Hey can I come by tonight or tomorrow for a visit?
Sure. You want dinner? Making lasagna.
Yes! Sounds amazing!
See you around 7
Kierra and Marco were both in school and lived like true college students on a small budget. Their apartment, which she had never visited, was in an underground complex in a relatively good area of the city. The absence of windows dropped rent by a considerable amount, but Talon pondered she would find the dwelling claustrophobic, as the elevator took her seven floors underground into the crust of the asteroid. As Talon snaked her way through the hallway, the smell of roasting tomatoes, onions, and garlic swept into her nose. The sweet and savory aromas led her straight to Kierra and Marco’s door.
“The neighbors must hate you,” Talon jested as her friend opened the door.
“We feed them sometimes to keep them quiet. Come on in, Tal,” she invited warmly.
Talon didn’t have any preconceived ideas of what to expect, but she was pleasantly surprised. Their apartment was full of bright colors – so bright you forgot it was underground. Unlike Talon and Levi’s clean, modern, and rather cold style; this apartment was inviting, warm, and lively. It was decorated in a way that screamed ‘come home.’ Kierra and Marco looked like they actually lived in theirs also. There were papers covering the dining room table and cup rings stained the coffee table.
“I love your place…very homey,” Talon complimented.
“Thanks! Here let me move all of this,” Kierra said, clearing the computer and paper mess off the table. “So how are you? How’s Levi? I can’t imagine how worried you must be.”
“He’s fine. The boys are cutting the trip short so I’ll see him in the next couple of days.”
They continued catching up and eventually Kierra dished out the lasagna. “I never know whether to put this on a plate or in a bowl,” she debated, as she cut tendrils of hot cheese from the spatula. “So we need to talk wedding and maid of honor duties.”
Talon found herself envying Kierra. Her friend’s life, both professionally and personally, seemed perfect. Talon imagined herself settling down in the next year. She would decorate their apartment, learn how to cook and have the time to hang out with Levi more. But before that life was possible she needed to know they were safe.
“I’m not here about the wedding actually,” she admitted. “I’m here because of the new project you’re working on with the Sagittarius solar system?”
Kierra gulped down her food. “Bockie must have told you. Yeah, it’s been a really interesting project, but my advisor is putting a lot of pressure on us. I’ve spent every waking hour on it, so thanks for the break. I could use a little sanity.”
“What are you trying to find exactly?”
“Our lab is concentrating on searching for signs of life, but there’s at least six other labs in different fields involved.”
“Why this solar system? Six labs seems intense.”
“It is. To be honest, I’m not sure. All we were told is to gather as much data as possible and my advisor said to drop my regular work for it.”
“So have you found any signs of life yet?”
If Kierra thought Talon’s probing strange, she didn’t show it. “No. In B-58167, there are six terrestrial planets, of which three are in the habitable zone so that’s where we are concentrating. The rest are mostly Jovian, including two ice giants.”
“How do you search for biological activity? I’m just curious.”
“Well, we concentrate on those planets in the Goldilocks zone because, by definition, they can support liquid water. The atmospheres we’re interested in are dependent on biologically-mediated processes so a lot of our readings focus on gaseous biological signatures.” Kierra was going to stop there but the look on Talon’s face beckoned for more. “We look for the coexistence of oxygen and methane, the presence of an ozone…really any mixture of gases in a non-equilibrium state. You can also study emittance of the electromagnetic spectrum since vegetation gives off infrared reflection.”
Talon was almost hypnotized by Kierra as she talked. The woman was model-beautiful and incredibly brainy. It’s not that those two things couldn’t go together, but Talon never imagined Kierra in such a prestigious position speaking so intellectually. Talon reminded herself that the high school Kierra who seemed callow and lascivious wasn’t her true self – she had caught the unite syndrome from her fiancé. Now, after gene therapy, Kierra was focused on the things she loved, and look at her! Kierra’s story, like Bockie’s and Axella’s, was just another reason why waiting for the Sacred Union was the best thing.
