by Sarah Noffke
“Nearly.” Eddie laughed.
“Regardless, hearing about it got me thinking,” Chester continued. “Sometimes I get obsessed with information, you know? I just start looking into things one bit of data at a time. It’s obsessive, I get that, but every once in a while it leads to something interesting. In this case I decided to research the origin of Stingray ships, so I looked into the scientist who designed them, the one who originally built that model. Turns out he’s also the same person who built another ship not too long ago, the Unsurpassed.”
“Unsurpassed,” mused Eddie, stroking his jaw.
“Yeah. I dug a bit deeper when I found the name, because it seemed interesting and something about it caught my eye. I found that it was commissioned by an anonymous client awhile back,” explained Chester. “But that’s not even the weirdest part. Something about it felt off, and you know—after I found that out I couldn’t stop digging. I had to know the whole story.”
Eddie nodded. “And?”
Chester smirked. “I followed the money trail through several fake accounts until it brought me to the end. You wouldn’t believe the amount of work it took, but I was in deep already so I couldn’t stop—not when I’d come this far.”
“So who was it?” asked Eddie, his curiosity totally piqued.
“Mr. Felix Castile,” Chester said, cocking his head, not afraid to show his pride. “You can imagine my surprise.”
Eddie leaned forward, his eyes widening as he rocked the chair up on two legs. “No way!”
Chester pulled up an image of the massive ship on the main screen. “It appears to be Felix’s personal carrier.”
“Whoa, that baby is sweet,” said Eddie, gawking at the image. The ship was smaller than the ArchAngel, but still had launch tunnels and a large landing bay. Federation ships were generally considered the greatest in the galaxy, but this Unsurpassed ship certainly gave some a run for their money.
Chester swiped his finger on the screen in front of him and brought up the blueprints. “It’s not Federation technology, but from what I can deduce it’s pretty impressive. The ship you encountered before seems to have been a prototype for this. It was similar in many respects, but this one is bigger and tougher and has plenty more cannons to kill you with.”
“Then I can only imagine what kind of technology Unsurpassed uses. Please send this over to Hatch. I want to get his take on this,” said Eddie.
“Already done.” Chester pushed his glasses up on his nose, suppressing a proud smile.
“Of course it is,” said Eddie, turning to Marilla. “This guy always exceeds expectations. Don’t you just love him?”
Marilla’s cheeks blushed pink and she nodded, then squinted at her computer screen like something had just grabbed her attention.
“Yeah, Mar, don’t you just love me? Maybe that’s too strong of a word. Can’t get enough of me, perhaps? Completely smitten with me, possibly?” teased Chester.
She looked up, her mouth popping open. “What? Are you talking to me? Sorry, I was distracted.”
“Sure you were.” Chester nodded, eyes laughing. “Anyway, Captain, I was able to track down the location for this scientist who designed Felix’s ship. I figured that if we could talk to him we might be able to learn what other technology Felix has commissioned. Technology developments always lead to motives and plans.”
“Good thinking. That’s exactly right,” agreed Eddie. “Who is this guy, and where is he?”
“Deacon Flick—that’s the guy’s name. And you’re not going to believe this, but he’s hiding right under the Federation’s nose.” Chester pulled up a document, and enlarged the text of a location.
“Onyx Station? You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Eddie, reading the information.
“Yep. The scientist responsible for designing ships for the enemy is hanging out on our home turf.” Chester clicked his tongue three times and shook his head.
“Mr. Flick is about to get a surprise visit,” said Eddie. He stood and patted the dog, who was dutifully lying next to him.
When he strode for the exit, Harley followed.
Chapter Sixteen
Loading Bay, QBS ArchAngel, Onyx Station, Paladin System
The scraggly mutt bounded at Julianna when she entered the loading bay early. She figured that Teach would be prepping before they set out. She’d noticed that he was always early, using the time to mentally prepare before each mission. They hadn’t spoken since he’d dropped the Ricky-Bobby bomb on her. Actually she was pretty certain he was avoiding her, since he’d relayed the information on Deacon Flick and the trip to Onyx via ArchAngel.
