“He knows,” Arbor said.
Danverse frowned, shaking his head. “But that doesn’t make it right and doesn’t excuse what happened.”
“You’re damn right it doesn’t.” Priest's temper simmered and seared.
Arbor placed a hand on Priest’s chest. “Please, stop. I don’t want to do this.”
Rolling slightly, he faced Arbor, his brow twisted in disbelief. “You’re not angry?”
“No. Believe it or not, I’m not.”
“How can you not be?”
Arbor sighed as he stroked Priest’s cheek. “It was a stupid accident. That’s all. I’ve spent too much time taking everything that happens to me like a personal attack, and none of it had anything to do with me being a dwarf. I stopped Costa. I saved the ship. I got shot. Being little didn't matter. It didn't help or hinder me. I've always been oversensitive about being different and it's been ramped up to maximum since all the crap that landed me in prison as well as the stuff that happened there. It won't be easy, but I need to let it go. Almost dying kind of changes your perspective.”
“Really?” The anger in his chest dissipated as Arbor searched deep into his eyes.
“Besides, if it were you on the floor dying, and I had the gun, I’d have done the same thing.”
Priest’s voice went soft and pleading. “You would? Over me?”
“Without a second thought.”
No one had ever spoken to Priest before with such honesty and devotion. It intensified all the emotions swirling in his chest. The piercing brown of Arbor’s eyes never looked so rich. Priest felt he could get lost in them with half a chance. His breathing hitched as he pulled Arbor closer. “You’re amazing.”
“I know.”
Arbor closed the gap, sealing his mouth over Priest’s. He hardened instantly as Arbor’s tongue demanded entrance and slid along his own. Despite Arbor’s eagerness, Priest forced himself to pull away. Arbor almost whined at the separation.
“When Bosch gives you the thumbs up, we’re going to ruin a bed for a few days. I promise.”
Arbor’s eyes traced the line of Priest’s mouth as he grinned. “You’re damn right we will. And see? Being a dwarf didn't get me you either.”
“No, it didn't. That was all you.”
An awkward clearing of the captain’s throat reminded them they weren’t alone. As if Danverse hadn’t been chastised enough when he arrived, now he looked downright uncomfortable. Making a deliberate act to stand tall, he schooled his features into some semblance of dignity.
“I can’t thank you enough for saving Mac, Arbor. Whatever you need, just let me know.”
Priest grinned with a sly inspiration. “You could give him a raise.”
The captain paused, a blank stare erasing his expression. “I suppose that could be arranged.”
A sudden tension could be felt through Arbor’s hands as a thready gasp escaped. However, he didn’t say a word.
“And a hazard pay bonus.” Priest tried not to smile too broadly. If Arbor could forgive Danverse, he could do the same, but it would cost. Big. It wasn’t often anyone had one over on the captain. He couldn’t pass up the easy opportunity.
Danverse’s brow flattened and he grumbled. “I’m starting to approve of you two together less and less.”
A conspiratorial chuckle escaped from Arbor. “I think it’s a little late for that now, Captain.”
EVENTUALLY, DR. BOSCH made Priest go back to his quarters. The sick bay was not a hotel, and Arbor needed real rest. Enough visitors had come through for one day. Despite his protests, Dr. Bosch ordered Priest out and prescribed him a proper meal. It was the first time in days he’d found himself wanting to eat.
His next work shift was a dual task of maintaining the flight path and watching the clock. Priest was heading back to sick bay at his earliest opportunity.
After the fastest shower in Santa Claus history, Priest dressed and hurried to the infirmary.
The privacy screen was gone, making Arbor part of the room. Hopefully, it meant he’d be well enough to come back to the real world soon. Arbor smiled wide as Priest caught his eye. Bosch administered an injection to Costa, who reclined casually in bed, causing him to flush and exhale. Priest walked by the scene and greeted Arbor.
“You look good.” It was true. The weariness around Arbor's eyes was reduced and he looked even healthier than yesterday.
Arbor grinned, locking his gaze on Priest. “I had a really good night’s sleep.”
“I’d bring you some hooch to celebrate, but Bosch would kill me.”
Dr. Bosch chided as he walked past to his office. “No, I wouldn’t. Paralyzing your spinal column would be more entertaining.”
Cupping Arbor’s cheek in his hand, Priest place a chaste kiss to his lips. Soon, Arbor would be home. He could wait a little longer for something more. Until then, he would be content with stolen morsels like these. So caught up in Arbor’s smile, he didn’t notice the soft footsteps closing in on them.
Costa stood at the foot of the bed, his head bowed. “I really am sorry for all of this madness and what happened to you, Mr. Kittering. My intention was to just travel along quietly and be on my way.”
Arbor gave Costa a polite gesture of thanks. “I appreciate it.”
“I’ll only be on board a short time more. After that, I will no longer be a concern to you.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t visited you sooner.” Given the severity of Arbor’s injuries, Priest hadn’t come to sick bay until Bosch told him Arbor was awake. In the process, he’d neglected the man at the center of the crisis. In part, Priest wasn’t sure he could face him.
Costa's smile was sad as his gaze flickered to their joined hands. “You had a good reason.”
