It was more like a barracks than a hotel, and while Attila seemed disappointed, Machiko was most emphatically not.
"We're hired soldiers here, in a way. I think that's what Livermore Evanston wants to remind us of." She sipped some tea Cordial had provided, looked out the window, and watched the limousinoid float away into the distance. The tea was iced, and it was exotic, rich, and cold; it sluiced away some of the stardust that had lined her throat.
"Okay, AH. Spill,"
The android was sitting in a chair, looking thoughtful.
"I heard only a few words, but they were significant. I caught . . . `hunting trip' `all dead but me' 'bugs'"-he cocked his head "and `other hunters.'"
"That's all?
"Yes."
"Well, that's what we're here for, right . . . the bugs."
"But who brought the bugs?"
"I believe you know what I'm thinking ...."
"I've heard your stories about Ryushi, but surely . . ."
"What do you think about that factory, Til?"
Attila shrugged. "Makes sense to me. Manufacture your own lions and tigers and bears."
"You think maybe Evanston was manufacturing bugs for hunting as well?"
"Why would he bring you to get rid of them?"
"Hell! They're bugs! Something always goes wrong with bugs!"
"I don't know. Why would he want to play with those things when he really hasn't even gotten Hunter's World off the ground?"
"Mysteries. Secrets." Machiko took a swallow of the slightly bitter tea, winked at her associate. "I like it. Puts some spin on the game, eh?"
"Makes me nervous!"
"Yes, well-it's a hell of a lot better than sitting behind some desk, monitoring mining operations."
"No comment here."
Machiko was about to ask him his opinion about the duck hunters in the park when there was a loud knocking on the door.
Attila got up and opened it.
Standing in the hallway were two tall, broad shouldered men. Each gripped in his big hands a keg studded with microrefrigeration nodes.
"Hey, now!" bellowed one. "Welcome to Project Bug Spray. I'm ex-Captain Dick Daniels, late of the Colonial Marines, and this here's Ned Sanchez. Ned used to work for a security firm on Earth that dealt with the things." His eyes tracked from Attila to Machiko. "And you must be Machiko Noguchi." His eyes traveled over her firm, slim body in a taunting, hungry manner that she abhorred. She felt herself tensing: not another one of these jerks.
"Yes."
"Nice to meet you. We hear you're going to be heading up this operation, so we thought we'd come over and introduce ourselves. Kinda been sitting around on our thumbs since we got here, and it's nice to know there's some action on the way, now that you're here." All said through an over familiar leer. He had a musky, hair-out-the-undershirt presence, and an overbearing, muscular aura that seemed to say, Let's get these formalities over with quick and then slip between the sheets, babe.
"Well, aren't you going to invite us in?" he boomed. He held up his keg. "We brought our own."
"I'm tired," said Machiko. "I only have a minute."
"That'll do!" A big grin split the man's swarthy, Roman nosed face, and he lumbered in, handing the keg to Attila and offering Machiko a large, firm handshake. He smelled of hair and beery lunch, but he had a natural power to him, reflected in the firm muscles and the self-confident gait. His blond hair was tousled, but he was no spring chicken. It looked as though this guy had been in some heavy-duty scrapes and, from the scars on him, hadn't come out unbloodied. But unbowed? That was another story.
"Got some mugs or something?" he asked. Attila went to find something.
"Say, you're one solid woman. You'll have some beer with us, won't you?"
"I'm drinking tea."
"Oh, c'mon." He turned to Attila. "Get a brew for my new sweetheart, will you, guy?" he roared off at Attila. "We don't know what we're getting into here. Might as well party while we can, right, angel-eyes?"
With no warning Daniels stepped over and put his big arm around Machiko's back. She could immediately smell that he'd been drinking beer before he'd arrived. Somehow his big hand wriggled down to her backside and squeezed her right buttock as though testing the ripeness of a melon. The buffoon was large, probably weighing over twice as, much as Machiko, and probably figured he could get away with this kind of behavior by sheer intimidation.
Machiko barely thought about what she was doing; her reaction was automatic. She pulled the hand away, grabbed his arm by the wrist, stepped away, and with practiced ease flipped Daniels over. He landed heavily on the floor. Machiko stepped on his face as she twisted his arm at a startling angle, just short of damage.
