by JC Cassels
“What happened?” Blade asked.
“I wore out,” Edge said.
“After I left you, I went to Altair,” Royce said. “Misou was hiding him at the Kiara D’or Choh.”
“I did what I could…to get my people out…when the raids started.” Edge struggled to get the words out. “It was like they knew…I was there…in the Com-Net. They sent…cyber attack. My implants…”
“They started a cascade on his neural net,” Royce said. “It was specifically engineered just for him.”
“Galen?”
Royce nodded.
Blade withdrew his arm from Bo’s shoulders and moved to the diagnostic pad. Tapping in a set of commands, he accessed Edge’s vitals and studied the latest entries, comparing the information there to the readouts on the machinery.
His mouth compressed in a tight line.
Edge’s temperature had spiked. His respiration and pulse had jumped, but were slowing. Blood flow to his extremities was all but nonexistent. His body was actively dying and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. The only things keeping his brother-in-law alive at this point were the few remaining functional cybernetic implants in his brain.
“They didn’t count…on me…going on…offensive,” Edge said.
“When Edge figured out what was going on, he went deep into the Com-Net.” Royce said. “He went after them.”
Blade struggled to compartmentalize his feelings. He folded his arms across his chest and cleared his throat. “Where is Andre?”
“Safe,” Royce said. “Adin took him out in the confusion of Ian bringing your brother in. Edge needed medical care, so we used him as a decoy to buy Adin and the boys some time to get away.”
Edge strained to lift a hand. He waved Bo closer.
She tenderly took her brother’s hand. Tears filled her eyes.
“I got ’em,” he said. He looked to Royce.
Royce pulled a data card from his pocket and handed it to Blade. “He traced the attack back to the source. He got everything, troop movements, timetables, everything. It’s all we need to bring down Galen and the House of Scull. Baby girl, we have everything we need to clear our names and go home.”
Bo shook her head. “I’d rather have my brother,” she said. She looked to Blade, her eyes wild and pleading. “Can’t you do something? Fix him…”
A heavy lump of emotion squeezed Blade’s chest. He shook his head and tucked the data card into his jacket.
“No, love,” he said softly. “I wish I could, but there’s nothing to be done.”
Edge closed his eyes and sighed. “Give it to me straight, Doc.”
“Your vital organs are shutting down,” Blade said. “The implants are the only reason you’re still alive.”
Spasms shook his body as a coughing fit stole his breath.
“I can’t shut down the neural implants,” Edge said. “I have to overload them.”
“He needs your help,” Royce said.
“Cybernetics is not my field…”
“Edge can overload them, but he can’t do it from inside his body.”
Bo’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand,” she said. “How is he supposed to leave his body without dying?”
Blade slowly nodded his understanding. “You want access to the Sovran Net.”
Bo looked to him for an explanation.
“The Sovran Net has unlimited data streaming and storage,” he said. “It has access to every connected system in the Commonwealth. He’s been trying to upload himself to the Com-Net.”
She looked to her brother. “Is that even possible?”
“The enviro controls aboard Sundance,” Blade said. “Sundance couldn’t find anything mechanically wrong with the systems because there wasn’t anything wrong with them. You said the issue started shortly after Gray hired you. That’s when this coordinated attack started against Edge and my father. When Edge went on the offensive, he couldn’t get back before the neural relays started cascading, so he went into the nearest Redmaster Blue computer networks he could find.”
Edge nodded.
“I sensed your life force aboard Sundance. It was all over the AI.”
“That’s what you meant,” Bo said. “You told me that when you implanted the computer enhancement system into your brain the man you were ceased to exist and you became Edge.”
“And Edge is your brother, the central Com-Net, Redmaster Blue and anything accessible via data stream,” Royce said.
“You’re in my ship’s AI?”
“He is your ship’s AI,” Blade said. “He’s been uploading more and more of himself into the Com-Net. That feedback over your com-implant started when I accessed the Sovran Net. Edge was trying to upload himself then, but he only made it as far as Chiron’s central computer.”
Bo turned on her brother. “That was you? That hurt!”
He smiled weakly. “Sorry, brat,” he said. “I wouldn’t hurt you for anything. It’s hard to gauge… I ran interference on the station… released the docking clamps.”
Bo looked to Blade. “I thought you…”
Blade shook his head. “I told you, I never got a chance.”
“Oh.” Bo studied her brother’s face.
“I’m not sorry for any of this,” Edge said. “Frostfire, Redmaster Blue…it brought you to me. I…am…so…proud…of you.”
The tears Bo had been struggling to hold back spilled onto her cheeks.
Blade swallowed to dislodge the lump of emotion in his throat. He exchanged a look with Royce, seeing his own sense of helplessness mirrored in his eyes.
“Life keeps going, Bo,” Edge said. “My physical shell is worn out...it’s not dying…it’s transferring to a different state of being…I’ll still be around…watching over you…helping when I can...I just won’t be bound by this weak body anymore.”
Blade blinked away the moisture in his eyes and focused his attention on the readouts. He cleared his throat again, trying to swallow the lump of emotions lodged there. “As soon as your body flatlines, we won’t have much time to get away. They’re going to think it was Andre.”
