by V Guy
She scowled and glared at him.
Kilam rolled his eyes. “I know their names, their spouses, and know their kids and grandkids’ faces, thanks to pictures and memories. Add to that their bad habits, hobbies, and passions. Whitford was intelligence; he wanted to know everything about them.”
Her face flushed crimson. “I’m not certain we should continue these. You know too much about us.”
“I interrogated Norris; I’ve always known too much. Are you open to selling me the security for six more crew members?”
“You haven’t delivered Catricel’s mystery yet. Why should I sell to you their security? I’ve already recanted the threat.”
Kilam shook his head. “This ensures that you eliminate the backups you were saving.”
“I’m not saving backups.”
He gave her a scowl and closed his console, dismissing the image of one of World One’s cantons. “Follow me.”
She watched him survey the area and turn toward an adjacent suite. “Were you planning on dismantling the entire planet? Five cantons have been scrapped with another one in progress.”
“Empty cantons cannot rebel. Plus, their administrative burdens almost completely disappear.” He stopped before a set of double doors. Two paladins addressed the portal, pushed forward, and stood respectfully to either side. Kilam and Kroes entered next. The doors were closed, and the previously empty room increased in size, expanding to become a reproduction of Governor Britton’s treasure trove.
Kilam made an expansive motion.
“I found some collectibles. Perhaps here you’ll discover what you seek. Sufficient enriched BELEN remains in the base’s tanks to ensure the climate-control system operates and the protections remain active, but an accident could mean any and all of these perish. There’s a lot of history in Catricel’s palace.”
Kroes was in awe, and her eyes widened. She walked delicately to them, as if a misstep on her part would damage something. “All of this?”
Kilam nodded. “Britton was an unsavory character, but his taste regarding art and history was commendable.”
She looked at him in disbelief then turned to the pedestals. “It would be impossible to define a single individual wanting a single item among these. Lots of people would want lots of them.” Kroes wandered between the exhibits, stopping to appreciate artifacts whose value she understood and squinting uncomprehendingly at others she did not. “Who are you buying?”
“The last two commandos, Liola, Navin, Boris, and Carmella.”
“I’ll give you two,” she said, examining an old book. “The idea probably belonged to only one of them.”
Kilam scowled. “It doesn’t reduce the work load. Three.”
Kroes continued her examinations and made a snort. “Very well. You’ll run out of crew before I’m done.”
“Then you’ll need to get creative. Did you wish to have an interface compatible file? Appropriate libraries are linked to each exhibit.”
She glanced at him, thinking before nodding. A terminal rose from the floor and spread leaves like a sprouting seed. Kroes approached to complete the transfer, standing aside after completion, shaking her head in amazement, and placing her hands on her hips as she struggled to fathom their number. “This tells me too much.”
“That’s quite a compliment coming from an intelligence agent.” Kilam eliminated the display and moved toward the entrance.
“There’s no way of knowing the correct piece.” Kroes frowned as she stepped through the doors onto the balcony, moving toward the terminal to peer down at the festive crowd. Her lips tightened. After a jealous snort of disgust, she shook her head and departed.
During her short period of presence near him on the balcony earlier, she had entered two sets of numbers into the terminal. Kilam copied the information, which confirmed his continued conditioning success, and his mood soured. You have no comprehension of just how wide a trail can become.
28: Fulfilled
Day 739: Rhinehold, Stellar Clipper
Grant sat in Baron Hess’s suite, examining a report. “Two more facilities have joined the first one. The announcement of Benton’s closing because of the strike has inspired solidarity walkouts at Kindred and Ressel. This sudden elimination of links in the supply chain will cause significant delays at Angelis and Taipei.”
Hess cursed as he examined the report. “But these demands…”
“Are steep.” Grant enlarged several ledgers to closely observe them. “Still, they are surmountable.”
“It would set an expensive precedence. If we raise Rhinehold’s wages and benefits that much, we’ll have to make increases everywhere. Those ‘not insurmountable’ requirements you speak of will create significant financial impacts everywhere.”
Grant paused, uncomfortable being the bearer of bad news. “We need those facilities back in production. Matching increases on the other worlds may be expensive, but they would be proactive. The oracle was very close to the mark in her predictions, and her observations could determine the next worlds we consider. We could stagger the increases rather than making one large commitment.”
Hess sat back. “Maybe we can negotiate; maybe they’ll accept less.”
“They just killed your double, two of your bodyguards, and injured three others,” said Grant, shaking his head. “That doesn’t suggest flexibility.”
“Eleven of them were killed and two were injured.” Hess set his jaw. “I will not let them bully me.”
Grant motioned away the data displays. “They knew precisely when and where you would be. This is a much bigger problem than you realize.”
“Management?”
“Potentially. Or their assistants.”
Hess let his gaze scan the room, thinking of the difference a mantis might have made. “Milo was a good man and deserved better, and Waters and Brace were trustworthy, dependable protectors. Those are tough losses.
“Those people resorted to violence, thus there’ll be no negotiating,” continued Hess, his countenance turning to contemplation. “Issue a statement—everyone returns to work or all three facilities will be permanently shut down.”
