Read Online Rift Breaker by Tristan Michael Savage - Free Book Online Page B

cheekily.
    â€˜Did you see that one?’
    â€˜Yeah, I saw her,’ replied Milton, briefly glancing back.
    â€˜I love this place!’ Tazman yelled.
    Milton looked around, still not believing where he was. Despite his desperate situation he continued to be enchanted by all he was experiencing. But the incident in the alley replayed continuously in his mind. That guy, Reelai, had known his name. He strained his mind trying to figure out how this was possible. He pulled out the gold disc for a closer examination. Markingshad been engraved on its surface, separated by tiny seams. He ran his fingernail along them, in an attempt at finding an opening. A hand grabbed the back of his vest and jerked him to a standstill. He spun to see Tazman, now behind, staring slack-jawed at something to the side.
    â€˜What?’
    The simian stood mesmerised in the glow emanating from a stack of display screens on the side of a building. A holographic image of Milton’s head rotated slowly. Information, posted in several languages, swam down the side of the screen.
    Wanted by the Tranquillian Composite for the destruction of the Orisurrection space colony. Believed to be a Tyde agent involved in the disappearance of Nova Corp science vessel, the Reconotyre.
    â€˜You’re a Tyde agent?’ cried Tazman, jumping into combat stance.
    â€˜No. This is a mistake,’ stammered Milton.
    The screen went black; then Tazman’s image appeared. Tazman stepped back in disbelief. ‘Well I know I’m not a Tyde agent.’ He turned to Milton. ‘They think we did it?’
    â€˜Then I’m obliged to take you in,’ said a voice, cutting in from behind.
    Milton spun to find himself looking down the barrels of two sidearms. The captain of Inhibitan stood in a braced position and flicked a loose strand of hair from her face. ‘That would be the responsible thing, after all,’ she added, and activated the charge mechanism on both weapons.
    Tazman shrieked.
    â€˜Don’t move!’ she ordered. ‘Get your hands where I can see them. These things can melt metal. Imagine what they would do to you.’
    Tazman shot his hands in the air. Milton was reluctant to comply with the gold disc still in his hand. She glanced at it briefly, disinterested.
    â€˜You think you can get a free ride from me?’ she said smugly. ‘I’ll take my fare by some other means.’
    â€˜Come on now,’ pleaded Tazman. ‘Are you going to believe everything you hear on a news feed? We’re innocent.’
    â€˜Yeah, we’re all innocent aren’t we? Please, I’d be broke if I were stupid enough to fall for that one. Maybe this will teach you not to rip—’ unexpectedly, her voice trailed off. Her hard gaze began to float.
    â€˜Yes?’ encouraged Tazman, circling his palms up. ‘Rip ... uuhhh, rip you off, is that what you were saying?’
    Her distracted eyes couldn’t decide where to look. Milton, curious of her darting focus, stretched his gaze around steadily, avoiding any sudden movement, looking over his shoulder.
    He saw the thing that concerned her and gave Tazman a subtle nudge. The intoxicated simian turned around to see the rotating holographic depiction of her solemn face displayed in the same fashion.
    Milton turned back. Behind her, on every screen, on every skyscraper, the colourful advertising had been replaced by theholographic faces of Milton, Tazman and the lady who stood before them.
    Her surprised expression reverted to anger; she tightened her grip on the weapons.
    Tazman burst into a hearty laugh, throwing her offbeat. ‘Luylla Warride, is that your name?’ he managed between chuckles. ‘Looks like you’re wanted for organised crime there lady — the big bad bounty hunter.’
    â€˜Shut up,’ she shot back. ‘It’s not funny. And get your hands in the air.’
    â€˜Or you’ll what, take us in?’