Close Encounters (10 page)

“Acid,” he said. “They use it to liquefy their prey. And just look at their color. They aren’t simply a dark purple, they’re really a true black. Do you know how rare that is? And that’s not all. They exhibit some unusual properties in the lab. I’m convinced they could have a real use in the medical field.”

He was so enthusiastic about the plant that he’d forgotten his frustration. Good. I wanted him relaxed and friendly.

“Sounds like you know your stuff. I take it you were created for botany?”

“For all the life sciences, but botany is my favorite.” He was still studying the flower.

I nodded. “It’s obvious. Dynatec must be happy with their investment.”

He glanced at me, and then returned the probe to his pocket. “Dynatec didn’t commission my creation. A small drug company in the Cygnus sector was my original indenture holder.”

“Isn’t that unusual?” I arched a brow. “For them to sell your indenture, I mean. They must have invested a lot of time and money in you.”

“I guess Frisk made it worth their while.”

A surge of horror washed over me at his statement and I forgot his reluctance to speak candidly. “Frisk bought your indenture, not Dynatec?”

His gaze turned wary and he took another quick look over his shoulder. “That’s right.”

I could barely breathe. According to my records, Redfield was very young, only twenty cycles. He’d been out of the crèche five cycles, and most of that time had probably been spent in the rarefied atmosphere of a research and development unit. There was no way he could have been prepared for someone like Frisk.

It also introduced yet another problem. Where in the thirteen hells had Frisk gotten enough credit to buy an indenture? Dynatec paid its captains well, but even with frequent bonuses, it didn’t pay
that
much.

“Listen to me, Redfield.” I gripped his arm, my voice low and urgent. “It’s no secret how Frisk feels about GEPs. But there are laws to protect you, even from your indenture holder. He can’t force you to commit any illegal acts, and he can’t touch you physically. If he’s tried, I can help you. You don’t have to put up with his perversions.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He struggled to get away from me, but I hung on. The contact allowed me clearer reception of his emotions, and he was on the verge of a full-blown panic, which seemed to be focused on the section of jungle he’d kept glancing at.

“Don’t you?” I knew my fingers were digging into his arm, but I had to get through to him somehow. “A Buri is missing, and several of the males have scars from laser burns. Are you going to tell me you don’t know how they got them?”

With a spurt of adrenaline, he wrenched his arm from my grasp, shoving me back so that I had to fight to keep my balance. His eyes were wild, and his hand hovered over his laser.

Around us, the three Buri guards sprang into action, lifting their spears to shoulder level, the deadly tips aimed at Redfield’s chest. Before I could move to stop them, a roar of rage split the jungle, halting the other noises as though someone had turned off a switch. Without quite knowing how he got there, I saw that Thor was now positioned between Redfield and me. And he didn’t look happy. His fists were clenched at his side, and a low, continuous growl rumbled in his chest as he advanced.

It was enough to send Redfield over the edge. He backed away hurriedly, nearly tripping over his own feet as he yanked the laser from his utility belt. “It wasn’t our fault! They attacked us. We had to protect ourselves!”

I peered around Thor’s arm, my mind spinning with this new information. Maybe I hadn’t been around them long, but I knew the Buri wouldn’t have attacked men armed with lasers without a damn good reason. “Why did they attack you?”

“I don’t know, they just did.” All the blood had drained from his face, leaving his skin pale and clammy with sweat.

He was lying. I could feel the deceit oozing in his veins like blood. But there was something else there with it. Guilt. Self-disgust. And fear, always the fear.

But again the fear wasn’t toward me or the Buri, which left me with only one conclusion.

I grabbed Thor’s arm and hung on, forcing him to stop while I stepped up beside him. “Redfield, you don’t have to do whatever Frisk is forcing you to do. I can help you, protect you.”

He motioned at Thor. “Then call him off. I’m as strong as you are. I can hurt him.”

The bicep under my hand rippled with muscle, and I glanced from it to Redfield. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that if I were you. And even if you manage to get through him, you’d never beat me. I’m ten cycles older than you, and I’ve had ten times the training in hand-to-hand combat. I can break your arm in three places before you can pull the trigger. Now drop the laser and let’s talk about it.”

