Labyrinth (Deuces Wild Book 3) Read online

  Tabitha snickered. “Maybe I should refuse. I do owe you a few stitches.”

  K’nthel System, Planet Zaphod, Temple of Zaphod

  Tabitha exited the ship and looked around. They’d landed at the coordinates they had been given on approach—a large open space in a valley just outside the temple complex. The temple had been built at the top of the peak, and smaller buildings dotted the path to the top. Tabitha saw that the other mountains in the area had similar constructions. “What’s that one called?” She pointed at an especially ostentatious building which stood out in the distance.

  “The Temple of Zaphod,” Ryu answered.

  “What about that one?”

  “The Temple of Zaphod.”

  “What about— Wait, they’re all called ‘the Temple of Zaphod?’” She waited for Achronyx to answer and then remembered he would be offline while they were in-system. “Hirotoshi?”

  Hirotoshi didn’t answer. He was gazing around with an expression Tabitha had never seen on his face. “Hirotoshi? You okay?”

  He shook himself and dragged his eyes away from the sloping tiered roof of the main temple. “Yes, I am fine. And yes, all of the temples carry the same name.”

  Tabitha glanced around again. “I wonder who this Zaphod is to get all this?”

  “Zaphod is more a state of being than any one entity,” a voice cut in from their left.

  Tabitha turned to the voice, which belonged to a human in a long, hooded robe. Ooh, do you think this guy shops at the same place as Barnabas?

  Ryu snickered in her mind.

  The monk peered at Tabitha from beneath his cowl. “I assume you are the Empress’ Ranger?”

  Tabitha nodded and flashed her badge. “Ranger Two. You can call me Ranger Two.”

  The human spread his hands wide and smiled beatifically. “Welcome to Zaphod, Ranger. I am Brother Cuthbert, and I’ll be your guide this blessed day.” Cuthbert swept an arm toward the temple. “Shall we?”

  Do not say a single word, Kemosabe. Hirotoshi’s tone held worry.

  Tabitha had no intention of insulting the monk, but there was no fun in telling Mr. Stuffy-pants that. But his name is Cuthbert! How can I leave that alone? Besides, he looks so spaced out on happy-happy joy-joy vibes that he’d probably laugh along anyway.

  Tabitha was actually a little creeped out by the serenity the monk exuded, but she had promised herself she would suck it up for the mission, so she smiled sweetly. “Of course. Thank you, Brother Cuthbert.”

  If I did not know you better, I would think you meant that, Hirotoshi told her.

  If I didn’t know better, I’d think you wanted to join Ryu in his push-ups. I haven’t forgotten them, by the way, Ryu.

  I hadn’t either. It is a shame we won’t have an opportunity to play double or nothing here.

  Tabitha narrowed her eyes at him and set off to follow Cuthbert up the steps carved into the side of the mountain. Oh, there’s always an opportunity to play. We’re just not looking for it at this time.

  Who are you, and what have you done with Tabitha? Ryu demanded straight-faced. Our Lady Kemosabe would never suggest such a sensible course of action.

  “Bite me,” she told Ryu aloud.

  Cuthbert turned back in surprise at the sound of her voice.

  She waved him on. “Sorry, Brother.”

  The monk nodded and continued to lead them up the mountain. When they reached the top of the steps, Brother Cuthbert turned away from the wide stone walkway and chose a thin, well-worn path. He saw Tabitha’s look and pointed out a small door in the side of the temple. “We will avoid the crowds this way.”

  He took them into the temple, which was filled with light and color from the stained-glass windows. Those were evenly spaced, with statues representing the deities of many different races.

  Tabitha noticed a vaguely human-looking statue. “Who is that supposed to be?” The red eyes gave it away, but she had to ask.

  Cuthbert smiled and blushed. “It was made by a visitor from outside the Empire. It is the Empress.”

  Tabitha snickered. “Well, I suggest you don’t let her find out she’s being worshipped as a goddess. She hates all the bowing and scraping enough.”

  Hirotoshi nodded in agreement. “Complete supplication would be a step too far. People should be responsible for their own lives. I would not recommend you encourage this practice.”

