by Jake Bible
Osol gulped with embarrassment. “He has insisted it be immediate.”
“Is that so?” Sno responded.
Sno knew the tactic. The captain was trying to assert command over them. Either that or he knew exactly who Sno was and wanted to establish his authority on the luxury liner. Sno had dealt with the behavior before on too many occasions. Captains of ships always forgot that they were small cogs in a much larger machine. They saw their ships as the one and only machine and acted accordingly.
“Then let’s not keep the captain waiting,” Sno said. “Drive on, Osol, drive on.”
As the roller moved through the ship, Sno came to the realization that a key element was missing from the ordeal. How did they get made so fast? Sno expected to be discovered eventually, but not within the first day of being on board the Mip. And certainly not before he even had a chance to unpack. The Tcherians had been waiting and knew their targets.
That meant the tickets Veben purchased were compromised from the start. Which meant Sno’s residence was bugged. There was no other explanation. Except that didn’t fit. Sno knew the tech he used stopped anyone from eavesdropping, even with a quantum microphone set up across the lake. The estate house couldn’t be hacked. Sno hired a different security agency twice a year to try and none could crack his house’s mainframe. He even bet a tech at Division to try and the woman had failed.
So where was the leak? Where was the weak point where their trip went from covert to overt? When did the crack in Sno’s armor happen?
There was one answer and Sno didn’t like it. Not at all.
“V?” Sno asked.
“Yes, love?” Veben replied, tearing her eyes from the magnificent view of one of the luxurious lounges they were passing over. Apparently, rollers had their own plastiglass enclosed tramways above many of the lounges and dining halls. It made moving from one area of the ship to another rather entertaining. “What is on your mind?”
“Have you been using Ledora?” Sno asked. Veben hesitated and that was all Sno needed to know. “That solves that.”
“Her capacity is so vast and you hardly use her to her full potential,” Veben said.
“How did you get her to serve you?” Sno asked.
“Promise not to be angry, love?”
“I make no such promise.”
“I must insist.”
“V…”
“Very well, you little ball of anger you.” Veben sighed. “I may have overheard your use of the master code one evening and memorized it in case I was in need of assistance at some point.”
“Do you not have an AI assistant of your own?” Pol asked. “Quality AIs are quite affordable these days.”
“Yes, well, I may have been banned from purchasing AIs at some point in my life,” Veben said quietly. “A romance gone wrong, a horrible breakup, my threatening a major galactic corporate executive with blackmail. You know how it goes. I was younger then and didn’t see the future repercussions.”
“How long?” Sno asked.
“Hmmm?” Veben replied.
“Answer the question, V,” Sno said.
“A year, maybe longer,” Veben said. Sno didn’t reply, only stared at her. Hard. “Possibly a decade.”
“A decade?” Sno exclaimed. Guests riding in a roller passing in the opposite were startled by the force of his voice. Sno took a deep breath and got himself under control. “Do you know what you’ve done?”
There it was. Plain as the swirling vortex of trans-space outside the Mip. A decade of possible SSD security breaches all because of Sno’s careless trusting of Veben. He clenched his fists and tried not to explode.
“At some point, your hacking of Ledora was hacked, V,” Sno said as calmly as he could. He thought back on the improbable outcomes of several missions. The majority he was able to salvage, but more than a couple failed miserably, nearly killing him and other agents. “You have no idea what you’ve done.”
“I was under the impression that Ledora was not a tactical AI,” Veben replied, defensive anger in her voice. “If she had access to sensitive information, then that is on you, love.”
“Oh, the house AI didn’t need to have access to sensitive or classified information,” Pol said. “Any operative worth their weight can extrapolate quite a lot simply by studying Mr. Sno’s life patterns. While exact details may not be gained, it would not be that hard to deduce where and when Mr. Sno might be working.”
Sno glared at Pol.
“What?” the old man asked.
Osol was squirming in the driver’s seat, failing at pretending he didn’t hear the revelation of Sno’s real surname.
