Lillian paused in getting to her feet. “This sounds like something I should stay to hear.”
“You have a trip to pack for,” Bethany Anne reminded her, smiling to soften her words. “And it’s classified information.”
Lillian wrinkled her nose. “Nice to know I’m not wanted.” She sniffed and flounced out, muttering under her breath.
Tabitha watched her go, then turned to face Bethany Anne. “I guess this is to do with the Bakas?”
Bethany Anne nodded solemnly. “You guessed right. We’re facing a split of the Bakas on Devon if one of Mahi’Takar’s brothers tries to pull a coup before we’ve secured our alliance.” She resumed her tapping. “I can’t pause to take care of this. My focus has to be on working out what the Kurtherians’ next move will be, preferably before they have time to work it out for themselves and send the Ooken to enact it. I need the Bakas, Tabitha. I need their numbers.”
Tabitha was well aware of the potential for civil war among the Bakas, and how that would impact their ability to hold the Ooken at bay. “We’ve already done a hell of a lot to stop that from happening. You fostered Mahi’Takar's son to protect him from his asshole uncles, and my classes are taking root with the Bakas who have been with us from the start. I think they’ve gotten past thinking small, and if they don’t? They will get left behind.”
“I have no doubt that the majority of the people will side with Mahi’ once we reveal our intention to fight for their home.” Bethany Anne frowned. “It’s her family I’m concerned about. What I’m planning is going to require the certainty they won’t stab her in the back at the first opportunity. Until we can be assured that they will remain loyal to Mahi’ and Trey, I want you to make sure the message sinks in.”
“No problem.” Tabitha hesitated a beat. “What about Nickie?”
Bethany Anne got to her feet. “Nickie will be just fine. Barnabas managed to keep you on the straight and narrow, didn’t he?”
Tabitha growled at the empty space Bethany Anne had occupied the moment before and left to find Mahi’Takar.
Chapter 2 Nickie
High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Barnabas’ Office
Onscreen, General Lance Reynolds dropped his unlit cigar into the ashtray on his desk and shrugged. “What do you suggest we do? Bethany Anne’s demands for more ships aren't slowing down any. The Admiral needs more materials than I'm currently able to supply to keep up.”
Barnabas sighed, wishing they had spent less of their previous planning meeting kicking back to enjoy the scenery and good food of Biorilluim and more getting the details of the logistics network in place. “We have all these unaffiliated independents running up and down the supply routes, and it’s an administrative nightmare. I just don’t know how effective it will be to continue sneaking these smaller consignments through the Interdiction.”
“I would say not at all,” Lance replied. “The last increase in Jean’s order was difficult enough to keep quiet.”
Barnabas leaned forward and steepled his hands on the desk in front of him as he considered Lance’s concerns. His thoughtful look passed quickly as he came to the conclusion that moving his plans for Nickie ahead was the only solution. “I understand the position you're in. Are you able to complete this shipment, at least?”
Lance lifted his hands. “I don’t know. It’s too bad we can’t just do this out in the open.” He chuckled softly. “I can’t see a trade agreement with Devon as being likely, especially when the other Federation leaders learn they’d be negotiating with Baba Yaga.”
“It’s a thought I have already considered,” Barnabas agreed. “You are, however, aware of the potential threat of discovery by the Ooken. If we begin sending resources openly through Devon, it will take them exactly two minutes to trace the shipments back to the Federation.” He raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to be the one to tell Bethany Anne that happened after she’s gone to so much effort to prevent it?”
Lance shook his head, his eyes widening fractionally. “Not in a million years. So we can’t send larger shipments to High Tortuga. Not unless you want to do it out in the open where everyone can see.”
Barnabas spread his hands. “Actually, that is exactly what I intend to do.”
Lance touched his fingers to his tired eyes and sighed. “Didn’t we just agree that being seen out in the open was a bad idea?”
Barnabas lifted a shoulder. “I said it would be a bad idea to run them through the Interdiction. With a touch of subtlety, we can circumvent the need to include Devon in the supply chain altogether.”
