Stark Surrender (20 page)

“More coffee?” Natan asked.

“Ah, no. That was delicious, thank you.” She pushed her empty plate away with a regretful look at the tray of muffins. “I want to speak with my brother. Do you know where he is?” Natan had an uncanny grasp of the workings of Stark’s household, and the activities and needs of its denizens. Kiri had realized this during her stay with Logan in the scraper.

“The family has been given access to most of this building,” Natan said. He brought up a holovid of the building, and pointed at the different levels. “Top level, offices. Next level medcenter, where Mr. Stark is resting. Next, living quarters for staff, along with galley, dining and conference rooms. Below that, the penthouse, and finally, the techlabs. I believe Mr. Berenson invited your brother to view one of the labs.”

Kiri nodded. She had heard Logan mention various labs where LodeStar techs of all kinds could work and confer. But she had no idea what they produced. Couldn’t be anything that bad. Logan was a businessman, not a supplier of top secret military weaponry.

“Thanks, Natan. I’ll head down there, see if I can find them.”

The elevators in HQ were capacious, as well as swift and silent. Kiri’s whispered to a stop, a quiet voice announcing “Lab Level”.

The hatch slid open to reveal a silent passageway, with the lights dimmed to a nearly twilight level.

Kiri stepped cautiously from the elevator, starting when the hatch slid shut behind her. She looked to her right, and saw nothing but the passageway curving away.

This floor seemed to have a central core, but unlike the med center and offices, there were no windows to look through, and no multi-faceted holodisplay to reveal activity around the passageway.

She was sure the display existed, because LodeStar HQ was ruthlessly high tech and efficient. But she had no idea how to bring it up.

As she moved a few steps to her left, she heard a whisper of movement ahead.

“Hey,” she called. “Bronc? Is that you?”

No one answered her. Well, at least Bronc or some other LodeStar uniform hadn’t ordered her sternly to get back on the elevator and go upstairs where she belonged.

She walked slowly along, then stopped as she saw movement in the shadows at the curve of the passage. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. She’d give a lot to be able to manipulate these cursed lights.

“Hello?” she said, her voice huskier even than normal. “Who’s there?”

No one answered, and thoroughly creeped out, Kiri stopped in her tracks, ready to head back to the elevator. But instead, she froze as out of the shadows advanced a creature straight out of a nightmare.

First, two long, jointed, black legs appeared, followed by two more. By now, she could see the glistening body suspended in the middle, higher than her head and nearly as big as a hovie, and followed by more legs.

As Kiri stood, frozen on trembling legs, two red eyes opened, gleaming at her with ferocious intent.

It was some kind of giant spider, and it was coming for her—and Peabean.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The feminine scream through Bronc’s com was so full of terror he shot out of the chair where he’d been drowsing, head back against the wall of the LodeStar HQ medcenter reception area.

He’d intended to take Kai on a tour of the building, but been diverted into a conference with his security people when they let him know there had been suspicious activity on the holocams around Stark’s scraper. Bronc had scrutinized the vids, and ordered security doubled there.

He wouldn’t put it past this Mordacity to be planning something. He believed Mr. Stark dead, so he might be intent on taking over some of his holdings.

After a nearly sleepless night and a long morning worrying about this, Bronc was so tired he’d sat two or three moments ago and instantly dozed off.

Now he dropped into a half-crouch, laser already in one hand, security com in the other as he scanned the area. It was quiet, the only movement the pretty tech at the reception desk, who was on her feet, eyes wide. “What is it, Mr. Berenson?”

Bronc realized the scream had come thru his com just as the door opened and Kai te Nawa flew through it, eyes wild. He wore only snug black pants, an orange shirt in his hands.

Great God beyond, he was beautiful. The receptionist thought so too, from the glazed look in her eyes. Bronc shut his own attraction down, working his com to get building surveillance up.

“That was my sister,” Kai called. “Where is she? What’s happening?”

Bronc was already moving toward the door, holstering his weapon. He beckoned to Kai to follow him. “She’s fine. Just somewhere she’s not supposed to be.”

Kai followed him into the elevator. He yanked his shirt over his head and glared at Bronc

“Stark better not be terrorizing her again,” he bit out. “Is he loose?”

Bronc shook his head. “No! He’s flat on his back in a medcot. But listen, Kai, what you’ll see when you get off this elevator—stay cool, all right? Promise me, no weapon.”

“Why?”

Bronc crossed his arms, standing before the doors as the elevator touched down and stopped. “Promise me, or you don’t get out here.”

“Fine,” Kai snapped. “Now let me out before I laser you.”

Bronc led the way off the elevator, jogging along the corridor until they reached the scene of the trouble. Kiri stood flattened against the wall, while before her stood a huge spider, red eyes gleaming, and legs twitching as if eager to close in for the kill.

* * *

Kai dashed past Bronc and grabbed his sister, pulling her into his arms and then backing them both away from the monstrous arachnid.

