Chapter Two
***
Netto sat stiffly inhis seat as his eyes roamed over the planet Kepler. He hadn’t been back in nearly forty years, not since he and a band of other Cyborgs helped oversee its procurement.
Even from the stratosphere, all he could see was water. Endless in every direction on a planet ten times larger than Earth. They were headed for the Eastern hemisphere where several small human settlements existed in agri-lots gifted by the government.
There were many different types of agri-lots on Kepler, but most sat empty. Only the few that lined the borders of the ocean had been claimed. One would think it was because of the beautiful views those lots had, or the ease of transportation, but no. It was because of the gem deposits from the sea.
The nuggets were precious and in high demand by everyone, especially the Earthian military, and were a much-needed resource for the EPED and any department or corporation that was spaceside.
Netto lifted his gaze from the sapphire waters to the glass shield that protected him from the atmosphere.
He could make out his reflection in the glass; a large man, grey-blue with tight skin, sitting in a chair that was too small for his massive frame. He sat like a statue, but uncaring about his own discomfort. The man in the window wanted this mission to be over so he could go back to his life in Ghost City.
The auditory system crackled on and interrupted his reverie.
“This is theOppressionrequesting entry,” Zeph said.
A man’s voice came through from Kepler’s central control, “You the guys sent by the government?”
“Correct. We’re heading for the Montihan settlement and request access to land.”
“Granted. Shields disengaged.” Coordinates flooded the screen as his partner turned the ship toward their destination.
“Thank you, over and—”
“Was wondering when they’d send someone about the murders.”
Zeph was cut off by the controller.
Netto shared a look with his partner.Murders?It flashed in his own eyes and Zeph had the same question in his. Netto shook his head.
“What murders?”
Land appeared on the horizon. Netto typed in the coordinates for their landing zone as they waited for a reply. The ship veered and slowed down.
“The workers for the agri-lots. I suppose you’re not here for them if you haven’t heard about it, but over the last four months, three men have disappeared on shift. All without a trace, all out on the job, and no leads whatsoever.”
“You’re right, we haven’t heard about them. Thank you for updating us,” Zeph responded.
“No problem. Good luck on your mission.” The audio cut out.
Netto felt nothing for a couple of dead men, but he heard the slight tap of Zeph’s finger against his armrest.
He waited for him to say something. HeknewZeph would say something. They were opposites in every way and where his partner was charismatic, he—well, he was himself.
Netto turned his attention to the approaching landmass and the roiling, wild green that glowed with vitality in the distance. Far beyond the beach, an outcropping of fields followed by forest and mountains came into view. It was beautiful in that undiscovered, wild way, where an itch of adventure choked the breath out of you regardless of the dangers.
Netto’s ears twitched as Zeph parted his lips.
“You think the murders are related?”
“No.”
