Centauri Bliss

by Skyler Grant

  Normally Quinn would have some qualms that Gleason might roll over on Monk, but with Monk leaving the moon it wasn’t as much a concern. The Marines might not even ask many questions. Nobody loved a slaver.

  7

  Quinn made his way back to the ship. They’d already synchronized the crew schedule to the local time zone and it was night for him too. Unfortunately this wasn’t the time to get any rest.

  If Taki wasn’t being tortured yet—and the odds were she was—it was only because they were waiting for morning. The streets were all but empty on his way back and he gave the patrolling Marines a wide berth.

  The ramp was down and as he approached the Kathryn he heard conversation aboard.

  “So then I said, they’re fucking birds aren’t they? Roast them,” Monk said.

  Monk, Dela, and Melody were seated around a table in the cargo hold. Several bags had been shoved to the side and a bottle of whiskey was open.

  “Hey Captain!” Melody called brightly.

  “What part of I am probably never going to see you again did you get wrong? We’ve apparently met the two people in the galaxy worse at plans than we are,” Quinn said, moving to the table and taking a drink of the whiskey. It was top-shelf stuff and smooth going down. At least Monk had taste in booze.

  “Had a ride all lined up and the Imperium went and seized it. Figured us being such good friends who had just done you a fucking favor, you’d give a charming bloke and his companion a lift off-world,” Monk said.

  “I’m charming too. I picked out the whiskey,” Dela said.

  So Monk still had no taste at all—and Dela had an eye for quality.

  Quinn couldn’t think of a reason to object. Neither of them was bringing heat down that they didn’t already have and Monk had done him a favor.

  “You were getting a ride with slavers,” Quinn said.

  “Didn’t say I approved of their business, but I was an admirer of their discretion,” Monk said.

  “Want a ride, you can help me to plan. Need to break someone out. Governor’s estate,” Quinn said.

  Monk and Dela exchanged a look.

  Melody said, “Captain, you might remember when lifting that cargo we had to avoid the estate because of the anti-air defenses. We can’t go flying in.”

  “Guards on site. Lots of them. You’re not equipped to go in loud even if you get me to help,” Monk said.

  Dela added, “Not much chance of going in quiet either. Harrison-Weathers Model One One Seven security. We were looking to get in a specialist to crack us a backdoor, but we hadn’t done it yet.” She pursed her lips. “So, a quick drop?”

  A quick drop was mostly a military tactic although it had some use in crime. It would involve taking the Kathryn into orbit and bringing it down hard and fast right on top of the target. It would avoid any perimeter defenses and due to the speed of descent take limited fire and give the defenses only a short time to respond. It required a skilled pilot like Quinn, and had other drawbacks.

  “Even if we got in, we’d have to get out,” Quinn said.

  “Got to be some quiet way to get in,” Melody said.

  “Maybe normally, but with the Marines here the governor is going to be all on edge. Isn’t a normal situation. I can get us some muscle, but I got to tell you I don’t like it. The Marines show up, they’ll have real firepower,” Monk said.

  It had already been a long day and Quinn was exhausted. He massaged at his eyes. “Taki is in there and we aren’t leaving her. Keep thinking.”

  “When your girl got captured, did she have all the seeds with her?” Monk asked.

  “Just a sample crate. We’ve three more out of sight,” Melody said.

  “There you go then. We buy her,” Monk said.

  Quinn had to admit it wasn’t a terrible idea. He’d stolen the things in the first place to help the local farmers, but then they’d been the ones who had turned Taki in. It had done a lot to dampen his urge to help.

  Dela nodded. “Governor Willis is a thoroughly terrible man with an incredibly well-developed sense of self-interest. He might want to shoot her for robbing him, but still might be willing to sell her back to you before she bleeds out.”

  Nothing about that was ideal. It was better than any of their other plans.

  “I can set it up, if I can use your comm. Governor and I have what you might call a working relationship,” Monk said.

  Quinn nodded.

  “I can show it to you,” Melody said, and the two went off together.

