by Amy DuBoff
“I said I’d do anything to help you, Ava, and this is what I have to do,” Luke told her.
Widmore looked Ava in the eyes. “If we want to run detailed analyses to find out what’s going on inside you—or Kurtz—then this is what we need.”
She sighed. “You’re right. This isn’t just about me.”
“Agreed?” Widmore asked aloud.
“All right,” Ava conceded. “I appreciate everyone being so willing to jump in to help me.”
“We always take care of our own.” Widmore stepped toward the door. “I’ll keep you apprised.”
Ava tugged on her restraints. “You know where to find me.”
* * *
“I don’t expect them to answer to me,” Luke said to Widmore as they walked toward the quartered housing for Ava’s team. “I know I’m an outsider.”
“Ava trusts you, so they’ll trust you by extension,” the major replied.
“As long as they can help move around heavy equipment and handle the shooting if NTech gets nasty, we’ll be just fine.”
“They have been known to move around some heavy things now and then,” Widmore said with a smirk. “And they’ll work even harder knowing it’s for Ava.”
The two men reached the door to the shared housing for the three members of Ava’s team. While Ava roomed with them when they were on ops and traveling in the Raven, Ava had her own quarters at the FDG base since she was their senior. The three Weres shared a cabin in headquarters and were happy to remain together, from what Ava had relayed to Luke.
Widmore knocked on the door
Edwin answered. “Major, is everything okay? We were surprised to get your message about a meeting.”
“We have some things to discuss. May we come in?” Widmore requested.
Edwin sized Luke up, then stepped aside.
Luke smiled at Edwin and the other Weres as he entered. He could sense their gazes on him, feeling out his intentions. Regardless of what Widmore had said about their trust for Ava extending to him, Luke was certain he’d have to earn their trust, and he intended to do just that.
The cabin was simply appointed, with two beds parallel against the right wall and one across the back, supplemented by a table and four chairs in the front left corner of the room. A door at the midpoint of the left wall presumably led to a washroom.
“We’re here about Ava,” Widmore began.
“Is she okay?” Edwin sat down on the bed closest to the door, and Nick came to join him.
Samantha took a seat at the table with Widmore and Luke. “Why isn’t she here with you?”
Luke swallowed. “She’s being held in isolation at the moment.”
The Weres’ faces paled.
“Sir, what’s going on?” Nick asked Widmore.
“We believe that the NTech scientist, Andrea, injected Ava with the Hochste nanocytes,” he replied.
“No, that’s not…” Samantha shook her head.
“She’s not like the others at the lab,” Luke hastily explained. “She fully transformed once and seemed to retain herself, like you do in your Pricolici states.”
“So she’s, what, the Stage Four subject?” Edwin asked. “This is fucked up.”
“I know it is,” Widmore stated. “However, that’s the situation we’re facing. We’ll get what information we can from Andrea’s assistant, Jared, but Luke also needs some equipment from the NTech lab to run testing on Ava’s modifications. It just so happens we, uh, need that very same equipment to further our investigation into NTech—which Luke will oversee.”
The Weres nodded their understanding.
“And we’re going in with Luke to get it?” Samantha guessed.
“If you’ll join me,” Luke confirmed. “I’m not as tough as Ava, but I’ll do my best to keep up with you. We’ll get in and out as quickly as possible.”
Edwin crossed his muscular arms. “I’m guessing the urgency means you think NTech might come looking to reclaim what was seized.”
Luke nodded. “We still have no idea where the orders came from in the organization. Andrea may have been acting on her own, or there are others in NTech who’ll want to continue the same research.”
“And it could extend to the Nezaran government,” Nick pointed out.
“Exactly. Or even beyond.” Widmore spread his hands on the table. “This stays between us, but it’s possible Andrea didn’t subdue you on her own.”
Samantha scowled. “But who? We were surrounded by FDG guards and—”
Widmore held up his finger to silence her. “This stays between us. I’ll watch over Ava while you’re gone.”
The Weres inclined their heads.
“When can we leave, sir?” Luke asked.
“I’ll have the Raven prepped for you,” Widmore replied. “You can be underway in an hour.”
CHAPTER FOUR
After an hour of being tied down, Ava was already regretting her agreement to be bound. She felt like herself, as much as she knew that could change with a second’s notice. But for now, being in complete control of her faculties, it was annoying to be treated like a vicious monster.
To make matters worse, she was alone. When she’d suggested being tethered, Luke had at least been there for company. Now, there was only the background hum of mechanical equipment and an infernal beep coming from an unknown piece of equipment.
“Hello?” Ava called out. What I wouldn’t give to get a television in here…
Thirty seconds later, a nurse appeared at the window. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
“I’m going to go stir-crazy. Can I get a book, or a tablet, or something?”
“Sure, we have some tablets for patients. I’ll be right back.” The nurse disappeared from view.
Not sure how I’ll use the damn thing with these cuffs on, Ava realized. She sighed. The years of being out in the field had made her so impatient with sitting still. Not to mention that Luke was off having an adventure without her.
