Chapter 3 #2
She raised one slim brow. “You mean the idol I sold? Gone.” She wandered along one bookshelf, studying the volumes. “So, the lure of Earth was too strong for you to resist?”
“No. It wasn’t the main reason I came.”
She turned. “Oh? And what was that reason?”
The time for games was over. “You. I came because of you.”
Nera went very, very still. Then she leaned against the wall. “That’s a foolish reason.”
“I don’t think so.” He took a step closer to her. “I decided it was time to explore what’s between us.”
“What’s between us?” She made a scoffing noise. “Rivalry. Oh, and the fact that I routinely beat up you and your brothers.”
He took another deliberate step toward her, and saw her tense. “We both know that there’s more than that.”
“You’re deluding yourself.” She pushed away from him and crossed the room.
“Then why are you shying away from me?”
She spun back, her eyes sparking…but just then, the library doors opened and two men strode in.
The moment broken, Nik watched her slide back into the shadows at the edge of the room. Reluctantly, he turned his attention to the newcomers. He recognized them both immediately.
Jonas Solomon was tall, with a lean, muscular build, blond hair, and a face Nik was sure the ladies loved. He was twenty-four years old, and making a name for himself as a successful treasure hunter. He gave Nik a nod.
Nik nodded back before turning to look at the other man.
He barely controlled a grimace. Alexei Gunn was mean, and just about Solomon’s opposite in every way.
Gunn was known for careless cruelty, and for trailing other treasure hunters, killing them, and stealing their finds.
He had a short, stocky build and a ragged scar over his left eye socket and cheek.
The eye was clearly an implant and glowed neon green.
The man was a snake, and Nik wouldn’t trust Gunn to have his back on a hunt… ever.
“Phoenix,” Gunn grunted. “Didn’t think you liked getting your soft hands dirty. Thought you left that to your brother.”
“Gunn.” Nik ignored the rest of the man’s words.
“Never thought I’d see the day Niklas Phoenix steps out alone without his brothers to hold his hands.”
Nik took a deep breath. Gunn was scum. It wouldn’t pay to engage him. “How did you like seeing that empty spot on your shelf where that Kavalian Vase should have been?”
Gunn’s face turned red.
“And that other spot where you last saw that Terran sword you stole?”
Gunn made a spluttering sound. “It was you! You and your damn brothers who stole those from me.”
“Gentlemen,” Dr. Luma-Symthe bustled in. “Please, take a seat.”
Galen followed her in and stayed by the door. He crossed his arms over his chest.
A muscle in Gunn’s jaw ticked and he looked like he wanted to explode across the library and attack Nik. Nik had to admit to feeling pretty darn good about it all.
The astro-archeologist set her Sync down on the large holo-table in the center of the room. “We’re just waiting for our last hunter to arrive.”
“Who?” Solomon asked as he flopped down into a chair.
Luma-Symthe crossed her hands together. “Nera Darc.”
Niklas watched the others. He saw Solomon’s eyes widen, but other than that he controlled his reaction.
Gunn wasn’t so controlled. He blanched, then covered it by puffing out his chest. “That bitch? I don’t want her anywhere near me.”
“Yeah, heard she disabled your ship the last time you crossed paths with her,” Solomon said, a smile playing around his lips.
Gunn’s small eyes narrowed. “That’s not what—”
“I heard she took your finger,” Niklas said quietly.
Gunn flexed his left hand. He wore a black glove…with one finger missing. “She’s a galaxy-class bitch. Women shouldn’t be treasure hunters. They’re only good for breeding or fucking.” He looked at Avril. “Employers excluded.”
Avril shot him a cold look. “And as the employer, I select who goes on this hunt. If you don’t follow my rules and get along, you’re off.”
Gunn made a sucking noise and sank back in his chair. “You’re the one with the e-creds.”
Avril looked at her timepiece. “Now, I asked Darc to be here. I wonder where she is?”
Nik raised a brow. “Oh, she’s here. Listening to everything you just said, Gunn.”
Avril blinked. “Um, I don’t—”
Nera dropped her camouflage and stepped forward. “Gunn, anything you want to say to my face?”
The man swallowed, his face twisting. Nik recognized a mix of fear and bravado. “Screw you, Darc.”
Nera turned away from him. “I didn’t think so.”
“Welcome, Ms. Darc,” Avril said.
“Just Darc is fine.”
Avril cleared her throat. “Okay. Well, now that we’re all here.
Let’s make a start and talk about Earth.
We haven’t yet decided on the exact locations on the planet to search.
I’d like all your recommendations.” She grabbed a Sync off a nearby desk.
“You’ll have twenty-four hours to send me your ideas.
After I review them, I’ll finalize our plan.
” She shot them all an excited smile. “The Institute’s number one priority is to secure valuable artifacts and gather intel on the planet.
Oh, and that everyone does it as safely as possible.
Agent Ryant and his security team are here to ensure we all stay safe.
” She nodded at the silent agent near the door.
Nera leaned closer to Nik. “This one talks a lot.”
And Nera was a woman comfortable with silences.
Avril continued. “Tomorrow, we stop at Enterprise Station to take on our final supplies. You’ll all be able to go on-station for your own needs before we leave.
From Enterprise, there is another day’s journey to the new Sol Bridge.
It’ll put us right in Earth’s star system.
” The astro-archeologist bounced a little.
“And then the fun begins.” She clapped her hands and pressed a button on her Sync.
A 3D projection of Earth filled the central space in the library.
Nik glanced up and saw discreet projectors built into the ceiling. Then he looked back to the land masses and oceans of Earth.
Avril’s face was illuminated by the mix of dark colors. “Amazing, isn’t it? The planet of our ancestors.”
Nik looked at the shades of gray and black. He knew that once it had been greens, blues, and browns, and bursting with life. Now, it was just a dark shadow of its former self.
“Now,” Avril said. “How about we brainstorm some options on where to begin our search?”