“The Collective will necessarily need to negotiate with the Ktor to establish mutually acceptable means of verifying that the removal of the Lost Soldiers has been effected. This is unlikely to be difficult. Both sides seem far more motivated to find a solution than they are to waging an all-consuming war.”
Suvtrush’s eyes narrowed. “And where would you propose to deposit these refugee humans?”
Alnduul waved desultory fingers in the air. “Zhaashgleem.”
Laynshooz’s eye rims pinched tightly. “The last of the factotum worlds?”
“Where better? It is now almost completely untrafficked.”
The five Dornaani glanced at each other, almost furtively. Suvtrush expelled a rattling rush of air, seemed both irritated and relieved. “There is promise in this plan, both to avert war and salvage what is left of your reputation, Alnduul. You have our leave to undertake this mission. Indeed, much may be forgiven if you can accomplish what you project. But if you fail…”
“I have no delusions as to the circumstances under which I would then exist.”
“Even that phrasing is unwarrantedly optimistic.” Suvtrush stood. “This board of inquiry is adjourned, pending the outcome of your mission.”
Chapter Sixty-Four
FEBRUARY–MARCH 2125
DEEP SPACE IN VARIOUS SYSTEMS,
THE BORDER WORLDS/FAR SCATTERS
Riordan rubbed his eyes again. Although Dornaani-manufactured cryocells enabled humans to revivify almost immediately and with minimal side effects, Caine had crawled out of his only three hours earlier. The shakes had passed, but it was still hard to focus.
Unfortunately, focus was exactly what he needed most. Whatever Hsontlosh had told the team of the second watch—Peter Wu, Miles O’Garran, Katie Somers, and Murray Liebman—they had unanimously decided to awaken the other two watches for a community decision.
Which is why he was perched on a chair in Hsontlosh’s briefing room when he’d rather have been nursing a warm cup of…something. Anything. Instead, everyone in his self-styled “Crewe” was either tense or groggy, and Eku was sitting off by himself.
In contrast, Hsontlosh appeared unruffled as he stood and took in the room with a wide gesture of his hands. “I believe we have come to a crossroads in our journey. For those of you who have just reanimated, we arrived at Psi Tauri three days ago.”
Riordan did the mental math: so about three weeks since we gave him the green light to travel here.
“I made planetfall two days ago and expressed interest in the mind-to-clone transference procedure. Within twenty-four hours, I was put in contact with persons who revealed information regarding your mate’s condition, Mr. Riordan.”
Caine leaned forward, wasn’t sure the shakes he was suppressing now were due to his recent reanimation. “What did you learn?”
“First, a caveat: her name was not used. The sources merely related reports involving a comparatively young human female who required unusual medical services. It strains credibility that this description could refer to anyone else.”
“Okay, so you’re not one hundred percent sure. What did you learn?”
Hsontlosh held up two didactic fingers. “Months ago, offworld exchange agents—you would call them ‘middlemen’—acquired biostimulation nanites of loji manufacture. A prerequisite for the purchase was that the nanites could be modified for use in the human female matching Elena Corcoran’s description.
“This may be why they came to the Border Worlds in the first place. They may have foreseen needing not only a circumspect Virtua node but one where this black market nanite therapy could be openly applied and monitored.”
Riordan leaned forward. “Do your sources know where she is?”
“No, but they report a request for additional regimens of the nanites, as well as for experts in remediating their side-effects.”
“What side-effects?”
“Understand, Caine Riordan, these nanites are derived from two ancient series. One was designed to rejuvenate the body. The other protected it from genetic damage or oncological mutation. However, when this imperfect hybrid begins to lose function, it can revert into an oncological ‘hunter-killer’ and become become…woefully indiscriminate in its targeting.”
Riordan put a hand to his head. “So are you saying that the very therapy they’re using to jump-start Elena might now be consuming her from the inside?”
“It is possible. This may be why her abductors have moved her to the very edge of the Dornaani border. Possibly beyond.”
