He started toward the barracks exit. The door opened ahead of him, and the Lieutenant he had dropped in the restroom entered.

  It took Caleb a moment to remember he was skinned as Corporal Dunn during their first interaction, and she wouldn’t recognize him. His hesitation only lasted a moment, and he continued toward her. He could see she was still shaken from the encounter and not fully recovered.

  “Judicus,” she said, moving to the center of the hall to make sure he couldn’t get past. “I was hoping to catch you. I need to report an incident.”

  “What is it, Lieutenant?” Caleb asked.

  “Corporal Dunn,” she said. “He grabbed me and attacked me in the bathroom. He knocked me unconscious. I want him arrested.”

  “That’s a matter for the MPs,” Caleb replied, hoping he was taking the right tone for the role. “I have important business to deal with back at department HQ.”

  The Lieutenant flinched as if he had hit her, but she didn’t bark back at him. “Judicus, I was assaulted.”

  “Have you spoken to Sergeant Ming?”

  “What? No.”

  “What about Dunn’s SO?”

  “No, Judicus.”

  “Did you go to sickbay?”

  “No, Judicus.”

  “Why not?”

  The Lieutenant stared at him. She was still confused from her encounter, and it was apparent the Centurions here weren’t trained like the Marines on Earth. They seemed softer and less disciplined. Or maybe it was just this particular base? For all he knew, the people who were transferred here were here for a specific reason.

  “Lieutenant, I’ll take care of Corporal Dunn, but I need you to do something for me first.”

  Liar.

  “Of course, Judicus.”

  “Like I said, I have business back at HQ. It was rather unexpected, so I haven’t arranged transportation yet. Can you take care of that for me?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  “Good. I need it ready within the next ten minutes. Can you do that?”

  “Yes, Judicus.”

  “Thank you. As soon as you’ve finished that, you need to see a doctor.”

  “I will.” She looked at the floor. “It was the strangest thing. It was as if he had red light coming out of his eyes like he was some kind of machine. First someone sneaks onto the base and now this.”

  “Losing consciousness can affect memory,” Caleb said. “You’re likely conflating two different experiences. You don’t need to worry about Dunn. I’ll have him locked up before I leave. My transportation out is your primary concern.”

  “Right. I’ll make the arrangements from my quarters. Thank you.”

  The lieutenant continued toward her quarters. Caleb left the barracks. He had no intention of having Corporal Dunn detained.

  Did you taste her fear? And outright dishonesty. I’ll make you into a Relyeh yet.

  Caleb couldn’t deny the symbiosis was making it easier for him to navigate the situation. He wasn’t about to accept it as a good thing.

  “Let’s just stay out of sight until the transport is ready,” he said, crossing the square to the hangar. The door into the building was locked, but a scan of the Judicus’ chip allowed him entry. He went through a second door and into the open floor of the building, a smile creeping onto his face as his eyes swept over the rows of craft. A handful of wedge-shaped transports sat along one side, while nearly two dozen familiar craft waited on the other. “Daggers,” Caleb whispered, eyeing the sleek starfighters.

  The design had changed slightly from the one he had piloted on the Deliverance, but not so much the craft was beyond recognition. He was willing to bet the CUTS software controlling them had been upgraded since then..

  I don’t like it when you fly.

  Caleb diverted his attention from the craft to a tech walking toward him. He was dressed in dirty coveralls with the rank of Master Sergeant on his chest.

  “Judicus, I’m Master Sergeant Ryne. I just got a call from Lieutenant Suarez. She said you need transport back to Centurion Prime.”

  “That’s right, Sergeant,” Caleb said.

  “My only pilot on duty is already out with your friends, and won’t be back for another twenty minutes at least. How come you didn’t catch a ride with them?”

  “Last second change in my orders,” Caleb replied. “You know how it is.”

  “Yeah. The JD says jump, and we’re supposed to ask how high.” The man shook his head. “I’m sorry I can’t accommodate you better. To be honest, I can’t wait to get you off this base. Every time a Judicus stops by my people get antsy.”

  “Why. Are they working for the Trust?”

  Ryne paled slightly. “Uh. N-no. The Trust isn’t real.”

  Caleb laughed. “Got you. Judici have a sense of humor too.”

  Ryne laughed meekly. “Yes, sir.”

  “The problem, Sergeant, is that I’m in a bit of a hurry. But if you can sign me off on one of these, I’ll get out of your hair.”

  “You want to take a Stiletto?”

  “I’ve flown them before. I was in Space Force before I transferred to the PIB.”

  The slang statement seemed to relax the sergeant. “I didn’t realize you were one of us before you were one of them.” He laughed. “It’s an odd request, but as far as I know there’s nothing about it that’s against regulation. The JD gets what it wants. I’ll go grab you a helmet. You can take the lead bird.”

  Caleb smiled. “Thank you, Sergeant. I appreciate your willingness to help me out.”

  “For a former Spacer, I don’t mind. I’ll be right back.” Sergeant Ryne headed off to get a helmet. Caleb walked over to the spacecraft, running his hand along the front of it.

  I hate you.

