Chapter 126: The Break-in
“Some of the worst plans in history have worked simply because no one thought anyone would have the audacity to try them.”
—CID Master Detective Hiorda Watt
Reida had told the truth about one thing—the data facility was hard to miss. A metal cube, easily the size of one of Kaado’s floating islands, was held up by four support beams jutting from the ocean. The facility floor was suspended a few hundred feet above the crashing waves.
“The landing bay should be on the top floor,” Reida said. “When we get in, expect company—and quick. Might be best to wait for them to come to you. Like I said, say you’re there to speak to Kazlo and they might be accommodating.”
“There’s more uncertainty here than I’d like,” Zaina grumbled.
Reida shrugged. “Uncertainty’s the name of the game in this line of work. Can’t expect a reward without taking a risk.”
“Okay,” Baeus interjected. “We’re pulling in for our approach. Zaina, are you ready?”
She stood, taking a deep breath and giving him a stoic nod. Baeus detached his hover-bed from the ship’s central console and floated beside her.
“Reida, do take care of the ship. And before you think of running off with it, know that the Order can track it anywhere in the known galaxy—including Tedano.”
She rolled her eyes. “Pretty arrogant to assume this ship is even worth my time to lift. No cannons, no room for crew or cargo—pretty useless.”
Zaina scoffed. Before she could respond the ship rocked and touched down; the door opened, and she strode out without another word. Baeus was right behind her, and the hatch closed once he was clear.
The landing bay was like most others Zaina had been to; large stacks of cargo crates lined the walls and corners, with palleteers transporting towers of the massive boxes to two elevators on either side of the back wall. Noticeably, Zaina and Baeus’s ship was easily the smallest in the bay—every other ship was large enough to transport goods, and almost all of them had cannons.
“So,” Baeus said. “You trust her?”
“No,” Zaina replied. “Not even a little. In fact, I’d happily see her rot in prison when this is all over.”
“I take it your first meeting with her wasn’t productive?”
“I’ll tell you about it sometime,” she replied, her head swiveling to look around for the security force Reida indicated would greet them. “For now, all you need to know is that she’s going to fuck us over somehow. We have to keep an eye on it, and it should be fine.”
Baeus smiled.
“What? She’s a murderer. Seriously. Don’t take her lightly.”
“No, I am,” he replied. “It’s just—so much excitement, you know? I’ve never been on a mission like this before.”
She chortled. “They don’t let you out of the library much, huh?”
“No, rarely ever,” he admitted. “We scholars don’t get sent on the exciting missions, unfortunately.”
“Well, let’s hope it doesn’t get too exciting,” she replied. “Look, I think they’ve noticed us.”
Three individuals were walking over, two of whom were heavily armored. One was an android, or heavily modified with cybernetics; their body was shiny and black, with a sleek, elongated metal head resting atop it. The other two were human, and considerably smaller than their friend. The human leading the three wore no armor, opting instead for a bright green-and-gold business robe tied by a blue silk sash encrusted with Othran rubies cut into perfect spheres. He had skin the color of clay and bright blonde hair, and looked to be in his early twenties. His unwavering green eyes and well-carried posture spoke to a sense of self-assuredness. He spoke first, and loudly.
“Rare that we get visitors! Especially unexpected ones, and especially those of your… professions. I can only assume that you two are lost and in need of a course correction, or perhaps, an emergency fuel resupply.”
Baeus floated forward. “Quite the contrary, my friend. My name is Baeus, and it seems you already know who we represent. We’ve come meaning no harm, and we have no intention of placing you or your colleagues under arrest. In fact, if we can achieve our ends, we’d be happy not to involve the authorities in any capacity.”
“That does please the ear,” the robed man replied, “though I’ve little trust for you or your lot. The Order of Riiva is no friend, and never has been, to my employers, or myself. It is quite vexing, though—little do we wish to be your enemies, either. If you’ve come as part of an official investigation by your Order, state it.”
Baeus didn’t blink. “Our investigation is strictly classified, I’m afraid. And even if it were not, I doubt my employers would look kindly upon leaking information to an unauthorized audience. I’m sure you understand.”
