by Sarah Noffke
She backed up, rubbing her head. “Ouch.”
“Double sorry,” Jack said, grimacing. One of the jumper cables Liesel wore in her hair had knocked him in the temple.
“It’s okay,” she said, readjusting the small, red cable she’d used to pull her hair back on one side. “I think I got you worse than you got me.”
Jack massaged his temple, opening his jaw to clear away some of the tension. “Well, you are wearing metal in your hair,” he joked. The young engineer was dressed in stretchy black pants and a cream-colored sweater. She had a pirate’s smile, and a look in her eyes like she’d remembered a joke.
Liesel’s eyes drifted up in the direction of her hairline. “A bit unorthodox, I know. My friends say I’m eccentric for the sake of being different.”
Jack laughed. “That sounds like something only a friend could tell you.” He looked down at his crisp, button-up shirt and slacks. Jack had never known what it meant to be eccentric; he preferred his own appearance to be a bit more polished.
“Good news,” Liesel said, pinning a bit of blonde hair behind one ear.
Jack’s thoughts darted to the Otterbots, and he wondered how he’d forgotten about them. Time was critical. “What’s that?” he asked, his pulse quickening.
“Hatch signed off on the plans,” Liesel said, turning the pad over and checking the screen, thankfully still intact.
“Hatch. Yes, that’s right,” Jack said as another idea related to the Otterbot mission sprang to his mind.
“You look like you’ve got something demanding your attention,” Liesel observed.
Jack blanched at the astute comment. “Actually, I do. Thanks for the update. I’ve got to get to the bridge.”
He took off at a sprint, careful not to run into any more crew members as he passed.
~~~
“Think about it,” Eddie encouraged. “That’s all I’m saying.”
“I’ve already thought about it, and the answer is no,” Julianna said, turning her attention to the fast-approaching footsteps at her back.
Jack rounded the corner a moment later. The welt on the side of his head was the first thing the others saw.
“What happened to you?” Eddie asked Jack, when he stopped, breathless and nearly doubling over in front of them.
“What?” Jack asked, looking down at his clothes.
“Are you bleeding?” Julianna asked, staring at the wound on the side of his head.
He wiped his hands across the cut and eyed his wet fingers. “Oh, it’s nothing. I bumped into an eccentric.” Jack smeared the blood on a pristinely white handkerchief he’d pulled from his pocket.
“Oh, so Liesel, then?” Eddie guessed.
It wasn’t a risky guess, since there was no one quite like the chief engineer on the ship. She could be found in the morning meditating on the observation deck, and had asked Ricky Bobby to announce that she’d be holding “yoga retreats” in the evening.
Julianna felt bad because she was pretty sure these extracurricular activities weren’t going to have any attendance.
Maybe you should join her, then, Pip offered in Julianna’s head.
Yoga isn’t really my thing.
You should keep an open mind, Pip said with a laugh.
Ha-ha.
“I have urgent news,” Jack said, stuffing the bloody handkerchief into his pocket.
Julianna shot a tentative expression at Eddie, who returned it, his gaze instantly worried.
“Is it the Saverus? Has she gotten away?” Eddie asked in a rush.
Jack shook his head. They’d discussed the security complications with imprisoning the alien on the ship. “No. It’s something much more pressing,” Jack began. “For years, the Federation has been trying to track down a group that was known to occupy a territory on the Frontier. We haven’t been able to find their headquarters, but I believe we’ve intercepted a signal from one of their ships headed to their base, which is in Federation territory. Ricky Bobby believes the transmission was supposed to be scrambled, but he’s gotten better at picking up and deciphering these.”
“That’s great!” Eddie said, a look of zealous excitement immediately springing into his eyes.
“I’m guessing Ricky Bobby has a tracker on the ship, then?” Julianna asked.
Jack nodded. “Yes, but you’re going to have to go after them quickly. They are headed toward Ronin airspace.”
“Ronin? Wow. They have been hiding under our noses. We can be on their tail in no time,” Julianna stated.
