by Jake Bible
“No relaxing. No several drinks,” Angie said as Kalaka headed for the stairs.
“Hey, not all of us got to spend several hours in a med pod, McDade,” Kalaka snapped as they descended floor by floor. “Some of us, like me, could really use a drink or ten.”
They hit the final landing and Angie stopped Kalaka before he could exit the stairwell.
“What?” he asked.
“Can you find a place to hole up that has a secure comm connection? Completely off books and unlisted?”
“I said I could. Doesn’t fix the mainframe access issue.”
“Just get us a place,” Angie said and nodded to the exit door. “I think I have an idea on how we can get the info we need.”
“Mainframe info?”
“Mainframe info.”
Kalaka smiled, opened the exit door, glanced out into the corridor, then gave a thumbs up. Angie followed right behind and they were through the hospital lobby and outside onto the plasticrete sidewalk in seconds.
30.
“Yes, but I do not see why you had to leave the hospital or deceive any of the agents or officers involved,” Poq stated as he sat ramrod straight in the chair by the kitchen table. His skin was a dull beige, made even duller by the dim light of the small halogen set into the kitchen ceiling. No hair, but a red tint to the scalp to simulate where hair might go. His eyes were constantly changing colors. “You are law enforcement. You work together.”
Kalaka laughed hard, but Angie shot him a harsh look and he shut up.
“We needed to keep our momentum,” Angie said.
“And we have no idea who to trust,” Kalaka said. “Someone ordered the killing of S’lunn. We can’t be certain it wasn’t one of our own.”
“From your preliminary information gathering, it does sound likely that it is the Willz Syndicate that is behind the murders,” Poq said. Angie began to interrupt, but he held a hand up and she closed her mouth. “By using a proxy within law enforcement.”
“That proxy used Mess’a Tikk,” Kalaka said. “It has to be someone she knows.”
“It does not have to be, Detective,” Poq said. “There are many technological ways to condition a grieving wife’s mind. I could name six dozen ways that would be highly effective at achieving the same end result.”
“There is no fucking end result,” Angie snapped. “There are two dead GVDs. One was clean and undercover, the other was dirty and the person we thought had done all this to Mess’a. Except Mess’a Tikk turned around and killed him too. That means we’re looking for one more person.”
“At least,” Kalaka said. “Someone did some cleaning before we got there. Wanted S’lunn’s presentation to be a surprise.”
“GVD Knowles and GVD S’lunn,” Poq stated. “I am sorry for the loss of both, regardless of the circumstances. The death of a life form is troubling to me. It is so…finite.”
“Yeah, it is,” Kalaka responded. “Very finite. We’d love for all this terpigshit to be finite too. Maybe get to the end here soon?”
“And you want me to help by hacking into the Galactic Vice mainframe and using the search resources to check for signs of a mole within the Jafla Base Squad itself,” Poq stated. “May I ask a question?”
“Shoot,” Angie said.
“Why would you think the GV mainframe will be of any use to you?”
“How do you mean?”
“The GV mainframe is a comprehensive network of search algorithms powered and directed by several high-functioning AI protocols,” Poq said. “None of the AI protocols are up to my level, but they are quite capable of extrapolating conclusions from all data sets presented.”
“Your point?” Kalaka nearly snapped.
“His point is the GV mainframe should have already alerted investigators to possible weaknesses within all Divisions and Squads, including Jafla,” Angie said. “Which it hasn’t.”
“Exactly. I would know if it had,” Poq said. “That in and of itself should tell you quite a bit. In my opinion, you do not need me to search and track down the person responsible. What you need is for me to find the trail that has already been made within the mainframe. Your person of interest has left traces, all beings do, I only need to find those traces and follow them back to a name.”
“Shit,” Angie said and rubbed at her face, up and down, faster and faster until she threw her head back in exasperation and said, “We’re dealing with brass.”
“I am unfamiliar with the term,” Poq stated.
“Brass,” Kalaka explained. “The bosses. People higher up than us mere mortals.”
