Rogue Pursuit: A Space Opera Adventure (Shades of Starlight Book 1), page 25
The planet was pretty. But she hoped they weren’t stranded here forever.
“The life signs and ships I picked up were that way.” Tai pointed behind them. “On the other side of this… island? Mountain? I don’t know how close I was able to get us before I lost power.”
“We walk, then?”
“We walk.”
The thin strip of land between the water and the slope of the mountain was covered in small, jagged rocks that required her to select each step carefully or risk rolling her ankle. The shore curved gently, hugging the mountain, as if this planet didn’t believe in offering visitors flat land or easy walking. Her muscles ached, and hunger gnawed inside.
As they rounded the hill, the view around the other side offered more of the same—water and peaks.
Tai wiped sweat from his forehead. “This would be easier if I had my comp-pad.”
“This would be easier if we hadn’t crashed the ship.”
“Fair point.”
They made their own trail, winding along the shore of the lake then crossing a thin bridge of land that separated this mountain from the next.
The weather was cool, and the sun still low, but soon sweat plastered her shirt to her chest. Her wet boots were wearing a blister on her big toe.
The hike gave her plenty of time to think. Foremost in her mind—once she got past hunger, thirst, and concern they might be stranded here forever—was that she’d almost kissed Tai. Would have, if the planet hadn’t interrupted. Even now, her gaze leaped unbidden to his profile, his hair, his solid shoulders, his sure hands. Her fingers longed to explore the smooth line of his jaw and the hair that fell over his forehead.
But if Kel’s destination lay ahead, they were marching toward a situation that was about to put them on opposing sides, and no amount of attraction could overcome that. Her duty remained with the people who depended on her, both in her company and in the colonies. She swallowed a sigh. And realized swallowing had become difficult, her throat and tongue dry as that black desert.
The blue water sparkled in the sun, taunting her.
“Think the water is safe to drink?” she asked.
“Can’t tell for sure without my scanner.”
“Would you rather risk dehydration or poisoning?”
He picked his way toward the shore, where gentle waves licked the rocks. He stuck a finger in the water and brought it to his mouth. “Freshwater. Other than the single facility, this place appears uninhabited, so there’s a good chance it’s clean. But I’d feel better if it was moving, like a river or creek.” He stood. “I’d also like it if I saw anything that looked remotely edible.”
Her stomach growled in agreement. “Thought you enjoyed fishing. Why don’t you catch us dinner?”
He rejoined her and poked her side. “Got a fishing pole hidden in the back of your belt?”
She swatted his hand. “You can’t make one? Some spy you are. Resourceful? Ha.”
“Even I’m not good enough to make rocks into a pole.” His mouth tilted into a half-smile.
And rocks were the only thing in reach, other than a few grasses. No trees, not this low on the mountains, anyway.
She needed to stop. Stop talking. Stop joking. Stop thinking about him, other than how she was going to outsmart him, protect Kel, and protect herself.
They rounded another peak, and Tai paused to point.
Several hills away, something white glinted on a hillside. A small facility perched on a plateau halfway up the mountain.
At least they had a destination now.
“Think that’s where Kel is?” she asked. His trail led to this planet, and she had trouble believing there were two secret facilities in the far reaches of the galaxy.
“We’ll find out soon enough.” Tai’s quiet tone made her wonder if their situation weighed on his mind, too.
The question was, what would they find? Who built a facility on an uninhabited planet, with no records in any database? How had Kel learned of this, if he was here?
And if their search was over, it meant her partnership with Tai had officially reached its end.
She couldn’t consider ideas for outsmarting him, though, because she had no idea what was going on. A small part of her welcomed the continued delay.
“If he’s here,” she asked, her words tentative, “what do you suppose he’s doing?”
Tai’s quick, knowing glance indicated his thoughts might’ve been heading the same direction as hers. “You mean whose side is he on?”
“That’s part of it.”
“Hard to believe he’s with the Confed, considering he stole our intel and ran.”
“As of a couple days ago when I still had my comm, there was no word from the Network that they’d heard from him, either,” she said. “It’s equally likely he’s turned on us.”
Whatever they were about to find, it was possible they were no longer on the same side. She hoped they were, but wanted to stay realistic.
She chewed her lip.
“What are you thinking?” Tai asked.
“I don’t know. Just that loyalty shouldn’t be fluid. I’d like to believe you stick with something or someone.”
“Isn’t it good, though, to be able to examine your loyalty and make sure it’s in the right place?” A crease between his eyebrows, he studied the mountain as if it had answers to life written on it in giant letters. “Blind loyalty, or loyalty to the wrong cause, is dangerous.”
Were they talking about her, or him? She wasn’t sure.
Where did her loyalties lie? She could no longer say the Network. Not after the weapons. And while she wanted to help Kel if he needed it, she hadn’t spoken to her ex in months and had no idea if she’d remain on his side once she learned the truth. For the last few days, it had been easy to say Tai. They’d needed each other, had to trust one another.
Now, though, it was time to focus on the one thing that mattered—her crew. Saving them from whatever Kel or Tai might reveal.