She looked around, assessing who was in the general vicinity. Lars and Fletcher bolted to attention at once, striding over. Having an alert team that was ready to spring into action with a single glance was something she appreciated immensely.
“The quicker, the better,” Jack replied. “However, this is a dangerous group; if they sense they’re being followed, we’ll miss our chance to find their home base. For that reason, I just want you two to take one Q-Ship. Having the element of surprise would be best, and mobilizing the ground forces quickly is too much of a risk.”
“Why don’t we organize our forces and attack when we learn where the headquarters are?” Eddie asked.
Jack shook his head. “That probably won’t work. Following in behind them is key. We’ve been trying to find the Otters’ headquarters for quite some time. I’m guessing to get in there, we need special clearance, which I’m hoping you can get by sneaking in behind this rogue ship.”
Eddie pursed his lips and nodded. “That makes sense. Tip-toe in behind these guys before they have a chance to shut the door, so to speak.”
“Exactly,” Jack said, motioning to Julianna and Eddie. “I want you two to go in there and execute a swift strike.”
“What about Fletcher?” Eddie asked. “Wouldn’t it be better to have some backup?”
“No,” Jack said at once, looking at the lieutenant. “As talented as you are, I don’t think it’s a good idea to be in close proximity to the Otters. They are too dangerous.”
“Is this when you tell us who these Otters are?” Eddie asked.
Jack glanced at his watch, taking a steadying breath. “They are a group of assassins who have been eluding us for too long. This is our chance to take them out. They only take jobs outside of the Federation, but left unchecked, they could become a huge problem.”
“Yeah the last thing we need is assassins wandering into federation space,” Julianna said adamantly.
“I agree. I’m happy to be on the team that exterminates these killers,” Fletcher said, standing taller next to Eddie.
The stubborn look on Jack’s face deepened. “These aren’t your run of the mill assassins. They are incredibly powerful, with a strength that will even challenge the captain and commander.”
“What?” Eddie asked. “You said they’ve operated outside of the Federation all this time. How did they get enhancements?”
Jack laughed humorlessly. “They are enhanced, but not in the same way as you and Julianna. The Otters, or ‘Otterbots’, as they are also known, are cyborgs.”
“Oh, fuck,” Eddie said, whistling through his teeth. “I haven’t seen a cyborg in…well, I can’t even remember how long it’s been.”
“And these cyborgs operate as a group of assassins for hire?” Julianna asked.
“Yes, and although we know they’ve been employed mostly on the Frontier, this ship we’re tracking is headed to Ronin, which could be where their headquarters are located,” Jack explained.
So they don’t live in Otter space? Pip asked, his tone completely serious.
His perfect delivery caused an abrupt laugh to escape Julianna’s mouth. All three men looked at her, curious expressions on their faces. She waved them off.
“Sorry. Pip is making bad jokes in my head, as usual.”
Eddie gave her a look of jealousy. “Sounds like it was a pretty good joke, actually.”
Julianna shook her head. “Okay, we’d better head out. Ricky Bobby, you still
have a lock on the Otters’ ship?”
“Yes, and I’ve run simulations based on the ship’s continued trajectory, and have a rough idea of where they are headed to on Ronin,” Ricky Bobby informed.
“Damn, that’s one smart AI,” Eddie said.
Tell the captain that I take unintended offense to that, Pip sang.
You can tell him yourself when we’re in the Q-Ship, Julianna said.
Yes, I can tell him all sorts of things.
Don’t you even think about it, Julianna warned.
I’m thinking about it…
~~~
“Lars. Fletcher,” Jack called when the two were about to turn. “I have a mission for you, as well.”
“Yes, sir,” Fletcher said, rolling his shoulders back and giving Jack his full attention.
“I need you, Lars, to fly a Q-Ship to Ronin, separately from the commander and the captain.” Jack looked at Fletcher. “And I need you to accompany Knox on that ship.”
“Oh, Ronin…” Fletcher said, realization dawning on him.
“Knox’s home planet,” Jack nodded. “I’m thinking that, since we’re so close we might as well take this opportunity. Maybe visiting Knox’s childhood home might jog his memory with the Tangle Thief.”
