Version Innocent

Chapter 44

  The Powel stopped its heavy deceleration. Finally the unrelenting weight on Dawson’s chest subsided, and he could breathe normally again. He had regained consciousness an hour ago from the drugs that had kept him sedated and unable to feel the discomfort of their deceleration. He was still wearing the spacesuit that he had donned for the pirate incident that had occurred two days ago. At least the deceleration stage had proceeded at only five g’s, much less than the nightmarish ten they had to use to get back on schedule to Europa. For the last hour while the deceleration was still on going he’d managed to keep calm only by listening to Miles Davis, Kind of Blue album, in his implants. It was a favorite from his Jazz playing days.

  Dawson hopped out of his fog bed into the simulated gravity of his cabin and had his companion make a query to determine if The Express, or as its transponder was reading, The Lady Sky, had arrived. It had, almost two hours ago. At that moment Dawson’s companion informed him that he had an incoming communication on high priority channel. The ID of the message indicated that it was from The Golden Rule. Harding, Dawson thought. This was probably going to be unpleasant. He opened the channel.

  “Ah, Agent Dawson, how nice of you to finally arrive. You know I didn’t get that ship for you so a Federal Express carrier could beat you all over the solar system,” Damon Harding growled, his stern miniature figure imposed over the space in front of Dawson.

  “Yes, I realize that, Mr. Harding,” Dawson explained. “But have no fear. We’ve had a Fleet scout ship watching her since her arrival, and I wouldn’t have missed anything because of our bug’s recording capabilities.”

  “You disappoint me, Agent Dawson. I wonder if your heart is still in this venture,” Damon said coldly. He’d arrived several hours ahead of The Express, and he’d watched the whole escapade to the planet.

  “Sorry, Mr. Harding, but the Captain insisted that we stop to take on a pirate.” Dawson knew it was a lame excuse. He’d been in command of the mission, and he had always had the Marine option if the Captain had proved resistant.

  “Yes…well, I expect that’s your law enforcement official coming out. I’ll let it slip this time since we haven’t lost them. You should review the recording. There are some interesting developments.”

  “Such as?” Dawson asked. Viewing the two hours worth of footage would take some time even if he had his companion edit out all the trivial parts.

  “They have met up with someone who was handling that contraband substance.”

  Dawson caught his drift immediately. “Where is it now?”

  “The contact, whose name is Quig Oberman, says he doesn’t know,” Dawson replied, folding his arms across his chest.

  “Quig Oberman, that name sounds familiar,” Dawson said, querying his companion. The information came back quickly, “One of those involved in the center riots, and a Newbie,” he said. The man’s involvement spoke volumes as to Storm 6.7’s intent in all this. It wasn’t just Storm. It was organized.

  “That’s right, Agent Dawson. Apparently he has had instructions to do something-he wouldn’t say what-to help them find Storm.”

  “So he knows where Storm 6.7 is?”

  “He said he didn’t. I don’t know what he knows. We could take him for questioning, but I believe that that would be a mistake. If we just sit back and continue to follow them, we’ll find Storm.”

  “So you think he’s here on Europa and not out near Saturn as the other Storm suggested?” Dawson asked.

  “I have no idea. I don’t think that the information coming from Gregory Hillman is particularly reliable…do you?”

  “No…but we are out here at Jupiter. That says something,” Dawson commented.

  “True, we’re getting closer, but I don’t believe that Storm is on Europa. Too much tourist traffic to stage an operation of the magnitude I believe exists. Watch and follow. The three of them will lead us right to Storm…very soon, I think,” Damon said, rubbing his hands together.

  Dawson had never seen that particular look before. It was predatory and diabolical.

  “Just don’t be late next time,” Harding added.

  “I won’t,” Dawson assured him.

  “Good. Then why don’t you send some of your Marines to the surface along with your launch to follow them. I suspect that they won’t be staying in the city for long.”

  “What are they doing now?”

  “Waiting for Quig to return from some errand. I’d like to know what that errand is, so I’ve pulled a few strings, but the security forces on Europa haven’t been able to locate him at the moment.”

  “An errand, that’s odd. I’d like to know what he’s up to also. I’ll dispatch the Marines immediately.”

  “Good. See that you do. And I’ll be watching, Dawson,” Damon warned and then vanished.

  Dawson let out a sigh of relief. Then he contacted the Captain.

  “Yes, Agent Dawson?” The Captain asked almost curiously. Their relationship had definitely been improved by his letting her take care of the pirates. No matter what Damon Harding thought about their detour, it had been worth the risk to have the Captain back on his side.

  “I’d like to dispatch the Marines and the launch to the surface to follow Gates and the others.”

  “Certainly. I’ll have Lt. Commander Bowman bring them down in five minutes. I assume you’ll brief the marines.”

  “Yes, I’m headed there now,” Dawson replied, leaving his quarters to take the lift down to the Marine’s barracks.