Sean’s eyes narrowed as his gaze fell to the weapon strapped to her leg. “Jean Dukes.”
Nickie looked a bit surprised but handled it well as she nodded. “You know your weapons.”
Sean nodded. “Used to carry a set myself. Back in the day. You know… when the frontier was policed by the lone gunmen.” He watched carefully to see if she picked up on the ranger reference, his brain searching for any clues as to who this girl might be. She didn’t seem to recognize him, but she did react when he mentioned the lone gunmen.
Karina stepped forward, her hand outstretched. The Yollin took a step backward behind Nickie. “I’m Karina. This is Sean. Royale. We’re both Royale.”
Nickie stepped forward confidently and shook her hand. She narrowed her eyes at Karina. “You’re not going to tell me you’re brother and sister?”
Karina shook her head.
Nickie nodded in understanding. “Married,” she concluded, with a slight smirk. “This is Grim,” she told them. “He’s the chef. Can make anything.” She folded her arms, looking from one to the other expecting something but nothing was offered.
Grim stepped forward. “Except we’re a little low on supplies right now,” he added shaking Karina’s hand now.
Karina smiled congenially. “That’s okay. We’ve got plenty of food back at the base. We’ll have you fed in no time, I’m sure.”
Karina glanced back at Sean. He seemed a million miles away. “You okay honey?” she asked.
“Yeah. Fine. Just doing some calculations. How fast can this ship go?” he asked Nickie.
Nickie’s expression went blank.
A voice came over the intercom to the cargo hold. “It was originally designed to travel at up to five hundred, but with a few enhancements we can push nearly six-fifty.”
“Meaning we’ll be back in Gaitune in…” Sean screwed up his eyes trying to do the calculation.
“A few hours,” the voice responded. “I’m Meredith, by the way. I’m aware of you Sean Royale,” she added mysteriously. Karina shot him another look, as if her earlier point about AIs and EIs was just being confirmed.
Sean’s eyes widened. “Well, you have me at a disadvantage, Meredith, because I know nothing about you except that name. Want to explain?”
“Well,” Meredith continued, “since we have a long ride ahead of us, and not much else in the way of entertainment, perhaps we can all have a nice talk?”
Sean ambled over to the crates. Durq panicked and scuttled away and hid behind Nickie. Sean pulled at some of the crates and arranged them like a seating area and plonked himself down on one.
It wasn’t the most comfortable, but it would do.
“Sure thing, Meredith. Let’s start from the beginning—as in, when you and Nickie left the Federation.”
Nickie tapped a finger to her lips. “I don’t think…”
He waved a hand. “It’s okay,” Sean reassured her, his tone gentler now. “I’ve been told to make friends rather than kill you. So, I suggest we get any secrets out of the way before we get back to base, because those folks out there understand a lot less about the goings on at the Federation than I do, and they might not be quite so understanding.”
Nickie moved toward the crates and sat down, followed shortly by Grim, and then Karina.
Durq remained at what he perceived to be a safe distance. The making-friends phase of Sean’s mission had begun.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Conference room, Special Task Force Offices, Undisclosed location, Estaria
The Sark had already descended beyond the planet’s horizon, leaving the last remnants of twilight bathing the streets in a reddish glow.
Rhodez strode purposefully from his car in the underground carport. He made his way into the secure facility. Passing through empty corridors, he accessed several security checkpoints, each demanding a little more confirmation that he truly belonged in the location. Eventually he emerged from the final elevator and headed into the office space.
His initial scan of the office showed him that no one was at their console. Instead, they were already assembled at the top meeting room. Realizing he must be late he strode quickly through the deserted office and took the steps up to the meeting room two at a time.
Now that he was closer he could see they were still talking amongst themselves. That meant they hadn’t started yet. He made his way in, closing the door behind him and nodding deferentially to Mrs. Bates who was still sorting through an array of holo screens on her wrist holo.
Alisha caught his eye. “Here,” she said, moving a chair out for him next to her. He hurried around to the other side of the table and sat down, noting that Joshua was watching. He guessed he wasn’t happy that Alisha was giving him what might be deemed to be special treatment.
Thankfully Carol Bates seemed ready to start the meeting. A hush fell over the meeting room full of agents.
“Greetings,” she announced. “It seems like today has been a productive use of time. Who wants to go first?”
No one moved, so Alisha raised her hand. “We can,” she volunteered, drawing a playful glare from her partner in the process.
Carol gave her the nod and sat down.
Alisha tapped her holo and cued up some of her evidence to show on the meeting room’s presentation holoscreen. “Our task was to investigate the former occupants of the positions filled last Thursday. Joshua and I took the undersecretary, one Robert Califray, to Garet Beaufort. Califray hadn’t been reported missing, even to this day, but his apartment has been re-let, and his things sold off. His job was also given to someone else. When we went digging we found that no one had actually heard from him in person. It was only after his assistant went looking for him at his apartment that she received a message at the office explaining he wasn’t coming back from vacation.”