“Hardly a secret now,” Veben said. “Perhaps we should do away with the pretense completely.”
“You do not get a say in this, V,” Sno responded. “You lost that right a decade ago.”
“Oh, love, don’t be cross with me,” Veben said. “I am a single, older woman, living on my own while my closest friend and neighbor travels about the galaxy saving the GF from bad guys.”
Sno groaned in response.
“You know,” Pol said. “This is actually a good thing.”
“Oh, I cannot wait to hear why,” Sno said.
“If your house AI’s security was breached, then there will be breadcrumbs left behind,” Pol said. “I can follow those breadcrumbs and trace them back to the person that discovered our travel plans.”
Osol cleared his throat and waited.
“No, please, Osol,” Sno said. “You might as well chime in.”
“I am sorry, sir,” Osol said. “I do not want to add to your anxiety, but house AIs cannot be accessed while we travel in trans-space.”
“I knew they were severed from service, but no access at all?” Sno asked. “Not even a remote uplink?”
“I’m afraid not, sir,” Osol replied.
“Why is that?” Pol asked, intrigued.
“It is a privacy measure to ensure that any of the…press that might be aboard do not report on guests’ activities,” Osol said.
“And once we are out of trans-space?” Sno asked.
“Then you will need the captain’s permission to access your house AI, sir,” Osol answered.
“Good thing we’re on our way to see the captain now then,” Sno replied. “And Osol?”
“No need to ask, sir,” Osol said. “I will keep your confidence. It is obvious you are doing good in the galaxy and I certainly do not want to be one to get in your way, sir.”
“Thank you, Osol,” Sno said. “You might be the one person I trust on this ship.”
“Oh, for all the Heavens’ sakes,” Veben said with disgust. “No need to be quite that melodramatic, love.”
Sno did not reply as Osol drove the roller into another lift and gave the command to ascend to the bridge. The occupants of the roller remained quiet for the rest of their journey to meet with the captain of the GS M’illi’ped.
20.
Captain Rane Loch barely came up to Pol Hammon’s shoulder.
Short, pudgy, pinch-faced. A halfer that obviously had Ferg in him for one half, but an unknown race for the other. Fergs looked like a mix between a beaver and a praying mantis and were rarely more than a meter tall. Loch’s height and features were easily recognizable as Ferg, but his fur was a bright orange which certainly wasn’t Fergian.
“Ah, Mr. Shaw,” Loch said with an exaggerated wink. “I am so sorry for your ordeal. And you, Ms. C’alpescue, how dreadful this all must be. As for you, Mr. Talpic, there is no excuse I can make to explain the horrible breach in security we have faced. I promise all of you that I will do my best to make up for this incident. I assure you that the remainder of your trip will be nothing but luxurious now that all the dirty business is over with.”
“I’m afraid the dirty business, as you call it, is far from over, Captain,” Sno said. “We will be needing your most secure stateroom as well as a shadow guard.”
“Shadow guard? I do not follow,” Loch replied, looking confused.
>
Sno could tell it was an act instantly. The captain was obviously desperate to maintain the Mip’s reputation of pure luxury and refinement. Sno suggesting that more trouble may occur was messing with the captain’s sense of order and how things “should” be. Sno had run into many a man and woman that acted the same way when presented with reality.
“A shadow guard,” Sno said. “We will need at least three of your best security officers to be on hand at all times in order to maintain our safety.”
Sno looked about the bridge. It was elaborate and ornate. More gilded curves and edges than actual working consoles. The truth was that several pilot AIs were running the ship, not the bridge crew present. Sno knew luxury liners like the GS M’illi’ped were almost totally automated. It allowed the captain to play the part of a privileged host as opposed to the part of glorified galactic servant hiding behind the facade of importance while those that were truly privileged lounged and luxuriated around him.
“Is your Head of Security available?” Sno asked. “I would like to speak with him or her so we may establish a protocol that will keep myself and my friends safe.”
