Why had Gus never realized how irritating Kyle was until this very second?
Before she could do bodily harm, Caius intervened.“Where is the Tuann now?”
“Don’t know.”
It was Caius’s turn to reach for patience.“How can you not know?”
In answer, Kyle pressed play on the clip.On screen, the meeting between the two humans and the cloaked figures ended.The two in cloaks rose, taking their leave.
To Gus’s surprise, Baran didn’t immediately follow.He lingered, waiting for the humans to finish their discussion before they too departed.
He wasn’t there for the cloaked figures then.The humans were the target of his surveillance.
“The cameras lose him shortly after this,” Kyle explained as Baran slipped into a group of humans leaving the bar after his marks got up and left.
Sure enough, a moment later, the crowd momentarily obscured Baran’s figure.When it cleared, Baran was gone.As were the two humans he’d been following.
“I’m not surprised.”Caius shifted, his massive shoulder brushing Gus’s as he studied the video clip.“Our technology outmatches yours in almost every arena.”
Ah, yes.The arrogance of a Tuann.Unmatched only by their condescension.
“More like your magic,” Kyle muttered.
“It’s not magic,” Caius corrected.“Though I’m sure it may seem that way to a species whose own technology is pitifully lacking.”
It was difficult for Gus to keep her snort to herself.It was rich for a Tuann to make such a claim when a good portion of their so called “technology” was powered by an unseen force that wasn’t widely understood even by their own people.
A force that looked an awful lot like magic.
Kyle leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head.“Ah, yes, the ol’ ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic’ argument.”
At Caius’s baffled expression, Gus explained.“It’s a quote from Arthur C.Clarke.A science fiction author prominent in the twentieth century.”
Though the most famous of his three laws, Gus had always been a little more partial to the second which stated that “the only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.”
“Sounds like a wise man,” Caius said.
Considering people still used that quote despite the many centuries that had passed, Gus would say so.
“I wouldn’t waste your time looking for that Tuann.You won’t find him again.He’s long gone,” Caius informed them.
Unfortunately, Gus was in agreement.
“He’s not the only Tuann on the station,” Gus said.
Caius shot her a probing glance.“How do you know that?”
Gus kept her features still and her expression bland.“Gut feeling.”
He wouldn’t believe her if she told him about her special ability.How the plants on this station were as gossipy as a bunch of old folks who had nothing better to do than to share stories.And even if somehow, he did manage to buy that, she still wouldn’t have told him.Some things were better off kept to yourself.A nice little trick you stored up your sleeve for when danger came knocking.
Ignoring the way Caius was studying her, Gus directed her attention to Kyle.“Well?”
“If there are other Tuann on Titan, they’re well hidden.I couldn’t find them.”
Caius’s forehead wrinkled a moment before he slowly narrowed his eyes at the human.“How are you so certain?According to you, you just started looking.”
Kyle’s mouth opened then closed, seemingly taken off guard by his own misstep.He blinked rapidly before his gaze shot to Gus.