Lance looked out from his hands. “You want me to send the consignment straight to High Tortuga?”
Barnabas shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. “Not even Federation ships can pass this end of the Interdiction. Which, to quote your charming daughter, is a complete pain in the ass—but necessary to keep High Tortuga protected while she's away.”
Lance’s confusion deepened. “Barnabas, you’re making zero sense. Where do you want me to send this consignment? Help me out here. I get enough obfuscation when I’m in sessions at the Federation.”
“I don’t want you to send it anywhere.” Barnabas held up a hand to halt Lance’s interruption. “A fleet of Federation freighters turning up at High Tortuga? I can’t allow that. Same issues with discovery. Bethany Anne has lifted interplanetary trade restrictions for certain companies planetside. I had the Silver Line Co. transferred to Nickie’s name, and we’re going to make her Fleet Captain and bring them all in under her command.”
Lance almost choked. “And how did Nickie take that? She’s not exactly Little Ms. Team Player.”
Barnabas smiled serenely. “I haven’t told her yet. All in good time.”
Lance’s face fell. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to upset Lillian that way? That woman has had enough heartbreak to last her two extended lifetimes.”
Barnabas smiled. “You would be surprised at how much softer Nickie has become over the past year. I do not think Lillian will suffer the heartbreak you are expecting her daughter to cause. Besides, the pickup should be done at a location with as few prying eyes as possible. I had Nickie’s crew investigate the Voidrux issue, and the universe decided to smile upon us. We now own all the infrastructure of Voidrux industries, as well as retaining the full roster of employees. They were almost too happy to hear we’d stepped in.”
“I can’t argue she didn’t get the job done there.” Lance poked around the ashtray with the end of the cigar as he considered. He looked up a few moments later. “Has Nickie really made that much progress? Can we trust her not to fuck this up?”
Barnabas nodded, pride evident on his face. “Indeed. Nickie isn't the same pampered brat you knew, Lance. She isn't even the same woman who turned up here a year ago. She is nearing balance, and she's done a great deal of the work to get there herself. She is working well with the assignments I give her, and she takes good care of her crew. I know she’s ready. I just have to convince her of the same.”
Lance’s eyebrows went up. “I have to say, I don’t know if I can believe it. I thought we’d lost Nickie forever.”
Barnabas dismissed the General’s disbelief with a wave. “I had no such doubts. It’s that Grimes streak—she’s got it a mile wide.”
High Tortuga, Southern Continent, Capitol
“Why,” Nickie punched the Shrillexian in the face in time to her bitching, “can’t you assholes just fucking learn that if you pull this shit, I’m going to come looking for you and I’m going to make you fucking hurt?”
Grim, who was hovering around the edge of the altercation, grimaced. “This wasn’t exactly what I meant by opening up communications with the criminal underworld, Boss.”
She paused to catch her breath, still gripping the limp Shrillexian. “I’m communicating just fine,” she refuted. “It’s this asshole who isn’t playing nice.”
Grim stood to the side with his arms folded, wincing with every punch she landed. “
My good man, I would just tell her what she wants to know. She’s not going to stop hitting you until you do.”
Grim leaned over to Nickie. “You’ve got to stop at some point, right?”
Nickie laughed and drew her fist back again. “I dunno, I can keep this up all fucking day if this scumbag doesn’t start entertaining me with the information I asked him so nicely for. I’ve got shit to get on with, you know?”
The Shrillexian groaned as his head bounced off the permacrete wall again. “Gnuuugh! Haaannnnt! STOP!”
Nickie obliged, dropping the Shrillexian to the floor to give him a moment to gather his breath—and his missing teeth. She stepped back, her hand near her hip, tapping her foot while she waited for him to spill the beans. “Well?”
The Shrillexian gently probed his bleeding face, which was rapidly forming contusions around the cuts. “Okay, okay. I’ll tell you. Just stop hitting me!”
Nickie turned and flashed a grin at Grim. “See, I told you my way would work better.”
