Endless Advance: Age of Expansion - A Kurtherian Gambit Series (Uprise Saga Book 2)

by Amy DuBoff

  Widmore checked below the patch kit, finding nothing. He moved on to the adjacent cabinet.

  “Who outfitted this place?” he grumbled aloud.

  “I don’t think this ship was ever meant to venture out on its own,” Ava replied from the adjacent room.

  Widmore opened another cabinet, and his light found its mark: an orange box with all manner of emergency markings. “Got it!”

  Without hesitation, he activated the device.

  He carefully propelled himself back toward Ava in the cockpit. “Now we wait,” he said once inside the room.

  Kurtz scowled below where he was secured to the bottom deck.

  “What will we tell everyone about the colonel?” Ava asked.

  “I’ll think of something. Maybe that he was exposed to a contagion and needs to go into quarantine,” Widmore suggested.

  “Why not the truth?” Ava asked.

  “Maybe. But we don’t want mass hysteria with people accusing each other of being subverted just because someone is acting a little off or having a bad day. We’ll need to be clear about the extent of the telepathic control.”

  Ava frowned. “But we don’t know that yet.”

  “My concerns exactly.” Widmore sighed. “Like I said, we’ll think of something.”

  They waited in relative silence for another five minutes until a shudder ran through the ship.

  Widmore’s heart leaped as he saw the interior of a cargo bay envelop the Lisbeth II, complete with the FDG emblem printed on the wall.

  “Thank the stars!” Ava relaxed.

  “All in a day’s work,” Widmore said with a grin. He was drawn back to the deck as the artificial gravity of the larger ship took over.

  Ava didn’t seem to share his enthusiasm. “There’s still the concern about the aliens—or whatever they are—coming for him.” She glanced at Kurtz.

  “The Dren base is one of the most defensible locations we have at our disposal. Until we understand the situation, I think it’s the best place we can be,” Widmore replied.

  She nodded.

  Widmore took a deep breath as he regained his footing. “All right, Lieutenant. Let’s go home and have a chat with this Nox.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Any word back from the FDG?” President Connors asked Karen as soon as she stepped into his office.

  “No.” She closed the door. She wished she had information to bring him, but after her brief conversation with Luke, she’d been unable to raise any of her contacts.

  “Damn it.” Connors sank into his chair. “If Colonel Kurtz is subverted, do you think there are others?”

  “Maybe. Who’s to know?” Karen walked over to sit across from him in one of the visitor chairs.

  “It’s times like this when I wished Alucia had a bigger military presence.”

  “We’re in the Federation now. They have that muscle to bear on our behalf.”

  “And what good does that do when they won’t return our calls?” Connors grumbled.

  “I know, sir,” Karen said in a calm, even tone that belied her private concerns. “We could reach out to the Federation governance instead.”

  “No time to jump through those administrative hoops. Nezar could attack us at any moment. If the FDG isn’t responding to this matter, who’s to say anyone else in the Federation would come to our aid in time?”

  Karen wished she had an answer. “We have an agreement with them. We need to trust in our new alliance.”

  The president eyed her. “Do you really believe that?”

  She was about to give a vague deflection but stopped herself. “The Federation values autonomy. We can’t go running to them with every problem.”

  “Especially if the FDG has subverted members of its own leadership.”

  “Yes, sir. My concerns, as well.”

  “So, we need to take matters into our own hands,” Connors mused, steepling his fingers.

  “We don’t have military might, but there is one thing more valuable.”

  “Information,” Connors completed for her.

  “Precisely.”

  “But to gather information of sufficient value, one would need access to places no Alucian in their right mind would dare enter.”

  Karen tilted her head. “Not all of us are Alucian.”

  Connors dropped his hands to the desktop. “I wasn’t suggesting—”

  “No, sir, I know you weren’t. But I am.”

  He stared at her with intrigue in his violet eyes. “What are you thinking?”

  Karen leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. “Well, I was initially sent to Alucia through an organization secretly working on behalf of the Nezaran government. The position afforded me a number of government contacts. One, in particular, remained a… I wouldn’t call him quite a friend, but more than a casual work acquaintance.”

  Connors raised an eyebrow. “A romantic entanglement?”

  “No, nothing like that. He was something of a mentor to me.” She paused. “We’ve spoken since I took this new job with you. He expressed an interest in working together again, should the circumstances align.”

  “That would be impossible so long as Nezar remains outside the Federation.”

  Karen nodded. “But perhaps that offers a reason for a visit. The topic of Alucian and Nezaran relations remains a critical subject regardless of the outside political pressures.”

  “They still want the system to remain independent. I doubt they’d be receptive to discussion of unification.”

  “No,” Karen agreed, “but I can tell them what they want to hear.”

  “Paint yourself a traitor to me?”

  “It would fit with my original mission objective. For all they know, this promotion within the Alucian government was all a ruse to get close while I remained loyal to my origins.”

  Connors paled. “That’s just the scheming talking, right?”

  She gave him a reassuring smile. “Sir, when I pledged myself to you, I meant every word. Alucia is my future. I promise.”

