"We still don't know why Vrak was targeted, either," Kooper sighed. "He worked in a factory that produced telescope lenses. It makes no sense."
"I'll tell you what doesn't make sense—those mutant Ra'Ak," Trent complained. "They almost took us down."
"What I'd like to know, too," Wyatt began, "is why all the theatrics surrounding the intended deaths of those victims, and why bury them in a river of concrete?"
"Whatever it was, I believe he was worried we'd learn the answer, and blew up the planet instead," I said.
"Captain," Dori's voice sounded on Travis' communicator. "We have early information from a sat-bot six light-years away from Kev'Ril. Scientists on Bennall say Kev'Ril was fired on from the outside. Their initial guess is that it was done with a ranos cannon."
"Do they have images?" Kooper was on his feet immediately.
"Already sent to your comp-vid," Dori replied. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you that Bennall is scared to death, now."
This was good news and the worst of news at the same time. I was grateful the Prophet's power wasn't sufficient to destroy a planet, but learning he had a ranos cannon at his command could be just as bad.
Kooper was now shouting orders at someone from headquarters, telling them he wanted to track any signs left behind by a ship carrying a deadly, planet-killing weapon.
"The last time we saw one of those things was when Vardil Cayetes and his loyal sidekick, V'ili, were the biggest criminals in or out of the Alliances," Travis said. He, Dori and I sat at a table in the galley, which was empty except for us.
We were discussing the ranos cannon. Kooper had sent information back to us after investigating the images he'd received from Bennall. His experts in weaponry had all but confirmed it as a hit from a ranos cannon.
"Do you think he found something that Vardil used to own?" Dori asked.
"That, or he was lucky enough to find the plans to build one."
"I wouldn't call that lucky," I said. "Not for us, anyway."
"Randl, did the Prophet kill his own people, there?" Dori turned sky-blue eyes in my direction.
"I don't know," I confessed. "I was concentrating on getting the victims away and not paying attention to the crowd who came to watch."
"You're saying that he could have gotten them away before he blew Kev'Ril to bits?" Behind those calm words, Travis was worried.
"It's possible."
"Fuck." Travis rumbled. His dragon, usually calm and restrained, was near the surface.
"There's one thing I know for sure," I added.
"What's that?"
"Wherever the Prophet is, he's pissed."
P'loxett
V'dar
"Find replacements." I waved a hand at Varok and Perill, who rushed from my side to fulfill my command. Sixteen of the two hundred I sent to Kev'Ril had failed to see my adversary. I punished them.
The others were terrified and more than willing to do anything I said. Sixteen dismembered bodies littered the floor about me. I could clean the detritus away with little effort, but I was resolved to leave it where it lay—as a reminder.
"Where are you?" I whispered aloud. For now, my adversary and I were trading blows, and the ranos cannon my subjects cobbled together would require extensive repairs before I could use it again.
My enemy hadn't seen the cannon, as I'd been aboard the ship that carried it. So much worse for him, should I find his hiding place.
It would be destroyed as quickly as I could make that happen. As for the sacrifices, they couldn't be cured and would die eventually, unable to reveal any of my secrets—including who they were before. The drug I'd given them had altered everything about them. Still, it made me angry that he'd taken them from me, as their deaths would serve a purpose. A replacement for Kev'Ril would also have to be found. He'd taken that away, too, with his bothersome meddling.
Therefore, I resolved to take something from him—if I could find what he cared for. To do that, I had to know who he was and where he came from. He, like Campiaa and the Conclave, had climbed to the top of my obliteration list.
Avii Castle, Le-Ath Veronis
Sabrina
"I thought I'd have to bend time just to get the scanner finished," Lissa studied our combined handiwork with hands on hips. "I had no idea it would be done so we could create rainbow birds."
These weren't real rainbow birds, but they looked like them and sounded like them. Bel Erland had spelled two of them, and now they flew in an intricate pattern overhead, calling out to one another.
These massive birds were life-sized, and the creatures they were patterned after were an endangered species living in the jungles of Avendor. Word had it that all of them lived near gishi fruit groves and were protected zealously by the owners.
These replicas each had one of my new scanners hidden in its belly, and was solar-powered by a panel on the bird's back—large enough to power the scanners, which were suitable to handle the power source and do the job without anyone the wiser.
Multi-colored wings swished as the replicas flew; long, multi-colored tail feathers streamed behind these copies of the real thing. Their size was perfect for this operation and their calls as haunting and beautiful as their replicated feathers.
"The attendees will love this," Dena breathed. She and Quin stood next to Bel Erland, who studied the birds' flights with a critical eye.
"The registration takes place in an outdoor courtyard lined with trees and flowerbeds," Lissa agreed. "These are perfect."
"I'll have the other eighteen spelled and ready to go by tonight," Bel Erland said. "Does Teeg know they're coming?"
"I just sent the information," Lissa replied. "He's looking forward to this."
"The scanners are programmed to send images and information of suspects to Kooper, Jett Riffler and both their headquarters," I said.
