Selena

by V Guy

“I have forty minutes.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Accelerated travel?”

  He nodded and shrugged. “We need to arrive before they clear their files.”

  Ileana mirrored Evelyn’s concern as she signaled for refreshments. “You should rest. You have fourteen sessions today, as you’ve had all week. What good would you be to them if you were like this?”

  Malik’s coloring improved slightly, and he scowled. “I won’t be ‘like this.’ Moving anything intact through the substrate is incredibly difficult. These sessions are comparatively easy.”

  “But you were also planning encounters with Kroes’s targets,” said Evelyn. “Are those still on tap?”

  “They were.” He rose to accept food and drink from Jenna and Maria then looked impatiently at the many surrounding, concerned faces. “Relax. I’ll be fine.”

  Ileana narrowed her eyes. “You don’t look ‘fine.’ I’m keeping an eye on you.”

  He chuckled then groaned from the effort. “I appreciate it.”

  “I suppose we’re doing a fast skate after we arrive,” said Evelyn, kneeling to free her suit’s clasps.

  “I’ve modified the program. It will first slow, then stop us before we surface. Our exit will be rough, but the turbulence should be minimized. Our approach skate will be twice standard but still easily masked.”

  “And the plan after we arrive?”

  “I get them to talk.”

  Evelyn frowned. “We’re not killing them all, are we?”

  “This is a military-styled organization that does jobs for both the upright and the nefarious. What do you think?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I think this is a large, military organization that has extensive resources and personnel to exact revenge on people that hurt them.”

  ***

  Three uniformed men sat a conference table, speaking to each other and to a remote audience through their skull interfaces. Abruptly disconnected, they looked to their devices.

  “Surge,” said one, frowning. “We only needed ten more minutes.” He manipulated his device. “Let’s finish this.”

  Each of them restored their connections and resumed their conversation, which lasted another quarter hour, then removed their interfaces and set them aside.

  “That couldn’t have been Central Security,” said the second man. “They’ve used us too many times.”

  The third man scratched his head. “Even if it were, how could they have known? We kept this operation well concealed; everything went smoothly until the update was sent.”

  “It was mentioned our people were there to kill a woman,” said the first man. “That significantly limits the responsible parties, since our initial plan was her capture.”

  “There was also the fast response,” said the second man. “The squad was supposedly interrogated. What could have been discovered that quickly?”

  “Quite a bit,” said a fourth, harmonized voice.

  They turned to see Malik uncloak. They made a stunned hesitation, then jumped from their seats. Two had their movements frozen before they could reach their comms.

  “Big plans?” asked Malik, smirking.

  He made a nodding motion, and two figures in white, full-body armor strode forward. Evelyn Meadows and James Richards searched the men, removing their weapons and communications gear.

  “Have a seat,” said Malik, even as he mentally obligated them to comply. “My friends believe killing you would be overly provoking, thus I thought to speak to you in the hopes of avoiding bloodshed.” After Evelyn verified the men were clean, he growled. “I personally believe you should all die, chuck the consequences.”

  “Malik,” said the first man.

  “Excellent. Your mind works. Who were you trying to kill?”

  No one responded. The second man grabbed his head and collapsed, groaning in agony.

  Malik kept his attention on the first man. “It’s a migraine. If you’ve ever had one, you’d know how truly troubling they are. Now answer the question.”

  The first man shook his head, looking worriedly at his suffering neighbor. “We were just fulfilling a contract.”

  “Then just break it.”

  “We know people,” said the third man, courage seeping into his frame. “Central Security will back us, the Fleet will support us, and we have council members that will wipe our record clean.”

  Malik glanced at Evelyn and frowned. “That’s a shame.”

  He made a motion. She moved to the third man; the second man’s migraine ended, and James secured the first man. Evelyn placed an interface on her man’s head and nodded. At first, nothing appeared to happen, then the man squirmed uncomfortably, his eyes rolling out of control and moans escaping his mouth.

  “What are you doing?” asked the first man, his eyes widening in alarm.

  Malik shrugged. “You made this a war.”

  “It was a contract, that’s all! It was a job.”

  “You do jobs for the worst sorts of people.”

  James readied the second man, observing as the afflicted man lost all semblance of control or sanity. The first man’s terror grew. The third man convulsed, a small whine sounding from his mouth, and then he was unconscious, slumping against the seat.

  Malik directed Evelyn to the second man.

  “You dispatched another ship to finish the two jobs. You had a source at the scene—I tracked the reconnection when you reestablished contact—and I’m aware of the council members of whom he spoke.”

  The second man became frantic, watching in dread as Evelyn approached. “We were paid to do it. We do jobs for all types of people, all the time. We’re good at it.”

  “You’ll be dead because of it.”

  Despite his pleadings, the man was soon reduced to his fellows’ states. Malik stood aside, his mind working as he considered the problem.

  James winced. “This seems cruel.”

  “Maybe, but they’ll live and won’t remember. Li’s taps in the mainframe complex gave us access to all the information we’ll need. We can leave.”

  Evelyn was incredulous. “You didn’t kill them. An order for a new mission against Serena has been issued; what’s to keep them from issuing additional orders after the next failure?”

