PHIOYXSTAR
Aboard a massive space train bound for Guinvarr, a weary ex-soldier agrees to pose as a desperate noblewoman’s husband, only to find himself battling assassins, uncovering a planetary coup.
Chapter 1
Holden Jett felt a hand settle upon his shoulder.
He did not move.
For one quiet second, everything around him remained exactly as it had been. Miners argued over passage fees. Freight carts rattled across the asteroid station floor. A child cried somewhere near the ticket gates. The station speakers announced delays in three languages.
The hand remained on him.
Holden’s right hand drifted toward the utility knife beneath his coat.
Then a woman’s voice came close to his ear.
“There you are, husband.”
Holden turned his head.
The woman standing behind him was young, composed, and very clearly frightened.
She hid it well.
That interested him.
Her dark auburn hair had been pinned beneath a traveling hood. Her clothing was expensive, though deliberately plain. No jewelry. No family crest. No servant carrying luggage behind her.
Her eyes were gray.
They were also watching him far too closely.
Holden looked at her hand still resting on his shoulder.
“Husband?”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
“No.”
Her smile did not move.
“Please.”
“That usually comes before husband.”
She leaned closer.
“Three men are looking for me.”
Holden’s expression changed only slightly.
“Then you should probably find someone important.”
“I did.”
“You have poor judgment.”
“I am beginning to suspect that.”
She moved around the bench and sat beside him.
Holden watched her.
She sat close.
Too close.
He moved several inches away.
She followed.
“You are making this difficult,” he said.
“I need you to look affectionate.”
“I don’t feel affectionate.”
“That is not unusual among married couples.”
Holden almost smiled.
Almost.
He did not like that she had nearly managed it.
He looked past her toward the departure concourse.
Her hand caught his jaw before he could turn fully.
“Don’t look.”
“That advice would have been more useful before you told me three men were watching you.”
“They are not supposed to know I have noticed them.”
“They know now.”
“Only if you keep behaving like a man who has just learned someone wants to murder his wife.”
“You are not my wife.”
“Not yet.”
Holden looked at her again.
She realized what she had said.
“I mean not officially.”
“That was worse.”
The station speaker sounded overhead.
“Phioyxstar service to Guinvarr now approaching Platform Seven. Passengers continuing to Velorum, Damaris, Guinvarr and outer systems should prepare for boarding.”
Holden glanced at the board.
Eight minutes.
He had spent eleven hours beneath the surface of Asteroid K-771.
He had drilled through mineral walls, replaced a broken pressure coupling, argued with a foreman, and eaten something from a ration packet that had technically been labeled stew.
He had been looking forward to sitting quietly until the train arrived.
Instead, he apparently had a wife.
He rubbed his face.
“What do you want?”
“To reach Guinvarr.”
“That sounds simple.”
“It isn’t.”
“Nothing involving me apparently is.”
She looked toward the departure gates without moving her head.
“I need you to travel with me.”
“No.”
“Pose as my husband.”
“No.”
“Until Guinvarr.”
“No.”
“I can pay you.”
Holden looked at her.
There was a brief pause.
“How much?”
Her fear gave way to the smallest trace of satisfaction.
“Five thousand credits.”
Holden leaned back.
That was more than he had earned in months.
“Half now.”
“One thousand.”
“Two.”
“Fifteen hundred.”
“Done.”
She blinked.
“You agreed quickly.”
“I’m a miner. We understand numbers.”
She drew a slim credit wafer from inside her coat and pressed it to his wrist terminal.
The display flashed.
TRANSFER RECEIVED: 1,500 CREDITS
Holden stared at it.
Then he looked at her.
“What did you steal?”
“Nothing.”
“Who did you kill?”
“No one.”
“Who wants you dead?”
She hesitated.
“That answer comes later.”
“No. That answer comes before I get shot.”
“I will explain aboard.”
Holden shook his head.
“Refund.”
Her hand caught his wrist.
“Please.”
That word changed something.
Not much.
Enough.
He studied her face.
She was not performing now.
The fear was real.
Holden knew real fear.
He had seen men hide it beneath military discipline. He had seen officers disguise it as anger. He had seen soldiers laugh too loudly before combat because silence was harder to bear.
This woman had been living with it for some time.
Holden sighed.
“Fine.”
She released his wrist.
“Thank you.”
“You are paying me.”
“I can still be grateful.”
“Try not to make a habit of it.”
She looked down at his clothes.
“You are a miner?”
“Currently.”
“Currently?”
“That is enough conversation.”
She studied him.
He ignored her.
Beyond the armored station windows, stars burned against the black.
The asteroid station itself had been carved directly into the rock decades earlier. Bare stone remained visible between steel supports. Pipes crossed the ceiling. Air processors hummed somewhere behind the walls.
Nobody had wasted money trying to make the place beautiful.
Mining stations were built to survive.
Holden understood that.
A vibration moved through the floor.
Heads turned toward the observation windows.
The Phioyxstar arrived.
Even Holden looked.
The enormous interplanetary train emerged from darkness along the stellar rail. White running lights traced the length of its engine. The forward section passed the station windows first, followed by passenger cars, freight sections, sleeper compartments, dining carriages, observation decks, engineering modules and cargo units.
It kept coming.
The train was several miles long.
Its polished hull reflected the station lights as it slowed.
Holden had seen the Phioyxstar before.
It still impressed him.
Thousands of passengers traveled aboard it. Whole families crossed systems inside its carriages. Merchants moved goods between planets. Soldiers transferred between commands. Nobles traveled in private suites while miners slept six to a compartment farther down the train.
The Phioyxstar did not care who boarded.
If you had a ticket, it carried you.
The woman beside Holden watched the train.
Her breathing had changed.
Faster.
Holden noticed.
“Which one?”
She glanced at him.
“What?”
“Which man?”
Her eyes flicked toward the concourse.
Holden followed only through the reflection in the armored glass.
He found the first.
Tall. Gray coat. No luggage.
The second stood near a food counter.
The third leaned against a support column.
All three were watching the boarding gates.
Holden’s expression hardened.
“Those aren’t miners.”
“I know.”
“Police?”
“No.”
“Private security?”
“No.”
“Military?”
She did not answer.
Holden looked at her.
“That hesitation cost you another thousand credits.”
“You are very expensive.”
“You are very suspicious.”
The boarding gates opened.
Passengers rose in a wave.
The woman stood.
Holden remained seated.
She looked down at him.
“Well?”
“I don’t know your name.”
Her mouth opened slightly.
Then she nodded.
“Alara.”
“Last name?”
“Hitnhvor.”
Holden paused.
He knew the name.
Not personally.
Politically.
That bothered him.
“You are joking.”
“No.”
“Lady Alara Hitnhvor?”
Her eyes sharpened.
“Quiet.”
Holden rubbed his jaw.
“This is getting worse.”
“You agreed.”
“Before you became nobility.”
“I was nobility before you agreed.”
“You withheld relevant information.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“It is when people start shooting.”
She held out her hand.
“Come on.”
Holden looked at it.
Then at her.
“You want me to hold your hand?”
“We are married.”
“We are badly married.”
“That makes it believable.”
Holden picked up his bag.
Then he took her hand.
Her fingers were cold.
That surprised him.
She did not look like a woman who frightened easily.
They joined the boarding crowd.
Holden kept his attention on reflections, movement, hands.
Old habits returned without permission.
He counted exits.
Tracked distances.
Measured the guards.
Dismissed two of them as useless.
The gray-coated man followed.
Ten paces behind.
Never closer.
Never farther.
Professional.
Alara squeezed Holden’s hand.
“Nervous?”
“No.”
“You look nervous.”
“I am deciding whether five thousand credits is enough to die for.”
“It isn’t.”
“That is not reassuring.”
They reached the boarding scanner.
A conductor looked down at the ticket display.
“Names?”
Alara answered smoothly.
“Mr. and Mrs. Jett.”
Holden looked at her.
She did not look back.
The conductor scanned the tickets.
“Sleeping Car Seventeen. Compartment Eight.”
Holden frowned.
“Compartment?”
Alara pulled him forward.
“Thank you.”
They crossed into the train.
The door sealed behind them.
Holden lowered his voice.
“One compartment?”
“Yes.”
“How many beds?”
Alara kept walking.
“Alara.”
She smiled without turning.
“Keep up, husband.”
Holden stopped.
She took three more steps before turning back.
He stared at her.
“You planned that.”
“We are supposed to be married.”
“Two beds would not destroy the illusion.”
“It might.”
“That makes no sense.”
“It does if we are newly married.”
Holden picked up his bag again.
“You are enjoying this.”
“Only slightly.”
He followed her.
The train began to move.
The asteroid station slid past the windows.
Holden glanced toward the boarding carriage behind them.
The man in the gray coat stepped aboard.
His coat shifted.
Holden saw the weapon beneath it.
Military issue.
His entire manner changed.
Alara noticed immediately.
“What?”
Holden took her hand again.
This time she had not asked.
“Walk.”
“Why?”
“Because your friends just boarded.”
“They are not my friends.”
“They brought military weapons.”
Alara’s face lost its remaining color.
