Star Chaser (Galactic Shield Book 2), page 5
“Looks like you finished your meeting,” he said.
I nodded and toasted him with my cup. “You?”
“On the way. Somehow, I think you got off easier than I will.” He grew older right before my eyes. “This damn investigation is killing me. Pray that you never face the wrath of the APIA.”
“I’ve stood before them more than once.” My old friend’s plight was my doing. I had initiated the investigation after a petty drug dealer accused him of corruption. One thing led to another, and now his career was in worse shape than mine and he would probably go to prison. Internal Affairs had him in their sights now.
“Really? Now I am mortally curious. What the hell did the golden child of the APOP do to get investigated twice?”
Technically, I was in the middle of my third but decided not to mention it. How exactly was I judging him when my own decisions seemed to be increasingly questionable?
“The first time I investigated a pair of dignitaries with qualified immunity. Technically, there is no such thing for the crime I was investigating, but you know how it goes,” I said. “They didn’t appreciate it, and neither did their embassy lawyers.”
“You just ignored all that stuff, right? Not surprised. I’m sure you made a lot of really powerful people happy. You need to grow up and smell the politics someday, buddy.” He stepped away from the entrance to avoid becoming a traffic problem for other pedestrians. “What was the other scandal?”
“Excessive force,” I said, leaving out all the details and pushing back the hot rage and borderline vigilantism that had come over me after returning damaged victims to their families. They weren’t going to be victimized twice. I’d do it again. For sure.
“Hah. And you were judging me.” He cracked his neck, clearly not worried about anything. The man had always been intense and confident. His biggest problem was that he would never admit he’d done anything wrong no matter how clear it was to everyone else. That was a problem. Maybe I should have stayed closer to him to keep him out of trouble.
I didn’t explain what the suspect had done to his victims. If I did, Kalchev and I would probably pay the man a visit in prison and issue a new sentence. For all his rough edges, Chev was a big softy for kids, puppy dogs, and little old ladies trying to cross busy streets.
Changing the subject was a good idea, so I did. “Any word on Henry Saint?”
His expression darkened. “Give it a rest. He’s a grown man who made his own choices. Consequences are like gravity wells; you can’t escape once you put yourself under their influence. Saint is no saint.”
I resisted the urge to start another fight. Fists clenched, jaw set, I could barely stand still at the thought.
Kalchev matched each move. We were like two lions pacing across from each other, ready to charge and fight for dominance.
“There are other people looking for him.” Kalchev took a ready stance, reminding me more than ever that we were both Breaker pilots at heart. “Not all of them friendly. Henry Saint isn’t a saint. He’s into something.”
“He sure is,” I counted. “About a kilo of G-5 or micro a week.”
“That would kill him.”
I snorted. “Nothing kills Saint. You know that, Chev.”
He shook his head. “Just let it be. Stop bringing up his name. It doesn’t help. He’s a grown-ass man who never accepted help before. Why would it be different now? Trust me, I tried to dry him out more than once.”
For a moment, I was sure Kalchev hadn’t hidden our mutual friend someplace. Acting on impulse, I fired off a half-considered question—not the best interrogation tactic, but whatever. “Are you still retiring to Earthdale?”
“Yeah. Already found a real estate agent. Smart woman. She knows her way around the planet better than Boomer does. And don’t worry, I’ll meet up with that stumpy hooligan.” Kalchev’s anger melted slowly, but it did melt. “I barely asked about you.”
“You didn’t ask at all.”
He spread his hands. “You got me. We’re good now, right?”
I grabbed his forearm, then pulled him in for a hug. “Brothers to the end of the void.”
Kalchev chuckled as we parted. “That’s what Saint always said.” People looked at us. He waited until they were out of earshot. “I’m serious about Saint. Don’t forget how the man is—always into things no one else would touch.”
“Like a dog in a garbage chute,” I said, using our inside label for politics.
“Just remember there are rats in there too.” His expression changed as he looked toward the section fifty bulkhead. “I’m tired. Can’t wait to get to Earthdale. I’ll probably sleep for a month.”
Resentment for my old friend waned. I’d never seen him look this defeated. “Throw yourself on the mercy of the AP. I warmed the director up for you. Nothing to worry about.”
He snorted. “You are trying to get me killed. Thanks for the jinx.”
We shook hands a final time and separated without another word.
A squad of tactical operators was boarding the APOP Soft Touch when I arrived. Fathers and Woods stood stone-faced at the entrance. Sergeant Nova appeared bewildered as she reviewed their orders.
“Breaker, why is this gaggle of NCS on my doorstep?” she asked as I approached.
Nonmilitary Combat Specialists were exactly what they seemed, men and women ready to fight anywhere, anytime, for any reason. Their tactical uniforms were dark blue instead of black or gray but were otherwise identical to special operations combat fatigues. Their gear was newer, and their morale crisper than any unit in the AP military. Some of them had likely come over from the martial side, though some were young enough to have received all their training from APOP schools and gathered their experience from law enforcement missions.
I feigned ignorance, frowned, and tipped my head side to side a few times to express the activation of serious brainpower. “They must have pissed off their old boss.”
