by Stina Leicht
“Good morning,” Kirby said.
Angel nodded a greeting before returning to her work. “You know you don’t have to transform for us. Be yourself.”
Kirby tilted her head. “It is easier to communicate with you this way.”
“Fair enough.”
Kirby said, “I hear you’re going to tour the outside of our facility today.”
“That’s the plan,” Angel said. “Paulie brought me the architectural blueprints last night, but I’d like a firsthand view of our topographical defenses.”
“That seems wise,” Kirby said. “But why wear all of that?” She made a gesture that included Angel’s helmet and gloves.
“It’s standard procedure. We might be headed into a Quarantine Zone.”
Kirby looked away. Her jaw tightened and an expression of discomfort took over her face. “I should’ve emphasized this information more strongly yesterday. But there were so many things to discuss that I forgot.”
Angel set down the diagnostic panel she’d attached to the arm of her suit. “And?”
“You don’t need the protective gear,” Kirby said. “The Quarantine Zone doesn’t extend this far from Brynner.”
Angel blinked. Several other things that had been bothering her clicked into place. “Then why all the procedures when we arrived?”
“Precautions were necessary. Your ship did pass through the actual Quarantine Zone,” Kirby said. “However, the zone is only active in a twenty-mile band around Brynner.”
“And Serrao-Orlov doesn’t know this?” Angel asked.
Kirby looked even more uncomfortable. “I don’t believe so. We certainly haven’t disabused them of the idea that the whole planet is dangerous.”
“I see.”
“The truth is we… engineer it that way and have been since Serrao-Orlov acquired the planet,” Kirby said. “To discourage the corporation from expanding farther into our lands. Naturally, we have also planned fail-safes so that the organisms in question don’t survive long beyond their intended environs.”
Thinking back on the lab she’d seen, Angel had no doubt that it was possible. “I thought you were peaceful.”
“We are,” Kirby said. “That’s why we handled the situation the way we did.”
“But you can’t very well say you don’t kill,” Angel said. “Can you? The corporation sends workers out into that. There is no prison on Persephone. There’s only the Quarantine Zone.”
“We didn’t intend for humans to utilize it—”
“Intent has nothing to do with it, and you know it.” Angel could see this wasn’t going to get anywhere. And who am I to fault someone else for what they choose to do in order to survive? She held up a hand to halt any further excuses. “All right. All right. We don’t have to go out in full quarantine gear.”
“I’m sorry—”
“It’s a lot of information,” Angel said. “I know.” She picked up her rifle and began checking it.
“Thank you for understanding,” Kirby said.
“You do know that everything changes now. If Vissia Corsini is the kind of person you believe her to be, I wouldn’t expect any of your previous deterrents to last. They will make it known that the wall is the only deadly area the instant they discover this.”
Kirby nodded. “We know. We considered using some of the organisms in defense of the community. However, we cannot do so without risking ourselves or you.”
“Did Rosie send any reports I don’t know about this morning?”
“Not to me,” Kirby said. “I requested that you be copied on any new information.”
Kurosawa? Angel asked.
I am on it, Captain. After a short pause, Kurosawa replied, Rosie has sent a finalized list of names and accompanying dossiers.
Excellent, Angel said. How many are coming our way?
Twenty-five. Fourteen are former URW military. One of them is the commander.
At least I’ll know what to expect. Who’s the commander? Anyone I know?
She is not one listed on the Thirteenth’s rolls. She is J. Reese.
Thank you for checking.
One more thing, I do note a familiar name on the list.
Who?
Kennedy Liu.
Oh. She didn’t know why that news hit her so hard. Kennedy had been an unknown quantity from the start. Well, she’s not an unknown now.
“Is something wrong, Captain?” Kirby asked.
“Everything is fine,” Angel said. “I’ll inform the others about the environment, and we’ll make changes accordingly. Sukyi, for one, will be relieved.”
