“Have we figured out what our equivalent is to one of their rotations?” Luther asked.
“R11 and I have been working on that, and we think it’s approximately two of our rotations for one of theirs,” Jade informed us. “Give or take.”
“That’s good. Otherwise, we’d have been late already. We’re estimating three weeks to fly to Refuge, and that’s if everything goes according to our calculation. Major, anything else you can share with us?” I asked.
Barnes glanced at Jade, who spoke up. “We used the reverse polarity concept, along with the information pulled from our captured flyer to correct our weapons system. We’ve upgraded the pulsers, and have tested them against the replicant Velibar vessels.” She showed us a video feed of a blank Racer firing on one of them. It was destroyed with ease.
“Those are some costly tests,” Aster added.
“You’re not kidding. But necessary.” Barnes zipped his mouth, and Jade kept going.
“We’ve also added the shield modifiers the Defenders are using, so our Racer will be up to snuff. Varn’s too. Whatever we find out there, we’ll be far more prepared than before.” Jade ended the projection.
“When are these being applied?” I asked.
“This minute. We’ve already moved your Racers to the proper bays, and they’ll be ready upon departure.” Barnes took a seat at the end of the table.
“They better not scratch my paint.” Varn crossed his arms and kicked his feet onto the table. One stare from Barnes, and he slid them off.
“Need I remind you, Mr. Wallish, that your Racer isn’t yours, but property of Sage Industries, making it part of the Board? When Octavia disbanded the Primaries and Corporations from operating as they once did, that put everything under the Board’s jurisdiction,” Barnes said.
“And you?” I asked. “The Protectors. Are you under their rule?”
“I like to think that Octavia Post isn’t attempting to rule over anyone. She’s doing what’s necessary to ensure our survival, and I support her objectives one hundred percent. The Protectors are here to help with the defense of the Belt Station, and every other mining colony. We’ve been training for this kind of thing for our entire existence. Maybe not at this scale, but we’re ready for the Velibar. Or will be when our technology catches up shortly.”
I thought he sounded entirely too casual, but he hadn’t been out there. Barnes hadn’t gone face to face with a Squid, because I had a feeling he’d be singing a different tune otherwise.
“Is there anything else?” I asked.
Luther raised a hand. “We have no idea what we’re going to encounter in Refuge. I’ve requested some ground gear. Space suits, protective armor, Widowmakers, survival supplies. Has the requisition been filled?”
“It’ll be delivered to your cargo holds by morning.” Major Barnes made some notes on his PersaTab, and glanced at me. “We’ve integrated Miss Serrano’s communication technology into the Station, and we’ll be able to communicate with you, to a point. Please keep in touch, and let us know when you arrive, and what it is you find at Refuge. We’ll do the same.”
“Understood. Thank you for your time,” I told him.
We went to leave, and Barnes caught my attention before I left the meeting. “Can I have a word?” He peered at Jade. “Privately.”
“I’ll catch up. Make sure we’re prepared. And count the rations, if you don’t mind. I’ve seen Luther eat, and I’m starting to worry we’re going to run out,” I joked.
When we were alone, Barnes sighed deeply. “Preston Lewis. I couldn’t believe it, Arlo.”
I wondered why he hadn’t spoken about this on the Moon last week. “You’re telling me.”
“He was a great man. I knew him from my early days with Luna Corp. For someone outside the CEO’s family, he sure made a name for himself. Friendly. Motivational.”
I was fully aware of his file. I was his grandson. “Sure. He was a class act.”
“But there was more, Arlo. He had an edge. A hardness he didn’t let many see. I noticed it soon after I met him.”
That was a far cry from my recollection of the man. “What did he do?” I asked.
“It was his demeanor. He’d do anything to make sure a job was done. Anything. He’d drive the workers until their fingers bled to meet a quota, and he offered no apologies. It was why he rose so high in the Corporation. I suspect it was part of the reason for your success as a Pod sprinter.” Barnes’ hands settled on his hips, and he laughed lightly. “I remember watching you race once. I was standing near Preston, and I could hear him talking you through the Rings. It was impressive.”
“Why are we having this conversation?” I asked, suddenly uncomfortable.
“Because I want you to remember that while he was your grandfather, he was somebody else to the workers. A man that demanded perfection. A hard-nosed supervisor with no room for error. Sound familiar?”
I nodded.
“We’ve been discussing how a man like him could end up leading an invasion back to Earth,” he said.
“Who’s we?”
“Me, Octavia, Ellie, Frank, and Erik.”
“The dream team,” I mumbled. “And what did you determine?”
“That he met the Velibar, found them more worthy of Earth than humanity, and united with them. That’s one of the possibilities.”
I considered his statement, and wondered if my grandfather could be that man. “He must be under duress. Almost twenty years in captivity can do that to a person.”
“Did he appear like that to you? He was self-assured. Confident to the point of being cocky, and demanding. He didn’t soften even when talking about his family. He fully expected to convince you to join him, that’s what I believe.” Barnes moved to the exit. “I have another meeting, but think on it. When the time comes, just remember which side you’re on, Arlo.”
The door closed and I stared up through the dome, wondering what I’d say to Preston Lewis the next time we met.
FIVE
Seventeen Years Ago
Proxima had been Preston’s dream. Now
