Divided Loyalties (Verity Chronicles Book 2): A Cadicle Space Opera Adventure

by T. S. Valmond

  He found the section of the video that confirmed Iza had spoken with Douketis and Reis at the beginning of the party. Karter tried to trace the interaction of the pair’s conversations during the party with anyone else. There was what looked like a brief, polite exchange between them and Raquel before Iza and then nothing. He tried to find a sign of them after they spoke to Iza, but after that point they seemed to disappear.

  Without planning to, he found himself watching the playback of his dance with Iza. They almost looked like a real couple, he was pleased to see. Then, he saw what everyone else at the party had seemed to notice.

  Without a word, Jovani stepped out from the crowd with his hand out, inviting Iza to dance with him. The dance floor was filled with couples, but among them, Jovani and Iza seemed to take center stage. Those dancing nearby parted to make room for them. The hungry look in Jovani’s eye was obvious and Karter was forced to wonder if it had gone unnoticed. No, Maeve and Desirae were standing off to the side frowning and pointing.

  Karter caught a trembling in his right hand, and he clutched it with his left. He couldn’t let anxiety get the better of him.

  First thing in the morning, he’d get everything square with Jovani. Then he could focus on stopping Arvonen from breathing down his neck.

  — — —

  Joe wanted something to punch. The frustration had been building in him all night, and he’d gone to the gym first thing in the morning to find some release. The Verity’s gym was well-equipped, with four weight machines lining one wall and a large sparring mat in the middle. But it was the heavy punching bag where he decided to focus his attention first.

  Engaged. Iza had spoken as casually as if she’d been listing the ingredients of soup. Didn’t she realize every word drove a knife into his heart? Now, Karter was on the ship, strolling around with a smug grin on his face, trying to bait Joe into a reaction that he could exploit. It was worse than the TSS training academy had ever been.

  Joe had stood with the others on the flight deck the night before listening to Iza’s matter-of-fact briefing about her engagement. At the time, he hadn’t wanted to give Karter the satisfaction of seeing how much the news had bothered him. Instead, he’d nodded along while in the same breath trying not to leap over the console and pummel Karter’s perfect teeth.

  There was no joy in Iza’s words. None of the light in her eyes, the way she brightened when she looked at Joe. Whatever had prompted the engagement, it wasn’t genuine love. Karter had baited her into it in some other way. And Joe hated him for it.

  Was she in trouble? Why didn’t she come to me for help?

  He’d thought they were on the same page with their feelings, and then Karter entered the picture and nothing made sense anymore. Joe was risking his career for Iza, but Karter was only in the business of Karter; he’d discard Iza the moment she wasn’t useful to him anymore.

  As if manifested from Joe’s own imagination, Karter entered the gym. Even dressed in casual pants, black boots, and a loose-fitting shirt, Karter didn’t fit in.

  Joe ignored him. He moved from the punching bag to the leg machine and upped the weight before sitting down. With both feet on the platform, he pushed hard against it, imagining he was kicking Karter off the ship and out into space.

  “I don’t mean to interrupt,” Karter said. “I hoped we’d get the chance to talk.”

  Joe didn’t answer for a full minute. Karter refused to take the hint and leave him alone, so he answered. “About?”

  “Well, about Iza, to be exact. I’m sure as a TSS Agent you have certain connections, and I would like use of those services.”

  “I’m not your personal assistant. If you want help with something, speak plainly. I’ll see what I can do. I realize I owe you for the arm and I’m willing to pay, but we’re not friends or anything even close. You don’t need to spare my feelings.”

  “This isn’t about the arm at all. I don’t double charge for services, and Iza has paid for your arm in full. You only have her and your delicious Healer to thank for that.”

  Then understanding dawned and Joe squared his shoulders. “This is about you knowing who I am.”

  “Let’s just say, what you and I have is a mutual arrangement for as long as I deem it beneficial.”

  “Beneficial for you.”

