by F. M. Busby
Sparline turned to her mother. “The big man — what’s his name? — who stunned a charging bushstomper with his fist. He’s not fast, but if it came up necessary to intervene, he’s big enough to hold dal Nardo.”
“That’s Splieg,” said Liesel. “Good choice. And — how about Lebeter, the little knife artist?”
“But I thought,” said Rissa, “that we must all be unarmed.”
Sparline laughed. “Liesel, you think of everything! Rissa — he will be unarmed, but dal Nardo won’t quite believe so.”
“Come to think of it,” said Liesel, “neither would I.” She laughed. “Rissa, Sparline told me of your plan to turn dal Nardo’s claque scheme against him. I like it — and if there’s a place for Lebeter, he’s another arrow to that same bow.”
Rissa nodded. “I see the advantage of a teamwork of minds. Now when the time comes, I shall not feel so alone.”
Liesel reached to grasp her shoulder. “Except for the fight itself — nobody can do that for you — you won’t be. And if you fail, I promise — Hulzein Lodge promises — dal Nardo won’t outlive you much.”
Rissa looked at her. “Since I would not be here to see it, that prospect should not concern me. But — but it does — not that he would die, but that you would care enough to see that he did.” She shook her head, blinking; no one would see tears from her again that day. “I will do without a liqueur tonight and go to my room. To meditate, perhaps, and clear my mind. Thank you both, and good night.”
But in her room she saw the brandy she had poured earlier, and sat holding it, looking out at the night. When the flask cap was empty, she filled it again. The peace of meditation escaped her; her thoughts roiled and would not be quiet.
Finally, preparing for bed, she resorted to the stopgap method of pushing her several turmoils into mental compartments and closing them firmly. Then she lay down and soon slept.
She woke unconvinced either of her own reality or her situation’s. Mechanically she prepared for the day. After breakfast — served in her room, for she wished to talk with none — she sat and waited quietly until her departure time. Then she went downstairs and outside, to the aircar. Ernol, waiting beside it, greeted her. She saw the handgun at his belt.
“Good morning, Ernol. I hope you do not mind going to the city?”
“No. Makes a nice change. But why me? Lots of people here can outpoint me with guns.” They climbed into the aircar; she inspected the controls.
“I doubt the gun will be needed — what kind is it, anyway? And I prefer your company to that of a stranger.”
“Well, thanks. I’d . . . wondered.” He touched the weapon. “This here? Nothing fancy — projectile type, like they’ve been making a long time, but this model throws more and faster than most. Expanding slug — really messy when it hits.”
“Then I also hope it will not be needed. But our mission is supposedly peaceful.” She started the propelling motors and let them idle. “And in a few moments, we are ready.”
“Yes. You’re sure you know how to run this thing?”
“If I were not, I would not try. Are you anxious?”
“No — just wondering, was all. I’m ready if you are.”
“All right.” She applied power; the car rose smoothly, and soon she had crossed the gap and turned parallel to the great hills, toward the city. For a time they rode without speaking; then she said, “Ernol? Yesterday — back in my room — I was sorry I had not accepted what you offered of yourself.”
She waited. He cleared his throat and said, “Well, I knew I should-n’t be pushing against status. So it didn’t bother me then — before. But after we’d fought such a good one, and then in the stream and on the way back . . . still, you say you don’t respond, so — ”
“Response or not, I am skilled. I would have pleased you.” The air-car came out from under cloud; she squinted against sudden brightness. “My regret is that I might die tomorrow without pleasing someone who, by fighting me so well, pleased me a great deal.”
“You mean you want to — ”
“Not now — you said it correctly. After we practiced, when we were close from sharing that fight — then was the time. Perhaps someday, if I live and circumstances allow . . .”
“You want to practice this afternoon?”
“I cannot. As I said, the duel is set for tomorrow — and if you will, I would like you to be one of my party.”
“Sure. It’s — I’m honored.”
“Thank you. But you see I cannot risk, so close to the event, even minor injury that might slow me against dal Nardo.”
