by Sarah Noffke
Hatch looked at Knox. “Pip said there was a problem with the fuel lines. Did you patch a leak? I guess that’s easy enough to handle.”
“Actually, the second interior armor plate had shifted and pinched the lines. I hammered it back into place and that fixed the issue,” said Knox, shrugging noncommittally. “It wasn’t really difficult.”
“No, it doesn’t sound like it,” agreed Hatch, and turned back to look at his crew. “But the dimwits around here wouldn’t have figured it out!” He raised his voice to make sure they could hear him. “They can’t tie their damn shoes, let alone follow the specs for building a Q-Ship!” Hatch looked at Julianna and Eddie again. “Hope you don’t need new ships anytime soon, because these monkeys can’t seem to build one.”
“We’ll need more sooner rather than later,” said Julianna. “Maybe Knox could help?”
Eddie tapped his chin. “We need good pilots, though, and he can handle himself in the air, can’t he?”
Hatch looked between the two with an annoyed expression on his face. “And heaven forbid you ask the kid what he wants.”
Knox shook his head, face slightly pink. “It’s fine. I’ll do whatever you need. I mean, if you’re going to let me stay and…work with you, or whatever you have in mind.”
Julianna looked at Eddie, and the two had a silent exchange. After a moment she nodded. “Knox, after seeing what you did back there in both Gun Barrel and Sagano, you’ve proven yourself to be an asset.”
“An asset?” he asked.
“That means she likes you,” said Eddie. “Would you like to join our team, fighting bad guys and protecting the Federation?”
Knox looked at the three of them like he expected someone else to answer for him.
Eddie continued, “It’s your call, Knox. You saved my life back there in the desert, and in my book that means you’ve proven yourself a dozen times over.” He motioned at the spot on the boy’s arm where he’d been shot. “What we do is dangerous. I think you understand that now, but just in case you don’t, take a listen and mind what I say. The people we fight are scoundrels, cold-blooded fiends with a thirst for killin’. They’ve drawn a line and dared the rest of the galaxy—namely us—to cross it.” He looked at Julianna and Hatch, then at Knox again. “It’s tough, doing what we do. Not a lot of people can.”
“Which is why we’re here,” added Julianna. “Because we have the capability to cross that line and hold our ground.”
Eddie nodded, and he gave the boy a wicked grin. “Plus, it’s a hell of a lot of fun.”
“Would our missions be like Sagano?” asked Knox.
“Well, bar fights aren’t really in the job description,” said Julianna. “They’re more of an extracurricular activity.”
Knox was quiet for a moment, as if he were weighing the variables in his head.
“Why don’t you think on it for today?” asked Eddie. “You can decide if you want to join after we’ve gotten that wound looked at and had some rest. Take some time and watch what we do. Hang around ArchAngel, and when you’re ready let us know.”
Knox smiled, shaking his head. “No, I definitely want to join. Definitely,” he said quickly. “I just don’t know what I want to do. I like to fly, but mechanics comes naturally for me.”
“Good,” said Eddie. “Think about that decision instead, then. It’s equally important.”
Hatch motioned with his tentacle. “Well, now that you humans are done with your moment, get out of my landing bay! I’ve got work to do.” He waddled past them and over to the Q-Ship, starting to inspect it at once.
Julianna smirked as she watched the octopus, then turned to Eddie. “Pip has decoded the information he downloaded from Gun Barrel, by the way. He’s sending it to Jack now. We should head to his office and review it together. Think you can hold off on that nap for a while?”
Eddie frowned. “Aw, fine. I guess stopping a galactic threat is more important than sleeping.” He waved at Knox as he and Julianna strode to the exit. “Go explore the ship, kid, but don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
“You like Gunner,” said Eddie, his tone teasing.
Julianna cast a sideways look at him, not at all impressed. “I think he has a good heart.”
“But you’re not as cautious about him as you were before, are you?”
The two walked through the corridor, crew members nodding in respect to them as they passed them.
