Devlin's Team # 4: Missing Persons

By Lazette Gifford

Devlin's team has spent over a year on earth at Keri's chateau recovering from the Terra Nova assignment. Finally given a new job by the Inner Worlds Council Security, Devlin, Dancer, and Cha journey to Astrakhan where several scientists have disappeared. Etech Cha Hao Chan looks like excellent bait and Devlin is grateful for a straight-forward assignment this time.

Unfortunately, they trust the wrong people....

• Language: English
• Publisher: A Conspiracy of Authors
• Release date: Mar 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781936507719

Lazette Gifford

Lazette is an avid writer as well as the owner of Forward Motion for Writers and the owner/editor of Vision: A Resource for Writers.It's possible she spends too much time with writers.And cats.

Book preview

Devlin stood on the stone surface of the terrace, her arms wrapped around her chest as she measured the cold. Not quite winter cold yet, but cool enough that she probably should have worn something warmer. However, to go back in and get the jacket would be a show of weakness. She stood her ground.

Devlin had been restless all day -- for several days in fact since word of the new assignment had arrived. She'd gone on hikes, paced the halls of Keri's home, and not slept much at all. What bothered her most was not the upcoming assignment. It appeared to be straightforward, and she had to believe that a trained Inner World Council Security agent and her team were a match for any cartel of drug dealers.

But still...

They'd remained over a year on earth after the last assignment. Terra Nova had changed things -- had changed them.

Devlin tried to bury that thought again.

The breeze smelled of pine and wet ground; she could see the last of the storm clouds rushing off through the bright blue sky. The tree branches swayed slightly in the last of the storm's passage, dropping large splatters of water onto the already soaked stones and ground. Sometimes the water hit her when the breeze was right, and she would glare. She didn't back down from the water, either.

Foolish. Devlin laughed at herself and at least stepped out from under one of the big trees.

About half a mile away, a flock of geese took to the air, swarming upward with startled shouts as a sailboat went by, the white cloth fluttering in the breeze. Sailing on the lake's water still amazed Devlin. She hadn't dared to try it, though the Cha, Dancer, and Keri had gone out a few times.

She could hear no sounds like those she had known growing up around the port of Tempest. No shouts of harassed people punctuated the calm morning. There had always been someone angry in her Port Rat world, and she had never thought about it until years later when she'd been away from home for a long time and had begun to realize that anger didn't always get the best results.

No reek of hot tarmac filled the air as a shuttle took off. Devlin could stand on the terrace and not expect someone to shout -- or shoot -- at her. It was an odd, heady feeling.

Devlin had never thought she would find anywhere this peaceful, and she would never have expected such a place on Mother Earth which had seemed to her to be the heart of all problems. There were, of course, places too much like Tempest Port elsewhere on the world, but not here. This could have been a thousand years ago, for all she could see in the area. No colonies among the stars, no trips to other worlds, and no wars with the children of earth, who had spread so far.

She liked it here at Keri's unusual home. Everything (except for sailing on that vast, deep lake) had delighted Devlin, who had even taken to watching birds and bugs, equally enchanted by both. She found herself as interested in what she saw here on Earth as Cha was in his studies of alien worlds.

Earth was an alien world to her.

Devlin already regretted that they were leaving this afternoon, even though she had been restless for too long before the assignment arrived. She'd been less pleasant to live with though she had tried to hide her discontent and did her best to stay clear from Keri. She didn't want to be a problem for him, and that, sometimes, just made things worse.

Despite being a powerful psi, Keri had never shown the least little bit of a problem with having her around. They'd spent the last few weeks of winter mostly in the building, and then did a few forays into the area this spring -- but even so, she had felt as though the walls had started to close in on her.

They had an assignment now, and one that would take them all the way to one of the farthest IWC held worlds. Astrakhan had a reputation for being out on the edge in more than one way, and it was a dangerous world for many reasons. She didn't know if that was where she wanted to go --

Hell, that wasn't true. She couldn't lie to herself. The idea of working in a wild place like Astrakhan appealed to her. She could let loose there, and do the kind of work she loved best -- out on her own edge.

What she didn't like was the idea of taking Dancer and Cha into that danger with her. They were all still recovering from the fiasco, and the terror, of Terra Nova. Maybe it was too soon --

Hell. She started to kick at the wall in pure frustration and decided that wasn't a good idea. Good, solid stone walls here. She'd learned that one already, and she didn't want her companions asking why she was limping.

It would have driven you crazy if you stayed much longer, Devlin. It's time for you to go back to work.

After half a year at the chateau, it no longer surprised Devlin to hear Keri close by and answering things she had only thought. She turned back and gave him a wane, little smile. I know, she admitted, feeling foolish. And it's not that I don't appreciate that you took us in and shielded us here. I can't think of anywhere that would have been as calm.

We all needed this place, he said, waving a hand towards the walls behind.

She glanced at the old-fashioned glass (not permaglass) windows, the front door that had to be pushed to open and close. This was an ancient building, and even that had contributed to helping her feel calm after Terra Nova. In its own, odd way, this building had put the disaster on Terra Nova during the plague in place. She had no doubt a structure as old as this had seen many disasters sweep through the world. It remained. There were buildings on Terra Nova where people would feel the same in a few hundred years.

