Chapter 19
Armathea
Orbiting Calypsta
Garrett and Quinn stood before Odin, both attired in matching Taleari uniforms: sleeveless dark grey tunics with a row of silver buttons, a broad black sash belted at the waist and draping to one side, form-fitting ebony trousers, and polished black boots reaching the knee.
“You both know the plan. Land at the designated rendezvous point. Since our scanners indicated he overshot it, you will need to lie in wait for Reyne to show up. I would prefer him alive, but feel free to kill him if needed. Understand?”
"We get the picture." “Got it.” They both replied at the same time.
Odin nodded in approval, then began to pace the cargo bay with long strides. "I'm sure I don't need to remind the two of you just how important this is to Kendra’s safety, but I will reiterate it anyway."
Quinn rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Yeah, yeah, spare us the lecture, Odin, so we can get on with it.”
“I am counting on the fact that you will both put your differences aside, for the time being at least, and work together as a team." Odin’s narrowed gaze shifted between the two of them. "I realize this may be difficult but just focus on Kendra.”
A tense silence engulfed the cargo bay as Quinn and Garrett eyed each other.
"I believe we can manage," Garrett agreed. "Right Quinn?"
"Yeah, sure. No problem.”
''Good." Odin forced a tight smile. "Now that that is settled, we have one last problem to overcome.”
Garrett and Quinn frowned in unified confusion.
Before Odin could explain further, the cargo bay door slid open. Tia bounded in holding a gray rectangular-shaped contraption. "All finished." she announced, skidding to a stop before Garrett and Quinn.
Tia cocked her head to one side, then the other as she studied them with a curious expression.
Garrett's braided blond mass of hair was neatly tied at the base of his neck.
Quinn had removed his hooped earrings. They could almost pass for Taleari guards—almost. Garrett was too blond, and Quinn was, well, Quinn.
Somehow, he still looked like a common thief, just in uniform.
"Humm, I think the uniforms fit very nicely and you both look handsome.
" She whistled her approval. "I never could resist a man in uniform. "
Quinn thrusted his chest forward and stood taller. Seeing her grin, he added a bit of dramatics and mimicked Odin’s commanding expression, and he flexed his arm muscles.
Tia laughed at his amusing antics.
Garrett glanced over to see what had entertained her. His eyes rolled. “You’re so pathetic.”
"Don't mind him," Quinn advised Tia with a sly smirk. "He's just jealous that I look better than he does."
"Me? Jealous of you?” Garrett roared with laughter. “As if."
"Shall we get on with this?" Odin scowled.
Quinn draped an arm over Tia’s shoulder. His voice dropped to a low whisper. ''Odin's jealous, too. He doesn't have a uniform to make him look good…see, look how he watches us with that fierce frown...he's angry. He wants his own uniform."
"Knock that shit off, Quinn. You have work to do," Odin barked, his voice echoing throughout the cargo bay. “Tia, please proceed before I do bodily harm to someone.”
Tia cleared her throat. “As it stands right now, neither of you can pilot the Taleari ship." She walked over to the vessel and pointed to the control panel located next to the landing plank. "It’s secured by handprint authorization. Similar to ours."
Garrett frowned. "Now what?"
“A severed arm?” Quinn suggested with a hopeful expression. “Just find me a saw.”
“Unfortunately, no. A severed arm won’t work, Quinn.” Tia scolded him with an eye roll. “The panel also requires a heat signature. Luckily, with some help from our Dracarian database, I’ve already solved the problem. Both of you, hold out your right hand.”
Despite being skeptical, they both obeyed her firm order. One at a time, Tia inspected their palms and hand size before announcing. “It has to be Quinn. He is the closest match.”
Garrett snorted.
Quinn frowned. “A match for what?”
Tia held up a grey rectangular contraption with a wide hole in one end.
"Inside this box is a thin membrane imprinted with Captain Zander’s handprint.
” She continued. "Quinn, you will slide your hand inside, like you would slide your hand into a glove.
Once inside, the membrane will automatically shrink to fit your hand perfectly.
This will allow you to fool the security system. "
Quinn nodded in understanding.
“The membrane is very thin and can easily be damaged, so you need to take extra special care not to ruin it.”
Garrett pushed Quinn out of the way with a childish shove and offered Tia his hand. "Let me be the one then. Quinn will just screw it up.”
"No, I won't." Quinn defended with a frown that wrinkled his brow. “Screw off, Garrett.”
"I’ll repeat.” Tia snapped. “Quinn's hand is the closest in size, so he will be the one.” She handed the box to Garrett with instructions and grabbed Quinn's arm. She guided his hand through the opening. Tia switched the unit on and waited while the membrane shrank.
A bell chimed when the task was completed. Quinn removed his hand.
"So how does it feel?" Tia asked, her dark eyes shimmering with hope.
Quinn held his hand up, stretched his fingers, opened and closed his fist several times, and inspected it. "Fits like a tight glove.”
"Good. Now go see if it works." Odin suggested pointing towards the hijacked Taleari vessel located on the other side of the cargo bay.
Quinn strode over to the ship to press his hand against the control panel. A second later, the landing plank descended with a resounding series of clanks and a whoosh of steam. Quinn glanced at the trio with a broad smile. "It works." He disappeared inside the vessel.
Garrett took a step towards the ship, but Odin halted him with a raised palm." I programmed Armathea’s secure signature into their communication center. You know the code. Keep the channel open at all times. We will contact you should there be trouble.”
"Got it."
“One more thing.” Odin looked at Garrett, his expression grave.
Garrett quipped a blond brow.
“Don’t screw this up.”
“I won’t.”
Odin didn’t miss that Garrett said I won’t, and not we won’t.