The corporal nodded. “Will do, Sir.”
Corporal Nguent fastened the hover cargo nets around the containers. He turned them on, and the containers floated off the ground. He grabbed the lead rope. “Ready, Emzadi?”
Emzadi grabbed the rope connected to the top of the last container. “Yep. Let’s get these to the lab. I’m ready for lunch.”
Corporal Nguent’s stomach rumbled, “Me, too.” They pulled the containers from the ship.
Adrik watched the men and containers cross the landing platform to the main tower. “So, you want to follow me to Admiral Spearman’s office?” He stepped out of the ship.
“Sure.” Gwyn closed the doors and followed Adrik across the short distance to the building.
The automatic doors slid open, and Gwyn stepped inside. “Stairs. Again. Someday someone really should put in an elevator.”
Adrik laughed. “That will never happen on Raygus Prime.” He climbed the stairs, Gwyn close behind. She paused on the first-floor landing. She watched the blue cargo containers float high into the air beside her. A soldier stood by the open railing on the third floor. She guided the containers onto the loading area and pulled them until they were securely hovering above the floor. She closed the railing. “So, the lab’s on the third floor?”
“Yep. That lab deals with all biological technologies.” Adrik climbed the next stair case. “You coming?”
Gwyn started up the stairs behind him, then paused. “Biological technologies? Why would they be taking the crystals to the biological lab?”
“Not sure.” Adrik shrugged, “Aren’t crystals alive, at least on a molecular level?”
Gwyn frowned. “I guess. Just seems odd to me. Wouldn’t you think they’d go to the energy lab or something?” She stepped off the stair case onto the fifth-floor landing.
Adrik paused, “Well, I guess they want to get any bacteria off them first.” He stared at Gwyn. “What do you care anyway? Just getting your money and leaving, remember?”
She stuck her chin out and lifted her hands in the air. “I don’t care. Just curious. Aren’t you ever curious?”
“No.”
She cocked her eyebrow. “Really?”
“Doesn’t pay to be curious around here, Gwyn. Just forget about it.”
They climbed the remaining stairs to the fifth floor in silence. Admiral Spearman stood in the doorway of his office. “Come in, my girl. Come in.” He smiled.
Gwyn muttered under her breath. “His attitude has changed. Like he’s a different person.”
Adrik poked her with his elbow and whispered. “Sometimes you need to keep your mouth closed. This is that time.”
Gwyn glared at him and snarled. “You’re just full of tips today, aren’t you?”
Admiral Spearman stepped inside his office. And the pair followed him. He sat in a leather high-backed chair behind his desk. “So, you only had a little trouble with the Cardikes. That’s good. So far, your ship hasn’t been traced back to us.” The Admiral scrolled through his tablet. “There is a bounty on your ship. So, I’d keep it low for a while.” He offered his tablet to Gwyn.
Gwyn took it. As she read the notice, a scowl traced her lips. “Fifty-million unites? Every spacer bounty hunter’s going to be looking for me!” She set the tablet on the desk with a thud. Gwyn crossed the room to the large picture window. She wrapped her arms around her chest and studied the capitol dome. She sighed. “I can’t leave Raygus Prime until this cools off. Caracho!”
Adrik placed his hand on her shoulder. “Well, maybe you can vacation her for a while?”
“I guess I’ll have to.” She squinted at him. “My ship’s not safe out there on the platform. It’s got to be hidden.”
Adrik nodded.
Admiral Spearman cleared his voice. “Of course, we’ll store it in a hanger while we arrange accommodations for you.”
“There’s no need. I can stay on my ship.”
The Admiral shook his head. “No, I can’t allow that.”
Gwyn scowled. “What? Why not?”
“If someone finds your ship, you won’t be safe. I insist you stay away from it, once it’s been stored.” He glanced out the window. The Pleiades was parked alone in the center of the landing platform.
She slumped. “Fine. But, it’s not forever. I won’t stay on Raygus Prime any longer than I have to.”
Admiral Spearman pressed the com button on his wrist. It beeped.
“Yes?”