  He didn’t look entirely convinced, but he nodded.

  “The cover story would make for an ideal entry back into the Nezaran ranks. It would grant me access.”

  “That it would,” Connors mused. He looked her over. “This would be dangerous for you.”

  “It will, sir, but I owe it to you and Alucia to take a risk.”

  “I can’t ask you to do this.”

  “I’m volunteering.”

  He considered her offer. “What would be your strategy?”

  “Get in, gather some information, and provide assistance for the FDG to get inside.”

  “Would they truly infiltrate a foreign nation’s capital building?”

  Karen shrugged. “It’s an easier sell than infiltrating, say, this building on Alucia. Outsiders are enemies, allies must be treated as friends. You wouldn’t walk into a friend’s house uninvited.”

  “But with an enemy, you do whatever is necessary to protect your own interests.” Connors nodded, tapping his fingertips together. “So you go in, pave the way, and then…?”

  “I get them Chancellor Heizberg.”

  Connors frowned. “I know that’s the end game, but if the plan fails…”

  “We’ll have the FDG fully engaged by that point. They’d be obligated to come to our aid.”

  “I hate making plans contingent on so many hypotheticals.”

  “Isn’t that the root of politics, anticipating potential moves and countering future actions three steps ahead?”

  Connors smiled. “Three steps would be child’s play.”

  “You’re in agreement, then,” Karen replied with a slight smile of her own.

  “You’re confident in your contact? What would you tell him?”

  “That I have a close working relationship with you, which provides access. There are either possibilities to improve diplomatic relations through the official channels, or I can work through backchannels to get the Nezaran
s what they really want.”

  “The independence of the entire Alaxar Trinary.”

  “Precisely. And my bet is that they’ll use any means necessary to accomplish that goal.”

  “Agreed.” Connors sighed. “But what if the FDG refuses to move in after you’ve laid the groundwork?”

  “That’s the beauty of the plan,” Karen replied with a smile. “If the Nezarans try anything underhanded with me, that means that I, an Alucian citizen—a member of the Federation—will be in danger. The FDG will be obligated to intervene.”

  “Forcing their hand to act won’t win us any favor.”

  “Easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.”

  Connors chuckled. “That adage is always irksome on the receiving end.”

  “At least by the time we have to beg, we’ll have something to show for it,” Karen pointed out.

  “If all goes well, yes.”

  Karen looked the president square in his eyes. “Let me do this, sir. I think it’s our best chance to spur action before the Nezarans can mount an offensive against us.”

  “Make the arrangements,” he consented. “But I expect you back here unharmed. I’ve grown rather fond of your speech writing.”

  “Yes, sir. I have many more yet to write.” She rose from her chair.

  “Good luck.” Connors paused. “And if this is meant to be disguised as an official diplomatic engagement, you should take Leon,” he suggested.

  “I can’t in good conscience bring someone else into that level of danger.”

  “Not into the facility,” Connors clarified, “just a ship in orbit of the planet. Someone through whom to relay information. He can be trusted.”

  She nodded. “Good idea, sir. I’ll speak with him.”

  “Be careful. I’ll see you soon.”

  Karen departed with a deferential nod. She stopped by Leon’s post at the reception desk on her way out. He was surprised by the request, but in the style of any good assistant, he asked only enough questions to ensure he had the correct information to complete the travel arrangements.

  After receiving assurance that her transportation would be arranged, Karen return to her office to have the more difficult conversations.

  Her first call was to Luke, her best chance of getting through to anyone with the Force. She entered the direct line he gave her but got no answer. She tried again.

  Finally, the video feed activated. “Karen, what is it?” he demanded by way of greeting.

  “Hello to you, too.”

  “This isn’t a great time.” Luke’s violet eyes had a hint of red.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There’s a… situation here,” her brother replied.

  “What—”

  “I can’t talk about it, Karen. Tell me why you called so I can get back to my work.”

  For a moment, she had second thoughts about telling him her plan. She hated to see her younger brother so distressed, and what she was about to say would only make matters worse. But, for the sake of Alucia—and Coraxa, by extension—she knew what she had to do.

  “Luke, I’m going to Nezar,” she stated.

  He processed the words for a full ten seconds. “You’re… What for?”

  “If the FDG won’t take action, then we have to.”

  Luke groaned. “The Force will take care of Heizberg, Karen. We’re dealing with a more urgent issue right now, but it’s next on the list, I promise.”

  “Good, then I’ll be in place when they’re ready to move in.”

  “Karen, don’t be stupid.”

  “No, I’m being smart. You think the FDG—however good they are—can just walk into a secure government facility and take the chancellor without bringing all manner of grief down on themselves?”

  He stared back at her. “Yes, that is exactly what they do all the time. It is literally their specialty.”

  “I don’t believe it.”

  “That’s not my problem. Stay on Alucia. We’ll take care of this.”

  “Well, I’ve talked with President Connors. This is how we want to proceed.”

  “Karen, don’t,” Luke cautioned. “The subverted members of the government may have telepathic abilities. They’ll know you’re lying to them.”

