by S. E. Weir
Feeling overwhelmed, Phina rubbed the back of her neck as she thought about the logistics. “How many people are on the base?”
He began counting off. “Well, there’s me, my seconds, six trainers, one administrative assistant, one tech specialist, one logistician and supply coordinator, two cooks, three maintenance people, thirteen—counting you, fourteen—trainees, and then whoever is on base between assignments. So, usually forty-five to fifty people.”
“Well, that’s not bad,” she reasoned.
“However,” he continued, his melancholy slowly replaced with frustration, “this is not a normal time. We haven’t sent out the previous recruits for their first assignments yet, and I told them to wait until after our visit because there was a big mission we needed to train and reshuffle things for. Because of that, there could easily be over seventy people on base.”
Phina’s shoulders sagged. “Seventy suspects? How long do you expect this to take?”
“As long as it takes,” Link responded grimly as he picked up the forgotten shot and tossed it back. He swallowed, sighed, and slid the shot glass forward, staring blankly. “These are my people, Phina. I vetted everyone personally up until nine years ago. I can’t help wondering if this wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t taken that step back.”
“What happened nine years... Oh.” Phina’s breath caught. “My parents died.”
“Yeah.” He ran his fingers roughly through his hair. “I took a step back because I needed time. I just didn’t pick it back up after that.”
“Hey.” She grabbed his hand and held it, giving him a look of panic. “You can’t shut down. I can’t do this alone.”
Link sighed and shook his head. “I’ll be there to help and answer questions. I’m hoping your abilities will be a big asset in figuring this out. But I can’t be objective, Phina. I know all of these people aside from the recruits. I’ll help as much as I can, but the truth is that you’re going to have to do most of it alone. There’s no one else we can trust.”
Phina hadn’t wanted to hear that.
QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Bethany Anne’s Office
“Tell me right now why I shouldn’t send Barnabas or go myself and put my size sevens up their asses after I find them!”
Bethany Anne stood squarely in front of Link, her eyes flashing in anger. Right now, speaking with a fiery edge, she was scary. However, since she hadn’t lost her temper yet, Link was reasonably relaxed.
She could get much scarier.
“Well, you all are busy with other things...”
“Try again.”
Link blinked and changed tack. “We don’t know what’s going on yet...”
Bethany Anne’s eyes flashed red again as she leaned forward. “Last chance.”
He swallowed and glanced at Phina, who had remained quiet since they had entered the office to report the intelligence they had received and their plan for pursuing it. The Empress had been livid when they’d told her there might be a traitor in Spy Corps.
Link sighed, then looked Bethany Anne in the eye and spoke calmly. “There are two main reasons, although I maintain that the earlier ones are both valid.”
Thankfully for his nerves, the Empress snorted in amusement. “Of course you do. Tell me these two reasons, and they’d better be good ones,” she warned.
“The first is that Phina needs to complete her training. This is a perfect assignment for her apprenticeship mission. She’s also the best person for the job aside from you and Barnabas.” Link frowned. “Well, I suppose those are two reasons in themselves, although they fit together.”
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow at the comment but remained quiet.
Link soldiered on because this point was the most important. “The last reason is that spies are different than other people. They operate on the front lines largely with minimal support, sometimes for years. They are independent, secretive, and careful people who value trust and loyalty above all else but are very careful with who they give it to. You and the Empire, and by extension, I and my seconds are who they have put their trust in. They have to hold onto those things to make it through their assignments.”
Link saw understanding dawn on the Empress’ flawless face.
“You are saying that if we storm in there guns blazing, they will see it as a betrayal.”
“Yes.” He sighed in relief. “It could do more damage than the traitor. Potential traitor,” he corrected. “Perhaps not right away, but long-term it would cripple Spy Corps.”
Bethany Anne turned her attention to Phina. “You haven’t been at this long, but you have a good head on your shoulders, and I’ve noticed you weigh potential outcomes. What do you think?”
Link tried not to take the Empress’ question for a second opinion personally. Surprise crossed Phina’s face before she frowned in thought.
“Link’s been at this far longer than me and knows these people better, but from the information I’ve found on everyone so far, I would say that what he says would be true of the older spies and those in support staff positions. I’m not so certain about the younger ones. Their actions haven’t been recorded enough to measure their responses.
“I do see that a schism of sorts could develop between those two groups, which could cause long-term problems.” She tilted her head in thought. “I think it also depends on who the traitor ends up being if there is one and how far they have spread their treachery.”
Bethany Anne sat on the edge of her desk and folded her arms, her lips pressed together. “That makes sense to me. So, you need to figure out who the traitor is, and you won’t have much personnel support. Think of what you might need while you are there and get it requisitioned before you go: tech, weapons, or other equipment.”
She pinned Link with a hard stare. “You said you need a few days before you can leave?”
“Yes. If it takes up to a week, though, Stark will have to compensate to get there on time. I want to be there before training starts without delaying them and making them more suspicious than they will already be.”
Phina frowned at his comment. “Why would they be suspicious if you are late?”