“How are you feeling, Costa?”
Costa nodded but the elegance of his movement was blunted and his eyes were somewhat lidded. “Much better, thank you. Dr. Bosch has formulated a clean version of Calm and it’s working far better for me, with far fewer side effects.”
“You still look high.”
“I require a strong dosage.”
It didn’t take long to realize Dr. Bosch had administered Costa’s dose of Calm when he first walked in. From what he’d read, even the clean version used by the Earth Government caused para-humans to be truthful and compliant. Costa was being more forthcoming than usual. Perhaps the drug was working as intended.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why did you latch on to me?”
Costa’s brow furrowed and he looked away. “I thought I might need some assistance. I’m not familiar with the cluster and you seemed worldly enough, in spite of what I saw as your shortcomings. You were attracted to me, and I knew I could use that.”
“You could have just asked. I would have helped.”
“I was born on a world that imprisoned my kind for being something less than human. I’m not accustomed to trusting people. By the time I realized you might actually be a decent person, I'd gone too far.” Costa continued to look between Priest and Arbor, his expression filled with longing. Was that regret?
Priest decided not to continue this line of questioning. Reminding Arbor of his indiscretions with Costa might not be a good idea.
The week of waiting to hear word of Arbor’s recovery was hell, but left Priest with inordinate amounts of time to fathom his thoughts. So much had happened, and he was in part responsible. He needed to catalog the chain of events to keep him sane. It wasn’t enough to simply cover the details of the engine room fiasco and what happened to Arbor. He also scoured over everyone else’s part in how they arrived at this point.
A great many pieces were missing in those events and only one person could complete the timeline. It would be a matter of asking the right questions. Costa was clearly under the influence and it made Priest feel like shit to use his weakness, but all the introspection in the cluster wouldn’t give him the answers he wanted. It was Costa’s natu
re to withhold information and keep secrets. Without the Calm, he’d get nothing. He would have to make use of the chance before it disappeared.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about the night we met.”
Costa snorted and grinned. “I would rather not remember my time spent being assaulted by security and ending up in jail.”
“You told me about your plans in Omoikane.”
The grin on Costa’s face evaporated. “I suppose I did.”
Priest released Arbor’s hand and took a step closer to Costa. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he wasn’t so surprised when Costa at first tensed, then relaxed into the touch. Using as soothing and nonconfrontational a tone as he could muster, Priest continued.
“Bosch says your brain scan is overloaded with data.”
“Like most doctors, he’s very thorough.” Costa stiffened under Priest’s hand. His fear of physicians was still valid, regardless of Dr. Bosch’s good care. The medical information could be held off for now. They could get back to that. It was time to take another avenue.
“When everything went to hell in the engine room, you begged me to save Poll. He’s your twin brother, right?”
Creases formed around Costa’s eyes and his mouth tightened. “Yes.”
“Poll’s dead. Isn’t he, Costa?”
“Yes.” Costa wrapped his slender arms around himself.
“Your last name is Gilliard. Isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“You’re supposed to be dead too. Aren’t you?”
Costa paused. “Yes.” He dipped his head, making his long hair fall forward, partially hiding his face.
“Why did you meet with Swaden in the parking garage?”
“He told me that he had found a way to organize a meeting between Poll and me. It was illegal for us to meet, given our positions, but it had been so long since we’d laid eyes on one another I was willing to believe him.”
“What happened?”
“He lied.” A snarl formed and the familiar scathing tone returned. “The sodding bastard had no intention of ever bringing us together, and I was livid. I made a few pedophile comments about him I probably should’ve kept to myself. He didn’t appreciate my link to Poll and wanted it broken. So he severed it.”
“How did you survive?”
Costa’s fingers dug into his skin as a haunted pall washed over his face. “I didn’t.”
“I don’t understand.”
Taking a shaky breath, Costa pulled away and turned his back on them. Priest worried he’d pushed too far and Costa would stop talking. There was so much more he needed to know.
With a haggard inhale, Costa wiped at his eyes. “I woke up in the crematorium in Quarantine. The smell and smoke of burning meat stained the walls. You never really forget the place once you’ve been there. Karesh, the para-human working the furnace, thought I was pretty and resurrected me.” A mirthless laugh issued forth. “How bloody ironic that the world’s most powerful healer was put to work in an abattoir. I would be willing to bet they didn’t want him helping anyone. When he brought me back, he altered my DNA enough to remove me from the world systems. I helped him forge my incineration documentation and I disappeared.”
“He changed the ID tattoos too.”
“He couldn’t erase them, but turned them into something more interesting.” Costa caressed the colorful designs across his right cheek.
“What happened then?”
Costa took an achingly slow breath and released it in equal fashion. “The world imploded.”
“The para-human revolt?” Arbor asked.
Costa nodded. “Karesh hid me for a time but was killed during the skirmish when an automated drone tracked him down. He had no ability to heal himself. My DNA ID was no longer on file, so the system didn’t recognize me. I was spared.”
“What did you do when it ended?”
