Conspiracy’s Landing

By A.K. Child and Elijah Toten

The conspiracy sweeps Zy’Lin and Zy’Soln into its clutches. The twins are on the run after being framed for murdering the people who raised them, the politically powerful Eigers. Everywhere Lin and Soln turn, the Protectorate is on their trail, and shady characters point them down a dubious path. Lin and Soln are unsure who to trust between the shadow of the Syndicate, the ever lurking presence of Gideon Daimont, the watchful Protectorate, and the rebellious people of Encary Moon. With the unlikely help of Protectorate office, Griel Marsil, Lin and Soln attempt to untangle the conspiratorial web wrapped tightly around them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716841590

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Conspiracy’s Landing

By A.K. Child

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Copyright 2020

http://www.akchildscifi-fantasy.com

Facebook: @fluffyscifi

Twitter: @child_ak

ISBN: 978-1-71684-159-0

Cover Art by: Elijah Toten

http://totencreative.com

Contents

Conspiracy’s Landing      1

Contents      4

Chapter One      1

Chapter Two      10

Chapter Three      27

Chapter Four      37

Chapter Five      47

Chapter Six      60

Chapter Seven      81

Chapter Eight      93

Chapter Nine      105

Chapter Ten      118

Chapter Eleven      134

Chapter Twelve      160

Chapter Thirteen      177

Chapter Fourteen      193

Chapter Fifteen      205

Chapter Sixteen      213

Chapter Seventeen      224

Chapter Eighteen      243

Chapter Nineteen      250

Chapter Twenty      263

Chapter Twenty-One      277

Chapter Twenty-Two      298

Chapter Twenty-Three      312

Bonus Story: A Swing and a Miss      328

Chapter One

He’s getting away! Lin bellowed as she dropped over the perimeter wall.

Soln blinked, trying to understand not only how Lin managed to heft herself up and over, but how Gideon had done it before her. Gideon was a small man, a little taller than the average Kaanishian and like Soln, he wasn’t exactly athletic, relying on his mind more than muscle. Soln wrinkled his nose, disliking the idea that he and Gideon would have anything in common.

SOLN! Lin yelled, retreating through the brush on the other side. Come on!

He flinched, hearing Lin’s mental voice in his head. It wasn’t her mind that bothered him, he was used to that, but the tone. She was burning with electricity he hadn’t felt from her in years, as if Gideon murdering Ashla and the ensuing chase, had enlivened some part she had forgotten or neglected. Lin was about action and though they were in serious trouble, Soln could feel her thriving on the pursuit.

Soln glanced over his shoulder. A Protectorate officer lay on the grass between the hedgerows, two other officers tending to him. It had been Lin’s idea to sting the prone officer’s mind. The Protectorate wasn’t going to simply let them go and she was ready to tear Gideon apart. Protectorate officers had burst into the Eiger’s manor at the wrong time, accusing Lin and Soln of murdering Ashla Eiger, and many other things that didn’t make any sense. Things Gideon must have engineered. He didn’t understand what was going on and that bothered him more than the mess in which he and his sister had found themselves.

As he watched the officers, movement caught his eye. Three more Protectorate officers came around the corner of the house. He could see their bodies flash between plants and garden structures. Soln suspected they hadn’t spotted him yet, but it was time to go before Lin yelled at him again. The perimeter around the Eiger manor was a seven-foot tall stone wall, topped with iron spikes that jutted another foot or so into the air. The decorative stones were stacked unevenly, giving the surface a natural look.

Soln grunted and jumped, grabbing two of the spikes. He scrambled his feet along the stone, finding footholds in the uneven surface. That had to be how Gideon managed to get up and over the wall. Soln was a little surprised the property wasn’t breached more often, considering how easy he found it to scale the wall. He clambered to the top and crouched there, leaning on the spikes. On the other side, he could make out Lin rushing through the woods, but Gideon was nowhere. Did she even know what she was chasing?

STOP RIGHT THERE! someone shouted behind him.

Soln whipped his head around, spotting a pair of Protectorate officers rushing after him. One of them had a gun drawn but was moving too quickly to get a clean shot.

Fenth, Soln grumbled.

Time had run out. He looked down, certain the landing on the other side wouldn’t be nearly as dangerous as his recent leap from the master bedroom balcony. Lin had told him to tuck and roll, as if she was an expert on jumping from high places. The advice had come too late, however. Soln had been lucky thorny bushes grew under the balcony to break the fall had taken a few minutes before.

