Read Exodus: Tales of The Empire: Book 2: Beasts of the Frontier. for Free Online

son.
    Matthew’s older
brother and sister were both off planet studying, Frederick at the Imperial
University on Jewel, and Mara at the Peale Island Naval Academy.  They wouldn’t
have to worry about those two, but they also weren’t here to help.
    “And what about
you two?” asked Matthew, closing his eyes and shaking his head.  “It won’t take
much to find out that you are my parents, and that you live here.  Maybe you
should both go out to Uncle Timothy’s as well.  Or at least out to our cabin.”
    “I can’t close
down my practice,” replied Tobias, looking over at his wife.  “There are too
many people depending on me.”
    In some ways
that was not really true.  Every colonist had a full spectrum of internal
nanites protecting them against biological and chemical infestations.  All had
full service med kits on hand.  But in an environment like this that still
might not be enough.  And the presence of a trained physician could still be
the difference between surviving and not.   He turned to his wife and took her
hands.
    “But I want you
to go, dear.  I would feel much better if you were in a safe place, and you can
still do your job through the com net.”
    “But, then you
will be here by yourself,” protested Fara.
    “I could ask
some of our nieces and nephews to come for a stay,” said Tobias, calling up
some contacts on his implant.  “I won’t be alone.  Now, let’s make the contacts
we need and get moving.”
    “And I’ll have
to stay in hiding for how long?” asked Matthew.  “I can’t hide forever.”
    “Just until this
thing blows over, son.  Then we’ll get you off the planet.”  He looked in
Matthew’s eyes, seeing the misery that lived there.  “You brought this on
yourself, and you need to accept the consequences.  I’m just hoping those
consequences don’t include the end of your life.”
    *     *     *
    “I think I’ve
found him,” said the voice of the snitch over the com.  “I saw him in a village
called Edgewater.”
    “So he’s there
in the village?” asked Deveroix, waving for one of his people to get on the com
with them.
    “Actually, he
got in a aircar and headed out over the swamp about fifteen minutes ago, with a
man who looked like a close relative.  But his dad’s still here.  He’s the
local physician, while his mom works from home as a government administrator. 
I figure they would have to know where he went.”
    “Good work,”
said Deveroix, checking a holo globe of the planet and locating the village,
about two hours flight from the city of St. Martin, the continental capital. 
“Keep an eye on the father.  Don’t let him out of your sight.  I‘ll have a team
there in about three hours to take charge of him, and the mom.  Then we’ll find
out where the little fuck has gotten to.”
    Deveroix killed
the com and looked over at his Enforcer.  “What do we have in St. Martin?”
    “Three of our
boys, plus some local gang members that sometimes work for us.”
    “Get our men on
a transport out there as soon as fucking possible.  And send a search and
destroy team from here to St. Martin.  They’re to wait on word of the location
of the little fuck, then go after him.”
    “You don’t think
the three guys we’re sending will be enough?”
    “I don’t want to
take any chances.  Centari said she wanted him, now, and I’m not about to get
on her bad side.”
    The Enforcer
nodded in understanding, then got up and left the room so he could get the
teams moving.  Deveroix knew the man could have accomplished that task in the
room with him, but most of his people didn’t like someone looking over their
shoulder while they took care of business.
    The little
fuck should have stayed in the city, where he would be the only casualty, thought the Chief Enforcer.  Now he’s going to get his family killed along
with him.
    *     *     *
    It was a short
hop by aircar to Uncle Timothy’s house.  Timothy