Joshua took over. “With the help of Cleavon, we were able to track down the origin of the message to a mocha shop in midtown. We checked it out. Cross-referencing the time of the message with payments made at the mocha shop we were able to narrow down potential senders to one known person of interest in this whole campaign.”
He nodded to Alisha who tapped her holo to reveal the mocha shop image of Arnold Sloth.
There was a collective gasp in the room. All the agents here had been involved in discovering this man in the first instance over a year ago now.
“It’s that the guy behind the smoke bomb at the university!” Soraya exclaimed.
“One and the same,” Alisha confirmed. “Back then we discovered that he was a fixer for the Northern Clan, but the trail went cold. Plus, it was a few smoke bombs and kids.” She added glancing over at Hans Duo on the other side of the table. “No offense,” she added, suddenly remembering his involvement.
He waved his hand. “None taken.”
Carol interjected. “So we think he sent the message impersonating the missing person. To what end?”
“To stop people from looking into Califray’s disappearance,” Alisha responded confidently.
“We’re thinking he probably killed our guy,” Joshua added grimly, “and then sent the message to stop anyone from looking into his disappearance.”
Carol nodded, taking notes. “Right then,” she drawled as she tapped her holo. “What’s your next move?”
Alisha and Joshua exchanged looks. “We’ve put a watch out for Sloth. When he surfaces, we will want to interview him.”
Carol tapped her lip. “People like that don’t admit to anything. They lawyer up. When you find him, keep eyes on him and see what he leads you to. You’ll end up with far more intel that way than if you bring him in and spook him.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they responded in unison.
Carol studied the pair for a moment. “And you might want to start digging carefully—and I mean carefully—into his replacement, too. Tread gently, because based on everything else we know, he’s suspect for something.”
Alisha took another note, as Carol shifted her at
tention. “Rhodez? You were on our embezzler. What did you turn up?”
Rhodez straightened up in his seat and took a breath. “I don’t think he did it,” he stated bluntly. “The sudden payments in close succession over a few days into an obviously traceable bank account. It wasn’t him.”
Carol regarded him skeptically for a moment. “And his confession?”
“Turns out he was strongly encouraged to take a deal for a smaller sentence after the police had started releasing the pressure on him. His attorney, Henry Scarlet, suggested it was the only way to get his sentence down from twenty years.”
Elroy leaned forward. “Hang on, you can’t get twenty years for embezzlement.”
“Exactly,” Rhodez agreed, pointing at his teammate, “and you’d think an attorney of the justice department would know that. But when I asked, it wasn’t the police who had said anything about twenty years. That had come from Scarlet.”
“So, we’re thinking the attorney is dirty?” Carol clarified.
Rhodez nodded confidently. “Yes, ma’am. I was gonna run an analysis on his cases overnight, see if he has done anything like this before. Even now though, I think it’s safe to assume he’s in someone’s pocket.”
“Good work,” Bates told him. “Elroy, Dhashana, Cleavon—where are we on protection details?”
Dhashana spoke for her team. “Suedermann and Carpe are both under constant surveillance. They have to continue with their work, but we have safe houses ready should the situation escalate. They’re being watched around the clock by two agents each, and each potential target has been fully appraised of the situation. They know the risks, and we’ve recommended full protective custody which they’ve each declined. We’ve also got requests in with the security teams at each of the government buildings to increase security in their departments, too.”
“Good.” Carol’s cold smile hardened. “If there is so much as a suspicious person or anything in chatter that suggests they’re in danger, I want them pulled and put into protective custody. I don’t care what they say or how much they protest. It’s out of their hands at that point. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dhashana confirmed.
“Cleavon?” Carol said, turning back to the analyst.
Cleavon was prepared. “We’ve got the go-ahead for a bug on Beaufort and his new undersecretary. We’ll be planting it in the offices tonight, posing as cleaning crew.”
“When you say we, you mean?”
“Raza and myself,” he confirmed. “Well, Raza mostly,” he qualified, shooting a look across to the athletic-looking Estarian. “I’ll be on point tapping their existing security feed so we can get in and out undetected.”
Carol nodded. “Ok good luck. Let me know as soon as you’re done with a holomessage.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he confirmed.
Carol checked a few more items with her team before dismissing them. The meeting room emptied out with some agents ready to complete their night-time missions, and the others going home to get as much rest as they could before it all started again the next day.
Hangar deck, Gaitune-67
The Your Future's Devine set down on the hangar deck, after only a short delay due to security protocols. Nickie waited somewhat patiently as the others got their gear together and headed out down the ramp into the new Federation-looking base.
I’m not comfortable with this, Nickie grumbled to Meredith in her head.
She strode confidently down the ramp of her ill-acquired ship. Her long, dirty blonde hair curled resentfully around her face, defying all of the tonging and straightening she had put it through the last time she showered.
Despite her attitude and unhealthy habits, she was athletic and toned. As Molly watched her approach, she guessed it was probably on account of the nanocyte technology she must have been exposed to. She’d noticed changes in her own body after her pod doc experience, making it far easier to stay in good shape.
