by Rachel Aukes
He found Hadley’s assistant organizing files. She looked up when he entered. “Oh, hello Stationmaster. What can I do for you?”
“Do you know when Hadley will be back?”
Melody shook her head. “She won’t. She’s been replaced.”
Reyne leaned a hand on the doorway. “She’s gone?”
She thought for a moment. “Yes, but her ship might not have left yet. She was going to take today’s transport home.”
He spun on his heel and hurried through the hallway, oblivious to the bots this time around. As he walked, he contacted dock control through his wrist comm. “Hey, this is Aramis Reyne. Has the Alluvian transport left yet?”
“No, but it’s in its launch sequence.”
“Hold it,” he said. “I’m on my way to it now.”
“Sure. Do you need security support?”
“I’ve got this one.”
He went to grab his coat but noticed the tunnel to the dock was now open. He smiled and took off running through it. The tunnel was cold and dark, the surfaces still rough, but the shortcut shaved ten minutes off the outside walk. When he reached the docks, he commandeered a cart and sped to the Collective concourse. It was even colder in there, and he regretted not bringing his coat. Shivering, he drove until he stopped in front of the large transport ship with Collective markings. Its engines were running, sending steam billowing across the walkways. He stood before the ship, connected to Hadley’s comm, and sent a message.
MEET ME ON THE DOCK. VERY IMPORTANT.
He hugged himself and shook while he waited. Eventually, the door opened, and Hadley walked down the ramp. She approached Reyne with brows furrowed.
“Hi,” he said.
She managed a smile. “Hi.” After a moment, she spoke again. “What are you doing here?”
He shrugged, still hugging himself. “We have a date. I plan to take you out to a proper Playan dinner.”
She belted out a laugh. “That’s why you’re here?” She shook her head. “Reyne, that’s sweet, but I’ve lost my job. When I didn’t stand up for Simon, evidently that revealed that I’m unbecoming of a Legacy Star executive. I hate it, but we won’t be able to work together anymore.”
“No problem. I already quit my job.”
“What? Why did you do that?”
Reyne made a face. “It wasn’t for me.”
“So, we’re just two people without jobs and standing out in the cold.”
He smiled. “Yeah, we make quite the pair, don’t you agree?”
She glanced back at the ship before turning back to him. “But I can’t stay. I have no job, no money.”
“I’ve been thinking about that resort idea of yours, and I think it’s got merit. Though, maybe we start on a smaller scale, more like a bed and breakfast.”
She smiled and shivered. “I like the sound of that.”
“So you’ll stay?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’ll stay.” Then she held up her hand. “But we’re never drinking your tea again. If you want tea, you’re coming back to my place.”
A smirk climbed Reyne’s face. “Your place, huh? I have a sudden hankering for tea.”
She laughed again, and he pulled her into his arms. She felt good, and Reyne realized that for the first time in a very long time, he felt pretty damn good, too.
END OF BOOK 5
Bonus Short Story
The Teardrop That Became a Torrent
The Teardrop that became a Torrent
Drake Fender knew he’d won the Coastal Run as soon as he finished his pass. Every turn had been flawless, and the Merganser had performed without a glitch. He grinned all the way back to Nova Colony’s space dock, knowing his and Kora’s lives were about to change for the better.
He rushed through the docking sequence, hustled into the pressurization chamber, and then jogged to the Uneven Bar. The moment he entered the bustling lounge, his younger sister came running over.
Kora hugged him so hard she knocked his breath from him. Then, she took a step back and punched his arm. “You were about two millimeters away from splatting into that red asteroid in the third quadrant,” she scolded, then smiled. “Wow. You looked great out there. Everyone’s been talking about how some unknown guy set a new record for the Run.”
He beamed. “You know what that means?”
She stood taller. “That we’ll be able to move into that larger apartment on the third level.”
“Hey,” some guy said as he bumped into Drake, spilling his drink. “You’re that guy who just made the Run. I lost a bet on you. Figured you for a goner, for sure.”
