FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The space around them was empty, that's what the sensors told Alex. Well, except for the ship Tristan was piloting toward. It looked like just one of the thousands of ships he'd seen since going to space. Elongated, halfway between a cylinder and ellipsoid with a bulge where the cockpit would be, well bridge in this case, this looked to be a larger ship. The back end was flattened for the engines.

Then, he noticed how far they were from the ship. How could he see it at this distance? He had the ship run the numbers. "What the? What is that thing?"

"It's a Valkyrie, from Kilsco."

Alex looked at Tristan's back. "That isn't a ship, it's larger than most space stations we've gone to. Who needs something like that."

"Someone who doesn't like to be stationary."

"You don't need that. You get yourself a decent size yacht."

"Some people like carrying the comforts of home with them."

"According to those readings, they brought an entire city with them."

Tristan didn't say anything.

"And our client lives there?"

"She owns the ship."

Alex looked at it again. They were close enough he could make out small dots along the hull, which he realized were windows. One person owned the entire thing?

He knew there were rich people in the universe, but to him that meant someone who could afford to buy anything he needed and not have to bother looking at the price. This was beyond anything he had conceived of.

He zoomed in as much as he could, and in moments the side of the ship took the entire screen, and yet they were nowhere close to it. He saw three doors, that according to the sensors were large enough to let in a ship ten times their size. He shifted the focus to a long window and looked into a corridor where men and women walked.

"Alex."

Tristan's voice pulled him out of his amazement and he saw someone was contacting them.

"Unknown ship," came digitized voice, "Please identify yourself."

Alex sent the tag Tristan had prepared, and slipped into the system with it.

It was...vast. It wasn't the largest computer he'd been into. Back during his days at Luminex he'd had to coerce competitors systems. some had been spread throughout an entire planet, with enough processing power to run the universe. But that hadn't been as seamless as the system he was looking at now.

"Identity recognized," the voice said, and Alex traced it to a part of the computer. The computer was handling this part itself. "Please prepare for system takeover and to be guided to your assigned hangar."

"Sorry, that isn't going to happen." He blocked the computer's attempt to enter their ship's system. He didn't have to check with Tristan. They weren't playing a role, and this wasn't a government. He never liked letting other computers touch his.

"Procedures required that you be guided in."

"If you wanted procedures to be respected, you shouldn't have hired us. We do things our way." And just to prove it he sent a program to notify a living person to get in on the communication.

The program didn't reach a port, it was assaulted by anti-bodies within moments, and Alex left that system before anything bigger could target him.

"This is an illegal action, you can be prosecuted for coercing this system." The voice was still digitized, but it had a quality to it that told Alex this was someone breathing.

"Don't work yourself up, I didn't do anything, just got your attention. We're here, we just need to know where you want us to land."

"Our system will guide you in."

"Nope. Give us directions and we'll find our way there."

"Sir, we have procedures. Every ship needs to be guided in. The danger of--"

"Yeah yeah yeah. If we hit something it would cost a lot of money. Seems to me you guys have plenty of that."

"Sir, procedures have to be followed. This isn't some end of the universe station where you get to do whatever you want. We have rules and regulations here, and you will follow them."

"You're not getting into our system. If you prefer, I can always get in yours and find where you want us myself."

"Alex," Tristan growled.

Alex muted his side and ignored the gasped and litany of rules against him coercing their system. "Do you want them in the ship's system?"

"No, but I didn't tell you to coerce theirs."

"I'm not going to do it. I know better than that, but they don't." At least he wasn't going to do anything the would get Tristan angry at him. He unmuted his comm. "Look, we're here because we have a package to deliver. A package that you ordered."

Sounds of protestation.

"Not you personally, but you as whoever is in charge of this thing you call a ship. Now, you can argue for as long as you want, I have a functioning cryo system in here. I can go in and come back out once you're done, and then you can tell me where you want us. Or you can save yourself some time and just give me the information now."

Silence.

Alex used the time to probe the system's defenses. Security had been tightened, now that it knew he'd made it in once without its knowledge. He saw plenty of weak points he could use, and some of them didn't even have defenses close by. If Tristan told him to, he could go in, cause chaos and be out before the system even knew what had happened.

