Rogue Pursuit: A Space Opera Adventure (Shades of Starlight Book 1), page 30
He didn’t want to leave Perrin with it, and after hearing the scientists’ opinions, didn’t trust them, either. Or Kel. Which meant he had to keep it in his sights at all times.
After a final check of the life sign readings, he turned to Perrin. “Go back for Kel. The halls are clear. The two of you should be able to take the bridge. I’ll stay here with the scientists and remove the device. Kel can enable comms again, so call if you have problems.”
A flicker in her eyes and her pressed lips told him she knew exactly what he was thinking, but she hurried out. Her disappointment halted him.
But then he waved the scientists toward him. “We need to make sure this is detached before we leave the wormhole.”
The rattling was increasing the way it did when they neared an exit.
The scientists went to work, checking connections, disconnecting wires, rearranging transistors. Tai hovered, worried they might try something despite his presence.
As she worked, the oldest said, “I don’t know what your plans are, but please consider what we said.”
“I understand your concerns, but it’s not my decision to make.”
“We want to protect people. It’s our duty, since we were responsible for the creation of this device in the first place.”
Her words hit home. Duty. Protect people. That was all he’d ever wanted, too. But they weren’t the only ones with a duty. Besides, they made it sound like he planned to use their invention as a weapon, no different from the mercs. Didn’t he trust his mother to make sure it didn’t hurt anyone?
“There.” The man pulled the device free, and immediately set it on the ground and raised his hands.
“Thank you.” Tai’s expression must have looked intimidating because the scientists edged away from the device.
As they did, the shaking stopped and the ship settled. They were in normal space. Not a moment too soon. Even if Perrin and Kel didn’t control the bridge, the mercs couldn’t use the device.
“Now what?” the woman asked.
Tai twisted his ring. “If you destroy it, what happens to the three of you? You’ll be kidnapped by the next group that wants your knowledge. I can help. Let the Confed keep you safe.”
The woman crossed her arms. “How is that any different from what the mercs did?”
“We’ll save your families,” he said. “We’ll protect you.”
She raised her eyebrow. “And make us continue our research?”
Maybe? He didn’t know. If he were being honest, though, probably. Would the Confed rest if they knew this tech existed? He was starting to wish he hadn’t told his mom the whole truth about what they’d found. Guilt hit him immediately. Of course he trusted her. Right?
“Tai, it’s us.” Perrin’s voice came over the comm. “We have the bridge.”
“On my way.” He eyed the device and the scientists. “If I leave with this, will you try to stop me?”
They outnumbered him, but he felt confident he could handle them. He’d just prefer not to.
They shook their heads. Did they see him as a threat? Shades. He sounded like his mom.
He ducked his head and kept his voice as kind as possible. “Thank you. The mercs shouldn’t wake, but you might find quarters and lock yourselves in to be safe. Unless you want to drag them to the brig.”
He hefted the device and marched out of the engine room. He was the lone member of Team Trust-the-Authorities, which meant he wasn’t letting this out of his sight.
As he headed to the bridge, the scientists’ words echoed in his head. Was he doing the right thing? Everyone else on this ship either wanted to leverage the device for power or destroy it. Was he being naïve to think there was another option? No matter how much he trusted Perrin and Kel in the past, they were criminals. He shouldn’t be considering their side.
He slowed in the corridor. Adjusted his hold on the device.
And wondered if Kel and Perrin would be waiting for him with their weapons drawn the moment he stepped foot on the bridge.
32
Perrin and Kel had hurried to the bridge, but hesitated in the hall outside. It seemed like a bad idea to stun the guy who was keeping the ship from breaking. Although he was doing a terrible job of it. Still, she didn’t want the shields to go unmanned.
As soon as she sensed from the trembling of the deck that the exit was close, she nodded.
Kel shook his head. “Not yet,” he mouthed.
She glared. “Yes,” she mouthed. “It’s fine.”
He’d hesitated again before following, making her miss working with Tai, who knew which situations to debate and which to trust her on.
Now they sat on the bridge, parked in the asteroid belt, waiting for Tai.
“Now what?” she asked. “Tai won’t let us anywhere near that device.”
“We can’t let him give it to the Confed,” Kel said. “Or all of this was for nothing.”
“I didn’t say I was going to let him take it.”
She just hadn’t thought of another option. They could stun him. But what next? Hand him over to his mom so he appeared innocent? Then she and Kel would get arrested. They could flee. Now, while his mom was in the wormhole following them. But she’d already proven she’d chase Kel to the end of the galaxy. And Perrin had no intention of firing this ship’s considerable weapons at Tai’s mother. Not to mention she didn’t fancy going on the run with her ex, even if it would get her out of shipping receipts and schedules.
“What about the scientists?” she asked. “Even if the Confed doesn’t get the device, if they take the scientists, they’ll just force them to make another one.”
“This would’ve been much easier if you hadn’t brought him along.”
“Sorry, next time you become a fugitive, leave your ex-girlfriend a more specific message.”