Grim rolled his eyes and shrugged. “You know how I feel about violence, although in this case, I approve.”
Nickie snorted. “I’m so glad you’re on board. I wouldn’t want to smash this drug-smuggling ring without your approval of my methods.” She punched the Shrillexian one more time just to make extra sure he was cooperative.
Meredith spoke up in Nickie’s mind. Well, your Aunt Bethany Anne always did say that the application of pain was the best motivator.
Really? Nickie asked. I always thought that was my granddad’s line.
Meredith snickered. Where do you think he learned it?
She dragged the Shrillexian to his feet and hoisted him back into the chair she’d kicked him off upon entering the room five minutes before. “Go ahead, then.” She waved a hand, leaning in. “Speak, shit stain. My patience is thinner than your chances of surviving this if you don’t start running your mouth. Right. Fucking. Now. Where and when is the exchange?”
The Shrillexian babbled incoherently for another moment before gathering his wits in a last-minute act of self-preservation. “The docks…over on the south side by the bridge. One hour. It’s going down while the guards are changing shift. That’s all I know, I swear!”
Nickie flexed her fingers and reached for the shaking Shrillexian. “If that’s all you know, then you're of no use to me anymore.”
The Shrillexian scrabbled backward, falling out of the chair once again. “D-don’t kill me.”
Nickie looked at the Shrillexian like he had lost his mind, then at Grim with an offended expression. “Do I look like a murderous fucking bitch?”
Grim shrugged. “Um… Kinda?”
Nickie considered herself for a moment. She was dressed head to toe in black leather, and had various weaponry strapped around her body and two Jean Duke Specials glinting malevolently on her hips. She snickered and flicked her long coat back. “Okay, you’ve got me there. But no. Asshole criminals go through the Justice system, where they can be put into their natural environment with all the other asshole criminals.”
The Shrillexian had rather handily backed up against the heat convection unit, ready to be tied up. Nickie fished a few cable ties out of a pouch on her belt and walked over with a no-nonsense grin.
Mere, call the cops to pick this trash up.
It would be my pleasure, her EI replied.
Nickie secured the Shrillexian to the heater and strode out of the warehouse purposefully. “Come on, Grim. We’ve got a smuggling operation to crash.”
Grim hurried to keep up with her. “The south side of the docks is a large area. How will we know where the meet-up will be?”
Nickie shrugged. “That’s Addie’s job.”
And Addie has it all under control, the woman in question answered. I’ve directed a transport to your present location.
Nickie’s lip curled when the beat-up hovercar arrived. A cab? Really?
It was the fastest option, Adelaide told her. Remember, you’re not supposed to be here.
Vigilantism sucks. I want a battleship. Nickie rolled her eyes and climbed into the hovercar after Grim.
The driver, an android wearing a flat cap and vest, turned in its seat when Nickie sat huffily in the back. “Where to?”
“Docks, south entrance,” Nickie told it. “Just get us there as fast as you can.”
The android looked her up and down, making a soft whirring noise. “Docks, south entrance,” it repeated. “Gotcha.”
The hovercar bobbed a couple of times and set off. The android looked back in the mirror, meeting Nickie’s eyes after another glance at her weapons. “Long day of maiming?”
Nickie met the android’s eyes in the mirror and flashed a wicked grin. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”
The android turned back to the road. “Rough justice,” it muttered, shaking its head. “Rough justice.”
“Just drive fast,” Nickie growled.
Nickie and Grim ducked under a deactivated section of the electrified fence at the boundary of the docks with a few minutes to go before the scheduled meet.
They moved quickly and quietly toward the coordinates Adelaide had given them on the ride over, switching to the Etheric comm to talk in the well of silence.
The meet was just getting underway when they arrived at the bridge. The two groups of criminals stood facing each other, each trying to out-intimidate the other.
Nickie thought their efforts to conduct an illicit deal in the middle of the night in a dark place fell a little short since both groups of Noel-nis were displaying the kind of nervousness that only came with the fear of discovery.