  Alone with Dela, again. Quinn wondered what awkward conversation they’d manage to have this time.

  “He probably isn’t going to sell you out, you know. I mean, it’s possible and I’m sure you’re wondering, but we already could have gone there if looking for a way off-world. He wanted to come here,” Dela said.

  “You’re a bundle of reassurances,” Quinn said.

  Dela shrugged. “Honest girl in the wrong line of work. Sorry.”

  “How did you wind up working for and possible dating a cut-rate crime lord?” Quinn asked.

  “I got my doctorate in xenoarcheology. Kind of thought working for crime would give me a few more ancient alien artifacts to play around with, and rather less hydraulic lift parts,” Dela said.

  “You’re sticking with it though,” Quinn said.

  “Maybe. Depends where we wind up landing.”

  Quinn couldn’t question her pragmatism. Given her degree, it must have come to her late in life.

  Monk returned scowling. “Got you a deal. I don’t like it. You and Dela go in with a shuttle and one crate. He’ll confirm the contents, and you’ve got the girl. Rest of the crates no more than a minute out from his estate. You take off and send the coordinates.”

  Melody got a distant look in her eyes, the sort when she was doing a lot of math. “You won’t clear the grounds by the time they get the cargo, Captain.”

  “Thought you said he’d want to do business? This is sounding a lot like a setup, Monk,” Quinn said.

  “I know it. But it also might just be he wants to confirm all the cargo is in his possession before he lets you out of his gunsights,” Monk said.

  “I’ve got a fair chance of avoiding those guns in a shuttle. We have the Kathryn fired up and ready, and we need to you meet me part-way. Armor can take a few hits before it loses its charge,” Quinn said.

  “I keep telling you, I’m not that good a pilot, Captain,” Melody said.

  “I can do it,” Monk said.

  “You okay with going?” Quinn asked Dela.

  “Good of you to finally get around to asking,” Dela said with a wry look. “In and out, right? ‘Sides, if they did torture her, you’ll need someone to patch her up while you pilot. I’ve got a bit of practice with a medkit.”

  It was a plan. Not much of a plan, but a plan. The governor would probably be keeping watch for any shuttles landing near his estate, so Quinn had Monk transport the two crates they’d be dropping off by their stolen truck.

  It wasn’t that Quinn was filled with trust for Monk, but he and Melody needed every last moment they could get to ready the Kathryn for flight. If this worked, they’d probably be forced to leave in a hurry. That meant securing everything for flight, and going down the maintenance checklist to make sure nothing would kill them as soon as they hit vacuum. You had to trust someone and he had left Dela behind.

  When the Kathryn was ready, it was time to give the same treatment to the shuttle they’d be taking. The ship carried two, both designed to ferry passengers or cargo from orbit to the surface.

  The Foxtrot was the shuttle they used when they needed to make a good impression. It had some of the old Imperial charm of the Kathryn, but unlike the larger ship had actually been restored. Plush seating and ornate touches were just the thing to make them look respectable.

  The Tango was the counterpoint. It had given up some passenger room in exchange for larger engines and the hull could be polarized to allow for multiple camou
flage variants in addition to basic sensor dampening. That was their crime ship.

  They weren’t trying to impress the governor and so it was the Tango they were going to take. Dela stocked it with a medical trauma kit while Quinn loaded aboard what defensive measures they had. Neither shuttle was armed, but there were a normal amount of sensor spoofs that could be used to divert missile or drone fire for a short time.

  When it was time to go Quinn was surprised to find Dela had changed her clothes, now wearing a brown leather jacket and a brimmed hat, and pistol belts slung over her hips.

  “This how all the xenoarcheologists dress on business?” Quinn asked.

  “Just me. Time to show you’re not all talk, flyboy.”

  8

  The Tango was a nice change of pace from flying the Kathryn. What the shuttle lacked in speed it more than made up for in maneuverability. Quinn could do a lot with the larger ship, more than most pilots could, but it was still nice to have a ship that turned easily.