“Consider that, from my end of things, you are the unauthorized audience asking for access to information and resources I may be duty-bound to protect,” the man said. “It seems unfair to ask for something, and to give nothing in return.”
Baeus replied, “If your concern stems from this being a direct investigation of you or your employers’ activities, I can assure you it is not. I cannot tell you the direct aim, but I can guarantee that it is not your organization. It is an urgent matter, though, and one which would preferably be handled discreetly; though if that is not your wish, we can return with the CID, a proper strike team of lancers, and sort this out that way. It does seem to be quite an inconvenience for us all.”
The armored human’s hand twitched toward his gun—Zaina took a step forward, ready to draw her cipher and activate her hex-shield at a moment’s notice. Instead, the robed man raised a hand, and his ally relaxed.
“Easy, now.” He sighed and turned toward Baeus and Zaina. “There’s no need for escalation. My name is Kyral Jetane, and I am reasonable. Speak what you came for, and we shall see what arrangements we can make.”
“We’ve come seeking to interrogate one Kazlo Kamu, possibly also known as, ‘Ghost.’ We have it on good information that his last known location was here.”
“Ah,” Kyral said, scratching the back of his head. “I’m afraid that name isn’t terribly familiar to me. Perhaps you might have better luck on the main islands.”
Again, Baeus didn’t flinch. “Perhaps he was moved here without your knowledge—it’s worth a check, I think.”
The robed man cleared his throat. “People do not get moved to this facility without my knowledge. If there was a man here by that name, I assure you, I would know of it.”
“Then there must be some sort of mistake. Or perhaps he was recently transferred? If there’s anything you can tell me of his whereabouts, I’d be glad to hear it. It would be fortuitous for us all if the two of us found him, wouldn’t it?”
The gold in Kyral’s robes glittered as he crossed his arms. “Perhaps it is worth a check.” He fussed with the vis-screen on his wrist for a moment.
Zaina felt odd weaponizing the Order’s reputation, but if it helped fix Gizmo, she was all for it. Especially considering who she was dealing with, she decided not to feel guilt for throwing the Order’s weight around.
“Ah, yes,” the robed man said. “It appears I was mistaken. We have Kazlo locked in a secure cell on floor three. How long will you need with him?”
“We can’t be sure of that.”
Kyral sighed. “You’ve certainly done everything in your power to make this as vexing as possible, haven’t you?”
“Perhaps we could borrow him,” Baeus said. “Let us take him on our ship, back to our facilities on Kaado. When we have everything we need from him, we’ll bring him back.”
“I’m afraid that deal as it stands will be unacceptable. Kazlo is an asset to my organization. My organization does not expect any missive with the Order to be upheld; therefore, without up-front compensation for the time he’d miss, we can’t proceed. However, if it will empty your landing zone faster, I’d happily do all I can for you: one hour with Kazlo.”
Zaina nodded. All they needed was to get into the room—they’d figure out the rest from there.
Baeus seemed to be of a similar mind. “If that is all that can be done, who are we to refuse it? Now, will you show us the way?”
Kyral frowned and gestured toward his android companion. “My guard will escort you. There are other matters to which I must attend.”
“We appreciate your cooperation,” Baeus replied.
“One hour.” Kyral glared and turned with his human guard, leaving the large android behind.
Zaina leaned over to Baeus. “That was amazing.”
He gave her a confused look, his brow raised. “Huh?”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s follow the big guy.”
The big guy hadn’t started moving yet, but it did start speaking in a completely robotic voice. “Instructions received. Visitors authorized. Stay within a five meter radius or you will be marked as intruders.” It spun around and began walking at a brisk pace toward the far wall, where a wide stairway led down into the bowels of the Tralgon cartel hideout. Zaina and Baeus followed closely.
“All right,” Baeus said, his eyes teeming with excitement. “I have a good feeling about this.”
Zaina wished she felt the same way. She wasn’t used to things going this smoothly, especially considering who was involved. Neither Reida nor Kyral were to be trusted, but their exact deceptions had yet to be revealed. Her hands curled into fists, and she was ready to summon her cipher at a moment’s notice as she followed Kyral’s android into the dark stairwell.