Rivers of Orion Read online

  Martin Santos smiled. Built like a lion, he stood at medium height with tan-brown skin, a trimmed beard, graying hair, and keen chestnut eyes. “Hi, Ollie.”

  “Great to see you!” said Oliver.

  “Great to see you too.” They shared a friendly embrace.

  “Got tired of slummin’ around Castle Santos, huh?” asked Oliver.

  “No, I’ve actually got some business to take care of nearby. I’ve got a little time to spare, so I thought I’d hit the Valu-Mart for a couple things before heading over to your place,” said Martin. “My apologies for the unannounced visit.”

  “You’re family. You’re always welcome at Casa de Webb, but what kind of stuff you got to take care of at this hour?”

  “Diplomacy never sleeps.” With a gloved hand, he grabbed a large bag of snack food and raised it toward the cashier. “Ring me up for this and a carton of Black Ties, would you?”

  She regarded Martin coolly. “We don’t sell Black Ties.”

  Martin pointed. “I’m looking right at them.”

  “We’re about to close up for the night,” she sneered.

  Oliver fumed. “Tammy, you’re bein’ rude! Marty, you hate cool ranch tortilla chips, and you quit smokin’ twenty years ago. What are you buyin’ these for?”

  “They’re not for me,” said Martin, and he approached the register. From inside his jacket, he produced a steel pointer attached to a power cell by a curled wire. Calmly, Martin touched it to the cashier’s hand. Light flashed from the point of contact, casting the shop into darkness, and the cashier thudded to the ground.

  “Marty, what the hell are you doin’?” Oliver barked. He set down his groceries and hurried around to check on Tammy.

  “It’s not her,” cautioned Martin. The snack bag crinkled as he placed it on the counter, and he shined his phone light onto the fallen cashier.

  Oliver froze. On the ground lay something humanoid, but he struggled to identify it. Its skin appeared slightly translucent, offering a glimpse of polished circuitry integrated with its flesh. A chaotic bundle of cables snaked out from its head, where hair would be on a human. Glowing faintly, its enlarged eyes stared into nothing. “What is that?” He spun around on Martin. “And where’s Tammy!”

  “That’s a denshi skin-thief. He goes by Simicron.” Tapping his device, Martin continued, “This little EMP generator reset him, but he won’t stay down for long. As for your friend, we’ll have to find her. She’s most likely tied up somewhere close by, but he may have killed her. I want you to be prepared.”

  Oliver swallowed. “Got it.”

  Moving quickly, they scanned the aisles, and soon reached the back room. Inside, they found Tammy, bound with duct tape and unconscious. Taking a moment to free her, they carried her out into the shop, setting her down just as the power came back on.

  Simicron had vanished.

  “Don’t worry, Ollie, we’re safe. Simicron knows who I am, and he knows better than to cross me.”

  Oliver’s heart raced. “Why in blue blazes was he tryin’ to pass himself off as Tammy?”

  Somberly, Martin shook his head. “I really don’t know.” He retrieved his phone and sent off a series of text messages.

  “I’d sure like to report this to New Cal PD.” Oliver regarded his friend. “But I’m guessin’ you’d rather I don’t.”

  “There’s no need for secrecy. In fact, I just requested one of Falcon’s crime scene units be dispatched to our location. They’ll take our statements and write the report.” He glanced at Tammy. “Dollars to doughnuts, Simicron tasered her with his own biocircuitry. That’ll give us some forensic leverage we can use down the road.”

  “Dollars to doughnuts, huh? Sounds like I’m rubbin’ off on you.”

  “It’s a common enough phrase,” said Martin.

  Oliver nodded at Tammy. “She gonna be all right?”

  Martin drew a deep breath. “I hope so.”

  Chapter 8

  Falcon’s Lure

  Oliver’s residence door glided open. “Honey, we’ve got company,” said Oliver. “It’s Marty. Are you decent?”

  Aurora stepped back from the stove, pulled her robe closed and cinched it. “Decent enough if it’s urgent.”

  “We can wait,” he said.

  “Give me five minutes,” said Aurora.

