Hathor Legacy: Outcast

by Bailey, Deborah A

  "Jon…" Ilana tugged at the towel he'd hitched around his waist. It came loose and she reached under the folds. "We've had so much fun together and we'll have more when we get to the hotel."

  He tensed as she aroused him to the point of exploding. Damn. If only they had more time.

  Ilana trailed her hand across his thigh. "Haven't you had enough?"

  "No," Jonathan said, leaning her down across the bed.

  The warning buzzer sounded. They'd be docking very soon.

  "Jonathan." Ilana slid out from his grasp with more force than he'd expected. "There's no time for that now. We've got to get out of here."

  He got up and reached for the towel. When he looked over, Ilana was turned away from him, putting on her jacket. Might as well get dressed.

  After they docked, the warning bell sounded and the engines powered down. Occupied with throwing his clothes into his bag, Jonathan didn't notice Ilana heading out the door.

  "Ilana! Wait!" Grabbing his things, he raced after her.

  Passengers clogged the aisle before he could get to the exit. He'd been locked away for so long that he'd almost forgotten there were over 100 people on the shuttle. And it seemed like all of them wanted to get to the door at the same time.

  Pushing past the slower travelers, he got a glimpse of Ilana on the exit ramp. Luckily, her silver jacket made her stand out. In front of him was a sea of people in grey and brown suits and the occasional person dressed in dark blue mining overalls. Black-garbed security officers stood off to the side, their faces covered by shiny helmets.

  The ramp opened up into the main concourse of the terminal. Advertising vids flashed on the walls, while announcements blared from the loudspeakers.

  "Nova City Entertainments announces the grand opening of their complex for executive-level luxury."

  "Visit the brand new Galaxy dance club tonight and receive an exclusive--"

  "--our newest apartment tower, now open for rentals at the city's most exclusive address--"

  All around him people were rushing in what seemed like a hundred different directions. Holographic signs displayed the arrivals and departures, while news alerts were being broadcast on floor to ceiling glass panels. Bright sunlight poured through the arched, glass ceiling and reflected off the jewel-toned walls, creating the illusion the floor was covered with precious gems.

  For a moment he didn't know where he was going. People knocked into him, almost turning him around in their hurry to get past. Damn it. He had to get it together. Scanning his surroundings, he saw an exit sign ahead. Maybe he could catch up with Ilana before she got outside.

  Quickening his pace, he dodged the oncoming foot traffic and a few automated luggage carts. Just before he got to the exit doors, he saw Ilana standing in front of a lift. Breaking into a run he called out to her.

  "Ilana! Wait up!"

  When the lift doors opened, she turned and their eyes met.

  "Ilana!"

  Instead of responding, she ran inside and stood in the rear, her arms crossed.

  Wait!" A luggage cart zoomed in front of him, forcing him to stop short before he barged into it. Pushing it away, he picked up the pace again. He'd hitched his travel bag across his body, and it banged against his back as he ran.

  Just as he got to the lift, it closed in his face. Slamming his hand against the metal door, he waited for it to slide open again. But it didn't.

  "Damn it!" What the hell was Ilana thinking? He was trying to help her.

  "Jonathan. What's wrong with you?" A man's deep voice boomed from behind him. "I've been chasing you across the place."

  Spinning around, he faced a slightly taller, older man with straight, steel-grey hair that fell to his shoulders. He wore a dark purple jacket, trimmed with gold and dark grey pants. On his fingers were gold and silver rings that glistened as he gestured.

  "Matt!" Jonathan relaxed as he was pulled into the older man's embrace. "What are you doing here?"

  Matt grinned, grasping Jonathan's shoulder with a hearty shake. "Your mother sent me a message. She told me you were coming in. How the hell are you?"

  Jon hadn't thought of contacting his father's friend. But of course his mother had. It had been several years since they'd seen each other in person.

  There were a few more wrinkles around his brown eyes and across his forehead than Jon remembered. But being out of the mines, and spending more time outdoors, had given Matt's face a suntanned glow. An improvement over the pallor a lot of miners developed after years of working in the caverns, no matter what their skin tone.

