The Nomad Complex by Jim Kiernan

Author:Jim Kiernan [Kiernan, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-06T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

“So, whaddya say we find us a brothel?” Grom said as they left Kael and Dar’s home, their stomachs stuffed with delicious real food.

“Oh, come on,” Yaro objected.

“You can’t be serious.” Miko had one arm wrapped around his stomach.

“Yeah, I’m not in the mood,” Zef said.

“Not even you?” Grom asked Zef as if he had been betrayed.

“In a second you won’t be either,” Zef answered.

“What the pok is that supposed to mean?” Grom frowned.

Zef waited until they were a little bit farther from Kael and Dar’s house before pulling out the holo. “I found this in ‘Deeka’s’ bedroom.” He showed it to his comrades.

“Worlds beyond.” Grom took the holo from Zef’s hands. “Is that Rhys?”

“It’s uncanny,” Yaro said, taking the holo from Grom in turn. “I told you he didn’t look like a Shock Trooper.”

“I never disagreed.” Zef shook his head. “But when I said I thought he was a Ghost you all treated me like a paranoid schizo.”

“It just seemed like a stretch, Zef.” Grom continued to stare at the holo in Yaro’s hands.

“Yeah, I mean, those are just stories,” Miko said. “You can’t blame us for not believing they could be true.”

“Yeah, well,” Zef snatched the holo back from Yaro, “wait ‘til Yal and Lela get a look.”

“You sure it’s smart to show that to a foreman?” Yaro asked.

“If we’ve got a Ghost on our team, we need to tell him.” Zef answered. “I’m showing him.”

Yaro held up his hands in defeat, and the troopers continued to walk through the city, backtracking toward the bars and brothels. Zef needed another drink. A strong one. They found their way back to the red-light district of the city, where, on the street outside of one of the bars, Rhys stood speaking with a pair of Civ Patrollers.

“Speak of the snake.” Zef nudged Grom.

“What’s he doing talking to Civs?” Grom asked.

“Maybe he’s just asking for directions,” Miko said warily.

“Well, let’s make sure he gets where he needs to go safely,” Yaro said, pulling a laugh out of Zef.

The group approached Rhys and the Civs, who immediately put their hands on their holstered service pistols. “That’s close enough,” one of them said.

Zef held up his hands in a gesture of peace. “This guy ain’t givin’ you trouble, is he?”

The Civs looked at Rhys, realizing the troopers all knew each other. “More than we’d like,” the other patroller said with a chuckle.

“Troopers.” Rhys nodded to them. “You enjoying yourselves tonight?”

“Hayu, Yeoman,” they all answered.

“I was just asking these officers for directions back to the hostel,” Rhys said. “I got a bit turned around.”

“Hard to navigate a city when you haven’t been there for a while,” Zef said.

Rhys frowned. “What?”

“Nothing.” Zef smiled. “We’re heading back there now.”

“Not much farther, if you wanna join us,” Yaro said.

“Great, absolutely.” Rhys turned back to the Civs. “Thanks for the help, officers.”

“Stay out of trouble, troopers,” one of the Civs said.

“Always,” Yaro said with a grin.

They walked along until they came to the intersection where Zef had led them down the dead end.

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