by Rob Guy
“After what he’s ….” Harry trailed off, and suddenly started laughing.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Heidi asked appalled.
“Larry.”
“Larry? What’s he got to do with this?”
“Everything, sweetheart, everything. He needs to be there when you, when I, kill Hackman. He needs to be there in order to guide him to the proper place. That’s how it has to be. Besides, I’m not thinking straight. You can’t use my gun. It’s designed to accept only my handprint. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“Knife?”
“Sure.”
“So where is Larry now?”
“He hates flying. We’ll see him once we dock.”
There was a moments silence between them. Then Heidi continued. “Harry, I don’t know if I can do this. If he shouts at Chisato one more time it will be more than I can stand.”
“Then give him this.” Harry handed over the BrainTicker vials. “They don’t work, at least not how I remember. Great trip, though, apart from waking up in the gutter. And it’s because of these things that I missed you guys.”
“What happened?”
Harry appeared wistful. “Unicorns, mostly.”
“Eh?”
“Never mind. I didn’t actually go anywhere, if you get my meaning. Slip one of these into his drink. Don’t worry. I know it’s blue, but it’s completely soluble. No taste, either. He should be out for a few hours, longer if you give him more than one. Give him the whole lot, and you’ll kill him most definitely.”
Heidi stared at the small blue tubes. She looked totally lost, not comprehending, it seemed, that she now had the power of life and death over the man she despised more than anyone. Slowly her hand closed over them, and she started to cry again. Harry took her in his arms and talked to her, trying to re-assure her, waiting for her to stop her tears.
“It’s okay,” he said softly, and took the vials back. He looked down at the floor, and figured out a distraction. He needed to get Heidi talking about something else other than Hackman.
“What’s in the bag?” he asked.
“Just a towel and bikini,” Heidi sniffed.
“Oh yes?”
She laughed and wiped her nose on his chest. “I told him I was heading for the spa. Nothing unusual, I’ve been everyday so far. You should try it.”
“I will, if Billy will give me the time off, and promote me to third stoker first class.”
“How’s that?”
“Billy’s my boss. I’m down in engineering. Did Sachinyo tell you anything?”
“Not much. We can’t be seen talking to anyone. Who’s Billy again?”
“My boss. He’s got the nickname of No Mates, but he’s a good sort, really.”
“What are you doing in engineering?”
“It’s how I was able to get onboard, with Raquel’s help.”
“Ah, so you did find her, then.”
“Yes, and though I don’t think this is hardly the time or place to discuss her, she did get me onboard.”
“That may be true. But you, we, would never be in this situation if you hadn’t gone off to try and find her.”
“I know.” Harry sighed. “Look, we can’t waste time talking about it. I need to know that you won’t do anything stupid. Hackman is extremely dangerous. He killed his wife, Larry, tried to kill me. He killed Rogers and now I’ve had it confirmed that he killed Bruce.”
“I get it. A dangerous individual.”
“Very. You must promise me to stick it out. Once we get to Mars, Larry and I will take care of him. Do you want the BrainTicker back? Just keep feeding it to him, it should mellow him out.”
Heidi shook her head. “If I’m not killing him outright then I can wait. I will do as you ask.”
“Really? Just like that?”
Heidi gave him a scowl.
“Sorry. So, do I get to see you in the bikini?”
The scowl turned into a smile. “How long do we have?”
27
Hackman
Over the next few days, Harry received many reports from Sachinyo. Heidi was being brave, and had told her there had been no more instances of violence from Hackman, physical or otherwise. This relieved Harry immensely, and he started counting down the days until Martian orbit.
A few hours prior to arrival, Sachinyo caught Harry’s attention in the mess hall. She cocked her head, and he joined her in the adjacent recreation room. The same two technicians were playing at the pool table. They were very loud and disorderly, and as one of them sprang up after missing a shot, he bumped into Harry as he walked past.
