Starline

by Imogene Nix

  “We’re safe in here. The shields can withstand greater temperatures than that.” Duvall placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

  She wasn’t game to even exhale heavily until the glare of heat dissipated and they drew closer to the ground.

  The shuttle sliced through the air traffic quickly, and she thought about the early days of space travel—the days she knew of—and marveled at the advances once more. She took hold of Duvall’s hand again for comfort as the ground neared. The speed with which they traveled amazed her as they descended through the fluffy, white clouds.

  The dirt of the Earth rose up swiftly, and she watched as the shuttle leveled out and prepared for landing. The journey was brief, as Duvall had said. “How long?”

  “That was about forty-five minutes.”

  “And where exactly are we?” She peered out the window, sure she recognized some of the landmarks, though they looked distinctly older than she remembered.

  “Welcome to the Brisbane Space Port.”

  “Really? Uh…” She had recognized the city, although she’d rarely ventured into the center. “Why Brisbane?”

  “For two reasons. First, because my family lives in Bundaberg, one of the outer suburbs. Jard lived in inner Brisbane in one of the high-tops.” He didn’t say any more, but the look on his face told her that now was not the time to inquire further.

  Duvall tugged her harness off. She hadn’t realized he’d also removed his own. He helped her up and toward the now open door. Chowd slipped in front, an imposing and protective presence. A tunnel connected them to the terminal. At the end they made their way along a corridor and out where a series of massive tables waited. Heavily armed guards stood behind the staff, who hovered.

  “Military customs,” Chowd said quietly as Duvall moved forward to hand over a small disk. It was checked, and they were waved through swiftly.

  Chowd explained that, given the number of humanoids moving throughout the galaxy, the military services had undertaken a portion of customs for their own personnel. She nodded, dazed by the constant stream of facts.

  Beyond the doors, transport waited at the curb. She wiped a hand over the back of her neck, noting the slick sheen coating her hands as a result of the sweltering January heat. Trickles wound their way down her back and under her hair.

  Around the terminal buildings rose like monoliths toward the sky, and small vehicles, ground and air, moved around them, rising vertically into the air before smoothly accelerating in the direction of their destinations.

  They stopped beside a drab brown vehicle. A small bubble of mirth escaped from her mouth.

  “What’s so funny” Duvall asked, looking genuinely puzzled.

  “In all the time that’s elapsed, the military still have ugly vehicles!”

  They all found this quite funny and laughed, except Chowd, who frowned.

  The young security officer hovering nearby saluted as he handed over the power keys for the vehicle. It looked like a small, flat disk and she made a mental note to ask Duvall about that later. The vehicle itself was comfortably appointed, and Mellissa wondered about getting a license for one of these as she climbed into the car. Something else to learn, she thought.

  Duvall pulled out a set of light shades from his pocket and slid them over his eyes. “Hold on now!”

  The vehicle punched its way into the sky. Mellissa had a moment of panic and grabbed the edge of the seat until it leveled out and she grew more comfortable.

  “Where exactly are we going?” she inquired once her stomach settled sufficiently.

  “We have a stop to make at Jard’s apartment first. Not too far away. Then on to Bundaberg.”

  She settled into the vehicle and looked around as they zipped over the city. Many of the buildings looked old, with crumbled facades, but the river snaked its way around the bend, just as she remembered.

  They banked and headed to the heart of the built-up area, the skyscrapers disappearing into the clouds. Many bore the marks of long-term habitation, stains on white stucco. Interspersed here and there, newer buildings nudged into the skyline. It was clear the city had increased its density. Vehicles whizzed around them. Bodies below moved like dots around the mazes of buildings, going about their daily activities.

  After a short while, they reached a single building, blue with glass paneling, cold-looking but relatively new given the sparkle and shine. She looked at Duvall.

  “This is where Jard lived. We’re paying a short visit to his apartment. The security officers know to await us. Military takes precedence over any other local militia or police, so no one has had access until we got here. Chowd and I are going to look for evidence of his involvement. Hopefully we can also find out who his connection was. You’re going to have to come along, as Grayson will also be required.”

