Cronus

by K. A. Finn

  Desyl closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before looking at her again. 'I care about you, Terra. You know that, right? I'm closer to you than anyone else on this ship. I wish I could help you, I really do, but I'm a Nomad. That will always have to come first. I'm sorry.'

  DIXON SPACE STATION

  'Will you calm down, woman. This is no time for hysterics.'

  Evie waves her hat wildly at her husband. 'I am far from hysterical. I'm— I don't know what I am. All I know is that her family are on board this station. And we killed her!'

  'We did no such thing.' Felix glances over his shoulder at Gryffin. 'He did.'

  'Oh like that makes the slightest difference. Do you honestly believe Bray will just shrug and leave it at that?'

  'You're forgetting one thing - we didn't pay him to kill her. We paid him to get the shipment. Killing her was on him.'

  Gryffin pushes to his feet and approaches the couple. 'Shut up!'

  They stop and turn to face him. Evie crosses her arms as she does her best to stare him down. 'Oh, I'm sorry, but this is a bit of a problem for us. Without wishing to diminish what you do, Bray is rather adept at—'

  'Killing people,' Felix finishes.

  'Yes, thank you, dear.'

  'I'd argue that Gryffin is better.'

  'You really want to have a which brother is the better hitman contest?'

  Felix shrugs. 'I'm just making a point.'

  Evie glares at him then focuses on Gryffin again. 'Bray is on our station. Do you realise what he'll do to us if he finds out?'

  Gryffin stares at the couple as he tries to keep his growing irritation at bay. If he'd met these two before he started dealing with them, he doubts he would have taken any work from them. They're crazier than he'd heard. 'You planning on telling him?'

  'Are you out of your mind? Of course not!'

  'What's the problem then? Erase the data and any backups.'

  Evie squashes the hat back on her head. 'You really think it's that easy? These things have a way of getting out. They always do. And guess who he'll target once it does come out?'

  'All that matters is that it doesn't come out until this truce with the Hunters is done. After that it doesn't matter. If he finds out, Bray isn't going to come after you. I'll be the one in his sights.'

  'But he's your brother? Surely he wouldn't—'

  'He's a Hunter and I'm a Nomad. Of course he would. Just like I would if I had the right motivation. Bury the data and move on.'

  They both nod but look as happy about the prospect of a confrontation with a pissed off Bray as he is.

  Gryffin leaves them to deal with the data and makes his way back to Ares and the safety of the training room. His body is clearly telling him he needs to beat something. He grabs one of the sparring sticks from the stand against the wall and walks to the centre of the room.

  Gryffin rolls his shoulders as he tests the weight of the sparring stick in his hand. Training with one hand is going to make the session more interesting. He may not have started to fight yet but even being here, on his own two feet, feels comforting. He missed this more than he realised.

  The newly repaired drone begins its attack and Gryffin counters. It takes him a few minutes to get back in the flow again, ignoring the protesting from unused muscles as he continues to move.

  He told the Dixon's the uncovered information isn't important. That was a lie. Having the people hiding them in Foundation space freaking out and second guessing themselves would have been a disaster for everyone. At least this way, they would hopefully relax, thinking their part in Shayla's death would never come to the surface.

  He's not so sure though. They were right. Things always have a way of coming out. If Bray ever learned the truth, he'd kill the three of them. He's sure of it.

  He grunts as the drone's stick embeds itself in his side, momentarily winding him. Instead of finishing him off, the drone backs away, giving him time to get himself together. 'Pause program.' The drone lowers its arms and comes to a stop. Gryffin opens a panel at the side of its head and pulls out the chip containing the safety protocol. Training with one of these things is only effective if the threat is real. A tap to the ribs isn't enough incentive to fight back with any enthusiasm.

  He'd killed his aunt.

  The thought hits him like a blow from the drone. Why the hell did another family member have to enter his life in the worst way possible? Since the Nomad rescued him, he'd taken his fair share of lives. Hell, he'd taken a few people's fair share of lives. None of those gave him restless nights. Why is he even giving this one a second thought?

