Iza nodded. “But I didn’t know what it was, so I wasn’t as careful with it as I should have been.”
“What’s it look like?” Karter asked.
“It’s the strangest little thing, a perfect sphere with etchings all over it. If it’s a map like you say, it’s not like any map I’ve ever seen.” Iza swallowed back the part about the humming and the dreams. If anyone else had been having the experience, they’d have spoken up by now. Telling them she had a strange connection to the thing would only make her sound more crazy and less credible.
“Can we see it?” Braedon asked, rubbing his hands together in anticipation like a kid waiting for a piece of candy.
“Would you like me to run an independent analysis on the device?” Trix asked not waiting for her answer.
Iza hadn’t thought of that. An independent analysis from Trix might have been able to tell them more about the map’s origin and history than she was able to glean from the onboard computer’s assessment.
“I took it with me to Blue Hills Estate,” she said, dropping her gaze.
“So the thieves have it,” Karter said, disappointed.
“We should get it back,” Braedon said, stroking his chin. “We’ve already got our buy in; we’ll use it to get close to the artifact and take it back. Then we can find out where it leads.”
“No.” Jovani didn’t raise his voice, maybe that’s what made it feel so intense.
“What do you mean?” Iza asked.
“Mr. Arvonen wants the artifact. If they have it, all we have to do is let him take it from them.”
“I think we’re forgetting about the scientists he’s kidnapped,” Cierra said. “We have to consider the innocent.”
“I’m not forgetting about them. I’m thinking of our safety. Mr. Arvonen almost blew our ship out of the sky for that thing,” Jovani said.
“That’s nothing compared to what he’ll do if he gets it,” Karter said in his unhurried way, pacing back and forth as he spoke. Iza realized in that moment, Karter was actually nervous.
“What do you know about him that we don’t?” Iza asked.
“Victor Arvonen has an obsession with gaining more power. It has influenced every relationship in his life, including his son.” Karter looked over at Braedon and Braedon stared back.
Braedon clamped his mouth closed his lips pursed in anger.
“Tell us something we don’t know,” she said.
“After I got possession of the H3X and sold it to you, Arvonen reached out to me. He demanded I get it back by any means necessary.”
“That’s why you sent Douketis to Hubyria. You were trying to make sure I couldn’t come up with the money.”
“I made a deal and I meant to keep it. However, Arvonen can be persuasive. He threatened my dynasty and my family. He’s too close to getting what he wants to let anything get in his way.”
“What does he want?” Jovani asked. It seemed his Agent instincts were activated, as he was leaning forward, fully engaged for the first time since Karter’s arrival.
“I have no idea what his endgame might be. I had been confused about why he was so intent on getting this particular ship back, but I believe I now have my answer. It was never about the ship itself but rather that box and its sphere that had been stashed on board.” Karter looked at Braedon. “I take it you didn’t have permission to take his ship at the time?”
Braedon kept his mouth closed and crossed his arms over his chest.
“If he’s willing to take down a ship with his son on it, then it must be something powerful,” Cierra said. “Where does the map lead?”
“I believe that’s something we need to discover before he gets his hands on it,” Karter said.
“Why should we trust you?” Braedon asked, finding his voice.
“Valid question. You want to know what I want out of this venture.” Karter smiled, still pacing. “We have a shared enemy in your father, which presents us with a unique opportunity. He wants to take down my inheritance. I will use my wealth and power to stop him using any means necessary. If that sounds like something you can use, then you’ll want me on your team.”
“We could involve the TSS or the local Enforcers,” Jovani said. “They have an interest in both cases. The theft of the items at the Blue Hills Estate and keeping the artifact away from Mr. Arvonen.”
Iza waved a hand in the air to dismiss the idea.
“I’d rather not. No offense, but the TSS and the Enforcers haven’t done anything to help us lately. Let’s see what we can find out on our own first,” Iza said.
“Besides that, there’s no guarantee that Arvonen doesn’t have Enforcers working for him,” Karter said.
Iza raised her eyebrows. Karter nodded at her unasked question about his cousin. Investigator Desiree Hyttinen could be involved. No wonder he looked so nervous; his cousin could be relentless.
The others nodded in agreement, though they stayed silent. Iza noted how quickly he’d swayed the others to stand with him. His power of persuasion was legendary and his ability to charm anyone is what made him such a good businessman. It was also obvious he wasn’t going anywhere soon.
“I take it that means you’ll be staying?” Iza asked.
Karter glanced around and shrugged like the place was hardly good enough. “At this time, the safest place for me is being on the move. However, when it comes to dealing with my almost-abduction, it would probably be best if I sat out.”
“Agreed.” Iza didn’t want him anywhere near the artifact. Despite his grandiose speech about sharing an enemy, he neglected to reveal the fact that he had his own obsession with power. She wouldn’t let either him or Mr. Arvonen have it. “I guess that makes us a team for now.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It was late and everyone needed to get some rest, including Iza. Braedon put the ship on autopilot and Trix would be on overnight watch in case anything went wrong. Iza was hesitant to burden Trix, but her friend assured her that she had been functioning normally all day and wanted to return to duty.
