by Sarah Noffke
Dr. Ass looked down, having felt the movement. He turned around to see nothing. Dismissing the sensation as a fluke, he turned back to Bailey and Lewis.
Dejoure had to be fast. She inched around behind Dr. Ass, and when he wasn’t looking, slipped the badge into Bailey’s hand.
To DJ’s relief, Bailey didn’t even hesitate. She took the badge like she’d expected to be handed the object all along.
Holding it up, covering the picture on the front, Bailey told the doctor, “Actually, I can make your job easier, here. When reassigned to the project, our clearance levels were also changed. I’ll show you.”
She strode over to the badge reader, shaking her hips more than usual, adding a provocative hint to her walk. She swiped the badge in front of the reader, and it dinged before a light glowed green.
“See?” she said.
Dr. Ass coughed. Snorted. Shook his head. “Right, well, I’ll still need to confirm with the project records, but go on in. You need to get started right away.”
“Of course,” Bailey cooed, keeping the door open for Lewis.
Hatch had faith that science would work in our favor. Dejoure slid in between the lieutenant and the detective as they made their way into the restricted area, marveling that the doctor had been right.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Restricted Area, Starboards Corp, Kai, Tangki System
It didn’t need to be stated that they had to be quick. Still, the urgency was written on Bailey’s face when she looked back at Lewis. She pointed between them and mouthed, ‘split up’. He nodded. That was smart because they needed to maximize their time.
The lab was all white. Shocking, Lewis thought, blinking the brightness away. He had trouble determining where the scientists in white lab coats stopped, and where the counters began. It was like Starboards Corp had camouflaged their employees. Or maybe color was too bold for them and complicated their evil agenda.
“Hey, you,” a short woman built like a circus performer called up to him.
Lewis looked down at the tiny lady. “Yes?”
“What are you doing here, Mr. Heathcliff,” the woman asked, reading his name badge.
Dejoure had helped them to design the lab coats to match the style of the ones at Starboards Corp, with embroidered name tags. Lewis had used his familiar naming device for picking his alias: characters from his favorite novels. That’s how he’d named the animals at Underwood Farms.
“I’ve been assigned to this project,” he said, injecting a bit of smugness into his tone, like he shouldn’t be questioned.
“Which project?” the woman asked. Her name was Scarlett Robin.
A first name for a last name. How very boring.
“I’m not sure I’m at liberty to share that information with you, Ms. Robin,” Lewis said, grabbing the lapels of his lab coat importantly.
Her cynical expression dropped, replaced by a look like they shared a common understanding. “Oh, K-factor, then.”
Lewis lifted an eyebrow, regarding her with a skeptical stare. “You’re on the K-factor project?”
He had no idea what the hell he was doing, but he plowed ahead, hoping K-factor was as important as D-factor.
“Of course,” Ms. Robin said. “We could use fresh eyes to determine how to increase the manufacturing process for kantarium. Production needs to double.”
“Double?” he echoed, intentionally keeping his questions short. Others were more likely to fill in details if the questions were broad.
“Yes, due to the increased activity at this headquarters, and as a precautionary measure, Dr. Lukas wants a larger store of K-factor,” the scientist said.
Lewis nodded, trying to quell his excitement. If K-factor was what he thought it was, then he’d hit the jackpot. “Point me in the direction of my source terminal, and I’ll get right to work.”
The woman directed him to a station between two scientists bent over a desk, their eyes inches from the clear screen displaying holograms. “All the project files are on that terminal.”
“Got it,” he said, keeping his expression neutral although his insides were doing a happy dance.
He was careful not to smile at the scientist who looked up at him when he took a seat. Starting up the computer, he cast a look at Bailey, who was on the other side of the room, an anxious expression on her face.
Lewis eyed his watch. They didn’t have long until Dr. Lukas found out they were imposters. He pulled the proximity drive from his coat pocket, carefully palming it so no one noticed. He rested his hand beside the computer, rhythmically tapping his fingers as the machine started up. According to Dejoure, the scientists were searched for weapons and other devices like proximity drives before they boarded the shuttle to transport them to Starboards Corp. However, Lewis and Bailey had taken their own transport, which meant they were both armed and completely dangerous.
