Annihilation by Sean Platt

Author:Sean Platt [Truant, Sean Platt & Johnny B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sterling & Stone

CHAPTER 44

Christopher found Terrence alone with his guards in the network center. The guard unit was composed of five humans and two Titans — not a Reptar in sight. That must be Meyer reasserting his command, pushing the Raj regime right out the window … while, apparently, punching it repeatedly in the face.

Passing them with a nod of acknowledgement, it occurred to Christopher that the guards — the human ones, anyway — might have been poisoned against him. Raj had been mouthing off everywhere all night long, it seemed, and he might have blabbed. The guards might have heard stories of Christopher’s disloyalty. But even though Raj seemed to have attained a new, listen-to-me edge, Christopher doubted the guards had accepted it. Their necks weren’t nearly as much on the line.

The looks Christopher got seemed to confirm it. Guards allowed him entry with respect, giving him distance. The Titans stayed far back, respectful and deferential as always.

He gave them all one final glance then sat beside Terrence in a way that hopefully seemed appropriately suspicious. The man was a prisoner and traitor, after all.

“I haven’t seen him in a while,” Terrence said. “Raj, I mean.”

“How’s the network fix going?” Christopher asked. He made his voice artificially loud so the guards would hear then raised one eyebrow, hoping Terrence would get his meaning.

Terrence seemed to. “I’ve been waiting for Raj to come back. I can’t do more until I get access to the network spindle,” he answered, also in full voice.

“I’ll take you to it. It’s in the annex. Don’t try anything.” Then Christopher rose, taking Terrence by the arm in a way that was perhaps a bit too rough — but better to put on a decent show rather than anything unconvincing. Then he half dragged Terrence through the door, into a smaller room next door. Beating the guards to the punch, he ordered them to line up outside the door, looking in, keeping their guns ready just in case.

Once they were pushed back into the annex, Christopher lowered his voice and said, “What’s a network spindle?”

“I made it up.”

“Here.” Christopher handed Terrence a tiny screwdriver from his clutch of tools. “Open this panel, and try to look busy.”

“What if Raj comes back? You try to feed him ‘network spindle’, and he’ll arrest you, too.”

Christopher frowned. “He’s down at the police station, trying to dig up dirt. I radio’d up myself before he came back last time, had some of my men confiscate the commander’s tablet before he got back because he was under suspicion. But it’s only temporary, until Raj shakes enough cages and gets it back. I’m afraid the ship’s sailed on my innocence. Raj says he has evidence against me. Both of us together, it sounds like. I think he has cameras. That’s why I dragged you in here. Maybe we can actually talk without making things worse.”

Terrence’s gaze flicked to the guards.

“I can’t spring you, T. The guards like me a lot better than Raj, but the Titans won’t let it happen.

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