by Simon Haynes
"Thanks Bernie!" Harriet disconnected, and turned to see the others staring at her in silence. "Hey, one good turn deserves another," she said, and she tucked the commset away.
"I wouldn't want to get on your bad side," said Banville, with a laugh. "You don't mess around, do you?"
Harriet shook her head.
"All right," said the old man, waving his spatula. "Who's for sausages and fried eggs?"
Chapter 9
It was around nine p.m. when there was another knock on the front door of the Peace Force station. The evening meal had just been cleared away, Birch was reminiscing with his old colleagues, Alice was tinkering with a broken terminal and Harriet was working out her plans for the next day.
Harriet went to answer the door, and through the glass she saw a tall, grey-haired woman with two large men. The men wore ill-fitting suits with bulges at their sides, clearly concealing weapons, but the woman looked far more dangerous. She was wearing a long white coat, the collar turned up and almost concealing her severe face, and her eyes reminded Harriet of a snake's.
She had no doubt who the woman was. It had to be Anita Darting, Birch's old foe, the woman who intended to rule Chirless. When Darting saw Harriet she motioned at the doors. "I'd like to enter, thanks," she called through the glass.
"I can't do that," said Harriet.
Darting spoke to her men in a low voice, and they each reached into their jackets, withdrawing their blasters. Harriet reached for her own gun, thinking they were going to shoot their way in, but instead the men held their weapons by the barrel, then placed them carefully on the ground.
"I just want to talk," said Darting. "I'm sure we can resolve this peacefully."
Harriet thought of Arthur Rose, lying in a hospital bed, and her expression tightened. Still, there were others involved, and if a compromise could be hashed out it could save more bloodshed. Mindful the whole thing might be a trick, Harriet withdrew her own gun and held it on the trio. Then she reached for the door controls. "One move and you're all going down," she called.
Darting smiled, looking wolfish in the dim light. "I'm here to talk, not fight," she said, her words belying her expression.
Harriet's mind made up, she reached for the door controls … then hesitated. "Tell your men to move away from their weapons. And they're not coming in with you."
Darting spoke to the pair, and they obeyed. Harriet opened the door, standing back with her gun levelled to dissuade any threat of violence.
"It still smells the same," said Darting, with a sniff. "Funny, I thought it would have mellowed after all these years."
"You're not here to reminisce," said Harriet, closing the doors. "What do you want?"
"I need to speak with David Birch. Is he here?"
Harriet gestured towards the inner door.
"Have you been trained with that thing?" asked Darting, eying Harriet's weapon. "Only I'm not sure I trust you with it."
"If it goes off, your next of kin can file a complaint with my superior," said Harriet evenly.
Darting's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing and walked through to the office proper. Harriet heard a curse, and when she walked through the door she saw everyone on their feet, staring at Darting in horror. Birch had his gun out, the muzzle pointing directly at Darting, his finger on the trigger, his face a mask of anger. "Tell me why I shouldn't end you right now," he said hoarsely.
"Shoot me, and you'll be committing murder," said Darting coolly. "I served my sentence, Birch. In the eyes of the law, I'm an ordinary citizen."
"Put it away, Dave," said Harriet. "She's here to talk."
McCluskey gestured. "You're not going to trust her?" she said incredulously. "Have you been listening to a word we've said? She's—"
"I heard, but we're going to hear her out. Dave, your gun."
Slowly, Birch lowered his weapon, and Darting snorted. "I never thought I'd see Sergeant Birch obeying a raw recruit. Things certainly have changed around here."
"Shut up, or I'll let him shoot you," snapped Harriet. She pulled out a chair and gestured at it. "Sit down and say your piece."
"I can see why they put you in charge," said Darting, taking her seat. "You're the only one with any balls around here."
"Any more smart remarks and you're done," said Harriet. "Now talk."
