2.53 Just Who Are You?

53 – Just Who Are You?

“Hector!” Sass cried, charging up the ramp past the engineering techs who were working to cut out the crumpled and melted sections of plasteel. He supposed it wasn’t surprising that she’d be the most exuberant—the most outspoken—in her excitement to see him. She was burdened by a backpack and a suitcase, but that didn’t stop her from pushing past Gladia’s crew members who were standing by to help the new arrivals with their belongings.

When she reached him, she dropped the case and threw her arms around him. Something in his chest tightened, refusing to let him laugh off the show of affection. Instead, he returned the squeeze and listened to her babble about how she’d thought he was going to die—how everyone at the safe house had been walking around like they were at a funeral.

Meanwhile, he watched over her head as the others approached. Lemon held Kit’s hand, with Orin right behind her, and of course Iris was there; her security officers hung back, unloading the sleek black transport, hauling out gray plasteel boxes and a dozen pieces of high-end pink luggage.

He looked past the vehicle, toward the base and the gate beyond—still no sign of the transport from the rift. Mae had assured him that the rift team would be coming, but that they were awaiting processing—something to do with the morning shift. He figured some of them might want to stick around; he’d leave it up to them. One of Iris’s men dropped a case, and she yelled at him, bringing Hector’s attention back to the situation at hand.

She’s moving onto the ship?

//For safety, perhaps?//

Hector glanced at Gladia. It seemed more likely to him that the two women had already finalized some sort of cooperative agreement—some near-future schemes. “All right,” he said, pushing Sass off him. “I’m glad to see you, too.”

She glanced at Gladia, then, in a hushed voice, said, “Miss Iris says we’re going to stay on the ship for a while. Is that true? I’ve never been on a ship—never even seen one up close like this. It feels like we’re inside a building! Do they have a gym here? Are you hurt? Do you think we can still train—”

“Sass,” Hector said, and this time he did laugh. “Take a breath; we’ll have plenty of time to talk, and yeah, we’ll be training together.” Of course, he hadn’t decided to stay on the ship, not officially, but he knew he was fooling himself if he thought otherwise. He had an in with Frederick and Gladia—a way to get closer to those who’d wronged him and find some answers about the missing bits of his memory. It would, put simply, be stupid not to capitalize on the opportunity—besides, Gladia owed him some favors.

“Hector,” Lemon said, beaming at him, though she was far more restrained, standing a few feet away, still holding Kit’s hand. The kid’s hair was a mess, per usual, and he looked like he was about ready to go to sleep.

“Hey, Lemon.” He smiled. “Something tells me Kit wasn’t quite ready to wake up.”

She nodded, leaning over to press her nose to the top of the kid’s hair, sniffing and then kissing. “I’ll put him back to sleep soon. He was up too late, probably because the rest of us were, and he knew something was going on.”

“Welcome, everyone,” Gladia said, stepping closer to Hector. “I’m having quarters prepared for you all, but in the meantime, how would you like to get some breakfast? You can leave your belongings here and my people will have them delivered.”

“I’m good,” Sass said, adjusting her pack. She kicked the suitcase closer to Hector. “This has all your stuff in it, boss.”

Hector sighed, making eye contact with Orin, who shrugged. “Far as I’m concerned, you’re still the boss, uh, boss.”

“We need to talk about that,” Hector said, wondering if Orin had any clue what had happened to Grando. “Come on.” He gestured toward the central corridor leading into the ship’s innards. “I’ll show you all the mess hall.”

“Not you, Iris,” Gladia added. “We’ve got business to discuss.” Hector looked between the two women, and Iris smiled a little too sweetly.

“You’ll join us a bit later, Hector?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he grunted and turned, leaving before they could pin him down with any other requests.

“Your case!” Sass cried, hurrying after him, lugging the suitcase. “It’ll follow you, but I have to transfer ownership.”

Hector leaned over and picked it up. “I’ll just carry it.” It wasn’t heavy, just bulky. “All my…stuff is in here?”

Sass nodded. “Yep.”

“Thank you for keeping it safe.” As he walked, he lifted the suitcase and looked at the battery readout; the active shielding would last for almost twenty more days before it needed a charge. Hector smirked as he lowered the case to his side. I might not own much, but the three things in this case are worth a hell of a lot of bits.

//A ship’s drive-core, a gravity mantle, and a rift pearl? Yes, I’d say that if anyone knew what was in that case, you might find yourself under siege rather quickly.//

“What are you smiling about?” Sass asked.

Hector nudged her with his elbow, then glanced over his shoulder at Lemon. She smiled. Even Orin, lumbering along behind her, looked pleased. “I guess I’m just happy to have my friends around me again.”