  It's the damn family thing again. He never spoke to the woman. Until the moment he put a bullet in her head, he'd never seen her before... well, not that he remembers. Now he can't get her face out of his mind.

  He curses and throws the stick at the drone before he remembers he's removed the safety protocol. The drone takes its chance and targets the side of Gryffin's head with its stick. Gryffin curses as it makes contact with his ocular implant, disrupting the connection.

  His artificial vision shuts down leaving him with his less than reliable human eyesight. He blinks a few times, trying to clear the picture in front of him but gives up. Without the mechanics, he's as good as blind.

  Focusing on the dark block of shadow in front of him he rams his boot in what he hopes is the drone and not the wall. Something large and metal crashes to the floor so he rolls to the side and kicks out again. This time his boot embeds in wiring instead of metal. With a grind of gears, the drone falls silent. Gryffin pulls his foot out of the machine and lies back on the ground to catch his breath.

  He runs his fingers along his ocular implant and pulls the casing off. One of the wires is hanging free, knocked out of its connector by the drone... and his stupidity. With a hell of a lot of difficulty, he finally reunites the wire and connector, bringing his eye back online.

  He pushes onto his elbow and frowns. The drone is for the scrap heap. It was a one in a hundred shot, but his kick hit the processor on the back of the drone's head at just the right angle. He's not going to be popular with the crew. The drone was only brought back into service a few days ago.

  He flops back against the floor and looks up at the fans spinning nosily in the ceiling until his comms unit brings him out of his trance.

  'What?'

  'Sir, it's Boone. You told me to contact you when we were ready to look for parts.'

  'I'll be there in a minute.'

  Gryffin rolls onto his feet and hobbles towards the door. First thing on his list of parts to find is a new leg. He's done with this one.

  31

  FOUNDATION SHIPYARD

  Creed stands facing the vast view screen at the front of the command deck and smiles to himself. From a cursory glance you'd assume the moon was just that - a small moon with nothing exciting or remotely interesting about it. But they know different.

  Thanks to Avoca's intel they know the moon is hollow. Whether a natural occurrence or artificially created he doesn't know. Doesn't care either. All he knows is that the unassuming moon is full of ships just waiting to be claimed.

  The ship Gryffin was taken from as a child could be in there. Milla found the ship's designation when she poked in Gryffin's Foundation record. He's under orders from Gryffin to destroy that ship. He doesn't want it to be used no matter what. That's something Creed can fully understand.

  'Any activity?'

  'Nothing to worry about,' Chayse reports. 'There's a small control station on the surface. Looks like a mining substation.'

  'But we all know that's not the case. Any life signs?'

  'Ten. We have to assume they'll raise the alarm as soon as a Nomad battleship appears in their orbit.'

  'That's why we won't be going in. I think there's a way of getting close without them giving HQ the heads up.' He looks sideways at Milla and Hardy. 'Fancy stretching your legs?'

  Hardy grins as she cracks her knuckles. 'You know me so well. Y
ou want them dead or incapacitated?'

  'Try for incapacitated, but if that doesn't work do what you have to. The main thing is stopping any transmissions from leaving that moon.'

  'Got it, babe.' She kisses him long and hard then crooks a finger at Milla. 'Let's go have some fun.'

  Chayse waits until they've left the deck before he walks over to Creed. 'You sure it's safe to send them without backup?'

  Creed laughs and nods towards the retreating women. 'Hardy's reputation is founded. She's trained with me every single day and has kicked my ass as much as I've kicked hers. As for Milla, I've read her file. Gryffin sent it to me as soon as he made her a Nomad. He's seriously impressed with her. She's more than capable of doing this. Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer to go there myself, but having two women arrive on their doorstep will appear to be less of a threat than a group of Nomad.'

  'I kind of wish I could see what Hardy and Milla are going to do.'

