Fringe Station (Fringe Series Book 2)

by Rachel Aukes

  Critch frowned. “How many of you are there?”

  She shook her head sadly and looked down at her glass. “Our numbers seem to be declining by the hour.”

  They remained in the lounge for the next couple of hours talking and drinking—sharing old stories and planning for the future. By the time Seda returned, his usual stoic face was in place. Neither the silver box nor the skin was anywhere in sight.

  He strode across the room to the large screen and punched in several codes. He glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll get you the full resources of Terra for the campaign.”

  He turned back to his screen and went live. “This is Stationmaster Seda Faulk with a message to all Faulk associates and Rebus Station confederates. Martial law was illegally enacted by Corps General Ausyar of the CUF Armada, and I will not stand for that. Under my authority, Terra wartime protocols are enacted, effective now. All Rebus teams are called into duty. All Category Five resources are approved for transfer. All communications should be made through Rebus channel eighty-eight. The Rebus reclamation effort is now in effect. The CUF will attempt to suppress our rights, but we will show the Collective that Terrans are not slaves. It is time for Terra to establish its independence.”

  He clicked off the screen, grabbed the half-empty bottle of whiskey off the table, and took a seat, facing the slack-jawed trio. “The key to winning a war is fighting on multiple fronts. The first front is here on Terra, and the battle starts now. We’ll set up fronts on every fringe world, and then we’ll bring the war to Alluvia and Myr. Mason’s going to have his hands full if he thinks he can suppress our rebellion.”

  Reyne stared, wide-eyed.

  Critch cocked his head. “Well, I think you got Mason’s attention.”

  “Along with every other person in the Collective,” Reyne added, “since I have no doubt the hackers will make sure your declaration of war is broadcast across every channel.”

  Seda looked at them. “I hope you’re ready to lead an army, because it’s time.”

  Reyne frowned, then nodded. “I am, but I’m going to have to break some bad news to Sixx. He won’t be happy that his side project must be delayed.”

  “I heard about his situation,” Critch said. “That’s rough.”

  “I can get him a lift to Myr if that’s what he wants,” Seda said. “But I’ll need to pair him with a Myrad, or else he’ll be arrested if he gets caught walking alone. Have him talk to Hari if he’s interested in going through with it. Though it’s a bad time for anyone to be traveling right now, especially a colonist.”

  Reyne gave a small tilt of his head. “I’ll let him know.”

  Critch came to his feet and walked over to Seda and Hari, where he dropped something in each of their laps. “These belong to you.”

  Hari dangled her chain in the light. “It’s the torrent teardrop.”

  “Every torrent has one,” Critch said.

  Reyne added, “And you two have more than earned the right to wear it.”

  “I’ll wear it with pride,” she said and slid it over her head.

  Seda had been staring at his in his palm. He weakly smiled before slipping it over his head and tucking it in his shirt. “It’s a good symbol.”

  Reyne’s wrist comm vibrated. When he read the message, his jaw tightened. “Turn on the Collective channel.”

  “Play DZ-Five,” Seda said, and the large screen came to life.

  This is Lina Tao reporting for DZ-Five News.

  You have just seen the startling war declaration made by Stationmaster Seda Faulk of Terra, announcing that Terra would be a free world. The declaration was made after the Collective Unified Forces, under command of Corps General Ausyar, initiated martial law in Rebus Station. A projected 274 colonists have been killed in the first day. This action was in response to a group of colonists breaking into the Citadel to free prisoners who were allegedly being kept there without a right to a fair trial.

  The group—who call themselves fringe torrents—freed the political prisoners from the Citadel as the first step in what they’re calling the Fringe Liberation Campaign. They demand Parliament to recognize each fringe planet as a free and independent citizen world.