Grant straightened in his seat. “That’s harsh. We’re the area’s primary employer. We could cover the supply issues with outside contracts, but that’s even more expensive than giving everyone raises.”
“Rhinehold will offer incentives to keep us here, and the employees will break the strike.” Hess minimized the data display and rose. “When and if they return, we reopen Kindred and Ressel, granting them the requests transmitted by Benton.”
Grant’s eyes widened in surprise. “And Benton?”
“They remain closed until the ambush’s masterminds are located. Their wages will eventually be raised, but everyone must go through the hiring process again. Upgrades can be completed on the facility while it’s in shutdown.”
“That’s some slap in the face. Those responsible may not be found.”
Hess’s countenance hardened. “Then no one gets rehired.”
Grant made a hesitant smile. “A little revenge?”
“A little.” Hess returned to his seat, reactivating the display and sighing. “But Milo Hendricks is still dead.”
Grant activated a new display and delivered his request to public affairs. “We’ll need to increase production at the other facilities—extra overtime needs approval. How did the oracle know about danger to you but not to Hendricks?”
“Twenty percent more merchandise,” said Hess, evaluating the changes. “Puts us at the bare minimum. This woman is attached to me; my dangers are what she sees.”
“If she could only see the impact of raising wages. Issues at other facilities could be exacerbated by these actions. In the meantime, we’ll need a supplier to cover during the shutdown. We normally live lean; our current stock won’t cover even the small break in production, supposing this is quickly resolved.”
Hess touched a control, disabled his interface, and sat back. �
�Arrange a meeting of the board; this needs a more comprehensive discussion. Also, get a surveillance team on the surface. The police may not be sufficiently forthcoming, and I need information. We’ll discuss the particulars later.”
Grant gathered his items, rose, and departed.
Hess summoned Selena.
She entered from her suite, eager and excited. “Here I am!”
Her cheerfulness was grating, and Hess’s sour expression dampened it. He nodded toward an active device on the table. “What do you think?”
Suddenly wary, she cautiously approached. After reading the news article, she returned the device to the surface. Her expression was of confusion. “Did you know them?”
His eyes flashed. “Yes, I knew them! They were sent in my stead after your warning.”
Selena was uncertain how to respond but raised an eyebrow. She made a soft snort. “So, that’s when it would’ve happened. Timing can be so difficult to establish.”
Hess was furious. Before she could respond, he rose and backhanded her. She was knocked to the floor, her eyes widening in surprise and confusion. He stood over her. “Those were good men!”
“I can’t see everyone,” she whispered in protest, gingerly rubbing her cheek. “If it’s any help, you can be certain your crew, the spaceport staff, and the rental agencies were uninvolved; they knew you sent a substitute.”
Hess kicked her; his anger was still sharp. “He wasn’t just a sub; he was a friend. He was ‘me’ when I couldn’t make appointments.”
Selena’s confusion was more painful than the blows, and she cringed. “I can’t see everyone.”
“Well, you should have said something.” His frown turning to a snarl, and he backed away to pace. “Now, get up!”
She painfully obeyed, bewildered by his behavior. A warning had been given, but she would not, could not defend herself.
“What do you think of this?” he asked heatedly, activating a display. “You said nothing of this.”
Selena’s searched frantically to understand his meaning. After a few panicked moments, she froze. “You told me to disregard Rhinehold facilities.”
Anger burned within Hess. “I did not.”
She knew he lied. The command to disregard data from this planet had been clear, but his words of denial represented a truth that she was wired to accept. It was a strange dichotomy.
A discordant displeasure reached through their link to scar her tender heart, leaving her perplexed and frustrated. His attitude to this unexpected affront impacted her life’s very purpose. “I don’t know…I’ve not seen the recent reports. The last data I examined suggested they were stable.”
He was deeply unsatisfied. A fresh set of information was revealed, and he glared at her. “What about this?”
A new urgency filled her as she scanned the information. She straightened in surprise, an unintended tenor of satisfaction entering her voice. “It happened. I was only using probabilities and conjecture, but it actually happened.”
These words pushed Hess over the edge; he screamed in rage, raining blows upon her. She crumpled to the floor, her slave conditioning preventing defense, and her mortification lowering her resistance. His anger and abuse sent her into darkness.
She awakened in the infirmary.
The small room offered a relatively blissful peace. Her attempts to move met restraints. “Easy,” said the doctor. “Let the bone cuffs do their work.”
It was a bright little place, and the colors were dull and unobtrusive, perfect for lending an impression of safety and security. Tears flowed from her sense of loss and failure as much as from pain.
Her doctor noticed her distress and approached. “I can’t program more analgesics until you’re done.”
Selena shook her head—he lacked the foundation for understanding. Words of consolation and apology were offered, but there was another man from whom she needed to hear them. She remained mute.
He stopped talking. After his release, Selena walked to Hess’s waiting area, and insecurity caused her to cringe whenever anyone approached. She would apologize to her master and things would improve. He would forgive her. Life could again have meaning.
