For the first time in several days, her mind stretched back to her crew aboard Midnight Sun. She needed someone to conduct covert research on her behalf. Someone she could trust. Her sister, perhaps. Or Jenkins.
As her pinplants became aware of her unspoken desires, they supplied her with the duration of her time on Blunt Justice.
With a shock she realized it had been several weeks.
She started to panic.
She cast her mind to Midnight Sun. To her sister. No response.
Jenkins. No response.
Her heart fluttering, she looked through cameras onto Midnight Sun’s CIC. It looked calm. Her MinSha XO was sitting in the command station.
“Commander Flkk’Sss, status.”
“We’re at Security Level Three. All other conditions nominal.”
Blue was proud of the big alien. Her captain had disappeared for weeks, and she’d answered concisely without the slightest indication of surprise.
“Recruitment of CASPer pilots and support personnel is proceeding well,” Flkk’Sss continued, “though we are awaiting Major Sun’s return before we recruit officers.”
“Sun’s gone?”
“Yes. She took Saisho Branco with her.”
“Gone where?”
“They wouldn’t say or didn’t know. My information comes from Chief Engineer Jenkins who claimed to be relaying much of it from Trooper Betty before her unauthorized absence. His demeanor has been highly irregular. They were on liberty and apparently, ‘what Betty’s Bitches do in their own time is up to them.’ It seems they sought amusement by embarking on an escapade to chase a civilian Jeha to whom Jenkins is romantically connected.”
“Jenkins. Our bug has a girlfriend?”
“So he claims.”
“And Betty’s disappeared. How did you lose a Tortantula, Commander? They don’t exactly blend into the background.”
“I have followed your orders to monitor Betty’s psychological state since the Raknar retrieval contract. I think this is a manifestation of her search for identity.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“Tortantula minds are complex and capable of far more than is demanded by the roles they are bred for. Betty’s history and behavior are highly unusual, but not completely without precedent. I am less clear about the behavior of the Humans. Jenkins reported that Betty is alleged to have let the major and Branco go so they could enjoy their adventure together.”
“Adventure? What do they think this is? A fucking children’s story book?”
“I don’t know, Captain. I was hoping you would be able to explain it to me, but we have a more pressing issue. Endless Night operatives are here on the station.”
“In strength?”
“Enough to set security protocol three.”
“Good.”
“Good? I don’t understand why this is good.”
“I’ve spent—apparently considerably longer than I realized—stretching my martial muscles. Have you ever seen me spoiling for a fight, Commander?”
“Constantly, Captain.”
“Well, you ain’t seen nothing yet. We’ve helped our bone-squid allies. We kicked Peepo in her supply chain butt. Now we’ll finish off Endless Night. At least this will be a fight I can understand.”
* * * * *
PART 3: THE INFINITE FLOW
Chapter Forty-Four
Unlikely Regret, in Orbital Dock over Rho-Gaudi
Getting off Crazy Notion called for some slick slight-of-hand logistics, but Captain Jenkins was the best in the business, and his loading crew knew all the tricks.
Their crate was merged in with cargo Endless Night was paying him to ship.
Once they’d been transferred to Unlikely Regret, along with the rest of the cargo, Jenkins had offered Sun and Branco a VIP stateroom at a generously discounted rate. It boasted a spacious shower with unlimited hot water. After seven days locked in a box with no sanitation, they both agreed this was the ultimate luxury.
With Unlikely Regret cruising at a comfortable 1G from the emergence point to orbital dock over the planet Rho-Gaudi, they sat together at one corner of the cubicle of rubberized tiles and enjoyed the warm flood sluicing away their stink.
The door chimed.
“I’ll get it,” offered Sun. She switched off the shower and padded, dripping, across the compartment.
Branco enjoyed the view, but it wasn’t enough to distract him from the itch in his stumps and the tightness returning to his head. If he didn’t score the right meds soon, he’d be right back to being a burden on Sun.
He’d rather die.
Sun open the door and a humanoid with brown leathery skin walked in carrying folded clothes.
