scanned clean.”
“What’s that entry?” Torment indicated red stripe.
“Looks like it’s the cargo ship from the skyport that crashed,” Cipher replied. He checked the manifest. “It was all building supplies. They were destroyed when they hit the atmosphere.”
“This is our medical ship?” Torment gestured to the next line.
“Yes. It took all survivors to the Mercy.”
“If the gas is still on the planet,” Torment said, straightening up, “we might be able to intercept and retrieve it.”
“It would be a hell of a lot safer to attempt a retrieval in the wide-open spaces down there than in the tight quarters of a ship,” Grim commented.
“Do we have anyone still inside the cell on Calyx?” Keen asked, his focus moving to Savage who shook his head.
“Devious was our last link to the cell on the planet,” Savage answered.
“Maybe not,” Torment chimed in, snapping his fingers. “Devious had assets on the ground. If we can find them, we might be able to work them.”
“What about the Splinter shithead we captured?” Grim asked. “Has he said anything yet?”
“He’s a bit tied up at the moment,” Torment replied impassively. Everyone in the room knew exactly what that meant. “He may be more willing to talk when I visit him later.”
“Who was Devious’s handler?” Keen asked.
“Terror,” Savage said and grimaced. “He’s not exactly in a cooperative mood at the moment.”
“That’s a fucking understatement,” Risk grumbled from his seat. “He took a swing at the general and threw a rolling cart through a window. I seriously considered having Venom come down to the infirmary to shoot him with a tranquilizer.”
“So, asking Terror is out,” Keen muttered. “He kept files, right?”
Torment shook his head and interjected his opinion. “His files are all in code, and he never put down the names of assets. Ever. If he knows the names of the assets, they’re up here.” He tapped his temple. “And you’re going to have to ask nicely to get them.”
Cipher stayed quiet and kept his gaze on the screen in front of him. He wanted absolutely no part of dealing with Terror or trying to find lost assets. Technically, he was on modified duty while Brook was in the hospital. He fully intended to keep his ass right here on the ship, safe with his new mate. After all this time waiting for the right one, he had no desire to risk his life hunting down assets who didn’t want to be found.
“Here,” Torment said, suddenly appearing next to him. He placed four plump, firm oranges on the desk. “For your mate.”
Cipher had heard the story about the muckraker down in The City sending Torment a box of the expensive fruit along with photo evidence of Terror. For Torment to share such a personal gift with Brook was a statement that Cipher understood loud and clear. Torment approved of her and considered her someone worth protecting.
“Thank you, Tor.”
“She needs all the calories and vitamins she can get,” Torment gruffly replied, downplaying his concern.
Thinking of Brook and the way she had been so embarrassed about not having anything to give him, he asked, “Do you think I could ask Danny for a favor?”
“You can ask, but it won’t be cheap. He charges inflated prices when he deals with personal favors.”
“I wanted to get Brook’s belongings from her cabin. She only had a backpack with her. When I was at the cabin, I saw all of the important things her father and mother had left behind. I’d like her to have them.”
Torment’s brow arched. “I never took you for a romantic.”
“Yeah, well, let’s try not to spread that around,” he grumbled. “Pierce already busted my balls.”
Torment laughed and then turned his attention back to the computer screen. “Let’s get a look at the ventilation systems.”
Cipher pulled up the ship schematics and began studying the ventilation, heating and cooling systems. Like most ships of this class, they were extensive and difficult to reach, some of the points so narrow only robotic probes could reach them. It was going to be a headache to access and place sensors, but it would have to be done to keep everyone on the ship safe.
But especially my mate.
Mate.
I have a mate.
Mine.
She’s all mine.
He had fought, bled and suffered to earn the right to a mate and the privilege of passing on his superior genes to a new generation. Brook represented his future, and he was determined to make that future with her a bright and happy one.
Chapter Eight
After hours of boredom and loneliness, the door to her