Outsystem (Aeon 14) (29 page)

“Some of these people are…well…quite odd.” Martins almost added the “sir” but held it back.

Tanis checked her records on Martins and saw that she was from the Beta Regio region on Venus. The descendants of religious puritans that left Earth a millennia ago, they were about as straight-laced as they came in this day and age.

“They’re not of the normal variety,” Tanis replied. “
Actually, I take that back. Given the population of the Galilean moons it’s possible that they actually define normal.”

“
Yeah, I can’t believe there are a thousand billion people on Callisto now”—Martins shook her head—“and most of them are above us.”

“Below you, actually,” Tanis said. “That whole centripetal force thing.”

“Actually, since at any given time we’re at the bottom of the arch, our point of view has most of the ring structure above us.” Martins grinned.

Tanis grunted. “Got me there; last time I think of you as rural, Martins.”

“Sorry, s—”

“Good catch.”

They stood in silence for a while, leaning against the wall of a shop that appeared to sell and install replacement digestive systems that would allow a person to fit three times the battery power into their body. It also used waste to create additional power. Link ads constantly assailing them showed high-end models with the ability to completely consume all food with no need to void it from the body—not an alteration you could easily undo if you decided you didn’t like it.

Tanis was certain she wouldn’t. The thought of what had to be some sort of laser-powered incinerator in her torso just seemed like a recipe for trouble, especially considering how often she got shot up.

Trist had mentioned that this was one of the more interesting, but relatively benign places on the lower Callisto rings. After setting up this meet for Tanis, Trist had gone off to see if she could get information from a few other contacts. Tanis didn’t like sending the woman off on her own, so three/two was with her. Their last update to the platoon’s tactical net put them on ring 17D, somewhere in a thousand-square-mile trade area. Chances were that Trist was getting in some last minute wheeling and dealing…or maybe just stealing.

Angela commented.

“I think that’s her,” Martins spoke softly.

“Yup, even in this crowd, she does stand out,” Tanis agreed.

Sandy
strolled over as though selling info to TSF agents was something she did every day. Tanis took the opportunity to examine her carefully, initially to look for any weapons, but then in a combination of awe and horror.

The woman’s body was indeed a fluorescent pink
that seemed to shift hues in the light. There had to be over thirty of the tentacles coming out of her head, which itself seemed to have a conical shape. The end of each tentacle sported three suction cups, somewhat like an octopus.

At first glance she appeared to be naked, though it w
as often difficult to tell the difference between skin and clothes. While she certainly looked like a woman, her groin was smooth and her breasts—while fully exposed—had no nipples on them. Her legs were even more interesting; her knees bent backwards and her feet ended in hooves.

“It’s not polite to stare, Miss
Richards.” Sandy walked up to the waiting pair. “But I don’t mind. I didn’t make myself look like this to avoid getting stared at.” She stretched seductively. “I positively thrive on it.”

She seemed to be getting rather turned on and Tanis realized that Sandy meant that her brain was altered to get sexual pleasure from having people stare at her unusual appearance. She probably had a really good time strolling through the corridors—the way she was modded out even people with horns did double takes.

“I’m glad for you,” was all Tanis said.

Tanis noted that
Martins appeared to be doing her best to blink regularly and a glance across the street showed her that the other Marines were having trouble keeping their glances casual. Not that they stood out in doing so—ignoring Sandy would be the unusual reaction.

“I understand that you have some information about Strang in relation to the
Intrepid.
Though I honestly must say that I don’t know how you would gather any intel…how would you blend in?”

“I don’t blend, darling, people pay me in information for the pleasure of my company.” Her tentacles danced around her, caressing her upper body. “I have very specialized skills.”

“Holy shit,” Martins said softly. Tanis sent a quelling glance the private’s way.

“So what do you have for us?” Tanis asked.

“Well, it’s come my way that Mr. Strang doesn’t like you, Miss Richards, doesn’t like you one bit.”

“I’ve actually noticed,” Tanis said dryly.

“I imagine you have. However, he has managed to get his eye back on the prize; he intends to destroy the
Intrepid.
”

“About time he learned some focus. I just wish he could focus elsewhere.”

“His intention”—Sandy leaned closer—“is to destroy it after it docks on Callisto.”

“That’s pretty broad; you wouldn’t happen to have anything more specific, would you?”

“He has a device, one that will cause considerable damage to the
Intrepid
. There will be minimal damage to the ring, but nothing he isn’t willing to risk.”

“Is that all you know?”

“I have some details; information about the way he plans to destroy it. I don’t understand all of the technical jargon, but I believe it is some sort of molecular decoupler that will break the ship apart. I’ve put it on this hardcopy.”

A tentacle slipped a small disc into Tanis’s hand. Without giving it a glance, she secured it in a small drive in her wrist. “Payment has already been remitted.”

“So it has. I believe, then, that our time here is complete.”

“Yes, thank you,” Tanis said.

“Thank you, Miss Richards. It’s been a pleasure.”

The strange woman walked away, her tentacles swaying softly and her hoofs clopping lightly on the decking.

Martins stared after Sandy until she disappeared from view. “She certainly was interesting.”

“You can say that again,” Tanis replied as the other
Marines crossed the street and they began the return trip to the barracks.

…………………………..

Tanis met with her staff regarding the information Sandy had provided shortly after returning. None of them were entirely certain what to make of the information Tanis had gathered, but they were certainly going to take it seriously.

After the meeting, Tanis retreated to her quarters. Time enough for six hours of sleep and then back to the grind.

Tanis mused to Angela.


Angela replied.


Tanis leaned back on her bed, running through scenarios.
Intrepid
? It would be a pretty short list, though probably with the STR near the top of it.>
base just to get one colony world that won’t turn a profit for a half a dozen centuries,>
Angela added.

ed up other intel saying there could be various other avenues of attack as well—and dozens of false leads about bombs in the cargo.>

Angela asked.

Angela said as her avatar waved goodnight.

oo much to pore over this stuff…it always gives me strange dreams.>