“I think things have changed. He can’t really get himself in trouble on ArchAngel. We’ll see how he does, but yes, giving him a chance made sense,” said Julianna, then added, “I think we should still be careful.”
“You’re always careful.”
“Is this when you tell me I should live a little?” asked Julianna.
The pair rounded the corner and walked straight into Jack’s office. “Nah, this is when I tell you not to change. You’re the careful one, and I’m—well, the free spirit.”
Jack looked up from a report he was studying. “Captain, did you just describe yourself as a ‘free spirit?’”
“Well, I’m not like those hippies who run the crystal store on Onyx Station, but sure. I’m the relaxed one, and Jules is the careful one. It’s a nice balance,” said Eddie, taking a seat.
“Let’s get right to it. Now then, thank you for getting this information to me quickly. I’ve just reviewed it.” Jack pushed away from his desk, crossing his ankle over his knee. “Tell me, what did you learn in Gun Barrel?”
“That our contact had been murdered and the Brotherhood is one step ahead of us,” said Eddie.
“Damn it. I feared that Felix would go back and take out the person who vouched for him to the Defiance Trading Company. He’s not leaving any loose strings out there, or so he thinks,” said Jack.
“’So he thinks?’ What did the report tell us?” asked Julianna, leaning on the back of the chair.
“It appears that Axel Link took an interest in Felix after he was ‘asked’ to provide a reference. I’m guessing he knew the guy was up to something. The information Pip pulled from Link’s place shows that he was tracking an army, which I believe to be the Brotherhood,” said Jack.
“Why is that news to us? We know the Brotherhood are Felix’s minions,” said Eddie, leaning back in his seat and stretching.
“Every time we get a glimpse of the Brotherhood their numbers grow. From what I’ve learned, it looks like the Brotherhood army has doubled since you went after Vas,” said Jack.
“Doubled?” asked Eddie, leaning forward. He remembered the sea of soldiers they’d encountered when they came face to face with Commander Lytes and General Vas. There had been more than they could handle, and that had only been a couple weeks ago.
“Yes, which means Felix and Commander Lytes are recruiting faster than ever. The information from Axel doesn’t specify where the army is being housed, only shows when they were on the move. Still, that gave us a good enough estimate of their numbers to guess that they’ve doubled,” said Jack.
“So now Felix has a huge store of weapons and is quickly growing an army…” said Julianna, voice trailing off and her eyes staring at nothing as she thought.
“Yes, which suggest he’s preparing for a war,” stated Eddie.
“Exactly. We suspected this was coming, but I don’t think we could have guessed that he’d make this much progress so fast,” said Jack.
“Especially after we destroyed his weapons cache. I would have thought it would take him a while to recover,” said Julianna.
“We know roughly the size of his army,” said Jack, no doubt trying to change the tone of the meeting from doubtful to optimistic. “And thanks to Knox, we also know what kind of weapons he acquired from the Defiance Trading Company. In truth, we know a great deal more today than we did yesterday, and I expect tomorrow we will learn even more. Progress takes time, my friends, but it will continue so long as we do our jobs.”
Julianna nodded in agreement and responded, “We need to kn
ow more about his ship technology. More importantly, we need to know what he’s planning next.”
ArchAngel flickered onto the screen behind Jack, interrupting the meeting. “Hello, all,” she said.
“Hey, A,” sang Eddie.
“Jack, the contact has arrived and is currently with Officer Sours,” said ArchAngel.
“Perfect timing. Thank you,” said Jack to the AI, and turned his attention back to Eddie and Julianna. “As you mentioned, we need to know what Felix is planning next so we can get one step ahead of him.”
“You brought in a contact who can help,” guessed Julianna.
“That’s right,” he said with a knowing smile. “Marilla recruited this contact, and I think he might be quite insightful. Go down to the Intelligence Center, and let me know afterwards what you learned. Dismissed.”
