Rivers of Orion Read online

  “I’m doing my best.”

  Izel laughed. “Right now, your best isn’t good enough! Your father worries you will never be ready to take his place.”

  “He assumes I even want to take his place,” said Mike.

  “Your father is a great man. One day, you will see that.” She looked simultaneously disappointed and perplexed. “I must know what you were hoping to achieve by sneaking aboard my ship.”

  “When the timing was right, we were planning to make fist contact with the BICOM crew, thereby making this a civil matter instead of a military one,” said Mike.

  Izel blinked rapidly. “We?”

  Oops. Mike grimaced. “That’s correct. My friends Torsha and Nimbus are here, too.” He described the cargo hold they had been using for shelter and his reasoning for stowing away in the first place. “We were hoping to prevent a war.”

  “Your plan wouldn’t have worked.” Izel’s gaze drilled into him. “You must learn to trust others, or there will be no strength to support you. At least now you will have no choice but to trust me and my crew.”

  “What harm is there in letting me say hi to them first?” asked Mike.

  “You can’t always be the hero,” said Izel. “Although I understand what you’re feeling and what drives you.” In one instant, Izel looked upon him like an aunt, in the next, his warden. “But in this case, it would’ve been better to have stayed home. For your sake and for your father’s sake, I must do everything I can to ensure you live long enough to gain wisdom. You and your friends are hereby confined to quarters for the remainder of your stay aboard my ship.”

  “You won’t even let me try?” asked Mike.

  “My decision is final. Principito, we have personally completed dozens of rescues. Orin will be fine.” Izel glanced at a young man standing nearby. “Contramaestre, assign them something cozy. They’ve enjoyed each other’s company so far, and I see no reason to break them up.”

  “Sí, capitán,” said the boatswain. He reviewed the deck plan. With a smile, he said, “I have the perfect place.”

  “Bueno. Take these two marines with you and collect the others. Show them to their room.” With a disappointed sigh, Izel regarded Mike. “Get out of my sight.”

  Chapter 11

  Memento Vivere

  “Have you had breakfast?” asked Casey. Standing in Orin’s doorway, she loomed over him as he sat within his bunk. She carried a bundle of clothing tucked against her side, and her expression was severe.

  “I have,” said Orin.

  “Good. Put this on,” said Casey. She tossed him his old prison jumpsuit. “These too.” She dropped a pair of black canvas slip-on sneakers. “Get showered and shaved. I’ll be back in an hour. Be ready when I return.”

  “April told me what you’re doing,” said Orin.

  “She did?” Instantly regaining her composure, Casey said, “Of course, she did.”

  “You’re handing me off to a rogue smuggler?” Orin looked upon her with disgust. “Seriously?”

  “Shut your mouth, prisoner. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

  Orin narrowed his gaze. “At the very least, you should think it through for yourself. Rogue smugglers specialize in extracting binaries from places like the assessment facility. I’m sure he’s on a watch list, along with his starship. I doubt they’d let him within a thousand clicks of the station, so why would he risk it? For the sake of his reputation? He’ll sell me to the highest bidder and retire with all the money he gets for me. Your friend has literally zero reasons to follow through on his deal with you.”

  “You overestimate your worth, prisoner.” Casey looked unimpressed. “Besides, my guy would never betray me.”

  “Those are famous last words, you know.”

  She crossed her arms in response.

  “I get it, though,” said Orin. “I terrify you.”

  Casey’s expression darkened. “Get shaved, get clean, and get dressed.” Abruptly, she stormed out, slammed the door, and locked it.

  Orin picked at his jumpsuit. With a sudden roar, he wadded it up and tossed it across the room. After a moment, he sighed and stooped low to collect it. He undressed, showered, and spent extra time shaving. When he had finished, he got dressed, and with a heavy sigh sank backward onto the bed.

  ◆◆◆

  Casey returned with Shona, Malmoradan and April in tow. They escorted Orin to the hangar deck and boarded the shuttle. Moments later, the hangar door ground open, and Casey piloted the vessel out into the starry void. Sunlight splashed on the edges of the asteroid ring.

  “Why is Watchtower pointed away from the asteroid belt?” asked Orin. “And why are we leaving now when the rendezvous point is still so far away?”

