“I suspect you would be far happier living in some dome on an otherwise uninhabited moon,” Emma replied. “Humans will always disappoint you.”
“Have I disappointed you?”
“Your taste in many things is disappointing,” Emma suggested.
Erik grinned. “You’re probably right about being a hermit, but I’ve got a lot of work to do before that happens.” His grin turned into a frown. “And a lot of people need to die to balance the scales.”
“You’ve made more progress than you think,” Emma suggested.
His thoughts pulled together. “On what?”
“Hunting them down. The fact that they’re so scared of you proves it. From what we’ve found, it sounds like they risked destroying an entire tower just because you got too close. The cornered animal is always the most dangerous.”
Erik’s gaze followed a scowling man until his target turned into a pet store and smiled. “It might be nice if I could find those other people working on this, but you’re right. I have to worry about the things I can fix here and now, and I’ve got an easy one.”
“What’s that?” Emma asked.
It was time to stop being a coward.
“I assume you have a number for my brother?”
“Yes. It’s not as if he lives a highly secluded life.”
“Call him, and keep quiet while I talk to him,” Erik ordered.
Emma laughed. “This ought to be interesting.”
Erik held his breath as the PNIU initiated the call. His brother might not even answer. The man had made his feelings clear years ago. Damien might not even care enough to be angry at the attempt.
“Hello, Erik,” Damien answered a few seconds later.
Erik slowly exhaled. “Hey, Damien. It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has. A long while.” Damien’s breath caught. “Wait, you’re calling me?”
“Yeah? I wanted to talk to you, and this is how people generally do that sort of thing when they’re not right next to one another.” Erik frowned, not sure if his brother was angry or something else was going on.
“You’re calling me in real-time, which means you’re on Earth,” Damien observed.
“I’ve been on Earth for a while. I’m out of the Army now. I’m a cop.”
“I know.”
“You do?” Erik asked. He didn’t hide the surprise in his voice. He’d wondered if Damien knew he was still alive.
“Yes,” his brother replied. “The things you’ve been involved in are fairly newsworthy. You’ve remained as flashy as you were when you were younger.”
Damien knew Erik was on the planet, and even knew he was in Neo SoCal. Despite that, he had made no attempt to contact Erik. Time didn’t heal all wounds. Often, it helped them fester. Erik gritted his teeth.
He couldn’t claim he was surprised, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept.
Damien sighed. “I read about what happened to your unit. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I don’t always think about the risks soldiers are taking on the frontier. It seems so distant at times, and it’s because of the sacrifices of men and women like those in the 108 th that I can live my life mostly free of fear.”
“Thanks,” Erik mumbled, some of the tension flowing out of him.
He stood and moved away from the fountain, then joined the flow of foot traffic heading toward an elevator that would take him to the parking level. “I was looking through some documents the other day, and I happened to notice your name in connection with a conference in Neo SoCal.”
“Is there some sort of terrorist threat I should know about?” Damien asked, his voice wavering.
“No, no,” Erik answered. “Nothing like that. I just figured since you were coming to Neo SoCal, we should have lunch or something.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” Damien didn’t sound angry, just confused.
“Nope.” Erik laughed. “It might be a terrible idea. It might end with me punching you. I’d give that fifty-fifty odds.”
Damien was silent before chuckling. “I appreciate your honesty, but you’re not building a good case for meeting you.”
“That’s what the last woman I asked out told me.” Erik slowed his pace. He could have made this call from the privacy of his home, but something about the huge crowd made it easier. “I’m not guaranteeing anything. I’m not asking anything from you. I just want to meet. Mom and Dad are gone. It’s just us now, and it’s been a long time. I figure it wouldn’t hurt, and you wouldn’t be going out of your way to do it.”
Damien sighed. “Fine. I’m sure we can meet for lunch, but I’m not promising anything either. You understand that? If you think we’re going to sit and have a family therapy session, you’re sorely mistaken.”
Erik snorted. “I’m a big boy. If nothing comes of it, I’ll live, just like I have all these years.”
“As long as we understand each other. I’ll contact you with some suggestions once I’m in Neo SoCal. Until then.” Damien killed the call.
“I’ll probably end up regretting this,” Erik muttered.
“Why do you say that?” Emma asked. “You weren’t cursing at each other, despite the fact you already threatened to punch him, which I found highly amusing.”
“I didn’t threaten to punch him,” Erik complained. “I just said it might happen.”
A passing woman gave him an odd look, then clucked her tongue disapprovingly and hurried along. Even if she had heard the other side of his conversation with Damien, it might not have helped.
Erik stepped out of the human river, looking down. He turned his back to a nearby shop window. Several women smirked at him as they passed, and he turned around. A hologram of a smiling teal-haired woman in a see-through teddy stood right behind him.
“Some things just aren’t worth revisiting,” he explained to Emma.
“Like lingerie shops?” she teased, waving an arm in the display case.
“I meant, I’m thinking the meeting ends with me head-butting Damien,” Erik replied. “If I need to go there, it’ll be more satisfying than punching him.”