Chapter Eleven
Intelligence Center, QBS ArchAngel, Behemoth System
Eddie’s hand dove straight for his pistol upon entering the Intelligence Center and silently he pulled the weapon out, but left it pointed at the ground. Julianna tensed beside him, staring at the same threat with uncertainty in her eyes.
A huge Trid stood just in front of them, his back facing them. His long arms were stretched over his head and he stomped angrily. He obstructed the view of Marilla and Chester on the other side of him.
A loud roar spilled from the Trid’s mouth, one that vibrated the room, and Julianna pulled her gun from her holster, holding it at the ready.
There was a small laugh. “Then what did you do?” asked Marilla, her voice light.
“Uhhh, Officer Sours, what’s going on?” asked Eddie.
The Trid turned around and backed up at the sight of the weapons Julianna and Eddie held. Marilla sprang from her seat and covered the Trid protectively with her small body, although she made a horrible shield.
“What are you doing? Rex isn’t an enemy,” said Marilla, her voice urgent.
Eddie eyed the Trid, who looked like he might have just peed his pants. He was large, but had the demeanor of a scared mouse.
“This is your contact?” asked Eddie.
She nodded. “Yes, I met Rex when I was doing the archeological dig on Kai. He’s a friend, and a fellow scientist.”
Eddie lowered his weapon and cast a glance at Julianna. “Jack could have told us in advance.”
Julianna put her pistol away, shaking her head. “I think he’s probably having a good laugh right now. We were obviously set up.”
“I know many Trid are viewed as hostile and unwilling to work with humans, but I’m different,” said Rex. His voice was squeaky, also reminiscent of a mouse’s.
Marilla let out a steadying breath, then stepped to the side. “Rex, Captain Teach and Commander Fregin. They’re the ones you’ll report to.”
Rex nodded and took a seat in one of the chairs, but he didn’t fit quite right due to his size and stood again. Eddie pictured him as a giant teddy bear. Well, one with gills. A sweet shark-bear. He didn’t have the angry and predatory look on his face that all the other Trid seemed to wear.
Chester covered a grin when the giant Trid clumsily knocked over the chair while trying to lever himself out of it.
“You’re not working for the Kai government anymore, is that correct?” asked Julianna, also trying to keep her face impassive. Eddie, though, wasn’t really hiding his amusement.
“That’s right. I worked with the research organization with Marilla, but I’ve been out of government business for a while. The things the Kai government has been dabbling in were questionable, mostly because the people they were working with… Well, it didn’t seem right to continue,” explained Rex.
“Do you mean the Brotherhood and Felix Castile?” asked Eddie.
Rex nodded, his dark shark-eyes becoming quite serious at the mention of Felix’s name. “I used to work for Commander Vas, but when he left I used that as my opportunity to get out of Kai operations. I’m hoping to go back into research through the universities.”
“Left?” asked Eddie. “You mean after we blew him up?”
Rex flinched at the question. “Yes, I guess I do.”
“Tell them what you told me about Commander Lytes,” urged Marilla.
“Oh, right. Well, General Vas was popular with his soldiers, but he was not as powerful as Commander Lytes. He’s the real force behind the Brotherhood,” said Rex.
“Yes, we’re aware of that. What we need to find out is where the Brotherhood is and what they are planning next,” said Eddie.
“That’s where Rex can help,” said Marilla, giving Rex an encouraging look. “Go on. They need to know so they can intervene.”
Rex swallowed, something bobbing in his throat. “Well, I don’t know where the Brotherhood is based, but I do know that Commander Lytes is planning on taking over a planet on the fringe. They may already be there, putting their plans into action. That’s supposed to be their new base of operations.”
“What?” asked Julianna in disbelief. “An entire planet? That’s huge. Where? What is the name?”
Rex shook his massive head. “That I didn’t find out. I left before any of the information crossed my desk.”
“Where exactly did you work?” asked Julianna.
“The underwater base on Kai. It’s under the eastern equator,” explained Rex.
“Remember I told you that’s where their ships are constructed? The Stingrays?” said Marilla.
“Did you work in R&D?” asked Eddie.
