Unexpected Witness by MJ Blehart

Author:MJ Blehart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci-fi, science fiction, clones, conspiracy, sci-fi mystery, genetic engineering
Publisher: Argent Hedgehog Press
Published: 2023-09-12T00:00:00+00:00

13

JACE WAS UNSURPRISED that the guard was dead.

Once they left the defunct cloning facility, Jace and Onima had found a hoverbike not far from their vehicle. A quick check showed the bike had no identifiable marks and would be untraceable to any point of origin.

The pair never spoke about it, but both checked to make sure the car hadn’t been boobytrapped.

Upon reaching the guard shack, they noticed the open barrier. The guard was seated on the floor where the rifle plasma bolt had thrown him.

Onima got on her comm.

“Yes, Marshal,” came Yael’s response.

“I need a secure check on the comm. If we’re clear, patch me to the Aquila, Yael.”

“Hold a moment.”

There was silence as Yael checked on the security of the frequency.

Jace knew that wireless communications were heavily encrypted. When they had become the norm centuries ago it had been necessary.

Even still, there were hackers who had an uncanny skill for breaking those encryptions. Civilian comm signals were one matter. Jace presumed CBI comm signals were as secure as military and government devices.

“Clear,” Yael said. “Who do you need on the ship?”

“Feroz,” Onima replied.

“One moment,” Yael said.

Jace knew that while comm-to-comm communications were fairly secure, distance lessened that. What’s more, the global system that allowed for the function of communications, while encrypted, could be open to hacks.

There was a direct comm link between the shuttle and the Aquila. It would add a level of security by bypassing the planetary system.

Jace pondered a moment why he knew this. Probably because the planetary satellite system was used by all comm traffic. Destroying satellites and communications towers hurt you as much as it might hurt the enemy - old wartime info Jace would never forget.

“How can I help, Marshal Gwok?” came Feroz’s voice over the comm.

“Feroz, does Taugarden Biotech still have offices on the planet?”

“Checking,” Feroz said. He was silent for a moment and replied with, “No.”

“That’s because they don’t technically exist anymore, correct?”

“Yes,” Feroz replied.

“Do Gray and Chuang have an office on Tee-Erde?” asked Onima.

“No,” Feroz replied.

“What about the private investment firm that purchased Taugarden Biotech?” asked Jace, recalling the communication from Feroz before he had boarded the transport.

“Right,” Onima said. “Okay, Feroz, what became of Taugarden Biotech, which was once part of Gray and Chuang, after it was reacquired by the private investors?”

“One moment,” Feroz said.

Onima looked at Jace. “Good call.”

“Okay,” Feroz said via the comm. “They absorbed Taugarden Biotech but kept the name for certain legal bits and insurance issues. However, the incorporated company disappeared. But...” Feroz trailed off a moment, then continued, “They didn’t cease to exist. They moved from Ariesburg to Goddardopolis and set up an office under the name Olympian.”

“Thank you, Feroz,” she said. “Get me any other data you can about Olympian. I want to know who they are and what they do.”

“Got it.”

“Yael?” Onima called.

“Yes, Marshal?”

“Come pick us up,” Onima requested. “Home in on my signal, and then we head directly to Goddardopolis from here.”

“On my way,” said Yael.

“Feroz,” Onima continued, “have Captain Barr reach out to the local officials.

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