“All beings are mere mortals,” Poq said.
“What GVD Kalaka is saying is that someone with pull has to be behind this,” Angie said. “A simple GVD can’t wipe out evidence of Squad corruption. It would have to be a captain at the very least.”
“Jorg? No way,” Kalaka said and laughed. “Have you met the guy? Jorg’s a Spilfleck. The guy can’t hide his emotions if he wanted to. That neck frill of his pokes out at the sound of a nuft fart. I ain’t kidding here, people. It’s not Captain Jorg.”
“Then it is someone higher up,” Angie said.
“Or lateral,” Poq said. “Perhaps from Jafla PD.”
“They don’t have access to the GV mainframe,” Angie said.
“That is not true,” Poq corrected. “All senior administrative positions within the Jafla PD can obtain authorization to access the GV mainframe if evidence can be shown that the information needed is relevant to a major case. Perhaps a murder or a sting operation regarding one of the larger crime syndicates.”
“So we now have the Jafla PD brass to worry about too,” Kalaka said. “Well, shit on me and call me a taxi afterwards.”
“That is a confusing—” Poq began.
“Never mind,” Angie said. “Poq? Get to work on the mainframe. See if you can find breadcrumbs then follow them to the asshole responsible.”
“Breadcrumbs? Yes, I understand the literary reference,” Poq said. “However, the breadcrumbs may not lead to the perpetrator. They may only lead to an accomplice.”
“Get to work,” Angie said and stood up. “Where’s the head?”
“Down the hall and to the right,” Kalaka said. “No sonic.”
“Just need a toilet,” Angie said.
“Have at it,” Kalaka said and waved a hand over his wrist. “Hungry? I can get food sent over.”
Angie glared at him.
“It’s safe,” Kalaka insisted. “I swear. This house is well off the Jafla PD and GV grid. Old girlfriend of mine owns it.”
“For what purpose?” Poq asked.
“Nothing you need to worry that wired head over,” Kalaka said then focused on Angie. “Go take a shit and leave the life on Jafla Base stuff to me. One of the reasons you haven’t arrested me or killed me is because I’m useful. Getting some delivery is part of that usefulness.”
“Poq?” Angie asked.
“There is no record of this address being associated with GVD Kalaka or any law enforcement agency,” Poq replied. “I see no reason anyone would come looking here or follow a vehicle here.”
“You didn’t log this address into the mainframe, did you, Poq?” Angie asked.
“I’d be insulted if I had that emotion,” Poq said. “But I turned that protocol off the second day on the job as receptionist.”
“Good,” Angie said and left the kitchen to find the bathroom.
Kalaka swiped through a holo menu a few times then banished the holo and smiled at Poq. “Grub is on the way. I got a delivery guy that is beyond discrete. We’re good.”
“Wonderful,” Poq said as his eyes rolled up into his head. “I will be unavailable for conversation over the next few minutes.”
“I thought you androids could multi-task a billion things at once?” Kalaka asked. There was no response from Poq. “I’m calling terpigshit. You just don’t want to talk to me anymore.”
He waited in the kitchen, his arms folded
across his chest. After a couple of minutes, he began to worry and stood up. Poq was still accessing the GV mainframe and unresponsive. Kalaka shrugged and made his way back to the lavatory.
“McDade?” Kalaka called as he rapped his knuckles on the door. “You good?”
“Fine, Kalaka,” Angie replied. “Fuck off and let a woman take care of business.”
“No problem,” Kalaka said and walked back to the kitchen.
Poq was waiting, alert and smiling a very artificial and creepy smile.
“You got something?” Kalaka asked.
“I was able to find a trail,” Poq said. “That trail branched off into two different trails. Both originate from here on Jafla. It is obvious that someone with security access was covering his or her tracks in order to avoid investigation. I am obtaining the address of origin for the breach.”
“Whoa, what?” Kalaka replied. “You can get us an address of where this asshole lives?”