She chuckled, realizing the error in her thinking. There was no way Luke was going to have a good time—not with her team. In fact, he was probably as pinned down as her, even if it wasn’t with physical restraints.
Ava made a cluck of pity on Luke’s behalf as she thought about what must be going on. I hope he’s up for a workout with those guys.
The nurse returned with a tablet after a minute. “Now, how are we going to make this work?” she mused, assessing Ava’s tethers.
“Maybe you could prop it up on my lap, and then find a separate mouse I could use for navigation?” Ava suggested.
“Good idea.” The nurse got to work arranging a pillow to cradle the tablet. “Don’t worry, dear. We’ll take good care of you until this is resolved.”
* * *
Luke dropped his travel bag on the bunk Ava typically used while traveling on the Raven.
The three other members of the team were settling into their own bunks, watching him stow the minimal items he’d brought with him. Ava wasn’t exaggerating about the pack mentality and how they treated outsiders.
He finished and sat down on his bunk. “Thanks for not objecting to me coming with you on this mission,” he said to them with what he hoped was a warm smile.
“You know the equipment we need to get. It’s the smartest move for the mission to have you along,” Samantha said.
“We’re doing this for Ava,” Nick responded without looking up from his own activities.
Luke nodded. “I wouldn’t expect otherwise.” He paused. “I know it’s probably strange for you to think of her being in a relationship with anyone.”
“She was gone for less than a week and came home with a guy. Yeah, it’s a little weird.” Samantha hopped down from the bunk over Luke’s bed. “How well could she possibly know you?”
Luke’s brow furrowed. “Wait, she didn’t tell you about our history? I thought you knew.”
“She said you were a friend and went back a long way. What else is there to know?�
�� Edwin asked.
“Uh…” Luke let out an uncomfortable laugh. “We dated for four years, when we were teenagers. I thought we were going to get married when we were finished with school, but she ran off to join the FDG instead.”
The three Weres’ mouths dropped open.
Samantha crossed her arms. “So, this was a reconnection, not a new thing.”
“Yeah, you could say that.” Luke nodded.
“Huh.” Samantha climbed back up on her bunk.
Luke looked around the room. “Are we good?”
The warriors shrugged.
“Yeah, you treat Ava right and we’ll have your back,” Nick said. “But do anything to hurt her, and you answer to us.” He punched his right fist into the open palm of his left hand.
“Gotcha.” Luke rose from the bed. “Well, I’m going to get myself acquainted with the ship. I’ll see you later.”
He departed the cabin and sealed the door behind him. When he was alone in the hall, he released a long breath. Dealing with her parents is nothing compared to these three. Thank the stars she doesn’t have brothers, too.
Luke wandered down the metal corridor of the residential section in the compact vessel. There were only four cabins, making for cozy living arrangements compared to the spacious environment he was used to on Coraxa. If it weren’t for his time in dormitories while he was in school on Nezar, he doubted he’d have lasted a day on the ship.
The residential hall opened on one side into a small galley. The room was empty while the flight crew prepped the spaceship for departure, so Luke took the opportunity to scope out the rations he’d be consuming for the next few days.
Cabinets along the wall adjoining the hallway were filled with dry goods, and a refrigerator contained meat, vegetables, and an assortment of beverages. All things considered, it was a far better selection than he would have expected. Coraxa’s ecological abundance may have spoiled him, but it was looking like he certainly wouldn’t go hungry with the FDG.
A stovetop, oven, and tables with seating for sixteen completed the galley. Luke grabbed a handful of mixed nuts from a container in one of the dried goods cabinets and sat down at the table to eat his snack, oriented so he could look out the bank of windows on the back wall.
As he was brushing the excess salt from his hands, a man’s voice came over the central comm system. “Approaching Federation Frontier Station 7 Annex Gate.”
Luke rose from his seat to get a better view out the window, hoping to peek at the gate. He could just make out the edge of the ring and the warped space within its boundaries.
Crossing galaxies in moments… It’s still difficult to believe. He watched with wonder as the ship slipped through the event horizon. Time elongated for a moment as they entered the wormhole, and the ship emerged on the other side at the Onyx Station hub.
The ship then headed for a different gate that linked to their destination—the gate near Luke’s home system. It was located at an intermediary point between four systems, one of which was the Alaxar Trinary of Luke’s birth. Two of the others were uninhabited and used for resource mining, but the third had a permanent ban on entry. Luke wasn’t sure why, but he’d been taught from a young age to avoid Gidyon.
Once the Raven passed through the second Annex Gate, it boosted toward Coraxa in the Alaxar Trinary. It would take the better part of a day to reach the destination at sub-light speeds, so Luke decided he may as well finish his self-guided tour of the ship and figure out how to pass the time.
Luke left the galley and continued down the corridor, which terminated in a ladder, extending up and down. A sign pointing upward indicated the bridge, and he imagined the captain and pilot wouldn’t like an uninvited visitor. So, he went down.