“Lee-Alla. Can you arrange quarters for Ms. Casteliano?”
“Yes.”
Adrik stepped forward, “Sir, that won’t be necessary. I have a guest quarters. She can stay with me.”
Admiral Spearman studied Adrik’s face. “Lee-Alla, belay that.”
“Yes, sir.” The com clicked off.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Adrik.” Admiral Spearman scratched his grey beard.
“Admiral. I can make sure she’s safe. I have leave stored up, and I can watch her. Who better than me to protect her?”
“I don’t need someone to watch me.” Gwyn shoved her hands in her pockets. “I can handle myself.”
Adrik laughed. “Oh, I know you can. But, for the safety of the citizens of Raygus Prime. I want you to stay with me. If a bounty hunter comes after you, they won’t care about who gets in their way. The best place, Sir, is for her to stay with me.”
The Admiral watched them for a long moment. “I think you’re right, Adrik. But, take her to our summer house. That way she’s far away from the city and the general population.”
Adrik smiled. “Sure thing, Admiral.”
Gwyn stared out the window at the Pleiades. “I have things I have to get out of my ship before I can go anywhere.”
Admiral Spearman motioned to the door. “Take her to get her stuff, then take my personal cruiser. Get out of town.”
“Come on, Gwyn. Let’s get you out of here.” Adrik headed for the door.
“Fine.” She followed him through the door and down the stairs.
Gwyn threw her duffle into Admiral Spearman’s personal land cruiser then climbed in beside Adrik. “So, summer house?” She strapped herself into the seat.
“It’s out on Lake Chaquandri.” Adrik entered the address into the guidance system and pushed the start button. The cruiser shot forward. “It’ll be a couple hours. Might as well sit back and take a nap. I’m going to.” He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
“You’re always sleeping.”
He opened an eye. “I don’t get near enough. Rise at four in bed by twelve. Welcome to my world.”
“You’re not planning those hours now that we’re back on Raygus Prime are you, because if you are, just let me sleep.”
“Nah. I’m on leave, and it starts now. See you in a couple of hours.”
Gwyn stared out the window. The sprawling city passed by in a blur, and soon a rolling country side replaced the rows and rows of buildings. She yawned and leaned her head back against the seat. She cast one more glance out the window and shut her eyes. “Maybe I will nap.”
“Wake up, Princess.” Adrik gently squeezed Gwyn’s knee.
“We’re here.”
Gwyn opened her eyes and wiped the moisture from the corners of her lips. She blinked. “I feel like we just left.”
Adrik laughed. “That’s why I always sleep when I travel.” He opened the door to the cruiser and climbed out.
The air outside was warm but had a definite autumn chill behind the heavy breeze. Gwyn tossed her duffle over her shoulder and closed the door. The wind rustled her hair, and small chill bumps formed on her bare arms. She hugged her shoulders. “Might need a long-sleeved shirt out here.” In the distance, the whistle call of a bird danced through the trees, and she smiled.
Adrik rummaged through his bags in the back of the car, and then tossed her a long sleeve shirt from out of his bag. “It’s always about fifteen degrees cooler out here. It’s not so great during the winter, b
ut it makes spectacular summers.”
Gwyn slid the shirt over her head. It was warm and smelled faintly of mint. She inhaled deeply as it crossed over her face. Her skin radiated with heat, and for a moment she thought it might be too warm to wear, but changed her mind as the scent enveloped her. Her eyes sparkled, “Thanks, Adrik. It’ll help.”
“No problem.” Adrik threw his bags over his shoulder. He pointed to a dirt trail between two bushes. “It’s a short walk up the path. Keep an eye out for drawndies – the snakes out here are deadly. I haven’t seen any in a while, but just in case.” He started up the trail.
“I hate snakes.” Gwyn followed. Tree limbs crossed the road like a naturally covered bridge. The trail wound uphill and to the left. Gwyn paused when she reached the top of the hill. “How much further?”
“Not much. It’s passed that ben, then down in the valley.” He motioned to a thicket of trees nearest the water. “Over behind those trees. You can’t see it until you get right up on it. Camouflage.”
