Fringe Attack, page 18
part #2 of Delta Fringe Series
I slap my hands together. “Of course. The invisible world of the working class. No one would notice courier ships coming and going between galactic fleet vessels, mining barges, or research ships like the Tempest.”
I turn toward the captain. “Can you hack into the galactic data to search for those?”
He shakes his head. “Not without getting caught. The galactic security have reprogrammed their security protocols since the attacks.”
I blow a few stray curls off my face. “I bet security got tighter way before the attacks.” I look back at the list of ships.
“Derek? Do you see what’s wrong with this list?” I read through the names of the ships again just to make sure I’m right.
“That there aren’t any mining ships on there?” Derek guesses.
“No. The problem is there aren’t any private courier ships on here. There are plenty of pirate ships, galactic ships, and Ash Corp couriers. But the private, family couriers don’t have to register with anyone. And there aren’t any on this list.”
I turn back to the captain, my heart racing. “It’s the private couriers. We have to stop all private courier ships from landing on Mars. How do we do that?”
The captain stares at me like I’ve grown another head. “Only the galactic command can stop space traffic. And even then, the private couriers could still manage to get down there without being seen. They don’t need the required e-tags like the rest of us are required to have, and they’re quite a bit smaller so most planetary sensors wouldn’t even notice them.”
“That’s exactly how the research crews are getting into the asteroids unseen. They use these invisible ships to get onto and off the asteroids. We need to do something.” I step behind the chairs so I can pace in the small room.
“But why would they need to have pirates attack the miners, then?” asks Derek.
I stare at the map of locations where mines have been attacked in the last year. “That’s it! This is why the attacks are so random. This group only needs the pirates as a diversion in case their research is discovered. The asteroids they can get their research off of without anyone noticing wouldn’t need a diversion.” I enter a command, and data scrolls beside each asteroid that was attacked. “They’re experimenting on different types of asteroids. Most of these asteroids are made of completely different minerals. There could be hundreds of AI beta machines out there.”
“And yet Red thinks Mars will be next?” Derek turns toward me. “Even though there are so many more possibilities out here?” He waves a hand at the vid screen showing several light years’ worth of stars, asteroids, and planets.
I look over at the live vid of Mars, frowning. Even though we’re several days of space flight away from it, the planet looks alive and as if we could land on it at any minute. “It makes sense with all the traffic that if there was research somehow hidden down there, it would be the hardest place to get out of without being discovered. It’s not secluded like the asteroid mines out this way.” I look at Derek. “But why now he thinks it will be attacked, I have no idea. The only possibility is he somehow discovered something about Mars before he got taken away, but wasn’t able to pass on more than this simple message.”
My hand tightens around the message stick just as a chime startles me. The door opens to the captain’s office, and the second in command walks in. His large face is ashen. “Captain?”
“Voss? What’s wrong? Why didn’t you just comm me?” The captain meets the second halfway across the room. The difference between the slight captain and the large man is apparent now they’re standing toe to toe. But I can see the respect the second has for his captain.
“It’s Red, sir. A miner on an asteroid, not far from here, has found him and the galactic commander. Frozen in the ice.”
23
All Seems Lost
I step toward the captain and his second in command. “What? Are they all right?” I can’t imagine the EPL just letting the galactic commander and Red go alive. My heart sinks as I realize the odds of them being alive are nil. They both know something about what’s going on with the illegal research.
The large man glances at the captain. After a reassuring nod, he answers me in his booming voice. “They were beaten and left down in the ice mines. Somehow, Red was able to get a message to the miners above to look for them. They were found alive, but freezing in a cavern that had not been mined yet.”
“The research. They took care of two problems at one time. Their hostages and getting their research off the asteroid.” I step next to the captain.
The big man looks confused but continues, “A hospital ship happens to be nearby and will pick them up soon. Although we’re closer to Red than they are.” He looks down at me. “And they sent you a message. I forwarded it to your tablet.”
I tap on my tablet and pull up the message.
“Red and other cold but alive. Second on Delta guilty. They’re already on Mars. Stay away.” I show Derek the cryptic message with shaking hands.
I look up at the captain, rage mixed with relief painfully swirling in my chest.
After seeing the look on my face, he dismisses Voss.
Slowly I read the message out loud. Neither Derek nor the captain speaks. I go back over to the desk computer and pull up the space maps to see how far away we are from the hospital ship. We’re almost two days from them still.
And we’re about the same distance to Mars, which is in the opposite direction. I frown. Red is fairly close to our location, so how did he and the commander get there?
I turn to Derek. “I think the commander might actually have been trying to help us.”
“Just because he got kidnapped along with Red you think he’s on our side?” Derek’s face tinges pink with anger.
I watch Derek’s shoulders tense. “I know we’ve had a rough year trusting people. We’ve been through a lot.” I place my hand on his taught forearm muscles. “But if we’re going to figure this out before the next attack we need to stick together.” I make sure Derek looks me in the eyes, and I see some softening there before I turn to the captain.