Now that they were closer to their destination, though still a couple mountains away, she spotted two ships on another plateau, above the water but lower than the flat area the facility was built on.
“On the bright side,” she said, “there’s a way off this planet.”
“Maybe this isn’t our new home after all.”
A small part of her wouldn’t have minded. Her imagination jumped to what it would’ve been like to land with Tai on a completely empty world, the challenge of finding food and surviving, just the two of them. Not as exciting as exploring wormholes, and she’d miss being among the stars, but a momentary picture of them being explorers of a different sort, not having to worry about Confed and Network and revolution. Stupid. They might’ve been complementary colors, opposed but harmonizing, but that also meant they were destined never to touch.
“I wish we had real weapons.”
Tai raised an eyebrow. “You don’t like the gun? I let you keep it.”
“Yeah, because its one remaining shot might have enough power to make my target stumble?”
“You prefer a slightly rusted knife?” He slid it out of his belt. “I know how much you love weapons. You can have them both.” His mouth lifted. “No need for weapons when you know fifty ways to make a non-weapon lethal, remember?”
He’d be shocked, or possibly pleased, to know Kel had taught her several of those techniques. Kel had been convinced she needed more skills than excellent aim and self-defense if she was going to roam the galaxy by herself. She’d appreciated the knowledge, not the implication she couldn’t take care of herself.
Tai still extended the knife.
She waved him away. “You can keep it. Seems fair.”
Why did he always have to be so nice? Once they found Kel, a few kind gestures wouldn’t stop her from doing what she had to do.
Which was what, though? She wouldn’t kill Tai. Could she strand him here, if forced to choose between him or the Network and her freedom? He was clever enough to survive. But knowing what she did about his dad, she wasn’t sure she’d have the callousness needed.
That’s what it might take to silence him, though, considering his misplaced faith in the Confed.
Didn’t the people who depended on her outweigh one SARC? She needed to stop. No way to know what she’d have to do until she had more information.
As they walked, easy conversation mixed with lapses of silence. As if both of them kept forgetting then remembering what might lay ahead—not the details, just the looming moment when they were adversaries in a galactic conflict rather than friends and partners.
One fact she knew for certain—she had to keep Tai from acquiring Kel’s information, whatever it was. And to make sure he didn’t take Kel back to the Confed. Even if Kel had betrayed the Network, he knew too much about them to end up in the custody of any government.
She eyed Tai as he clambered over rocks. What were his plans? Would he honor the deal not to turn her in? Would it matter, with one of her crews in jail? Would he fight Kel, if it came to that?
Or did she have the slightest chance of reasoning with him?
They circled an entire lake and approached the mountain from the side. The hillside was broken up by more water, small ledges along the way with smaller lakes that cascaded down to the next level. The whole hillside resembled a giant, tiered waterfall. The landscape made for more exhaustingly careful walking, with the possibility of tripping and taking an accidental swim. It didn’t help that she was lightheaded from hunger.
Tai knelt next to a fast-moving stream. “Probably the safest we’ll find. And we need water. I say we risk it.”
“You first. Then if you die, I’ll pass.”
He cupped his hands and brought the water to his mouth. Swallowed. And gagged and fell over.
She narrowed her eyes. “That would be more believable if you weren’t laughing.”
He grinned and sat up. “Tastes good.”
Cold and sweet, she deemed it the best water ever. Dehydration had a way of enhancing flavor. She had several mouthfuls before flinging the last handful of water at Tai.
He splashed her back and stretched.
She wiped water from her mouth and took a moment to appreciate the view. Blue sky, blue water, green mountains.
Approaching voices shattered the calm.
She froze in a half-crouch. Locked eyes with Tai.
Other than jumping over a waterfall, there was nowhere to hide.
Several people rounded the curve of the trail.
She jumped to her feet. Tai moved beside her. As if they wanted to face the new threat together.
But which of them would be in greater danger from what awaited?
The approaching people wore all black—boots, light armor, shock-proof vests with an insignia on the left breast she couldn’t make out. They carried plasma rifles, hand stunners, and shock wands. Soldiers, but the uniforms didn’t match those of any of the three governments. Mercenaries?
Surprisingly, their weapons pointed at the ground, not at her and Tai. She fought the urge to draw her own pathetic gun.
The last two soldiers rounded the corner, bringing the total to six.
It was the final one who caught her attention.
Kel’s soulful brown eyes met hers from an impassive face.
She froze. Swallowed. Felt Tai tense, though he made no move.
Who were these people, and why was Kel with them? Kel had asked for help. He wouldn’t hurt her. Right? So why was he outfitted as a merc?
She and Tai were outnumbered and very outgunned. But these people, whoever they were, didn’t seem interested in fighting. Yet.
Perrin shifted, stared at Kel. He avoided her gaze and made no move to speak. She longed to glance at Tai to see what he made of their situation, but didn’t dare risk taking her eyes off the people with weapons.
The man in front stepped forward, arms spread, the gun loose in his hand, pointing at the ground.
“Perrin Hightower,” he said. “We’ve been expecting you.”