  “Correct.”

  Joe held his gaze, unmoving, until Karter laughed like they’d shared a private joke.

  “I see it now. You’re mad about Iza being engaged to me. You’re jealous.”

  “No, not jealous, annoyed. I may not be able to read Iza, but I’ve read you like a blip in the Sensationals. You don’t have her heart, I do. The question is, why is she doing this for you, since it only benefits you?” Joe rose from the leg press machine and marched toward Karter until they almost stood nose-to-nose. Joe caught the scent of the fruit juice Karter’d had with his breakfast.

  Karter didn’t back down, but his eyes dropped to the floor while his wary smile froze on his face. “Iza and I have a complicated history. She’s been wanting a ship of her own and a free life for as long as I’ve known her. Her obligation to me is one I plan to use to the fullest.” Then his eyes hardened and his mouth turned down. “Cross me and I’ll see you never have her.”

  Joe’s heartbeat thudded in his ears. “What do you mean?”

  “I think you already have an idea. Iza couldn’t care less about being married to me, but she’s obligated to serve as my dutiful partner. If you get in my way, I’ll see to it that she’s stuck with me forever. Do I make myself clear?”

  Joe stood staring at him, mouth agape. Why would Karter willingly attach himself to a woman who doesn’t care two credits about him? There was something else, something he was actively trying to bury within his thoughts. It wouldn’t take much for Joe to discover the whole truth. In fact, he was ready to do just that when Trix came in looking for him.

  “Are we all out of oats?” she asked, staring at Joe.

  “Um, maybe.” He took a step back from Karter and rubbed a hand over his forehead. “Why?”

  “I am running inventory on supplies, and it seems we are out of oats. Breakfast will consist of Cierra’s shakes if we can do no better.”

  Joe mentally groaned. Cierra’s shakes were the worst. He’d never look forward to the galley again if he had to force down the green sludge.

  “Fine,” Joe said with a toss of his head. He continued to stare at Karter, ignoring Trix until she left the room.

  Joe had no intention of being Karter’s pawn. His job with the TSS was on the line every time he told another person about his mission. Karter’s involvement had come accidentally and without warning. It didn’t hold as much power over him as Karter had originally thought.

  However, when it came to Iza, Joe was willing to do much more than he’d do for himself. Her happiness meant everything to him. She stuck to her word no matter what it cost her. He wouldn’t let her sacrifice herself for him any more than she already had. Even if she never forgave him, he wouldn’t let Karter force her into something that would eventually break her spirit. Joe needed to learn what Karter had over her and help her get out from under him. If he learned Karter’s motivation, it would be a good place to start.

  “What do you want?” Joe asked.

  Karter nodded with another satisfied smile and sat down on the nearest machine bench. Joe sat opposite him on the next machine over, rolling his shoulders and neck to loosen up the tight muscles.

  “I want you to reach out to the TSS and find out everything there is to know about that sphere and get that information to me directly.”

  Joe huffed. “It’s not that easy. I’m not lying about my standing back at Headquarters. They’re not going to want to hear from me about this thing.”

  “Regardless, this is what I require at this time. I believe your High Commander has access to more information about this sphere than is publicly known. Get it to me and I’ll make sure to personally put Iza’s hand in yours wh
en the time comes.”

  Joe clenched his teeth together in anger. His fist was already closed, and he felt his nails digging into his palms. It was the only thing preventing the blind rage that was welling up within him. Karter was many things, but one of them was not a tease. He’d make good on his promise to ruin Iza’s life it meant he got what he wanted.

  “Fine, I’ll reach out to them, but I can’t do that until we drop out of subspace. Even then, I won’t hear back right away.”

  “Good, send them this.” Karter passed him a small digital reader the size of his thumb and Joe looked it over. “It’s got all the information I’ve already gathered on the sphere and will hopefully put you on the right path to finding out the truth about its origins.”

  Karter rose from his seat and nodded to Joe as he left.