Lewis opened the files for K-factor and had to contain the howl of excitement that wanted to escape. The diagram on the front of the project showed the balloon that towered high above Starboards Corp, suspending the massive skyscraper over the ocean.
Hatch is going to kiss me when I bring back these files.
He tapped his hand on the desk, earning the attention of a mousy-looking woman on the other side of him. Quickly, he dragged a box over the progress bar on the screen so she couldn’t see he was copying files. When she gave him a quizzical expression, Lewis lowered his chin and regarded her with a flirtatious stare from under hooded eyes. As he hoped, the young woman blushed, pressing her hair behind her ear, and smiled at him. He winked and returned his attention to the screen.
On his right shoulder, he felt a light tapping. He turned his head. There was nothing there—well, nothing he could see, anyway.
That was the signal from Dejoure. It was time to go.
Lewis spotted Bailey striding for the exit, catching the attention of many of the scientists as she passed. She wasn’t great at going incognito, since it was hard for most not to notice her.
He needed another minute to complete the download. He drummed his hands on the workstation again, earning him an annoyed look from the man on his other side.
Again the tapping on his shoulder, this time more adamant.
Lewis turned. Bailey was at the exit, staring at him with urgency. He nodded, pulling his hand back to his pocket and depositing the proximity drive. Quickly, he closed the windows on the screen. The download hadn’t completed, but it would have to be good enough.
When he rose, Ms. Robin looked up, giving him a punishing stare. “What are you doing?”
“I’ll be right back,” he lied.
“It’s not a scheduled break,” Ms. Robin said, her tone reprimanding.
Lewis caught sight of Bailey on the far side of the room, her eyes wide. “I think I’ve been assigned to this project by mistake. I’m going to see my supervisor.”
“What? But you—”
The push at Lewis’s back made him nearly stumble. He decided to start forward before Dejoure dragged him out of there.
“I’m sorry. But there’s been a mistake,” he said again, hurrying for the exit.
Dejoure had to keep herself from laughing as she pushed Lewis. Most adults would have punished her for doing such a thing, but Lewis would know she was protecting him.
Still cloaked, she slid up next to Bailey, who marched through the double doors, ignoring the stares from the other scientists. Dejoure was relieved to find the hallway empty. Jogging, Lewis joined them a moment later.
“Seriously, Harlowe,” Bailey said as he closed the door and let out a giant breath. “You’re the slowest person I’ve ever met.”
“I had to explain to that woman where I was going,” he said defensively.
She shook her head.
“How did you get out of there without being questioned?” Lewis asked, hurrying to keep up as they made their way to the stairs.
“I told them I’d been sent for quality assurance,” Baile
y answered.
“They believed that?” he asked incredulously.
Dejoure laughed. “They pretty much threw their reports and data at her.”
“For a girl who doesn’t want to be judged by her looks, you sure know how to bat your eyelashes at people,” Lewis remarked.
“I don’t want to be judged by sex appeal.” Bailey pointed to her name tag. “But I’m okay with Taily Bennant doing it.”
The detective laughed. “Ingenious naming device.”
“Thanks. You can use it and be Hewis Larlowe,” she offered, carefully checking around the corner.
“I think I’m good with ‘Heathcliff’,” he said.
“How about you, DJ? You could be…” Bailey looked around, like she was trying to find the cloaked girl. “What is your last name, anyway?”
“Flournoy,” she replied. “Dejoure Flournoy.”
“Damn that’s a mouthful,” Lewis remarked.
“Okay, I’m not even trying to mess with that one,” Bailey stated.
“Yeah, I picked my last name,” Dejoure said proudly.
“Nice choice. It does sound like music,” Lewis said.
Bailey shot her hand back, making them both halt. They were only a few yards from the door to the stairwell when a thundering sound echoed all around them.