“We need to get Red and then get to Mars. How fast can you get us there?” I remember the modified engines and how easy it was to get away from the asteroid.
“There’s no way on Titan’s methane surface will I get my ship anywhere near another possible mining attack. Being in the vicinity of one was bad luck, two would be disastrous. I’d look guilty, like I was in on all this stupid political agenda.” He waves his pudgy hand at the vid screen above his head.
“But if we can just get there, we might be able to avert another attack.” I place both hands on my hips.
“How are you going to do that exactly, Miss Teves? You don’t even know exactly who you’re looking for. There are more than a million private couriers out there; all willing to do whatever it takes to keep their families fed. And if they’re working for the EPL, then you can be sure there is not a person in this whole galaxy who will help you. The EPL is an old, wealthy, powerful, and secretive organization. No one knows who the members are, how they’re organized, or how they keep pulling stunts like this.” He shakes his head, his jowls flapping as he stands up to face me.
“Here’s what I advise you to do. Lay low for a while until this smooths over, and give Red some time to figure out how to get you two kids back to your home station. Then you can just go about your business normal-like and not worry about all this. Whatever is going on with this research will eventually come to light. Hidden agendas always do when you’re in the spot light.”
I stare gape-jawed at the captain. “Are you seriously asking me to give up my investigation and just let innocent miners die?” I can feel heat raging in my belly and spread outward.
The captain steps backward without breaking eye contact. “Yes, I am suggesting it. Chances are there won’t be any other attacks, and if so, just let the officials work things out.” His voice ends in a high note. He steps back behind the safety of his desk but remains standing.
The captain then hands me back the data drive. I have been dismissed.
I look down at the small tech that involved me in all this mess. “I lived on Mars colony for sixteen years, captain. There’s no way I’m going to just sit back and allow her to be attacked.” I look to Derek for support and find him frowning, looking between the captain and me.
“What? Do you agree with him?” I feel like a bucket of ice water has been thrown on me. The heat from the rage turns to ice flowing through my veins as I look at Derek’s conflicted face.
I grab my pack and storm out of the whitewashed room. Although difficult to get into with all its safety protocol, the captain’s room is surprisingly easy to get out of. I blindly rush through the corridors, my head down. I don’t know where I’m going; I just need to get out of there before exploded.
Intellectually I know going to Mars is a stupid idea. It would be dangerous. Knowing I can’t trust anyone is eating through me like an ulcer. But I can’t just sit here and let Mars get attacked. Especially if there’s a chance we can prevent it.
In my blind rampage away from the captain and Derek, I have forgotten one major detail. I was wanted by the galactic command. I can hear it in the whispers of the crew around me as I rush through the corridors.
I pull my hoody over my head and duck down a corridor lined with lifts. I hover by the far wall and push the button. A light quickly illuminates and scans my wrist. “Titan’s ash,” I exclaim under my breath. I forgot about my implant. Even though the captain said it wasn’t traceable outside the ship, it could still be active inside. Nothing I can do about it now. It’s not like I have a plan yet anyway.
I step onto the empty lift, and after pushing the button that should take me to the dock, I lean heavily against the wall.
I close my eyes and assess my situation. I’m still not a hundred percent back to health yet. I rotate my wrists and arms to find quite a bit of soreness still there. I think about the look on Derek’s face just now. He doesn’t believe I can figure this out either.
The wall opposite me flashes something colorful, and I look up to see the end of some commercial about a vacation planet. I don’t even have a ship to get to Mars. I frown and will myself not to cry as I stare at the peaceful scenes of pink water and sky blue sands of the vacation asteroid Ceti.
Then the scene changes to a close up of my face with the word “WANTED” written in large letters across my forehead. My skin crawls, and I suddenly feel conspicuous as the lift door opens at that exact moment. I pull my hoody around my face and quickly walk out of the lift, pushing my way through a waiting crowd.
I hurry away from the lift center, the crowds getting thinner, and soon there are few people in the corridor. On my left, a row of windows appears and continues the rest of the way down the corridor. I stop to look and see I’ve made it to the docks. Just on the other side of this window, is the main dock for this ship bustling with activity. I lean my forehead against the window.
Now what, Bren?
I watch the crews loading and unloading crates from small courier ships. I wonder absently what’s in the crates. Food? Weapons? Trinkets?
I shake my head as a small bit of hope blossoms in my belly. I need to get on one of those ships.
On the far side of the dock, there’s one ship with landing gear and metal under belly that is permanently tinged a dark red. It’s obviously been down to Mars more than any of the other ships. My pulse quickens, and I start walking down the corridor again, trying to find a way inside the docking area.
Windows give way to solid blocks of wall, which I hurry anxiously past so I don’t miss that ship. The temperature in the corridor gets colder even as I’m racing past confused crew, my hoody still pulled low.
A few meters ahead I see several crew enter the corridor through a thick door. My heart constricts as I race toward it, knowing I’m leaving Derek behind, and for once, I don’t have a plan. I just know I need to get to Mars. With the message from Red confirming where I need to go to find answers to both how my mom was involved in all this, and how to stop the possible attack on Mars. Even though he told me to stay away.