“But you’re worried that it could be a trap?” Fletcher asked.
With a reluctant nod, Jack said, “That’s why I want you there. We shouldn’t draw much attention to your presence so I want it to be an in and out job. However, I know that the Saverus are on the hunt for information on the Tangle Thief, and they might also have thought to retrace Knox’s footsteps.”
“Not to mention that they will want to get their hands on the boy,” Fletcher said, a crease marking his brow.
“No matter what, you can’t allow that to happen,” Jack insisted. “I’m not saying that because Knox is the only one who knows where the Tangle Thief is. He’s a part of our team. Don’t allow anything to happen to him.”
Fletcher saluted. “I’ll protect him with my life.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Alpha-line Q-Ships, Ricky Bobby, Behemoth System
Eddie hadn’t stopped laughing since the Q-Ship had flown out of the launch tube to follow the Otters’ ship.
“Are you done?” Julianna asked while locking onto the target, a one-person ship that the Black Eagles could do loops around. Although the Q-Ship was cloaked, they kept a safe distance as the rusty ship neared Ronin airspace.
“That’s some funny shit,” Eddie said through a laugh.
“See,” Pip urged overhead, “the captain gets my humor.”
“‘Otter space’,” Eddie repeated yet again, slapping his leg.
“If I was interfaced with the captain, like I am with the Q-Ship and you, Jules, then we’d all be one, big, happy family,” Pip declared.
“No,” Julianna barked.
Eddie observed how high her shoulders were pinned; she tensed every time they talked about this possibility. He didn’t know what the hang-up was, and she hadn’t been any closer to sharing it with him.
“Okay, okay,” Pip started. “I’ve got a joke.”
“No!” Julianna yelled, her face flushing red.
“Maybe it’s a bad time,” Eddie said, stifling his own laughter.
“Why did the big otter make a small fire?” Pip asked, ignoring Julianna’s sour mood.
Silence.
Pip gave a fake cough.
Eddie darted his eyes sideways at Julianna, and resigned himself slightly. “Go ahead, Pip. Why did the big otter make a small fire?”
“Because he wanted to be a little h-h-h-otter!” Pip’s laughter filled the cockpit.
Eddie couldn’t help himself, and joined in. The joke was so dumb, he liked it.
Julianna rolled her eyes, initiating the thrusters as the ship ahead of them sped up, passing into Ronin’s atmosphere. “That’s the worst joke ever.”
“Fine, I’ve got another one,” Pip said through seemingly unending laughter. “Where do otters keep their money?”
Julianna looked straight at Eddie, her face stone. “Don’t you answer that. Actually, ignore him completely.”
Eddie’s face broke, and the wide grin he’d been suppressing sprang free. “Oh, come on. Even you have to admit that one’s funny. Of course otters keep their money in river banks.”
“Yahoo!” Pip sang. “We have a winner!”
Eddie wanted to reach out and shake Julianna by the shoulders. One moment she was his best friend, his partner, and then the next, she’d walled herself off from him. It was happening more rapidly lately, like she was afraid of something. But apparently talking about it was definitely out of the question.
“Can we focus?” Julianna asked over Pip’s continued chuckles.
Through what sounded like a wheezing breath, Pip said, “Yes, of course. I otter be ashamed of myself.” He burst into renewed laughter.
Eddie cleared his throat, trying to sound unaffected. “I wonder what’s up with the name ‘Otter’ for these cyborgs.”
“That’s a good question,” Julianna said, relaxing a little. Talking business always put her at ease.
“I can answer that,” Pip imparted, his tone suddenly neutral. “Jack didn’t have a chance to brief you entirely on the Otterbots, since the discovery of this ship was unexpected.”
“Go on, then,” Julianna urged.
“I’ll tell you. I promise,” Pip paused, “after one more joke.”
“Pip, we’re almost there,” Julianna complained, leveling the Q-Ship out and following the Otterbot vehicle.
Its body was much slimmer than a Black Eagle’s, and had impressive fluidity, although it wasn’t as fast. The hatch for the cockpit was oversized, which made its contents even more curious.