  "Who were you running after?" Matt led the way towards a row of glass doors.

  "Just someone I met on the shuttle," Jonathan replied. "Still got the club?"

  "Sure. It's doing great. It's a private club for executives, you know. Didn't your father tell you? He was here on business a few months ago."

  "No, he didn't mention that. Have you heard from him lately? Mother said he was supposed to come back to Hathor."

  "Brandon didn't say anything about coming back here," Matt said, as they exited into the bright sunlight. "Is Estrella doing okay? She's not worried, is she?"

  "No. She's fine," Jonathan replied.

  "I couldn't believe it when I heard about the explosion." Matt's voice was quiet. "What's going on with the investigation?"

  "I'm trying to figure that out." Jon debated telling his father's friend exactly why he'd come. But he didn't want to share what Ilana had overheard. Better to not involve Matt and endanger him as well.

  "We'll get a transport to my place," Matt said. "I've got lots of room."

  "I've got reservations at the Emerald Club. Can you drop me off?"

  "Sure…if you want."

  "Thanks for the offer. But I'm meeting someone later."

  They walked over to a row of ground transports parked at the curb. As Matt approached the first one, a shiny, ruby-colored model, the door slid back. Jon climbed in after him and settled himself on the long, cushioned seat.

  "Emerald Club," Matt instructed the autodriver.

  The engines powered up with a low hum, then the vehicle pulled away from the curb and into the traffic lanes.

  Matt put his feet up on the seat opposite them. "I heard the company is investigating the explosion like it's an inside job."

  "Do you think my father was involved?" Jonathan asked.

  "Hell, no. Your father's my oldest friend. He had nothing to do with this. Just telling you what I heard."

  "Sure."

  "Back when I was in the mines, they had lots of explosions from sabotage, disgruntled workers, stupid asses who didn't know what they're doing-–shit happens all the time." Matt shook his head, his hair falling across his shoulders. "Saw a lot of it when I worked with your father."

  "Hey, didn't you have the tats last time I saw you?" Jonathan pointed to Matt's bare wrists. Resembling dark red tongues of flame, the tats were applied to a miner's wrists once they signed on with Novacorp. They were encoded with the miner's ID and made it easier to track them when they worked at the various company installations.

  "I had them removed." Matt absently rubbed his wrist as he stared straight ahead. "I'm a businessman now, not a laborer." He pointed over to a building they were passing on the right. "Look over there. I just invested in it. It's a new exclusive apartment tower. A couple of months ago I got a big house out in the North overlooking the sea. If you'll be here for a while, I'll take you to see it."

  "You have lots of credits to spend."

  "That's why I'm here. Brandon's got a good position, but he'd be wealthier if he'd stayed here on Hathor. Do you still have your club? Your father hoped having a business would keep you out of trouble."

  "It doesn't." Jonathan grinned.

  "You're just like me, Jonathan." Matt laughed. "Who the hell wants a quiet life? I'd rather be here in the heart of everything."

  "My mother thinks I'm in danger. You know what that's about?"

  "She's a mother.
" Matt looked down and picked at bits of lint on his pants. "She wants to keep you safe."

  "So all these people live here?" Jon asked as he watched the crowds filling the streets. Even the transport traffic lanes were clogged with vehicles, slowly trundling down the boulevard.

  "On Hathor, you're either connected to Novacorp or you're a civilian," Matt said. "Or, you're one of the Guardians."

  Jonathan tensed. "They really exist? I thought those were stories."

  "They exist. They're descendants of the original settled who came here generations ago. Even before Novacorp was here." Matt patted Jonathan's shoulder. "They're more powerful than company security. Some of them can even read what you're thinking. But as long as you stay out of trouble, they won't bother you."

  *****

  Twenty minutes later, the transport dropped Jonathan off in front of the Emerald Club, a thirty-story building that resembled layers of glittering green glass. Striding across the gleaming marbled sidewalk, he passed a row of gold, manicured trees lining the entrance.

