by Ann Aguirre
“I guess not. How long were you there?”
Martine smirked. “Felt like forever.”
“Well, maybe I can help you forget. Shall we have that drink now?”
• • •
AS Jael watched, the captain took Tam and Martine to her cabin. He hoped they weren’t trading sex for safe passage, but surely they’d have spoken up if they didn’t want to. From what he knew of the other man, Tam would probably enjoy being bossed around by two women, and Martine wasn’t known for holding her tongue.
It’s fine.
Soon after Ernie’s departure, her crew headed back to their duties or rec periods, depending on the schedule. Which left him sitting with Dred, Calypso, and Vost in the empty mess hall. The space was so clean, all metallic surfaces bright enough that he could see a distorted reflection of his face. Glastique like he hadn’t seen in a hundred turns brightened the décor, etched with abstract designs and filled with light.
“I love this ship,” Calypso breathed. “You know I can walk right over here . . . and this Kitchen-mate is voice-operated. One sweet berry swirl, please.” The machine whirred to life and soon she had a little cup with a creamy layered dessert in it. “Heaven. We’re in heaven.”
“Thanks for covering for us,” Dred whispered to Vost.
His eyes cut left and right. “What? You’re the last of my team. I won’t be hiring you on for the next mission unfortunately.”
That was smart, Jael decided. Poor conspirators would sometimes discuss the truth without realizing that it only took one witness to make it all fall apart. Dred seemed to realize that, and she said nothing further on that topic as Calypso blissfully ate her whatever it was. It looked pretty good, though. The food on the table called to him, but his stomach was already hurting. Too well he knew that if he overate after near starvation, he’d just vomit everything up anyway. Have to take it a little at a time.
Vost rubbed his chest. “I’m heading to Medical. Damned if I’ll be the idiot that saves everyone else, then dies heroically of his wounds because he was too stupid to seek treatment.”
“I don’t find you heroic,” Calypso said, smirking. “But you are stupid. So accept half a loaf as better than none and go take your medicine.”
“First time that woman’s smiled at me,” he muttered, heading out of the mess.
“We should find the bunk room. Sleep for a while. It won’t be long until we’re in Gehenna, if they have a good navigator and pilot.” Jael stood up and waved to Calypso.
“This is a great break for us,” Dred said, a few minutes later.
“What is?”
“Gehenna. If they were going to New Terra . . .”
We’d be so fragged. But he didn’t say so, respecting her reasons for not completing that sentence. Even after they got into the spare room, which was four small bunks built into opposite walls, he didn’t say anything that could be used against them. Always assume they’re watching and listening. Life in the lab had taught him that.
“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve been there.” The memories weren’t all good, but he’d build new ones. With you, love.
“We should be able to find work.” It’s a good place to disappear, her eyes said.
It was also a lucky break because Gehenna—as a smuggler’s paradise—didn’t demand papers. They gave two shits if you were wanted by the Conglomerate, as long as you could pay the per-head levy to enter the dome. And Jael had a plan.
“So tired,” she mumbled.
Amazing how exhausting it had been, cooped up in that junker and waiting to die. Part of him wondered how much the parts would sell for because those credits, divided by six, that would be the cost of their collective survival. Maybe I’ll ask Ernie later, he mused. Dred rolled into a bunk, and he squeezed in behind her.
“You’re crowding me.”
“If we don’t share, there won’t be enough beds.”
“Tam and Martine probably won’t sleep here tonight, unless they’re a lot more boring in bed than I imagine.”
“Would you like to find out?” That wasn’t his particular kink, but if she wanted it—well. Maybe. Once. In all honesty, however, it would be tough for him. Nobody but her had ever loved him. And I never learned to share.
“Not really,” she said sleepily. “I love them both, but that many bodies in a bed must be confusing. Plus, I’d probably be pissed if someone else got more attention.”
