Tech Scavengers [Humorous, Action-Packed Space Opera]

Negasi settled into Nova's seat next to Jeridan on the bridge, feeling ill at ease. Helen really did act like she liked him, and that turned his stomach. If someone who was half machine could be attracted to him, what did that say about him? And Jeridan noticing was deeply embarrassing. The fact that he didn't make fun of him made it even worse. He didn't need Jeridan's pity.

But they had a more pressing problem, namely the archaeologists on the Karnak who didn't know they had taken two of their group prisoner.

Jeridan opened a vidlink to the captain of the Karnak, who had the redbrick skin and black eyes and hair of a pureblooded Egyptian. Back in the pre-Imperium days, a large number of Egyptians had established colonies on several worlds. They along with the Sino-Amhara, the Chinese, and the Anglos were the most common human ethnic groups in known space, although most of the other Old Earth ethnic groups had made it into space as well.

"This is Captain Boutros of the Karnak. We've sustained significant damage and I've sent a crew out to make repairs. Scans show you got off fairly lightly. I'm surprised you haven't sent out a repair crew, though."

The question was obvious in his statement. Negasi spoke up.

"We've been a bit busy. Nova Bradford's son is having some trouble."

Negasi had lied his way through most of his career, and had found that keeping a bit of truth in the lies made it much easier to keep track.

Captain Boutros's face showed open concern. "Is he all right? Nothing serious, I hope."

"It's a medical matter. She didn't give details."

Now that face became guarded. "I see. Hopefully it will only be a passing problem."

Looks like everyone knows about Mason except us, Negasi thought. And they think we don't know. That could come in handy.

Jeridan spoke. "How long before we get reinforcements? I don't like sitting out here all alone with the Syndicate knowing our address."

"I agree. We're supposed to get some ships in within the next couple of days. A freighter and two well-armed escort vessels."

"If the Syndicate gets here first, we'll be in serious trouble."

Captain Boutros shrugged. "Not sure what we can do about that except prepare the tech on the surface for quick evacuation."

"How much material do you have to evac?"

The captain beamed. "So much! We'll get to work right away. This is a treasure trove."

"You can't move that jump gate," Negasi said.

"No. We'll have to hide that. If the Syndicate found it … "

The captain didn't need to finish. They all knew how dangerous such technology would be in the wrong hands.

Not that this supposedly egalitarian charity had turned out to be pure either. The ends had justified the means far too much with these guys.

"What about that other team member of yours? The one that flew off in the shuttle craft to the north?"

"We'll hunt him down," Captain Boutros said.

"I'd like to speak to him when you get him," Jeridan said.

Captain Boutros looked confused. "Wouldn't Mrs. Bradford do that?"

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"Yes, but um, she's busy with her son."

"Right. Send them my regards. And tell Mason to feel better soon. Over and out."

The vidlink switched off, leaving Negasi to wonder. The other captain, who Negasi hadn't even met while down on the planet, apparently knew the Bradfords and what had happened to Mason, and yet he acted as casual as if the boy had undergone nothing more than an inoculation for the Thetan flu. Was everyone in this damn organization as coldhearted as Nova?

"Dealing with these people could be seriously dangerous," he said. "Look how much trouble we've had while being on their side, and now we've betrayed them."

Jeridan let out a long, slow breath. "I was thinking the same thing, partner."

The S'ouzz cut in over the comm.

"Mason says he wishes to speak with all of us."

"You've been talking to him?" Negasi asked, surprised.

"Yes, he opened a private commlink to me."

"And you didn't tell us?"

"Privacy is the utmost right."

Oh, right. I'm talking to a S'ouzz here.

"All right, we'll go to his room."

"He wants to meet in astronavigation so he can speak to all of us face to face."

"Are you cool with that?"

"Cool?"

"Are you comfortable with that?"

Pause. "If we keep it brief."

"All right."

They headed down to the next deck, briefly checking on their prisoners through the vidscreen. Helen remained in the lotus position on her bunk and Nova was doing pushups in the narrow confines of the pantry while cursing a blue streak.

They found Mason idly fiddling with his tablet, looking downcast.

"Sorry for causing trouble," he said when they entered.

"You're not the one causing trouble, kiddo," Negasi said. "Let's go up and talk with your S'ouzz friend, OK?"

"His name is G'rahzz'kk'l."

"I can't say that without spitting all over your floor."

That got a ghost of a smile. They walked down the corridor.

"How are you feeling?" Jeridan asked.

"Fine."

"It's OK to say you're not feeling fine," Negasi said. He got the feeling that Mason always told his mother he was "fine."

"I'm fine."

They walked in silence up to astronavigation. Mason walked in front. Negasi got the impression that he did that so he didn't have to look at them. As they went up the spiral staircase, the S'ouzz's robotic dog clattered down to greet Mason. The kid patted it and they went up together.

Robotic dogs, robotic women, a ghost in a child's head … this is getting too weird for me.

The S'ouzz sat in his usual spot, surrounded by control panels. The dome showed a spray of stars and the green glow of the jungle planet above. A brilliant speck to the left was the Karnak, whose captain and crew didn't know that the key to their plans had fallen into the right hands.

Negasi wondered how they'd react if they knew.

If they had Nova's attitude, there'd be a fight.

Mason sat in the only other seat, the dog curling up next to him, leaving Negasi and Jeridan to stand by the entrance.

It was better that way. Being close to the entrance signaled to the alien that they were ready to leave. Negasi studied the cilia around the S'ouzz's mouth. They waved in a steady motion, a sign of stress. But of course it felt stress. If Negasi had cilia, they'd be waving too.

No one spoke. Sensing they didn't have much time, Negasi got the ball rolling.

"So what did you want to talk to us about, Mason?"

Mason fiddled with his hands and didn't look at anyone. Negasi glanced at the S'ouzz. It remained relatively calm, at least for the moment.

"We will do anything to help you, Mason," the alien said.

"I know," he mumbled.

"How are you feeling?" the alien asked.

"Fine."

"Could you be more specific?"

"I'm better. I don't like it when I'm taking my medicine and Dad can take over whenever he wants."

Negasi felt sick to his stomach. "And he can't do that now."

Mason shook his head. "He's still there but I don't have to let him out."

"I am glad you're feeling better," the S'ouzz said. "If you want to stay this way, we will help you do that."

Mason shook his head.

"I think I need to take my medicine again."

The words came out so softly, so mumbled, Negasi wasn't sure he heard right.

"What's that you said?" he asked.

"Dad needs to help at the research station."

"We can find another way," Jeridan said.

Mason shook his head.

"There is no other way."

"Is that your father talking or you?" the S'ouzz asked.

Negasi looked at it, surprised. It had spoken more today than it had in any full week since it signed on.

"It's me talking."

"You sure?" Jeridan asked.

Mason nodded. "If I don't let him back out, the Rimscourge will win and destroy everything."

Negasi shifted from one foot to another. He hated that what the kid said was true.

"We can find another way," Jeridan said without conviction, almost as if to convince himself.

The boy shook his head, then turned to the S'ouzz and rumbled out a strange series of noises Negasi guessed was speech. The astronavigator replied, there was a brief interchange, and Mason turned back to the two other humans in the room.

"G'rahzz'kk'l says he can hold on a couple more minutes. We have time."

"Time for what?" Negasi asked.

"Time for me to let Dad out so he can talk to you."