by Chris Reher
Seth had little option but to accept the lieutenant’s invitation to enter Baroch’s shuttle. A floating lounge for someone of high esteem, it was furnished in gleaming wood and rich fabrics, the usual accessories for one of the ten absolute leaders of the Commonwealth. Even with the other soldiers in here, the vehicle did not seem crowded. All of them knew that it also made a very secure prison.
Soogan gestured to one of Baroch’s well-cushioned chairs in a way that suggested a refusal on Seth’s part would be poor manners, indeed. “Let’s have a sit-down. Targon asked us to head out here to take a look when you landed. Xenoscience Div. Isn’t that interesting? I’m afraid we have some bad news.”
Seth’s eyes took a quick tour around the shuttle, noting windows and doors and the chances of making it to any of them before he was taken down. Unlike the research being done by Targon’s excellent ethnology departments and an expert staff of exobiologists, xenoscience was a polite Air Command term for keeping tabs on non-Union species. Perhaps on species like Khoe’s. “Has something happened?” He sat on the edge of the chair, his body coiled for flight. Can you get into the shuttle system without them noticing? He folded his arms to hide activity on his data sleeve from the watchful eyes.
“I’ll try,” Khoe replied. “You seem very tense.”
Soogan leaned toward Seth. “You travelled out here for nothing, I’m afraid. Factor Baroch was killed in the line of duty.”
Seth blinked, utterly unprepared for this. Baroch dead? He cursed inwardly, calculating the loss of his benefactor but also oddly upset by the news. He had always held a fair measure of respect for the leader. This did explain Air Command presence here now. All of the governor’s matters, official or private, would now be under intense scrutiny before being passed on to his successor. And that included unexpected visitors landing here with very little notice to request an audience. “Baroch? How? When?”
“That’s classified. It does leave you in an awkward position.”
Seth shrugged carelessly. “Leaves me unemployed. Please give my condolences to his wife. She’s a kind lady.”
“Stay a while.” Soogan raised his hand when Seth made to get up. “We have some questions. What brings you to Feyd? To the Factor’s private home?”
I don’t like this one bit. How are you doing?
“Still decoding,” Khoe said. “I will get through.”
Seth reached for one of several cover stories. “There’s nothing to be asking about. I run a few errands for the Factor now and again. He’s not the first official to have a taste for things that aren’t… well, appropriate. I doubt Air Command is interested in how he relaxes at the end of the day.”
Soogan smirked at one of his men. “So the honorable Factor liked a little taste of mince, did he? Anything stronger?”
“I do not gossip. So, unless you have a replacement for Lord Baroch already looking to interview delivery people, we’re done here.” Seth stood up and noted the immediate tension among the guards. “Time to start a new job search, I guess.”
“I don’t think a job search is in your future, given your talents. Let’s get on with things, Kada. How about you fill us in on what happened on Rishabel?” The genial tone seemed flushed from the lieutenant’s voice.
“I’m in,” Khoe announced. “What am I looking for?”
Locks, lights, alarms. Turn off cameras in here. Scan everything. Seth turned his attention back to Soogan. “Just some brawl. The usual toss between outlaws and you fine folks. I happened to be nearby. I have nothing to add to that.”
“You killed an officer.”
“Did I?”
“Why were you seen with rebels?”
“What rebels?”
Soogan checked his wrist unit. “Man name Gage saw you. Identified you. Owns a shop where the shooting happened. Said you were there to meet up with some Shri-Lan.”
“You’re not accusing me of murder, are you? I have no reason to take out Vanguard agents.”
“What seems to interest Targon is your reason for immediately heading for a Factor’s residence after killing a Union officer.” Soogan nodded to a civilian in the room who circled around Seth, sensor wand in hand.
“Please stand up, Mister Kada,” she said.
Seth watched her move the scanner over his body. “That’s kind of intrusive, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” she said, straight-faced. “You might feel a pinch.”
Seth smiled. “Be gentle with me.” He faced Soogan again. “What do you want?”
“A little cooperation would be nice.”
“What sort of cooperation?” That word is never a good sign when it comes out of an officer’s mouth, Seth sent to Khoe. I’d like to get out of here before they get serious.
“You don’t think they could help us find the disk?”
They’re not here to help you, Khoe. If they really thought you were some sort of pathogen they’d be walking around in hazmat suits. I have the feeling Targon already knows about you.”
“Doctor?” the lieutenant said to the civilian.
“DNA match,” she reported. “I’m also seeing very unusual brain activity. Could be some hallucination taking place. His physiology is unaltered and healthy, which is baffling, given his current epinephrine levels. It’s like he’s using it up as fast as it appears.”
Is that you doing that?
“Yeah. I’ve got control of the system. Can we leave now? That man is making me nervous.” Khoe waved her invisible hand around his face. “I drained their guns, too. Girl’s got to eat!”
You are brilliant, Seth replied, struggling to keep a grin from his lips.
“I think it may be best if you accompanied us back to town, Kada,” Soogan said. “Those readings match the pattern Targon sent for comparison.”
