“But now they aren’t even getting to know a moment of freedom,” Kohen said. “And you don’t know that every single one was recaptured. You could have saved some.”
“My cousin, give up profit? Unlikely,” Captain said. “But without you, we never would’ve found out how deep the corruption went. We wouldn’t have this ship and what Freska found.”
Deke leaned forward. “I missed out on some really good stuff, didn’t I?”
Captain filled him in, and Deke whistled. He sat back in the chair, his face a blank for long moments. “That’s just… so unbelievable.”
“It’s true, though, you can believe me.” Captain tapped the map on the table. “And, somehow, their plan for Danie and Kohen facts right into this pattern here.”
“How did you recognize it?” Deke asked.
“It’s burned in, up here.” I tapped my head.
“Where? Under your hair?” Deke frowned. “I don’t remember you having any scars there.”
“Not literally.” I rolled my eyes. “I meant in my head. The scientists had this pattern on their devices, like it powered them. Or it’s like… holy or something. Scientists don’t worship anything, but this thing was all over. I remember seeing it on their tablets when they’d strap me down and mess with my head. The screens had the same pattern, and a light would flash going from one end to the other. Over and over, it’d pass from here to here.” I traced my finger along the map.
“We never tried to figure out who had been taken the longest or if they’d only been in the one place,” Deke said. “The rescued members weren’t questioned since the Council assured us that would happen back on Central where they had counselors ready. You’re the only one we’ve really had a lot of contact with and spoken with in depth.”
“Should have known better,” Captain muttered.
I reached out and squeezed his arm. “It’s not your fault. You would have fixed it, if you knew. You’re trying to fix it now.”
“So stop your whining.” Deke nudged Captain and snickered when he growled.
“I will have your own men clap you in restraints and set a torture device on more than tingle, you bastard.” Captain glared at Deke. “Go make yourself useful. Gather all the star charts you can find. I have a feeling these aren’t power symbols.”
“Or maybe they’re both. A symbol that conveys power and also denotes a location. Both a calling card and a map.”
I studied the jagged edges of the symbol. It was like a pointed star with tips to the edges, a burst. Were these all stations and planets where they’d held people? Where they were still holding more captives, aliens they were using for experiments, now that they’d created Danie?
And just what was at the center of that symbol? It’d been a brightly pulsing point before. Now it was a small, 3D orb. A planet? A sun with a solar system? A station or base of operations? I had no clue.
What I wasn’t surprised by was the way Captain and Deke zeroed in on it either. “We’ve been considering going after the Elites, the rumors of them on Central. But it’s too dangerous to go back there. I was afraid this map would lead us there,” Captain said. “That the pattern would centralize over it.”
“But this is farther out. Several dozen light-years from the hub of occupied space. Not quite the boonies of the wilds and unknown planets, but not far off from that either.” Deke grabbed the map’s holo projection and enhanced it off the vid screen. “Huh. Star system. Looks like we have several planets here that could be viable as a base for beings if they follow basic mammalian traits.”
“Most spacegoing species do,” I said primly. I had been doing my studies after my rescue, learning all I could about every race and species. Those who were more like the old Earth species that needed special climates, like extreme heat, cold, or even those who needed moisture or had to avoid it too much were more likely to stay on a planet. Space was just too harsh.
“So what now?” Deke asked.
“Now we do a few trades, get equipped, get as much information as Kohen remembers and Danie and Freska can tell us before we take this to them. Elites or not, all beings can die when they threaten others.” A light entered Captain’s eyes and he spoke through a clenched jaw. An implacable aura of righteous anger surrounded him. “And clearly they have forgotten that.”
A few hours later Freska, along with the other heads of the various departments, had been briefed. Aparoe muttered about supplies instantly and demanded Captain make stops, which he readily agreed to. Deke had a list as well. Several others around the table in the conference room promised to make notes of what they’d need or want.
When they all left, they had straight backs and strode off with a purpose. With a start, I realized I was watching soldiers gird for battle; these were not some random space traders or flunkies used by the Council, even if they’d been made into that role by giving up after the war had battered them.
Well, now they had plans to batter back.
With one gigantic ass ram. That ordinance Deke asked for was not legal on any system Kohen had ever heard of.
TBC
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