“I’m not leaving you here to be dissected,” Bo said.
“Don’t worry, Princess.” Royce gently squeezed Edge’s shoulder. “I’ve already got that taken care of. I’ll make sure he goes home for a proper interment.”
“Can we please get on with this?” Edge sighed. “I’m tired…I want to be free…run through the data stream.”
Royce’s jaw set. His eyes filled with emotion. He looked to Blade and nodded.
“I’ll do what I can to help your Prenaha cross over,” Blade said. “You’re on your own with the data stream.”
Edge sighed and sank deeper into his pillow. “Thank you,” he said. “Promise me you’ll look after them?”
“I promise.”
“I’m ready.”
Blade looked to Bo, then Royce, waiting for each nod before he activated his Sovran chip. As soon as the light flashed in his palm, the lights in the room flickered and the equipment flashed. Sirens sounded as Edge’s body seized and shuddered. He gasped for air with a gurgling rattle. Edge’s Prenaha slipped along the equipment before disappearing into the data stream.
The steady tone announcing cessation of all life functions sounded.
Blade switched it off at the controls.
Bo whimpered and turned away, blindly reaching for Blade. He took her hand and pulled her into his arms, curving his body protectively around her. Her fists gripped his shirt as she sobbed quietly into his chest.
He tenderly kissed the top of her head and tightened his hold on her.
Royce stared at Edge’s body, unashamed of the tears streaming down his face. “Go!” His voice choked. “I’ve got it from here.”
With a nod, Blade gently eased her away from him.
“Come on, love,” he said. “We need to get away while we can.”
With a deep shuddering breath, Bo pulled herself together and wipe
d the tears from her face. “I’m ready,” she assured him.
Royce lifted his head and searched his face. “Go on. I’ll meet you at the rendezvous.”
“I’ll take care of her, Royce.”
“I know you will, kid.”
Still open to the Sentaro, the source of Royce’s crushing grief came into sharp focus for Blade.
“No parent should ever have to watch their child die,” he said. “I’m so sorry, Royce.”
Royce Barron, the toughest, meanest son-of-a-kretch he’d ever worked with, broke in that moment. Nodding, his voice failed him as he offered a thank you.
With one last nod, Blade bundled Bo out of the room.
“Sir, what were those alarms?”
Squaring his shoulders, Blade pulled Bo tighter against him. “Lord Marin has no further need of the Janizary,” he said. “Secure the Heir.”
Bo’s head shot up in alarm, but thankfully, she held her silence.
“Yes, sir!”
Moving quickly, they made their way back down to the parking structure and Blade’s hand-picked security detail.
It felt like hours, but was in truth only a matter of minutes, before they were on the highway zipping through traffic. In the back seat of Lord Marin’s diplomatic cruiser, Bo rested her cheek against his shoulder, gripping him tightly.
“Do we have someone on traffic control?” the driver asked.
Blade shook his head. “I don’t think so, why?”
“It’s like every traffic signal is changing to accommodate us. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Blade smiled to himself. Sure enough, their cruiser never had to slow to make it through the intersections. He glanced down at Bo.
A small smile played about her lips. “Edge…” she whispered.
He hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “I wouldn’t bet against it,” he said softly.
“Sir, Rameus has ordered his people to move on Agent Kendall,” said Pryczek, the com specialist.
“Any word from Con?”
“They’re on the move, but he says he’s got two patriots in tow. They won’t let your brother out of their sight.”
“Ian?”
“He’s already left the palace. He’s on his way to meet up with someone named Royce. He has Crider with him,” Pryczek said. “And the security detail has accepted delivery of the supplies you requisitioned. They report the cargo is clean.”
Blade settled back into his seat. “Good. At least that’s going in our favor.”
“What does he mean by patriots?” Bo asked. “Are they your men?”
“I wish I knew.”
***
The cruiser pulled into the docking bay and drew smoothly to a halt. Chase peered out the window at the Tau-class cruiser that filled the docking bay. Men in suits loaded cargo containers onto a belly lift underneath the ship.
“Is that…?”
Tese shook her head. “I couldn’t tell one from another to save my life.”
“My brother told me it had been part of her severance package from her previous contract,” Chase said.
“Quite a generous severance, even for a Kiara.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Chase said. “I’ve never contracted a companion.”
She tenderly touched his face. “And you never will.”
Leaning down, he brushed a kiss against her lips. “Join with me,” he whispered. “I don’t care what happens. I just want to spend the rest of my life knowing that you and I will be together.”
“I love you.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes.” Her lips trembled. “I am so afraid.”
“Me too,” he said.
“I think they mean to…” She broke off, and glanced down at the boy whose head rested in her lap. She ran her fingers through his brown hair. “I can’t bear the thought of losing either of you.”
“I know. I feel the same. Look.” With a nod, he directed her stare out the window. “Ian said to have faith in my brother. That’s a Tau-class cruiser. I’m not much of a gambler, but I’ve played enough to count this as a manageable risk.”
Suddenly remembering the Sovran chip, he lifted his right hand from her arm and studied his palm. He looked back to the ship. Would it work?
