Loyalty: Old Mans Comeback Book 5, page 3
Harl smiled as he began to nod. “I suspect we’ll run into many such close-minded opinions about us. I suppose we’ll have to prove you wrong.”
“And how will you do that?” Kesta asked. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t your society literally believe those who are not Mahshi are inferior to you? If that’s not the case, then maybe you’re right. You could do some good. But something tells me you won’t. Especially your threat to my people.”
“The means to an end.” Harl waved his hand. “How many settlements would you slaughter to realize your fate? Your potential? How many would you kill to save the larger majority?”
“None,” Kesta said. “Because there’s always another way. It just might not be as fast.”
“How long do you believe the universe has?”
“I don’t know,” Kesta replied, “but it’s been going along like this for a long time. I think it’ll make it another few years. Sure, there’s a tipping point for everything. Imagining you’re the right solution though? I don’t see it. I think you’re delusional, and what’s worse, you might honestly believe you’re not terrible people.”
“Because we aren’t!” Harl exploded, storming around in a circle. “The Mahshi stand on ideals far above what you and your little scrubby station might recognize! You have no culture, no identity, no history, no pride! We have built these things. And now, we’ll share it with the universe.”
“Whether we like it or not.”
Harl stopped moving. He stiffened, tilting his head back. “I suppose so. Guards?” Two men stepped forward. “Escort this man to a cell. Watch him the whole time.” He turned back to Kesta. “Forgive me, but I’m fatigued by our conversation. I’ll come get you if you’re needed again.”
“Uh-huh.” Kesta walked with the guards. He stopped at the door. “One thing left to consider. If the Mahshi take over and everyone rebels, what will you do? Don’t answer, just think about it because that response will be the barometer for your worthiness to rule. Nothing else.”
“Take him away!” Harl grunted.
The guards escorted him out. Kesta smirked. If his words got in Harl’s head for even a moment, he considered it a victory. Something to distract him while he spoke with Flip. And hopefully, made some kind of massive mistake that would end their occupation as quickly as it began.
Chapter 4
The Space Station above the Hostel
Torma Wender
The room spun. Sound seemed distant. There was no pain. Torma felt confused as he looked around. Two other people occupied the area around him. Both reclined on the floor, resting on their sides. He didn’t recognize them right away.
Nothing made sense. The room didn’t seem familiar either. A weight on his chest made it difficult to breathe. He sucked in a quick breath, more out of panic than need. Something rattled in his lungs. He coughed, conjuring up a fair amount of goo before spitting it on the floor next to him.
They weren’t in an infirmary. No one would have left them on the floor if they needed medical attention. Yet the white light, walls, and floor made it seem sterile. A stale scent hung on the air, something like a filter needing to be changed. That struck him as odd. They had maintenance people for that on the Hostel.
Why hadn’t they done their jobs?
“Torma?” A voice warbled through the air. He knew the person, but he couldn’t place their name. He turned in their direction. One of the others sat up. “Hey, are you… okay?”
“I think so.” Torma coughed again. “Where… where are we?”
“The station, you idiot.”
Bolst. That was the man’s name. The insult came out so easily, it had to be him. They came to the station to find answers. But they encountered aggressors. People with guns. They’d already taken the station. It wasn’t the admin, nor the inhabitants of the place. Invaders took it over.
“I remember.”
“Good,” Bolst said, “so get yourself together. I’ll ask this guy what he knows.”
“Slow down,” Torma replied. “You have no idea what he’s been through. Let’s ask rather than interrogate.”
“I’m not exactly in a position to be aggressive.” Bolst hoisted the third man off the floor, then pressed him against the wall. The man’s dark, curly hair fell over his eyes. He was thin, probably tall, wearing a jumpsuit. “Wake up. We need to talk. Now!”
The man moaned. “What?” He pressed his hand against his face. “Where… what is this?”
“Great.” Bolst sighed. “He’s got what you did.” He stood. “This is a regular door. They didn’t put us in a force field protected space. So it’s not a proper cell.”
“Hey.” Torma crawled to his feet. He used to wall to maintain his balance. “How did we get here? I remember the guns, but then… nothing.”
“They gassed us. You were closer to the canister. Probably why you’ve got some lingering effects.”
“But we… had… the suits…”
“Took off the helmets first.” Bolst frowned. “That stuff did a real number. You need to take some more deep breaths.”
“My chest is burning.”
“The gas accumulation. You’ll get it out. I’ve seen that stuff before. Someone used it on a heist for a vault. Left the people dazed for hours. Plenty of time to get off the planet and well away.”
“Because they couldn’t remember anything.” Torma shook his head. “Makes sense, but wow. What a terrible thing to do to someone. What’re the side effects?”
