Relic Tech (Crax War Chronicles) (18 page)

“He was,” replied Chief Brold. “Senior Engineer McAllister is trying to identify it. Maybe after this interview we can consult her and figure out a bit more.”

Interview? Try interrogation. “I’m not sure there’s much more to tell. Other than maybe payback, for whatever I helped foil.” Was it something illegal Stardz tried to plant? The obvious break-in would quash any frame-up job.

The chief saw my mind racing. “Is there anything you’d like to add, Specialist?”

“I don’t think there is anything else I can add.” It was vague but let him take it however he would.

“What do you mean by, ‘can’?”

I sat up even straighter. “Exactly what it means, sir.” I knew that answer would delight him almost as much as being called sir. In the back of my mind, the image of water swirling down a drain formed.

“That’s good to hear, Keesay.”

“Chief?”

“I’m not going to compel you to lie. Too much file work involved in that. Karlton gave me enough details.

Was that Simms’s first name? It seemed so long ago. Chief Brold must’ve correctly interpreted my expression.

“Your Corporate Inspector Simms.” He chuckled. “Maybe I’ll tell you about him sometime. But while I’ve got you here, let me go over your duty assignment.” He checked the chronometer above the door. “And give McAllister a little more time to report.”

His tone said we were following his agenda. I was interested in my new assignment, but more interested in what Stardz had been up to, and what Field Director Simms had told my boss.

None of the five reported outer colonies are located on habitable planets. Two are large space docks located in asteroid belts. Two orbit different planets in the same binary system. The final one, located on a moon orbiting a Jupiter sized gas giant, is shared with the Chicher.

Located over 300 light years away, the joint colony functions as a hub for the other outer colonies. It is one of the few ventures where multiple corporations have acted in unison for the benefit of mankind. It is also one of the few large-scale, far-seeing operations where the Capital Galactic Investment Group has been shut out. It is believed the Chicher wanted it that way. Some say it takes one rat to sniff out another rat.

The
Kalavar
was short of security with several auxiliary team members having primary duties in other areas. In addition, the marines were to assist during transit, but only if necessary. I got the impression the chief wanted to avoid involving them. The only other thing I learned, before we were interrupted, was that a delayed shipment included my company communications gear.

“Understood,” Chief Brold answered into his collar. A hint of surprise passed over his face before fading into concern. “I agree, Senior Engineer McAllister. Specialist Keesay and I will await your arrival.” He nodded again. “Contact Specialist Club. Have her change the entry code before you leave.” His brow furrowed. “It doesn’t matter. Security is responsible for any access code changes.”

He wasn’t happy with the response. “You wait there,” he said. “I’ll send Specialist Liu to secure your lab until Club gets there. Then report here immediately. Out.” He shook his head and held up a finger before returning to our conversation.

He tapped a corner of his desk screen. A class 2 administrative specialist entered from the adjoining room. She wore a navy blue jumpsuit with a gray-green armband indicating a secondary duty assignment as a security specialist.

I stood as did Chief Brold. “Specialist Krakista Keesay, this is Admin Specialist Li Liu, who serves as my assistant.”

Liu’s physical features reconfirmed her name’s Asian ancestry. Sometimes people change their name, or even their outward appearance. It didn’t appear that Specialist Liu did either. I waited, on the off chance that she might offer her hand. She didn't.

“Welcome aboard, Specialist,” she said, before turning back to the chief.

“Liu, contact Club and have her change the access code to the engineering research lab. But it might be a while. She’s in
Medical with the cleanup crew. I want you to post outside the lab until she completes her task and relieves you.” He paused. “Use communication protocol Prime Two.”

Liu frowned. Her eye shifted to me, then back to the chief. “Understood, Chief.”

“Good. Prevent access to the lab, except for McAllister and myself. And Club, of course.” He checked the chronometer. “Contact me if Club hasn’t reported to you within the hour.”

“If any of the engineering or tech staff should desire entrance?”

“They can contact me or McAllister.”

“I’m sure they’ll contact you, Chief,” she said before returning to her office.

“Keesay, pull over another chair for Engineer McAllister when she arrives.”

I did and sat down while he tapped past a few screens on his desk. “Keesay, your file says you’re adequate in the use of computers.” He pulled a pen from his desk and scribbled something on a slip of paper. “Here’s the access code and password to your onboard account.”