  The vehicle docked in a parking area at the top of the building. It looked like any other car park she’d ever seen, except with entry only reachable by flying car. They found a location to leave the vehicle and, in formation, made their way to the door.

  An officer stood waiting. They flashed identification, and the young man saluted. “Sir, no one has had access to the premises since we were informed by the Admiralty. My partner is waiting at the entrance as per the Admiral’s orders.”

  He led the way to a bank of elevators. They waited for the doors to open and stepped inside. The officer pressed the panel, and the elevator moved, the motion smooth and soundless. She watched the numbers on the screen descend until they reached level twenty-seven. The doors slid open, and Chowd inserted himself in the doorway, quickly checking left and right. He motioned for them to join him in the hallway, and they moved forward together.

  “When we get to the door, do what you’re told. Do not enter until I know it’s safe.” Duvall looked at her. “Promise?”

  Mellissa nodded her agreement and waited for him to show her where she should stand. He and Chowd remained at the front as the security officer and Elara flanked her. Grayson followed Chowd and Duvall as they inserted the security disk the officer had handed them.

  Chowd held up a small box, which she had seen him use before. “Clear here.” He looked to Duvall. “They should be clear to enter, but it would be best if they waited in this room.”

  Duvall indicated that they should enter the apartment and gave the command for one member of the security team to take position outside while they searched. Mellissa waited in the door as Chowd entered each room slowly, using his box to check for unexpected surprises.

  “Clear here.”

  “So that means we can come in?” Mellissa clung to the doorway.

  “Not yet. We need to check in case there is anything that could lead us to his contact.” Chowd glanced in her direction. “But you can sit down while we work.”

  Peering around, she saw a modular chair and considered sitting, but discarded that option, thinking it looked uncomfortable. She waited as Grayson, Elara, Duvall, and Chowd began sifting and sorting through items, peering under oddments and using hand screens to take photos of the rooms. They opened drawers and cupboards in their search. The rooms were spartan with some shelving and photos, but other than that, no personal items were on display. The furniture was modular, with a cheap look that denoted this was somewhere he didn’t live so much as slept in.

  Finally Duvall made his way back into the room where she waited.

  “Anything?” she asked.

  “No. We’ve checked behind every door and under the furniture. Hell, Chowd even ran a scanner over the bed and lounge. We found layers of dust, but all that proves is he’s not into housekeeping.” He shared a small smile, but it didn’t lift her spirits much.

  “Are you sure there isn’t anything here?” The words had barely crossed her lips when Grayson called to Duvall and Chowd. She followed as they moved into the tiny kitchen where Grayson held up a small disk.

  “This was hidden in the cooler box. I nearly missed it because he’d hidden it in an ice water c
ube. Looks like our boy attempted trying to keep his information cold.” Grayson ran warm water to dissolve the cube then pulled a box from his pocket. She frowned at what Chowd informed her was a safe box. He dropped the disk into it and turned to search again.

  With nothing else much to do she stood, hip against the doorjamb. “Since there’s nothing here I can help now, right?”

  Duvall and Chowd looked at each other.

  “Yeah, sure. Work in here only though.” He indicated to the lounge room, and Mellissa started looking at the photos that set on the otherwise bare shelving.

  She trailed her fingers along them, picking them up and looking in wonder at the moving images. As she did so, she caught her finger on a sharp edge poking from the back of one.

  “Oww.” Mellissa inspected her finger, but there was no blood. She turned the photo and saw something sitting with an edge protruding from the frame. “Duvall, have you got a minute?”

  He poked his head around the door. “What? Have you found something?”

  “I really don’t know. But with all your technology available, why would you have something sharp sitting at the back of a photo?” She held up the frame for his inspection.

  He grabbed it and inspected it. He jiggled it, and a holoimage emitter fell out, showing Corbin Jard and another man. She didn’t recognize the face, though it fascinated her, with the gray tinge to the skin and yellow eyes. She heard Chowd growl “Crick Sur Banden”, and her eyes widened.

