Chapter 14 #2
“So, there are others resisting the Federation?” Fia murmured.
“Something like that. I have my theories on their origins and motivations, but nothing concrete. We’ve been getting quiet help from them in exchange for procuring supplies and intel for years now.
They always target Feds, so we’ve started calling them shadows.
Taking out the light of Sol, and all that. ”
Theos let out a little chuckle and shrugged.
“Plus, they’re mysterious and broody, so the moniker fits.
They never deal in credits, but they keep us well funded.
Palladium, specifically. And on more than one occasion, they have made some of our Sol problems disappear with nothing left behind but an energy signal and some shrapnel. ”
Fia took a sharp breath, feeling the prickle of excitement on her skin. She had wanted a way to help, to push back, to fight for her people. This was exactly what she had hoped to find. These “shadows” could be her chance.
“So, what is the part of this we need to be bracing for? I am not yet seeing the downside,” Fia said, a tinge of worry coloring her voice as she tapped her now-empty glass.
Theos nodded gravely. “They’ve gone dark, pun not intended.
Sol went on the defensive after some patrols went missing last month.
They started snatching TCIP agitators, and in one of their raids, they bagged an operative from our shy friends.
Whoever it was, it was someone big, someone important to these heavy hitters. ”
“So we’re stuck at a standstill.” His voice dropped, and he slicked his tendrils back in exasperation as he continued.
“We’ve got leads, we’ve got theories, and we’ve gotten intel that he is still alive as of last Thursday.
But our shadowy friends made it clear they won’t lift a finger until they get their guy back.
I think they suspect we had a hand in it, or maybe they’re just being defensive, but… ”
“And this is why you were glad to find a Sentu,” she breathed.
“Don’t get me wrong. I would have been excited to find any of my kin, especially kin that have evaded getting choked in this monstrosity,” he said, gesturing to his Pactbind. “But I won’t lie. We need help, and someone who can dive into datastreams is exactly what we need.”
Theos poured another round for the trio. This time, Fia held hers without taking a drink. Swirling it, keeping her eyes on the movement while she tried to swallow down her own steadily growing concern.
“What sort of help, exactly?” Davik asked.
“TCIP doesn’t have the resources to comb through every Fed station in the system to find the guy. But we have to get him back. We were finally making real progress here, but without their support, we’re back to square one with no hope of ousting Sol from TC, at least in my lifetime.”
“Do you know why this operative is important? And notably, why Sol are keeping him alive? I do not mean to be morbid, but they were not known for tolerating hostiles to live, unless that has changed since my time.”
“Not morbid. I had the same question, but no answers. I know the Sol Forces around here have been focused on grabbing the old-world clade folk lately. Not sure why, but it can’t bode well.
Makes me think our missing operative is a relic, too.
” Theos stopped and tilted his head towards Davik.
“Clade is … hard to explain. Like how Fia is a Sentu. It’s just old Icthian breeding, but it scares the shit out of Sol. ”
“Well, she did just crack into a secured databank fueled by nothing but street food and coffee. I get why they’re spooked.”
Fia chuckled at the compliment, but the levity fell when Theos caught her eye. He looked distraught, his tendrils dull and lightless.
“You’d be helping us set a lot of things right if you helped. But I joined TCIP because they value agency. I won’t guilt you into this.”
A primal urge tugged at the back of her mind.
Her oath, taken all those years ago, was to serve the Sovereign and her people.
Even with the Sovereign lost, Fia couldn’t suppress that innate drive.
It was that strange fluttering feeling in her chest that told her to set her sights on what she needed to do to protect those who mattered to her.
And I felt that same flutter when I saw Davik in danger.
How curious.
How … complicated.
“That would require sweeping the entire system. I can only pull small streams, local data,” Fia murmured. “Without my equipment, I do not know if it would be enough.”
“Well, what if we got that diving bell of yours done in a rush?” Davik asked. “We’ve already got the schematics nearly worked out. It won’t be perfect, but could that help?”
