“Why was she doing that?” Doug asked.
“Cassandra liked to scare the new recruits,” Kindra answered. “It was one of her favorite hobbies.”
“Who’s telling this story?”
“Sorry Cain, please continue.”
“Thank you. Where was I? Oh yes. She was sneaking up behind Brent, getting ready to pounce. He was asking about us being called the FF when she jumped at him. Yelled out ‘Fighting Freaks’ and everything. It was a riot.”
“How did Brent react?” Penny asked.
“He didn’t,” Cain said with a shrug. “He simply turned around and studied Cassandra. I’d seen the toughest recruits jump out of their skin at that gag, but he didn’t even flinch. As I was introducing her, I made a crack about her skin, and she got mad. Tried to jump me. I managed to dodge and pop her helmet off.”
“Seriously?” Kindra asked.
Cassandra hung her head in shame.
“You bet. I couldn’t help but laugh when it flew off her head. Cassandra looked like a cornered animal. She blushed something awful. I mean apple time. Then, unexpectedly, Brent reached out his hand and rested it on her forehead. You should have seen the look on her face. She bolted out of there faster than you could believe.” Cain started laughing hysterically.
“Why’d he do that?” Erin asked.
“He was worried about me,” Cassandra answered in a low voice.
“If anything that raises more questions than it answered, but enough on that,” Dante said, done indulging the others. “Tell us more about yourself.”
“Sorry, second rule of showmanship,” Cain said with a grin. “Always leave them wanting more.”
“Who’d want to hear about a pompous wind bag like you anyway?” Cassandra was obviously angry with Cain for telling the story.
“He’s the son of another pompous wind bag who runs Core Industries,” Rhea said indifferently.
Cain jumped out of his chair and pointed his finger at Rhea.
“You can make as much fun of me as you like, but don’t you ever make fun of my father.” His playful demeanor had instantly vanished. “Take that back.”
“I think she hit a nerve,” Humphrey mumbled.
“That’s an understatement,” Angela said with a raised eyebrow as she studied Cain.
“He and the rest of that pathetic corporation are nothing more than dogs that were lucky to get a bone they didn’t deserve.” Rhea didn’t let up.
“Now, both of you cut it out!” Dante shouted over them.
“Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.” Cain sneered at Dante. “Tell me, Rhea, which marriage did you come from?”
“How dare you!” Rhea got up out of her chair, rage covering her face.
“Director Serena’s past isn’t as big a secret as you’d like, is it? It’s a miracle the Union keeps him on.”
“Don’t you ever dirty the name of my father, or the ITU.”
“If the Union had its way I wouldn’t be able to call it that. It’s only thanks to CI that we have the shred of independence we currently enjoy.”
“What you call independence is nothing more than glorified inefficiency. Out of every five items shipped through the Commonwealth, the lesser corporations soil only one. If it were up to your CI friends, they’d lose track of the other four as well!”
“Lost freight? Is that what you call it? Funny, we call it murder where I come from. When our traders are attacked, there isn’t some massive fleet to run to their rescue.”
“Even if you still had your fleets, you’d just misuse them. Just like you did during the three titan revolt.”
“Funny how the Union is always the first to bring that up. And yet they never list their part in that drama.”
“The ITU didn’t do anything illegal.”
“They didn’t have to. They had more than enough to buy out anyone who would have stopped them. It just burns you up we managed to win in the end. The monolith was defeated by three lowly worlds.”
“You paid for your actions.”
“And one day you’ll pay for yours.”
“Pompous idiot. You and your father are both complete fools.”
Cain charged Rhea, throwing a powerful punch. The doorway slid open, and Brent stepped into the room and into the path of Cain’s attack. His face caught the full force of the punch. Brent was slammed to the ground, his head smashing into the bulkhead. Cain’s eyes widened as he realized what he’d just done. The rest of the squad gasped as Brent left a red stain on the bulkhead as he got up.
“Good afternoon to you, too,” he said as he rubbed the back of his head.
When the troopers didn’t respond, he cast a questioning gaze at Rhea and Cain, the only ones standing. Pulling his hand out from behind his head, he found a few drops of blood on his fingers.
“Okay. What’s going on?” Brent asked.
“She started it,” Cain said weakly.
“I don’t care who started it, I’m ending it right now . . . what was ‘it’ exactly?”
“More or less a political debate,” Dante said with a shrug.
“A pretty heated one,” Angela said with a smirk. “Cain was about to attack Rhea when you walked in. Guess he has a temper.”
“Good thing I ran interference then.” Brent walked down the aisle toward the doorway at the rear. “Since you two are already standing, come with me. The rest of you stay here.”
Cain and Rhea exchanged nervous glances as they followed. As they walked down the narrow hallways of the ship Brent waited until the doorway sealed behind them before he spoke.
“I’m not going to grill you two in front of the others, but don’t think that means you are off the hook. I want to know exactly what got you both so worked up that you had to use my skull as a punching bag.”
“It wasn’t my fault!” Rhea protested. “He was the one who threw the punch.”
“And I’m sure he did that without any provocation from you whatsoever. He just got to his feet and waited until I entered the room to throw a random punch.”