Emma let out a pained sigh. “You don’t need to be such an uptight…” She finished the statement with a strange mix of snarls and hisses.
He touched his ear. “Is there some sort of interference?” Erik asked.
“No, that was Zitark, the version used by their diplomatic caste,” Emma explained. “It’s hard to translate the word into any human language, but it’s roughly ‘The grand warrior who is trying to defecate rocks.’”
Erik glared at a few teenagers pointing and laughing at him. “The Zitarks have a word for that?”
“Apparently, they do.” Emma sniffed. “Shame you don’t speak diplomatic Zitark.”
Erik’s PNIU chimed with a message.
“The captain has ordered you to his office ASAP,” Emma explained as the hologram disappeared.
“With my luck, it’ll probably involve investigating a Zitark murder.”
* * *
January 20, 2229, Neo Southern California Metroplex, Police Enforcement Zone 122 Station, Office of Captain Alexander Ragnar
The cognitive dissonance between the sheer physical presence of the hulking, bearded Viking sitting behind the desk and his easygoing smile always teetered between the relaxing and the absurd. Even after working for him for months, Erik wasn’t sure how much of the captain’s persona was real.
The occasional frown sneaked out when the 1-2-2 was under pressure, but Erik was almost convinced he could do an orbital drop with the captain onto a rebel-held planet and Ragnar would grin the whole time.
“Sorry to call you in from lunch early, but we got something dumped on us that’s a high priority,” Captain Ragnar explained to Jia and Erik.
“High priority?” Jia questioned.
“Yes, as in the council is leaning on the higher-ups, and they’re leaning on me.” Captain Ragnar shrugged. “It’s not a totally worthless request, so I’
m letting them lean a little more than I normally would. I wanted to make sure you two are on it. This is a sensitive matter, and it might get hairy, depending on what you find.”
“Sensitive? You mean, politically?” Erik frowned.
Captain Ragnar chuckled. “Yes. It involves 46 Helix. You familiar with them?”
Erik and Jia both nodded.
The huge company was one of the major biotech players in the UTC. They were involved in biotech research and the production of a variety of genetically modified organisms used in different industries. Unlike many biotech companies, they made significant public donations to groups like the Terran Purist Association and worked closely with them to ensure compliance with Purist standards.
“They're a little close to the vest about some of the details, but a VIP of theirs claims he’s being harassed. At least, that’s what’s been passed along to me.”
Jia looked doubtful. “Harassed? Isn’t that something corporate security can take care of?”
“You’d think, but he’s personally reached out to the police, and he’s got a relative on the Council. That means he’s spooked. He’s claimed his life is in danger, and he’s demanding police protection.” Captain Ragnar tapped his PNIU, and a full-sized hologram of a man appeared. The man’s long, dark hair was gathered in a ponytail. “This is Dr. Louis Chen, a senior researcher for 46 Helix. From what I’ve read, he’s a wizard when it comes to genetic modifications. He’s also great at pushing things right up to the line of Purist acceptability.”
If the eyes were a window to a soul, as some claimed, then Dr. Chen’s soul was very bored. “What’s that mean?” Erik stared at the hologram. “He’s doing something he shouldn’t?”
The captain shook his head. “The opposite. He’s good at tweaking existing genes to enhance things. He’s helped the company cut down on their product lines that use introduced genes, which helps get groups like the TPA on board easier. I can’t follow all the science, but apparently, the TPA even gave him some sort of special award for scientific humility.”
“That’s his public image,” Jia observed. “If he is going over the line, and a more zealous Purist group found out, they might have decided they didn’t want to waste time using political or social pressure to solve the problem.” She tapped her lip. “They might have even been inspired by someone like the Leem King to take more direct action against the so-called harmful elements of society.”
“This feels like us doing busywork for someone just because he’s connected,” Erik replied. “You really want to put us on this, Captain?”
The captain killed the image. “I see where you’re coming from, but right now, you two don’t have a major active case, and Jia’s right. Given some of the weirdness lately, we can’t ignore the possibility of a terrorist angle. My instincts tell me that since the council is throwing their weight around, there might be something there. I even called in a few favors from CID friends and a few others to check on this guy. Nobody says he’s dirty. They all claim he’s a real humanitarian and a dedicated scientist. No shady donations, organized crime groups, or insurrectionists have been within a light-year of attempting to influence this guy.” His eyes went from one to the other. “Allegedly.”
“And if it’s a lie?” Jia folded her arms. “What if this is just some corrupt corporation trying to use the police to take out their trash for them?”
“Then you two should do what you do best. You dig to the heart of what’s going on, and you keep digging until you find the truth, whatever it takes.”
Erik allowed himself a wolfish grin. “This guy’s got a direct connection to the council. If he’s dirty, they’re going to come down on you when we reveal the truth. Even if everyone’s all about allegedly cleaning up Neo SoCal, that’s going to hurt.”
Captain Ragnar matched his detective’s grin. “I told you before. You handle the investigation, I’ll handle the politics. If Dr. Chen is really being threatened, it’s our duty to help protect him. If he’s scum, it’s our duty to take him down. Win-win.”
