“She learns fast.” Taza smiled. “A bit ambitious, but then that’s how she got to where she is in the Confederation. I find it harder to hold my own against her with each session.”
Grimshaw recognized the look on Taza’s face. “She reminds you of someone?”
“I guess I see some of my younger self in Clio,” Taza mused.
“Straiya has tasked me with mentoring her, but you and Zora are already doing a good job of keeping her busy.”
Taza understood what he was getting at. “Don’t worry, Grimshaw. You can trust us. We treat the kid like she’s one of our own.”
Grimshaw nodded. “Hopefully, her scans will turn something up on Chimera soon. I’ve been chasing several other leads, but they’ve all gone cold.”
Grimshaw’s SIG buzzed as a message came through. “Your nurse is on her way up, Captain,” his assistant said.
“I have someone with me, Kalra. Tell her she’ll have to wait.”
“I’ll hold her here as long as I can, sir, but you know how she gets,” Kalra warned.
“I won’t be long.”
Taza looked at him concerned. “I didn’t realize you were expecting another visitor so soon.”
“Relax. Lex works for Sentinel Medical Services. She’s about Clio’s age. She’s too young to remember the legendary Archagent Arkona,” Grimshaw said with mock awe.
“You know what I’m risking coming here, Captain.”
“And I appreciate it,” Grimshaw assured him.
Taza looked back toward the half-hidden door he’d come through. “Were you aware of the reporter outside the building? I almost ran straight into her. If she were to catch me on camera…”
Grimshaw glanced at the trash can by his desk where he’d thrown Faye’s hand-written card. She had suggested that they attend the Sentinel Ceremony together and promised no cameras, but he knew it was a front to get a story out of him.
“Faye’s been hounding me for an interview for a while now,” Grimshaw said rolling his eyes. “I already had security order her away from the doors. I’ll get them to take care of her again.”
“Isn’t this supposed to be a classified location?”
“It is, but Faye’s been persistent. She’s one of the better-known celebrities and very well connected with the government too, it seems. We’ve done everything we can, short of arresting her, and that would only make matters worse.”
“If SenSec or the SIA find out I’m alive, I doubt it will mean good news for either of us.”
Grimshaw gestured. “Which is why we won’t let that happen.”
“Then get to the point,” Taza said, clearly unconvinced.
Grimshaw paused for a second. “As I mentioned on our call, I need a favor.”
“Ever since we’ve crossed paths, it’s been one favor after another. You promised me safe passage off the Sentinel months ago, and I’m still waiting.”
“You know I’m working on it. This job I have will move us another step in the right direction.”
“No offense, Captain, but you’re starting to sound like a broken record. You said the same about the STD. I installed it, yet here we are.” He gestured to the room.
“You know Evans is still working on that.”
“Not my problem. Our arrangement was that I provide the tools, your team uses them. Or are you too busy adding more arrows to Minister Straiya’s quiver? Politics is a dangerous game, Captain.”
“What the hell are you getting at?”
“Don’t play the fool. You know I’m talking about getting Clio involved with the Aegi. As if the kid doesn’t already have enough going on.”
Grimshaw grimaced as he rose out of his chair and leaned over the desk. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Taza acted in kind, and they came inches short of butting heads.
“If I had it my way, I wouldn’t have let Evans anywhere near the Aegi,” Grimshaw seethed. “But Straiya went behind my back and got her dirty paws on her.”
The words hung in the air between them for what felt like an age before Taza finally spoke. “I believe you,” he said, relaxing and descending back into his seat. “But only because I know what Straiya’s like.”
“I don’t like it any more than you do.” Grimshaw sat back in his chair, ignoring the pain shooting down his back. “But Clio accepted Straiya’s offer before either of us knew anything about it. It is what it is.”
“I see they gave you guys angel-class gear. It’s a concession, but it’s something.”
