Prologue: Rumblings Before the Game Begins

A conversation by letter, or how to keep your thoughts away from a ubiquitous and apparently omniscient employer.

… so that’s over. I really didn’t want to send the disruptor back to Sunflower Labs, but it was Digby’s call, so back it went. I believe he managed to duplicate it first and his techs are market cream, so could be he’ll have a defense out before that thing becomes too much of a problem.

I’ve been called in tomorrow. It seems that there’s another investigation that can use my talents. I’m beginning to have second thoughts about this job, Lee. And just maybe about Digby himself. Which is why I’m writing this, not just giving you a call.

Anyway, I’ll see how this one goes.

Any Hunts on the horizon? Lilai should be old enough by now for you to leave her without worrying too much. Selfishly, I rather hope you’ll be home when this new business is finished. I need somebody to talk things over with without prying little electronic ears straining to hear what I’m saying.

Aleytys dropped the letter on the table beside the drone capsule where it coiled up into the tight cylinder it’d been when she took it out of the capsule. She poked it with her finger, watched it rock back and forth till, it settled to stability again.

“Was it worth the expense?”

Aleytys lifted her head. Grey stood in the doorway looking tired and cranky. She suppressed a sigh; she didn’t want to deal with his crotchets, but she’d asked him to come. “Just a note from Shadow. She’s got a new investigation. I want a Hunt, Grey. I don’t care what it is.”

“So that’s what this is about. Every time that woman shoves her nose in here, you get all stirred up.”

“No. This is me talking. It’s been two years, Grey. It’s time I was out again.”

“There’s nothing suitable. I told you. When something comes in that’s right for you, I’ll call you. Is there anything else?”