  Dela lounged back in the passenger seat with her foot on the backup piloting console.

  “I don’t suppose they taught you how to shoot in xenoarcheology school?” Quinn said.

  “Just school. They did, actually—pistols, rifles, piloting. Lots of digs out on the Rim with still-resident populations,” Dela said.

  “Least you were prepared for a life of crime,” Quinn said, keeping a careful watch on the readouts. He couldn’t afford to get careless. He was keeping the shuttle low to the ground and off most sensors to be on the safe side.

  “You’d think. Year with Monk and I’ve never gotten to shoot anyone,” Dela said.

  Quinn wasn’t surprised. Monk took his security seriously and had a reputation for viciousness when crossed, and it wasn’t like anyone was competing for the title of crime lord of a little moon like this one.

  The sensors of the shuttle blipped. Another craft moving just at the edge of range, their heading not clear.

  Maybe Dela did know how to fly, given how quick her posture changed, sitting up so that her fingers could fly over the controls to narrow in on the signature.

  “Damn it,” Dela said with a frown. “Lost it. I think it was Imperium, though they aren’t advertising. Keeping low like you are and masking their signature.”

  “Did you get a bearing?” Quinn asked. Dela shook her head.

  It wouldn’t be going back after the Kathryn, no need to approach in a shuttle there. They had their main ship at the spaceport and if they wanted they’d just roll up and open fire. Perhaps the slavers had more connections than they knew and the Marines were still cleaning up, or maybe they were after one of the big landowners somewhere nearby. The governor wasn’t the only bit of wealth and power on the moon, just the biggest.

  As they neared the border of the governor’s estate Quinn opened a channel.

  “Special delivery of medical supplies for that sick foal you’ve got,” Quinn said.

  “You’re clear. Pad 3C. Tarry or deviate on your approach and security will engage,” came a rough voice.

  It was better than them opening fire all at once. They crossed the estate boundary and the systems began to bleat their warnings of multiple targeting systems locking on. A landing beacon guided them to a small shuttle port behind the estate. Four shuttles were already present and the Tango settled down into the designated spot.

  “You’ll want your guns out and to look dangerous,” Quinn said.

  Dela drew her pistols and Quinn readied his own as they headed into the back of the shuttle and keyed the ramp.

  At least they weren’t the only ones who brought guns. Rifles were quickly leveled at them by serious-looking men in body armor who surrounded the shuttle ramp.

  A balding man in a suit stepped forward, pushing guns aside as he said calmly, “I need to come aboard to verify the cargo.”

  “As agreed,” Quinn said.

  The man gave a pleasant nod to Dela. “Dela. Nice to see you wearing something other than gray.”

  “Nice to break out something more fashionable, Humboldt,” Dela said.

  “Another xenoarcheology major?” Quinn asked, keeping his gun steady.

  “Classical literature,” Humboldt said with a sniff as he drew out a scanner from his pocket and ran it over the crate. “You can imagine my delight to be here. The cargo checks out. We’ll unload? There will be a delay getting the girl. We didn’t think you were serious about doing business.”

  Quinn didn’t like the delay, but if they wanted to start shooting they already could have. They wouldn’t reveal the location of the next two crates until they were in the air.

  “Fine. Just don’t keep us waiting too long,” Quinn said.

  Humboldt motioned to the guards. Two of him lowered their weapons and slung them over their shoulder before coming aboard to haul away the crate.

  “We’re still hiring, if you’re interested. The word is your boss is already in flight. There is no work like government work,” Humboldt said.

  “I like my crime big, but there are limits,” Dela said.

  The ground rumbled, the shuttle shaking.

  Humboldt tapped an earpiece. The guards looked jumpy. Quinn was feeling rather jumpy himself.

  “We’ve got a breach on our perimeter. This isn’t a double-cross from us,” Humboldt said.

  “It isn’t from us either. We thought we got a hit on an Imperium shuttle coming in,” Quinn said.

  Humboldt glanced at Dela, who nodded.

