Determination: Age Of Expansion – A Kurtherian Gambit Series (Precious Galaxy Book 3)

by Sarah Noffke

  Lewis nodded. “So, you think you saw blackness because you die from taking the drug we had synthesized?”

  “I’m sorry. I know you all went to a lot of trouble, but my gut tells me—”

  He put up his hand, pausing her apology. “It was no trouble. And as a man who usually relies on facts, there’s nothing I actually trust more than a gut feeling.”

  “So you believe me?” Dejoure asked, hope in her voice.

  “Yes. Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to you.” Lewis winked at her. “No dying on my watch.”

  Dejoure’s eyes fell to the large watch that Lewis wore, the one that had belonged to his father. “Thank you. I’m glad you found us.”

  “Of course,” he said, “Now, shall we come out? Otherwise the others will be looking for you the rest of the day.”

  Dejoure nodded, raking her hands through Harley’s fur for support.

  Lewis opened the door and stepped out. He cleared his throat, getting the attention of Jack and Hatch nearby. Bailey and Penrae were on the other side of the lab, still looking around.

  “I think I can get DJ to come out,” Lewis began. “However, we can’t give her the drug.”

  “What?” Jack asked, the vial in his hand.

  “Although Vernon has a good reputation, mistakes are still possible,” Lewis stated. “I think we should have the drug tested before we give it to DJ.”

  Bailey and Penrae came over, both looking at him quizzically…

  “Who can we have test the drug?” Bailey asked.

  “Me,” Hatch offered, his tentacle reaching over and taking the vial.

  “Although you could test it,” Pip began, “you don’t really have the expertise in the subject matter.”

  “And you do?” the Londil asked.

  “As a matter of fact, yes. I’ve taken it upon myself to do a lot of research on the subject, knowing that Dejoure will need the drug manufactured from now on,” Pip answered.

  “Wow, and you didn’t even have to be asked,” Hatch said, sounding impressed.

  “But you’ll need a body for such a project,” Jack stated.

  “Which I can also use to complete the printing process, which is lagging,” Pip said.

  “Hey, I had to take a break. Liesel is napping,” Hatch said defensively.

  Jack gave Hatch a reassuring look. “You’ve been working nonstop. Taking an hour to unwind is best for all of us. Don’t worry, no one is faulting you.”

  “I can also be in charge of returning those printed to their homes. Ricky Bobby says they are getting restless on the lower decks,” Pip stated.

  “That’s a lot of responsibility,” Hatch said cautiously.

  “Pip is right,” Jack began. “We have less than a skeleton crew at this point. Those printed do need to be returned to their homes. And we have no one with any expertise or bandwidth to manufacture the drug for DJ going forward. Testing the drug is a good idea.” He looked at Hatch. “Is it possible to make him a body?”

  Hatch combed a tentacle over his chins and thought for a moment. “Yes, anything is possible. However, the project will take me away from other things for a while.”

  “That’s fine,” Jack agreed at once. “This is a priority.”

  “Then we agree that DJ won’t be getting that drug yet?” Lewis confirmed.

  Jack nodded. “Of course.”

  Lewis extended a hand to the girl still hiding in the back of the van. “See, I told you it was all going to work out,” he said to her.

  She popped out, giving the others an embarrassed smile.

  “Hey! When did you get in there?” Hatch bellowed.

  “Oh, ages ago, while we were discussing the Energy Polarizer,” Pip said with a laugh.

  “You knew she’d stowed away?” Hatch asked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “You didn’t ask,” the AI answered.

  “Sorry,” Dejoure said, hanging her head. “I didn’t know how to tell you all that I was worried about taking that drug.”

  Lewis put his arm around her shoulder. “Well, hopefully you’ll learn that you can tell us anything.”

  Jack nodded. “And we’ll take you seriously. If you have concerns, we’ll test the drug.”

  “As soon as I have a body!” Pip said victoriously.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ricky Bobby, Hapeti System

  Lewis hardly left Dejoure’s side the rest of the day. She didn’t want him to tell anyone about the gut feeling, and although he trusted it, he worried that maybe it was wrong. Maybe it was something else that harmed her.

