Icarus (Interstellar Cargo Book 1) (27 page)

Emmerich would not offer Rig the courtesy of a direct response. She turned to Cole. “My mistake; it’s
him
you should have shot.” She tilted her head toward the mechanic. “He’s the one who ratted us out.”

Cole couldn’t argue her point, though he had no intention of murdering anyone. “I was wondering about that, Riggy. Any reason why you sold us out to Jude?”

Rig’s face twitched at the nickname. “I needed a job and some cover, so I hightailed it off Mars and headed back to my old stompin’ ground. Didn’t take long for the Ravens to find me, and it’s best not to keep any secrets from them. They’ll know if you’re hidin’ anything.”

“Like the Rook,” Cole assumed.

“And your eyes,” Emmerich added, her own staring daggers.

Rig nodded twice. “Didn’t think it would be a big deal spillin’ all the details since you were all destined for the debt colony. Imagine how I felt when your ship contacted me through Ocunet.” He uttered a mirthless laugh. “Gettin’ that call probably saved my life. Yours too.” He nodded toward Cole and Emmerich. “Who knows what would’ve happened if you came lookin’ for me without Darkstar’s protection.”

Cole shrugged, satisfied. “Fair enough. You still owe us. Big time.”

Emmerich was anything but satisfied. “My hero. Maybe we should offer you a medal for valor,” she scoffed and turned back to Cole. “Regardless, you don’t actually believe for a second that we’re going to become pirates, do you?”

Again, Cole shrugged. “You got any better ideas? I mean, what do you think our life is now? You saw the news. Everyone knows it was
us
who did all those things. Doesn’t matter what the circumstances were; we’re to blame. Ever hear of the Court of Public Opinion?”

Emmerich appeared perplexed. “There’s got to be a better solution than more criminal activity.”

“Hey, after Art’s big-time blunder, maybe Research is hiring. We can work in the private sector. An escaped convict, a Starforce retiree, an engineer with questionable morals, and a washed-up SolEx pilot with a checkered past. We’ll fit right in.”

“Hey, I was with Starforce too,” Rig reminded them. “Remember?”

Cole smiled and dragged his palm across his face. “If we somehow manage to miraculously pull off this job, we’ll at least have my brother’s respect. That’s better than nothing, which is exactly what we have now.” He crossed his arms behind his head. “I don’t know about you, but becoming a pirate is starting to sound pret-ty good right now.”

Emmerich stared long and hard at Cole. “You talk a big game, and you hide behind your string of good luck as though it will last forever. You like to pretend you know what you’re doing, or that you’re even in control, but you’re
not
. Soon you’re going to lead us all into the fire.” She took a breath to calm down. “But seeing as you
are
our leader—for now, at least—I suppose we have no other choice than to become space pirates.”

“Pirates,” Cole said, amused. “Just pirates. Adding ‘space’ before it is unnecessary.”

“Perhaps I was wrong about you as our leader,” Emmerich grumbled.

That you consider me to be a leader of anything is amazing in its own right,
Cole thought. Her perception of him, was far more accurate than he would ever let on. He had no clue how to proceed if they were to survive this job. He talked his “big game” mostly because people seemed to listen to him in times of strife, but he knew he was little more than a bullshitter and a smartass. No amount of talking would save them from the fire of which Emmerich spoke. And his brother was the Sun. Becoming a pirate was not a choice, no matter which way he sliced it.

CAIN said, breaking the silence.

Cole looked up from the console, forgetting the AI had been with them the entire time. He nodded, suddenly feeling his insecurities. He thought of Lin and couldn’t shake the feeling she had pulled the proverbial rug out from underneath everyone involved in this job. He would not blame her if she had found herself an out.
Wouldn’t I take the first opportunity to clear my name if it presented itself?
He sighed. “Alright, Cain. Time to put our pirating skills to the test.”

~

“I
never doubted your innocence for one second.”

Lin blushed and looked down at her hands. She hated to lie to him. She hated even more to involve him in matters of criminal enterprise. “Saras, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you. I knew you would understand.”

