The Riddle (Alternate Dimensions Book 2) Read online

  Angel was cool as a cucumber as she answered, maybe even a bit playful. I had a feeling she was reliving her glory days in our little scenario. “Greetings, friend. This is Balvis Crell, bounty hunter ID six-j-fiver class four. My crew and I are here to drop off a head.”

  “Head’s name?”

  “Dashi Skillvxs.”

  There was a pause before the voice came back onto the com. “Your IDs and head check out. Follow these coordinates to docking bay seven, where you will be processed in person.”

  “Perfect. Sounds like a dream, friend-o.”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “All right, whatever you say, nav-champ. Downloading coordinates now. Landing in four.”

  She shut off the comm and shot us a winning smile. “See? So far, so good.”

  “Yeah, but maybe you should lay off the cheese a little,” Viys’k offered.

  “Are you kidding me? Bounty hunters off a fresh, successful hunt are the most arrogant, obnoxious bastards ever. And Balvis already had a bit of a Napoleon Complex.”

  “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  “I have been entirely up front that I would. But this is the easy part. During part B of the plan, I’m sure everything will be much less smiles and daisies, and more improvisation and barely avoiding being shot.”

  “Yeah, I would really like to emphasize the not being shot part,” Janix added.

  “Don’t worry, you’re a big boy. I’m sure you can handle an errant blast or two.”

  “As the medic on this trip, I suggest avoiding blasts entirely.”

  “Yeah, yeah. There’s a reason you’re staying on this ship, Doc. Gotta have you around in case of, uh, accidents.” The ship rattled a bit as we finished landing in the small bay we had been directed to. “All right, game faces, everyone. It’s time.”

  Angel and Viys’k went out first, Janix behind them doing his best to look like a thoroughly defeated criminal, and I brought up the rear. It was pretty hard not to feel cool as we descended the ramp, fully decked out in our bounty hunter duds, and pretty much armed to the teeth. Just like every other time we had de-planed so far, we were greeted by a small party. But this time, the small party was a group of equally armored prison guards.

  “IDs and licenses,” was the terse welcome.

  Angel handed over a small square that looked similar to the scientist’s data-pad. I realized I hadn’t glanced at that thing in ages. I really needed to check it out to see if I could learn anything new from it that could help our cause.

  “Checks out. You have been given clearance to processing. Once your head has been properly transferred to our custody, you will receive a payment from the Council. This way.”

  We all marched along like good little rule followers, but I knew each of us was quietly observing each and every little factoid we could about the place. The walls were a dreary mix of faded teal and blue, with yellow warnings, rules and writing plastered every few steps. There weren’t any inmates, but I supposed that was because we weren’t actually in the prison part of the facilities yet. Just the preliminary gates.

  It didn’t take much longer to reach what had to be the processing area. Several officers sat behind a partition, holo-monitors projected in front of them. Beyond them was that all too familiar blue shielding that I had become acquainted with during my time in prison.

  Angel talked to them, while I busied myself with looking around at everything and anything I could. Two guards approached from the other side of the barrier, slid their cards through a reader, then lifted their visors to scan their retinas. The shield fell for three seconds, allowing them through, then quickly blipped back into existence behind them.

  “Accepting custody of Prisoner X-93.”

  “Custody transferred.” Angel said, gesturing for them to take Janix away.

  It was hard to watch them flank him, then lead him back toward the light-wall. This time, it was another card slide and a retina scan, then they took him around the corner and were gone. Anxiety pricked at my stomach like a bad pizza. This was the part of the plan I liked the least.

  “Well, I don’t clear out until I’m sure the creds have made it where they belong,” Angel said to one of the officers behind the desk. “You got a rec room around here, or should I just sit in this lobby and look pretty?”

  “There’s a hallway to the right of where you came in here. The rec is straight down the corridor, bathroom is second door to the left. You have to swipe your badge for either.”

  “All right then crew. Potty break.”

  Somehow, I didn’t break character. Instead, I focused on counting backward from one hundred while we headed in the direction of the facilities. I didn’t know if Angel was aware, but there was something exceptionally amusing about such a tiny, slender slip of an alien swaggering around like they were too big for their britches. She played arrogant well. A little too well.

  She kept up her stream of chatter to us until we shuffled into the bathroom. It was then that she fell quiet, scanning the room for bugs, cameras, or other people. After a couple beeps and red dots on her screen, she punched in a series of codes before turning to us with a smile.

  “We’re clean now. Feeding the audio sensors a recording of me talking about our last successful run, along with all the appropriate bathroom noises.”

  “Good to know that you came prepared.”

  “Rule one of ensuring your plan will work: always come prepared.”

  Viys’k rolled all six of her eyes, which never failed to be amusing in and of itself. “Good to know. Is rule two to gloat while waiting for the next part of the plan?”

  “Your sarcasm is amusing, but ultimately unproductive. There’s nothing we can do until Janix is in place, and you know that’s going to take at least a few minutes. He has to plant a nanite generator in a discreet location, swipe an officer card, and scope the place out on the way to his cell. Not exactly quick work.”

