Alliances

by S. Usher Evans

  She opened the planet database and searched for the purchase history of S-6642 again.

  "Look, see," Lyssa said, pointing to the timestamp. "I bet we can find it."

  She left that window open and searched for Dorst's account in the Universal Bank. Lizbeth said nothing as Lyssa flitted backwards in the transaction history, until she reached the time frame when the transaction would have occurred.

  "Where is it?" Lyssa gasped, standing up. She compared the time on the planet sales receipt and the time stamp on Dorst's transactions. The Wedekind planet purchase should have been right between the cup of coffee and dinner at the Academy cafeteria.

  "So, about that removing transactions theory…" Lizbeth sounded as if she already thought it a foregone conclusion.

  "That's…that means that whatever is going on, someone very high up must be involved," Lyssa said, remembering what the bank manager said about her inheritance. "There's no way Wedekind could have removed their own transactions without help."

  "I think we've already come to that conclusion," Lizbeth nodded, looking as nervous as before. "But we need to find out where the money from Wedekind is coming from, or what the name of the company really is. We need to find that missing transaction."

  "Leveman's Vortex," Lyssa sighed, sinking into her chair. "Short of marching into General State's office, I don't know how we can get it. When I asked about my missing inheritance, the manager said that I needed approval from the officer leading the investigation. And then it would be another ten to twelve weeks before they could retrieve it from the archive."

  "So a manager can expunge the data," Lizbeth said thoughtfully. "Or at least, we know of one manager who has that ability."

  "What are you thinking?"

  "I think we need to head back to S-864," Lizbeth said. "Only this time, let's take your ship instead of hiding on a transporter."

  ***

  "Dr. Peate!" The bank manager looked awfully nervous to see Lyssa in his doorway.

  "Hello again," Lyssa smiled, helping herself to a seat in the man's office, Lizbeth following on her heels and taking the other seat. Lizbeth made a point to close the door, which seemed to make the manager even more nervous.

  "Who's this?" the man asked, nervously.

  "L—"

  "Our family accountant," Lyssa smiled. Lizbeth muttered something about being able to make up her own alias, but Lyssa stared firmly ahead at the nervous man in front of them.

  "O-oh?" the manager stammered. "Well, what can I do for you?"

  "I'm actually here on behalf of my brother," Lyssa said.

  "Captain Peate?"

  "No, one of the other ones," Lyssa said. "Dr. Dorst Peate. He's a fellow DSE with me at the Academy and he's asked me to help him prepare for an Academy audit."

  "I'm sorry, a what?"

  "Every five years, the Academy selects a subset of scientists and asks them to provide a full audit listing of their planet excavation history," Lyssa said, lying through her teeth. There was no way the Academy could manage something like that. But this bank manager didn't know that. "It's incredibly arduous and difficult, lots of paperwork, very expensive…"

  "I bet," the manager said, obviously waiting to see how this would impact him.

  "It also includes a full listing of receipts for planet sales," Lyssa said. "And, it would seem as though the Universal Bank has failed again to live up to its sterling reputation."

  "O-oh?" he stammered, and Lyssa saw the sweat appear on his forehead.

  "Yes, a planet sold by Dr. Peate to a company called Wedekind Planetary Services seems to have just…disappeared from the Universal Bank records, even though there's clearly a record of the sale in the Planetary and System Science Academy."

  "Oh, well of course we would be happy to look into it," he said, but Lyssa could see something behind his eyes. "As I mentioned before, it will take some time to retrieve the file in question from our Universal Bank archive, and we will need to ensure that the transactions were not removed for an investigation."

  "Yes, of course," Lyssa said, leaning forward. "You know, I'm curious about this archive. Can you tell me more about it?"

  "I'm sorry, Dr. Peate," the manager tutted. "Unfortunately, the location of our archive is secret. We would not want to compromise the integrity of our accounts."

  "I think it's a little late for that," Lizbeth interrupted, pulling out her badge and placing it on the table. "Sorry, girl. Got tired of him stalling."

  "And who are you?" the manager said.

