Deadlocked by Libby Sinclair

Author:Libby Sinclair [Sinclair, Libby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Star-Crossed Press
Published: 2016-01-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Brie replied to the pending job offer with an urgent message to Danicka. It remained unanswered as the Pluto Outpost confirmed her docking request, but the job posting listed the quadrant of the mission. Either they were in subspace en route to their destination or Danicka was incapacitated in some way. The expedition was awfully close to Tulan space.

Chatter on the networks was still normal; the Xerlian’s hadn’t yet made their move. That made it all the more imperative Brie find her friend and keep her clear of the conflict.

Brie docked where bidden by the central command, the systematic shut down of ship systems no different from her old Olympia. Finn had his controls set similar to hers. For the millionth time during her trek to the station, she shoved Finn from her mind. He weaseled his way into her thoughts at every opportunity.

One last check of her percom before leaving the ship, still no message. She stepped into the airlock, waiting for the pressure between ship and outpost to normalize. A human dock officer stood on the other side of the door when it opened.

“Captain Connors, welcome to Pluto Outpost.”

She nodded.

“It’s 9 am local time, shops and maintenance are located on the main level…”

Brielle ignored the rest of the speech, she’d heard it before. Peering past the officer, she saw the station hadn’t changed. Poorly lit, cramped, and stinky. The air processors could never keep up with the amount of people they let on the station. Being the last human outpost in the Solar system, every ship stopped there.

“Do you have any questions?”

The officer’s final remark brought her back to the moment.

“Nope.”

The officer turned and navigated around crates and people toward the main corridor. If Danicka’s crew had been aboard the outpost recently, there was one place to find out. And it wasn’t with the station police.

Picking her way down neglected halls and past homeless people and cargo, Brie found herself in Dawson’s. The familiar neon sign hummed above the wide door, flickering every time the door slid open or closed.

The patronage hadn’t changed either. Weary travelers, seasoned shipping captains, and assorted scum and losers.

“Brielle!” The din of the place silenced as the bartender waived her over. Heath remained oblivious to the mood in any room. He was great for gathering information, because he couldn’t keep a secret if he wanted to, and drunk people talked. She took a stool and ordered a beer. Not her favorite beverage, but it meant she’d drink less. “What brings you this far out?”

Brie waited until the patrons turned back to their drinks before replying. “I’m looking for a friend of mine. Anyone passed through here on their way to the Tulan system?”

He scratched this stubble on his chin. “Yeah, a huge party of scientists. Something about ruins on some planet… Blah, blah. Left yesterday.”

Damnit. So close. No wonder she couldn’t reach Danicka. At least she was on the right track. Brie slid her beer over to a familiar barfly and faked a smile.

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