“And the political angle?” Jia asked. “Not a concern?”
“We shouldn’t be ruled by politics,” Captain Ragnar answered. “And one way to do that is to earn favors we can cash in. Good police work is the start of cleaning up Neo SoCal, but it’s not the end. Understood?”
She nodded. “Understood.”
“How hard could it be?” Erik asked. “At least it’s not some nutjob rich boy playing at being an anarchist.”
Captain Ragnar nodded. “I’ll send you the info. Now get on it.”
Chapter Fifteen
“The captain mentioned instinct, but do you trust my instincts?” Jia asked from the passenger’s seat of the MX 60 as they sped toward the 46 Helix tower.
Something about the case already bothered her, and ever since Erik had become her partner, she’d increasingly accepted an important fact. Although she believed she had trusted her skills before, the doubts of her previous partners and the captain had sabotaged her on a subconscious level, but now that she had a good partner, her belief in her hunches had grown.
Erik offered a quick nod. “Yeah. I do. Let’s be real. I’m a tactical specialist, but I spent thirty years in the Army, so that makes sense. It’s going to take you a long time to match my combat instincts, even though you’re a lot better than I was at your age, but at the same time, you’ve got a natural gift for investigations. We’re a lot more even there, and I’ll even admit you’re smarter than me.” She looked at him. “Since no one else is here to hear it.”
“I am,” Emma offered.
Erik’s lips pressed together. “Thanks.”
“Don’t you think it’s odd that a major corporation like 46 Helix is calling us in? The ‘corp hunters?’” Jia made air quotes around the last two words. “The Obsidian Detective and Lady Justice?”
Emma laughed. “That sounds like a terrible police serial for young children.”
“I would have loved it as a kid,” Erik countered before nodding at Jia. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m wondering if it’s a trap,” Jia admitted.
“A trap?”
“By the conspiracy.”
Erik furrowed his brow in thought. “It could be, but as long as we are careful, it doesn’t have to be one we spring. Emma, have you already dug into the company?”
“As much as I’ve been able to in the short period since we were assigned,” she replied.
“Are they a Ceres Galactic subsidiary?” Erik asked. “I’m not sure if they’re the ones behind everything, but they’ve got the most arrows pointing at them.”
“Actually, 46 Helix isn’t a subsidiary,” Emma confirmed. “Ceres has attempted to acquire them in the past, but they’ve rejected the overtures and remained an independent entity. They do, however, share numerous corporate relationships. In addition, 46 Helix has contracts all over the UTC, including military supply contracts. Not all of the details are publicly available, and I’m not eager to start hacking DD systems unless you feel it’s absolutely necessary. Those uniform boys might get overeager, and then we’ll all end up in an unfortunate and annoying situation.”
“I don’t think we need to go that far yet. So, they are linked to Ceres, but not controlled. They could be linked to the conspiracy.”
Jia pointed to the 46 Helix Tower in the distance. “Or I could just be paranoid.”
“Nothing terrible about just admitting you were wrong later,” Erik suggested.
“I hope I can do that.”
Erik waited for the automated system to verify the MX 60’s transponder. The massive gate blocking the internal parking garage groaned open. Rows of tightly packed flitters lay at angles against the walls, magnetic grapple systems keeping them in place.
High-density parking garages weren’t in every building in the metroplex, but they were common.
“Their guidance system is requesting control,” Emma reported. “If you think they’re about to kill you,
this would be the perfect opportunity. It would be easy for them to claim a systems glitch.”
“Go ahead and give them control,” Erik ordered. “But keep an eye on things. If I’m going to die, I’d rather it not be in some stupid flitter accident.”
Jia gave him a sidelong glance. “Getting shot to death or dying in an explosion is so much better?”
He looked at all the cars. “You have to admit, it does have a certain dramatic flair.”
“Granting control,” Emma reported. The MX 60 slowed and changed direction, angling slightly and heading toward an empty docking port.
“Keep quiet while we’re in there, Emma,” Erik suggested. “Even if you’re directing in my ear. If there is something shady, they might still be listening with advanced tech.”
“I enjoy listening more than you can imagine,” Emma replied. “The problem with humans is that you talk more than you listen.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Erik’s playful smile slowly faded, and he turned toward Jia. “Hey, might as well mention this now because it could affect future bets, and I don’t want to forget later.”
“Bets? What are you… Wait, are you saying you went on a date?” Jia hated the vague irritation in her voice. It might be mistaken as jealousy, and she wasn’t jealous, not one bit.
Certainly not because her partner was dating a bimbo barista after turning down the woman she’d set him up with as unacceptable.
She blinked, not sure about the true source of her anger. The Lin matchmaking genes and competitive nature ran deep. She wasn’t ready to face the alternate explanation and its implications.
“Yeah, I went on a date,” Erik admitted as the MX 60 slowed to a halt, and the magnetic grappling system latched it to the wall with a slight shake. “With the barista I met.”
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