  "Agent Lizbeth Carter with the Universal Beings Union Intelligence Agency, Major Crimes Directorate, Insurance Fraud Division, Piracy Branch," Lizbeth said without missing a beat.

  "You need a shorter name," Lyssa muttered.

  "And what does the Intelligence Agency have to do with Dr. Peate's accounts?" the manager said, sitting back and no longer looking as nervous as he did before.

  "It fits a pattern of systematic removal of transactions in the Universal Bank," Lizbeth replied. "Many of which happen to be in accounts owned by known pirates."

  "My dear Agent Carter, pirates have ways of getting around our system," the manager said. "Multiple aliases, that sort of thing."

  "What about whole companies?" Lizbeth pressed, looking as on top of her game as Lyssa had ever seen her. "Wedekind Planetary Services, to be exact. Appears as though there aren't any transactions at all. But as my associate said here, there's obviously a record of the company in her databases."

  "Then the company simply does not exist," the manager said.

  "Why would a company exist in the Planetary and System Science Academy and not in the Universal Bank?" Lizbeth smiled, clearly enjoying this back and forth.

  "Because the Academy obviously keeps shoddy records," the manager said, his voice raising a bit.

  "That or you're removing transactions," Lizbeth said.

  "I do not have the authority to remove records," he sniffed, but his voice was unsure.

  "You removed mine," Lyssa reminded him.

  He gritted his teeth. "When the Universal Bank is told to isolate accounts by the Universal Police, we must comply—"

  "Who within the Universal Police has the authority to make that call?" Lizbeth asked.

  "Captain Peate," he replied haughtily.

  "Seems odd for such a lowly captain to have such power over the stability of the Universal Government," Lizbeth said with a knowing smirk. She reminded Lyssa of a cat about to pounce. "In fact, I looked it up. Only a high ranking official in the Universal Government can make that call, not Captain Peate."

  "I don't know what you are insinuating!" the manager exclaimed.

  "I'm insinuating that you're lying," Lizbeth said simply. "Covering up for Captain Peate, or even his boss General State. And believe me," she leaned in closer, and Lyssa was impressed by her threatening face, "if I find out that you're doing either, you will fry."

  "I will submit your paperwork to locate this missing transaction," he huffed, angrily typing on his keyboard. "And then I want you two out of my office. And if you don't leave, I will call security!"

  True to his word, once the manager returned with a printed sheet of paper, he was accompanied by two security guards who escorted Lyssa and Lizbeth promptly off the bank premises.

  They sat down at one of the tables in the presidential square, surrounded by the tall stone walls of the castle. They sat in silence and watched the glass and stone bank across the street, as if it would give up its secrets to them if they sat here long enough. The square was a bit busier than the last time Lyssa had been here, as the excitement of the upcoming election permeated the seat of the Universal Government.

  Lyssa picked up a leaflet for General State's campaign that had been left on their table. General State stared back at her, nary a smile on his face nor any warmth in his eyes.

  "How in Leveman's Vortex is this guy ahead in the polls?" she asked, showing Lizbeth the picture.

  "People think Llendo is a moron,
" Lizbeth shrugged. "I'm inclined to believe them, to be honest. If I didn't suspect State was involved in some massive gun-running conspiracy, I'd vote for him."

  Lyssa nodded, her eyes drawn to a security guard walking the length of the wall surrounding the square. He was joined by three more, who nodded and continued walking. They looked formidable, even from down here.

  "Extra security for the election and inauguration," Lizbeth said, following her gaze.

  "I think they should be paying attention to the warehouse five blocks from here," Lyssa snorted.

  "It's funny, I remember coming to the presidential palace every year on field trips when I was a kid," Lizbeth said, taking in the giant stone castle on the other side of them. "See that clock tower up there?" She pointed to the now familiar stone clock tower with the sixty-twelve time system. "Shirou Mantovani bet me a hundred credits that I couldn't run all the way up to the top and back down in ten minutes. It's all ramps, you know," Lizbeth motioned to it. "Nearly twenty of them to get to the top. Needless to say, I lost that bet."