  “You felt that spot of weightlessness last night?” asked Shona.

  Orin nodded. “Sure.”

  “That was Watchtower flipping around and firing thrusters back up to 1G. Since then, the old girl’s been decelerating, and she’ll keep decelerating until she reaches the edge of the asteroid belt. Once she’s there, Krané’s gonna cut thrust and wait for the rest of us to return.”

  “Wait,” said Orin, and he thought about the physics involved. After a moment, he nodded. “Okay, I can see that. Cool, thank you for the explanation.”

  “As to your second question, there are two reasons for leaving now,” said April. “One, between Watchtower’s rate of deceleration and the shuttle’s rate of acceleration, now is the most efficient time to make way. Two, even a pilot as skilled as Krané couldn’t thread the asteroids flying Watchtower, but Casey won’t have any problems avoiding them in the shuttle.”

  “Sure, that makes sense,” said Orin.

  “You pick up on things quickly,” said Shona. “You’d have made a fine spacer.”

  “Yeah, well.” Orin chuckled dryly. “How much time until we get there?”

  “Ten hours, give or take,” said April. “How are you feeling?”

  “Oh, super excited about my future. Did you know in high school, I was voted must likely to get smuggled into a testing facility?”

  Shona laughed. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

  “Well, the one kid who wrote my name down sure did.” He sighed. “Of course, he wrote it in crayon, and no one else voted, but I still think it counts.”

  “I suspect you’re not being completely honest with me,” said Shona.

  “It’s right there in the yearbook,” said Orin. “Completely unrelated, but do you know how to hack a yearbook?”

  Shona leaned in with exaggerated seriousness. “I assume you’re asking for a friend.”

  “Oh, of course. A friend.” Conspiratorially, he glanced about. “So, do you?”

  “I’m sorry to intrude on my own question, but I asked in earnest,” said April. “Orin, how are you feeling?”

  “Sorry.” Orin stared at the airlock awhile. “Honestly, I’m scared. Memories are what make us who we are, and when mine are gone, I’ll be someone else. This me will just be…” He looked at his hands. “Gone. Forever.”

  “Memories aren’t the only thing we’re made of,” said April. She looked into his eyes. “I promise that wherever you end up, I’ll find you and help you get your memories back. If I can.”

  Orin glanced her way. “Why would you do that for me?”

  “Because it’s the right thing to do,” said April. “Apparently, that no longer matters to Casey, but it matters to me.”

  “April, hold on,” said Malmoradan. “How the hell are you going to track down Orin if you’re helping us fly Watchtower?”

  April regarded Malmoradan matter-of-factly. “Clearly, I can’t do both.”

  He grumbled, “Wait, but that would mean…”

  “I’m headed to the cockpit,” said April, and she turned away. “Malmoradan, double-check our gear. Make sure everything is in order.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Shona squeezed Orin’s shoulder. “Hey, don’t look so glu
m. It’s not over yet. And let’s say you just happen to use your powers on that no-good piece of human garbage, Ky Rego. No one else but the captain’s gonna lose any sleep over it.”

  Orin looked at his hands. “But I’ve tried everything I can think of, and I can’t get my stupid powers to work!”

  “Don’t give up,” said Shona, and she patted his back.

  ◆◆◆

  Right on time, the shuttle drew close to the Rocksaugh mining facility. Casey exchanged messages with landing control and set her approach. The shuttle touched down on a large, circular tarmac.

  It took a moment for clamps to engage, and the tarmac descended deep into the asteroid. Overhead, its airlock dome sealed shut. As soon as it completed its decent, the tarmac’s clamps disengaged, and Casey taxied to the nearest available spot. After a lengthy pause, the landing platform ascended.

  As soon as her shuttle had fully docked, Casey exited the cockpit. “We’re light in our step out here, so use your mag boots.” She switched hers on. Shona and Malmoradan followed Casey’s example. April stooped low to activate her mag boots and quietly sighed.

  “You got something to say?” asked Casey.

  April managed a thin-lipped smile. “Not at this time.”

  Casey held April’s stare a moment before directing her attention to the others. “Shona, you’re rearguard. Malmoradan, secure the prisoner.”

