Alliances

by S. Usher Evans

"Do I think that the five billion credits transferred by Jukin three years ago to the Congressional Minister was used to set up a planetary services company? Do I think it's no longer a coincidence that Wedekind was established three years ago and that's when all of this shady business started?" Lyssa said. She typed into her mini-computer, searching for definitive proof. It took her a few minutes, but she found the account in question, for once, not tampered with:

  "Wow," Lizbeth said, sitting back. "So your inheritance was transferred to Minister McDougall, who then used it to set up Wedekind. Leveman's, this just gets more twisted the more we dig."

  "You were right. Five billion was an awful lot of money to pay for someone's life, even if it was Tauron's. I think it was a down payment for something bigger. Something that would allow Jukin to finally arrest every single pirate out there without anyone getting in his way."

  "But it would have to be big." Lizbeth said. "Just because the pirates were seen near S-6642, and just because a pirate was hijacking cargo…well, that's not enough to get Llendo or even the Congressional Minister to let Jukin just go round up all the pirates."

  "Jukin's got something up his sleeve," Lyssa said, pacing nervously. She remembered the glint in his eye when she saw him on the transit station and, now it scared her more than before.

  "Then what do we do?" Lizbeth said quietly.

  "We put a stop to it," Lyssa snarled. "I am not letting him get away with destroying another life—or lives—because he's got some warped sense of justice."

  "How are we going to stop it if we don't know what it is?"

  Lyssa snatched up her mini-computer and typed angrily into the keyboard.

  "Who are you looking up now?" Lizbeth asked.

  "Besides Jukin, there's one other person who seemed to know a lot more than he should about this," Lyssa said, tossing Lizbeth a confident smile. "And he just bought a coffee on G-279."

  ***

  "There's security guards crawling all over this place," Lizbeth whispered as they crouched in an alleyway near the warehouse they had escaped from only a few weeks before. Razia hadn't had a chance to really survey the place when they were running for their lives, but now saw it was an older warehouse, the paint of multiple owners peeling off the side.

  "Two out front," Razia said, spying the guards, "and a security camera. No wonder they let us go so easy. Probably just followed us home."

  "We need Sage here," Lizbeth said.

  Razia glared at her with pursed lips. "Now why in Leveman's Vortex would you say that?"

  "Because you said you're the money girl, not the breaking-into-places girl," Lizbeth pointed out. "And we could probably use some of those camera scramblers again."

  "Fair point," Razia admitted, rolling her eyes.

  As luck would have it, they didn't need to worry about getting inside because Relleck came swaggering through the doors, pausing to chat with the guards for a moment. The two guards laughed at whatever he said, and he gave them a flourished bow before putting his hands in his pockets and strolling down the street.

  "That'll work." Razia grinned at Lizbeth. "Stay here and watch for anyone coming."

  "Wait, I thought you said not to take Relleck alone?" Lizbeth said, grabbing her arm. "You said he doesn't play fair?"

  "Yeah, and in this case, it's going to work to our advantage," Razia said. "Yet again, he's neglected to inform his crew of his whereabouts because he doesn't want to split the payout with them."

  "Be careful, please," Lizbeth pleaded as Razia turned to jogged after Relleck.

  She wasn't trying to be quiet, so it wasn't very long before he heard the footfalls behind him. He paused in the middle of a deserted street and turned around, and his trademark smirk flashed across his face as he stared down at her.

  "You really don't quit, do you?" Relleck shook his head. She saw his eyes roam up and down her body before settling on her face.

  "And you," Razia said, putting her hands on her hips. "All this money you're getting from Wedekind and you aren't even bothering to split it with your crew."

  His eyes flashed and he chuckled. "How'd you find out about Wedekind?"

  "Relleck, come on." Razia rolled her eyes. "This is me we're talking about."

  "Dissident's little gnat, always buzzing around, annoying everyone."

  "Yeah, well, this little gnat is going to save your ass," Razia said seriously. "I just need you to tell me everything you know about what Jos and Harman were planning."