He took them to the galley or mess hall or, as Gladia called it, the cafeteria, and Hector neglected to inform the others that he’d already eaten. He loaded his tray, just as before, and then they all sat down, sharing a table for the first time in a long while. At first, it seemed like they’d keep the conversation light—maybe for Kit’s sake—but after a few minutes, Orin shook his head and held up his steaming cup of coffee. “It’s almost like back at the rental house, but Demon ain’t here. Well, I’ll pour this one out for you, buddy—”

Lemon grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare.”

Hector solved the minor conflict by saying, “Actually, Demon made it.”

“What?” Lemon cried. “Really?”

Hector nodded. “They had him locked in the brig. Gladia gave him quarters, and I guess he probably doesn’t know we’re all here. You can go say hello after you eat.”

This story has been stolen from NovelPhoenix. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“That’s good news, boss.” Orin sniffed noisily and then stuffed a piece of toast, slathered with butter, into his mouth.

Seeing Kit happily munching on a sweet roll, a thought occurred to Hector. He looked over his shoulder, taking in the rest of the mess hall—there were a handful of crew members sitting at other tables, and though they stole glances their way, it didn’t seem they were listening. He leaned forward a little and said, keeping his voice low, “You know, Gladia owes me some favors. I’m going to make sure you all come through this better than how you came in.”

“Yeah?” Orin arched one of his thick brows. “How much better? Grando’s not answering my calls, and I ain’t been paid in a week.”

“Uh—” Lemon looked at Orin, mouth slightly agape. “That’s my fault! I’m sorry, Orin, I totally forgot about—”

“Nah, doll, come on. It ain’t like I needed the bits yet.”

Hector decided it was time to rip the bandage off. “Orin, Grando won’t be the same. He’ll remember you, I think, but he’s missing some memories. The asshole who was trying to kill us took him—downloaded his memories and wasn’t gentle about it.”

“Oh shit! That right?” Orin looked at Lemon as though she could confirm Hector’s words.

“That’s right,” Hector said. “Anyway, if you don’t want to go and try to deal with all that, I can see about getting you hired on here.”

“What?” Orin leaned forward, whispering as though if someone heard, the offer might go away. “On this ship?”

Hector pushed his tray away from himself, nodding. “Gladia’s security team got pretty much wiped out. If I ask her, she’ll give you a position. You ever worked for a Royal?”

Orin laughed. “Nah, can’t say as I have. She don’t care that I’m a criminal with a record longer than some of them fancy books in the Emperor’s library?”

“She might care—on paper. In reality, when I tell her you’re a hell of a fighter, and that you’re a lot smarter than most of the grunts who come out of the Guard, she’ll see things my way.”

Orin’s chest puffed out a little with pride. “Damn shame about Grando, though,” he muttered, shoveling some eggs into his mouth. Hector got the feeling he was considering the proposal.

He looked at Lemon. “I think I can get you and Kit—”

She leaned across the table, getting her blouse into her food. The vehemence in her tone surprised him as she hissed, “Don’t you dare try to ship me off somewhere safe!” She looked around the room, then continued to whisper. “There’s no such thing! Not anymore—not after what I know. Gladia’s just as much a target as anyone, so don’t try to send me to live in some little quiet town where her family owns a vacation home or something! She has enemies who—”

Hector held up a hand, and she stopped, maybe realizing that she’d started to get loud. “Lemon, I’m not going to make you do anything. I just…figured you’d want—”

“Well, stop figuring.” She scowled, turning to focus on Kit, who was busily pushing his food around on his plate. He was a good kid, but sometimes Hector thought he was too good—quiet and too damn still for a seven-year-old boy. It reminded Hector that, regardless of the trouble he’d brought into his life, the little guy had already had plenty of it. In that regard, he didn’t agree with Lemon. If he could get her and the kid some place nice and peaceful—a place where Kit could get some school under his belt and make some friends…

Lemon looked up at him again, and there were tears in her eyes. He couldn’t meet her gaze, so he looked at Sass. “I’m going to get you an aura system.”

She shoved her tray aside in her haste to turn toward him, purple-tinted eyes wide. “Seriously? Can I really accept something like that?”

Hector snorted, far more comfortable teasing a fellow fighter than dealing with Lemon’s far heavier feelings. “If you’d rather earn it yourself—”

Sass punched his shoulder. “Come on!”

“Well, then, just take it. Trust me, Gladia won’t feel the—”

A young man in a uniform much like the one Hector was wearing hurried into the mess hall and approached their table. The crew member locked eyes with Hector, and Hector sighed, letting the rest of his words drop. Looks like it’s time to listen to their schemes.

