Rogue Pursuit: A Space Opera Adventure (Shades of Starlight Book 1), page 31
The other side where Kel was preparing to—
Sparks of white appeared, like fireworks, spreading through the colors, slowly consuming them as brilliant white light replaced the other shades.
Until the whole tunnel was white and, with a final flash of light, it blinked out forever.
33
Tai sat in stunned silence, staring at the screen.
“Shades,” he finally said.
Perrin kept scanning like she couldn’t stop. “No sign of a wormhole. No radiation or fluctuations whatsoever. Like it was never there.”
The black space remained black, and would forever.
The heaviness of that fact pressed on him with the force of a black hole. It meant he’d made the right choice, though. What if the wormhole had been a central one, stranding an entire colony? Or what if someone had used the device while a ship was inside?
He refused to consider his dad, in the same situation—permanently stuck.
This time, Tai had been present and unable to do anything to stop it. Which made the situation worse, except this had been Kel’s choice. Maybe the only choice. He’d saved lives, a galaxy, and Tai and Perrin in the process, giving them the cover they needed to explain things and be safe.
The blackness invaded his thoughts.
Kel. He’d risked everything for what he thought was right. He’d betrayed everything and everyone he’d claimed to support.
One noble act didn’t undo years of treason.
His roommate and friend. A traitor.
Bravery. Sacrifice. Betrayal.
How was Tai supposed to process everything?
“He’ll be okay.” Perrin spoke quietly, as if reassuring herself. “They’ll be okay. That planet has plenty of life. He’s smart and tough. And he has the scientists, and your mom’s partner. He won’t be alone. He’ll make it.”
“Of course he will. If he survives McCombs.” A small part of Tai was glad McCombs remained trapped too, unable to reveal that Tai had shot him. Then he felt bad for thinking that about a coworker. Former coworker?
Shades, this was a mess.
They sat in silence until the comm beeped.
“My mom is hailing us. Again.”
Perrin lifted a shoulder as if to say, Your mom, your choice.
Too bad he couldn’t avoid this conversation forever. No matter what happened now, though, he was prepared to face the consequences.
He sighed and opened the line.
“Tai? Are you there? Don’t move. I’m docking.”
He had no idea what he was going to tell her. The entire truth? Most of it? Would his decision change if she were only his boss, not his mom as well?
He and Perrin trudged to the airlock, checking to ensure the mercs were still unconscious. Hard to believe less than two hours had passed.
The doors slid apart, and his mom strode through before they finished opening, straight to him, and hugged him.
That was a good sign. He returned the hug, wrapping her in his arms, hit with a powerful wave of relief that she was here when she could so easily have been one of the people on the other side. Based on her tight embrace, he suspected she had similar thoughts. She squeezed one last time before releasing him.
She stepped back and studied Perrin.
Tai fought the urge to clear his throat. “Mom, this is Perrin. She’s been helping me. But don’t blame her, I forced her. Perrin, this is my mom, Reiko.”
A cautious tilt to Perrin’s head was the only indication she might be nervous. She lifted her chin, rose on her toes, extended a hand, as if a smuggler meeting a top Confed official didn’t bother her.
His mom shook her hand before raising her eyebrows at Tai. “Would you care to explain now?”
“Should we, I don’t know, move them to the brig?” Perrin waved a hand toward the mercs.
Tai wanted to thank her for the delay.
His mom studied her and nodded.
They dragged the mercs near the airlock into the holding cells on her ship. The scientists had moved some of the others, but hadn’t finished the job, so the remaining mercs went into the brig where the scientists had been.
They ended up on the bridge, with Tai wishing they had two dozen more to move to further postpone this conversation.
Instead, he laid in a course for the Graveyard and the wormhole that would take them home. He focused on steering the ship through the asteroids, sensing his mom’s gaze, fairly confident she wouldn’t interrupt while he concentrated on piloting.
“You’re nearly as good as your father was,” was her only comment.
He angled his head to acknowledge the statement. Once they were clear, and he spun to face her, he spotted the moment she shifted out of Mom and Get Things Done Agent, and the moment Head Spy took over.
“Tell me everything,” she said.
Perrin cleared her throat. “I’ll leave you two to talk and go check the engine room.” She glanced at him. Ducked her head and left.
Instead of feeling betrayed for being left alone, Tai was grateful. He knew the act showed her faith in him, leaving it in his hands what to tell his mom about her.
His mom watched Perrin leave, head cocked. When her gaze returned to Tai, it held too much knowing.
Tai met her gaze with the neutral expression she’d taught him and gave her an overview of the last several days, leaving out Perrin’s smuggling. He felt compelled to mention the weapons they’d found in the desert, though. They presented too great a threat not to tell her. And he didn’t care if the pirates were Perrin’s friends, he had to report on them, too.
He skipped his decision not to hand over the device. It was the complete truth that Kel had gotten the upper hand, stolen it, and escaped. Tai didn’t even have to lie.
He stuck to the basics, attempting not to say Perrin’s name too often since he knew the way he spoke it would reveal his feelings for her.
