by Megan Derr
"Easier, maybe, but not better," Mendel replied quietly. "Don't get so focused on the negatives that you dismiss the positives. I did that once and nearly had my jaw broken for it." He smiled faintly, and Sean could not help but smile back. "We'll figure something out, Sean. Don't we always?"
Sean nodded. "I hope Winter can help, because we're going to need his resources."
"He'll help; he always does." Mendel helped Sean finish pouring the drinks and preparing food, then carried it all back to the main room, arranging it all on the low table in the middle of the circle of sofas and chairs.
"The Melee contacted us," Karmikel said. "Lius said he should have some promising information for us in a little while. There was a suspicious ship in port and men trying to nose around the Dragonfly. He'll let us know more once he's certain of the information."
Sean nodded. "Good. I hope whatever they learn gives us a solid lead. We still don't know where they take the victims."
"Maybe our combined knowledge will give us some idea," Einn said, clearly still annoyed at the lack of inaction, but resigned to it—for the moment. Sean sensed he would not remain complacent for long. "There's got to be something. Cyan said he was certain the motive was political, but he could not find anything that connected all the pieces. Jade is Lower Chancellor of the fourth quad; if he wanted to arrange for genetic experiments, he is literally the only chancellor who did not need special permission. All he had to do was hire the scientists and victims he instead kidnapped, and clear it all with the IG, who would grant him any favor he wanted. Cyan didn't think it had to do with the policy revisions going on, either."
"It has something to do with the Temperast," Mendel said. "I've been examining everything from that angle for the past few days, and the two that attacked us down planet only confirm my suspicions. It all fits too perfectly: every one of the scientists taken has the right background, professional and/or personal, for Temperast studies. Stars, Dr. Bikendi himself could be both scientist and subject. He's almost exactly what the scientists who created the Temperast were aiming for: can absorb energy, kill with a touch, hard to kill in turn. He's damn near a natural-born Temperast. The rest of the victims, the Draconis and their matches, either have magics wanted for the Temperast or magics that would serve as bases to develop something else. I don't know about political motives, but even Jade would not be able to get permission if he wanted to experiment with Temperast."
"They don't need Draconis specifically if they're just researching magics," Karmikel said. "So why Draconis?"
"I have not yet gathered sufficient proof for my hypothesis, but I suspect the main point is control. It's the bond they are studying. Temperast were not on the same sentient level as the rest of us; they were merely living weapons. That was the biggest problem with their existence: they were weapons with no safety and always set to fatal. I suspect they want to take the bonding element of the Draconis and use a variation of it for the Temperast."
"It's a good idea," Sean said. "The bond would exert control, and the Temperast can't go too far because distance would weaken their powers. They'd be forced to stay close, obey, and keep their matches alive."
"No one needs living weapons," Lark said scathingly.
"Which means they probably need living batteries even less," Karmikel said bitterly. "They'll exterminate us right alongside whatever other Temperast happen still to be alive, like that nasty bunch from before."
"The Temperast were dangerous, uncontrollable, and ultimately pointless," Lark said. "You're dangerous and kind of bitchy, but not useless."
"Bitchy?" Karmikel repeated in a soft tone that made Sean wince reflexively. He'd seen what had happened to the last person to provoke that particular tone.
Either Lark was oblivious to the danger or simply did not care. "Definitely bitchy, like some shrieking woman on market day who paid too much for a cut of kesto."
"Woman!" Karmikel snarled and reached for his stunner. "I'm not a woman."
Lark smirked. "Certainly pretty enough, and like I said, bitchy enough." He started to say more but caught the look Einn was giving him. "What?" he snapped.
"Nothing," Einn said, motioning lazily with one hand. "I've just never seen you flirt before; it's kind of strange."
Lark folded his arms across his chest. "I'm not flirting. I just hadn't realized the notorious Lieutenant Aurum was such a princess when he was out of his corporate thug uniform."
"You wish you could see me out of uniform," Karmikel retorted, and let his stunner slide back into the holster from which he'd half-pulled it. Lark sneered at him and Karmikel sneered back. Sean rolled his eyes.