“Talon?”
She snapped back to reality. “So nothing? No signs of life yet?”
“Not at all, and we’re making more progress than the other labs…there’s a huge nebulae going through the center of this solar system which makes visibility, and therefore studying, very difficult for the other planets.
“Nebulae? The colorful cloud-looking things?”
“Yeah, but this particular type is a dark nebulae, so not the pretty kind.”
“So how are they gathering the research then?”
“Rumors are there’s an expedition team getting ready to go out and take more accurate readings.”
“They’re going into the solar system?” Talon knew the agency wouldn’t risk civilian injuries, let alone casualties.
“Maybe, if they pay for it.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know who, Talon, whoever hired my advisor. But,” Kierra finally put down her fork and looked at her friend exasperatingly, “if I had to make a guess, it has to do with some urgent matter in intergalactic security. Why do I get the feeling your curiosity is actually part of an investigation? Who is hiring us to do this and what are we supposed to find?”
“Is it possible to have life on a planet with no signs of biological processes?”
“Of course. The only way to definitely figure out if life is there is to go there.”
“Did Bockie tell you anything about me?” Like that I’m a paper pusher now.
“No. Just that we were both stressing a lot about work. Tell me what’s going on, Tal. Tell me why you’re really here.”
“I’m here for your lasagna,” Talon joked, sending a big piece of the home-cooked meal into her mouth, “and…information for an investigation.”
“Well, I don’t really have much to tell you. Is it your people who hired us? Your spy people?”
Talon had to take a chance on Kierra. “If I tell you what’s going on, do you promise not to say anything?”
Kierra’s eyes lit up with excitement at the idea of keeping a national secret. “I swear. It’ll make my work so much more interesting if I know why I’m doing it.”
“Is Marco here?”
“No, our schedules are completely opposite right now. Tell me!”
Talon filled Kierra in on the purpose of the assignment and the overall idea that there may be a terrorist organization there. Talon didn’t go into details about her familial involvement. Kierra knew Talon’s father was a bad man, but she didn’t know the extent of his connections. It was better to let her assume the life she was searching for was a faceless group that the government was chasing.
“No wonder they are hurrying us,” she said with understanding written all over her face. “Thank you for telling me. So,” she smiled, “you just couldn’t wait for the results, huh? Had to come schmooze?”
“You know how impatient I can be,” Talon winked.
Like on cue Kierra’s phone rang. “Yes?” she answered and mouthed that her advisor was on the other line. “Yes…no, I’m getting negatives on all samples…I haven’t gotten there yet….Wow, that’s awesome! I can send them to you as soon as I get to them later tomorrow…What?” She looked at Talon in wide-eyed bewilderment. “Really?! Yes, yes, I would love that! I can do it, no problem. Thank you for the opportunity…okay…I will see you tomorrow.”
“What
is it?” Talon asked in anticipation.
“He’s taking me! My advisor! He said I’m the only graduate student going because I’m the best!”
“He’s taking you to the solar system?”
“Yes! We leave tomorrow morning on Cousteau.”
“Cousteau?”
“Our ship,” her eyes lit up. “It’s the Institute’s top of the line exploring and researching vessel. I’ve only dreamed of being on it since…forever! Wait,” she said less heartily, “they are sending us to a place with terrorists?! Talon why would they do that? Am I going to die?”
“No, you’re not going to die, Kierra. They will cloak the ships.”
“Like make them see-through?”
“Yes. No one will know you’re there. This is just a recon mission and you will be escorted by the military I’m sure.”
“Will you be on a ship?”
“Probably not,” Talon played off casually, although her mind was going a million light-years an hour. She knew the DOLO would be sending black floor agents somewhere somehow. She needed to get to that solar system!
“What time does your flight leave tomorrow?”
“He said to be there at six in the morning,” Kierra nodded, but didn’t seem to pick up on Talon’s disappointment. “You want a piece of cheesecake?”
