Page 64 of Phoenix's Last Heist
“Ada,” I grit out. “Ventilate Lyra’s room, and tell me what you know about Epsilon-6.”
Fans whir to life, and the soft breeze is cool against the clammy sweat on my skin. My heart sinks as our mingled scents fade, but if I can’t get a grip on myself, I won’t be any good to her.
Epsilon-6 is a Titan-class space station in the Farin sector. It’s on several key trade routes, making it a primary hub of financial and commercial traffic. The station is divided into districts, each overseen by a merchant governor and its own force of local Federation law enforcement. There is a resident population of 312.4 million, but that fluctuates within 1% daily owing to the high traffic comings and goings on the station.
“So, trying to find a random undercover Federal agent will be harder than finding an ice cube on Pluto,” I say, despair leeching into my tone.
While I cannot provide the identity of Lyra’s contact, I can provide the location at which she was initially approached. Data indicates this would be a good starting point for finding your ice cube.
“Thanks, Ada. If I take one of the ear comms, what’s the range? Will I be able to stay connected to you if I leave for Epsilon-6 and Lyra takes the ship back to Ooneryx?” I ask, casting around to see if there’s anything I missed. My gaze lands on Spike, who’s almost outgrown his small cup-holder pot next to Lyra’s pilot chair.
There is the possibility of interference and loss of signal, but if we remain in the same galaxy, we should be able to stay connected. Long-range communication with my systems has not been attempted. Lyra has never had cause to do so.
A thread of sadness tugs at me at the thought—how lonely she really is beneath her insouciant exterior. Not for much longer, if I have anything to say about it. On an impracticalimpulse, I pluck Spike from his resting place on the console and tuck him in my bag, as well. I don’t know if Lyra will have the chance to feed him, and unlike the biosphere, Ada cannot automate his needs. The thought of the ugly little plant withering away in theAldrin-136is more than I can bear.
I double check the biosphere settings and take a look around for what I hope won’t be the last time, detouring once more to Lyra’s room. The pulse of my need rises again, but is soothed when I allow myself a deep inhale of Lyra’s pillow. Her scent calms some of the chaos in my blood, and cements my resolve.
I will go to Epsilon-6, find the agent, bring justice down on Brill’s head, and spend the rest of my life convincing Lyra that being with me is light-years better than being alone.
Sure. No problem.Slice of cake.
17
lyra
One Pill, Two Pills…Who’s Counting?
“For the last time,I told you that asshole ranger took me by surprise, stole the idol, and gave me the slip back on Mallorus,” I explain, exaggerating my words like I’m talking to a child. “How else do you think I ended up with a face looking like this?”
It’s the first time I’m grateful Fobos’s enforcer did a number on me, since it makes my story that much more believable. The swelling of my eye has gone down, but the fresh bruises and healing cuts are enough to give me some credibility.
“Honestly, Kraxis, I’m glad you guys showed up here. After I left Mallorus, I had every intention of going straight back to Ooneryx, but my ship was damaged—all thanks to that ranger—and has been malfunctioning. I wouldn’t have been able to make the trip if the crew of theHephaestushadn’t heard my distress signal and offered to help,” I say, gesturing to Evie, who’s sitting in her office with her arms crossed and murder in her gaze.
I hope it isn’t directed at meentirely.
“What Phoenix says is true,” Evie nods. “We received her distress call and she arrived here alone. My crew will vouch for that. I’ve had my mechanic working on repairs to her ship, and they’re just about finished. Once the ship is space-worthy, I’ll look forward to being compensated by your boss for the materials—and the trouble.”
Kraxis glares at her, but she doesn’t flinch. I come up off the edge of the desk where I’ve been leaning and hold out my hands in a universal gesture of surrender.
“I’m telling you—that Xylothian screwed us both over. He stole Oglor’s plasma rifle and had me at gunpoint back on Xylothia! I’ve been trying to figure out how to get away from him this whole time,” I drawl.
“Enough of your lies!” Kraxis hisses. “Your fate is not mine to decide, unfortunately. I certainly had more imaginative ideas, but by rights you are Brill’s to punish. He ismostdispleased with yet another failure, Lyra Phoenix.”
“Yeah, well, what else is new?” I grumble.
Dread has become a permanent resident in my gut, along with self-loathing and regret. The small part of me that’s afraid of what Brill has in store for me pales in comparison to how wretched I feel for betraying Orion’s trust. I’veneverfelt regret for lying to save my own ass, but the way his face fell when I told him about the Fed from Epsilon-6…it was worse than being cut with a rusty blade. The fact that I’ve inadvertently been leading Brill toward a weapon of planet-destroying power is worse than salt in a wound.
And instead of properly apologizing, asking him for help, and trying to fix my own damn mistakes, I sent him away.
“We don’t have time to wait for whatever haphazard repairs your second-rate mechanics will blunder through,” Kraxis growls at Evie. The slight to her beloved crew has a vein ready to burst in her forehead, and I’m certain if the other fiveVoid Stalkers weren’t crowded into her already cramped office alongside the ever-present Drellers at her back, she’d beat the ever-loving snot out of Kraxis.
“TheAldrin-136isn’t fit to travel yet,” she says through gritted teeth.
Kraxis waves away her concern. “That dump wasn’t fit to travel before it left Ooneryx,” he sneers. “We’re towing it back in our tractor beam.”
I suspected as much, but I’m nevertheless disappointed that I can’t squeeze a few more hours onboard theHephaestuswith Evie. Still, leading theEdax Deorumand its band of brutal miscreants far away from Orion and the idol is my number one priority, and there’s no time like the present to ensure my criminally hot, lawful pain-in-the-ass has a chance to undo at least a few of my mistakes.
“Secure your things, Lyra Phoenix. We’re leaving shortly. As to yourcompensation,Ms. Redfern, we could offer to come back with sufficient remuneration, but I don’t really think you want us returning to your station, do you?” he says in a low, threatening voice.
