Star Law: A Marshal Cole Series

Chapter 25 (b)

"What were you thinking?" asked Volks, his voice rising in incredulity. He stood in front of Cole while his security people looked for Orion in the surrounding cargo holds. Also present was Captain Cutler, Boz, Miguel and Tilston-Horn. "You could have got yourself killed."

"I didn't think that my following a voice in my head would make any sense to anyone," said Cole.

"I shot a man based on a feeling it would stop an attack that was killing people," said Volks. "I think I'd understand."

Volks had a point as much as it pained Cole to admit. "I'm sorry you had to come after me like that but we've learned something more about what we're dealing with."

"And that is?" Captain Cutler asked. He'd been standing to one side till this moment and looking more annoyed than ever.

"That we're likely dealing with a government or military group from Earth that had operations just outside Washington D.C.," said Cole. "That is more than an educated guess based on the uniform we found in the cargo hold belonging to Aubrey Chase Chen. Her unit was one specializing in psi research."

"How does this relate to the girl Orion?" questioned Cutler.

"It is my impression that Orion and possibly a dozen children were the subject of research and training in psi just outside of D.C.," began Cole. "I was told that the other children died in a shuttle accident."

This stirred Volks as well as Miguel and Tilston-Horn. Boz's eyes lit up."

A shuttle accident you say?" Volks asked. "I know this story. It didn't happen too long ago."

"I heard as well," said Miguel. "One of the other stewards told me it happened when they shipped out to Arcturus."

"The story is correct," Boz confirmed. "While many stories of tragedy in the Commonwealth don't get widespread coverage this one did as it pertained to a safety notification. A warning went out in regards to ship shielding and orbital debris during launch and take-offs. The incident that instigated that warning was the destruction of a shuttle carrying 12 children and 3 crew."

"Orion Ruskovich has been, according to her, trying to find out what happened to the children," said Cole. "She admits to the death of Aubrey Chase Chen but says she was defending herself. She also admits to her involvement with Alexander Singh but that he escaped using the psi blast."

"And we believe her story?" asked Volks.

"We still have to rely on good old fashioned police work," said Cole. "We verify every piece of information we have, we follow leads, we trust our gut and we build our case."

"Orion Ruskovich came to you for help," said Horn. "What exactly does she want?"

"Information," said Cole. "For whatever reason, it would appear that we have several individuals headed to the fringe of known Commonwealth space who have psi powers. If they do come from an Organization as suggested by Orion, it would appear she doesn't know them all."

"It is safe to let her know if we find out who some of these people are?" asked Miguel."

That's a good question," replied Cole. "The truth is we don't know."

"If we catch her, I'd feel a lot safer," said Cutler. "This ship's security is my primary concern. There's been more than enough death and destruction already."

The sound of a hatch opening sounded behind them and all turned to see Deputy Security Chief Champion enter along with a security detail. The look on his face told the story.

"We haven't found her," he said flatly. "I have no idea how she escaped the cordon."

"Hard to catch someone who can appear and disappear like that," said Miguel.

"Difficult but not impossible," said Horn. "She is trapped of course."

Volks narrowed his eyes. "How?"

"It is highly unlikely she has left the ship," said Horn. "She is here somewhere."

Volks considered this. "That is interesting and might be something we can use at some point."

"Speaking of people who can appear and re-appear, we have found the man who was in Aubrey Chase Chen's cabin," said Champion. "What do we intend to do about that?"

Cole was startled. He was definitely out of the loop. "You've found him? He's in custody?"

Champion was abashed. "No, we have kept distance and are video monitoring his cabin. His name is Petr Goroshenko. The Chief here thought you might need rescuing first."

This caused embarrassed flushing in the Marshal's face. "You've done the right thing keeping distance. I...I apologize from pulling security teams away from the job."

If the Deputy Chief had any more issues with Cole, they were blunted by the marshal's apology. "We spoke to his steward who tidied the room an hour ago. He wasn't in his cabin and security video was spotty as the system was still coming back online in the hours before."

"How would we know when he is back in his cabin or not if he can appear and disappear," said Miguel.

"The answer is we can't," replied Cole. "We will have to find a way to track him and question him."

"But how do we hold him?" asked Miguel.

Horn smiled. "I have a theory how we do all of that."

Cutler looked at everyone. "It would appear that we can do no more in this cargo hold. Everyone back to their stations and keep watch for the girl and Goroshenko. As for you Horn, I hope indeed you have some sort of plan. At the moment, I'm contemplating flooding the whole ship with a nerve agent to put people to sleep for a week and then sort it all out later."

Cutler strode out of the hatch looking as annoyed as when he'd walked in.

Horn looked over at Cole. "His plan might be the soundest we've heard so far."

Cole grunted. "I expect you to do better than that."

They followed the captain out the hatch and to an outside corridor out of the cargo hold. At no time did they notice Orion Ruskovich looking down at them from a high up viewport. She was still in her spacesuit.