“Apparently Straiya had to bend over backwards before the Aegi Order would allow it. I’m not happy with how things turned out, but when it comes to taking care of my team, I’ll take what I can get. We can hardly keep this operation afloat as it is.” Grimshaw hoped Taza would know what he meant.
Taza threw him a line. “You needn’t concern yourself, Captain. Zora and I have Clio’s back. But my guess is I’m here because you wanted to talk about something else.”
“Yes,” Grimshaw said, ignoring the urge to rub his shoulder. “We may not have found anything using the STD yet, and my other leads are dead, but I think we have something, and I need someone I can trust who knows their way around. You’re the only one that fits that bill.”
“You’ve got a full team working under you.”
“Like I said, I need someone I can trust. Third Councilor Sams recruited most of the team. I’m not saying I think she’s untrustworthy, but I don’t know her, so I can hardly trust her judgement. Also, this job I’m talking about is more sensitive in nature than usual.”
Taza puffed his cheeks and blew air. “I’m listening.”
“It involves the Thandrall.”
Realization registered in Taza’s eyes. “I guess that puts an interesting spin on things.”
“I can’t send someone who’ll risk making things worse with the Shanti.”
“In other words, Straiya doesn’t want it tying back to her,” Taza said.
Grimshaw nodded. “The Kinthari and Namo saratribes have declared civil war on Shantalla, the Shanti can’t afford another conflict with the Thandrall too.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if the mind-fuckers will use the opportunity to attack anyway. No doubt they’ve been looking for a chance for revenge after losing the last war with the Shanti. The Thandrall even blame the Shanti for their home-world’s destruction. But what do they have to do with Chimera?”
“The Thandrall assassin at the Foster residence wasn’t just any Psionic. Straiya’s people are convinced he was a Psi Commando.”
Taza seemed surprised. “In that case, I’m even more impressed that you survived.”
“Something else we can agree on.” Grimshaw pulled a box from his desk drawer and pushed it toward Taza. “These anti-psi units arrived yesterday. They’re cutting edge, supposed to protect the user against Thandrall mind tricks. Hopefully, you won’t need them when chatting to Marquette Lerosse, but better safe than sorry.”
“When you mentioned the Thandrall, I had a feeling you’d be sending me to Dreamz.”
“You know the place?”
“Not well, but I went there a few times when I was fresh out of the SIA academy.”
“Good. Lerosse is only one of seven Thandrall registered on the station, and Straiya thinks she’ll have information on our assassin. I’d appreciate it if you could ask her a few questions, see if that’s true.”
“I don’t trust Straiya, you know that. But if anyone knows the Thandrall it’s the Shanti. I’ll speak to Marquette Lerosse, but this is the last time I’m sticking my neck out like this.”
“That’s all I can ask.”
Grimshaw’s SIG buzzed again. “Sir—”
“Tell Lex she has to wait five more minutes.”
“It’s not Lex, sir,” Kalra said, clearly panicked. “Sergeant Chin from SenSec is here. He’s demanding to see you right away.”
“Shit.” Grimshaw looked at Taza. The ex-agent’s eyes had gone wide an
d the color had drained from his face. “Hold him off as long as you can.”
“Chin and three of his cronies barged their way in. They’re already on their way. Sorry, sir.”
“Thanks for the warning, Kalra.”
“Just doing my job, sir.”
Grimshaw urgently gestured to the back door Taza had come through, and the ex-archagent hurried out of the office.
A second after the door slammed shut, the main office door swung open.
Sergeant Chin marched in with three SenSec officers on his heels. “Captain Grimshaw!” he said, too lively for a Rivarian. He threw himself into the chair opposite and rested his filthy boots on the desk.
Grimshaw made no effort to hide is disgust. “What do you want, Sergeant?”
“Chair’s warm. Had some company, Captain?” He spat the last word like it was dirt in his mouth.
“I have visitors throughout the day, and they always book an appointment,” Grimshaw pointed out. “In fact, my caretaker is waiting to see me, so cut to the chase and tell me what the hell you’re doing barging in here unannounced.”