In my flight toward the exit, I nearly knock over several people, so I slow down and apologize, keeping my face downward. When I finally get to the double doors, I practically sigh in relief. I step in front of them, and as they start to open, I realize they’re made of glass. I can see the whole dock and the Mars ship off to the side as they slowly roll to each side.
And then I notice Derek standing just on the other side facing me.
I stop in my tracks, right before the doors and stare at him. My heart races as he gazes at me with a hardened expression. His hands are clenched to his sides. I feel weak as I look upon the pain on his face I know I caused, knowing I was going to cause more by leaving.
“What’s your plan, Bren?” He asks, his voice gruff. The muscle in his jaw flexes.
I step aside to let crew pass without taking my gaze off Derek. My eyes flick to the ship, which now has a line of crewmembers loading crates into its bay. Heaviness settles on my chest, and I take a deep breath before I answer him.
“I really don’t know this time, Derek. I just know I need to get to Mars.” I step forward through the door so I can get out of the way of the crew coming and going. I’m inches from Derek, and all I want to do is touch him, have him hold me, and have this whole situation with the attacks just be a bad dream. I cross my arms to keep myself in check.
He gazes toward the pink ship. “You’re a fugitive teenager with the whole galactic command looking for you.”
“I know.”
“No plan huh?” He turns back to face me.
I look down and frown. I know he’s right, that I shouldn’t go to Mars. Especially without a plan. I always have some sort of plan. “Right.” I look down at the floor, the metal scuffed away by years of use.
“I hope you weren’t planning on going without me.”
My head jerks up, and I stare into those warm brown eyes I love so much. “What? Really?”
He grins. “Just because I hate the idea doesn’t mean I’m not going to go with you.” He holds his arms open, and I lean into his hug.
His embrace is familiar and comforting as we stand in this strange docking bay with dozens of crewmembers rushing around. I feel grounded despite all that has gone on, and surprisingly calm now that I feel like I have someone on my side.
I pull back slightly. “Are you sure you want to go with me? As you said, it could be dangerous. And I seriously only have an idea of a plan.” I blow a curl off my face.
He leans down and kisses me until we’re both breathless.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I grin up at him.
He’s about to open his mouth to say something when I grab his hand and pull him toward the pink ship. Don’t want him to think about it too much and change his mind.
“You think you can get a ride on that ship, Bren?”
“I’m not sure, but this one is our best bet.”
“Why this one?” Derek frowns at the sturdy transport ship.
“Because it’s from Mars.” I point at one of the landing struts as we walk past. “Mars dust. It gets everywhere.” I wrinkle my nose.
We side step several crew before we get to the ship’s loading ramp. I stop and study the crew as they unload. Most of them are wearing heavy working clothes, warm enough to stand the Mars topside docks. The main docks that aren’t sunken into tunnels aren’t very well insulated.
I lead Derek up the ramp and head toward the man I’m guessing who’s in charge. He’s directing the crew where to place crates and opening others to inspect them. Like the other crew, he’s wearing insulated work clothes and has his hat pulled down over his ears.
“Excuse me, can I talk to you for a minute?” I have no idea what I’m going to say, but I figure I could just ask to talk to the captain.
The man pulls his hood back and frowns at Derek and me, his lined face showing years of hard work. “Don’t have much time for talk.”
I’m about ready to argue with this grouchy man when I feel someone grab my elbow and twist me around. I’m pulled several feet away from the supervisor, my heart racing. I finally come full circle in front of a crewman with his hood pulled low, and a black mask over his face. I try to rip my arm out of his grasp, but he holds tight.
“Just stay calm, Brenna, so we don’t draw more attention to ourselves.”
“Red?” I whisper.
I feel Derek come up behind me.
“Yes.” He pulls a portion of his facemask up so we can see beneath. A face covered with bruises and weeping stitches.
I hear Derek gasp behind me as he too recognizes Red.
My hands reach toward Red. “What did they do to you?”
He quickly pulls the mask down. “I’ve already had medical attention, don’t you worry about me, Brenna.”
“All right, then how did you get here? And why are you here? We heard the hospital ship was going to pick you up. And that Commander Guram was in a coma.” I put my hands on my hips and glare up at him. “You’re a long way from that frozen asteroid.”
His eyes look weary as he looks between Derek and me. “And you’ve got too many questions as always, Brenna. Let’s get somewhere less visible first, and then I’ll answer them.” He turns and strides toward the far wall of the busy bay, limping.
I look at Derek. He rolls his eyes and walks after Red. I smile at their backs as I slowly follow along. For people who don’t want to trust others, we sure keep finding each other.
Red pulls open a small side door and waits until Derek and I step into the corridor beyond before closing it behind us. I hear the hiss as it seals. I look around and find we’re in one of the maintenance tunnels. It is narrow and lit up by electronics and light panels that cover every wall.
