Forward Pact (Galaxy Bridge Book 3) by Daniel Gibbs & Steve Rzasa

Author:Daniel Gibbs & Steve Rzasa [Gibbs, Daniel & Rzasa, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-22T00:00:00+00:00

Colin’s quarters were in a civilian sector on Deck Eleven in the core, above C-One but below most of the CDF living compartments. The section had hundreds of apartments arrayed around crisscrossing corridors that felt more like avenues to Sarissa than passageways aboard a space station. The farther they went, the more opulence they found—luscious carpeting, exotic decorative plants, even murals spanning dozens of square meters. It was definitely an example of how the other half lived.

Sarissa wondered if her CDF Reserve stipend combined with her JSID pay would afford her the same level of luxury. Probably not tactful to inquire about the poor guy’s rent when we might be endangering his life.

She didn’t really think someone would try to get rid of Colin when he was in the company of two eyewitnesses. Then again, Sarissa knew she was a target. It was reasonable to assume Lind might be, too.

Colin reached for his door’s access panel. The flat, glossy surface lit up green when he settled his hand in the right place.

“Welcome,” said a soothing female voice.

“She sounds cute,” Lind muttered.

Sarissa shot her a warning look. They were supposed to be securing his help, not mocking him.

The doors hissed apart. It was dark inside.

Colin frowned. “The lights are malfunctioning? They’re supposed to activate as soon as I unlock.”

Sarissa swept her pistol from its holster with one hand and pushed Colin aside with the other. Lind was already at her side, pistol drawn with one hand, a beacon glowing in the other, her wrists crossed. Sarissa activated the beacon mounted under the muzzle of her weapon.

“Stay out here,” Sarissa said to Colin.

Their beams flashed across the wreckage that had been his living space. Furniture was tipped over and smashed. Shattered glass and broken plastic were scattered across the rose-colored carpet. Stars winked beyond a long, broad window facing them, their expanse all the more brilliant for the darkness.

“Controls.” Lind found a panel on the inside of the vestibule and punched it.

A warm golden glow spread throughout the room. On the one hand, Sarissa was relieved when the light banished the deep shadows and deeper darkness. No one could hide in ambush for them. On the other hand, the devastation Colin’s apartment had suffered was thrown into stark relief.

“Holy shit!” Colin stood in the open doorway. He gripped the sides of his head and pushed his hair up into a garish orange plume. “They wrecked everything!”

“Likely they were looking for something, whoever they are,” Sarissa said.

“Did a pretty good job of making it look like a regular break-in,” Lind said. “But I’m all about saving conjecture until after we clear the place.”

Sarissa nodded. They split up, with Sarissa heading through the kitchen and down the hallway to the restroom and storage space, while Lind went right, winding up at the bedroom.

“Clear!” Lind called.

Sarissa checked each corner with care. The storage space was last. Nothing there but sealed containers, luggage, and linens. “Clear.”

Lind met her in the living room. She holstered her weapon and beckoned Colin in.

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