Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

“Surprisingly, no,” said Grostonk.

“Hey guys, I found something!” said Eridani. “Grostonk, is this what I think it is?”

He wheeled over and studied a collection of bundled directories. “If you think they’re encrypted MABAS profiles, then yes,” said Grostonk. “I count five binaries in here. Good find, Captain!”

“This is highly unusual,” said Eleski. “These profiles have been converted to military personnel indexes.” She regarded Eridani with grave concern. “That can only mean Admiral Schurke has weaponized these binaries!”

“Let’s verify the file types before we jump to any conclusions,” said Eridani. “I see padlocks on the folders. Grostonk, can you get in?”

“Maybe,” he said. He pulled several script files from the data cube’s interface and dropped them onto the folders in question. The screen filled with nested windows of code as it scrolled by in sheets. A moment later, the padlocks vanished. “Yeah, I can get in. And yeah, they’re military indexes, all right. That bastard’s running his own subdivision. If the numbers associated with these profile IDs are any indication, it looks like he’s recruited hundreds to his cause.”

“What did we stumble into?” whispered Eridani, and she studied the file details. “These all came from the same data center.” Opening each profile in sequence, she read aloud the names and callsigns of all five binaries and their respective abilities.

Torsha reached across and tapped Simicron’s profile. “That one’s a denshi-tengu.”

“I guess humans don’t have a monopoly on superpowers after all,” said Grostonk. “Maybe there’s some hope for the rest of us shlubs.”

Eridani scanned their planets of origin, their station assignments, and their training regimens. They all shared the same last known location—the coordinates of the data center. “That’s where we need to go,” she said. “That’s where we’ll find the proof we need to bury Schurke.”

“You sure that’s a good idea?” asked Grostonk. “Exposing him is still a pretty big win.”

“Exposing him won’t save my brother,” said Eridani.

“Yeah, but I count two B-class kinetics, a B-class atomic, and couple of A-class bad-asses,” said Grostonk. “If this is what’s waiting for us at the data center, we’ll be dead before we touch down.”

Eridani spent a moment in thought. “Roscoe’s Reavers might be working for Schurke, but they won’t risk blowing their cover. They’ve taken down a laundry list of A-class and B-class binaries. If these guys are waiting for us, I think our mercenaries can handle it.”

“Individual binaries,” said Katsinki.

“Hm?” Eridani raised her brow.

“Roscoe’s Reavers has triumphed over thirty-seven individual A- and B-class binaries,” said Katsinki. “Admiral Schurke’s binary assets have certainly spent much of their time training as a team.”

“You’re probably right.” Eridani took a deep breath. “I know we’re missing a lot of tactical information. It’s probably a longshot, but if there’s even a chance at taking down this monster before he gets too powerful to stop, I feel like I have to try. Are you guys willing to see this through with me?”

“We’ve come this far,” said Torsha. “I’m not stopping now.”

Eleski stood proud. “I would seek my own demise before abandoning you.”

Grostonk shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, sure. Torsha, it’s like you said—we’ve already come this far. Anyway, I don’t see how trusting a bunch of turncoats to fight their own people could possibly go wrong.”

Eridani glanced at Katsinki.

“I was merely advising you of as many tactical variables as were available to me,” he said. “I will see this through with you.”

“Thank you,” said Eridani. “Thank you all.”

“Our analysis is complete,” said Eleski. “With your permission Captain, I will transmit the star charts to navigation.”

“Please do,” said Eridani. “Where is this data center is located?”

“I have traced it to the planet Ruslheimur in the Kerburen System. It is a junk world,” said Katsinki, and he projected a map of the galaxy. “We are here.” He indicated a point in the Eastern Arm. “Kerburen System is here. It seems Trionides is also in the Kerburen System.”

“That’s no coincidence,” said Eridani. “Grostonk, please repair the lift panel and find somewhere safe to store that cube for the next few weeks. Please join Torsha and me on the command deck when you’re ready.”

“You got it, Captain,” said Grostonk, and he set to removing the panel.

Chapter 32

Skullduggery

Two weeks passed, and the nightmare gate now lingered directly ahead. During that time, Eleski and Katsinki kept to their rooms and steadfastly maintained their human forms. Although she visited from time to time, Gretchen neither suspected nor remembered their true nature. Admiral Schurke remained out of contact.

Eridani called secret meetings in the ready room. She and her confidantes discussed tactics and regularly checked on the location of Watchtower. To their frustration, Casey’s starship remained in the nightmare, unable to receive any transmissions.

“We’re about to cross through the nightmare gate,” said Eridani. “I’m heading up to the bridge. Will you guys be okay down here?”

“Why would we not be?” asked Katsinki.

“It is a customary departure pleasantry,” said Eleski. “She is not actively worried for our wellbeing.”

“I was…” Katsinki’s cheeks dimmed. “I was aware of that.”

Torsha chewed on a piece of soft, yellow jerky. “Do you need me there with you?”

“Only if you want to come,” said Eridani.

“I don’t”

Eridani chuckled. “I thought not. What are you eating? It smells like curried… It smells like something curried crawled out of you.”

Torsha turned her snack around and read the label. “Flavor-burst calvarmi jerky, I think. My Sausuud isn’t very good though, so I could be wrong.”

“It’s better than mine,” said Eridani. “All right, I’ll be back as soon as we’re through.”

“See you soon, Captain,” said Grostonk. “Don’t turn on the viewscreen.”

“I won’t,” said Eridani, and she called the lift.

Moments later, she stepped onto the command deck. “Captain, the gate crew’s ready to receive us,” said Brady.

“On your mark, we’ll start the transition,” said Gretchen.

Eridani nodded her way. “Please commence.”

“Aye-aye, Captain,” said Gretchen, and she began the approach. The viewscreen switched off, and every viewport across the starship darkened automatically. For a