Sentinel - Cyndi Friberg Page 0,46
the statement. “We need that outpost open as soon as possible. There are too many in Ghost City in desperate need of protection. The alliance outpost is their only hope.”
Malik bristled. “The delay was unexpected and unavoidable.”
Malik’s moods never lasted long, so Salvo just kept the conversation moving. Malik would grump and growl, but as soon as they focused on possible solutions his outlook would improve. “Another Opposition Force temper tantrum?”
Malik took a long drink then muttered, “I wish it had been only one.”
“What happened?”
“Indrex released a new series of propaganda messages.”
“More ‘Oustcasts are evil and the rebels are deceiving you’ shit?” Salvo knew Indrex too well to be impressed by the utter nonsense, but a surprising number of the lower designations were accepting his statements as fact.
“I have to admit the bastard is good at it.”
Salvo nodded then sighed. “His skill doesn’t make the messages less disruptive.”
“Let me tell you about disruptive. I was tripping over protesters everywhere I went for the past few days. They were literally lying down in front of me and my officers. It was the most asinine strategy I’ve ever seen, and that was only the beginning.”
Rather than slow Malik down with questions, Salvo picked up his drink and waited for his brother to continue.
“They ambushed two of my officers, beat one badly enough that he’s still in a healing thrall.”
Many of the elite were lashing out in progressively more violent ways. Like cornered animals, they were refusing to go down without a fight. “Do you have any idea who did it?”
“No, but I’m getting a pretty good idea who is behind it. The tactics are familiar.”
Salvo would circle back around to that. He wanted to make sure he’d heard the entire list before he started his side of the update. “Those Op-Force bastards have been busy.”
“That’s not the worst of it,” Malik growled. “They blew up a supply convoy, which isn’t surprising. What baffles the hells out of me is how they found out it was scheduled to arrive. Kage made all the arrangements. We even used Outcast ships. I obviously have a spy among my officers, but I have no idea who it is.”
Salvo was starting to understand Malik’s frustration. “Is it possible the mind-slave lenitas are still in play?”
“I don’t think so.” Then with less conviction, “Damnation, I hope not. Those things were horrendous.”
All of the tech necessary to create a mind-slave had been confiscated and destroyed. No, this had to be the work of an old-fashioned traitor. “How many lives were lost in the explosion?”
“Eleven. Most of the ships were able to launch escape pods or it would have been much worse. Kage insists that his people knew the risk when they volunteered for the mission, but that just makes me feel worse. I honestly thought we had anticipated every danger.”
“I’m sorry.” He filled his voice with conviction and waited until Malik looked at him to add, “We all feel each sacrifice, but you feel them more acutely than anyone else.”
Malik snorted. “You sound like Mother.”
It was a common criticism. Salvo had been hearing it his entire life. Malik followed in the footsteps of their father, so they had grown extremely close. Because Salvo and Arpovae both commanded unusually powerful gifts and their six seasons in hiding, Salvo had always had more in common with his mother.
Malik finished his drink and set down his mug with a rebellious thunk. “So, my week has been shit. Tell me about yours. What’s this grand mystery that couldn’t be communicated remotely?”
“I thought Natalie and I were investigating a series of mysteries, but I’m now convinced we found pieces to one mysterious puzzle.”
One corner of Malik’s mouth curved and amusement brightened his purple gaze. “Before you explain what you learned, tell me how you and Natalie came about.”
Salvo shrugged, feeling strangely defensive. “I’ve been fascinated by Natalie since we met, but it’s impossible to compete with Jaron. So when Natalie asked for a ride to Ghost City so she could spend some time with Kara, I jumped at the opportunity. We’ve been together ever since.”
Malik chuckled. “You make it sound so casual. Unless your experience has been very different from mine, courting a human is anything but. Are you officially courting?”
“We are, and I’m hopeful that she will agree to bond with me.”
“Congratulations. Kara will be thrilled to learn that Natalie is staying on Sarronti Prime. She was concerned that Natalie would feel isolated and return to Earth.”
“Natalie hasn’t accepted me yet,” Salvo reminded.
“She