Unity by Carl Stubblefield (epub read online books TXT) 📕

“Do you realize how I’ve hung all my hopes on finding her again? I never doubted that we would be together again. It’s what has kept me going all these years. We are linked, Gus; I can see her icon on my display every day, and it is a constant reminder that she is still alive. Very few super couples reach that synchronicity—ever. I just never questioned exactly what state she would be in when I finally found her. What will I find waiting for me if—and that’s a big if—we can even get past Mengele and rescue her?”

“Is he really that bad?”

“Oh, he’s all that and more. And he’s never been caught. All that’s been found are the macabre results of his evil work. Things that are worse than any sane mind could conceive. The fact that she’s here in Hinansho where people experiment and alter their bodies without any oversight doesn’t help my mind from spiraling out of control with the horrific possibilities. It’s no wonder Mengele has a base of operations here. I suppose I should be grateful that Gwen was recently moved here, although that’s cold comfort. He has her, and nothing will be right again if we can’t get her away from him.”

“Everything will work out,” Gus tried to console his father, but the words sounded hollow even to his own ears.

“Tempest, Gus, Aurora—do you read?” Seneschal’s voice crackled over their internal comms.

“We’re here,” Tempest said, his voice brightening. Gus was impressed how his father could project an aura of confidence and control while his face was still pinched and furrowed with worry. He had no doubt his father would erase those physical signs when back in front of the Crew. “It’s good to hear your voice again, Seneschal. Is everyone alright?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle, but those bastards were tenacious. I would have been here sooner, but I wanted to make sure we lost them for good before meeting up again. How are things on your end?”

“We finally know where she is, after all we’ve been through.”

“I see…” Seneschal replied, almost forlorn.

“It’s not all good news, however. Mengele has her…”

“Mengele’s here? We need to hurry, then. Who knows what he has planned? Or how long she will last?”

Tempest winced as if slapped. He took a second to regain his composure before he spoke. “Agreed. Send me coordinates, and we’ll meet up with you when you find a place to land. We have a lot to plan.”

“Will do.” Seneschal clicked off the comm.

“Let’s find Aurora and get the hell out of here,” Tempest growled, his voice affectation gone, revealing his frayed nerves.

Gus followed as Tempest marched into the crowd, hitting shoulders and barreling through people as they made their way through the press of the busy marketplace. Gus shrugged apologetically to those who bore the brunt of his father’s lack of patience as they scowled back at the pair.

Tempest made a beeline to Aurora, who was finalizing a purchase at a stall with trays and multiple bin organizers with tiny drawers for even smaller components.

“I’m sure you’ve heard. Are you about finished here?”

“Yes, they had more than I expected! I’m excited to try some new designs.” Her excited tone became somber as she turned and saw Tempest’s expression.

“Great, follow me. Seneschal just sent me rendezvous coordinates. The sooner we get underway, the sooner we can put this all behind us.” Tempest turned quickly and began plowing through the crowd again.

“Sure, sure.” Aurora cast a quick glance at Gus who grimaced.

She mouthed, “What happened?” to which Gus only shrugged. Grabbing her purchases distractedly, she followed Tempest to a crowded landing zone surrounded by food vendors. Gus’ stomach growled as the tasty scents of food hung in the air, but he knew Tempest was on a mission and would not wait.

“Mmm, rations it is, I suppose,” Gus muttered to himself as he looked longingly at another market-goer eating a skewer of grilled meat. The transport lifted off almost as soon as they were aboard. Tempest had sent the coordinates ahead to Seneschal, and she was wasting no time in heading to their final destination.

Grimdark met them, glad that they had reunited with the Crew safely. He went into an animated retelling of what had happened to the Crew. Gus was sure he took some creative liberties, but it was an entertaining tale of how Seneschal had pushed the rickety transport to its limits and managed to lose their pursuers, who were in a Mach Corvair.

“How did we ever beat someone here if they had a Mach Corvair? I hope we didn’t make any enemies. Our competition has some deep pockets if they were using a Corvair for courier work,” Aurora said, eyes wide.

“Custom weapons package as well. Everything top of line. We speed off when they pick me up. Seneschal very, very good pilot,” Grimdark explained, showing the most emotion Gus had ever seen him display.

“Everyone to the common room. We need to plan en route. We’re getting my wife out of there!” Tempest barked over the ship’s comms.

“I’ve never seen his edge-lord side,” Anastasia replied.

“He’s using it to mask his worry, don’t take it personally,” Harmony replied as she walked by, her hand trailing along Grimdark’s shoulders, noting his change in demeanor with Tempest’s command.

Does she flirt with absolutely anyone and everyone? Gus thought, just as Harmony looked directly at him and winked.

Gus followed the Crew as they entered the main central area of the transport and awaited Tempest. He appeared in the doorway leading to the cockpit, and held onto an overhead pipe in the exposed ductwork as he surveyed the Crew.

“Is everyone here?” he asked severely, eyes searching and mentally cataloging the team. “Where the hell is Darik?”

“Oi, right here!” The Keeper replied, pulling his head out of a panel, headlight flashing in the group’s eyes. “Just tweakin’ things; they got a little misaligned during our romp through Hinansho.” Seeing Tempest’s expression, he ripped off his headlight and fell into place