CROSS//Process, Part 9

CROSS//Process, Part 9 Hildred M. Billings Contents Copyright Series Order 1. Chapter 1 2. Chapter 2 3. Chapter 3 4. Chapter 4 5. Chapter 5 6. Chapter 6 7. Chapter 7 8. Chapter 8 9. Chapter 9 10. Chapter 10 Get PART 10 Free Stories! FB Group Copyright CROSS//Process Part 9 Copyright: Hildred BillingsPublished: 1st May, 2023Publisher: Barachou Press This is a work of fiction. Any and all similarities to any characters, settings, or situations are purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format. Series Order MAIN SERIES REBIRTH REVENGE REGRESS REPENT RELEASE PREQUELS PROCESS PROPHET one C erilyn, Federation Year 4539 “If I didn’t know any better,” Sulim said, stepping into the back room at Honeydew, “I’d think this was some misdirected anniversary present.” Sonall followed her inside. Sulim knew that he had been in this room before, but them? Together? Never in her career. This was a place she either had to herself or with Cairn. Sonall’s presence was as wrong as the lack of Cairn’s. Yet here they were, helping themselves to the couch and table in the middle of the secret room. Sulim had never taken in the ambiance before. It really is made for clandestine affairs. Soft lighting, a big, fluffy bed, and enough alcohol to get anyone ready for some fun. Sulim tried to not think about Sonall and Vaus having a good time when Sulim and Cairn weren’t reserving the room for a change in scenery. But how do I ignore it when he’s right there? Vaus had followed them in. “I assure you that the chief did not reserve this room for you two to cavort.” She placed a platter of freshly brewed cageh on the table and set out three cups. She was not staying. “Your client should be here in a few minutes. Also, I’m the only one in this whole building who knows about this, so when you leave later, go through the back.” Sonall shifted in his seat as Vaus quickly turned around, platter clasped against her side. “What’s going on?” She offered him a softened look. If Sulim didn’t already know about their on-again, off-again affair, she’d immediately get it now. Vaus doesn’t look at any man like that unless she has a good reason. Sonall may have been one of the highest-paying customers after Cairn, but Sulim knew he had been spending less money with more visits since becoming Second. Not to mention I see her on the fortress’s security lists. Vaus was allowed to come and go as she pleased due to Cairn’s friendship, but she hadn’t been visiting the chief the last few times she spent half the night in the fortress. “The chief can tell you more than me,” said a chipper Vaus. “Even I’m largely in the dark regarding what this is about. So if you need anything, let me know directly.” She left. As the door latched shut behind her, Sulim and Sonall shared a look. “We’re retired from that, right?” he asked. Sulim shrugged. “You know as much as I do.” Things did not bode well for their peace. Cairn had been graver than ever when she told Sulim—as her chief and not her lover, no less—that her and Sonall’s services had been requested for an “unprecedented” manner. On one hand, Sulim knew it must have been serious for Cairn to bring them out of retirement, but on the other? Bullshit. Sulim had more important things to do, like upgrading the kitchen’s security. Besides, meeting a client in Honeydew’s secret room after dinner? Sulim should have been relaxing for the evening or having a drink with friends at the tavern. Honeydew was the epitome of how work should not mix with pleasure. Especially if she and Sonall had to share the secret room together. “What do you think it is?” Sonall asked. “Has to be the Federation government, right? Or one of those mega-rich CEOs. Either a matter of intergalactic security or we’re getting a fucking motherlode of a payday.” Sulim flopped back against the couch. “No idea. For once, she hasn’t told me anything.” “Surely clients have asked for us before and she’s told them that we’ve moved on to other things. Has a Second ever been brought back in for mercenary work?” “You’re asking the wrong person.” “If I don’t know, you’re the only one who does. Well, besides the chief, but she doesn’t tell me shit.” Sulim drummed her fingers against the back of the couch. “Definitely intergalactic security. Something’s spooked her lately.” “Really? I can never tell,” Sonall drolly said. “She always either looks like an animal trapped on the tarmac or she’s about to castrate me.” The more restless Sulim became, the greater her desire to crack her joints. She started with her neck, then her fingers. What next? Might as well be her back. “The so-called civil unrest is done with, although I suppose the huling might be up to some old tricks still,” she mused. “Or it’s a bit closer to home. Void only knows what’s happened since that public speech on Terra III.” Sonall was about to make his own suggestion when the door creaked open. Vaus entered, her posture immaculate and her madam’s visage as bright as the sign outside her building’s door. Behind her trotted a black dog big enough to give Sulim a start. Then came the cane, wielded by a tall man who was vaguely familiar. She had seen him around town but thought nothing of it. “Ah, thank you very kindly.” A hat came off the top of the man’s head and plopped onto the nearest chair. Long sleeves rolled up to the elbows, an undone button, and loose linen pants were the only markers of a man