“Yesterday would have been just as bad, and you fought then.”
“I did not know that terms were set, that it would be so soon.”
He whistled. “Hey! Lucky we didn’t get you a bad one. Because for sure I wasn’t easing it any. You either, that I noticed.”
She laughed. “No — we took all normal risks of practice. As you say, I was lucky.” Approaching at an angle past the spaceport, they neared One Point One. “Ernol — from here, can you point out Alsen Bleeker’s headquarters?”
“Yes — see the big building there, with the flags and towers? His is right behind it — you can land in the space between. See it?”
She swung left and nodded, and began her descent. Landing midway between the buildings she taxied to within a few yards of Bleeker’s; they left the aircar and walked toward it.
“Where do we go in, Ernol?” Two small entrances faced them.
“Door on the left will get us there. Main entrance, if you’d rather, is on the other side.”
“This will do.” Once inside, stairs led them to a lobby, then an elevator to the fifth floor.
“The number’s five-twenty-two,” said Ernol, “but the whole floor’s one big office, with cubbyholes along one side for the clerks.”
“You have been here before, then.”
“Once, with Hawkman Moray. But not armed — just for sideshow.”
The elevator door opened. “This may not be a sideshow,” said Rissa, “but I hope it is nothing more.” She walked ahead to the door labeled “522” and opened it. “Let us find out.”
The room was big; several yards away, behind a desk, sat a young male receptionist. Beyond him, through a transparent partition, Rissa saw Alsen Bleeker at his own desk. She walked directly toward Bleeker’s door. The young man stood and raised a warding hand. “Just a moment — who are you?”
Passing his desk, Rissa ignored him. Peripherally she saw Ernol touch his handgun; the young man sat again. Over her shoulder, she said, “We are expected.”
Bleeker did not look as though he expected anyone; startled, he raised his head and jerked it toward Ernol. “Who told you, Ms. Obrigo, to bring a gunman?”
“I told you I would be escorted. Under the circumstances, Hulzein Lodge would hardly allow me into this city without protection.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter — I have protection of my own.” Bleeker’s eyes flicked to one side; Rissa turned to see a man standing in an alcove. She suppressed a gasp.
Low-voiced, she said to Ernol, “That’s Blaise Tendal.”
“I know him. If this is ambush, I hope you’re armed — he’s faster than me.”
She touched his arm. “Never mind — likely it will not come to that.” To Bleeker she said, “I see that you consort with my enemies.”
In his lip-stretching way, Bleeker smiled. “I hire the best talent.”
“That is yet to be seen,” said Rissa. “But — we have business.”
“In a minute, maybe,” said Tendal. He walked across the room. On solid footing, Rissa thought, the man was almost obscenely graceful; he suggested fluid rippling in a shallow pool.
Tendal stood with one hip propped on Bleeker’s desk. “We have some business, too,” he said. “And you, there, with your one little gun — don’t interfere.” “I see three weapons on you,” said Ernol. “Maybe more, hidden. Why do you need so much? You have just tw
o hands, the same as me.” Bleeker tried to speak but Rissa overrode him. “My escort will do his job — nothing more. Does yours take orders or does he not?”
Tendal laughed. “You’ll find out. I — ”
Memory came to her. “Swallow your tongue, Tendal! We are not here to listen to you — do your job or give place to someone who will!”
The man came upright. His hand moved toward a weapon, but Bleeker reached and grasped his arm. “Damn you, Blaise! Are you trying to ruin me? Kill her here, and we’re all dead.”
Tendal shrugged the hand away. “All right — I’ll play your games — for now.” He pushed himself up and sat fully on the desk, arms hanging free at his sides. Bleeker glowered, but Tendal did not see. Rissa spoke. “If your tedious employee is done parading himself,
Bleeker, there is a matter of payment. Can we get to it?” “Yes, of course.” Bleeker held out a paper. “Here is your certificate.”
She inspected it. “Your own private money? I expected Weltmarks, negotiable anywhere.”
