The leader’s next words underscored that.
“Do what is necessary. If bugs are in the way of progress, step on them and move on. Is this understood?”
He bowed his head. “It is understood, my Prime. The fleet will not disappoint our world.”
“Better that it does not disappoint me,” she responded and her voice sent chills through his soul. “Our world does not hold its lives in its grasp.”
It was a bitter reminder that she held all their futures—and lives—at her mercy, and he grieved that this was the being who ruled the world his family called home. Still, there was no other.
“There will be no mercy, my Prime.” He bowed toward her, then repeated the gesture, the second time shallower than the first. “My Corevex.”
“Next time, we will require better news,” one of the Corevex informed him as the Prime ascended to her dais.
“It shall be so.”
The High Commander stared at the blank screen as his assurance was cut short. He didn’t know whether to be annoyed or relieved. Either way, the time was coming when they would reach their goal and the other races would understand the regard in which they were held.
Bugs, he reminded himself and, as the Prime had decreed, they would be crushed.
Chapter Five
“Do you have them?” The voice carried the same distorted coldness it had held before, and Elizabeth watched as Amy laid a palm on Arne’s bicep as if to settle him.
She was even more surprised to see him rest a hand briefly over the woman’s before he lowered his arms to his sides and inclined his head to study her. He remained silent as she replied.
“There are three who could do the job you are asking,” she informed the caller. “Aegis Ninety-One has been in the business almost as long as I have. They are a small operation with people located along the East Coast of NorAm. Siam’s Arc operates across the Northern Hemisphere and has several high-level assassinations to their credit, although they prefer blackmail to achieve their aims.”
She paused but the voice was impatient.
“And the third?”
Arne raised his eyebrows and exchanged a glance with Matthias. She chuckled softly.
“I saved the best for last. Tiny Tim.”
“Only one man?”
“No. There are four of them and they will travel.”
“Are they any good?”
“They are in my top three and their specialty is assassination—although they like to give each killing a special touch.” Matthias watched E’s lips twist with distaste.
“How so?” the voice was clearly intrigued.
“They put the ‘root’ in ‘brutal,’” she stated coldly. “I’d advise against using them unless you want it messy.”
“Then why do you recommend them?”
“Because they are one of the top three operations for the kind of work you’re looking for.”
“How have they never been caught if they have such a distinctive touch?”
“Because it differs with each task and they have no ties to their targets—ever,” Elizabeth told them. “They leave no traces and no witnesses.”
“We prefer there to be neither.”
“All of the operations I have named can offer you the same service, but you must negotiate it.”
“Are you trying to teach us to suck eggs, Ms. Smith?”
She gave a quick, tight smile that the speaker couldn’t see.
“I’m making sure you know your business as well as you seem to,” she replied. “I’d hate to see you taken advantage of.”
“We are not novices in this arena,” he informed her, his tones as clipped as the distortion would allow.
“So I understand,” she replied smoothly.
“You have given us the names as you promised, but we must ask you once again. Will you consider undertaking this task yourself?”
“Your persistence is flattering,” Elizabeth told them, “but the answer is still no and for the same reason. I have moved up in my world and left the necessity of these tasks behind.”
“So you say. We are disappointed but hope one of these others lives up to your promise.”
The words were strangely ominous and she shivered as she dismantled the handset and stowed it in the safe once more.
“Listen in through that, ass-wad,” she muttered and placed the chip beside the battery and the shell before she positioned a jammer with it and closed and locked the door.
“You’re sure they are?” Matthias asked, his face a picture of disbelief and consternation.
“I know they’re trying,” she told him. “Earth-BURT confirmed it.” She frowned. “And speaking of which…” She raised her voice. “E-BURT are you around?”
“I would never leave you to face those wolves alone.” The AI’s tones were indignant.
“Be nice E-BURT. I’m sure the wolves have done nothing to deserve being associated with the likes of that lot.”
“You may have a point, Ms. E,” he conceded. “How may I be of assistance, today?”
Elizabeth sighed. As powerful as BURT’s clone was, he was still not BURT. “Were you able to discover their target?”
“I am verifying that the names and address are correct,” he replied. His tone turned grave. “I am afraid this assassination will have severe consequences if it is allowed to succeed.”
She responded with a heavy sigh. “So are we, E-BURT.”
Arne groaned. “Look, BURT. Do you have the targets or not?”
“Verifying…” he replied. “Verifying…”
From the look on the ex-Marine’s face, Elizabeth’s comms array was in danger of a pounding if the word was repeated even one more time. Fortunately for her equipment, silence followed.
Matthias rose from his seat and turned to face Arne.
“What are you doing, Matt?” the younger man asked as his ex-boss rested a hand on the wall beside his head and leaned toward him.
“Making sure you don’t do something we’ll all regret,” he replied. “We all know how much Elizabeth loves her office.”
Arne looked into his friend’s face and smiled. “And what makes you think you could stop me from trashing it if the oversized pile of chips and electricity tells me it's verifying one more time?”
“I think we’d both be in trouble if I tried,” he admitted, “but I harbored illusions of being able to get you out the door.”
The other man chuckled. “Yeah. I might have allowed that.”
“Ugh!” Elizabeth groaned. “When you two have finished with the oh-so-manly bonding shit, we have a name.”
“I didn’t hear him call back,” Arne commented.
“Given your elevated sensitivities,” E-BURT informed him, “I deemed it prudent to send Ms. Elizabeth a written text with the relevant data. You seemed unusually agitated.”
Matthias watched the man’s expression go from consternation to outrage and couldn’t stop the chuckle that snuck out. As Arne’s attention switched to him, his chuckle became a snicker and he tried to suppress it. Then, a full-blown laugh erupted when he gave up.