He shrugged. “They’re spies. Spies are always suspicious.”
QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Diplomatic Institute
After going over the brief and fluid gameplan with Link and the Empress, along with some potential scenarios, Phina headed to the Diplomatic Institute.
She entered the main corridor of the facility, her mind focused on what needed to be done before they left. She ignored the students and teachers passing by as she knocked on the Dean’s door.
Meredith opened the door, and Phina stepped into the office.
“Phina!” Anna Elizabeth stood behind her desk and came around to give her a big hug, sparkling with happiness. After releasing her, Anna stepped back and smiled.
“You look great, Phina. Something must agree with you. Or perhaps someone,” she teased gently before sitting back down and gesturing for Phina to take the chair across from her desk.
“Thank you.” Phina sat comfortably, feeling familiar with the office.
“So, you are back.” Anna smiled and leaned forward. “I got your reports and the final documents from Barnabas after they were signed on his ship to finalize bringing the Qendrok into the Empire. We just have your debriefing left to do.”
Phina launched into an hour and ten-minute narrative describing the final confrontation with Qartan and Zultav, as well as everything that had happened since then.
When Phina was finished, Anna Elizabeth leaned back and appraised her. “So, everything ended well, you made new friends, and we have new allies. Can you tell me why you don’t seem happier now that you are back? Is something else going on?”
Not surprised that Anna Elizabeth sensed her mood, Phina explained the nebulous tracks Link and Phina had been searching for since before her coma and where they had led. Bethany Anne had already approved giving Anna Elizabeth the information, so Phina
didn’t have a problem sharing. She did share the Empress’ warning that no one else was to know.
“All of this leads to Spy Corps?” Anna Elizabeth asked with visible frustration.
Phina sighed. “We don’t know for sure yet, but that is the direction we have right now.”
The older woman shook her head. “I’ll bet Greyson is having a fit. He’s a straightforward person, no matter how convoluted he likes to be at times. He would take this personally.”
Phina was silent, remembering her mentor’s frustration and sadness that his people could be involved.
“Is there anything you need from me, or is this just an advisory about your next steps?” Anna Elizabeth asked, which caused the younger woman to wonder if there was something in particular she was searching for.
Phina nodded. “I do want to know what my graduation status is.”
“I can find out.” Anna Elizabeth tapped her tablet and scanned the results. “You have passed most of your classes. All you had left was Communications and Negotiation.” She clasped her hands on the desk in front of her. “However, I will count your part in bringing the Qendrok into the Empire as hands-on practice for these classes. With that, all that remains is your apprenticeship assessment.”
Phina felt relieved to have passed the two classes that had caused her problems. “Greyson suggested that this trip to Spy Corps could fulfill that requirement.”
“Oh?” Anna Elizabeth appeared interested in the news. “Did he say how much of this task you will take on yourself?”
“All of it.”
The Dean’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you certain? That’s a lot of responsibility and pressure on you.”
Phina repressed the urge to shift uncomfortably. “He said that he could advise, but the bulk of this mission would be up to me to carry out.”
“I see.” Anna Elizabeth frowned for a moment before nodding. “It’s not ideal, but if any one of our students could pull this off, it’s you.”
“Thank you.”
She waved dismissively. “Just telling the truth. Thank you for coming in to report.”
“You’re welcome.”
Phina stood to leave, but Anna Elizabeth stopped her.
“Be careful when you are dealing with the spies in Spy Corps, Phina. Or any of them.” Anna studied her in concern. “Most are great people, but they are all spies for a reason. Many of them are the best actors you’ve ever seen. Some of them won’t give you a reason to suspect them and then come at you from behind. Watch your back. Get Sundancer to help you. You should be fine.”
Surprised, Phina stammered, “You sound concerned. I thought you said I could handle it?”
Anna Elizabeth nodded. “I believe you can. However, you haven’t seen these spies in action. You will need to be smart and careful.”
“I’m always smart.”
“You are. Be twice as careful.”
Chapter Five
Etheric Empire, QBBS Meredith Reynolds
Phina wandered around the station to clear her head before meeting SofRey and her mom for ice cream. The bright chatter of the young girl warmed her heart and helped her thoughts settle.
On her way home, Phina pinged ADAM.
>>Welcome back, Phina.<<
Um, thank you, ADAM. You do remember I talked to you a few days ago when we were on the Stark?
>>Of course. I remember everything.<<
Right. Just checking.
>>Did you want to talk, or did you need something?<<
Well, I...huh.” Phina frowned in thought as she meandered past others in the corridors. Are you saying I only talk to you if I need something?
>>Not in so many words.<<
But you wonder about it sometimes? Phina prodded.
>>Sometimes.<< His mental voice was quiet.
Well, then I haven’t been a very good friend to you lately, Phina responded firmly. I’m sorry, ADAM. I don’t want you to ever wonder about that. I’ve missed you. I just wish I wasn’t leaving right away.
>>I heard that. I wish you could stay.<<
Phina sent him a mental hug. Are we all right?