"Next time I break it, chum. Understand?"
"Jeez. I was just joking!" objected Daniels.
"You didn't answer my question."
"I understand, I understand!"
She let him go, and he got up.
Sanchez's eyes twinkled, and there was a slight smile on his face.
"I told you to cut that kind of stuff out, Daniels."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Daniels, getting up and dusting himself off. "Guess there's a reason you're going to be in charge." He grinned uneasily. "Can't really even say you're my type, but I'd park my butt behind your command any day. Nobody's gotten the better of Dick Daniels in a long time."
A rollicking partyer from the feel of him.
"I'm not here for anyone's amusement, Daniels."
"Cripes. Give me that beer. I sure need it now" He took the proffered glass and downed a large gulp. Attila handed one to Sanchez as well.
Keeping himself well away from Machiko, Daniels eyed Attila. "What we got ourselves another tee-totaler here?"
"Not really," said Attila. Rather than getting into android territory, potentially volatile if you weren't sure of your company, Attila took a beer. "I generally prefer to wait until dark."
"Good move," said Dick. "A smarter asshole than yours truly. Here you go, Sanchez-to the pretty powerful personality we've hitched up with. I feel sorry for the bugs."
"If Ms. Noguchi doesn't mind, I'd like to try some of the beer I noticed in the refrigerator. That's a local brew of some potency, I believe. And if I'm not entirely wrong, it's a nutbrown ale."
Machiko raised an eyebrow. "Good call, Mr. Sanchez. You know your beers, then."
"From porter to lager," said the man easily. "My favorite is bitter. At room temperature."
"An Anglophile?"
"Nope. Limey bastards are just as rotten as anybody. I just like their beer, that's all."
Ned Sanchez was slender, younger than his companion, and certainly darker, though there were suggestions of gray threading through his long black hair, tied in a ponytail at the back of his head. He was friendly and relaxed, but there was a hard and remote core of reserve to this man, and an unreadable nature to his fierce, empty black eyes. Otherwise, he had a face like a Greek demigod, and his beauty was not lost upon even so jaded a soul as Machiko's.
"Sure. I don't know about room temperature. The tea is cold. I don't generally drink beer, but once in a while I enjoy something of quality."
Sanchez shrugged. "I'll live through the experience of a cold ale. Little hot outside, anyway."
Dick slammed his big hand against his buddy's back. "Shit. Neddy and me, we done some heavy maneuvers today with the guys, just funnin', you know, but keeping in shape-and he barely pops a sweat. Quick shower, and he's ready for another evening of brews and babes." He straightened himself with feigned pain and examined a fancied bruise. "I don't know, though. Maybe just an evening of brews might be safe."
"I didn't realize this was Sodom and Gomorrah," said Attila dryly.
Machiko watched as the android sipped at his beer, amused. Attila could drink as much as he wanted without effect. He almost literally had a "hollow leg." And these guys hadn't seemed to realize yet he was an android. Of course, it was rare one could, unless the law was to have androids marked
. . . and there was no such law here.
"What? You gotta be kiddin' me. You get in a bunch of rowdy and rich men to shoot it up during the day, and you're going to have to keep them entertained at night. Pretty easy, that. Some gambling, some girls and lots of drink!"
"I can spare a little time," said Machiko. She felt herself relax slightly. Daniels's good-natured response to getting tossed on his face amused her. A yautja would have demanded immediate satisfaction of honor in a tooth-and-nail battle to the Death. Calm down kid, she told herself. You've changed, remember? She invited her guests to sit down. Sanchez sat quietly and compactly, but Daniels sprawled out over the couch, feet up on the coffee table, completely at home. "How long have you been in town?" Machiko asked.
"A whole three days," said Daniels. "We've got ourselves a company of about fifteen total now, including you." He belted a laugh, then a long swig of beer. "And let me tell you, I never did see such a mangy collection of misfits in my life."
"Oh? I'm pretty impressed so far by you two."