"Well done," Lissa smiled at me. "I think you can be transported to Campiaa when the birds go. Travis and Trent will be docking BlackWing X there soon."
"Thank you," I said. "I think I need a nap."
Lissa laughed. "Go ahead—you've earned it."
BlackWing X
Randl
"We'll be docking at Campiaa's space station in six hours," Dori informed me. She'd arrived at the table David and I chose to have lunch, after a morning workout. "Sabrina is supposed to be waiting at the Founder's Palace for us, although I doubt we'll be staying there during the Conclave."
"Did she get the secret weapon built?" David asked.
"I heard it exceeds expectations, but that's all I know for now," Dori shrugged.
My mental eyes followed every movement she made, plus my mind recorded the slight flush of pink in her cheeks as she fussed with her plate of food.
She's got it bad, bro, David informed me mentally.
Is there something wrong with that? I returned.
She's a Captain, he reminded me.
Oh. Right. She, Captain. Me, grunt. Got it.
Sorry to put a damper on your libido, but that's the way things are.
You couldn't wait until I wasn't sitting across from her to tell me this?
You were giving her calf-eyes. Now you only look mildly irritated.
You know I can send you to a deserted island somewhere, don't you?
You've been upgraded to pissed status, now.
Dude, I may see a swim with sharks in your near future.
Now you're a fortune-teller. That's two steps above pissed. Congratulations, man, you just won a weekend at a one-star resort, although you have to attend a sales pitch to fully qualify.
What the bloody hell are you going on about?
Major frown! Major frown! Abort, abort, abort!
"Ahem," Dori cleared her throat. It was obvious David and I were having a mental conversation and she'd been excluded. That was extremely rude.
"I'm sorry," I apologized. "Dave thought it the proper time to point out that you're a Captain and I'm not."
"Seriously? You couldn't
lie?" David pretended offense.
"Not to her," I said.
"Oh, we're being serious, now." Dave sighed.
"David, I understand your concerns—probably better and more deeply than you do," Dori pointed her fork at him. "If Randl wants, he and I can approach Kooper about this. Later."
"All right. I just don't want the bro here getting in trouble."
"That trouble will fall on me before I'll allow it to fall on him." Dori rose from the table and stalked away.
"Damn," David swore. He sounded impressed.
Dori
Yes, I was sulking in my cabin. Writing a report was my excuse, but little had been written, yet.
The knock on my door startled me. "It's open," I called out. I hadn't expected it to be Randl walking into the room.
"I got this from Susan," he placed a warming box beside me on the bed. "You didn't eat earlier."
My breath caught. Sure, I'd dated before. Nobody ever lived up to my expectations. I'd gotten to the point where I believed I was just too picky, or too high maintenance.
This man baffled me and squeezed my heart at the same time.
"Hey," he said and reached out to touch my cheek. "Thanks for defending me." He walked out of my cabin swiftly, closing the door with a soft click behind him.
Cori, I sent to my older sister, I think I found the One.
BlackWing VIII
Co-Captain Cori Anderson-De Luca
Marco was acting Captain, leaving me with the reports for today. President Lebbon of Pyrik and selected staff were aboard. We were less than a day away when I received mindspeech from Dori.
She and I had traded mindspeech more often than usual since BlackWing VII was destroyed. She'd had a difficult time explaining how she and the crew survived while the ship was left behind to be blown to bits.
She'd asked to stay aboard BlackWing X with Travis and Trent, and just today informed me that she'd found the One.
Once, when she was young, she'd had a huge crush on Marco's younger brother, Salidar. Sal had disappointed her, and she'd broken it off with him.
Yes, she'd gone out with others, but none of them ever measured up. She and Sal were civil to one another, still, but there would always be an uncomfortable distance between them.
Are you sure about this? I sent back to Dori.
You'll meet him soon enough, she informed me. You can tell me then whether he's worth it or not.
Is he good enough to introduce to Daddy?
If Daddy's not impressed, then he never will be.
When are you getting to Campiaa? I thought to ask.
In a few hours.
How about dinner tonight? Bring him with you.
I'll see—he may be stuck in meetings—with Teeg. That's happened a lot, lately.
Must be special, then.
You'll see.
Founder's Palace, Campiaa
Sabrina
"Make yourselves comfortable," Wyatt grinned at Bel Erland and me. We'd been set down in the Founder's library, which few people ever got to see in person. "Drinks and snacks are on the way," Wyatt added.
Nearby, in an empty space between massive bookshelves, lay the enormous crate that held our rainbow bird replicas. Bel had packed it and spelled it himself, so no damage would be done to the scanners.
"I can't wait to see these things, bro," Wyatt said. "Gran says they're amazing."
"When will BlackWing X arrive?" Bel asked. I wanted to know the same thing, so I waited for Wyatt's answer.
"In less than two hours," Wyatt grinned. He was waiting for Jayna to arrive, while I waited for Travis and Trent.
"Where will we be staying?" I asked instead.
"Well, Ry has a cabin in the mountains," Wyatt replied. "Although it's big enough to house an army. We've decided to put you there; somebody can transport you back and forth when necessary."