“Oh,” She picked up her pace. Her boots crunched on the rocky path as they traveled downhill.
Adrik paused in front of a large spruce tree and waved his hand in the air in a star pattern. The air around him shimmered, before returning to normal. “Security systems are off. We can go through now.”
Gwyn’s eyes widened. “State of the art. I’d like to get my hands on that cloaking system. Is it biometric?”
“Yep. Only myself and the Admiral stay programmed to. All our guests have to be programmed into the system. Come over here. I’ll scan you in.”
Gwyn stepped in front of Adrik. The air shimmered again. This time a green light scanned her eyes. The system beeped, and Gwyn took a step backward. She squinted trying to readjust to the sunlight.
“Follow me.” Adrik walked past the spruce and into a garden maze. He followed the curve of the shrubs until the pathway opened into a large garden. The sweet fragrance of roses and honeysuckle wafted on the air. “The Admiral had the mazes built to remind him of an English garden. He saw one in a book once. At one time the country of England, it’s on Old Earth, had lots of them. At least that’s what he said.”
“I know where the country of England is. I went to school.”
Adrik frowned. “Well, I didn’t know. You’d be surprised by how many people have never heard of England.”
“Well, I have. Gran made sure I didn’t miss anything in my education.” Gwyn sat her duffle on the ground. “The roses are beautiful! I’ve never seen so many colors.” She grabbed a blossom between her thumb and forefinger and bent down to smell it. “It’s lovely. Gran would love these.”
Adrik plucked a yellow rose from a bush and handed it to Gwyn. “For you.”
She blushed. “Thanks. No one’s ever given me a rose before. They’re so expensive.”
“Well, we have them in spades, so help yourself to as many as you want.” He retrieved a remote from his pocket and clicked it. The air shimmered again, and a cottage with a thatched roof emerged just beyond the center of the garden.
“The Admiral has the very best, huh? I’ve never seen a house like this.” Gwyn picked up her bag and followed Adrik to the front door. It was wooden and massive with wrought-iron scrollwork on its surface. “This place is magnificent, Adrik. Really. And you grew up here?”
“Not exactly. We lived in the city during the year, but we spent most of my summers out here until I turned sixteen and went to the academy. After that, only a week or two a year. “He opened the door. “Let me show you to your room.”
“I’d like that.”
Adrik ushered her inside the house and closed the door behind them.
Chapter Four
Gwyn gazed out the glass window that opened onto Lake Chaquandri. A large purple and green waterfowl stood on one leg at the edge of the water. It shifted from one foot to the other, spread its wings and soared into the sky. Gwyn followed its path as it drifted on the wind, and then dove head first into the water. It pulled up at the last second, with a silver fish in its beak. A faint smile traced her lips. More pilots should be ornithologists. She turned from the window and plopped down on the overstuffed leather couch centered in the living room.
“Morning, Gwyn.” Adrik smiled, but his face still bore traces of sleep. His hair stood in all directions.
She laughed. “Morning. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? Ugh, your hair doesn’t quite fit your right.”
“Bed head? Well, I was asleep. Coffee before beauty. You had some yet?”
“Not yet, but I’d love some. By the way, have you heard anything from Admiral Spearman?”
“Not yet. No calls. Nothing. But, it’s not unusual. He stays so busy, and he knows you’re in good hands.”
“I guess.” Gwynn took the cup from Adrik.
“You guess?”
“That’s not what I mean.” She took a sip of her coffee. “It’s perfect. You know me so well.”
“Well, maybe not you, but I have gotten to know your routine.” He sat down beside her and took a sip of his own coffee.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think you know me about as well as anyone does, better than most.” She took another drink. “This really is good. It tastes a lot like the Spanish coffee we have on Tortuga.”
Adrik smiled and his blue eyes danced. “It should. It’s imported.”
“Really?” Gwyn gave him a puzzled look. “You Militarian are so many times at odds with yourself. Imported coffee, this lake house. Old gassers.” She shook her head.