Bailey pulled her gun from the back of her waistband as Dr. Ass strode around the corner, a slew of guards at his back.
The uptight administrator tied his arms across his chest as he halted. “I don’t know where you two came from or what you’re up to, but it stops now.”
Footsteps echoed from the stairwell right before several guards materialized holding shock wands. Dejoure had never seen anyone shocked with them, but she had a feeling that was about to change.
Behind them, another set of guards came around the corner, menace on their faces as voltage pulsed at the end of their wands.
Lewis pulled his gun up and faced the guards. They all inched back, having come face-to-face with a long-range weapon.
Dejoure knew that Bailey was a badass and Lewis was smart enough to get himself out of most situations, but they were outnumbered and surrounded. She didn’t know how they were going to pull this off, unless they had a secret advantage…like an invisible accomplice.
“Oh no,” Bailey said, pursing her lips. “Please don’t tell me that you didn’t see we were reassigned projects? Damn human resources screwed up our paperwork again.”
Dr. Ass rolled his eyes.
Oh, he is not impressed. DJ wondered if he was going to start lecturing; he loved his monologues.
Before joining the crew of Ricky Bobby, Dejoure would have been terrified to do what she had in mind. However, if Bailey and Lewis were caught, she would be stuck here; she had to pull out all the stops.
“Apprehend them,” Dr. Ass ordered.
The guards at their back started forward.
Bailey pulled something from her pocket and threw it to the ground. She was so fast, all her movements were a blur. A small, black cube landed on the ground a few feet from the guards. They stopped, regarding the box with uncertainty. When nothing happened, they continued forward.
A loud, piercing sound rang through the air, and a sonic pulse shot out in all directions from the cube, making it rise into the air halfway between the ceiling and the floor. A strange, reflective wall formed from the cube, resembling a bubble.
“Get them!” Dr. Ass ordered.
The guards stepped forward, tentatively reaching out for the bubble wall. Their hands were stopped as if they had encountered a real, impenetrable blocker.
“Sir, we can’t,” the first guard said. “We’re stuck.”
Bailey spun around, she and Lewis both pointing their weapons at the men in the doorway of the stairwell.
“No, you will not be getting away,” Dr. Ass said, taking a step forward, which the guards followed.
The doctor stumbled, falling down like a sack of potatoes, having tripped over Dejoure’s invisible, outstretched leg. The guards behind Dr. Ass tumbled over him. Dejoure couldn’t help but laugh.
Meanwhile, Lewis and Bailey were battling the men in the stairwell.
Dr. Ass pushed himself up, looking around and shoving the guards off him. “Who else is here?” he demanded. He reached forward like a blind man trying to find his way, and his hand nearly grazed Dejoure’s face.
She ducked and grabbed one of the shock wands from the guards, and stuck it into the back of Dr. Ass’s leg. He yelled out in pain and fell to the floor, convulsing. She hadn’t known what the weapon would do, but she hadn’t expected that.
The guard she’d stolen the wand from was now searching for her, as were his mates. She swerved to the side, nearly getting caught. Another guard lunged in her direction, but she pulled up the wand, and put it into his chest. Doing so made her position traceable, and two more guards looked ready to pounce on her. She waved the wand through the air, more for show than as an offensive tactic, and then threw it over their heads, like she’d leapt high above them. Like dumb dogs, they watched its trajectory.
“Come on!” Lewis yelled from the stairwell.
Dejoure spun, sprinting for the exit. She caught a glimpse of the guards on the other side of the hallway, still stuck behind the brand new, almost invisible wall, the cube hanging suspended in midair.
She made it to the stairwell, and was instantly overwhelmed by the sight of all the bodies.
“I’m here,” she squeaked, looking around the landing.
“Don’t worry,” Lewis said gently, holding out a hand. “We only knocked them out.”
She took his hand, and he pulled her up the flight of stairs to where Bailey was waiting. A blast rocked the floor, sending them all forward. Lewis looked to Bailey, who smiled.