“I continued to hide and tried to find Poll.” Costa’s voice faltered. “You have no idea how defeating it was to find he was already dead. It was like I had failed him. When I discovered that he was responsible for the revolt, killing himself in the process, I was shocked. I never believed he had that kind of rage in him. He was always such a gentle soul. It’s why I tried to place us somewhere safe from the very beginning.”
The puzzle piece formed in Priest's head. “He found out Swaden had killed you.”
A grim smile came over Costa. “Yes, and I’m strangely flattered by that.”
“There’s no mention of what happened afterward. You were off the grid and free.”
“That was its own punishment, I suppose. You simply can’t be an illegal in a fascist world like Earth. I had no choice but to hide for my life. I fabricated a new ID for myself, but humans couldn’t be trusted anymore. They wiped us all out.”
“The revolt happened a long time ago. Why didn’t you migrate sooner?”
“I found something I wasn’t expecting and it compelled me to stay.”
“Like what?” Arbor had been listening so quietly and intently, Priest almost forgot he was in the room.
A wistful smile graced Costa’s face. “Poll.”
Priest could tell he was on to something important here, but he had no idea what it was. He needed more. Guiding Costa into an honest answer would require careful phrasing. He didn’t want him dodging his question like he did with the doctor.
“But Poll was dead. You found his body?”
“No, that was disposed of long before I knew what happened.”
“I don't understand. What did you find?”
“I found an echo of his consciousness on the Link.”
Arbor sounded awed and confused. “How is that possible?”
“Poll reached out across the entire planet at once.” The pride in Costa’s voice couldn’t be fabricated. “He took control of the entire system of para-human enslavement in every country and dismantled it all like a bloody house of cards. I never would have believed him capable of such a feat. Such a thing was unheard of. It left an indelible imprint on the Link that was uniquely his.”
This was the missing piece keeping Priest up at night. The sliver of information that made everything make sense. All of the secrecy, all of the intrigue distilled into one fact.
“The extra data in your head. You collected him.”
“I couldn’t risk doing it all at once and lose myself the way Poll did. It took nine years, but I sifted through the Link and collected every whisper, every shade, every fragment of who he was I could find.”
Arbor’s voice peaked in shock. “He’s in your head?”
“There’s two of us in here now. It’s crowded and sometimes very painful.” Costa absentmindedly rubbed his temple.
“That’s insane. How can you do that?”
“Karesh made me stronger when he brought me back, but even I can’t do this forever.” Costa’s brow creased. “It’s taken far too long. Every day I can’t get to Omoikane, the more I lose. His data is starting to degrade and his memories will become rubbish. After all the hell we’ve survived, I may end up losing him before I can save him.”
Priest tried to keep calm. “That’s why you’re dosing so hard. Can you talk to him?”
“I wish I could.” A mistiness crept into Costa’s lidded eyes. “Poll was the foil for all my hard edges. Waking up to find him gone after all we had been through was like the worst kind of nightmare. I have him, but he’s not real yet. His data is so compressed it isn’t even a real mind right now. It needs a vessel.”
Priest’s whisper was a revelation. “The android.”
“The what?” Arbor asked.
“I’ve gone over everything I can think of, but I just remembered. When we first met and talked in the bar, you mentioned Omoikane had the most advanced android ever made with an intellect capacity rivaling a human being.”
Costa's brow quirked in surprise. “You actually remember that?”
“I’ve had a lot of time to think recently.” Priest reached over and gr
asped Arbor’s hand. He wanted to make sure there were no misunderstandings. “About a lot of things.”
Arbor smiled and squeezed Priest’s hand in return. The world was good. Nothing would make him happier than to steal Arbor away and lounge together in private, but the conversation wasn’t finished. While still holding Arbor’s hand, Priest focused his complete attention on Costa.
“You were going to steal the android.”
Costa looked up at Priest, his eyes wide and lost. “It’s my only chance.”
Chapter Thirteen
MAC GATHERED UP a few of the jockstraps Danverse insisted he wear and packed them in his bag. He looked over and found the captain stuffing a pair of leather manacles into his own luggage. A heated shiver rushed through his limbs, radiating from his groin. This was going to be a fun leave. Packing their bags would usually have been done before they landed, but they had plenty of time to spare for a change.
“Why are we staying on Omoikane for ten days? We don’t need that kind of time to be ready for the next shipment.”
Danverse shrugged. “I thought it would be a nice break for the crew.”
Double checking he had all his incidentals, Mac buckled his duffel. He tested the weight on his shoulder. It was full but manageable.
“Well, yeah, but we’ve never been on shore leave for so long. We’re not exactly in a tourist area, either. I checked the local guides. There’s not a whole lot to do around here.”
“If we need to launch sooner than expected, I can pull everyone back. They won’t go too far.”
Mac paused. Even though he’d never been witness to it, the only protocol for ending shore leave early was in an emergency. All crew members had an alarm built into their personal coms for such an occasion. Mac had never seen it implemented, but why would it be on the captain’s mind?
Questions in Mac’s head always demanded answers. It was the nature of his overactive thinking. He analyzed everything to the point of burying himself. The only things out of the ordinary on this trip were the incident with Costa McQuillen, Arbor’s accident, and the captain’s retreat from the crew.
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