  “I’m not sure how we’re supposed to know when he’s done all that.” I murmured, eying the bathroom and debating if I actually wanted to go or not while we were there.

  “That would be through the earpiece Bajol imbedded into his neck.”

  “Wouldn’t it be a neckpiece, then?”

  “Well, technically yes. But that just sounds weird.”

  “So, what, once he has his earpiece in, we all just go to the ship and take off?”

  “Why are you two acting so fuzzy on the details? We discussed this at length. We’re going to go to the ship, fake some mechanical problems, stick around for a bit until the appropriate steps are taken to make sure we bust this place open.”

  “Just looking for a little clarification, that’s all.”

  “Yeah, well it sounds like you’re doubting me. It’s not like I have experience with this sort of thing. I only led an entire species to their freedom and recognition as a part of the Council.”

  “Geeze, it’s been, like, ten minutes and you guys are already at each other’s throats? See what happens when I’m not around?”

  “Janix,” I said with relief.

  “In the flesh. Well, I mean not really, because I’m not there where you are right now. But in the flesh as in I am currently living and very much corporeal where I am now.”

  “Yeah, we get it.” Viys’k countered. “What’s your status?”

  “Uh, slightly cool. Wish I had had that supplement bar this morning, but I was trying to get that haggard, run down loo–”

  “The mission Janix. What’s your status on the mission?”

  “Right. That. Nanite generator is in place. I’ve been scoping out what I could, and so far, everything here seems about five years past code. The criminals here are mostly low level financial stuff, too. I haven’t been able to find a single gang or anything yet.”

  “Don’t worry, there’s time.” Angel said, back to serious for possibly the first time in a few days. “We’ll return to the ship and fake our mechanical issues. You focus
on exploring the work yard when you’re taken to your assignment. That’s where we’re planning to land.”

  “Aye-aye, captain. I remember the plan.”

  “Good, just clarifying.” With a smug look, she punched more codes into her scanner and gave us the thumbs up to leave.

  We headed out, Angel making sure to wave and declare we were on our way to our next big catch. We did have an escort to our ship, but thankfully, they did not ask to come aboard.

  Once we were on the vessel, Bajol seemed to sag with relief. “No hiccups so far, then?”

  “Hey, don’t jinx us now.”

  “Sorry. Just relieved. I’m still new to this whole breaking-galactic-regulations thing.”

  “Don’t worry,” Viys’k said, propping her feet up on the dash. “It grows on you.”

  “So does a fungus; doesn’t necessarily mean it’s welcome.”

  “Oookay, and now the doctor’s all edgy. I see why we left you on the ship.”

  “Guys, can we just cut the playful banter for, like, five minutes?” I said with a slight groan. “I love quips as much as the next guy, but let’s save them for after we have Janix back onboard.”

  “Yes, that would be most agreeable.” Bajol murmured gratefully.

  The same nav officer’s voice came over the com. “Balvis, you are clear to leave.”

  “Righto. Taking off now.”

  She went about punching some buttons, and I felt the engines rumble to life. Normally, this was the part where Viys’k punched the drive to its limit and we blasted off, narrowly escaping danger, but this time, the vibration ramped up to personal massager level before suddenly cutting out. From the windshield, I could see smoke pouring out into the hangar bay.

  “Uh-oh,” Angel remembered to grumble over the comm.

  “Balvis, we are getting multiple overheating readings. What’s going on?”

  “Um, looks like our ship is having some malfunctions. I don’t suppose you have some in-house mechanics?”

  Another silence, probably as they corresponded with a superior. “We’re sending two to your ship now. For security reasons, we do need you off of the ship as they work.”

  “What? You’re not gonna bug my ride, are you?”

  “No, just standard protocol. Our mechanics are able to focus better in a secure environment, and no offense meant, but you are bounty hunters.”

  “Still offensive, but logical. All right, we’ll de-board, and then you can send your guys up. Coming out now.”

  “We will have an escort to take you back to the rec room.”

  “You’re not going to just lock us in cells. How gracious of you.”

  “What kind of facility do you think we’re running here?”

  “Just a joke, man. Balvis out.”

  With that, she killed the comm and we all exchanged glances. “Part two: go.”

  “Normally, take off involves actually taking off,” the escort guard joked to us as we strode up to him and his team.

  “Yeah, sorry about that. Too much adventuring, not enough maintenance,” Angel said with a sigh. “But you know how it is when you’re on the hunt and the prize is sitting there, just beyond your reach, like a sparkling valcrag waiting to be plucked.”

  “Um, no, actually. But I’ll take your word for it. This way.”

  “Ah, man, you’re missing out.”

  For the approximately billionth time that day, we followed the personnel to the appropriate room. The whole experience was rather surreal. There I was, the most wanted fugitive in all of the galaxy, walking back and forth across the welcome area of a prison often enough to start racking up frequent flyer miles.