  “Good thing Ava taught us about mental guards when we were kids then, huh?”

  “Maybe those can stand up to a casual gleaning, but if someone really wants information—”

  “If it comes to that, then it’s already too late.”

  “Precisely why you shouldn’t do this!”

  She shook her head. “It’s easy for you to be dismissive from your place there, removed from the day-to-day life of people over here. Nezar could attack us and we’d be defenseless!”

  Luke massaged the bridge of his nose. “Karen, you’re being reactionary and rash. There’s more going on here than you know. Let us deal with this the right way.”

  “I’m going to Nezar,” she insisted. “I’ll be in touch once I’m in position.”

  “No, don’t—”

  “Pass on my message to whoever it is that makes decisions. We’ll fix the system together.” She ended the call before he could protest further.

  The call could have gone better, but she got the message out. She had every confidence Luke would tell the right people to light a fire under the FDG’s galactic ass.

  Hopefully, her next communication would be more productive. With her heart pounding in her ears, she dialed Nezar.

  “Hi, Dominic,” she greeted. “Would you still like to work together?”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Ava had never been so relieved to return to FDG headquarters. While she’d been on her share of dangerous missions over the years, an impromptu spacewalk was at the bottom of her list for how to have a good time.

  Warriors on the rescue ship, the Vortex, had detained the colonel on Major Widmore’s orders. They’d raised eyebrows when they saw the prisoner in question, but said nothing and did as they were told just like they were trained to do.

  Now back inside headquarters and heading toward an interview room, Ava could begin reflecting on the day’s experiences. Her own transformation. Kurtz’s alien parasite. Violation of her home. She wished she could take the afternoon to unwind, but duty demanded she remain focused.

  Guards escorted the colonel two paces ahead of her, with Major Widmore walking to her left.

  The major also seemed shaken by the day’s experience, though he gave little external indication. Ava had worked with him enough, though, to notice a slight flush to his cheeks and elevated pulse.

  Oh, shit. I shouldn’t be able to hear his pulse, she realized.

  Her own heart pounded in her ears. She still felt so much like herself that the changes she was undergoing could be forgotten when the right distraction came along, yet it was too much for her to ignore.

  “Sir,” she said tentatively, “I don’t know if I should stay out there. Maybe I should go back into quarantine. Knowing that Kurtz was part of my change—that this was planned—it makes me even more dangerous.”

  “I understand your concerns, and I share them,” Widmore replied. “But you’re the only person who’s been able to communicate with whatever it is inside Colonel Kurtz.”

  “Isn’t that all the more reason to be suspicious of me? Maybe me being able to communicate with it is a form of influence itself.”

  “You overpowered it on the ship,” Widmore pointed out.

  “Unless that’s what it wanted.”

  Widmore frowned. “Maybe we can’t trust what’s happening to you, but we won’t get anywhere without more information.”

  “What if it lies and I can’t tell the difference?”

  “You did fine work today, Lieutenant,” Widmore replied after a slight pause. “Trust your gifts and your instincts.”

  Ava’s stomach twisted. “I’m a liability.”

  “You’re also our best shot at getting through this, risks or not.�
��

  She nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  As much as she wanted to protest further, Ava knew he was right. They needed a telepath to get through to the real Kurtz within, and she was the only person with the skills and clearance to get the job done.

  They reached the room that had been set aside for the interview. Filled with a hybrid of typical interrogation utilities and the necessary setup for a medical evaluation, the room reminded Ava of the places she’d encountered while undercover in the NTech lab on Coraxa—circumstances she’d rather forget.

  Widmore leaned toward her when they entered the room. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She took a deep breath to clear her mind. “Yes, sir. I’ve got this.”

  He gave her one more appraising look. “All right.”

  The guards secured Kurtz’s hands around a metal pole in the center of the room so he was standing with his back against the pole.

  Doctor Dwyer stepped forward from a monitoring station at the back wall. “Colonel, we’re going to run some scans,” he stated.

  Kurtz—or rather, Nox inside him—sneered at the doctor. “Your tests won’t tell you anything. You’ll never understand what I am.”

  “Our science is more advanced than you seem to think,” Dwyer stated, unruffled. He began attaching sensors to the colonel’s head and neck.

  “We need to find out how he got… possessed, or whatever it is,” Widmore said.

  “We will, but first I need to see if we can detect whatever is inside him. If there are others, we need a way to test,” Dwyer replied.

  “What will these sensors reveal?”

  “Hopefully, some indication of a physical manifestation of the presence.” Dwyer finished adhering the sensors, and then he grabbed a long wand with a sensor array along one edge. He ran the wand from the colonel’s head to toes across his front, and then repeated the motion along his back.

  Ava crossed her arms as she watched from near the entry door. Kurtz’s smug expression was so unlike his normal self, especially under the circumstances. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for him to be trapped inside his own body while something masqueraded as him.

  Doctor Dwyer returned to the monitoring station and activated the sensors. A representation of a man’s body appeared on the monitor behind him. “Hmm.”