by V Guy
“In a fantasy world, some knight would’ve already killed you to reach his woman.”
He glanced around the deck. “We already have the women. Were you making predictions?”
“I’m just saying it’d be a good story.”
Malik huffed in disgust. “For the knight. I must now tend my damsels in distress.”
Another of James’s executives required a large portion of the evening to locate and evaluate. By the time the last initiate was delivered, the remaining women had entered their dorm to close the day, and Evelyn and Malik were obligated to shut down the Rumbler themselves.
Li arrived from the bridge to assist.
“What are Salient’s needs?” he asked. He took the check pad from Malik to continue the work.
“We need the number of released adjusters, their positions, and their strengths.”
Li nodded as he pondered the task. “And the channel data?”
“Quantified channel elasticity, torsion resistance, wall integrity under stress, and passage flexibility must all be measured.”
“No problem,” he said, ducking into the craft. “We’d just need time.” He was smiling when he next emerged. “We can give you that.”
Pathfinder remained away from Evaline, and a bridge watch was maintained, but for the most part the ship was a quiet place during the night. Malik investigated several branching contacts from Kroes’s list involving Catricel and Paradise.
The dimmed lights brightened as the morning arrived, and rested faces began to grace the passages. James was one of the early risers. He found Malik in maintenance at the assembly table.
“What’s this new adventure?” asked James, yawning. “Looks intricate.”
“New upgrades for the top deck decoy hanger.”
James paused, wondering where Malik found the time to create something new. “What about Salient?”
Malik returned to work. “Those foundations were laid during our unintended immersion near Dakota several years ago, and I’m now developing the science. Like then, it’s composed of significant theory and mathematics.”
Evelyn’s return after the next delivery was greeted by three quiet passengers to close the craft, and she was similarly soft spoken when she approached Malik. “We should start mapping the convoluted channel before the full set of modules is complete.”
He observed the woman at the hovercraft. “The moment one mass adjuster gets removed or disabled, the entire configuration could shift. We’ll be mapping it again to find the next one.”
“I see,” she said, her eyes widening. “That’s a lot of work. We’d need a lot of quality scrap.”
“Which is why you’ll take the ship to Catricel during my interviews. You’re limited to a minimum of two-hour immersions and standard skates.”
Evelyn frowned. “I had hoped for a break.”
“My time is limited.” He stretched as Ileana approached. “The Fates are in their differentiation program. At the rate we’re going, they’ve got another Evaline month and won’t need additional attention. For me, I’ve got another day of sessions. Try to relax.”
Arriving, delivering, protecting, and confirming receipt of Kroes’s items from Catricel in a secretive, careful, and invisible transfer took much of the afternoon. A course was immediately set for investigation into another one of the Catricel/Paradise/Salient conspirators.
Violet met Malik after a counseling session.
“I want to watch.”
“It’s dull,” he said, laying below. “But you can assist if you wish.”
Once notice was received of reaching their destination, Malik moved to the simulator. Barren walls greeted them. He settled in the center of the chamber, produced a chair for her, then closed his eyes. His body stilled, his breathing evened, and his coloring turned to a steel gray. “I’ve found him,” he said after twenty minutes.
Another period passed, the empty space taking on character as the remote environment was locally created. Malik’s eyes opened and he gazed around the chamber, evaluating his masterpiece. “Excellent. We’re ready. Do you have the interface?”
She nodded, and he reclosed his eyes. A shielded breach was formed within an upturned claw, a slight chill touched the space, and a sleeping man appeared on the nearby couch. He motioned to her; she placed an interface on his head and activated it. After another extended period of concentration, he reached into his pack, withdrew a light-blue pill, and placed it in his claw. A moment of thought made the object blur into nothingness. Next, the man blurred and disappeared. Violet shot him an inquiring expression.
“I’m liking people less and less,” said Malik, his vocal tones dark. “Especially powerful people.”
“What was it?”
“A subtle but potent neurotoxin,” he replied. “Slow acting and usually misdiagnosed. The most common treatments will accelerate the effects, and when medical personnel realize the mistake, they’ll be too late. Treating the real issue will then cause their patients a significant cognitive drop.”
“How long?”
“Debilitating effects will last the rest of their lives, but the most significant degrades occur during the first year. It’s less violent and satisfying than preferred, but he’ll get extracted from influential positions fairly quickly.”
“Why him?”
“Because he’s a prolific killer by virtue of legislative authority and military might.”
Another extended effort was required to find the next Exeocorps executive, followed by another initiate delivery. The hovercraft was pounced upon by three women under Ileana’s direction.
“Where to?” asked Evelyn, moving to Malik’s side.
“Evaline. It’s been a busy weekend, and everyone could use a break. In three weeks, another lot of them will leave.”
“Is it too quiet already?”
He nodded, and his expression fell. “The family is splintering. I enjoyed their company.”
“They liked you,” said Evelyn, noting his despondency. “Still do. They have joined the ranks of the dearly departed.” She grinned when she saw Malik’s expression. “I meant that in a good way, of course; they’re dear and they’re departed.”
