by J. N. Chaney
I coughed and nodded to show I understood. “Get moving. Go inside, find the guy named Louis, and ask him to show you where the inner landing is. That’s where you’ll be stationed.”
“Copy that, sir.” I had already taken a few steps when he called me back. The sharp edge to his tone and stiff posture told me that something was off, but I didn’t know what I had done wrong.
“Reyes, you want to tell me why your gear isn’t up to current regs?”
I looked down, this time not having to feign confusion. “Not up to regs?”
His eyes narrowed and Ahmadi stepped a little closer. “Yes, Private. The new red bands at the elbows and additional vertical stripes down the arms. You know, the ones to prevent fugitives and rebels from impersonating one of us? You aren’t one of those Initiative members, are you?”
“No sir,” I stammered. “I’ve been in slipspace travel for a while, like I said. Then they sent me straight down here.”
Ahmadi waited for a long second before clapping me on the shoulder. “Relax, Reyes, I’m just messing with you. Everyone knows they don’t outfit us for shit. Roll out new rules and don’t bother to follow them.” He eyed my standard issue rifle with an approving eye. “At least your weapon is good.”
I was suddenly thankful I hadn’t grabbed the upgraded black-market rifle I usually carried. A horn went off, blasting three times in quick succession.
“What was that?” I asked.
“Final warning. Peralta will be landing here soon. Listen up, here’s what I want you to do. The whole audit I want you to keep the respirator on and your mouth shut. I’ll let the Senator know right away about your gear so he won’t ask questions. With any luck we’ll get him out of our hair without any major infractions. Got it?”
I coughed again and gave him a thumbs up.
Ahmadi just shook his head and walked off muttering to himself.
Under the scarf, I allowed myself a quick smile and headed to building C. Though I already knew where the inner landing was from my tour, I found Louis, who regarded me with a wary look.
“Thought I told you not to talk to me once the audit started.”
“Lieutenant Ahmadi’s orders,” I informed him, then explained what he was supposed to know in case someone asked.
When I finished, Louis nodded. “Inner landing is a good post. You’ll be out of Peralta’s hair but still see plenty. I’ll get you the respirator, since that will be expected. Remember, act like you don’t know me.”
“You know, Louis. This may come as a surprise, but I’ve run a few ops in my day,” I said, winking at the older man.
He rolled his eyes. “Young lady, you’re not even old enough to use that phrase.”
With a laugh, I walked off.
“Okay, I’m in.” I broke radio silence to do one check-in with my team.
“Thank gods,” said Farah. “I got a little nervous when he brought up the new regulations.”
“Yeah, me too. I’m sure you can see I’m at the inner landing. I’ve got a good view of the first floor.”
“Cameras are all set. I’ve got you in sight.”
“The Senator is almost there. Breaking through orbit now, so ETA on his dropship is less than two minutes,” informed Mack.
“Perfect,” I replied. “I’m ready to get the hell out of here already.”
“Hey, at least you get to be inside,” said Farah.
Mack interrupted, stopping my reply. “Dropship is on the final descent. Time to go radio silent again. Good luck, Cortez. We’re here if you need us.”
“Thanks. Hopefully I won’t.”
The line went silent. For the foreseeable future, I was on my own.
8
The plan was to watch Senator-Peralta for three days.
We’d already seen what moving too fast could do to an op. I, more specifically, had almost met my end when Dunham sent me and Calliope to check out a lead on the ingot. A few Void operatives guarding the caravan nearly killed me.
Wanting to avoid another scenario like that, I decided a longer mission made more sense. With me on the inside, we could get a good feel for which approach would work best to grab our target.
It was the second day of my mission and about as exciting as watching a tree grow. Peralta had ordered the first level to be set up like a large conference room. He took breakfast, lunch, and dinner there, plus meetings when he wasn’t out auditing the mines. Believing himself safe, he spoke freely and didn’t watch how loud he was. Because of this, I learned that the audit was less about procedures and more about verifying that the mine produced a specific quota, for Peralta anyway.
