The Complete Razia Series, page 77
"That little kid?" Lizbeth snorted. "He's about as dimwitted as your brother."
"Except he's not. He's exposing the pirates' dirty laundry and getting them either kicked out of the Pirate Web or arrested on charges that are outside the scope of the Piracy Act," Lyssa said. "I need to dig up some dirt on him. How much have you interacted with him?"
"Actually, even less than I had with Jukin," Lizbeth said. "Since the prison fiasco, that whole organization's budget got cut by two-thirds. Opli's got maybe ten guys now, and they're definitely not the same caliber of guys Jukin had. I saw one of them sporting a pirate-paid-for gold watch when I met with them a few weeks ago." She paused and tapped her fingers on the table. "But I don't get it. Pirates are shady bastards regardless. Everything they do is illegal. What's the big deal?"
"Not everything is covered under the Piracy Act. Hijacking, bounty hunting, some limited assault charges and such. But things like murder? Rape? Drug trafficking? The kind of stuff that's coming out about pirates is pretty serious."
"I wonder what Opli's secret is, then," Lizbeth said, tapping her chin.
"What do you mean?"
"People usually want to hit others where they, themselves, are weak. Opli's probably harboring some not-so-great things about himself, and that's why he's going after them in this way."
"Hm. Good point."
"Let's see what I can find on our good captain," Lizbeth said. "Make yourself comfy, preggo."
"Don't call me that."
Lizbeth ignored her. "So where do you want to look first?"
"Can you get into the UBU vital records and look up a birth certificate?" Lyssa said. "I want to know if Gelbard Opli is who he says he is."
Lizbeth began typing when there was a small knock on the door. A mousy man came walking into the room with two cups of coffee.
"Ms. Carter, here's your cup," he said, placing them on the desk. "And decaf for you, ma'am."
Lyssa took one sniff of the coffee and gagged.
"Oh, what?" Lizbeth said with a smile. "You love coffee."
"I haven't had a sip in months," Lyssa said sadly. "I can't stand the smell of it."
Lizbeth sat back from her computer and grinned. "What other weird pregnancy shit have you had? Any cravings yet?"
Lyssa snorted. "Only the craving to bounty hunt."
"Yeah, I wanted to ask about that. How did you manage to take down Cree Hardrict?"
"How'd you know?"
"I'm head of the Piracy Branch, remember?" She nodded at a large screen to Lyssa's left, displaying the latest from the pirate web news feed. "But I have to ask, you didn't fight him, did you?"
"I'm not allowed to. Vel did." She paused. "Kind of. He drew him out. It was teamwork."
"Good girl," Lizbeth said, turning back to her computer. "Hm. I don't have a birth certificate record for Gelbard Opli. What do you think that means?"
"See if there's a record of him at the U-POL Academy."
A few moments later. "He is definitely in there."
"Hm," Lyssa said, rubbing her stomach and pulling up his Universal Bank accounts on her mini-computer. Opli was using one account for all his transactions. "So somewhere between birth and the U-POL academy, Opli changed his name."
"What do you need to change your name in the Universal Bank?" Lizbeth asked, adding, "If you aren't a pirate."
"You can't unless you get married or something. You get the name you get," Lyssa said. "Because it's not just a name—it's fingerprints, your photo, your entire identity. That's why it's such a big deal when pirates have more than one. Flies against the whole," she tossed her hands in the air, "authoritative data source idea."
"Opli's fingerprints don't even register," Lizbeth said. She furrowed her brow. "There aren't any fingerprints in the system, actually."
"Which means that Opli is an alias," Lyssa said. "A pirate-given alias."
"The plot thickens," Lizbeth said, leaning across the table. "And it also makes sense. I mean, that guy hates pirates. You don't get that way by growing up on a residential planet. At least, I'd hope not."
"Jukin did," Lyssa said.
"No, if he's making this much effort to tear down pirates, it's personal," Lizbeth said. "Speaking of, you heard from your brother lately?"
"No one has," Lyssa said. "Dorst said he hasn't left his room in weeks. The servants just bring him food that he barely eats."
"I'd feel bad, but he's a dick," Lizbeth said, pushing herself up from her desk. "Well, this has been fun, but let's be honest. We know why you really came out here."
