Delta Fringe Series Boxset: Books 1-3

by Heather Lee Dyer

  6

  New Tech

  The supply bay of the galactic hospital ship is vibrating with organized chaos. There are lines painted on the floor of the bay showing where certain supplies are supposed to be taken and stored, and other lines that designate where anti-grav loaders should drive. So everyone and everything has a place to be, it just seems like it’s happening all at once. I feel like I’m in the middle of a honeybee swarm.

  I see my dad’s tall frame leaning over several crates off to the side so I pick my way carefully around the busy crew toward him. He’s just dropping my final crate into a section labeled “Visiting Medic.”

  I smile as he turns around and sees me, his face lighting up. “Good, you’re here. You can double check I’ve brought everything you need.”

  Despite all the crew busily working around us, I wrap my arms around my dad in a tight hug. “I’m sure you thought of everything.” He hugs back, and I sadly realize this is the second time in so many minutes I’ll need to say goodbye to someone I love. This part of traveling the stars was not on my radar. I frown as I think of how long the Carina missions stay away from their families and any sort of civilization.

  Warning lights flash all around us announcing impending departure. “Looks like I need to go now, Bren.” My dad pulls me back at arm’s length and pins me with his sternest fatherly expression. “You be careful out there.”

  I bite back a giggle. I can never take him seriously when he tries to be all fatherly on me. Our relationship is more like teammates than father-daughter. Since I came to live with him as a teenager, we never did have that whole power play with discipline and rules. I have always respected him.

  “I’ll be fine, Dad. It’s not the first mission I’ve been on. And it looks like you brought more than enough supplies. This ship has its own supplies you know.” I grin.

  The stern lines on his face dissolve into a smile. “I’m so proud of you Bren. This is a great opportunity for you.” He drops my hands, and we walk toward the outer door.

  I catch a glimpse of Markov off to the side securing a crate of supplies. “Yes, I agree it’s a great opportunity, and I think Markov had something to do with getting me here. I’m just not sure why the galactic investigators agreed to have me on this investigation.”

  We stop at the edge of the bay, where the three foot thick door will be sealing closed in a few minutes. The worry lines near Dad’s eyes have returned. “I’m not sure either. That’s why you need to be extra vigilant and question everything. Be on alert at all times. I don’t like you going into the middle of all these mining attacks like this.”

  “I’m not going into the middle of them, Dad. I’m going in afterward. The galactic investigators already secured the scene. I’ll be fine.” I smile despite a sharp pain in the pit of my stomach.

  He grabs me in a hug and whispers in my ear. “I’m serious about not trusting anybody. The reason they’re making me stay on Delta is to process a vessel they brought in from the attacked mining company. While you look for clues at the mine, I’ll be looking for them on this pirate ship. No one knows how far up in the political structure this goes.” His breath tickles my ear and gives me a shiver down my spine. I knew we weren’t sure to trust, but hearing it whispered from my dad, who is always positive and calm, makes me uneasy.

  I nod in his embrace. “I’ll be careful,” I whisper back. “What about Markov?”

  Dad pulls away and glances over at the tall medic walking toward us. “I’ve done checks on him and Derek, and so far I believe you can trust those two,” he says quietly.

  I’m shocked at first he checked on my friends, but before I can get upset at him, I realize in this situation, it was needed. I relax and step back. “Thanks, Dad. Let me know what you find out.”

  He winks at me before he turns and makes it across the bay in a few large strides. My heart skips a beat as a fleeting thought crosses my mind. What if I never see him again? Just like Mom? I shake myself mentally as I watch him disappear into the first chamber. I’ve got to stop thinking that way every time I leave him on an investigation.

  An ear piercing alarm fills the air as the large bay doors start descending. I turn away and head over to Markov, who meets me half way.++

  “Bren! I’m so glad we get to work together again.” Markov’s upbeat emotions are contagious, and I can’t help but to smile.

  “I’m looking forward to it too. I’m sure you had something to do with recommending me for this mission, so thank you.” I narrow my eyes at him.

  He places a large hand on my shoulder. “Yes, we’ve already been over that. You helped get my amazing promotion, and now I’m going to help you get closer to your Carina goal.” His grin is so wide I think it will split his face.

  “Thanks, Markov.”

  All the crewmembers around us start heading out of the bay, so we follow. The pathways are well marked, and once in the corridors it is much quieter. Everyone seems to know where they’re going, including Markov.

  He stops me at one of the first lifts. It has a small computer station next to it. Markov holds up his hand toward me. “Let me see your Delta implant.” His Russian accent is enchanting to hear, and although his words may be abrupt, his inflections and mannerisms are not. This is probably why people are drawn to him; his personality is open and friendly.

  I hold out my wrist for him. He takes it and presses it up to the scanner on the screen. It scans my implant, and after a few seconds, the lights in my implant turn from red to green and flash twice.

  “There. Now you have access to our whole ship, and I downloaded all the schematics of this ship and the asteroid mine onto your chip.”

  I stare at the digital readout below my dark skin. Instead of the time glowing in its usual red, its green as well. Medical access. “Thanks, Markov. I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.”