Chief Brold’s handwriting was small and precise. I placed the paper in my breast pocket and looked up, waiting for him to continue.

“You have Level D clearance for access to information and records. When you log in, you can set your own password as well as secondary security. For you, finger print, voice, or iris scan.”

“Can I set additional parameters? Like a minimum time frame between keystrokes?”

“That’s possible.” He leaned back and smiled. “Not the trusting sort.”

“Not exactly, Chief.”

“Just what do you know about computers?”

“Not much. I’ve had some basic programming, but very little in hardware support.”

He nodded and skimmed a few more files. “While we have a few minutes, are there any other surprises that I should know about?”

I thought a moment. Surely Specialist Club found the popcorn nukes. “You mean like the lock?” When he nodded, I tugged at my belt buckle. “I have this buckle blade. I had some brass knuckles, and will try to replace them.” I sheathed the blade. “I recently picked up some old-style grenades, and I have advanced AP rounds for my duty revolver.” I scratched my head to cover my nervousness. “A vial of potent muscle relaxant. I also have two .002 kiloton cased fusion explosives.” He didn’t seem surprised. “Their configuration focus is to emit a high powered electro-magnetic pulse for communications disruption.”

“I didn’t know about the blade, and Club sent the vial to
Medical for analysis. She located the devices you mentioned, along with the AP rounds. She actually might’ve missed the nukes, except for the need to re-inspect your cart.”

“Will my popcorn nukes be confiscated, Chief?”

“Is there any reason you should have them aboard the
Kalavar
?”

“They’re personal property. Obtained legally. I am trained and certified in their use.” I looked around. “Obviously their use aboard a vessel would be of limited value. But—”

The chief cut in, “Catastrophic is the term I’d suggest, if detonated onboard.”

“I can think of several situations where they could be utilized effectively and safely.”

“So can I. And they’re a stretch, Specialist. I’ll consider it, but I doubt you’ll retain possession.”

He didn’t dismiss retention right out of hand. “If you do choose to take them, I would like to request compensation.”

“Exactly how did you come by them? Certainly out of a C4’s salary range.”

“Honestly, I am not at liberty to say, other than they are of pre-ban manufacture and legally obtained.”

“I don’t doubt that.” He glanced down at his desk. “I’ll inform you of my decision. You can keep the AP rounds. Little chance they’ll penetrate the outer hull. You’ll have to speak with Dr. Sevanto about the drugs.”

He tapped a few more screens. “You’ve got a false screen, just after your record of graduation until your duty on Pluto. Bet you a buffalo nickel that’s when you got your nukes.”

How could he tell it was a false record? “Sorry, Chief, I don’t own a buffalo nickel. I do have a Queen Elizabeth head penny.”

“I have a Lincoln head, Keesay, and I wouldn’t wager either lightly.”

“Neither would I, Chief.”

“Whatever you were into back then, it’s what got you assigned to the
Kalavar
.” I wasn’t sure what he was getting at. There wasn’t much to say as he scanned my files. “How much more trouble are you going to stir up?”

“None that I know of.”

He didn’t look convinced. “In my experience, Keesay, some people just attract trouble, intentional or not.”

“I’ll do my best to avoid it, Chief.”

“I’m sure you will. But like I said, with some people it’s just natural.” The chief rested his hand on the edge of his desk. “Kind of like a raccoon.”

“A raccoon? I’ve been called a lot of things. Never a raccoon.”

“Not an insult. Just an observation.”

“I don’t see the connection.”

Chief Brold leaned back and slid his red toothpick back into his mouth. “See, raccoons are pretty smart as far as animals go. But sometimes they get into places they don’t belong. Get into mischief, intentional or not. Sometimes a lucky raccoon’s activity goes unnoticed, or ignored. But, eventually, every raccoon gets the hounds set on him and he’s in for a scrap. A raccoon’s long-term survival depends on resourcefulness. And luck.”

“And the determination of the hounds,” I added. Maybe the chief had hunted
raccoons, but I didn’t see where he was going.

“So, Keesay, why would an R-Tech head out into space?”

“Restlessness. Adventure.” Maybe the raccoon skin fit a little. “I’d like to be recruited by the R-Army GASF.”