Drake’s brows rose. “Well, you made a stupid bet.”
The guy scowled. Drake smirked.
Kora tugged her brother’s arm. “C’mon, no fights. Not today. Besides, Chutt’s saving our table.”
Drake broke eye contact with the drunk and let his sister lead him away. They weaved through the crowded bar to a table under one of the large screens replaying the Coastal Run. As Drake took his seat, Chutt slid a glass of whiskey across the table. “Not bad flying out there,” his best friend said and lifted his glass in salute. “After that race, Captain Polaski has got to offer you the pilot’s seat on his ship.”
“He’d better,” Drake said before downing the drink in a single gulp. The alcohol burned, and tasted like sludge compared to the Terran whiskey he drank as a boy back on his home planet. Regrettably, there was no Terran whiskey out this far. Even if there was, he couldn’t afford a bottle.
“Look, look.” Kora elbowed Drake’s arm and pointed to the screen. “They’re showing your pass again.”
Cameras stationed on pylons showed the Merganser as Drake spun her around one pylon before jackknifing through two merging pylons. The Coastal Run, an annual race through the end-to-end Space Coast, was the most infamous race across the Collective. It was also the most dangerous, because the Space Coast was an asteroid belt. The pylons were asteroids, constantly and erratically moving.
Every year, at least sixteen percent of the racers were killed during the race, while another twenty percent limped away with damaged ships. With odds like that, it was no wonder that the Run brought gamblers in from across the Collective. If Drake wasn’t flat broke, he’d have bet every last credit on himself.
“I figured you’d hustle back for your winnings.”
Drake turned to find his investor, the wealthy stationmaster of Ice Port. He rose to his feet as she approached. “Vym.” He held up the keycard for the space dock. “I figured you’d be waiting here for both your ship and all of my winnings.”
“Only eighty percent,” Vym corrected. “And, you owe me for destroying my ship last year.”
Drake held up a finger. “Only part of the Wren was destroyed. I brought the rest of the ship back to you. Besides, it wasn’t my fault. The pylon cracked and split.”
“Hmph. At least you didn’t destroy my ship again this year. If you had, I would have to reconsider investing in you again.”
“What are you complaining about? My winnings this year will bring you a hundred times more credits to cover the Wren’s expenses.”
“Our winnings, young man. You may have flown the race, but it was my ship that won.” Vym smirked. “If you couldn’t win with the Merganser, you couldn’t win at all. After all, she’s a Serrator class racer. Fortunately for me, she must not be impressive enough for you to try and run off with her.”
He chortled. “Oh she’s impressive enough all right, but I’m nowhere near stupid enough to steal from you.”
Vym poked his chest. “And, that’s the reason why I invested in you. You may be too cocky for your own good, but you have at least some bit of intelligence, and a fair skill in the cockpit.” As she finished, she turned to a man who’d approached during their conversation. “Ah, Aramis, here’s the young man I wanted you to meet.”
Drake narrowed his eyes. The man looked strikingly familiar, yet he couldn’t place him. More likely, he was one of the
many faces who passed through the Uneven Bar at some point.
The newcomer tilted his head toward Drake. “That was a fine run you made out there. Some of the best flying I’ve seen, especially for an eighteen-year-old.”
“Almost nineteen,” Drake corrected.
Vym spoke next. “Drake, I’d like you to meet Aramis, who also hails from my fringe station of Ice Port. In fact, he is like a son to me.”
Drake turned his gaze from the frail white woman to the black man who stood at least a half-foot taller than her. “Funny. I don’t see the resemblance.”
Vym scowled. “Perhaps you recognize Aramis by his last name. Drake, I’d like you to meet Marshal Aramis Reyne.”
Drake paused when he heard the name, and the familiarity became clear. He found himself staring at the face he’d seen on the video screens hundreds of times. Gray streaked his temples, but his piercing gaze revealed the fearless torrent leader he was famed to be. Drake vaguely heard Kora and Chutt whisper behind him. He snapped out his hand. “It’s a real honor, Marshal. What you’re doing on Terra, what with the rebellion and all, is the right thing to do. I hope you whip the CUF’s collective ass.”