“Hey, watch where you’re going man,” he said, evidently the worse for drink.
“My mistake, sorry,” said Harry. “I’ll be more careful.” He smiled and held up a hand.
“Hey, I remember you, the guy who likes dykes.”
Harry stopped, and did an about-turn. “Excuse me?”
“You heard. The dyke lover.”
“Yes, that’s true. You don’t like ‘em?”
“Eh?”
The other man moved round the table to stand beside his friend. They were both seven sheets to the wind, hardly a fair fight should things turn ugly, so Harry remained on his best behavior.
“Hey fellas, I don’t want any trouble, not tonight, okay?”
“Why, you got a date with her, have you?” The first man indicated Sachinyo.
Harry leaned in to whisper. “Actually I do, her and her friend. They let me watch, you know?” He winked at them.
The two men thought about this for a moment. Then the first one scoffed. “You’re full of shit, man.” He gave Harry a disgusted look before nudging his friend. The pair returned to their game.
Harry grunted and smiled, and went to sit down next to Sachinyo.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Lower elements.”
Sachinyo chuckled. “Assholes, you mean?”
“Absolutely. What’s your news?”
“Not good, I’m afraid. Hackman knows you’re onboard. He wishes to talk to you. He has guessed that you and Miss Heidi met.”
“How does he know that?”
“I do not know. But he assumes that you and her are communicating through me. You are to meet with him at the same place you met Miss Heidi, at 17.00 today. He will have Chisato with him. She is to be harmed if you do not show.”
Harry hung his head, and ran his hands through his hair. “You know, this was supposed to be a simple pick up and return. All I had to do was get to Mars and bring back one man. Just one.” He held up a finger. “Now I have all this, this… shit storm for innocents. As everything I hold holy, I will kill Hackman before we dock.”
There were shouts from the pool table, along with raucous laughter and racist and sexist jibes. The men’s faces kept looking over at them.
Harry clenched his fists and stood up.
“Where are you going?” Sachinyo asked, the concern in her voice all too evident.
“I just have to deal with something.”
Sachinyo guessed what was about to happen. She grabbed his arm. “Not wise, Harry-san.”
“It’ll be all right, it’ll be all right.” Harry walked off, his expression glazed. Sachinyo urged after him to sit back down, but Harry was now in another place. He walked up to the table and picked up the cue ball just as one of the men bent down to take aim with his cue.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked.
“Five point seven one five centimetres,” Harry said, turning the ball in his hand. “Apart from the mouth, I wonder if there is another orifice capable of expanding to that diameter. What do you think? I mean, I’m no expert in human anatomy, but I can think of one place.” He leaned across the table with steel in his eyes. “Playtime’s over, shitheads,” he announced through gritted teeth. “Get lost, or so help me I’ll reach in through your throats and rip your fucking hearts out.” He straightened back up, and added, in a steady voice, �
��Or if you prefer we can test out my anatomical theory.”
For a few seconds the three of them stood looking at one another, saying nothing. The whole room was silent, expectant. Harry realized he was shaking, and that a large part of him wanted it to kick off. However, one look into his eyes told the two men that he meant every word. To the astonishment of all, they put down their cues and left the room.
Harry threw the cue ball up in the air, caught it, and rather absentmindedly, put it in his pocket. He returned to his seat amid a ripple of applause, and a few shouts of ‘well done.’
“You are either very brave or very stupid, Harry-san,” said Sachinyo.
“I haven’t figured that out yet. I’m sorry. Please, continue.”
“You must be cautious as well as wise, Harry-san. Your enemy is cunning. He is not likely to walk into a trap as you are hoping. You cannot simply expect to meet him and kill him.”
“Why else would he want to meet me before we dock? He knows I’m onboard, he knows I’m on to him. While I’m with him, you can help me by getting Heidi and Angel out of the suite and bring them here.”
“It cannot work.”
“Yes it can, if we can delay the meeting just long enough for us to dock, I can get that sonofabitch.”
