“But we want to join forces. You must have established procedures for this very moment.”
“We are certainly prepared for most eventualities.”
“Well then, we stand a much better chance if we combine our operations.”
“Forgive me, but after being hunted like a diseased animal for a hundred and thirty years, it is understandably hard for me to welcome the hounds into my house.”
“You have my word this is an honest offer; Nigel Sheldon’s word, too. I can put you in contact. You can hear it from him personally.”
“I appreciate that. However, there is one way you can settle the problem of trust.”
“Yes?”
“Kazimir McFoster was carrying some data for us when he was murdered at LA Galactic. We believe you may have it.”
“I do, yes.”
“Excellent. If Paula Myo delivers it to me in person, then I will truly know the Guardians have come in from the cold.”
“How about if I deliver it? Surely that would prove our goodwill?”
“Please understand, if it is the Investigator, I can be absolutely certain. I believe in her honesty. It is the one true constant in a very uncertain universe.”
“But you don’t trust me?”
“Please don’t be offended, Senator. It’s just that habits, both good and bad, become ingrained over a hundred thirty years. And I am a creature of habit.”
“Very well, I’ll see what I can do. But listen, CST is searching Narrabri station in case the Starflyer is already in place. If the security teams close in on you, for heaven’s sake call me. The last thing we need is for us to be shooting at each other.”
“Thank you, Senator. I am not so prideful as to risk everything we have achieved on a point of stubborn principle. If we are in trouble, I will shout for help very loudly indeed.”
“I’ll get back to you.”
Bradley smiled, his eyes focused on the far end of the shed. Adam groaned in dismay, resting his forehead on the huge steel wheel. “I can’t believe you just did that. Paula Myo? You’ve got to be fucking joking. As soon as she sees you or me, she’ll blow our brains out. She has no choice; her DNA won’t let her do anything else.”
“Nonsense, Adam, you must have more faith in human nature.”
“She squealed on her own parents, for God’s sake.”
“They weren’t her parents, though, were they? They were her kidnappers.”
“Oh for—We had it. We were there. Burnelli was offering us legitimacy, and you blew it. So much for not being prideful. Damnit!” He slapped the wheel in frustration.
“Adam, Adam, have you no negotiating skills? Investigator Myo is the opening gambit. It would be lovely if she did agree, but I expect we’ll wind up with a two-minute call from Nigel Sheldon or some other high-placed player.”
Adam groaned again, sounding like an injured animal. “I don’t need this extra stress. I really don’t.”
“It won’t be much longer, I think we can both be sure of that.”
The CST exploratory division wormhole at Narrabri station followed the usual layout: An isolated building away from the commercial sector, where the big environment confinement chamber was grafted onto the gateway. The Operations Center and all the associated support team offices formed a protective honeycomb around the outside.
Paula stood on the floor of the environment chamber waiting for the wormhole to be aligned. Nigel stood at her side, his mouth raised in a soft smile as he looked at the fuzzy bubble of air that was the force field capping the wormhole.
“Always gives me a buzz,” he confessed to the Investigator. “People just take this for granted so much these days, nobody appreciates the technology and energy sitting behind a gateway.”
“Making the extraordinary appear commonplace is the ability of true genius.”
“Thank you, Paula. Tell me, would you consider marrying me?”
“You ask me that every time we meet.”
“What do you answer every time?”
“No thank you.”
“Ah well, I’m sorry. And I won’t wipe this time from my memory. You must think me appallingly boorish to have done so before.”
Paula gave him a sly look. “If you ever did.” The slight flush above his collar was confirmation enough for her. “What did Heather say about the Starflyer infiltration?” she asked.
“Let’s just say she’s not a very happy person today. Christabel helped her save some face with the precautions she’s already instigated. Good move on your part alerting her.”
“It was Renne Kampasa who knocked on the door.”
“The one who died on Illuminatus?”
“She suffered bodyloss, yes.”
Nelson and Mellanie walked into the chamber. Paula was about to greet them when another woman came through the open airlock. She walked carefully, balancing on platform shoes that added over ten centimeters to her height. Paula froze in surprise.
