Shadow of Hyperion: Turn Four of The Hybrid Helix by JCM Berne

Author:JCM Berne [Berne, JCM]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Gnost House
Published: 2023-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

A dozen ships came and went in a blur of work.

Nothing like manual labor to clear my head.

He was humming along to “Kamariya” when his comm chimed. The caller ID flashed across his mask.

Drive Mechanic First Class Tamaralinth Lastex.

The music cut when he tapped the side of his mask to accept the call.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Rohan.”

“Tamara. Isn’t it the middle of your sleep cycle?”

“It should be. I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I would call.”

He grunted. “I’d be flattered but something tells me you’re not really interested in me for my own sake.”

She laughed. “I admit I have ulterior motives, but I am glad to be speaking with you.”

He swallowed. “This isn’t fair. You know how weak I am when it comes to flattery.”

“I haven’t even begun to flatter you, Rohan. When I do, you shall know it by the weakness in your knees and the dryness of your mouth. Both shall be legendary.”

He laughed. “I can’t tell if that’s a promise or a threat.”

“The women of my family do not distinguish between those.”

He smiled and shook his head, unseen as he drifted in space, far from Wistful. He looked toward her, enjoying the sparkle of her diamond crust, picturing Tamara lying in bed somewhere on that vast station, talking to him.

“Okay. I assume you’re actually calling to hear about my talk with Rinth’s dad.”

“That is the cause of my insomnia. So, if you have an update, I would appreciate it.”

“I talked to him.”

“I see. Presumably he did not listen. Else you would have so indicated.”

Rohan sighed. “I tried, I really did. But he’s not . . . I don’t know. You were spot on when you called him a true believer. He really thinks he’s doing the right thing.”

“Men as such can be quite stubborn. So I hear.”

“It’s almost like you have a type.”

She didn’t respond for several breaths. When she did, her voice was sad.

“Thank you, Rohan. For trying.”

“Look, I’m not done, okay? I couldn’t talk him out of what he’s trying to do, but that doesn’t mean I’m just giving up. I will try to keep him safe, okay? For Rinth’s sake.”

“I appreciate that, Rohan.”

“Of course. Hey, Tamara.”

“Yes?”

“Um . . .” This is stupid. I’m stupid. This should be easy. “Can I call you? To talk? Even if it’s not about, um, this situation?”

He counted three breaths of silence.

“You may. I would like that.”

“Okay. Cool. I have to get back to work.”

“Thank you, Rohan. For your help.”

The line clicked off.

Wistful called. “Are you ready for the next tow, Rohan?”

“On it.”

The afternoon wore on.

Tow ships out to the beacons; bring ships from the beacons back to Wistful; dock the ships.

Check comms to see if there was any news from the Stones or the Imperial cargo ship.

According to the counter on his comm system, he listened to two hundred seventeen songs that day before another urgent chirp interrupted him.

“Rohan, this is Wei Li.”

She didn’t call me Tow Chief. I think that’s a bad sign. “What’s going on?”

“There is a situation developing at the arena.

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