“What’s the difference between a pizza and an otter?” Pip asked.
Eddie eyed Julianna, who pretended to not have heard Pip, then asked, “What’s the difference?”
“A pizza doesn’t scream when you put it in the oven,” Pip answered.
“Oh, fuck,” Julianna said in a hush, giving Eddie a pointed stare.
“Yeah, even I must admit, Pip, that’s a bad otter joke,” Eddie stated.
“Well, what can I say, I guess we’re drifting apart,” Pip said and howled again with laughter.
“Okay, now tell us, what’s the deal behind the name ‘otter’?” Julianna asked.
“The name was originally given to these cyborgs as a derogatory joke by the Trid,” Pip explained. “As cyborgs, they were seen as lesser and usually referred to as mutants. No one took them seriously, since they are only half-human or half-Trid.”
“Some of the cyborgs are Trid?” Eddie asked.
“They came out of the research facility on Kai,” Pip said.
“You mean, Pistris Station, where Jules risked her life to save bunnies?” Eddie asked, scowling at her.
“Move on with your life, Teach,” she said at once.
“Yes, Pistris was where these cyborgs came from,” Pip continued.
“It makes sense that those shark-fuckers would name their pet projects ‘otters’,” Eddie stated.
“Otters who became assassins. Shit just got weird,” Julianna said, shaking her head.
“None of them have any otter DNA, in case you’re wondering,” Pip said. “Three are human, and three are Trid. According to the files, they escaped from the facility a few years ago. Later, the Federation got wind that the six had formed an assassin team. Besides taking out their original creators, they’ve also targeted many higher-ups in the Trid government.”
“Which is why the Federation allowed them to exist for this long,” Eddie deduced.
“Well, if they were taking out the Trid, then they were probably doing us a favor,” Julianna qualified.
“Exactly,” Pip said. “But they’ve gone unchecked for too long, and their targets are getting closer to the Federation.”
“It’s only a matter of time before they come after one
of our own,” Eddie said, growing anxious for the fight to come.
“So they took on the name their creator gave them as a joke?” Julianna asked, sounding perplexed.
“Oppression and bullying is a great motivator,” Pip answered. “Their name is a constant reminder of the wrongdoing that started their journey.”
Julianna set the Q-Ship down behind the Otterbots’ vehicle. This area of Ronin looked like the rest of the planet: rundown and filled with industrial pollution. It was hard to make out much through the smog that glowed orange around them. The ship had halted in the middle of a barren wasteland littered with wreckage.
Eddie thought that the ship must be lost and rechecking its maps, but then a large, metal door rolled back from the ground to reveal a huge chasm.
“Think we found our assassins’ evil lair,” Eddie said, leaning forward. The ship in front of them moved forward working its way through the opening and underground.
Julianna didn’t hesitate, speeding into the space where the ship had been and lowering into the large shaft, following undetected in the cloaked Q-Ship.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Pip said, that familiar teasing tone in his voice.
Eddie tensed, preparing himself for what bomb the AI would drop.
“The Otterbots, much like the sea creatures they are named for, prefer the frigid cold,” Pip explained.
“So it’s going to be as cold as fuck in the facility, is that right?” Eddie asked, his eyes rolling back in his head as he clenched his fists.
“Bingo,” Pip said. “They are machines; they wouldn’t want to overheat.”
Alpha-line Q-Ships, Saddal City, Ronin, Behemoth System
“Feels good to be in the co-pilot seat, doesn’t it?” Lars had asked Knox as he’d flown them to Ronin.
Knox had offered his friend a shaky smile, but hadn’t answered otherwise.
If he had, he would have said that nothing felt good anymore. Not working on the cars or tinkering with the new projects or even flying.
Lars didn’t need Knox’s help flying the Q-Ship, but he’d asked for it to make Knox feel better.
That was the thing, though. Everyone wanted something from him lately, and it was overwhelming. They wanted him to feel better. To recover his memory. To remember what he’d done with the Tangle Thief.