  The glass doors swooped open to admit him to a gold-toned marble lobby. An attendant dressed in a dark green jacket and pants took his bag and led him to a private alcove.

  "Mr. Keel," the bald man motioned to an ornately carved chair. "My name is Mr. Renard. Please have a seat and we'll take care of everything."

  "Did my guest arrive yet?" Jon asked.

  "Um…no…no one else has arrived in your party. May I verify the name?"

  "Cintra Ansi."

  "No, she hasn't arrived. When do you expect her?"

  "I thought she'd be here. We just got in on the shuttle."

  "Oh yes." The attendant touched the glass tabletop with his fingertip. Jon couldn't get a good look at what was being displayed there, but he could tell from Mr. Renard's quizzical expression that something was wrong.

  "There's a slight problem, Mr. Keel. You made the reservation through Brandon Keel's company account?"

  "Yes." Jon shifted in his chair. "He's my father and the CEO of the mine on Demeter."

  "I'm sorry, but your father's account has been locked."

  "What?"

  "It says here," the attendant replied as he pointed to the display, "that the CEO's account was locked this morning."

  "Who did it?"

  "It's by order of Demeter Mine Security. There is no explanation," Mr. Renard replied, a look of discomfort on his face. "Is there another account that you would like to use?"

  Jonathan grabbed his bag and dug through it, buying a few moments to think. Mine Security? It had to be Cat. Damn.

  He could use his own account to check in. But what if security was alerted when he used his ID? He was being paranoid again, wasn't he?

  "I'll check in later," Jon said. "If my guest arrives before I get back, ask her to wait here."

  "Yes, of course," Mr. Renard replied.

  Jonathan barely waited for the doors to open before he hurried outside. Where would he go now? He could call Matt and stay at his place. He spotted an information kiosk at the corner. Perfect. It should be easy to find Matt in the directory and get the location of his apartment.

  "Mr. Keel."

  Startled, Jon stopped short. Turning to his left he looked into the blue eyes of a woman dressed in a smoky grey uniform. Perhaps he hadn't been so paranoid after all. "Yes?"

  She managed a tight smile. "Lieutenant Kira, Novacorp Security." She patted a row of four small crystals on her jacket collar. "Please accompany me to the Novacorp Administration building. We have a few questions for you," she said, her voice monotone.

  "Is this about the account?" he asked.

  "They're waiting for you. You must come with me now."

  5 Questions

  Thirty minutes later, Lt. Kira led Jon to an empty office in the Novacorp Administration building. After she left, he sat down in front of a long glass-topped table. A row of windows along the left side of the room faced the dark grey wall of another building.

  When the door opened, a man and woman walked in, both dressed in smoky grey suits. The man, rounder and heavier, sat down at the desk.

  The woman remained by the door, her arms folded across her chest. Her short dark hair was combed back flat against her head, revealing a rounded and attractive face. Unfortunately her suit didn't allow Jonathan to see very much of her body.

  "Mr. Keel, my name is Brant. I'm the Guardian Sentry Chief." Brant's brown bushy eyebrows moved up and down as he spoke. "I will be leading your questioning."

  "You're the what?" Jon hadn't heard that title before. But Novacorp was filled with bureaucrats.

  "The Sentry Leader, Mr. Keel." Brant pressed his palm against the desktop, causing one of the window panels to become opaque.

  "Why am I here?" As he watched, Jonathan saw his name and picture scrolling down the panel. Followed by other stats including the property he owned, the name and location of his club and his father's name and title.

  What he didn't see was his mother or sisters mentioned. But he knew better than to bring it up. No need to volunteer any information.

  "You own a club in the Astarte port city called, "The Answer." You're 32 years old. Height 190.5 centimeters. Born on Astarte. Birth mother not noted. No contracted partner." Brant read off the details with no emotion, his finger swiping over the desktop.

  "Your father, Brandon Keel is the CEO of the mine where the property destruction and robbery occurred. No contracted partner. He is still unaccounted for," Brant continued.

  "That can't be right. My father left for Hathor before the theft. He should've arrived days ago."

