Star Chaser (Galactic Shield Book 2), page 11
The blond-haired youth was in his mid-twenties—not a kid. I should hate him, but somehow I didn’t. Where his father was dangerous and untrustworthy, he came across as dangerous and completely reliable. Here was someone you wanted on your side. I immediately hoped Cambridge Bayle did surpass his father, in both achievement and integrity.
Nova was also affected, but she remained wary as was her nature.
Cambridge went to her first, since she was nearest the door, and put forward one hand. “Cambridge Bayle, good to meet you.”
She shook without breaking eye contact or surrendering to the strength of his grip. “Cynthia Nova.”
He crossed the room to shake my hand. “Hello, sir. I’ve heard all about your recent success in the Avian homicides. Good work. We all thank you for your service.”
I nodded.
Jonas Bayle motioned for everyone to sit, and even convinced Nova to move from her chair near the doorway to the table. The room was poorly illuminated by the stylized lamps but was otherwise welcoming and full of good energy. I felt better about this bargain despite initial misgivings.
“Lieutenant Wrath wants to know how big an army he can bring,” Jonas said.
His son nodded seriously. “I can take five. The plan was me, an interpreter, and three from my tactical team. There would just be the two of you?”
I didn’t react. Neither did Nova. Five was a small number, especially if I had to include Cissi in the count.
“I speak passable Avian, and they use human-galactic—Galactic Standard—by and large. It’s not a best practice, but we could forgo the interpreter. Two bodyguards are nearly as good as three.”
“I need four slots.”
He stared at me incredulously. “That many?”
I counted them off on one hand. “Me, Sergeant Nova, Cissi, and at least one of my investigative squad, probably Kyn in the event we need a non-human sentient for some reason. He’s a Glosser and one of my best agents.”
Cambridge nodded at my last point. “That’s smart. We’re not popular on this world. The Avians on New Helena are very friendly to us by contrast. I learned and refined my language skills there. Too bad I can’t bring my interpreter. He understands the culture better than we ever will. But to your point, a Glosser might be just what we need. Avians don’t hate them without cause.”
“This isn’t going to work,” I said. “Four is a number that might be sufficient. I actually need six. Woods and Fathers are crucial to every small unit operation. In a perfect world, my NCS team would be in the air and ready to secure an evacuation site should things get hot.”
“None of that is going to happen,” Cambridge promised. “You can have four.”
“Are you certain?” his father interrupted. “What about your security? There are dangers, as we discussed prior.”
To his credit, Cambridge ignored the second half of the question rather than bow to his father’s suddenly protective tone. “So long as Breaker and his team have my back, I’ll manage. You taught me to handle myself.”
“Training does not equal experience,” Jonas Bayle argued.
“Fortunately, I have both.” The young man’s demeanor bordered on angry but didn’t cross the line into disrespect. He was coming into his own, ready to be his own man. Perhaps that was what this mission was about for him. Getting humiliated by his father in front of APOP agents probably hadn’t been on his list of things to do today.
I didn’t like any part of it. Cissi’s expression remained vivid in my memory. Glaynia’s warnings were just as dire as they had been when we met. We needed a way onto the planet, and I understood this was the best deal we could expect. “We should get started.”
Cambridge nodded agreement. “I’m ready when you are.”
Yolo led me toward Cissi’s room. “You really should have included her in the planning.”
“Her part will be simple. We’re only giving her a ride. She reunites with her family. Lots of big hugs. Then we glide off into the sunset.” I stopped in the hallway to finish talking before knocking on the young Avian woman’s door. “Locating two Avians capable of steering the Ultar away from an intergalactic war will be one problem after another. Mark my words.”
Yolo put out one arm to block my advance. She chewed her lip. “I didn’t want to do this, but since you brought it up, do you want to place odds on either aspect of this mission.”
“I’m not gambling with Cissi’s happiness. That’s just wrong.”
Yolo held up both hands in denial. “That didn’t come out right. I would never bet on something like that, and neither would Fathers, Omar, Lehman, Cates, Kyn, Woods, Nova, or Mirrors. I’m just saying, are you willing to put your money where your mouth is about this mission being easy?”
“Nova is in your gambling pool now?” I hit her with a disapproving look. “You’re corrupting your boss.”
“Ten to one odds there is nothing simple about taking Cissi to her family’s home,” Yolo said.
“I’m in.”
Yolo scanned my digit-note code from my wrist screen. “Oh, and by the way, odds are three to one against you finding a pair of Avians that can talk to the Ultar.”
I extended my arm and waited for the second scan. “Like taking money from children. I should be ashamed of myself if I wasn’t doing this just to teach all of you a lesson.”
Yolo stepped aside, extended an arm, and bowed toward the threshold of Cissi’s doorway. “Proceed, oh wise and financially generous boss man.”
There was just enough time for a mock growl under my breath, which made her chuckle.
What would I do without my team? They were my family.
“Cissi, can I come in?”
She opened the door, her eyes red from crying. “Yolo and the others already cheered me up. I’m sorry to be a burden.”
“Trust me, you’re a walk in the park compared to my squad of misfits.”