  Cuthbert hastily covered the statue, and they continued into the temple. He answered Ryu’s and Hirotoshi’s questions about the Order and their history as he led them through the corridors to a room near the heart of the building. Tabitha walked behind and pretended not to listen. The closer they got to the center, the more concentrated the hum of the crowd in the public area grew.

  “It’s pretty loud out there,” Tabitha remarked. “Isn’t that kind of the opposite of peaceful contemplation?”

  “We work to find a balance between our own needs and the needs of the weary.” Cuthbert pushed open the door and indicated they should enter. “The Order will see you now.”

  Hirotoshi nodded at this. Tabitha shrugged and followed him inside.

  “Peace be with you, Brother Cuthbert. Greetings, Ranger.”

  Tabitha frowned at the oddly unelaborate Torcellan male who stood up to greet them. She only knew he was Torcellan and not just a really pale human by his eyes, since his head was shaved clean and he wore a homespun robe similar to Cuthbert’s. He stopped talking and left the raised plinth where he was sitting on a table with a four-legged Yollin, an Ixtali, and a…

  “Skaine.” Tabitha’s hand went to her—at the moment useless—JD Special.

  “Brother Scroat is among the most enlightened of us all,” Cuthbert chided with a pointed look at her waist. “And we do not commit such base acts as violence here.”

  This Skaine is accepted here. I do not think you should treat him as you usually do, Hirotoshi warned.

  He’s a fucking Skaine. There is only one type, and I’d be willing to bet he’s the source of whatever shady business is going on around here.

  Ryu cut in, I’m not taking that bet.

  Hirotoshi’s eyes were on the Skaine. I accept. He knows you are here, yet he hasn’t run. That alone suggests he has done nothing wrong. Reserve your judgment for now. We have a job to do.

  Again, Hirotoshi, he’s a Skaine. Of course, he’s done something wrong. I just don’t know what it is—yet. I’ll leave it for now, but when I find out, I’m gonna bring the pain to Brother Skaine.

  Scroat appeared to be above such concerns. He had the same serene demeanor as Cuthbert. It was beyond weird to see the caring, slightly absent smile on a Skaine face, but Tabitha wasn’t going to be fooled by that act.

  The Torcellan waved them forward. “Welcome, Ranger. I am Brother Silan, and we are glad to have you here.”

  Hirotoshi and Ryu followed Tabitha over to the table and placed themselves at her back after she took the seat Silan offered while he introduced the others. Let’s poke the nest a little, see what scurries out.

  You may want to obtain the permits first, Hirotoshi told her. Leaving the system without them would be difficult.

  No pissing them off before I can shoot my way out. Got it.

  Tabitha held the small sphere Silan had given her up to examine it and looked at the assembled monks. She had answered their questions and filled in their paperwork— on actual paper— and now she had the means to circumvent the planet’s tech restrictions in her hand. “Interesting. So I just keep this activated and the dampening field is disabled for my weapons and EI?”

  A ripple of murmured dismay went through the Order.

  Silan shook his head. “Ranger, we apologize, but we were unaware you had brought an artificial entity along with you. Such technology is illegal on this planet.”

  “How do you get anything done without computers?” Tabitha asked incredulously.

  “We have computers,” Silan corrected, “but we operate them ourselves.”

&n
bsp; Tabitha thought that was just make-work, but she wasn’t there to judge. Not about their hang-ups, anyway. Discrimination was another matter, though. “And you have no problems with excluding digital beings? They are people too, you know.”

  Silan frowned as though she’d said something ridiculous. “Of course they aren’t people. They are a mockery of life, and as such are not tolerated here.”

  Tabitha raised an eyebrow but bit back her initial reply. Bethany Anne would hear about this. “Okaaay, then. No EI on-planet; got you. My weapons are good though, right?”

  Silan looked around the others, who each did a variation on a shrug. “As long as you can prove you had cause if you use them, there will be no penalty.”

  By-the-book stinks sometimes. I want you two to know that. She shrugged. “So, what’s the problem? My Empress didn’t give me much to go on.” She gave the monks her most winning smile and noted their reactions.