His mom let him talk, a good spy, not asking questions or leading, just letting him dig his own grave.
He ended with the thought that wouldn’t leave him alone. “The scientists and Kel are trapped. McCombs, too. That’s my fault, since I left him there.”
Her eyes darkened for a beat. “He’s an agent. He knows every mission is a risk.”
Tai nodded, and they shared a quiet look. He knew both of them would never fail to grieve when anyone got stranded, no matter who it was.
After a few seconds, she said, “You’ll have to file an official report. I will, too.”
“I know.”
He had no idea what she was thinking. Proud of how he’d helped? Disappointed in him? Furious?
He figured it was best to focus on work, a plan of action. “The scientists’ families are being held hostage somewhere, but they didn’t have a chance to tell us more than that.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll learn that information from the mercenaries you captured.”
Her giving him credit for apprehending them was a good sign. But Tai wanted no part of that “discussion.” On the other hand, the mercs might mention Perrin, so maybe he should offer to question them. Not that he could keep them quiet forever.
His mom folded her hands in an official-looking pose that straightened his spine. “As your director, I have to inform you you’re in trouble. While you technically didn’t break any rules by leaving Ruby Prime, you did interfere in an official investigation. And let a known traitor escape.”
Tai gulped and nodded.
“As your mom, as much as I wish I could tell you that if you were back at the cabin by the time I arrived home, we could pretend none of this happened, you know I can’t do that.”
He nodded again. He’d expected as much.
“On the other hand, you helped stop a galactic conspiracy and captured many of the conspirators. I can’t do anything about the internal affairs investigation except testify about this mission. But your efforts should be enough to save you from lasting effects on your record.”
Tai’s breathing faltered given what he knew he had to tell her. “About that.”
She studied him before smiling sadly. “That’s what I thought.”
“What? I haven’t said anything yet.”
“Tai, I’m not just a trained observer and agent. I’m your mother.” She pinned him with a look that combined Mom and Boss. “Do you want to know why you haven’t received any major assignments yet? It wasn’t because I didn’t believe in your abilities, which you’ve proved the last two weeks. It wasn’t even to keep you safe, though selfishly that was part of it.”
Tai frowned. “Then why?”
“It was because I knew your heart wasn’t one hundred percent committed. I know you believe in our work and the Confed. But I could tell espionage wasn’t for you. I wouldn’t send any agent on a major mission without knowing they were mentally prepared for anything.”
She’d known before he had. Big surprise.
“But what about the family legacy?” he asked. “You and Gramps and continuing the tradition?”
“Obviously your grandfather and I would be proud to have you follow our footsteps. For a while, I believed that was what you wanted, and that’s why I encouraged you. But we want you to pursue the path that’s right for you.”
A strange floating sensation overtook him, like he’d been freed, but was now untethered, a ship drifting in space. “Any idea what that path might be, since you know so much?”
A knowing glint lit her eyes. “I suspect it might have something to do with that young lady.”
Tai fought to control the heat rushing to his face.
“What do you want to do now?” she asked.
He tapped the console. “I thought you might need someone to track down those kidnapped families.”
She nodded slowly. “That’s more a military or police mission. But it fits you. I may be able to reinstate you and assign you this mission, and then we’ll discuss what you want to do long-term.”
“I can live with that.”
She finally released her carefree grin. “Now, tell me about this girl.”
Perrin preferred to keep her distance from the Confed’s best intelligence gatherer. So, like the brave smuggler she was, she hid in the engine room while Tai talked to his mom.
First, she sent a message to Mak, saying her adventure was over and she was coming home. She included a coded warning that she was on an unsecure channel. Couldn’t exactly come out and say the Confed’s head spy might be listening in.
Then she ran checks on every system to keep busy. And then ran double checks.
She didn’t know how much Tai would feel obligated to tell his mother, or how his mom would react. After earlier, she believed Tai would do his best to protect her, but she didn’t know if he had enough influence to keep her out of trouble. And the second his mom interrogated the mercenaries in the brig, her name was certain to come up. She clearly hadn’t been on their side, but they might have no problem revealing her previous activities.
There was a good chance this was her last journey for quite some time. She should enjoy the view of stars before the Confed sent her to a labor colony inside an asteroid.
Finally she risked leaving the engine room when they neared the Graveyard wormhole. Despite Tai’s mom, Perrin still preferred to bring them through herself.
She read no signs of scavengers or their old ship, and Tai and his mom were nowhere to be found. She settled into the pilot’s seat and checked the shields and deflectors before entering the sick triadic they’d come through a couple days ago.
For several minutes, she blocked out thoughts of everything except the wormhole. The bridge was quiet, nothing but her and the colors. Tai must have convinced his mom she could handle it, because no one else joined her.
When the ship burst out of the faded wormhole, she sat back in satisfaction. She set a course for the next one and watched the stars.
Mak’s reply arrived sometime later. Perrin peeked behind her like one of the spies might be watching before she loaded the message.
“Sounds like you had quite a trip, Captain. Everything’s under control here. I probably shouldn’t say this, but you sound… happy. You have every time I’ve heard from you. I miss you, and obviously things aren’t the same without you, but… I want you to think about why.”