  “We’re on time with our taxes. There is no reason for any disagreement, so I am sure that it is all a misunderstanding. Remain on your shuttle and we’ll conclude our business when this has been dealt with,” Humboldt said, gesturing to the guards.

  Quinn waited until they were clear before holstering his pistol and Dela reluctantly did the same. “Still haven’t gotten to shoot anybody. Why are you men always promising fireworks and delivering yawns?”

  “When it comes to things going wrong, I always deliver the fireworks. We’re not staying here. You know the estate? We’re looking for the library,” Quinn said.

  Dela grinned. “Humboldt is sweet on me and his idea of flirting is showing off his first editions. I know the library. Follow me.”

  A fire burned in the distance. Another rumble shook the ground and there was the sound of muted pops of firearms.

  They had to stop twice, crouching behind bushes as guards ran past. Security seemed to be heading towards the site of the explosions. It gave Quinn a really bad feeling. A shuttle wouldn’t have needed to blast its way past the estate walls. In a situation like this trained security forces would have collapsed inward around the target they protecting and gotten to him safety.

  Dela led them in through a servant’s door and they crept along a darkened hall. Nearby Quinn heard a sound that confirmed his worst suspicions, a telltale buzzing hum of energy weapon fire. The estate guards wouldn’t have guns that expensive and that meant the Imperium was here.

  Dela’s eyes were wide. She must have recognized the sound too. Quinn had seen it before, the moment the danger became real. It paralyzed some people, or caused them to do crazy things.

  “You good?” Quinn asked quietly.

  Dela took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m good. Main hall is two doors down and the library is the first door to the right once we get there.”

  The main hall was ornate. Gleaming gold and ornate friezes. Just how much had this moon been taking for?

  They heard an angry male voice.

  “I am governor of this moon, Lieutenant and you will answer why you have stepped onto my estate uninvited.”

  “The three prisoners below, sir. Looks like they’ve been tortured and are being held without process,” came a female voice, young.

  Another voice, male, said crisply, “Take them into custody, we’ll figure out their crimes and charge them later. Governor Willis, I have good reason to believe you are guilty of multiple crimes. Conspiring with slavers, diverting Imperium re
sources meant for development of the territory under your rule, and falsification of records.”

  Quinn and Dela paused and backed into a doorway to stay out of view.

  “As governor I have had to take certain measures on the ground, but I assure you all tax payments have been made on time to Baron Xerxes. I am a true and loyal agent of the Imperium.” Willis wasn’t afraid at all, if anything he had only grown more indignant.

  “Yes. By all accounts you’ve certainly been loyal to Xerxes.”

  The sound of an energy rifle came again, closer this time, and the telltale thud of a body hitting the floor.

  “Access the estate network and tell them that the governor has been removed from power. All loyal Imperium subjects are to disarm at once and return to their quarters. Remove any remaining resistance.”

  They’d killed the governor. They’d killed the governor and taken prisoners into their possession, and that likely included Taki. Things just kept going from bad to worse. It wasn’t a good time to be a criminal on this moon.

  Quinn motioned silently to Dela and they headed back the way they came. They heard more voices and glimpsed the flash of red body armor through a doorway ahead.

  Quinn pulled Dela to the side and through another doorway. This one led to a kitchen, fortunately abandoned during the night shift.

  “We need to get back to the shuttle,” Quinn said in a whisper.

  “With soldiers everywhere?” Dela asked, shaking her head.

  “Do you expect us to hide? We don’t know this place that well.”

  “I’ve got an idea,” Dela said with a wince. “You’re not going to like it. In fact, I’m not going to like it. Follow me.”

  9

  Dela led the way through another servant’s hallway, stopping every so often to listen at a doorway before cracking it open and peaking through.

  “What are you looking for?” Quinn asked.

  Dela didn’t answer, simply continuing to check doors until she made a sound of satisfaction and led them in. It was a sculpture hall, although not one varied in subject matter. Nudes, lots of nudes, male nudes. Some in bronze, some marble, some sandstone, but they were everywhere.