The Relentless Legion by J. S. Dewes

Author:J. S. Dewes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Jackin leaned against the inner wall at the back of the main hangar, turning Abraham’s compass over in his fingers.

The spaceport was the busiest he’d seen it yet, teeming with soldiers, mechanics, pilots, engineers, and logistics officers as they finished repairs, validated ship systems, finalized upgrades, and packed cargo holds. The massive primary hangar doors stood open to the dozens of freighters and support ships parked along the tarmac in the harsh midday sun.

Shipments and crew had been cycling out to the muster point for over a week. But this was the primary push. Wheels up the following morning.

Jackin still didn’t know where the muster point was, and he was glad for it.

Poorly oiled wheels squeaked as an oculus towed a cantilever ladder past. Jackin followed it with an unfocused gaze for a long while, until it disappeared into a subhangar. The taste of copper lingered on his tongue.

A heavy, sour angst pulsed in his chest. Like he’d promised to be somewhere or do something, but forgotten what.

For the fourth time in as many hours, he checked the schedule on his nexus. Nothing.

Eyeing the looming Cathian statue, he pushed off the wall. He scratched at the grid of Imprint squares along the outside of his right arm as he headed through the wide archway leading into the fortress proper.

Over a month roaming these halls, and the layout had finally turned from labyrinthian mess to simple and familiar.

A right at the conveyance lifts, straight through two main junctions, a right at the next primary support column, and a left just after the archway with the triptych relief that depicted sunrise, midday, and sunset on the Cathian homeworld.

Once again, Jackin found himself standing at the door to TAC-COM.

He peered at the access panel, gaze going unfocused. Sweat beaded at his brow.

His fingers twitched along his nexus band. He ignored the cool scratch of his shifting Imprints on his too-warm skin as he tapped open his clearance screen. The door opened.

Inside, TAC-COM was dark. Except for the atlas.

Its geometric grooves glowed, creating an island of white light in a sea of shadow. The connected clamps, cabling, and diagnostic instruments sent long, menacing shadows spilling out across the square table.

Jackin stepped inside and the overhead lights clicked on.

Despite it being nearly noon, the room had a hollow, after-hours feel. With the plan for the bioweapon test in place, there’d been fewer and fewer meetings. Jackin couldn’t remember the last time he’d been here.

No, that wasn’t true. He’d just come hours ago.

Jackin blinked a long hard blink. Metallic bitterness washed over his tongue.

He descended the curved ramp, passing the strategy table and crossing the room to the primary tactical control center. He tapped the terminal glass to wake it.

The fortress’s placid voice said, “Mr. North?”

He ignored it.

An authorization prompt expanded. He input the ten-digit number he’d seen Rake type in a dozen times.

Blue light spilled out as holographic menus splayed across the glass.

Jackin skimmed the options until he found his target. He tapped and it expanded front and center.

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