“I did not say that,” Poq replied. “The addresses I can obtain are simply the point of origin for the connection to the GV mainframe. That is all. Whether a being lives at either of these addresses is beside the point. That is for you to ascertain. I will simply provide the locations.”
“Then do that,” Kalaka said. “Shoot me the addresses to my implant. Do the same for McDade.”
“Yes, GVD Kalaka,” Poq said.
There was a quiet knock at the kitchen door. Kalaka withdrew his pistol, held it down and to the back of his right thigh, and crossed to the door.
“What’s the password?” Kalaka asked through the door.
“Fuck off, Kalaka,” a voice replied.
“That’ll do,” Kalaka said.
“A highly ineffective password,” Poq said.
“No one asked you, wire head,” Kalaka said as he opened the door.
A young Groshnel stood there, his body inflating and deflating rapidly as he looked around with obvious paranoia. He held a warming case in two of his tentacle arms.
“You’re lucky you tip big, Kalaka,” the Groshnel said. “This area is not on my usual route.”
“You turned off your tracker, right, N’ummi?” Kalaka asked as he took the warming case and set it on a counter to his left. “This address better not be logged.”
“Stop saying stupid things and pay me,” N’ummi snapped. “My roller is going to get jacked at any second, man.”
“Here,” Kalaka said and handed the kid a handful of chits. “Keep the change.”
N’ummi stared at the wad of chits then glanced up at Kalaka. “You dying or something? This is a lot of chits.”
“I’m not dying, but the day is young,” Kalaka said. “And those chits buy your silence no matter who comes and talks to you. Even if it’s Fleet agents, got me?”
“Fleet? Fuck, Kalaka, I don’t need that crap,” N’ummi said. “You know my dad is trying to make a go of things after prison. And Mom is almost off the stim. Fleet agents come sniffing around and everything will go to all the Hells.”
“You’re golden if you keep your mouth shut,” Kalaka said. “We done?”
“Suck gonads,” N’ummi said as he stuffed the chits in his pocket and left. Several of his tentacles flipped Kalaka off.
“You better be right, Kalaka,” Angie said from the hall doorway as Kalaka shut the kitchen door and turned around. “That kid rats us out and we’ll be dealing with a lot more than two FIS agents.”
“I know,” Kalaka said. “We’re good. Let’s eat some food then we’ll check out the addresses Poq sent us.”
“You haven’t looked at them yet?” Angie snapped.
“My guy showed up with food,” Kalaka said and pointed at the warming case. “Noodles. I got six kinds because I didn’t know what you liked.”
“To all the Hells with the food, Kalaka!” Angie snapped. “Bring up the holo and look at the addresses!”
Kalaka stared at her then swiped his wrist and brought up the addresses. He read them over several times before it hit him.
“The whore,” he said. “This first address is the Lipian’s apartment where Knowles was staying and found.”
“And the second address?” Angie asked as if she was speaking to a toddler.
“Gants’ Club,” Kalaka said. “Where the fuck is my jacket?”
“You were not wearing a jacket when I arrived,” Poq stated.
“It’s in the roller,” Kalaka said. “Come on. We have to move. Shit.” Kalaka pointed at the warming case. “Eat all you want, Poq.”
Angie was already out the kitchen door. Kalaka followed close behind.
“I do not eat noodles,” Poq said. “I do not eat.”
“Good for you,” Kalaka said as he was about to shut the door. He paused. “Hey, Poq?”
“Yes, GVD Kalaka?”
“Good work. Stay available in case we need to comm you.”
“I am off shift all day. I will remain available if you need remote assistance. However, I do work the graveyard shift tonight, so please be aware of that limitation.”
“Graveyard shift. Got it. Thanks again.”
31.
Kalaka drove the beat-up roller through desolate streets bracketed by heaps of rubble and mounds of refuse.
“Why Gants?” Kalaka asked. “Gants is Collari, not Willz. Everything points to the Willz Syndicate on this one.”
The light that filtered down from the dome above was dirty; filled with floating specks of dust and grime that seemed to be flaking off the few walls still left standing in the district. Kalaka turned the roller’s lights on even though it was only early afternoon.
