He let her go with a kiss and focused on the next problem.
Trevor grabbed his empty glass and made a beeline for the liquor. He looked over his options and chose water with a lemon spritz.
Connor blew smoke rings while hogging the middle of the couch.
“Move over, C.”
“By your command, Governor.”
Lt. Stallion tucked his cigar between his teeth and chewed. Trevor joined him. How many times did he envision a moment like this, where they sat together reminiscing about their journey and talking of their plans for the future?
Yeah, right.
“You were such a brat, Connor.” Trevor sipped his water and stared straight ahead. “I spent half my life keeping you out of trouble. I always assumed you’d have run-ins with the law. A brat who never grew up. Fine. Life’s full of adventure. Yes?”
Connor puffed without comment.
“For years, you talked about finding purpose. Being a soldier did just that. Or so you said in your messages. Yeah. It did something, all right, but I’m not sure what. Maybe you can help me understand. Is your purpose to murder people?”
Trevor pivoted to his brother, who contemplated the twisting, rising streams of smoke.
“I don’t murder people, bruv. I kill the enemy. Not the same.”
Trevor stifled an ironic laugh.
“Not sure a court would make the distinction. Amity is a civilian station in neutral territory. It’s not a cudfrucking battlefield. Whatever you thought about Thomas Quinlan or the others, they were entitled to due process.”
Connor did not hold back his laughter.
“Due process? Listen to yourself, T. Was it due process when you handed over Hoshi Oda to SI? Shadow Gambit expels people for associations, but those filth still work for the enemy.”
“We don’t assassinate them.”
“That’s the problem. You’re not tough enough. We got to treat the enemy like they do. No prisoners. No complications. It’s simple math, bruv. We don’t win until there’s no more of them.”
“Uh-huh. And how many of them are there, you reckon?”
Connor crossed his legs in a thoughtful repose.
“It’s hard to pin down. Black Star proper is one thing, but we have to go after the disease, too. Safe bet? Two billion.”
He made it sound so simple. They might as well have been sitting in the Raison Club bantering about their workday.
“Would that be your count or your commanding officer’s?”
“Both. I do my homework. I’ve never been better at analyzing trend waves. You always loved data. You’d be impressed.”
He’s telling the truth, isn’t he?
Mau answered straightaway.
“The bag speaks as he believes.”
Right. Perception vs. reality.
Lana Devonshire spoke of those things the last time Trevor saw her. “If I tell you, Trevor, your life will be in danger, too.”
“Four months ago, C, I learned about a covert military unit operating outside the chain of command. I was told they hit Black Star assets disguised as cartel competition. Their goal, I was told, was to incite a larger war. Heard of it?”
Connor winked. “Sounds like a brilliant plan.”
“Yeah. They call it Requiem. They believe the People’s Collectorate is a failure. They say humans can’t govern themselves. The soldiers they send down to slaughter civilians are conditioned. Their minds are altered. They take no prisoners. Sound familiar?”
Connor’s eyes, blue as the deepest sea but now devoid of the man Trevor loved, locked onto the Governor with fearless focus.
“You always loved solving puzzles, T. You’re the best. So, I’m going to give you some advice. I’m talking as your little brother.”
“Oh, yeah? What advice?”
“Maybe you don’t mention Requiem again. For your health.”
“Why’s that? You think an assassin might come for me, too?”
Connor switched to a bountiful smile.
“Shit, bruv. Somebody kill you? I won’t let that happen. We need you in this office. But see, it ain’t just about you.”
His expression did not change, not a drop of animus in his tone.