  The exterior pressure indicator switched to green. Casey opened the airlock and extended the boarding ramp. Shona donned a corpsman’s rucksack as Malmoradan hoisted Orin from the bench and bound him with wrist restraints.

  “Time to go,” said Casey.

  They stepped out into a vast hangar bay. At least half of the pill-shaped wall lamps had gone out, along with much of the overhead lighting. Robotic arms settled back into their recesses, amidst scattered rubble and the husks of augur trucks long fallen to disrepair. A fine layer of dust coated everything.

  Moored nearby, Ky’s shuttle towered above them. Large enough to engulf Casey’s shuttle with room to spare, his vessel looked as old and sturdy as she was massive. Light, metallic gray covered the lengthy fuselage, and muted light shone from his shuttle’s nose. “ERGO” had been painted in tall letters just below the forward lamps.

  A side ramp hissed, and steam billowed forth as it descended from an airlock door. Ky Rego appeared at the threshold, a rugged fellow with a handsome smile, the perfect amount of stubble, and a splash of danger in his dark brown eyes. His gaze darted to Casey, and he tipped his weathered porkpie hat. “Mm… Who is that tall drink of water?”

  From his back, a red-skinned mphuno stomped into view, dressed in black denim. “It’s Cassie, boss.”

  “Rinshi, I…! I know it’s Cassie,” said Ky. “I was bein’ rhetorical-like. Besides all that, she prefers ‘Casey’ these days. You know that.”

  “Sorry, boss,” said Rinshi.

  “It’s okay,” said Ky, and he returned his attentions to Casey. “Now, where were we?”

  “I was about to compliment the size of your shuttle,” said Casey.

  “Oh, that ol’ thang? That’s just my lifeboat,” said Ky. “Wait till you see the size of my ship.” With a broad grin, he removed his hat, revealing a full head of dark hair tied up in a loose ponytail. He pulled Casey into a tender embrace. When they parted, he said, “Look at you! Still breakin’ hearts, I bet.”

  “Just yours.” A remorseful smile flickered across her face, and she prodded his shoulder. “You look smokin’ hot as ever. Got any plans for dinner?”

  He leaned in close and cast her a smoldering gaze. “I could move a few things around.”

  “Please do,” said Casey, and she playfully bit her lower lip.

  Orin cleared his throat, drawing Ky’s attention. “So, this is what passes for the galaxy’s first O-class binary, huh? Welp, you’re bigger ‘an most, I’ll give you that much. Where’s the screamer?”

  “They don’t work on him,” said Casey.

  “That’s okay,” said Ky. “I’ll get some guys to put irons on your sister. Take out your folks first of course, so you know I ain’t messin’ around.” He gestured aiming a firearm. “It’s crude, but it’ll keep you in line.”

  “Try it. See what happens,” said Orin, and his hands burned blue.

  “Looks like I hit a nerve. Ain’t that somethin’.” Ky approached Orin and reached up to grab him by the chin. “Rein it in, kid. I ain’t gonna touch your family unless you make me, and since I’m fixin’ to wipe the piss right out of your vinegar, it won’t even be a thang.”

  “I hope not,” said Orin. “For your sake.” His fire flickered out.

  April regarded Ky with disdain. “Charming.”

  “Could say the same about you, exceptin’ I’d mean it,” said Ky, and he blushed slightly. “Howdy, April. Been way too long.”

  “Yet, somehow you’re even more revolting,” said April.

  Casey stepped close to her cousin. “Maybe you should wait in the shuttle.”

  “Only if you join me,” said April.

  “All right, let’s wheel it back a bit,” said Ky. “We can all be civil to each other for five minutes, cain’t we? Now, what say we have another look at that paperwork.” He walked over to Casey, and April retreated in disgust.

  Casey produced a digital contract. They exchanged signatures, and Ky transmitted his payment. “Consequence is parked just outside the asteroid ring,” said Ky. “I’ll send coordinates over to Old Man Squiddy, assumin’ he’s still flyin’ your ship.”

  “Of course, he is,” said Casey. “Why wouldn’t he be?”

  “You used to go through pilots faster ‘an the guild could train ‘em,” said Ky, and he laughed. “Just sayin’.”

  “Yeah, well, those days are behind me. All my wild oats are long sewn,” said Casey.