  "There is no record of his arrival, Mr. Keel." The Sentry Leader kept his attention on the display. "You must have been given incorrect information."

  It had to be a mistake. "Look. I came to Hathor to talk to security. I know someone who has information about the theft. Let's talk to them and get this cleared up."

  No one said anything. Out of the corner of his eye, Jonathan noticed the woman shifting her body. He could feel her staring at him.

  "You arrived on the shuttle from Astarte with someone who calls herself, Cintra Ansi," Brant said, ignoring Jon's statement. "Where is she now?"

  "That's what I'm saying. I brought her here because the thieves were after her. But we got separated at the terminal."

  The Sentry Leader's bland expression didn't change. "Are you contracted with her?" he asked.

  "Contracted? With Cin--I mean, with her? No, I'm not. I know her from my club. She saw the people who did the robbery. They threatened her."

  Brant nodded, glancing over at the woman. Instead of acknowledging him, she continued to stare at Jonathan.

  "When did she see them?" The Sentry Leader touched the desktop again and Jonathan's information disappeared.

  "She was traveling from Hathor to Astarte and she overheard them on the shuttle."

  "I see." Brant came to his feet and clasped his hands behind him. "And you don't know where she is?"

  "No, I don't." Jonathan looked at the woman. Why was she looking at him like that? "You have to find her. She needs protection."

  "Mr. Keel, do you know that her name is not Cintra Ansi?"

  "We used an alias in case the thieves tried to track her."

  Brant looked over at the woman again. This time she nodded.

  "Mr. Keel, Cintra Ansi was the name of the Operations Director at mining installation 103-44. Her body was found in one of the mineshafts two months ago." He leaned across the desk. "The woman who entered Hathor with you is called Ilana Travac, a suspect in Ansi's disappearance."

  "You're wrong!" No way could Ilana do anything like that.

  "You were deceived by this person, Mr. Keel. If she's responsible for Cintra Ansi's death, she may be responsible for your father's disappearance as well."

  "I know her. She came to me for help. Why aren't you looking for the people who did this? Or are you questioning me to cover your incompetence?"

  Brant's face twisted into fr
own. "Mr. Keel, perhaps your involvement in this should be investigated further. I--"

  A loud buzz interrupted him. Brant motioned for the woman to approach. They spoke quietly, then he left the room.

  "What the hell is going on?" Jon asked. "Who are you?"

  "My name is Nadira and you are talking to a Guardian. Does that answer your question?" She came over and sat on the edge of the desk.

  Jonathan stood so that he wouldn't have to look up at her. "I'm a private citizen, not a criminal."

  "Then why did you use the CEO's clearance to get passes to travel here?" she asked. "That sounds like something a thief would do."

  "Are you a Guardian or an accountant?"

  Nadira pursed her lips. He was starting to enjoy this. Why should he be the only one who was pissed off? But now that she was closer, he could get a better view.

  Appraising her, he noticed that her standard company grey suit was cut to fit her rounded bosom, tapering a little at the waist. Her smooth skin was the color of the golden brown crystal Cat had admired back at his apartment. Maybe being dragged here for questioning wasn't such a bad thing after all.

  "Looks like he left you here to guard me," he said. "Sure you can handle it?"

  "Do you think I can't?"

  Ah, this was going to be good. "I'm not sure what you can handle. But I'd like to find out."

  She blinked a few times, her mouth partly open. Good. He'd thrown her off a bit.

  "What did you say?"

  "When is he coming back?" Jon pointed towards the door. "I'd rather talk to the Leader and not one of his little helpers."

  He knew he'd hit a nerve when she uncrossed her arms and came to her feet. They were practically eye-to-eye, which surprised him. Other than his mother, he hadn't met many women close to his height.

  "It would be better if you stopped talking," she said.

  Of course it would, but he had no plans to do that. "What will you do if I don't?" He liked seeing the flash in her brown eyes. Especially the way the golden flecks shimmered against the brown.

  Nadira took a step towards him just as the door opened again. Brant strode back into the office and addressed Jonathan.

  "You can go now," he said.