//You really should talk to Lemon. She’s conflicted. She wants to stay with you, but she knows Kit—//

Yeah, I get it.

“Um, excuse me. Mr. Valerius?”

Hector stood up, but he didn’t look at the crew member. He focused his gaze back on Lemon, “Let’s talk a little later?”

She only met his eyes for a second before looking down, but she nodded. “Yeah.”

Hector walked around the table until he loomed over Kit, then he squatted beside the kid. “Will you do me a favor, buddy?”

“What?”

“Will you help Sass get my stuff stowed away in my quarters when they take you all up there?”

Kit looked at him, or he tried to, but his hair was in the way. Lemon brushed it aside, and when Kit locked eyes with Hector, his smile revealed several missing lower teeth. “Yes!” He was so enthusiastic that some spit accompanied the word. Lemon tsked and wiped his chin.

“Thanks.” Hector tousled his hair, nodded to Sass, then walked past Orin, slapping him on the shoulder. “Let’s go,” he said, motioning for the uniformed man to lead the way.

Five minutes later, he walked into the captain’s suite for the second time. Boxes were already piled here and there—Gladia’s belongings returned to their rightful place. The woman in question was seated at her desk, and Iris sat in one of the two chairs before it. They both watched him approach, and he said, “I’m glad the blood didn’t stain the carpet.”

Iris snorted, but Gladia didn’t react. She pointed to the empty chair. “Will you sit?”

Hector thought about being difficult; he thought about saying he was all talked out, but what good would stalling do? He had things to do, not least of which was reviewing his aura system and spending some potentia. Every minute he waited was another minute he wasn’t getting closer to being able to face Lucien or Alistair Ventress-Dane. He had the people right there in front of him who could put him where he wanted to be; he just had to work things out so the timing was right.

“Hector?” Gladia looked almost concerned as she stared, and he realized he’d stopped beside the chair, lost in his thoughts of vengeance.

“My system,” he muttered, falling into the soft white cushions.

“Is everything…” Iris started to ask, but she shook her head, letting the question drop. “I heard you were badly injured.”

“I’m fine.”

At his words, Gladia looked at Iris, and it seemed a silent message was conveyed.

Hector narrowed his eyes. “You two have a scheme. I’m listening.”

“The Tharsis Games—” Iris started to say.

Hector barked a short laugh. “You’re still harping on that?”

Iris wasn’t dissuaded. “The Tharsis Games are in a couple of months, and if you could win them—”

“Or even place in the top three,” Gladia interjected.

“You’d have a seat at the Governor’s table.”

At Iris’s words, everything clicked together for Hector. The games weren’t about glory for her father’s fighting endeavors; they weren’t a way for him to earn political favor, or even to make a fortune on his bets. They were a way for him to get a killer within arm’s reach of one of the five most powerful men in the Empire. Hector nodded slowly. “You want me to kick off your civil war.”

Gladia licked her lips, glancing at Iris and then back to Hector. She seemed almost nervous. “He’ll have guards, but you’ll have a few seconds. You’re fast—”

“Not fast enough. Not deadly enough,” he said, but he wasn’t done. He locked eyes with her and added, “Yet.”

“You’ll try?” Iris asked, almost like she couldn’t believe he’d not only figured out what they wanted, but that he wasn’t running for the door.

“I have people I want to kill; you’ve got people you want killed.” He shrugged, leaning back in his chair, draping one arm over the side almost lazily. “Right now, our goals don’t conflict. You help me get ready for the games—help me gain the power I need to pull off your assassination, and then I’ll see whether our paths are still aligned. In the meantime, I have some favors to ask.”

“Favors?” Gladia asked.

Hector nodded. “For starters, a gold-class aura system for my student.”

Iris giggled musically. “That’s relatively cheap—”

“Also, I need a ride out toward Jupiter—to one of the asteroid belts.”

Iris sputtered, her words cut short. Gladia tilted her head. “That’s two weeks or more—one way.”

Hector nodded. “The return trip should be faster.”

“He has a ship!” Iris cried.

Gladia leaned forward. “Is that true?”

He grunted, shrugging. “Maybe.”

“Playing coy? You expect me to commit my ship—my entire crew—to a month-long voyage on a maybe? What’s the point? Even if you have a ship, why would…” She trailed off as she looked at Iris.

As their eyes locked, the younger woman nodded. “He said the return trip should be faster.”

“A fold-drive?” Gladia looked at Hector, her eyes slowly widening. “Just who are you?”