“Beyond? Into neutral—unclaimed—systems?”
Hsontlosh’s lids closed and opened very slowly. “Yes. These nanites, as well as their most skilled practitioners, originate from such worlds.”
“I thought we were already out of the Collective. For weeks, now.”
“Technically, that is correct. But these worlds are farther still, beyond those where the Custodians can still exert nominal influence if they must.”
Riordan frowned. Concern for Elena was still at the forefront of his mind, but now something else was drawing up alongside it: wariness. “So what is it about these farther neutral systems that keeps even the Custodians out?”
“They are but one or two shifts from another species’ border.”
Riordan suddenly felt as if he were entering a lightless cave, checking the floor with an outreached toe. “Whose borders?”
“The Ktor. Which is why I must ask, Caine Riordan, that you reconsider your resolve to find your mate. While there is no indication that the Ktor have ventured into this region in centuries, it is not impossible that they might do so. And I would be ingenuous to pretend ignorance of the unfortunate encounters you and your crew have had with them. That is why I encourage you to take careful counsel on whether this quest is worth proximity to such a daunting species.”
Riordan nodded. “We’ll talk about it over dinner and let you know.” Assuming I’m not too busy vomiting up everything I eat.
* * *
No one else seemed to be thinking about dinner, either, as they huddled around the table in the commons room. Katie Somers had tricked the Dornaani commplex into playing multiple raucous music selections simultaneously, while two differently modulated layers of white noise ran underneath. Unlikely to defeat determined eavesdropping, but it was the best she could do.
Their conversation was not the one Hsontlosh had advised, however. It was clear from postures alone that there was no thought of abandoning the search for Elena just because the danger had increased. Even Girten, Liebman, and Somers were committed to that journey. The only issue to be considered was the one Craig Girten articulated as they crowded around the table. “Look, this guy Hsontlosh could be a shyster.”
“Aye,” Katie Somers admitted, “but he just warned us away from pushing on. Twice.”
Duncan shook his head. “That could be part of his act.”
Miles frowned, nodded. “Yeah, he’s had plenty of time to look us over and figure out that our unspoken motto is ‘all for one and one for all.’”
Dora nodded. “Hsontlosh knows that if he says, ‘It’s too dangerous! Abandon the quest!’ then we’ll only be more determined than ever.”
Bannor glanced at Riordan. “So what’s the play?”
Caine put his right hand flat upon the table. “We go forward and play along. For now. If it’s a trap, he’ll see us doing what he expects. That might make him less careful than he should be. In the meantime, we have to weigh a risk.”
Ayana’s tone was blithe. “Do you mean the risk of attempting to take this ship?”
“No. Of letting Eku into our full confidence.”
Dora’s frown was pinched. “And why do we need to do that?”
“Because if we don’t, there’s no way I can ask him to dip into the ship’s computer and find out if Hsontlosh is telling us the truth about where he’s taking us. And why.”
Peter’s left eyebrow had risen. “And just how is Eku able to ‘dip
into the ship’s computer?’”
“You let me worry about that.” As Riordan said it, the universal passkey fob suddenly felt heavier in his duty suit’s pocket. Only the other watch commanders, Bannor and Peter, were aware of it. Which didn’t sit well with Riordan, but the more people who knew and might whisper about it, the more likely that Hsontlosh would overhear. “For now, we go back to business as usual.”
Duncan was glum. “Which means most of us will be going back into cryocells. Can’t say I like that much.”
“Can’t say I like it either,” Caine agreed. “But any change to our routine could alert Hsontlosh that we’re becoming suspicious. And we can’t afford that, because if we have to take matters into our own hands, surprise is the only effective weapon we’re likely to have.”
* * *
Just over three weeks later, Caine sat down at the same table, recovering from cold sleep again. It had been a typical reanimation: exercise and a full day spent choking down various restorative cocktails. Others leeched out traces of the chemicals that would keep the water in his cells from freezing if the cryocell’s temperature sank to zero Celsius.