  The torrents continue to deny that they had any involvement in the creation of or the release of the blight last year, which they assert was released by the Founders, the clandestine organization believed to have gone defunct after the War. The torrents have shared the name of Gabriel Heid, chief magistrate of Alluvia, as the organization’s leader and driver behind the creation and distribution of the blight. The torrents claim responsibility for acquiring and releasing the fungicide on Sol Base in their attempt to protect the colonies.

  They also affirm that Ice Port was attacked wrongly and without provocation by the Collective Unified Forces under the purview of Corps General Michel Ausyar, with the intent to silence colonists speaking up against inequality.

  This is Lina Tao reporting the truth. Let the colonies be free.

  “I like her closing. It had a nice ring to it,” Critch said and took a drink.

  “She revised the script,” Seda said. “But it works. I especially liked how she included Ausyar’s and Heid’s names. Their hands will be full dealing with questions.”

  Reyne shook his head, tension squeezing at his heart. “What she did was dangerous enough. Mentioning Ausyar and Heid was suicide. That poor woman’s life expectancy just dropped to about sixty seconds.”

  “None of us like it, but death is an inevitable condition of rebellion,” Seda said. “Sacrifices are made, and it’s our job as leaders to make sure something good comes out of them.”

  “Thanks to Lina Tao,” Critch began, “everyone across the Collective goes to bed tonight knowing that the galaxy has tilted on its axis and there’s no going back.”

  “Between Lina’s broadcast and mine, I’d say the Fringe Liberation Campaign is officially launched,” Seda said. “We’re going to have rebellions sparking in every colony within days, if not hours.”

  “The Fringe Liberation Campaign,” Hari mused. “I like it. It’s a good name for a war.”

  Epilogue

  Gabriela Heid entered Devil Town’s stationhouse like she didn’t have a care in the world. Today, she wore the simple, scratchy CUF uniform assigned to all conscripts. She’d also lightened her hair and left it hang loose, though she still wasn’t used to the sensation of hair on her shoulders.

  One of the first lessons her father had taught was that the simplest disguises were often the most effective. She had to admit Mason was right about some things, such as espionage, assassinations, and torture. But he was terribly wrong about other things, especially the things that really mattered. Like freedom, equality, and the value of humanity.

  Dozens of conscripts patrolled the stationhouse, and she blended in effortlessly. She scanned the fake pass-card and received a computer stick that led her the crowd and to a door where she inserted the stick into the lock.

  The computer stick emitted a masculine groan of ecstasy. “You fit me into that slot wonderfully, Ms. Smyth. You may now proceed. May your visit to Devil Town fulfill all your fantasies.”

  “It’ll at least be a start,” she murmured before she stepped out of the bustling room and into a winding corridor.

  She continued until a tall, muscular man approached her. He looked her up and down appraisingly before giving her a smile that hinted at carnal promises.

  Heid gave him a once-over and smiled in response because while he thought she was checking him out, she was scanning him for weapons. On the downside, he was carrying two pistols and a rather long knife. Nearly as many weapons that she had hidden under her uniform.

  He motioned down the hallway. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll take you to see the stationmaster.”

  She could’ve sworn he’d said, “If you’ll come for me.” She tilted her head. “I’d like that very much.”

  Heid found the stationmaster sitting at his desk in an office th
at was outrageously gaudy. As soon as she entered, he stood and looked past her shoulder. “Leave us.”

  When the door closed behind her, she cast a glance to make sure they were alone. The stationmaster walked over to her and held out his hand. She masked her disdain of both the stationmaster and his décor by forcing a pleasant smile and giving him her hand.

  “Gabriela, I’ve long since hoped to make your acquaintance,” he said before bending over and kissing her hand. “Lincoln Finn, at your service.”

  He held onto her hand a second too long, but she let him linger.

  “I’ve been looking forward to our visit,” she said.

  “Please have a seat, my dear.” He returned to his desk and leaned back in his chair. “I have to admit. I’m surprised you came, especially after all that hoopla on the news lately.”

  She shrugged. “The CUF does make things a bit challenging, but I hope that I have nothing to worry about while I’m in your care.”