  The Torcellan was genuinely confused. “Why so? We sent a detailed communication in the last window requesting her aid as per our agreement.”

  Tabitha shook her head. “Um, the Empress didn’t receive her scheduled communication, which is why I am here. Why don’t you run me through what’s been going on?”

  Watch our human, Hirotoshi told Tabitha and Ryu.

  I see him, Ryu responded.

  Cuthbert’s slight squirm in his seat told Tabitha plenty. She watched him from the corner of her eye while Silan talked. I’d be squirmy too if I had to play nice with a Skaine. The guy’s probably worried he’s going to be eaten or something. In fact, look. They’re all a little off with him.

  “We are not exactly sure.” Silan’s face was drawn. “Our liaison has reported a strike among the workers. It has us worried. The station is the Order’s main source of income, and we rely on that income to carry out our mandate.”

  Tabitha frowned. “What mandate?”

  The Yollin nodded, her mandibles clicking rapidly in her passion. “Our mandate is to provide a haven for anyone in need. We take in the sick, the dispossessed, and the unwanted. We give them a home and a new life.”

  Tabitha nodded. “It’s good work. I knew Bethany Anne had sent people here, but I had no idea of the scale you’re operating at. I have to tell you, I’m impressed.”

  Scroat spoke for the first time. “Yes, Ranger. Zaphod has long been a port in the storm of life. Many find their way here for reasons other than war, and we offer sanctuary to them all. However, this does not come cheaply. We have a whole planet of the needy, the tired, and the broken to tend to. Without the profit the station brings, those people will suffer. You have to resolve this, Ranger. For them.”

  Chapter 3 Tabitha

  K’nthel System, Traveler’s Rest, Docks

  Tabitha strutted down the ramp and headed straight into the crowd. “You guys can deal with all this,” she called back with a wave at the ship. “I’m going to find us somewhere good to eat.”

  By the time Hirotoshi and Ryu caught up with Tabitha, she was on her second plate of something somewhere between nachos and putty, and was still no more comfortable with Scroat’s declaration than she had been when they’d left Zaphod. She indicated the plates at the empty spaces, which contained more of the same food. “I ordered for you both. You know, I never get tired of alien food.”

  Ryu eyed his plate suspiciously as he sat down. “They didn’t have any human food?”

  Tabitha winked. “Of course they did. Eat up, Ryu.”

  Hirotoshi gingerly tried a bite. “Hmm. It isn’t completely unpalatable once you get past the flavor. And the texture.”

  “And the way your brain screams at you not to eat it?”

  Tabitha shrugged and picked up her glass. “You can’t have everything. So I know you kept your eyes open on your way here. What are your impressions? Hirotoshi first. What did you see?”

  Hirotoshi picked his glass up and took a sip. “Advertising. Everywhere. This show, this fight, this restaurant. It’s never-ending.”

  Ryu nodded. “This place is all about comfort and entertainment. It’s as if they’re partying extra hard up here to make up for the simplicity of life on the planet below.”

  Hirotoshi pointed at Ryu. “Exactly.”

  Tabitha poked at the remains of her food with a finger. “I didn’t get the impression that the Order knows how fast and loose it is here. Or that they would approve, either. I mean, have you ever seen a bald Torcellan before? Those guys are ascetics, for sure. Not one of them checked me out. That takes restraint.”

  Ryu grinned. “And now we get to the heart of the matter.”

  Tabitha shrugged. “Not really.”

  “Scroat?” Hirotoshi asked.

  “I just can’t work out his game,” she confessed. “What is he gaining by pretending to care?”

  “Have you considered that the Skaine is not playing any game?” Hirotoshi asked. “I believe we should begin our inquiries a little closer to home.”

  “Cuthbert?” Tabitha laughed. “He’s obviously harmless. I’m telling you the Skaine is our culprit, and I’m going to prove it. Come on, I feel like I can deal with another meeting now that my stomach isn’t complaining.”

  “It might still complain.” Ryu snickered. “You keep eating weird-ass food, and someday your nanos aren’t going to save you.”

