks were heading about their business, except for Silan and the other accomplices. “What about them?”

  The abbot considered them for a moment. “We only have one way of dealing with crime as severe as this. Help me up, would you? I have to go and commit murder in the name of peace.” His joints creaked as Tabitha pulled him gently to his feet.

  “You don’t have to execute them,” she told him as they walked over. “I can take them back to the Empire. They’ll be sentenced to hard time on some godforsaken mining colony in the ass-end of nowhere.” She snickered. “They’ll get plenty of chance to contemplate where greed got them while they’re building the future of the Empire to make up for the futures they took away.”

  The abbot looked relieved. “Such places exist?”

  Tabitha nodded. “If my Empress has a place to send the abused and weary, you can bet your furry ass that she has a special hell reserved for those who made that place necessary.”

  K’nthel System, Zaphod, Main Temple, Great Hall

  The candlelit hall was filled with music, laughter, and the smell of roasting meat. Tabitha sat with her back against the wall and her feet up on the bench. There was a plate of food on the table beside her, and a glass of the monks’ home-brewed whiskey in her hand. She leaned back and sipped her drink as she sank into the peace of the moment.

  Hirotoshi cleared his throat politely.

  “What?” She kept watching the celebration unfolding around them.

  “You did well. You were very…sensible.”

  Tabitha smirked at him. “I know, I was completely awesome. And I rocked that cloak. Did you see how it flowed around me? Totally badass. I’m going to try to bring cloaks back.”

  Hirotoshi dissolved into chuckles.

  “What?”

  “I’m just happy to see you haven’t completely regained your sanity.”

  Tabitha kicked his chair. “Hey!”

  Hirotoshi shrugged. “It was a compliment, Kemosabe. Take it as you will.”

  Tabitha decided to just let it go.

  Hirotoshi scooted his chair back to its position at the table. “Did you finish the recalibration?”

  Tabitha scowled. “I’m trying to relax, Hirotoshi. I don’t want to talk about uncooperative defense systems that have been hacked with all the skill of a bistok on ice skates.”

  Hirotoshi made a sympathetic face. “That bad?”

  She looked at him with horror. “Worse. But I said I’d fix it, so I will. Are you happy that Silan and the others are secure in the brig until we’re ready to leave?”

  “I am.”

  They ate in companionable silence while they waited for Ryu to return from dancing with the monks. Hirotoshi pushed his plate away when Ryu came back with a tray of fresh drinks.

  “I thought you were party central tonight?” Tabitha teased as he put the tray on the table. “Your adoring fans want more. Look!”

  Ryu turned his head a fraction, then looked quickly down at the table. “Those three are a little much.”

  Tabitha eyed the three Torcellan females and smirked at Ryu. “The Torcellans love you! Maybe they heard about you from someone on Flex, and you’re secretly famous among the females?” She went in for the kill when he began to redden. “Ryu’s got fangirls!”

  Ryu muttered something into his drink.

  Hirotoshi was in a more contemplative mood. “So, Kemosabe, have you spoken to Brother Scroat at any length?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, he came by to thank me while I was working on getting the tech jammers turned off.”

  They stared at her expectantly.

  Tabitha rolled her eyes. “Fine, I admit I was wrong. Scroat is actually pretty decent, and I shouldn’t have judged him based on my preconceptions. Are you happy?”

  They both nodded.

  “And how will you approach similar situations in the future?”

  “Probably with the same amount of suspicion I do now, honestly. But I will at least consider the possibility that my assumptions about people may be a little…biased.” She sighed. “Okay, what’s the forfeit?” She scrunched her eyes as she waited for Hirotoshi to bring down the—admittedly well-deserved—motherlode of embarrassment upon her.

  Hirotoshi gave her his all-wise smile. “No forfeit this time.”

  Tabitha opened her eyes wide. “What? Why? Not that I’m complaining, but it just doesn’t feel right.”

  Ryu snickered. “You can do push-ups with me standing on your back if it will make you feel better.” He patted her arm. “You don’t need a motivator to remember a lesson this important, Kemosabe.”

  K’nthel System, Traveler’s Rest, Docking Bay, QBS Achronyx

  Tabitha had felt a little awkward putting Harry in cuffs after spending the last few days getting to know him through Stacy, who adored her father despite the insalubrious nature of his business.

  However, the law was the law. Harry was the last to be tried by Bethany Anne. He’d put out his hands for the cuffs without being asked after kissing Stacy goodbye and allowed Hirotoshi and Ryu to lead him to his fate.

  Tabitha knew that Harry fully expected to be shipped off
to a mining colony even farther out on the frontier than they were now, but he’d kept his word, and here they were.

  Bethany Anne was a few minutes late. They watched the feed to the Empress’ empty throne room patiently until she arrived. She came onto on the screen from the waist down. The camera wobbled and they saw Bethany Anne take the last few steps to sit on her throne and then she was there—poised, elegant, and ready to kick ass if necessary. “Hey, Tabitha. What have we got today?” She glanced down at the tablet that appeared in her hand. “Harry Barton. Let’s see…embezzlement, fraud, match-fixing. Racketeering on so many levels I’m getting a headache just scrolling through the list of charges. What do you have to say in your defense?” She looked Harry in the eye.

  He managed to hold her gaze for a full eighth of a second before he looked away. “Nothing, my Empress. I did what I had to do to get by when my wife died and left me with Stacy, and it just grew because that’s the life I fell into. You become the hunter, or you become the prey.”

  Bethany Anne pursed her lips. “Hmmm. And if you could go back, would you make a different decision?”

  Harry shook his head. “No. I am what I am.”

  Tabitha sat off to the side, only half-listening to Bethany Anne’s examination of Harry’s life and motivations. She wasn’t uninterested, just distracted. She’d had time to think about her time here over the last couple of days while Barnabas, Stephen, and Bethany Anne had been holding court sessions in the ship’s larger meeting room.

  Had she been guilty of the very same thing she was so passionate about stamping out? She hated speciesism. Hated it.

  But she had dismissed Scroat as an ally from the start simply because he was a Skaine. She hadn’t been completely open with Hirotoshi and Ryu when they’d asked about her conversation with him because she’d still been dealing with the turmoil the conversation had caused her.

  There was one good Skaine.

  If that had been the only conclusion she’d come to, she might not have been so unsettled. But logically, Tabitha knew that if there was one good Skaine, there had to be more. That was what she was struggling to get her head around.