The fall was shorter and wouldn’t require any special maneuvers. More importantly, the plant life on the outside of the wall lacked the thorns of Ashla’s cultivated garden. He vaulted over the iron spikes, but before he could reach the ground, he came to a sudden, jarring stop, the sound of tearing material echoing in his ears. Soln’s shoulders jerked backward as his jacket caught on one of the spikes. The medal he wore around his neck thumped against his chest as he dangled helplessly, trying to figure out how to free himself. The cool night air made his thin fur stand on end and he could hear the officers closing in on the wall.

LIN! he thought, hoping she would turn back to help him. I’M STUCK!

Soln could mentally feel Lin rolling her eyes, her frustration burning in his stomach, as if he was asking too much of himself. Lin had projected that on him numerous times, but he forgave her the feeling so long as she didn’t act out violently, usually with a slug to his shoulder.

He’s getting away, Lin growled in Soln’s head. She paused in the undergrowth several yards away and Soln saw her scanning the area, searching for Gideon.

The officers were discussing what to do inside the walled grounds of the Eiger manor. Should they chase the twins, or should they call in help to cordon the area and block off escape? When they decided to do both, a woman’s voice ordered them to stand down. Soln recognized her as one of the pair who had caught Lin and him in the master room after Gideon jumped off the balcony. She must have been in charge.

Let them go, the woman barked at her officers. We need to get Officer Marsil back to HQ. We’ll put out an alert for the twins. They won’t get far.

Soln sighed quietly, relaxing when heard the officer call off the chase. They weren’t in the clear yet, but the Protectorate had no way of knowing he procured a ship and soon they would be getting off Kaanish. His sister and he would have to hurry though. Gideon would have to wait. Lin wasn’t going to like ending her hunt for the man who had pinned the blame of Ashla’s murder on them. Soln didn’t mind so much, however. He had a feeling Gideon was more trouble than he was willing to deal with. Anzel Eiger had banned all contact with Gideon for a reason and Ashla had learned the reason the hard way.

A horrible thought occurred to Soln as he dangled off the wall. If Gideon had still been fenthing Ashla after Anzel forbade it, was Gideon also responsible for Anzel’s death? Had he killed Etta as well, considering Ashla had been planning to do it? A shiver ran down Soln’s back, making his fur stand up again. All the Protectorate accusations. Gideon had framed Lin and Soln. If he had that kind of power, how were the twins supposed to clear themselves?

We’ll find him and force him to tell the truth, Lin thought, appearing out of the brush.

Soln blinked, not realizing he had been projecting his paranoia. He wiggled against the cold stone. Get me down from here!

Shhhh, Lin hissed, her eyes focusing on the wall. They’ll hear you. She approached him cautiously, her ears twitching as she listened to the night.

They’re gone, Soln said, keeping his voice down anyway. He could still feel their minds on the house grounds, even if they weren’t near the wall. The one in charge said not to worry about us right now. They think they can catch us later.

Lin snorted and jumped to grab the spikes and haul herself on top of the wall. She paused over his head. He assumed she was looking for anyone watching before she helped him. After an annoyingly long time, she jumped down again and shook her head. Just lift your arms. You’ll slide right out of the jacket.

Soln blinked and looked at her. I... he frowned and lifted his pained arms. With little effort, he fell forward, slipping out of his ruined jacket and landed on the ground next to her.

Now, stop messing around. If we hurry, we can find Gideon. Lin started walking toward the brush again while Soln stood behind her, dumbfounded. Why hadn’t he thought of that? It was so simple.

Then her words registered on him and he jumped forward to catch up. No. We don’t want anything to do with that guy. Really. You saw what he did to Ashla. The house. He’s bad news.

Lin moved into the undergrowth, batting at snagging branches hard enough to break them free and send them flying. What do you suggest then? We keep running? Sounds like fun.

Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on Soln. He sighed and tried to stuff his hands in his jacket pockets, reminding himself that the jacket was hanging on the wall behind him. He settled for his pants pockets instead.