Rhea looked down at the floor plating.
“Look, I’m not saying either one of you is solely to blame.” Brent rubbed his aching head. “You are equally responsible. I think. So tell me what happened.”
“We said some things, some not nice things,” Cain said slowly. “Where are you taking us?”
“I’m visiting the medic. I’ve had enough experience to know blood loss is never a good thing. So what kind of ‘not nice things?’”
Cain looked at Rhea.
“Things I’d rather not say again.”
“Me either,” Rhea said quietly.
“Okay, well you have to tell me something. I can’t very well just let you run off like nothing happened. My throbbing skull would never forgive me. Can you at least tell me what the argument was about? Without the not nice things.”
“I was insulting of the ITU, and she was insulting CI.”
“Great, and I’m headed to the ICU. Can we skip all the abbreviations?”
“You don’t know what they stand for, do you?” Rhea asked skeptically.
“Maybe I did and his punch has given me a concussion that’s forced me to forget. Whatever the case, I’m not the one in trouble here.”
“Point taken. Cain means the Independent Traders Union and Core Industries.”
“Okay, so which of you likes the Union, and which likes the Core?”
Rhea stiffened.
“What did I say now?” Brent asked.
“Calling the ITU the . . . Union is kind of what started this mess,” Cain said in a low voice. “Think of the worse name you could call someone and double it. That’s the equivalent.”
“Beautiful. So basically you two got in a name-calling contest, and I won. At least now I know which teams you both belong with. So is that it? Cain used an unpopular reference?”
“It’s more complicated than that. I brought up the . . . the revolt.” Rhea looked at her sho
es.
“You’re going to make me ask aren’t you?” Brent sighed openly.
“Brent?” Cain raised an eyebrow.
“Let’s pretend for a minute I have no idea what you are talking about. What are the facts? And just the facts, I’m not looking for a rematch here.”
Cain and Rhea looked at one another.
“Well, the ITU wanted to expand its control over a few worlds that were dealing exclusively with CI.” Cain looked at Rhea, waiting for her to protest.
“Core Industries tried to resist losing its primary worlds.” Rhea continued the story. “Without the trade income from those worlds, it is likely CI would have gone bankrupt.”
“The ITU got the government involved, saying CI was threatening the stability of the region and such,” Cain added.
“Whether the allegations were true or not, it did manage to get the military to enter the negotiations,” Rhea said. “With the ITU, government, and military working together, it was only a matter of time before the world capitulated to the ITU.”
“As a last ditch effort to hold off the ITU’s attempts, the world in conflict, along with the other two worlds held by Core Industries, stopped all trade with the Commonwealth,” Cain explained.
“It became known as the three titans revolt,” Rhea said. “The three worlds were vastly important to galactic trade. Until that point, no one knew how important. Food stores started to run out. Manufacturing slowed. It was a mess.”
“To end the revolt before mass starvation started, the government pulled back,” Cain continued. “They let CI keep their economic control over the worlds and vowed never to interfere with trade disputes between corporations again.”
“Core Industries had won, but at a terrible price,” Rhea went on. “Worried CI would do something similar in the future, the government changed the rules on how PSFs are calculated.”
“PSF?” Brent sighed. “Again with the abbreviations.”
“Private Security Force,” Cain said quickly. “Think of them as private armies paid by corporations to protect their interests so the Commonwealth doesn’t have to pay the bill. After the revolt, the PSF of Core Industries was cut back drastically, to the point they could barely protect their trade lanes.”
“Meanwhile, the size of the ITU’s security forces grew,” Rhea said. “They now control the largest privately organized armed force in the Commonwealth. The military still has an edge, but it’s not as big as it used to be.”
“See, was that so hard?” Brent asked. “You both explained things, and not one punch was thrown. You two head back to the others. I’m going to let the medic look me over, and I’ll join you all shortly. Oh, and one final thing. I want you two to apologize to one another. No buts or rationalizations, I want a genuine apology. Sorry doesn’t mean anything if it’s immediately followed by a but.” He nodded to the two as he entered the small medical section of the ship.
The two watched as the doorway sealed. Together they walked back, thinking about what they had both said.
“Listen, I’m sorry for what I said,” Cain said, as they were about to enter the passenger compartment. “It was out of line. I’m sure your father is very proud of you.”
“I went overboard too. I got excited and said things I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”
The two entered to find the rest of the squad waiting.
“Did he chew you two out?” Sanderson asked.
“Maybe they got mad at him and tossed him out the docking port,” Erin said with a grin.
“Don’t be stupid; they wouldn’t do that,” Hiroko stuck out her tongue at Erin.
“He was very understanding,” Cain said.
“If not a bit clueless.” Rhea shrugged. “He had no idea who the ITU or CI were.”
“He does that,” Cassandra said with a smile. “He flip flops between perceptive and clueless.”
“That’s all well and good, but shouldn’t this be brought to the attention of the squad leader?” Doug asked.
“I suppose Brent already took care of this,” Dante said with a shrug. “Do you think we need to tell Tyra?” he asked Ronald. When no response came, he doubled his volume. “Ronald? . . . Ronald! You’ve been quiet this whole time. What’s your opinion?”