"To find dirt on Opli?"
"Oh, you're funny," Lizbeth said, pulling out her wallet. "I have been dying to take you to this great maternity store around the corner from my apartment…"
***
Lizbeth wasn't kidding; she had a list of four stores within a six block radius where she dragged Lyssa. Some were maternity stores, others were baby furniture, where Lizbeth oohed and aahed over strollers and tiny shoes and teddy bears while Lyssa tried to not feel moved by how tiny and adorable everything was. Especially when she saw a pair of tiny black boots.
"So if you had to choose, which crib do you like more?" Lizbeth asked, standing in front of a dark mahogany crib with pink dressing and a white wooden crib with gray dressing.
"I don't know…the gray one, I guess?" Lyssa shrugged. "It's not really my call, you know."
"Oh, yes, but just for laughs," Lizbeth said, taking a photo of the tag with her mini-computer.
"So what do you think I should do about Opli?" Lyssa said, eager to talk about something other than the small teddy bears embroidered on a onesie.
"Look at this," Lizbeth said, holding up a bright pink shirt. "I could see you from space."
"Thanks. So Opli?" Lyssa said, making a beeline for shirts that were decidedly darker. "I'm actually kind of thankful that Dissident told me to work on this. I can't be seen on D-882 anymore."
"Really, Lyssa? More boring black shirts? You're pregnant. At least you could look a little cute." Lizbeth grabbed Lyssa by the arm and pulled her back to the brighter maternity clothes.
"You really aren't going to help me with this investigation?" Lyssa asked.
"Oh, what? I got you started." She picked up a blue polkadot dress that Lyssa vetoed with a shake of her head.
"I don't know. I've been off my game. Vel says I have pregnancy brain or something like that. It's like…I feel just dumb lately. Is this how everyone else goes through life?"
Lizbeth snorted when Lyssa grinned at her. "Glad to know you haven't lost your sense of humor." She picked up a teddy bear and squeezed it to her chest. "Why don't you ask Sage to come help?"
Lyssa shrugged, and couldn't wipe the frown off her face. "He said he was working on something. Haven't seen him in a few weeks."
"Did you say something to scare him off?"
"No!" Lyssa said, a little too quickly. "I mean, I…" She considered the planet, the Academy, and all the trouble she'd put him through just to make him miserable. He hadn't seemed too affected by it, but what if he had been? What if he'd finally had enough of her?
"I'm sure it's fine," Lizbeth said, coming to rest a hand on her shoulder.
"I know it's fine," Lyssa barked, angry that she'd let her emotion show on her face. "He's…whatever. I don't care what he does. Or where he goes. Or how long he's gone."
Lizbeth laughed and picked up a baby blanket. "Okay, Lyss."
Lyssa paused and glared at her. "Have you heard from him?"
"Hm?" she said, not meeting Lyssa's eyes.
Lyssa picked at the seam of the shirt she was holding. "Did he…mention anything?"
"Only that you made his life miserable on a planet excavation, which I can only assume is an initiation in your mind," Lizbeth said. She crossed the room and put both hands on Lyssa's shoulders. "He's not angry with you, I promise. But have you ever thought, perhaps, that he might be waiting for you to come to him for once? You do tell him to go away a lot. Maybe he's finally listening to you."
"No, he—" She felt something akin to a bubble popping in the center of her stomach. Her hands flew to the bulge and she gasped loudly.
"What is it?" Lizbeth asked. "Are you okay?"
"I…" She felt it again, the thump against her hand. It was small, almost like a tiny flick. "Holy shit."
"Is the baby kicking?" Lizbeth gasped. Lyssa placed Lizbeth's hand where her own had been and they waited. After a few breathless seconds, the pop happened again and Lizbeth squealed.
"That's the first I've ever felt it," Lyssa said with a grin. "It's…alive in there."
"I really hate to ask this, but…you have been seeing a doctor, right?" Lizbeth asked.
Lyssa nodded, mesmerized by the fluttering movements. She reached into her pocket and handed Lizbeth the ultrasound photo.
"Wow," Lizbeth breathed. "Look at that. You've got a baby inside you, don't you?"
"Don't tell Sage I have a photo," Lyssa whispered.
"Why not?"
