Captain Barnes offered a resolute nod from across the pad, where medical personnel had now arrived. He specifically made sure my two fallen brethren were the first to be placed on gurneys. I swallowed my pride, returned the gesture, and right before I backed up onto the airship, noticed my would-be Cogent assassin on the ground. I hurried out and dragged the limp corpse onto the car. Everybody inside was too agitated to notice.
“I’m flying,” Rin demanded to the anxious Red Wing officer seated at the controls.
“Not until I take a look at you,” Aria replied.
“There’s nothing to look at. I’m fine.”
Just as she finished her sentence, her hand skated off the back of the pilot’s chair, and she nearly fell. Aria didn’t hesitate. She weaved her way across the cabin and shoved Rin into the nearest seat. Then she waved a light in front of her eyes.
“Definitely a concussion,” Aria said. “You’re not doing any piloting right now.”
“You don’t get to tell me what to do!” She went to stand, but Aria pushed her back down with ease.
“I do right now. If you don’t trust him, I’ll fly.”
“No,” I interrupted. All eyes snapped toward me. “They need their doctor right now. Take off,” I addressed the Red Wing pilot. “Whatever route you had planned, take another.”
The pilot swallowed hard, then turned to the controls. The airship’s anti-grav engines promptly lifted us straight up before it zoomed toward New Beijing’s forest of glass towers.
“Keep us in one piece, or you won’t be,” Rin threatened. While Aria continued examining her head, Rin stuck her arm into the cockpit, pulse pistol in hand, and aimed it at the pilot’s side. I could see the sweat glistening on his cheek as he tried his best not to look.
I watched through the forward viewport as the other two airships in our escort diverged. I understood the strategy, though it pained me to know I might be sending more of my people to their slaughter. There could be more Cogents out there like the one who almost got me, prepared to take a chance on which car to hit. That was when I remembered I was holding a body.
I slid it into the center of the aisle. My people stared, their faces covered in ash and scrapes, eyes bright red from the smoke. Aria was about to pick shrapnel out of another injured Titanborn when she noticed the head by her boot and froze.
“Who is he?” Rin groaned. She looked like she was ready to throw up.
“He was about to shoot me before the explosion went off,” I said. “A Cogent, I think. One of Luxarn’s secret collectors that Rylah told us about.”
“It is,” Aria affirmed. “I saw one before the Darien Q-zone went up. He’d tracked me with that collector to our hideout underneath and killed dozens of us alone before I escaped.”
“Before you ran,” Rin amended.
“Rin,” I said sternly.
“What?” she snapped. “Two people just tried to murder you, and you still think the outsider led us here to talk?”
“I would never!” Aria argued. Her hand slipped as she did, causing her patient to shriek in pain.
“You arranged this, didn’t you?”
“Enough!” I bellowed. “Don’t be blind, Rin. Luxarn might have sent the Cogent after me, but the bomber wasn’t only aiming for us. A Venta director is probably dead. Red Wing men too. Who do you think Aria is working for if not one of them?”
“I don’t know,” Rin admitted. “Could be for her own pleasure. How much do we really know about The Doctor after all?”
“As much as I need to. She’s the only one not wearing armor. She could’ve been killed more easily than any of us.”
“Then tell me, Lord Trass. Who do you think did it?”
“Who cares? Luxarn would’ve had me dead without the bomber’s interference. Whoever it was not only saved my life but helped us in more ways than one.”
“I suppose one less Venta director can’t hurt.”
“Violence on Mars is too close to home,” Aria said as she stretched a bandage tight around her patient’s shoulder. “It will have the USF more eager for a resolution.”
“Exactly,” I replied. Aria’s familiarity with Earther corporate politics was invaluable. Another reason to keep her around, which Rin just couldn’t bring herself to see.
“Well, they better ask nicely for my gun,” Rin muttered. She pressed her pistol harder against the pilot’s ribs. The hovercar swerved slightly, but he hastily regained control.
