Gus shot off a quick message.
Kyle,
There are people on Titan who don’t belong.Find them.
Vague, but Kyle was smart.If Tuann were on Titan, he’d digitally hunt them down for her.
Gus took a sip of her chai before settling in to check what else had been happening on Titan while she was gone.
There were several messages from her supervisor that Gus ignored.She was sure the port master would love to fire her for all the “vacations” she took.Unfortunately for that woman, Gus had a little something called job security.Until she decided otherwise, this job was hers.No matter what objections or grievances were filed.
Gus scanned through the news boards, interested to learn that the local military detachment had gotten a new commander while she’d been away.
When she found out who it was, Gus let out a low whistle.“You’re a long way from home, Rear Admiral Jace Skarsdale.”
Until recently, Admiral Skarsdale had been something of a poster boy for the Space Force.The loss of his mentor seemed to have affected his standing, however.It appeared his enemies had finally found something with which to unseat him; and they were so desperate to get rid of the thorn in their side that they’d sent him all the way to Titan.
If Gus had been more like her siblings, she might have been curious enough to go see what that something was.
As it stood, she couldn’t bring herself to exert the effort.
Gus kept reading, switching over to the gossip threads when she got tired of news articles.People didn’t realize how much you could learn from a stranger’s chatter.Rumors held truths dressed up in pretty lies.
Case in point, the closure of several prominent station businesses.Many of which were nebulously connected to Gus.Either because their owners were in her network or because she’d financed their opening.
Whatever the case, Kyle should have flagged this in the weekly update he sent her way.
Gus found it strange that he hadn’t.It could be that he’d thought it unimportant.Businesses closed every day on Titan.A few more would hardly draw notice.He was also unlikely aware of her stake in the businesses in question.
Maybe that was why he’d overlooked it.
Before she could investigate further, a message notification arrived.
Gus stilled as she saw who it was from.“What does Ryan want from me?”
The mission she’d just finished should have bought her a few months of peace and quiet.
Reluctantly, Gus opened the message and immediately wished she hadn’t.
I am coming.See you soon.
Simple and to the point.Containing neither salutation nor signature to point to its sender.
The message’s brevity was a giveaway, however.
Ryan had sent this.Two weeks ago, Gus saw as she checked the time stamp.
“Shit,” she cursed, sitting back.
For all she knew, he was on Titan already.
Four
Don’tpanic.Don’tpanic.Don’t panic.
That was impossible.Of all times for Ryan to stage an impromptu visit.His first ever.Just when she’d offered safe harbor to Caius and Anandra.
A coincidence?