  “Oh, and this information and my thoughts are my own. I’m counting on you to keep your little Healer friend from reading me. I’m sure that’s well within your capabilities, Agent.”

  Joe’s jaw ached from clenching his teeth.

  “I’ll take that as a yes. See you later, Agent, and enjoy the rest of your workout.”

  —

  Joe had no intention of being Karter’s informant. He’d submitted the information request to the TSS and hoped his superiors would be able to provide more information about the sphere and its origins—not for Karter, but for Braedon and Iza’s sake. Joe only had to wait for an answer.

  He was staring up at the ceiling of his cabin, planning how to get out from under Karter’s plan, when a knock sounded at his door.

  “Hey, open the door, it’s me,” Braedon said from the other side.

  Joe got up to answer the door. When it slid open, Braedon didn’t wait to be invited in. He barged past Joe and sat on the chair, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table.

  “Why are you moping in here?” Braedon asked.

  Joe threw himself back on the bed. It was more comfortable to stare at the ceiling and talk than it was to make eye-contact with Braedon. “I’m not moping.”

  “Yes, you are. Karter’s an ass, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not a threat.”

  “That depends in what way you mean.”

  “Look,” Braedon leaned forward, “let’s forget about Karter’s wealth and business influence. I’m talking about how they feel about each other, and when it comes to that, Iza’s as engaged as I am. Haven’t you read the comment sections in the Sensationals? There’s more speculation about their relationship than whether or not we should eat organic or processed foods.”

  “That doesn’t change that fact that she is engaged,” Joe said. He tasted the ire whenever he said the word.

  Braedon flourished his hands. “Psh, most of my gambling friends have placed bets on the fact that the engagement is a sham and the wedding will never take place.” Braedon huffed when Joe didn’t respond. “Hey, I may not understand much about women, but one thing is for certain, a woman who wants to get married doesn’t act like that. Iza not only doesn’t want to marry Karter, but I don’t believe she will. You better not give up on her, or I’ll pummel you myself.”

  Joe pulled away, shaking his head. “I’m not letting her go. I just… I don’t know how to be there for her when every time I try to get close, she pushes me away.”

  He could hardly bear the stifling pressure on his chest every time he saw Iza and Karter together, the ache he endured every night when Joe saw Iza go one way while he had to go another. The link between them had only grown stronger in their time together, and it pained him every moment they were apart.

  “Karter isn’t going to win her over, not unless you give up. She’s showed me more attention than Karter,” Braedon said raising his eyebrows. “Don’t act like you haven’t seen it.”

  Joe had seen it. She was in the arrangement by necessity, not by choice. But she won’t tell the truth. If she doesn’t, how can I help her? Joe sighed and looked over at Braedon. “What do you suggest I do, Romeo?”

  “Romeo? I thought I was Robin Hood. Who’s this Romeo?”

  “Never mind. What should I do?”

  Braedon crossed his arms and stared at him. He seemed to be gauging whether Joe was worth advising. “You make her find you irresistible.”

  That’s it? That’s the best he can come up with? Joe rolled his eyes. “Why am I taking advice from you?”

  Braedon only smiled. “I think you know.”

  True, Joe had noticed how Cierra’s behavior around Braedon had changed. They still fought, but there was something underneath the fighting. Something Joe hadn’t been able to put his finger on.

  “Answer me this, what do I do about Karter?” Joe asked.

  “Ah, yes, the insatiable, power-hungry starship dealer. My suggestion is you do what you’d do if you were still with the TSS. As I understand it, they’re not known for taking orders from civilians.” Braedon gave Joe a vicious little smile, which gave him an idea.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Joe had kept to himself for the last several days in transit, wanting to avoid further encounters with Karter. During that time, Iza had seemed on edge, and Joe hadn’t thought the timing was right to reveal his position in the TSS to her. He knew full well that he’d already waited far too long to tell her and there might never be a ‘right time’, but he needed to handle it in a way that wouldn’t make her feel more trapped with Karter.