  “You’re perfectly safe here,” he said all too quickly.

  Her lips curled upward. “Captain Reyne assured me that I should meet with you.”

  “Did he, now?”

  “He did.”

  Lincoln’s examined her smugly. “Well, I suppose you want to talk about how I can help your torrents out with—what is it that you’re calling your little rebellion now? Oh, yes. The Fringe Liberation Campaign.”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  He leaned forward. “No? Why not?”

  “We already know that you aren’t going to support the Campaign. Not without keeping one hand in the Collective’s coffers.”

  He frowned. “Then what are you doing here?”

  Heid ran a finger sensually up her leg, and she noticed his gaze followed the motion. “I’d like to leave a message for Ausyar.”

  “I don’t have any contact with Corps General Ausyar.”

  “You don’t?” She cocked her head. “Funny, you told Reyne you did. And Seda seemed to think Ausyar paid you a hefty sum to lure me into a trap.”

  He stammered. “Nonsense. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I simply preferred to negotiate with you instead of with an old traitor or a scarred pirate.”

  She unsheathed the knife hidden on her thigh and flung it at the stationmaster. The blade skewered Lincoln’s eye and embedded deeply in his skull. The man was dead before he hit the floor.

  She slid over his desk and searched the panel for the switch to lock the office door. Safely secure in the room, she glanced at her wrist comm and noted the three minutes she had before Ausyar’s dromadiers would likely be crawling all over the place—assuming Lincoln had triggered an alarm when she’d first arrived.

  Then, she plugged in a small computer stick into his computer panel and waited. When the light flashed green, which was the signal that the hacker had connected, she turned back to the body.

  Heid tugged her knife free from his head, the movement making a wet sound as it pulled out of the eyeball. She cut open his shirt and carved her message to Ausyar… and more importantly, to her father.

  Finished, she wiped the blade on Lincoln’s shirt. She glanced at her comm. With nearly two minutes to spare, she stood and strolled right out the office’s back door.

  Coming Soon

  Fringe Campaign

  Book 3 in the Fringe Series

  To receive a notification when the next book is available, sign up for Rachel’s email list.

  The Collective

  The Collective is comprised of six terraformed planets in nearby solar systems within the Milky Way galaxy. The Collective is controlled by the dual leadership of Alluvia and Myr. Only those born on Alluvia and Myr are given legal status as citizens, while all others are considered colonists and receive fewer privileges. The Collective views colonists as means to achieve gain, and their pressure will drive the colonies—the fringe—to desperate actions.

  MYR is a silver-rich, water-rich citizen world with idyllic islands. Myr was the first settled planet in the Collective. Myrads have argyria and take great pride in their blue-hued skin.

  ALLUVIA is a water-covered citizen world and home to First City, the Collective’s largest city. Alluvia was the second settled planet in the Collective, and has the highest gravity of all Collective worlds. Alluvia has thick cloud cover and frequent storms.

  DARIOS is the most naturally habitable world and provides much of the Collective’s food supply. As such, it’s heavily regulated by the Collective. Its fringe station is Sol Base.

  PLAYA is the furthest world from Alluvia and Myr. It has low gravity and freezing temperatures. Its fringe station is Ice Port, which was destroyed by the CUF.

  SPATE is a desert-like world and has the largest fringe station, Devil Town, known for its massive garden.

  TERRA is a battle-scarred world, where much of the Uprising took place. Its fringe station is Rebus Station. Terra, the planet nearest to Alluvia and Myr, is home to the Citadel, the Collective's high-security prison.

  SPACE COAST is an asteroid belt outside Collective control and home to smugglers, pirates, and other outlaws. Its fringe station is Nova Colony, home to the infamous Uneven Bar.

  Glossary of Terms

  ABYSS: Term used to describe people and ships lost in space, presumed or known dead.

  CHIMESUIT: Blue, armored space suit worn by dromadiers. Named for the chime-like sounds the suit emits.