That explained a lot, at least for me. All the Empire cared about was the bottom line. So long as Prosperitas met it and things looked good when he came to check it out, Kaska would leave it alone. He didn’t care to know about guards sleeping on the job or missing patrols if it didn’t affect performance.
He would though, because these kinds of things always came out sooner or later.
Below, Peralta called over his personal chef and attendant. “Rasul, I’ve finished. Clear this mess away when I’ve gone. For lunch I’ll have the steamed crustacean with potatoes and rolls. Tonight, make me up a steak, just the way I like it, the usual vegetables on the side.”
“Yes, sir,” said Rasul, doing as he was told.
The Senator left just after, and I walked in a slow march around the inner landing. It wrapped all around the mid-level that it occupied. The small, wrap-around level’s sole purpose was to guard the first level without getting in the way.
Farah was outside keeping an eye on things with a long-range weapon. Her gun would have tranq rounds for when the time came. In all honesty, that was my preferred setup to playing rent-a-guard. Even baking under a hot sun for multiple days didn’t change my opinion.
For me, there was nothing like lying on my stomach watching a target through the eye of a sniper scope, steady breathing just before I had to pull the trigger. Not that I relished death, but it was acceptable if required to save the life of another.
I cast a glance around the first level. The chef had cleared away Peralta’s breakfast dishes and all was quiet. For once, everything was going to plan. We had the Imperial-Auditor right where he should be. So far, he was the predictable sort and kept to his schedule with a fastidiousness that made it clear why Kaska chose him for the job.
A niggling feeling tugged at the back of my mind. What if this was a trap. Everything up to this point had been almost too easy. With no one else around to hear, I said as much to Farah and Mack.
“Hey, I’m not complaining,” said the former. “I think it’s great that the government is still underestimating us.”
Mack put in her two credits. “Actually, if they could keep it up, that would be great.”
“It’s just a little coincidental, wouldn’t you say? It feels like a trap,” I told them.
Farah made a pfft sound. “Alyss, don’t take this the wrong way, but you always think something’s a trap.”
“Yeah, and that usually keeps everyone alive,” I retorted. “V, back me up here.”
“Certainly, sir. Miss Shahi, the captain is most astute and according to my data banks, caution is a virtue. I can count no fewer than five occasions where Captain Cortez expressed concern and it was correct.”
“Thanks, V,” I said, injecting my tone with affection, though I wasn’t sure the AI would pick it up.
“I only speak the truth, Captain.”
“Well, I stand corrected,” Farah conceded. “FYI, I have the Senator in my sights. Only one guard. Want me to take him?”
“Wait!” The shrill tone in Mack’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m getting encrypted communications. A lot of them. Something’s happened, hold on.”
I started running. “No time. Farah, take him. I’ll intercept and help you escort him out.”
“Captain, all ships in the entire
system of White Cross are shifting into defensive positions,” Vega announced.
“Peralta’s on the move, heading for building D,” Farah added. “I don’t have a clean shot.”
“Mack, tell me what the hell is happening.”
“The transmissions are going wide, advising anyone in the system to take cover. Four Sarkonian assets have been attacked… and destroyed.” She started listing them off. “Hades station, the mining moon Fossura, planet Typhon, and just now Delos. Warning broadcasts are coming in on all channels and saying the same thing. White Cross is next.”
I scrambled to recall the various locations. “That’s a hell of a spread. Is this a coordinated Union attack?”
“No… Gods, this shouldn’t be possible. If you line up every hit, it’s a solid line right to us. But no slip tunnel goes that way. Vega, can you make sense of this?”
“I’m almost outside,” I told them, taking the stairs two at a time. “Make it fast.”
“The enemy appears to be making their own slip tunnel. They consist of a half dozen squadrons.”
Making their own? I’d never heard of such a thing.
