The Colossus Collection : A Space Opera Adventure (Books 1-7 + Bonus Material)

by Nicole Grotepas

  Holly began walking toward the base of the towers. “Odeon, did you figure out which one? Oh,” she said, stopping and turning back to Shiro. “I need Darius’ security tap thing.” She held her hand out. Shiro dug through his pocket and then set the surprisingly small device into her hand. It looked like a fork with three tines.

  “Number 532,” Odeon answered. Holly studied the buildings, found their numbers and headed for the one to her right. “Is Shiro out?”

  “Yes. It’s no big deal. I can do his job. It’s the easiest of them all, anyway. I doubt it requires a lot of training or experience.”

  “Shiro!” Charly’s voice came over the comm. She hissed again, “Shiro. What the hell? Are you serious? You’re backing out because of the goddamn Shadow Coalition, that bunch of boobs? I had to leave the floor to tell you this, and now I’m mad—”

  “Charly, it’s fine,” Holly interrupted, coming to the large entrance into the building. “I don’t need the deadweight. The last thing we want is someone on the team who’s too scared or uncomfortable to get the job done. I can honestly say I don’t want anyone who feels pressured to perform. Besides, whatever Shiro does can’t be that hard.”

  “But Holly, I brought Shiro to the team. It’s on me that he’s chickening out over the goddamn coalition.”

  “It’s no reflection on you, woman.”

  “Charly, I agree with Holly,” Odeon’s clear voice came on again. “If Shiro is worried, he won’t be an asset to the operation.”

  “Yeah, I got this Charly.”

  Holly was inside the building now. It smelled clean and expensive.

  All this time, Shiro hadn’t said anything. Holly wasn’t sure her gamble was working and began to worry that he’d left and taken out his earpiece. What a stupid jerk, she thought. Of all the dickish moves, signing on to a job and then ditching it when the stakes got higher had to be one of the top five. Leaving them in the lurch to fill in the gaps was incredibly unthoughtful, not to mention selfish.

  She looked around. Everything in the interior was elegant. A wide staircase made of white stone led up to the second floor where the elevators were. Suspended from the ceiling above the steps was a gaudy, large chandelier. Holly knew just from its location in the city that this tower residence would mostly be filled with Centau and Druiviins. And because they had learned the truth about humans and Constellations the hard way—through living with them and experiencing first hand their questionable moral capacity—places like this had very good security.

  What had Shiro said he would do? Sit around and watch the security? Witness the changing of the guard or something equally stupid-sounding?

  But would he sit inside or outside? Sitting within the lobby would likely attract attention. Damn, she should go back outside and watch through the glass windows.

  She turned to go and then heard Shiro on the comms.

  “What I do is so easy, that Ms. Drake isn’t even doing it right.”

  Holly breathed a sigh of relief.

  “What’s she doing?” Darius asked in her ear.

  “She went inside the tower. If she turns around now and sits outside to watch their guard changes, she’ll attract attention.” He sighed audibly.

  “Well, I didn’t know,” Holly muttered under her breath.

  “Now I’m going to have to help you. You big buffoons,” Shiro said.

  “You’re lucky you changed your mind, Shiro,” Charly said, her voice threatening. “You would not have been happy with what I did to you for backing out.”

  “I feel lucky about that,” Shiro said. “So, so, so lucky. Now Ms. Drake, you’re inside. Don’t come back out—I can see you hesitating at the glass doors. Just turn around and head up to the elevators like you belong there. Pat your clothes as though you forgot something or are looking through your pockets to find it. Lower your head and keep muttering like you’re annoyed at yourself. Then go up the stairs and glance at the security woman at the desk. Smile at her. And then find the lavatory near the elevators.”

  “Holly,” Odeon said. “Relax, damn it.”

  Everyone but Charly laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You had to be there,” Darius said, a cold note in his voice.

  “Be where?” Charly shot back. “Nevermind. Don’t care. I’m heading back into the den of two-faced snobs.”

