Starcrossed - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,78
the base?”
“It was small. Deep in the earth. One main laboratory and a few offices. It only had one way in or out,” Hansa replied at once. “The idea was that it would be easily contained, and if they needed to bury the whole place, they could do it easily, and no one would be the wiser.”
“Why would they need to bury a place like that?” Tiggy asked, her eyes wide.
“It was probably a failsafe in case one of their experiments got out of control,” Tigh said. “It sounds to me like they were experimenting with bioweapons. That’s one of the few uses I can think of for such a place.”
“Then, this might be where the virus was created?” Tiggy’s voice was tinged with anger.
“It’s possible,” Tigh concluded. “Especially since the fugitive, Doctor Gruber, was the one who created the virus.”
“When we find him,” Henny said, her voice solemn and strong, “he’s a dead man.”
“You’ll get no argument from me, Chief,” Tigh assured her. “He’s already been sentenced to death for his actions. The fact that he’s been eluding justice for so long is a thorn in my side, and a disgrace. The sad fact is he still has many allies—the faction that wants war at all costs.”
“And kidnapping Captain Starbridge?” Tiggy asked. “How does that help?”
“Straight out assassination would’ve been easier and more disruptive,” Henny put in, her tone contemplative, even as Jimnai maneuvered the ship in for a landing. “Unless he’s counting on you to come after her, and you’re the real target, Your Highness.”
Tigh thought about it. “Possible, but unlikely, unless he knows we can track them and doesn’t mind burning the location of this hidden facility.”
“He’s a desperate man,” Henny reminded him.
“Yes, but he’s also a scientist to the core. He wouldn’t want to give up his lab. At least, that’s what I’m betting on.”
“Then, how much do you want to bet there are sensors that have already told him we’re here?” Henny posed the question, that arch in her eyebrow.
“I’m counting on it,” Tigh answered back. “This ship has a lot of special capabilities.” Tigh deliberately brought his hand down on a new console that rose out of the armrest of his chair. He grimaced as something sharp pricked his hand, then the console lights blinked into the green position. “Hansa, deploy the bots.”
A few clunks sounded from below the flight deck and a moment later, a series of self-propelled bots shot out from under the ship, heading for the ground, unfolding into battle bots as they went. Each landed lightly on their feet, weapons at the ready, while several specialized bots with large wheels rolled over every inch of the proposed landing site, making certain it was safe. When they were done, the bots formed a ring, facing outward while the ship came in to land smack dab in the center of the well-armed circle of bots.
“Don’t you worry about mechanicals being corrupted?” Henny asked quietly.
“Not in this case,” Tigh answered just as quietly as he watched the scene unfold. “These bots, and this entire ship, for that matter, are DNA-keyed to the emperor. My brother commissioned this ship, but we were identical twins, so the special features respond to me, as well, but no one else.”
Ginny was impatient to leave the cell in which she’d awakened. When Sally finally started to stir, Ginny went over to her and helped Sally sit up.
“How do you feel, Sal? You got a bigger dose of the knockout gas than we did,” Ginny explained gently.
“I feel like a herd of elephants is running through my brain wearing spiked heels,” she admitted, rubbing her forehead, “but I’m good. Where are we?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Ginny replied. “Do you think you can walk?”
Sally rested both of her palms on her thighs and patted them just once. “Let’s find out.”
With Ginny’s help, Sally got to her feet and took a few tentative steps. The more she moved, the easier it became, and the less she leaned on Ginny’s supporting arm. Once Ginny was sure Sally would be able to walk on her own, she maneuvered them both to the area by the only door. With a nod to Krysta to indicate they were through waiting, Ginny set their escape in motion.
Krysta walked over and, using her cybernetic arm, ripped the door off its hinges. Ginny didn’t get to see Krysta use her mechanical strength often, and it was always impressive. Krysta peeped out the open doorway first