  “Oh my God,” she breathed.

  He turned the image emitter over. A series of numbers and letters were inscribed on the back.

  “And there’s the evidence that he knew Crick Sur Banden.” He shook his head. “Something so simple, yet damning.” He turned away, slipping the image into another safe box.

  They worked for another hour retrieving data from desk screens and removing disks and handheld communicators.

  Duvall made audible notes on the palm screen he held. “Evidence of his involvement with Crick Sur Banden and the plots he was involved in.” Carefully, they loaded the evidence into a small box to take with them.

  They silently relocked the doors when they had finished.

  The tone of the group remained somber as they trooped out the front door, the formation back in force with Mellissa in the middle. They stepped into the elevator, ready for the swift ascent to the top of the building.

  They reached the vehicle, and Chowd pulled out his box once more, raised his hand, and Grayson and Duvall’s heads snapped up. Duvall grabbed Mellissa by the arm firmly and forcibly propelled her away from the vehicle. She looked at a startled Elara, also grabbed by Grayson.

  “What’s going on? Duvall?”

  “Stay with Grayson and Elara. Whatever they ask you to do, do it.” He looked at her, his eyes glittering in the subdued light. Only once she nodded did he move away. She watched him retreat, her heart thudding in her mouth.

  He joined Chowd, and the two of them conferred before Chowd got down on the ground and moved underneath the vehicle. Duvall searched the top. She couldn’t make out what they said but could clearly see them searching the vehicle. She felt chilled by the time Chowd slipped out from underneath, holding up a safe box. Grayson stepped between the car and the two women, shielding them.

  “Elara? What’s going on?” Her voice croaked.

  “I don’t know. Just wait and see.”

  Her insides turned somersaults as she waited. What if something happened to Duvall? She buried her fears as best she could and waited while they talked. Chowd handed the box to Duvall, who opened it, looked inside, and handed it back with disgust. Whatever it was, Duvall seemed clearly unimpressed.

  Slowly, they turned, and Duvall make his way toward her. He took long, powerful strides as he dragged his hands through his short, black hair. God, how she loved to watch him walk. Then she dragged her thoughts back to the gravity of the situation at hand.

  “What did you find?” Grayson asked, beating her to the query.

  “A planted photo. Crick Sur Banden holding an image of Meredith in his hands. I think it’s a fairly clear warning that she is also on the hit list. We need to get to her before he does. Come on.”

  Mellissa knew there was much more than the information he had given, but she could see he was in no mood to share any more.

  They piled into the vehicle. Chowd had professed that no further threats existed, and Mellissa wanted to believe him, but her stomach flip-flopped as they took off. Duvall grasped her hand.

  “How…” Her mind screamed that someone must have accessed the vehicle, here in the parking lot. That meant… “Duvall—”

  “Not now, Mellissa. When we get to our next location.”

  “But that’s—”

  Elara touched her hand before she could finish the sentence and shook her head. Mellissa understood. They could have planted a listening device. Fear crept up her spine, a chilly finger leaving her shivering.

  “I wouldn’t ask you to get into a vehicle I wasn’t sure was safe.”

  Their eyes held and clung for a moment, then he let the vehicle drop into the traffic below. He turned the vehicle north, and soon they had left the main population area behind.

  Duvall seemed as comfortable here as he had on the ship, and she wondered if this was his old stomping ground. She felt lost. She was a city girl who ran a bookstore and read romance but never really expected any kind of adventure to happen to her. She sat back in the seat and watched the sparsely populated areas pass by her. Along the trip, he mentioned areas of interest, and she looked around. His commentary included the green-treed paddocks he called farmlets.

  “This area has been used as farming land for hundreds of years, and not much changes quickly here. Probably the thing you would find different is some of the animals that are now farmed. Some farms still have cows, but others carry other meat-giving animals too. The lobred, which is the size of an elephant but very docile, making it a great animal on a small allotment. It has a moist, red meat, which tastes spectacular. Then there’s the wallamprat, which is about the size of a chicken. It’s a delicacy, as the meat is green and flakey. Of course the local meats are still harvested, such as wallaby and even kangaroo as they have a low fat content.”

