Chapter 12
“I’m not gonna lie. I’m not too excited about this,” said Miles as their elevator zoomed for the deck two airlock. “I mean, in the Empire, if you get behind a few Q and can’t pay your debts, they garnish your wages or lock you up or something. But here, word is they blow off your head in a public place.”
Calvin laughed. “You really haven’t been to Aleator before, have you?”
“No, but I’ve heard my share of stories.”
“And they’re all just ridiculous stories. Don’t believe them.”
“Oh, good.” Miles smiled.
“The Roscos would never be so careless as to blow off your head in public. They’d much rather torture you first, then blow off your head somewhere private.”
His friend’s smile faded, and Calvin couldn’t resist continuing. “Drag you off in your sleep, take you to some warehouse basement, and light you on fire, or maybe run a nail through your head nice and slow.”
“Really, that’s very comforting.”
“I’m only half joking, you know. So be careful.” Calvin had heard of even worse punishments inflicted by the Roscos on their enemies, but Calvin also knew the Roscos claimed to have a sort of code and would never hurt anyone who hadn’t crossed them first. And, if they saw someone abusing a woman, child, or the handicapped, they might kill the abuser on the spot. People who didn’t piss off the Roscos were paid very little attention. Unless a lot of money was involved. Then those were treated like a king, like a rich man who could pay more than full price for everything. However, insiders gone bad, those Rosco members who were traitors to their own family, those special offenders got the worst of all punishments—which Calvin didn’t even care to imagine.
The elevator came to a stop, and the doors slid open. “Here we are,” said Calvin, stepping out with Miles in tow.
“I still think someone else should go instead, maybe Summers or Sarah.”
Calvin spun around. “Are you scared?”
“No, no, no. It’s just … we’re too valuable, me and you, for such a risky mission.”
Calvin laughed. “And I suppose Summers and Sarah are expendable? As much as I’d love to see our delicate XO try to blend in with the thugs and cutthroats, and try to keep their hands off of her, the mission would be a disaster. She could never pass for an outcast. She’s too uptight, too disciplined, too unable to improvise. She’s got no street-sense. As for Sarah, without her, no one is flying anywhere. There’s no better pilot in the whole Empire, and, when the missiles start flying, evasion and escape can be more important than even your sharpshooting, Miles.”
“What about some of the junior officers?”
“Relax, you’re staked. You have 1200 Q to drop a little at a time, and no credit to go any deeper. All your accounts are frozen, and your cards are staying here. Your fake ID is convincing enough that it would fool customs at Capital World. Besides, you look great—like the perfect Imperial reject. We both do.” Calvin sported a worn jacket over a casual shirt and loose-fitting jeans. Miles’s attire was similar. “And, if that’s not enough, here comes the rest of our party.”
Two soldiers from Special Forces met them at the main hatch. They too wore casual clothes with handguns and radios well hidden.
Miles looked both pleased and irritated. “Why didn’t you tell me we have backup?”
“What? You thought it’d be just us, two disguised Imperial agents setting foot aboard Aleator One by ourselves?” Calvin laughed. “That’s crazy talk.”
The lead soldier spoke up before Miles could reply. “Uzbeck and Jackson reporting as ordered, sir.”
“Okay, Uzbeck and Jackson, once we step through that hatch, you’re no longer Uzbeck and Jackson. Remember your fake IDs, and use street lingo. Stick to your mission, and act like fugitives. Anything less will compromise everything. Keep your distance, but don’t lose sight of us. And whatever you do, don’t leave the set without us.”
“Sir, yes, sir.”
“Miles, Uzbeck is going to be your ghost. Once we go aboard, we’re going to split ways. Jackson will tail me. You take the Crystal Mist Casino and whatever is above it. Scope out shops, restaurants, whatever you find. Be thorough, but don’t ask too many questions. I’ll take the Rodeo Den Casino and make my way down the lower decks. We’ll meet up at the Crystal in four hours. Got it?”
“Yeah.”
“And at least try to be inconspicuous.”
“I know the drill. I trained for Intel Wing too, you know.”
“Good,” said Calvin. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”
“What if I lose my ghost and accidentally piss off a Rosco?”
Calvin grinned. “Then you do what they teach at the academy.”
“And what is that?”
“Close your eyes and kiss your ass good-bye.”
The hatch opened, and Calvin motioned toward the jetbridge. “After you.”
The Phoenix Conspiracy Page 22