  Not until she insisted vehemently and forced him to go did he leave her for the night to sleep. They’d made it through the day, though.

  “Ricky Bobby?” Lewis said on the way to his own room.

  “Yes, Detective?”

  “Will you please monitor DJ through the night and alert me if there’s a problem?” he asked.

  “Of course. She’s already half-asleep with Harley beside her.”

  Lewis let out a relieved breath.

  “Why didn’t you or Pip tell Hatch that she was hiding in his lab? Or the rest of us where she was specifically?” Lewis pondered as he approached his door.

  “Dejoure has asked that we not,” Ricky Bobby explained. “She often hides in places around the ship. I think it’s partly due to being a kid, and also because she feels safe when no one knows where she is.

  Lewis nodded, stepping into his room. He remembered hiding away on Ronin. No one knew where he was and, like the AI said, that made him feel safe, although extremely lonely.

  If people don’t know where you are, though, they can’t hurt you.

  He’d once had a case where the victim slept in the closet every night, thinking he’d fool intruders who went straight for the bed. It hadn’t been hard to find his eventual murderer—it was the one person who knew the man’s secret: his business partner.

  Those closest to us really are the most dangerous, Lewis mused, thinking of Melanie.

  He had never suspected that she’d double-cross him. After that, Lewis had always doubted who he could trust. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that Melanie’s true character had been revealed long before, and Lewis hadn’t been willing to see it.

  ‘See people for who they truly are, not who you wish them to be.’

  Those had actually been his father’s words. Lewis had thought he’d followed them; in truth, he had when working cases, just not in his own personal relationships.

  Dining Hall, Ricky Bobby, Hapeti System

  Bailey was on her second cup of coffee when Lewis rushed in, his hair a mess and a worried expression on his face. He scanned the hall and ran over to her.

  “Harlowe, what’s wrong?” she asked as he approached.

  He halted, putting both hands on the table and breathing hard. “Where is DJ? Have you seen her?”

  “Man, you must be starving. Patience, detective.” She pointed in the direction of the kitchen. “She’ll get your order ready, but mine should be coming out first.”

  “So you’ve seen her?” Lewis pressed.

  Bailey held up her cup of Precious Galaxy coffee, steam rising off its surface. “She handed this to me herself.”

  Lewis let out a breath and slid into the seat opposite. “Ricky Bobby?” he called out.

  No answer.

  “He’s busy helping Hatch with the Pip project,” Bailey informed him. “Said it would take his full attention.”

  Lewis nodded.

  “You know, I don’t really drink coffee, but this stuff is delicious,” Bailey said, holding the coffee under her nose. “Hints of chocolate and chicory. It’s like heaven in a cup.”

  Vitos entered from the kitchen, an apron tied around his waist and a full tray in his arms.

  He greeted Lewis with a chirp and set down the tray. “Who had the short stack of pancakes?” the alien asked, holding up the plate and looking around the empty dining hall.

 
Bailey held up her hand.

  Vitos nodded and slid it in front of her before picking up another plate. “And the veggie omelet with a side of country potatoes and bacon?” He looked around again, searching.

  “That would be me,” Bailey answered.

  “Oh, right.” Vitos picked up a third plate. “What about the oatmeal with a side of ham?”

  Bailey waved her hand in the air. “Me. Me. Me.”

  Lewis widened his eyes, leaning back as Vitos made room for the mountain of food.

  “Uhhh… Are you eating for two? Or rather, four?” the detective asked.

  “No, that would be Liesel.”

  Bailey poured hot syrup onto the thick pancakes, enjoying the way it was absorbed immediately. She cut a large bite and held it up victoriously before sticking it in her mouth.

  “Welcome to Morning Glory,” Vitos said to Lewis, pulling a pad and pen from his apron. “What can I get for you?”

  The man laughed. “You and DJ are running a restaurant now?”

  Vitos leaned down. “We’re pretending. You don’t have to pay. It was the little human’s idea. She said it would be fun and keep morale up.”

  “Good idea.” Lewis looked around. “Do you have a menu?”

