“How is that project going?” asked the chief.
“Slow,” said Gudkov. “The three we got were less than preassembled. And the reprogramming protocol established by Senior Engineer McAllister is, well, time consuming.”
“I’m sure it is. When will you be finished?”
“They’re assembled, Chief. The first has been programmed and I’m awaiting evaluation from the engineering department.”
The chief glanced toward Liu. “Chief,” she said, “the engineering department has placed priority on the special maintenance project.”
He acknowledged her statement with a nod. “Gudkov, you may have a forty-eight hour leave after this meeting, provided your primary supervisor approves.” Everyone but Gudkov frowned, or held a straight face.
“Liu, recheck the passenger list. Make sure we have all available background downloaded. Ross, check the manifest and monitor the loading of the corridor cargo pallets. Muller, inspect the scientific survey vessel loaded in the cargo hold. Then go on leave. Forty-eight hours.” Some activity on his desk distracted the chief. “Keesay, you’re to meet Dr. Sevanto at the main docking hatch. Accompany him while he monitors the colonists’ cold sleep recovery.” Brold surveyed us. “Any questions? Those on duty, same time tomorrow. Dismissed.”
Everyone filed out except for Liu, who gathered the folding chairs. Club stood aside, waiting to speak with the chief.
“You’re keeping the doc waiting, Keesay.”
“I know, Chief, but I think you might want to hear this.” I glanced at Club and Liu.
“Club, assist Liu and report back in five.” They exited. “Okay, Keesay,” he said, sitting down. “What’s burning your tail?”
“Well, Chief, I recall where I encountered Engineer McAllister.”
“This better be good to keep Dr. Sevanto waiting.”
“If my memory is accurate, she remembers me from an action I took while assigned to, a duty.” I awaited acknowledgement before I continued. “It was during a confrontation with a hostile mob. I was part of a small security contingent and we were forced to engage. I recall clubbing her with the butt of my shotgun. Mismatched eyes, red hair, same face.”
“Hardly qualifies you as a murderer.”
“I bayoneted a young man next to her when he pulled a sonic blade. She went to him, then for the blade.” Chief Brold frowned as I continued. “I was in full riot gear, but close enough to be identified.”
The chief ran his hand from his chin to the back of his neck. “You certain of this?”
I thought back hard, reviewing the unpleasant experience. “It was chaos,” I said, placing a hand on the cushioned chair. “We’d been ordered to hold. They’d sniped our C1 along with two others. We were on high ground, no cover.” I took a steadying breath. “We were there for show. I took command. We couldn’t retreat so I ordered us to close.” I saw it all again. “They fell back, then surged.”
“I read the reports,” the chief said. “Viewed the holos. It was bad.”
“We all,” I started. “We were a diversion. A sacrifice to pull the ire of the mob. Of the public.” My back stiffened. “I put down at least fourteen rioters. Wounded dozens. It could’ve been any one of them. But I think it was.” I paused. “The bayonet wound took him square in the chest. He was one of the fourteen. She was next to him.”
“Understood, Specialist.” He tapped at his desk and spoke into his collar. “Dr. Sevanto, I have detained Specialist Keesay. He will be there shortly.”
I forced the images back into their dark corner. “That is all to report, Chief.”
“Gives me something to chew on,” he said. “She’s a little older than you’d guess.” I turned to go but he signaled. “Keesay, speculate for me. Is McAllister anti-Phib?”
An odd question, I thought, but answered anyway. “Hard to tell, Chief. Factions were there for half a dozen reasons.” I scratched my head. “She was among one of the more militant. Could be.” Maybe not so odd of a question. “Definitely anti-ME though.”
He nodded. “Steer clear of Senior Engineer McAllister.”
“The Kalavar is barely medium class, Chief. But I’ll do my best.”
“You’d better, or your pelt may be tacked up on her wall.”
I nodded once, recalling our past conversation. Wasn’t cornering a raccoon risky business?
He guessed my thoughts. “That wasn’t a suggestion.” He tapped the door open. “Now get to Dr. Sevanto, like yesterday.”