No. That’s not what I meant. Look, Gideon must have a way to get on and off-planet. It’s not like he’s a Kaanishian and I’m sure he goes somewhere. Chances are he’s not going to stick around and wait for us to find him. I got a ship from... well, someone, Soln didn’t want to tell Lin anything more about Tauge than necessary. She already knew too much about that sordid relationship. We can get off Kaanish, regroup, and figure things out while we let the heat die down.

Lin looked back at him, her eyes cutting. Die down? That couther fenthing killed the last Eiger and pinned it on us! That’s not going away any time soon. We run, it’s just as good as saying we’re guilty. We have to find him before he gets away and make him confess. Sizzling anger reflected in her voice and Soln had a feeling she wouldn’t so much force Gideon to talk as she would pummel him within an inch of his life.

Soln followed Lin, trying to figure out how to convince her. We’ll find dad, he said finally.

He had used their father in the past to placate Lin and hoped it would work again. Their father, who had been on some secret mission most of their lives and went missing right after he met Gideon, had to be the key to whatever was going on. Soln had no idea where to start looking, but the search would at least give them something on which to focus. Something less dangerous than Gideon. We’ll find dad and tell him what happened. He’ll know what to do.

Lin tromped through the undergrowth, not responding. He could sense her mulling the idea as she tore through the thick brush. That she didn’t automatically nay say the idea was promising. She was trying to find a hole in his logic, which he considered large and obvious. Finding their father in the vastness of space was the biggest issue. Soln had no reason to believe Gossin could help them much with their current problem either. Why would a man who largely abandoned them and habitually broke his promises, help? Still, Soln counted on Lin’s blind love for their father and her tendency not to think things through as thoroughly as he did.

Finally, she replied with a single word. How?

Soln cringed at the loaded question. He didn’t have all the details, but he could make up something to convince her. We go to the ship and leave Kaanish. The Protectorate won’t expect that, and it’ll be nearly impossible to find us once we’re in space. We’ll find people to talk to, ask around. Dad had to have left a trail of some kind. No one just disappears. And if we come across Gideon along the way, we’ll deal with him then. He shrugged, not certain he wanted to find Gideon.

Lin glanced back at Soln and smirked. She had a dark expression that scared him more than a little, but he had her hooked. You really think it’s possible? she asked, images of her ripping Gideon to pieces playing in her head.

Soln grimaced at the images, but nodded slowly, already second-guessing himself. What would happen when she found out he had no idea? He would probably end up taking Gideon’s place in her imagination. He tried to smile as reassuringly as possible. Well, there’s no guarantee. I mean, there never is, right? That’s just life. But if we don’t leave Kaanish, they’ll catch us eventually and nothing good will come of that.

Lin came to the edge of the woods and stopped short of the road. Soln stopped behind her, waiting for her to take the lead. He gave the suggestion, but she would have to decide if she was ready to risk the unknown and leave Kaanish behind. Where’s this ship? she asked quietly, pushing Soln back as lights appeared down the road from the direction of the house.

Soln wrinkled his nose and looked toward the city. Bakkinau Station, he said, his eyes on the approaching lights. It’s a couple miles on the other side of the city. He scratched at one of his arms, wishing he hadn’t crashed his two-wheeled transport. It would take too long to get to the city, let alone the other side, on foot.

Lin glared at him as a private transport floated down the otherwise quiet road. Either the Protectorate had already packed up and gone on their way, or they were still at the house, busy cleaning Gideon’s mess. The village then. Lin sighed and surveyed the road in both directions. We’ll find a ride there. They won’t know what’s happened here yet, but we’ll have to hurry.

Soln nodded and looked at his sister. He could still smell Ashla’s blood mingling with dirt and Lin’s sweat. We’re covered in skith. They’ll know something’s up.

Lin shrugged and started to cross the road, the way clear. She tapped the side of her head and trotted across the hard, weedy surface. We’ll hide ourselves. Steal a transport. Come on.

Soln furrowed his brow, watching his sister get ahead of him. Why did it have to come down to really breaking the law? Weren’t they in enough trouble already? Still, he didn’t see another way around it. She was right. The only way to make a clean escape would be as quietly and quickly as possible. He shook his head and jogged after Lin, glancing back one last time at the place that used to be their home.

Chapter Two

Really? Lin looked at the ship sitting before her. It was a massive hulk of rust and mismatched parts, with a fading call name painted on the hull haphazardly as if by a drunkard. The sun was peeking over the horizon, and a thin fog hung around the ship as if trying to obscure the mess before them. It was doing a poor job.