27
Perrin’s neutral expression told Tai nothing. She either had no clue who this guy was, or she’d continued lying to Tai since she claimed to tell him the truth after their pirate encounter.
Kel, from his place behind the other soldiers, eyed Tai and then Perrin. Couldn’t blame the guy. Having your ex-girlfriend and your ex-partner chase you across the galaxy had to be confusing. Especially since they came from the two drastically opposed sides of Kel’s life.
The head mercenary watched Perrin, waiting for her answer, while the others stood, motionless, but muscles tensed and ready for action. Though Kel refused to meet Tai’s gaze, Tai recognized the watchfulness in his lack of eye contact.
Best stay silent for now and see how this played out.
“If you’ve been expecting us, does that mean you have food?” Perrin’s voice was light. “I’m starving.”
The leader jerked his head, and another soldier tossed her a ration bar.
“Much appreciated.” She opened it, tore off half, and handed Tai the rest without removing her gaze from the soldiers.
He noticed her raise on her toes. At the familiar move, his breath hitched. Her confidence and boldness continued to draw him, even as he acknowledged he might have been played, again.
“Who’s this?” The leader nodded toward Tai.
Tai barely had a chance to tighten his core muscles and wonder if she’d expose him when…
“My pilot,” Perrin said.
Tai’s gaze flicked to Kel, who made no move to correct her, though he had to be curious how they’d ended up together.
Who the shades were these people, and how did they know Perrin? Based on her careful expression, he didn’t think she recognized any of them except Kel. But she played along.
Or she was lying again. But she hadn’t revealed him yet, so that was a start. Whoever they were, he knew they wouldn’t embrace a Confed agent.
“The sky is colorful this time of day,” the leader said, watching her.
“It’s nice,” Perrin said, “but I prefer the darkness.”
The man’s face relaxed. “A nocturnal creature, are you?”
“Most hummingbirds aren’t, but I suppose I’m an exception.”
The leader holstered his gun, apparently satisfied.
Secret code to confirm her loyalty. These must be part of her underground network. Which meant her lie about his identity had likely saved his life.
For now.
“How’d you know I was coming?” Perrin asked around a bite of ration bar.
“Given your history with Drake, we’ve been keeping an eye on you.”
Her eyebrows lifted a fraction, too slight for the soldiers to notice.
Tai recalled the attendant at the landing platform in the desert, the strange readings behind Illyrio’s moon, the lady at the island port who’d watched them pass but hidden her face. A true network—contacts everywhere. Made it easy enough to keep track of someone.
He gritted his teeth to keep from expressing his annoyance that they’d been watching her. And that he hadn’t noticed.
“What happened to your ship?” the man asked.
“Ran into scavengers in the Graveyard. Had to steal one to escape.”
The leader studied her for several seconds. She’d set her wide, gray eyes in their trust-me-I’m-innocent expression.
That alone gave Tai a tiny bit of hope. It had taken him a week to spot it, but now he knew she used that look when she had something to hide.
The soldier jerked his head toward the mountain. “Come with us, then.”
Tai wasn’t convinced the man completely trusted her, but considering their numbers, it wasn’t like the two of them could get away.
He and Perrin joined their procession up the hill. What awaited at the facility? Had the leader bought her act? And was Tai an idiot to think Perrin was protecting him, when she might simply be waiting until he was inside, with nowhere to run, to tell these people exactly who he was?
Tai took the chance to study the outfit of the soldier in front of him. She wore military-style pants, a vest, and carried hardcore weapons. The symbol on the vest resembled the Network ones Perrin had told him about, but wasn’t one he’d seen before.
Well-funded, organized, well-armed.
Who were these people? And why was Kel dressed as one of them?
It took all his self-control not to make his way to his former friend’s side and either demand answers or dangle him off a cliff.
The former friend in question fell into step next to Perrin.
Tai was glad he walked close enough to listen. And felt no shame for once. He was gathering information, not eavesdropping, and his life might depend on it.
Perrin glanced at Kel. “Hi.”
Kel peeked over his shoulder at Tai before nodding to Perrin. “Hey, P.”
Tai assumed it wasn’t a secret among their underground network that they had dated. He gauged the distance between them—several inches, nearly as much as the narrow trail allowed. Perrin’s shoulders didn’t fully relax, and a wary tilt to her head remained. When they had to pass single file for a minute, Kel made no effort to touch her. Friendly enough, but no hint either had lingering romantic feelings.
Their situation suddenly struck him as slightly less dire.
“How have you been? How’s business?” Only Kel would ask those questions in this setting and sincerely want to know.
“Same old, same old,” Perrin said. “You know me.”
“Did you get enough to eat?” He dug in his pocket and produced two more ration bars. “Here.” He handed her one and extended the other over his shoulder to Tai.
Tai scowled but accepted the food. Figured Kel would still be thoughtful, his inherent kindness making this betrayal harder to swallow.
“Wasn’t sure I’d find you here,” Perrin said, and Tai noted she was carefully selecting her words. “Joseph said you called him, but he didn’t hear from you again and he was worried.”