  “There’s a problem,” replied Malik, scowling. “Their mission to kill Serena is known beyond Fifty-Second Security. If everyone were to die here after the failure at Evaline, their demise could be attributed to me—my capacity to be somewhere I shouldn’t has spread to other worlds and entered the wilds of the network. As you’ve stated, the mission to kill Serena would remain active, and this firm has the resources to eventually find and kill her. We could’ve restricted the deaths to Fifty-Second’s leadership and the customers, but the knowledge of the job would have remained. The wrong people could have caught our scent.”

  She crossed her arms. “That’s not a solution.”

  He shook his head in agreement. “Each of these men have data capture modules installed in their minds that are more comprehensive than Helen’s. After we locate the other leaders, interview, and I do the same with them, I can rest assured that Fifty-Second Security never again surprises me.”

  “And the customer who wanted Serena dead?”

  His eyes lit with an inner fire. “They manage his protection; after I have a chat with him, one of their men will kill him.”

  43: Success

  Day 803: Pathfinder

  Malik’s early-morning emergence from maintenance took more deliberation and care than usual, the normally adequate portal requiring thoughtful navigation to traverse. He frowned at the hatch as he stretched and rotated his limbs. Some of the discomfort was from the tight squeeze, but most was from his body’s natural growing pains. The previous day’s exertions contributed to the stiffness, and soreness and itching caused him to pause and sigh.

  James strode from the galley, observing the enlarged areas along his back and sides. “When will they show?”

  �
�Not soon enough,” he replied, groaning. “There are multiple hatches throughout the ship that need enlarging.”

  “Is that today’s new task?” asked Evelyn from behind James. A cup of coffee was cradled in her palms.

  “Your task is to help Li. He’ll need a partner on Olympus. Maybe next week, perhaps.”

  “He’ll crack some banks. That isn’t part of our training.”

  “He needs backup and some extra hands.” Malik withdrew two meals from the cooler and set one to heat. He saw their expressions and smirked. “You’ll be fine; Li will guide you.”

  Her face paled. “We should get Liola’s help. Serena is no longer a worry.”

  His stomach grumbled when the entree’s wonderful aromas were liberated. “She’s soon going to Tania and school. This is yours.”

  Evelyn straightened and her visage hardened. “Then it looks like he and I will be having a little chat.”

  Malik started morning sessions with the initiates, and several hours later the ship arrived at Olympus. Evelyn and James were nervous with excitement, pacing while Li finished preparations for the Rumbler. He was focused as he finished, then waited for his two companions to enter the craft before shaking his head in amusement. The hovercraft was gone when the lights returned.

  “Arturo wishes he were here,” said Ileana, approaching and handing Malik a schedule.

  “I think Li does, too,” said Malik. “These three will get acclimated quickly enough.”

  The hovercraft returned less than an hour later, Li emerging to indicate success. James and Evelyn were next, replaced by three initiates who shut down the craft. Evelyn stepped to Malik even as he rose.

  “Can we keep them?” she asked, glancing at the women.

  “Ileana believes in keeping them well scheduled and busy. It promotes peace.” He stretched. “I see you’ve returned unscathed?”

  She rolled her eyes. “There were some close calls, but Li talked us through them. What’s next?”

  “Kroes.”

  More sessions filled his time until Pathfinder reached the next destination. His success with the CSA target was indicated by fresh instructions to the bridge and departure from the sim. Additional counseling sessions followed, leading to a special occasion in the cargo deck passage. The Rumbler was out, and all the women were present.

  A goodbye party had been celebrated Friday evening, and now the first woman’s departure was imminent. Last minute hugs and promises were shared. The woman boarded and left with the hovercraft, but the reality of her exit was truly appreciated when Evelyn returned alone. Initiates managed the craft’s closedown.

  “It’s a miracle,” said Evelyn, watching the excited women. “Can you feel it?”

  Malik had sensed the changes in their mindsets and warmed. “It’s satisfying. The next two weeks will be extremely busy with the final sessions, and more, similar exits will follow. Nightly sessions prevent trips.”

  “Which is why they’re happening today.”

  He made a slight smile and looked at the time. “Not that I can avoid the weekend sessions, either. See you in a few hours.”

  Li, James, and Evelyn’s next foray occurred in the early evening, the trio returning after an hour to the entry passage. Three new women shut down the craft even as the ship was making transit toward another system.

  “Easy job,” said Li to Malik. “They’re getting their feet under them.”

  “It helps when no one is there,” said James, watching Li move away. “I’d better go to the bridge.”

  Evelyn was close behind them. “That man can break entry codes like a machine. I’m glad he’s on our side.”

  Malik smiled. “As am I.”

  Evelyn approached the gym several hours later after he emerged from the simulator. Another one of Kroes’s targets had been tended, and she stopped to make inquiry.

  “Government connections,” he said, disgusted. “This job is growing. I thought Evaline had issues. Links have been discovered going up to the council and down to Catricel, Paradise, and Salient.”

  Evelyn paused. “Catricel?”

