Xeno Xoo: A humorous space opera (Reassembly Book 4) by C.P. James

Author:C.P. James [James, C.P.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2022-10-09T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK

After downloading the footage, Jel ordered Hughey to disable Sammo’s comms and return to the Allegro immediately. Meanwhile, Tev and Sammo’s conversation continued down its new and inevitable path.

— What do I do?!

— Keep Sammo from escaping.

As usual, Eli got there first. They had all the evidence they were going to get, but it wasn’t enough. They needed Sammo to confess. And to do that, they needed him alive.

“Hughey, Morph, don’t let Sammo leave!”

“What about Tev?” Oz asked.

Two synthetics. Two ships. Two guys. Even Geddy could do the math. Morph and Hughey could only deal with one.

“We get one shot at this,” Geddy asserted. “Sammo’s our priority.”

Behind Oz’s expressive eyes, a tussle played out between the side that despised Tev and the side that knew how much trouble he was in. Anyone with a conscience would’ve felt the same. But the same cold calculus applied. If they didn’t have Sammo, they didn’t have squat. Their first official mission for the New Alliance couldn’t end in failure.

— I know this is the right call, but it doesn’t feel that way.

— It rarely does.

“Well, old buddy …” A tone of mock regret dripped from Sammo’s voice, “… before we get too far ahead of ourselves, you’re going to tell me how you really came by this technology.”

Tev hesitated, then gave a nervous laugh. “I just told you I’ve got a guy–”

“At Hovensby, yes, I know. But we both know that’s not true.”

Geddy’s mind raced. His carefully laid plan was falling apart because he’d underestimated Sammo. Tev’s fate was out of their hands.

On the screen, Hughey had returned to the hangar and was heading for Sammo’s ship to disable it. Morpho was still in the Allegro.

“Whaddya mean?” Tev was a smooth talker and was used to tight situations. Hearing the anxiety in his voice set Geddy even more on edge.

“After I heard from you, I did a little digging. The chief financial officer of Pretensia’s an old friend of mine. He told me you were massively in debt to the station until you suddenly … weren’t. Who rescued you from such an unhappy retirement? I’m going to guess it’s the same person who gave you this phony tablet.”

Geddy locked eyes with Jel, his chest tightening. Hughey’s feed had gone dark again. “What’s happening?”

“He’s disabling the fuel coupling.”

“Forget that. We need to find his bubble drive,” Geddy said. “We know he’s got one. It’s gotta be in his ship.”

“You heard the man, H,” Jel said. “Don’t let him leave. Disable both ships!”

“Rescued me?” Tev stammered with fake indignation. “No, no, man, I just cashed in all my chips because I knew you and I would be getting very rich off this deal. Blew my whole nest egg to buy my freedom.”

Hughey slipped in through the skid wells and angled for the console, then the image broke apart again as he searched for a bubble drive.

“You wanna know what I think?” Sammo’s voice was cool and smooth. “I think you got bailed out.

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