Before he could tease her about that, she was out, making that low, buzzing sound. Jael wrapped himself around her and winked out, too. Nothing kept him from sleeping and sleeping, until he woke up with his bladder about to burst. He couldn’t tell what time it was, but the room was still dark. Calypso was in one bunk, Vost another, and as Dred had predicted, the last was empty.
Jael slipped from bed and went out into the hall. The san is this way. By the low lighting, the ship was on down cycle, so he tried to be quiet as he passed the rest of the crew quarters. He used the facilities and was about to step out when he heard a door swish open. Innate caution made him freeze. It’s one of the crew. You’re not in Perdition anymore. Nobody wants to kill you. But he couldn’t convince the throbbing in his head that he was safe.
“What’re we doing with our bounty?” a low voice asked.
Shit.
“Make sure they don’t suspect anything, dipshit.”
Really not good.
“I can’t believe Vost thought Cap wouldn’t check his story. She told me to scan everyone as soon as they fell asleep, see what popped.”
“That guy . . .” A quiet laugh. “He tried to put one over on us, huh? Asshole.”
“How much are they paying for real-live Bred specimens anyway?”
They passed out of earshot before he heard the answer. The figure was probably astronomical. Not from Sci-Corp, of course, but rival bioengineering companies who thought they could improve on the original experiment if they only had access to some private data. Getting ahold of him would be a dream come true for a whole new generation of monsters—eh, scientists. Right. Scientists. He needed to scrub his brain.
The only way to keep his secret? Killing everyone on board. That was a shitty way to repay them for his life. Yet the alternative was being sold as soon as they hit Gehenna.
“What the hell do I do?” he whispered.
33
Negotiation Failure
Dred was having an awesome dream. Sunlight on her skin for the first time in turns, an open sky. Did the wind always feel this good? But an insect kept landing on her face, buzz, buzz, so insistent. She tried to brush it away but it started shaking her instead— Hey, this isn’t a dream. Her eyes opened.
“Wake up,” Jael whispered. “We have a situation.”
“Space pirates? Hijackers? Conglomerate tax collectors? Wait, no, deep-space tentacle beast.” He was so serious she couldn’t help messing with him.
“What? No. Worse.”
“That is a problem. Talk to me.”
Vost and Calypso both rolled over and glared at them, but Jael didn’t seem to care. He took her by the shoulders, his face a study in concern. “They know what I am. They’re planning to sell me as soon as we make port.”
“Wait, what are you?” Calypso asked, snapping awake.
“He’s a person,” Dred snapped at the same time Vost quietly replied, “Bred.”
Jael wheeled to stare hard at the merc. “How long have you known?”
“It’s the only thing that explains why you survive things that would kill me. And I’m augmented as much as a human can be. I’ve got reinforced bones, upgraded autoimmune functions, reflexes, pretty much the whole package. But you . . . nobody should’ve been able to survive what Silence did to you.”
Nobody human. Those were the words Vost didn’t say, but Dred heard them in the stillness, and she imagined Jae
l did, too. Calypso just looked blank.
“What the frag does ‘Bred’ mean? Some crazy eugenics programs?”
“Once we deal with the immediate threat, I’ll explain everything, I promise.” Jael perched on the edge of the mattress. “I turned off the audio in here. Not sure if they’re monitoring, but if so, they’ll probably find and repair the hack soon. We don’t have much time.”
“What’s your solution?” Vost demanded.
“Kill everyone. Dead people don’t talk.” Dred didn’t think the merc would go along with it, however.
“It’s a nice ship,” Calypso said, thoughtful.
“This is exactly the behavior that got you sentenced to Perdition,” Vost snapped.
The former mistress of the circle bared her teeth. “Look, I didn’t start this. I planned to enjoy the ride, be pleasant and appreciative, but if those people are about to sell my friend like livestock, I’m gonna throw down. You never fought for somebody you love, tight-ass?”
“You make a compelling point,” Vost whispered.
“There’s no bloodless way out of this,” Dred pointed out.
