Unfortunately, even with all Brooks’s skills, he’d been unable to provide her a blueprint of the ship or the location of Belladonna’s hideout, leaving Gus to figure things out on her own.A difficult undertaking since honeycombs were designed to confuse would be invaders, leading them in circles until the residents saw fit to deal with them.
Actually, it was a little impressive that Belladonna had managed to explore as much of it as they had without getting eaten.
Despite the honeycomb’s dormant status, there were internal defenses that should have dealt with any infiltrators.Belladonna was bound to have lost several exploration teams before securing themselves a foothold.
Gus didn’t know if that was an indication of their determination or stupidity.
Most likely stupidity.And having access to a large quantity of expendable humans desperate for a way out of their current circumstances.
Just one more thing she could chalk up to Kyle’s influence.
Under normal circumstances, she would have been notified if a larger than average number of humans were disappearing from station for supposed “work” opportunities.Usually, that meant only one thing.Human traffickers.Not unexpected in a place like Titan, but something she and her lieutenants tried to keep at a minimum.
A shift in the flow of air notified Gus of company up ahead.
Casting about, she saw a cell to her right.She ducked into it, tucking herself tight against the wall.Only to realize too late that a Tsavitee slumbered right next to her.Its form trapped in amber resin.
Stifling her instinctive jump, Gus held still.A wise decision as it turned out, as several people entered the hexagonal cell next to hers.
Gus frowned as she listened to the conversation being conducted in Tuann.Not the human standard she was expecting.
“I can’t take their arrogance a second longer.I’m going to kill them.See if I don’t,” a woman growled.
“Endure a little longer.Remember why we’re doing this.To bring the empire back on course.”
The woman made a disgusted sound.“That doesn’t mean we have to work with monsters to do it.You saw them.They’re abominations.”
“They’re necessary.”The man who’d spoken waited a beat before emphasizing his point.“Our former children are necessary for our plan’s success.No one else can bring us what they can.”
“And what’s that?”
Gus’s ears perked up.
“Credibility.”
A second man started speaking.“Those children may be tainted, but they’re our best chance for destabilizing the empire and ending the Elden bloodline that has oppressed us for so long.”
Sensing the tension in the other room, Gus wished she could see the faces of those speaking.
“Youwillkeep a civil tongue in your head when interacting with those two,” the man continued.“They may be insolent little shits who are just as interested in using us as we are them, but they still serve a purpose.I don’t want anything scaring them off.Am I understood?”
There were murmurs of assent.
“The Osiri’s puppets are inbound to take possession of the children we procured for them.I don’t want anything going wrong between now and then.”
“What about Roake’s commander?What do you want us to do with him?”
Gus glanced at the wall separating her from the speakers.
“You don’t have to worry about him.Another controls his fate.They should arrive soon to take him.”
Gus clenched her hands.
“Where are you going?”the woman asked as a set of footsteps began receding.
“To brief the Marshal.He’ll need an update.”
The woman and her companion waited until they were alone.