It helps, Keri agreed.

She looked at him again -- but sometimes it seemed she could still see the ghosts of Terra Nova's dead in his eyes. Or maybe they were her ghosts, and he only felt them through her.

I'm sorry, Keri. I am not good company right now.

She had expected Keri to nod and go back into the building as he often did at such times. Today, though, he stepped up to the rock wall at the edge of the terrace and looked out at the lake much as she had. A few geese still swept through the air, though many had already glided down to the water surface in the wake of the sailboat.

This is my place, you know, he finally said, and his hand waved out towards the lake. I come here to escape from everything else. But that's not why you or the others are here, Devlin. You came to rest and recover. You never intended to abandon your job, and neither did Cha.

True, she agreed although doubt chased in right after that the thought. I don't know if we're ready to go back out, Keri. There is so much I should have done differently.

Things you could have done differently and things you should have done differently are not the same. You have no way of knowing if you had taken over from the start if it would have gone better.

Leta wouldn't --

"You would have locked her up? Would you have stopped her from sending her reports? Even if I had told you she was a problem there was nothing you could have done in that respect. You knew the truth -- if you had tried to move against her, the military would have moved against us. Things might have gone differently, or you might have tried to take over, and she could have just locked us up, and we'd still be sitting there while all of the IWC Worlds fell to chaos. There were no right, perfect answers for that assignment Devlin. We did the best we could, and we stopped the problem at Terra Nova. That is a win."

She started to say something. Changed her mind and nodded instead. It's time to move on from Terra Nova, she said and felt better for admitting the truth.

Keri offered a little smile. Even Cha put aside the work he was doing on what had happened there. He filed everything a few weeks ago. It's time for all of you to move on.

Ready to kick us out, are you? she said with a brighter smile.

He laughed this time and then looked a little startled. "Actually, no. I like having you here -- and that's odd for me. I never expected to enjoy having people around."

Dancer would stay, you know, she said, meeting his worried look. Whenever Dancer was not working with her or Cha, he spent his time with Keri -- day and night. They seemed to have done well for each other.

Keri frowned with a look that had to be entirely his own emotions. Sometimes it was hard to tell. Sometimes she suspected that even he couldn't be certain.

I never realized how wrong it was for me to stay here alone, he finally admitted, which surprised her. I need the company. I appear to be human after all.

He looked at Devlin, surprised by the bit of anger that welled up within her.

You can't still worry about what Leta thought of you, right? she said, shocked that it might bother him, and she had never realized it.

Leta was not the only one, he said. It builds up after a while. But even so, she was unyielding and what she thought is tied to Terra Nova and everything that happened there. I'm having a harder time getting past it than the rest of you.

Because of us, she said, looking into his face again.

I don't know, he admitted. He looked out at the world. I'll find out when you leave. Though Devlin, I brought some ghosts are my own as well, you know.

Then it's time for us to leave. She stepped back from the wall. I know it. I don't know why I'm dragging my feet. Cha is perfect for this assignment, playing the bait of a scientist coming in to find out how to destroy the drug fields -- this khanta plant they grew there. I need him to do this right. Cha and Dancer packed last night. It's time I stop thinking about it and get moving.

You examine and rethink everything, Devlin. You want to know the why and how of what is going on before you step into a mess. In some ways, you analyze things even more than Cha. However, you occasionally get stuck on the questions and don't take that next step until events force you to move.

Devlin probably blushed. She could see precisely what Keri meant and had never realized it before now.

That must be hell, he said, his head tilted. I can see why I annoy a lot of people.

Ha. Took you this long to figure it out?

He looked unexpectedly surprised. I think maybe it did. Having fewer people around has allowed me to filter emotions better.

Devlin reached over and put a hand on his shoulder. He no longer shied from the touch. I worry about you. I know, I know -- you've lived alone for most of your life. But I think Terra Nova changed us all.

You have work to do, Devlin. All of you need to get out there and find out that it's not all like Terra Nova.

A worry lifted, and Devlin felt herself looking forward to the case after all. This one doesn't look like it will be too much trouble, though I wish we weren't going all the way out to Astrakhan. A long way to go to deal with some annoying drug dealers who appear to have kidnapped a few scientists and their families.

You don't think that's all there is to it.

I don't know. It might be more. Or the assignment might be Pellin and Epona testing me -- and the rest of the team -- on a small job to see if we can still handle it.

That would make sense. Besides, you need to know as well, Devlin. You know that there will be dangerous assignments later.

For a moment that thought worried her -- another Terra Nova -- but then she chased the idea away. She could not drag that world with them everywhere they went and judge everything she did based on what had happened on Terra Nova. Her type of work rarely allowed for such easy follow-the-same-path decisions. How did she let herself fall into this kind of thinking?

You didn't fall into it. You just haven't had a reason to look beyond.

And I had to analyze what had happened and why. I knew you are right about the decisions I made. I knew that things would have gone badly no matter what I did, but it is in my nature to look at it all, even in retrospect, and hope that I can find another answer the next time.

