by V Guy
He put his head in his hands and groaned. “I don’t understand why it didn’t work. The plan was precisely executed. It was perfect. The whips were lethal.”
Serena checked another screen. “Those independent observers you invited reported that the captured avatar was actually Kilam under potent potion and remote reinforcement. Those assists must have been significant if your claims about the whips were true. When our Coalition fighters were eliminated, he teleported away.”
He released a deep sigh. “Potion effects? What kind of potions? We couldn’t prepare for everything! The attack was well planned, but apparently not by us. We’ve no fight left, our war is done, we’re imps.”
She grimaced. “Yep.”
“And yet here you are, unscathed.”
Serena shrugged. “I didn’t cheat.”
***
Darien logged off, removing the interface and placing it on a near table. He stroked his dog’s neck, relaxed in the recliner, and the canine closed its eyes in bliss.
“Arnie, it looks like we’ll have a lot more time together.”
65: Loose Ends
Day 1022-1032: Tania, Evaline
Marina Kay stepped briskly down the walk. Clouds had gathered all afternoon, and now they delivered their plenty. The sleepy community in which she resided had little to offer when it came to public services, and her instructions had been to be as discreet as possible. She found an empty seat in a café’s canopied porch, set out something to read, and waited.
Her life in this undeveloped township had not been of her choosing. She was a city girl, but that all changed when her husband was mauled.
The incident was of little concern. She and Andrew Dibbin were mostly partners of convenience—she offered him a place to stay, and he was occasionally protective. He showed her where to score drugs, and she hid him when he got in trouble. Their marriage was an afterthought. That same evening, after a drunken, drug-laced binge, they got tattoos and had a great night of sex.
That afterthought of a marriage was rather forgotten until she received a call from Evaline concerning him. He had departed after a particularly vocal and physical argument and she had not cared. He returned a very broken man. Except she was required to support his care, she never would have sued Silas Police Department to cover the costs.
And she would not have sued if it were not for a woman calling herself Kroes. This woman also spoke of a plan where Marina could make a lot of money if she were patient. Malik, the monster that mauled Dibbin, was a slave, could be claimed for damages, and could be quite valuable when sold.
Marina cared nothing about Dibbin’s mangling, held no grievance against Malik, and only wanted the prize the creature could yield. What she did despise was living over a year among unfailingly cheerful, unsophisticated, naïve people from whom she could easily have swindled their life savings. She might have, but if any crime touched her presence, she would forfeit the purpose of her relocation.
So here she waited, shielded from the rain in a nowhere town.
Kroes arrived ten minutes after her, ducked under the canopy from the rain, and sat. She looked upward to evaluate the cover’s effectiveness then scooted closer to the building to a dryer spot. Seemingly obsessed with staying dry, she abandoned a credit chit on the first table. Marina saw her supposed mistake, quickly rose, stepped to the first table, and palmed the chit.
“Good luck,” called Kroes, removing and arranging items from her bag.
Marina Kay turned. “Good luck?”
“Yes. That amount should cover another month. No more will be tendered.”
Kay moved from standing in the rain to sitting at the nearest table. “Why not?”
“Our relationship ends. Sufficient substance has been added to the rumors of Malik’s involvement with the Evaline Dynang’s demise, and his freedom will soon be terminated. You can claim him at any time.”
Kay frowned. “Why good luck?”
“Oh, his life will become much more interesting, although various groups have spoken for him, and he might not get executed. I say ‘might’ by the way; it’s uncertain at the moment.”
Kay’s countenance fell farther. The whole purpose of waiting was the steady influx of money from Kroes and the promise of extra money after Malik’s sale. “But it’s mine. That monster can’t get executed.”
Kroes examined her fingernails. “You’ll probably need to front cash for legal expenses. Evaline Investigative is pushing to have him designated as a permanent assignment, some of the other, large cities on the planet have been requesting his services, and the Fifth Fleet has expressed their desire to acquire him. If you want him, you’ll have to fight.”
“I’ve been living in this nothing town for more than a year, just to discover I’ve got to work to get that monster?”
A snarl formed on Kroes’s visage. “You don’t consider this better than that run-down, low-income, drug-infested neighborhood you once lived in? You’ve received regular payments, lying low to allow his value to rise. It has. If you had lifted your head, you would’ve been found, he would’ve been yours, and you might have sold him for a fraction of his value.”
“You just said it’d be executed!”
Kroes shrugged. “He might not. I’m simply saying you’ll have to put some effort into this.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You’ll lose.” Kroes activated her device. “Law enforcement and the Fleet both have excellent cases. Malik has helped Evaline Investigative eliminate considerable corruption, solved some high-visibility cases, assisted influential people at Marshall, and demonstrated keen navigation and design skills to the Fifth Fleet. If you persist and emerge victorious, you’d never need to work again.” She paused and made a snort. “You never worked before; shouldn’t be much of an adjustment.”
“Don’t you want the creature, too?”
“If I wanted him, I could simply have seized him. He’s too high visibility and his methods are a little underhanded; having him might compromise my cases.”
