The Beast of Tsunam (Rev Smalley: Galactic P.I. Book 1)

by Combs, Scott A.

  Chapter 14

  REV WENT TO MAGNUS’ OFFICE but found he’d already left for the funeral, so he hastily jotted down a note and left it sitting on the chair, pinned with an unfolded paperclip.

  “What’s all this about?” asked Flint. “Explain why we aren’t going to the funeral.”

  “Because we have business on Tsunam,” said Rev with a twinkle in his hazel eyes. Even his crewcut, bright blonde hair seem to glow with energy. “Pack your bags and let’s get the lead out.”

  The little automaton looked puzzled. “I don’t have any bags and I certainly don’t contain any lead.” Flint spun around and followed Rev out into the hallway. “What about Magnus?” he protested. “Weren’t you going to⁠—⁠how do you say it⁠—⁠beat the crap out of him?”

  “We don’t have time for that right now,” said Rev, disregarding Flint’s confusion. He moved quickly through the hall, darting around EIA staff in his way. Flint tried to keep up by whizzing overhead, dodging those agents caught in their wake. Rev pulled up as he reached the door to the EIA munitions depot. A sign on the door announced the dangers of mishandling the inner contents of the room, along with who was allowed to enter. Rev pressed the access panel and waited for a reply.

  “Why are we here?” asked Flint.

  “I need a bigger gun and possibly some grenades.”

  “Grenades? As in explosives?”

  “Yep. How else do you think we’re going to get into that restricted level?”

  “Grenades would do I suppose,” said Flint puzzled. “But won’t someone get hurt?”

  “We’ll be real careful,” said Rev. “Ain’t nothing like a big boom to grab someone’s attention while we slip in quietly.”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” said Flint. “The explosion will draw more attention.”

  “Let me do the planning.” Rev gave him a wink.

  Flint didn’t think this was a very good idea, but he didn’t have a plan and Rev did. He envisioned being reformatted for sure if they were caught. The only consolation was, if he did get reformatted, he wouldn’t remember the experience. He felt a shiver run through his circuits.

  Rev waited as long as he was willing to and gave the munitions door a resounding thump. Before Rev could knock again a surprised clerk stood in the open doorframe. “Hey, Jimmy,” greeted Rev.

  “Right back at you Rev,” said the red-headed kid. Of course he wasn’t a kid, but he didn’t show his true age due to adorable green eyes and freckles. He was actually in his early thirties, single and mostly misunderstood by the opposite sex. But he was probably one of the most knowledgeable men on weaponry that Rev ever knew.

  “Need a little fire power,” said Rev.

  “How big?” asked Jimmy.

  “Something to take down an elephant sized, killer monster.”

  “Jeez, Rev. In one shot?”

  “That’s the idea.”

  Jimmy rubbed his chin in thought. “Then you’ll want the P2200 Maximizer,” he said, slapping the weapon under the Plexiglas reinforced wire mesh screen.

  Rev snatched the weapon from the tray and sized up its capacity. “Give me five extra clips please.”

  Jimmy handed him six. “They’re small. Just stuff them in a pocket somewhere. Anything else?”

  “Zingers?”

  “Sure, no problem. How many?” asked Jimmy.

  “As many as you can spare without telling Magnus.”

  “I can’t not tell Magnus, but I can forget for a while.”

  “There you go,” said Rev, stuffing the little grenades into all of the pockets he had. “You’re a real pal Jimmy. I owe you one.”

  Jimmy nodded and his eyes watered. “I wish I could help bring Cassie back.”

  Rev felt his pain. “You might just have done that.”

  Jimmy looked confused. “Don’t ask,” said Rev. “I have a hunch.”

  Jimmy knew Rev’s hunches were usually pretty good, so he smiled. He hated to let it show but he always had a soft spot for Cassie. He knew she was Rev’s girl, not that he would ever make a move on her, but he fantasized he did. Now he felt guilty just thinking about her.

  “She loves you too,” said Rev. Jimmy was taken aback. “I mean she knows how you feel about her,” said Rev quickly before his friend could start to panic.