  Charly muted her microphone as she went back to her hosting duties, and the chatter of party-people faded.

  “I did everything you said, Shiro,” Holly said. “Now what?”

  23

  “You need to find an electrical room to place the tap,” Darius said in Holly’s ear.

  “Where? I’ve never even wondered for a minute where a place like that might be,” Holly admitted. She was in the bathroom, hiding. “That security guard isn’t looking for me, is she, Shiro?”

  “No, it appears that your ruse successfully foiled the guard,” he said. “But generally repeatedly traipsing through the lobby will begin to draw suspicion.”

  Holly sighed. “Does anyone know where this electrical room would be?”

  “Yes,” Odeon said. “I’ve been in one. Holly, if you leave the bathroom and then return to the bottom floor, careful to not let the guard see you, and you head around the staircase you went up, there’s a door beneath the stairs.”

  “Beneath the stairs?”

  “The Centau built them there before they knew that their 6-moon utopia would not be a utopia.” He laughed.

  “I’m going to ignore that jab at the natures of the different races, Odeon, and go look for this room.” Holly left the bathroom and went to the top of the staircase. The guard was a human woman, which Holly found funny, after Odeon’s comment. From her desk, the guard had a full view of the stairs and Holly couldn’t see anyway to get down them without risking being seen.

  Holly went back into the bathroom.

  “Guys, this isn’t going to work. The guard will see me. I need another plan.”

  “Shiro, can’t you do something to distract the guard for Holly?” Darius asked. “That’s one of your specialties.”

  “I was hoping to have more time to get a feel for the tower,” Shiro admitted.

  “That isn’t going to work this time,” Holly said. “If we want the tap placed, you have to bust out your distraction moves.”

  “Give me a second,” Shiro said. “I’ll figure something out.”

  “Tell me when you make your move,” Holly said.

  “Oh no. This is going to be good. I can already tell,” Darius said, his voice full of mirth.

  “Why? What’s he going to do?” Holly asked.

  “Don’t worry about it, kitten,” Shiro said.

  “What the hell did you call me?” Holly asked.

  “Kitten,” Shiro repeated, like he didn’t care what Holly thought about it.

  Her blood boiled. “Are you always this insulting?”

  “Why is that insulting?”

  “Just do something,” she sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” And later, she would tell him what she thought about that term, without the whole team on the comm, listening. Holly went back out into the elevator area, and waited where she could hear what was happening.

  Soon she heard the sound of the glass doors opening, the shift in air, and the sound of Shiro’s shoes across the tile floor. The elevator dinged and several Druiviins got off, glanced at Holly who stood with her back to the wall between two elevators, and then went down the staircase.

  “Madame, hello,” Shiro said, his voice echoing up through the expensive lobby. “That’s a lovely uniform. It really brings out your natural leadership abilities.”

  “Thanks,” the guard said. “Can I help you?”

  She sounded no-nonsense to Holly. Shiro’s plan might not work, not only that, his compliment was hilariously terrible.

  “Why yes. I have two things I’d love to know. The first is—I’m looking into renting a condo here. Any tips you can give m
e on the place, the other residents? How busy is it? What are the demographics? The second is—how are you stuck working here? You belong on a stage where the entire 6-moons can appreciate your beauty.”

  Holly almost gagged. Really? It was so terrible, so vomitous there was no way it could possibly w—

  The woman laughed. “A girl’s got to pay the bills. What’s your name?”

  “Fitz,” Shiro said.

  “Well Fitz,” she said. “Most of our residents are Druiviin or Centau, if that tells you anything.”

  “It tells me I want to live here.”

  She chuckled softly. “Don’t we all.”

  A Centau came in and walked up the stairs. Holly waved from where she was sitting, positioned in what she hoped was an area that wasn't in view of a camera. Holly thought she could see a distinct look of distrust in the Centau’s pale brown face. She pushed away from the wall and headed back toward the restrooms so that the person didn’t wait for her to board the elevator. From below she caught Shiro’s conversation echoing around the vast room.