“Six squadrons.” Farah shook her head in disbelief. “That’s not an overwhelming show of force, so why is everyone freaking out? That should be nothing to deal with.”
The line stayed silent.
“Someone give us an answer,” I snapped.
Mack cleared her throat. “The communication says it’s Celestials.”
“I don’t give a damn if it’s naked ravagers. We’re not losing Peralta.”
“Building D leads into the mines,” said Farah. “He could be down any number of tunnels.”
“Vega, is there an ETA on the attack?”
“A few hours, though that is only a rough estimate.”
“Alyss, even if we get the Senator now, we can’t leave in the middle of a warzone,” said Mack.
“Actually, cuz, we can.” Farah’s voice was hard, her version of combat mode. “It’s the best time because things are chaotic. We’ll just have to trust the cloak to take care of us.”
A voice behind me interrupted the conversation. “Reyes!” I turned to find Louis approaching at a clipped pace. “Why aren’t you at your post?”
I did a visual sweep of the area before answering. “Something’s happened.”
“I know, but if you aren’t where you’re supposed to be, it will rouse suspicion.”
“It doesn’t really matter. I’m moving the timetable up. Right now, Peralta has a head start in building D. I assume he’s trying to ride out the attack.”
Louis shook his head. “That’s what I’m saying. You need to get back to your post because you’ll never catch him before he gets back.”
“Back?” My brows knitted together as I worked it out. “You’re saying they link up back here?”
“That’s right. It will take him a few hours to navigate, but he’ll end up back here. That’s when you make your move.”
Resigned, I moved away from the exit. “Fine. But do me a favor, Louis. Try to spread the word. Whatever’s coming might be—probably is—bad.”
He regarded me with the keen eyes of an old-timer who had seen much in his days. “What do you know?”
“Not much,” I admitted, then proceeded to give him what little data we had.
“Thanks for the info. I’ll do my best to warn people, but don’t expect too much.”
“I don’t. The only thing they can do is hunker down anyway.”
“That’s the truth of it.” Almost looking wistful, the older man walked off.
When the Senator showed up, he looked harried and considerably less put together than he had this morning.
“Rasul, get my things together. I’m leaving immediately. Make sure to pack me something to eat for the trip. I’m going to miss lunch.”
The sheer entitlement of the man was boggling. It blew my mind that he could think of his belongings and stuffing his face at a time like this. Peralta’s status within Kaska’s circle should have given him some idea of the threat on its way to White Cross. Of all people, he had to know it wasn’t a simple matter.
Then again, maybe he did understand. Peralta paced back and forth in the space below, tugging at his clothes, clueing me in to his nervousness.
A low ding in my ear sounded, signaling one of the team was about to speak. It was Mack. “A, things just went from bad to worse. The Celestials are here and making short work of the defense fleet. Even if Peralta makes it out, he might die trying to escape. Same goes for us.”
Since there were people around, one of them the target, I couldn’t respond. This was all just great. Not only did I have to capture the Senator, but now I also had to hold him on the planet until the threat passed.
I had to come up with a way to get him away from his guards. Something that wouldn’t get me shot. I couldn’t exactly walk up and say I need him to come with me. Or maybe I could… The beginnings of a plan formed in my head. A risky plan, but it just might work. Leaving my post for the second time, I went down to execute it.
“Stop right there.” One of Peralta’s guards swept an arm out. I saw his scarf was pulled down to reveal a grimy face, but I couldn’t move mine or risk being recognized.
“PFC Reyes for Senator-Peralta,” I said, keeping my tone cool and even, my eyes confident.
He glanced back in the room and shook his head. “Sorry, now isn’t a good time for whatever special request you have. The audit is canceled. Or postponed. He'll be back at a later date.”
I stepped into his personal space and leaned in closer. “I’m fully aware of the situation, soldier. It’s why I’m here. On Sparrow business.”