The rest of our ride went in silence, save for the occasional moan from one of Aria’s patients as she bound their injuries and prodded them with equipment. I stared out the viewport as the shimmering towers of New Beijing raced by along with myriad advertisements for companies and products. Countless Earther silhouettes passed behind the windows, filling offices and luxury apartments. Every single one of them was out for his or her own wallet. And the higher up they were, the more they had, just like it had been on Titan for most of my life.
Most of the air traffic in New Beijing was grounded after the attack, so Aria barely had time to finish her examinations before we touched down on the rooftop of the USF Assembly Building. It wasn’t the tallest structure under the dome, but it was the most solid. The stark exterior walls were made from smooth, reddish stone mined from Mars’s crust. A rigid pattern of tiny punched apertures gave it the appearance of an ancient fortress. The only thing that broke the solid wall was an amorphous glass volume protruding from the center like a womb, where the Assembly formally met. Where we would meet them.
I went to stand once the anti-grav engines shut off, but Rin barred me. She signaled to the guards, and they filed out of the craft first to ensure that this landing pad was safe. She swerved on her way to follow them, having to pause by the exit for a few seconds to gather herself due to her injuries.
“Is she always like this?” Aria whispered to me.
“Like what?” I said. Her lips twisted momentarily until I forced a meager grin. “She only wants what’s best for us. If you knew everything she’s been through, you’d understand.”
“I know that.” She sighed. Her hand grazed mine softly. I flinched, but her fingers threaded through mine before I had the chance to fully recoil. “I hope you know I had nothing to do with that.”
“Trust me, if I thought otherwise, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
Her gaze drifted toward the floor. I guess it wasn’t the vote of confidence she wanted, but with the yellow eye-lens of my would-be assassin glinting in the background, it was the best I could offer. She released my hand and started off toward the exit.
“Let’s get this over with then,” she said.
An apology found its way to the tip of my tongue as I stood to follow her, but it never went further.
“I know Madame Venta well,” Aria said, back to business. “Too well. She’s nothing like Luxarn Pervenio, even if you think they’re all the same.”
“You’ve warned me plenty of times, Aria.”
“I just don’t want you to be caught off-guard. She seems kind, like a loving mother. Spend too long with her, and you might even think she is. Don’t trust a word she says.”
“That won’t be a problem. I already have an overbearing mother.”
“I didn’t know mine.”
We emerged onto the USF Building roof, so there was no chance to respond. All three airships had made it safely. My people had formed a semicircle in front of us at Rin’s command. This time, their weapons were armed. They faced a wall of Venta Co. security officers. One wrong move and I could tell by my aunt’s demeanor nobody was walking away, sanitary mask on or not. She was right in the heart of it, and either she was feeling better or she was somehow managing to keep her stance firm despite her injuries. I wasn’t surprised; Rin was most at home in a guns-drawn standoff like we’d had back on Pervenio Station, what seemed like an eternity ago.
“Mr. Trass,” the middle-aged woman standing across from Rin announced. “I’m glad to see you’re safe.” I
couldn’t get a good look at her, but I knew instantly she was Madame Venta. She appeared on Earther news feeds plenty, especially now that she was trying to bury Pervenio Corp in the public eye. It was through her that this entire summit had been arranged.
“I’m sure you are,” Rin said. Her gun went up higher as Madame Venta took a step closer. Every other weapon on the landing pad followed suit.
“Rin, everyone, lower your weapons,” I said.
“Trapped on another landing pad, Kale,” Rin said. “It doesn’t feel right. Did you plan this too, Ambassador?”
I raised my arm in front of Aria to keep her quiet. “That isn’t a request,” I said. “We’re guests here.”
My guards did as commanded. Rin lingered in her battle stance a few seconds longer before finally giving in. I shot her a glower so firm, her head drooped in shame. Her insubordination in front of others was growing troublesome. My own people could handle it—they knew she was also a Trass—but while on Mars, every Earther needed to know that we Titanborn stood united, that I was in complete control.