  Now that they’d reached Hubyria, he couldn’t delay any longer. Iza needed to hear the truth from Joe directly before Trix, who seemed to be sporadically malfunctioning, or Karter passed on the message in a less delicate way.

  He was about to head to Iza’s cabin to talk to her when his TSS handheld went off. Of all the bad timing.

  The message had an urgent notification signal and had been signed by Agent Ian Mandren. It read:

  Joe,

  Despite the lean content of your recent reports, your last correspondence—though not as detailed as I would have liked—got our attention. I have some news about that sphere. When you receive this message, I can only hope that you will respond immediately, as playing communications tag between subspace jumps will become cumbersome considering the urgency of my message. Believe me when I say this sphere needs to be your new priority.

  The sphere is ancient and believed to be a remnant from an era of Taran history predating even the Aesir. What little we’ve been able to glean so far points to a species from outside known Taran space. In the ancient Aesir historical files, there’s a reference to a forbidden region of space in connection to these aliens, but all it says is that we should avoid contact with them and their tech at all costs. Though I’m not sure what that means, usually when there’s something to hide it’s because people did something they shouldn’t have.

  I hope you can track down more information on the sphere from your end, as we have exhausted our search here. Everything points to this alien tech being extremely dangerous.

  Whatever you do, don’t let the sphere fall into civilian hands or tell anyone what you know. If your captain has it, you have permission to break cover and do what you must to retrieve it and bring it back here. Lives are at stake, including your own, if you fail.

  - Ian

  Joe closed his handheld. The warning against involving civilians had been clear and the fact that the first thing he wanted to do was go straight to Iza meant he’d already been compromised. When did that happen?

  Up until now, he’d been convincing himself he was still putting his mission first; now it was clear he’d be putting Iza’s desires above his duty. Whatever hesitation he’d been feeling about it before was gone now. Despite her current status, whether the engagement was real or fake, he wasn’t going to lose her to Karter. Not like this.

  Jovani opened his cabin door, intending to head straight to Iza’s room, but he found Trix standing in the corridor.

  “Are you breaking the rules?” she asked.

  He looked at Trix and wondered what she’d already overheard. A few se
conds passed before he realized she was going to wait for him to answer.

  “No, I’m doing the best that I can to protect Iza, but I’m not sure I can now that she’s engaged to Karter. What am I supposed to do?”

  “Are you planning on telling Iza the truth?”

  “Um, yes, I was just going to tell her. She’s been a little busy with other things until now.”

  “I do not think it is healthy for either of you to continue to keep secrets from each other. It is obvious that you love her, and she should know the truth.”

  It wasn’t lost on him he was speaking to an android for advice on love. He wasn’t entirely sure she wasn’t malfunctioning again. Every time someone asked if she was all right, she said she was fine. He’d read in an article once by a notable psychologist that the classic warning sign that any woman was not okay was that very word: fine.

  “You must keep your word, Jovani,” Trix continued. “I have kept my word to you and everyone else who has asked me to. I told no one about all the things I had to do before Iza met me. She has no idea about all the lies she has been told. I kept my word and she trusts me. You must be honest and she will trust you.”

  It didn’t all make sense, but he was sure somewhere in there she wasn’t wrong. It didn’t take a genius to recognize she was hurting, too, but he’d only worried about his own pain.

  “I want to tell her the truth but, what if she doesn’t understand?” Joe asked.

  “Iza’s understanding of the situation is irrelevant. The most important thing is that she be able to trust you more than she has anyone else in her life. You cannot abandon her again.”

  “I don’t understand. I never abandoned her. Are you talking about her parents?”

  “No, I am not talking about Iza’s mother, she is dead.”

  Joe stared at her a moment, waiting for her to clarify her last sentence. She didn’t.

  Frustratingly, Joe lost the opportunity to find out what she meant because Karter strolled down the corridor.