Their body language practically screamed, “I don’t belong here.” Nevertheless, Noel-nis were naturally excellent fighters. Nickie knew all too damn well not to get cocky with a whole mob of them.
Grim glanced at Nickie in alarm when he saw how many they had to contend with. Are we going to be able to do this?
Nickie snorted softly. Duh, yeah. Have you seen those amateurs? They all look like they wish their mommies were here to hold their precious hands. She shrugged. I wasn’t planning on arresting any of these wastes of good oxygen. You can go back to the ship if you want.
Grim shook his head. No, I’m not leaving you. We’ve got this.
Nickie counted the dead criminals walking as she drew her Jean Dukes Specials. We can do this, she told Grim confidently. None of them have weapons anywhere near as good as ours. It’s going to be just fine. Now, let’s go fuck shit up for some people who couldn’t deserve it more.
Adelaide spoke up over the comm before they could make a move. Nickie, are you okay with this?
Nickie frowned. What do you mean? Why wouldn’t I be okay?
Adelaide made a small, indecipherable sound. You know. Her mental voice dropped to a whisper. There are drugs there. You like drugs… Um, liked them… Oh, you know what I mean. Her voice trailed off for a moment, then filled with concern. Just tell us if you’re tempted and we’ll talk you out of it.
Nickie almost laughed aloud and gave away their location. Oh, Addie, never, ever stop being so innocent. And on the drugs, I’m more than done with all that self-destructive shit.
Meredith spoke to Nickie privately. I’m very glad to hear that.
Want me to get all mushy and say it’s all because I have a family now? Nickie snarked.
You wouldn’t be lying, Meredith put in quietly.
Nickie kept her thoughts to herself. This wasn’t the time for introspection. She dialed her Jean Dukes Specials up to seven and stepped out from cover. Shush, Meredith. I know.
High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Underground Access Elevator
Nickie cursed her stubbornness in refusing an antigrav cart for her post-op purchases. She shifted the weight of her heavy-ass load and exited the elevator, listing sideways as the doors began to close. “Fuck you, CEREBRO,” she bitched, spotting Barnabas approaching from the corridor leading to his office. Ugh. I just took care of that gang problem
, and before that, he had me investigating that company for fraud. She shuddered at the memory of the slimy company CEO. What does he want me to do now?
I have no idea, Meredith replied, similarly curious. Perhaps it has something to do with his recent return from Devon?
Nickie narrowed her eyes. He’s up to something. He left me alone for two whole weeks without a peep, then it’s been random assignments one after the other since. If he thinks I’m going to put up with it for much longer, he’s not gonna like it when I decide it’s time to move on. I’m bored as all hell. She lifted a heavily-laden arm to give him the finger, then thought better of it when her bags slid jerkily toward her elbow. Ah, fuck it. “Hey, Uncle B. I got your message. I need to put all this in my office right now, and we can talk there.”
Barnabas nodded. “Very well. I will be interested to see how you treat your own belongings.”
Nickie threw him a sour look and pushed the door open with her shoulder. She went in ahead of him, not bothering to repress her poor mood. “You’re gonna have to keep waiting. I haven’t had the renovators in yet.”
Barnabas followed Nickie into her office, which was exactly as Tabitha had left it, save for the Ranger badge nailed to the wall. “Nice to see you didn’t hesitate to put your stamp on the space.”
Nickie snorted. “You wound me. Wherever I lay my ass is fine by me. I’m not fancy.” She dumped her bags in the corner and dropped into her chair with a sigh, putting her feet up on her desk. “So what’s my assignment? I assume you have one for me.”
Barnabas nodded infuriatingly. “Something like that.” He ignored Nickie’s impatient glare, taking the guest chair opposite her desk. “It’s time for you to decide.”
Nickie raised an eyebrow, unprepared for Barnabas’ solemnity. “Time for me to decide what, exactly?” She wasn’t sure she liked where this was going.
When do you ever? Meredith asked gently. At least hear him out before you reject what he has to offer. You might be surprised.
Resolution Page 2