“This is one route,” he said thoughtfully. “Believe it or not, this assignment just might increase your prospects.” He glanced at his desk. “Senior Engineer McAllister’s coming down the hall.” He sat up, removed the toothpick. “Our little discussion before, Keesay. She’s one hound you don’t want on your trail.”

“Noted, Chief.” I stood and turned as the door slid open. In walked a slender girl, or woman, brimming with energy. Senior Engineer McAllister, or that’s what her dull orange coveralls and nametag read, along with her shoulder stripes indicating specialties in software, hardware and electrical engineering. What surprised me was that a medium class transport would have a senior engineer competent in multiple areas. That paled, when it registered that such a qualified engineer appeared to be years younger than me.

Luckily she didn’t take notice of my expression. Instead, she began to tear into the chief. “Security Chief Brold, did I not make it clear that the lab was to be secured?”

The chief replied in a laidback voice, “Yes, you did, Senior Engineer McAllister. That’s why I directed Specialist Liu to stand guard until Specialist Club arrived.”

“You sent your secretary! How marginally efficient of you.” McAllister’s small frame seemed barely capable of containing her emotions. On the other hand, her wild red braids were right on target. She might even be cute, when not spouting off.

Chief Brold sat down, and indicated for Engineer McAllister and me to do the same. “Engineer McAllister, Specialist Liu is up to the assignment. I appreciate your concern.” He nodded toward me. “Specialist Keesay has been brought on to bolster our understaffed department.”

I looked at her and said in a neutral voice, “Good to meet you, Senior Engineer.” When she turned my way, I noticed that her eyes differed. The left was green, the right blue. The second thing I spotted was an immediate pupil contraction.

“You!” she accused.

Several long seconds passed. I unsuccessfully tried to recall ever meeting Engineer McAllister. With my recent run of luck, I prepared for a physical assault.

“Brold, you hired this man?” Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the chair.

“The company did, and I approved.”

“Since when did Negral make it policy to hire murderers?”

Well, that narrowed it for me. Must have been the Colonization Riots.

Chief Brold said, “I’m not aware that Negral Corp supports a policy of hiring convicted felons for security positions.” He leaned forward. “If you would like a transfer to personnel, McAllister, I can arrange it.” His voice was low, and menacing. “Now, I believe you graced us with your presence because you had something to report? Get with it or get out.”

She shot me an icy stare. “The newest member of your security staff had an advanced technology explosive device attached beneath his possession cart. Superficially, it appears of Chicher design, but the sensing mechanisms and inner components are more advanced. Not Umbelgarri or Crax caliber.” Talking technology calmed her. “Information’s sketchy on the V’Gun, but the sensors might be their design. The micro-explosive fusion device appears to be Felgan, at least superficially. No human components.”

“Rare, smuggled parts,” said the chief. “More difficult to trace.”

But could narrow the field of suspect organizations. I started to express that observation, but thought better of it. The chief would realize it. Stardz must have planted it.

With a searing glance my way, McAllister continued. “Strong enough to blow through this transport’s decks, and maybe breach the hull, if detonated close enough.” She sat back and began to pick at her fingernails. “The reason I decided to confer with you here is the fact that the sensors, almost certainly set for partial facial scan, can penetrate most walls standard to transports.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “Extremely low energy emission. Hardly registers, and I knew what to look for.”

“What you’re saying,” said Chief Brold, “is that Specialist Keesay could trigger the device even by passing a deck below it?”

“Possibly. If it’s set to scan for his image. It may have passive voice sensors. It may be set for more than just him.” McAllister sat up straight again. “It’s beyond my ability to analyze further with the resources available on the
Kalavar
.”

Chief Brold nodded. “I’d imagine you took quite a risk determining that much.”

“Limited,” she said. “I recognized the potential hazard immediately, and relied exclusively on optical scans for my initial assessment. Some passive analysis devices, checking for radiation and various spectra information ruled out known corporate manufacturers. It’s not configured for remote detonation.” She leaned forward and placed a hand on the chief’s desk. “In essence, the device and its components haven’t been tampered with. And should remain intact.”

“Agreed,” the security chief said. “We can reasonably assume it’s not set for you, Specialist Club and Specialist Liu.”