“Laverna?” Sun smiled. “Is that you?”
“It’s good to see you, Sun,” said the alien.
Branco couldn’t place the species at first. Its hissing speech and reptilian eyes put him in mind of a HecSha wearing a mask sewn together from ancient dragon wings.
“You’re a Blevin,” he blurted from the cubicle, deciding he’d rather sit there than display his lack of mobility and crawl into the compartment.
“And you are both Human,” said Laverna. She peered at Branco, narrowing her eyes to slits. “Your legs are truncated. Why do you not regrow them?”
“Too much tissue damage. Docs say I’m a hopeless case.”
“Branco needs advanced medical treatment,” Sun insisted. “We’re still looking.”
“What I need are some more pain meds.”
“That could be arranged.”
Sun shot them both a dirty look.
Her disdain lashed at him, making him determined not to feel sorry for himself. Branco scooted out of the cubicle, telling himself it wasn’t humiliating. “What have you got for me? The captain’s castoff clothes?”
Laverna looked away. “No, they were Commander Rachid’s.”
Sun looked up from buttoning her fresh shirt. “Is he dead?”
Laverna licked a long tongue over her flat nose. “He left…suddenly. Skipper won’t say why, but he’s not been the same since. A lot has changed since you left us, Sun. Does your sister still live?”
“She’s alive but being seduced—absorbed—I don’t know what the right term is. She’s sinking into an ancient living battlecruiser.”
“I see.” Laverna seemed to find the news about Blue unsurprising. She went about her business, dropping a pile of clothing in front of Branco: baggy brown leather pants, a padded white shirt, and a green jacket covered with embroidered buttonholes. He half expected an eyepatch and a fake parrot for his shoulder.
“Is this a pirate ship we’ve joined?”
It was meant as a joke, but Laverna tensed. “We have not joined Endless Night.” She looked at Sun. “Though we deal with those scum now.”
Sun shook her head. “I still don’t get it. ‘Things have changed.’ That’s all I get from the skipper. When I left, the only thing he hated more than Endless Night were the Earth tax authorities. What’s changed?”
The Blevin backed away to the door. “Everything.”
“Can we trust him?” asked Sun.
“The skipper? Always. Well, if you were still a member of this crew. But you, yes, you can trust the skipper.”
Having put on his borrowed underwear, Branco started on the leather pants. Even though no one had thought to shorten the legs, with pants on he felt confident enough to get things started. He pointed to the pistol at the Blevin’s thigh and what looked like grenades hanging from webbing over her chest. “Everyone is armed on this ship. I spotted a crate in the hold half-filled with drums of auto cannon ammo. Everyone’s watchful and nervous. Was it always this way, Sun? “
She wrinkled her nose. “No. This is new.”
“If it weren’t for a lack of merc races aboard,” said Branco, “I’d say Unlikely Regret is headed off on an unlicensed merc contract. The Merc Guild’s in crisis. I wouldn’t blame you. Dangerous work, but highly paid.”
“We are not mercenaries.” Laverna stated.
“But you are going to war.”
“The Spine Nebula is a troubled place.”
It was all Laverna was prepared to say. She nodded at Sun. “I am glad to see you well, my friend. We’ll be docking at the main orbital station above planet Rho-Gaudi in fifty minutes. Crazy Notion is currently on course to orbit the same planet. We cannot say what its intentions are, but I know you are interested in that ship. Skipper says you’re welcome to leave.”
Sun hurried to the door, blocking Laverna’s exit. “I’m more interested in what the skipper is not saying.”
“You’ll have to ask him yourself. Although…I think he would prefer if you did not leave.”
“We’re the captain’s guests?” Branco laughed. “On a smuggling ship? That doesn’t sound likely. I can think of only one thing Sun and I have that would be of interest to your skipper. Military experience. You are going to war, aren’t you?”
“A pretty theory,” hissed the Blevin. “Step aside, Sun, and let me be about my duties.”
“No.” Sun’s defiance didn’t slacken, not even when Laverna inched a six-fingered hand toward her pistol. “You would never shoot me. Your debt to me is too great.”