Kay bit her tongue. “I could pay all the lawyer fees, attend every hearing, show at every deposition, and still not get Malik?”
“There are also a few powerful people in the mix,” said Kroes knowingly. “I’d say you’d spend considerably more sessions in courts and have more time around law enforcement than you already have. Doesn’t mean you get him. Doesn’t mean you don’t.”
Marina Kay turned away. “What are the odds?”
Kroes stood. “They don’t matter to me.”
“But this was your idea.”
Kroes’s expression hardened. “You’ve been well paid,” she said, disdain dripping from her lips. “Don’t obligate me to pay more.”
Kay was streetwise enough to understand the implications. She watched as the woman made a quick exit through the rain. She then sat, pondering the problem. Her old owner did make me an offer.
***
Malik received word of a meeting in Marshall late in the evening five days later. No sense of urgency was communicated, and the next morning arrived with relaxed anticipation. The ship’s creatures were his quiet company for the predawn hours, and Selena and Evelyn met him later, when the ship was awakening and his departure was near.
“Predictions?” asked Selena, curious about the strange summoning. The absence of a future sense had made her more engaged with the present.
“It’s the next step. It’s positive—the long game is finally over.”
“And the ending?” asked Evelyn, her gaze softening.
“Mercifully near. It’s been an extended wait.”
She shook her head. “I could endure a little longer. When?”
He shrugged. “I’ll know in a few hours.”
Drelas, Jum, and Lallis stayed near for the duration of his morning routine, all of them sensing the upcoming changes. The prowler made a low yowl when the police transport departed with him to Marshall.
Evelyn stroked the worried canid’s back. �
��Me too, Lallis. Me too.”
***
Malik arrived at the Evaline Investigative capital office after a comparatively leisurely flight, and he stepped free of the craft to stretch his limbs. He knew he would never see this building again. The transporting officers led him through the lobby, where he received a few nods from passersby and was viewed as something of a regular by the investigators. St. Gale and a few others were present when he reached the conference room.
The questioning began as it had on many of the other days, except that their inquiries referenced only older cases. Malik had already informed the investigators of everything he knew of the sordid characters he located, and they had asked every reasonable question concerning them. Their current inquiries tailed off, St. Gale reviewed the paperwork, and her people were excused. The men and women nodded thanks when they departed.
Director St. Gale alone remained, opening a new file on her display. “Events prior to your recorded arrival have become strongly attributed to you. I’ve tried to emphasize your usefulness, but the judiciary decided that for me to appropriately investigate you, you can’t also be working for me.”
“There’s no evidence,” said Malik. “There’s nothing to investigate.”
She made a lopsided scowl. “We’ve both forgotten that burden of proof isn’t required. You’re not a man. All that’s necessary is suspicion and probable cause. You’re dangerous, and everyone knows it.”
He understood and frowned. “I’m knowledgeable and effective.”
“Which makes you exponentially more dangerous.” St. Gale scanned the documents. “I’ve been instructed to discontinue your services, and Marshall will no longer call for assistance. They have indicated deep appreciation of your assistance.”
“Thanks,” muttered Malik, turning aside.
“New procedures will be followed,” she continued. “Your restriction to Evaline remains until you are taken into custody. We cannot prohibit incarceration, but we can prevent euthanasia before the hearings. We’ve also set forth appropriate guidelines for containment facilities that will not…” She paused, cocking her head in consideration. “Your value must be preserved.”
He made a derisive snort. “Hearings?”
“Different groups have made calls for your possession. Your final disposition will be decided between either them or your owner, Serena Rose.”
Malik started. “Marina Kay has a higher claim.”
“She sold her claim to Rose this week.” St. Gale narrowed her eyes. “Emerged from hiding just in time to release you. The timing was suspicious and the decision was unexpected, but there was nothing illegal about either.”
One end of his lips curled upward—he guessed who was involved. “Do you have a time frame for my disposition?”
St. Gale examined her calendar. “Two weeks on the outside. A list of guidelines has been transmitted. Assuming you avoid death, whoever gets you must demonstrate the ability to maintain positive control, and Serena has not done that. If she receives you, you’ll be auctioned to a select group of customers.”
She examined him. “Some of the people you discovered with unestablished criminal ties are among the concerned populace, publicly raising concerns that underhanded law enforcement or Fleet action might follow if either entity possessed you. My department has conversely demanded that select persons shouldn’t have your skills, either for political, financial, or security reasons. The hearings should be short.”
“I’ll be auctioned,” mused Malik. “Enough people are convinced of my value to prevent my immediate death, and there are sufficient conflicts of interest to prevent a casual transfer. Serena would need to be compensated, and no one in the government wants to front the money. When is the auction?”
“Another month,” said St. Gale, activating a console. “Rules and procedures must be established, and security needs to be present to ensure your compliance and your buyer’s health and safety.”
“Security?” Malik was certain he knew the answer.