"Us? Oh, yeah. Mind you, we've all got the experience and pedigree and what have you, and I guess we've all seen our share of action. I'm just generally talking about the social level of the other guys. Mercenaries. Real pigs." He opened his mouth and let loose a long and satisfying belch without excusing himself. Then he took another drink.
"Did we come for a tiddledy-winks tournament?" Machiko asked.
"Well," said Attila, "perhaps tiddledy-winks and tea." Dick Daniels looked at Attila for a moment, mouth open. Then he started laughing, and slapping his knee. "Good. Damned good. Tea! Hey, Ned, you think that Evanston can rustle up some tea for-what did you say your name was, guy?"
"I didn't."
"I'm sorry. I didn't introduce you. This is . . ." Machiko caught herself. "Attila. Oscar Attila, my assistant and personal secretary."
Obviously not feeling like getting up again, Daniels assayed a brief salute. "Howdy there, Mr. Attila." Ned nodded as well. Machiko noticed that the handsome man seemed to be retracting even further into some private space. Daniels seemed to have plenty of scars on his exterior, but Sanchez seemed to have his own as well, albeit on his interior.
It made her wonder about him. He seemed to resonate on some level that intrigued her. The fact that he was merely polite to her, taking no other particular interest in her except as the woman who was going to command him, pricked her ego slightly-and made her wonder why.
She made a mental note to have a talk with him sometime during this visit. Obviously she wouldn't get much from him now, especially with Daniels ingenuously clogging the airwaves.
Still, with the man so freely dispensing information, she figured she should probably tap what she could.
And, as always, men talked more when they had a bootful.
"You know, Dick," she said, smiling, "I once knew a guy who reminded me of you."
"Oh. How so?"
"Big. Brave. Strong and obviously a man of the universe, as it were. I admired that man a lot."
Daniels responded with a cocky grin and a pleased twinkle of the eye. The approval he'd so desperately wanted was his, offered on a satin pillow.
"One big difference."
Double take. "Oh? What?"
"He drank a lot more beer. And a lot faster. He'd have that beer done by now."
"Sheeee---it," said Daniels. "I'm just sippin', to be polite."
The gauntlet clearly thrown down, Daniels smirked. Refilled his mug. Upended.
The remainder of the liquid, at least a pint and a half by Machiko's estimation, slid past his big, bobbing Adam's apple, very little indeed slopping over his lips and rolling down his cheeks, or snorting up his nose.
Daniels clapped down the large mug, red-faced but satisfied. "There you go."
"I am truly impressed." She was indeed. Within moments the man's face was noticeably redder. "My other friend didn't drink that fast."
Another burp interrupted the conversation.
Machiko sipped her own drink, pursing her lips thoughtfully . . . and then thought, What the hell, let's go for it.
"We seem to be alone," she gestured around inclusively. "We can talk now. We seem to be a bunch of pretty powerful troubleshooters. What seems to be the trouble?"
Daniels blinked a little blearily, accepting the next cup from Attila. "Crap. The bastard didn't tell you?"
"Let's just say I'm more interested in what he told you."
"Fuckin' bugs. That's what the trouble is. That's the biggest trouble I've heard of on all these planets." Daniels developed a slightly gray pallor. "Fuckin' bugs. Don't know how the hell they got here. Only with bugs, you never do, do you?"
"And that's the only trouble?"
"Far as I know . . . . Oh, shit well, there's the hunters, the rich assholes who think they know which end of a gun the bullet or whatever come out of. Evanston knows he's going to have some accidents, which is why he sets 'em up with training and insurance, even though right now he's not legally bound for nothin'. Nope, there's plenty enough trouble not to buy any, I'll tell you."
"No sign of other kinds of `iffy' activity? Any other kind of trouble?"
Daniels, for the first time, looked concerned. "Hey, lady. Aren't the bugs enough? Shee-it. I've been in all kinds of action. And bugs are the worse."
"But you're willing to face them again," said Machiko.
"For the money we're getting, and the treatment? Not really" The affable look was still gone, replaced by a startlingly sober expression for one getting into a drunk. "Look, this ain't just for the money. I guess the truth is, Evanston's offerin' me a home. A goddamned family. This pirate looked at forty a long time ago, and it's about time to commit to a goddamned bar stool. Eh, Ned?" He elbowed his companion, his good nature again suffusing his face.