“It could, but,” she turned to nod at Davik with a weary smile. “You are spread too thin, and I still owe you a missing brother. ”
“You’re running yourself ragged as well, Fi. Though, hey, if TCIP just wants to front the cash to spring my brother out…”
“Boy, you think we’ve got coin sloshing around?
” Theos snorted. “We lost our sugar daddies. We’re broke.
Most of us are back to patching our ships together with glue and wishes.
That being said, there’s a reward for finding this guy.
And it is steep. On the order of twenty mil,” he said, pointing at Davik.
“They only operate with palladium for compensation, but I doubt you’re too averse to non-traditional coinage. ”
“Holy shit…” Davik said, excitedly rubbing his hands together.
“Okay, Fi, hear me out. Two birds, one stone. We finish the bell. Carissa and I help you find this guy. We return him to sender. Get paid. Use the coin to spring Marius. Then all three of us take a well-earned vacation with colorful drinks that have tiny umbrellas in them with the — oh my God — the fifteen mil that would be left over. What say you?”
The pounding rhythm of her heart echoed the sound of warships she could hear in her mind.
This moment sat on the periphery of rebellion, and it called to her.
Even while that sweet human looked at her with soft eyes and dreams of ease far away from what that rebellion could bring, the thought of joining the fray brought her a sick comfort she felt guilty imagining.
Once again, she was on the precipice of revolution. And she wanted to dive in, consequences be damned.
“I think that is a brilliant plan.”
Theos made a small noise of amusement. “Is there anything I can offer to help? Other than credits, naturally.”
“This observation tank of hers, it needs some specific materials. Any chance you know a good supplier for piezoelectric ceramics on this station? I know Driska has some scrap hounds.”
“Ping me with what you need. I will see what we can get you. Are you able to stay at least for another four hours on-station? It won’t take much longer than that. We’ve got a trustworthy courier on staff that can deliver.”
Davik nodded, peering down at his datapad. “Itinerary keeps us here for another six, but we can push out if necessary.”
Theos shook his head. “No, keep on your schedule. Your smuggling keeps you moving, keeps you under the radar, and makes her a moving target. With everything that’s been going on, I don’t want you to shake things up and draw any attention while she hunts for this guy.
Don’t linger here longer than you need to.
But go do something normal before you go. ”
“What do normal people do here?” Davik asked. “No offense, just. This isn’t my usual stomping ground.”
Theos chortled. “Buy some secondhand parts in the scrap district, or … actually.” He rose from his spot and walked around to face Fia, scrutinizing her. “When’s the last time you had a mineral treatment?”
Fia was suddenly reminded of physical exam days, and it made her gills flatten in petty indignation. He gestured to one tendril near Fia’s face and gave it a clinical squeeze, making a tut-tutting noise. She recoiled a bit at the touch. It wasn’t painful, just embarrassing.
“Go to the soaks, up on deck five. You’re not consuming enough fatty amino acids. Your scales are dull, and it’s an unnecessary infection risk,” Theos said, looking down at her with his arms crossed.
Fia hung her head. “Hundreds of years after the war is lost, and I am still finding a doctor to nag me about my nutrition.”
“Not a doctor, just a medic. Wouldn’t pester you if you kept up on your scale care,” Theos said, his smile wide. “Go, get out of here. I have to figure out your supply logistics.” He pointed at both her and Davik. “Deck five, soaks. Go on. And Fia?”
Fia rose and turned towards Theos with a tilt of the head.
“Skila T’eta,” he uttered in solemn Teelish.
That ancient rallying cry. “The grounds shift, and we press on.” She smiled and echoed the words, holding her hand to her chest.
Davik joined Fia, shooting Theos a salute as he rose.
“Don’t— God, I’m not a soldier, Dav. Get out of here, and stay out of trouble, and make sure she’s eating properly!”