Holden watched her.
Then he looked back toward the rear carriage.
The Phioyxstar accelerated.
The station fell away behind them.
Stars filled the windows ahead.
Holden tightened his grip on Alara’s hand.
“You owe me another five thousand credits.”
She looked at him.
“If you get me to Guinvarr alive, I will pay it.”
Holden glanced toward the corridor behind them.
Then back at his new wife.
“That is becoming a very expensive marriage.”
Chapter 2
Holden Jett had been married for fourteen minutes when he discovered his wife had packed better than he had.
This did not surprise him.
Lady Alara Hitnhvor possessed two expensive travel cases, a smaller personal bag, and enough clothing to suggest she had expected to reach Guinvarr without spending three days wearing the same shirt.
Holden owned one canvas bag.
It contained two shirts, spare trousers, work gloves, shaving equipment, a miner's respirator, and a bottle of something produced on K-771 that claimed to be whiskey.
Holden had doubts about the final item.
He placed his bag on the floor of Compartment Eight and stared at the bed.
One bed.
Alara entered behind him.
The compartment door closed.
Holden pointed.
"You knew."
Alara looked at the bed.
"About what?"
"Don't."
"I don't understand."
"You are a terrible liar."
She removed her traveling hood.
"Considering what I persuaded you to do at the station, I would argue otherwise."
Holden turned toward her.
She smiled.
He pointed at the bed again.
"One."
"I can count."
"Apparently whoever booked this room cannot."
"I booked it."
"I know."
Alara walked past him.
She removed her coat and placed it across a chair.
Holden watched her for a moment.
Without the hood and heavy traveling coat, she looked less like a frightened passenger fleeing an asteroid station and considerably more like what she actually was.
A noblewoman.
Her clothes were simple by aristocratic standards, but nothing about them was cheap. The dark blue traveling dress had been cut precisely for her. A silver clasp held the collar closed. Her auburn hair fell loose across her shoulders now that she had removed the pins.
Holden looked away.
Alara noticed.
That annoyed him.
"You may have the bed."
"How generous."
"I'll sleep in the chair."
She looked at the chair.
It was narrow.
"You won't fit."
"I've slept in worse."
"I believe that."
Holden looked back at her.
"Was that an insult?"
"An observation."
"You've known me fourteen minutes."
"Seventeen."
"That changes everything."
A low vibration passed through the floor.
The Phioyxstar continued accelerating away from K-771.
Holden walked to the window.
The asteroid station had already disappeared.
Only stars remained.
The stellar rail ahead was visible as two faint lines of blue-white energy extending into the distance.
Holden had traveled the rails many times.
He still did not understand them.
Nobody did.
Humanity had discovered the first functioning rail almost four centuries earlier. Since then, engineers had learned to connect new stations and redirect certain routes, but the oldest sections remained beyond their understanding.
The trains worked.
That was sufficient for most people.
Holden preferred machinery he could repair with a wrench.
He turned from the window.
"Start talking."
Alara was opening one of her cases.
"About?"
"The men with guns."
"They want something I have."
"What?"
"Information."
"What information?"
"I cannot tell you."
Holden picked up his bag.
She looked at him.
"Where are you going?"
"Getting unmarried."
"Holden."
He reached the door.
"Five thousand credits pays for pretending to be your husband. It does not pay for being shot by military professionals while you refuse to tell me why."
"I told you I would explain."
"You're explaining badly."
Alara stood.
Something in her expression had changed.
"People will die if I don't reach Guinvarr."
Holden's hand remained on the door control.
"How many?"
"I don't know."
"That's convenient."
"Thousands. Perhaps more."
Holden studied her.
She was serious.
He disliked that considerably more than another lie.
"What's on Guinvarr?"
"My home."
"I know that."
"My father."
"Minister Aldren Hitnhvor."
"You know him?"
"I know who he is."
"Then you understand why I cannot tell a stranger everything."
Holden looked at the door.
Then back at her.
"I'm not a stranger."
Alara raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"I'm your husband."
For several seconds neither spoke.
Then Alara laughed.
Holden sighed.
"That wasn't supposed to be funny."
"It was a little funny."
He released the door control.
"You're still paying me."
"I never suggested otherwise."
"And if somebody shoots me, the price doubles."
"If somebody shoots you, I suspect payment will be the least of your concerns."
"You're adapting to marriage quickly."
"So are you."
Holden placed his bag back on the floor.
That settled the matter for now.
He removed his coat.
Alara's eyes dropped toward his left side.
Holden noticed.
"What?"
"You carry a weapon."
"Knife."
"You said you were a miner."
"Miners use knives."
"That knife is balanced for fighting."
Holden stopped.
Alara met his eyes.
Interesting.
"You know weapons."
"A little."
"How little?"
"Enough."
He pulled out the knife.
It was old. Military steel. Black grip. Eight-inch blade.
Alara looked at the insignia stamped near the handle.
Her expression changed.
"Guinvarrian infantry."
Holden put the knife away.
"You recognize the mark."
"My father spent thirty years in government."
"That doesn't answer the question."
"Neither did you."
Holden considered her.
"Fair."
The compartment speaker activated.
"Welcome aboard the Phioyxstar. Estimated arrival at Velorum Station is six hours, forty-two minutes. Passengers are reminded that unauthorized access to engineering, freight, and crew sections is prohibited."
Another announcement followed concerning dinner service.
Holden's stomach responded.
Alara heard it.
"You should eat."
"I was planning to."
"We should go together."
"Why?"
She stared at him.
Holden stared back.
Then he remembered.
"Right. Marriage."
"You are remarkably poor at this."
"I've had limited practice."
Alara reached for her coat.
"No."
She stopped.
"What?"
"Leave it."
"Why?"
"Because you've been hiding under it since the station."
She looked down at herself.
"They're looking for a frightened woman traveling alone."
Holden continued.
"Give them someone else."
Understanding entered her expression.
"What do you suggest?"
"Stop looking frightened."
"I don't look frightened."
"You did when you touched my shoulder."
That silenced her.
Holden walked closer.
"People hunting you expect you to hide. So don't."
Alara straightened.
Something changed immediately.
The frightened traveler disappeared.
Lady Alara Hitnhvor stood before him.
Shoulders straight.
Chin raised.
Calm eyes.
Holden found himself looking at her longer than intended.
Alara noticed that too.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You were staring."
"Assessing."
"Is that what soldiers call it?"
Holden's expression hardened.
Alara realized she had touched something she should not have.
Neither spoke.
Finally Holden opened the compartment door.
"Dinner."
They stepped into the corridor.
The Phioyxstar was considerably more impressive from inside than Holden remembered.
Sleeping Car Seventeen occupied two levels connected by a curved staircase. Brass rails bordered the upper walkway. Soft white lights ran along the ceiling. Windows stretched almost from floor to roof, displaying the stars beyond.
Passengers moved through the corridors in evening clothes, work uniforms, planetary robes, merchant coats, and military dress.
The Phioyxstar carried everyone.
Holden offered Alara his arm.
She looked at it.
"What?"
"Married."
A smile touched her mouth.
She slipped her arm through his.
They walked.
Holden felt several eyes follow them.
He ignored them.
His attention remained on reflections.
Doorways.
Hands.
Faces.
They passed through two sleeper cars before reaching the promenade.
The scale changed completely.
The central promenade stretched through three connected carriages. Shops lined both sides. Restaurants occupied raised sections overlooking the windows. Musicians played near a fountain where recycled water flowed beneath artificial trees.
Above them, a transparent ceiling revealed open space.
Alara looked upward.
Holden looked at her.
She seemed different for that brief moment.
Not frightened.
Not noble.
Simply impressed.
"You've never traveled aboard?"
"Not the Phioyxstar."
"I thought rich people did this constantly."
"I usually traveled aboard government ships."
"That sounds terrible."
"It often was."
Holden smiled.
Alara caught him.
"There. You can do it."
"Do what?"
"Smile."
"Don't become accustomed to it."
They entered the dining carriage.
A steward led them to a table beside the windows.
Holden sat facing the entrance.
Alara noticed.
"Soldier."
"Miner."
"You sit facing doors."
"Miners like doors."
"You carry an infantry knife."
"Miners like knives."
"You identified three armed men before I did."
"Very observant miners."
Alara leaned closer.
"What happened to you?"
Holden's expression changed.
She saw the answer before he spoke.
"Nothing worth discussing."
A steward approached.
Holden ordered meat, potatoes, bread, and beer.
Alara ordered something involving vegetables Holden had never heard of.
When the steward left, she looked at him.
"You didn't even open the menu."
"I understood meat."
"Very sophisticated."
"I spent the last six months eating underground."
Their drinks arrived.
For several minutes, nothing happened.
That bothered Holden.
He scanned the carriage.
Families.
Merchants.
Two officers.
An elderly couple.
A woman reading.
A man drinking alone.
Then he saw him.
Gray coat.
Three tables away.
The man from the station.
Holden lifted his glass.
"Don't turn around."
Alara froze.
"Which one?"
"Gray coat."
"Is he looking?"
"No."
"Then how do you know?"
