Rift warrior the techbor.., p.28
Rift Warrior: The Techborn,
p.28
Dom’s smile was all teeth. “Nope. But they’ve got plenty of scientists. You’re the backup—in case something goes south. You’re our best man, Tanner. If anyone can sort this out, it’s you.”
I leaned back, considering. Acheron? I’d heard stories about that place. None of them were good. It was a super-earth—at least that’s what it was supposed to be. But when the colonists spent decades flying out there and landing—that wasn’t what they’d found.
Instead, they’d discovered a harsh, unforgiving world. The kind of place that chewed up colonists and spat out their bones.
“When do I leave?” I asked.
Dom’s smile widened. “Immediately. They’re prepping up down in the Transmission Lab even now.”
As if on cue, the lights flickered a bit. They must be testing. The transmission system took more power than the entire city—all at once.
Suddenly, the door to the office slid open with a hiss, cutting me off. Dr. Felix Renn strode in, his lab coat billowing behind him.
He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed. His hair a wild mess, his eyes bloodshot. He’d probably been up all night tinkering with his gadgets.
Dom sat up straighter, his feet hitting the floor with a thud. “Doctor,” he said, his voice tight. “I was just about to call you. We need to finish briefing Tanner on the Acheron situation.”
Dr. Renn waved a dismissive hand. “No need. Plans have changed.”
We both raised an eyebrow. This was news to us.
Dom’s face darkened. He leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge of his desk. “What do you mean, plans have changed? On whose authority?”
Renn met his gaze, unflinching. “The director’s.”
Dom shot to his feet, his chair clattering to the floor behind him. “You went over my head? You sneaky little shit.”
Renn didn’t deny it. He just stood there, a smug smile playing across his lips.
As I watched the exchange, I realized something was up. Something big. I had a feeling I was about to be caught in the middle of it.
The station chief was in Renn’s face now, jabbing a finger into his chest. “You think you can just waltz in here and take over my operation? I don’t think so.”
Renn batted his hand away. “It’s not your operation anymore, Serrano. The director has put me in charge.”
Dom’s nostrils flared. I could practically see the steam coming out of his ears. “No one changes an op on the day of launch. Not when I’m running this show,” he snarled. “I’ll take this up with Brandt myself.”
Renn’s smile only widened. “You do that. In the meantime, I have work to do.”
He turned to me, his eyes glinting with something I couldn’t quite place. Excitement? Anticipation? Madness?
“Sorry to steal your thunder today, Tanner. Now, I must be leaving. I’ve got a planet to save.”
I hesitated, glancing at Dom. His face was a mask of rage. His fists clenched at his sides. But Renn was under the director’s orders. In my business, orders were everything.
Dom stood up. “I’m going to the director. Right now.”
I couldn’t help but grin. This looked good. Both of these guys were the biggest pains in my butt at XCU. I decided to trail after them and enjoy the show.
After they left, bitching at each other in the hallway, I stood up. My chair scraped against the floor. I followed Dom and Renn down the hall. Dom was marching, his shoulders squared, his jaw set. He was pissed, no doubt about it. Renn trailed behind him, a smug little smile on his face. He was enjoying this whole thing, the bastard.
“You can’t just go over my head like this, Renn,” Dom snarled.
“It’s already done.”
The two seemed to be walking faster with each step. I smiled, following along. This was getting good.
“I’m the station chief,” Dom said. “I make the decisions around here. This is launch-day! Tanner’s right here, burning my budget even now!”
“Not anymore,” Renn said, his voice as smooth as silk. “I’m going to take that bonus pay. The director has put me in charge of the operation as well. It’s a done deal.”
I cursed a bit in the hallway behind them. Had I broken up with my girl and gotten up early for nothing? What had I gotten out of XCU so far this morning? I’d been felt-up by a robot and given a cup of shit-coffee, that’s what.
Dom whirled on Renn, his face red. “We’ll see what Brandt has to say.”
I kept following along, curious, hoping for shitstorm. I didn’t much care who was in charge. But I didn’t like this talk about me not getting paid. They could sort out their little power struggle however they liked—as long as my contract held.
Setting contracts aside, I had to admit it was entertaining watching Dom get his panties in a twist.
We reached Brandt’s office. Dom didn’t bother knocking, he just barged right in. Brandt looked up from his desk, his eyebrows raised.
“Dom?” he said calmly. “What can I do for you?”
“You can tell me what the hell is going on,” Dom demanded, jabbing a finger at Renn. “This little weasel says he’s in charge now—that he’s going to Acheron instead of Tanner.”
Brandt leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “That’s correct. Dr. Renn will be overseeing the Acheron mission from this point forward.”
Dom’s mouth fell open. He looked like a fish out of water, gasping for air. “You know damn well I’ve been running this show from the start. You can’t just cut me out like this.”
“I can, and I have,” Brandt said, his voice firm. “Dr. Renn’s expertise is needed on this mission. We’re talking about a strange signal which is possibly alien in nature. Your response was to send Tanner?”
He pointed a finger in my direction. The other men glanced my way, scowling, as if they hadn’t even noticed I was tagging along. Come to think of it, they probably hadn’t.
“Dr. Renn’s knowledge of such phenomena is unparalleled. That’s what the rift transportation system is, you know, a powerful transmitter of a very special signal.”
Dom’s eyes narrowed. “What are you expecting to find out there? An alien radio? Something that can transmit their secrets into the right ear? What if it’s a natural anomaly? What if there’s no artifact?”
Renn stepped forward, that smug smile still plastered on his face. “We’re not in a position to discuss our findings concerning such matters. That’s all classified, I’m afraid. Need-to-know basis only.”
Dom looked like he was about to explode. His fists clenched at his sides, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. “This is my mission!”
“Was your mission.”
I leaned against the wall, watching the show. This was better than a nudie sidewalk hologram. I kind of hoped one of them took a swing at the other. I could use a good catfight.
Unfortunately, the look of unbridled joy on my face didn’t go unnoticed.
“Out, Tanner. This doesn’t concern you.”
Without warning, Brandt stepped my way. He ushered me to the door—which slammed in my face.
Just like that, I was cut out. Dom and Renn were in there with Brandt, probably deciding my fate. I was left standing outside like a chump, and I didn’t even get to watch the show. Too bad…
END of GHOST SIGNAL BONUS
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#2: Ghost Signal
#3: Depths of Tamil
#4: Tyrant of Jarl
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Dust World
Tech World
Machine World
Death World
Home World
Rogue World
Blood World
Dark World
Storm World
Armor World
Clone World
Glass World
Edge World
Green World
Ice World
City World
Sky World
Jungle World
Crystal World
Throne World
The RED COMPANY Series:
First Strike!
Discovery
Contact
Invasion
Star Runner Trilogy:
Star Runner
Fire Fight
Androids and Aliens
Rebel Fleet Series:
Rebel Fleet
Orion Fleet
Alpha Fleet
Earth Fleet
Star Force Series:
Swarm
Extinction
Rebellion
Conquest
Army of One (Novella)
Battle Station
Empire
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Storm Assault
The Dead Sun
Outcast
Exile
Demon Star
Starship Pandora (Audio Drama)
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B. V. Larson, Rift Warrior: The Techborn