  “Not all of ‘em, I hope,” said Ky.

  A yearning smile returned to Casey’s face. “I’ll ask Cajun to cook up something special for us.”

  “Beautiful.” They shared a quick hug. “I got a few thangs to take care of before I leave, but I shouldn’t be more ‘an an hour behind you.”

  “Don’t keep me waiting,” said Casey.

  Ky returned his hat to his head. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  With a dreamy smile, Casey returned to her shuttle. Shona and Malmoradan followed.

  April stood across from Orin and took his hands into hers. Absently, she ran her thumbs across his knuckles. “I’ll find you,” she whispered. “If any part of your mind can remember this moment, believe that I will find you.”

  “Thank you,” whispered Orin, and he fought the urge to cry.

  “It’s going to be okay,” said April.

  “I hope so,” said Orin.

  Casey stood at the top of her shuttle’s boarding ramp. “April, come on! It’s time to go. Unless you’d rather hitch a ride with Ky?”

  April leaned her forehead against Orin’s. “I’ll find you.” With a nod, she turned and walked slowly toward the shuttle. Casey gestured for her to hurry up.

  Orin watched the hatch seal shut behind them. “Bye,” he whispered.

  “You did a real number on April,” said Ky. Rinshi grabbed Orin by one arm, and Ky grabbed Orin by the other. “Been years since I’ve seen Little Red Woody-bait sweet on someone, but here you are. Must be a power thang.”

  “Keep that up, and I’ll choke you on the shit you talk,” said Orin.

  “Ooh, I’ll see if I can stop myself from quakin’ in my boots,” said Ky, and he laughed. “Thang is, I saw the video. You ripped that truck in half, but you let the driver live. Why ever would you do a thang like that, right after he tried killin’ you and your friends? And after Cassie tried to send you floatin’, you let her live too. Thanks for that, by the way. She’s a perfect piece of ass, and that ain’t easy to come by, even though I know that ain’t why you did it.” He raised his brow. “So I gotta ask myself… Why? Why let ‘em live?” With a smirk, Ky prodded Orin�
�s chest. “Unless you just ain’t the killin’ type.”

  “Anyone is capable of anything, given the right push,” said Orin. “So, you go ahead. Keep pushing.”

  “You ain’t gonna do a damn thang, and you know it,” said Ky. “Your memories make you weak. And your compassion. I got one hell of a buyer lined up though, and I’m bettin’ a hundred million big ones there’s a killer in you just waitin’ to come out.”

  “You’re wrong about me,” said Orin.

  “No, I ain’t.”

  He and Rinshi walked Orin up the boarding ramp and along a dimly lit passageway. They passed several storage compartments closed off by reinforced slabs. At the passageway's end, a large steel door hissed open at their approach.

  Frigid air rolled out, and Orin shivered. Beyond the door, he saw a large, circular chamber with a crescent of chairs set around an operating table. Faintly glowing cryogenic pods lined the chamber’s upper and lower decks. “Who’s on ice?” asked Orin.

  “No one that’s been paid for,” said Rinshi. He chuckled ominously as he led Orin to one of the chairs and sat him down.

  “What were you guys doing out here anyway?” asked Orin. “It’s awfully convenient you just happened to be in the area exactly when she needed you to be.”

  “When the boss got word Cassie was headed out to Ixion System, he got concerned,” said Rinshi. “He likes to keep an eye on his things, if you get my drift.”

  Orin sneered. “Seriously? You’re seriously asking me to believe you traveled all the way out to the eastern edge of the galaxy just to do some stalking?” He snorted. “How do you two get anything done?”

  “Show some respect,” said Ky. “The man just answered your question.”

  “Right, respect. The cornerstone of any good stalker,” said Orin.

  “Keep runnin’ that mouth, and I’ll ask Rinshi here to make it bleed,” said Ky.

  Orin sat up straighter and cleared his throat. He nodded at Ky.

  “Atta boy,” said Ky. “But Rinshi’s right, more or less. I worry ‘bout her. I do. But I also know her, probably better ‘an she knows herself. I kept close, ‘cause only a whopper of a job’d bring her this far out, even if she ends up shittin’ herself over it.” He wore a scornful smile. “Surprise, surprise—that’s exactly what she did. And here we are.”