Harley had a disgusting saliva-covered bone-thing in his mouth. She peered down at him and shook her head.
“He wants you to throw it,” said Eddie. He knelt, knees splayed wide.
“I know what he wants, but I don’t want to touch that slobber-soaked bone,” said Julianna.
Eddie whistled and the dog trotted over to him, for which Harley received a pat on his head. He dropped the bone in front of Eddie, and the pilot picked it up and threw it down the empty expanse of the loading bay. “I think you do want to play with Harley, but it’s kind of like the Ricky Bobby situation.”
“I had no idea that you didn’t value your life and wanted me to end it,” said Julianna coolly.
“When someone ends me, it’s probably going to be you. You’re unmatched, and could have me at your mercy without breaking a sweat.” Eddie looked after the dog with a satisfied smile on his face, as if he’d just thought of something pleasing. “What a way to go—at the hands of the great Commander Fregin!”
Julianna rolled her eyes. “Since when have you thought that intervening in my affairs was a good idea? Was this a plan you hatched while you were drunk?”
Harley had returned with the bone and stubbornly dropped it in front of Julianna again, but she simply shook her head at him.
“I just spotted an opportunity for closure and yes, I meddled a bit in your affairs. I’m not sorry about it, so if you want to kick my ass I’ll take it like a man.” Eddie pushed to his feet, knee popping as he did. He shook out his leg as if it had cramped from his kneeling position.
“I’m not mad at you, Teach. I have every right to be, but I get that you were trying to help,” said Julianna. Harley picked up the bone again and brought it to Eddie, from whom he immediately got what he wanted.
“I knew you were a reasonable and tolerant person, but now I realize you’re understanding as well,” said Eddie as Harley bounded after the soggy missile.
“You could have told me that you were trying to set up a meeting with Ricky Bobby,” said Julianna.
You would have threatened to kill him, said Pip in her head.
“You would have put me in a headlock so fast,” said Eddie, “or worse.”
Julianna smiled. “That’s what Pip says too.”
“Ha! And he knows you better than anyone else.”
“It’s true, but you knew me well enough to know that Pip’s evolution had brought up old concerns of mine. You might pretend to be a good ol’ boy, but I think you hide intuition,” said Julianna.
Eddie shrugged, his eyes on Harley, who had dropped the bone once more at Julianna’s feet. “I just wanted to help my friend. You had the opportunity to easily resolve things with Ricky Bobby, which is not an option for some people. Sometimes we can’t go back and say we’re sorry for walking away. We can’t always say goodbye to the people we love.”
Julianna could hear…something…in the way he spoke. His tone had shifted and became almost distant. He seemed to retreat inside himself a bit—a reaction she knew quite well herself—and she saw a shadow in his eyes, possibly a memory of sorts. “You’re talking like you know this from experience,” she finally said.
Eddie snapped his fingers to get Harley’s attention, but this time the dog stayed in front of Julianna, his tongue hanging out of his mouth and eyes looking expectantly up at her.
“
Maybe I do and didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, or maybe I’m okay, or I messed up,” said Eddie, walking over. He paused when he was right in front of Julianna, a strange seriousness on his usually-smiling face.
She twitched from the emotion in his eyes and how it plainly spoke of something more. Something deeper than anything she’d ever seen from him. She knew it was pain, the sort that lingers for a lifetime and doesn’t let you go.
Slowly he leaned down and grabbed the bone. Then he straightened and threw it, but Harley didn’t go after it. Instead he stayed there and stared up at Julianna the same way Eddie was staring.
“Are you referring to a girl? One who you let walk away?” asked Julianna.
Eddie shook his head with a tragic look in his eyes. “No, nothing like that. I’m referring to my parents.”
Julianna swallowed, her throat tight. “And now you regret not dealing with things before it was too late, is that right?”
