credit question,” Jason agreed. “So … were you followed to Colton Hub? And if so, how did they know which ship you boarded to leave?”
“We were not tracked,” Connimon said. When she offered nothing more, Jason let out an exasperated breath.
“This will go much quicker if you would volunteer information and maybe even go so far as to say why you were there, why you were looking for Crusher, and why you’re on my ship.”
“My apologies, Captain,” she said, nodding to him in a sort of half-bow. “I certainly do not mean to be vague, but when I tell you what we’ve been through you may forgive me for not immediately volunteering information to beings I’ve only just met.”
“By all means,” Jason said sardonically, taking a seat. “Proceed.” While Connimon’s manner was exquisitely courteous and even a bit deferential, he didn’t trust her, and Crusher’s immediate reaction to seeing her was decidedly not a happy one. In fact, his friend was still standing somewhat apart from the group, glowering at their passengers. If Connimon was offended by Jason’s tone, she did not let on as she began her story.
“I can surmise that we were not tracked to Colton Hub because we’ve been there for over seven months,” she said, pausing at the looks coming at her across the table.
“You spent seven months on that death trap,” Kage said. “Why?”
“We were waiting on you,” she said simply. “We’d been attempting to track your movements, but that proved impossible as you were far too elusive. In our investigation, we learned that Colton Hub was one of the places you would frequent more than once or twice a year. So, as unpleasant as it was, we made arrangements to stay there until you arrived. In all that time we were never followed or paid any undue attention. Given that, I must conclude that the ship we recently escaped from was tracking you for its own reasons.”
“Tracking is certainly the correct term,” Jason said. “It was dumb luck we saw them at all. For all we know, they could have been following us all the way from Aracoria.” As soon as he said it, the rest of the crew tensed up.
“Are you suggesting ConFed Intel has renewed its interest in us?” Doc asked tensely.
“I’m suggesting nothing,” Jason said quickly. “Let’s just stick to what we know for now. Connimon, please continue.”
“We were first made aware of your arrival when you, Felex, and Lucky were walking through the galleria. Mazer lost track of you when you split up and we were unable to reacquire you until the three of you entered the establishment on the upper level.
“Even then we were unsure if the gelten on your crew was truly Felex. We had only rumors and eye-witness accounts to go on. Even when we saw him there was some doubt. Years apart from us have changed him some. It was then that we approached your table.”
“Who is Felex?” Doc asked, raising his hand as he did so.
“Ah, shit. I forgot to tell you—” Jason began before Morakar cut him off.
“The warrior you call Crusher is in truth Lord Felex Tezakar, the Guardian Archon of Galvetor,” he said in a hushed but intense voice. He was staring at Crusher as he spoke. Doc’s mouth dropped open and he also turned to look at Crusher.
“I take it you recognize the name?” Jason asked.
“I remember the rumors when Felex disappeared,” Doc said, somewhat awed. “But Galvetor is so closed off that nothing had ever been confirmed. I can’t believe I never put it together.”
“How is it you know so much about our internal politics?” Connimon asked.
“I’m a geneticist,” Doc answered, pulling his eyes away from Crusher, who had remained brooding and silent, to face her. “Early in my career I was given permission to visit Galvetor to study the warrior caste of your people. What you’ve been able to do with such archaic methods is nothing short of miraculous. No offense intended.”
“No offense is taken,” she said
“We were not tracked,” Connimon said. When she offered nothing more, Jason let out an exasperated breath.
“This will go much quicker if you would volunteer information and maybe even go so far as to say why you were there, why you were looking for Crusher, and why you’re on my ship.”
“My apologies, Captain,” she said, nodding to him in a sort of half-bow. “I certainly do not mean to be vague, but when I tell you what we’ve been through you may forgive me for not immediately volunteering information to beings I’ve only just met.”
“By all means,” Jason said sardonically, taking a seat. “Proceed.” While Connimon’s manner was exquisitely courteous and even a bit deferential, he didn’t trust her, and Crusher’s immediate reaction to seeing her was decidedly not a happy one. In fact, his friend was still standing somewhat apart from the group, glowering at their passengers. If Connimon was offended by Jason’s tone, she did not let on as she began her story.
“I can surmise that we were not tracked to Colton Hub because we’ve been there for over seven months,” she said, pausing at the looks coming at her across the table.
“You spent seven months on that death trap,” Kage said. “Why?”
“We were waiting on you,” she said simply. “We’d been attempting to track your movements, but that proved impossible as you were far too elusive. In our investigation, we learned that Colton Hub was one of the places you would frequent more than once or twice a year. So, as unpleasant as it was, we made arrangements to stay there until you arrived. In all that time we were never followed or paid any undue attention. Given that, I must conclude that the ship we recently escaped from was tracking you for its own reasons.”
“Tracking is certainly the correct term,” Jason said. “It was dumb luck we saw them at all. For all we know, they could have been following us all the way from Aracoria.” As soon as he said it, the rest of the crew tensed up.
“Are you suggesting ConFed Intel has renewed its interest in us?” Doc asked tensely.
“I’m suggesting nothing,” Jason said quickly. “Let’s just stick to what we know for now. Connimon, please continue.”
“We were first made aware of your arrival when you, Felex, and Lucky were walking through the galleria. Mazer lost track of you when you split up and we were unable to reacquire you until the three of you entered the establishment on the upper level.
“Even then we were unsure if the gelten on your crew was truly Felex. We had only rumors and eye-witness accounts to go on. Even when we saw him there was some doubt. Years apart from us have changed him some. It was then that we approached your table.”
“Who is Felex?” Doc asked, raising his hand as he did so.
“Ah, shit. I forgot to tell you—” Jason began before Morakar cut him off.
“The warrior you call Crusher is in truth Lord Felex Tezakar, the Guardian Archon of Galvetor,” he said in a hushed but intense voice. He was staring at Crusher as he spoke. Doc’s mouth dropped open and he also turned to look at Crusher.
“I take it you recognize the name?” Jason asked.
“I remember the rumors when Felex disappeared,” Doc said, somewhat awed. “But Galvetor is so closed off that nothing had ever been confirmed. I can’t believe I never put it together.”
“How is it you know so much about our internal politics?” Connimon asked.
“I’m a geneticist,” Doc answered, pulling his eyes away from Crusher, who had remained brooding and silent, to face her. “Early in my career I was given permission to visit Galvetor to study the warrior caste of your people. What you’ve been able to do with such archaic methods is nothing short of miraculous. No offense intended.”
“No offense is taken,” she said
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