by Sarah Noffke
Cheng scratched his chin. “It’s only speculation,” he said.
The scientist had practically returned to normal, based on Hatch’s assessment. When they visited Onyx Station, he had been taken to a specialist for the damage he’d suffered when using the Tangle Thief. The results had been immediate, and now Cheng appeared more natural and less lost.
“Oh, we know that our speculations are usually correct,” Hatch exclaimed, tinkering with a set of test tubes at his workstation—or at least making a show of not being interested in the current conversation.
“Right,” Cheng said, letting out a breath. “We speculate, with a good deal of confidence, that on the other side of the tear would be a parallel universe.”
“Far out!” Eddie yelled.
Julianna blinked. “Is that possible?”
Cheng shrugged. “It’s the only thing that makes sense. The Tangle Thief operates using the principles from entanglement theory; to pull the object being taken, it would have to come through somewhere.”
“So it’s pulled through to the parallel universe and then popped back into ours in the location of the receiver?” Julianna asked.
Cheng tapped his fingers on his lips, musing on the question.
“Close enough!” Hatch yelled.
“Damn this stuff hurts my brain,” Eddie said.
Cheng smiled. “That’s perfectly normal. Richard Feynman said, ‘If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don’t understand quantum mechanics.’”
“Who is he?” Eddie asked.
“He’s a physicist who did a lot of work in the area of quantum electrodynamics,” Cheng answered.
“You can thank him for nanotechnology and much of the technology that flies your ships,” Hatch said.
For acting like he’s irritated and not wanting to be part of the conversation, he sure has a lot to say today. Eddie pursed his lips in Julianna’s direction. “Aren’t you glad all we have to do is fly ships around and not wrap our heads around a science that no one understands?”
“I’m fairly certain that Dr. Feynman wouldn’t have wanted your job beating up bad guys,” Cheng offered.
“Best job there is,” Eddie said with a wink.
“Okay, back to the mission,” Julianna said, steering the conversation onto the original track. “Knox, if we take you to Planet L2SCQ-6, do you think you can find where you hid the Tangle Thief?”
Knox nodded weakly.
Cheng slapped him gently on the back. “You’ll definitely be able to find it, son. I knew you’d remember! You just needed some rest.”
“You’re welcome,” Hatch yelled.
“Thanks…I think,” Knox said.
Hatch looked up from his beaker, swirling a red liquid. “Oh, and you’re unfired as soon as you return.”
“What if I don’t find the Tangle Thief?” Knox asked.
“Then you’re fired again,” Hatch said.
Eddie smiled broadly. “So no pressure.”
“Don’t worry,” Cheng said to Knox. “We’re going to find it.”
“‘We’?” Knox asked.
“Of course ‘we’,” Cheng said. “I’m going with you.”
“It could be dangerous,” Julianna warned.
“Then I’ll face those dangers,” Cheng fired back. “It’s my fault that Dom—I mean, Knox, took the Tangle Thief.”
“Jules, although Planet L2SCQ-6 is in the Frontier, I think the most trouble we’ll run into is a few pirates who will immediately pee themselves when I draw a weapon,” Eddie said, puffing out his chest.
“Planet L2SCQ-6 is full of pirates,” Knox admitted.
“And we don’t know what else,” Julianna said. “I have a feeling that we should be prepared.”
“Alright, then I’ll tell Fletcher to have his team suit up,” Eddie stated.
“Ricky Bobby, how long until we gate?” Julianna asked.
“Probably before you’re done with your current conversation,” Ricky Bobby answered.
“Damn, he’s one efficient AI,” Eddie said.
Is he inferring that I’m not? Pip asked, cutting into Julianna’s thoughts.
You know that everything isn’t always about you?
Isn’t it?
“Let’s roll out at 21:00.” Julianna held up the case, looking at Hatch. “What’s this for?”
“It’s a case,” Hatch said simply.