Saras scowled. “The things the news claimed you did... Just because you’re lead engineer for a prototype cargo vessel doesn’t mean you should be associated with the likes of that gangster pilot.” He spat the last two words. “And to think an inspector and a high-profile executive would be involved. Unbelievable!”

“Former lead engineer,” Lin said. “I will never work for the likes of SolEx again. Or anyone, for that matter.” It was the truth, and she felt dirty for purposely leading him toward the next leg of the conversation.

“Former, my ass!” Saras punched his fist into the table. He rubbed his knuckles tenderly as he apologized. “I’ll make sure you are cleared of any wrongdoing, Lin. I promise you.”

His smile reminded Lin of better times. Saras was not an imposing figure by any means—short and fragile, in fact—though his incredible mind and thirst for success painted him the person most everyone desired. Everyone except her. His dark eyes were kind, despite the frustration they now harbored; his smooth, chestnut skin hid the lines she knew were there. He ran a nervous hand across his temple, where hints of silver were beginning to peak through his jet hair.

“I never thought I would escape from them,” Lin said. “Even after we were captured by SolEx, I was unable to evade them. I can’t thank you enough for what you did for me—what you’re still doing for me....”

“What I’ll continue to do for you,” he added with conviction.

It was then Lin knew she had him firmly under her thumb. It made her sick. She looked away, ashamed. “You’re harboring a wanted criminal, and you have no evidence to acquit me of anything, much less acts of terrorism. How will you be able to accomplish such a feat?”

Saras presented his surroundings as though they would answer her questions. “I am the Administrator for Galactic Information Systems. UniSys entrusts me with the protection of the whole of mankind’s every piece of personal data. I know enough powerful people to not only clear your name but make you a hero.

“As a gesture of my faith in your innocence, I re-enabled your clearance while keeping your presence anonymous. Your access is infinite. Just as it was before.” He smiled. “You’re safe with me, and together we’ll see this through.”

Of that, she was certain. Since boarding the shuttle on the moon, she had never felt safer in her entire life. The quiet ride to the satellite station had put her at ease, gave her the time to gather her thoughts, and fill any holes in her story. Saras had not approached her until he had seen her safely inside the station and stashed away in his private quarters. A large part of her did not want to leave his company. She could start a new life and leave behind the tragedy awaiting her signal.

Saras sat down beside her, though he kept a modest space between them. “I’ve missed you every single day since you...left...and started your new life with SolEx. We worked so well together, you and me. Your brilliant ideas in the field of artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics, and nanobiotechnology helped revolutionize the internet and mass information storage. You practically paved my way into this position.”

He was flattering her, she knew. There was no denying his brilliance, and with or without her, he would have eventually ended up where he was now. His excessive praise was also a desperate act to woo her back into his arm. In the field of science and business, he was unrivaled. Matters of the heart were another story altogether. His awkward and overbearing nature was the main reason she left him. “Perhaps we can discuss us at a different time?”

She watched him swallow a lump in his throat and bite his lip in embarrassment. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He stood and began to pace around his office. “You only just escaped from an unimaginable situation. You’ll need time.” He nodded and smiled. “And you’ll get it: privacy and safety. Try not to misconstrue my next words. You’re my honored guest, and my place is yours to do as you wish.”

Saras walked to his desk and patted a pair of haptic gloves. “If you need to access to NuFi, I’ve given you free reign under the guise of complete anonymity. No one will know you are using the Ocunet, so contact your family and friends. You’ll be safe under my protection.”

It was all too easy. Lin had known it would take little convincing, but the great lengths at which Saras had gone to for her were unexpected and potentially devastating for him. His career would be ruined once she acted. That left one last question: could she do this to him?

“Thank you,” Lin told him. She was unable to stop herself from speaking her next thoughts. “I’m overwhelmed, though I’m not certain I deserve your outpouring of generosity. Not after what I did to you.”
And will continue to do to you.