Bronc laid a hand on his shoulder, speaking to them both. “It’s okay. You’re in no danger.”

“W-what is that th-thing?” Kiri croaked. Bronc peered at her and cursed under his breath. She was pale under her golden skin tones, both hands clutched over her middle. Kai didn’t look much better.

“No danger? How can that monster be safe?” Kai demanded, reaching to his belt.

Bronc grabbed his wrist and held on. “You’ll see. Patroc!” he bellowed. “Back off! And come the quark out of there, so they can see you.”

Slowly, the top of the creature’s body separated, lifting into halves. A human head popped up, and an arm waved. A wiry, young man shoved a pair of goggles up on his red mop of curls and grinned down at them. “Yo! It’s a fine day for a stroll, eh?”

“It’s a m-machine,” Kai said wonderingly. “Hells, I thought ...”

Then he let Kiri go and started forward, anger in every line of his body. “It’s a fine day for you to be taught a thing or two about frightening innocent visitors, you stupid Ingo,” he yelled at the tech. “Come down here, or I’ll come up.”

Bronc sighed. “Kai, stand down. We don’t get civilians down here, that’s why Patroc assumed she’d know the spider is an experimental vehicle. Patroc, apology please.”

The redhead looked taken aback by Kai’s anger, and possibly the name-calling, but he nodded. “Yes sir, Mr. Berenson. Sorry, ms. Didn’t mean to scare ya. Uh, wanna ride? You can see first-hand, get rid of all your nerves.”

“Who, me?” Kiri asked, her voice cracking, “Oh, no. No, I’m fine, thank you. Just go on about your ... experimenting.”

Kai twisted and looked back at Bronc, his eyes alight with interest. “I wouldn’t mind a ride. Actually, I wanna drive one.”

Bronc nodded. “Fair enough. Pat, how many do we have operational?”

“This one and four more, sir. Got a nice little silver one that’d be just right for the lady.”

“You head back,” Bronc instructed. “We may join you.”

Patroc saluted and disappeared into his spider, then turned and scuttled it away. The realism of his vehicle in the shadows even gave Bronc a little chill. Kiri shuddered visibly.

“C’mon, Kiri,” Kai coaxed. “It’ll be a lot less scary from the inside. And if you like it, I’ll buy you one to bring home.”

Kiri heaved a sigh. “Okay. But don’t you even think about buying one of these. I don’t want to meet giant spiders climbing over my garden wall, and neither do the neighbors.”

Bronc and Kai were smiling as they walked into the lab. Bronc because he was pleased as hells to have some time to spend with Kai, and because Kai’s sister, whom he knew Mr. Stark still wanted, had proven herself game as a warrior.

She’d had the piss scared out of her one moment—although not literally, he was glad to note—and now here she was ready to take on one of the new spider crawlers herself. Not with much enthusiasm, granted, but she was game.

Leading his guests into the deep, cave-like room, Bronc had to admit the spiders were a fearsome sight. They crouched in the shadows as if waiting for prey.

“These seem a little out of Stark’s business line,” Kai commented.

“Mr. Stark likes to let LodeStar’s tech arm try out ideas, then he funds the manufacture if he thinks they’re useful. These were built to take on rough terrain such as cliffs and even caves. You’ve heard of the AquaTerraCon Expedition on Frontiera?”

Both Kai and Kiri nodded. They looked interested, so he kept going. “The scientists will want to explore places you can’t fly a cruiser or a hovie into. The spiders can climb vertically, even upside down like a real spider. These five are ready to ship to Frontiera.”

“I’d say your techs went a little over the top,” Kiri said with a grimace. “These resemble real arachnids more than a vehicle.”

“Agreed,” Bronc said wryly. “For the actual expedition, they’re gonna have to fly fluorescent flags on the vehicles so no trigger-happy settlers try to kill what they may see as monsters—even though diplomats will fan out ahead of the expedition, visiting settlers and any natives they can find.”

“Are there native peoples on Frontiera?” Kiri asked.

“I’ve heard of some in the tropics. Believe one of ‘em works for LodeStone Mines.”

“I’d love to see those tropics,” Kai said, a faraway look in his eyes.

“Maybe you will someday,” Bronc said with a smile. “For now, lets get you set up with one of these.”

Bronc chose the smallest spider for Kiri. Of silver cerametal, it didn’t creep her out quite as much as the darker models. The red eyes were only headlamps. And the cockpit, with just enough room for a driver, was surprisingly comfortable. Standing on the outside ladder after she’d seated herself, Bronc leaned in to show her the various controls. She eyed them without enthusiasm.

He pointed to a glowing red control in a corner of the instrument panel and gave her a stern look. “Do. Not. Touch. That. This thing is weaponized, can take down a predator or an unfriendly if needed. You got that?”

She nodded her eyes wide. “I get it, believe me. No touching the red button.” Although if she pictured Logan standing in her sights just for a sec, that was her secret.