Eddie rolled his eyes, but smiled still. “I think he’s intentionally trying to be unhelpful.”
Hatch picked up a dropper and placed a single drop of liquid into the beaker in front of him. “I’m working on your leveling laser, actually. But if you’re going to be that way, then I’ll quit and work on the DeLorean.”
“We were working on that together,” Knox said quickly, his expression dropping with disappointment.
Hatch swiveled around to face him. “Does that mean you still want to be part of the project?”
“Yes, of course…I’ve been out of sorts,” Knox explained.
Eddie offered him a sympathetic look. “Which is completely understandable.”
“I believe he’s my apprentice,” Hatch said.
“So?” Eddied asked, looking confused.
Hatch lowered the beaker. “So stop babying him, or you’ll undermine the discipline I’ve instilled.”
“Being understanding isn’t what I’d consider ‘babying’,” Eddie argued.
“Last time I checked, no one asked you,” Hatch said.
Knox stepped forward. “I want to work on the DeLorean with you...if I’m not fired, that is.”
“Fine, we’ll continue with the project when you return,” Hatch said.
“And how is the leveling laser coming along?” Eddie asked.
Hatch’s tentacles stretched to a workstation behind him, picking up another set of test tubes. “Taking over for Liesel posed some problems.”
“Why is that?” Julianna asked.
“She isn’t as meticulous as I am,” Hatch answered.
“When do you think it will be complete?” Eddie asked.
“When it’s done,” Hatch said.
Eddie laughed. “Again, your brevity leaves me wanting more.”
Julianna held up the case again. “What’s in the case?”
Hatch sighed.
He appeared more bothered than usual. Something is irking the mechanic. I’ll ask him later, if he won’t snap at me; well, even if he does. She wasn’t afraid of the grumpy Londil.
“Two sets of Saverus goggles,” he answered.
“I don’t expect that we’ll need those for this mission,” Eddie said.
Julianna unlatched the case, peering at the two sets of goggles. “You never know, though. The Petigren were on Nexus.”
“Yes, but their leads dried up there,” Eddie reasoned. “They don’t know to look on this Frontier planet.”
Julianna closed the case. “I think underestimating the Saverus is a bad idea.”
Chapter Twenty
Alpha-line Q-Ship, Outskirts Junkyard, Planet L2SCQ-6 in Frontier space
Smoke billowed from the crumbling factories in the distance. The entire planet was a series of grays. From the sky, the entire surface appeared like one giant junkyard.
“Man, this place is a dump,” Eddie said.
“Yeah,” Knox agreed, his gaze searching the area as they sped over the surface of the planet.
Eddie admonished himself. “Sorry, I know that you spent a long time here. I’m sure there are many good things about this planet.”
Knox shook his head. “There’s not.”
Eddie scanned the gray landscape, trying to find an open area to land. “Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. Ricky Bobby is your home now, and Ghost Squadron is your family. That is, if you’ll have us.”
Knox looked over his shoulder at his father. There had been some discussion of Cheng returning to the Federation to work directly for R&D. Eddie was certain that Knox felt torn between foll
owing his father and staying with Hatch and Ghost Squadron. The decision was his, though, and, as fond of the kid as Eddie had grown, he couldn’t pressure him to stay. Hell, if given the choice, he’d always choose family over his career; he only wished he would have made that decision when he had the chance.
“Thanks,” Knox said softly. Then he pointed. “The junkyard is over there.”
“You mean the wasteland inside the wasteland?” Eddie lowered the ship, landing in a spot big enough for Julianna to fit alongside him with her Q-Ship.
“That’s where I hid the Tangle Thief.” Knox pointed in the direction of a severed ship. Only the stern of the large battlecruiser remained.
“Got it.” Eddie pressed the button for his comm. “Carnivore, this is Black Beard. Do you read me?”
“Loud and clear,” Lars said over the comm.
“What’s your location?” Eddie asked.
“Entering the atmosphere now,” Lars said.