Before Kel could reply, Tai entered the bridge, carrying the device.
Kel’s gaze lasered in on it.
Tai placed the contraption on the console in the corner and positioned himself in front of it like he never intended to move.
Perrin took a step forward, no idea what she planned to do, but wary that Kel and Tai might go to town right now, in the middle of the bridge.
Tai watched her, eyes sharp. “Now what?”
“We have to destroy it.”
Not a single muscle in his face twitched. “And if I say I want to give it to the Confed?”
“I can’t let you do that.”
He raised a single eyebrow. “I have a duty. Do you know how much trouble I would be in? How much I’m already in? My career would be over. And possibly my freedom.”
She glared. “I’m glad to know you value your job more than the security of the galaxy. What about our freedom?”
His eyes flickered.
“What are you going to do about Kel?” she asked.
“I have to turn him in, too.” He glanced at Kel. “You know I do.”
Kel blinked and lifted a shoulder.
“You should be safe enough,” Tai said to her. “My mom doesn’t have to know you were involved except to help me.”
“What about my crew? She won’t think it’s at all suspicious that the person who helped you locate a group of revolutionaries just happens to have a ship that was caught smuggling?”
“I’ll figure something out.”
She scowled. There had to be a way to convince him. Did he sound less confident than before? Was there a chance?
“What’s the alternative?” he asked. “You want to fight me for it? It’s two against one. Your odds are good. Keep me busy long enough for a single shot to the device.”
It was a possibility. She fought not to look at Kel, so Tai didn’t think they were considering the option.
“You could let us destroy it and tell your mom you couldn’t stop us.”
“She’ll still want Kel.”
“So what are you going to do, Officer? Shoot us?”
“I don’t want to,” Tai said in a voice that hinted he might, anyway.
All three stood, backed against walls or consoles, shoulders tense, eying each other.
Stalemate.
“Tai, are you there?” His mom’s voice filled the bridge, making them jump.
Tai hesitated, reached slowly for the comm panel as if she or Kel might stop him.
“I’m here,” he said. “The ship is secure. Don’t fire.”
“Do you have Agent Drake? And that device you mentioned?”
Perrin glared at him.
“Yes,” he said, his voice flat.
“Excellent. Good work. Disconnect the other ship, and I’ll dock with you.”
Tai froze. Met Perrin’s gaze. Made no move.
Without breaking eye contact, Perrin reached out and muted the comm.
Kel eyed the device. “I can’t let you take that to the Confed.”
Tai’s jaw tightened. “What choice do I have?”
She didn’t want to do this. Had to. She couldn’t hesitate. Think about wormholes and the threat of intergalactic war.
Perrin drew her stunner and leveled it at Tai. “I’m sorry.”
No hint of emotion or surprise showed in his eyes. “So that’s how it’s going to be, Captain?”
“Did you think it was ever going to be any other way?” Her voice sounded less confident, sadder than she’d intended. Usually her hand remained steady, but she had to fight to keep the weapon still, like a magnet in her was forcing it away from him.
“I suppose not.”
It would be an easy shot. He stood a few yards away, no console or chair between them. One shot to stun him, and the device was theirs. No wormhole destruction. No Confed taking control. Of course, there would be the small matter of her shooting a Confed agent. And her heart didn’t know if it could handle shooting Tai.
Tai waited, not breaking eye contact.
“Tai?” His mom’s voice returned. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you preparing for docking?”
“Everything’s fine,” he said.
A long pause.
Perrin swallowed and adjusted her grip on the stunner.
Tai blinked. “A few systems were damaged in the wormhole, that’s all. I’m working on it.”
Perrin raised her eyebrows and almost lowered the gun in surprise.
“Can you safely disconnect the other ship?” his mom asked. “Or do you need assistance?”
Tai’s jaw worked from side to side. A wrinkle formed between his eyes.
Perrin’s hand twitched. Was he going to give in? Turn them over, her and Kel and the device? A chorus of voices in her mind chanted at her to destroy it now, no matter what, don’t take a chance.
All the people she’d helped with supplies. The colonists who sought freedom. The unique colors of every wormhole added their voices.
Tai was a SARC. He stood in the way of freedom. He would turn her in, and whether he intended it or not, his bosses would punish the colonies, punish her crew, lock her up.
One shot could end it all.
Do it, the voices screamed.
Her eyes met Tai’s.
The days of understanding each other and relying on each other, planning together and making decisions. Learning to trust each other, then, after the truth came out on both sides, re-learning.
Their short but meaningful history played like a holo-film in her head.
His eyes softened as if he saw the same images.
Working together. Having each other’s backs. Almost kissing.
Light flickered in his eyes.
She blinked.
And in a moment, understanding passed between them.
He nodded. She nodded.
As one, she lowered her weapon and his shoulders relaxed as he stepped away from the device.
Her breath flooded out of her in a giant sense of relief. She leaned against a chair, needing support, as if the stress of making that decision had exhausted her. Tai’s shoulders slumped, and she heard his exhale.