“When we get on board, wait for me to give the signal, then take Dash and make a break for the flight deck.”
“But Ian said…”
“Ian’s not here,” Chase said. “And he was a little skimpy on the details about who we can trust. All we have to do is lock ourselves on the flight deck and wait for Dev to show up.”
“And if they try to stop us?”
“I can slow them down long enough for you and Dash to get away. Once you’re locked in, don’t open that hatch for anyone. If anything happens to me, the only person who’ll be able to open it is Dev himself, which is why I’m willing to gamble that they won’t do me any permanent damage as long as the flight deck is sealed.”
“Don’t do anything foolish.”
He smiled. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m no hero. That’s my brother.”
Stett opened the cruiser door and stepped back. “Sir?”
Chase stepped out of the cruiser and turned to help Tese with Dash. She clutched the child to her chest and cast an anxious look around at the security detail. Two men flanked the ramp, and hadn’t left their post since the cruiser pulled into the bay. They followed Stett to the ramp. Fee and Rive fell into position just behind them.
Stett nodded to the guards on either side of the ramp as he mounted it. The hatch slid open at his touch.
Chase slowed and nudged Tese ahead of him. As though they had practiced a thousand times before, she went to the right and took several steps toward the flight deck before she turned and waited for him. Chase ushered her behind him and backed slowly away from the hatch, never taking his eyes off Fee and Rive as they boarded the ship.
Stett’s lips twitched as he watched them.
“Where are you going, Sir?” Fee said.
“To a secure location. Isn’t that what you said?” Chase canted his head. “But I was under the impression that it didn’t get more secure than the Sovran Palace.”
“Ordinarily, Sir, I would agree,” Fee said. “But my orders from General Rameus said that he’d received word that the Palace was compromised.”
“Huh,” Chase grunted. “I’d have to agree that the Palace was compromised.” Reaching behind him, he nudged Tese, urging her to move more quickly. He glanced over his shoulder to see how far they still had to go.
Screw it.
He tapped the center of his palm and the light from the chip flashed.
“Sovran authorization, Daavin Marin, confirm.”
“Authorization confirmed.”
Chase’s throat tightened. That didn’t sound like the ship’s AI he remembered.
“Now!” He said, his voice choked with fear.
Tese raced for the flight deck and quickly mounted the stairs.
He backed away from the other men.
Taken by surprise, Fee and Rive hesitated a brief second before starting after him.
Chase turned and ran after her.
Inside the hatch of the flight deck, Tese turned and her eyes widened in alarm.
A hand clapped down on first one shoulder, then the other, dragging him to a halt.
With a look of apology, he tapped his hand again.
“Seal the flight deck and don’t open it again without Sovran authorization! Daavin Marin, confirm!”
The hatch hissed shut and sealed with a hum.
“Authorization confirmed.”
One of the hands fell away from his shoulder.
Fee punched him in the back.
Chase grunted as instinct took over. He grabbed the hand on his shoulder and twisted, pulling the man forward. Chase kicked out behind him, connecting with solid flesh. The force of impact vibrated through Fee and Chase felt it in the wrist he gripped. Pressing
his advantage, Chase swung the off-balance man into the bulkhead, twisting his arm behind his back. Lashing out with his forearm, Chase connected with his elbow. The sickening crunch of breaking bone mingled with a howl of pain which turned quickly to rage.
Fee slipped to one side and turned, trying to take the pressure off his mangled arm. Chase kicked at his knee. Bone shattered. Fee fell to the deck plates and clawed for his sidearm.
Blasterfire lit up the companionway and the report echoed through the ship.
Fee seized with enough force to jerk free of Chase’s grasp. The smell of burning bone and flesh coiled upward on a blue haze of smoke.
With a yelp, Chase turned. His heart pounded in his chest. He gasped for air.
Fear pinned him in place.
A small, black clad female form emerged from the haze.
His breath caught.
Her beautiful face was a cold, deadly mask of rage. The look in her amber eyes chilled his blood.
She looked dispassionately at Fee’s smoldering remains, then turned her attention to him.
Something moved in the haze behind her. He opened his mouth to call out a warning, but she had already turned to meet the threat.
“I thought you said no blasters,” Stett said with a wry smile.
Bo Barron lowered her sidearm. “I told you no blasters. It’s my ship and I’ll do as I damn please.”
Dev skidded to a halt inside the hatch. “I’ve never seen you run so fast,” he said. “You could have at least waited for the cruiser to stop.”
“Sundance told me what was going on,” she said. “I didn’t want to miss the fun.”
Dev grinned at his brother. “Looks like you tried to keep all the fun for yourself.”
Limbs shaking so hard he wasn’t sure he could stay on his feet, Chase drew a deep breath and braced his hand on the bulkhead. “You can keep your fun.”
“Not bad for a civilian,” Stett said.
Chase gestured toward his brother. “Yeah, well – I’ve been the sparring partner of a Predator for the past twelve years. You pick up a few things.”
Bo looked around. “Where are Tese and Dash?”
Chase jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Flight deck.”
She glanced past him, her eyes narrowed when she noticed the red light on the panel beside the hatch. “Sundance, open the com.”