  “And we of course do expect some people to move from time to time. I think, you know, that I heard that the Blackhamm’s were going to move to Joopa.”

  “Ah? Which suite is theirs? Can you show me the floor plan on that suite level? Perhaps just a peek at a general layout?”

  “This is it, Holly,” Darius said in her ear. “She’ll be focused elsewhere. Get ready. I’ll cue you when you can move. Now, just act natural. No crazy rushing or acting too suspicious.”

  “I’m already suspicious,” Holly pointed out quietly.

  “No more suspicious, that’s all,” Darius said.

  “See right here,” the guard said. “This is a great floor plan. If I could afford to live here, I’d take this one. Really close to the Spireway, but the view’s not obstructed by it.”

  “Go,” Darius said sharply.

  Holly went to the far end of the staircase and headed down, stepping softly.

  “She’s looking away, showing Shiro the floorplan. Keep her distracted Shiro, Holly’s making her move. Touch her arm or something, ramp it up, Shiro. Softly now, Holly. Yes. Great, keep it going. Holly’s almost there, Shiro.”

  “I’m surprised no one has scooped you up and placed you in a gilded cage like that?” Shiro said.

  “Who wants to live in a cage?” The woman asked.

  “Not even a golden one? Not gilded. Actually gold?”

  “Sounds terrible,” she said. “I like my job. The Centau treat me really well, same with the Druiviin.”

  “Good, good, Shiro. Oh, she’s turning her head, Holly’s not quite there, do something, Shiro. Kiss her cheek or something!”

  “Oh, excuse me!” The woman yelped.

  Then the sharp sound of slap.

  “Ha ha, nice one,” Darius said, and Holly caught the sound of Odeon laughing as well.

  “Ow!” Shiro’s complaint came. Holly felt a secret satisfaction—that’s for calling me kitten. For women everywhere.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” the guard’s voice rang out.

  Holly was already at the door to the electrical room.

  “We’re platinum,” Darius said. “Great work, Shiro.”

  “And?” Holly whispered.

  “And what?”

  “And Holly. Great work, Holly.”

  “You will definitely get one once you’re in and the security feed tap has been placed.”

  “It’s OK—I apologize,” Shiro was saying. “I just couldn’t resist. I’ve—I’ve never done that before. I usually ask. It’s so unlike me. Rather spontaneous.”

  “Yes, next time ask.”

  “As though there’ll be a next time, right, Shiro?” Darius gloated.

  Holly was inside the electrical room, with the door closed, and the lights on. “Now what?” She asked in a hushed voice.

  “Alright,” Darius said. “There should be a series of cables heading into a big box. The cable that runs the security cameras is usually yellow, because remember, the Centau and Druiviin don’t need shit like this. So this is a human system. Set up by humans and Consties to protect the lovely overlords from our evil ways,” Darius said.

  “I’m not an overlord,” Odeon said.

  “Not you, specifically,” Darius admitted. “You’re different, though. Shiro, even though Holly’s in, you need to keep the guard engaged so that she’ll be able to leave without arousing suspicion. Once she’s got the tap placed, we can hack in and change the security feeds, so the guard doesn’t catch her.”

  “I don’t appreciate being referred to as an overlord, Darius. Especially since I’m doing this with you, assimilating.”

  “It’s just an idea, Odeon, not a fact. And anyway, one on one, not all Druiviins behave as though they find humans and Consties distasteful.” He sounded distracted.

  Holly took the circular piece of metal from her pocket. “Which one is it, Darius?”

  “Which what?” Darius asked.

  “Which cable?”

  “Sorry—Odeon is distracting me. Er, let me look at your footage. OK, OK,” he said. “The big fat yellow cable. Try to place the disc out of sight, so that if anyone looks for it, it’s not just sitting out in plain view. Yeah, like that.”