“Kiera,” Max murmured in my ear. “Frisk and the Dorn woman are listening. From the heat signature, it would appear they’ve been behind that group of trees to your right for the last ten minutes or so.”

Ah, no wonder Redfield was frustrated and scared! He’d known the two were in the area, keeping an eye on him. “Geesh, Max, thanks for telling me. Any Buri with them?”

“Two. They are circling around to make their presence known.”

I nodded and glanced at the trees. “You can come out now, Frisk.”

Redfield’s eyes closed briefly in relief, and he inhaled a deep sigh. Acting as if lurking behind trees was everyday fare, Frisk strolled into sight, the Dorn woman beside him.

“What’s going on here? Redfield, put that laser away.” He glared at the doctor, and I saw Redfield’s hand tremble as he slid the weapon back into its holster. From the way he was emoting, he’d much rather use it on Frisk than the Buri.

“Just a slight misunderstanding,” I told Frisk calmly.

“The Buri thought Redfield was threatening me. He pulled the laser in self-defense.” I didn’t think Frisk had heard anything but the last few comments. They were too far away and we weren’t speaking loudly until Redfield panicked. At least I hoped that was the case. I didn’t want to get the other GEP into even more trouble since I still planned to get him alone long enough at some point that he could tell me what was going on.

To take the attention off the doctor, I turned to the woman. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Senior Agent Kiera Smith.”

She was average height, but that was the only thing average about her. Her eyes were crystal blue, and her hair was long and dark, curling to the middle of her back. She had the kind of figure that sent men into temporary comas. But in spite of the languid sex-kitten façade she projected, I could feel an underlying razor-sharp intelligence. There was no doubt left in my mind. Standing before me was the brains behind this operation. As I’d suspected, Frisk was little more than hired muscle.

By now, there were six very tense Buri circling us, all with their spears ready, but Quilla Dorn treated them like they were tree trunks. She walked toward me, her stride confident and about as sexually muted as a super nova, and held out a hand.

“Agent Smith. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet. I hope Tommy hasn’t caused you any problems with the Buri.”

I ignored the hand and glanced at Redfield.
Tommy?
A red flush covered his cheeks, and his gaze was locked on Dorn worshipfully. It made me want to curse. Or pray he was a damn fine actor.

And it wasn’t helping matters that Thor was trying to shove me behind him.

I shifted slightly and gave him a good hard glare so he’d get the message. He returned the sentiments with a fierce glower of his own and a determined look in his dark eyes. Dorn lowered her hand as I turned to face her again.

“Leave the Buri to me. Unfortunately, I can’t say I’ve heard much about you. You aren’t listed on the Dynatec roster as a crew member.”

“No, it was a last minute decision and there wasn’t time to do the paperwork. I’m sure the company will rectify the matter shortly if they haven’t yet.”

“Uh-huh.” I grabbed Thor’s hand and held it still. “Exactly what is your job on this assignment?”

Her full, crimson lips curved into a smile. “Officially, I’m the quartermaster, but just between us, Jon suggested I come along as a kind of vacation. They really don’t need anyone to handle the supplies. Isn’t that right, Jon?” She glanced at Frisk over her shoulder.

He wasn’t nearly as casual about the Buri as she appeared to be, and stayed where he was, eyeing Thor uneasily. “That’s right. Quilla and I go back a long way.”

“So you suggested she vacation on an unexplored world? Kind of dangerous, isn’t it, Frisk?”

“Oh, no,” Dorn interjected. “Jon knows I’m an avid explorer. The trouble is, I rarely get the chance to indulge. He did me a huge favor, bringing me along. I’m even getting paid for it.” She shot a hundred-watt smile at Frisk, and then gazed around at the Buri. “Looks like you’ve got a fan club. None of us has been able to get that close to them.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her that the Buri would be a lot friendlier if the Dynatec crew hadn’t shot at, and possibly killed, one of them, but I restrained myself. “I think they realize I’m trying to help.”

She nodded. “Could be. They certainly are gorgeous, aren’t they?” Her gaze lingered on Ghost, reminding me of the carnivorous plant Redfield had found.

