Icarus (Interstellar Cargo Book 1) (23 page)

Emmerich continued to shake her head, though there was a hint of amusement hidden behind those steely eyes. Or was it intrigue? More than likely it was the look of someone plotting to kill the lunatic pilot.

The door opened, the roots of heavy metal pouring in with abandon. Cole stepped back to allow the trio to exit the lift. They made their way past crates, cases, and pallets of unknown cargo until they came upon what they were seeking. It was the only container on casters, the lid unhinged. Most certainly it was not big enough for two men of their size to fit comfortably inside, but the journey would be brief. As if sensing their discovery, CAIN proceeded deploy the loading ramp.

“You know what to do,” Cole told them both. “In.”

“Just let me drag him off,” Webb pleaded. “I can manage. Don’t make me get inside there.”

Cole had been shaking his head the entire time he spoke. “What, and give you the opportunity to alert others of our escape? Nope.”

“If you don’t think he’s already used NuFi to alert SolEx, then you’re completely disillusioned.”

CAIN said as though it had been walking alongside them the entire way.

“There you go,” Cole said. “Not sure how that’s possible, but today’s been a day of surprises.” He returned his attention to the officer. “Sleeping Beauty first.”

Defeated, the officer assisted Emmerich in laying his partner on the bottom of the crate. The procedure was awkward, probably painful, but it did not, however, hinder him from lunging at Emmerich the moment they had finished. Cole watched as the former inspector landed a single punch into his wounded shoulder and dropped him to the ground in agony. Her boot connected with the side of his head, ceasing his cries.

Cole tucked the sidearm into his waistband and assisted Emmerich with loading the second officer. Webb fell awkwardly atop his partner to the sound of Ian Paice’s drum solo. Neither made an attempt to tuck him inside. They grabbed the heavy wooden lid, dropped it on top, and forced most of the metal clasps to close. They gave an unceremonious shove toward the ramp, and the crate rolled down. When it reached the bottom, the casters met with empty air, and the momentum caused it to tumble and land on its side. The force of the thunderous impact caused the entire crate to collapse and send its unconscious contents spilling across the hangar runway into a pile of wood chunks and metal bits.

Cole laughed in spite of himself as the loading ramp raised up to close. “You think anyone noticed that?” he asked Emmerich with a grin.

She shrugged, her expression both appalled and amused. “Hindsight being what it is, we probably should have just let him drag off his partner instead. Who knows if we would’ve needed that crate.”

Cole was already heading back toward the bridge. “Hey, we couldn’t disappoint Cain. He had that crate added to the manifest specifically for his entertainment.”

Emmerich was on his heels. “You have a bizarre way of coping with stressful situations, Musgrave. Not that I’m complaining.”

They skipped the lift and ran up the stairs. Cole grabbed the rail and pulled himself up the steps faster. “Might as well enjoy what little time I got left.”

“Who said I’m not enjoying myself?”

“Fine!
We!”

They barged into the bridge, slightly winded. Lin was sitting before the console in the co-pilot’s chair. She gazed at them both with uncertainty and annoyance at the tune blaring out of the loudspeakers. Cole offered her a casual wave before planting himself in the seat adjacent to her. He studied the viewport screen, expecting to see an army of security guards and vehicles blocking their escape. Instead there was a clear path welcoming them onward.

“Kinda quiet,” Cole said of the lack of alarm and activity. He grinned at the absurdity of his statement as Ian Gillan’s vocals shrieked. “Out there, I mean. I was pretty sure that stunt we just pulled would cause a huge ruckus.”

CAIN said.