"Because he's trying too hard not to."
Holden reached across the table.
Alara looked at his hand.
"Take it."
She did.
Her fingers slipped into his.
Holden leaned closer.
The assassin glanced toward them.
Alara smiled at Holden.
Not the frightened smile from the station.
Something warmer.
More convincing.
Holden found himself momentarily distracted.
That irritated him.
"You're supposed to look happy," she whispered.
"I am."
"You look constipated."
Holden nearly laughed.
The man in gray stood.
He left the dining carriage.
Holden waited.
Ten seconds.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Then he released Alara's hand.
She looked down at the empty space between them.
Something unreadable crossed her face.
Their meals arrived.
Holden ate.
Alara barely touched hers.
"Eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"You will be later."
"I said I'm not hungry."
"Fine."
He continued eating.
After several seconds, she picked up her fork.
Holden said nothing.
They returned to their compartment forty minutes later.
The corridor was empty.
Holden stopped outside the door.
Alara almost walked into him.
"What?"
He looked down.
The door was closed.
Nothing appeared wrong.
Holden touched the control.
The door opened.
He did not enter.
Alara understood.
Holden stepped inside first.
The room appeared exactly as they had left it.
His bag remained beside the chair.
Alara's cases remained near the bed.
Her coat remained where she had placed it.
Holden walked to his bag.
He crouched.
One buckle was turned the wrong direction.
His eyes narrowed.
"Someone was here."
Alara entered.
"Are you certain?"
Holden looked at her.
"Yes."
She checked her cases.
Nothing appeared disturbed.
Holden closed the door.
"What's missing?"
"Nothing."
"What are they looking for?"
"I told you."
"Information."
"Yes."
"Where is it?"
She hesitated.
Holden stood.
"Alara."
"I'm not telling you."
"Someone just searched our room."
"And they didn't find it."
"Which means they'll come back."
Holden crossed to the environmental panel.
He inspected it.
Normal.
Then he looked at the ventilation grille.
Nothing.
He checked beneath the bed.
Alara folded her arms.
"You do this often?"
"Have people try to kill my wife?"
She gave him a look.
"No."
"Then no."
Holden straightened.
A faint click sounded behind the wall.
He stopped.
Alara heard it too.
"What was that?"
Holden crossed to the environmental controls.
A warning light appeared.
Then another.
OXYGEN LEVEL DECREASING.
Holden looked at the door.
He hit the control.
Nothing happened.
Again.
Nothing.
The door had locked.
Alara stared at the warning display.
"Holden."
He pulled his knife.
The ventilation system stopped.
Completely.
Holden looked at her.
"This would be the part where you tell me everything."
The lights dimmed.
Alara's breathing quickened.
Holden crossed to her and caught her shoulders.
"Look at me."
She did.
"Slow breaths."
"They're killing us."
"Not tonight."
"How can you know that?"
Holden released her and drove the point of his military knife beneath the environmental panel.
"Because they haven't met your husband yet."
Chapter 3
Holden Jett drove his knife beneath the environmental panel and pulled until the metal cover broke free.
It struck the floor with a loud clang.
The warning display continued flashing above him.
OXYGEN LEVEL: 17.2 PERCENT
Alara stood beside the bed watching the number fall.
"Tell me you know what you're doing."
"I know what I'm trying to do."
"That was not what I asked."
Holden reached into the exposed circuitry.
"Then don't ask questions when you don't want honest answers."
Another warning sounded.
16.9 PERCENT
The Phioyxstar had been designed with multiple safeguards against atmospheric failure. Holden knew enough about environmental systems to understand that a malfunction should have triggered an automatic override.
Nothing had.
Someone had disabled it deliberately.
That meant whoever wanted Alara dead had access to the train's internal systems.
Holden pulled one wire free and touched it against another contact.
A spark snapped against his fingers.
Every light in the compartment went out.
Darkness surrounded them.
Alara was silent for a moment.
"Impressive."
"I detected sarcasm."
"You have excellent hearing."
Red emergency lights appeared along the floor.
Holden leaned closer to the exposed panel.
"Sit down."
"I'm fine."
"You're breathing too quickly."
"I am trapped in a sealed compartment with a rapidly diminishing supply of oxygen."
"I'm aware."
"You seem remarkably calm about it."
"I've had worse evenings."
Alara stared at him.
"I would like to hear about those sometime."
"No, you wouldn't."
Holden found the manual atmospheric circuit.
Someone had electronically isolated their compartment from the Phioyxstar's main life-support system.
He pushed the point of his knife between two contacts.
Nothing.
He adjusted it.
A second spark jumped.
Then the ventilation system started.
Fresh air rushed through the ceiling vents.
Alara closed her eyes and inhaled.
Holden watched the oxygen reading.
Seventeen percent.
Seventeen point four.
Eighteen.
Good.
He crossed immediately to the door.
Alara caught his arm.
"Where are you going?"
"Someone had to access the system."
"You intend to find them?"
"Yes."
"Alone?"
"Preferably."
Holden pulled the manual door release.
The door opened.
The corridor outside was empty.
"Stay here."
Alara folded her arms.
"No."
Holden looked back.
"That wasn't a suggestion."
"And I am not one of your soldiers."
The words stopped him.
Alara noticed.
Holden's expression remained controlled, but something had changed behind it.
She softened her voice.
"I am coming with you."
"Someone just tried to kill you."
"Which is precisely why I don't intend to remain alone in the room where they tried it."
Holden considered this.
He hated reasonable arguments when they were being used against him.
"Stay behind me."
"I can do that."
"And if I tell you to run?"
"I'll consider it."
"Alara."
"I'll run."
Holden stepped into the corridor.
A faint metallic sound came from his right.
He stopped.
A maintenance hatch farther down the carriage was slowly closing.
Holden ran.
Alara followed.
He reached the hatch and pulled it open.
Someone moved inside the narrow service passage.
"Holden?"
He climbed through.
"Wait."
Alara climbed in behind him.
Holden looked over his shoulder.
"You have an unusual understanding of that word."
"I thought you meant wait until you opened the hatch."
Despite himself, Holden almost laughed.
He continued forward.
The service passage was narrow and hot. Pipes lined one wall. Power conduits ran along the other. The constant vibration of the Phioyxstar's engines passed through the floor beneath their feet.
Holden moved quietly.
Alara stayed behind him.
He heard another sound ahead.
A boot against metal.
Holden increased his pace.
The passage divided into three directions.
He stopped.
Alara nearly collided with him.
"What?"
Holden raised one finger.
Silence.
He listened.
The train's machinery filled the passage with low mechanical noise.
Then came another scrape.
Left.
Holden moved.
He rounded the corner.
A man attacked immediately.
The blade came toward Holden's ribs.
He turned and caught the man's wrist.
The attacker drove his shoulder into Holden and forced him against the wall.
Holden struck him in the throat.
The man staggered.
Holden saw the knife clearly now.
Military issue.
The attacker came forward again.
Holden blocked one strike, avoided another, then drove his fist into the man's stomach.
The assassin barely reacted.
Trained.
Holden's attention sharpened.
The man's stance was familiar.
Weight forward.
Knife held close.
Short movements.
Guinvarrian infantry training.
Holden knew it because he had been taught exactly the same way.
The attacker lunged.
Holden caught his arm and slammed him against a pipe.
The knife fell.
The man immediately reached inside his coat.
Holden saw the pistol.
Before he could move, Alara grabbed a heavy maintenance wrench from the wall.
She struck the assassin across the wrist.
The pistol fired.
The shot tore through a conduit above them.
Sparks fell.
Holden drove his fist into the man's jaw.
The assassin collapsed.
For several seconds there was only the sound of the train.
Holden looked at Alara.
She still held the wrench.
"Where did you learn that?"
"Learn what?"
"That."
"He was reaching for a pistol."
"Most noblewomen scream."
"I considered it."
"You chose the wrench."
"It seemed more useful."
Holden looked at her differently.
Alara lowered the weapon.
"You're staring again."
"I'm reassessing."
"Am I improving?"
"Marginally."
She smiled.
Holden turned away before he returned it.
The assassin groaned.
Holden knelt and rolled him onto his back.
"Who sent you?"
The man smiled through blood on his lip.
Holden searched his coat.
No identification.
No personal terminal.
Nothing except weapons.
Then Holden found a small insignia sewn inside the collar.
Three silver bars crossed a black circle.
He stopped.
Alara crouched beside him.
"What is it?"
"Guinvarrian military intelligence."
Her face changed.
The assassin laughed.
"You should have stayed underground, Sergeant."
Holden became very still.
Alara looked at him.
"Sergeant?"
Holden grabbed the man's collar.
"How do you know me?"
The assassin looked directly at Alara.
"Everyone knows who she is."
Holden pulled him closer.
"I didn't ask about her."
The assassin smiled.
"You were always impatient, Jett."
Holden's eyes narrowed.
"Who sent you?"
The assassin opened his mouth.
A shot struck him through the head.
Alara recoiled.
Holden grabbed her and pulled her down.
"Stay down."
Another shot struck the wall.
Holden dragged Alara behind a machinery housing.