"You're going to hangar eighty-three."

"Thank you." Alex cut the communication and took a moment to find the manufacturer Tristan had mention and then the Valkyrie. He was surprised to find that there were a dozen such ship in existence.

By the time he had the blueprints, he'd had to slip back into the ship's system to get its ID tag, Tristan was already maneuvering them around to a door on the other side of the ship. Alex confirmed it was the one they wanted as Tristan settled in front of it and waited.

The door began to open, and their ship moved forward. Tristan had them through the forcefield keeping the air in before the door was even a tenth of the way up. This one was even larger than the ones he'd been looking at on the other side.

Instructions came, identifying an available pad among the other ship and Alex sent them to Tristan's screen. They flew above the other ships, all of which looked immaculate, like they were just off the construction yard.

As the ship landed, Alex did a visual scan of the area. Just outside where they were landing stood a man who Alex could tell was military, It was in the posture and uniform he wore, arguing with a woman in a simple white dress. Behind them was a squad of guards. He sent the visuals to Tristan's screen.

The military man was pointing in their direction and by his expression he wasn't happy. The ship had a program that could read his lips and translate, but Alex didn't need it. He didn't know the exact words, but the gist would be. "They're criminals who can't even follow simple procedures. We can't allow people like that on such a beautiful ship. We have to arrest them immediately and throw them in a cell."

The woman didn't look perturbed by the words. She watched their ship come down, said a few words and the man's face turned crimson before performing a salute and leaving to join the guards. They didn't leave the hangar.

So she was the client. Alex zoomed in on her. The robe wasn't white, it was actually a silvery material. Her face was smooth, unlined. Alex didn't think she wore any makeup. She looked to be in her early thirties, but that meant nothing, not with the money she had. She could be a million years old and it wouldn't show. Her hair was dark blond, straight and to her shoulders. It looked perfect, as pretty much everything about her did. He wondered how many hours she spent arranging herself. Or if she'd had work done to ensure she always looked this good.

The ship touched down with only a shudder to let him know. He shut down the board and stood with Tristan.

"Weapons?"

"We're not here to start trouble," Tristan replied. "Just a gun." Tristan opened a locker and took out a belt with holster and gun and put it on.

Alex opened his locker and put his belt on. He strapped a knife on each calf, and each forearm. He already had the two at his back. Now he felt ready to deal with whatever would happen.

Out of another locker he pulled out a hoverboard and brought it in the room where the old man was resting. Alex pulled on the board to stretch it while Tristan shut down the cryo system.

When it was long enough the old man would fit, he activated it and placed it horizontally, he adjusted the height until it was even with the bed and they transferred him. The old man didn't stir and Alex checked his pulse. Faint, but steady. He pushed the board toward the ramp and then they were outside.

For the number of ships and workers there, the hangar was remarkably quiet. Sound dampeners, Alex thought, and couldn't believe someone would spend the kind of money needed to dampen something this size, and for what? Worker comfort?

The military man was next to the woman again and pointed at them. She frowned, then nodded. Triumphant the man stroke toward them.

"Weapons aren't permitted on Lady Dalia's ship." He set his jaw defying them to argue.

Alex watched Tristan as he considered the man. When Tristan undid the belt, Alex did the same, handing it over.

"Every weapon." The man indicated the knife at Tristan's side.

Tristan looked back at him and didn't move.

The man motioned and two of the guards joined him.

Tristan looked at the woman. "They get any closer and they die."

"That's enough General." She moved with measured steps, but Alex had the feeling she wanted to hurry. She looked at them, but her gaze kept flicking to the old man.

They rated a general? That was kind of flattering.

"Lady, the laws are clear. Only guards are allowed weapons of any kind."

She smiled at him. "Hurbert, you've already taken their firearms. Be happy with that."

"But--"

"If you need more, I am designating them my grandfather's guards. Now they are allowed their knives." She tapped something on her wrist, under the rope's sleeve and Alex went on guard.

