Page 144 of Alien Haven

“Nor would Ilid. He doesn’t see himself as a real Dramok after his traumatic encounter with the Darks. It shook him to his foundations.” Dolgra had read Ilid’s psychiatric reports in preparation for the former spyship crewman’s arrival on Haven. A wave of sympathy filled him for the kid’s anguish.

It was too bad Ilid’s self-image had been damaged to the point he refused to consider the likelihood of clanship. Caring lifemates could make a difference to his outlook.

As if you’d know about that.

Dolgra shook off the tangent of regret and his fellow Dramok’s chance for youthful love…or probably more accurately, youthful lust…to return to what should be their focus. “Your intruder left no evidence anywhere?”

“He was careful where he hid as he waited to ambush her. Judging from her description of the attack, I believe he jumped her from here as she passed.” Groteg showed him a space behind a metal tilling cylinder. “No sign he’d been there, however, or anywhere in this general vicinity.”

Dolgra put himself where Groteg had indicated. He looked up at the lights illuminating the area and how much sunlight came from the open doors of the barn. “Earther eyesight doesn’t compensate for darkness as well as ours. She would have been blind once she stepped past that area.” He nodded to indicate where the sunlight ended.

“I wish we’d had the lights yesterday. Safety’s never been an issue for us before.” Groteg scowled.

Dolgra walked back to where Charity had encountered her assailant. “He comes out, they struggle, she gets in a good crotch shot and pulls free.”

“Then he runs to this window.” Groteg led him to the rear wall. “We found a few threads on the frame. The lab has them and should be reporting their analysis soon.”

“No hair?” Dolgra frowned. Most Kalquorian men wore long hair. Crime scenes involving his people tended to offer plenty of samples.

“None. Maybe he wore a hooded jacket. Or a head covering. Bud caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure, but no details of his appearance. He mentioned he was big though, as Charity reported.”

“Muscled?”

“Bud couldn’t say.”

“Charity might have been wrong about that. It’s hard to be sure when you’re fighting off someone who came up behind you.”

Groteg considered. “She has a pretty good head on her shoulders. It could have been an Earther. A few around Sunrise are nearly our size.”

“We have to consider all options. I can tell you no one has shown up on Haven from New Bethlehem in the last year. The Mercy refugees who fled the rioting were thoroughly vetted.”

“So Earthtiques from that quarter are out.”

“Unless operatives were sent to Haven early on for long-term surveillance.”

Groteg’s brows rose. “I never figured the fanatics for the long game. They always struck me as impetuous. Overly eager to act.”

“I’ve seen subtle signs Mercy and New Bethlehem might have had spies watching us for a while. Their governments’conversations with Haven’s Earther governor have occasionally let slip they’re aware of more than they should be.”

“Mercy is currently in chaos, thanks to the revolt and Dark Death. Those few refugees we took in prior to Haven shutting its doors to all but the most extreme emergencies…do you have any indication operatives slipped in?”

Dolgra shook his head. “It’s possible but unlikely. Before the Darks took over the Galactic Council, the GC froze Mercy’s assets when its government tried to pull a financial scam on Joshada. The lack of funds for needed programs were part of what started the unrest. When the government tried to fake an attack by their detractors and the footage of Copeland’s alleged presence on Kalquor came to light, it all went to hell. Short story, Mercy doesn’t have the money to pay operatives unless they pull it from where it’s most desperately needed. Who can guess if they actually plan to pay the bounty once they get hold of Matara Charity?”

Groteg considered. “You can’t discount the fanatics. They’d do it simply because they’re determined to return to Earth’s old ways.”

“There is that. Which is why I’m considering the few Earthers who are as tall or muscled as our people as potential suspects. There are those whose physical regimens develop them to match our natural muscle.”

“True.” Groteg seized on the idea. “I can think of four men on the Earther side of Haven’s security force who’d qualify.”

“Give me the names, and I’ll investigate them.” When the Nobek gave him a funny look, Dolgra explained, “You shouldn’t be looking into this where Earther law enforcement is concerned. It could be seen as a conflict of interest. Your focus will be to investigate those outside of Haven security who match Matara Charity’s description of her assailant.”

“All right.” Groteg rubbed the back of his neck. “As for Charity’s fling with the young men…particularly the Dramok you brought in…”

“I doubt it’ll hurt to let her have some fun. You know Detodev personally. I’m fully informed of Ilid’s history.”

“Imdiko Mitag had to pass a thorough background check when he put on the event for the Earther governor. He’s so clean, he squeaks.”

“Despite his family’s history. It surprises me he’s so well-adjusted, considering his background. He sued for emancipation as a minor, you know.”

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