She scrunched her eyebrows together. “I’m not sure I understand. How could I be an event? This is one of your metaphors?”
“I just meant you are more pleasant than her, for instance.” I pointed at Yolo, who waved and smiled brightly.
“All of you are nice.” Cissi seemed happier than she had been but still sad, like she knew there was only bad news in her future.
“I’ve made arrangements that bypass the customs minister.”
Cissi’s expression shifted from melancholy to alarm, not what I had expected. “That isn’t done. Go back. Undo these arrangements. Bribes are severely illegal and unknown to us for thousands of years. I’m so sorry I didn’t explain that before you tried to fix this mess.”
“No bribes. Nothing like that. I merely found someone with authorization to travel freely about the planet and attached us to their visa.”
The girl went quiet. She slowly toured the room, and I was again struck by her grace. Whatever confidence I’d seen before was buried deep, though not gone. She seemed lost in thought as she watched her feet.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Yes, yes. I am thinking.”
I glanced toward the doorway, wondering if I should call for help. Yolo was right outside. Any member of the squad could arrive in minutes.
Cissi went to a small desk in the corner, removed something, and held it protectively in her hands. If she had been moving with caution before, now she redefined what it meant to be careful. Eyes never leaving her cupped hands and whatever tiny thing was within them, she eventually stopped right in front of me.
I met her gaze.
She looked both younger and wiser, and also very nervous. “This is for you.”
The clamshell she had made with her hands opened slowly. Revealed in one palm was the smallest paper bird I’d ever seen. Each detail was as fine and delicate as something created with tweezers and magnifying goggles.
Barely breathing, I accepted it carefully. “What is this, Cissi?”
“I chose to make one for every member of your squad, even the soldiers who never talk. Teasing aside, I thank you for what you are trying to do and want you to have it. This is the best folding I’ve made.”
“Thank you, Cissi.” Blood thrummed in my veins. This time it carried elation and joy to my heart and mind. I felt like I could fly, and I let out a short laugh.
Cissi smiled. “You like it?”
“It’s the best thing ever.”
“Good.” She backed away. “You are a great leader and a great friend to all of these people. I appreciate what you are trying to do, but it will never work. Asking so much would be wrong.”
“You don’t have to ask, Cissi. We’re glad to help you. As for this plan working, my squad has a way of coming out on top even if there is a lot of bleeding and crying before it’s all over.”
“That sounds terrible.”
“It’s what we do. Yolo will help you pack and explain how the operation will progress. We’re leaving as soon as I find a place to put my new prized possession.”
“Thank you, Breaker Wrath.”
“Are you sure?” Nova asked. “Cambridge said five people. We need to leave Fathers or Kyn behind.”
“Cissi is Avian. She doesn’t count toward the total allowed in his visa.” I checked my wrist screen, then shifted my shoulders to reposition the body armor under my jacket. We were in light tactical gear, which included ballistic panels worn under street clothing. “Trust me. What could go wrong?”
She smiled despite her best effort to remain stern and practical. “Yeah. We would never get thrown into local prisons or gunned down as off-world lawbreakers and start an intergalactic incident.”
“I should be worried, but I’m in too good a mood.” I surveyed everyone on the team as they conducted buddy checks of the persons on their right and left. “I was here when the fighting broke out. Had nightmares from the moment this planet became our destination. Yet now I’m good.”
Nova, Fathers, Kyn, Cissi, and Cambridge climbed into the unmarked glide van.
“I’ve switched the vehicle in my visa to this one,” Cambridge said. “We should be good to go.” He gestured toward Cissi. “Good call on her not counting against our total. Avians belong here.”
Cissi nodded nervously but said nothing.
“Please attach your safety harnesses. I will now drive this vehicle as though I acquired it illegally,” Kyn said, with a wink.
“That’s drive it like you stole it, and no, don’t do that.” I slapped my hand on the dash. His Galactic Standard was better than that, but the joke was a tradition in the unit. “Roll out, Kyn. Let’s do this.”
Nova and the others in the back gasped as the Glosser sped away from the Soft Touch.
I pushed away thoughts and focused on the moment. This was now, not the past when everything went wrong between humans and Avians. We had a purpose, a mission that mattered. This was the best team I had ever worked with, superior even to my old Breaker unit. If I had to choose between Kalchev, Boomer, and Saint and my APOP squad, the decision would be easy.
Headlights raced across the pavement to illuminate dull gray buildings on each side of the glide way. Brightly lit buildings loomed in the distance, reminding me that this place was full of light and life and music. I could see the shadow of mountains in the even farther distance and knew exactly what they looked like. I could paint them from memory if I had any skill.
The thought reminded me of Katrina Snow, the best combat technician I'd ever worked with. I hoped she realized her dream. I hoped she learned the difference between a paint brush and canvas. Someday, I would have to find her and check in.
“We are nearing the gate,” Kyn said.
Cambridge leaned forward with the credentials. “Allow me to do the talking.”
I wish I’d thought of that earlier. “Switch with me. You will look more official.”