Six people entered pushing a hover bed, which Alex identified as of the medical variety. They paused behind her and she motioned for the general and guards to move out of the way. Then they were next to them. Two of them ran portable scanners over the old man before they moved him to the bed.

The screen on the sides lit up with readings about his health, which wasn't good, Alex could see. The doctors fussed over the man for a moment before pushing him away.

The woman watched him until he disappeared on the other side of a door and then looked at them. She studied them before pulling a money chip from her other sleeve.

"As agreed, here is the second half of your payment." She handed it to Tristan, who took it and pocketed it. "You're not going to verify the amount?"

Tristan shook his head. "I don't have to. You know who I am, how dangerous I am. You know that if even one--what do you call them here? Murans? If even one Murans is missing, I'm going to be back, and all this," he motioned around them, "isn't going to stop me from making you understand how bad of a mistake it was to screw me over."

Murans? Why couldn't they just call them credits? Alex wondered. What was it with every planet, and this ship, having to give names to money, it was money, not a kid.

The general tensed, and the guards with them, one putting a hand on the butt of his gun. Alex fixed his gaze on her, and crossed his arm over his chest, slipping a hand inside the sleeve. She saw him do it and was caught unable to decide if she should escalate or stand down.

The Lady Dalia laughed. It was light, airy. The laughter of young girls playing in the fields. "Oh, you are so right. I do know those things, which is why I hired you, isn't it? And you performed as I had hoped." She looked Tristan over as she said that.

Alex bristled. Was she checking him out? Tristan was his, not hers. He clamped down on the jealousy. Tristan wasn't his. He belonged to Tristan. He could sleep with anyone he wanted. Alex had no say in the matter.

Still he couldn't help feeling relief when Tristan just nodded. "So, why are we here?"

The question took her by surprise. "What do you mean? You are here to return my grandfather and get paid."

"You could have sent a shuttle to my ship for that." He nodded to the general. "I'm certain he advocated for it. You're not the kind of person who thanks people like us in person, let along handle the payment. You could have watched all this from the safety of your room. So what other job are you hoping to convince me to do for you?"

She smiled again. "You are as perceptive as I had heard. I have always admired that in a man."

Alex kept his jealousy in check. She was actually hitting on Tristan. Fortunately he wasn't reacting to it.

"What's the job?"

"You're very direct, has anyone ever told you that?"

"We're leaving." Tristan turned and Alex followed him up the ramp.

"My brother is planning to do something stupid."

Tristan stopped and faced her. "Maybe you should lock him up before he does."

"Unfortunately, he's already left. Actually he's been gone for some time now."

"So you want me to stop him?"

"Yes."

"What is he going to do?"

"I'm afraid that will have to wait."

Tristan headed up the ramp. Alex waited. Like Tristan had said, there was no reason for them to be here other than she wanted him to take the job. She was being difficult, and Tristan didn't have any time for those games unless he was the one who set them in motions. With Alex still there, if she took to long he'd be able to relay the information.

"He's going after our grandfather's research," she said as Tristan stepped inside.

"What is it?" Tristan walked back down the ramp.

She hesitated. "I don't know, not for certain. Our grandfather told us stories when we were children, but that was a long time ago. It's why I wanted you to rescue him. He'll be able to tell you exactly what it is."

"Alright, I'll talk with him when he's ready." He turned and took a step up the ramp. This time Alex followed him.

"You don't have to stay there, surely you'd prefer some comfortable accommodations while you are here."

Tristan stopped.

Alex wasn't sure what he was considering. The Samalian didn't care for comfort, he could sleep anywhere.

"Alright."

They walked down the ramp and Tristan closed it, locking it. Alex saw the mechanic approach. He grabbed his arm as he reached for the panel on the hull that gave access to the engines. Alex shook his head.

"I'm just going to do maintenance."

Tristan came around. "You touch my ship, and I'm going to kill you." It was said casually and the mechanic looked at Alex who nodded confirmation.

Even then it took a moment for the reality of it to sink in and then he quickly moved away from the ship.

"That goes for anyone else," Tristan said. "You'd better pass the word around."

He followed the Lady Dalia as she walked to the guards.