  Relleck laughed. "Really? Do you think it's that easy?"

  "You know what's going to happen if you don't. Don't make me repeat your embarrassing performance from last year."

  "As I recall, you're the one who let me go. Why was that guy so interested in catching you?"

  Razia shifted and narrowed her eyes. "Don't be difficult. I can make you talk."

  "I would love to see you try," Relleck said, walking up to stand mere inches from her. She tilted her head upwards as he sneered down at her with his signature cocky smirk.

  He was so cocky that he left his left side open, she thought, amusingly. She could drop down, knock him off his feet, and tie him up before he even knew what hit him. She could pummel him until next week, until he was black and blue and begging for mercy.

  But as he stood just inches from her, she thought of trying a different tactic.

  "That's right." His voice was low and gravely. "You don't have the—"

  Gently, awkwardly, she slid her hands over his chest, trying not to focus on how solid he was under his thin shirt. Her mind drifted to that state-of-the-art gym on his ship, and realized he must use it often. His chest shuddered under her fingertips and she finally lifted her eyes to lock eyes with him.

  He was watching her like a scared little boy, her gentle touch both shocking and disarming. She realized suddenly that Lizbeth had been right—it didn't take much.

  "They had me transporting guns and other weapons from B-725425," Relleck stammered, his words coming faster than his mouth was moving.

  "Tell me—" She couldn't finish that thought before Relleck had leaned forward, his lips pressed against hers. She leaned into it, momentarily forgetting that she was supposed to be interrogating him. Her only thought was it had been ages since she'd been kissed, and Relleck was definitely much more experienced in this field than she was. She knew she had to stay in control, but she had to admit, it did feel kind of nice, the way his lips moved over hers and—Oh Leveman's, was that his tongue? That sure felt nice. His hand was clutching at the back of her head, and his other was being rather gentlemanly on her hip.

  She stepped back, trying not to pant. He leaned forward to kiss her again and she stepped back, shaking her head.

  "Why are they amassing guns here?" she asked.

  "They said it was for some big military contract they were going to win," Relleck whispered. "Jos said something about the government suddenly needing more security right after the election."

  "More security after the election?" Razia thought to herself as Relleck pulled her close and tried to kiss her again. She shook her head, brows furrowed in thought, and he began kissing down the side of her neck, his arms coming to gently wrap around her. "Why in Leveman's Vortex would the government need more security after the election?"

  "Never asked," he muttered. "You smell amazing—"

  "There was talk on S-6642 for a big military contract, too," Razia said, pausing only for a moment when he began sucking on a particularly tender part of her neck. "And the only thing I found there was…a bunch of pirate transactions….wait a minute," she stood up a little straighter. "Security, pirates…pirates and…ooh," she closed her eyes and moaned when he began nipping at her neck.

  "Leveman's Vortex, just kiss me again," he whispered, his lips crushing hers again.

  Security and pirates…

  Why would an empty planet need security contracts?

  Why would someone want to make it look like S-6642 was a pirate hotspot?

 
Unless someone was planning to make it look like pirates were some kind of danger to the military and to the government?

  She lifted her lips from his again and watched him intently, hoping something in his countenance would deliver her to the deep dark secret.

  "Tell me again what you know," she said.

  "I was to transport guns so that when a contract was let in a week or so, Wedekind would be ready to assist with increased security. Something to do with the election. Changing administration."

  "How in Leveman's Vortex would the administration change if Llendo was a shoe-in to be reelected?"

  And suddenly, just like puzzle pieces falling into place, everything suddenly made sense.

  Wedekind was moving guns, not to take over the military, but to protect military installations as Secure Solutions, using nearby planets as a base of operations.

  Which meant that there would suddenly be a greater need for security on these military planets.

  And all of the phantom pirate transactions made it seem like there had been a spate of pirate activity near these planets.

  Jukin would stop at nothing to round up every last pirate.

