Free Lunar Exposure (On the Hunt) by Shona Husk Page A

Here? That’s a class one offense in Allied jurisdiction—”
    “It was brought on board by the terrorist Noga Tindel.”
    The Moon was still for a moment as if he was searching through his massive databanks.
    Callen glanced at his plex . If the Moon didn’t authorize action soon, there wouldn’t be time to find the firemoss, get there and neutralize it.
    “There is a substantial bounty payable on the capture of Noga Tindel. Are you sure you didn’t come here to get him?”
    “I came to fuck Haliday Fisher.” He sounded as hard and as mercenary as he could; he knew the Moon would check footage and see him and Haliday in the corridors together. Plenty of cameras and yet enough blank spaces for people to have fun—or do something illegal. “My mission has been accomplished. But I received intel while I was here. And I have come to report it.”
    The man considered him for a moment. “What is that on your plex ?”
    “My simulation of the growth of firemoss.”
    The man looked at the screen. “And if you are wrong?”
    “No harm has been done. I haven’t broken any rules. I have merely informed you, as I thought you should know about the possible threat.” Callen held his hands out to show he had nothing to hide. If he’d reported this when he’d arrived, the Moon wouldn’t have believed him. He would have been denied entrance and a shot at the bounty. As much as he hated trusting someone else, having Haliday—the Kingfisher—working with him instead of against him was a good thing.
    The man nodded, his face blanking, and Callen could only assume he was searching for the heat signature of firemoss on water pipes.
    How many other meetings was he simultaneously attending as well as scanning the Moon’s systems on a regular basis?
    “And if you are right?” The man’s attention refocused.
    Callen paused. Was there firemoss? What game was the Moon playing? His gut still told him to be truthful. Lying would only make the Moon suspicious and right now he looked clean. “I get Noga.”
    “You want me to grant you permission to arrest him.”
    “I’m a licensed bounty hunter, I can arrest him if you give me the right to act.”
    “Or I can just have him removed.”
    Callen shook his head. “And have it known that the Moon let the chance to arrest him slip past?”
    “The Moon is apolitical.” The man crossed his arms. “However, given the circumstances and the attempted destruction of the Moon, I grant you permission to arrest him on sight.”
    Attempted destruction. “The firemoss?”
    “The Djunik has been located and will be treated with liquid nitrogen as soon as containment crews reach it.”
    “I hope they reach it fast enough.” Otherwise, most of the larger ships, including the Lunar Bird , would be taken out with the Moon. The smaller, nimbler ships had a chance—if they left soon and managed to get clear of the debris and spoor field. Decontamination of the life pod he’d been in had taken far too long. Suffocation was not a slow way to die and he had no desire to repeat the near-death experience.
    “They will. Thank you for the notice.” The Moon AI actually managed to look relieved. “Make the arrest quietly, bounty hunter Brax, or I will place a lifetime ban on you visiting. Outward-bound traffic opens in less than a tric . Good luck.” Then he flickered and was gone.
    He’d need it. He had no doubt Noga was already in queue to get off. Hopefully, Haliday had him distracted and detained.
    Callen pulled Haliday’s plex out of his pocket. He pressed the buttons the way she’d shown him and a dot appeared on the screen, then another. Great, she had two active trackers. One was the Ortin , the other he hoped was Noga, since it was down by the dock.
    * * * * *
     
    Haliday had dressed in an outfit that was practical for hunting down criminals as well as stylish. The pale pink pant suit had leg-hugging pants, but the jacket flared at her hips and had slashes in the back to show some