The captain looked about the bridge too as if the being would be standing right there. Sno struggled not to roll his eyes. Dealing with the captain was going to be a test of patience.
“Captain Loch?” Sno insisted.
“Yes, well, I am not sure if Investigator J’gorla explained to you that our Head of Security remains anonymous?” Loch asked. When Sno didn’t respond, Loch cleared his throat and continued. “We have that policy in order to avoid any conflicts of interest. By remaining anonymous, our Head of Security cannot be targeted for…gifts that might damage his or her impartiality.”
“Without a name, guests don’t know who to bribe,” Veben said. “Got it.”
“V…” Sno warned. He smiled broadly at the captain. “I’m afraid I will have to insist.”
“I am afraid that your insistence is of no consequence, Mr. Shaw,” the captain said, emphasizing Sno’s alias. “But, I will send a message to our Head of Security about providing additional guards for your protection. Will that do?”
“No, it will not,” Sno stated. He looked down at the state he was in and shook his head. “I’ll tell you what, Captain Loch, I am going to go get cleaned up and make myself presentable. Then I’ll return to speak with you further on this matter. When I do return, I am hoping you’ll have had time to rethink your position. I would hate for an official record of your refusal to be logged with the Galactic Fleet. You have a very comfortable job here, Captain. I am sure there are many highly qualified officers looking to fill this position the second it becomes free.”
“There is no need for threats, Mr. Shaw,” Loch said quietly. He tried to sound menacing, but only managed to sound like a whisper had gone wrong. “I am sure we can come to some sort of arrangement.”
“I am sure we can,” Sno said. “Now, is our new stateroom ready?”
Loch glanced behind him and an ensign nodded. “Your assigned porter, whoever that may be, will show you to your new stateroom.”
“You don’t know which porter has been assigned to us?” Sno asked, unable to decide if he should be shocked or amused.
“There are capable crew members in charge of those assignments, Mr. Shaw,” Loch replied, offended. “And since every one of our porters is more than qualified, I do not worry who is assigned since I know you will receive the best service no matter what.”
“We certainly have so far,” Pol said. “Great chap.”
“Thank you for the meeting, Captain,” Sno said.
“Such a pleasure, Captain Loch,” Veben said, offering her hand. Loch took it and kissed the back, giving Veben a half-hearted smile. “Will we be dining with you tomorrow evening?”
“This evening,” Loch said.
“This evening?” Sno asked.
“Yes,” Loch said. “I believe you will be. It will help smooth over any rumors that may be moving through my ship. Rumors are worse than fire, in my opinion.”
“That says much about your opinion,” Sno said. “Until tonight, Captain.”
“Is that all?” Pol asked. “Aren’t we going to discus—?”
“Perhaps over dinner,” Veben said, cutting him off as she took Pol by the arm and swung him around to face the bridge’s doors. “For now, we rest after our ordeal.”
The bridge doors slid apart and Sno led them down the short corridor to the lift. The lift doors opened and Sno, Veben, and Pol stepped on, their backs to the captain until the doors closed. Then Sno turned around and nearly punched the control console.
“He’s useless,” Veben said before Sno could.
“The Head of Security is who really runs this ship,” Sno said. “I need to speak with that man or woman.”
“Unless that man or woman is a part of the danger,” Pol said.
“Especially if the man or woman is a part of the danger,” Sno said. “I speak with him or her and I’ll know.”
The lift descended for a couple of decks then stopped smoothly. The doors opened and Osol was waiting there for them in the small roller. He was smiling from ear to ear. The smile faded as Sno, Veben, and Pol climbed aboard the roller.
“The captain was not helpful,” Osol said. “I am sorry.”
“Head of Security,” Sno stated. “I need a meeting.”
Osol concentrated on navigating the roller down the ornate corridor, avoiding even the hint of encroachment upon guests strolling on their own two, sometimes four, feet. Sno let the man have his silent moment.