Hess was absent. Selena paused to ponder the empty space, both longing and abhorring his company. The large, vacant space grew emptier and chillier as she waited, and she retreated to the safety of her quarters. A shower and a meal raised her energy, but the fresh hollowness within her left her despondent.
Hope sprang within her when she noticed a set of awaiting requests at her terminal. Selena straightened and eagerly addressed them.
A long list of facilities owned by her master appeared. A quick check of the Rhinehold facilities revealed the requests presented for analysis. Her heart fell.
Hess wanted the information Selena presented for Benton to be provided for the planet’s remaining facilities, along with other plants around the Confederation. The memory of his disfavor rose like bile within her mind, combating her fresh optimism. She paused, considered the conflict, and pressed forward.
The Kindred and Ressel facilities were unique, and they were the first ones she addressed. Her master’s proposed solution would likely work, and Rhinehold’s governing council was almost certain to offer incentives, yet she stopped shy of making a prediction. Instead, she offered percentages, biasing them away from the most probable case.
Angelis and Taipei factories would require benefit upgrades because of Rhinehold’s concessions, while other facilities, closer to the Earth system, would see the changes as necessary improvements. After rounding down the odds to provide generous opportunities for exceptions, she sat back to consider her work.
Any one of her analyses could please Selena’s master, or he could consider them incomplete and become angry. Bad news could be appreciated as a warning, or they could spin him into another tirade. All that mattered was the return of his favor. She smiled, because she knew what would meet his approval and refresh their connection.
Selena had been given full access to his company’s data and accessed the personnel files for Benton, first choosing and searching through the archived job applications. Company human resources had done a fair job of evaluating work history and references, but Selena searched two levels deeper. She established a baseline, examined yearly performance appraisals to locate trends, cross referenced their evaluations with the appropriate supervisors, and scrutinized those supervisors’ tendencies and biases toward other departments and resident researchers. Work absences, family obligations, and disciplinary actions were considered next, added to the growing compilation for each employee. Social media habits were mined for keywords and phrases. Public law enforcement data was also scanned, and the most recent reports on the attack were downloaded.
The effort took three days and nights of continuous effort, but she was able to narrow the probable culprit down to five individuals, one of whom was most likely responsible. A closer search of this man’s contacts was both a victory and a disappointment.
Her master and this man, Colby Kine, were childhood friends, secondary school buddies, and college fraternity brothers. Selena was exhausted but had enough sense and remaining energy to bury the damning information. She would avoid another beating if she had any say in the matter.
Breakfast, a long rest, and a session of exercise brought her body back up to speed, but she remained unsettled. Selena’s master had neither appeared nor requested her presence since the beating, and her anxiety after his abuse had matured. With nothing to keep her mind occupied, it was all she could think about. Lunch was exquisite, the flowers in her room were beautiful, and the surrounding luxury was complete, yet her mind was a cacophony of distress. She moved to the terminal to find a distraction, and her mind focused on the largest mystery she knew—Malik.
The creature was a phenomenon. Ever since it ran the channel from Taipei to Evaline, it was watched. The crash at Angelis raised its profile, and the rare, fast transit from Earth cemented it into pe
ople’s imaginations. Actions at Angelis, Harris, and Catricel added to its mystique. Finally, her master was one of many who questioned Malik’s survival at Angelis Bravo; many dedicated conspiracy-type network sites were established, active, and flourishing.
Selena felt her heartbeat accelerate. This creature was powerful, intelligent, and for some unknown reason, interested in her. She opened her search to encompass the business’s files, but nothing appreciable concerning it could be found. Searching the entire network was an enormous, undesirable proposition she avoided.
She paused and considered the next best option—examining her master’s files, since he must have had information about the creature. She immediately shut down the terminal and checked her surroundings, her trepidation increasing as she considered the risks and rewards of breaking his encryption again.
Selena decided it was worth the risk. The terminal cleared before her, and she navigated beneath the system’s primary programming to a directory where she once discovered his private files. Hess was lax concerning his personal security within the private system; she was soon moving within his partition with ease. Files about Malik occupied a significant amount of space, and she immediately copied the data to her terminal instead of lingering. Once the duplication was complete, she disconnected, transferred the files to a portable device and deleted all evidence of its passing. She tucked the data device into her mattress and went to the sink to wash her face.
After calming her nerves, Selena returned to her couch. A skull interface had been synced with her terminal to manage the data during the previous three days; it could also interact with the data drive. She joined the devices and donned the interface.
Hess had divided the information into three separate groups. The first portion was composed of surveillance data dating back two decades, the second was a history of contracts granted to Pathfinder, the creature’s ship, and the third group was a collection of information gathered by a Fleet admiral.
Selena started with the old surveillance; when she realized how spotty it was, she quickly advanced forward through the record. The creature had lived a solitary existence for twenty years, but this status was dramatically altered after a stop on Dakota two years back. A few more passengers arrived at Evaline, three departed and two were killed at Bedele, and to her surprise, the murdered soldiers were seen alive again at Angelis. Other passengers were present, who, to her best recollection, never entered the ship. She considered the strange resurrections briefly before setting them aside. The return to Evaline revealed no new surplus of passengers, but the arrival of an extremely familiar face caused her to freeze.