Head Case by M.R. Forbes

Author:M.R. Forbes [Forbes, M.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-04-20T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

A short jaunt across open space proved we had sufficiently changed the output signature of the thrusters. Even better, the modification had resulted in a two percent gain in efficiency. While it didn’t sound like much, Alter had happily assured me it could mean the difference between life or death in a tight spot.

I still hoped we could avoid any more tight spots, but past history didn’t give me much confidence.

We entered hyperspace less than an hour later, offering everyone on board twelve days to rest up and relax in relative safety. I spent the first fourteen hours in bed, sleeping off the exhaustion of our week in prison and everything that had occurred both immediately before and after incarceration. Another treatment in Sickbay, another shower and some food left me feeling much, much better.

After eating, I found Quasar in the lounge, using the television to read something she had found in the ship’s datastore. I added more networked tablets to my mental supply list, checked in with her to make sure she was settled, and collected Shaq, who jumped from the back of the sofa to my shoulder as I passed.

I didn’t see Matt between my quarters and the elevator and figured he was probably still asleep, as worn out as I was from the events of the last week. Looking for Alter, I headed to the flight deck only to find it empty.

Back on the elevator, I hesitated while deciding between Deck Five and the hangar. I didn’t want to disturb her if she was resting, but I also needed the slab she had stolen back from security. The slab Keep had tried to take from the courier. I had decided trying to hack into it would be my primary focus over the duration of the journey across the Quadrant, though I didn’t have a whole lot of confidence that I could unlock the device without causing it to self-destruct or otherwise react harshly to the effort. I had done okay on the penal satellite, but only because their security sucked, as ironic as that was. I didn’t think anything as important as what I imagined might be on the slab would be as poorly protected.

What did I imagine was on the slab? Based on what Keep had told me and both the origin and destination of the device, my best guess was some kind of document shared between Sedaya and Nobukku. A declaration of an alliance, maybe. But it would have to be something more incriminating than a standard trade deal or something like that. Perhaps an affirmation of their shared commitment to overthrowing the Empress. Damning stuff, especially if Keep had managed to bring it to the Empress’ attention.

Except…he’d had every opportunity to take the slab from the courier when he abandoned me. He made a conscious decision to give it to me instead. Why?

The elevator started moving on its own, called to another deck. I leaned back against the wall and waited to see who would be joining Shaq and me.

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