“This order says Director Lively sent them”—Nova showed me her fold screen—”for as long as the needs of the mission.” She looked at me. “We have a mission? I thought we were being fired.”
“He wants us to find a pair of Avians who can negotiate with the Ultar,” I said.
“We were already doing that. Surely there is more to this order.”
I scanned the flight deck. No one was near enough to listen in, and there was enough noise to challenge listening devices. “There is always more. On the surface, these men and women are just what they seem—the muscle I asked for if we find ourselves in a tight spot far from home. Below that rather obvious level, we can assume they have orders to bring us in before we go rogue.”
Nova surveyed the NCS team critically. “None of them look devious enough for that.”
“You know what they say about looks and deception,” I said. “We have bigger problems.”
Across the deck strode Jacob Morales with his bodyguards. They must have been NCS as well, because they immediately greeted the team now assigned to the Soft Touch. Laughter, loud stories, and all the comradely arts peaked right before my eyes.
“Must be nice to be so popular,” Nova said dryly.
“Stay here. Watch both sides. This doesn’t feel right.” I went to Morales.
“Keep me updated,” Nova said.
I shook my mentor’s hand with the words of Director Lively still ringing in my ears—stay away from Jacob Morales. Lately, he was feeling less like my savior and more like a loan collector. I’d never seen the look he gave me now.
“Let’s go inside your ship,” he said. “We don’t have much time.”
I stood aside, inviting him up the ramp with a welcoming gesture. “Behold the Soft Touch in all her grandeur.”
“Nice ship,” he said. “Take me to Ocantus.”
My ship was silent with most of the crew working on repairs and resupply. Every footstep sounded too loud. Regina displayed messages in my HUD to indicate she was ready to assist with anything I needed. Fathers and Woods watched me for as long as they could from their post at the loading ramp. Other members of my squad appeared at intersections and acted like they were working.
Morales remained silent throughout the walk. He kept his eyes forward and barely seemed to care if I was there. The last time I’d seen him like this was right before the Arrival War. Those had been dark times. Responsibility had pressed down on him like the gravity of a star.
I stepped into the bay facing the storage room we’d converted into an Ultar habitat. Dread filled the room despite every effort to contain the effect of the mysterious sentient. Air filters were set to quarantine levels. The view screen was darkened to prevent the infrared light pulses I thought also contributed to the raw fear my passenger inspired. Mirrors had suggested minimizing all sensory transmission, so the floor was covered with a rubber mat to reduce vibration, and the sound system played white noise to protect our hearing from anything Ocantus might broadcast.
Half of our defenses were guesswork.
Morales took in everything. “You saw my NCS team?”
“I did, sir.”
He nodded. “I have a second group on the other side of your ship. Your agents and your ship AI should be alerting you now.”
“He’s not lying, boss,” Regina said. “A full platoon of NCS operators in full battle regalia have staged near my secondary cargo ramp. They also have a team of scientists.”
I didn’t like where this was going. “Director Lively told me to keep a close eye on Ocantus and the artifacts.”
“I’m going to do that for you,” Morales replied. “For the record, I didn’t give you a choice.”
“That won’t fly,” I said. “Your NCS might be able to storm the Soft Touch and seize the Ultar, but it would be bloody. If I use that excuse with Director Lively and the review committee, there better be blood and body parts everywhere.”
He stared at the blank screen, then spoke without looking at me. “I’m sorry, Breaker. This is happening. Could it go wrong? Absolutely. I hadn’t planned to do this on the Justice. You have no idea what is at stake.”
I waited.
“This time is different. It might really be the end of your career, and maybe even your freedom. I have people that might be able to pull your squad under their wings, but you will have to eat this one.”
Blood tingled through my veins. The room suddenly seemed small. My friend and mentor was suddenly a stranger. Nothing made sense. It was like getting a concussion in the middle of a transit calculation.
I stood like a statue as his team flowed into the room. NCS hardcases set up security like mindless war machines. Scientists measured everything, recorded the countermeasures my team had put in place, then looked at Morales expectantly.
He met my gaze and said nothing.
“Regina, give them access,” I said. “Custody of Ocantus is being transferred.”
“Okay, boss. If you say so.” Regina then asked via HUD message if I was being coerced. I blinked on the “no” option.
Ocantus materialized on the screen and stared at me. For the first time since we’d met, the innate fear of her was bearable.
“Until next time, Breaker Wrath,” she said.
The scientists nearest her modified home staggered and held their heads. Morales’s expression was tight. He’d felt something just like the rest of us.
“I am sorry, Ocantus.”
The Ultar didn’t respond.
Morales and his team removed the Ultar from the Soft Touch and took her somewhere else. Suddenly, I needed to know where. I ran after them.
“Morales!” I shouted.
Anger dominated his expression as he turned to face me. I wasn’t sure if it was the way I’d said his name or that I’d risked calling attention to the procession disappearing toward another flight deck of the APOP Justice where his shuttles must be waiting. He couldn’t move his little army with just one.
Fathers and Woods came around the corner of the Soft Touch. My new NCS team and the other half of Morales’s NCS contingent followed curiously.