  CITIZEN: Free person born on Alluvia or Myr.

  COLONIST aka Fringe: General population in the fringe. Considered impure and lesser by many citizens.

  COMM: References communications sent/received, as well as personal communication devices.

  CUF: Collective Unified Forces (CUF). The Collective’s military led by Corps General Michel Ausyar.

  DRIFT: Slang term, meaning to die or to kill. E.g., “I drifted him with a single shot to the head.”

  DROMADIER: Soldier in the Collective Unified Forces.

  EM FIELD: Short for Electro Magnetic Field. On-ship technology to produce artificial gravity.

  EMP: Short for Electro Magnetic Pulse. Weapon employed by the CUF to disable ships.

  EVERSEA: A term referencing the space frontier. An Eden.

  FOUNDERS: Secret organization of citizens and colonists who steer the Collective’s actions using ulterior methods. Believed to have gone defunct after the War.

  FRINGE: Refers to the tributary planets and colonists under Collective control (Darios, Playa, Spate, and Terra), as well as the Space Coast.

  FRINGE STATION: A trading outpost with space docks. Located in the planet’s largest colony.

  JUMP SPEED: fastest speed at which ships currently travel. Requires jump shields to protect crews from hydrogen radiation poisoning from high, faster-than-light speeds.

  LOGGER: Waterlogged “puffy” person addicted to seasoned water, i.e. water seasoned with sweet soy.

  PIRATE: Outlaw who raids ships and smuggles contraband.

  RILON: Extremely durable yet flexible metal used on most hulls, weapons, and tools.

  RUNNER: Interstellar postman and transporter. Fringe runners commonly smuggle blue tea or sweet soy.

  SCALAR: References dark matter or space.

  SOLAR SAILS: Large flexible sails on ships used for long-haul space travel.

  STAR SWARM: Tsunami of space garbage/debris pulled into an asteroid’s gravitational pull.

  STRETCH: Playan colonist with low-g mutations. Extremely tall, with respiratory and heart defects.

  SWEET SOY: Highly addictive drug, often mixed with water.

  TENURED: Indentured servant. Tenured are often tricked into servitude.

  TORRENT: Colonist rebel who fought in the Uprising twenty years before the Fringe Series takes place.

  UPRISING: A revolt by the fringe colonists against citizens of Alluvia and Myr for equal rights.

  VIG: Derogatory term, referring to a small, smelly rodent found on Spate.

  VOICELESS: Tenured who have had their vocal co
rds destroyed because they broke laws or attempted to escape servitude.

  The WAR: War between Alluvia and Myr. The War ended with a truce and the creation of the Collective, as well as initiating the push for colonizing other worlds for resources.

  WOMBIE: Mutated, slow-moving Spaten colonists who have developed a camel-like ability to store water. Have extremely low IQs.

  Also by Rachel Aukes

  Fringe Series

  Fringe Runner

  Fringe Station

  The Deadland Saga

  100 Days in Deadland

  Deadland’s Harvest

  Deadland Rising

  Short Fiction in The Deadland Saga

  Cracked, from At Hells Gates

  Perfect, from Fat Zombie

  Colliding Worlds Trilogy

  Collision

  Implosion

  Explosion

  About the Author

  Rachel Aukes is the award-winning author of 100 Days in Deadland, which made Suspense Magazine’s Best of the Year list. She is also a Wattpad Star, her stories having over four million reads. When not writing, she can be found flying old airplanes across the Midwest countryside.

  Learn more at www.RachelAukes.com.

  To be notified of new releases, sign up for Rachel’s email list.

  Acknowledgements

  With extreme thanks to my editors, Stephanie Riva and Laurel Kriegler, for helping bring this story to life—and for your eleventh hour heroics. Also, a huge thanks goes out to my husband who patiently puts up with long writing hours and listening to all the crazy story ideas. Most of all, thank you, my readers, for your messages, cheers, and enthusiasm.