Ned just shrugged. "We all have our reasons."
"That's damned right. And I'd like to know if yours are any different."
"Evanston got me out of the Company."
Daniels raised his eyebrows. "Really?"
The lug seemed honestly interested. Machiko found herself relaxing even more.
"I don't know about family, I don't know about home .... What I do know is that this is better than pushing papers. Would you agree?"
There wasn't a fighting person who wouldn't agree with that. No reason that Machiko had to hide anything with these guys.
"Sure," said Daniels. "But, hell, I got my fighting experience in the Marines, and Ned here's been after the bugs all his life. Where'd you get your experience?"
"Well, I'm a trained martial-arts expert, and I did time in officer's school-and I dealt with the bugs on a planet called Ryushi," said Machiko.
Daniels's mouth dropped. "Damn! Isn't that the planet where nearly everybody got wiped-"
"Not this body"
Daniels said nothing. He seemed to be trying to grope with something, like coughing up some other memory he had on the subject. He didn't seem to be successful, so he just took another chug of beer instead.
A flicker of interest grew in Ned Sanchezs eyes.
There was a knock on the door. "Hey. Guys. We hear noise. What's going on in there? A party?" The voice was thin, whiny, and annoying.
Daniels slapped his face. "Jeez, it's Lou MacCraken. He can smell fun a kilometer away and then comes to ruin it for everyone. Don't let him in, Ms. Noguchi."
"Is he one of the troubleshooters?"
"Yep. And if there's no trouble, he'll attract it."
"Then I should meet him."
She told Attila to open the door. A tall, gangly man came in with a big wide smile and a long nose. He had a shorter, curly haired Neopolitan sort with him, who already had a bulb of beer in his hand. Introductions were made. MacCraken's friend's name was Mishka Marino.
"Glad to meet you," said Machiko. "Would you like a beer?"
"No. I don't drink," said MacCraken, eyes shining with a kind of goofy glee. "Give Marino something, though. He drinks."
"Only with
one hand, Lou."
"That's so he can grab the guys. And the gals. Right, Marino? Better watch out, Ms. Noguchi. You're his type. You're all his type."
Marino rolled his eyes as MacCraken cackled a high-pitched laugh.
Machiko cringed a bit and looked over to Daniels as though to say, You're right; where did Evanston get this geek?
Still, this manic guy was entertaining if you didn't take him too seriously, and the conversation progressed. With the right questions Machiko drew out some little essentials about Evanstonville and Livermoreland that only a few days' stay could have obtained.
For one thing, not only had Evanston hired a great many workers and started up a colonist movement to this planet, he had somehow tapped the resources of the corporation in terms of expertise, just as he had done with Machiko. There were apparently a good many "four eyes" here-a Marine bit of slang for technicians and scientists. Many of them, Daniels said, worked in the factory and really didn't mix much with the rest of the community.
Machiko tried to milk them all for more information about that factory but came up totally dry. These guys hadn't even gotten close to the thing, nor were they particularly interested in doing so. They were obviously thrilled with their jobs, not so much because of the bugs, who obtained the unhealthy respect they deserved, but because of the environment here and the perks involved.
They talked about the other people who'd been selected. All seemed to have similar backgrounds: soldiers of fortune mostly, experience with bugs, a mercenary bent with an inclination to settle down in a place that had its share of thrills and excitement Evanston must have promised them a place in his structure here, just as soon as the little problem was gone. Guides. Battle technicians. Simulators. Whatever. This was just their kind of place, no question---a paradise for men with a trade in violence, who hankered for some peace of mind.
"I look forward to meeting the others," said Machiko finally.
"Should I round them up?" asked Lou eagerly, excess energy radiating from him.
"Uh-no. No, I confess that-ah Mr. Attila and I are a bit tired. And I, alas, have had my share of beer already Tomorrow Formally It's been great meeting you guys informally, but let's just call it a day, all right?"
Aliens vs Predator 2 - Hunter's Planet Page 10