  He links his arm in mine, and we enter the lift. He takes us to deck seventy-eight where we step out into another floor of chaos. The aroma of many different kinds of food hits me and my stomach growls reminding me I haven’t eaten yet. I grin at Markov.

  “I remember you forget to eat.” He pats my arm and looks smug.

  I roll my eyes. “I could eat.” I look out over the large room. It’s shaped in a semi-circle with restaurants filling the far end with plenty of seating in the middle.

  “Good. I treat you to some pretty decent Shashlik, you’ll like it.”

  I grimace. I’ve never had Russian food, and I tend to be particular with what I like. On Delta, I tend to get the same three or four dishes. I don’t like trying new foods. But I allow Markov to lead me across the large dining hall. My growling stomach sounds loud even in the noisy atmosphere.

  Markov orders for us, and we carry our trays over to an empty table. I poke the food with my fork trying to decide what it is.

  “You’ll like it, I promise,” says Markov. He’s eyeing me, his own fork hovering over his plate.

  I take a deep sigh as I pick up the stick with cubes of meat on it and take a bite. I chew cautiously at first, but I’m pleasantly surprised it’s not gross. In fact, it’s pretty good.

  “Good, huh?” Markov grins at me before he digs into his own food.

  “It’s actually not too bad.” We finish the rest of the meal just listening to the conversations around us. It’s nice just knowing someone here on this ship, which is easily larger than Delta Station.

  “Ready for a tour?” Markov grabs both of our empty plates.

  “Of course. Having the plans and actually seeing the ship with my own eyes is way different.” I hold up my implant.

  He grins and stuffs our plates into a recycler. Back at the lifts, I realize there are more than a dozen lifts here. I look at Markov. “I need to start paying more attention. This place is so big I could get lost.”

  “Even with the layout I gave you?” He shakes his head laughing at me.

  “It’s not smart to always rely on a map when you’re lost. What if my imp
lant died or lost connection with the comm signal?” I put my hands on my hips and face Markov. He’s not as tall as my dad and only an inch or two taller than I am. Eye to eye, I raise my eyebrows waiting for an answer.

  “That would never happen,” he states simply. He shrugs his broad shoulders.

  “It could. That’s why miners never rely on implants or tech that needs charging or a signal to operate.”

  Markov studies my face. “You’re serious. How do you know this?”

  “I lived on Mars colony until I moved to Delta station, remember?”

  “Ah. In the mines with your mother. Now I remember you telling me something about that. Your mom died in the mines?”

  “Technically, we lived above the mines, but yes she died down in them.” I lower my eyes and relax my arms. “So I know enough that when we get to the asteroid, we need to not have to rely on these implants.”

  “I understand.” He pushes the button for our lift.

  “So, after you give me a tour, we need to start studying all the information we have on that asteroid and what happened.” I step onto the lift and watch as Markov pushes the Level 1 button.

  “In that case, I know exactly where we need to start. Communications. You can figure out what information you need to be sent to your tablet.”

  “I don’t have a tablet with me. They needed mine in the morgue since most of the others were damaged in the accident.” I grind my jaw as I remember the trauma everyone on Delta has suffered. I feel a pain of guilt not being there to help with the restoration.

  “We’ll get you one in the comm center. You’ll need an upgrade anyway.” Markov smiles a crooked smile at me, his blue eyes challenging me.

  “I’m too tired to take your bait, Markov. I realize you’re enjoying all the advanced tech on this ship.” I nudge him with my elbow. “You should be thanking me, not teasing me about it.”

  He tries for his most serious face, but fails miserably. I end up laughing because Markov just has one of those faces that never seems serious no matter what kind of terrible situation he’s in. I know. During the whole time we were trapped on Delta station taking care of seriously injured patients, even his serious look was hopeful.

  “Isn’t your hospital ship pretty high tech as well?”

  “Yes, but we don’t have quite as much access to the newest tech like this galactic-run hospital does. Our private hospitals also believe in the quality of atmosphere and caring for the healing of patients. The military just gets stuff done. No frills.” He grins like he’s on a vid commercial.

  The lift door opens just then, and we step out into the corridor. There aren’t many crewmembers here. Most of the ones who do pass us are wearing light yellow uniforms. I look questioningly at Markov. “Yellow is for comm crew. Very few medics or officers come down here. But the commander gave us permission to get you anything you might need for this mission.”

  I force my mouth shut as we enter the comm room, so as not to be gaping. It’s three tiers of glistening comm stations overlooking an amazing three-story vid screen split into dozens of views. There are so many comm stations and vid screens in here it’s hard on my eyes. I sway a little at all the stimulus.

  Markov grabs my arm and steadies me. “A little overwhelming, no?” I swear his accent is more pronounced when he’s teasing me.

  I just nod, grateful for the support as we walk around the semi-circle. I glance around a few of the crew member’s heads and see nav screens showing the quadrant we’re traveling through and some showing the area around the asteroid. I pause behind one vid screen of the asteroid. There are three large galactic security ships hovering around it like giant vultures surrounding a dead piece of meat. I shiver and continue walking.