“My…my, Captain.” Chin’s multiple rows of teeth gleamed as he smiled. “A little hospitality goes a long way, you know. See, this is the problem with you Terrans. Always in a rush, scuttling about in the dark like cockroaches.”
“Don’t you have a celebration to be preparing for?”
“Don’t you worry. Those preparations were put into place well before you came along.”
“If only you showed as much interest in Sentinel City as you do in me Chin, I’d probably even feel safe. I hear the protests are getting worse, especially at Izmark Bridge.”
“The protesters are a scourge,” Chin said with disdain. “Spoilt and entitled brats who don’t know how good they have it. They are no threat to SenSec.”
“Still, you could probably do with help on Sentinel Square during the ceremony,” Grimshaw suggested.
“If I remember correctly, the Galactic Council already denied you that request.” He flashed his multiple rows of teeth again. “I don’t need your help, Captain. Besides, you’ve got enough work of your own.”
“I can have a unit over there in under an hour if you ever change your mind.”
“A crippled Captain who had to be rescued by a withering old bureaucrat, and a group of kids would only get in the way. You do your job, and I’ll do mine.”
“Admiral Foster is a good man who served his people well. Either way, I’ll be in attendance at this ceremony, as a spectator of course.” Grimshaw said in a way that suggested he would be more than just another observer. “Is that all?”
“If only that was all,” he hissed. “Farmorai and Foster asked me to check in on you personally but believe me when I tell you that I’d rather be anywhere else…the Underways included.”
“Save me the sap story,” Grimshaw said.
“How go things with locating Chimera?”
“It’s a work in progress.”
“Progress?” Chin cackled. “That’s a new one.”
“We’ve run into complications, but we’ll have something soon.”
“That’s not what the Ministers want to hear, Captain.”
“Too bad, because it’s all we’ve got.”
Chin jumped out of his chair and paced the room as his three guards stood against the wall in silence. “I tried to convince the Council to let me head up this operation of yours, but they said I had enough on my plate. As if Sentinel Security can’t handle a handful of angry protesters up here and a few fighting factions down below.” He pointed to the ground, indicating the Underways. “The protesters are worms. And the gangs fighting down below?” Chin grabbed the back of the chair as though strangling an imaginary person. “I say let ‘em! As good a way of thinning the herd as any. But no!” He spun the chair a full turn and stopped it with a scaled finger. “Foster would rather have Terrans clean up the mess they created in the first place.”
Grimshaw was growing tired of the theatrics. “Get to the point, Chin.”
“My point is: Foster wants to save face. Being so new, not to mention so young, he wants to make an impression. He wants you to fix this Chimera problem you Terrans created, and he wants to take the glory for himself.”
“We haven’t confirmed that Chimera is Terran in origin.” Grimshaw decided it best not to reveal that he suspected the attack on the Foster residence was linked to Chimera and that the attacker was a Thandrall.
“From what little we do know…” Chin leaned over his chair to emphasize his accusation. “The terrorists have strong connections to Xerocorp Labs: a Terran corporation. So, don’t tell me they aren’t a Terran problem. Ever since the Council elected a Terran Minister, all you people have done is create problems. You want the rest of us to fight in your dirty wars and protect your gates from your enemies. Bah!” He spat on the floor then stood tall and crossed his arms. “Don’t get me wrong. I kind of like Foster.”
“But?” Grimshaw asked, rolling his eyes.
“He places too much trust in his own people. It clouds his judgement. Like I said, it’s why he wants to clean up the Chimera mess. But if history has taught us anything, you Terrans don’t clean so well.”
Grimshaw checked his SIG. “Are you really still talking?”
Chin shot around the desk behind Grimshaw and leaned into his ear from behind. “Have a progress report ready in two days, or the Chimera Project will be reassigned to SenSec.”
Grimshaw used up every shred of will trying not to punch the Rivarian in his scaly face. “Is that all?”
Chin joined his men at the door and looked over his shoulder at Grimshaw. “That is all. Two days. Enjoy your next appointment, Captain.”
