The Fortress in Orion Read Online Free Page B

want in?”
    â€œI want out ,” she replied. “Of here.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œDoes this job pay anything?” she asked. “I mean, besides the cost of my funeral?”
    â€œNot much,” said Pretorius. “But before the mission starts I can get your entire record expunged.”
    She laughed. “Fat lot of good having a clean record’ll do when they bury us in . . . ?”
    â€œSomewhere in Orion.”
    â€œRight,” she said. “You found anyone else with a death wish besides you and me?”
    â€œFelix Ortega.”
    â€œNever heard of him.”
    â€œYou’ll meet him soon enough.”
    â€œMay I make a suggestion?” she asked.
    â€œI’m listening.”
    â€œGet Toni Levi to join us.”
    â€œI’m way ahead of you,” said Pretorius. “I’m having dinner with her tonight.”

3C
    Toni Levi, who hated her nose, her eye color, and the name Antoinette, sat across the table from Pretorius. She’d had two cosmetic surgeries, had spent countless hours in a local gym, and was on her third hair color—and was still disappointed with her appearance, and the fact that most people didn’t find her ugly but indeed quite ordinary did nothing to alter her opinion.
    â€œThat was an excellent dinner, Nate,” she said as a robotic waiter took the empty plates from the table. “I’ve always loved Belargian shellfish, and this is a great wine.”
    â€œI’m glad you liked it.”
    â€œAre you going to tell me why we’re here, or would you rather wait for dessert?”
    â€œI may have a big job for you,” said Pretorius.
    She laughed aloud. “Of course you do, Nate,” she said. “When’s the last time either of us worked on a little job?”
    â€œPoint taken,” said Pretorius, pulling out the security cube and activating it. “It won’t pay that well, it’ll take three months out of your life, and the odds are that you won’t survive it.”
    â€œYou really know how to charm a girl,” she said with a smile.
    â€œIf it’ll make you feel any better, the Snake’s coming along.”
    â€œSally Kowalski? I like her.” She paused. “I hate the nickname you’ve given her, though.”
    â€œShe gets into places even a snake can’t penetrate.”
    â€œIt’s even worse than what you call me.”
    â€œPandora?” said Pretorius. “But it fits. There isn’t a computer or lockbox or anything else that you can’t open.”
    She laughed. “So far,” she replied. “But I don’t like it anyway.”
    â€œIt fits,” he said, holding up the cube. “Remember this?”
    â€œRemember it?” she replied. “Hell, I created it.”
    â€œAll the more reason for calling you Pandora. I can’t give you a name in some code that only you and three computers in the whole galaxy can speak.”
    â€œEven so.”
    â€œSettle for it. It’s better than Sexpot.”
    â€œAnd those are the only two nicknames you know?”
    He smiled. “The only two that are left and that fit you.”
    â€œI’m almost flattered,” she replied. “Okay, what’s this mission that you thought was worth the most expensive dinner in town?”
    â€œEven been to Orion?”
    â€œNot many people have—and even less have returned to tell about it.”
    â€œAren’t you even a little curious about it?”
    â€œOf course I am,” she answered, “but I think General Michkag might have a little something to say about it.”
    â€œOh, I doubt it,” said Pretorius with a smile.
    She studied his face for a moment. “Okay, what do you know that I don’t know?”
    â€œNot a hell of a lot, according to your resume.”
    â€œCut the bullshit, Nate,” she said irritably. “What do you know about Michkag that I