He nodded and complied. We squeezed around each other in between the front seats and eventually landed where we should've been from the beginning. I now sat beside Nova, who looked unperturbed with the undignified crawling about.
My team was steady, though quiet. There was a time for banter and time for quiet focus. Cissi was still nervous and trying to hide it. I thought about the gift she'd given me and prayed the delicate origami would be safe in my handgun vault in my cabin.
Kyn slowed at the security gate and waved to the single guard on duty.
“For all the talk of restricted access, this seems weak,” Fathers muttered from the back of the vehicle. He slouched to minimize his profile. We hadn't tested our theory about the visa, but even if there wasn't a restriction on how many people we could bring, his size often drew the wrong kind of attention.
The guard swaggered to the side of our vehicle, his sidearm hanging low on his thigh rig. He looked back, and I realized there was more to the guard shack than it seemed. Most of the facility was underground. An entire squad of heavily armored infantry stood ready to swarm out if needed.
“Heads up,” I said. “There are more inside the guard shack. Tag the underground bunker on our maps.”
Nova’s voice was cool and calculated. “We won't miss that sort of thing again.” She tapped her wrist screen to send a note to Regina.
I signaled everyone to be quiet.
Kyn rolled down his window. “Good morning, sir.”
The guard looked him over and said nothing. He pushed forward one hand as though requesting documentation.
Cambridge leaned toward the window to hold up a packet. “I am Cambridge Bayle. I have authorization to conduct business and travel on your world.”
The guard accepted the information and returned to the small building. Another guard stepped into the threshold and watched us from a slight distance. Holding a conversation with this individual would be difficult but not impossible. I suspected that was intentional.
We waited. Cambridge grew nervous. His inexperience at espionage already showed. I resisted the urge to offer encouragement or criticism. He needed to learn on his own and I needed to understand his limits.
The initial guard returned, handed back the documentation, and spoke. “Do not stay longer than three days.” He stepped back and waved us through the gate as it opened.
Kyn rolled forward without hindrance from any other traffic at this time of night. The spaceport was on a grand plateau overlooking a river valley and mountains in three directions. Gleaming lights were easiest to see. Closer examination revealed sweeping lines and soft neon colors outlining many buildings. Nightlife surged in the downtown area. Pedestrians moved under decorative streetlamps and string lights stretched over patios, bushes, and trees. Signs displayed famous Avians. Flashing music videos showcased dancers in both traditional and experimentalist modern garb.
Other parts of the city were revealed by our drive—collapsed skyscrapers never rebuilt. Nature reclaimed random sections, covering rubble with vines. Foxes, cats, and other small night creatures peered from their warrens, uncaring that they were well within the city.
In the distance, even larger evidence of the short, ferocious war existed. A chasm sliced into the side of a white-capped mountain. One section was nothing but sheer cliffs without a touch of greenery.
“I’m not sure which feels more haunted,” Nova said. “The abandoned buildings or the mountain range.”
Cissi stared wide eyed, barely listening. Fathers, Nova, and even Kyn had nothing to say for several minutes. I could see them working through their own thoughts. A careful observer noticed focused eyes, posture, nervous gestures no matter how large or small and made conclusions regarding inner workings. I was sure they could read me better than I read them.
“We are successfully away from the spaceport,” Kyn said.
Cambridge leaned forward and typed on the vehicle’s primary screen. “Coordinates. We should work the crowd. Avians have a vibrant nightlife. Maybe you can get some of your questions answered. The sooner we find your negotiators, the better.”
I attempted to remember when, or if, I’d shared exactly why we were searching for the special pair. Had Cambridge just revealed he and his father knew more than they were sharing?
I had a feeling we were going to find out.
14
Light, airy music drifted to my ears. I hung my arm through the open window and enjoyed a night breeze on my face. When I glanced forward to Kyn, he looked serene. The texture of his face and hands fluttered slightly.
He’d never said as much, but I felt this was a sign he felt relaxed and comfortable among us. Gone was the constant need to appear as perfectly human as possible at all times. Technically it wasn’t hair that covered him. Details like that meant something when empathizing with sentients. I took a moment to consider my friend without presumption. Questions drifted up to the surface of thought. What was it that allowed him to alter his appearance? Why was it so easy to forget he had an extra pair of arms tucked away?
“We should leave someone with the vehicle,” Cambridge suggested.
Nova swung her eyes to mine. “Agreed. Good job for a lieutenant.”
“No way. I make the assignments. You or Kyn can stay here and use the comms boost to keep track of us.”
“I don’t mind,” Kyn said. “The air is nice. Wonderful evening to watch strangers doing mysterious things.”
“Good. You know what to do. Look for a secure place to leave the glide van and rendezvous with the team on foot. We may need you and want options.” I turned my attention to Cissi. “Are you ready to visit your home world?”
“Can I stay with Kyn?”
I measured her mood. She was understandably nervous. “Sure. We’ll scout the area, try to find who we need, then deliver you to your family’s building.”
She nodded.
“Nova, Fathers, Cambridge, and me.” I slid open the door. “Split into teams and start looking for pairs of Avians with communications skills.”
