to go somewhere. To do something.
“This area has too many people. He’ll want to keep Bacoj as isolated as possible. We’re in the wrong spot. Come on.”
They continued down the street, and the surroundings became even more desperate in appearance. Vax stared in all directions for any clue to his beloved’s whereabouts. Since it was certain Bacoj wouldn’t be out in the open, he had no idea what exactly he should be searching for.
They slowed again when Japohn’s com beeped. “Yeah? No kidding. We’re in that area now. Okay, thanks.” He clicked off and glanced at Vax. A hint of satisfaction on his angry features gave the Imdiko a real spark of optimism. “That was my undercover contact. Bek is under constant surveillance by enforcement, and he routinely sweeps his property for trackers and bugs. Even so, a few of the shuttles believed to belong to him are still on the grid as of this morning. One showed up near our inn, then came out to this district less than an hour ago.”
Vax’s heart sped up. “That must have been the shuttle they took Bacoj with.”
“They stopped just up the next block. There are several supposedly empty storage facilities there. A shell company owns most of them. There’s a good chance that company belongs to Bek.”
Their pace had picked up as Japohn spoke. He wasn’t quite running, but the Nobek’s long legs ate up the distance. Vax broke into a trot to keep up.
* * * *
Bacoj’s confused state ended when his surroundings lit up. Blinded, he squeezed his eyes shut.
An all-too-familiar voice mocked him. “It’s about time lover boy finally woke up. Those idiots dosed you a little too well. That’s okay. I’ve been enjoying the anticipation.”
Karil’s laugh echoed in Bacoj’s ears, screeching and strange. The Dramok’s scattered thoughts began to coalesce around the idea he was in an enclosed space. But where?
He opened his eyes to slits, trying to adjust to the brightness after lying in the dark. His long lashes filtered the worst of it, but all Bacoj could discern were a few shadows in the light.
That changed as a large shape stomped close, looming over him. At last, Bacoj could discern scuffed black boots, the toes of which were only a couple of inches from his head. Then Karil’s hectic mug filled his vision as the Nobek bent to leer at him.
“I got you, lover boy. I hope plugging Vax’s ass was worth what’s coming to you. I can’t wait to cut you up. It’ll be a nice prelude for when I catch up with Vax later down the road.”
The threat helped clear the remaining muddle from Bacoj’s brain. He glared at Karil, snarling past the wad of fabric in his mouth and whatever sealed his lips shut.
“You poor bastard. You know he loves you, right? He bawled like a baby when I commed and told him what I would do to you. How hard will he cry when he sees what his stupidity brought on? When he gets everything that’s coming to him?” Chuckling, Karil straightened and plodded away.
Bacoj’s sight had adjusted during Karil’s boasting, and he was able to see his surroundings. He lay in a small, dingy room with no furniture. The hard, gray floor was filthy with dirt and assorted trash. No windows. A few steps leading up to a sealed door. At least he wasn’t naked, as he’d dreamed he was. Bacoj was still fully clothed—it didn’t a real difference in any event, but for some reason, it made him feel less vulnerable.
He was tied up. That part he hadn’t imagined. Thick cords bound his ankles together, and his arms were lashed behind his back. He pulled at the restraints, but there was no give. He couldn’t break loose.
Karil was near the other end of the space, opening a bulky carryall type of bag. The Nobek looked at its contents before grinning at Bacoj.
“This is going to be such fun. I had planned to wait to celebrate my long-awaited victory, but why should I? Why not indulge myself in my two favorite activities at once? Getting high and making someone die. Hey, that rhymed!” He laughed and pulled out a cruel-looking injector, the archaic kind with a thick needle meant for stabbing into the flesh.
Fear flashed through Bacoj at the sight—not because of the pain it would inflict, but because he had no idea what sort of drugs Karil planned to use on him. Worse still, the injector appeared as if