As the other crew and passengers retired to their cabins, Karter was left standing in the middle of the flight deck with his bag. “Is there someplace I can put my things?” he asked.
“Yes, Trix will show you to your cabin. Give him the one on the end, next to Cierra,” Iza said. “Maybe he can endure the smell of her incense and candles.”
“Wait, you’re sending me with the android?”
“Yes, don’t piss her off or you’ll have more trouble than it’s worth. Follow her or get off,” Iza said, dropping all professional pretense now that the others had gone.
“Do not be alarmed, Mr. Hyttinen, we can agree that I also would rather be doing something else other than finding you a bed,” Trix told him.
“See? She’s the best company you’re going to find, and she doesn’t even like you. Welcome aboard.”
Karter bristled, then seemed to think better of testing the limits of Iza’s hospitality. He straightened his suit coat and followed Trix out.
Iza was left alone on the flight deck of her ship at last. Well, not entirely alone, as the dog chose that moment to place his two front paws on her knees, begging to sit on her lap. She scooped him up and lost herself stroking his long fur. Her eyes filled for the first time since coming back.
Losing the sphere gave her intense feelings of anxiety, fueling worries about what Mr. Arvonen might do with whatever power the map was hiding.
Then there was Jovani. How had she gotten to this point? To see the look on his face and having to say the words she’d practiced was the hardest thing she’d ever done in her life. Would he ever forgive her? Iza hoped it was possible, and that he intuitively realized that her engagement wasn’t on the level.
Once they had the sphere again, she would focus on the important business of getting Karter married to someone else. The casual way he talked about their ‘wedding next year’ made her more than a little nervous.
She heard boots i
n the corridor headed her way and hastily wiped her eyes. Sniffing, she pushed the dog onto the floor, and he ran to greet the visitor.
“Oh, I’m sorry if I’m bothering you,” Braedon said, coming onto the flight deck. He reached down to scratch the dog behind the ears, gaining his undying loyalty. “You dropped a lot of news on us tonight, are you okay?”
She wasn’t, but she didn’t want to talk about it. “I’m fine,” she said.
“Yeah, let’s just pretend you’re not okay with all of this. I don’t understand why you’re engaged to Karter, but it’s as obvious as anything that you’re not happy about it. Which means one of two things: either he’s getting something out of the deal or you are.”
Iza didn’t flinch.
“Ah, both of you are getting something out of it. Of course. But it’s clear you have no intention of actually marrying him, so why the fake engagement? You’re stalling.”
Again she said nothing, but her eyes widened.
“No, he’s stalling. His family probably wants him to marry the first suitable girl that comes along who can produce an heir, and you’re his escape card. That’s one problem with being an heir to the dynasty. One advantage of being born second is you don’t have to worry about who you marry because no one cares.”
Braedon sat down on the deck at her feet. He was resting his elbows on his knees and his chin on his fist, as if enraptured by her story. The dog, enjoying the game, pushed his way onto the new available lap and Braedon made room for him.
“I’m not telling you anything,” Iza said. Then she added, “I couldn’t if I wanted to.”
“I see. It’s probably part of the conditions. Fine, but you’re not fooling anyone. Rather, you’re not fooling everyone. I’m not sure about Jovani, but I’d wager he’s going to reach into Karter’s mind and find out the real reason you two are engaged. He probably already knows the truth. Whether you tell him or not, he’ll know.”
Iza huffed, biting down on her lip to keep from spilling the truth. She couldn’t confirm what he thought he’d figured out even though it was correct. Karter didn’t need any more leverage over her. The fact that Braedon had surmised the entire scheme in the matter of an hour gave her hope that Jovani would come to the same conclusion.
She wanted to be out of the deal, but she wouldn’t be the one to break it. She had everything at stake. Her life. Her home. Her future. Iza kept quiet.
“All right, but you’re missing out on something big with Jovani” Braedon continued. “I think you know it, that’s why you’re up here sniffling instead of in his cabin making it up to him.”
“Leave it alone,” Iza said, shaking her head with a chuckle. “I’ve got something else for you to do.”
“Sure, you name it. I’m here for you Iz.”
“I want you to reach out to your little gamer friend, Viper.”
“Viper? Why?”
“Can you do it or not?”
“Not,” he said shaking his head vehemently as if it were on fire.
“Don’t lie to me. You coders always have a way of reaching out to each other if there’s a tournament or whatever it is you all do on the Dark Net.”
Braedon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe there’s a way, but I’m going to need a reason. I can’t just be like, ‘Hey, Viper, remember that time I beat you in a tournament and we all got picked up by the Enforcers?’”
Iza bit down on another laugh. “Fine, tell her you’re attending an off-world auction while the rest of us are busy with something else and you want to meet up with her.”
“She’d never believe it.”
“Then be resourceful.” Iza stood up to leave and the dog bounded after her.
Braedon pursed his lips.
“Inform me as soon as you have your meeting set up,” Iza said.
He walked over to his work console. “By the way, when are you going to name that dog?”
“He’s not staying,” Iza snapped.