If she were stronger, she might be able to induce a temporary love/obey state in the crew, but there was no guarantee it would hold long enough for them to get off the ship. It wouldn’t stop them from talking about Jael afterward either or prevent them from hunting him. Plus, there’s no way the pilot and navigator could function like that, and I don’t have any fine control of that ability. Since she couldn’t even read anyone right now without excruciating pain, it was a moot point. Shakes set in for five minutes after her failure.
Need to build up my strength before I can do that again.
Taking the ship while the others thought they were unaware of the plan seemed like the best move. So tired of killing. When does it end? She didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud until Jael tipped his brow to hers.
“Sorry, love. If I let them have me, you can have a fresh start.”
“No way,” she said. “If you expect me to say a lot of stupid romantic shit, that isn’t happening. But no. I’ll never let you go. Did you forget what I said back on Perdition? You belong to me.”
“That’s revolting,” Calypso said.
Vost added, “And vaguely alarming on the personal-liberty front as well.”
She scowled at them. “You two are not helping. We have to decide on a plan.”
Vost looked like he wanted to stand and pace, but that would give the game away to anyone who might be watching without audio right now, so he scrubbed his hand across his face. “It occurs to me that we should be concerned about Tam and Martine.”
Dred contemplated that for a few seconds, then cursed. “She probably didn’t want bed partners after all.”
“Hostages,” Jael said grimly.
“That is just wrong,” Calypso said, shaking her head. “She’s defiled the sacred threesome. How shady can a villain get?”
Despite the situation, Dred laughed. “In her shoes, I’d have drugged their wine. If Vost was telling the truth about my passengers, they go their way unharmed. If not, I have collateral to keep the enemy from making a move.”
“Remind me never to drink anything you pour,” Calypso muttered.
“That sounds like Ernie,” Vost agreed.
“We could take a couple of her men,” Dred suggested.
Jael had been quiet, head bowed since she said the stuff about his belonging to her. At that he looked up with a shake of his head. “That would just create an impasse. We need a dramatic statement.”
Calypso frowned. “Like what?”
“I can wipe them all out. Wouldn’t be the first time. Even with cameras posted, it’s doable. I just need a distraction.”
She could tell that he didn’t want to, though. There has to be another solution. “If we had enough credits, we might be able to pay her off.” Dred glanced at Vost. “Would Captain Holland honor a deal if we offered it?”
“You mean not double back to hunt Jael later or tell other mercs of his existence?” The merc shrugged. “Honestly I can’t say. We were never close, just in the same guild.”
“None of us know what that means,” Calypso said testily.
“It’s like working for the same company. Sometimes you form tight bonds. Sometimes you can’t stand the guy at the next desk. But mostly you just . . . cross paths, you know?”
“It’s a moot point,” Dred said. “We don’t have anything to offer.”
“That’s not exactly true.” Jael stood up. “You three stay here. If anyone tries anything, resist. I’ll be back soon, love.”
• • •
JAEL strode down the hall to the captain’s cabin. He didn’t need to bang on the door before it opened. Captain Holland stood there, still dressed, and it didn’t look like any partying had taken place. Peering past her, he saw Tam and Martine unconscious trussed up on the bed.
“Most people prefer their partners a little more alert.”
“Variety is the spice of life. Come in, handsome. I thought I might see you. My crew have big mouths and tiny brains, not a great combination.”
“Hard to get good help these days.”
“Exactly what I said to Vost earlier. It’s strange he took up with a bunch of felons and a Bred specimen. Not your usual crack merc unit.” Her gray eyes were flat and hard, belying her cheerful tone. And the woman’s hand lingered near the blaster on her hip.
Won’t help you if I go. Three seconds. For a silent moment he pictured it, hands wrapping around her neck. Lunge and twist. Yeah. Three seconds.