“I regret thinking there would always be time to go back and fix everything,” said Eddie, his eyes skipping to the poor dog still sitting at their feet.
Eddie smiled abruptly and was suddenly his former self again, a joyful expression filling his bright face. He bent down over Harley, patting the dog’s head. “One of these days she’ll give you what you want,” he said, looking up at Julianna. “Don’t give up on her just yet.”
The door to the hangar opened, and both Lars and Knox entered.
Julianna turned around to face them. A bandage was wrapped around Knox’s arm where he’d been shot. That kid hadn’t complained about it at all, which made Julianna like him even more.
I believe you and the Captain just had a moment, said Pip.
I don’t know what you mean.
I have a transcript of the conversation. Would you like me to run back through it for you?
I don’t think that’s necessary.
You should ask him more about his parents, Pip encouraged her.
If he wants to talk about them, he will.
Oh, right, wait for other people to open up first. No outward attempts on your part at deepening relationships.
Pip, are you trying to get under my skin?
The AI laughed in her head. Under your skin! Good one, and no, I’m simply trying to point out that relationships are a two-way street.
I can’t believe you’re lecturing me on relationships. I’ll be perfectly fine without your input on the subject.
That’s too bad then. I found a quiz from Cosmopolitan, a magazine from Earth. It’s old, but I think the results would hold up. The quiz is entitled, “What’s Your Relationship Style?”
This conversation is not happening.
I assure you that it is. I took the quiz and got “Clingy Codependent.” I think my results are a bit flawed, based on my situation with you.
Julianna burst out laughing, which gained the attention of the three men who were busy discussing the logistics of the mission.
The quiz classified you as a “Distant Heartbreaker.” I took the quiz for you, based on how I suspected you’d answer. I calculated an eighty-five percent probability that I was correct. Would you like to take the quiz yourself to verify?
Hell no, I do not, and neither should you, Pip. Those quizzes are terrible.
Let me know if you change your mind. I also found many other useful quizzes like, “Does Your Hookup Want to be Your Boyfriend?” and “What’s Your Ideal Sex Position?” For obvious reasons I couldn’t complete the quizzes myself.
Oh, gross. You have way too much free time on your hands if you’re taking quizzes from women’s magazines, Pip. We really ought to find you something more productive to do.
Pip laughed again. “Time on my hands.” Hands…that’s funny, Julianna.
Eddie cleared his throat to get Julianna’s attention. “Based on the distant look on your face, I’m guessing you’re having a conversation with your favorite AI.”
“I can hear you,” said ArchAngel from overhead, butting into the conversation. “Honestly, there are too many AIs coming and going in my ship.”
Eddie frowned. “Aw, Archie… You know you’re my main squeeze, babe!”
“Apology accepted, Captain Teach,” said ArchAngel, “but please, no nicknames for me.”
Julianna couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, we’re done. He’s apparently lost his damn mind and needs to be completely rebooted.”
“Lost my mind.” Another good one, said Pip.
“Are you up to speed?” Julianna asked Knox and Lars.
They both agreed with a nod.
"Based on what happened last time in Gun Barrel, we think having you and Lars, join us will be smart. We don't want to get cornered again and be outnumbered," said Juilianna.
“I’m up for a mission,” said Lars.
“All right, then let’s suit up and get going,” commanded Julianna.
Deck Twelve, Onyx Station, Paladin System
Eddie grinned when he saw his team.
Knox and Lars were already dressed, wearing the uniforms of Onyx Station’s utility personnel crew. Thanks to the Federation’s control of this station, acquiring them had been a simple task.
Julianna pulled the blazer on over her crisp white shirt. She looked different in slacks and a button-up blouse. Different in a good way, Eddie observed. She fastened a badge to the lapel of her jacket, straightening it.
“Stop staring,” Julianna threatened when she caught him watching her.
He jerked his head down and bent over, pretending his shoe was untied. “I wasn’t staring.”
“If you think I look different dressed in civilian clothes, you need to look in the mirror,” said Julianna.
