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

“I’m curious,” said Casey. “Lord Blösch mentioned it, as I’m sure you remember, but crime in Sunset Beach really did take a nosedive since you started walking the beat. Except for missing persons cases. Those have skyrocketed. Why is that?”

Nathaniel lit another cigarette. “It’s not what you think. I can tell you that much.”

“What else can you tell me?” asked Casey.

“I wish I could help you, for one. I hope you’ll win somehow, but I know you can’t,” said Nathaniel.

“Why’s that?” asked Orin.

Nathaniel nodded his way. “Let’s just say the numbers aren’t in your favor.”

“We could change the numbers,” said Casey. “You could join me.”

“I really wish I could,” said Nathaniel.

She studied him intently. “You’re a binary—I know it. I felt it when I first saw you. Listen, if you’re UBA, I can help. I can help you.”

Nathaniel smiled distantly and shook his head. “You almost got me, Cartwright. Almost. You sounded so damn sincere.”

“So, you admit you’re a binary!” said Casey.

“I can’t admit to something I’m not,” said Nathaniel.

Casey’s phone buzzed, and Florin’s face appeared above his number. “Hold on a minute.” She tapped her commlink, answered the call, and started recording it. “Officer Cartwright speaking.”

“It’s 8:15,” said Florin. “Are you having trouble finding the place?”

“We’re taking the scenic route,” said Casey.

“That seems unlikely,” said Florin. “Where are you, Officer Cartwright?”

“Not far,” said Casey.

“But not where you said you’d be,” said Florin.

April’s voice came in over the commlink. “Someone is using the transmission towers to triangulate your position. I can bounce your signal for a little while, but I can’t make any promises if you don’t hang up in the next thirty seconds.”

“Lord Blösch, you can stop pretending,” said Casey. “We know you’re working with Schurke.”

Florin sighed. “I’d have preferred doing this at the tavern. Now we’ll have to track you down, and there could be significant collateral damage as a result! I’ll tell you what. If you and your team head over to Jump the Moon right now and hand Orin over peacefully, no harm will come to you. I swear it, on my seal of lordship.”

“Casey, hang up!” said April, but Casey ignored her.

“You can’t really make that promise though, can you? You have no idea what Schurke’s planning,” said Casey. “I think I’ll take my chances, thanks.”

Cajun spoke into his commlink. “They’re on the move, mon Capitaine. Looks like they’re all headed for the that sky bus.”

“You’re joking,” said Florin, and he regarded Casey with a smug grin. “You have to be joking, because only an imbecile would fail to see that it’s hopeless winning a fight against Schurke’s binaries. You’re no imbecile, Officer Cartwright.”

“It’s a longshot,” said Casey. “I’ll give you that much, but it’s not hopeless.”

“They’re lifting off,” said Cajun. “Thought ya should know.”

Suddenly the screen jostled, and Schurke appeared within the display. “Listen here, Cartwright! I’ve gone to great lengths to secure Orin Webb. You ignored a direct order when you refused to deliver him to the Ixion MABAS lab! Because of his participation in Falcon’s bloody and unprovoked attack against an independent fleet, Orin has been branded a traitor to his nation and deemed a war criminal! That’s a direct result of your actions. Now, the only hope for freedom he has left is in the care of the United Planets military.”

Casey laughed. “We’re calling Blacktusk’s Buccaneers an independent fleet now, huh? As to the rest of that schlock, I have the contact info for a dozen rehab centers that can help you get clean today.”

“You dare insult me,” growled Schurke.

“Not at all,” said Casey. “I figure there’s only three ways you could actually believe all that garbage you just drummed up: one, you’re delusional; two, you’re an idiot, or three, you’re on drugs. Since you’re still an admiral, I figured it couldn’t be the first two. Well, maybe the second one, but my money’s on drugs.”

“I could destroy Watchtower with the push of a button,” said Schurke.

“Ah, but I’ve been recording this call,” said Casey. “And since binaries are believed to be involved, I wasn’t required to inform you of it beforehand. Unfortunately, the evidence Eridani collected against you only proves you’re militarizing binaries. The rest of it’s circumstantial, so proving you’re responsible for what you did at Cavern Lake will be very difficult, but…” Her tone grew menacing. “If you push that button and kill my deputies, this call is all the evidence I need to put you away for life. And if you think your status as a war hero will save you, you’ve never seen the IPF mobilize to avenge one of their fallen.”

She abruptly ended the call and tapped her commlink. “Think that got under his skin?”

“It sure sounded like it on my end,” said Mike over the channel.

“Yes, he’s flustered.” April’s voice sounded a bit staticky. “Casey, they’ve initiated landing procedures.”

“That’s all right,” said Casey. “I want them to find us. There’s only one place they can land right now, and that’s the starport. It’ll funnel them straight to us.”

“April, it’ll be all right,” said Malmoradan over his commlink. “Mike and I are in position.”

The distinct sound of the lightning gun charging hummed in the background. “Locked and loaded, Captain,” said Shona.

“Good,” said Casey, and she released a calming breath.

Nathaniel whistled appreciatively. “Cartwright, you’ve got some brass ones.” He took a long pull on his cigarette as he closed the distance between them.

“Get ready with the flower,” whispered Casey. Orin nodded, and Casey focused on Nathaniel. “It seemed prudent to remind him of the stakes.”

“I doubt it’ll be much of a deterrent,” said Nathaniel. “The Admiral’s justified dozens of heinous acts, all under the banners of military superiority and galactic security. He won’t have any trouble talking his way out of blowing up your starship.”

Orin stepped close. “That’s never going to happen.” Blue fire burned around his forearms. “Watchtower’s close enough for me to shield her.”

“Maybe I should’ve been a little scared of someone who can block salvos of