The Star Thief (Star Thief Chronicles #1)(39)
Author: Jamie Grey

“Any hint yet as to what’s out there?” he finally asked, shooting her a sideways glance.

“This area of Banos seems to be completely deserted. No life signs anywhere, not even at the colony to the north.”

“That’s where Myka’s parents were stationed. MYTH had a small team posted there for years, investigating the area. Dr. Theia Prince led the expedition. She’s one of our best scientists.” He frowned. “It wasn’t the hardest hit, but everyone was killed. They didn’t even find most of the bodies.”

Renna paused, then said, “I wish I knew how the colony and this facility were connected because I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”

Finn didn’t comment, just kept pace with her for a few more minutes before glancing at her again. “MYTH lost a lot of important people in that attack. Thank gods Dr. Prince escaped with much of their research or we’d have no idea what our teams had found.”

“And what’s that?”

“Banos has special minerals deep in the soil. I wonder if the facility was created so someone else could continue that work.”

“But who? Only MYTH knew the real reason the team was here, correct? Do you have enemies? Could someone have found out what you were doing?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea, but that’s what I’m hoping to find out.”

They walked a few more moments, Finn slanting glances at her from the corner of his eye. She felt his gaze like pressure against her skin. She couldn’t decide if it was pleasant or annoying.

“Out with it, Captain. Why do you keep looking at me?”

“How long have you had your implant?” Finn asked.

She looked at him warily. He wanted small talk? Now? “Five years. I knew someone who cut me a deal. Best investment I ever made.”

“Is it one of the nucleospatial models from Stagg Industries? I hear they’re exceptional for mapping and schematics.”

Renna blinked at him. Since the ban fifteen years ago, cybernetic implants were forbidden in Coalition territory. A few of the richest mercenaries she knew had them and a few dirty politicians, but the military absolutely forbade them and had implemented random body scans to keep everyone compliant.

“I didn’t know you’d kept up with them. No, it’s a Compass X-3. I wish I’d held out for the nucleospatial model, but mine’s been extremely helpful, so I can’t complain too much. And the upgrades Aldani installed are amazing.”

“Must have cost a lot of money, even with a deal.” Finn walked with his hands swinging easily at his sides, his shoulders relaxed and at ease, but she got the sense there was something else on his mind, something worrying him.

“What’s going on? Want to make sure it won’t hamper me from being able to do the job?”

A frown tugged the corners of his mouth down and caused the skin between his eyebrows to pucker. “You know, you could ease off a bit. You think everything I say is a criticism.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Look, Renna. I’m trying to apologize. I’m sorry for everything that’s happened, but it was a long time ago. We need to work together here, not be enemies.”

“I already have plenty of enemies. What’s one more?” She threw the words out like a slap and instantly regretted it as Finn’s jaw tightened. She sighed. Evidently, she wasn’t very good at apologies either. “Look. I’ve worked alone all my life. It’s how I operate. And yet here I am, blackmailed into helping a big group of military do-gooders. And to top it off, you made it perfectly clear I was more worthless than the shit in the vacuum sewer. It’s going to take a while to get used to the change.”

He rubbed a hand over his face before looking at her, and she noticed how tired his blue eyes looked. “Can you? Forgive me, I mean?”

She shrugged. “I haven’t shot you yet. That’s always a good sign.”

Finn chuckled and looked slightly relieved. “Truce?” He held out his hand, large and capable and strong.

There was an instant where she wanted to ignore it. If she forgave this man, everything would change Was she really ready to take a step in that direction? Before she could talk herself out if it, she took his hand, the warmth from his fingers soaking into her skin.

Something shifted inside her, something that felt almost like friendship. Or at least respect.

“Truce, Captain.”

His expression cleared. “And just think, if you hadn’t joined up with us, you never would have gotten Aldani’s upgrades.”

“Trust me, if Dallas had given me any other choice, I would gladly give them up.”

He nodded. “I know. It was kind of a shitty thing for him to do. But I know Aldani feels better that you’re going to help us find Myka.”

“And what about you? Ready to put your money where your mouth is?” She gave him a wicked smirk. “If you’re so happy to have me on the team and willing to forgive and forget, how about a little wager on how long it takes me to get inside?”

Finn shook his head, a twitching smile on his lips. “I make it a point to never bet against a sure thing.”

“Smart man.” Their gazes locked, and she almost forgot the job she was here to do. Dammit. She could not let herself go down that road again. Being involved with Finn and his team already broke every rule she’d set for herself, and the job was suffering for it. But something in her was still drawn to this man—the way the muscles in his chiseled jaw clenched when he was angry, the blue eyes that seemed to cut past her barriers.

“The facility is over this ridge,” Keva said, stalking past them with a glare to crouch against an outcropping of burgundy stone. “Are you coming?”

Renna snapped back into job-mode and called up a map of the area with her implant. “I’m detecting heat signatures from inside the building, but I can’t get a read on how many or where.” She frowned at the rough rock surface as if it could answer her. “Usually my implant can get a better sense of numbers.” Maybe Aldani’s upgrades had affected something else. Or maybe the heat signatures weren’t actually human. Whatever it was, they’d have to be careful going in.

“Is there a place where we can get inside without anyone spotting us? We need at least four minutes to use the destabilizer to open a door,” Finn said.

She peered over the ridge at the facility below. It sat in a wide, sandy valley, with jagged hills surrounding it. The place was a lot bigger than she’d expected, maybe almost as large as a city block back on Hesperia. She had no idea how it had gone unnoticed for so long. Especially when the dull metallic material of the building stood out against the golden sand like a scar.