Laverna withdrew the hand. “I can call security. As your male says, the crew is…trigger happy.”
“Tell us what’s happening first,” said Sun. “Do that, and your debt to me is paid off.”
The Blevin hissed like a whistle, considering her options.
“I saved your life twice,” Sun pointed out.
“I know. The debt is a heavy burden.”
“A little information? It seems like a bargain repayment. It’s not as if we are your enemies.”
“No, you are not. But the skipper…”
“All hands,” Jenkins himself announced over the intercom. “Change of plan. We’ve had word that the Scythe are launching a campaign on Thananya. We are on the front line this time, people. It’s about to get very real.”
“I accept your offer,” said Laverna hurriedly. “I choose to repay my debt.”
“We are readying a two-G burn to get to the gate in time. You’ve got three minutes before the extra G hits. Jenkins out.”
“Summary first,” said the Blevin quickly. “Detail later. Unlikely Regret formed a mutual protection consortium with other interested parties.”
“You mean a militia?” said Sun.
“That word translates well. Yes. We are called the Spine Patriots. We fight the Scythe. The explanation for the latter is too complex for this time.”
Sun stepped aside and allowed Laverna through. “Who leads this militia?” she called after the Blevin.
“And what race are they?” added Branco. Gloriana had spoken of Goltar interests in the Spine Nebula. He’d place a million credits on them being behind these Spine Patriots.
“The skipper,” said the retreating Blevin. “The Spine Patriots are his idea.” Her long tongue flicked out. “Mostly.”
Sun was helping Branco to strap into the acceleration alcove built into the bulkhead when the captain’s voice returned to the speaker over their heads.
“Dear guests, I guess it’s time for an explanation. This is going to shock you, Sun.” He guffawed. “I’ve gotten myself messed up in serious shenanigans again. I might have need of your experience in a little war of my own.”
“I know. I’ve already paid Laverna for that much info. What can you tell me about the Scythe?”
“Not much. Strap yourselves in; we’re on an armed fact-finding mission to find out a whole lot more.”
* * * * *
Chapter Forty-Five
Secure Briefing Room, Midnight Sun, at Dock at Station 5
“I can’t go,” said Blue. “Sun’s not back yet, and I need her. She sent a terse message to say she’d just arrived at Thananya and was trying to get back, but for now she was stuck there. Probably too busy having fun chasing pirates and missing Jeha to get back soon. A short adventure vacation would do her a universe of good, but I need her back now.”
The non-verbal comm analysis suite in Blue’s pinplants read the alien perched beside her in the briefing room. It drew a high-confidence conclusion: Gloriana was seriously pissed. No surprise there; it had been telling her the same thing since the Goltar had shuttled across from her frigate, Uzhan.
Gloriana smacked a tentacle down onto the table. “We must move without her. In Human terms, the Veetanho have a thumb pressed against the neck of our financial supply route. They are doing to us what we have done to them. It is they who are behind the many troubles of the Spine Nebula.”
“Wait, you’re saying that the Spine Nebula is a key part of your Goltar moneymaking machine? No, I don’t buy it. The worlds here are dirt poor. I served two years in this pit, don’t forget. It’s just a flyover sector. Hell, it’s not even that. The only traffic in and out is via Station 5 and Beta-Caerelis. The nebula is a dead end.”
“This is how we wish the Spine Nebula to appear to the rest of the Galactic Union. Nonetheless, it is a source of wealth. This is why my former mate was posted here in a position of great honor and importance.”
“I think you’ll have to read me in on this.”
“I pay your wages to carry out my orders. You are not paid to understand the reasoning behind them.”
“One of the reasons I succeed for you, Gloriana, is because I’m curious. It gives me an edge; it allows me to do the unexpected. Here’s what I think—No, here’s what we think—the ship and I—you’ve got big plans for us.”
“Do not antagonize me. I have just informed you that you will accompany frigates Uzhan and Tagoz deeper into the Spine Nebula where we shall exterminate the Veetanho operations. That’s all you need to know.”