>>Yes.<<
Good. Phina sighed as she remembered why she had pinged ADAM. We still need to talk about something.
>>Go ahead.<<
Do you remember those bracelet devices we found on the assassins’ arms after the wedding?
>>Yes.<<
I had an idea about using them for our next mission, but I don’t know how they work or if they are even usable. Do you have any suggestions? Maybe Ron could help?
Ron Diamantz was a researcher who had been experimenting with Etheric energy. Phina had recently learned he was also the researcher assigned to provide weapons and tech for Spy Corps.
>>Ron is adequate, but you will need to speak to someone who has a better understanding of the Etheric.<<
All right. Who do I talk to?
>>Go to your apartment. They will meet you there.<<
In her surprise, Phina almost tripped as she walked, narrowly avoiding bowling into a female Yollin who didn’t have a sense of humor. She wasn’t as relaxed or fun as her friend Sis’tael. Phina apologized and continued the long walk back to her apartment, wondering who she would be meeting.
Before reaching her apartment, Phina checked in on her mental link with Todd. It had grown strained when he had been on the farthest side of the station, but now it felt strong.
Really strong.
She realized Todd waited for her in her apartment when she reached the door. She opened it with a smile and stopped when she saw he had brought the device the Qendrok had used in conjunction with the wristbands. She closed the door before stepping forward to greet her boyfriend.
“Hey, handsome.”
Todd broke into a wide smile and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. She held on to him with the same intensity. After a full minute, he pulled back enough to see her questioning face.
“I missed you,” he told her quietly. “With the connection open, it was like having you with me without seeing you. It threw me off for a while.”
“Would you rather cut the connection?” Phina asked anxiously as she let go.
He caught her hands and squeezed them gently. “No, I’ll get used to it. I would rather struggle and feel you with me than not to feel you at all.”
She smiled appreciatively. “I like feeling you.”
Todd flashed her a grin. “Did you mean that mentally or physically?”
Phina tiptoed to give him a kiss that lasted longer than she meant it to. They finally pulled back and Phina gave him a warm smile, which was the extent of her ability at flirting. “Why can’t it be both?”
“I like both.” He flashed a matching smile and pulled her back for another kiss.
“Oh! I’m sorry. Is this a bad time?”
Phina turned at hearing the stranger’s voice come from nowhere. A beautiful woman a little shorter than Phina with deep reddish-brown hair had materialized in the kitchen.
“Who are you?” Phina took a step toward the stranger, a mixture of emotions coursing through her. She didn’t like the thought of someone she didn’t know in her apartment without her knowledge.
Todd grabbed Phina’s arm gently, stopping her movement.
“Hi, Anne. Is something wrong?” Todd shifted so his arm wrapped around Phina. Since his expression showed confusion rather than the warmth he gave Phina, she decided not to worry about Anne.
Phina’s natural curiosity for new information rose. She had heard a few mentions of Anne, but she knew nothing substantial since the woman was reclusive. Anne wore a t-shirt, jeans, and brown boots with a small heel that drew Phina’s attention and gave her a rare bout of shoe envy.
“No,” the woman responded as she perused the apartment. “I was surprised to have my day interrupted, but that’s okay.”
“I see.” Todd and Phina glanced at each other before he asked the burning question. “Why are you here?”
&n
bsp; “Oh, right.” Anne’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “ADAM sent me. He said you had something interesting for me to see.”
Phina straightened as she realized Anne was the Etheric researcher who was more experienced than Ron. The woman seemed pretty down-to-earth for someone so smart.
She stepped away from Todd, who reluctantly let go, and waved at the machine and pouch that contained the wristbands. ADAM had probably asked Todd to bring them to her apartment. Phina realized now that she was firing on more than hormones.
“This is the machine. It’s an Etheric translocation device.”
“Oh?” Anne’s eyes sparkled with intrigue as she scanned the device. “That does sound interesting. Can you both carry it?”
“I can carry it,” Todd volunteered. He bent to pick up the pouch by the strap. He put the pouch on like a shoulder bag and lifted the blocky device, which stood tall in his arms.
“Good enough.” Anne nodded and grabbed his arm as she stepped backward.
Both Todd and Anne disappeared.
Phina gaped in shock. She must have lowered her mental barrier because Sundancer raced into the room from her bedroom at the same time that Anne reappeared.
Phina grabbed Anne’s arm and was about to give her an angry piece of her mind.
She was asking where the woman had taken her boyfriend when Anne grabbed Phina with her other hand and stepped back again, pulling Phina with her.
She stumbled at the sudden movement but kept herself upright.
Anne let go of her arm and stepped away.
Phina’s face turned up, and her mouth opened in shock.
“Holy fudging hell!”
Etheric Empire, Spy Corps Headquarters
Masha Kosolov was energized. More energized than she had felt in months. If it wouldn’t be unseemly for one of the leaders of a secret spy organization to be seen skipping down the hall, she probably would have indulged herself.
She stopped at a door down the hall and knocked.
“Enter.” The deep voice was muffled through the door but distinctly recognizable.
