“Sounds a lot better.” Iza ventured a smile. “What do you think, Trix?”
The android sat in her seat, completely unresponsive.
“Trix?” Iza stood up and took a step toward her friend.
Jovani also came over to examine her. “She’s been acting off the last few days, flipping between emotional and distant at a moment’s notice.”
Iza looked into Trix’s eyes, but her expression was blank, vacant. “Trix, what’s wrong?” She shook her head when there was no reply. “We need to bring her to Lynaeda. She needs her own people.”
“We can’t go anywhere with the ship in this condition,” Braedon said. “I feel confident that my patch will get us to Beurias, but any farther than that would be pushing our luck.”
“All right. I’ll re-initialize the PEM and we can jump to Beurias. We’ll drop off the sheep and then get the maintenance crew at Apex to look over the ship and see if they can figure out what’s wrong. As soon as it’s safe to travel, we’re going straight to Lynaeda to find out what’s wrong with Trix.” Iza rushed toward Engineering.
Jovani followed her. “Iza, it’ll be okay,” he called, running to walk abreast with her.
“Yeah, well, that remains to be seen.”
“Hey.” He gently caught her arm, stopping her in the corridor. “I’m here for you. I hope you know that.”
“By going behind my back.”
“I didn’t mean for it to be like that. All I’ve wanted is to keep you safe.”
She could hear the sincerity in his voice. As much as she wanted to be upset with him, she felt the anger giving way to the desire she’d felt for him since the moment they met. He touched her face lightly between his finger and thumb, tilting her head up so he could look into her eyes. Iza willed her legs to keep her upright.
“I’m worried about you,” he murmured. “You’re not getting enough sleep. It’s starting to show.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I can’t help it,” he said, resting one hand on her shoulder “Agents are trained to make predictions and act instead of waiting for things to fall apart. You’re in charge, and if you’d prefer I remain off the flight deck, I’ll accept that.”
“No, I appreciate your help.” Iza needed to touch him, and she lifted a hand to his arm. “I shouldn’t have lost it with you before. I was just caught off-guard. It means a lot to me you want to look out for me. Aside from Trix, no one else has ever cared enough to do that.”
“Get used to it. I hope you understand I would never try to overstep your authority. I may not have said it directly before, but I respect you.” His hand traced the edge of her face pulling her closer.
“It’s nice to hear you say it.”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “I know you’ve been through a lot, and things are still a mess, but I want to support you in any way I can.”
“Well, you can start by helping me with the PEM.”
“All right. Let’s get the ship to Beurias.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Braedon’s computer patch didn’t provide full navigational control once the PEM was reinitialized, but he was able to successfully plot a course to Beurias and complete the subspace jump. When the ship had malfunctioned, Iza had resigned herself to thinking the sheep delivery would be late. Thanks to Braedon’s hacking, however, they were able to successfully complete the drop-off on-time and collect full payment.
That turned out to be a good thing as soon as she found out how many credits Apex Enterprises wanted just to take a look at the ship to see what was wrong, let alone what the repair bill might be. Iza decided to defer that worry for another time.
While the Apex mechanics began their evaluation, Iza and her crew waited in the Verity’s flight deck so they could keep an eye on what was being done to the ship. Several hours passed in tedium, but then the communications console lit up with a flurry of incoming messages.
“They’re addressed to you, Iz,” Braedon said over his shoulder.
“From whom?” Iza asked.
“From everyone,” Braedon shrugged. “I’ll pull them up on the holodisplay.”
The list of messages was endless. “Some of them are vid messages, some are text. It looks like they’re still coming—about two or three every minute. How’s you get so popular all of a sudden?”
Iza caught the word ‘congratulations’ in one of the message’s subject line and almost choked. It can’t be.
“What are the messages about?” Jovani asked.
“It doesn’t matter, delete them all,” Iza said, hoping the blue-hued lights in the flight deck would hide her blush.
“But there’s so many,” Braedon said. “Are you sure? There might be real messages mixed in with the junk.”
“Delete them all. Set the inbox to reject all first-time senders and just find out what’s wrong with my ship.”
“Iz, there’s a brand new message from Karter coming in on the vid,” Braedon said.
She groaned inwardly. “Put it through to my cabin, I’ll take it there. Trix doesn’t have a place of her own. Can one of you walk her to the gym for now? She can sit in there until we can get her some help. The scientists should be getting off, see that they do.”
Iza left the flight deck, shaking her head. What else could possibly go wrong today?
She reached her cabin and noted the message light flashing. Before she could answer it, the white dog she’d picked up on Galminus began weaving through her legs and pawing at her. It occurred to her that he’d been locked up for several hours and it was probably time for him to do his business down in the cargo area again. She resolved to tend to him right after the message.
She sat down on the foot of her bed and began playback of the pre-recorded video message. Karter’s face came on the screen, and the dog began growling low in his throat.
“Yeah, I feel the same way.” She scratched him behind the ears in reward.
“Iza, this is an urgent matter. I see you just landed on Beurias. Your timing couldn’t be better. I need you in my office immediately. What we must discuss can’t be handled over comms. Come meet me at your earliest convenience.”