Bronc nodded. “All right. Then let’s take this one for a walk.”

Kiri manipulated the joystick as Bronc instructed. She tensed as the vehicle carried them smoothly forward, then back, the jointed legs flashing. She widened her eyes at Kai, who was atop another spider, leaning on the outside of the cockpit while he waited for Bronc.

He gave her a thumbs up, and grinned. His excitement made her glad she’d agreed to come along. He deserved to have some fun in the midst of chaos.

“Okay,” Bronc said. “Just push that little button for the safety harness, and you’re good to go.”

Kiri grimaced as the harness slid out of the seat behind her and enwrapped her snugly, over the top of her shoulders as well as around her torso. “Does it have to be so tight?” Especially on her belly. But Peabean was too tiny to be harmed, she reminded herself.

“You’ll be glad to have it when you go up the wall, and really glad when you’re upside down on the ceiling,” Bronc told her.

“Ugh. Good point.” Her stomach wobbled as she gazed at the bumpy walls of the faux cave. Right, these were built for climbing and clinging.

“Okay, push the green button for the canopy,” Bronc said, backing down the ladder to the floor. “Same button when you’re done. And don’t worry if you forget how to work something at first. We can all talk on our coms, make sure you’re comfortable with the controls before you do any climbing.”

Kiri walked her spider around the huge room, in and out of the other spiders and then over a large hump at the end of the big room, following Kai. Her brother sent his black spider scuttling swiftly across the floor and over obstacles, although he did fall sideways off of one small hummock.

“Whoa, there. Get your legs under you, that’s right.” Bronc followed him in the biggest crawler, a dark dull gray, then turned and beckoned to Kiri with one of his spider’s front legs, grinning at her from the cockpit when she laughed.

“C’mon, you two are slow as skrogs,” Kai called, and began to climb up the wall.

Kiri swallowed hard, and then followed him, picking her way up the wall, all the while expecting her vehicle to fall to the floor, taking her with it.

“You’re fine,” Bronc said behind her, his deep voice soothing. “Your spider’s not gonna let go of the wall. I’d explain the tech behind that, but it would take a while. Just know it works. If these can carry my weight across the ceiling, they’ll barely feel yours. And if they ever did fall, a grappling line shoots out and grabs the nearest surface, so you can rope down.”

Kiri watched as Kai reached the top of the wall and headed out across the cave ceiling. What Bronc said made perfect sense, but the thought of venturing out after her brother made her stomach knot. It was too … uncontrolled. Anything could happen. She bit her lip to keep from calling to Kai not to go out there either.

“I’ll pass on going upside down,” she said. “I’m just gonna go a little farther up.”

“That’s fine,” Bronc said. “Do what you’re comfortable with. Not a contest.”

Her heart in her throat, Kiri forced herself to walk her spider up to the top of the wall. Then she made the mistake of looking down. She and Pea could fall all that way, just tumble like a piece of space rock.

“Oh my God,” she muttered, icy sweat prickling on her skin.

“Kiri?” Kai called. “You okay?”

“Look over at me, honey.” Kiri forced her gaze sideways, and Bronc gazed back, steady and reassuring. “Now, I’m gonna back down,” he said in that same calm, soothing voice, “and you’re gonna come with me. I’ll stay beside you every step of the way.”

Kai’s spider scuttled back across the ceiling, and down the wall on her other side. “I’m here too. You’re gonna be fine, sis.”

Kiri nodded, although a squeak hovered in her throat as she forced herself to press the controls. Step by step her spider backed slowly down the wall.

“You did it,” Kai said.

“You want out?” Bronc asked. “Or you wanna just practice on the level?”

Kiri took a deep breath and let it out. “I’ll walk around on the level,” she said. “And thanks.”

Bronc winked solemnly. “My pleasure. Kai, you wanna go back up and try turning around? You can come back facing down.”

Kiri rolled her eyes to herself as she picked her way back across the hump. Oh, didn’t that sound fun, coming back down face first? Ugh. She didn’t mind being up high, just preferred to be on something solid on her own two feet or aloft in a well-maintained craft.

She did get comfortable moving faster, however, and she grinned when Kai commented on her speed and skill at cornering around the parked vehicles.

“Eh, it’s just a big espresso machine on legs,” she said, then snickered at the look of disgust on Bronc’s face. She was good at running different kinds of machines, it seemed—although coffee machines at least stayed on flat on the counter where they belonged.

“No racing, te Nawas,” Bronc warned. “We’ve gotta deliver these in top shape.”

“You calling me reckless?” Kai asked. He waved at Kiri before dashing back across the cave roof.

“Yes,” she and Bronc chorused.

Kiri’s com chimed a moment later, however. “Kiri,” Joran’s voice said in her ear. “Where are you, honey? Need to talk to you.”

Kiri stopped her spider in the middle of the floor, alarm tightening her throat. “What is it? Is Logan—”

“No, no,” Joran said. “He’s fine. This is about him, though. I need your assistance.”