After adjusting my communications gear for full capacity send and receive, I sent an electronic message to O’Vorley, informing him that a Kalavar representative might be on board recruiting. It took me several minutes longer than it should have, so I double-timed it.
Dr. Sevanto dragged his eyes from me to the chronometer. “We’re on a schedule. Theirs, not ours.”
“Understood, Doctor.” Dock security waved us through. I fell into step. “Security Control.”
“This is Control,” Club answered.
“Just checking my gear, Kalavar. I’m onboard the Mavinrom Dock.”
“Signal’s strong. Shouldn’t require dock relay.”
“Acknowledged, Kalavar. Out.” Dr. Sevanto’s set a brisk pace so no need to workout later. We headed to the lower decks. “We’re not going to Medical?”
“No, Specialist. The recovery area is elsewhere.” We turned. “I sent Administrative Specialist Tahgs ahead to check on Maintenance Tech Cox before coordinating with the recovery staff.” After a few more steps he asked, “What do you know about cold sleep?”
“Very little, Doctor. I know that chemicals are injected to affect the cell metabolism. Complex sugars too? Alters the cellular fluid.”
“Cytoplasm. Go on.”
“Cytoplasm. So that when put to sleep and the temperature is lowered, the cell structure isn’t damaged.”
“Is that all?”
“I hear it makes you ill.”
“In recovery,” he said. “Actually the catalyst which initiates and accelerates, thawing, has several side effects.” He pointed. “Turn here. Once activated, its residual components cause fever and severe muscle ache. Some nausea.”
“My knowledge comes from reading journals and viewing still photos.” He nodded. I asked, “What are the tubes in the stomach, nasal cavity and colon for?”
“They’re inflated after induced sleep, but prior to cold sleep,” he said flatly. “So that activators can be pumped in and released to the body core and vital areas more rapidly.”
“That simple?”
“Actually, no. You received the layman rendition.”
“Why aren’t there holos of the procedure?”
“Because, as you’re about to see, recovery is, shall we say, unpleasant.” We stopped at an elevator. “It isn’t advertised because full knowledge might discourage its use.”
“So, there are few repeat customers.” If they can afford it, I assessed silently.
“Actually, once in the system, the chemicals remain for months. And after the first reaction, antibodies reduce the catalyst’s side effects.”
“The colonists shouldn’t be able to cause trouble in their condition. Correct?” He nodded once. Maybe now was my chance to get some answers. “So, what am I there for?”
He lowered his voice. “Recall our previous conversation?”
“I brought it up with Specialist Club when discussing the colonists’ quartering. She said she’d forward the query to Chief Brold. I’m confident she did.”
“As before, I cannot discuss it.” I noted his casual glance around.
“Understood.”
“I expect there to be severe reactions to the catalyst, especially with this group.”
“Understood,” I said, looking him in the eye. “The colonists are my assignment. I will watch the proceedings carefully.”
We worked our way down. Dr. Sevanto was sure in his route. I commented, “Very little foot traffic down here.”
“We’re
almost there,” he said, before speaking into his collar. “Specialist Tahgs.” He slowed. “Specialist Tahgs.” After about ten more steps he stopped. “You try.”
“Specialist Tahgs.” I changed settings, patching through the dock’s communication network. “Specialist Tahgs.” I looked at him. “Must be a malfunction.” I went to maximum boost, send and receive. “Specialist Tahgs.” I shook my head and keyed a diagnostic. “They assured me this set is superior to implanted chips.”
We continued walking. I tried, “Maintenance Tech Cox,” and shrugged. “Maybe you could contact Medical or the recovery area?”
Before he could, I grabbed his shoulder. “I’m getting something.” I listened, readjusting. “Thought I heard something.”
“Can you replay?”
I grabbed my com-set and set it to replay the last ten seconds. I heard a faint sound. “Maybe nothing, let’s go.” We moved on.
“Mavinrom Dock Medical, this is Dr. Sevanto of the Kalavar.” He listened. “Has Administrative Specialist Tahgs reported in?” He slowed. “Your signal’s weak. Acknowledged.” He looked at me. “About thirty minutes ago.”
I held up a finger and motioned for silence. I heard a faint, female voice. “Help...no.” Then, a deeper muffled voice growled, “Shut up. No one can hear you. Now talk.” A muted scream followed.