My people parted for me, and I wound up face to face with the founder of Venta Co. Immediately, I noticed what Aria had been talking about. Unlike Luxarn Pervenio with his finely tailored outfits and surgically maintained face, up close, she had the appearance of any ordinary woman. Plain, wrinkly, garbed in a navy dress so conventional that Aria seemed like the unfathomably rich one.
“Excuse my aunt, Madame Venta,” I said. “She suffered head trauma during the attack and isn’t thinking straight.”
“There is nothing to forgive.” Her voice was sweet and gentle. Her almond-shaped eyes, though behind a thick pair of antique glasses, had a warmth to them that caught me so off guard I didn’t even realize I was staring. She extended her hand, and I shook it without thinking. I was wearing gloves, so I’d been planning to do so as a display of good faith, but it usually took more for me to purposely touch a purebred Earther.
“What occurred at the spaceport is inexcusable,” she said, her gaze fixed upon the Red Wing officers by our transports. “And it is what happens when you leave Red Wing Company in charge of security. You have my word, we will discover who was behind it and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “May I offer my condolences for your clan-brother, Director Yashikawa.”
“Don’t. He too was in charge of your security.” Though her words were harsh, they came out of her mouth with the softness of a mother reading a bedtime story.
“We told you, you should’ve put us in charge, Mother,” the older of two young men standing behind her spoke up. Both of them looked like birds, with thin noses and permanent scowls. Brothers. I wasn’t sure if she was actually their mother, but I suppose her being as famous and wealthy as she was made her mother to everyone in her clan-family.
“What did I tell you about interrupting while I’m conducting business?” she said.
“We’re just saying,” said the younger brother.
“So am I.” She glanced back over her shoulder, and I couldn’t see the look she shot at them, but both shut right up. By the time she turned back around, she wore a pleasant smile. “Excuse my sons. Karl and Fern are still learning when to keep their opinions to themselves.”
I nodded, catching a glimpse of Rin in my peripheral vision. I never imagined me and Madame Venta agreeing on something, but it seemed there were some problems all leaders face, no matter the purity of their cause.
Madame Venta turned to Aria and raised her arms for an embrace. “Aria, my dear. It’s wonderful to see you again. You look positively radiant.”
Aria hesitated even longer than I had before giving in to the hug. “And you, Madame Venta,” she said meekly.
“Please, I’m still Jamaru to you.” She planted a kiss on Aria’s cheek so close to her lips, I think the corners might have touched. Then she whispered something in her ear that drained the color from Aria’s face. As she did, she lifted Aria’s Ark Ship pendant and gave it a spin.
“Interesting piece,” she said aloud as she backed away. “But you make anything look exquisite. I hope our cousins on Titan are treating you well?”
“They are, Mad— Jamaru. Of course.” Aria had never been clear what the extent of their relationship was, but I’d never seen her so diffident in the face of anyone, even the first time she met Rin.
“I’m glad to hear it, dear.” Madame Venta’s attention swiveled back toward me with the aplomb of a woman who knew how to command a conference table. “Well, Mr. Trass, I don’t want to waste any more of your time. In light of what has happened, the USF requests a postponement of your hearing.”
I drew a deep breath. If Aria was cautious of her, then I knew there was good reason. Negotiation had never been my strong suit, even when I was running drugs for fences in the Darien Lowers trying to scrum up Earther credits. I needed to be careful. Not too severe and not too complaisant.
“If that is their decision,” I began, “then I’m sorry, but unfortunately, we’ll have to reconsider things.”
“They have no intention of disrespecting you,” Madame Venta insisted. “Nothing excessive. A few days to figure out who planned the bombing and ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Titan is in the midst of a considerable transition. I’m sure you understand what it’s like developing settlements. We can’t afford to waste even a single day. Rin.” I gestured for her to return to the airship. As I turned away myself, Madame Venta’s hand fell upon my arm. Now it was my turn to glower, and the one I shot at her finally sent a ripple of apprehension across her calm demeanor. Earthers should never touch Titanborn without consent. Luxarn Pervenio learned that the hard way when he invaded a quarantine.