  We reach the end of the row, and Markov scans us into a door. It slides open to reveal a long room with shelves from floor to ceiling filled with comm and tech equipment. A dour faced woman greets us from a small desk by the door.

  “Mr. Markov. I was expecting you. Miss Teves.” She looks me up and down. “You could’ve at least reported here in uniform.” She then turns and walks down past the rows of shelves.

  I look at Markov who is of course grinning. I narrow my eyes at him. “You could’ve warned me,” I whisper fiercely.

  “What fun would that be,” he whispers, his breath causing my curls to tickle my ear.

  I clamp my mouth shut and follow the stiff woman as she hands me a new tablet with a virtual keyboard along with several other tech gadgets that I just shove in my pack. Every time she hands me something she makes a big show of scanning my implant and lecturing me about it being galactic property. We finish up, and I thank her before quickly leaving the room. I’m halfway across the comm room before Markov catches up.

  “I think she likes you.”

  “If we weren’t in public I’d punch you. How does everyone put up with her?” I can’t believe one woman could get me so worked up.

  “People take good care of their tech so they don’t have to face her.” He laughs as we stop at a set of stairs. “After you,” he says.

  I look down. More comm consoles. “What are we doing down there? It looks the same as up here.”

  He nudges me, and I start walking, my pack slung across my shoulders.

  “This is where we’ll get your tech working and loaded with everything you need,” Markov explains from behind.

  I descend the last few stairs and find myself face to face with the galactic commander from Delta station. I skid to a stop, still holding on to the railing. “Commander. What are you doing here?” I take a quick breath as my heart tries to beat out of my chest. “I mean I didn’t expect to see you here on this hospital ship.” Keep it together, Bren.

  “I’m traveling with you to the asteroid. One of those ships guarding it,” he waves his hand up at one of the vid screens showing the asteroid, “is my ship. I came to Delta on a fast shuttle just to join you.”

  7

  Mars Connection

  I grasp the stair railing tightly as I try my best to look unaffected by the commander’s unexpected presence. But my vision is swimming as I try to look calm.

  “So you left your ship at the asteroid just to travel back on this hospital ship with me and my team?”

  “No, I needed my ship to remain at the asteroid to continue gathering information. I chose to come to Delta station to see the damage myself. And to gather you and the rest of the investigative team together.” His gaze flicks behind me to Markov.

  Markov’s pressure on my arm reminds me I need to not argue further with this man. “Well, I appreciate you choosing me for this mission, sir.” I paste on my best good girl smile.

  His thin-lidded eyes narrow at me, but his facial expression doesn’t change. “Let’s get you up to date, then.”

  A tech loads all the data and vids from inside the asteroid before, during, and after the attack onto my new shiny tablet. I also get all the data gathered so far from the three galactic ships hovering around the asteroid.

  “Is there anything else you need for now, Miss Teves?” I can tell the commander was not the one who chose me for this job. He doesn’t think I can do this.

  “I would like to talk to the survivors. Are they here on the hospital ship?”

  “Unfortunately, no. They are still on the small medic ship around the asteroid. Once we arrive, we will bring them aboard. Then you’ll have access to them.” He steps back, and it’s obvious I’m being dismissed.

  “Thank you,” I say. I turn to leave but stop with one foot up in the air. I step back down. “There is one other item I would like to have access to.” The commander doesn’t turn around, but I continue anyway, my hands shaking slightly. “I would like access to the information on all the other asteroid attacks.” I quickly add, “Please.”

  He turns slowly. “Of course.” His voice is venom, but he allows the sweating tech to upload more files. She doesn’t look up at any of us. Seems to be an unusual occurrence having a commander onb
oard.

  I take back the tablet with shaking hands. “Thank you, commander.” I turn and start up the stairs.

  “Miss Teves.” His voice makes the hairs on the back of my neck stick up, and I’m sweating like the tech.

  “Yes, commander.” I glance back, my hands sticky on the railing.

  “Don’t make me regret allowing you on this mission. I personally think you’re way out of your league here.”

  My mouth goes dry. I somehow manage to swallow and say, “I understand, sir.”

  With weak legs I climb the stairs without looking back. I can feel the commander’s gaze drilling into my back like a bone laser.

  I hold my breath until we exit the comm room and are back in the corridor. I drop the pack on the floor and slump down the wall.

  “You all right, Bren?” Markov stands in front of me with a worried expression on his usually cheery face.

  The cold wall on my back cools my nerves a bit. I place my sweaty hands flat on the floor and lean my head back. Even the ceiling is bright white and gleaming. This ship can’t be more than a few years old.

  “Bren?” Markov brings my attention back, and I look at him.

  “He just unnerves me for some reason.” I grab my pack off the floor and stand up. I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants. “I’ll be fine. Let’s hope the rest of the tour doesn’t have any more surprises.” I look at Markov over my shoulder.

  Markov places a gentle hand on my arm. “I didn’t know he was onboard. I’m not sure why he didn’t take the fast shuttle back instead of going with us. He could’ve been back to his ship by now.”