Saras waved off her comments with a firm hand. “I don’t dwell on the past.” His expression tightened, and he clenched his fist as he appeared to find resolve. “Fate has brought us together once more. And whether or not you choose to remain with me comes second to your safety. There will be time enough to discuss the future once I’ve cleared your name.”

Lin was at a loss for words, and Saras took her silence for compliance. “You’re exhausted. I can see it in your eyes.” He paused to admire her, and she blushed. “I’ll leave you to some peace and quiet. Remember, mine is yours. Anything you need, just ask.” He smiled like a child beholding a mountain of birthday presents before leaving Lin to herself in the heart of the UniSys information empire.

Lin waited until Saras left before she allowed her tears to flow unhindered. She let the guilt consume her, embraced the pain of her father’s death and betrayal, and purged what little remained of her compassion through her anguish. She wanted nothing more than to give herself over to Saras and his every whim. It would be so easy, and the life she would share with him could be satisfying.

But it would all be a terrible lie.

There was no turning back now, no time for unfulfilling love, no room for anyone who would stand in the way of her goal of achieving the Cosmic Particle. Denial was a warm blanket, and despite her father’s revelation regarding the ambitious project, she believed otherwise. She had to, or her entire life was a lie.

She was standing before the desk, her tearstained cheeks untouched. Pulling on the haptic gloves, Lin sat at Saras’s desk and entered the Ocunet. True to his word, she had free reign to do as she wished without fear of repercussion. Her Rook drew close and connected with the universe of knowledge.

“CAIN. I’m in.”

“S
he did it....”

Wide-eyed, Cole slowly turned toward Emmerich and Rig, sharing a look of disbelief. Not only had Lin managed to coax the administrator for Galactic Information Systems to willingly bring her into the heart of the heavily guarded UniSys operation, but she had performed the “impossible” infiltration faster than anyone could have ever anticipated. Never mind that no one had believed she would go through with the betrayal of her former lover. Against all odds, their mission was a go.

“Son of a
bitch
! Dr. Dartmouth is one devious little spy!” Cole meant the comment as praise, though even he was shaken by the efficiency with which Lin operated. He turned back toward the console, a big, stupid grin on his face. “This might actually work. Cain! What’s your status?”

Cole bobbed his head back and forth. “Cocky. Less talk and more action, Cain. We’re not in the clear yet.”

CAIN said.

Cole frowned. Was that clumsy AI sarcasm? “Not unless you’re going to directly download the schematics into my brain. I think you’re much more suited for the task.”

“Pussy.”

Cole flipped Rig off without facing him. “Care to share your views with me as well,
Chrysanthemum
?”

“Just my fist, Musgrave,” Emmerich said.

“No? Good,” Cole said, ignoring her. The satellite space station filled the whole of the viewport screen, inviting them to visit. Mars loomed in the distance as a bright red ball. “Take us away, Cain. The good doctor will be needing our assistance after we deliver the goods.”

“Can’t wait to see how little missy pulls that off,” Rig murmured.

Me too,
Cole thought. There would be no time or feasible way to dock with the satellite station and allow her to board. Her only course of action would be to secure an EVA repair suit with magnetic boots and rendezvous in open space near the drop zone on the dish itself.

CAIN announced.

“Rig,” Cole said over his shoulder. “Did you properly unfasten that contraption thingy from its base? There’s no room for error when we activate the loading arm.”

“Nah, I added a few more two-by-fours to its frame and chained it to the wall,” Rig said.

Cole nodded. “Yep. It’s good to be the captain. I love my crew.”

The ICV-71 lifted from its stationary position on the moon Deimos and began its approach toward the satellite space station. The entirety of the mission was now in the control of Lin and her AI creation. Both had proven to be trustworthy thus far, but anticipating all levels of UniSys’s security was another matter. All five divisions of AMBER—Terracom included—had deep investments in the protection of the System’s digital information. Cole and the others hoped the return of a former lover would by the Achilles’s heel of the juggernaut.