Challenge Met by Charles Ingrid

Author:Charles Ingrid [Ingrid, Charles]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: High Tech, Fantasy, Space Opera, General, Science Fiction, Adventure, Fiction, Short Stories
ISBN: 9780886774363
Publisher: DAW
Published: 1990-01-01T23:00:00+00:00

Jack woke with the bitter taste of mordil still on his tongue, the empty vial clenched in his hand. He released his grip gingerly and let the vial drop. He had beaten the night. His dreams and memories were still his own this morning. With a powerful stretch, he eased his muscles into waking and got up. His dress uniform hung on a stretcher, reminding him that Pepys was putting him on display.

His imprint slipped over him from time to time, leaving him with annoying gaps of time, and nighttime was the worst. There were other drugs he could use to sleep, but mordil was the least destructive. It was worth it if he could face himself in the mirror and remember his family. The blackouts worried him less and less—the memories always came back. There was only the worry that he might commit a fatal mistake with Pepys or Vandover—and he was more likely to do that as himself, than as his imprint. He was not supposed to remember the years of intrigue and bad faith.

Nor was he expected to remember that Pepys had promised to step down if he found Colin. With a wry smile, Jack made his way to the refresher. As he passed through the apartment, he caught a bare hint of perfume and stopped to inhale it.

Had Amber been here again while he slept? He cast about, trying to catch the perfume again, wondering if he'd only imagined it. Then, having grasped nothing, he continued to the refresher. He had not seen Amber for several days, though Lassaday told him she'd come in for a suit fitting. He would arouse suspicion if he sought her out.

He stepped into the shower and let it beat down on his neck and shoulders, hammering out tense muscles. He walked a razor's edge with Amber's life and knew it, and did not know how to tell her he knew it. There were too many others with too much at stake listening to every word he might say to her. He could only hope that Amber could take care of herself, as she always had. He stood in the shower until the fog in the stall enveloped him.

Vandover and Pepys wanted a tame act they could trot before the Walkers to placate them. Jack did not know the Walker organization well save for Colin, Jonathan, and Denaro, and Colin's harsh-faced secretary, Margaret—but he knew about the turmoil within the organization and that Colin's amenable philosophy had always been in danger. The Walkers would not settle for the crumbs Pepys was hoping to toss them. Jack wanted to be there, if for no other reason than that. The order had been, no suits. If Jack had been commanding, it would have been, no Thraks. Pepys would be doing well to keep the lid on.

This would be Jack's resurrection. The Triad Throne had declared him dead and buried, after all, months before tracking him down and bringing him back as a traitor and deserter.

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