  The only way he'd be able to round up pirates would be if they did something big—something so shocking that no one would begrudge him for arresting every last one, and hanging a few of them, to boot. Something that no amount of pirate money could change.

  All this talk about the administration change.

  "God in Leveman's Vortex, they're gonna kill him," Razia whispered, breaking free from Relleck as if he was on fire.

  "What?" Relleck said. "Kill who?"

  "Gotta go," Razia muttered, dashing away from him.

  "Wait!" Relleck called after her. "Can I…I mean…do you want to get a drink sometime?"

  She stopped mid-stride and turned around.

  "What?"

  "A drink," he said, uncharacteristically nervous. "Like…coffee or something. With me."

  "Like… a date?" Razia stammered, her face growing hot.

  "Sure, why not?"

  She looked around the alley and then remembered she had to go save the government and piracy as she knew it.

  "Uh…maybe later," she said, sprinting away.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  "The Congressional Minister is planning to assassinate the president," Razia gasped more out of panic than out of exertion. "The administration change, Wedekind, the guns—it all makes sense!"

  "Wait, wait, slow down," Lizbeth said, yanking Razia to a halt. "I need you to explain to me clearly what you think is going on. Because you just said something insane."

  "Wedekind is going to manufacture a security crisis, and McDougall is going to reap the rewards," Razia said breathlessly. "They're going to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the president."

  "Why would the Congressional Minister want the president dead? For crying out loud, they're in the same party!"

  "It's not about wanting him dead, Lizbeth, it's about money!"

  "He got money, remember? Five billion from your brother."

  "What's the first thing that would happen if there was an attack on the president?"

  "I don't know—"

  "Think!"

  "They would…." Realization dawned on Lizbeth. "Oh Leveman's, they would throw money at any security company that came knocking!"

  "And who do we know already has contracts with nearly every single military and government office?" Razia continued emphatically. "Wedekind. Both Delmur and Relleck talked about how they were preparing to win contracts. Well, these are the contracts they were waiting for!"

  "But what about S-6642?"

  "All of those pirate transactions out there? They're going to make it look like it's a pirate hotspot. I would wager that every single planet that Wedekind purchased in the past three years magically has some kind of pirate activity nearby, and also probably has a government or military-owned planet nearby."

  "But wait, who cares if pirates are nearby?" Lizbeth said. "Why would they need security from pirates?"

  "Who do you think they're going to frame for the assassination?"

  "Oh, Leveman's," Lizbeth whispered. "Of course, and if everyone thinks pirates are suddenly a threat to the Universal government—"

  "They'll be more than happy to let Jukin pick up every last one of us, or just shoot us on the spot."

  "The five billion was just a down payment," Lizbeth said slowly. "It would fund the entire operation, pay off pirates, buy planets, just so they could get an even bigger payday after…" She closed her eyes and shook her head.

  "We have to stop this," Razia said. "Seriously, we have to stop this."

  "Lyssa!" Lizbeth said, grabbing her arm suddenly. "The election is today."

  "Yes, hence my concern."

  "Llendo is going to give a speech from the presidential palace balcony," Lizbeth hissed. "After the election is called, his victory speech!"

  "Shit, shit, shit, shit," Razia said, pulling Lizbeth down the street towards the nearest shuttle station. "And all that security, it's Wedekind's security. He's a sitting duck!"

  "Really, Lyssa," Lizbeth said, stopping in the middle of the street. "Do you really think your brother would go so far as to kill an innocent man just to finally be able to conquer piracy once and for all?"

  Razia stopped in her tracks, realizing that she didn't know the answer. "We need to get downtown."

  ***

  Night had descended on the presidential square, crammed with people buzzing with excitement at the unforeseen turn of events. Many of the partygoers were wearing Llendo's party colors and various silly hats and glasses in celebration of the president's re-election. The presidential square was even more crammed with people.

  Razia wove through the crowd, ignoring the angry looks of people she pushed aside. Her eyes frantically scanned the crowd for something, anything, that seemed suspicious or out of place. All around her, smiles, laughter, no one who seemed like they were about to murder someone.