I kept my voice low. “Kalavar Security. Priority one.” Dr. Sevanto looked at me. I waved him off.
“Priority one acknowledged.”
“Club, run this message. What do you make of it?” I keyed the command to replay the faint message.
“Received, Keesay, stand by.” Five long seconds passed. “That’s Admin Tahgs! What’s your location?”
“On the dock with Dr. Sevanto.” I looked around. “Deck thirty-nine, yellow sector. Approaching recovery area for the colonists.” I looked to the doctor who nodded affirmative. He started to say something but I raised my index finger.
“Computer says it’s her signal,” Club said. “Electronic interference. You must be close.”
“Acknowledged.”
Chief Brold cut in. “We’re coordinating with dock security. Keep moving, Keesay. Keep sending.”
“Understood.” I released the holding strap for my revolver and signaled Dr. Sevanto to follow. I picked up the signal again.
“I don’t know,” Tahgs said, distraught, maybe crying.
“Signal’s stronger, Keesay. Keep going.”
“Understood, Chief.” I looked to Dr. Sevanto. “It’s Tahgs. She’s nearby and in trouble.” I grabbed and extended my stun baton. “You know how to use this?”
He shook his head so I explained. “Stun baton. Push here to activate. Top two-thirds, anything you smack will get a charge.” I handed it to him. He was wide-eyed, but steady when he took it.
“Nooo.”
“Signal’s fading, Keesay. You passed it.”
I looked down the corridor, hoping we were on the correct level. We’d only gone about twenty yards. “Acknowledged,” I whispered. Dr. Sevanto took the hint, his jaw clenched. I checked my com-set’s readout and noted a rise in interference, a drop in reception. I pointed at the door, then waved Dr. Sevanto back.
“I think I found it, Chief. Door code is level thirty-nine, access door Y one zero zero eight.”
“Some strong signal dampener, Keesay. We’ve coordinated with dock security. Their signal may be compromised. Will explain later. Expect to move faster than instructed. You have Full Corporate Authority.”
“Class 4 Specialist, this is Mavinrom Dock Security.”
“Receiving, dock security.”
“Be advised, we are dispatching a patrol to investigate communication anomaly. ETA fourteen minutes. We have jurisdiction. Proceed to original destination without delay.”
“Acknowledged. On the way.” I looked at the doctor. “We’ve got twelve seconds. Stand there.” I pointed about five feet to the right of the door. “Tahgs is in trouble. We have Full Corporate Authority, so set the baton on full.” I drew my revolver and cocked it. “I’ll go in. Anyone comes out you don’t recognize, take them down.”
I crouched on the left side, zeroed out my wrist dampener, and tapped my com-set selecting alternate transmission scramble. “Kalavar, I’ll be going in.” It would’ve been nice to know the dimension or room type but if transmissions were compromised, any communication could be a tip-off. “Will provide continuous transmission.”
“Still receiving, Keesay,” Chief Brold said. “Acknowledged and good luck.”
The door began to cycle open, then slid shut. Damn, so much for surprise, I thought. No time to go through the Kalavar. “Dock Security, boost signal or something, the door tried to open then closed!”
“Right! Help is on the way!”
Move or Tahgs is finished, pounded in my thoughts. Three seconds later the door slid open, followed by MP fire pelting the opposite wall.
Despite this, I popped a quick look inside and pulled back. A second burst clipped the doorframe and opposite wall. Half a second later I’d analyzed. Small room. One man shielded behind Tahgs, next to a prone man. One standing to the right of the entrance. No time. I hoped my new vest and armored uniform worked.
I stood, spun in, and fired on the man near the door. He opened up on me, clipping my right shoulder, maybe penetrating my uniform. My round took him in the neck. Ears ringing from firing my revolver, I knelt and thumbed back its hammer. Tahgs struggled with a large man in a security uniform holding an MP Pistol. I recognized him. “Freeze, Dribbs!”
Tahgs tried to break away but was no match for the turncoat. Dribbs shot her in the midsection. Before he could shoot again, I leveled my revolver and fired. His head snapped. Blood plumed from his temple as he staggered back, dropping the slumping Tahgs. I cocked again and took aim while the dazed Dribbs instinctively squeezed off rounds. One whizzed past my ear. My bullet took him in the face, bringing him down hard.