Mak had gathered that much from a few words? And, Perrin realized, her friend was right. She mostly had enjoyed the trip. Even the parts she shouldn’t have. Especially those.
“Oh, happy birthday, by the way. Dodge says sorry we missed it. And to remind you that you’re eighteen, and there’s plenty of time to be a responsible businesswoman later. You were gone for two weeks, and he suddenly forgot you’re his boss, not his granddaughter.”
A pang went through Perrin’s chest. She missed them, too, although she didn’t miss being a responsible businesswoman.
“But seriously, Perrin, running the company isn’t the only way to make your parents proud. They left you a legacy of working hard and helping people, but also of pursuing your dreams. This company was your mother’s dream, and then your father’s, but if it’s not yours, that doesn’t make you a bad daughter. It makes you a strong person who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to chase it.”
Mak rarely mentioned her parents. She’d never met Perrin’s mom, but had first flown with Perrin’s dad, when she marched into their office and announced she was a great pilot who needed a job. She’d been like family ever since, mourning Perrin’s dad like a sister. Hearing Mak talk about them now filled Perrin with grief dulled by happy memories.
“If you did decide you needed a break, everyone would understand. The schedules, contracts, everything is fine. Please promise you’ll consider it.”
Perrin shut off the comm and tapped her lips. What had brought on Mak’s sudden display of advice? And had Perrin really been so transparent, that her crews had figured out her feelings? Mak and Dodge, she understood. But Mak made it sound like everyone at the company was conspiring to advise about her future.
She paced the bridge a few times. It seemed safe enough here, so she didn’t leave, just continued pacing, and pondered for a few hours before they reached the next wormhole.
As she was preparing the deflectors, footsteps thudded behind her. Tai’s mom settled into the seat next to her and studied the view screen.
Perrin’s hands faltered for a second. Tai’s mom was a wild card, but Perrin didn’t want to reveal her wariness.
His mom watched for a while, Perrin trying to ignore the audience as she moved on to the shields. She sensed she was being inspected. Where was Tai? And why hadn’t his mother left the mercs’ ship and returned to hers?
The new wormhole appeared, another tetradic. This one had deep indigo, vibrant red-orange, and crisp yellow-green threads, normal brightness. Not too bad compared to the last few days. She monitored readings but didn’t need to prepare for battle.
As soon as Perrin relaxed, Tai’s mom cleared her throat. “Thanks for keeping my son alive.”
Perrin lifted a shoulder. “It was a team effort.”
“He says you were instrumental in the success of his mission.”
Perrin didn’t know what to say to that, so she kept quiet.
“He also failed to mention who you are, so I took the liberty of investigating. I’m guessing he knows you have employees in prison, and he kept quiet to protect you?”
Perrin kept her attention on the console. “I do have employees in prison.” She was neither confirming nor denying what Tai did or didn’t know.
“Were these employees acting under orders? And was this an isolated incident?”
Perrin understood why Tai’s mom was so successful in her field. An evasive answer seemed her safest option. “This was the first time any of my crews has been arrested.”
Tai’s mom sniffed. Was that a laugh? “You would make an excellent agent if you ever decided on a career change.”
Perrin risked a glance at her.
Tai’s mom had a slight smile as she stood. Her dark eyes, sharp jaw, and smile lines matched Tai’s. “Like my son, you’re young. Lots of time to reevaluate your career and examine your choices.”
His mom exited, a smile still on her face.
She didn’t act like she planned to arrest Perrin. Although Perrin recognized there had been a veiled warning to reconsider her criminal activities. Was that nothing more than a spy game? Was she safe? And how come everyone she knew seemed to understand her better than she did?
The ship exited the wormhole, and she studied Mak’s message again. What did she truly want? She couldn’t bear the idea of returning to work after this taste of freedom—despite the danger and heartache and difficulty. Or maybe because of it.
She chewed on her lip and watched the stars. Then she typed a message to Mak.
“You’re right, as always, Mak. I bow to your superior judgment. But seriously, thanks for the nudge. You always know what I need and what needs to be done. Will you officially take over day-to-day operations for now? While I take a break and be a normal eighteen-year-old? I miss you, too. And once I figure out where I’m going, I’ll let you know. I’m sure you can arrange the shipping schedules in a way that lets you visit me. You’re good at that stuff. Give Dodge a hug for me. You’re the best.”
As soon as she hit send, she felt light and free, ready to fly away. Well, she would be once she found a ship. Why had it taken her so long to do this? Tai had known her for less than a week when he pointed out the burden the business placed on her. Now that the burden had lifted, she realized how heavy it had truly been.
She practically skipped to the kitchen, ready to prepare a celebratory meal, hoping the mercs had stocked up on food.
Tai found her rummaging through cabinets. He leaned against the counter a couple feet away.
Her heart picked up speed, and she straightened.
“Your crew has been released,” he said. “Apparently you didn’t know they were on a confidential undercover assignment.” Tai’s eyes glinted.
“Wow. I had no idea I knew people with such connections.” She pressed her lips together to hold in a smile.
