Originator by Joel Shepherd Read Free Book Online Page A

tracks.”
    â€œWhich raises the question, why would FedInt want Mr Moily so badly? On his own, he’s nothing.”
    â€œSame reason they killed Subject A,” Raylee said tiredly. “To cover up some kind of connection between FedInt and the people who just killed Cresta. Ari says.”
    â€œYou believe everything Ari says?”
    â€œHell, I don’t know,” Raylee said tiredly, rubbing her eyes. “He’s a spook, I’m just a cop.”
    â€œSo you keep insisting.” Raylee just looked at her, sipping coffee, waiting for that remark to be explained. “You thought you turned down this offer of employment, didn’t you?”
    â€œI did turn down this offer of employment.”
    â€œAnd yet here you are.” With mild amusement. “Again.”
    Raylee blinked. “Well, Ari asked, and . . .”
    â€œAnd you keep saying yes. You do realise how this works? You accepted FSA-standard augments and uplinks, now you’re accepting FSA jobs thatrequire FSA-level secrecy. Soon you’ll barely be able to talk to your old police friends because you can’t share any of this with them. And you get this deeply entwined with FSA investigations, we’ll just put you on permanent attachment.” Gazing at her, with those deep-blue eyes. “But you said no.”
    Raylee sighed and stared at the floor. Of course she knew. Dammit. “Thanks for the warning,” she said.
    â€œOh, it’s not a warning. It’s an observation. And if you don’t like the people who are doing it to you, then I’m your worst enemy.” She got up. “I have to go, apparently there’s someone I have to meet.”
    â€œWhy’d you kiss him?” Raylee blurted. Silly thing to ask, but she was tired, and it was on her mind.
    â€œBecause I can,” said Sandy.
    â€œYou can do a lot of things.”
    â€œSo can Ari,” Sandy replied. “But apparently, he’d rather do them with you.” Raylee gazed at her, frowning. And was astonished when Sandy kissed her on the forehead and left.

CHAPTER THREE
    They sat in the briefing room, the most secure place in all FSA HQ. Director Ibrahim, Sandy, Assistant Director Hando, Ari. There could have been many more, but Ibrahim was determined to keep the numbers down to the absolute minimum. Chief Shin was reportedly frantic that he had no asset in the room and was making all kinds of calls and threats. Soon Fleet would be as well, no doubt. Then others.
    Hando poured tea. Their guest took it politely, no milk or sugar. Hando passed around to others. Coffee for the Director, always.
    â€œSo, Cai,” said Sandy. Lead, Ibrahim had told her. She had had previous contact and was also a GI. Ari had had more direct previous contact, but Ari was not “strategic.” In the scheme of things, Sandy was somewhat superior. “How are you?”
    â€œI’m very well,” Cai said mildly. “How are you and the children?”
    â€œWonderful,” said Sandy. “They’re adjusting very well.”
    â€œI’m pleased to hear it.”
    â€œAnd your friends?” Sandy asked, sipping her own tea as it came to her.
    Cai smiled. “My friends are doing very well also.”
    It was quite absurd. Pleasantries and euphemisms were fine, but Cai’s “friends” were the Talee, the only other intelligent race in the galaxy, at least that humans knew of. Not only did he work for them, they’d made him, using the same technology that the League had borrowed to make the first human GIs, then called their own. The same technology, only a far more advanced version.
    â€œI hope I have not upset anyone by being here,” Cai added. “That was not my intention.”
    Sandy glanced at Ibrahim. Cai had just turned up, thirty minutes ago, ontheir doorstep. And had apologised to everyone for inadvertently getting in their way just now.
    â€œNot at all,”