A figure stood at the far end of the passage.
Gray coat.
The man from the asteroid station.
He fired again.
Holden reached for the dead assassin's pistol.
He returned two shots.
The man disappeared around the corner.
Holden rose.
Alara caught his sleeve.
"Don't."
"He knows the train."
"So do you?"
"No."
"Then perhaps chasing him through it is a poor idea."
Holden looked at her.
Again, reasonable.
He was beginning to find that irritating.
"We need security."
"Finally."
They moved through the passage until Holden found another maintenance hatch.
He opened it carefully.
Voices came from beyond.
Passengers.
They emerged into a dining carriage.
Several people screamed when Holden appeared carrying a pistol.
A woman in a dark conductor's uniform immediately drew her own weapon.
"Put it down."
Holden stopped.
The woman had steady hands.
That was reassuring.
"Put the weapon down now."
Holden placed it carefully on the floor.
Alara climbed through behind him.
The conductor looked between them.
"What happened?"
"Attempted murder," Holden said.
Her expression did not change.
"Yours or someone else's?"
"Both."
She glanced toward the hatch.
"Chief Conductor Quilla Sunder."
"Holden Jett."
"I know who you are."
That concerned him.
Alara stepped forward.
"Someone shut down the atmosphere in our compartment."
Quilla looked at her.
"Lady Hitnhvor?"
Alara froze.
Holden looked between them.
"So much for the disguise."
Quilla lowered her voice.
"Your name triggered a security notice when you boarded."
"What kind of notice?"
"One instructing us to report your presence immediately."
Holden's expression hardened.
"To whom?"
"Guinvarrian military command."
Alara went pale.
"Did you?"
Quilla shook her head.
"Captain Killon does not report passenger movements to planetary militaries without a legal order."
Holden liked Captain Titus Killon already.
Quilla activated her communicator.
"Security team to Dining Twelve. Medical assistance as well."
"Medical assistance is already here."
A woman pushed through the gathering passengers carrying a physician's case.
She looked at Holden.
"You're bleeding."
He glanced down.
A cut ran along his arm.
"It's nothing."
The physician sighed.
"Why do men always say that?"
"Experience?"
"Sit."
Holden remained standing.
She looked at Alara.
"Is he always difficult?"
Alara considered the question seriously.
"We haven't been married very long."
Holden looked at her.
Quilla looked at her.
The physician smiled.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you," Alara said.
"We're not actually married," Holden muttered.
Alara kicked his boot.
He looked down.
Then at her.
She smiled sweetly.
Holden sat.
The physician opened her case.
"Dr. Seren Belle."
"Holden Jett."
"I gathered."
She cut the damaged sleeve away.
Alara's expression changed.
Scars covered part of Holden's upper arm and shoulder.
Some were old burns.
Others had been caused by weapons.
Alara looked at them for several seconds.
Holden noticed.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking loudly."
Her eyes met his.
"What happened?"
"Later."
Seren cleaned the wound.
Holden turned toward Quilla.
"Someone aboard your train has access to passenger compartments, environmental controls and maintenance passages."
Quilla nodded.
"I understand."
"No. There's more."
He pointed toward the hatch.
"There's a dead Guinvarrian military intelligence operative back there."
Quilla stared at him.
"A what?"
"He attacked us. Someone else killed him before he could answer questions."
Quilla's face hardened.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"Captain Killon."
Seren closed Holden's wound.
"Finished."
Holden stood.
Alara moved beside him.
They followed Quilla through the dining carriage.
Passengers watched them pass.
Holden ignored them.
He was watching the connecting doors.
Then he stopped.
A man stood in the next carriage.
Older than Holden remembered.
Heavier.
A scar crossed his chin.
But the posture had not changed.
Holden knew him immediately.
Lieutenant Corusk Sintasa.
Sintasa turned.
Their eyes met.
Recognition was immediate.
Then Sintasa smiled.
Holden's hand moved toward his knife.
Sintasa disappeared through the next carriage.
Alara felt Holden tense beside her.
"Who was that?"
Holden continued staring after him.
"Someone I used to know."
"Military?"
"Yes."
"Friend?"
"No."
That answer was enough.
Holden turned toward Alara.
"We're done."
Her brow tightened.
"With what?"
"You keeping secrets."
"Holden."
"No."
He stepped closer and lowered his voice.
"One man tried to suffocate us. Another attacked us with military weapons. Someone killed him before he could talk. Now a former officer from my unit is walking around this train."
Alara glanced at Quilla and Seren.
"Not here."
"Here."
She studied him.
Then she surrendered.
"My father discovered a conspiracy inside the Guinvarrian military."
Holden said nothing.
"They intend to overthrow the government."
"A coup."
"Yes."
"When?"
"We don't know."
"What are you carrying?"
"Evidence."
"What kind?"
"Military orders. Financial records. Names. Fleet deployments. Enough to prove that the conspiracy exists."
Holden lowered his voice further.
"Who is behind it?"
"General Vorr Vexxnos."
Holden knew the name.
Every Guinvarrian soldier knew it.
He had served under officers who treated Vexxnos's orders as law.
"Who is hunting you?"
Alara hesitated.
"Tell me."
"Colonel Durrian Janes."
Holden's face changed.
Alara saw it.
"You know him."
Holden looked toward the carriage where Sintasa had disappeared.
"Janes was my commanding officer."
Alara became silent.
Quilla watched both of them.
Seren closed her medical case.
Holden had spent years putting distance between himself and the military.
He had left the uniform behind.
Then the weapons.
Then the men.
Eventually even the planets where people knew Sergeant Holden Jett.
He had gone into the asteroid mines because nobody beneath several miles of rock cared what a man had once been.
Now his past was aboard the Phioyxstar.
Armed.
Holden looked at Alara.
She looked back at him with concern he had not expected and did not particularly want.
"You can still leave me," she said quietly.
Holden stared at her.
"Where?"
"At Velorum. The next station."
"And you?"
"I continue to Guinvarr."
"Alone."
"If necessary."
Holden looked at her for several seconds.
He remembered her hand touching his shoulder at K-771.
A frightened stranger calling him husband because she had nobody else.
He remembered her holding the maintenance wrench.
He remembered her hand in his at dinner.
He had taken this job for money.
That remained the sensible reason.
Holden had always respected sensible reasons.
"You're still paying me."
Alara's expression softened.
"Every credit."
"And I'm renegotiating."
"I expected that."
"Ten thousand."
"Seven."
"Nine."
"Eight."
Holden considered it.
"Eight thousand and I get the bed."
Alara stared at him.
"No."
"Nine thousand."
"You can have the chair."
Holden smiled.
Alara smiled back.
For several seconds, the assassins, the coup, and the danger waiting on Guinvarr were absent from the conversation.
Then Quilla cleared her throat.
"If the newlyweds have completed their negotiations, Captain Killon is waiting."
Holden looked at Alara.
She slipped her arm through his.
This time neither of them mentioned the disguise.
They followed Quilla deeper into the Phioyxstar.
Holden glanced once toward the carriage where Corusk Sintasa had disappeared.
He had boarded the train as a miner pretending to be someone's husband.
Now Colonel Durrian Janes knew he was aboard.
That changed everything.
Holden looked at Alara beside him.
Perhaps she had touched the wrong man's shoulder.
Or perhaps she had chosen exactly the right one.
Chapter 4
Captain Titus Killon did not look pleased to meet them.
Holden Jett considered that reasonable.
In less than one hour, Holden and his false wife had discovered assassins aboard the Phioyxstar, damaged an environmental control panel, fired weapons inside a maintenance passage, produced one corpse, and informed the chief conductor that a military coup was underway on Guinvarr.
Holden would not have been pleased to meet himself either.
Captain Killon stood behind a wide command table inside the Phioyxstar's forward operations carriage. He was a large man with gray hair cut short and a face that suggested smiling was permitted but rarely necessary.
Quilla Sunder stood beside him.
Dr. Seren Belle remained near the door.
Alara stood beside Holden.
Killon looked at each of them.
Then he looked at Holden.
"You are the miner."
"Currently."
Killon's eyes narrowed.
"I was told you were former military."
"Also currently."
"That sentence makes no sense."
"It does to me."
Killon looked toward Alara.
"And you are Lady Alara Hitnhvor."
"Yes."
"Yet your passenger registration lists you as Alara Jett."
Alara glanced at Holden.
"My husband."
Holden looked at her.
Killon looked at him.
Quilla folded her arms.
Seren smiled.
Holden sighed.
"We aren't married."
Alara looked offended.
"Holden."
"We have assassins trying to kill us. I think the marriage is the least serious crime currently taking place aboard."
Captain Killon stared at them.
"You falsified passenger records."
Alara straightened.
"I was trying to stay alive."
"Understandable. Still illegal."
"I'll pay the fine."
Holden looked at her.
"You're paying my fine too."
"Why?"
"I'm your husband."
Alara fought a smile.
Killon placed both hands on the command table.
"I would greatly appreciate it if everyone stopped discussing the marriage."
Holden nodded.
"Gladly."
Alara said nothing.
That concerned him.
Killon activated the table.