“A Hulzein connection and you don’t know about house certificates? Read it — convertible on demand, after five days; or at any time — with a six-to-five advantage — into shares of the Bleeker holdings. I assure you, Ms. Obrigo, this certificate is legal tender anywhere on Number One.”
She looked to Ernol; he nodded. “He’s right, there. It’s not a snick.”
“All right, then.” She turned again to Bleeker. “Is this also how you will pay off our wager?”
She saw his smile again and wished she had not. He said, “Let’s say that’s the form my stakes are in. I don’t expect to be paying — or to see you again.”
“No?” Turning, she prepared to leave. “A number of things happen, I would imagine, that you do not expect. Good-bye, Bleeker.” She began to walk away, Ernol beside her.
“Hold on, there!” Both wheeled — Blaise Tendal stood, tight-grinned, his clawed hands a few inches from his sides, “All right, One-Gun — you’re not status-protected — let’s see who’s best. I’ll use just one gun, too — but guess which!”
Rissa did not pause. As Tendal’s gun came up, adrenaline shock struck her and time slowed. She made a dive — not directly toward him, but at an angle. She landed on both palms, skidded only slightly and pivoted, throwing her body and legs around at Tendal. Her shins caught his ankles like a scythe.
The gun fired; slugs ricocheted around the room; he fell across and past her. She twisted and came up to see Ernol with both hands at Tendal’s throat. Bleeker came forward, around the desk; Rissa waved him back and gripped Ernol’s neck from behind, shaking it.
“Ernol! Hold him, yes — but do not strangle him completely — while I take his weapons, all of them.” Ernol nodded; she released her grip. Searching Tendal she found three guns, two knives, and an object she could not classify but kept anyway. She held one gun and put the rest in the shoulder bag she had dropped when she attacked. Then she paused and saw that Blaise Tendal was only half-conscious. “You can let go now, Ernol. I have a gun to control him.”
Ernol let the man slump to the floor, then stood and flexed his hands. “I told you — I’m not much with guns. Didn’t even try to use mine, just my hands. I’m sorry.”
“Do not be. I knew when I chose you that you are not primarily oriented to weapons. But I thought it would be all right.” She shrugged. “And it is all right.” She turned to Bleeker. “This breach of procedure will interest Hulzein Lodge. And I shall not speak in your favor.” She turned again to leave.
Bleeker, his voice high and strained, said, “Wait! Ms. Obrigo, I did-n’t — this wasn’t supposed to happen. I — ”
“Was it not? I wonder. But — very well — I will not speak against you, either. I — and Ernol — will merely report what occured.
“Now, if there is nothing more, we must take our leave.” This time Bleeker said nothing.
A thought made her hesitate. She looked at Tendal, sitting up and holding his throat, his eyes vacant. “You! You did not know or intend it, but you have done me a favor. But not one on which you can presume.” She looked more closely and decided he could understand her words. Making a decision, she nodded. “Listen to me, Blaise Tendal. This is the second time you have threatened me and lived. It is also the last.”
Now she turned away for the last time; the two left the big room and then the building. Outside as they walked to the aircar, passing clouds interrupted sunshine.
Aloft, once again in sunlight, she thought of what had happened. Yes — it was for the best; it was what she had needed. Until Ernol spoke, she had forgotten his presence.
“You said — Tendal did you a favor? I don’t see how.”
“It was a kind of practice you could not give me.”
“But how — ?”
She laughed. “There is a response I have to real danger, that I had not had in so long that I did not know whether I could count on it, against dal Nardo. The adrenaline that comes in life danger — it affects me so that time seems to slow and nothing but the immediate peril exists. I do not really move that much faster, I think — but it seems as if there is many times as long, to decide and act, than is truly the case.
“In the practice — it was good fighting but I knew you would not kill me. But when Tendal’s gun came out — to me it was minutes, rather than seconds, before my legs cut him down. I do not suppose this makes any sense to you, Ernol — to most people it does not.”