And what’s that smell? Lin cringed as she asked. It smelled like Chinjoul. Like Beijil. She wanted to climb back into the much too small transport she had convinced Soln to steal. Lin would have figured out how to drive it herself if it meant she could escape the stench of the ship.

Soln sniffed at the morning air. Oh that? Just a clog in the reclamation system. Easy enough to fix. He flashed a grin and moved toward the heap, stroking a hand over the hull lovingly.

The ship stood in the wide field that served as Bakkinau Station. The landing port was open to the public and used for private vessels, of which there were few. Soln had gotten them there as if he knew the way, though he claimed to have never seen the thing before. Lin assumed the smell led him here.

The Lover’s Paradise, Soln announced. She’ll get us anywhere we want to go.

Lin pinched her nose closed and frowned at the ship. Weeds curled around the landing gears and she couldn’t begin to count the rust spots that coated the hull. How long had it been parked here? A decade? Maybe more?

If we want to go to our deaths, I guess. Will it even fly? It can’t possibly be space worthy. She looked toward Soln, who was still focusing on the ship. Wait… The Lover’s Paradise?

Yeah, Soln paused, his hand dropping away from the hull. I… well, I won it from someone. Playing Haizu. They were kind of… He turned around, shrugging apologetically. It’s a joke name.

Sorry Soln, I think you lost that bet. Lin’s lip curled slightly.

The name Tauge played at the edge of her mind and she saw the image of a large Chinjoulian woman, which made her shudder. She knew Soln didn’t win the ship, and she did her best to block out how he became the owner.

This is insane. It’s never going to work. She turned and walked away from the ship, heading for the road at the edge of the station. Lin decided she would try her luck finding some other way off the planet.

Soln called after her, lingering in the shadow of the Lover’s Paradise. Hey! Wait. Where are you going?

Lin grumbled and shook her head. I’m going to go turn myself in to the Protectorate. At least I’ll get a trial before I’m executed, she said, continuing to walk. She did not intend to give herself up, but Soln would be more likely to come with her if he thought she was going to do something stupid.

Lin, Soln called plaintively after her. Okay, she’s a little rough on the outside. The previous owner didn’t travel much in the last few years. But… well, I don’t think she meant me any harm. She wouldn’t give me a ship that doesn’t work.

Lin’s shoulders slumped as more images of Tauge and Soln’s strange relationship filled Lin’s head again. Their tryst reminded her of Beijil, and he was the last person she wanted to remember.

Turning around again, she glared at her brother. You can’t lie to me, you know. I know who you got the ship from. A foon shogah. The same one who got you hooked. What makes you think you can trust this person? Do you even trust yourself?

Soln curled his arms together and looked at the ground. Lin knew immediately her words cut him deep. A new image filled her mind. Tauge was dead, lying in a nest of rumpled, sweat-stained silks. It wasn’t a pleasant image, but Soln’s sadness painted it in a melancholy light.

Lin pulled her lips back in distaste. You actually loved this woman?

Soln looked up and blinked. He shook his head. No… not really. It’s just… she didn’t have anyone. She was lonely and dying and just needed someone to…

Fenth, Lin hissed as lights flashed across the field, creating eerie shadows through the few ships that dotted the landscape.

They weren’t the normal lights of a private transport, but the flashing amber lights of an official vehicle. Lin and Soln had taken too long to get to the ship. Word about what happened at the Eiger mansion would have quickly spread and the local authority would shut down all the ports, including Bakkinau Station.

Soln wrinkled his nose and shook his head. No… I mean, well, yeah, she needed that too, but it was more…

We have to go. Now! Lin said, pointing toward the intensifying lights.

Soln blinked and he cocked his head to the side. The lights and the rising sun reflected off his face, making him look like a sad, glowing clown; a night light that would be more likely to give children nightmares than save them from the monster under their bed. He shook his head and his eyes widened as realization dawned on his face.

Skith! he yelped and turned, digging into his pocket for the keys. Skithfenthskith… where the waha are they…

Move it! Lin screeched, waving her arms.

Sirens rang out as the transports moved down the road toward the landing field. Her gut twisted, telling her someone must have known they would head to the closest escape route. Gideon? She already saw what he was capable of, but how could he know they had a ship? She cringed. His mind. It had always been different. Hard to read. Could he be like Soln and her?