  “She does?” said Jimmy. “I mean, she did?”

  “Of course she does. You were sweet on her and girls always know these things better than us guys.”

  “I didn’t mean to hone in on your action, Rev,” he said.

  “I know Jimmy. Cassie’s a looker and guys fall for her type everyday. It’s what we do.”

  “You think I’ll find another girl as good as Cassie someday?” asked Jimmy.

  “No doubt in my mind it’s going to happen. Someday that woman’s going to walk into this building and sweep you off your feet. Not a living soul in this galaxy’s going to stop it.”

  “Thanks Rev.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  “Can you tell me what you’re thinking?” asked Jimmy.

  “Flint and I have pressing business back on Tsunam. With all the goodies you’ve given us, I’d expect you’re going to be getting a bulletin about two crazy assholes on some vendetta.”

  “Won’t be the first time I get one of those across my desk about you.”

  “I’m kind of predictable like that. How long do I have before you report the inventory depletion to Magnus?”

  Jimmy made up his mind that he would go the extra mile for Rev. “What inventory? My records are up to date and accounted for. And if they’re not, then they can go ahead and can my butt.”

  Rev gave him the look. “You sure?”

  Jimmy nodded.

  “I appreciate all you’ve done,” said Rev. Flint and Rev turned to leave.

  Jimmy stopped Rev before he got to the door. “Hey Rev?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You fuck up the bastards who hurt Cassie for me,” said straight-laced Jimmy.

  * * *

  “IS THIS GOING TO WORK?” asked Rev of Flint.

  Flint shrugged. “It all depends on if our arrival on Tsunam can be masked to appear as a general travel request⁠—⁠even one with an Earth man without authorization.”

  Reese shuttled the pair in her transport. They’d looked up Reese when they arrived at the Stroustop Port. She was just as stunning as Rev remembered her to be, maybe even more. Her smile was genuine and she was actually happy to see him again.

  “Can you do that? I mean lie?”

  “I can if Rev orders me too.” He looked pointedly at his partner.

  “Lie on, McDuff,” Rev said with a laugh.

  “Then yes, I can do it.”

  Reese chuckled at the two. “I do believe Rev could corrupt even a saint. Never have I seen an automaton capable of bending the truth, even when ordered to do so.”

  Flint puffed up in protest. “I’m not an ordinary automaton.”

  “Apparently not,” she said. “A few days around this charming man and thousands of years of perfected technology can be flushed down the toilet.”

  “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not,” said Rev.

  “I can relate,” she said. “Fast driving aside, you walk into my life, and suddenly, I’m ready to jeopardize my career in the hopes of just being around you for a few more moments. Tell me why that’s so?”

  Rev shrugged. “My smile?”

  Reese made a negative buzzer sound.

  “My manly arm muscles?” Rev flexed an arm.

  Reese tilted her head eyeing Rev biceps. “Hmm⁠—⁠closer, but it’s more likely the whole package, especially that cute butt of yours.”

  “Now, I’m blushing,” said Rev.

  “Can I be totally honest?” asked Reese.

  “No problem.”

  “I haven’t quite figured it out,” she said. “You seem to exude a pheromone that drives me wild. Have other women noticed your charisma or whatever it is?�
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  “Some do, some don’t,” answered Rev. “I have to be attracted to them first, but it never lasted beyond a few dates.”

  “Then what?”

  Rev looked embarrassed. “I guess they get tired of me.”

  Reese nodded in thought. The transport came to a stop nearly at the same place Rev was carted to the last time. “This is your stop,” she said.

  “I guess this is goodbye again,” said Rev.

  Reese waited for him to give her a kiss, but he hesitated. The parting became awkward and he broke off his attempt to plant the kiss and got out of the cart.

  Flint waved goodbye. “Thank you.”

  Reese’s voice was sweet. “You’re welcome Flint and you too, Rev. When you get back to Earth don’t hesitate to look me up and we’ll get a cup of coffee. I’d love to continue our talk.”