  As soon as she closed the bedroom door, Oliver ushered Martin through. When they were both inside, Oliver closed and locked the residence door. Martin walked to the couch and sat down.

  “What took so long?” Aurora shouted from the bedroom.

  “I’ll tell you when you’re out,” said Oliver.

  In short order, she emerged dressed in a long-sleeve shirt and jeans. “Hi Marty. Are you joining us for dinner? I’m making my famous toad-in-the-hole.” Donning an apron, she returned to the kitchenette. Lifting a large bowl, she set to mixing the batter.

  “I was hoping I could,” said Martin. He leaned forward on the couch and took off his gloves.

  “What brings you here?” she asked.

  “I was in the area and thought I’d stop by,” said Martin.

  Aurora regarded him flatly. “Bullshit has never been your strong suit.” She opened the oven and placed an oiled baking pan inside. “Seriously, what’s on your mind? And why’s it got my Ollie locking the front door?”

  Martin laughed. “It’s nothing too dire. We can discuss it after dinner.”

  “Here you go, Little Lady,” said Oliver, and he set down his grocery bag. Tenderly, he kissed Aurora’s cheek.

  “Jesus, honey, you’re shaking!” she said.

  “I’m fine,” said Oliver. “Just had a little scare.”

  “I don’t like the sound of any of this,” she said.

  He gently hugged her from behind. “Maybe Marty can give you the lowdown while we eat, instead of after.”

  “I can’t believe you’re making me wait that long.” She turned a knob, and the stove clicked for an instant before flames sprang to life under a cast iron pan. After a few seconds, she added the sausages.

  “Who am I foolin’? I could never keep you waitin’,” said Oliver, and he recounted the events at the grocery store.

  When he had finished, Aurora turned the sausages and faced Martin directly. “Quite the timely arrival, even for you. What’s going on?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “I highly doubt that. People don’t just carry around EMP wands,” said Aurora.

  “I do. Look, I’ve seen Simicron around. I can spot his glow in a crowd, and in my line of work, you don’t last long without a way to fend off a skin-thief,” said Martin.

  She held his gaze. Behind her, the sausages sizzled.

  Martin shrugged and smiled. “What?”

  Her anger faded to a simmer. “Whatever, Marty.” Returning her attention to the stove, she turned off the fire and retrieved the heated baking pan. Wisps of smoke snaked up from the oil. One by one, she placed the sausages within and poured the batter before closing the oven.

  “How have you guys been?” asked Martin.

  “Been better, been worse,” answered Oliver. “Gettin’ home’s been downright perilous.”

  Aurora hugged him close. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me too,” said Martin.

  “Well, I spent the last three months working as a line chef, over at Glenfinnan’s,” said Aurora. She told tales of spills, pranks, and nightmare customers. They all talked and laughed easily, enjoying each other’s company as they gathered at the table and dined.

  When Oliver got up to relieve himself, Aurora moved close to Martin and spoke in a hush. “Thank you for saving my husband, but I’m worried. Did he tell you about the other two?”

  “What other two?” asked Martin.

  “Frostshadow and Lafuega,” said Aurora.

  Martin swallowed hard. “Oh, shit.”

  “All three of them are connected, I’m sure of it. Can you think of anyone who has the m
eans and the motivation to come after my family with that much firepower?”

  “It would be a very short list,” said Martin.

  “Look into it.” Aurora’s cold glare challenged him to refuse her.

  “Of course.” He glanced toward the bathroom for only a moment. “I’ll get right on it.”

  “I need you to up your game.” Her expression was grave. “Find a way to keep us safe. All of us. I’m counting on you.” Aurora moved back to her chair.

  The toilet flushed, and water soon rushed from the sink. Oliver whistled as he washed his hands, and he hummed as he dried them. He soon emerged from the bathroom with an affable smile. “I know how I spell relief,” he chuckled, and he paused at the table. “Before I sit down, is anyone else up for some seconds?”

  ◆◆◆

  Aurora scanned the freezer as Oliver washed the dinnerware. “What do you guys think?” she asked. “Ice cream or apple pie?”

  “Both,” said Martin, and his datapad buzzed. He received two video files from an anonymous account. “Please!”