Seth pretended to think about that. “As much as I appreciate your concern for my health, I have to be somewhere.” He winked at the doctor. “I can come by afterwards, though, if you’re so worried about a little adrenaline rush. I’m sure you know how to burn that off.”
Soogan exhaled sharply. “Cut the games, Kada. You’re wanted by Targon and you damn well know that’s not a polite invitation.”
“Are you arresting me?”
“We feel that you are safest in our custody until we have determined the nature of your condition,” Soogan said. “But, yeah, we are. You killed an officer. As far as I’m concerned, you’re a traitor, maybe even Shri-Lan.”
If I get out of this shuttle, lock them in here and disable all com channels in and out. They’ll have to shout if they want help.
“Got it,” Khoe said. “Won’t they just break the door?”
This little bus is about as secure as you can get. The Factor is well protected. Was, anyway.
“What are you going to do?”
Get off this damn planet. Don’t let anyone get in my way. Do what you have to.
“You can’t mean that. I don’t want to kill anybody else. Besides, they’re upset enough over just one officer.”
Can’t you just zap them a little?
“Yes, let me wave a magic wand, Kada!”
Now you’re thinking.
She grimaced at him. “Don’t worry about the guns. But those men look awfully big.”
And I’m awfully fast.
Seth took a step toward the door. “After giving this careful thought, I’ve decided to pass up on your hospitality.” He half-turned to the guard behind him. “I don’t suggest you try to stop me.”
The soldier raised his weapon, his opinion on the matter made plain.
Seth sent a silent signal to Khoe. He slapped his flat hand onto the guard’s armored chest and felt a prickle of something, not nearly as painful as it had been on Rishabel. The man froze, staring in numb incomprehension until Seth pulled away. Everyone watched him drop to the floor, stunned.
“Anyone else?” Seth said, surprised by a flood of new energy coursing through his body. But the shock received was milder, almost e
xhilarating, than the one that killed the agent on Rishabel.
“Take him down!” Soogan shouted.
Some of the guards fired their weapons and found them useless. Another lurched toward Seth and met the same fate as his mate.
“Come no closer,” Seth warned the others. “You have no idea what I can do.” He didn’t, either, but this wasn’t the time to confide that fact. “I will destroy any plane that comes after us.”
“Us?” Soogan said. “Kada, stand down. You’re not getting out of this.”
Do I have to touch them?
“No,” Khoe replied. “The floor is conductive enough. Barely, though.”
Seth smiled at the lieutenant. “Consider this my termination notice.”
“Kada—” the officer began before he shuddered and fell to the ground along with the others, senseless.
The door behind Seth opened as if by its own will and he leaped to the ground to drop another guard before she could raise the alarm. This time, the energy drain was palpable. Gasping, Seth pulled her into the shuttle and then the doors slid shut, locked down by Khoe.
“They’re not dead!” Khoe exclaimed. “I did it.”
“I’m not doing so well,” he replied, racing back to his skimmer to retrieve his guns. Feyd’s gravity dragged on his legs as if attempting to hinder his escape. “I’ll take some of that adrenaline if you can squeeze some out of me.” He took a deep breath when he felt energy return to his depleted limbs almost immediately.
“That won’t last,” Khoe said. “I’m getting tired, too. Weaker, I mean.”
“I’ll treat you to some fantastic thorium when we get back to the Dutchman.”
Seth climbed into one of the vehicles used by security, leaving his own and the others to be disabled by Khoe. He passed the Factor’s mansion like a man on his appointed rounds and, once out of sight, ramped up to race back to his ship.
It seemed to take forever before he was given his take-off clearance and he paced nervously as he waited, certain that every last Air Command soldier was converging on the air field. He considered just taking the Dutchman up without permit but, while he had certainly severed his ties with the Union today, he was not willing to jeopardize his welcome on this planet.
Finally, flight control cleared him and he lifted off, aware that Khoe was using up as much of his fuel as the ship did while she restored herself.
“Where are we going?” she wanted to know, curled up on his copilot bench.
“Keyhole not far from here.” He tapped one of the ship’s indicators as if that would improve the coolant levels. Then he displayed a holographic map to point out some options. “They’ll expect us to head for that jumpsite. It’s a busy gate and the relay station is fully manned. We’ll never get past there. We’ll take this keyhole instead, which they won’t expect, seeing how I’m just a chartjumper and they think I’m alone. Once we’re through it’ll take them a while to track us down. Did I mention how amazingly handy it is to have you aboard? It would take me weeks to make that trip on my own.” He adjusted the Dutchman’s scanners to cast wide for any pursuing cruisers. “Are they all still asleep?”
“What if I hurt them? That’s not going to help things,” she said with a very small voice inside his head. “You can’t go home again, can you? Because of me. They’ll hunt you. Even if you get off, they’ll never trust you again.”
He shrugged and got up to leave the cockpit. “I don’t have a home.”
“Don’t pretend. You know what I mean.”
He pulled his shirt over his head, feeling the need for a quick decon and a whole lot of sleep. “We were never exactly on good terms, anyway. Most probably think I’m a smuggler and a petty criminal. The few that do know don’t like me working for Baroch. They prefer the Factors to use Air Command and not run their own agents.”