FENTH! Soln rumbled, turning toward Lin. The keys… they were in my jacket. Zy’Gossin’s old medal swung uselessly between his shoulders as he searched himself.

Lin’s eyes widened and she swooped up to her brother, grabbing him by the shirt. What the actual fenth! she growled, shaking him.

I’m sorry! Soln pleaded, grabbing her hands. It wasn’t my fault. Give me a minute. I can break in. Once we’re on board, it’ll be safe. They won’t find us. We can block our presence from them, like with the kitchen staff.

We don’t have a minute! Lin pushed him away and turned to watch the progress of the transports.

The transports slid along the road, hovering above the weedy, cracked surface, their sirens blaring, lights flashing. She expected to see them turn on to the field, but as she watched, the lights stabbing painfully into her eyes, the transports continued down the road, skirting passed them.

Soln began to laugh behind her. The laugh made him sound like he had looked death in the face and successfully told it to fenth off. Look, see? It’s okay. They’re moving on. Nothing to see here. Just an old field full of rusty ships.

Lin clenched her fists, digging her nails into the soft flesh of her palms. We were lucky. This time. Get that ship open and let’s go before they decide to search this place.

Against her better judgment, she saw no alternative. The authorities might not search Bakkinau Station, but they would be crawling all over the city and cutting off other escape routes. It was the Lover’s Paradise or nothing.

Soln shrugged and flipped open a panel near the entry hatch. Going to take a minute to get the ship running too. If I can. He sounded calm as he clawed open the interface and began to tinker with the wires.

His nonchalance made Lin feel more nervous for them both. She twitched and danced on the balls of her feet, looking around the field, ready for the local authorities or the Protectorate to appear.

We’ve gone through a lot of trouble for nothing if you can’t, she grumbled, her eyes roving over the other ships in the field. But if you’re going to break in, why not steal one of the others? There’s got to be one in better shape.

Soln grunted as the entry hatch slid open. I’m not stealing anything, he replied, glancing at the transport they borrowed to get to Bakkinau. Tauge gave me her ship. It’ll be fine. No one is going to report it missing. Come on. He darted up the short ramp, leaving Lin standing in the ankle-deep grass.

With the door open, the scent of decay and filth wafted around Lin in a sickening haze. Bile rose in her throat and she took a step back, curling her arms around herself. Did he really mean to travel in that thing? She watched her brother disappear into the ship and willed herself to move, but her feet refused to cooperate. All she could see in the gloom of the interior was Beijil waiting for her.

Lin? Soln said, peeking back out through the doorway. Thought you were in a hurry?

I… She blinked, her body shaking. Could Soln see how she felt? Could he feel it too? She was usually so careful about blocking him out of those parts of her mind she didn’t want him to see. I can’t, she said finally, shaking her head. Let’s get another ship. Please.

Soln came back down the ramp and reached out to her, but Lin pulled away. He dropped his hands, frowning. What’s wrong?

Lin pressed her eyes closed and bit her lip. She wanted to tell him everything so many times, but she never found the words. While she hadn’t been in contact with Beijil for a while, the wounds remained, making her feel as though they would never go away. Her desire to keep silent overrode her fear, and she slowly shook her head. They needed to get off Kaanish, no matter what. No, I’m sorry. I’m just… it’s fine. Let’s go. Let’s get out of here.

They stared at one another, Soln’s face twisted in dissatisfaction. He sighed and flapped his arms as he turned back to the ramp. Fine. All right. But I’m asking again later. When we’re safe.

Lin frowned, finally pushing her feet to move. At least their arrival at anything resembling safety was a good distance off, giving her time. Whatever, she mumbled, following him inside. She could still feel her body shaking with each tentative step. He’s not here. He’s not here, she whispered to herself, climbing the ramp.

The ship was worse inside. The distinct smell of garbage and rust intensified, burning Lin’s nose and memory. The only thing the ship seemed to have going for it, was the design, made by someone who understood there were larger races in the universe than the Kaanishians. She thought about Beijil’s entourage of scantily clad Tivensalians. If Chinjoulians constructed the ship, they would account for the size difference, having traded in Tivensalian slaves throughout the years. She put a hand over her nose and mouth, watching Soln work his magic on the internal controls to close the entry behind