"It has an amazing view of the ski slopes farther down," Bel said. "I've stayed there plenty of times."
"Someone will get you and the BlackWing crews that are transporting people to Conclave up to the cabin, but the Captains will be meeting with Dad and a few others before they can join you there," Wyatt said. He understood the waiting part—he'd be included in the meeting, while Jayna went to the cabin with the rest of us.
"Don't worry," Wyatt held up a hand—you'll all have roles to play while you're here, but there are still a few things we have to figure out, first."
"Like what to do about the mess with the logging industry conference," Bel grumbled.
"You heard about that too, huh?" Wyatt asked.
"Yeah. Big mess. Dad says we need a spy in their ranks, but who do we send, and how do we accomplish that?"
"I don't have an answer, but that's on the agenda for our meeting."
By that time, a servant arrived with a tray of drinks and small sandwiches. "Let me know if there's anything else you need," Wyatt said and turned to leave.
I knew what I needed—Travis and Trent. The snack tray was set on the table in front of the sofa Bel and I occupied. He reached for a mug of tea first; I followed suit with a sigh.
BlackWing X
Randl
"Astralan says that Devarr and the rest of his entourage were just delivered to their hotel suite," Travis announced. We were in a holding pattern to dock at Campiaa's space station, so a staff meeting was in progress while we orbited the planet, waiting for our berth to clear.
"Most of you," Travis continued, "will be taken to the mountain retreat owned by King Rylend of Karathia. It's large enough to house us and the other BlackWing crews that are bringing new attendees to the Conclave. Some of us—ships' Captains and Randl—will be expected to attend a security meeting with Teeg, Jett, Kooper and a few others. Once that's over, you'll be given your assignments for the duration of our stay on Campiaa."
"Is there speculation as to what those assignments could be?" Susan asked. "And is there a full moon happening while we're here?"
"There is—in three days. Flyer has already made arrangements to be here with you for several days," Travis grinned at her. "You'll have the day of and the day after the full moon off. David, too."
Susan turned bright pink and tried to hide a smile.
"We're cleared to dock," James' voice sounded through the ship.
"Take us in," Travis responded.
"Leaving orbit for space station now."
P'loxett
V'dar
Images and information were transmitted by one I'd conscripted at Campiaa's space station. He was a lowly employee who entered names of ships and their docking fees.
Those aboard each ship had no knowledge of his existence, he was so invisible.
He'd also had no choice whether to serve me or not—it was a command; therefore, he did as I bid him.
All the ships carrying new members of each Alliance had arrived; the last one, Gloria I, had just docked and was charged appropriate fees.
These—they weren't important enough to initiate my plans, although Pyrik's transport ship and crew was included in their number.
No—when my newest replacements arrived for the logging industry conference, which began on the first day of Conclave—then I would set my plans in motion.
"Have you found new information on Adarr Gramm and the others of the Big Three?" I asked when Varok set a cup of tea before me.
"The last information was correct, although the ones you seek were no longer at those locations. They hide themselves well by moving often, my lord."
"Then keep searching. I wish to include them in my plan."
"The search continues, my lord."
Founder's Palace, Campiaa
Randl
I'd felt eyes on us when we left the ship and walked through the security gates before getting a shuttle to the surface.
That meant I'd have a question for Jett and Teeg when I arrived at their meeting. Another shuttle had waited at the Founder's Palace, waiting to whisk the rest of the crew to a mountain cabin,
leaving Travis, Trent, Dori and me behind to attend the security meeting.
Squaring my shoulders, I walked beside Dori; she and I followed Travis and Trent into a side door of the palace; we'd been guided there by one of Teeg's palace guards.
"We were being watched at the space station," I said once we were inside a trans-vator and rising to the top of the palace, where Teeg's meeting rooms were.
"Who?" Trent turned quickly and gave me a frown.
"I don't know, but if I can get a list of employees from Teeg or Director Riffler, it won't be difficult to find him or her."
"We'll do that first thing, then," Travis said. "Damn, this is one foul thing after another."
"I sent mindspeech to Wyatt—he's working on the list now," Trent said.
"Thank you."
Dori, whose head came to my chin, looked up at me, questions swimming in her blue eyes. "I think it's just somebody ticking off arrivals," I said. "But I'm concerned that the space station comps won't be the only recipient of this information."
"You think the station has been infiltrated?" Travis asked. He didn't need to ask by whom—only one would truly be interested in this.
"It's possible."
Wyatt waited outside the trans-vator when the doors opened. He shoved a comp-vid in my hands, containing a list of all the space station employees on duty when we arrived.
I wasn't interested in those who worked security or management. This was a low-level employee in the bowels of the station itself.
I chose that subsection while we walked toward the meeting room. "Him," I pointed to the image of Cleaster Leech.
"What do you think we should do?" Wyatt asked. "Do you suppose he'll explode if we approach him?"
"I don't see that in him—he doesn't have what Phorde Gaster did, or Caille Morr. He has a growing obsession—that's what I see."
MindMage: BlackWing Pirates, Book 2 Page 11
