The Ascension Machine by Rob Edwards

Author:Rob Edwards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Artemesia Publishing, LLC
Published: 2020-03-24T02:47:02+00:00

Five million credits.

Fade.

Midnight tomorrow.

Fade.

Come alone. If we see anyone else…

Fade.

Gravane dies.

Fade.

Tell no-one.

Fade.

There was nothing about a location. Presumably, that would follow, and close enough to the deadline that they could pick the terrain and deny me a chance to check it out.

I would have to break one of the instructions. If they wanted their five million credits, I’d need to speak to Mrs. Gravane. I wasn’t sure what the time difference was between the Academy and wherever in the galaxy she was, but I was sure she’d want to know. She answered my call within seconds.

She was sat at a desk, in front of a picture window, dressed for the business day. I flicked a copy of the message to her to watch but told her the limited highlights.

“Five million?” She looked worried.

“That’s what they said.”

“I can provide it. I just wonder why it is so little.” She picked up a pad from her desk, tapped its screen a few times. “There. The funds should be available to you now. As for the rest, you cannot go alone, naturally. My agent there…”

“With respect Mrs. Gravane, but if you’re planning to pay the ransom, aren’t we better off just following the instructions? If we do, the only person at risk is me. If we don’t, it’s me, your agents and, not to be blunt, your son.”

She waited a long moment before replying, her face a mask. “No. Your instincts do you credit, Mr. Grey, but no matter how much I wish my son’s safe return, I cannot put another child at risk to achieve it.”

Child? “I just faced down three mob bosses and their goons…”

“Against my instructions. I understand that you were unable to conduct the mission to my specification, but that does not mean I approve of the risks you took. And it certainly does not mean you have my permission to repeat them.”

“Fine. Who is your agent? I can brief them.”

Her mask cracked with just the hint of a smile. “I think perhaps I will keep that information privileged for now. It would be a shame if I told you and you weren’t able to find them.”

“That would be a shame,” I said.

“I am afraid I must return to my duties. Call me the moment you have the location.”

“I will.”

“Be Gravane.” She cut the comm.

I checked my account. Yes, she had deposited five million credits there, on the assumption that I would dutifully transfer them to the kidnappers. Which, of course, I would. But it was a lot of trust.

# # #

I can’t tell you what happened in class the next day. I might as well not have been there. I spent the entire time checking my wrist pad for updates. Sunbolt sent me to the Med-tech after self-defence, I’d taken so many hits. Arguably, he should have sent me sooner.

I was pacing the dimensions of my room at an hour before the deadline when my wrist pad finally pinged. The message contained only a set of coordinates. When

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