  "You'd think they'd put in an elevator or something…"

  "Nah, the building is too old, and the political firestorm that would come from any modification to the building would be crazy. The castle is one of the last remaining structures on this planet from the original inhabitants, and the tower used to be a place where they would call to prayers, if I remember correctly."

  Lyssa made a face, thinking about the Temple at the Manor.

  "I mean, it's a pretty cool place," Lizbeth said. "The palace has all these underground jails from way back in the day. Vitor Coiro tried to lock me in one year because I wouldn't go on a date with him." She pointed to the upper floors. "Second and third floors are all presidential staff. The rest is a museum, I think. We should go sometime."

  "Sure, because that's about as likely to happen as our getting a copy of my brother's missing transaction records," Lyssa sighed, pulling out the print-out they received from the bank manager.

  "Yeah, I'm s—hang on a second," Lizbeth said, pulling the paper over to her. "How many planets have that many numbers, Dr. Peate?"

  Lyssa pulled the paper back to her and noticed the scribbled numbers at the top of the page.

  "B-583-78-2-7-52-9-1," Lyssa said, reading the top line. "What the…"

  "B-583, that must be the planet," Lizbeth said. "Seventy eight, two…do you think these are coordinates?"

  "He wouldn't—"

  "Maybe he thought if he helped us, I'd grant him immunity," Lizbeth said, looking back at the bank. She looked as if she were considering it.

  "Or maybe he realized that he could give us the coordinates, and there's no way in Leveman's Great Vortex that we could ever get the file."

  "Why?" Lizbeth said, snapping back to her.

  "This is the Universal Bank Archives we are talking about," Lyssa exclaimed. "The backbone of our entire system of government."

  "Yes and?"

  "And if you think security was tight in that building,"—Lyssa pointed across the street—"you have no idea how secure the archives must be. You probably can't get into the star system without them knowing." She wished she could wipe the determined smile off of Lizbeth's face. It was odd being on this side of a stubborn person. "Besides that, we already know what it's going to say anyways. We know that Wedekind bought the planet."

  "That's not the point," Lizbeth said. "I need proof, definitive proof from an official source that they are involved. If I can show my bosses that Wedekind bought this planet, and that someone's trying to hide Wedekind's activities, I'll have enough to get a warrant and really go after these guys!"

  "There's just one problem with that," Lyssa said, giving her a knowing look. "This plan hinges on whether or not we can actually get that proof."

  "So?" Lizbeth's smile grew wider. "That's why I have a pirate."

  "Yeah, and in case you didn't notice, breaking into things is not exactly my area of expertise," Lyssa said. "I'm the money-tracking girl, not the security-disabling girl."

  "Well, do you know anyone as good at breaking into places as you are at bounty hunting?"

  "I…no."

  "You were about to say something," Lizbeth said, picking up on her hesitation.

  "No, I wasn't."

  "Yes, you were."

  Lyssa tried to growl, but it came out more like a whine. "I'm not asking for his help!"

  "Then you get to break into the archives," Lizbeth said, using a tone of voice that meant arguing was useless. "Or, you get to go ask him for help."

  The pit of her stomach dropped as the full realization washed over her.

  "This is going to be painful."

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  "What do I call you two, Razbeth? Lizzia?" Sage chuckled. "You're quite a duo."

  It wasn't hard to find Sage. A quick call to Harms to get his latest "secret" alias, and Razia found him lounging at a cigar bar on D-882. The smoke was thick in the air, but Sage didn't seem bothered by it as much as Lyssa was. Or maybe she was just sick with what she was here to ask him.

  She checked off all of his crew in the bar: Ganon, the pilot; Sobal, the young computer hacker; Keal, his ship's mechanic. His three thick body-men were even playing cards in the corner, turning to full attention when Razia and Lyssa walked in the front door, ready for whatever fireworks were about to blow up.

  "So, I know you didn't come all the way out here to have a smoke with me," Sage grinned, taking a long puff of the cigar. "By the way, in case you were wondering what I did to deserve this—"

  "We need your help," Lizbeth said, cutting him off immediately.