“He will have Chisato with him.”
“That’s the one thing I’m counting on.”
Harry’s hand was shaking as he placed the card in the slot. But this time he was shaking with anger, not the anticipation of reunited love. The lock clicked and he opened the door. The room was lit as before, and he slid in quickly and closed the door behind him. He looked around for any signs of Hackman, but saw nothing. Then he heard the familiar scrape of shoes, and from behind the same row of lockers that Heidi had appeared from, Hackman emerged, or rather, Harry did. The real Harry struggled for a moment to come to terms with what he was seeing, though he had prepared himself. Here he was, staring at his nemesis, and it was himself!
Hackman made a gesture with one hand, and he was joined by the tiny figure of Chisato. The little girl walked up to him and turned to face Harry. In her hands she fingered a small teddy bear. Her eyes fell upon his, and it took all of Harry’s self control to stay where he was, and not to go rushing forward and pick her up in his arms. She looked confused, obviously, but also a little intrigued. He could see no fear, nor any glint of joy either.
“Kon’nichiwa, Chisato,” Harry said softly. “Ogenkidesuka?” He saw a glimpse of recognition in her eyes. Her face brightened at the sound of his voice. Out of instinct, she made a step towards him, but a firm hand on her shoulder from Hackman stopped her going any further. To the little girl’s eternal credit and bravery, she uttered, “Watashi wa genkidesu. Arigatō.”
“Don’t be afraid. It’s okay. Err…. Osoreru koto wa arimasen.” Harry almost choked the words out as his heart stuck in his throat.
Chisato made no answer, but simply stared at him.
“Hey, Harry. I’m impressed,” Hackman said in that familiar insipid falsetto.
“You should take time to learn new things,” Harry replied, not bothering to disguise his contempt. “Why have you brought her here? You’re confusing her.”
“I need some leverage, otherwise you know what would happen if it were just you an me.”
“You bet your ass I do.”
Harry saw Chisato frown, and he waited to hear her tell him off for using a bad word. But she just studied him and said nothing.
“Go and sit over there,” Hackman said brusquely. “And don’t move.”
Chisato did as she was told without looking back at Harry. He watched her with a heart fit to burst, and a hatred for Hackman that was set to engulf him if he wasn’t careful. He had to remain focused.
But Hackman had noted Harry’s expression. “Boy oh boy, you do love her, don’t you? But don’t try anything, huh?” Hackman opened his jacket to reveal a gun, hanging in his shoulder holster. “Got my very own Smith & Wesson, and by happy chance it’s the same calibre as yours.”
“That was the only way you could frame me for Rogers’ murder. I get it.”
“I sincerely hope you do. I put two in his chest from fifty metres.” He glanced briefly at Chisato. “I know she’s a small target, but you should remember I’m a top marksman. I’ll get two in her as well before you can get over here.”
“You sick bastard.”
“Oh dear. Temper temper now, Harry.” Hackman grinned and took a second look at Chisato. “I hate kids. They always do as they’re told.”
“They tend to do that when you point a gun at them.”
“Oh yes, that’s right. I suppose the blonde bitch told you that, did she? She’s a fortunate one, that one.”
Harry played along. “How so?”
“She caught me on a good day when she sneaked off to see you. Otherwise… Well, who knows?”
“You need to get laid, Hackman, and soon. It clears the mind.”
“My mind is clear. I know precisely what I’m doing.” He sneered. “But hey, maybe you’re right. Her big sister is a proper feisty one, I’ll tell you. Maybe I’ll try my luck with her.” He slowly drew out the gun and waved it in Chisato’s direction. The little girl stiffened and looked on the verge of tears. Harry clenched his teeth and took half a step forward, his heart pounding. “I suppose that bitch of a butler told you I hit her? I had to, no choice. Boy, there’s a fire in her that I would like to explore. Yes. I think maybe I will. But I think Heidi is the one for me. Similar age, not as fiery. What do you think?”