  Creed shakes his head as he looks back at the view screen. 'Oh I'm with you there, Chayse. I almost feel sorry for the Foundation personnel.'

  EARTH

  Garvan grips the side of the transport and pulls himself upright. His son hurries over and helps him prop himself up. Garvan carefully examines the young man in front of him.

  'Well, I'll be damned.' He rests his head against the side of the door, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions. 'It's really you, Zeke.'

  His son nods and his eyes turn dark as he examines the metal covered elbow and each and every bruise, cut, and sore on his father. 'Damn it, Dad. You been hitting the steroids while you've been dead?'

  Garvan laughs. The reaction is odd, but it feels good. 'Survival of the fittest, Zeke. Not that I'm not incredibly grateful, but what exactly are you doing? How did you find me? How did you get me out? I thought you were told I was dead?'

  'It's a long story and I'm not sure this is the best place for a catch-up.'

  He gets up and leans against the transport to examine the nav unit. 'It took a little longer than I planned to get you out. Traffic will be building up around the city walls. I'm not sure if we can get to Liza's holiday house without being spotted.'

  'How is your sister?'

  'Catch-up later. Right now being caught seems like a more likely end to the day, and I'd prefer to avoid that.'

  'I know somewhere we can go. It'll be deserted and has a shielded safe room.'

  Zeke frowns as he looks over his shoulder at his father. 'You haven't been hiding out there since you left?'

  'I wish.' He quickly gives Zeke the coordinates and crouches back on the floor in the cargo hold while Zeke turns the transport around and out of the woods.

  It takes them less than an hour to get to Morgan's farm. Zeke ditches the transport in a shed on the same building site Garvan and Bray had passed through on their first visit to the farm.

  They hide in a prickly hedgerow running the length of the main field as they watch the property for a few minutes.

  'What is this place, Dad?'

  Garvan wipes the sweat from his brow. He's beyond exhausted and desperately needs to lie down before he falls on his ass. 'It belongs to a friend.'

  'It looks empty.'

  Garvan nods. 'If things went to plan, they should be a hell of a way from here.' He gestures to the range of outbuildings at the back of the property. 'There's a shelter under the barn on the left. It's shielded so we should be safe enough.'

  'What are we waiting for? After you old man.'

  Garvan rolls his eyes at the comment. Moving quickly and silently, Garvan crosses the stretch of grass separating the house from the first of the barns. He flattens his body against the side of the building and peers around the corner.

  He doubts the Foundation would be keeping an eye on the farm but taking a few minutes to be sure won't hurt any of them. Once he's sure they're alone, Garvan gestures at Zeke. A few seconds later his son is beside him.

  'Which barn?'

  Garvan points to the larger of the buildings. 'The access is at the back of that one.' He squints as he examines the sky. Can’t see any drones in the area. Ready to make a dash for it?'

  As he finishes the sentence, he hears the familiar buzzing sound nearing their location. 'Damn it. Guess I spoke too soon.'

  'If they get here before we're hidden, we're screwed.'

  'You don't say? It's now or never. On my mark. Go.'

  Garvan aims for the barn and makes a run for it, ignoring the protests from his battered body. Zeke reaches the door before him and lifts the large metal bolt. Garvan bursts through and Zeke secures the door behind him. Garvan keys in the code to unlock the door, then ushers Zeke underground before he drops the cover and collapses onto the stairs.

  'You okay, Dad?'

  He smiles. 'Just enjoying a day in the countryside with my son.' He groans and tries to push himself to his feet, but whatever small reserve of energy he had is well and truly exhausted after all the exertion.

  Zeke whistles as he looks around the room. 'Not bad. So, why were your mates hiding?'

  'Usual reason people hide. They didn't fancy living under Foundation rules.'

  'Don't suppose you have a plan beyond hiding under the floor?'

  Garvan rests his head against the step. He can't remember ever being this tired before. The only plan he's interested in is the one that involves him sleeping for a week. He pries his eyes open, startled when he sees Zeke looking down at him.