  “It’ll take thirty minutes to bake the pie,” said Aurora. “Do we want ice cream first, or should we wait for both?”

  Oliver rinsed a dinner plate and set it in the drying rack. “I prefer waitin’ for both.”

  “Same here,” said Martin. He got up from the couch with his datapad in hand and made his way to the bathroom. “My turn,” he said as he stepped inside and closed the door. “Be right out!” Seated atop the toilet lid, he watched each of the videos. His pulse raced as he played them back repeatedly. “Mike was telling the truth,” he whispered. Martin sent a flurry of messages to several prominent members of the Falcon Sovereign Diaspora.

  At last, he emerged and took Aurora aside long enough to whisper, “I don’t know who’s behind it yet, but I have a pretty good idea why they’re after your family.”

  “Start talking,” she hissed.

  “It’ll be better if I show you,” said Martin. “The others should be here soon, and everyone needs to see this.”

  “Others?”

  Martin smiled dryly. “Hey, you’re the one who asked me to keep everyone safe.”

  “What are you up to?”

  Only a moment passed before someone knocked on the door, and Oliver looked at his wife. “Are you expectin’ anyone?”

  “No, are you?” she asked.

  He shook his head and looked at Martin. “One of yours?”

  “Or one of yours,” said Martin.

  Oliver and Aurora shared a puzzled look before Oliver strode to the door. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me,” said his daughter, Eridani. With an impatient laugh, she noted, “Building management still hasn’t gotten around to fixing the doorbell, huh?”

  “Eridani?” He tapped open the door.

  Wrapped in a floral duster, his daughter stood before him, her weight shifted to one side. Tall and graceful, golden blonde hair tumbled down past Eridani’s shoulders, framing her oval face. “Hey, Dad,” she said as she hugged him affectionately. “Martin’s driver wouldn’t take no for an answer, so here I am.” Crossing to her mother, they shared a sweet embrace. “Torsha’s mom is right behind me.”

  “Iona? I thought she was on location for another month,” said Aurora.

  “She was,” said Eridani. Her pale blue eyes looked heavy. “You know how persuasive Martin can be. Even without being there himself.” She nudged Martin’s shoulder. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Eridani,” said Martin, and they shared a quick hug.

  An ocelini woman stepped off the metal walkway and onto the shag carpet. A supple, red-orange mane brushed against her shoulders, subtle in appearance against her striped, red-orange fur. Her jade-green eyes sparkled as they found Oliver, and she smiled. “Hey, Ollie.”

  “Where’s Torsha?” asked Martin.

  “I thought she was with Mike,” said Iona.

  Martin nodded. “I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”

  “What the hell is goin’ on?” asked Oliver.

  Martin winced. “Surprise reunion?”

  Eridani covered her mouth as she stifled a yawn. “Is there any coffee anywhere?”

  “Here,” said Aurora, and she tossed her daughter a bag she plucked from the freezer.

  As Eridani retrieved the electric grinder and ground the beans, Oliver quickly caught them up on the events that had taken place at the corner market. When he was done, Eridani hugged her father. “I’m glad you’re okay. What happened to Tammy?”

  “She’s en route to New Cal General,” said Martin. “I’ve been told she’ll make a full recovery.”

  “Oh, thank God,” said Eridani.

  “Why this sudden interest in her wellbeing?” asked Martin.

  “Eridani and Tammy were best friends, growin’ up,” said Oliver.

  “They dated for a little while in high school, too,” said Aurora. “They were very sweet together.”

  Oliver chuckled. “Not sure she ever really got over you, kiddo. Reckon that should’a clued me in when that skin-thief didn’t ask after you.”

  “Don’t go blaming yourself for that,” said Eridani. “Martin’s the superspy. It’s a good thing he just happened to be close.” She shook her head at Martin. “Again.”

  Martin laughed. “I’m just a diplomat.”

  “With reliably good timing,” said Eridani.

  “Did you send for Orin?” asked Oliver.

  Martin took a deep breath. “No. But it turns out he is the reason I’m here.”