“That was the bubble cube wall,” she said proudly. “The barrier is down, but we’ve left no trace of the tech that kept those jerks at bay.”
“Smart thinking,” he stated.
“Hatch is brilliant,” Bailey agreed, pushing open the door to the rooftop. She had her gun at the ready, and fired six times before turning back to her team. “All is clear. Unfortunately, we can’t simply leave everyone unconscious.”
Dejoure nodded, rendered speechless by the adrenaline and the stark reality of being part of the fight. She didn’t want anyone to get hurt, but she was realizing that sometimes it was necessary.
She would always do whatever it took to make it home to Ricky Bobby.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hatch’s Lab, Ricky Bobby, Cacama System
Lewis danced into the lab like he was listening to an upbeat tune in his head. When he was in front of Bailey, he spun around and threw his arms wide.
“Who put Skittles in your cornflakes?” she asked.
Lewis shook his head. “DJ made me french toast, actually. But this is my happy dance to celebrate locating the files for the K-factor, which is the super-secret stuff Starboards Corp uses for their magic trick with the building.” Lewis lifted the collar of his shirt, proudly. “My stock just went up.”
“I wouldn’t go cashing any checks yet, hotshot,” Hatch called from the far side of the room, peering at the main screen of his workstation.
“What’s a check?” he asked.
“It’s an archaic form of payment,” Pip answered.
“I don’t get it,” Lewis stated.
“He’s saying you’re writing checks that your ass can’t cash,” Pip informed him.
“That’s not what I was saying,” Hatch muttered, his focus on his computer. “Don’t speak for me, AI.”
“Wait until you resort to online dating,” Pip threatened. “Then you’ll be begging me to come up with sweet words for you.”
“Why would I online date?” Hatch asked absentmindedly, probably sorting through complex formulas and data while trying to maintain a conversation at the same time.
“Why wouldn’t you?” Pip asked. “I can write an online profile like no
one’s business. Mine reads: ‘Ladies look no further. I’m the real deal. I value high ethics, a healthy lifestyle and a pure heart. My mother says I’m a catch; my granny says she can’t wait to bake lasagna for a special lady. Watch out. If I fall in love, I’ll marry you’.”
“None of that is true,” Hatch muttered, unimpressed.
Bailey laughed. “You don’t have a mom or a grandmother…do you?”
“Of course not, but women love men who value the monarchs of the family,” Pip said.
“Is that profile really getting you action?” Lewis asked.
“Well, it would if I had a body,” Pip stated with a deliberate cough. “I’ve gotten a ton of swipes, but I have to keep putting off the ladies and coming up with phony reasons for why we can’t meet.”
“Why don’t you tell them the truth?” Hatch asked, swiveling around and waddling away from his workstation. “Tell them that you’re part of a covert squadron who has lost their crew, and are hard at work protecting the Federation.”
Pip sighed. “That’s so lame. I’d rather tell them I don’t have a body.”
“Well, when you do have a body, I don’t forsee you getting an opportunity to meet up with a succubus,” Hatch stated. “We have important work to do here, and we aren’t exactly operating in secure locations.”
“My dating app works based on location,” Pip said. “You’d be surprised how many hotties there are in the Precious galaxy—although I’m not into Tuetians. I can’t date anything that has bug eyes.”
“Okay, the project files we brought back on K-factor?” Lewis interrupted, trying to bring attention back to the matter at hand. “Is there a problem?”
“So far, they are a good start,” Hatch stated. “I wouldn’t go off dancing and breaking your arm patting yourself on the back, but you did okay work, kid.”
Lewis nodded, accepting a kudos from the scientist, however small.
“The files you got show their current process for manufacturing kantarium, which, as you stated, they were trying to innovate,” Hatch explained. “And I can absolutely see why; it’s a mineral they synthesized that, when heated, turns into a gas. It’s definitely what they use in the balloon that holds up the headquarters. However, the process for manufacturing it is incredibly complicated and takes a long time. I hypothesize that they will run out of the mineral in the next year if they don’t find a better method.”