  Rev waved and turned to walk up the ramp to the hallway that led to the transport rooms. “She seems very nice,” said Flint. “And pretty. Why didn’t you kiss her? She obviously expected one.”

  “It didn’t feel right,” said Rev. “I’m still involved with Cassie.”

  “No, you’re not,” interjected Flint. “She’s gone.”

  Rev’s eyes flashed with anger. “She’s just a little too much on my mind right now to think about another relationship.”

  “Oh, you’re grieving.”

  “Not exactly. Something inside tells me she’s out there somewhere.”

  “I’ve heard of this phenomenon,” said Flint. “You humans believe in an afterlife with the great Maker. I find your religions fascinating and complex. So many truths wrapped up inside of vague metaphors.”

  “That’s us⁠—⁠complex and vague,” said Rev. “I wonder if I have a soul sometimes, being man-made instead of traditional.”

  “I’ve thought the same thing,” said Flint. “Do automatons continue after deactivation or is there just nothingness?”

  “We’re more alike than I thought,” said Rev, opening the door to the transport and signing the log sheet.

  A technician escorted Rev to the command controls and flipped on a screen that brought up communications with the Tsunam receiving station. “Your automaton needs to request the jump,” he said flatly.

  Flint touched the screen and his finger glowed for a second until an authorization code acknowledged him. The technician was satisfied and loaded the two into a tube.

  “You remember the plan?” asked Flint. Rev nodded and stuffed Flint under his arm. A few seconds later they folded up and arrived at Tsunam.

  The Tsunamian technician opened the tube and Rev stumbled out with Flint dangling under his arm. The little automaton looked sickly making his translucent arms flop about as Rev staggered to the door.

  “You need to give your authorization code before you leave,” said the Tsunamian. “It says your automaton needs repairs.”

  “Yep,” he said. “Darn thing’s broken.”

  The technician looked closely at the little machine, lifted one of the dangling arms and let it fall. “Never heard of this model. Maybe it’s a new design and flawed.”

  “Wouldn’t you know I’d get a lemon,” said Rev. “They just don’t make ’em like they used too.”

  The technician nodded. “Maybe I should take him to the repair center for you, so you can recover from your trip?”

  “Thanks, but I feel responsible for him. If you can see me on my way, I’ll take him there right now.”

  Rev made an effort to suppress an urge to upchuck and burped instead. The technician handed him a clipboard with an outline of a hand that glowed. Rev laid his hand on the screen of the clipboard and it beeped. A green light flashed on the viewer and the technician escorted Rev to the transmat elevator. He then turned back to his duties without any more ado.

  Flint waited for the door to close before he miraculously recovered. “That went well, don’t you think?”

  Rev released the automaton. Flint fell, bouncing on the floor like a basketball. Flint’s hover motor puttered to life and he floated up next to Rev who held a hand over his mouth and burped again.

  “Yeah, great. Now if you can get my stomach to quit complaining, we’ll get down to business.”

  “Then we go to Braz’s apartment,” said Flint, punching the coordinates into the console. Rev braced himself for the ride.

  * * *

  “WE SHOULD HAVE CHECKED Braz and Cassie’s rooms long before now,” said Rev as Flint opened the door.

  Cassie’s apartment was joined to Braz’s by an inner door and it was open when Rev and Flint entered. Both apartments looked identical to Rev’s with a small living room, kitchenette and the single enclosed bedroom. Modestly decorated and functional, thought Rev as he walked the rooms. Evidence that Willa had camped out on Braz’s side was all over the place. Her clothes and soiled tableware, along with several cups of half-drunk juices were strategically placed on tabletops. Rev found her last meal precariously poised on the windowsill.

  “Willa’s kind of messy,” said the P.I.

  “Many Tsunamians have an automaton to do their labor. Some like to do their own cleaning, saying it’s not healthy to have slaves, but it appears she wasn’t one of those types.”

  “I can see how automatons can become slaves if they all can make coffee like you do,” said Rev. “I, for one, probably need a little taking care of on the domestic side too.”