"So what does all this matching mean?" Einn asked, drawing Karmikel's hostility. "I don't want to be matched to anyone. I'm a pirate. You're clearly government now. That's the exact opposite of a good idea."
Karmikel made a face. "You don't need to tell me that." He hesitated a beat, then added, "I'm Internal Affairs. I'm liaison to Mendel, who is an unofficial consultant on this case."
"Great," Einn replied. "I'm stuck with you—what, forever?—because the Coni have a seriously bottom dweller view about how batteries should operate?"
"At least you aren't the battery," Mendel said coldly.
"At least you knew it would happen!" Einn snapped. "I'm not Coni. I'm not even from the same damned quad! Why would I match with one of you? I'm a pirate, I can't be matched to an IG secret goon!"
"You're telling me," Karmikel muttered. His in-lens flashed. "Winter is here."
Sean stood up and went to the dock, guiding in a beautiful combat-class starship that he could not tear his eyes from. The words Shangri La were written in black on the prow. Several minutes after the ship settled, the main hatch opened, and a gangway slid down. A man appeared in the doorway, skinny and gangly, and tall in a unique way. But, Sean noticed, he was not quite as exaggerated as Einn. As he drew closer, Sean saw that he was only half-Fornarian. He had the dusky skin common to humans on Bangkok and the Nippon settlement on Mars, with a close-cropped goatee and dark brown hair. He wore the IG formal uniform, black with silver trim and fastenings, but there were no marks of rank anywhere on it. He carried three visible stunners, which in Sean's experience meant there was at least two more that weren't visible.
The man smiled as he reached the bottom of the gangway and gave a casual salute. "Hello, hello. So you're the mutant causing all the fuss, then. Nice to meet you. My name is Raoul, personal bodyguard to the Commander."
Sean said nothing; merely looked at him, not glancing away as the others filed in behind him. Raoul chuckled. "I came to ascertain that the perimeter is secure. May I safely assume all is well, Rehab?"
"Bangkok," Lark muttered, and Sean realized he was right—the man had a faint, but noticeable Bangkok accent, eliminating the possibility he was from Mars. Not that of the upper class, but the lower, what everyone called the Bangkok cattle that kept the dragons fed.
Raoul smiled in a way that seemed friendly at first, but definitely had ice to it. But in reply to the carelessly muttered word, he only laughed. "Bangkok spider, that's me. I'll ask you one more time: are the premises secure?"
"Secure," Sean replied. "Unless you're worried about the drunk smugglers wandering around the rest of the moon."
"They are of no concern," Raoul said. He turned and whistled, and a moment later, a familiar man with broad shoulders, pale blond hair, and sharp blue eyes appeared and walked down the gangway. "I told you the dramatics were unnecessary, Raoul."
"I'm paid to ignore you, not listen to you. Let's get to your shadowy stuff, then. What's that odd phrase you're always using?"
"Cloak and dagger."
"That's the one," Raoul said. "Let's get to it. You're due to meet you-know-who in a few hours and can't be late."
"I have assistants to heckle me about that, Raoul," Winter replied lightly, then turned to face the group properly. "Greetings. I am sorry we must meet under such circumstances. I do not understand, though, why Cohen kidnapped Cyan."
>
"Cohen?" Sean repeated, staring at him blankly. "But—it was Jade who took him; it was Jade doing everything."
Winter's eyes went glacier, and Sean recoiled. "Jade," he repeated softly. "Are you certain?"
"Yes," Lark said, holding a hand against Einn's chest to steady him when it was clear he wanted to launch himself at Winter and throttle the man for daring to ask if they were sure.
Beside Winter, Raoul shifted minutely. Sean grimaced. "It was definitely Jade behind it, and if you would please all avoid killing one another, we can talk and figure it all out."
"Jade," Winter repeated again, mouth tight and eyes flashing with something that Sean didn't understand. Not bothering to reply, he turned on his heel and led the way back to their living quarters.
Chapter Sixteen
Planet 11181911-3554 (Moon of Kreska), Abandoned facility
"So you didn't know it was Jade? Who the stars is Cohen?" Einn demanded. "Jade has always been the one behind this mess." He glared at the blue-eyed man, refusing to back down from his gaze no matter how intense it was.