Bolst shrugged. “I’ve never thought about it. I don’t know why the sleepy guy’s messed up though. They must’ve gassed him too at some point. The why part makes no sense. They could’ve just locked us in here regardless. What’s the point of using chemicals?”
“We didn’t fight back,” Torma said. “Means we sat here for a long while placid and without struggling.” He looked all around. “I don’t see any cameras. They’re not even observing us.”
“This is storage,” the third man spoke finally. “There aren’t cameras in here.”
“Who are you?” Bolst asked. “And how did you find yourself in this mess?”
“Name’s Ergar Zvel… I work here.”
“Yeah?” Torma cocked his head to the side. “And what do you do? Security? You one of the admins?”
“No!” Ergar shook his head emphatically. “No, I’m in maintenance.”
“You’re a tech.” Bolst sighed. “Perfect. He’s going to be useless.”
“No,” Torma said. “No, not at all. This guy knows the station.” He crouched. “Hey, tell us what happened. How’d you end up in this situation?”
“Invaders breached the inner wall near my office.” Ergar rubbed his eyes. “They came in all violent. I went to secure the reactor in case they planned to do something horrible. They caught me. I think they already had the admin center, to be honest. I’m not sure why they came down my way. Unless… they saw a life reading, I suppose?”
Torma nodded. “Got it.”
“What’re you doing here?” Ergar asked. “Why’d you come?”
“Well…” Torma cleared his throat, then ended up coughing up more goo. “Sorry about that. We came to investigate some cargo transports bringing illegal goods to the Hostel.”
Ergar stiffened. “You must be joking.”
“Why?” Bolst asked. “You think the people here are too honest for that kind of thing?”
“I suppose, yes. There’s no real benefit, is there?”
“If it’s true,” Torma replied, “then they’ve been getting away with it for a long time. And I’m sure they got some compensation for it. Enough to justify anything.” He took a couple steps. They were unsteady, but motion helped clear his head.
Bolst said, “Maybe he’s in on it.”
“What?” Ergar’s eyes bulged. “I’ll have you know I’ve served The Concierge loyally! My entire life’s been dedicated to this settlement and this station! I would sooner—”
“Okay, okay.” Torma waved him down. “Relax a little. We get the point. You have to understand, it isn’t easy to trust anyone right now. There’re plenty of reasons we shouldn’t.” He gestured to the door. “Did the people out there tell you anything when they captured you?”
“I only know they work with the Mahshi.”
Bolst nodded. “Pretty much the only thing we need to know. They’re probably behind this whole mess with the Hostel. Those filthy bastards have been itching to be put down. Now, they’ll have the chance.”
“Yeah?” Torma scoffed. “Just like that, huh? You think we’re going to do it? Maybe rush out there with a couple guns… oh wait. We’ve got nothing!” He stormed away, back toward the corner where he woke up. “Face it. You and I are out of the game. We’re lucky to be alive.”
“Think about it,” Bolst said. “Why do you think they left us alive? There’s no reason, right? Might as well have put us down.”
“Hmm.” Torma frowned. “I don’t know. Maybe because they think we have information. But they should’ve put us in a cell or something. Back on their ship maybe?”
“They didn’t dock,” Ergar said. “Their ship isn’t attached to the station.”
“Weren’t you unconscious?” Bolst asked.
Edgar scowled. “No, just groggy. And I know what happens to my station. Whenever something touches it, connects with it properly, or otherwise.”
“Except the people,” Bolst said. “You know, the guys who breached the outer hull before coming straight for you. That part didn’t send you a message.”
“A starship connecting is much more intense than people cutting their way through the hull!”
Bolst pressed, “Don’t you have a tool or scanner to tell you when there’s a breach, though? Were you not observing your own instruments? You can admit you made a mistake. You’re some kind of spanner simpleton. It’s expected you’d—”
“Really?” Ergar bolted to his feet. “Do you want to find out what kind of simpleton I am?” He clenched his fists. “Because I’d be happy to show you what you’ve chosen to—”
“Enough!” Torma stepped between them. “Really, Bolst, you seriously can’t get along with anyone! Can we all just calm down? If we want to survive this, we need to work together… I swear, this topic is a theme lately. Now, tell us… are we stuck here? Is there anything we can do?”
“We aren’t stuck.” Ergar continued to scowl at Bolst. “There are ways out of this area, but what’s the point? Neither of you two tough guys are armed. Which begs the question how you—”
“Facts,” Torma interrupted, “no more pointing fingers. Tell me how we can get out of here?”
“Unless they’re clever,” Ergar said, “there are multiple ways out of every room on the station. It’s a safety feature in the event someone gets locked in during an emergency. The panels in this room are against the wall in the corner. They lead to a small passage that can access all the electrical bits.”