“We live by a code, Gwyn. But, we’re people, too. So many of us live such stressful lives, that it’s good when we can destress and enjoy pleasures like imported coffee, gardening, fishing, or restoring old gassers.”
“I suppose.” Gwyn took another sip. “Let’s just say that I find it surprising.”
“We often are to outsiders. But, I’m glad I’ve had a chance to influence your preconceptions.”
“Preconceptions, prejudices. I guess they are all the same. It’s the biggest issue to the divided planet system. You can’t really get to know anyone outside of your culture.” Gwyn cast a glance out of the window.
“We all have them, Gwyn.” He followed the path of her eyes. “The birds out here are beautiful, aren’t they? I’ve often thought pilots could learn a lot about flying just from watching them.”
She nodded.
“You know. We live secluded in our own little bubbles. So, we don’t know what to expect when we get together with someone who isn’t like us.” Adrik put his arm around her shoulder.
The heat between them burned like fire. “So, this coffee is from Tortuga, huh?”
“Yep. There’s a city in the northern mountains called Malaga. They have their own coffee manufacturer, called, “Las Nubes.”
“I’ve heard of it. Never been there, though.”
“The Admiral found it at a cafe while on leave from one of his assignments. He searched the manufacturer out, and has been ordering it ever since.”
“Well, I might have to visit there after I get off this rock, and get paid.” Gwyn huffed.
Silence filled the room.
“I haven’t forgotten he hasn’t paid me.” She set her cup on the coffee table.
“I’m sure he plans to pay you. Once all of this cools down.” Adrik set his cup next to hers. “We don’t have to wait for him to call. If you want, we can go to the Admiral’s office and contact him. He has a direct line from here to his office.”
Gwyn stood. “Yes, as nice as it is here, I’m anxious to get back on my ship, and go home.”
“Well, let’s go speak with the admiral.” Adrik led her down a narrow hall and into a large cedar paneled room. He stopped behind Admiral Spearman’s mahogany desk. “You can come and speak with him anytime.” Adrik opened the top drawer and exposed a row of buttons. “Just press this button to turn it on and off. Got it?”
Gwyn nodded. “Sounds easy enough.”
Adrik pressed the butt
on. The com beeped, and Lee-Alla answered.
“Admiral Spearman’s office. Secretary first class, La- Alla speaking.”
“Lee-Alla, it’s Adrik. Is the Admiral available?”
“No. He’s down in the biolab monitoring an experiment. Just started a bit ago.” She paused, “He might be back in a couple of hours. Do you want to leave a message, or do you need me to transfer you to the lab?”
“No, just have him call me when he gets back to his office.” Adrik pushed the button and ended the call.
Gwyn sighed. “Maybe later?”
Adrik shrugged. “Who knows. I have an idea to pass the time, do you care for a stroll through the garden maze?”
“Sure. Beats cleaning my pistol for the sixth time.” She followed Adrik from the office, and out into the garden. He led her down a winding path, and paused in front of a marble bench, and sat down. A large three-tiered fountain adorned with horse heads, and cherubs filled the center of the garden. Water splashed from the top and sprayed small water droplets into the air.
“Have a seat, Gwyn.” He patted the bench next to him. “This has always been my favorite spot.”
She sat beside him. Their knees touched and she felt the heat throbbing in her leg. Her pulse quickened. She cleared her voice. “So, who built this fountain?”
“The Admiral hired a contractor from Alpha Gaius. He patterned it from a sketch some old earth artist did. Not sure which one. I was pretty young when it was built.”
The water flowed from the horses’ mouths and cascaded down the tiers. It pooled into the bottom chamber.
Gwyn wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “You getting hot? The twin suns are really beating down this morning.”
“A little.” His blue eyes searched her face. “Want to get in the fountain?”
Gwyn scrunched her nose. “My clothes will get wet.”
“Well, it’s not deep. Just roll up your pants legs.” Adrik kicked off his boots. “Or strip down. Makes no difference.”
The Outer World Chronicles: Books 1, 2, 3 Page 3