  They found the station offices easily. “I miss Achronyx,” Tabitha bitched as they approached the reception window. “Don’t tell him I said so, though. I don’t want his ego getting too big.”

  The receptionist, a Torcellan, stood up in mild alarm and shut the window when he saw Tabitha and the Tontos coming toward him. Tabitha pulled her badge out on its chain and held it against the glass. “It’s okay. We’re expected. Tell your bosses that Ranger Two is here.”

  The receptionist picked up the phone and spoke briefly, then pressed a button to buzz them through to the offices. He eyed them nervously as they walked away.

  Tabitha wiggled her fingers at the receptionist as she walked through. “Toodles!”

  The meeting room beyond contained a huge window which showed a panoramic view of the planet below. The dozen or so people around the table ceased their hushed argument as soon as the door opened, but Tabitha had already heard the not-so-magic word—trafficking.

  She didn’t wait for an explanation.

  She strode over to the table at vampiric speed, turned the head chair around, and straddled it. “So, what are we trafficking? Do tell. I’m dying to know.”

  Hirotoshi and Ryu glided in and shut the door. The group around the table, mostly humans and Torcellans with a few others sprinkled in, gaped at her sudden appearance. The humans recognized her straight away and fell silent.

  Tabitha fixed them all with a hard look. “Well? What is it? Weapons? Drugs? People?”

  “You had best tell her,” Ryu called from his spot by the door.

  “I hope it is not people, for your sakes,” Hirotoshi warned.

  “Or ours,” Ryu added. “It always generates so much paperwork when we have to execute slavers.”

  Tabitha glanced at the door. “There’s paperwork involved?”

  “Achronyx does yours,” Hirotoshi informed her.

  Tabitha tilted her head. “I didn’t know that. Anyway,” she turned her attention back to the table, “you were about to tell me what it is you’re involved with.”

  The lone Noel-ni at the table bared his teeth at them. “We don’t have to tell you humans anything. How did you even get in here?”

  Tabitha tapped her badge, which was still hanging loose over her shirt. “You obviously don’t understand how this works.” She reached into her coat pocket and withdrew the sphere given to her by the Order. It twinkled as she held it up to the light, and the Noel-ni got even angrier.

  “Where did you get that?” he demanded. “Only the Order can issue… Oh. You are here about the missing people.”

  “Nice of you to catch on finally.” Tabitha placed the hand holding her JD Spe
cial on the table. “Now, if I have your complete attention? I am an Empress’ Ranger, and you are all in a world of shit if you don’t start talking.”

  Tabitha was almost disappointed by the relief that washed over the cooperative. Half of them jumped up and began speaking over each other, and the others leaned in to whisper to each other. Tabitha couldn’t keep track, but she knew Hirotoshi and Ryu were paying attention. “Sit down.” She flashed red eyes at the Noel-ni from earlier, who was screaming at them all to keep quiet, then pointed at one of the more assertive-looking humans. “You be quiet. You, explain why I heard you all talking about trafficking before I decide to arrest every single one of your asses and drag you in front of the Empress.”

  Her threat had the desired effect. The group all took their seats again, a couple of them still grumbling under their breath at being forced to comply.

  The human Tabitha had singled out looked more embarrassed than anything. “We apologize for our lack of hospitality, Ranger.” He squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. “I assure you that none of us are involved in any illegal activities. We were merely speculating as to the root of our issue. It is our responsibility to raise income for the Order, one we all take extremely seriously.”

  Tabitha leaned on the back of the chair. “So all this is approved by the Order?”

  He nodded. “Of course. Not all of the weary are in need of tranquility. We deal in most marketable services here. The wealthy pay a premium to access the station’s services, and the Order is pragmatic about where their funding comes from.”

  One of the others, a Torcellan, spoke up. “We pride ourselves on our ability to meet the needs of almost any visitor to the station, which means we allow a certain amount of less family-oriented activity on the upper levels.”

  Tabitha raised an eyebrow. “What kind of ‘activity?’”

  “The kind that makes us nervous you are here, Ranger,” the Torcellan answered. She was dressed in a flowing semi-diaphanous robe. It was the traditional bland color that Torcellan females wore but was cut to flatter.