“It has been quite a weekend,” he said, turning, sighing, and watching the women work.
“We’ve gotten the internal hatches altered. What’s next?”
“My interviews with Evaline Investigative have dovetailed to Marshall Police Department for more immediate cases, and I’ve been contacted three times during the last two weeks. The frequency is bound to increase. The number of weekday breaks are shrinking. I am sorry.”
“We enjoy helping with those,” said Evelyn. “They make you look good. We like for you to look good, and you need to look good. Now we’ve just got to find Selena.”
“We will.”
She made a quizzical expression, her eyebrows rising in seeming understanding. “You do? Is that foreknowledge?”
He shook his head and tapped his chest. “My heart tells me.”
47: Reunion
Day 838: Petra
Martin Rose was pleased with himself. The property he purchased was truly a steal, covering thirty square kilometers and encompassing a rare, year-round watercourse in this part of the world. He was separated from the western ocean by a range of hills and mountains, and the minuscule humidity that reached him was quickly consumed by the surrounding scrubs and grasses. The location was beautiful, low maintenance and, best of all, was his. Next and noteworthy, the world lay far off the galaxy’s beaten path; it resided three systems away from Bedele. Only Regen was farther away. It was poorly inhabited, weakly patrolled, and as close to a terraforming failure as a habitable world could be. Some of the worlds on the Raven arm from Bedele took longer to reach but were terraforming successes, growing in population, popularity, and unacceptable as refuges. He wanted to be alone.
The wind was cool, and Martin put on his jacket. After placing bottles of water in sleeves on his belt, he set ou
t.
Large snakes, spiders, and scorpions were present on Petra, and while they were less of a concern in the cooler climate, could still be dangerous. He was unconcerned; people were the only truly dangerous creatures. Still, he took precautions: wearing high boots, carrying a sidearm, and bringing night vision goggles for use after sunset.
That time had yet to arrive, but Martin’s walk was a long one; he returned as the evening’s colors followed their fiery master to the horizon. He stopped to admire the sky and removed his boots. His chronic pain was regular, but the walks helped.
After a bath and a meal, he set some music to play and settled into his recliner. The sound of lift repulsers overcame the harmonies of trumpets and horns. He immediately became alert. Forward beams of a hovercraft shined in the darkness. He leaped from his chair, occluded the windows, and dashed for the gun safe. The music’s beat obscured the craft’s lifts, but Martin knew the vehicle was present. He fumbled to load his rifle. After putting two magazines on his hip, he silenced the music and took refuge near one of the home’s supporting walls. A touch to his side activated a personal body shield. The nearby Regen system was a prime system for outlaws, and a little provocation was necessary for a raiding party to transition a system. His comm was available, but he made no calls; he would take care of this himself.
The lower tones of repulsers indicated the craft had landed. Further reduced volume meant the hovercraft was at rest, and the sound of opening hatches implied their occupants were out and moving.
“I’m well-armed,” called Martin. “Leave my property or be killed.”
No one responded, but several minutes later there was a gentle knock at the door.
“I swear, I’ll shoot!”
After a respectful pause, there was another rap.
Martin peered from the hallway. “Go away.”
The patient address was repeated.
Martin glanced forward past the chairs and sofas and back past the kitchen and dining table. “What do you want?”
The visitor’s intentions remained cloaked by a sequence of four beats on the door.
The mystery of their presence ate at him. He doubted that raiders would bother knocking, but it was unfathomable that anyone else would visit.
“Martin Rose, will make us wait all night?” asked a female voice. “Rest assured, we are prepared to stay for the long haul.”
Her voice was familiar, but the tone was foreign. Confused, he stood. “What do you want?”
“To stay a while.”
His curiosity broke his caution, and he cracked open the door.
Serena looked back at him, wearing a crooked smile. “Hello, Dad.”
Martin froze in shock. “Selena?”
“Serena,” she replied, frowning, rolling her eyes, and striding by with her luggage. “I’m the other daughter.”
He was dumbstruck as two large men followed, each of them toting two heavy duffels. “What are you doing here?”
“Borislav and Bomani,” she said, making an absent motion toward them. “Martin Rose. People have been trying to kill me, and they came as protection.”
“Did Boris tell you I was here?”
“It was Malik.”
Bomani returned to greet him after dropping his luggage. “Nice place.” He examined the ceiling joists. “This is about as far out of the way as you could get.”
Martin nodded, unable to tear his eyes away from the giants. “That was the intention. Who are you?”
Borislav made a grin and shook his hand. “We’ve been helping Malik on Pathfinder.”
“But where did he find you?”
“He doesn’t only rescue women,” replied the commando, winking before moving toward the hallway. “Although they do seem to be his preference.”
Martin was at a loss, and his jaw dropped. “There’s two rooms available, one on the right and the other on the left. They’re small.”
He watched as they disappeared down the hall, his surprise and shock freezing him until he realized his bad manners. “Are you hungry? I can put on some tea or coffee?”