Caine’s incoming watch and Bannor’s outgoing watch gradually gathered for their one shared meal. Someone in the Crewe had dubbed it the Changing of the Guard: that period of congenial overlap when the old watch briefed the new watch on whatever had happened while they lay undreaming in cryogenic stasis.
As Caine began picking at a white mass that might have been a puree of cauliflower, celeriac, potatoes, or all three, Bannor drawled, “I’ve been toying around with a plan for mixing up the watch structure. We’re getting too comfortable working in the same teams all the time.” Which was a preset message that translated as: I’ve got something you need to read, because it’s too sensitive for conversation.
Riordan nodded. “You have a list of the new watches?”
Bannor nodded, pushed a folded sheet of paper across the table. “Just a first pass. I expect you’ll want to tweak it a bit.”
“I might,” Caine agreed as he unfolded the sheet. He was able to hold it at a normal angle since he had purposely seated himself in the corner where the two blank bulkheads met. Riordan read:
February 22, 2125–Ship arrives in system ADS3321C. Immediately initiates standing-start shift.
February 23, 2125–Arrives in BD+14 831. Ship moors to spinbuoy so that maintenance robots may work on drives. Upon completion, another standing-start shift: the second in two days.
February 24, 2125–Arrives in BD+19 872. Same as yesterday. Ship moors to spinbuoy for full cycle of drive maintenance. Then a standing-start shift. The third in three days.
February 25, 2125–Arrives at unknown destination. Ship moors to spinbuoy. Post-shift drive maintenance normative. Refueling begins.
February 26, 2125–Refueling operations continue at twice normal speed.
We’re going somewhere fast, and not being told why or where.
After the others on Riordan’s watch had craned their necks to get a look at it, he refolded the sheet, nodded. “Looks good. Bannor. And I think you’re right about adding Eku to our watches. Like Yaargraukh here, he never goes into cold sleep. He could be a full-time asset.”
Bannor took back the sheet. “Okay. So when do we put Eku to work?”
Riordan nodded. “Soon. I’ll go tell him after dinner.”
Chapter Sixty-Five
MARCH 2125
DEEP SPACE, BD+13 778
Eku slipped into Caine’s quarters without appearing furtive. His eyes were wide. “The diversion you staged—the sparring accident with the Hkh’Rkh—was quite convincing, Commodore. But it did not last as long as we hoped. Hsontlosh nearly discovered me accessing his files.”
“But he didn’t. What have you learned?”
“Hsontlosh cannot be trusted. Our present location is the system you know as BD+13 778. I could not access the future shift-plot, however.”
“What about the logs?”
“They are also sealed, along with the ship’s comm records. However, Custodial hulls automatically retain archived copies of all comm traffic. He is probably aware of them, but they cannot be removed. Access to them is by code, which can only be changed by a Custodian.”
Riordan smiled. “And you have knowledge of that code?”
“Alnduul entrusted me with it.” Eku looked away. “Giving me that code was a profound violation of Custodial directives.”
Riordan shook his head. “It was also a profound compliment. So, who’s Hsontlosh been talking to since we started on our journey?”
“Actually, the important information is who he was speaking to before we left. Even before he acquired this ship.”
Caine frowned. “The ship has a record of his comm traffic from before he took possession of it?”
Eku smiled faintly. “Any authorized crewperson may retroactively update the comm record. Hsontlosh added his prior records. Probably for improved security.”
“I don’t follow. Copying his records to the ship’s computer improves their security?”
Eku nodded. “Hsontlosh’s earlier communications were likely stored on his control circlet. That is risky. If apprehended, a full record of his illicit actions and arrangements would be on his person. By storing them in the ship’s records and erasing them from his control circlet, he eliminates that risk.”
“Okay, so what’s in the archive?”