Beak and Paulie entered along with a small crowd of younger or smaller Emissaries—some of whom were transformed and others not. Angel looked on as Paulie gave out a few hugs before breaking away from the group. Beak seemed to focus on two individuals in particular. One appeared to be a smaller version of herself.
Do they assume every aspect of their form at will, or are certain features dictated by genetics like the rest of us? Is that her child? A mate? A sibling? Something about the way they were interacting hinted at a mother-daughter relationship. The way that the smaller one squirmed under Beak’s attentive touches. The tug to straighten a sleeve. The palm against the face. Neither spoke.
Some things are universal. Angel turned away and took a deep breath. The air in the ship bay had changed. The machinery odor was gone, having been replaced by more homely scents: flowers spiced with pepper and soap. Her thoughts drifted to the battle ahead. Twenty-five well-trained mercenaries versus three ex-marines, two untrained volunteers who may or may not be reliable in a fight, and a sickly con woman with an itchy trigger finger.
There weren’t enough people willing to take on the task of defending the community. She’d known that would be the case, but she’d hoped that Serrao-Orlov would send only a handful of troops.
Does Serrao-Orlov know we’re here?
Angel swallowed her unease and then considered the options. They’d have to make up the difference in fortifications. Luckily, Kirby and the rest were capable when it came to building defenses and traps, and implementing them. That’s something. Given their scientific advancement, it might even be an advantage.
Any word on when those mercs will arrive, Kurosawa? Angel asked.
Not as of yet, Captain.
Message me the instant you do. No matter the time of day, she said. And as soon as I get back, I want to go over those dossiers. They might contain something useful. Kirby says they’ve had military encounters with Serrao-Orlov before. Get me the history: unit make up, location, and tactics analysis. I want patterns. I want what they know and what they don’t.
Yes, Captain.
“Good morning, Captain,” Paulie said.
“Good morning,” Angel said. “Do you have the blueprints I asked for?”
Paulie smiled and patted the oversized hand terminal tucked under her arm. “I do.”
“Then let’s get started,” Angel said.
She began with an update about the quarantine gear.
“How long have you known?” Sukyi assumed a defensive stance, shifting her feet slightly apart. Her jaw noticeably tightened, and her eyes narrowed as she frowned. “You’re certain it’s safe?”
Angel said, “Kirby informed me this morning. And I have to believe she’s telling the truth. Lying would only prevent us from saving Ogenth.”
The obstinate expression on Sukyi’s face didn’t budge. Angel understood Sukyi’s fear.
“If it makes you feel better,” Paulie said, “you can wear your environment suit. I don’t think there’s any harm, is there?”
“Peripheral vision and mobility are both impaired,” Angel said. “Communication as well, but since we’re only going for a hike, it shouldn’t matter as much. Combat is another matter.”
Paulie asked, “But isn’t that the case under conditions where environment suits are necessary?”
“It is,” Angel said. “But in that case, everyone has th
e same disadvantage.” She turned to Sukyi. “Well?”
“I’ll take the information under advisement,” Sukyi said. It was clear she wanted to say more but was reluctant to go on.
“That’s all I ask,” Angel said. “The same goes for the rest of you.”
With that, she had Paulie set up the display projection so that everyone could study Ogenth’s blueprints.
“What’s this?” Enid asked, pointing to a tunnel. “A door?”
“A wind turbine,” Paulie said. “The air flows through here and exits here. There are vents to the environmental units here and here where air is heated and filtered for daily use. Every air tunnel has vents. They are the only connection between the tunnels and Ogenth.”
“How big are they?” Angel asked. “Big enough to admit a drone?”
“The tunnels? Yes,” Paulie said. A line formed between her eyebrows, and her lips pressed together. “The vents would be more difficult to access as the covers would have to be removed first.”
“Are the vent filters electronically monitored?” Angel asked.