Did all human females have that reaction to the Buri? I was beginning to think so. Claudia Karle had, and I’d certainly proven I wasn’t immune. Now Dorn looked as if she wanted to swallow Ghost whole.

I ignored her comment and brought the subject back to her presence on Orpheus Two. “As an agent for the Bureau of Alien Affairs, I’ll have to report your inclusion on the Dynatec crew.”

“Of course.” She tore her gaze away from Ghost and smiled at me. “Although I’m sure Dynatec reported the alteration to the proper authorities when they were notified of the change.”

When Dynatec was
notified
of the change? Just who in the fifth hell was this woman that she could issue orders to a company as big as Dynatec? She’d have to own the company, lock stock and barrel before they’d listen to her. I made a mental note to have Max trace the corporate ownership right to its source, but I was already pretty sure of what he’d find.

“If they have, there won’t be a problem.” I dipped my head in a brief nod. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing.”

“Have you found anything yet, Smith?” Frisk called as I turned away.

“No, not yet,” I lied as I continued walking. Thor went with me after issuing a growled command to the other Buri.

Ghost and Junior stayed in place, guarding our backs, until we put some distance between us and the Dynatec people, and then jogged to catch up. Instead of taking the same path I’d used to reach Redfield, Thor headed toward my camp in a straight line.

All three Buri remained silent on the trip, but I could sense the disapproval coming from Thor. It set my teeth on edge and grated on my nerves until I was ready to scream from the tension wafting in the air. My shields weren’t helping, and I was already in a tizzy about everything I’d learned. I couldn’t take any more.

“That’s it.” I plowed to a stop and swung to face Thor, hands on my hips. “If you’ve got something to say, say it and stop emoting at me.” My frustration at our inability to actually talk had reached critical mass. I wanted to hit something and Thor was looking like a pretty good target.

With one gesture of his hand, he sent Ghost and Junior on ahead of us, but I was too wound up to give much notice to that little detail. All my attention was focused on the Buri leader. He stabbed a finger toward the Dynatec camp, pointed at me, and gave his head one hard shake. Then he crossed his arms over his chest. End of subject. The great one had spoken.

I bristled, every nerve in my body going into high gear. There was only one person in the universe who had the right to give me orders, and that was the boss. It was time to set Thor straight on a few issues.

“Oh, yeah?” Okay, not exactly my most brilliant comeback, but I was mad. And if I were being truthful, I’d have to admit his protectiveness was kind of nice. No one had ever cared enough before to try and protect me. And that made me even madder, made me react more strongly than I normally would have.

I poked him in the chest with one finger. “Listen up, buddy. You don’t own me. For your information, I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for damn near thirty-two cycles, and I don’t need you coming to my rescue now. The very idea is ludicrous. I’m a GEP, for Luna’s sake! My resume would make your hair stand on end.” I eyed his long, thick locks, trying to picture the heavy mass standing out from his skull. Maybe that wasn’t the best analogy in the world, but it was the only thing I could come up with in my current state of mind.

In my agitation, I began to pace up and down, ignoring the stoic expression he wore. “Do you think there’s any way to get it through that hard head of yours that I’m trying to help your people? It’s my job. It’s what I’m here for.”

I reached the apex of my circuit, spun, and started back, hands waving wildly. “There’s something on this planet Dynatec wants very badly, even if means wiping out your entire race to get it. It’s up to me to find out what they’re after and stop them. But I can’t get the information I need from the crew members if you keep interfering. Damn, I wish there was a way we could communicate.”

Stopping in front of him, I gazed up at his expression, my irritation fading away like water in a sieve as our eyes met and the buzzing filled my head. Each time it seemed to get louder, a little more intense. I tried to break the contact, tried to tear my gaze from his and take a step back, but my feet weren’t cooperating.

Around us, the world slowed to a crawl. The sun froze in its descent, and the breeze that had set broad-leaved plants rustling, stilled. There was no movement, no noise anywhere.

Abruptly, I felt a dizzying sense of displacement, as though I were spinning through a dark tunnel with no light at the end. And Thor was my only anchor. His hands, gently cupping my face, the only reality in this endless blackness.