Page 22

How’s it going, Mirage?

It took a few moments before Riv got a response.The radiation and charged particles from the entity are wreaking havoc on Glimmer’s systems. I’m working overtime to compensate. My shields are at maximum, but we’re up for a beating.

Riv swore. Élisa had no experience with a Sable-designed ship and was likely using more energy than needed to keep it under control. Can’t you take over the helm?

Mirage gave a mirthless chuckle.I would, but your woman is adamant about remaining behind the wheel. She seems to know what she’s doing, as right now I’d be flying blind.

I see. Do you have any insight as to our destination? Where Élisa is piloting us?

The A.I. paused for a beat, and Riv imagined Glimmer traversing a problematic aspect of the madness roaring outside.

Still waiting,came the eventual response. Somewhere within that nebula, and at this stage, I can’t seem to see beyond this massive storm front. I can’t even send through a drone. Due to the immense tidal impacts of the event and weird relativistic effects like frame dragging, which may even affect the flow of time and energy in the region.

Riv pushed for more.The pursuers she mentioned? Any sighting of them?

Nada. They’ve no idea she got the Osprey away.

He cut in.The who?

Osprey 1102.1 is the name registered to the ship you’re on—the one in Glimmer’s bay.

Riv couldn’t rip the thought of her stalkers from his mind.Right. Anything further on what I tasked you with?

It’d been a few hours since they’d last spoken, and Riv hoped Mirage unearthed something he could work with.

The A.I. did.I have more on Noab Hakim.

Tell me everything. I need to stay occupied to stave off the nausea of this friggin heave machine.

Mirage made obligatory sounds of sympathy.He’s Falasian. When he was eight years old, Katánian marauders kidnapped him during a sudden ambush on his village.

Riv tilted his head, intrigued.The Katáne? Aren’t they some obscure apocalyptic conquest-drunk race?

Naam,the A.I. replied.They keep their marauding now to the outer badlands. But they’re a nasty, aggressive race with nothing to lose. War, raids, and attacks are their way of life, and they exist on the oppression of other weaker communities and planets. I believe the Sable Riders’ existence is one of the deterrents to their spread across Pegasi.

What more of Hakim?

After his kidnapping, his community embarked on a search for the boy. A meeting was arranged between the Falasians and a representative of the Katánians. The latter killed the Falasian envoy and took the rest of Hakim’s family, disappearing with them beyond the badlands. Raised as a Katánian, Hakim was finally retrieved years later when Falasian ships came across a marauding Katánian cruiser with a dozen half-dead soldiers. All were afflicted with a mysterious disease, except Hakim, because he was not of the same race.

Riv whistled under his breath.Fokkin’ tragic.

Mirage continued.Freed and returned to his home planet, Hakim became a famous scout working with the Falasian army.

Riv’s mouth dropped.He’s military-sanctioned?

Naam,Mirage confirmed.But it’s believed he still had links to Katáne and harbored the pillagers on Falasia while they undertook raids in the region. It’s thought he conducts secret missions on their behalf. Otherwise, he and his crew work with their scouts, called the khora.

Riv jerked.Those are the same people Élisa is evading if I’m to accept her word. They’re also the same kinais I encountered at the station.

Indeed. Hakim’s gang consists of outlaws infamous for their bloodthirst and their penchant for robbing or killing at will with cruelty. An M.O. he could have only learned from the Katánians. The out-take is that he’s dangerous, sketchy, quick-tempered, and brutal to the point of depravity.

Stunned, Riv scrubbed both his hands over his face.Sounds like quite the charmer. And the link to Élisa?

I found proof of an existing contract over twenty years ago, showing he has been working with the Katánian khora to search for her since then.

What for?Riv asked, urgency and worry lacing his thoughts.

Pole. I haven’t located anything more yet.