  Malik nodded, his visage reddening. “These people are world destroyers. Money and influence are powerful motivators.”

  A third exploration into one of Kroes’s targets caused significant delay, and the next bank intrusion was postponed.

  “We’re filling in the blanks,” said Li after they returned from the job.

  The ship continued its sprint between systems while Malik exercised, ate, and bathed. Early morning brought another initiate’s departure, with another farewell gathering in the cargo deck passage. Evelyn’s solo return in the Rumbler was another confirmation to the excited women, and they eagerly attended to its storage.

  Malik was especially attentive to the hovercraft’s arrivals and departures. He was again waiting when Evelyn freed herself of her piloting attachments.

  She trembled as she stood by his side. “I’m excited, and I’m staying. I need to go somewhere fun.”

  “Consider it a promise and a reward for the next two weeks.” He looked to see the graceful Ileana approaching. “Another day, another deluge of sessions.”

  “And two more weeks of sterility reversals,” said Evelyn. “Will there be blowback from Friday?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve already been informed that Monday’s interviews will be in the capital.”

  “But not the problem case.”

  Malik examined Ileana’s schedule then nodded his approval. “I doubt it.”

  “What about Fifty-Second Security?” asked Evelyn, watching the other woman walk away. “Channel Surfer is well on its way to Taipei.”

  “They won’t touch it. Sensory dumps from some of the commanders made it clear they’re laying low. The death of the customer, their apparent complicity, and the supposed response of Central Security have markedly impacted their motives. They’re also having regular, unexplained, untreatable, debilitating headaches.”

  “And our impersonation of CSA operatives?”

  Malik smirked. “It was free advertising; we made them look good.”

  His next attempt to deal with a Kroes target took him to multiple locations in a nearby system, both to surreptitiously dock with stations and make planetary landings. After several hours, the bridge was signaled, and the ship skated away.

  Ileana waited with the next progression of sessions. Evelyn lingered for a report.

  “More high-level involvement,” he said, taking and scanning Ileana’s list. “There was nothing accidental about Catricel and Paradise’s fates. Our current hardware setup isn’t designed for the new velocities; we need new parts fabricated to upgrade our skating and immersion systems.”

  “What about Salient?” asked Evelyn. “Wasn’t that why we were constructing modules?”

  Malik looked down the passage. “That comes after helping Kroes and finding Selena. Our construction for Salient is for an idea I’ve yet to solidify.”

  “The model?”

  “Yes. We could search for as many as one hundred mass adjusters submerged in the substrate under layers upon layers of overlapping channels in the vast area of the gravitational barrier and never find them. Or we could try something easier.”

  She considered the comparison. “We’ll need scrap.”

  He rose and walked to his quarters. “You’ll take the ship during my interviews to retrieve it. Be diligent and exacting about your decon efforts around Catricel. We don’t want to accidentally kill the rest of the galaxy.”

  “You’re letting us take the ship?”

  “Of course.” He paused at the entrance to his quarters. “I’ll have patterns delivered. Minimum immersions are two hours. Use only standard skates.”

  “We’ll need extra help,” said Evelyn, frowning. “That’s a lot of parts.”

  Malik glanced at Ileana.

  “You’ll get all the help you need,” said the other woman. “My women volunteer for everything.”

  An initiate’s de
parture came at noon, the cluster of well-wishers matching the earlier exits. Malik was waiting when the Rumbler reappeared from the darkness. Ileana again had people waiting, and Evelyn left the craft to their care.

  “I’ll be sad,” she said. “Since they were transformed from mindless, compulsive, dependent slaves, they’ve been a joy to be around. How about you?”

  “I can feel their absence. I miss them; it’s like removing voices from a choir.”

  “More women will leave in two weeks, and most of the rest in five. Get ready for smaller ensembles.” Evelyn studied them. “What about their social hurdles? Some of them had troublesome pasts.”

  “The last kidnapper and a controlling ex unexpectedly disappeared.” He moved to the galley to retrieve some meals. “Not all the initiates chose violence.”

  “Plans,” mused Evelyn. “Too many for my taste. Only one destination remains.”

  “Yes, and you’ll be on point again.”

  Li met Malik after the next mission. “I’ve got a plan. I’ve reviewed the information from the previous three excursions, and I’m quite certain the most recent data will follow similar patterns.”

  “And what was the intended result?” asked James, wandering near.

  “We had account numbers and needed the names attached to them. We have them—or rather, one.”

  “One?”

  “Yes,” said Li, beaming with his success. “It’s a large company, but there are ways to reduce the search parameters.”

  Evelyn approached.

  Li observed them, carefully measuring his words. “I have a destination in mind. I’ve examined the banking data, isolated it to a single, very large company, Exeocorps, and then searched to see if other accounts existed for the business. There were. In fact, most of their expenditures were unaffected by the hacker. Of those other accounts, I isolated other, big-spending accounts. There weren’t identifiers, but while this is a massive company, relatively few managers would have the clout and responsibility to warrant large-expense accounts. Cross-referencing this information against the repair facilities’ data allowed me to isolate the possibilities.”

  “Accounts wouldn’t necessarily be executive specific,” said Malik.