Silent Order: Ark Hand by Jonathan Moeller

Author:Jonathan Moeller [Moeller, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Azure Flame Media
Published: 2018-09-13T06:00:00+00:00

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Fifteen minutes later Taren followed Jack and November down the Tiger’s dorsal corridor.

“I suggest we take off at once,” said November. He carried a suitcase since they had stopped just long enough to grab his possessions before heading for the ship. “Once we’re in space, it will be harder for Cuirass Corporation to hold us for questioning in Quincy’s death.”

“We’ll need to file a course,” said Jack. He grunted. “Suppose I could jump the ship just outside of the Sibley system, and...”

“No need,” said November. “I know where Retzplatt is going, along with anything she took from Quincy’s room. She’s going to Caldera Station.”

“Caldera Station?” said Taren. She’d never been there, but she’d heard of it. It was out past the Alexandria system, on the edge of the territory controlled by the Kingdom of Calaskar. It was technically a neutral outpost and maintained that neutrality by making itself useful to the various nearby interstellar governments as a meeting place. Caldera Station also had an astonishing variety of casinos, and the constant money from the gaming rooms generated the cash flow the station needed for bribes.

“Yes,” said November. “Her ship took off about five minutes before we left, with a filed course for Caldera Station. I believe that is where the next phase of her mission lies. I’m not certain, but I believe she is looking for some kind of archaeological relic called the Key, and she believed that the unfortunate Mr. Quincy had hidden it on Caldera Station.”

“Of course,” said Taren. “That sounds like him.” Felix had never double-crossed anyone unless they double-crossed him first. But he was so used to being double-crossed that he always took preparations to avoid it. Hence the thumb drive hidden under the carpet.

But his precautions hadn’t saved him from Retzplatt and those two Iron Hands.

“All right,” said Jack. “Caldera Station it is, then.” She was surprised he trusted November enough to go on his word. Likely they had worked together in the past. “Get settled in, John. As soon as we’re in hyperspace, we’ll share information and figure out just what the hell is going on here.”

“We have a plan, then,” said November. “I’ll make myself comfortable in the galley. It’s been a long day, and a cup of coffee will be welcome.”

“Help yourself,” said Jack, and November disappeared into the galley. Taren followed Jack into the flight cabin, and he dropped into the pilot’s seat and started bringing the ship off standby. She settled into the co-pilot’s station and powered up her console.

“I’ll do the preflight checks on the ion thrusters and the fusion drive if you do the dark matter reactor and the hyperdrive,” said Taren.

“Sounds fair,” said Jack, flipping switches and scanning the rows of numbers that appeared on his screens and holographic displays.

“You know John November?” said Taren.

Jack snorted. “Yeah, you could say that. We’ve had some nasty assignments together. Surprised that you know him. Though maybe I shouldn’t be. His specialty is tracking down financial fraud. Given how many

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