“This is Tiger Pansy,” Mellanie said. She sounded proud, as if she was introducing a sister who’d made good.
“Real pleased I’m sure,” Tiger Pansy said around her gum. She smiled at Paula. “Hey, I know you, you’re that famous Investigator, right. I was wanting to play your character in Murderous Seduction, but Jaycee gave it to Slippy Gwen-Hott instead. Shame, that.”
Paula had absolutely no idea how to reply. She looked at Nigel for guidance. He seemed indecently pleased at her discomfort.
“Delighted to have you here, Tiger Pansy,” Nigel said with perfect civility.
“Oh, wow, it really is you.”
“This,” Paula sputtered at Mellanie, “this is the person you found for Qatux?”
“Of course,” Mellanie said. “Tiger Pansy is perfect.”
Paula took a breath, and gave the porn starlet a close look. Tiger Pansy was combing at her wild red hair with three-centimeter gold and purple fingernails. Her facial skin was leathery, with a sheen that betrayed inexpert reprofiling treatments that not even her excessive makeup was able to conceal. She’d squeezed into a henna-colored skirt that only came halfway to her knees; a black blouse had the top three buttons undone. Paula was sure Tiger Pansy was wearing an uplift bra. She really didn’t need to. “Do you know what you’re supposed to be doing?” Paula asked.
“Yeah, Mellanie explained it all to me. It’s kinda weird, but what the hell. It ain’t fucking a D.O.L. for a living. Right?” She giggled loudly, a sound reminiscent of a sea lion mating call.
And Paula realized that, actually, Mellanie was one hundred percent right. Tiger Pansy was perfect for this. “Right,” Paula agreed.
“They’re coming through,” Nelson announced.
The dark force field turned fluorescent as the Operations Center locked the wormhole exit inside the High Angel, the first time the sentient starship had ever allowed that to happen. Hoshe and Qatux walked through it.
Tiger Pansy’s jaw stopped chewing as she looked up at the big alien. “Oh, wow.” Her giggle turned nervy. Even Mellanie’s chirpiness faded away.
Nigel stepped forward. He bowed. “Qatux, welcome to the Commonwealth. We are honored that you’re here. I only wish it was under different circumstances.”
“Nigel Sheldon,” the alien rasped. Several of its eyes swayed around to look at the Dynasty leader. “I am grateful for this opportunity. My race has remained sheltered in the High Angel for too long. And is this the delightful lady who has agreed to be my companion during this visit?”
“Ohh.” Tiger Pansy’s mouth opened to a wide incredulous O. She walked forward, almost falling as her shoes wobbled on their slender heels. Nigel, Nelson, and Paula all gave a little lurch forward, their arms lifting in unison ready to catch her. “You’re a real gentleman, you know that.” Tiger Pansy hesitantly put out a hand.
Qatux unrolled an unsteady tentacle. Its tip coiled gently around Tiger Pansy’s wrist. She shivered as if caught in a blast of icy air. Slender OCtattoos glowed a phosphor green beneath her skin; for a moment her w
hole body was luminous, with emerald pinpricks shining through her fuzz of hair. Qatux sighed like a human who’d just downed a whiskey chaser in one.
Tiger Pansy looked down at her hands as the light faded. “I didn’t know they could do that. You got you some fancy software there, Mr. Qatux.”
“Yes,” Qatux murmured. “I thank you for allowing my routines access to your circuitry. They can provide the direct links I require. I can feel your emotional content perfectly. You are a poignant lady, Tiger Pansy.”
Tiger Pansy’s nervous giggle sliced into the silence. “Hey, that’s really sweet.”
Qatux released her hand; its head swung around to face Nigel and Nelson. “And now it will be my delight to help you uncover the Starflyer agents in your midst.”
“We’re setting up a dedicated analysis center,” Nelson said. “The suspects will be brought in for you once we’ve neutralized any wetwired weapons.”