“Sure,” Talon answered with a shrug. Eating her feelings away sounded like the perfect thing to do right now.
After dessert Talon insisted on cleaning up the dishes. When Kierra went to use the restroom she swept Kierra’s glass into her bag.
“Thank you so much for dinner, Kierra,” Talon wiped her hands on a kitchen towel.
“You’re more than welcome. When I get back we need to focus on wedding stuff. I can’t wait! Let me see your purse.” Kierra picked Talon’s bag and studied it between her hands.
Talon’s breath caught in her throat. “It’s a satchel.”
“It’s ugly. You need a purse.” She put it back down with a disgusted look.
“I’ll think about it,” Talon fibbed. She thanked Kierra and began walking down the claustrophobic hallway. Upon turning the corner she waited a minute and pulled out her phone. “Kierra, I forgot my wallet! Thank you, I’m heading back right now!” She heard Kierra open the door, and as soon as it shut, she ran around the corner. “Thank you!”
“No problem!”
“You’ll be fine, Kierra,” Talon assured, picking up on her nervous energy. “Have a great time, learn a lot, and pack heavy. I hope you have a big suitcase. You’ll probably be out there for a couple of weeks.”
Kierra nodded. “Thanks.”
Talon watched her go back into her apartment. “Activate infrared thermography.” She confirmed the order with a set of blinks and ran back to the door. On the key pad, the numbers Kierra had pressed were an array of light purples and pinks compared to the dark purple of the cold screen. Talon took an image with her contacts. She truly did think about doing this legally, but it just wasn’t feasible. Exploiting her familial connections wouldn’t work this time, nor would simple bribery or favor-mongering. No, this is what she had spent years of training for. Not in a million years could she smuggle herself onto a military ship, and so she set her eyes on Cousteau…and Kierra.
After doing a little research, she learned that Interstellar Sciences was a privately funded research institute, and a very successful one, racking in billions of dollars a year from enthusiastic philanthropists. It appeared since The Great Rescue Treaty amendments that the private space research companies were becoming more successful compared to their federal counterparts, probably because they could bypass all the administrative and bureaucratic red tape involved in crossing territorial lines. The thing was, the company didn’t exactly see itself as a criminal target, and so their security would be minimum. As a plus, her agency was in a haste and so any pre-boarding sweep would be minimal if they did one at all.
Would she lock Kierra in a room and steal her identity just long enough that they wouldn’t want to turn around? Feign being a food or maid serviceman? Or simply stealth her way on the ship like a classic spy? Talon needed to decide on a plan of action. The problem was she didn’t know much about the layout of Cousteau or the hanger it was in. All ships were stored miles below the city toward the outer crust of the asteroid. If Talon had to make a guess, the Institute probably rented out a space in a shipyard to hold their vessels between excursions. It was all too risky to go stealth ninja this time. First thing was first.
Talon retrieved her computer and began typing out an email to her committee with the subject line, ‘Two Weeks’ Notice,’ and then put in two weeks of personal leave. She wasn’t stepping foot into that building again. After this was over, she had no need to work for the DOLO, and luckily, she was confident Levi would support her until she found another, more family-oriented career.
She stayed up all night brainstorming and finally had a plan. Talon stuffed a handful of personal items into her small satchel and walked to the front door. Her sleeping pills knocked the sides of their plastic capsule with every step. That wouldn’t do. She retrieved the prescription bottle, unscrewed the top, and poured the concoction of pills into the front pocket of the bag. She walked again, bouncing exaggeratingly, and was satisfied with the silence that followed.
It was 3:30 in the morning and Talon was snaking down the hallway to Kierra’s apartment. She listened through the door and heard nothing. The electro-mechanical locks in the Underground apartments weren’t nearly as sophisticated and so breaking in was fairly easy. Earlier that night she had produced a polyethylene fingerprint from the wine glass and pressed it against the screen. After it asked for a key code, she punched in the numbers in reverse heated order from the picture taken earlier.