Eddie stood, loading up his weapons. “Good. You and the Eagles keep an eye from the sky. We’re heading out.”
“Copy that,” Lars said.
Eddie opened the rear hatch remotely, allowing Fletcher’s team to disembark and spread out, sweeping the area.
The lieutenant was stationed on Julianna’s ship, which was cloaked, same as theirs.
Eddie shot Knox an encouraging look. “You ready to do this?”
Knox gulped. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The smell of gasoline was strong in the air. Julianna stood at the back of the ship, looking at the junkyard in front of her. Fletcher was instructing his team outside.
I don’t miss that smell.
I kind of like it.
You can smell?
Not technically.
Then, technically, how can you like the smell of a gas?
I’ve studied the characteristics of a large catalog of smells.
I could see that coming in handy if you’re trying to help me investigate something.
This isn’t always about you.
Touché.
Your French is beautiful.
Merci.
Gasoline reminds me a of a simpler time.
Simpler, true, but dirtier. It’s currently polluting this planet’s air.
Yes, I’ve already turned your respiratory intake down to minimize the amount of toxins you inhale.
Smart thinking.
I’d do the same for the captain, but, well…
Stop beating a dead horse.
That’s such a strange expression.
We’re going to discuss this integration business soon, so drop it.
When?
Soon.
I’m holding you to that.
I have no doubt about that. What’s your obsession with being in Eddie’s head, anyway?
Besides the fact that he said I could control his body?
Yes, aside from your damn obsession with control.
He’s a man, if you haven’t noticed.
I’ve noticed.
…Your body temperature just rose a degree.
No, it didn’t, Julianna argued.
Anyway. My reason for wanting to be in Eddie’s head is simple: I want the chance to hear, and be a part of, a man’s thoughts—you know, since I’m a man and all.
You’re male.
Same thing.
How do you think being in Eddie’s head is going to be different than being in mine?
Men are simple.
I’m simple.
Pip laughed. At any given moment, you’re processing six to eight thoughts. As a female, your multitasking abilities are impressive, and also a bit overwhelming.
So you want to be in Eddie’s head so you can have some quiet time? Julianna laughed inwardly.
Should I tell the captain that you think his thoughts are akin to a tumbleweed rolling through the desert?
Don’t put words in my mouth.
Fine. Yes, I’d like to study a simpler being. Understanding the difference between a man and a woman is a goal of mine. Call it a part of my dissertation.
Gender studies, huh?
When I’m done, you can call me ‘Dr. Pip’.
Good thing I didn’t name you Pepper, then.
I don’t get the reference.
Go brush up on inferior Earth sodas.
Sure. I’ve got nothing else to do, Pip said as Julianna stepped out of the Q-Ship.
Fletcher’s team dispersed, scanning the area as they marched through the wreckage.
Eddie smiled at her when she approached. “The greenish haze makes your eyes stand out,” he said with a wink.
Julianna nodded to Knox and Cheng beside him. “The pollution is going to the captain’s head. Take shallow breaths.”
Cheng guffawed, but Knox ignored the interaction.
“I hid the Tangle Thief in there,” the boy said, pointing at the severed stern of the battlecruiser. It was the largest thing in this area of the junkyard, being the size of a ten-story building.
Julianna started in the direction of the ship, intent on making this as fast a trip as possible.
“Carnivore, here,” Lars said over the comm.
Julianna looked up, finding the Black Eagles streaking across the gray sky.
“This is Black Beard. Go on,” Eddie answered.
“You have some company headed your way from the north end of the junkyard.”
With his back against a rusted-out freight car, Fletcher lifted his rifle. He’d heard rustling from the other side of the car a moment before Lars’s message broadcasted over the comm.
The sound was closer.
Not just closer, he thought. Overhead.
Drawing in a breath, Fletcher tore his gaze upward, but all he saw was the pile of old cars in front of him.
The sound came again, louder and right above him.
Whipping around, Fletcher aimed his rifle at the top of a freight car.