  And so, we sat, in grey, slightly cushioned seats in a room with what looked like futuristic vending machines and holo-games. Much to our chagrin, the escorting officer didn’t leave once we made ourselves comfortable.”

  “You don’t say much, do ya?” he said, peering at me with a wry grin.

  “Nope.” I tried to keep my face as impassive as possible. I was channeling boredom as hard as I could, filling my mind with thoughts of paint drying and grass growing.

  “Hey, don’t you government employees always have something important to do?” Angel asked smoothly. “Or is this job even cushier than I thought?”

  “It’s my break, if you must know. Only seven more hours, then I’m planet bound for three days. It’s an interesting schedule, but you’re right, the accommodations are pretty cushy.”

  Angel’s face remained relaxed as she laughed, but I could sense the edge behind her words. Right about now, Bajol was filling the cabin of our ship with sleeper gas, rending the mechanics unconscious. Any moment now, he would scan one of their cards, then send the unique electronic signature to Janix. From there, Janix was supposed to update us on his progress and find the krelach in question with the help of the DNA scanners on our ship.

  However, none of that was going to happen at all if this Chatty Cathy didn’t scram like he was supposed to.

  “But being a bounty hunter, right? That’s got to be exciting.”

  “Of course, it is. Traveling all across space, never knowing what tomorrow will bring, death always being on the horizon, no financial security. You know–exciting.”

  I glanced to Angel’s scanner to see one of the sensors flickering. It was the nanites reaching the point we needed to shut down the shielding. We were passing our window of opportunity.

  “Yo, guys. I have some weird news. I don’t know if it effects anything, but it seems like something I should mention.”

  I jolted at the sound of Janix’s voice, but none of us could answer him with the escort guard sitting right in front of us.

  “Uh…hello? Hello? Great. You guys are either dead or stuck with an audience.”

  “It certainly is nice for you to sit with us and keep us company,” Viys’k blurted. “Thank you, uh, what’s your name, officer?”

  “Great. You are stuck with a goon. We don’t have time for that. Get rid of him.”

  “You can call me MacGilvargardy.”

  “Look, guys. I’ve been here maybe a total of fifteen minutes, and already two people have tried to hire me to kill this Zkkyy character we’re here for. Someone else knows she’s here and wants her very, very dead. So, if we want her alive and not her carcass, we need to act fast. I need to know what you want me to do.”

  “Hey, boss, you still have that sim on your pad?”

  Angel looked surprised before nodding very slowly. “Uh…sure.”

  “All right, give it here. I’m gonna go take a dump.”

  “Uh, okay.”

  I snatched the thing out of her hands before officer MacWhatshisface could get wise and powerwalked to the bathroom. Once I was inside, I repeated the same actions I had seen Angel perform just moments earlier. Hopefully, the sensors wouldn’t think it was too weird they were hearing her talk over the mics when she wasn’t in the room, but I needed time.

  “I’m here, Janix, but we’re a little occupado right now.”

  “Yeah, I put that together. Look, I’m about to be taken to the mechanical press for my orientation. I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a free-for-all for this rat lady, so I’m gonna need some backup. You got that maintenance badge info yet?”

  “No. But I can get it. Can you hold on for ten minutes?”

  “Yeah, but ten minutes is about all you got. I know the nanites have to be reaching critical mass soon.”

  “Right. Copy.”

  I shut off the scanners and walked back out. “I can’t get comfortable here. I’m going to the ship.”

  “You can’t do that. Not while maintenance is there.”

  “Well, come with me then. Watch me to make sure I’m don’t get up to any shenanigans.”

  “I shouldn’t. That’s very against protocol,” he stuttered.

  I rolled my eyes and gave my best bad girl smirk I could. “Come on, MacGilvargardy. What happened to being excited to break the rules?”

&n
bsp; “I, uh…,” he straightened, like his spine was snapping to attention. “Fine. Come with me. I could use a vapor break anyway.”

  I resisted the urge to ask him to clarify if vapes were still being used centuries in the future, but caught myself. Tossing the pad back to Angel, I shrugged to them and headed out. Once we were clear of the room, I heard the half-kind voice buzz in my ear almost instantly.

  “All right, I set up the field so we can talk safely for a few minutes.”

  “What are you doing, Fire Skull? This wasn’t part of the plan.”

  “So what? It go him out of here, didn’t it? Rule one of planning: the plan never works.”

  “I thought rule one was always be prepared.”

  “New rule number one: don’t question your leader’s rules.”

  I never so ardently wished I could shut an earpiece off, but I managed to keep a hold on my tongue as the escort officer led me to the ship. It was only as the parole officer commed the maintenance crew to let him in that I realized that they were very much unconscious and would not be helping their friend do jack.

  I held my breath, sure that I had somehow unintentionally steered us to total failure, but then the door slid open and the ramp lowered.

  “Hello? Guys?” MacGilvargardy rolled his eyes and gave me an exasperated look. “Freaking nerds. They can’t even be bothered to answer the door. Come on.”