  “I told you they’d want menus,” Vitos called to the back.

  Dejoure stuck her head through the door. “We don’t need them.”

  Vitos nodded, turning back around. “We can make whatever you want here at Morning Glory, or your money back.”

  “But you said…” Lewis began, then shook his head. “Nevermind. I’ll take a waffle with a side of bacon.”

  Vitos scribbled something on the pad and strode off.

  “What? Is that all you’re ordering?” Bailey said through a mouthful of egg.

  Lewis leaned forward. “I’m not sure there’s any food left, after your order.”

  Her hand shot up again, like she was waiting to be called on in class. “Oh, I forgot something!”

  Vitos’s head popped out through the door. “Yes, customer?”

  “Can I get a mimosa, but make it light on the orange juice?” she asked.

  “Coming right up!” their ‘waiter’ sang.

  Lewis watched as Bailey sliced her pancakes into strips. “Jack wants us to get down to Makare again. Try and get to the database,” he told her.

  “I’ve heard.” She licked the sticky syrup from her fork.

  Vitos was fast, delivering the mimosa a moment later on a tray that was lined with a white doily.

  “Oh, nice touch,” Bailey complimented, pointing to the frilly decoration.

  “Thank you,” Vitos said. “It’s the little details that count.”

  “Vee, when do you get a day off from the restaurant?” Lewis asked.

  “Actually,” the alien said, taking a seat and unrolling the napkin beside him, sticking it into the collar of his uniform. “I’m on break right now.”

  “Well, we have to try and make it down to Makare again,” Lewis repeated for him. “Would you like to go with us, since you’re somewhat familiar with this system?”

  Vitos picked up his fork and knife and tapped them on the table. “Absolutely, as soon as I’ve had my breakfast.”

  “Oh, should I go and get it for you?” Lewis asked.

  “No, the little human kicked me out of the kitchen,” Vitos explained. “She said I was hovering.”

  Bailey polished off the last of her pancakes and moved the plate out of her way. “She can be bossy, but she makes the best pancakes in the world.”

  The kitchen door swung open, and Dejoure appeared holding a large tray. A pink bandana was wrapped around her head, keeping her hair back. She set the tray down and unloaded its contents. Vitos’s eyes seemed to glaze over when she laid a plate containing a large pork chop in front of him.

  Lewis didn’t look at all interested in the waffle and bacon DJ put in front of him, only studying the girl. “So you’re looking…”

  “Alive,” she supplied, her focus on the food. She counted the plates, then reacted like she was missing something.

  “Yes, that’s exactly how I was going to put it,” he agreed. “Any premonitions last night?”

  “Yes,” Dejoure said, nodding at Bailey. “She gets an awful stomachache later. She was warned, though.”

  Bailey crammed the last strip of bacon into her mouth. “Worth it.”

  “Oh, and Liesel joins us for breakfast!” Dejoure exclaimed. “I almost forgot her food.” She bustled off for the kitchen.

  “But she hasn’t ordered it yet,” Lewis called.

  “Premonition!” Dejoure yelled back.

  He laughed and filled the empty mug beside his plate with the coffee from the carafe sitting in the middle of the table.

  “Waffles, huh?” Bailey said, indicating Lewis’s plate.

  “Yeah, so?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “I happen to be a pancake person myself. There’s little better in this world than a hot, fluffy, pancake smothered in maple syrup.”

  “I have to disagree with you there,” Lewis argued. “A crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside waffle is by far superior to a mushy pancake.”

  Bailey took a sip of her mimosa and shook her head. “I suppose you’re a chicken-sandwich guy, then, when hamburgers are clearly the better food.”

  He scoffed at her. “Do not insult my character. Why would I order chicken if I weren’t on a diet? And cheeseburger is the best option. Without cheese, it’s really not worth my time.”

  Bailey looked up to the ceiling like she was praying. “There is hope for him after all.”

  Sebastian scurried into the room like he was being chased. He raced up the side of the table and crouched down on the surface. The ferret then sped forward and grabbed the napkin beside Lewis’s hand and threw it over his plate. Then, like completing an obstacle course, he managed his way around the plates and pulled Vitos’s napkin from where it was tucked, making it fall down over his pork chop.