“Do you have some kind of aversion of naming things? Your shuttle, the ship…”
“Just set up the meeting, Braedon.” Psychoanalysis of her attachment issues could wait for another time.
— — —
Karter followed Trix to his cabin without a word. He had too much on his mind to engage in idle conversation with someone who wasn’t even a person. However, the android had other ideas.
“No doubt this has been a trying day for you. How are you feeling?”
The question was spoken with more concern than Karter expected, and it took him several seconds to clear his throat and answer. “Um, well, with everything going on this evening, I hadn’t thought about it.”
“Your secret engagement announcement party was ruined and your guests were robbed. From Iza’s account, the attempt on your life must have you worried. I can assure you, aboard the Verity you are perfectly safe.”
It was as assuring a statement as he could imagine. He paused mid-stride and gave her a side-long look, taking in her appearance properly. Her makers had chosen a beautiful model to replicate, with chestnut hair falling in side-swept waves to below her shoulders, framing a refined face with high cheekbones and perceptive eyes.
Trix continued walking and Karter fell into step beside her. She was pleasing to look at and it bothered Karter that she reminded him so much of Becca. His assistant’s matter-of-fact way of speaking and attention to detail often made others feel uncomfortable, but he’d grown accustomed to it. Thinking of her made Karter ask Trix something that had been bothering him since he’d first met her.
“You are always so straightforward in your speech. Is there a reason for that?”
Trix stopped to look at him. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was trying to think of an answer, but AIs were notoriously tellers of truth. It was one of the main reasons he’d chosen never to employ one.
“My language matrix is complete with thousands of word choice options. I choose efficiency over more elaborate forms of speech.” Then, as if the conversation were complete, she kept walking.
Karter’s interest was piqued and now he couldn’t stop talking to the android. “Yet, you don’t talk like a flesh and blood Taran. Is your preference to stand out?”
“I am different.”
“Yes, but you don’t have to be. It is only your mannerisms that give you away as an android.”
“You believe that I am purposely distinguishing myself from you?”
He cocked his head. “Aren’t you?”
“No, I am merely remaining true to who I am. Is that not the goal of every person?”
Before Karter could answer, Trix stopped in front of a door. “This is your cabin. I hope that you will be comfortable.”
Karter slid open the door to peek inside the cramped room and then looked back to Trix. “Being true to who you are doesn’t always come with as many benefits as being what others find more palatable.”
“Perhaps, but I can see from your bio-signs that you are not happy pretending to be something you are not. May I make a suggestion?”
Karter’s mouth fell open and he found himself without a response.
Trix continued as if he’d acquiesced. “Be pleased with yourself, and you will never have to justify the lies you tell others to make them happy today but know they will hate tomorrow.”
Karter watched her leave for a moment before stepping inside and letting the door close behind him. Trix was extremely complex and had information processing capabilities well beyond an organic person, but that didn’t mean she was right. All the same, she’d given Karter something to think about.
He stared at the bare-bones cabin and sighed. He dropped his bag on the bed and tested the lean mattress. It felt about as comfortable as sleeping on the floor.
After everything that had happened that evening, he couldn’t help but wonder if his desire to please others wasn’t what had got him in trouble in the first place. His engagement to Iza, the party, his mother’s demands, his investor’s demand
s. It was all too much. In the end, his business was in jeopardy and his personal life was a disaster. He’d have to avoid the Sensationals to keep from seeing how much of a failure the world thought him.
His life on board the Verity didn’t have to be all bad. Iza was an ally for the moment, but she wasn’t the only one. Jovani owed him a debt for keeping his identity a secret; an undercover TSS Agent could be very useful to him. Arvonen wouldn’t get away with stealing from him and walking away. He’d have to pay for this, and stealing his grandmother’s ring was beyond intolerable. Iza didn’t know about the last time he’d run into Arvonen and wound up in critical care. Arvonen had made his displeasure over letting Iza keep the H3X very clear.
The man was far more sadistic than any of Verity’s crewmembers gave him credit for, no doubt because of their friendship with his son. Karter wouldn’t be fooled. The boy was more like his mother, but that didn’t mean there was nothing of his father in him. Karter saw the way the boy looked at him when he’d been brought on board the shuttle. He’d have to watch ‘Braedon’ to be sure he didn’t get any ideas about changing his mind and helping his father.
Karter sat on the foot of the uncomfortable bed and got to work.
Before the Verity had jumped into subspace, Becca had sent footage from the engagement party to a private onboard message inbox. Though the Verity was technically Iza’s, being the leaseholder afforded Karter access to systems like the ship’s onboard communications, and he had been able to have Becca arrange a means for him to securely stay in touch without having his handheld.
Watching the playback of the events, Karter was impressed with the job Arvonen managed to pull off with such a small crew, especially considering they had less than two days to plan.
He watched the mannerisms of the man who’d done all the talking during the theft. It seemed a little rehearsed after about the third time. He noted the way the masked man walked as if counting the steps and the slight tap of his left hand against his thigh, like he was beating out the rhythm of the words. It was a memorization technique he’d used himself in high-pressure situations.
Divided Loyalties (Verity Chronicles Book 2): A Cadicle Space Opera Adventure Page 13