“I may be able to assist you, Mr. Shaw,” Osol said as he turned a corner and stopped the roller to allow a throng of already thoroughly intoxicated guests move from one lounge to another lounge across the corridor. “But I will need something in return.”
“Which is?” Sno asked.
“Your real names,” Osol said with a tone like he’d just asked for a first-born child to be bled out and served as the holiday roast. “I apologize, sir. But the Head of Security will not even entertain the idea of meeting with you unless he or she knows your actual identities.”
“The Head of Security already knows our identities,” Sno said. “If not, then he or she is crap at his or her job.”
“I believe the revelation would be for confirmation, sir,” Osol said. “That way, any confusion can be avoided up front.”
“Let me think on that, Osol,” Sno said. “You are asking a lot.”
“Especially for a porter,” Veben said. “No offense, Osol, but we have had a trying day so far and trust is hard to come by.”
“I like the kid,” Pol said. “He’s certainly been helpful. Don’t see why we can’t trust him.”
“Which is why you are in this roller with me,” Sno said. “So I can decide who we can and cannot trust.”
Sno rubbed at his cheeks then placed a hand on Osol’s shoulder.
“How soon can you arrange a meeting?” he asked the porter.
“Almost immediately, sir,” Osol replied. “The Head of Security and I share a special relationship.”
“Is that so?” Veben asked, leaning forward. “Do tell, love. I adore hearing about on-ship romances.”
“No, not that kind of relationship,” Osol said.
“Oh. How disappointing,” Veben said and sat back, occupying her attention with a small chip in her right index fingernail.
“Let me get cleaned up first,” Sno said. “Then we can discuss any ground-shaking revelations.”
“Thank you, sir,” Osol said. “The Head of Security will appreciate your trust and I promise her or she will do anything and everything to maintain your safety for the rest of your journey.”
Sno nodded then focused on studying the layout of the ship as the roller took turn after turn. Three lift rides and two kilometers worth of travel later, Osol brought them to a set of massive stateroom doors.
“This is the best we have to offer,” Osol said. “I do hope it will suit y
our needs.”
Osol led them into the vast foyer then on to the huge sitting room beyond. Luxurious was an understatement.
“I could go blind from all the shiny,” Pol said, actually shielding his eyes as he followed Sno and Veben into the stateroom.
“Oh, this will do nicely,” Veben said. “How many bedrooms?”
“Eight, ma’am,” Osol said. “Choose any of them for yourself and the bots will bring you your personal affects.”
“Which one has the best steam shower?” Sno asked.
“All rooms have top of the line steam—”
“The best one, Osol,” Sno said.
“Third room on the left, sir,” Osol replied. “The middle jet has perfect pressure.”
“Thank you, Osol,” Sno said. “One more favor, Osol—”
“There are six trusted security guards posted outside your stateroom doors,” Osol said. He waved a hand over his wrist and a holo of the outside corridor came up, showing six very large guards of various races setting up a security station halfway between the lift and the stateroom doors. “I know them all and you can trust them to keep you safe for the remainder of your journey.”
“Again, thank you, Osol,” Sno said. “I’ll have your answer when I’m finished with a steam and feel like a person again.”
Osol bowed then looked to Veben and Pol.
“Will you need additional assistance?”
“No, Osol, thank you,” Veben said. “We will call you when needed.”
“Until then,” Osol said and left.
Veben turned to Sno.
“Are you sure we can be left out of your sight while you steam?” she said with a sly grin. “Seems like an awful risk until we have the assurance that the Head of Security is taking our problem seriously.”
“He is, V,” Sno said. “And I believe that while we are in our stateroom, we are perfectly safe. Once we leave these doors, Pol is to remain by my side at all times.”
“That doesn’t sound like much fun,” Pol said from inside the room he chose. He came walking out in a plush robe. “By your side at all times? What if we disagree on entertainment choices?”
Sno looked the old man up and down, blinked a few times, then shook his head as he turned and walked into his room.