A Petigren cackled, its pointy teeth flashing bright against its dark face. The creature leapt off the top of the car, and Fletcher fired rapidly as he reversed out of the trajectory of the flying beast.
He shot the Petigren in the midsection several times. It landed on the ground in front of him with a thud.
Inhaling quickly, Fletcher looked up to find two more Petigrens, standing on top of the freight car.
Of course there would be fucking rats in the junkyard, he thought with a grimace.
“Want some cheese?” Fletcher asked, holding up his rifle, aiming it at the closest Petigren.
Its needle-like fingers were clenched by its chest, as it jerked its head to the side. The rat-man growled, narrowing his red eyes at Fletcher.
Fletcher was about to fire, when something caught his attention. He chanced a glance behind him; standing at the top of the pile of cars were two more Petigrens.
Fuck! Just when I thought this was going to be easy.
Spinning around, Fletcher fired at the Petigren on the surface of the freight car. He fell, and there were four more in its place.
Fucking rats! These things are multiplying.
Three jumped from above, and two others began climbing down the sides. Fletcher moved smoothly and swiftly to cover the avenues of approach, firing again and again, knocking out Petigrens with a single shot each. When they tumbled forward, their momentum threw off the balance of the stack of cars, and the top vehicle lurched forward.
Fucking hell.
The whole thing was about to topple.
Claws reached around Fletcher’s neck from behind, and he threw his body weight forward, throwing the Petigren over his back. It squeaked when it landed.
The snarling of the other Petigrens racing for Fletcher was quickly drowned out by a cacophony of screeching metal, as the top car came free of the stack, turning end over end through the air. Two more immediately followed, gliding down behind the first.
Fletcher reached out, grabbing the closest approaching Petigren. He threw it hard in the oppos
ite direction, and it slammed into the bottom of the stack before springing back to its feet. As the Petigren readied to come at Fletcher again, the first falling car landed on top of it, smashing it flat with a squish.
“If the Petigrens are here, that means the Saverus are, too,” Julianna stated after getting Lars’s report.
Eddie disappeared to the Q-Ship and returned a moment later, carrying the Saverus goggles. He handed one set to Julianna and the other to Knox.
“We’re going to have to share, but we should pull these up every time we encounter anyone.”
All of the color had drained from Cheng’s face. Encountering the alien race who had imprisoned him for almost a decade wasn’t easy.
Knox, seeing his father’s palpable fear, said, “Dad, you don’t have to go with me.”
Cheng shook his head. “Of course I do.”
“No, you don’t,” Knox argued. “Stay in the Q-Ship. It’s secure, and you’ll be safe there.”
“What about you, though?” Cheng asked.
“I have to go,” Knox said.
“You don’t, actually,” Julianna countered. “Tell us where the Tangle Thief is located, and we’ll retrieve it.”
Knox was shaking his head before she was done speaking. “I’ve got to do this. I’m the reason it went missing. I need to be the one who finds it.”
“Neither of you are trained for combat,” Eddie interjected. “It could be dangerous out there. The Petigrens are vicious, and the Saverus… well, they’re fucking snakes.”
“Knox, they’re right,” Cheng said to his son.
Knox ran his top teeth over bottom lip several times. “I grew up on this planet. I may not know how to fight, but I know how to stay alive. I’m going.”
“Yeah, fine,” Eddie stated.
“Cheng, I think you should stay in the Q-Ship,” Julianna said.
The scientist gave her a look of alarm. “If Knox is going, then I am, too.”
“The captain and I will have our work cut out for us protecting him,” Julianna explained. “You don’t need to go; if the Saverus get ahold of you again, they’ll take you prisoner, use you for leverage against us. That’s not something we should risk.”
Cheng looked between Julianna and Knox. He swallowed. “I haven’t been around to protect Knox for so long. He needs to recover the device, and I need to be there to help if I can. I won’t get in the way, I promise.”