  “It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” said Flint. “I was built to handle many various tasks. Besides, it is my pleasure to make you coffee. I just don’t want it to be my only task. My primary programming is in the field of criminal science, which is why I was assigned to you. But you’ve taught me more in our short time together than all of the database inputs loaded into my storage.”

  “Well, thank you Flint. That’s a real compliment coming from you,” said Rev, poking around looking for more clues to Braz’s whereabouts.

  “What do you think we’re looking for?”

  “How Cassie and Braz gained access to the twentieth sub-level,” replied Rev.

  “Like notes or a map?” said Flint, holding up a sheet of paper with a crude floor plan.

  “Just like that,” said Rev, snatching the paper from the translucent appendage. “Where’d you find it?”

  “Under the dirty dishes on the counter.”

  “Cassie and Braz must have sketched the layout, making their plans at the counter. Willa unwittingly covered it up after a meal. I guess in this case, it’s good to be messy. It hides secret plans better than being clever.”

  “It says here that they found a maintenance entrance off of the secured hallway. So, they must’ve stolen or copied a janitor’s passkey. I hope Braz left an extra pass somewhere,” he said, looking around.

  “Wouldn’t he have a contingency plan, like the one he made for Willa, if he thought he might fail?” asked Flint.

  “Braz is strictly by the book on such things,” said Rev, stroking his chin, deep in thought. “You go search the bathroom. Especially the toilet.”

  Flint made a face of disgust.

  “Don’t look like that. That’s exactly why it’s a great hiding place. I’ll look in the kitchen.”

  “The slave always gets the dirty jobs,” mumbled Flint as he flew off to the bathroom. Rev then heard the toilet lid rattle. Rev smiled and listened to Flint grumbling. In the meantime, Rev knew Braz’s real secret places and jumped up on the counter of the kitchenette. Lifting the ceiling lighting panel, Rev peered into the hole using his keen eyesight. He had noticed a scuff mark earlier on the edge of the counter and deduced that Braz had put something of value above. He ran his hand along the lip of the diffuser screen and felt a small card wedged in the track. He jumped down and blew the dust off of the passkey and flipped it into the air like a coin.

  “You can stop looking. I found it,” called Rev.

  Flint came out of the bathroom with both arms dripping wet. He shook them dry and flew over and looked at the passkey. “You knew
where the key was all the time?” asked Flint irritated.

  “I guessed.”

  “Then why did you send me to do such a nasty job?”

  “To see if you would.”

  “So, it was a test?”

  “More of a lesson.”

  “What could I possibly learn by immersing myself in toilet water?”

  “The lesson is to not let anyone push you around. Use your instincts as you investigate. Your senses are your best tools,” said Rev.

  “I’ll remember that,” said Flint.

  “Now, we have the whole works,” said Rev. “The map and the passkey. The only thing we don’t have is where to go once we gain access.”

  Rev passed through the adjoining doorway into Cassie’s apartment. It was like walking into another biosphere; Cassie’s rooms were neat and orderly. The bedspread was tucked symmetrically, the clothes in the closet were arranged by color and style. Her personal items were stacked in a logical pattern on the vanity.

  Flint followed Rev around casually and opened various drawers and perused the closet. He came out with a couple of photographs in his malleable hand.

  “Is this you?” asked Flint, handing Rev the pictures.

  The first one was very old with Rev standing among three men. They were in full combat attire. Their bare arms were strong and full of muscles. Each was laughing at Rev in the middle who was wearing a priest’s collar. It was an odd mix of war and peace.

  “Yep,” he said, pointing to the man in the middle. “That’s me.”

  “Why are they laughing at you?”

  “I just got ordained as a minister. They thought it was hilarious that I could be the toughest sonuvabitch marine and also a man of the cloth.”

  “So . . . Rev is short for reverend!”

  “The nickname kind of stuck. So now I’m just Rev.”

  “Then you’re a holy man?”

  “Hardly. That was long ago, before the Earth Alliance, when I felt I could save the world along with a few souls.”

  “That’s very worthy,” said Flint.

  “Not really. I’m more of a hypocrite than a virtuous saint, if you haven’t noticed.”

  “Why do you say that?”