“Good.” Torma turned to Bolst. “We go through there, find ourselves some weapons, and get out.”
“One problem,” Bolst replied. “Where are our captors? Why aren’t they watching us? I’ve got a bad feeling they might not be here anymore.”
“What?” Torma sighed. “What’re you on about?”
“Why bother to take the station?” Bolst pointed at the door. “Why put us in here?” He laughed. “We should check to see if it’s even locked.”
Torma clenched his fists. “Just get to your point. What’re you talking about?”
“This place would make a good weapon,” Bolst said. “One to obliterate the entire colony. Not just the Hostel settlement, but if it went down in the right place, it could annihilate your little domes.”
“Why would they?” Ergar asked. “Why would they do something so monstrous? What have we done to them?”
“The Mahshi don’t care,” Torma said. “Though destroying everything… that doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
“It does if they’re covering tracks.” Bolst shrugged. “I’m just saying there’s no reason we’re in a closet without guards if they didn’t plan to knock this place down. Maybe they won’t crash it, but it’s going to explode.”
Ergar moved to the corner. He removed the panel with two taps. “Then we need to get to the reactor.”
Torma asked, “What’ll that do?”
Ergar peered into the darkness of the passage as he spoke. “If we hurry, we can prevent the maneuvering thrusters from engaging. I’m assuming that’s what he’s talking about. They might’ve arranged it in the control center, but I can shut it down in there.” He turned to them. “Are you coming?”
Bolst nodded. “Of course. They might not be gone yet. And if that’s the case, he’ll need our help.”
“Yep.” Torma tried the door. “And it’s locked, Bolst.”
“Surprising.” Bolst grinned. “Sometimes I’m wrong.” His expression faded back to a scowl. “But I promise you there’s something similar to what I said going on. And we’d better get out of here before we’re brief witnesses to a flat-out atrocity.”
“I’ll lead the way.” Ergar plunged into the passage.
Torma followed, dropping down nearly six feet to a metal floor below. Dim lights flickered on, illuminating a narrow passage stretching down some thirty yards. Access panels covered several sections on the walls, all the way down.
Bolst hopped in behind him. “Oh good,” he muttered, “it’s nice and tight.”
“Uh-huh.” Torma shook his head. “You complain about everything.”
“I try to.” Bolst motioned. “You’d better get moving. That kid’s fast.” Indeed, Ergar already made it to the end of the hall. He paused, waving at them to join him.
“We’re coming!” Torma rasped. “Shouldn’t we put the panel back up?”
“It won’t matter.” Bolst walked away. “If someone checks on us and we’re not there, they’ll assume where we went. With any luck, we’ll have this squared away before they bother to check. Or we’ll start a loud enough fight that they’ll never see that room again.”
The idea of luck made Torma’s stomach do a flip. Not that he could be overly critical of fate. He’d survived some ridiculous odds since the people tried to rob the vault. But it felt like a real slog.
Prenz came to mind as well. Their pilot didn’t leave the ship, but did that mean the Mahshi got him? Did they bring him somewhere else or had they not breached their vessel? He hadn’t thought about armed assailants being present when they arrived, and it put them all in danger.
Torma nursed some hope for his friend, but chances were good he didn’t make it. And honestly, the odds were against them as well.
Chapter 5
The Collector World
Sorsha Ritaktha
The Ilsin was ready to launch. Gia prepped all systems. Sorsha paced at the base of the ramp, waiting for Flip to show up. He’d disappeared without an explanation, leaving her with Cade and Frada. Considering the urgency he instilled in her, she grew increasingly frustrated.
“What’s the matter?” Cade’s voice made her jump. The Collector leaned on his cane, head cocked to the side. “You look like an animal in a cage.”
“My partner,” Sorsha said. “I thought we had to go, but I don’t know where he is.”
“Speaking with the Dralka,” Cade replied. “I suspect he wants to ensure we remain amiable with them while you’re gone. Especially since this task is dangerous, is it not? The two of you are going up against Harl Lacha.”
“Who is that?” Sorsha shrugged. “Should we be worried about him?”
“Yes.” Cade shifted from foot to foot. “He’s Jesmon’s older brother. The current leader of their family. Do you know how the Mahshi function?”
“They’re considered raiders,” Sorsha said. “That’s the limited information I have about them. And after our interactions, I’ve seen nothing to dissuade that feeling.”
“I’m afraid the culture is more complex than that.” Cade moved to lean against the Ilsin. When he did, his whole body relaxed. “Forgive me. I’m still experiencing extreme fatigue. It’s nice to have some support. But anyway, they’re a caste-based organization. The Lacha family is important, though no more important than all the others.”
“So what are they like then?” Sorsha asked. “If not criminal bandits.”