  'Don't sneak up on an old guy like that. You trying to kill me?'

  'Sorry. You don't look so good. C'mon.' He holds out his hand waiting until Garvan grabs it firmly before helping him to his feet. He carefully supports his father as he makes his way over to the couch and lowers him on to it. Zeke crouches down in front of him. 'Can I get you anything?'

  'A new head would be just swell. Or a new arm. I've lost a bit of mine.' Garvan attempts a laugh but it comes out as a cough. 'I'm good, son. Forty winks and I'll be right as rain. Grab me a cover from one of the beds.'

  He waits until Zeke disappears in Bray's old room then slowly rolls onto his back to keep pressure off his various bruises. He bites back the curse of pain and squeezes his eyes shut as he slowly rests his arm on his chest. He feels a soft cover being laid over him and opens his eyes even though it's a fight. 'Thanks. Nice and cosy now.'

  Zeke kneels on the floor in front of him and holds out a glass of water and some painkillers. 'Found these in the bathroom. How bad is the pain?'

  'It smarts a little.'

  'Stop it. Tell me the truth.'

  'Hurts like hell.'

  'Where?'

  'Honestly? Everywhere, but mainly my head and arm.'

  'What happened to you, Dad? Where have you been?'

  He wants to sleep, needs to sleep, but he'd stay awake for days if it means spending that time getting to know his son again. He's only been with Zeke for a few hours and he's already impressed with how he turned out. From his appearance it's clear he's not entirely playing by the Foundation's strict rules and he couldn't be more proud.

  He spends the next forty minutes telling Zeke everything that happened since he left for work all those years ago. More than once he has to stop to talk Zeke down.

  His son had a fiery temper. Always did. Barely a week went by without getting a summons to the school. If Zeke wasn't fighting, he was talking back to his teachers, and that's if he even bothered to show up in the first place. He just didn't take instruction well. Garvan has no doubt, if allowed, Zeke would have stormed the HQ and put a bullet in Harvey without a plan or backup.

  'So, what do we do now? We can't hide out here forever.'

  'I need a few hours kip to clear my head. You should do the same. We're safe enough here.'

  'I'll do an inventory. Be good to see how long we can stay here before starvation forces us out.'

  Garvan nods, but quickly loses the fight to stay awake.

  32

  FOUNDATION SHIPYARD

  Milla has never been more te
rrified and completely excited in her life. It'll take an hour to get to the moon from where Nemesis is hiding so there's plenty of time to work out a plan. It's not the most detailed of plans but it doesn't need to be. They're keeping it simple.

  Before leaving Nemesis, Hardy had done a little creative destruction of one of the engines on the transport. Nothing serious, but enough that an error would show up if the station on the moon had sensors in place. They needed a reason to land and a damaged ship fit the bill perfectly. Then it would just be a case of accessing the main control room and making sure everyone was incapacitated.

  Easy.

  Hardy smiles over at her as she guides the transport towards the moon. 'Look at your little face. You're all excited aren't you?'

  'I'm a Foundation doctor. Doing stuff like this wasn't on the curriculum.'

  'That's what you get for attaching yourself to a Nomad. Never a dull moment. You've got a good one with Chayse. It's great to see new blood coming to the group and shaking things up.'

  'From the stories I've heard, it was well overdue. Gryffin's made some drastic changes over the years.'

  Hardy nods. 'Absolutely. Problem is, the old Nomad group didn't take to change well.' She snorts. 'That's a bit of an understatement. You didn't agree with the way things were being done and you got the same treatment Creed did - without the still being alive to tell the tale part. Then again, it's not that different to the way the Foundation runs things.'

  Milla can't argue with that. How many people ended up in Tyrat because they had the nerve to disagree with the Foundation? She's worked a little with Boone, Trace, and Dante. The three men had done nothing remotely unlawful, yet each had been torn from their lives like they didn't matter. Just like what had happened all those years ago when the Foundation took children for the project. Children like Gryffin.