They were beautiful eyes, the clearest, sharpest blue he had ever seen. But they also held shadows, that something that made him want to stay far away, even as he forced himself to maintain eye contact. It was like looking into Jade's eyes. Realization struck him. "You're Pyotr Kavalerov."
"Guilty as charged," Pyotr said with a weary smile. "Those codes given to me, taken from the ship that hacked yours—they originated from High Chancellor Cohen's office. No one but he could have issued those codes. They come from his datapad or his main work station, in the office only he uses. Those are the only two places from which such codes can be generated."
Sean shrugged. "He got hacked or infiltrated."
"Improbable."
"But not impossible," Einn said. "It doesn't take a high-caliber hacker to do that, not if it was an inside job. At that point, all it would really take is someone who knows the man and the system, like a certain Lower Chancellor."
Pyotr nodded. "Jade could do it, I do not deny that. Hmm…"
"What?" Einn demanded, not liking the look that slid across his face. "You know something. He has Cyan; I'm not sitting around here forever. What do you know?"
"Revenge," Pyotr said, after a moment. "I believe Jade's machinations are all about revenge."
Lark went for his stunner, as did Karmikel. Lark snapped, "Stop being cryptic. Our friend has been kidnapped by that psychopath, and Einn and I will die in a matter of days from the poison Jade put in our system, not to mention all the people still missing. I will kill you and your bodyguard if you do not say something useful."
Pyotr laughed, lightly placing a hand on Raoul's chest. "No need for threats. I am here to help, despite your beliefs to the contrary."
"I don't trust anyone with eyes like yours," Einn said.
"Eyes like mine?" Pyotr asked, but Einn could see he understood perfectly. "Indeed. Let us start with the most crucial part of your statement: Jade has poisoned you?" He half-turned, looking at Raoul, who nodded and stepped away to communicate with someone else on the ship. A couple of minutes later, a man came out and joined them.
"Constantine here is an expert on poisons; he will work out a cure, and in the meantime, can give you something to hold you over."
Einn frowned but held out his arm when Constantine indicated he should, grunting as he drew blood. Constantine smiled absently at him, then moved on to Lark. When he was done drawing blood, he glanced at Pyotr and gestured, then left as abruptly as he had arrived. Pyotr smiled faintly. "He says he will get to work, but he would not be surprised if he has seen the poison before. Those who use them in this manner tend to have favorites, and a victim always crops up."
"So why is he doing this?" Lark demanded.
"Jade has always wanted vengeance for the death of his parents," Pyotr replied. "We found the shooter many years ago, though that is not public knowledge. Unfortunately, he was dead when we found him. We have never been able to figure out who contracted the hit. Jade never mentions it, but he has never given up his quest for vengeance."
Sean shook his head. "I don't see what this has to do with High Chancellor Cohen."
"Cohen's family was most responsible for the Temperast back when they were first created. Again, it is not common knowledge, but they broke several rules in the making of them and paid many fines. They were very upset about the loss, and it strained the friendship between the Cohen and Alexander families. When Lord and Lady Alexander were killed, they were, of course, investigated as primary suspects. The investigation quickly cleared them, however, and Cohen became High Chancellor two terms later. He helped raise Jade and Cyan after their parents' death, repairing the friendship between their families."
Einn's brows shot up. "You're saying the investigators who cleared him were wrong."
Pyotr nodded. "So it would seem, if Jade is seeking revenge as I now suspect. I can't believe I missed it all this time…" He shook his head. "All evidence points to Cohen. The codes used by the Dragonfly were all generated by him. Lius' team just finished going over the Dragonfly and found more evidence that they say was recently placed by the men they apprehended, engineered to implicate Cohen. The other ship they captured also bears signatures of Cohen. Nowhere at all is there evidence of Jade." He looked at Einn and Lark. "I believe the two of you and Cyan are the only ones who can testify to Jade's involvement."
