The Janus File by David Weber & Jacob Holo

Author:David Weber & Jacob Holo
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Hard Science Fiction, Time Travel, Action & Adventure, Fiction
ISBN: 9781982192150
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2022-10-04T04:00:00+00:00

Isaac’s first impression of Raibert Kaminski was one of size. The man possessed a hulking synthoid body: ripped muscles, broad shoulders, and thick neck leading up to a scowling face with long blond hair tied back in a ponytail. The grayish green of his Gordian Division uniform fit him well, though, and the eye-and-sword flash at his shoulder glinted in the NFPD conference room’s light.

Isaac’s second thought was that Raibert Kaminski knew an Admin uniform when he saw one, and the big man’s jaw visibly tensed at the sight of Susan. A seething undercurrent of animosity abruptly permeated the room around him, and Isaac saw the conversation ahead become even more difficult.

“What’s she doing here?” Kaminski asked pointedly with a nod toward Susan.

“Agent Cantrell is part of the new officer exchange program,” Isaac replied evenly. “She’s acting as my deputy.”

“Does she have to be here?” Kaminski crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall, eyeing Susan suspiciously.

“She does.” Isaac raised an eyebrow. “Is there a problem?”

“No, no, of course not,” Kaminski dismissed with all the thespian aptitude of a middle grader. “Just strange to see someone from the fuc—” He grimaced, then cleared his throat. “From the Admin out here on Saturn, is all.”

“Hello, Philo,” Cephalie said with a sly smile from atop the LENS.

“Cephalie?” The avatar of Kaminski’s integrated companion materialized beside him. Philosophus took the form of a huge, redheaded, red-bearded Viking with a peculiar helmet. The helmet came with a pair of horns, as Isaac would expect from someone emulating an ancient Viking, but the material looked more like plastic than metal, and a tab ran down the center. Perhaps for a retractable visor?

Isaac gave the odd ensemble an inward shrug; he’d seen stranger getups on ACs plenty of times before.

“You two know each other?” he asked Cephalie.

“You could say that.” She winked at Viking. “Isn’t that right, Philo?”

“Uhh, yeah.” Philo rubbed the back of his neck bashfully. “We know each other.”

“Friend of yours?” Kaminski asked.

“Not…precisely,” Philo said.

“Philo and I go way back,” Cephalie explained. “About eighty years back, actually. I arrested him once for pattern theft.”

Philo slumped his shoulders, bowed his head, then gave everyone a brief nod.

“Really, a pointless crime, if you ask me,” Cephalie continued. “More about the thrill of the act and the bragging rights for pulling it off.” She flashed another sly smile. “Almost pulling it off.”

Great, Isaac thought. More personal baggage cluttering the room.

“You staying clean, Philo?” Cephalie asked.

“Trying to.”

“Staying out of trouble?”

“That’s…been a little harder. But at least it hasn’t been my fault this time.”

“Look, you two can reminisce later,” Kaminski cut in. He looked over at Isaac. “The main reason the Kleio’s here is to support the impeller tests, but our commissioner is very interested in tracking down who killed our agents. Is there anything we can do to help out?”

“Yes,” Isaac said. “As a matter of fact, there is.”

“Name it.”

“First, what’s Andover-Chen’s condition? Has he returned to duty?”

“Yeah, though I hear he’s somewhat disoriented. You likely have

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