“I recognized three comm codes. Two are those of Regional Arbiters Yaonhoyz and Laynshooz. The other is that of the Seventh Senior Arbiter, Heethoo.”
Riordan didn’t respond right away. “That can’t be right. The two Regional Arbiters I understand; they hate my guts. But Heethoo? Connected to Hsontlosh? She was one of the few Arbiters who was sympathetic to Alnduul. And to me.”
Eku shook his head. “When Hsontlosh arrived at HR 4084 A to take possession of this ship, Alnduul’s requisition for it had been appended so as to permit it to travel beyond Collective worlds. And to retain its weapons.”
Riordan nodded. “And I’m guessing that this addendum required authorization from either a Senior or Regional Arbiter.”
“Precisely. Hsontlosh’s records show that he contacted Yaonhoyz for that authorization and received it two days later.”
Riordan smiled. “But I’ll bet it was issued by Laynshooz.”
“How did you know?”
Riordan shrugged. “A classic firewall. Never more than a single, one-way communication, and never with the same person. So how did Heethoo’s name come up?”
“When Laynshooz sent Hsontlosh the authorization, he neglected to remove earlier coded messages in the thread. Although I cannot decipher the content, two of the other comm addresses were Yaonhoyz’s and Heethoo’s. I am puzzled that Hsontlosh retained this message at all. It clearly incriminates him.”
Riordan shook his head. “Actually, that message may be the most valuable thing that Hsontlosh possesses.”
“Why?”
“Because Heethoo’s comm address is Hsontlosh’s only insurance that they won’t get rid of him as a ‘loose end’ later on. With that message, Hsontlosh can prove a covert relationship between three Arbiters who not only made sure that he got a Custodial ship with all its armaments, but with inappropriate travel permissions. That suggests collusion, even conspiracy. And if the message is set for timed release, Hsontlosh has to be alive to keep resetting it.”
“But early on, the possibility of its discovery would have been a threat to him, as well.” Eku’s eyes widened. “So he must have baited Irzhresht into illegally accessing his system, to get rid of her before she had a chance to find the comm record on her own.”
Riordan nodded. “He probably left just enough false signs to get Irzhresht to hack his system and get herself killed. It wouldn’t have been difficult, since she was already watching for a loji double-cross.”
“Eminently logical conjectures, except for this: the three Arbiters have no reason to help—let alo
ne know—Hsontlosh. Indeed, the only thing they have in common is a record of utter contempt for loji. It is a conundrum.”
“So much so that it can’t be chance. Whatever Hsontlosh is up to, it must advance those Arbiters’ hidden agenda. But without them getting their hands dirty.”
“And what agenda would that be?”
“We don’t have enough information or time to figure that out. Besides, we’ve got bigger problems.”
Eku frowned. “Such as?”
“When Hsontlosh recently made three successive standing shifts, Bannor didn’t have any safe opportunities to use the fob. So the trail of signals that Alnduul could have used to follow us has been broken. Badly.” Riordan leaned back, knew his smile was crooked. “Sorry to have gotten you mixed up in this, Eku.”
“It is a gratifying assignment, and I am honored that you and the others have taken me into your confidence.”
“I’m just glad you’re on our side, Eku.”
“I was from the outset, Commodore.”
“Then why were you so distant when I returned from Virtua?”
Eku sighed. “Because although I had no reason to doubt Hsontlosh’s account of Irzhresht’s death, the circumstances left me uneasy. Irzhresht might have been the traitor, but if it was Hsontlosh instead, then I could not show a strong affinity for you or your personnel. He might have perceived that as a sign that I suspected him and was attempting to recruit you to the same perspective.”
Riordan nodded. “Now all that matters is finding a way to tell the others and make a plan. Can we use the fob to create a blind spot where we can talk?”
“That would be too obvious. However, I can cause an innocuous circuitry failure that will compel the repairbots to cut the power—and with it, any surveillance feeds—to my stateroom.”
Marque of Caine Page 49