Reyne’s lips curled upward, and he shook the young man’s hand. “I’m glad to hear you approve of the Uprising. And, you can call me Reyne. I’m not big on formalities.”
“We don’t have time for small talk,” Vym said abruptly. “Drake, I need to hire you to fly the Merganser back to Ice Port, and Reyne here will be your passenger. And, I need you to head out immediately.”
“She’s right,” Reyne said. “I received word that several CUF gun ships will be at Nova Colony’s docks within the hour.”
At mention of the CUF, Drake’s body tensed. The reason why Kora and he had moved to Nova Colony was because it was outside the Collective’s control. His jaw tightened, and he turned to Reyne. “They’re coming here for you.”
Reyne shook his head. “No. I heard they were going to invade Nova Colony last week. They had no idea I was coming, though they’ve likely found out from their spies that I’m here now.”
“Why would they have spies here?” Chutt asked from behind Drake. “Nova Colony is outside the Collective. The CUF has no authority here.”
“You think that matters to the CUF?” Reyne countered, and Chutt remained quiet.
Drake glanced back at Kora. Her lips were pursed—she looked as worried as he felt. He turned back to Vym. “I’m not leaving until I get my credits.”
She rolled her eyes.
Drake continued. “If the CUF’s coming here, who’s to say how long it could be before I get paid. The CUF has a talent for mucking things up.”
“You’ll get your winnings plus a bonus of fifty thousand credits as soon as you dock at Ice Port,” Vym said. “You have my word.”
Drake’s jaw dropped. Fifty thousand credits would cover Kora and his room and board for two years.
“Go already,” Kora said.
He faced his sister. “But, if the CUF show up—”
“If the CUF show up,” Kora interrupted, “Chutt and I lay low. Besides, it’s not like they’re going to mess with kids.”
“You’d better lay low,” Drake scolded before he turned back to Vym. “You got yourself a deal. You better have those credits ready the moment I land.”
“Don’t worry about that. You worry about getting Reyne and my ship safely back to Ice Port.”
Drake gave a small nod, then around to face Kora. She stood and embraced him, and he squeezed her against him for a long second before pulling back. He eyed Chutt, unable to look at Kora without tearing up. “You keep an eye on her.”
“I always do,” Chutt said smugly.
“More like I have to keep an eye on him,” Kora chuckled.
“Remember to lay low,” Drake commanded. “Go back to the apartment until I get back.”
“You know we’re always careful,” Kora said.
“You better be.” Drake abruptly left his sister and best friend in the bar, and headed straight to the space docks alongside the infamous leader of the Uprising. He knew Kora and Chutt would be careful. The three of them were smart, but irrational doubt still nagged at his confidence.
Drake forced his mind to focus on the trip ahead. As they walked through the tunnels, most folks minded their business, as colonists tended to do. But, every twenty feet or so, someone would raise their open palm toward Reyne. It was the torrent way. Drake had grown up on a farm and had never received any attention like that his entire life. It felt surreal to be walking next to someone as famous as Reyne, but worrisome as well.
Reyne had been on the CUF’s Most Wanted list for three years straight. What if the CUF showed up before they left Nova Colony? Would they believe Drake wasn’t a torrent? Or, more likely, would the CUF not care, and arrest him just because he was with Reyne? They’d arrested his parents for less.
Drake sobered, and scanned for any sign of CUF dromadiers.
When they reached the Merganser, Drake’s nerves remained on edge as they settled into the cockpit. Being back on the ship he’d just taken through a deadly race instantly soothed his stress. He was safe here. Like an old lover, he ran his hands over the instruments before entering his flight plan. Reyne didn’t speak, instead allowing Drake to run through his checklists without interruption. The ship came to life with a purr, and he knew everything would be fine.
Drake taxied from the space docks a bit faster than he needed to and zoomed around the asteroids across the Space Coast because he damn well loved flying fast…and perhaps he was showing off a bit, too.