“It could still be Willz,” Angie said. “We don’t know that it isn’t. All we have are two addresses.”
“Want to bother checking the apartment?” Kalaka asked.
“No,” Angie said. “Still a crime scene and Jafla Murder will be all over it. If there are clues left to find, they’ll be nearly impossible to detect because of Knowles’ murder.”
“Good way to cover physical evidence,” Kalaka said. “Bury it under a GVD’s blood and guts.”
“Makes more sense than a simple message to back off,” Angie said. “Use the murder to taint the location for us. Jafla Murder has it locked down and GV can’t get anywhere near it because one of ours was the victim. Conflict of interest.”
“So we really are dealing with law enforcement,” Kalaka stated. “It’d have to be in order for the person to know of the layers of red tape that wrap up the investigation of a GVD’s murder.”
“That leaves the last address,” Angie said. “Gants’ Club. If this is Willz, then this is all a setup. Throw us off by pointing us in the direction of their competition.”
“This shit did start with Willz making a play at Collari,” Kalaka said as he turned a corner and found the access road that led out of the crumbling slums and back towards the main part of the base. “You think this was the plan all along?”
“Do you?” Angie asked.
“No. Too messy. Too convoluted.”
“Exactly my thoughts. Something happened that upped the timetable for our guy. Forced his hand and he moved faster than he was prepared for. Now we’re dealing with the fallout.”
Kalaka nodded and steered the roller into heavy traffic. He waved his wrist over the wheel and let go, sighing as he eased back into the driver’s seat.
“I was on Xippee for an op once and the entire roller grid went down,” Angie said as the roller auto-piloted through the thick traffic. “Half the beings had no idea how to drive. Can you imagine?”
“I can’t, no,” Kalaka said. “I always want the option to grab the wheel and take over. Autopilot is nice, but sometimes you have to disengage the safety protocols to get where you need to go.”
“I hear that,” Angie said. She sighed long and slow. “This fucking op…”
“How’d you get it?” Kalaka asked. “Who assigned it to you?”
“Why?”
“You have any beef with some
one in GV Division headquarters? Maybe this was a known mess and you’ve been set up to take a fall when it all goes to shit.”
“It’s already gone to shit.”
“You know what I mean.”
Angie thought hard. “No. Can’t think of anyone with a beef against me. It started as a sex trafficking op then became a mole hunt op wrapped in the sex trafficking op.”
“Who made it a mole hunt?”
“No one officially,” Angie admitted. “I kind of took it on.”
“Division Chief Lu’Tes’Tu? She your boss?”
“Yeah.”
“She maybe trying to get rid of you?”
“Lu’Tes’Tu? No…”
“You don’t sound so sure.”
“I’ve screwed up some. I’m on her shitlist, but not like this. She’d never be dirty. Never.”
“Really?”
“Don’t sound so surprised, asshole,” Angie snapped. “Not everyone can be bought.”
“I guess.”
“Trust me. I know how to read…”
“What’s that? You know how to read people?” Kalaka replied and laughed, holding up his hands. “Just giving you shit. You’re good, McDade. I can tell. Hells, you somehow managed to get the one GVD in all of the Jafla Squad who doesn’t give ten shits about anyone to actually give ten shits.”
Kalaka paused.
“Maybe nine shits. I don’t give full shits for anything.”
“That I believe,” Angie said. “How close are we?”
“We’re hitting Blink District right now,” Kalaka said. “I’ll let the roller pull up directly in front. It’s the afternoon, so the Club is closed, but one of the bouncers will still be outside. Me pulling up in this hunk of crap is going to piss that Urvein off so much.”
“All the door bouncers Urvein?” Angie asked as the roller turned a corner.
“At the Club? Yeah. Gants has these genetic freak thugs that do muscle jobs for him, but he employs only the Brothers for outside security,” Kalaka said. “You want to make sure no one is getting through your door, you hire the Brothers.”
“Brothers?”