“I’m not talking about the nebula. I’m thinking of the simulations. I’m easily distracted by a good time, but the ship isn’t. Ship’s been around a long while.”
“Mostly as a drifting derelict.”
“Not as derelict as you thought. Nor as deaf and blind. She told me all about the Keesius ships you’ve stashed away.”
Instantly, a bone knife was at Blue’s throat. The muzzles of Goltar pistols were thrust against her belly, chest, and the back of her skull. Gloriana had moved so fast Blue hadn’t even seen her draw the weapons.
“Be serious for once, Human, and think for your life.” She yanked back Blue’s head. “Answer me, what do you know?”
Blue desperately needed to swallow before she choked, but she was too scared of ripping her throat out on the knife. “Relax, Gloriana, my friend,” she gasped. “We’re still on the same side. I hate the Veetanho as much as—well, maybe not quite as…much as you do…but…”
Gloriana loosened her grip on Blue’s head a little, allowing her to clear her throat. “But to deliver the world-destroying strike against their home world would be glorious slaughter indeed.”
Blue stared through her employer’s bone sockets, trying to lock her gaze with the eyes hiding within. They were too deeply shadowed for that. The mood checker in her head drew a blank in its efforts to read Gloriana emotionally, though the knife and pistols had to be a good clue.
“You don’t need to hide the truth from me,” Blue said, and she meant it. “If you want us to guide these Keesius hellburners through the Veetanho defenses, you need my willing cooperation, because let me make one thing absolutely clear—I think best when I’m having fun. Deceit and lies from you are not my idea of pleasure.”
Blue’s breathing came in stolen rasps. She was still very aware of the knife against her throat, but the pressure of the pistol ramming into her belly had overtaken it in intensity. She wasn’t just playing a dangerous game but a painful one. Did Gloriana realize everything Blue had just said was eighty percent guesswork and fifty percent bluster?
The Goltar holstered her weapons.
Bingo! Blue wins again.
“It is not the sole source of Goltar w
ealth,” the alien explained, “but the Infinite Flow, as we call our Spine operations, is the greatest of them.”
Get away, thought Blue. But she was too busy breathing sweet air into her lungs to waste any on speech.
“Your complete silence is the price for my candor,” Gloriana stated. “Breathe a word of what I am about to tell you, and I will kill you. I will kill every member of your crew. I will torture your sister to death. We will destroy Human colony worlds. As for Earth? Even your Four Horsemen could not prevent a Keesius attack, which the more I think about it would be a useful demonstration to the wider galaxy of Goltar power. The Union has forgotten the terror of the world killers. Let them remember the power of an antimatter bomb and be afraid.”
Antimatter? Shit. Shit. Shit! What had she gotten into? Hell, she already knew those Keesius ships were ultra-powerful bombs, but they must have been the same nightmares that wiped out half of galactic civilization during the Great War. And now she had three waiting for her to lead them out on one last mission of annihilation.
Even the Veetanho had held back from wiping out Earth.
“You Humans understand the logic of nuclear deterrent. Mutually assured destruction. The logic only works if each side believes the warheads can get through. The first step is for the Goltar High Council to believe the Keesius could get through.”
“So that’s what the Midnight Sun Free Company has been about all along.”
“Was it?” Blue’s pinplants flagged Gloriana’s amusement. “Why would I risk you in the dangerous missions I sent you on?”
“Because you needed to test us. We—me and the ship—we need to be blooded and blooded together.”
“And you performed magnificently. Contracts were fulfilled every time. Every time. Imagine a contract to destroy Lytoshaan, the Veetanho home world itself. Imagine that. What greater contract could there be?”
“What contract? We’re talking of bombarding a planet with antimatter weapons launched from above the universal ten-mile exclusion zone. It breaks pretty much every Merc Guild law except the use of AIs.” She felt a nudge from the ship. “Of course. The Keesius are run by AIs. Oh, great. It’s literally as illegal as it can possibly get.”
Endless Night (The Guild Wars Book 3) Page 21