“You did us a good turn,” he murmured. “So I’m giving you a way out. I’ll match the highest offer on me. In return, you drop us at Gehenna as planned. We go our separate ways, and you don’t tell anyone, ever, that we crossed paths.”
“Mary’s tits, that’s a fine counteroffer, but you know it won’t work. Even if I keep my promise, one of these knuckleheads will booze it up and let slip. Then you’ll have somebody on your trail again. Sad for me, I thought I’d keep you happy with hospitality until it was too late for you to get out of the trap springing shut.”
I’m sorry, he thought.
She died as fast as he’d known she would, still struggling to get the gun off her belt. He laid her down gently and untied Tam and Martine. Since the captain had private san facilities, he dragged them both in there and turned it on. The rain of cold water eventually brought them to, groggy and angry as hell.
Martine came up on her knees, spluttering. “What’d she give us? Are we dying?”
“I think you were drugged, not poisoned. But once we clear the ship, it might not be a bad idea to have a medical bot check you out. If there is one.”
“Dammit,” Tam mumbled.
“We have to kill everyone? All right then.” Martine didn’t even ask why; that was how good a friend she was.
Touched, Jael touched the top of her head lightly. “When you feel up to it, join the fight. If we’re careful, it’ll be over quick. Until then, rest up and watch your backs.”
“Don’t kill the pilot or jumper,” Tam said.
“I won’t. Otherwise, we’re in the same predicament as before and probably won’t get lucky a second time.”
“Let’s hope they can perform under duress,” Martine muttered.
“One problem at a time,” Jael said, grabbing the gun from Holland’s body and slipping out of the cabin.
Dark hall. So far so good.
The other three were still in the guest bunk waiting for him. Dred stood, grabbing his shirtfront. “What’s wrong with you? What happened?”
“Negotiations did not go well.”
“Then it looks like we’re getting a new ship,” Calypso said brightly. “Did I mention how much I like the Kitchen-mate on this thing?”
Vost replied in
a dry tone, “Perhaps in passing.”
Damn. Maybe it was just habituation, but Jael was actually starting to like the merc. Then he immediately remembered Keelah and felt guilty about it.
“Will this get you in trouble with the guild?” Dred asked.
“Yes.” It was a simple answer, but the merc didn’t seem like he wanted to back away from hijacking this vessel.
Hell, maybe if you pushed a person to the wall, anybody was capable of crimes that would get them thrown away in Perdition.
Calypso stood, stretched, and pulled a shiv out from under her pillow. “What? Old habits die hard. I’m sure I’ll grow out of this. Someday.”
“Since you have a blade, you check their quarters. Kill anyone you find sleeping.” Dred gave the orders like a Dread Queen, and Jael saw the echo of that person in her sharp green eyes.
She’s part of you. Not all. And she always will be. I can live with that.
With all his heart, he wished things had worked out different. That Ernie had not only seemed kind and trusting—that she had been. Because then she wouldn’t have double-checked Vost’s story, and she wouldn’t be dead on her cabin floor right now. He wouldn’t be plotting mass murder. Again.
How many people have to die so I can live? A hundred? A thousand. The number was already too high. Before, he hadn’t even realized it was wrong, just scrapping for survival like an animal, all hunger and instinct. Dred touched his arm, as if she knew what he was thinking, and she shook her head slightly.
The woman’s a witch.
They were all still in their simple gray wardrober clothes, thin and soft, almost like being naked. Armor would be nice, but they couldn’t waste time wishing. A quick search turned up nothing in the bunk room that could double as a weapon, so he handed the laser pistol to Vost. Wonder how combat capable this crew is. The two he’d overheard didn’t seem like dangerous men, but judging by appearances was often a mistake.
“How would you rank this lot, compared to us?” he asked Vost.
“Lambs in the field,” the other man said with a scary smile.
Yeah, Perdition left a mark on him.
“Don’t waste time.” Calypso twirled her shiv, demonstrating why inmates all over Queensland had both loved and feared her. “Let the bloodbath begin.”