  Holly took a hold of the yellow cable. It was thick and heavy and stretched pretty taut. She felt it with her fingers and looked for a spot with slack in it so that she could maneuver her fingers and the disc around to the back.

  “OK, got a spot for it.” She could hear Shiro talking to the guard still, and though he was laying the charm on thick, the guard sounded like she was starting to tire of his attention. Holly tried to do what Darius told her to do. She pressed the disc up against the cable and while she held it there, pressed the center button. Something released and Holly felt the disc secure itself to the cable. She waited to hear something from Darius. He was silent.

  Then, he finally breathed a sigh of satisfaction. “Alright we have it. We’re in.”

  “Great.” Holly muttered.

  “Now you just have to get out of there without the guard seeing you.”

  “Shiro, can you move in front of the guard? Holly, get out of the room and get ready to run.”

  “Right.” Holly opened the door and crept out, then tried to look nonchalant when she saw no one around. She moved around to the edge of the stairwell, just where her head would pop above it and become visible to the guard if she kept moving. “In position” she said.

  “Aaaaaaand now!”

  Holly leapt into action, moving into the line of the stairwell like she’d just come back down them. She glanced toward the guard and Shiro, saw how casually Shiro leaned across the woman’s desk, his rear-end poking out like he was totally natural at flirting. The guard caught Holly’s gaze and held it for a second. Holly flashed a nervous smile and then pushed the glass doors open and left the building.

  Once she was outside her heart wouldn’t slow down and her breath was coming rapidly.

  “Holly,” Odeon’s voice spoke in her ear. “You sound like you’re hyperventilating.”

  “That’s because I am.” She got as far away from the building as possible, before sitting down on the edge of a container of plants. Palm fronds hung down in her face.

  “Any time you want to crack open that magical healing tone, Odeon, I’m listening.”

  “Of course,” Odeon said.

  “Shiro, I think you should go to the top floor and check out the room. At least the exterior. Those entry points are going to be crucial and Holly can’t do it now, it seems. It’s on you. See if you can get past the guard to do it. Let me find the suite number. Odeon, where’d you put that folder?” Darius said, whistling like he was happy he’d gotten into the security feeds.

  No answer from Shiro.

  “Also, Shiro, it’s time to cut ties with the guard.”

  Still no answer, except the sound of Shiro talking to someone else.

  She heard Odeon and Darius sp
eaking, but the world was spinning. She bent over and put her face between her knees to calm herself. And then Darius’s voice was silent, as well as the distant conversation that Shiro had been having with the guard.

  “Holly, it’s only me, Odeon now. Are you OK?” There was a gentle touch to his soft tenor.

  “Yes. I think. It’s just, that’s my first time doing anything like that. I’m a school teacher. Not a spy or a thief, for the love of god. I wasn’t a murderer. OK? It was kill or be killed, Odeon. That wasn’t me. That whole thing was self-defense. I was scared. I had to do it. And then prison? That wasn’t me. I had to learn to fight to protect myself. That’s all I’ve ever done—learn to protect myself. Because I’ve been forced to. Not because it’s my nature. What the Centau think about humans is mostly true, but not because we’re just animals. We adapt to fight. I did that. But this thing? It’s not self-defense. I was scared in there.” She was rambling and unleashing on the Druiviin. It wasn’t what she wanted, but her adrenalin was still filling her. It was rant or run.

  “Holly, I understand you.”

  For some reason, that calmed her. “You do?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can you just use your voice to calm me? Please? I’m about to run. I’ve got so much energy in me right now, I’m about to run.”

  “I can, but I don’t think that’s what you need right now. I think you need to be listened to.”

  “Who’s the boss here?” She shot at him.

  He laughed. “We’re your team. But we’ll tell you when you need to work something out. We’re not ready to follow you blindly into the dark. And right now I think my trick will only work for a few minutes, but once I stop humming, it will all come back and you will have to sort it out then. So let’s do it now.”