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

“I’m about to have a meeting with your brother,” said Schurke. “Unless you want to be an only child, I suggest you—”

Eridani reached past Brady and ended the call. Gritting her teeth, she clenched her fists and forced herself to breathe as evenly as she could manage. “Navigation,” she said, and she picked up her phone.

“Captain,” said Lanchelle, her voice almost a whisper

“Set course for Trionides.”

Lanchelle nodded. “Aye-aye, Captain. Setting course for Trionides.”

Eridani faced Gretchen. “Helm.”

“Captain, if you need a minute, take it,” said Gretchen.

“Get us out of here.”

“Aye-aye, Captain,” said Gretchen, and she slid the throttle all the way over. “Full speed ahead.”

“I’ll be in my room,” said Eridani. “Myeong, you have the bridge.” She offered Torsha her hand, but Torsha angrily swatted it away, cutting ribbons along Eridani’s palm. With a subtle nod, Eridani turned her back on the command deck and called the lift. Blood dripped from her fingertips. The chime seemed muffled when the lift car arrived, and she stepped inside. As the doors closed behind her, she collapsed against the wall and wept.

Chapter 33

Conjunction

Hazy neon drifted by as Casey flew her shuttle north toward Sunset Beach. April manned the co-pilot’s station, tracking the landing data. “Any word from Lord Blösch?” asked Casey. “I’d much rather be doing this with his endorsement.”

“Something came in a minute ago,” said April. “Let me check.” She opened the communications interface. “Yes, it’s from Blösch. He welcomes the esteemed Captain Cartwright and her honorable crew to Trionides—especially the Rhyondan Rampart, Hero of Rocksaugh. Regarding our investigation into a hostile alien presence, he can’t officially condone any actions that would jeopardize the safety of his citizens, but he wants to meet us in person after we’ve landed.” She faced Casey, wearing a curious expression. “He sent the address to his personal estate, not his public office.”

“Photo op, I bet.” She glanced at April. “‘Rhyondan Rampart…’ Is he talking about Orin?”

“I imagine so, considering the shields he created and how Rhyondan he is,” said April.

“Okay, smartass,” said Casey. “How did he get associated with the Battle of Rocksaugh? That was classified as a Falcon military operation. There wasn’t any press about Orin at all!”

April typed into her browser. “Wow,” she said, and she swiveled the screen toward Casey. “It’s all over the t-net.”

Casey sighed. “Wonderful. Has anyone mentioned Orin by name?”

“A handful of New Cal college students seem to be on his trail, and there’s that security guard we talked to, but no one’s taking him seriously,” said April. “I think for as long as we keep the Skyler Stern persona in good standing, Orin’s real identity should remain secret.”

“Good.” Casey skimmed April’s search results and tapped the screen. “There! This is helmet-cam footage from Rocksaugh. One of Falcon’s marines leaked this.”

“It could’ve been stolen,” said April.

“Doubtful,” said Casey. “Falcon gear is notoriously difficult to hack.” She chewed on the inside of her lip for a moment. “Damn it. Someone connected Rocksaugh to the night club.”

April took a deep breath. “I suppose it was just a matter of time.”

“If this ever gets back to MABAS, we’re screwed,” said Casey. “Well, it sounds like Lord Blösch replied with a very diplomatic ‘no,’ which means we’ll have to move in the shadows. Did he specify a time he wants us to stop by?”

“No specific time, and he didn’t confirm yes or no, either. The endorsement certification is still blank,” said April.

Casey stared toward the distant wall of sun shields as she considered. “I bet someone’s reading his mail. He wants our help, but he has to make it look like he doesn’t.”

“It’s more likely that his assistant forgot to check the box,” said April.

“Possibly,” said Casey. “We know some of the things those xenos are capable of, and that could make for some serious eggshells to navigate. It’s possible they’ve got Blösch over a barrel. Let’s send a response: we’d be honored to accept his invitation and will visit as soon as we can.”

April nodded, and she began drafting the message.

In time, landing control guided them to the Sunset Beach starport. Casey touched down and taxied to a nearby hangar. As she completed the post-flight routine, the rest of her crew geared up. Malmoradan tightened his tactical vest and grabbed his duffle bag, following Shona, Mike, Nimbus, Orin, Edison, and Cajun as they disembarked.

Nimbus stood before a tool cart, running her fingertips across dozens of devices. Dark brown, wavy hair sprouted from her scalp. “Everything’s so clean,” she said. “If not for minute signs of wear, I’d think none of these tools had ever been used.”

“Nimbus, are you feeling okay?” asked Mike.

“Miguel Santos, I’m fine.” Her BICOM vest hung slightly off one shoulder, and she pulled it back into place. “Why do you ask?”

“You’re using contractions.”

“As are you,” said Nimbus. “I’m trying them out. In my previous form, I feared their imprecision, but now I experience an odd sort of yearning to belong with the group. The nuances of my prior speech patterns caused me to stand out in a way I find… undesirable.”

Orin hugged her sidelong. “That, dear Nimbus, is called social awkwardness. Don’t worry, it never goes away, no matter how many contractions you use or don’t use.”

“Orinoco Webb, I want to thank you for your reassurances.” She leaned into him enough to throw him off balance. “Let me know when you’re ready to offer me any.” With a playful wink she sprang away, her boots clomping as she swiftly closed the distance to the others. Gracefully spinning to face Orin and Mike, she shouted, “Come on!”

“That was sarcasm,” said Mike, and he cast Orin a sideways glance. “She learned it from you. I want you to know that.”

“How dare you!” said Orin, and he held his hands to his chest. “I don’t have a sarcastic bone in my body! Besides, she was being