“There’s a notification alarm sent to maintenance when a filter requires replacing or malfunctions. It also signals an alert when a filter is tampered with,” Paulie said. “Sometimes animals and insects find their way into the system and chew on the wiring.”
“Ah,” Angel said. “Is there an easy way into the air tunnels?”
“Certainly,” Paulie said. “Maintenance crews regularly check the passages and clear out accumulated debris or plant life. There are four tunnels. Here, here, here, and here. There’s a slotted vent plate on the end that allows air flow but prevents entry for larger animals.”
“Where are those doors?” Angel asked.
Paulie pointed them out, shrinking and enlarging the image as necessary.
“We’ll go here first,” Angel said, pointing to the first access tunnel on the east side of Ogenth. “Any other openings to the surface that I didn’t mark last night? Exits? Windows?”
“There’s the goat paddock,” Paulie said. “We regularly let them out to graze. Someone accompanies them, of course. Predators can be a problem.” She placed two fingers over the area on the plans. “A majority of the windows are along here. The conservatory has the most glass. You’re right to worry about that. I think you spotted everything else.”
“Thank you,” Angel said. She continued, pointing out details she’d inventoried—possible weak points in defenses—and then presented a list of prioritized projects. She’d divided them into those that the Emissaries would be responsible for under the leadership of Paulie and Beak, and those that her team would oversee. After that, Angel asked her crew if they had further input.
She wasn’t afraid of admitting she didn’t know everything. That was when trusting others’ expertise was the best policy. She’d seen too many egos get in the way of success in her career, and in her line of work, failure cost lives. Given that she and whoever died under her command had been destined for revivification, it was a cautious philosophy and one any number of her superiors didn’t share. However, none of them had faced the big empty.
Or the interior of a reclamation pod, limb regrowth, and months of physical therapy or the possibility of waking up a vegetable.
After that discussion was finished, she turned once more to Paulie.
“This morning, we’ll take a tour of the eastern terrain. Paulie, please bring up the topographical maps.”
“This is it.” Paulie then adjusted the magnification so that they could see more detail. “I assume you’ll want to start with the environmental and electrical tunnels.”
The overview took twenty minutes. Angel shut off the projection when it was clear that everyone had what they needed. “Time to pack up, ladies. We dust off in ten.”
Lou asked, “Is there time for coffee before we leave?”
“Isn’t there coffee onboard?” Angel asked.
“Ogenth’s coffee is better,” Enid said.
Angel checked the time. “You’ve got four minutes to get your asses in the ship.”
“Yes, Captain,” Lou said.
Enid took off running. Lou wasn’t far behind.
“Watch out! Watch out! Woman on a mission!” Lou shouted as she dodged people and objects along her path to the door.
Angel yelled, “Three minutes!”
“You can’t leave without me!” Lou called. “I’m the pilot!”
“Try me!” Angel called back.
Paulie tucked her terminal under her arm and headed up the ramp. The textured steel of Kurosawa’s ramp rattled under Beak’s feet.
Sukyi approached. “We need to talk.” Her voice echoed a bit off the docking garage walls.
“We’ll be safe as a baby in a crib,” Angel said.
“Hanging fifty meters high in a tree during a hurricane,” Sukyi said.
“Are you getting cowardly in your old age?” Angel asked.
“Why don’t you ever so gently fuck off?” Sukyi asked.
“Your Nigerian charm seems to be wearing thin,” Angel said. “You’ve been in a mood for days. What’s wrong?”
“It’s the elevation,” Sukyi said. “This place gives me nose bleeds.”
That knocked the nonsense out of Angel. She grew serious. “Is it bad?”
“Not bad enough to ground me,” Sukyi said, strapping on the last of her weapons.
“Nothing is enough to ground you,” Angel said. That’s the trouble. She scanned her friend’s features for some sign of her health—some excuse to force her to rest—not that it would do any good. She wasn’t Sukyi’s mother, nor could she give her orders. Angel knew her protests would only be met with mulishness. She resigned herself to leaving those decisions to Sukyi. She may be a bit suicidal, but she’s not a child.