The biggest airlock door in the chamber expanded. Qatux moved through it with a ponderous gait. Tiger Pansy tottered alongside. “So is there, like, a Mrs. Qatux?” she asked.
Paula couldn’t help the gentle smile on her face as she watched the very odd couple leave.
“Now there’s something you don’t see every day,” Hoshe said quietly.
“Only once in a very long lifetime, I’d say,” Paula replied. Her e-butler told her there was a call from Justine for herself and Nigel.
“I’ve made contact with Johansson,” Justine said. “He’s willing to help us track down the Starflyer, but there’s a problem.”
“Which is?” Nigel asked.
“He wants some proof that our offer isn’t an entrapment. After all, he has spent a hundred thirty years being pursued by the Serious Crimes Directorate, and now he’s about to face his target.”
“Will a personal guarantee from me swing it?” Nigel asked.
“He wants Paula to deliver the data Kazimir McFoster was carrying.”
“No.” The word came out before Paula even knew she’d said it. There was no analysis, no careful reasoning. She simply knew the answer.
“Why not?” Justine asked. “I know this is difficult for you, but the Guardians were right.”
“I accept that,” Paula backtracked. “Johansson had a perfect right to oppose the Starflyer, even though he should have used different methods. But Elvin is a mass murderer, a political terrorist of the worst kind. I cannot overlook that, no matter what.”
“You have to,” Nigel told her.
“You both know what I am. Therefore you know I cannot.”
Just for an instant, Nigel’s affable facade slipped. “I don’t get this; you of all people know what’s at stake here. Just take the data to them, forget your damn scruples for a minute. We can nab that little shit Elvin when this is over, because I assure you I certainly haven’t forgotten Abadan.”
“No,” Paula said.
“Shit!” Nigel glared at her. It would have made anybody else in the Commonwealth back down immediately; Paula seemed oblivious of his anger. “All right,” he snapped. “Justine, call them back. Negotiate. Find someone else they consider acceptable.”
Mellanie trailed after Qatux and Tiger Pansy as Nelson led them over to the security center. It wasn’t far from the exploratory division, a blank dome with a heavily guarded entrance. Cat’s Claws had been assigned the escort duty; wearing their bulky armor suits they looked formidable. Her inserts scanned them passively, showing her which one was Morton; otherwise she would never have known. He didn’t say anything to her. All of the squad were taking their duty very seriously.
“This way I get to stay in the game,” Morton had said contentedly when he and the others suited up. Nelson had given them the option of leaving, but they’d decided to stay on. Mellanie knew why Morton was doing it; this kept him close to the real players and, she hoped, her as well. The Cat and Rob just seemed to enjoy the whole idea of a fight.
Nelson had turned over a lecture theater for Qatux to use. Most of the seating had been removed, and the lighting dimmed. Various technicians were setting up equipment cabinets. They all stopped when the alien came in. Several applauded. Tiger Pansy giggled, and started doing introductions like some old-fashioned diplomatic interpreter.
Mellanie saw Dudley and the Bose motile lurking about near the big wall-mounted portal that presenters used to display their lecture data on. The Bose motile had three security guards standing close by. They all wore sharp business suits, and appeared perfectly friendly, but Mellanie’s scan located some inserts with a very high power density wetwired into their bodies. Their visible OCtattoos were green and red lines running in parallel along the rear of their cheeks.
Two of the Bose motile’s sensor stalks bent around to follow her as she walked over to them. “Hello, Mellanie,” it said. She saw it now had a slim modern handheld array hanging from a leather strap around one of its arm limbs.
“Hello,” she said pleasantly. “So are you Dudley one, or two? What have the pair of you decided?”
“We haven’t discussed that yet.”
Mellanie was amused to hear the array synthesizing Dudley’s voice perfectly. It obviously irked the human version, judging by his expression of distaste. She smiled brightly, and leaned forward to kiss him. Morton was over by the main door with The Cat, so she figured it would be easy enough. Amazingly, Dudley moved back before her lips touched him.
“Dudley?” She frowned at him.