In that case, is ‘never’ okay? The cryptic message from Karter annoyed her, and she rolled her eyes at having come all the way to her cabin for this. She didn’t have time to talk to him or anyone else. Trix was in serious danger. If they didn’t figure out what was wrong with her, she might be permanently damaged. Iza imagined all the worst scenarios.
“Come on, Pooch,” she said, inviting the dog out of the cabin to follow her. She would at least take care of him before she met Karter.
As soon as she set foot outside her cabin, Braedon came running. “Iz! Look at this!” He beckoned her to follow him back to the flight deck.
Oh no. Iza froze in horror as soon as she saw the front viewscreen.
“It’s all over the Sensationals. Karter is getting married,” Braedon continued.
“What?” Jovani asked, coming back onto the flight deck. He must have secured Trix.
“I don’t care about any of that frivolity.” Iza stepped back away from them both before Braedon could anything more. “I’m on my way to meet with Karter now about some other business. I’m sure if he’s engaged, he’ll tell me himself.”
Braedon chuckled. “Yeah, he will, since they’re saying he’s engaged to you!”
“What?” Iza and Jovani asked at the same time.
“It’s everywhere! They’re saying that you and Karter are engaged. Can you believe it?”
“That’s ridiculous,” Jovani said shaking his head.
“Absurd, right? Well, they don’t have anything more than a bunch of pictures of you coming in and out of Apex. They’re linking the two of you together because some anonymous source claims you are secretly engaged. You and Karter Hyttinen, a Lower Dynasty heir.” He slapped a hand against his thigh as he laughed hysterically.
Iza was feeling less angry about the leak and more bothered by
the hysterical laughter. She hoped Braedon’s reaction was a commentary on their incompatible personalities rather than a judgment of her being unworthy of marrying into highborn life. Granted, most people who were elevated to dynastic standing didn’t have juvenile detention records, but she’d always considered herself to have the looks and brains to be desirable.
“It’s an easy mistake for desperate reporters to make, considering your recent visits here. It might have happened to anyone,” Jovani said, trying to reassure her by rubbing her arm.
Braedon shook his head. “No, way. First of all, Karter is from a powerful dynastic bloodline and owns more than most. This is probably some sort of slander campaign perpetrated by a corporate rival or something. I mean, stars, it’s more likely that he’d marry his cousin than someone from the streets like you. No offense.”
“Offense taken,” Iza said, trying not to let the hurt show through. So it wasn’t just that she and Karter were a bad fit; Braedon really did see her as being unfit for highborn life. Well, she was good enough, regardless of what he thought. “Enough with the Sensationals. I’ve got a meeting with Karter. I need the two of you to hold things down while I’m gone. Oh, and take the dog out, too.”
“Haven’t you named him yet?”
“No, because he’s not staying.”
“He’s the only one you haven’t kicked off the ship yet.” Braedon lifted his eyebrows two times fast.
“That’s because he doesn’t get on my nerves. Just take him out and stay off the Sensationals. That stuff will rot your brainpan. I’ll be back.”
“Give our regards to your fiancé!” Braedon’s laugher followed her off the ship.
—
The outside of Apex Enterprises was littered with Sensationals cameras. Iza had to swat at the buzzing machines as she ran for the door of the showroom building. No doubt, her presence at Apex would be seen as confirmation of their engagement. They should have held a holoconference instead of meeting in person. What was he thinking?
Karter’s assistant, Becca, showed Iza in without any undue ceremony or formality, expertly fielding two calls while escorting Iza.
When Iza entered Karter’s office overlooking the Apex showroom floor, he was sitting at his large, crescent workstation. He’d dressed in an impeccable dark blue suit that seemed to be made for his lean and muscled form. He wore a metallic bracelet that caught the light against the dark skin of left wrist when he gestured.
Things in his office were exactly as they had been during her last visit. The hydroponic trees he kept at the doors still rustled lightly as she entered. He gave her a nod and held up one finger to her while he continued his virtual meeting. The facial images of the group were in a three-dimensional semi-circle around him as he spoke.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate your feedback. Keep in mind, however, that this company has been and will continue to be run by my family. We have everything under control. Despite what you may believe or have heard, nothing has changed.”
A chorus of voices erupted in murmurs and discontented conversations.
Karter held up two hands, as if in surrender, and spoke again, “As I’ve stated before, everything will be resolved immediately. Continue to trust in me and this company, and I will usher in a bright new future for all of us. My next appointment has arrived, so I must tend to other business now. Thank you for your time. I look forward to seeing you at our regularly scheduled sessions next week.”
He disconnected the call with a huff and rubbed his eyes. He rose slightly from his chair and held out one open-palmed hand. “Iza, welcome. Have a seat. I believe we have much to discuss.”
“The Sensationals?” Iza asked. She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in a chair across from him.
Karter sat back down and dimmed the lights using the controls on his touch-surface desktop. He folded his hands neatly in front of him. “Yes, I saw them. They’ve been camped outside the building for the last twenty-eight hours. Becca has been fielding calls all day. I wondered when you were going to come clean.”
“Me? Don’t even try it, you snake. I know it was you.”