  “Uhhh…is this a game?” Lewis asked. “I don’t know the rules. Are we supposed to find our food?”

  Bailey poured the brown sugar over her oatmeal. “Well, this is going to take you two all day, then.”

  Liesel entered, her hand over her nose and a tentative expression in her eyes.

  “Hey, how are you feeling?” Bailey asked. “This food isn’t making you sick, is it?”

  “No,” Liesel said, striding over like she was magnetized to the table. “Quite the opposite. What is that smell?”

  “Ummm…pancakes, maybe?” she asked.

  Liesel shook her head. Sebastian climbed from the table up to Liesel’s shoulder. For some reason, he looked quite anxious, like he’d punish the others at the table if they misbehaved.

  “Maybe it’s my waffle,” Lewis suggested, pulling the napkin off his plate.

  “No, it’s that.” Liesel pointed to the bacon sitting alongside the waffle.

  Sebastian buried his head in her shoulder.

  Vitos pulled the napkin from his own plate. “Well, if that little game is over, I’d like to get back to eating.”

  Liesel’s eyes oscillated between Vitos’s and Lewis’s plates, a ravenous look on her face.

  “Liesel Diesel, are you having any cravings with your pregnancy yet?” Bailey asked.

  The engineer shook her head, not taking her gaze off the table. “No, none that I can think of. I ate a jar of peanut butter and a roll of mints earlier, but for some reason, I’m still hungry.”

  Bailey pushed away from the table, trying to breathe, although her full stomach made it tough. “Eat at Morning Glory, and you won’t be hungry for long.”

  “Yeah, maybe I’ll have some oatmeal,” Liesel considered, eyeing Bailey’s empty bowl, though not with the same interest she’d shown the meat on the other plates.

  “Well, I’d better go get ready for our flight,” Bailey said, rising as Dejoure came from the kitchen holding a plate loaded with bacon, ham and sausage. />
  “Yeah, same here,” Lewis said, stretching. “DJ, can we help you with the dishes?”

  Dejoure slid the plate onto the table and gave Lewis a horrified expression. “What sort of place do you think this is? Have my customers do their own dishes? Never.” She snapped at Vitos. “That’s what the waitstaff is for.”

  Lewis laughed. “We’re actually going to steal your waiter for a mission, if you don’t mind.”

  Dejoure smiled. “I don’t mind at all. It was part of our agreement. Missions first, restaurant stuff second.”

  “Well, thank you for probably the best breakfast I’ve ever had,” Bailey said.

  “And you’re feeling okay?” Dejoure asked.

  The lieutenant nodded. “Yes, you were right. Leaving off the blueberry muffin probably saved me. Good call. I’m full enough.”

  Lewis shook his head at her. “Yes, thank you. We’ll be back for dinner.”

  “Good, I’m roasting a rack of lamb,” Dejoure said.

  “I’ll be back to help with dinner service,” Vitos said, rising and following Lewis and Bailey out.

  Dejoure slid the plate of meat over in front of Liesel, who looked to be in a trance. “I’m going to leave this here in case someone else from the crew gets hungry and wants to nibble.”

  She gave the engineer a wink and disappeared into the kitchen.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Q-Ship, Near Planet Makare, Hapeti System

  Lewis looked out at the bright colors of various gases, swirling around the planets of the Precious galaxy like cotton candy. In the distance, stars twinkled like etheric diamonds waiting to be mined.

  “Do you think it’s possible that there can be more than one monster?” Bailey asked, steering the Q-Ship toward the blue and tan planet of Makare.

  “It’s possible, but not probable,” Lewis stated. “From everything I’ve deduced, it took Vance decades to create the monster. Replicating it can’t be easy.”

  “But if he already has the procedure, it could be done,” Bailey said.

  “If Pip was here, he could tell us for certain,” Lewis said, a bit of disappointment in his voice.

  It felt odd to be on a flight and not have the AI’s assistance. His presence was meant to be a safeguard, but unfortunately, Pip was a distraction when tensions were high.