Talon was in luck. Not only did Kierra and Marco not have any pets, but Marco’s snoring was filling the air, masking any small noises she inadvertently made. Her contacts were displaying night vision, which was absolutely necessary since the soft glow of the illuminator couldn’t be reached Underground. Near the door there was the most massive suitcase Talon had ever seen, ready to be hovered out in the morning.
Talon unzipped the overly stuffed suitcase and took out the mounds of unnecessary clothes inside. Kierra packed like she would be spending a week in all four seasons. Talon found a hiding place for the clothes and dipped inside the suitcase. It was snug, but she actually had more room than she expected. What else could a girl waiting in a suitcase do other than play Couchballs on her phone?
An hour and a half later, Talon heard an alarm, but the sound of Kierra’s footprints weren’t audible for another half an hour. She was making a coffee and doing something on her computer.
“Baby,” Talon heard Marco say in a scratchy voice.
“Did I wake you?”
“No, I wanted to say goodbye.” He walked over and gave Kierra several kisses. Talon didn’t know what was happening but she caught a moan from Marco and a whimper from his wife.
Kierra giggled. “I don’t have time for that.”
“Time is but an illusion.”
Talon heard a body slam down on the dining room table she ate at a few hours before and Kierra starting yelping with delight. There was no running away from the squeaking of the table legs or the body slapping as she sat rolled up like a sardine. She deserved to suffer through the happy couple’s love-making – an act which she chose to deprive herself of while she used her friends and broke the law.
“I’ll walk you up at least,” Marco said after they had finished and Kierra was now in a hurry.
“Yeah,” she said breathlessly, “that would be great.”
“Oh wow, what did you pack, Kierra?” Marco exclaimed. “You’re only leaving me for a week or two, right?” He pressed the hover-activating button on the suitcase and Talon could feel it lift off the ground. “Are you sure you don’t want to take some of this out?”
Oh, God, please no.
Kierra giggled. “You know I’v
e got to be the best looking scientist on the ship.”
“You could do that wearing a trash bag.”
“Thanks, Hub.” The love-crullens started kissing heavily again and whoever had their hands on the handle let go, sending both Talon and the suitcase hurling to the ground. “I probably won’t be able to communicate too much but I’ll be thinking about you. I love you.”
“I love you more than anything in this universe.” And with that, Kierra picked up the suitcase and they were out the door.
Luckily the hovering feature on the suitcase meant that, one, it appeared much lighter to Kierra and, two, the ride was a lot smoother for her. The only time Talon got worried was when the taxi driver had to turn it off to lift the luggage. He more or less threw her into the trunk and the whole vehicle bounced up and down from the impact. The man grumbled and shut the lid. Getting her out was even more violent, as he allowed gravity to do most of the work.
The noises from the city faded drastically as Kierra walked into a building.
“Here from the ISI?” a woman with a deep voice asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“The elevator is right over there. You are going to bunker thirteen. The ship is at the end of the first left turn. You can’t miss it. Here is your pass. You will need it to enter the holding gate once you get down there.”
“Thanks.” Kierra did as she was instructed and took the long elevator down towards the outside of the asteroid. She was blowing out air and the suitcase was shaking ever so slightly as she bounced the nervous excitement out.
Suddenly, Talon’s phone came alive. It was on silent but she was shocked to see a United States international number displayed on the screen – it was Levi. Panic and anxiety overwhelmed her. She was at a place where she could still turn around if she wanted. If she answered, her deception was over because Kierra would never feel comfortable breaking the law and risking her career to sneak Talon aboard. If she didn’t, Talon didn’t know when she would be able to speak with him again. Weeks perhaps? This is all she wanted – to hear his voice, to tell him she loved him and he was really the only important thing to her. She wanted to communicate better her intentions and her hopes and dreams for their future. She wanted a future. Talon let the phone ring and her heart sink.
An Eagle's Revenge (Across the Infinite Void Book 2) Page 18