A glowing diagram of the Phioyxstar appeared above it.
Holden had never seen the entire train represented at once.
It was enormous.
The forward engines occupied several hundred meters. Behind them were command sections, crew quarters, luxury coaches, restaurants, promenades, sleeper cars, common passenger sections, cargo modules, engineering cars and freight compartments.
More than three miles of train.
Nearly six thousand passengers.
All moving through open space at speeds Holden preferred not to consider.
Killon pointed toward Sleeping Car Seventeen.
"Your environmental system was overridden from inside the train."
"Where?"
"We don't know."
"That is encouraging."
"It gets worse."
Killon expanded the display.
"Whoever accessed the system used a command authorization belonging to one of my senior engineers."
"Where is he?"
Quilla answered.
"Missing."
Holden looked at her.
"Since when?"
"Three hours."
"Before we boarded."
"Yes."
Holden looked at the map.
"They planned this before K-771."
Alara became quiet.
Killon turned toward her.
"Lady Hitnhvor, I need to know what you are carrying."
"I cannot tell you."
"Someone is murdering people aboard my train."
"I understand."
"No, you don't."
Killon's voice hardened.
"The Phioyxstar is under my command. Every passenger aboard is my responsibility. If your presence places those people in danger, I need to know why."
Alara looked at Holden.
He nodded.
She drew a breath.
"My father discovered evidence of a planned military coup on Guinvarr."
Killon said nothing.
Quilla's expression tightened.
Seren stopped smiling.
Alara continued.
"General Vorr Vexxnos is involved. Colonel Durrian Janes is coordinating the effort to recover the evidence."
Killon looked toward Holden.
"And Janes was your commander."
"Yes."
"Is he aboard?"
"I don't know."
"Would you know if he was?"
Holden considered that.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because Janes taught us not to be seen unless we wanted to be."
That answer did not improve anyone's mood.
Killon looked at the train display again.
"We reach Velorum in four hours."
"Don't stop," Holden said.
Killon looked at him.
"What?"
"If Janes controls military intelligence, he'll have people waiting."
"I cannot simply bypass a scheduled planetary station."
"Why?"
"Because this is a train."
Holden waited.
Killon frowned.
"A very large train."
"Still waiting."
Killon pointed at him.
"I am beginning to understand why your military career ended."
Holden smiled slightly.
"You have no idea."
Alara looked at him.
That was another question for later.
The lights went out.
Complete darkness filled the command carriage.
Holden moved immediately.
He grabbed Alara and pulled her against the command table.
Emergency lights failed to activate.
That was wrong.
Very wrong.
Killon's voice came through the darkness.
"Quilla?"
"I'm here."
"Emergency power."
"Not responding."
A warning alarm sounded.
Then another.
The floor shifted beneath Holden's boots.
Gravity disappeared.
Alara rose from the floor.
Holden caught her wrist.
She grabbed his arm.
"What is happening?"
"Gravity failure."
"I gathered that."
Holden pulled her toward the table.
Something struck the wall behind them.
A gunshot.
"Down!"
There was no down.
Holden hated zero gravity.
Another shot crossed the compartment.
Killon shouted.
Quilla returned fire.
The muzzle flash illuminated the room for a fraction of a second.
Holden saw a figure near the door.
Then darkness returned.
He pulled Alara toward him.
"Hold on."
"To what?"
"Me."
She wrapped both arms around him.
Under other circumstances, Holden might have appreciated the situation.
These were not those circumstances.
He pushed from the command table.
They crossed the room together.
Holden struck the wall hard.
Alara landed against him.
"Sorry."
"Later."
He found the door.
Locked.
Of course.
Holden reached for his knife.
The door suddenly opened.
A hand grabbed Alara.
She screamed.
Holden caught her wrist.
Someone on the other side pulled.
For one violent second, Alara hung between them.
Holden kicked toward the doorway.
His boot struck someone.
The grip released.
Then another figure appeared behind Holden.
Something struck the back of his head.
His fingers opened.
Alara was pulled through the door.
"Holden!"
The door closed.
Gravity returned.
Holden hit the floor.
Hard.
The lights came back.
He pushed himself up.
Killon was bleeding from the forehead.
Quilla was already at the door controls.
Seren crawled toward the captain.
Holden reached the door.
"Open it."
"I'm trying."
"Open it."
Quilla looked at him.
"Shouting will not improve the circuitry."
"It might."
The door unlocked.
Holden was through before it had fully opened.
The corridor outside was empty.
"Alara!"
No answer.
He ran.
One connecting door stood open.
Holden passed through it.
Then another.
Nothing.
He stopped.
Think.
Janes wanted the evidence.
If his people had Alara, they would not kill her immediately.
Probably.
Holden disliked that word.
A maintenance hatch opened beside him.
A young man crawled out carrying a tool case.
He froze when he saw Holden.
"You're not supposed to be here."
Holden grabbed his jacket.
"Who are you?"
"Wren."
"Wren what?"
"Windas."
"Engineer?"
"Maintenance."
"Good."
Holden released him.
"Someone took my wife."
Wren blinked.
"Your wife?"
"No."
"What?"
"Forget that part."
Wren stared at him.
"You're Holden Jett."
"Apparently everyone knows."
"The whole crew knows."
"Wonderful."
Holden pointed toward the maintenance hatch.
"Can these passages reach the passenger sections?"
"All of them."
"Show me."
Wren hesitated.
"Chief Sunder will kill me."
"If you don't help, someone else will."
Wren considered that.
"Fair."
They entered the passage.
Wren moved quickly.
Holden followed.
"What happened to the power?"
"Someone triggered a system cascade."
"In language I understand."
"They broke things."
"Better."
"Gravity controls, lighting, communications. They're isolating sections of the train."
"Why?"
Wren looked back.
"You tell me."
Holden did not answer.
They reached a junction.
Wren checked a maintenance terminal.
"Movement sensor triggered in Observation Car Four."
"When?"
"Two minutes ago."
"How many?"
"Four."
Holden drew his knife.
"Take me there."
Alara Hitnhvor had never considered herself helpless.
At that moment, however, she was tied to a chair.
This complicated the argument.
Observation Car Four was dark except for the stars beyond the enormous windows.
Three men stood nearby.
A fourth guarded the door.
Alara recognized one of them.
Hiolas Baen.
Gray coat.
The man from the station.
He stood before her.
"Where is it?"
Alara smiled.
"Where is what?"
Baen struck her.
Her head turned.
Pain spread across her cheek.
She looked back at him.
"That was rude."
He stared at her.
"You think Jett can protect you?"
"He has been doing reasonably well."
"He couldn't protect his own unit."
Alara's expression changed.
Baen noticed.
"You didn't know."
She said nothing.
"Ask him about Peloran."
Alara remembered Holden's scars.
His silence.
The way he had reacted to Colonel Janes's name.
Baen leaned closer.
"Ask him how many soldiers died."
A sound came from the ceiling.
Baen looked up.
Nothing.
Then the lights failed.
One guard shouted.
A maintenance grille dropped from above.
Holden came through it.
He landed on the first man.
The fight became immediate.
Holden struck the guard once.
The man fell.
Baen drew his pistol.
Alara kicked the back of his knee.
Baen stumbled.
Holden crossed the distance between them.
He hit Baen hard enough to send him into the observation rail.
Another assassin attacked.
Holden blocked him.
Alara struggled against the restraints.
A young man dropped through the maintenance opening.
He looked at her.
"Lady Hitnhvor?"
"Yes."
"I'm Wren."
"Wonderful. Untie me."
Wren hurried toward her.
Holden fought the remaining assassin near the window.
Baen recovered.
He raised his pistol toward Holden.
Alara's hands came free.
She grabbed the chair.
Then threw it.
The chair struck Baen.
His shot went wide.
Holden turned.
He drove Baen against the window.
Baen struck Holden across the wounded arm.
Holden grunted.
Baen escaped through the connecting door.
Holden started after him.
"Holden."
He stopped.
Alara stood behind him.
Her cheek was red where Baen had struck her.
Holden's expression changed.
He walked toward her.
"Who did that?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes."
"Baen."
Holden looked toward the door.
Alara caught his hand.
"Don't."
He looked at her fingers around his.
Then at her.
"You're hurt."
"So are you."
"That's different."
"Why?"
Holden had no answer ready.
That irritated him.
Alara touched the back of his head.
He winced.
"You're bleeding."
"So are you."
She smiled faintly.
"We make a convincing married couple."
Holden laughed once.
Quietly.
Then neither of them moved.
They were standing very close.
Closer than the disguise required.
Alara looked at him.
Holden looked at her.
The stars moved beyond the observation windows.
His hand came up slowly.
He touched her injured cheek with his fingertips.
Alara did not move away.
Something changed between them.
Holden felt it.
So did she.
He lowered his hand.
"Baen said something about Peloran," Alara said.
The moment ended.
Holden stepped back.
His expression closed.
"What did he say?"
"That I should ask you about it."
"Don't."
"Holden."
"Not tonight."
She studied him.
Then nodded.
"All right."
That surprised him.
No argument.
No questions.
Just trust.