Darting looked around the table, and if she was disconcerted by the angry gazes levelled at her by the retired officers, it didn't show in her face. "When I was released from prison, I never wanted to see or hear about Chirless again. I thought I was done with the place. Then my nephew told me the Peace Force had departed, and the city was vulnerable." She looked around the table. "I know you all think I'm here to cause trouble, but I'm not. I decided to set up a private security force. A legal, respectable, authorised business protecting the people of Chirless."
Harriet saw Alice's jaw drop, and she almost had the same reaction. Was this woman deluded? "Your people are extorting business owners, and beating them up when they refuse to pay!"
Darting frowned. "A rogue element who got greedy. They've been dealt with."
"Sure. I bet you promoted them," muttered Birch. He turned to Harriet. "I'm sorry, but I'm not sitting here listening to—"
"Please, Dave. I need you to stay."
Birch's lips thinned, but he kept his seat as Darting continued. "We're offering people security. Certainty. For a small monthly fee they can live their lives free of trouble and violence."
"So you're suggesting I walk away from Chirless?" said Harriet. "You want me to leave the city in the grip of a criminal gang?"
"My dear, do you know how many years I spent staring at a prison wall? I've learned my lesson. There is no criminality. There is no gang."
Sure, thought Harriet, as she remembered the tough-looking bodyguards Darting had brought with her. "So that's your plan? Take a payment off every business in the city, and use the proceeds to protect them?"
"It's not unheard of. On other planets it's called taxation and good government. Chirless has neither."
"But you're the danger! This place was safe until your thugs showed up."
"And how long will that peaceful situation last?" Pointedly, Darting looked around the derelict station. "I heard this planet was wide open, and you can be sure others are getting the same idea. In a few months you could be up to your necks in violent criminals, and — no offence — a couple of trainees and a washed-up pensioner will not be able to hold them back."
Harriet smiled at her. "But we're not up to our necks in criminals, are we? Maybe you should have a think about that."
"A temporary lull, I'm sure." Darting leaned forward. "A whole lot of trouble is heading your way, and I'm the only one who can stop it."
"Have you heard the expression 'the cure is worse than the disease'?" said Birch quietly.
Darting frowned at him. "For a bent copper, you sure have a lot to say."
"I never took a bribe."
"That's not what I heard. Do you know, my people used to call you the drain, because no matter how much cash they poured in, you always took more."
Birch jumped up, and like magic the pistol was in his hand, the muzzle inches from Darting's nose.
"Still the same short fuse, I see," said Darting calmly. She seemed unaffected by the weapon, and Harriet was forced to admire her calm.
"Dave, for the last time—" she began.
Muttering an oath, Birch turned and strode away. "Do whatever you want," he called over his shoulder. "I will have nothing to do with that woman."
"He always was a hot head," said Darting genially. "Now, shall we continue?"
"No, I've heard enough. You claim you're setting up a legit business, but we all know it's a lie. You might as well save your breath."
"Trainee … Walsh, isn't it? You do know that planet Vasquez has a private security force?"
Harriet did know. She'd met the commander recently, and the security on Vasquez had been efficient, well-resourced … and legal. "Yeah, but you c
an't just turn up and appoint yourself sheriff."
"Why not? Nobody else wants the job." Darting smiled, and casually dropped a bombshell. "I've already spoken to the Chirless Residents' Association, by the way. They intend to make this official at an upcoming meeting."
Everyone at the table stared at her in shock, and with that Darting stood up. "Thanks for the sit-down, it was most illuminating. And please, have a safe trip back to Dismolle. I like your spirit, Harriet, and it would be tragic if something awful happened to such a promising young officer."
— ♦ —
After Darting left, Harriet sealed the front doors and went to find Birch. She explained about the Residents' Association, and he responded by kicking a hole in the wall. Then, chastened, he apologised.
"You saw what she's like," he said. "She's obviously gone into Foster, spun some tale about protecting the city, maybe even offered her a cut of the proceeds."