  "They've already called it for Llendo!" Lizbeth yelled, her hand latched onto the back of Razia's shirt as they moved. "He's going to give a speech in half an hour!"

  "Shit." Razia doubled her efforts to scan the crowds. "We don't have long to find our assassin."

  Movement caught Razia's eye, drawing her gaze upward, to the stone wall that surrounded them. Guard patrolled the wall, black guns hanging by their sides. Even from this distance, she could see the telltale uniform of Secure Solutions.

  "There's tons of them up there. Which is our guy?" Lizbeth asked.

  "The one who's pointing the gun at the president," Razia growled out of frustration. "How in Leveman's do we get up there?"

  "The clock tower!" Lizbeth said, grabbing her arm. "C'mon!"

  As fast as the thick crowd would allow, they pushed and shoved their way towards the foot of the giant stone clock tower. When they approached the doors, Razia cursed again when she saw two of Secure Solutions' finest standing in front of the tall wooden doors leading to the stairs.

  "Your way or my way," Lizbeth whispered over Razia's shoulder.

  "Joint," Razia smiled. "You distract them, I'll knock them out."

  "Love the way you think, baby," Lizbeth said, adjusting her shirt lower over her chest. Razia slipped around the other side, watching as Lizbeth stumbled up to the two guards like a drunk bimbo. When Razia saw them crack a smile, she knew she was in.

  In the loudness of the crowd, nobody noticed when the two security guards fell down, knocked out by a brunette in a black tank top. Razia jammed her universal key into the door, unlocking it with a mighty heave. The door opened a crack and they slipped inside, the shut doors muffling the sounds of the crowd and the excitement. It was pitch black, save for the small light from above.

  Razia waited for a moment, listening for footfalls. When she heard nothing but silence, she put her finger to her lips and began slowly climbing with Lizbeth in tow. Lizbeth wasn't kidding about the ramps—up half an
incline, then turn a corner, up another incline, turn a corner, up an incline.

  "How much longer until we reach the top?" Razia whispered.

  "I don't know, I haven't been here since I was a kid," Lizbeth whispered back.

  They turned a corner and saw an opening out to the palace walls. Shadows crossed in front of the light, signs of guards patrolling just beyond.

  "We're going to have to go out there," Razia said, looking back to Lizbeth.

  "Wait a minute," Lizbeth said, grabbing Razia's arm. "I don't think the guy is out there. The ramps keeps going to the clock tower." She pointed up. "If someone was going to shoot the president, they'd probably do it where no one could see them."

  Razia hesitated, looking back out at the wall. "We only get one crack at this."

  "Trust me," Lizbeth said, tugging her. They passed the doorway quickly before anyone saw them, but Razia got a dizzying view of the square and the crowd below before following Lizbeth higher into the top of the clock tower.

  They stopped dead as a voice boomed over the loudspeakers.

  "Welcome supporters!" The roar of the crowd swelled up in the tower and through the doorway beneath them.

  "Oh shit, it's starting," Lizbeth hissed. "We have to move!"

  Razia muttered something and began shuffling louder up the ramp, her footsteps hidden by the cheering sounds. She was sure they were nearing the top, but every corner she turned was just another ramp.

  Suddenly, they turned the corner into a giant room, the light streaming through the clock face. For a brief, terrifying moment, Razia thought that Lizbeth was wrong, that the would-be assassin wasn't here, he was somewhere along the wall taking his aim.

  And then she saw him, crouched against the clock-face, pointing one of Secure Solutions' guns through a hole in the clock. He was wearing the same gray suit, and once he let off his kill shot, he'd be able to just walk back down and blend into the crowd.

  "Oi!" Razia bellowed, her voice echoing across the empty room. The man moved quickly, pulling a pistol out of his pants pocket and shooting. Lizbeth screamed and they dove in different directions. Razia crouched behind one of the dusty cogs, ducking as another volley of bullets came flying her way.