Abruptly, he laughed. “Not make sense? Sure it does.” He laughed again, more quietly. “How do you think I got to his throat so fast?”
She checked the centering of her controls for level flight, then turned to look at him. “The extra adrenaline does not go away immediately, does it?”
“It sure doesn’t. I — ”
“Ernol. This, now — it is much like yesterday, after we fought. Is it not?” She did not wait for answer; looking ahead and down she said, “I see a clearing where we might land. Do you mind if our lunch at the Lodge is somewhat delayed?”
Airborne again, now approaching the Lodge, Ernol said, “I see what you meant. You made it great for me — better than anybody — but I couldn’t for you, could I?”
“It is my own lack, Ernol — no one has done better. And I enjoyed very much the pleasure I could give you.” She sighed. “Let us drop the matter — except to keep good memories of each other.”
“Not again, then?”
“I would not think so. Unless, if ever we practice-fight again . . .”
“Yes, maybe. But it doesn’t matter — I’ll fight for you anytime — against anybody.”
“Of course. And I for you — as we did today.” They smiled together.
When she landed, Ernol said, “I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” and started toward the rear entrance.
“No — come with me. We have a report to make.” He turned and followed her inside. It was past lunch time, but they found Liesel and Sparline still in the dining room, lingering over coffee.
Liesel looked up. “Took you long enough. Anything special happen?”
“A few things. We are hungry. May Ernol, who has fought for me today, eat with me also, while we tell you?”
Liesel grinned. “Sure — our protocol’s not that strict.” She rang for service.
A boy entered and Rissa chose her meal. Ernol said nothing; she looked to him. “Would you like the same?” He nodded. “Two orders, then, but add extra helpings to his, please.”
Rissa began her account, occasionally checking details with Ernol. The food came, and for once she talked while eating. Meal and story ended at about the same time; the serving-boy removed the dishes and poured more coffee. When he had gone, Liesel asked, “You think Bleeker wanted Tendal to kill you, and protested only so Ernol could witness for him?”
“I do not know. Perhaps Bleeker himself does not. He is not, I think, very intelligent. Cunning, yes — but shortsighted.”
“How do you mean?” Sparline said.
“The tool he chose — Blaise Tendal. Hawkman was right; the man is not sane — nor reliable. He tried for Ernol first — and with his witness dead, how would Bleeker stand?”
Liesel nodded. “And more than that — probably Tendal would’ve made a clean sweep, including Bleeker. His record isn’t one of moderation.”
For the first time, except to answer, Ernol spoke. “How many kills does he have?”
Sparline said, “I’m not sure. More than twenty, though.”
Ernol’s fist tapped the table. “That’s too many.”
“You think to challenge him?” Sparline shook her head. “You’ve never killed, have you, Ernol? No — I know you haven’t. But you can’t do it, anyway — his dal Nardo marriage puts him out of status range.”
“That’s a mock marriage! Everybody knows it!”
“Yes,” said Liesel. “But binding, all the same.”
“If the dal Nardos can do it — “ He looked to Sparline. “You’re not married. No disrespect — I wouldn’t presume — afterward you’d annul it and I’d leave so things wouldn’t be awkward. But — ”
Sparline patted his hand. “Ernol, you’re a dear young man — I’m fond of you, and I expect you’d be a lovely romp. And I’m most pleased with what you did today. But no marriage of mine will be a mock one. And besides, I’m too fond of you to help you go up against a twenty-plus killer.”
He pulled his hand away. “If I’ve offended — ”
Liesel made a brief snort of laughter. “Offended? Peace, no! Initiative never offends me — unless it’s irresponsible, and yours isn’t. You want to know the truth, I’m touched — and that’s rare.”
She scowled at nothing. “Tomorrow morning, Ernol — no, the next day, after this mess is settled — come to my office. All right?”
“Yes, of course. But — ”
“You’re wondering why? You can handle more responsibility than you’ve had. We’ll discuss your new promotion, is all.”
He looked down at his hands. “Thank you. Maybe I should go now. Work to do.”