"Because…I don't…I don't want…"
Lizbeth sighed loudly, drawing the attention of two other expectant mothers in the shop. "You know, one of these days, he's not going to put up with your bullshit. And then where are you going to be?" She wrapped her arm around Lyssa's shoulder. "You know the price of my silence is you trying on at least four dresses of my choosing, and buying at least two of them…"
They shopped until Lyssa's feet hurt and then Lizbeth invited Lyssa over to her fancy apartment for a glass of wine. Or rather, Lizbeth drank while Lyssa nursed a water. But the conversation was the same, and Lyssa was glad for it. Being with Lizbeth and talking about everything but the bug was the first time Lyssa had felt normal in months.
"I really meant it, Lyss, I missed you," Lizbeth said, swirling her wine around in her glass. "Guess we can't have any more adventures for a while, huh?"
"This bug is going to come and I'm going to go back to normal," Lyssa said, rubbing her stomach. "Nothing's going to change."
"Except everything," Lizbeth said. "Like it or not, that 'bug' is your baby. And you've got to accept that sooner or later."
"I don't have to accept anything because I'm not going to be…" She swallowed. "I'm giving it to him, and that's that." She couldn't help but add, "Besides, it's not as if anyone would miss me anyway."
"Oh, I see." Lizbeth nodded, leaning against her hand. "Jealous, are we?"
"Of what?"
"You're such an open book, it's hilarious," Lizbeth cackled. "Listen to me, please. And please listen with both ears and no sass." She glared pointedly at Lyssa. "Sage Teon could literally have a baby with any female in the universe. Leveman's, I'd have a baby with him."
Lyssa stiffened and looked forward.
"He's kind, he's thoughtful, he's funny. He's great in bed, if your judgment is any measure." Lizbeth grinned slyly. "And he's obviously ready to settle down and commit. Who wouldn't want that?"
Me, Lyssa thought.
"But here's the thing, babe, you're the one knocked up," Lizbeth said. "Accident or not, Sage wouldn't have been so careless if he didn't want this on some level. And I think…maybe, deep down… you're the same way."
"I don't want this."
"If you're going to be stubborn, just promise me one thing," Lizbeth turned to look at her. "Promise me that you will be very careful with him. He's…I'm not saying he's delicate, but you can do an awful lot of damage to him right now." She took another sip of wine. "Just be aware that he cares a lot for you. And if your plan is really just to pop out a kid, leave it with him, and never see him again…"
"Never see him again?"
"He's going to have his hands full for a while. Years probably," Lizbeth drawled, swirling her wine in her glass. "So unless you want your kid knowing you, you're going to have to say your goodbyes to Sage now." She took one long swig and winked. "If that's your plan."
That was her plan, wasn't it? That's what she had been saying but somehow she had't quite realized or understood the consequences. She'd never see Sage again, never spy him poking around where he wasn't welcome. He'd never come swooping in to save her ass when she didn't need it.
"Well, some of us have to work in the morning," Lizbeth said, pulling herself to stand. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to Lyssa's forehead. "Let me know if you need any pillows. Wouldn't want you to be in a foul mood or anything."
"Night, Liz," Lyssa said with a smile. Lizbeth waved at her before disappearing behind her bedroom door.
Almost as soon as Lizbeth's light went off, Lyssa's mini-computer was lighting up with Sage's face. Snarling, Lyssa reached forward and ended the call.
A few seconds later, a message came in.
Hope you had fun with Lizbeth. Call me when you get a chance.
She glared at the offending message and rolled over onto her side, angry that she was being watched and he wasn't there.
CHAPTER TEN
"Twenty weeks. Halfway there," Bianco said as she shook Lyssa's hand in greeting. "How are you feeling?"
"My hips hurt," Lyssa said, rubbing the spot under her protruding belly. "I can't sleep on my back anymore."
"All normal," Bianco said, stepping over to her cabinet and digging for her machines. "You might experience the round ligament pain until you deliver, so you'll want to take it easy."
"I don't know how much more I can fit in there." Already she felt stretched to the limit, and she still had another twenty weeks to grow.
"Your body will adjust," Bianco said, sliding over on her rolling chair. "Has the baby been moving at all?"
