Space Race (Space Race 1) Nathan Hystad (ebooks children's books free .TXT) 📖

they were meeting with Liberty, as the farmer suggested, maybe they could give me a heads-up.

Jade had added security to my Tab, so my transmission would theoretically be secure. My dirty jumpsuit was already back in the cubby, washed and folded. Outstanding operation.

I found Bello’s contact information, and set the Tab onto a white table. Her projection appeared from the waist up over the screen.

“Hawk? What are you doing?” Her southern accent made me smile.

“I know I’m not your favorite person, but I need your help.”

“That sounds familiar. Why is it I only see you when you require something? It’s becoming a trend.” Despite the words, she smiled. I heard the kids in the background, and Grid’s deep voice calling for them.

“Is this a bad time?” I asked.

“It’s always a bad time, Hawk. Get to the point.”

“Eclipse.”

“I don’t think you should be talking to me.” Her hand moved, like it was going to end the communication.

“I’m on your side!”

Her arm paused. “What have you heard?”

I glanced around the room, wishing I’d checked to see if someone was surveying me. “What’s happening on that front? And do they stand a chance?”

She stared at me. “Your hair is wet.”

I ran a hand through it. “It is.”

“How’s the Race going?”

I gave her a smirk. “Have you been watching?”

“Grid is obsessed. When he’s not playing with the kids, or discussing plans…”

“So you are involved. I have some information.”

“Are you suggesting a trade?” she asked.

I had her. “Something like that. You tell me what’s happening on your end, and I’ll offer my news.”

“You called me, Hawk. You spill it first.” Bello had a way of taking charge. I sighed, defeated by her logic.

“Fine. Sage Industries is making giant weapons. My father was on the line, and he thinks they’re for space warfare. Some might be for ground assaults too.”

Bello’s face told me she was upset. I could see it in the twitch of her eye, the slight pursing of her lips. “This is bad. We thought the Primaries might be working on a giant project but hadn’t received confirmation. What do you think is happening?”

And there it was. I’d have to fill her in on everything I knew before she’d share her information. What was the harm at this point? She was a mechanic in the Wastes. I told her that I’d seen the Eclipse video, that I’d been at Primary City during their overt attack, and that I assumed Eclipse was planning to culminate an offensive around the time of the Race’s conclusion.

She nodded at the end. “You have most of it right. But I was there too.”

“Where?”

“In Primary City,” she added.

“That’s a tad dangerous for a Wastelander, isn’t it?”

“Can you not advertise it? The Wastes will be annihilated if this gets out. Eclipse has far more support than you can imagine. Over fifty percent of the corporations outside the Primary are with her. They have a real shot. We have a real shot.” Bello’s face was full of hope, of change. She’d always been a dreamer.

“You think they can actually defeat the Primaries?”

“We have to try. If they merge, what freedom we have left will be taken. There’s a reason it’s been this way for so many generations. It’s not ideal, but at least we have our lives. But this will end all of that,” Bello said.

The conversation made me feel foolish for the energy I was putting into the Race. “What’s Eclipse’s opinion on Proxima?”

Bello peered down and to the left. “She thinks Bryson is hinging too much on a place that we’ve only seen video of.”

“I thought they seemed too familiar.” I’d wondered since the start but couldn’t figure out exactly how they were working together.

“That’s not what I’m saying. Actually, Mr. Kelley has stayed neutral. He’s sympathetic, but hasn’t agreed to add his firepower to the fray.” Bello sounded disappointed.

“Maybe I can sway him, if necessary. Have you left yet?” I asked, knowing they’d have to be starting the trip if they were going to arrive near Neptune by the Race’s end.

“We’re on the way.”

“And you don’t think the Primaries will notice a fleet leaving Earth?” I could see them forwarding patrols to stop insurgents before they passed the Moon’s perimeter.

“We’ve been departing in segments for months. Most of the fleet is past the Belt, with others making the rendezvous from Saturn, Mercury, and Pluto.”

That made sense and indicated Eclipse had her plan well thought out. “What about the kids?” I asked, still hearing them in the background.

“They’re staying here, with Aster,” she said.

“Good.” I didn’t know what else to say. Their parents were heading into battle, and I doubted there would be any salvation for Eclipse and the minor corps unless a miracle occurred. I had to talk with Bryson.

“Grid is impressed with you, Hawk.”

This made me smile, picturing the giant of a man cheering on his wife’s ex. “Tell him I’ll sign a hat when it’s done.”

Bello’s eyes filled with tears, and she nodded. “This war is essential, Hawk. Don’t forget that.”

Her words were ominous, and I hoped they didn’t mean that the revolt considered this entire battle a suicide mission. “We’ll get through it.”

“Goodbye, Hawk.”

“Take care, Bello.” And she was gone.

She’d confirmed my suspicions, and now I was certain there was an assault coming, as well as where and when. But what kind of arsenal would be waiting for them? I understood why they were targeting the end of the Race. It was rumored that every CEO would be on hand. All Ten of the Primaries, including Bryson Kelley, along with their families and top executives. It was the perfect opportunity for Liberty to strike.

It wasn’t surprising that Eclipse was trying to unravel the Corporations, but it also left the people of our home planet vulnerable. But if she managed to destroy the viewing party, the entire Board and top CEOs would be eliminated in one fell swoop. Was she willing to go to those lengths to accomplish her goal?

I hoped not.

 

 

 

Nineteen

“How’d everyone do?” I