No answer came; he started a kettle anyway. He was waiting at the table when Bomani emerged from the room.
“You weren’t kidding about them being small. One of us will sleep out here.” He looked longingly at the cups. “May I have some tea?”
Martin nodded, pouring hot water into his cup. “Honey?”
Bomani paused in confusion. “Honey?” He tried a drop on his little finger and smiled. “Most definitely.”
Borislav was the next to reappear. Both men were relaxed, but there was a permanent alertness in their demeanor. This new man took immediately to the honey.
“Someone was trying to kill her?” asked Martin, still wary. “Who?”
“Which time?” asked Bomani, making a chortle. “The last occurrence was on the liner leaving Evaline. We diffused five bombs; Malik helped us with the last one.”
“I read about that.” Martin sat back. “It was said you disappeared.”
“And reappeared,” said Borislav, smiling. “The news didn’t catch that part.”
“You were also thought to be CSA.”
The man stretched and laughed. “That was the intent. Who in their right mind messes with Central Security? Who seeks revenge against them? I’ll check the perimeter and place sensors.”
“Who in their right mind messes with Malik?” asked Martin, mostly to himself. “Could you have been followed?”
Bomani downed the rest of his drink. “Not a chance. Excellent tea, by the way. You need to expand because we won’t be your only guests. You should also consider some breaks for the sight lines; we can be seen unobstructed from quite a distance.”
Martin looked worriedly toward the windows. “How long will this continue?”
“Until he’s sold.” Bomani stood and stretched. “I should check with Borislav. Thanks for letting us crash. We’ll make ourselves useful.”
Serena had opted for a shower and showed considerably later, toweling her hair. “Did I hear something about tea?”
Martin was resting in his chair and pointed toward the kitchen. “It’s gone cold.” He was moving to stand when she motioned for him to remain seated.
“You still limp,” she said, setting a fresh kettle to heat. “Malik could take care of that.”
Martin glowered. “Not you, too.”
“He fixed me, and I was a disaster. You’d be a breeze.”
He was uncertain how to approach this version of his daughter. “Malik said you were different.”
Serena paused in thought at the heating blocks, waiting for the water to boil. The kettle sang, and she poured water for her tea before setting the pot aside. She cradled the cup and sat carefully to avoid spilling it. “You always had good tea, and it’s wonderfully warm. It’s cold here.”
“You never before mentioned the tea.”
She groaned. “Why would I have said something positive? I was miserable; I needed everyone else to be miserable.”
He glanced outside to see the men, sitting quietly around the fire pit and staring at the stars. “What did he do to you? A new body doesn’t change a mind.”
Serena scowled. “No, but it does encourage reflection. What Malik did was die three times. Well, at least he should have; he was never good at it.”
Martin straightened and looked at her in confusion.
“I expect there’s a lot we never knew.” She took another sip then set her drink on the table’s warmer. “Have you ever wanted someone to die?”
He shook his head, cautious about the turn in the conversation.
“I did,” said Serena, turning away. “Not necessarily the roommate—that was too spontaneous. I needed Malik to die, as if he were my sole obstacle in life. My first desire was health, and that he gave back. My second desire was dominance; I took that after I awakened. The final desire was his demise.
“I saw him die, right before my eyes, his head severed cleanly from h
is body, and all I felt was emptiness. I was surrounded by people I didn’t trust, and suddenly the only buffer between me and them was gone. I was alone. Strangely, I wished he was still present. The lights had been activated within my perceptions, and I realized there were far more troublesome people out there.”
“Him,” said Martin curiously, pensively watching Serena as she reached for the warmed cup. Hearing Serena’s confession left him pensive. His relationship with Malik had always been rocky, one that sent his thoughts back through the years. His daughter’s words left him with the need to respond, but he felt no desire to exposit his feelings. “He was too blazing intelligent and capable. And he was a slave, to top it all off. It was cruelly unjust.”
She made a slight smile. “I understand.”
Martin shook his head and grimaced. “It’s hard to always be wrong against a creature like that.”
“Oh,” said Serena, sensing the meaning of his words. “We’re more alike than I realized. Never thought I’d hear myself saying that.”
He straightened, and his face flushed crimson. “I am not like you.”
She pondered him for a moment then made a half smile. “This is a blessing,” she said, finishing her tea and collapsing against the seat. “Never ignore a blessing. We’ve been traveling for more than a month, and it’s nice to be on ground that doesn’t move. This chair is a blessing. I’m very grateful.”
A cautious expression crept onto his face. “What brings you?”
She closed her eyes. “Hiding. A lot of people have tried to kill me.”
“Because of Malik.”
“Yep.”
“Is that why they’re here?”
Serena nodded and glanced outside. “Risked their lives to save mine and every other person on Channel Surfer.”
He looked toward the men. “They’re bound to be cold.”
She chuckled. “That’s their freedom. They were highly restricted the whole time they accompanied me, constantly on guard and watching for danger. I switched chip IDs twice to avoid being tracked, and they shifted to match. Now they can sit, watch the sky, and take in some fresh air.”