Holden looked at her for a moment.
"Thank you."
Alara smiled.
"You can repay me by getting me to Guinvarr."
"I thought you were paying me."
"Marriage is complicated."
"So I'm discovering."
Wren stood several feet away.
He cleared his throat.
"I hate to interrupt whatever this is."
Holden and Alara looked at him.
Wren pointed toward the windows.
"You might want to see that."
They turned.
Far beyond the Phioyxstar, three lights had appeared among the stars.
They grew brighter.
Moving closer.
Fast.
Wren checked the observation terminal.
His expression changed.
"What?"
Holden asked.
Wren looked at him.
"Military ships."
Alara moved beside Holden.
"Guinvarrian?"
Wren nodded.
Holden stared through the window.
Three warships were approaching the Phioyxstar.
The train was still hours from Guinvarr.
Which meant they had not come to welcome Lady Alara Hitnhvor home.
Holden reached for his knife.
"Looks like your government found us."
Alara stood beside him.
"No."
She watched the approaching ships.
"My government isn't the problem."
Holden understood.
Somewhere aboard the Phioyxstar, Colonel Durrian Janes was making his move.
And outside it, General Vorr Vexxnos had just joined the hunt.
Chapter 5
The three Guinvarrian warships did not fire.
Holden Jett would have preferred it if they had.
Gunfire was simple. A man knew where he stood when someone was trying to kill him.
The warships remained several thousand kilometers from the Phioyxstar and matched its speed.
That required patience.
Holden distrusted patient enemies.
He stood beside Alara in Observation Car Four while Wren Windas worked at the damaged terminal.
"Can they stop us?" Alara asked.
Wren glanced over his shoulder.
"The stellar rail keeps us on course, but they can force Captain Killon to reduce speed."
"How?"
"By threatening to destroy us."
Holden nodded.
"Effective."
Alara looked at him.
"You sound impressed."
"I appreciate simple plans."
The carriage lights flickered.
Wren struck the terminal with his palm.
"Stop doing that."
Holden looked at him.
"Does hitting it help?"
"No."
"Then why did you?"
"It made me feel better."
"Fair."
A voice came over the Phioyxstar's internal speakers.
"This is Captain Titus Killon. All passengers are ordered to remain in their assigned compartments. Crew members will report to emergency stations. This is not a drill."
Holden walked to the window.
The nearest warship shifted position.
Alara joined him.
"They're waiting."
"For what?"
"For Janes."
Holden looked toward the connecting door.
"Then we shouldn't disappoint him."
Alara caught his arm.
"Holden."
He looked at her hand.
She released him.
"You cannot keep running toward everyone who wants to kill us."
"It's worked so far."
"Barely."
"Still counts."
Alara shook her head.
Wren looked between them.
"You two really aren't married?"
"No," they answered together.
Wren nodded.
"Could have fooled me."
Holden gave him a look.
The carriage doors locked.
Holden turned.
Wren checked the terminal.
"I didn't do that."
"Good to know."
Holden drew his pistol.
The overhead speakers clicked.
A different voice filled the carriage.
"Sergeant Jett."
Holden stopped.
Alara saw the recognition immediately.
The voice continued.
"It has been a long time."
Holden walked slowly toward the center of the carriage.
"Not long enough."
A quiet laugh came through the speaker.
Alara moved beside him.
"Janes?"
Holden nodded.
"Colonel Durrian Janes."
The speaker activated again.
"I wondered whether you would recognize my voice."
"I recognize unpleasant things."
"You haven't changed."
"I have."
"Then perhaps we should discuss that."
Holden looked around.
"Come discuss it."
"Always impatient."
"Always hiding."
Silence.
Holden smiled faintly.
That one had reached him.
The doors opened.
Six armed men entered.
Holden raised his pistol.
Alara moved behind him.
Wren crouched beside the terminal.
Then Colonel Durrian Janes entered.
Holden had not seen him in seven years.
Janes was older.
His dark hair had turned gray at the temples. His uniform was gone, replaced by a black civilian coat. The decorations were gone too.
The authority remained.
Janes looked at Holden.
"Sergeant."
"Colonel."
"I'm not a colonel anymore."
"I'm not a sergeant."
"Yet here we are."
Janes looked toward Alara.
"Lady Hitnhvor."
She said nothing.
He smiled politely.
"Your father caused a great deal of trouble."
"Then I assume he is still alive."
Janes's smile remained.
"For now."
Alara stepped toward him.
Holden caught her arm.
Janes noticed.
"So the marriage has become convincing."
Holden released her.
"It's business."
"Of course."
Janes looked toward Wren.
"You may leave."
Wren remained where he was.
Holden glanced at him.
"Go."
Wren hesitated.
Then he slipped through the open doorway.
Janes's men allowed him to pass.
Alara stared at Holden.
"Why did you send him away?"
"Because this isn't his fight."
Janes nodded approvingly.
"You always did try to protect people who weren't your responsibility."
Holden's expression changed.
"Don't."
"Peloran was not your fault."
"Don't."
Alara looked between them.
Janes continued.
"Thirty-two soldiers died because command gave us an impossible objective. You saved nine."
Holden stepped closer.
"I said don't."
Janes's men raised their weapons.
Janes lifted one hand.
They lowered them.
"I am not your enemy, Holden."
"You tried to suffocate me."
"That wasn't authorized."
"Your people shot at me."
"Also unfortunate."
"You have a generous definition of friendship."
"I said I wasn't your enemy. I didn't say we were friends."
Janes looked toward Alara.
"Give me the evidence."
"No."
"Then people will continue dying."
"They'll die if you get it."
"People always die when governments change."
Alara's face hardened.
"Vexxnos is overthrowing an elected government."
"Vexxnos is preventing Guinvarr from collapsing."
"By putting warships over its cities?"
"By restoring order."
"Your order."
Janes looked back at Holden.
"This doesn't concern you."
"It began concerning me when she touched my shoulder."
Alara looked at him.
Holden realized what he had said.
He looked away.
Janes noticed everything.
He always had.
"How much is she paying you?"
Holden said nothing.
Janes smiled.
"I heard about the mining work. K-771. Terrible place."
"It pays."
"Poorly."
"I manage."
"You don't have to."
Holden looked at him.
Janes reached inside his coat.
Holden raised his pistol.
Janes stopped.
"Easy."
He slowly removed a credit wafer.
He held it between two fingers.
"Fifty thousand credits."
Alara looked at Holden.
Janes continued.
"Enough to leave the mines forever."
Holden said nothing.
"Give me Lady Hitnhvor. Walk away."
Alara's eyes remained on Holden.
He looked at the credit wafer.
"Fifty?"
"Fifty."
"Guaranteed?"
"Immediately."
Alara stared at him.
"Holden."
He ignored her.
"What happens to her?"
"That is no longer your concern."
"That usually means something unpleasant."
"Take the money."
Holden lowered his pistol.
Alara's face changed.
"Holden."
He looked at Janes.
"Transfer it."
For the first time since meeting him, Janes looked genuinely pleased.
"Practical as ever."
He activated the wafer.
Holden's wrist terminal sounded.
TRANSFER RECEIVED: 50,000 CREDITS
Alara stepped away from him.
"No."
Holden did not look at her.
Janes nodded toward his men.
Two moved forward.
Alara backed away.
"Holden."
He remained still.
One soldier grabbed her.
She fought him.
Another seized her other arm.
"Holden!"
He finally looked at her.
The hurt in her face was worse than anger.
She had trusted him.
That was the problem.
"Sorry."
Alara stopped fighting.
Her eyes remained fixed on him.
"I believed you."
Holden said nothing.
Janes's men pulled her toward the door.
She did not look back again.
The doors closed behind them.
Holden stood alone with Janes.
Janes approached him.
"That was easier than I expected."
Holden looked at the fifty thousand credits displayed on his terminal.
"You taught me not to become attached."
"I taught you well."
"Sometimes."
Janes smiled.
"You can leave at Velorum."
"That was the plan."
Janes extended his hand.
Holden looked at it.
Then shook it.
Janes left.
The doors closed.
Holden waited.
Ten seconds.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Then a maintenance hatch opened beneath the observation terminal.
Wren's head appeared.
"You're a terrible person."
Holden looked down.
"Did you hear everything?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Wren climbed out.
"You sold her."
"No."
"You accepted fifty thousand credits."
"Yes."
"That generally qualifies."
Holden walked toward the terminal.
"Did you place the tracker?"
Wren stopped.
Then smiled.
"On Janes?"
"Yes."
Wren pulled out a small receiver.
A light blinked.
"Still transmitting."
Holden checked his pistol.
Wren stared at him.
"You planned that?"
"Some of it."
"Did Lady Hitnhvor know?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because Janes would know if she was pretending."
Wren considered this.
"She looked like she wanted to kill you."
"Good."
"She may actually kill you."
"Also possible."
Wren looked at the receiver.
"They're moving toward Cargo Section Nine."
Holden headed for the maintenance hatch.
Wren followed.
"What are we doing?"
"Getting my wife back."
Wren grinned.
"I thought she wasn't your wife."
Holden stopped.