“Central Security. Apparently, from the inquiries, you’ll be worth your own escort. It’s why your accommodations will be generous, private, and sheltered. There’s no danger of going hungry, thirsty, or being dumped into unsanitary conditions. Your only fear will be dying of boredom.”
Malik raised his eye ridges. “Any final questions?”
St. Gale rounded the table to approach and extend her hand. “It’s been both a pleasure and a frustration, but I do wish I could’ve seen more of your magic.”
He met her clasp with one of his own. “It’d only be more headaches.”
She made a chuckle. “No doubt. Safe journey, Malik. I’ve done all I can; I hope it’s enough.”
His transport took him to a planetary shuttle, which ported him to Silas. He emerged from the vehicle and preformed the standard routine of stretching and unfolding. Drelas teleported to him and vocalized her concern.
He scratched her back. “Not long now, girl.” They entered to an audience in the forward passage.
“What’s the word?” asked Li.
“Two weeks, maximum,” replied Malik.
They were markedly subdued after hearing a synopsis of the discussion.
Evelyn shook her head in disbelief. “When you said, ‘near,’ you weren’t kidding. What are we doing before then?”
“Internal equipment to hide us from mantis telepathy must be installed, and I have fifty-three members of the council to afflict or alter.”
***
Evelyn watched as Malik reclined motionless in the sand. The simulator was running the non-lethal variant of the Paradise program, and Selena entered to wait on a wind-worn wooden bench along with her.
“How long?” asked Selena.
She received a shrug in response.
“Nothing in the news yet. I’m craving for this to be over.”
Evelyn made a sober nod. “We all understand and fundamentally agreed with him; we loved those people at Catricel. Still, the execution of his vengeance is harsh and troubling. At least he honored my request.”
Selena smiled. “It was a gamble. You saved a lot of lives.”
Waves stroked the shoreline, wind bent the grasses, sunlight shone through a clear blue sky, and the aroma of sea water tickled their nostrils. Their wait was rewarded by his movements, but they were agonizingly slow for their tastes. Malik’s camouflage, posture, and expression revealed his fatigue. He stood with deliberation, blinked a few times, then observed them. His upturned foreclaw was initially empty, then a skull interface appeared from cloak.
“Charge it. I need a new one.”
“Diagnosis?” asked Evelyn.
“One in six of the council are unredeemable and get the pill. An upside is that I’m getting better at transitions; I can push the interfaces straight to the target’s head and activate them without the victim’s notice.”
Another long session followed until he again stirred. “This stage is over.”
“Are you okay?” asked Selena, approaching.
He appeared ill. “It’s difficult, investigating motivations, finding triggers, and altering mindsets, but we’ll soon be finished.”
Evelyn frowned. “Not already?”
Malik released a sigh. “Not all of them, not yet. Numerous council members remotely logged in, five of whom were targets. I’ve tracked the links, know their locations, and they’ll be the final ones to confront.”
“Some of them could recover.”
“And will have earned the right to live. After these last few, I’m done.”
Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief. “And then you’ll have satisfaction?”
“That remains to be seen.” Malik was impassive. “I’ve altered motivations and terminated lives. Bring an interface and the remaining neurotoxin. I wish to end this.”
Councilmen near Earth and three other systems were evaluated and dealt with. The ship returned to Silas at Evaline shortly after dawn.
Malik was in the same si
m program during the afternoon, watching the seagulls as they sailed the breeze.
“The long-term afflictions for those in the session are blamed on contaminated food,” said Selena, joining him under a straw-hut’s shade. “The media are calling it suspicious and are investigating.”
He made a knowing smirk. “Good luck.”
“There could be a number of deaths; none of the interviewed medical experts sounded hopeful.”
“But there will be far fewer victims than on either Catricel or Paradise, and some of the afflicted will beat the odds. The influence of the survivors and the new council members will be outweighed by those who have suddenly rediscovered conscience, and maybe their power will fade. Government will continue running, life will go on, and only time will reveal the impact of my changes.”
Selena frowned. “You don’t sound hopeful.”
“I’m weary.” Malik half turned her direction, a hooded expression on his visage. “Revenge doesn’t bring back the dead, and people who profit from death will find other ways to promote it.”
“But you went after them anyway?”
He nodded. “This was intended for peoples who couldn’t witness it.”
Selena gazed toward the water, braiding her hair against the breeze. “No one will ever truly know the reasons.”
Malik glanced upward in thought. “Reasons matter little, as those in power care only for power. Catricel and Paradise will be forgotten, and another world may later share their fates. We’re simply too insignificant to make a difference.”
66: Detained
Day 1046: Evaline, Xist
Malik was quiet as he made final rounds of the ship, with the early morning, reduced lighting leaving his form mostly a shadow to haunt the passages. Evelyn Meadows joined him during those hours, and he opened access to new chambers and expounded fresh knowledge. He generated new security codes, revealed information within Pathfinder’s systems, and answered any final questions she might have. Lallis padded alongside them. Drelas rode silently on his shoulders, staying as close as possible. Jum crawled along the bulkheads. The morning advanced, the lights brightened, and they returned to the bridge to await daylight.