He nodded, as though that had been obvious to him. Maybe it had been.

We're going to miss you.

And I'll miss all three of you, he said. He turned and started toward the door. And I will be here when you need me for a case again.

Keri --

He stopped at the door and looked back at her. I worked well with you, Cha, and Dancer. I can do it again when there is a need. Devlin -- He stopped and bit his bottom lip, looking uncertain before he shrugged and met her eyes. Devlin, working with your team was the first time I learned that I could make a real difference because you three were willing to listen to me. That's never happened before.

She grimaced, thinking of their first case together, so many years ago. Keri gave an unexpected laugh at her feelings and the remembrance of that job.

Yes, practically everyone is like that, Devlin. Or worse. Just think of me as a different sort of specialist from you and Cha.

And something finally occurred to her. You want to be part of the team.

I think so. He had lifted his hand before she spoke. Devlin had the impression that he had been doing a lot of analyzing of his own. I want to be certain of my feelings because this might be something I'm borrowing from Dancer. So, the three of you are going to head off to the wild world of Astrakhan, and I am going to see if I can figure out what I want. Dancer understands. That's why he's not said anything about staying behind with me, even though he thinks you don't need him on this one.

Ah. Ah. She should have talked to the others before this. Damn. Okay, this all starts to make sense. I need to go pack --

Cha is packing for you. He sent me down here to make certain you don't try to go off without them. And no, I didn't give him that idea. He knows you well enough to see the signs.

They'd only follow after me anyway.

Dancer thought he might be able to use your codes to get you held up at New York Port until they could catch up.

She laughed although the possibility shocked her, mostly because she suspected he wouldn't have trouble with the code. Well, that would have been embarrassing. Dancer is far too dangerous.

He thinks like you do.

She laughed again as they went into the building. I'll send reports on how things are going.

Good! I can correlate them with the notes Cha and Dancer say they'll send, and between the three of you, probably have the problem figured out before you do. He caught her arm, surprising her again. I want that contact, Devlin. I just need a little time of my own to erase Terra Nova in my own way.

I'll miss this place, Devlin admitted aloud, though he already knew.

The place will be here when you are ready to come home, and so will I.

Devlin had never had a home before, a place where she wanted to return. She glanced around at the tree-lined terrace and down toward the lake. The chateau could be her home if Devlin accepted what Keri had said. That gave her an odd feeling, but she was willing to give it a try.

Chapter Two

From one world to another they moved away from Earth and out, out -- far out toward the edge of the Inner Worlds territory. Dancer, who hadn't had time to get used to traveling from one planet to another, enjoyed spending time on the observation deck whenever they came off slide drive, and the universe became more than streaks of beautiful lights.

Most of the slide points had been relatively dull with only a spattering of distant stars and one closer, but often dark in color and light. Still, they were new stars to Dancer. He stored up those feelings of surprise and pleasure to share with Keri at another time. Keri had seen too many of his darker moods, like the pieces of Forest he still carried within him. He wanted something better to share the next time.

They'd had a harrowing two days when the ship came into the Terra Nova system, dropped people by shuttle and picked up others. They'd stayed in their suite and monitored all the information they could.

I know I shouldn't be so mistrusting, Devlin said after a few hours. I just can't believe that the world drifted back to calm so quickly.

Can't believe it because we haven't felt that calm for ourselves, Cha answered, looking up from his computer. I feel the same way, Devlin. Dancer?

Yes, odd that the world seems so calm, Dancer admitted. They'd ordered lunch and took the time away from the computers, though Dancer suspected they all found it difficult. I've seen a few references to the plague, but there's no sense of fear in those statements. Worry, yes -- but nothing worse. How can the locals had gotten over it while we still worry so much?

We gave them an easy answer, Cha replied with a shake of his head. But we know the truth.

The ship had moved on the next morning.

They changed to another ship at the Tempest Station. This one was scheduled to go all the way to Astrakhan, so they settled in for the long trip. Dancer had lost track of time. The long journey began to wear on him when Dancer was no longer felt comfortable heading out to the decks.

It didn't take Devlin long to notice.

Okay, she said after he'd been working for some hours, but only going over the same things. Why aren't you out looking at things anymore?

Cha waited for him to speak; they'd both noticed.

Annoying people whom I don't want to be tempted to kick into the bulkhead, he answered and laughed to see them both so surprised. They keep trying to stop me and lecture me -- no, I'm not the only one. They'll waylay anyone they can corner.

Oh, of course, Devlin said as she sat back. I did note there was a group from the Old World Morals Society on board. I didn't expect them to be that impolite.

This seems to be a particularly unpleasant batch of them, Dancer admitted. And I don't want to get into that kind of argument. What bothers me the most is that they know absolutely nothing about me, and they still feel the need to lecture me on my life.

You're too polite, Cha responded. Once they realize you are not going to kick them into the bulkhead, they'll continue to pursue you. I imagine they'd like to have someone like you -- young and good-looking -- as a member.

A shame Keri isn't here, Dancer said with a sigh. "I imagine he could tell them a few