"Keep talking and you can stay here."
Wren became quiet.
For almost twenty seconds.
"You're in love with her."
Holden stopped again.
Wren immediately climbed into the hatch.
"Cargo Section Nine."
Holden followed.
They moved through the Phioyxstar's maintenance passages.
The train had become divided territory.
Janes controlled the central passenger sections.
Captain Killon still held the forward command cars.
Quilla and train security controlled several engineering sections.
Neither side controlled everything.
That gave Holden an advantage.
He had spent his military career fighting in places where maps became useless.
He preferred confusion.
Wren stopped at a junction.
"Cargo Nine is below us."
"How many entrances?"
"Four."
"Gravity control?"
Wren looked at him.
"Local."
"Can you reverse it?"
"Yes."
"Do it."
Wren smiled.
"I like you."
"That makes one of us."
They separated.
Holden descended through a service ladder.
Voices came from below.
Alara sat restrained inside Cargo Nine.
Janes stood before her.
"Where is the evidence?"
She looked at him.
"Holden doesn't know."
"I didn't ask about Holden."
"Everyone seems interested in Holden today."
Janes crouched in front of her.
"He betrayed you."
Alara's jaw tightened.
"Yes."
"You sound uncertain."
"I'm not."
"Good."
Janes stood.
"Where is the evidence?"
Alara smiled.
"You should have searched me more carefully."
Janes's expression changed.
Then gravity reversed.
Everyone hit the ceiling.
Alara screamed.
Janes's soldiers lost their weapons.
The cargo doors opened.
Holden entered.
He fired twice.
Two weapons disappeared across the ceiling.
Wren restored gravity.
Everyone crashed to the floor.
Holden crossed the room.
Janes recovered quickly.
He drew his pistol.
Holden kicked it away.
They faced each other.
For the first time, Janes looked angry.
"You."
Holden punched him.
Janes staggered.
"Me."
Two soldiers attacked.
Holden blocked the first and drove him into a cargo container.
The second reached for his weapon.
Alara kicked him from her chair.
He fell.
Holden looked at her.
"You all right?"
She glared at him.
"No."
"Fair."
He cut her restraints.
She stood.
Then slapped him.
Hard.
Holden touched his cheek.
"I deserved that."
"Yes."
"I didn't betray you."
"I know that now."
"I had to convince Janes."
"You convinced me."
"That was necessary."
She slapped him again.
Holden nodded.
"Also deserved."
Janes ran toward the cargo door.
Holden saw him.
"Janes!"
The colonel stopped at the threshold.
He turned.
"You think this matters?"
Holden raised his pistol.
Janes smiled.
"The coup has already begun."
Alara went still.
Janes continued.
"Your father failed."
"You're lying."
"Am I?"
He backed through the door.
Holden fired.
The cargo door closed between them.
The shot struck metal.
Alara ran to the terminal.
"Can we contact Guinvarr?"
Wren appeared from the maintenance corridor.
"Communications are still blocked."
"How long until we arrive?"
"Less than two hours."
Alara looked toward Holden.
"The evidence has to reach the government."
"It will."
"You don't know that."
"No."
Holden walked toward her.
"But I'm still being paid."
She stared at him.
"Is that all this is?"
The question stopped him.
Wren quietly moved several steps away.
Holden looked at Alara.
"No."
She waited.
He had no idea what came next.
That irritated him more than gunfire.
Alara stepped closer.
"You frightened me."
"Janes?"
"You."
Holden understood.
"I had to make him believe it."
"I thought you had sold me."
"I know."
"I thought I had been wrong about you."
"You weren't."
"How am I supposed to know that?"
Holden had no clever answer.
So he gave her the truth.
"Because I came back."
Alara looked at him.
Neither moved.
Then she kissed him.
Holden froze.
It was brief.
Warm.
Real.
Alara pulled away.
Holden stared at her.
"What was that?"
"I haven't decided."
"You should."
"Why?"
"Because I may need another."
Her eyes softened.
"Get me to Guinvarr."
"That's becoming a very complicated payment arrangement."
She almost smiled.
Then the Phioyxstar shook violently.
The cargo lights flashed red.
Captain Killon's voice came over the emergency speakers.
"All crew to battle stations. All passengers remain secured."
Holden looked toward the ceiling.
Killon continued.
"Guinvarrian warships have ordered the Phioyxstar to halt."
Alara looked at Holden.
The speaker crackled.
Captain Killon's voice returned.
"We have refused."
Holden smiled.
He definitely liked Captain Titus Killon.
Another impact shook the train.
Wren checked his terminal.
His face went pale.
"They fired across the rail."
Alara stared through the small cargo window.
Far ahead, a blue-white planet had appeared among the stars.
Guinvarr.
Home.
Holden stepped beside her.
Behind them, warning alarms sounded throughout the Phioyxstar.
Ahead waited a government already under attack.
Around them waited the soldiers of General Vorr Vexxnos.
And somewhere aboard the train, Colonel Durrian Janes was still alive.
Alara took Holden's hand.
This time there was no audience.
No assassin watching.
No marriage to pretend.
Holden closed his fingers around hers.
The Phioyxstar accelerated toward Guinvarr.
Chapter 6
The Phioyxstar accelerated toward Guinvarr with three warships behind it.
Holden Jett had experienced better journeys.
The cargo carriage shook as another weapons burst crossed the stellar rail.
Warning lights flashed overhead.
Wren Windas stared at his terminal.
"They're getting closer."
Holden checked his pistol.
"Can they destroy us?"
"Yes."
"Can we destroy them?"
Wren looked at him.
"We're a train."
"So?"
"We don't have guns."
"Poor planning."
Alara stood beside the cargo window.
Guinvarr filled more of the view with every passing minute.
Blue oceans covered much of the planet. Three major continents were visible beneath white cloud systems. Orbital stations moved above the atmosphere, and hundreds of lights marked civilian and military traffic.
Home was directly ahead of her.
She had never been less certain of what waited there.
"How long?" she asked.
Wren checked the terminal.
"Forty-three minutes to planetary terminal."
Holden looked toward the door.
"Too long."
Alara turned.
"The evidence."
"What about it?"
"We don't have to reach the government physically."
Holden looked at her.
"You said communications were compromised."
"They were."
"Were?"
"We're close enough now."
Understanding appeared on Wren's face.
"The Phioyxstar communications array."
Alara nodded.
"The train has enough transmission power to reach civilian networks."
"And military networks," Wren added.
"And every public receiver on Guinvarr."
Holden considered it.
"Can they stop the transmission?"
"If they know we're making it."
"They'll know."
Alara looked at him.
"Then we move quickly."
Holden smiled slightly.
"You're getting good at this."
"At being hunted?"
"At thinking like someone people want dead."
"I've had an excellent teacher."
Their eyes remained together for a moment.
Wren looked between them.
Then deliberately returned his attention to the terminal.
Holden opened the cargo door.
The corridor beyond was empty.
"We need Killon."
Wren activated his communicator.
Static.
Then Quilla Sunder's voice answered.
"Windas?"
"Chief."
"Where are you?"
"Cargo Nine."
"Why?"
Wren glanced at Holden.
"It's complicated."
"That usually means Jett is involved."
Holden took the communicator.
"Nice to hear you too."
"Captain Killon wants all three of you on the command deck."
"We're coming."
"Use the service passages. Janes still controls two passenger sections."
"Where is he?"
"We lost him."
Holden disliked that answer.
He handed the communicator back.
"Let's move."
They entered the maintenance system.
The journey forward took twelve minutes.
They passed damaged power conduits, abandoned engineering stations, and two sections where emergency doors had sealed automatically.
The Phioyxstar continued to shake.
The warships were firing closer now.
Wren led them through a final hatch.
Quilla waited on the other side.
She looked at Alara.
Then Holden.
Then their joined hands.
Holden looked down.
He had not realized he was still holding Alara's.
He released it.
Quilla raised an eyebrow.
"Marriage improving?"
"No," Holden said.
"Yes," Alara said.
Holden looked at her.
She smiled.
Quilla shook her head.
"Captain's waiting."
They entered the command carriage.
Captain Titus Killon stood before the forward display.
Dr. Seren Belle was treating a crewman's shoulder nearby.
The main screen showed Guinvarr ahead.
Three red markers followed behind them.
Killon looked at Holden.
"Your friends are persistent."
"They're not my friends."
"You have an unusual number of people trying to kill you."
"Recent development."
Alara stepped forward.
"We need the communications array."
Killon looked at her.
"Why?"
"The evidence I'm carrying can be transmitted."
"To whom?"
"Everyone."
Silence followed.
Killon smiled.
It was the first time Holden had seen him do it.
"I like that."
Quilla moved to the communications station.
"Primary transmitter is in Communications Car Two."
"Can we access it from here?" Alara asked.
"No. Janes severed command access."
Holden sighed.
"Of course he did."
Wren examined the train diagram.
"Communications Two is six cars back."
Quilla pointed at the display.
"Through a section Janes controls."
Holden checked his pistol.
Alara saw him.
"No."
He looked at her.
"No?"
"You are not going alone."
"I wasn't going to."
