Read Online Relic Tech (Crax War Chronicles) by Terry W. Ervin II - Free Book Online Page A

said. “The captain said it was short.” Agent Vingee was still wearing her gray uniform, but had added a matching jacket. I spotted a bulge underneath, an MP pistol. “Expecting trouble?”
    “No.” She smiled and stepped back from the bed.
    I tapped the icon, hoping the message was indeed short. I lacked the strength to hold the clip long and I didn’t dare rest it on my chest. Agent Vingee’s hand appeared and steadied the clip.
    The screen filled with what must have been the bridge of Loams’s yacht. I spotted him moving in the background as Caylar spoke. “Greetings, Specialist Keesay. My apologies for abandoning you but circumstances require it. I am traveling with Special Agent Loams to what remains of the Iron Armadillo . Available evidence indicates all crew and passengers were lost. As Diplomat Silvre’s personal assistant, I must be sure. I leave you in the capable hands of Captain Hollaway and his crew. They will get you to Io as Director Simms intended.” He paused. “We have faith that those who sacrificed will be vindicated. Agent Loams assured me of that. If you survive.” Caylar ran his hand across his chin. “You really have, guts. Good luck.” In the background Mr. Loams nodded in agreement as the entry ended.
    Vingee took the computer clip. “Would you like it replayed?”
    “No, no thank you. Just erase it.” I thought a moment while she tapped at the screen. “Mr. Loams was a mole?”
    “Apparently,” she responded.
    “Did you know of him?” I asked.
    “No, my area isn’t corporate espionage. I specialize in records and information.”
    “Can you use that firearm under your jacket?”
    “I am very proficient,” she said, somewhat offended.
    “Of course you can. In the back of my mind I guess I was hoping you couldn’t.”
    Agent Vingee glared at me. Her head tipped and her jaw clenched.
    “It seems,” I said, “that a number of people don’t want me to make it to Io, and get hooked up to the Cranaltar. As it gets closer, I’m tending more and more to side with them, but for different reasons.”
    Anger and contempt spread rampant across Agent Vingee’s face. Even with my less than stellar vision, I viewed it more plainly than a local sun gone supernova.
    “Oh, don’t worry,” I explained. “I have no intention other than to follow through.”
    She just looked down at me in disgust.
    I was getting a bit angry. “You don’t seem to get it. I’m no coward. I’ve faced rioting mobs, but this is worse!” My throat burned as my voice rose. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Than you’ve ever had to do. Have you faced death?” I didn’t wait for a response. “I don’t care if you have, this is worse. It isn’t like facing a firing squad or a lethal injection. I don’t even have a fighting chance.” My thoughts were all jumbled. I knew I wasn’t making sense. I felt my chest thumping.
    I took several shallow breaths. Her hard face showed a small fracture. She shifted her stance, while I continued. “Do you know what the Cranaltar is? What it does? It won’t just kill me. It may not even kill me!” Breathing was harder. My chest was heavy.
    Her eyes flashed to the monitors. I didn’t care. “Look at me!” I said. “I’m scared. You bet I am. That thing won’t kill me. It’ll take away who I am. It’ll grind up who I am like hamburger.”
    Vingee called into her collar for Dr. Goldsen. I was sure the monitors had already done that. She looked back at me. Any accusation had abandoned on her face.
    “They say I’ve committed appalling crimes, done terrible things. And I’ll never know!” I struggled for a labored breath. “I asked Dr. Goldsen to let me know. But even if she does, I won’t even...be.” I laid back and looked at the ceiling and fought the pain, realizing my own end.
    The door opened and the captain rushed in followed by Dr. Goldsen. I looked at all three. “You don’t even know.”
    Dr. Goldsen stood by the bed.