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

but Loams might. And where were they?
    All of this for a dying man. One demanding to have his brain scrambled to get at the truth, which he’ll never know. Ironic—depressing and ironic.
    Sleep, even a troubled sleep seemed preferable. It was.
     
    Someone placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Agent Vingee. “Are you awake?”
    “Yes, I am now.”
    “Good. Captain Hollaway will be here shortly.”
    “Will he answer my questions?” I asked.
    “Some of them, depending on what you ask.”
    I figured that she wouldn’t answer anything important. “How long have you been with intelligence?”
    She thought a moment. “Longer than you’ve been in security.”
    She was being evasive. Or was it something else?
    Vingee must have discerned my puzzlement. “I was a guest lecturer at the Rift Valley Finishing Academy. I spoke to your class on corporate-intelligence agency protocol. In reference to surveillance files.”
    My security training at the academy had consisted of nine weeks, twelve hour days. I squinted. Yes, I recalled her, vaguely. She’d ascended the stage in an unusual fashion. Two steps per stride up to the podium. It had been a less than stimulating lecture, as technical legal information usually is. “Yes, I recall now.” Her lecture had been a bit condescending. Figured the R-Techs in attendance couldn’t spell CPU correctly three out of four times. “You didn’t seem too enthusiastic about being there.”
    She smiled, showing her flawless white teeth. “True. I was a last minute replacement. You earned a ninety-four percent evaluation over the material I presented. Second highest.”
    “Mostly from hitting the books. Your presentation wasn’t riveting.”
    “True,” she admitted, catching the archaic figure of speech. “I don’t like lecturing. You prefer to read?”
    It wasn’t really a question. She’d certainly read my file. “It seems to be the most efficient way of gathering information, for me. Some security work requires a lot of sitting. Between rounds. Behind monitors...you know.” Enough about me, so I asked, “Pretty good recall yourself, or did you look it up?”
    “I have an exceptional memory for names, faces and figures. Riley earned the highest score, ninety-six percent.”
    “I remember Riley.” I decided to test her. “Graduated top of our little class. Where is he now?”
    “Security assistant, with Cardinal One Intrasolar Corp. First Lunar Weigh Station was his initial placement.” She waited. “Have you kept track of him?”
    “No,” I said, recalling that Riley thought Vingee was pretty hot. Riley had a thing for tall women and he’d made a few lewd remarks within earshot. “More than just Riley’s scores. He got your attention another way?”
    She smiled. “I can assure you, Evan Riley’s life has run into a few unexpected complications.”
    “He was kind of obnoxious,” I said. “Smart but obnoxious. I’d like to hear about one of his complications some time.”
    She glanced at me before looking away. “Not much to tell.” She paused and checked the medical monitors. “The captain should be here any moment. Can I get you anything?”
    “No. No thank you. I’ll just rest.” I sighed. “My head still hurts.”
    “I will discuss it with your doctor while you meet with the captain.”
    “I could speak with the doctor myself, if he ever stops in.”
    “Oh, she has. Several times.”
    “While I was asleep?”
    Vingee nodded once.
    “Figures. Probably good foresight on her part.”
    We both chuckled. She longer than me.
    An awkward silence followed. Vingee decided to double-check the monitors.
    “Don’t worry,” I said, realizing she must have been concerned about my being hooked up to the Cranaltar. Capital Galactic had absorbed Cardinal One Corporation two years ago. “I’m sure Riley had it coming. My chips’ll be cashed in soon enough, anyway.” Suddenly, I liked Agent Vingee a whole lot more. “Do you have a first