  “Why? What happened?” asked Aurora.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to wait for everyone else to get here, so I don’t have to explain things twice.”

  “Who else you expectin’?” asked Oliver.

  “Brit and Gabi,” said Martin. “Mike and Torsha, of course.”

  Oliver whistled. “This is shapin’ up to be quite the gatherin’.”

  “It’s necessary,” said Martin. “You’ll understand soon enough.”

  “Can you give us a hint?” asked Iona.

  A bit of wonder sparkled in Martin’s smile. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. You’ll need to see it for yourself.”

  They chatted awhile, until someone else knocked, and Oliver answered the door. Brittany Santos was a tall woman with dark brown skin and shoulder-length black hair. “Hello, Oliver,” she said, and they briefly embraced.

  “Heya Brit,” he said.

  She squeezed his shoulders. “It’s good to see you.”

  “You, too.”

  Brittany entered the apartment, wheeling a large suitcase behind her, and she regarded her husband. “Sweetie, you said we were going on vacation, but I’d love to know the real reason we’ve all been summoned here.” She glanced backward and gestured. “Gabriela, please join us.”

  Her daughter stepped inside. Gabriela Santos was a young lady of high school age, with dark tan skin and long black hair. She looked up from her phone just long enough to acknowledge Oliver’s presence with a nod.

  “Gabriela, the door,” said Brittany. “Please.”

  She rolled her eyes and pushed it closed.

  Martin got to his feet and stole a kiss from Brittany. “I’ll explain everything, I promise, just as soon as Mike and Torsha get here.”

  “Sometimes I worry about you,” said Brittany, and she ran her fingers through Martin’s hair.

  “I’m fine,” he said. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

  “Coffee’s ready,” said Aurora. She looked at the oven’s timer. “Pie should be done in about ten minutes.”

  Moments passed in friendly conversation, and Oliver cut the pie when it was ready.

  Martin’s datapad buzzed. After reading the message, he addressed the room. “It looks like Mike and Torsha won’t be joining us tonight, after all. Let’s all try to get comfortable. There’s a lot to go over.” With a mug of hot coffee in hand, Eridani joined the others as Martin set his datapad on the table. He played back an
unsteady amateur video that had captured the events outside Nostromo’s Descent.

  “I’ve already seen this,” said Iona. “It was front page for most of Saturday. I think most of the t-net has seen this.”

  “Well, it’s obviously fake,” said Eridani.

  “It’s so blurry,” said Aurora.

  “What’s this got to do with Orin?” asked Oliver.

  “I’ll play it again, zoomed in,” said Martin. “This time, look closely at the would-be binary, and pay special attention to the people on the ground nearby, right after he floats the truck.” When Orin began hovering above the ground, Martin paused the playback.

  Except for Gabriela, the others moved closer. They studied the video frame.

  Eridani spoke first. “Martin, if you dragged me out of my apartment for this, I’m going to kill you!”

  “Tell me what you see,” Martin urged.

  Eridani gave the still frame another look. “Since you implied it so heavily, I guess I’m starting to see my brother, but the image is too distorted to be sure. Anyway, so what? People shoot stuff like this all the time and try to pass it off as live footage.”

  “Yeah, but I can see the similarity now that you mention it,” said Oliver. “Enough to know why Marty might show some concern for Orin’s wellbein’. Very glad it’s not real.”

  Iona dragged the image over to the woman on the ground. “She does bear a certain resemblance to my Torsha.”

  “And the person next to her looks a lot like Mike,” said Brittany.

  “Blurry, though,” added Aurora.

  “It’s far too blurry to be sure,” said Brittany.

  Iona crossed her arms and chewed on her lip awhile. “Still… I guess you’re right, but the resemblance is uncanny.”

  Martin nodded. “Good, I’m glad you’re all in agreement. You’ll be happy to know that most of the t-net feels the same way you do. So far, no one’s been able to identify anyone in the video. Besides, if it were legitimate, that would mean at least one unprecedented binary exists, and that’s far too terrifying a concept for most.”

  “Why’s that?” asked Eridani.

  “An unprecedented binary would mean it’s the galaxy’s first recorded instance of an O-class,” said Martin.