Harriet nodded. She could see how a private security force would appeal to the Association. Then she had another thought, and her blood ran cold. "Dave, she could be planning the same for Dismolle!"
They both contemplated that situation for a moment or two. The Dismolle Peace Force office would be closed for good, Bernie sent off for scrap, and Darting's thugs would rule the city.
"She's got to be stopped," said Birch urgently.
"How? If she's really in with Foster and her cronies, we'd be the ones breaking the law."
"Go after those guys of hers. The ones who assaulted Lefty. The ones Alice witnessed threatening the store owner. They're legitimate targets."
"Arrest them, get them to spill the goods on the rest?" Harriet looked uncertain. "Darting said she'd dealt with them. She could have shifted them off-planet."
"No chance. She wouldn't waste good people. They'll be lying low somewhere until we're gone."
"So how will we find them?"
"We're not called detectives for nothing," said Birch, with a smile.
"I'm a trainee and you're a sergeant," Harriet pointed out. "In case you've forgotten, we're not detectives at all."
"Well, we'll just have to fake it."
And with that, they returned to the others.
— ♦ —
It was late at night, and Harriet was still trying to sleep. McCluskey and Banville had stayed until just after midnight, leaving behind a generous stash of food and supplies. Nearby, Harriet could hear Birch and Alice breathing gently in their sleep, and she frowned as she thought of them going up against Darting's armed thugs.
Whatever the woman claimed, Harriet knew this wasn't going to end with the meeting. The Peace Force and Darting's people were locked into a head-on collision, and Harriet's thoughts turned to the coming battle. They needed weapons and body armour. They needed a whole lot more intelligence on the enemy. More, they needed allies. She remembered Mrs Timms had offered to help, and she realised it wasn't such a daft idea. Properly armed, the retired Peace Force captain would be very useful indeed.
Then she thought of Birch's friends, McCluskey and Banville. They'd hung around all evening, reluctant to leave, and if it weren't for the lack of beds she was sure they'd have stayed. What if she could recruit five, maybe ten retired Peace Force officers just like them?
She shook her head. The idea was insane. Instead of driving off the gang of criminals, the retired officers were more likely to end up in hospital. It had been nice to have them around, giving the station an echo of its glory days, but cooking a few sausages wasn't quite the same as fending off an attack on the building.
Then again, Birch was a retired officer, and she knew he was capable.
But what about the brass at Peace Force HQ? If they heard about her plan to use pensioners in what might amount to open warfare, they'd have a fit.
Then again, if the brass cared that much, they wouldn't have abandoned the planet all those years ago.
Harriet's mind kept going round in circles, for and against, until, with an effort, she stopped herself. She resolved to speak to Birch in the morning, and take his advice. If he thought his old comrades could help, so be it.
Chapter 10
Harriet woke with a start. Someone was shaking her, and when she opened her eyes she saw Alice looking down at her.
"What time is it?" demanded Harriet, blinking away the sleep.
"Never mind that. They've been here!"
"Who has?"
Alice didn't answer. She just dragged Harriet out of bed and bustled her to the reception area. Halfway across, Harriet stopped. There was a curious red glow, and when she looked at the glass doors she saw they'd been splashed with red. "Is that …" she began.
"Just paint," said Alice. She led the way outside, and Harriet saw the walls had been vandalised. Daubed across the front of the station, in dripping red lettering, was a warning: Leave now or die.
"At least they can spell," remarked Harriet. Despite her outward calm, she was disturbed by the sign. Their enemy was so confident, they were making very public threats. So much for the gang laying low and gauging the Peace Force's strength.
Suddenly Alice gripped her arm, making her jump. "Arnie!" she shouted, and ran into the building.
Harriet glanced up and down the street, but it was deserted. Then she looked up at the apartment buildings, and she realised they offered the enemy a great vantage point for spying … or sniping. Deep in thought, she followed Alice inside, sealing the front doors. She went to find Birch, who was busy making breakfast in the canteen.
"Two eggs or three?" he asked.