He got off at the first landing, which looked to be a combination of social space and administrative offices. Workout equipment dotted the room, along with a game table, couch, and an expansive screen on the wall.
Two men were seated on the couch, watching a video.
“Hey,” Luke greeted. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Hi,” one of the men replied with surprise. “And you are…?”
“Luke Carter. I used to work at the NTech lab we’re going to investigate.”
“Ah, okay, right. You’re the one Lieutenant Landyn was partnered with on the last op,” the second said.
“Yeah. We grew up together on Coraxa.” Luke moseyed over. “How do you know her?”
“Gil, mechanic,” the first man said, pointing to himself with his thumb, then the other man, “and Sven, support systems engineer. Basically, we have nothing to do as long as everything is going right.”
Luke nodded. “Sounds like a good gig.”
“Except when it’s not.” Gil shrugged.
“How do you pass the time?” Luke asked. “I’ve spent my whole life on planets. Being cooped up on a spaceship is strange to me.”
“Well, there’s the gym, and the video library, games… But honestly, you want to pick up a hobby. Sven over here has written three novels.”
Sven dismissed the statement with a flip of his wrist. “Novel is too fancy a term. They were space adventure stories about the team on this ship, as told from the boring perspective of a support systems engineer.”
Luke smiled. “Sounds like a prime opportunity to make yourself the hero.”
“No one would read about me.” He crossed his arms and nestled deeper into the couch. “Not saying I didn’t do that, though.”
“I’m sure I’ll figure out something to do.” Luke looked back toward the ladder, debating whether or not to check out the level below to see what else there might be.
“You can join us here, if you like. We were just about to play cards with the team before we eat,” Gil offered.
“Like poker? I can’t say I’ve played much.”
Sven got a devious glint in his eyes. “That’s not a problem.”
Unfortunately for Sven, Gil, and the members of Ava’s team, Luke’s assertion that he was unfamiliar with poker was a ruse. Many a night in grad school had been spent competing for prize money to fund a night off-campus, and he’d honed some skills. No need for him to elaborate on his past experience, though. They’d find out soon enough.
* * *
The winter sunlight shining over the Alucian capital was all the sweeter knowing that the Alucian Alliance was now a member of the grand Etheric Federation. President Alastair Connors smiled with satisfaction as he surveyed the city. We have a bright future ahead of us.
A knock sounded on his office door.
“Come in.”
The door cracked open, and Karen Carter poked her head in. “Hello, Mr. President. Do you have a moment?”
“Certainly. Come in, Karen.” Connors gestured to the visitor chair across from his desk and took a seat in his own. “Is this about the integration guidebook?”
“No, but that’s coming along well,” Karen replied.
When the Alucian Alliance had signed the agreement to become an official vassal of the Etheric Federation, new opportunities opened for the Alucian people. President Connors had asked Karen to draft a summary of those new benefits for citizens to use as a guide. The further they got into the project, the more details they uncovered that Connors knew needed to be documented. All the same, he was excited by the knowledge of the opportunities that would be available to his people in coming generations.
Karen sat down in the visitor chair and folded her hands over her tablet on her lap. “Actually, sir, I’m here about Chancellor Heizberg.”
“Oh, yes.” Connors looked down a sighed. “I reached out to the FDG. My contact said he’d look into it.”
Connors had been around politicians long enough to know when a person was dodging a request, and he imagined those same tells extended to members of the military. Given the information Connors had imparted about the Nezaran chancellor potentially being subverted, he would have expected immediate and decisive action. A casual ‘lo
ok into it’ statement didn’t come across that way in the slightest.
Karen frowned, clearly thinking the same thing. “Is there anyone else we can go to?”
“I’m hesitant to take too many backchannels. We’re in enough of a political wedge as it is after signing the vassal agreement without representative sign-off.”
“But this is a serious threat, sir. If Heizberg is compromised…”
Connors nodded. “I agree. But it’s possible the FDG is taking a more covert approach. I don’t want to step on toes.”
“Would you like me to do the toe-stepping for you?” Karen offered.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Well, my brother went to work with the FDG after the NTech lab on Coraxa was shut down. I could see if he can find out whether an investigation is underway.”
Connors smiled. “That’s a handy connection to have. But hold off. I’ll try a more direct strategy first.”
“I’ll be standing by.” Karen rose.
“Thank you, Karen. I’m glad to have you on my side.”
She inclined her head. “I’m sorry there was ever a time I wasn’t.”
Karen departed, leaving Connors alone with his thoughts.
He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. Why would the FDG defer an investigation into Heizberg? The most obvious explanation was that they already knew something and didn’t want to share. If that were the case, he—and Alucia—might not be as safe as he thought.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ava thumbed through the entertainment selection on her tablet. Despite having an entire galaxy’s worth of content at her disposal, she still couldn’t find anything to watch.
With a heavy sigh, she turned off the tablet with a click of the remote mouse they’d rigged up for her. Bedtime, I guess. Not that I’m tired after all those naps. Luke needed to hurry up and get that equipment she needed or else there might not be anything of her mind left to save.