"Good."
"I was taking Wren."
Wren looked up.
"I would prefer Lady Hitnhvor's plan."
Holden stared at him.
Wren shrugged.
"She has a wrench."
Alara smiled.
Killon interrupted.
"Everyone is going."
Holden turned.
"Captain?"
"This is my train."
"You should remain here."
Killon picked up a pistol.
"Mr. Jett, I have commanded the Phioyxstar for nineteen years. I will decide where I remain."
Holden nodded.
"Fair."
Quilla drew her weapon.
Seren closed her medical case.
Holden looked at her.
"Doctor?"
"Someone will undoubtedly get shot."
"Also fair."
They moved.
The Phioyxstar shook again.
This time the impact was harder.
Lights failed across the corridor.
Emergency systems activated.
Killon's communicator sounded.
"Captain, enemy vessel is attempting docking approach."
Killon stopped.
"They're boarding us."
Holden looked toward the rear of the train.
"Janes opened the door."
Killon's face hardened.
"Then let's close it."
They reached the first occupied carriage.
Two armed soldiers guarded the passage.
Holden raised his weapon.
"Down!"
Gunfire filled the corridor.
Passengers screamed inside nearby compartments.
Quilla fired from behind a bulkhead.
One soldier fell.
Killon struck the second with a shot to the shoulder.
Holden moved forward.
Alara stayed behind him.
They crossed into the next carriage.
More soldiers appeared.
Wren opened a maintenance panel.
"What are you doing?"
Holden fired down the corridor.
"Something useful!"
Wren entered a command sequence.
Gravity disappeared.
The soldiers rose from the floor.
Holden grabbed a railing.
Alara caught his belt.
Quilla held onto the doorway.
Killon looked at Wren.
"Restore gravity."
"Not yet."
Wren pressed another control.
The carriage tilted its local gravity field sideways.
Three soldiers slammed into the wall.
Holden stared at Wren.
"I definitely like you."
Wren restored normal gravity.
They continued.
Communications Car Two was ahead.
The door opened.
Holden stopped.
Colonel Durrian Janes stood inside.
Four soldiers surrounded him.
Behind them, the communications array had been dismantled.
Janes looked at Holden.
"I knew you'd come here."
Holden raised his pistol.
"You're becoming predictable."
Janes smiled.
"Give me Alara."
"No."
"Fifty thousand credits wasn't enough?"
Alara looked at Holden.
"You kept the money?"
Holden glanced at her.
"This isn't the time."
"You kept it?"
"I earned it."
"You betrayed him."
"I know."
"Then return it."
"Why?"
Janes stared at them.
"Are you actually arguing about money?"
Holden looked at him.
"We're married."
Alara looked at Holden.
Janes looked tired.
"Enough."
He raised his pistol.
The carriage erupted.
Holden fired.
Quilla fired beside him.
Killon moved toward the communications controls.
Alara dropped behind a console.
Wren crawled toward the transmitter housing.
Janes's soldiers returned fire.
One went down.
Another retreated.
Holden moved forward.
Janes fired.
The shot struck Holden's side.
He fell.
"Holden!"
Alara ran toward him.
"I'm fine."
Blood spread across his shirt.
She stared at it.
"That is your definition of fine?"
"Apparently."
Janes approached.
Holden raised his pistol.
Empty.
Janes kicked it away.
"Still protecting people who aren't your responsibility."
Holden pushed himself upright.
"She's my wife."
Alara looked at him.
Janes laughed.
"No, she isn't."
Holden stood.
"Technicality."
Janes swung.
Holden blocked the punch.
They fought.
Janes was older.
He was also very good.
He struck Holden's wounded side.
Pain dropped Holden to one knee.
Janes grabbed his coat.
"Peloran should have taught you."
"It did."
"What?"
Holden drove his forehead into Janes's face.
"Never trust an officer."
Janes staggered.
Holden struck him.
Once.
Twice.
Janes fell against the communications console.
Alara kicked his pistol away.
Janes looked at her.
"You think broadcasting those files will stop Vexxnos?"
"No."
She picked up his weapon.
"But everyone will know what he is."
Behind them, Wren shouted.
"Transmitter restored!"
Alara ran to the console.
She removed a small object from beneath the clasp at her collar.
Holden stared.
A data crystal.
"That's where you kept it?"
Alara inserted it into the terminal.
"Yes."
"I searched that coat."
"You searched badly."
"I was distracted."
"By what?"
Holden looked at her.
Alara understood.
Despite everything, she smiled.
Wren activated the array.
"Ready."
Alara placed her hand over the transmission control.
Janes struggled to his feet.
"Don't."
She looked at him.
"For my father."
She pressed it.
The Phioyxstar transmitted.
Files crossed every available frequency.
Military orders.
Financial records.
Names.
Fleet positions.
Communications.
Authorizations bearing General Vorr Vexxnos's command seal.
The evidence reached Guinvarr.
Civilian networks received it.
Government stations received it.
Military units received it.
News channels received it.
Thousands of private receivers received it.
There was no retrieving it.
No hiding it.
Janes stared at the display.
"It's done," Alara said.
The communications board erupted with incoming signals.
Wren looked at them.
"Military traffic everywhere."
Quilla checked another screen.
"Some units are refusing Vexxnos's orders."
Killon looked toward the forward display.
The pursuing warships changed formation.
One continued toward the Phioyxstar.
The other two broke away.
Alara exhaled.
Holden watched Janes.
The colonel reached slowly toward his coat.
Holden saw it.
"Don't."
Janes stopped.
For several seconds, teacher and former soldier looked at one another.
Then Janes lowered his hand.
Quilla placed restraints around his wrists.
"You are under arrest by authority of the Phioyxstar."
Janes looked at her.
"Does a train have authority?"
Quilla tightened the restraints.
"This one does."
Captain Killon smiled.
"Very much so."
The Phioyxstar entered Guinvarr orbit forty-one minutes later.
No one fired upon it.
The planetary terminal had never looked so beautiful.
Holden stood near the exit with a medical seal around his side.
Seren had ordered him to remain seated.
He had ignored her.
Alara approached.
She had changed clothes.
The frightened traveler from K-771 was gone.
Lady Alara Hitnhvor had returned.
Holden disliked how much he noticed.
She stopped before him.
"Your payment."
She transferred the remaining credits.
Holden checked his wrist.
"Eight thousand."
"As agreed."
"Plus Janes's fifty."
She frowned.
"You're keeping that?"
"Absolutely."
"That money probably belongs to the Guinvarrian government."
"Then they shouldn't have given it to Janes."
She laughed.
Holden picked up his canvas bag.
The train doors opened.
Passengers began leaving.
Alara watched him.
"Where will you go?"
"Wherever the next mining contract takes me."
"When?"
"There's a freight train leaving tomorrow."
Her expression changed.
"Oh."
Holden nodded.
"Well."
"Well."
Neither moved.
Holden adjusted the bag on his shoulder.
"I suppose this is goodbye."
Alara looked at him.
Then she reached for his wrist terminal.
She pressed several controls.
Holden's account chimed.
He looked down.
The eight thousand credits were gone.
He stared at her.
"You took my money."
"I did."
"Why?"
"You were hired to be my husband until Guinvarr."
"We're on Guinvarr."
"Exactly."
"So the contract is complete."
"Yes."
"Then give me my money."
"No."
Holden stared at her.
Alara stepped closer.
"The marriage was never real."
"No."
"That seems unfortunate."
Holden looked at her.
She took another step.
"Lady Hitnhvor."
"Mr. Jett."
"Are you stealing my wages?"
"I'm renegotiating."
He smiled.
"What are the terms?"
"No payment."
"Terrible start."
"No assassins."
"Improvement."
"No pretending."
Holden's smile faded.
Alara looked directly into his eyes.
"Then perhaps we should do it properly this time."
Holden said nothing.
For years he had moved from planet to planet.
One mining contract after another.
One temporary room after another.
He had become very good at leaving.
The station announcement sounded overhead.
"Phioyxstar passengers continuing to Damaris and outer systems should remain aboard. Departing passengers should proceed to planetary customs."
Holden looked toward the open doors.
Beyond them waited Guinvarr.
Alara waited beside him.
He placed his canvas bag on the floor.
She smiled.
"Does that mean you're staying?"
"For dinner."
"Only dinner?"
"I'm negotiating."
"Poorly."
"I've been married less than a day."
"Two days."
"That explains why I'm exhausted."
Alara laughed.
Holden touched her cheek.
This time there was no assassin nearby.
No passenger they needed to fool.
No reason to pretend.
He kissed her.
When they separated, Alara kept one hand against his chest.
"Still leaving tomorrow?"
Holden looked toward the departure board.
Then at the woman who had placed her hand upon his shoulder at an asteroid station and changed the direction of his life.
"No."
Outside the windows, the Phioyxstar rested upon the stellar rail.
Soon it would depart for another world.
For the first time in years, Holden Jett let a train leave without him.
END?
That is the end of PHIOYXSTAR. Thanks for reading.
Get the app for the rest of Fannie Fable's writing, and everything else on Novellea.
Open in Novellea