“What happens now? Without Baroch?”
“They’ll have to elect another Delphian. The Union needs Delphi’s co-operation far more than they need the Union. Most top level spanners are Delphian. Without that sort of navigator, Air Command spends a whole lot of time in real space. So the Delphians insist on having one of their own among the governors. Delphi is against Union expansion as much as the rebels are but they prefer to oppose from within. The Commonwealth is all about trade. Wealth. Power. Someone like Baroch makes sure that things don’t speed out of control.”
“And getting through sub-space is dangerous enough. They don’t want to worry about picking up alien invaders now, too.”
He nodded. “The Commonwealth companies won’t be too concerned about being polite to some energy entities floating around sub-space.”
“Not if they think we’re dangerous.”
“You are dangerous.” Seth raised his hands and stared at them thoughtfully. “That’s some powerful mojo you’re capable of.” He looked into her unhappy face, remembering the incredible feeling surging through him when he took those soldiers down. He was an expert close combat fighter as well as marksman but harming others was something he did out of necessity, something that had been part of his life for years. This, however, felt extraordinarily good while it lasted. The rush of energy had been nothing short of physical pleasure.
“I just hope it’s not hurting you,” she said. “I’m becoming really troublesome.”
He sighed, pained to see her upset. “I’m fine,” he said. “Just tired. Don’t worry so. Once we know you’re safe I’ll report the whole thing to Air Command. It’ll end up classified and everyone’ll pretend this never happened.” Without really thinking about it, he stepped closer to her and pulled her into his arms. She flinched, startled by his touch, but then relaxed against him to return the comfort of his embrace. He closed his eyes, again amazed by the absolute reality of her presence. The soft curves against his own body felt right, as did the arms now wrapped around his middle. He could even feel her soft breath against his bare skin when she spoke.
“So this is what a hug feels like,” she said.
“Yeah.”
“Can I sleep with you?”
He released her abruptly. “Huh?”
She nodded toward his lounger. “You said you were tired. If you don’t mind.”
He blinked. “Well, no. If you wish.” He indicated the cockpit. “After we jump.”
“Where are we jumping to?”
“We’re going to find us another Delphian.”
Chapter Five
“Another one? Are you sure?” Colonel Celois barely glanced at the display screen his aide held out to him. They had arrived at Targon’s sprawling research center after news of the fiasco on Feyd convinced him to leave the nearby military base and take a closer look at the victims for himself.
“Yes,” Lieutenant Lanyu struggled to keep up with the colonel’s long strides. “One of ours this time. Patrol ship cruising near Aikhor. The pilot is dead.”
“Same indicators?” Celois slowed for one of several security checks on their way to a facility deep below Targon’s largely uninhabitable surface. The wide hallways, following the planet’s natural tunnel system, made up for the lack of daylight with brilliant, color-balanced illumination.
The ability to easily burrow into Targon’s porous crust along with its strategic position within the sector’s jumpsite network made this planet a perfect location for Air Command’s military headquarters. The massive base, in turn, protected valuable installations, among them this vast, interspecies medical research center.
“Yes, cortical lesions and intracranial hemorrhage. We’ve got one witness to the pilot’s hallucinations, incoherent speech, convulsions, death.” The lieutenant scanned through more of the message. “She’s on her way here with the body, quarantined. The patrol ship is on the Magra base. They’re awaiting orders.”
“Have them send any on-board audio and video along with the systems security data here and then seal the ship.” The door before them yielded to their hand and retinal scans but a guard on the other side scrutinized their
cards and insignia before permitting them into the secured section of the facility’s exobiology wing.
Most of the new species studied here did not require diplomatic or even military interaction. Contact with sentient populations took place long before they arrived here, which of course happened eventually if a willing test subject could be found. Over the past three hundred years of Union expansion into this crowded, diverse sector of their galaxy, the occasional patient here had been less than willing, he knew. But these days most research delved into plant, animal and microscopic life forms found elsewhere. The study of ethnology was left to the sociologists on the upper floor.
Until recently, anyway. Celois and his lieutenant entered another locked sector and then a lab area where they would meet with Doctor Patman and her team. He had met Patman during the initial meeting between Air Command and Xenoscience Div when this situation first came to light.
He walked into her division where technicians worked on their monitors or near the project screen taking up the entire far wall. This was a dry lab and no one asked them to change into protective gear. Still, the others wore the white coveralls used in this wing, emblazoned by the badges proclaiming their specialty. He noted that a fair number of them belonged to Neuroscience. What looked like small hospital rooms, each with a mirrored window allowing a view of those inside, lined two sides of the open central space.
Someone he did not expect to see down here, deep in conversation with the doctor, was General Tanvin Dmitra, the commanding officer of Targon’s main military base. Things had indeed escalated if the general himself took an interest. The doctor, a diminutive Human, noticed him by the door and she and Dmitra left their spot by an observation window to meet him.
Celois saluted his superior, a Feydan whose angular features could be mistaken for those of a Delphian if not for the deeply bronze skin stretching over sharp cheekbones and hairless skull. “General. I expected to meet you upstairs later.”