Ronald remained quiet and still as Rhea and Cain took their seats. Dante asked a third time, but Ronald didn’t stir. Kindra tapped his shoulder. Ronald almost jumped out of his seat.
“Something wrong?” Ronald quickly asked as he scanned the room.
“You all right?” Dante asked.
“Just lost in thought,” he said as he took his seat. “Did you need something?”
“He wanted to know what you thought about Brent,” Erin said quickly.
“He’s competent.”
“That is not what I was asking,” Dante said with a raised eyebrow.
“That’s it? Competent?” Erin pressed, ignoring Dante.
“Come on, give us more than that,” Marie said.
“Well I hadn’t really given him much thought. He is very resilient for someone without any prior training.”
“Resilient?” Mahoney asked.
“He adapts to changing situations very quickly,” Ronald continued, not sure what they wanted from him. “Even when he is taken down, he doesn’t stay down for long.”
“I wonder what Tyra thinks of him,” Hiroko said, looking about the room. “Where is she anyway?”
“She’s resting in a private room in the aft of the ship,” Ronald answered. “She isn’t exactly looking forward to this assignment.”
“You certainly know a lot about our squad leader,” Cain said with a grin.
“I’ve been serving her as long as she’s been on the academy.”
“Is that it?” Cain pressed. “You are just her servant, nothing more?”
“Don’t tell me you think he’s got a crush on the squad leader!” Marie nearly shouted in surprise.
“Relax, it isn’t like that,” Angela said flatly. “He’s devoted to her, but that’s it.”
“The Weaver with the final answer,” Cain taunted with a smile. “Is that your professional opinion?”
“Of course. His emotions aren’t that complex. He’d probably sacrifice his own life for hers, but he doesn’t seem to think of it in romantic terms. He’s not terribly hard to read, no offense.”
“How could he not take offense at that?” Owen asked quietly.
“Well, even if he doesn’t think it’s romantic, I do.” Hiroko was practically gushing. “That’s tremendously romantic. Giving his life to save his beloved. It’s like something out of a 3P.”
Doug leaned over and whispered to Owen loud enough for everyone to hear.
“What is it with girls and playing matchmaker?” he asked.
The entire squad burst into laughter. The rear doorway opened. Brent entered with a smile.
“Well, this is an improvement. What’s so funny?” he asked as he took his seat.
“Nothing important,” Cain said with a shrug. “What did the medic say?”
“Called it a bump on the noggin. Nothing to worry about.”
“Brent?” Liz asked in a faint voice.
“Yes? Do you have a question?”
She nodded.
“What is it?”
“Have you and Cassandra . . . kissed?” she asked, looking down at the floor.
Cassandra flashed red. Some of the squad chuckled, and a few leaned closer, waiting for the answer. Angela had a disturbed look on her face. As Brent opened his mouth, the doorway in front of them opened. A woman in a gray uniform entered the room. She was attempting to look calm and composed, but it was apparent she was nervous.
“We will be jumping shortly,” she announced to the troopers. “Please make sure you are ready.”
As she disappeared back through the doorway, the troopers quickly forgot all about their pleasant banter.
“I hate this part,” Owen said, closing his eyes tightly. “Tell me when it
’s over.”
“You all right, Angela?” Erin asked. “You look like you are about to pass out.”
“Like you need to ask,” she said while furrowing her brow tightly. “An entire ship filled with terrified passengers, even the crew is worried. This is worse than the party was. I hate Navy transports.”
As Angela moved to cover her ears, another set of hands beat her to the punch. As they held her ears, a mental fog enveloped the two.
“Thank you, Dante,” she said with a sigh of relief.
A mild chuckle filled the room.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“I’m over here, Angela,” Dante said, waving his hands to get her attention from the other side of the room.
“Then who . . .”
“I’m a quick study,” Cain said with a grin.
As Angela was about to protest, Hiroko let out a loud gasp. The ship was already jumping. Brent couldn’t believe his eyes. The forward section of the room was gone. Where a wall and doorway had been moments earlier was nothing but the blackness of space. He spotted a thin ribbon where the ship ended and space began. The ribbon was getting closer. Despite the fact he could see open space, he felt no discomfort. He could still breathe easily, and the temperature didn’t fall. Brent knew the void of space was an airless bitter cold thing that could kill in short order without some form of protection. Even though he could clearly see it, the void must not have been able to get farther than the ribbon.
The troopers squirmed as the ribbon slowly moved closer. Row by row, it devoured the chairs and their occupants. Despite their discomfort, the troopers didn’t seem overly concerned about their fellow squad mates. Their frightened gazes were locked on the approaching nothingness. They stared at it as if the ribbon was some vicious animal hunting them alone. Before the ribbon neared him, Brent reached out. As his fingers passed over the ribbon, they disappeared. The ribbon was just the edge of some invisible wall, one that was ingesting the entire ship. He couldn’t pull his hand out from the nothingness, but he could still feel it. There was no discomfort or pain, just a slight tingle where the nothingness sliced his hand. It was similar to the pins and needles sensation he had endured whenever his foot would fall asleep during the more boring lectures.
The Ninth: Invasion Page 3