Harry took a second to view the ship’s clock, a red digital readout behind Hackman’s head. “You know what I think, so why ask the question?”
“Oh come on, Harry. I thought you were fun. I’m only playing with you. Besides, I prefer brunettes, always have. Nice outfit by the way. I think red suits you.”
“It’s cerise, apparently.”
“Whatever you say. Very colorful, makes you feel happy. Like the suit? Heidi picked it out specially for me.”
Hackman watched Harry for any signs of resentment. But both had been trained at the same school. Harry remained implacable.
“What did you want to see me about?” he asked.
“That’s it? Straight to the point? Nothing else to say? After all, we haven’t seen each other in what, three years?”
“Yes. The last time I saw you, you were bashing my head in on the way to putting me in a coma.”
“That’s right. I’m sorry about that. That was right after I put three in your partner wasn’t it? Did I miss anything?”
“No no. You got him in the head and crotch, nothing vital for Larry. That was my partner’s name by the way, and he was banging your wife wasn’t he? How did that turn out then?”
Hackman’s demeanour ruffled just slightly before recovering. “You have wit I’ll give you that. But enough of the past. I’ll tell you why you’re here, if you haven’t already guessed. You’re going to kill Petersen for me.”
Harry laughed. “Good one. I thought the Judge wanted him back on Earth. Tyrell wants to speak with him.”
“Please don’t tell me you believed that crap. I took you to have some smarts, Harry.”
“Well I confess it all sounded fishy, especially the extra fifty. But tell me, where do you fit into all of this? Surely you’re not just a hired gun. Tell me you’re more to this than just a hired thug. You know Headlock is not going to let you simply walk away from all of this. He has a lot riding on this Venus contract. He won’t allow any loose ends.”
“What makes you think I’m a loose end? Petersen is a loose end, and so are you.”
“So that’s your way of making me do what you want, is it? Well here’s a suggestion for you. How about I tell you to go fuck yourself, and I kill you, right here, right now, and walk off into the Martian sunset with my best girl? How does that sound?”
“Like one of those ancient romantic reels. Not gonna happen, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, I don’t
know. Remember what our old sergeant use to say?” Hackman pulled a puzzled face. ‘Never underestimate your opponent. It’s a sure fire way to get you killed.’ Remember?”
“Can’t say I do,” replied Hackman. “Tell me, aren’t you in any way phased by talking to me? I mean, to all intents and purposes you’re speaking with yourself. How does it feel?”
“Not that unusual. After all, I’m not really speaking with myself, am I? You’re more like my Doppelgänger, a figment of me simply because you look like me. Want to be me, too, I shouldn’t wonder. No life of your own to speak of.”
“If you’re just going to insult me, I’ll just kill you both and have done with it.”
Harry stalled himself. With his chest heaving, he continued. “How was it? The FaceChanger?”
“Hurt and stung like hell.”
“You do look good at the moment, I have to say.”
“Not for much longer. I won’t be re-applying. In fact, already it’s starting to itch. But anyway, enough of the insults. Do I have your assurance that you will eliminate Petersen?”
“What choice do I have?” Harry looked over at Chisato. Thankfully she was now preoccupied with her teddy bear, idly moving it up and down the seat, humming quietly to herself. “What assurance do I have that you will not harm her or the others?”
“None, I’m afraid. You’ll just have to trust me.”
The two antagonists looked deeply at each other. Each understood the situation.
Hackman shook his head. “Who are we kidding? It ends here, doesn’t it? Only one of us is walking out that door.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“So why did you come?”
“You know why. She’s sitting over there. You?”
“I had to see if they all meant that much to you. The great Harry Watt laid bare and helpless by three women.”
Harry snorted. “Been called many things, never great. So what happens now?”
“I shoot you.”
“That’s it?”
“It has to be. I’m not about to take my chances in a fist fight.”
“I was rather hoping you would.”