I leapt forward and examined the prone man with a Negral Logo on his tan uniform. “Dr. Sevanto! In here!” I pointed to Tahgs while scanning the room. The first man I’d shot lost his struggle to stem the blood flowing from his neck. “Dock Security, send medical assistance immediately. Two friendlies, two bad guys down.” I couldn’t hear an acknowledgment because my ears were still ringing. It’d been a long time since I fired without a dampener.
Dr. Sevanto tossed my baton aside and rushed to Specialist Tahgs while I checked out the maintenance man. I called to Dr. Sevanto, “Tech Cox has a pulse, lump on the back of his head. Looks like a flesh wound to the right calf.”
The doctor hardly looked up. “Keesay, I can’t get through to the Kalavar. Check out those clips on the crate.” It was a good thing he yelled.
“Right,” I said, and moved to the crate. “Kalavar, bad guys eliminated. Tahgs is down. Cox is down. Sevanto administering aid.” A cord ran from a larger computer clip to a smaller one stamped with the Negral Logo. Programming gibberish flashed across both blood-spattered screens. “Kalavar, send a software engineer. They’re trying to access Specialist Tahgs’s computer clip. Please advise.”
“Your signal is still weak. Nist and Muller are on the way. Dr. Miller and a med team are right behind.” In the background Club called for McAllister and Gudkov to report.
Dr. Sevanto had rolled Tahgs on her side before tearing open her vest and jumpsuit, trying to examine the exit wound. She was cooperative but grimacing. “Where’s that medical team?” he asked.
I took my bayonet and sliced through Tahgs’ garments. “Reportedly on the way.”
“Thanks. Clean exit.”
“Here.” I offered him my handkerchief. “It’s clean.”
He pressed it into the bleeding exit hole and rolled her back over.
“Report, Keesay,” came through my headset about the same time as dock communication chatter broke in.
I adjusted my set to ignore the chatter. “Kalavar, Dr. Sevanto has stabilized Tahgs. No backup yet. Dock or ours.”
“They’ve got other troubles,” the chief said. “How about the computers?”
I walked back over. “Bad guy’s larger one displays an error message. Tahgs’s screen keeps flashing in pulsating red and orange, ‘I Super Nova. You Super Loser.’”
Chief Brold could hardly keep from laughing. “That’s Engineer McAllister’s work.”
Dr. Sevanto commenced communication with the dispatched med team as a dock C3 Sec-Spec and Private Yizardo rushed in. “Report, Specialist,” ordered the anxious sec-spec.
“All secure,” I said to the muscular C3. “Two captives injured. Two offenders eliminated, including Specialist Dribbs.” The single curl of blonde, almost white, hair on the C3’s forehead bounced as he looked where I pointed. “Quite a delay.”
“We had three sec-bots go rogue just after you called in.” He stepped toward the computers.
“Do not disturb the evidence,” I said, blocking his path.
“This is Mavinrom Dock jurisdiction, Class 4 Specialist.”
“Individuals employed by Quinn Mining abducted and assaulted Negral Corp personnel assigned to the Kalavar.” I placed my hand on my revolver. “I have been granted Full Corporate Authority.”
“Listen, Relic, I— ”
Before he finished, I had my revolver drawn and cocked. “Do not disturb the crime scene, Chip.” His MP pistol hadn’t cleared its holster. We locked eyes.
Private Yizardo warned, “He’ll kill you, Specialist Haxon.”
The C3 risked a glance. “Whose side are you on?”
“Neither, I’m simply military support,” said the marine. “This relic here is O’Vorley’s friend. Didn’t you watch the security holo of him caving in someone’s skull?” Haxon’s pupils widened. Yizardo added, “He wasn’t scared of Pillar. What makes you think he’s scared of you?”
Haxon stepped back, lifting his hand from his pistol. I kept mine drawn. “Negral Corp appreciates your cooperation.” Dr. Sevanto and Specialist Tahgs began to breathe again just as Nist and Muller arrived.
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