  21

  Hayden

  Of course the man sitting inside the transport wasn’t Nathan Stacker. That was impossible in every sense of the word, unless there was a second portal connecting Earth to Proxima and Nathan had reached it inside of an hour and gone through, regenerated his limbs and eye, changed his clothes, had all charges against him dropped and joined a different side.

  The presence of the identical clone still caused Hayden to do a double-take. In the back of his mind, he recalled Nathan telling him how the Trust had used an identical copy of him to set him up for his wife’s murder.

  What this Stacker one and the same?

  “Get in,” the Stacker said, sliding over to make room. Hayden slipped in beside him. Rex and Heart didn’t join him.

  “You aren’t coming?” Hayden asked.

  “We have orders,” Heart replied.

  Hayden was slightly dismayed to lose the Judicus. He had started to think he could win her over to his side given the right conditions. Now he wouldn’t have the chance.

  The door to the transport closed, and it began to move. “We aren’t going to the Judicus Department, are we?” Hayden said.

  “Oh, we are,” Stacker replied. “But Colonel Gray wanted a few minutes of your attention first.”

  “Gray,” Hayden said. “Trust?”

  Stacker nodded. “We have a complex situation brewing, Sheriff. It requires a delicate touch.”

  “And I don’t look like I can manage that?”

  Stacker laughed, his eyes dropping to Hayden’s arms. “That’s not for me to decide. Gray figured if you saw a familiar face first, you’d be more open to listening to what she has to say.”

  “Did you kill Nathan’s wife?”

  Stacker flinched. “That’s as straightforward as it gets, isn’t it?” He nodded. “I did. Under Haeri’s orders. Stacker’s wife was on to something dangerous.”

  “Something he used after she was dead.”

  “She knew what she was getting into. We had to protect the security of Proxima. End of story.”

  “Okay. End of story. But why would Gray think I’d respond in a good way to a murderer?”

  “It’s about the lengths we go to to protect our way of life. I’m sure you can empathize with that.”

  “I’ll let you know. Getting here wasn’t easy. I’m not leaving with the status quo.”

  “Fair enough, Sheriff. That’s where the colonel comes in. As a member of the Trust, she has some additional pull on both sides.”

  “I’m not looking for pull. I’m not looking for compromise. And I don’t expect Colonel Gray to have the power to offer it, regardless.”

  “Fair enough. Maybe a direct conversation will change your mind.”

  “I doubt it.”

  The transport made its way across the tarmac toward a cluster of buildings on the side of the compound. Hayden recognized the Judicus Department by the dark vehicles parked in neat columns out front. It was the only clue the building offered toward its purpose. The structure itself was ordinary and unmarked, a long, low rectangle stretching nearly three hundred meters across the dome.

  The transport came to a stop in front of it, the doors opening by themselves. Stacker climbed out on the left side, Hayden on the right. For a split-second, he considered making a run for it. But where would he go? He joined Stacker at the front of the transport instead, and they made their way through the entrance to the building.

  The inside was exactly what Hayden might have imagined if he had cared enough to imagine it. Long hallways, lots of doors. Unfinished ceilings and tile floors. Simple. Functional. And boring.

  “This way,” Stacker said, leading him down the main corridor.

  Hayden followed the clone, trying to sneak peeks through the doors they passed. Most had no windows, and the ones that did were narrow slits he would have needed to stand up against to look through. A Judicus crossed the hall ahead of them, sparing a glance before pointedly looking away. The Stacker was someone they knew existed but didn’t want to be culpable for having seen.

  “In here,” Stacker said as they neared the end of the corridor. He pushed open the door, holding it for Hayden.

  The room was nicely appointed. A large sofa on one side. An upholstered chair to the right And a small bar to the left. A bottle of something was already on top of it, along with two glasses.

  “Drink?” Stacker asked, heading for the bar.

  “I’ll pass.”

  “Suit yourself. Have a seat.”

  Hayden eyed the arrangement and sat on the individual chair. He collected his thoughts as Stacker poured the contents of the bottle into one of the glasses. The liquid was a rich gold, and the sweet smell of the alcohol traveled the distance to his position.

  “Colonel Gray will be here momentarily,” Stacker said, leaving the full glass on the bar and heading out of the room.

  Hayden sat uncomfortably, his leg still in pain, his damaged arm hanging at his side. His clothes were filthy and bloody. He was physically and mentally exhausted.

  And he didn’t trust any of this.

  You can’t trust the Trust. That’s what Nathan had told him. The syndicate used and discarded people like them without giving it a second thought. And what was he, anyway? Being Sheriff Hayden Duke might have meant something on Earth a couple of days ago, but that was before Sanisco had fallen. That was before Nat, Hal and Ginny were killed. It meant nothing there now, and it meant even less here.

  So why was he still alive?

  Because the Trust wanted to use him. It was that simple. Colonel Gray saw an opportunity and wasn’t going to waste it. Hayden was a stranger in a strange land. No identification chip. No real identity here at all. And no power to do anything. He didn’t even have a gun. He had the microspear, but that wouldn’t get him all that far.

  The door opened again...

  22

  Hayden

  A woman Hayden assumed was Colonel Gray entered the room.