“No, I had nothing to do with it.”
“Sure. So it’s just a coincidence that I didn’t hear anything about it until I got to Beurias? It had to be leaked from here. Your office, in fact.”
“I told no one of our arrangement.” Karter looked off into the distance, as if trying to read the wall behind her.
If he didn’t, then how is the news public? Iza scowled. “Are you sure you didn’t put the contract someplace where it could be discovered? Your assistant might have—”
“No, she knew nothing of it. In fact, she thought it was a prank until I confirmed it with her, and only her.”
“Well, that’s funny, because I didn’t tell anyone. So someone, who either has access to your paperwork or who knows how to get access, has leaked the information,” Iza said with raised eyebrows.
Karter sighed. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Yes, you’re right, but it’s not too late to use this to our advantage.”
“How, exactly, is exposing a very secret engagement to our advantage?” Iza asked. “I didn’t want to do this in the first place.”
“Take a moment and imagine the possibilities. This could be an opportunity for both of us. If we officially announce our engagement at a public event, we could find out exactly who leaked the news.”
“How would that reveal anything?”
“By exposing anyone who’s not happy about the news.”
Iza scoffed. “Well, that includes me. And from the sounds of it, the people you were just speaking with, so I’m not sure that will work.”
“It’s all I can do at the moment. Don’t you have a coder on board your ship?”
“Yes, but—” Iza nodded. “Oh, you want them to trace the information and find the origin stamp?”
“Exactly. The information is out now. We should do the opposite of what they’d hoped to achieve. We’ll announce it officially with a laugh at whoever leaked the news prematurely and we’ll pretend that it’s only slightly off-schedule.”
“How come I get the idea that you’ve already made up your mind?” Iza asked.
Karter only laughed. “I’ve always found you fascinating. It must be your intelligence.”
“Spare me the flattery. What’s your plan?”
“You’ll meet me at the Blue Hills Estate this evening. You’ll come late at night when no one is watching our movements too closely. Then, you’ll stay within the estate until tomorrow evening when we throw a lavish party where the announcement will be made.”
Iza didn’t know which she hated more: being on display or being on Karter’s arm. She let out a long-suffering sigh. “I can’t.” She shook her head. “Now’s not a good time. Trix is in trouble and I need to get her to Lynaeda right away.”
“That’s something your crew can see to; I’m sure Trix is beloved by them all. You, however, are the only one who can do this particular job.”
“What choice do I have?”
“None, really. The contract still stands, until someone else can take your place. If you want to keep your ship, I’ll need you to stand at my side as my bride-to-be in that dress I sent you.”
“Oh, you meant for me to wear that thing? I misunderstood, sorry. I needed something to clean the floors—I’ve been a little short on help lately—so I’m afraid it’s ruined.” She shrugged her shoulders.
He smiled. “If it wasn’t to your taste, a new dress can be found. While we’re on the subject, I would be so pleased if you’d smile during the announcement.”
“Don’t push it. You may be a bomaxed good liar, but anyone who knows me will see through it immediately. Best to tell those closest to me the truth of things.”
“No, I don’t think that’s wise. Whoever leaked the information might still be after more information. We should keep it between us.”
“Unless you can block your thoughts, it’s
not going to be possible. They can’t read me, but unless you’ve gained some telepathic abilities I don’t know about, Cierra and Jovani will be able to read you and know the truth.”
“Don’t worry about me. Just don’t tell them about the contract and I’ll keep the rest carefully hidden to the best of my abilities,” Karter said with a smile as he narrowed his almond eyes. He leaned forward to take her hand but Iza snatched it back from him.
“Fine, I’ll do this announcement thing, but that’s it. Your mechanics better figure out how to repair my ship. After tomorrow night, I’m heading to Lynaeda no matter how this ‘engagement’ shakes out. Are we clear?”
“The H3X was in excellent condition when I gave it to you. What did you do to my ship?”
“My ship, and I haven’t done anything to it. In fact, I’m warning you. If you’ve sold me a defective spaceship or embedded some kind of bug that’s messing with its systems, you’re going to have to deal with more than a few Sensational scandals before I’m through with you.”
Karter gave her his brightest smile as he raised two hands. “I’ll make sure my best mechanics are on the job. In the meantime, pack a bag and I’ll send a driver around to pick you up after midnight. I’ll be busy until then, so don’t reach out. I’m not sure that our calls are safe.”
Iza rolled her eyes. “I’m not the one with a mole.”
She strolled out of his office with a hard look at his assistant on the way out.
Becca, dressed in her usual black business attire, bobbed her head up and down as she spoke to someone calling about the engagement. She glanced up as Iza walked out.
“No, there is no truth to the rumor. I’m not sure where you learned of it, but nothing of the sort has come from this office. Good day,” she said then looked away from Iza as another call was answered. “Apex Manufacturing Enterprises, this is Becca, how can I help you?”
Her voice faded as Iza descended the steps. The woman seemed frazzled, but was it possible there was more to it? Maybe Jovani could find out if any of Karter’s people leaked the information.
Divided Loyalties (Verity Chronicles Book 2): A Cadicle Space Opera Adventure Page 7