He stood a little straighter and took in my covered head. I could almost see the wheels spinning as he warred with himself. “Sp-parrow business?”
Sparrows were the Sarkonian equivalent of Constables. A bit of an enigma, but rumored to be deadly. This guy seemed to have a healthy respect for that particular shadowy arm of the Empire.
“That’s right. You don’t want to get in the way of that, do you?”
“No ma’am.” He moved out of my way. “The Senator is just at the table there.”
Under my scarf, I grinned and spoke in a low voice. “I know.”
He gave me an imperceptible nod and turned back to watch the hall.
I approached Peralta at a stride that radiated confidence. Two guards stood just behind and tightened their weapon grips as I neared. Since the door soldier was still standing though, they didn’t seem overly concerned. Remembering what Ahmadi said, I opted to use his favored title. “Imperial-Auditor-Peralta. I need you to come with me.”
He barely spared me a glance. “I’ll do no such thing.”
“Sir. It is of the utmost importance. I’ve been ordered from my position here to take you… somewhere safe.”
That seemed to get his attention. “Where? And by whom?”
I flicked my eyes to his men.
He caught my meaning and waved my concern away. “They’re my best men. They can stay for whatever you need to say.”
“Very well,” I said, inclining my head. “Vice-Admiral-Kaska sent me. Sparrow Reyes, at your service. I’m to take you to Xanderis.”
Peralta’s eyes went wide with shock. “Let me just get my things.”
“I’m sorry, sir. There’s no time.”
“Fine. Knowles and Burke, with me.”
“Senator, I’m afraid that won’t be possible. My craft can only carry three and the pilot is waiting. You understand.”
He nodded and pushed up out of the chair. “Yes, I do. Sorry, boys.”
I motioned for him to come with me, then marched him past the door guard and outside. It was dusty and the place had a frazzled energy. While the system had a defense system, Prosperitas didn’t have a planetside infantry, so no one was running to join the fight happening in space, but—
The scan I’d been doing of our surroundings came to an abrupt
halt and I had to do a double take. Sure enough, a familiar face was among the crowd. I would know that blonde hair anywhere. It was Calliope. She hadn’t seen me yet as she’d been doing her look around, though that moment was mere seconds away.
Calliope’s head spun slowly, and I saw the moment she noticed me. A subtle change in expression, tightening around her lips and the way both brows angled just slightly, gave it away. I started in that direction, the movement involuntary.
“Gods, Alyss. Get out of there. The battle isn’t staying out in the void. There’s an inbound Celestial vessel. Shit, there are more of them. Half of their forces are aimed right at the planet. I… I think they’re going after the mines!”
Mack’s voice cut through the fog that seeing Calliope had created. With a grunt of annoyance, I swung back around.
“What is going on?” Peralta’s clipped voice wasn’t quite haughty enough to cover up his anxiety.
“The planet is under attack. Move!” I ordered.
The urgency must have come through because he followed me without complaint. We didn’t make it out of the populated area before things went to hell. A ship unlike anything I’d ever encountered streaked above us. Sleek, and bright silver, it was far different from the grubby hulls I was used to. Fire rained down, exploding the ground around us and spraying dirt everywhere.
I pushed Peralta down behind the back of a ground transportation vehicle. “Stay down,” I told him, struggling to be heard over the chaos. The ship and more like it were firing without compunction.
All the building’s fronts were assaulted with a purple beam that tore through the edifices with ease. One thing was for sure. We weren’t safe here. The path up to Farah lay 30 meters ahead of us. Not much in the grand scheme of things, but at the moment it was a death trap. 15 meters to our left, a GTV flipped into the air and sent shrapnel flying everywhere.
We had to get the hell out of here.
“Let’s go.” I grabbed Peralta by the scruff of his jacket and urged him away from the vehicle. It was too little, too late. A purple beam sliced into the GTV, tossing it into the air like a toy and igniting the fuel cell. It exploded and sent us flying.