"Just coffee. I'm not hungry yet."
"Eat while you have the chance," advised Birch. "Trust me, I've done this before."
Harriet poured a mug of coffee and sat on the bench. "Dave, what do you think about getting some of your old contacts to help us out? Not just supplies, I mean help with the operation."
"They'd jump at the chance," said Birch.
"I figured. But … they might get hurt. Or killed."
"That's not the issue." Birch flipped a couple of eggs in the pan. "They were a hard bunch, back in the day, and they might have trouble taking orders from a trainee. Not that you're inexperienced, but —"
"I can live with that. I just want to see this gang rounded up, and we're outnumbered."
"The Peace Force isn't a democracy, Harriet." Birch studied her. "You must have a proper chain of command."
"Are you saying I should put one of them in charge?"
"No." Birch turned the gas off. "Look, it's common to have a young officer ordering experienced troops around. The system works because they respect the rank, if not the individual. But in a situation like this, where they're volunteering, it could get tricky."
"What do you suggest?"
"Be prepared for fireworks. And if anyone acts up, starts ordering the others around, take 'em aside and tell them they've got two choices: fall into line, or leave."
"But they're—"
"I mean it, Harriet. You've got to be their commanding officer, not their friend." Birch laughed. "If everything else fails, send them off to patrol in Alice's jet. If that doesn't pull them into line, nothing will."
"Okay, point taken."
Birch handed her a plate. "Now eat this. Sir."
"Thanks," said Harriet, with a grin. The grin slipped as she heard a roar from the roof. The building shook, and then the roar faded quickly. "What the hell was that?"
"Alice," said Birch. "That was her ship."
Harriet took out her commset. "Alice, what are you doing?"
"Yes, Arnie's okay. Thanks for asking."
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to patrol for a bit. See if I can spot their base from the air."
Harriet was going to object, then realised it wasn't a bad idea. "Don't do anything rash."
"Who, me?"
She left, and Harriet put the commset away. "Never mind your old crew," she said to Birch. "I can't even keep Alice in line."
"Ah, but that's Berni
e's job," said Birch. "Now eat up. I want to recruit a couple of people to our cause, and that's best done in person."
"Only a couple?"
"We have the Captain already, and the two you met last night. With you, me and Alice, plus a couple more that should be enough."
Harriet nodded slowly, but she wasn't convinced. If only Bernie were there! The big robot was immune to gunfire, and was imposing enough to stop anyone in their tracks. Unfortunately, there was no chance of squeezing Bernie into Alice's ship, and Harriet realised they would just have to cope on their own.
— ♦ —
As Alice ran up the stairs to the roof, she was praying whoever had vandalised the front of the building hadn't also damaged her ship. The Peace Force building was hemmed in by apartment blocks, and someone with a good arm could have thrown any number of bricks at Arnie during the night.
She pushed the door at the top of the steps wide open, blinking in the sudden light. Then she ran to the ship, circling it twice before her fears were finally dispelled. She couldn't see the upper half, but there were no holes in the wings at least.
She opened the hatch and climbed into the airlock, before heading to the cockpit. "Arnie, did anything happen overnight?"
"Can you be more specific?"
"I thought someone might have attacked you."
"I detected no such attempts. What gave you cause for alarm?"
Alice took the pilot's chair and toyed with a switch. "We were targeted by a gang. They painted the front of the station, and I was worried they'd target you as well."
"In the event of an attack, I would take off and fly to a safe distance."
"That's not much good if the first attack punched holes in your wings." Alice gestured at the surrounding buildings. "I'm worried they might throw bricks or something."
"My armour would not be harmed by such an attack."
"Really?"
"Indeed. Navigating the depths of space would be impossible if I was incapable of withstanding small impacts."
Alice felt relieved. Still, sitting around waiting for the enemy to attack was crazy. She wanted to take the initiative. "Fire up the jets," she said suddenly. "We're going to patrol the city."
