Lois was contract labor—a true librarian. She didn’t have much in the way of looks, but she handled the library as though the materials were her own.
She leveled a steady inspection at him, giving Arcadian a hot spot of vulnerability in his stomach, as though she could see into his heart and pry out his secret. To deflect her inspection, he leaned in and softened his voice. “I’m writing a book about Draco based on its past employees. Fiction, of course, and highly glamorized.” He winked and gave her a smile filled with charm.
Her steely gaze weakened and she glanced side-to-side before responding. “Don’t tell, but so am I. What’s your title?”
The library was digital only, with no access besides Lois and her computer. He needed Lois, needed all the data available through her fingertips. He gathered his sweetest smile and winked again. “Well, since it’s after they leave station, I thought … ‘Escape from Draco’. Do you like it?”
She laughed with an exaggerated air of conspiracy. “Oh, that’s perfect. Let me get you my best files. Maybe we could compare manuscripts sometime?”
As she tapped on her keyboard, he caught his breath.
Her best files.
“I’m just in my preliminary research,” he said. “It’ll be a while before I have anything to share. Hey, out of curiosity, what about characters? Who do you think out of Draco’s alumni would make an interesting character?”
She grinned, pleased to share. “Oh, that would have to be Dr. Lazar. He’s become quite the eminent and notorious individual since leaving Draco.” She leaned in and crooked her finger to draw him closer. “You know, he left under strained circumstances. Dragged out of here in handcuffs by Dr. Sinclair, or rather Sheriff Sinclair. That was a dark day for Pantheon and Draco Station.”
He tucked his head and lowered his voice, even though they were the only ones in the library. “I know, right? Pantheon hates it when they get poop on their corporate face.”
She rolled her eyes and put a finger to her lips.
“Sure,” he said and waved his hand in negation. “We won’t mention--” He gazed off and allowed silence to settle briefly, then asked, “So, you have all the latest on Dr. Lazar? Sounds like he has the potential for what I want.”
A secretive nod from her broadened his smile. “I included all the latest on him, up-to-date from the last shuttle.”
Everything updated about Lazar.
He took the thumb drive she offered. “Thanks, Lois. You’re a doll.” All the way back to his apartment, elation soared in his heart. He rushed to get through his door.
Lazar, the one man who can keep me from returning to Draco.
He plugged in the thumb drive. Not wanting to leave a digital trail of his plans, he pulled out a pen and pad to take notes.
Chapter Two
Two Months Later
For the last time, Arcadian gazed out at the expanse of empty space from the observation deck of Draco Station. Within hours, he’d embark on the shuttle as Wesley Anderson, a water plant engineer returning to Earth at the end of his contract.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted Shelby coming up the ramp. He turned aside and pivoted as she passed to keep his back to her.
No time for chit chat, today.
She kept walking, and he checked his watch before moving up the ramp toward The End of the Line bar. He took a seat in the rear to watch the crowd that trickled in after shift change. Right on time, Ron Jackson, a plumber, walked in.
A shiver of thrill raced down Arcadian’s back. After months of morphing into other people and controlling the process to split second execution, he was ready to leave. His heart sped up with adrenaline and he watched, murmuring, “That’s right, sit where you always sit, order that whiskey.” He silently mouthed the words before Jackson ordered. “Make it a double. Be right back.”
As predicted, Jackson slid into a seat and ordered, “Whiskey, Mac, make it a double.” Mac brought a heavy bucket glass filled with the amber liquid and Jackson sipped, then announced, “Be right back.”
Knowing Jackson’s routine, Arcadian sauntered in behind him. He took the stall next to Jackson and waited while Jackson flushed a toilet then exited. Quickly, Arcadian slipped into Jackson’s stall and gently swiped at the toilet handle with a piece of toilet paper.
He returned to his apartment, so breathless with excitement his hand shook when he set down the DNA laden paper. Everything waited, ready for this moment. He put on a plumber’s uniform and then collected the toilet paper with Jackson’s DNA. He wiped the paper on the back of his hand.
Eyes closed, heart filled with the powerful need and desire to leave Draco, he envisioned himself as the plumber, imagined the weight of a wrench in his hand, pictured himself tightening a pipe. Having practiced daily for the last several weeks, he’d learned a strong visual accelerated the process, making it happen within seconds. The tingle and burn combined to create a flash that shot across his body as he morphed. He checked in the mirror—the perfect image of Ron Jackson stared back.
He picked up a clipboard, then stuffed a quick-inject sedative he got from the pharmacy into his pocket. Knowing he would never be back, he exited his luxurious apartment with a sense of accomplishment. He marched to Wesley Anderson’s and knocked, waiting for the door to open to his freedom.
Knowing he was this close to leaving Draco Station, his heartbeat accelerated like crazy. When Anderson answered the door, Arcadian glanced at his clipboard to hide the excitement in his face. When he wore another person’s DNA, he still felt like himself, necessitating having to hide his emotions and reactions.
“Uh, Mr. Anderson, I have you scheduled for a routine maintenance check. Can I come in?”
Wesley smiled broadly. “I’m leaving, so you can have it.” He swung the door wide and motioned Arcadian in. Arcadian entered and spotted