“I can only imagine that I look a little stiff in this suit.” Eddie straightened and smoothed his slacks.
“You definitely don’t look like yourself, which is the point. If I can hardly recognize you, then the Brotherhood who might be hiding and waiting for us, won’t notice you,” said Julianna.
“You really think that the Brotherhood would be so brave as to come onto Onyx Station?” asked Knox.
Lars nodded, leaning on a mop he’d snagged. “The Brotherhood shouldn’t be underestimated. I have no difficulty believing they could sneak onto this station if ordered to.”
“There’s so much going on here that it’s not hard to get away with stuff,” said Eddie. “Look at this Deacon Flick guy. This scoundrel is hiding right under our noses here.”
Julianna picked up a clipboard that carried a stack of papers pinned together at the top. “All right, you guys, get into position. Teach and I will be right behind you. Comms on, everyone.”
Knox and Lars saluted the Commander before leaving the room they’d secured for prep, which was a back room in the maintenance sector.
When the two had been gone for a minute Eddie said, “Gunner? Carnivore? Do you copy?”
“Affirmative,” they said in unison over the comm.
“Keep your eyes open for suspicious people. Don’t draw attention to yourself, and abandon position if you’re identified. The last thing we need is any of this reflecting back on the Federation,” said Julianna.
“Copy,” said Lars.
Eddie buttoned his suit jacket, trying to look important. He read Julianna’s badge. “Ms. Donaldson, are you ready to embark on our census work for the station?”
Julianna smiled slightly. “Yes, Mr. Petersen. Let’s go count heads.”
The two strolled through the corridor of Deck Twelve with their chins held high. Beings of many races brushed by, most taking no notice of them in their official navy-blue suits. Both scanned the crowd as they passed for anyone who might be a Brotherhood soldier or Trid accomplice.
At a second-hand appliance store Eddie paused and put his back to the shop. On the other side was a laundromat. The lower deck was full of these rundown enterprises, and riff-raff to match.
Eddie pointed to the laundromat. “Sally, you want to take the laundromat? I’m overdue for
a break.”
Julianna pursed her lips, obviously not approving of how Eddie slacked off even when undercover. “Sure, Billy.”
She entered the laundromat and started talking to the clerk at once, and Eddie surveyed the area around the second-hand appliance shop. Working around the passersby in front of it was Lars, pushing a mop. He kept his eyes down and was doing a great job of looking like a dejected custodian trying to work as people dirtied the floors behind him.
Knox had set up a ladder just in front of the next shop, and he opened a tool box to remove a bulb. People gave him space, not wanting to bump into the tall ladder.
Julianna returned with her clipboard clutched to her chest. “All done, Billy.” She pointed at the second-hand retail shop. “Why don’t we take this next one together?”
“Sounds good, Sal,” said Eddie, sweeping his arm out to present the way to Julianna.
Unimpressed, she trotted off. Knox started climbing the ladder when they entered the store. A bell hummed marking their arrival, and an old woman with curly gray hair looked up from a tablet. Her eyes roamed over their suits and she pursed her lips.
“What do you want?” she asked impatiently. The shop was lined with shelves that held dusty old appliances, things Eddie hadn’t seen in years and some he’d never run into before. The counter in front of her was glass, and was filled with odds and ends like toasters and old phones.
“Just a moment of your time, Ma’am. We’re with the census department,” said Eddie.
“I know who you’re with. You say ‘census,’ but you mean ‘taxes.’ You just want to count us so we have to pay you,” said the woman sternly.
Julianna raised her brow. “I didn’t realize you had stopped using Onyx Station’s infrastructure and were existing without any of its conveniences,” said Julianna, a sharp tone in her voice.
Eddie gave her a warning look. “What I think my partner here was trying to say is, taxes ensure that you have the things you need.”
The old woman narrowed her gray eyes at Julianna, wrinkles splaying around her tight mouth. “I don’t think that was what she was trying to say.”