The door slammed shut behind Chin and Grimshaw climbed out of his chair. He tapped his SIG’s control panel and activated his TEK’s medication protocol. He linked to his assistant. “Send Lex up.”
“Yes, sir,” Kalra said. “Faye Layah has just submitted another request to speak with you.”
“Tell her my schedule is fully booked and have security move her further from the building.”
“Yes, sir,” Kalra hissed, annoyed at having to deal with the reporter again.
Grimshaw rubbed his shoulder. He hoped Lex had brought stronger pain medication. His current prescription was starting to lose its edge. He thought about the progress report. Chin was trying to keep him away from Sentinel Square. He didn’t doubt that Foster had threatened to pull the plug on the project, but Grimshaw didn’t think the Minister would go through with it. Two days wouldn’t be enough time to compile such a report. He considered skipping the ceremony but decided he’d feel better after inspecting Chin’s defenses. The Sergeant seemed too lackadaisical about the whole affair, which was probably why the Rivarian was trying to keep him at arm’s length.
Taza better find something we can work with or the Chimera Project is finished. Then we’ll never get the North Star back for sure.
14
Dreamz
Taza paid the aircab driver and alighted three blocks east of Goldhall Street, so as to scout out the streets around Dreamz. The area was a lot more run-down than he remembered. The tinge of sewerage hung thicker in the air and broken signs sprayed with graffiti hung above several boarded buildings. Neon signs—most missing letters—flashed above what few stores were still in operation. The outskirts of Sentinel City had clearly fallen on hard times.
Back in the day, Taza and the boys from the SIA would hit the outer city entertainment strip from time to time. Most folks stuck to the city center, but those wishing to keep their vices under wraps visited joints like Dreamz. Taza had been to the club a few times—not that he could remember much of his experiences there.
The driver waved as the yellow aircab lifted toward the streaming traffic above the smoke choked surface. Taza picked his way through the quiet streets and stopped on the corner of a boarded-up shop where he could watch the Thandrall-run establishment from a distanc
e.
Two Varg heavies hovered by the front doors, talking instead of paying attention, but Taza got the feeling they were more alert than they let on. Varg warrior-class weren’t always the sharpest tools in the shed, but they had an uncanny knack for knowing what was going on around them.
A man in a coat with a high collar—a human from what Taza could tell from the distance—approached the entrance, and the bouncers checked his identification while a less conspicuous guest—a regular no doubt—entered the building unimpeded. Apart from that, business was quiet on Goldhall Street: just the way Taza liked it.
He took a quick swig of his flask and returned it to the folds of his coat. One more for good measure.
Out of habit, he checked his blaster to make sure the safety was off…just in case. He was about to set off when he remembered the anti-psi device. He reached for the base of his neck, feeling for the APD under his collar, and clicked the switch just below his cervical spine.
Taza left the shadows and approached the club, keeping his eyes on the entrance. The Varg bouncers ignored him as he climbed three steps and reached for the door. The panels snapped open just as he reached them, and a burly Varg shoved past him carrying a squirming Yalore under his arm. The Yalore’s kicking boot narrowly missed Taza’s jaw as he tried to move aside.
The Varg tossed the patron down the steps. “Don’t show your ugly face around here again, Yalore.” He walked back inside muttering. “Damn fucking psi-addicts.”
The two bouncers laughed among themselves as the Yalore skulked off, and Taza made to follow the Varg who’d gone inside.
“Hey, you,” one of the bouncers on the steps called. “Haven’t seen you around here before. Let us see some ID.”
Taza swore under his breath and approached the bouncer cautiously. Both Varg stood a head taller than him. They didn’t wear TEKs, but tough bone and cartilage jutted from what parts of their skin he could see, and they wore blasters of their own on their powerful hips. Taza wouldn’t have had any problems going toe to toe with a Varg back when he wore a younger man’s clothes. Now, he couldn’t be bothered with the trouble.
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