Rex bluntly shook his head. “I’m a historian, about like Marilla. I worked in the facility, but mostly on the dry land where the dig was taking place.”
“Are you telling us that information on what the Brotherhood is planning can be found in this underwater facility?” asked Julianna.
“Pistris Station,” supplied Rex. “And yes. Plans and technology are all housed in that particular station. I know I’m betraying my people, but since they’ve partnered with the Brotherhood, I believe their interests aren’t pure. The Brotherhood has been giving huge donations to the Trid government in exchange for our compliance.” Rex shook his head, looking disturbed. “But money isn’t everything. I hear about what they’re doing, and I can’t be a part of that anymore.”
His voice was almost frantic, maybe even scared.
“Like the planet you mentioned?” asked Eddie.
The Trid nodded. “They took over the planet and enlarged their military forces. My department was all but cut, since it wasn’t vital to the mission. Most others were too, if they didn’t serve the ever-increasing war machine. All the Brotherhood cares about is expanding its influence and control. I don’t know specifics, but I know this is the start of something big. The power and influence of the Trid and Brotherhood are growing.”
“I think we all know who is behind this, manipulating and using the Trid and Brotherhood,” said Eddie, looking at Julianna. She agreed with a nod.
“Can you get back into Pistris Station?” asked Julianna.
Rex backed up several feet, nearly ramming into Chester. He looked as though he’d just been scared half to death. “Oh, no, I can’t go back there. I quit. What if they suspected something? They’d throw me into prison. I can’t have that.”
“Right,” said Julianna, drawing out the word. “Can you help us get into that underwater base?”
“Now you’re talking,” said Eddie, his tone excited. Breaking into a secret underwater base sounded like exactly what they needed to do next.
“I guess I could. You might still get caught, but I’ll tell you what I know,” said Rex.
Eddie clapped his hands and rubbed them eagerly. “Perfect.” He turned to address Marilla. “Have Rex convey everything he knows about Pistris Station to ArchAngel so Hatch can work on a way for us to get into this base. Chester, you think you can hack the security system for us, grant us access?”
Chester spun around in his seat with a wide grin on his face. “I must be a mind reader, since that’s
what I’ve been doing since Rex mentioned Pistris Station. I’ll have your clearance by the end of the day.”
Eddie let out a loud whoop. “That’s what I’m fucking talking about!”
Bridge, QBS ArchAngel, Tangki System
The ArchAngel gated to the Tangki system, arriving near Kai’s orbit.
“ArchAngel, can I please get an update on that information you’ve been hunting down for me?” asked Eddie, standing next to Jack on the bridge.
“Do you mean the information on how to get rid of that stubborn rash?” asked ArchAngel, her face on the large screen in the front. Many of the crew members at their different stations laughed.
“Ha-ha,” said Eddie. “No, and I don’t believe I asked for any such information.”
Jack stood nearby. “You’re still going through with this?” he asked. “Aren’t you concerned about backlash from Julianna?”
“I’ve thought about it. I think this is what she needs, and I think there could be some long-term benefits,” said Eddie.
“If you say so,” said Jack. “Personally I’m going to avoid that woman’s ire. She seems just as likely to rip your throat out as kiss you.”
“More the former than the latter,” said Eddie, “but I’ll take my chances!”
“If the two of you are finished,” said Archangel, “I’ve found the information you requested, Eddie. I’ll send it to you right now, along with those special rash remedies.”
“Wow, thanks. You’re a doll,” said Eddie, humorlessly. He pulled up his pad, tapping the screen. “Here it is. And our current location, the Tangki system, couldn’t be any more perfect. It’s like it was meant to be.”
“Serendipity,” supplied ArchAngel.
Eddie looked up, confused. “Huh?”
“’Serendipity.’ You said it was meant to be. That’s the word for it,” she said.
“Thanks. I’ll use your expensive word the next chance I get,” said Eddie.
Jack read the information on the pad over Eddie’s shoulder. “I agree that the locations line up pretty well. Are you going to contact him?”
