Across Enemy Space by L.J. Simpson

Author:L.J. Simpson [Simpson, L.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-01T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16: The Recruit

The Blue Goose, Tycho City

“Another one?” asked the barkeep.

“Yeah, one for the road.” said Powers. He turned and looked around the bar as the barkeep filled his glass. It was a quiet night, which was only to be expected. Dead Thursday, they called it – the last Thursday before the monthly pay check came through. Half the regular clientele would be spent out and the punters still with cash in their pockets would be saving it for the weekend revelries.

There were but half a dozen other customers scattered around the Blue Goose. Old Bernie was sitting in his usual seat near the door, staring vacantly at a glass of ale that he hardly ever touched. Though Powers had greeted him on occasion, Bernie had never lifted his head or uttered a sound. He just fixed his gaze on the glass and let the world pass on by.

‘Trouble at home’, the barkeep had said knowingly. When Powers had enquired what kind of trouble, the barkeep grimaced. ‘Woman trouble, the very worst kind.’ Still single, Powers thought the topic best left alone.

Off to Powers’ right, three factory workers were playing cards, their good natured banter drifting across the room. And finally, over in the far corner, a young man and woman were whispering sweet nothings into one another’s ears. The Blue Goose was hardly noted as a venue for romantic interludes, but so captivated were they with each other’s company they either they hadn’t noticed or just didn’t care; probably the latter. Finally, the man whispered something that caused his date’s eyes to open wide in shock and indignation. Judging by the way she returned his wicked smile, the shock may have been real but the indignation likely feigned. The way they scuttled off to the exit – hand in hand and giggling as they went – just confirmed it. Good for you, thought Powers, and good to see that the war doesn’t get in the way of everything…

Finishing his drink, he pushed the empty glass across the bar and with a nod to the barkeep he headed outside.

It had been several weeks since he’d last seen Dan Brady at the private party at the Equinox Hotel. His talk with Brady and Godoy had left him in no doubt that he was being groomed. By now, he also knew that enquiries about his past had subsequently been made; Brigadier Faulkner had alerted him to the fact, though how Faulkner himself had come by the information was anyone’s guess. All Powers knew was that he had been investigated and that it wasn’t by any agency belonging to the Alliance. After that it had just been a matter of waiting for some kind of contact from the opposition – perhaps Franklin’s handler, perhaps someone else. But then… nothing.

The only thing of which they were certain was that Brady had disappeared without a trace. During the last two weeks, he hadn’t visited his apartment and neither had he answered any of his e-mails or messages.

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