Lyssa nodded and couldn't help but smile. "It felt like a pop, but now I can feel more movement."
"That's excellent," Bianco said. "Now, today we can maybe find out the gender of the baby. Do you want to know?"
Lyssa squirmed. "No."
"Do you want me to put it in an envelope for later then?" Bianco asked gently. "You can give it to the father. How are things with him?"
She glanced at Bianco then back down. She almost regretted sharing the details of their relationship to the doctor. At the same time, it was nice to be able to talk freely about what she was going through without judgment.
"Weird," she said. "Just…weird."
"Are you still thinking you'll give him the baby?" Bianco rolled over the ultrasound machine and lifted Lyssa's shirt. She squirted a cold gel onto Lyssa's stomach and glanced up; Lyssa still hadn't answered.
"Yeah, probably," Lyssa said after a moment. "I'm the least qualified person to be…"
"A mother?"
"Yeah, that."
"I've heard that before. But you know, things change. Just keep an open mind." Bianco smiled and pressed the sensor to Lyssa's belly. "Well, let's check on the little…bug, do you call it?"
Lyssa glanced down and chuckled. She watched the sensor go over her skin and the screen light up out of the corner of her eye. But she was never ready to look right away.
"Let's see. Oh my…" Bianco gasped and Lyssa's heart dropped. Was something wrong with the bug? Had she screwed it up? Was there…
Her words died in her throat and something between a coo and a chuckle came out. She saw the bug, face, eyes, lips…and a little toe stuck in its mouth. She coughed, trying to cover up the intense need to both cry and reach out and touch the face.
"I've never seen that before," Bianco said with a laugh.
"Does the… Is everything normal?" Lyssa whispered, watching the arms and hands move in the ultrasound.
Bianco nodded. "So far, so good."
The scan took twenty minutes as Bianco checked everything from the baby's face to the spine. Lyssa's heart stopped in the breath between when Bianco announced the next examination and when she gave the all clear.
"You are looking great, Lauren," Bianco replied, wiping the gel from Lyssa's stomach. "Any questions for me?"
"Did you find out the gender?" Lyssa asked quietly.
"I did," Bianco said with a nod. "Do you want to know?"
Should she find out? It would be good to give the bug a name instead of just…bug. But she didn't trust that she could keep that information from Sage—or that she'd want to.
"N-no."
***
"Honestly, Razia, I'm getting a little offended. You haven't come to see me in weeks!" Harms was joking, but Razia winced. It had been over a month since she and Vel had turned in Hardrict, and there was no way she could possibly show her face on D-882. It was a good thing she'd gone shopping with Lizbeth because she had definitely "popped" in the past two weeks. Now all her black tanks sported much more room in the middle, though she was able to keep her mini-computer camera above the bump to keep it away from prying eyes.
But the bigger problem was that if Harms had noticed her absence, so had others.
"Dissident has asked me to dig up some dirt on Opli to get him to quit targeting pirates," she said. "It's keeping me busy."
"You'd better get a move on. The latest is Waslow Needler. He was wanted on S-864 for beating up women, and now he's really on the run. Cree Hardrict just flat-out retired, so I don't know the story there."
"Hardrict retired?" Razia said, pausing the gentle stroking on her stomach. "I just turned him in a few weeks ago."
"And he promptly announced his retirement after that," Harms said.
Razia bit her lip. "I thought all that crying about 'they were gunning for me' was just him trying to get out of being captured."
"He's gone," Harms said. "Now Contestant is starting to wonder when you're going to make headway on your investigation."
She snorted and shook her head. "Him and me both."
"So it's going that well, huh?" Harms asked.
"That's an understatement." She'd had Lizbeth pull a list of all babies born on a three year period on D-882, with Opli's given birthdate in the U-POL Academy as the mid-point. But that list numbered in the four hundreds, and with her fuzzy brain, she was going much slower than usual, which only served to frustrate her, which, in turn, made her work even slower. Three weeks had gone by, and she was only through a fifth of the list.
What was worse was that Sage kept calling—daily now—and when she didn't answer, he'd send her a message wondering if she was feeling all right, asking if she needed anything. Once, when she was feeling particularly lonely, she almost asked him to come find her. But her pride got the better of her, and she simply ignored the message.