  Some of the animals she knew of, and had even tasted, but others... The green meat one didn’t really appeal at all.

  “We’ve also imported a lot of the domesticated animals from other planets, and they’ve become dietary staples because of their nutritional value.”

  She must have made a gagging sound as he looked at her as she wrinkled her nose in distaste. “I’m not sure I could manage some of the ones you’ve mentioned.”

  He gave a bark of laughter and turned back to the road with a smile.

  Chapter 9

  The sun was setting as they arrived in the small city, the vehicle turning onto a street and heading toward an older house. Mellissa could see a range of vehicles parked in front. Most were similar in size and shape to the one they traveled in. Once they parked, Duvall climbed out and hurried to open her door. Chowd was last to alight, and followed behind the two men who managed to keep Mellissa and Elara in the center.

  Just beyond the first vehicle, she caught sight of a security officer. He stopped them, demanding their identification, which he then confirmed.

  “Please head inside, Captain. Your family was wondering when you’d arrive. I apologize for delaying you, sir.”

  Duvall flashed a tight smile. “It’s okay. You did exactly what you were supposed to.” Mellissa admired the way he reinforced his words with a careful pat on the young man’s arm. He’d make a great mentor, she thought.

  A large fence ensured the privacy of the house beyond, and the officer opened it with a flourish, waving the crew through, then Duvall lead them through a dense jungle of green shrubbery.

  “This must be nice in summer.” Mellissa gazed about.

  “Yeah, it is.”

  They went up a set of crea
king wooden steps to the front door, and before Duvall had time to knock, the door opened to a fearsome screech. “Duvall! You’re here. Come in, come in and bring your friends.”

  The older woman who met them at the door had shining blue eyes. She was perhaps in her sixties, though her hair was only slightly grayed. Her rounded body was hidden within the voluminous folds of her dress, floral and brightly colored, which was covered with a large white apron.

  She seemed so excited to see Duvall, wrapping her arms around him before kissing him on both cheeks. For a moment, Mellissa hung back.

  “I hoped you’d arrive today. I baked all your favorites, just in case. It has been too long since you came home to see your mother, young man.”

  She ushered him in the door then turned to greet Elara and Grayson by name. Each received the same treatment of hugs and kisses.

  Then Duvall turned and gestured to Mellissa. “Mum, this is Mellissa.”

  She looked at Mellissa then Duvall. A smile grew, and her eyes twinkled. “Welcome home, Mellissa. Welcome. My name is Kathryn, and that’s what you’ll call me. That or Mum.”

  Then she too was enveloped in a hug, warm and tight, the kind she had never before experienced. After that, she dimly realized Chowd was being introduced as well. Amid laughter and chatter, they all trooped into a kitchen that looked like some kind of cooking explosion had taken place.

  Dishes covered the sides, lying everywhere in a discarded manner, wooden spoons sat in dishes, while batter dripped. A sniff of the air told her that whatever was cooking, it smelled amazing. The wafting smells of homemade bread and roasting meats, possibly lamb and chicken, made her mouth water.

  Mellissa’s stomach rumbled, and she grabbed it in dismay and embarrassment. Everyone chuckled, and no one louder than Duvall’s mother. It wasn’t a laugh to embarrass though, and Mellissa found herself joining in.

  “Sit down.” Duvall’s mother pinned him with a mock stare. “You’re obviously doing what you normally do, ignoring everyone else’s need to rest and eat,” she scolded him, wagging a wooden spoon at him. “Mellissa, dear, has he fed you today?” she asked kindly. Mellissa responded that they had eaten, but his mother’s eyes narrowed. “Obviously not for some time. Here, grab a cake and I’ll make coffee.” She moved like lightning around the kitchen, all the while calling loudly, “Meredith! Meredith!”