“Ah, yes, I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
“Talk to me?”
“Yes. I’d just like to say that I am happy to stand aside now Morton has returned.”
“Stand aside?”
“That’s right. I know how much you feel for him. In view of that I think it’s for the best. Circumstances have changed for both of us, have they not?”
“Circumstances?” Mellanie desperately wanted to stop repeating things, but she was so surprised by Dudley her brain was refusing to come up with anything original. When she studied him she saw he’d actually shaved. The tiredness and perpetual worry were fading from his eyes. He’d even dressed in a stylish mauve shirt and black semiorganic trousers. For the first time, she could actually see his true age in that calm face that looked back unflinchingly at her.
“I believe even you would have to concede that our relative situations have altered substantially since we met,” Dudley said. “That calls for a serious reevaluation of our relationship.”
She just stared at him. This wasn’t even Dudley talking anymore; there wasn’t an illusion of reticence or caution. His voice was calm and measured, verging on patronizing.
“Of course, I’m enormously grateful for what we experienced and shared,” he said hurriedly. “Without you I would never be whole again. And I will never be able to thank you enough for that. I hope we can continue to be friends as well as colleagues in this endeavor.”
“You’re dumping me.”
“Mellanie, human beings are effectively immortal. I know this is your first life and everything is more intense for you, but believe me when I say nothing lasts forever. It is better this way. Honesty is the way forward for both of us.”
“You are dumping me?” Even from her own mouth it sounded terribly wrong.
“I am,” the Bose motile said. “It’s because I’m a complete asshole.”
Dudley glared at his alien twin. “I see you haven’t mastered tact yet.”
“Well, face it, where would I inherit that from?”
“After everything I’ve done for you?” Mellanie asked; it was as though she was questioning herself.
“Our hierarchal structure wasn’t entirely one-sided,” Dudley said in the kind of tone used to correct one of his students. “I believe you gained as much, if not more, from this relationship as I did. Look at where we are, deciding the future of humankind.”
“Oh, just fuck off.” She turned around and walked away, fast. At least there was no danger of tears—for a second, the image of
Jaycee sinking to the ground clutching at his balls filled her mind—well, no tears in her eyes anyway. He’s not even worth that.
“Sorry,” Dudley Bose’s voice called out across the lecture theater.
Mellanie didn’t turn to check which one of them had said it. She already knew.
“You okay?” Tiger Pansy asked.
“Sure. I’m fine.” The original bounce-back girl, me.
“Hey, Mellanie, I gotta thank you,” Tiger Pansy said. She waved enthusiastically at Qatux, who was discussing sensorium interface technology with one of the CST technicians. The Raiel raised a tentacle in acknowledgment. “This is like the bestest gig ever.”
“I thought you’d like it. But, Tiger, remember, you really can’t tell anyone afterward. These people can’t be messed around.”
“I know that. I ain’t that stupid.”
“I know you’re not. Take care.”
“You going?”
“Yeah. There’s only one thing I want now, and it’s not here.”
“Well, I hope you find it.”
“Me, too.”
Nobody around the Raiel really noticed as she walked away. The last thing she wanted was to run over to Morton after what had happened, so she went toward a door on the opposite side of the lecture theater. Hoshe was sitting on one of the remaining audience chairs, suspiciously close to the door.
Mellanie gave him a fond smile, and sat beside him. Without warning, she darted forward and gave him a kiss.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“Hoshe Finn, my very own guardian angel.”
“I didn’t think you were speaking to me after Isabella.”
“Humm, your halo did dim there for a minute. But once again you made sure no harm came to me.”
Hoshe glanced down at the two aliens who were now talking together. Dudley Bose was standing beside the Bose motile, trying to steer the conversation his way.
“One of your smarter moves,” Hoshe said. “You can do a lot better than him.”
She glanced at the trio of armor suits. “I thought you said you were married.”
Hoshe grinned. “I guess I deserved that. Shouldn’t pry into your private life.”
The Commonwealth Saga 2-Book Bundle Page 194
