Crax War [02] Relic Hunted by Terry W Ervin

Author:Terry W Ervin [Ervin, Terry W]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gryphonwood Press
Published: 2016-01-11T05:00:00+00:00

An hour later in the common room, McAllister sat across the table from me. Pilot Detter sat to my right and Med Tech Devatha to my left. O’Vorley was forward in the pilot’s station, monitoring the shuttle’s sensors.

The pilot placed my carving of the three busts on the table. Without gravity, the synthetic wood representations of Gudkov, McAllister, and the man I only knew as Steffon, the young man I’d killed, hovered slowly in my direction. The heads rotated to face me as if in accusation.

I focused on the clean-shaven face of Steffon. I’d managed to carve it without his twisted, menacing hate burned into my memory. Deep set eyes, broad chin and wavy hair slicked back. McAllister had risked her life and career to avenge him. Drugged up on Thrust, she tried to kill me. When that bid failed, she shifted to destroying my career while covering up her attempted crime.

Engineer McAllister named me a murderer. No doubt harbored in her mind. I was guilty of many things, but murder wasn’t among the list. After Gudkov’s death, we managed to work together despite an undercurrent of unresolved hostile emotions.

For being brilliant, McAllister allowed her emotions to rule. Something I thought she’d gotten a handle on. Condescending and arrogant, those would always be with her, just like her brilliance.

Everyone stared at me, waiting for me to speak. Even the carved trio’s faces were angled up as if gazing expectantly. I leaned back and crossed my arms. I wasn’t in the wrong. They’d be waiting until Loki’s Lady reached the single space dock in HD 97658’s system.

One minute passed, then two. My unconcerned gaze moved between the pilot’s and McAllister’s. Neither was happy with me. Annoyed detestation showed in Pilot Detter’s expression. Seething hatred in McAllister’s. She might crack a few molars if she clenched her jaw any harder.

Like on the Kalavar, I was the outsider. I should’ve been on the Nuclear Pitchfork, seeking Deputy Director Simms, and maybe Janice Tahgs. Not on Loki’s Lady, dealing with my past and Senior Engineer Nova McAllister.

No matter how much people think they’ve grown, how quickly they revert to previous ways, long established patterns. Not just McAllister, but me as well.

After another few breaths, Pilot Detter glanced at McAllister, and then addressed me. “Engineer McAllister would like to know why you felt it necessary to select those particular subjects for that carving that floats before us.”

My eyes remained fixed on McAllister’s unblinking gaze boring in on me. “If it’s Engineer McAllister who truly wants to know, it should be her doing the asking.”

“Specialist,” the pilot said sharply, “I am asking in her place to keep this conversation from escalating to violence.”

Warp screw that notion. “It’s answers that she doesn’t want to hear that’ll result in her getting thumped.”

Pilot Detter pointed at me. Her eyes narrowed. “Understand this, Specialist. Orphaned, I took you in to be a part of my crew—at considerable risk. Risk to everyone on board, our mission, and the vessel itself. Our mission being one vital to the war effort.

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