Yeah, him testify. Einn sneered at the idea of anyone believing a couple of pirates over a popular Lower Chancellor. "So you're telling me that the last term, the nightmare we've been living, all those people we kidnapped—everything was for someone's revenge? Tell me again why the stars Jade isn't in Rehab?"
"Not just revenge," Pyotr said. "Revenge is not the only thing afoot. It is Cohen, after all, and something to do with genetic research. That's too much coincidence. I do not think Jade did all this for revenge—I think he is using it for revenge."
Mendel spoke up from where he and Sean had been sitting on a couch, listening quietly to the exchange. "We were attacked by Temperast."
"Yes, Karmikel told me," Pyotr said. "I am looking into that. In the meantime, you have a rescue mission to launch."
Einn slumped with relief. Finally, finally they were going to save Cyan—
"The Melee was able to capture the men who I think were meant to take Sean and Mendel to wherever the other victims are being kept." Pyotr smiled, and Einn could see perfectly how and why he was head of Special Forces and Internal Affairs. "If Lius is correct, and he generally is in these matters, then the men he captured are taking you to a way station. From there, another group will transport you to the actual facility."
Sean swore. "You want us to go—to be 'captured' and figure out where they're being held, lead everyone else there."
"Yes," Pyotr replied. "You will infiltrate the facility, gather whatever intel you can, and relay it back to the Brilliant, which will be standing by for your signal to attack the facility, rescue the captives, and arrest everyone else." He pulled a case from inside his jacket and tossed it to Mendel. "Track chems. They taste a bit metallic and might make you nauseous for a brief time, but otherwise are fine. The chems will last one hundred Zero hours. Still, delay taking them as long as you can. Karmikel, as ever, is your point man."
"I'm not doing this!" Einn snarled, surging to his feet. Didn't any of them care? All he could see was Cyan's face, those scars on his stomach, the deeper scars in his eyes. That awful look of goodbye, the taste of it in his last kiss. No one wanted to save him. "I'm going after Cyan; the rest of you can fall to the bottom for all I care."
Pyotr shook his head. "I will handle Cyan—"
Einn rounded on him. "I've seen what Jade did to him, I've heard Cyan's stories. It's no wonder that Cyan calls you Jade's match—you really are just like him! I'm not doing anything else until I save Cyan, and if I have to do it alone, fine." He turned sharply and stormed from the room, before he added 'murdered Commander of
Special Forces' to his list of crimes.
He raked a hand through his hair, wishing he could get around to cutting it. Then he shoved the stupid thought aside and focused only on Cyan. He would have to get the Dragonfly back somehow or figure out how to steal another ship. But even the smallest ships needed a minimum of two people to crew it. Well, he would scale that cliff when he reached it.
The first cliff he had to scale was finding a space suit that would fit him, since his only way to get back down planet was the smugglers. Space suits fitted to Fornarian sizes, however, were in short supply. Several minutes of searching through a surprising number of them only resulted in two that were so close it was infuriating. Einn sucked in air and let it out on an irritated sigh.
Footsteps made him whip around. He scowled at Lark. "I hope you're not going to try and talk sense into me or something."
"I'm a prostitute, a thief, a pirate, a kidnapper, and best friends with a Fornarian," Lark drawled. "No one will ever accuse me of having sense. I came to tell you how to stow away on the Shangri La."
Einn grinned. "I can do that?"
Lark nodded. "I worked on a few of them when I was actually gainfully employed. The shipyard I worked at did a lot of government issue ships. They have some…allowances…if you know what you're doing."
"No man knows what he's doing better than you."
Smiling faintly, Lark crossed the room to Einn and flourished an injection gun. "Here, Constantine already worked up his version of Jade's serum. Apparently, they have seen it before, and with our fresh samples of it, Constantine says he should be able to get a cure in a few days." Einn pulled up his sleeve and Lark injected him.
Setting the spent gun on a nearby shelf, Lark moved to the table in the middle of the room and cleared it off. Pulling out his datapad, he called up information and projected it to the table surface. Einn looked over the schematics. "You shouldn't have these."
"Pirate," Lark said wryly, looking at him.
Einn laughed. "Good point. So tell me what to do."
