The severe woman favored him with a rare smile, which didn't do much to improve her plain features. “Actually, Dalar, this time it's something I can do for you. I have information that can help point you towards vengeance against Aiden Thorne and the Last Stand. Information which, perhaps, might put you back in the good graces of your superiors.”
Well, that was certainly interesting. Although this “favor” was probably to her benefit in some way. Or in the obvious way. “Gunning for the giant bounty on his head, Miss Ennos?”
She smirked. “I've worked with the Movement before, Dalar. I know how collecting a bounty from your people would likely go.” She shook her head. “No, this is a good faith gesture. One which, perhaps, you can repay once you're back on course on your meteoric rise up the Deconstructionist ranks.”
Interesting. The facilitator likely had her own reasons to remove the pirate ship, and was using the Movement to do the job for her. “Feeding valuable information would certainly help my cause,” he agreed dourly. “But if I want to get back all that I lost, I'd need to be personally involved in hunting down Thorne. Which would be a bit difficult, since I'm currently stuck in Iglis galaxy running errands for ERI.”
Ennos's smile widened, becoming cruel enough to raise his hackles. Although thankfully it didn't seem to be directed at him. “Then it's your lucky day, Dalar, because the Vindicator is the only ship in your task force that's anywhere near the Last Stand. Redemption, and revenge, is only a few dozen paltry lightyears away.”
Two minutes later, after hastily making himself presentable, Dalar stood in front of the door to the captain's quarters and pressed the intercom buzzer. He had to bite back a surge of resentment at presenting himself to the new occupant of his previous room, as if he was some sort of supplicant.
He obviously wasn't the only one who found the visit galling. It took a full five minutes for Bresac to open the door, although it didn't look as if he'd woken her; her uniform was crisp, not a hair out of place, and while her homely features were drawn with weariness she didn't look groggy.
The scowl plastered across that ugly mug seemed especially alert. “This had better be good, Crewman Dalar.”
Well, this was a bad start. But if there was one thing he knew how to do, it was finish in top form. As ladies the universe over could attest. He gave the new captain a crisp salute, posture perfect. “Forgive the interruption, Captain. I've just received solid intel about the whereabouts of the Last Stand.”
He was slightly disappointed by her lack of reaction to the news. She leaned against the door, not even showing him the courtesy of inviting him inside, and eyed him curiously. “Well that's an odd coincidence, considering so have I.” Her expression sharpened. “How, exactly, did you get your hands on top secret information passed on through Movement Intelligence from the Dormant?”
Dalar blinked, shock warring with panic at what could be a deadly misunderstanding; you never wanted to get caught crossing the Movement's spies and analysts. “This is, um, a different source,” he said hastily. “A private contact who can place the Last Stand as the culprits of the attack on Recluse, and has provided their location as of a few hours ago.”
Bresac got back to eyeing him thoughtfully. “Interesting, if less than useful. The Dormant planted a beacon on our quarry, which is providing us its location with every jump.”
He couldn't help but gape at that. “When?”
“Almost two weeks ago, apparently.”
Dalar stared at her incredulously. “Then why aren't we already after them?”
“Because apparently MI found something more important in what the Dormant provided us than an opportunity to destroy the Last Stand.”
His shock ratcheted up a notch. “More important than the ship we've devoted an entire task force to chasing?”
“Apparently.” The plain woman actually shuddered slightly. “MI didn't inform me what it was, but it has to be something major.” Her stoic demeanor reasserted itself, and she straightened. “Which is beside the point. We know now, and we have our orders to immediately begin pursuing the Last Stand. The rest of the task force will catch up as soon as they can, although from what I can infer they might be tied up in whatever MI found for the foreseeable future.”
Dalar also straightened. “The Vindicator can take her alone.”
Bresac's lip curled slightly in contempt. “She certainly can, considering I intend to trigger the Dormant the moment we jump in on top of them.” Before Dalar could stiffen resentfully at the jab, the plain woman turned on her heel and marched back into her room, gesturing curtly over her shoulder for him to follow. “I want to hear everything this source of yours told you about our quarry's involvement with the attack on Recluse. It may provide useful information for the coming fight.”
Chapter Thirteen
Prospects
Ali may have become a stranger, but the last few hours they'd shared had certainly felt familiar. Comfortingly so, if Aiden was being honest with himself.
Not to mention, after over two weeks away from her, far more passionate than usual; he could honestly say it was the best time he'd ever had with her. Which then led him to wonder if that was also the product of her Caretaker upgrades, which somewhat soured his blissful mood as he held her in his arms.
She seemed to sense it, stirring from her peaceful stillness in his embrace and shifting to look up at him with her dark blue eyes. “This doesn't have to mean any more than you want it to, my love.”
No kidding. But Aiden wasn't in the mood to get back into that at the moment. “Why do the Caretakers keep their existence a secret?” he asked. “The first true autonomous AI, not bound by programming. Capable of innovation and decision making. Humanity would be very interested to know we weren't the only sapient