Grim had congenially invited the two humans to move ahead of him. He followed them down, his two set of boots padding gently against the metal grating. Durq hung back, but scuttled in between Grim up front, and Nickie reluctantly bringing up the rear. He looked like a fearful pet, caught between his two masters.
In light of recent revelations, it appears that this is going to be your closest contact with home in several years, Meredith reminded her.
That’s exactly why I’m not happy about it. Plus, that Molly chick said AI.
Yes. I noticed that too.
How come she gets an AI and I only get an EI?
Meredith paused uncharacteristically. Are you suggesting I’m not adequate?
No. I’m just curious.
Maybe you can ask her. You know, when you sit down and talk.
I dunno. That’s a bit… you know, personal, don’t you think?
I wouldn’t know. I’m a mere EI. I have no inkling of the social nuance of the situation.
Touché, Meredith.
***
The humans reached the hangar deck floor first, to be met by more of the crew. There were two human females she could see as she approached. One with pale white skin and one a chocolatey brown. Nickie’s gaze flicked from one to the other trying to guess who she’d been talking to. It was strange seeing such a high density of humans in one place after all this time.
There were back slaps and hugs. A similar display of camaraderie that she had seen all the time with the troops back on the Meredith Reynolds. The very thought of it made her resent these people already.
Finally, she reached the bottom of the ramp, noticing that Durq kept his distance from the group but orientated himself closest to Grim. Grim was such a people person, she mused, idly.
The girl with the yellow hair and pale complexion moved toward her. “Greetings,” she said. It was the same voice she had been dealing with. She looked less intimidating in person. “Welcome to Gaitune-67, home of the Sanguine Squadron.”
The guy with her echoed the sentiment. “I’m Joel,” he said, offering his hand. Nickie remembered the old human custom. And hated it. Nevertheless, she forced herself to be accommodating and shook both their hands.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Nickie. Nickie Grimes.”
The human who had identified himself as Sean Royale reacted when she said her name but offered nothing.
“So you guys are Federation?” she asked, filing Sean’s reaction away to follow up on later.
“Not exactly,” Molly confessed.
Nickie glanced around at the ships all around. “But these are Federation ships. And Federation technology.”
Molly smirked. “Is your EI telling you that?”
Nickie blushed. “Yes,” she admitted, playing with her finger. “But I did grow up in the Federation.”
She regretted the impulsive display of attitude immediately.
“Interesting,” Molly remarked. She glanced sideways at Joel, noticing that he was studying the young lady for more clues. And probably a psychological profile.
Molly changed the subject. “I suppose we should let the General know you’re safe.”
Nickie felt her blood run cold. “No! Let’s not. Please, don’t do that.”
Molly frowned. “Why not?”
“Because.” She paused a moment. “Well, it’s complicated.”
“Are you on the run?”
“Not exactly.”
“Well, what then? Are they looking for you?”
“No. At least… I doubt it. I’m… on leave.”
Joel interjected. “With a Skaine ship?”
“Yeah,” she snorted. “What about it?”
Molly pressed her lips together. “I think we need to have a talk before we go much further. And you need to fill us in on exactly what is going on, else I have a duty to report this to the Federation.”
Not like you to toe the company line.
She’s clearly not happy at the thought of me reporting this. I think I can use it.
That
’s admirably deplorable.
Watch and learn, Ozzy-baby.
“So, Nickie. What do you say? Wanna sit down and talk about this diplomatically?”
Nickie had folded her arms. She released one hand to wave it dismissively. “Whatever. Fine.”
Molly looked around at the accumulating personnel. “Okay, how about you and I head into the base conference room, and Joel, perhaps you could organize introductions and look after our guests?”
Joel straightened up, surveying the group that was mulling around. “Sure thing.”
Molly clocked Paige heading down the stairs from the daemon corridor. “Perhaps you could get Paige to organize some beers and pizza for us in the conference room, whatever our guests would like. Maybe take them up to the safe house and make them comfortable?”
Joel smiled. “No problem.”
Molly motioned to Nickie in the direction of the double doors off the side of the hangar deck. “After you,” she said politely.
Nickie strode off toward the double doors, annoyed with herself as much as anything else.
Joel snapped his attention to the group that was assembled on the hangar deck.
“Okay,” he announced, feeling like he had a bunch of new recruits. Karina and Sean flanked him as if they were his back up. “This is Karina and Sean.” They waved their hands at the newbies. “I guess you guys have already met though,” he added, a little embarrassed. He stepped forward and offered his hand to the Yollin.
“You are?”
“Grim. This is our friend Durq.” Durq waved awkwardly and folded one arm across his body and held onto the opposite elbow.
Joel noticed the awkwardness and didn’t push for the handshake.
Paige appeared during the introductions, the sound of her high heels on the hangar deck flooring heralding her arrival. “Hey, guys… how’s i—”
The Skaine and the Yollin turned to greet her, and she jumped back in surprise. “Oh my!” she exclaimed more loudly than she had intended. She drew back and quickly clamped one hand over her mouth.
Sean chuckled. Karina immediately slapped him with the back of her hand, shutting him up.
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