part0029

The Sequi’s approach brought the threat of tears. So did the results of the DNA test on the aviarman skull Craze had found under the ash sea five months ago. Talos squeezed his eyelids nearly shut and held his breath. He had to know; both fearing the loss of all hope of ever seeing his best friend again and dreading the continuous frustration of not knowing what had happened to him. With one eye, he peeked at the message in his index, exhaling sharply. The skull didn’t belong to Lepsi. Thank the Lepper!

His long fingers swiped at the joy blurring his vision. Pauder would ridicule him for the tears, and it wasn’t the first impression he wanted to make on Captain Dialhi. Before he could dry his cheeks completely, his tab pinged. Craze’s face loomed on the tiny screen.

Craze nodded. “Good to jaw with you again, Captain. You is missed. The Sequi should almost be there. I’m sendin’ you the code to the quarters in which we locked Captain Kaesare.”

“I have that beautiful vessel in sight. Kaesare is the one who shot Dactyl?” Talos felt his forehead tighten. He couldn’t grasp why Rainly had decided to send the criming captain to Kenzer, but he didn’t understand Prezsha either. Maybe Cytrans hovered beyond the reach of his comprehension.

“Yeah. Rainly took the leecher’s ship ‘n cargo. Although, I’m strategically returnin’ some of the shipments to folks.”

Having to trust Craze’s judgment, Talos hoped the Verkinn would weigh every pertinent consequence. Some dangerous types populated the Edge. Pardeep didn’t need any more enemies. The Fo’wo’s and Jixes were enough. “You know not everything depends on how many chips we get, right?”

It was a relief to hear Craze say it. “Thanks for sending the names of the Jixes ordering the guns. I’m glad they won’t be getting the weapons. Anything good in her holds for trading?”

“Plenty ‘n for makin’ Pardeep a bit nicer. Lots of water ‘n air. We won’t have to order supplies of those for some time.”

Taking advantage of any good that came along was par for survival on the Edge, but Talos didn’t want to see it carried too far. He frowned and ran his hand through his fringe-like hair. “I don’t want to be responsible for holding back air ‘n water from worlds desperately needing it.”

The barkeep adjusted his weight and leaned more heavily against the bar top, causing the tab screen to flash up at the silver-blue ceiling for a moment. He pressed his thick lips into a thin line. “I’ll make sure no one dies over it. That’d be poor business. Hey, here’s somethin’ I ran across ‘n am wonderin’, do you have an implant connectin’ you to the Sequi?”

Talos arched a brow at the sudden change in topic. “Not yet. Couldn’t afford it. Will probably get one soon, though. A captain can’t lose his ship. Why do you need to know?”

“Rainly mentioned they was common, ‘n I never recalled you talkin’ about one. That’s all.” He shifted his weight again, his gaze fixating on the floor. “We need to discuss Ingarsse, brother. Your chummin’ up to her the way you have bothers me.”

“It’s not love.” Talos wished to be home on Pardeep. This conversation would go better over a malt at Craze’s bar. “No need for concern. I’m very ready to go, ‘n I’ll have no problem leaving her ass on Photwit with those vines.”

The way the Verkinn’s hair expressed itself, Talos wondered if it had a separate sentience. He didn’t quite understand the living hair, but lots of things on the Edge puzzled him. “It must be done. The Jixes whisper about me in the shadows. The nanites won’t hold much longer. The window of influence is about over ‘n I won’t survive unless I carry on with this plan.”

Craze’s lips pursed. “What if you end up enslaved, too? Is that better than a quick death at the Jixes’ hands?”

The Sequi skirted lower in the sky. The constant whistling wind kicked up, refusing to be drowned by a ship’s engines. Talos raised his voice. “You’ll find me ‘n rescue me if it happens. So, yes, it’s better.”

Craze nodded, unable to refute what Talos said. “I would, but I won’t have to. You’ll pull it off. All the same, keep in contact. OK?”

Papery blue diamonds blew over Talos’s feet. Petals from Ingarsse daisies. The Jix leader had named anything of beauty on the planet after herself, and the petals always preceded her on the walkways. A few became stuck on his pants leg.

He checked on how near she was. Ingarsse headed down the main boulevard toward him with a sexy saunter and big grin. Still a fair distance away. Nonetheless, the chat with Craze needed to end very soon.

“I’ll ping you regularly.” Talos’s finger hovered over the disconnect control, but the swell of emotions tumbling around needed a release, needed a friend to talk to. He had to tell Craze about the skull and figured he had just enough time to do so. “Um, the DNA results on that aviarman head came in.”

Craze’s stare penetrated all the way from Pardeep Station, and his mouth hung open. Finally he choked out, “Was it him?”

The barkeep’s meaty palms ran down his wide face, and he let out a great exhale. “Thank all that’s good by the Lepper. That’s fantastic news.”

Talos glanced at Ingarsse’s approach. Her smile twitched and faded. He tried to swallow past the tightening in his throat. “The Sequi is about to land, mate. I have to go. It was great talking to you.”

This call had to end in the next five seconds so he could give the Jix leader his undivided attention. For his well-being, it was imperative. Talos’s fingers clamped around the smooth button in his pocket. Carry On . “I’ll see to it.”

Of course he’d want the details. Talos’s thoughts sprinted through the options, considering and rejecting ideas faster than Ingarsse changed moods. “I’ll ping Pauder to blabber about a snitcher on Elstwhere with information on a Fo’wo stash. That’ll set everything in motion. From that I can get the Jixes to Photwit ‘n I’ll the old man ‘n the Cytran to Elstwhere.”

“They’ll do fine. Get ready for the crowds, mate. I’ve really got to go.” He cut the call and pointed at the Sequi, grinning at Ingarsse and gesturing at the spot beside him, inviting her to join him.

He pivoted to watch the Sequi touch down; his ship, his home, bringing old friends and new, an absolutely beautiful sight. Blue petals piled at his feet, gusting around him like a storm. Then came the whine of blusters—the stun weapon used by the Jixes.