Sukyi waited until the others were inside before she pressed on. “I don’t like this.”
“You don’t like this place. I get it,” Angel said. “I don’t even blame you.”
“Let’s be frank,” Sukyi said. “We’ve set fire to better planets than this one. But your clients haven’t been honest with us. They’ve lied about who they are, what they are, and what they’re doing here. And now they’ve lied about quarantine, too?”
“Takes a liar to know a liar. Is that it?” Angel asked. The retort sounded far worse than she intended. Uncomfortable and unable to take the words back, she shrugged and turned to walk up the ramp. She was halted by the grip of Sukyi’s hand on her shoulder.
“Are you impugning my character?”
“You can’t be serious,” Angel said.
“I am.”
Angel faced Sukyi. The hardness in Sukyi’s eyes said that Angel had better be careful. “All I’m saying is that you aren’t exactly famous for honesty yourself. Your reputation doesn’t matter. It never has. You’re complicated. I trust you, anyway. They’re complicated in a similar way.” She shrugged.
“They’re also dangerous. Anyone who can do what they do is. Are you sure you’re aware of all the elements in play?”
“There’s no way of knowing. We both know that. In fact, I’d wager that there’s a lot they haven’t told us,” Angel said. “But I have faith that their goals and our goals align for the time being. I’m also willing to gamble that they’re worth saving no matter their secrets.”
“That’s a mighty big risk.”
“Let’s just say,” Angel said, “I’m comfortable working with an element of the unknown. I’ve done it with you often enough.”
“You’re implying that—”
Enid sprinted up the ramp with a lidded cup in her hand. Lou wasn’t far behind.
Lou paused. “See? I told you that you couldn’t leave without me.”
“You’re thirty seconds late,” Angel said.
“My terminal says twenty-three!” Lou said, and vanished inside.
Sukyi glared at her.
Angel asked, “Can you honestly say you don’t have any secrets?”
&
nbsp; “Not from you. Nothing important.”
“All right. Why did you suddenly show up when you did? You need something, and you need it from me. What is it?”
A muffled barrage of pre-mission chatter drifted down the open ramp. Lou was babbling like she always did before a fight. Enid met her verbal salvo with a number of well-placed growls. It was odd how certain sounds would always mean home.
Sukyi’s shoulders dropped. She stared at the floor. After a moment of silence, she said, “Nothing I’m holding back will cause you or the others harm.”
Angel nodded. “Sure. But whatever it is… it’ll complicate everyone’s lives. It’s already done so. We both know that. But you’ve always worked very hard to minimize the worst of the harm on others. It’s who you are. I trust that.”
“Even when I haven’t been completely honest?”
“Even then.” Angel knew Sukyi to be extremely closemouthed about anything personal. Maybe she’s near death and that’s why she looked me up? The idea sent a chill through Angel. Not now. Please. Not when I just got you back.
Sukyi hesitated again. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“I know,” Angel said. “But we both know that now isn’t that time.”
An uncomfortable look spread across Sukyi’s face. “I suppose not.” It was replaced with a small smile. It seemed to have been pasted like a plaster over a crack in a wall.
“Let’s talk about it when we get back,” Angel said. “Right now, we’ve a job to do.”
Sukyi nodded once and then headed up the ramp. Angel followed, slapping the button to seal up the ship. Just before the ramp thumped into place, she heard the sound of the ventilation system’s exhaust fans spin up. Kurosawa’s engines rumbled to life. The atmosphere inside the ship swelled with pre-mission tension. This was Angel’s favorite part of a mission—that moment before everything was set, before anything could go horribly wrong.
No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy, Angel thought. Where had she read that?
She settled into the copilot’s seat just as the pressure doors opened.
Captain, I have finished compiling the information you requested. Kurosawa used the private channel.