  “Sheriff Hayden Duke,” Gray said. She was younger than he expected. Mid-thirties maybe. Shoulder-length brown hair, a streak of white down the right side. She wore a dress uniform, full jacket and pants, though the shape of her neck suggested a muscled body beneath. She wasn’t an attractive woman, not by anyone’s estimation. But she had sharp eyes that suggested she could match General Haeri’s ability to strategize.

  “Colonel Gray,” Hayden said. “I’d stand up and show some respect, but…” He pointed to his bloody leg.

  “That must hurt,” she replied, picking up the drink and turning to him.

  “It does,” he agreed. “Why am I still alive?”

  Gray laughed. “Jason told me you were blunt. I appreciate that.” She took a sip of the drink and went to sit on the sofa. “We have a complex situation brewing, Sheriff. It requires a delicate touch.”

  “I heard that line already. Daniel used it on me.”

  “It bears repeating. Proxima and Earth are under siege.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m here.”

  “I guessed as much. You’re here to see Haeri.”

  “That’s right.”

  “He can’t help you. Not right now.”

  “So I’ve heard. Something about killing the mayor?”

  Gray laughed again. “I’m familiar with your background, Sheriff. The Chair of the Civilian Council, Francois LaMont. Like one of Metro’s mayors, but a little higher up.”

  “That’s a matter of perspective. Let me tell you, Colonel. Haeri and I aren’t on the best of terms, and I know he’s in deep with the Trust, just like you. But I have a certain level of respect for the man, and I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s sincere in his efforts to protect humankind from the threats we’re both facing. The question then is whether you’re with Haeri or against him.”

  Gray took another drink. “Well stated, Sheriff. I don’t blame you for being limited in your view of the universe and the matters in front of us. It’s not as simple as being for or against Haeri. There’s more than one way to achieve similar goals.”

  “And by that you mean...what ?”

  “Survival of the human race, of course. I’ve been walking a fine line the last few weeks.” She held up the drink. “I’m not normally one to drink, but this whole thing is taking a toll on my nerves. You see, I work for the Trust too. But I don’t have Haeri’s freedom. I receive orders and I carry them out. That’s how I stay alive. But it’s gotten to be a tricky proposition. My employers want me to do what the invaders say, to preserve as much of our way of life as possible. The enemy is willing to take Proxima without a fight. What we can produce is more valuable to them than the rock under our feet, and Earth will provide a bountiful enough harvest. Do you understand?”

  “All you have to do is get the right people onto the Council, and in charge of the CSF, is that right? And that meant burning Haeri.”

  “I see you do understand. Impressive for someone who spent their whole life in a box.”

  “Not my whole life, and I’ve always been a quick learner. So you’re angling to keep this whole thing quiet while the khoron infiltrate the Council and the Judicus Department, and then take control. Meanwhile, millions of people on the planet have no idea they’re being managed by an alien race.”

  “That was the plan, up until you arrived.”

  “What do I have to do with it? I’m just one broken man.”

  “You came a long way and took a huge risk to get in direct contact with General Haeri. You know something that might change the outcome. Don’t try to deny it; it’s as obvious as those scars on your face.”

  “I might have a shot in the dark plan,” Hayden admitted. “And I might need Haeri’s help to carry it out.”

  “If I told you I would consider helping you, would you tell me your plan?”

  Hayden didn’t hesitate. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t know you, and I don’t trust you. Rex is a khoron. I’d bet my good eye on it. He knows Stacker picked me up, which means he knows I’m talking to you. And if he knows, then the enemy knows. There’s no chance in hell Vyte would let you talk to me if he thought you would turn traitor on him.”

  Gray smiled. “Be careful with how much you divulge, Sheriff. I never had a name before. Only orders handed down from the Trust.”

  “It won’t do you much good.”

  “Maybe not. I’m on a leash, Sheriff. A short one. But maybe I’m getting tired of it. Maybe I see a way out in your presence here. Maybe I’m willing to take a risk. I helped the Trust burn General Haeri, but that doesn’t mean I agreed with it. Only that I was resigned. I know who our enemy is. I know the technology they possess. I know how futile resistance would be. But your name precedes you, Sheriff. You’re a legend among the Trust, even if you don’t realize it. The man who took out Tinker. Who killed King. Who damn near started their own country on Earth. Only a handful of people on the planet know about any of that, but we’re all in awe.”

  Hayden stared at her. He wasn’t sure how to respond to the praise. The last thing he expected was for anyone who wasn’t Haeri to offer him aid. Was it a trick to get him to divulge the plan? How would it help Vyte to know it? The Axon already knew the interlink was part of the equation. And he knew Caleb Card was important, even if he might not know exactly how.

  Colonel Gray leaned forward, eyes piercing into him. He had always been good at reading people. He didn’t see deception in her posture or body language. What he saw was someone who’s nerves were at the breaking point. What he saw was someone who knew the truth and was looking for the smallest glimmer of hope.

  It still wasn’t enough. Not after Natalia.

  “What if I ask you to trust me, Colonel?” Hayden asked. “What if I tell you we have a chance and leave it at that? Is it worth your life? Because that’s what being on my side usually means.”

  “I need more than that.”