“Say it,” Morales said.
His tone surprised me. For a second, I thought he was embarrassed for betraying my trust, but that was pure intuition. The only thing I knew was that we were both in the middle of a difficult situation making hard decisions we would probably regret later. For the first time, in this regard at least, we were equals.
I wasn’t sure I liked the feeling.
“Keep me in the loop. Call me when you need me,” I said. My mouth was on autopilot. What else could I say?
He nodded and seemed relieved. “This too shall pass, Breaker.”
I watched him go and prayed I hadn’t betrayed Ocantus. Despite the trauma her mere presence had caused everyone on my ship, I felt responsible for her welfare. The grim realization that I’d just violated a clear order from the APOP director didn’t spawn a lot of warm feelings in my gut.
7
Woods watched NCS supervisors confer and then break their unit into groups. Sergeant Falkner, Corporal Jinks, Corporal Inio, and Agent Tanner each lead three agents or specialists.
I stood beside her. “What do you think?”
“They’re okay. Falkner and his team leaders warmed up with half an hour of target punching. I see solid fundamentals and good range safety.” She never took her eyes from the men and women donning safety gear and reloading weapons. Everything was virtual but realistic. There were planetary ranges, as well as space stations and larger warship facilities that used live rails, so good habits needed to be maintained. “Everything has been by the book so far.”
“Have you talked with them?” I asked.
She gave me a derisive look. “No. We’re not keeping them.”
I laughed. “You’re right. What a bunch of strays. If we feed them, they’ll never leave us alone.”
“Sergeant Nova was looking for you,” Woods said. “She stopped by for her morning range practice. Just between you and me, I think she was more annoyed to find them here than I was.”
“You don’t mind sacrificing your personal daily practice?” I asked.
“Please, boss. I’m here all day most days. Virtual ammunition is free and even a short, inter-system transit bores the life out of me. Never can sleep like you’re supposed to,” she said. “You might suggest the rest of our team up their game. Wouldn’t want to look like amateurs around this group.”
“I thought you weren’t impressed,” I replied.
“I’m not, but they aren’t chumps, and we’ve been slacking off a bit.”
“Okay. You’ve just been promoted to training coordinator. Set up a schedule and whip the team into shape.” I pointed at her to emphasize my point. “That’s what happens when you show too much initiative. Your boss gives you more work.”
“Noted,” she said.
I walked the decks, thinking of my meeting with Director Lively and how easily I’d rolled over for Morales. Everyone on this ship owed the man, or that’s what I told myself. How many times could I ask him to bail us out and give nothing back. It wasn’t right to balk when he finally asked for something.
Ocantus loomed in my imagination, terrifying and mysterious. I bounced a slim data screen in one hand as I walked. The device contained everything we’d learned about the Ultar and the discs she wore on her wrists. Nothing about the sentient or the artifacts she carried justified the attention of so many powerful people.
Working the problem in my head led back to Glaynia, the more powerful of the three Ultar I’d encountered during the Trace Block investigation. She had demanded I locate a pair of Avian negotiators. Our encounter had been strange and dangerous, just like everything about this web of intrigue.
“Regina, where is Sergeant Nova?” I asked.
“She’s in the general workshop, boss,” Regina said. “Should I call her?”
“No. I’ll surprise her.” I turned at the next intersection and considered how much smaller everything was here than on the APOP Justice. The carrier had room for a dozen corvettes like the Soft Touch without cramping the style of her three fighter squadrons. Life on a small vessel wasn’t bad, but I had to admit I preferred the larger warships. Hallways were wider, ceilings were higher, and there were more diversions.
I found the Soft Touch workshop, knocked, and entered.
Nova looked up from a bench that she had covered with ship parts. “This isn’t the head. You don’t have to knock.”
“Better safe than sorry,” I said. “You’ll appreciate caution more the longer you’re part of this squad.”
She smiled. “That’s fair. We need to talk about Avian Prime.”
I sat on a stool. “Earthdale has a significant Avian population. I know we’ve already tried this and been told the only place we’ll find what we need is on their home world, but this is worth the effort. And it’s on the way.”
“You don’t have to convince me,” she said as she tidied up her work and set it aside.
We faced each other across the bench. The room had a low ceiling and bright work lights. Shadows were severe until she dimmed the LEDs that had been illuminating her project. Next door was a storage bay full of Breaker rigs, void fighter parts, and weapons our new guests would never believe were on board. I wanted to keep it that way. If everything went as planned, I would never activate the NCS operators.
“I appreciate your confidence in my decisions,” I said. “Now speak your mind.”
“You know I will,” she said, then got down to business. “We can’t just go straight to Avian Prime anyway.”
“You’re right.” I rummaged through my knowledge of rules and regulations. “I can get past AP restrictions with a word to Morales, or even Director Lively now that he has sent me there on official business.”
“But Avians have their own rules, and rightful sovereignty over their planet,” Nova said, finishing my thought. “We need a sponsor with motivation to send us there. I can’t imagine a scenario where any high-ranking Avian would do that, though I’ve been wracking my brain since we left the Justice.”