Tristan smiled. "And that goes for you too, general. I also wouldn't try to get in my ship. You're not going to like the result."

"General," the Lady said, command in her tone. "His ship is off limit. They are my guest. I don't want them to come complaining to me about their property being invaded."

"I won't complain. Those responsible will just die."

Her eyes flashed with anger, and then they were neutral again. Alex had a feeling that if Tristan killed anyone it would get ugly in here.

She pointed to one of the guards. "Take them to a room in the Orema district." She turned to Tristan and smiled. "I'll see you in the morning."

She left, and after checking with the general, the guard indicated they should follow him. They'd gone two intersections when Alex saw the information panel.

"Tristan, I'd like to get this face fixed. Do you mind if I join you later?"

The Samalian shook his head.

"The district it--" the guard began, but Alex stopped him.

"I'll be able to find it on my own." He left them before the guard could object. At the panel he didn't bother coercing it, he simply asked for the closest fully equipped medical clinic and then headed there.

The clinic was two floors up, and no one paid him any attention even if what he was wearing, his gray and red military pants and jacket over a gray shirt, was completely different than what any of the people were wearing. They all looked like they were on their way to attend some function or executive board meeting.

The clinic was a single room with three beds. A doctor in a pale green uniform stood as he entered.

"Good afternoon, what can I help you with?" she asked.

Alex took out a data chip. "I need you to reconstruct my face."

The request surprised her for a moment, then she took the chip. "The face you want in on there?"

"My original face, yes."

"Name?" she sat back down and readied to enter it.

"Why do you need it?"

"It's Prian City policy to log every medical procedure undertaken by its citizens."

"I'm not a citizen, I'm visiting."

"I--I still need to enter it."

Alex took out another chip. "There's ten thousand credit on here. It's yours if you keep my name out of your system."

"I'm sorry sir, but I can't do that."

He sighed. "Fine. My name is Brian Ferguson."

She entered it. "It isn't in our system."

"I told you, I'm visiting."

"I'm going to need--"

Alex handed her his Ferguson ID. She did what she had to do and then handed it to him. She led him to a bed and he lied on it. He felt his face go numb as she turned the bed on and he closed his eyes.

* * * * *

"It's all done," she said, handing him a mirror. He looked at his face and moved his jaw, not feeling any of the stiffness that had been there before.

"Whoever constructed that face did a poor job."

Alex nodded. It had been a last-minute addition to Tristan's plan, something to reduce the chances he'd be recognized.

He ran a finger against the scar.

"I can remove that if you want."

"No thanks." It was starting to fade. He'd have to get it freshened up again soon. Tristan hadn't said anything, but Alex knew the Samalian liked the scar.

"I also noticed you have an auditory implant. You have the money, so I can do an actual repair to your ear."

"That isn't necessary. I like it this way." He jumped off the bed. "Is there a public terminal nearby? I need to check on something."

"You can use the one here. I'll just lock out the medical database."

Alex smiled. "Thanks."

Once she indicated he could he sat down and looked through the news feeds until she grew bored and moved away to check on something else.

He closed his eyes and formed the mental pattern that activated his implant. It was the one annoying thing about it. The mental switch wasn't easy. It was to avoid accidentally turning it on or off, but there were days he missed his earpiece, when putting it in was the only thing needed to turn it on.

He heard the ship's voice.

"Alright, talk to me." He kept his voice low as he navigated his way past the lock and replaced Ferguson with someone from the city, an Esteban Gregor. Ferguson wasn't an identity he had used often, but he didn't want to chance anyone linking them. He then looked for any other instances where his or Tristan's name might be in the system.

Fortunately, the Lady Dalia knew how to handle hiring mercenaries, meaning that she made sure nothing could be traced back to her.

He looked up when he was done and she was still on the other side of the room, occupied with some device he didn't know.

He spent ten minutes inserting commands in the system. Nothing that would let him take over, he'd need more time for something like that, but it would open doors and ignore his presence if he told it to.

Then he looked for where the Orema district was and the room most recently assigned to anyone. With that information he thanked the doctor again and left to join Tristan.