Page 177 of Star Claimed Omega
As they dragged Rexus and his fallen sentinels away, the command office console flickered as Signet override codes rolled across the screens.
Cybele was theirs now, and Santi, despite the ache still shackling his chest, welcomed the familiar rhythm of impetus returning.
30
Chapter 30
SANTIAGO
Anew batch of riffraff from the underbelly of Cybele Station staggered through the doors of Signet Security’s HQ.
They stank of sweat, unwashed pits, and dying bravado.
Kaal and Santi shoved the pair of disgraced Accord Legion rats into the temp brig set up in the rear of Lieutenant Darro Rexus’ former office, now theirs.
The door hissed shut with satisfying finality.
‘Another lot of massive babies crying for their mamas,’ Kaal muttered, cracking his knuckles.
‘Or rather gigantic stinkers. Doesn’t this freakin place have another lockup?’ Santi growled, wrinkling his nose, his entire essence affronted. ‘Our guests reek foul.’
‘Nada, this is it, XO. Get used to hosting a few fruity friends with their musky, heavy molecular scents that are downright bizarre. Must be the algae on the station.’
Miral sighed and rubbed her temples. ‘Please, both of you. Call it a stink and let’s be done with it. We’ve more important shit to do.’
She was deep in the station’s system, her fingers dancing across a secured data pad as code scrolled like water down glass.
‘Rexus was dirtier than a Targon sinkhole,’ she called out. ‘He skimmed from every shipment that passed through Cybele. He even spliced his wife’s accounts with export tax credits. A real family man.’
‘Anything actionable?’ Santi asked.
‘Plenty,’ she said. ‘I even found a holo of him crying while being beaten up by a cartel mob boss so he’d sign off on a bribe. I might frame it.’
Santi cracked a wry smile, but it didn’t stick.
Not these days. Nothing amused him for long.
‘Thirsty from your jaunt?’ Miral asked.
When both men nodded, Miral handed them one of the drinks from the rec station’s kitchenette.
Kaal’s face twisted with disdain as he took a swig. ‘Fokk, this is watery sludge pretending to be a stimulant.’
Santi sipped and gulped, choking. ‘What is this? Battery fluid?’
‘It’s the machine in here, it’s brew stinks,’ Miral replied dryly.
‘It’s flavored like dirty soapy water that Kaal wrung out of his socks,’ Santi grimaced.
‘Careful,’ Kaal grunted. ‘My hosiery has seen war.’
Miral smiled. ‘Sounds like you’d be up for some of the bestkahawathis side of the sector.’
Santi eyed her over the brim of the offensive drink. ‘Spill the tea or in this case thefokkin’ kaffeine.’
She didn’t even blink. ‘There’s a place near Junction Two. Called theKahawa Metro. An old-world fusion approach to bringing fresh beans roasted in-house. They even offer a cold-pressed brew. You’ll want a cup from their awesome new barista.’
‘How doyouknow about it?’