  Sage glanced between the two of them, a devilish grin growing on his face. "We need your help," he said, tossing a look to Ganon, who began snickering. "We need your help. We need your help. We need your help. We need your help."

  Razia rolled her eyes, knowing exactly where he was going.

  "We need your help," he said, turning his eyes to Razia. "You need my help."

  "Yes, I think you've pretty much covered it," Lizbeth said dryly.

  "I thought," Sage drawled slowly as if savoring this moment, "you didn't need my help...Razia?"

  Lizbeth shot her a look, but Razia's face didn’t move.

  "You yelled at me, too. Didn't she, Ganon?" Sage chuckled.

  Beside him, Ganon emphatically nodded. "I remember, multiple occasions."

  "And now you stand here—"

  "I swear to God in Leveman's Vortex, Sage," Razia grumbled. "Just let it go."

  "Not until you say it."

  Razia pressed her lips into a thin line and clenched her jaw.

  "Say it."

  "Come on," Lizbeth muttered quietly. "Just say it already so we can get a move on."

  "No," Razia growled.

  "Do it," Lizbeth said, giving her a look that could kill.

  "Whew, I like your friend," Ganon said with a wink at her.

  "Go on," Lizbeth said, ignoring him.

  "I..." Razia swallowed, feeling rather green, "ineedyourhelp."

  "What was that now, darling?" Sage cooed, lifting a hand to his ear.

  "I said," she felt as if the very words inflicted pain, "I need your help, Sage."

  "Excellent!" Sage clapped his hands together and leaned forward. "So, dearest Razia"—his eyes glittered as her alias rolled off his tongue—"what can I help you with?"

  "We need to break into the Universal Bank Archives," Lizbeth said.

  Silence filled the room—even those not involved in the conversation stopped to look at the two young women. Razia tossed a mind-your-own-business look to two older men in the corner.

  "Whoa, whoa, whoa," Sage said, his cocky demeanor slipping. "You can't do that."

  "Why not?" Lizbeth asked.

  Sage laughed, tossing a look to Ganon. "It's illegal."

  "Yeah, and you're a pirate," Lizbeth replied.

  "No, I mean, that's way outside the limits of piracy protection," Sage said, leaning forward. "You c
an't tamper with bank records."

  "They've already been tampered with," Razia snapped. "Which is why we have to break into the archive to go find the original records. The ones online are wrong!"

  "What?" Sage blinked, before shaking his head. "No, that's impossible, no one can—"

  "Somebody did," Lizbeth replied. "So we need to get on the planet to see what the original transaction records say."

  Sage paused, looking between the two of them before settling on Razia. "You know you would be out of the web if Dissident found out."

  “He won't find out, unless you or your crew open your big fat mouths," Razia said warningly. "This…well, I'm not helping Lizbeth because it has anything to do with piracy."

  "So you're willing to risk your tenuous membership of the pirate web to help someone else?" Sage asked, genuinely shocked.

  "Well, when you put it like that…" Razia said, throwing Lizbeth a look.

  "You know I'm worth it," Lizbeth said.

  "All right then," Sage said suddenly, "we'll help you."

  "What?" Lizbeth blinked. "Why the sudden change?"

  "Because this one"—he jutted his thumb out at Razia—"only thinks about bounty hunting. So if you've got her thinking about something else, it must be important. And it's good for her to consider someone else's needs above her own, for once."

  "Oh, get sucked."

  ***

  Sage was able to procure the plans to the Universal Bank archive on B-583 relatively quickly. Or rather Sobal, the young computer whiz who sweated nervously around her. In almost no time, Sage and Ganon were pouring over the printouts, arguing over the best way in. Lizbeth had been right that the bank manager provided coordinates to the planet; the file in question was located on the seventh floor of building two in section seventy-eight. But that was never the difficult part.

  Razia sat in the corner, and for once, had no idea what the best course of action was. Sage, however, was in his element. All of his cocky swagger had disappeared, and in its place was a calm focus. His eyes were glued to the plans in front of him, his brow furrowed in concentration.