Once they emerged from the Coast and into the open blackness of space, Drake switched the controls to auto-pilot. He leaned back and turned to Reyne, who was reclined fully back in his seat and had his hands steepled behind his head. “Hey, Marshal?”
The other man cracked an eye open. “It’s Reyne.”
“Okay. Reyne. How about you tell me the real reason why Vym had me fly you back to Ice Port. Everyone knows you’re a damn good pilot. You could’ve flown yourself. Heck, you probably have a ship sitting in the docks back at Nova Colony as we speak.”
Reyne didn’t deny the statement. “I needed a lift to Ice Port.”
“Why didn’t you ride back with Vym? She’s probably only a couple hours behind us.”
“She is.”
When Reyne didn’t say anything else, Drake grew impatient. “It’s because I won the Coastal Run, isn’t it? My guess is you wanted to see if I’m really the best pilot out there before you offer me some kind of job.”
He chuckled. “Vym was sure right when she said you had no lack of confidence. And yes, you’re right. I wanted to get a feel for you. Vym sees potential in you.” Reyne paused. “I see it, too.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to fly for you,” Drake began, “but, I can’t. Flying with you means I’m a torrent, which means I’m an outlaw from the Collective’s viewpoint. And, I have to lay low to take care of Kora. Once she turns eighteen, ask me again.”
“I suspected that would be your response, but the Uprising needs you now, not two years from now. Terra—your home planet—could be wiped out in two years. I’ve seen your bio. I can’t help but think you want to be back there, getting vengeance for your parents’ murder.”
Drake’s jaw tightened. “What I want doesn’t matter. Because I’ve got obligations. If you know that the CUF killed my parents, then you also know that I’m all Kora has left. She’s already been orphaned once. She needs me.”
“We have secure bases where family members can live.”
Drake guffawed. “I seriously doubt any torrent base is safe.”
Reyne raised a brow. “You think Nova Colony is safe?”
“It’s outside the Collective. It’s the safest place there is.”
“Trust me, the CUF’s reach is like tentacles. It’s spread everywhere, even through Nova Colony. Just because you don’t see dromadiers patrolling the colony doesn’t mean
they aren’t already there.”
Drake shrugged. “So what if they are? As long as I stay off their radar, I’m not worried.”
“And, winning a widely broadcasted illegal race is staying off their radar?”
Drake’s ire rose. “Listen—”
A ship’s lights flashed on in the distance, illuminating the hull of a sleek gray ship.
“Where’d that come from?” Drake started running instrument checks.
“Don’t bother. It was in stealth.” Reyne scowled. “It looks like a single gunship. Yeah, it’s CUF credentials are coming through comms now.”
Along with its credentials came a message. Serrator Playa-Eight-Four-Five-Seven-Kilo, this is a Collective Unified Forces gunship. You’ve been flagged for a dock check. Return post haste to Nova Colony and prepare for a full ship and crew inspection.
“You think they know you’re on board?” Drake asked as he stared at the gunship before them.
“No,” Reyne replied bluntly. “If they knew I was on board, there’d be an entire armada out there right now. My guess is they are looking for this ship. Going after the racer that won the Coastal Run is exactly the sort of thing the CUF likes to do.” He scowled. “If you return to Nova Colony, they’ll arrest you, and Kora will never see you again. But without any guns of our own to even the odds, they can blow us to bits if we try to run.”
Drake gritted his teeth and gripped the controls. “Viggin’ CUF.”
“The good news is, they haven’t fired on us yet,” Reyne said.
As the comms chimed with more incoming warnings, Drake considered his options. None of them looked good. He sucked in a deep breath through his nose, then flipped off the channel. The ship fell into silence.
“I have a feeling they won’t like that very much,” Reyne said.
A photon shot jetted above the Merganser’s bow in response. Drake flinched. “I think you’re right.”
“Take us back to Nova Colony. When we dock, I can distract them so you can get away.” Reyne ordered, reaching over to flip on the comms.