“Please, Mr. Trass,” she said. “You’ve come a long way. The Assembly takes eons to arrange anything. Don’t throw this chance away.”
Now when I regarded her, all I saw was another Earther trying to get her way, with her hand on me as if she owned me. Aria was wrong. There was nothing to be afraid of. No matter how any of them conducted themselves, in the end, they were all after the same thing. Venta Co. put its neck out to arrange a meeting with the USF to discuss peace. That probably came with a handful of credits, promised contracts, and whatever else a mega-corporation might want. The only person with anything to lose was Madame Venta.
I held my silence, using my eyes to tell her I needed to hear more to be convinced.
Madame Venta leaned in close and lowered her voice. “We helped your organization when Pervenio squeezed too far. Sold you weapons. Materials.”
“You didn’t care that you were helping us, only that you were hurting them,” Rin hissed. I allowed her that interjection.
“It’s true,” Madame Venta admitted. Without intending to, I returned to facing her fully. I’d expected her to defend herself. “I won’t insult you with lies, but we came to an honest understanding with one of the men who led your insurgence before you.”
“His father,” Rin corrected. This time, I sent a sidelong glare her way so that she would back down.
“Yes, well, in any deal, there has to be a certain level of trust between parties. I’m asking you to trust me now. Re-opening free trade with the Ring benefits us all no matter who runs it. The USF knows this, and so do we.”
“Would you mind giving us a moment to discuss this in private, Madame?” Aria asked.
“There’s no need,” I said. “If they know that, then they’ll oblige. Tell them they can have the rest of the day to ensure the security of the hall. We will delay the meeting until tonight. That is my only offer.”
Madame Venta ground her jaw, clearly fighting to retain her pleasant demeanor. “I will pass your terms along.”
“Whether they accept or not, we leave for Titan tomorrow morning. Thank you, Madame Venta.”
She bowed her head. “The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Trass. While you wait, my sons will escort you to your assigned floor of suites. You’ll have to check in your we
apons with the USF officers, and then you can head on up.”
“In light of what’s happened, I think we’ll be keeping them on us. And I want our floor emptied of all USF officers in case they were behind what happened. Extra precaution seems like the smart decision for everybody right now, don’t you agree?”
“I can only push the Assembly so far, Mr. Trass.”
I leaned in to whisper in her ear this time. “I think we all know who is really in charge on Earth.”
“I’ll try my best,” she said, biting her lip. “That’s all I can promise.”
“Perhaps I’ll talk to them myself. I’m sure they’d love to know how weapons wound up on a Saturn gas harvester that was supposed to have disappeared. Or how a Martian nurse at a Venta Co. hospital somehow knew exactly where Pervenio was keeping medical supplies in New London. Aria tells a wonderful story about that one.”
Madame Venta glared at Aria, then back at me. “Are you threatening me, Mr. Trass?”
“Not at all. You brought up your history working with my people. I merely assumed it was public knowledge.”
“I should snap your twig body in two!” the elder of her two sons barked.
“Quiet, Karl!” Madame Venta shouted. “Mr. Trass was only trying to explain his brilliant idea.” She expertly feigned a grin. “We’ll have your floor emptied immediately. I should have thought of that myself. In any case, I recommend that you and your people don’t leave the premises. As Aria knows, New Beijing isn’t all glitz and glamor.”
“Of course,” I said. “Who knows what would happen if the ‘self-proclaimed King of Titan’ were to be harmed here.”
Her smile widened as she ignored my comment. She turned slightly and beckoned me toward the building entry. I could tell by the weight of her stance that I was under her skin. I guess she didn’t expect a lowly “Ringer” like me to pay attention to the things she said on Earther news feeds.
“If everything is settled, we’ve had the finest Martian delicacies prepared for your arrival,” she said. “Enjoy your day, Mr. Trass.”
Titan's Rise: (Children of Titan Book 3) Page 13