He sighed. Twisted his ring and ran a hand through his hair. “You’re right,” he said. “No one should have this power.”
“What made you change your mind?”
He ducked his head and peered at her from beneath hair and lowered lashes. “You. The way you taught me to see beauty in something I feared. The way you stop at nothing to protect the people and things you care about. It made me think about who I really want to help. And whether giving the Confed this device is truly the best way to help them.”
A ribbon of pleasure rippled through her. “Thanks for not making me shoot you.”
“Would you have?”
“I don’t know,” she said, her lips twitching upward. “Now what? Your mom is still waiting.”
His jaw tightened. “Tell her the device was destroyed, and we couldn’t stop it?”
“After you just told her you had it?”
“We’re outnumbered on a ship full of mercs. It could happen.”
She knew what a huge step that was for him. “I thought you didn’t like lying.”
“Maybe sometimes it is for the greater good.”
“Will she believe you?”
He bit his lip. “I don’t know. I could tell her the truth and hope for the best.”
That didn’t strike Perrin as a great idea, but he knew his mom better than she did.
In less than two weeks, she’d seen him go from determined officer to loyal spy to reluctant rebel.
What did this mean for them? Was he turning his back on the Confed? Or would he return to his job with this small rebellion forever between them?
Based on the uncertain expression on his face, he hadn’t worked it out yet, either. The longer they stood there, the more heated their gaze became.
She blinked and then… “Where’s Kel?”
They both spun. No sign of him on the bridge. When had he left?
“The device is gone,” Tai said.
They looked at each other and raced to the airlock. The unconscious mercs still filled the hall.
But the other ship had been disconnected. Out the small airlock window, they saw Kel’s small craft threading its way through the asteroids.
Their next run was back to the bridge.
Tai hurled himself into a seat. His fingers flew across the console. “I’m locked out.”
Perrin pounded on the comm. “Kel, come in. What are you doing?”
“I’m sorry, P. Tai. This is the best way.”
“What are you talking about? What are you doing?” She knew her voice sounded hysterical.
“Saving the galaxy. Being a hero and all that.”
Perrin flung herself into a seat and punched a command on the display. “He’s heading for the wormhole. I can’t unlock the engines in time. Kel, don’t do this.”
“You have a better solution, P? One for many, right?”
A fist closed around her throat as the realization of what he planned hit her. “Do you mean the wormhole or yourself?”
“Both.”
His ship flew closer and closer to the wormhole entrance.
Tai’s mom swooped toward him. Did her ship have a tractor beam? Did Perrin want it to?
“Please, guys. This is the only way. You know it is.”
“There has to be another option.” Tai’s voice, quiet, calm. But his face was pale, his eyes too wide.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
The wormhole opened, its riot of colors a sudden shock against the blackness.
“Kel!” Perrin gripped the console like she was grabbing his ship, yanking him back with her bare hands.
“I’ll be fine. Thanks for keeping those journals, though, P. They saved me.”
“Kel.” Tai’s voice was low.
“Sorry for everything, brother.”
The ship sailed into the wormhole, and it and the colors winked out.
Perrin stared at the view screen, unspeaking and unblinking. Unable to move.
Tai sank into the seat beside her and took her hand, squeezing hard. “Now what?”
The physical contact broke her stillness.
“I don’t know. We wait, I guess.” She ran a continuous scan. “The wormhole’s still there. Still there. Still there.”
“It’s been five minutes, Cap. Give it forty.”
She glared at the readings on the screen as if sheer willpower could make Kel return and create another option.
“Tai.” His mom’s voice held a galaxy full of barely restrained tension, not so understanding this time. “Was that Agent Drake? What the shades is going on?”
Tai’s throat bobbed.
Perrin watched, curious what he planned to say.
“I couldn’t stop him,” he said.
Truth.
“Can’t talk now.” He shut off the comm.
She blinked at him, certain she must’ve seen and heard him wrong.
He paced the bridge.
She ran the same scan over and over, the readings telling her the wormhole still existed and there was a ship inside.
Was Kel right? Was this the only way? He was keeping himself out of prison. Keeping the device safe. Protecting her and Tai. But the cost…
The comm beeped.
Perrin almost jumped out of her seat. “Transmission coming through.”
It was accompanied by a visual. Kel’s face filled the screen. Three scientists stood behind him, faces solemn but determined. The fourth, the traitor, slumped on the floor.
Kel gave a slight smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “We made it, guys. The scientists want you to know this was their decision. They ask that you save their families. Tell them sorry but they had no choice.”
Around him, the man and women nodded.
“Don’t enter the wormhole. I’m closing it behind me. P, keep flying. And tell my parents… something. Tai, I’m sorry, brother. Take care of her. I love you both.”
Kel’s lips twitched into a slightly bigger smile. His warm brown eyes softened. The view screen went black.
Before she could respond, or even consider how to respond to a situation like this, light flickered where the wormhole entrance lay. It flared wide open. Pale yellow, threads of the others. Beautiful and deadly. A tunnel through space that she almost imagined she could see through to the other side.
