by Scott Moon
The sheriff gripped the foreman’s shoulder, then let go, turned, and headed downhill with a bold stride. His light showed less dust the farther he went.
Jotham caught up and walked casually beside him. “If I was a betting Unglok, I would say that where once there was thirty, we are now five, and the odds are finally in our favor.”
“How so?” Thad asked, keeping his eyes forward and slowing as he came to an intersection.
Jotham pointed to the left. They turned and walked that way.
“Too many miners who don’t know the mine. You have us. We will be fine,” the alien explained.
“How did you guys escape that last fall? It caught everyone else. All of them and none of you.”
“We heard it before the others and jumped out of the way. They hesitated. In the mine, you must never hesitate. They say that those who delay, die. That’s what they say.”
The sheriff stopped and cupped a hand over his ear, listening to sounds from below. Groans. Scrapes.
“Come on!” he shouted as he took off running. The Ungloks loped after him, easily catching up and then matching his pace.
CHAPTER SEVEN: Drunk and Disorderly
Ruby Miranda hated sitting on the barstool, and hated the clothing Dixie had selected for her even more. The skirt was more of a belt and the boots barely reached her knees. Her slim gymnast’s body looked too athletic for some of the men in this crowd, she guessed. The top was interesting. It took her fifteen minutes to figure out how to wear it, during which time she realized there was more fabric covering her arms than the rest of her. It pushed and pulled until she had cleavage and a stomach flatter than the bar behind her. Right now, she was concentrating on staying relaxed and not flexing her abdominal muscles because that always drew hoots and hollers from the patrons.
Dixie started over, drawing the eyes of every man she passed, and set her ample form on the barstool next to Ruby. “I don’t have the budget to thicken you up, but will figure something out. You’re like a refugee. So skinny.”
Ruby sipped her drink and looked for Ike in the crowd. She had never met him in person, but knew his face from her research.
“Youth will only last you so long, honey. You need to think ahead and learn from someone who has seen it all,” Dixie said.
“Okay, Dixie.” Ruby batted her eyes at the madam.
Dixie sighed in exasperation. “Not like that. Are you even trying? Never mind. I have something to attend to so remember what I told you and talk to Pierre if anybody makes you a serious offer. He knows which ones I would allow for your first time.”
Ruby nodded with her best chastised-child expression and waited for Dixie to leave.
Less than a minute after she was gone, a giant man still filthy from the mines marched right up to her with his hands balled into fists. He opened one of them to reveal a coin. “Let’s go upstairs. You’re skinny and weird, but I’m tired and don’t have time for the usual pleasantries.”
Ruby leaned close and whispered in his ear. “Dixie says I’m still on probation and I can’t go upstairs yet.”
“I don’t care what Dixie says!” He took her by the arm, his hand wrapping all the way around her bicep and squeezing hard.
Ruby leaned closer, brushing his ear with her lips. “I’ll cut your balls off.”
For a moment, nothing happened. Then he stepped back while simultaneously shoving her away. The force spun her halfway onto the bar, but she recovered quickly and resumed her seat with one leg crossed over the other. She winked at him and made a cupping motion with her left hand and scissor motions with her right.
The thick-shouldered miner cursed and moved on to some of the other girls, who laughed and flirted with him. Ruby breathed a sigh of relief, but realized the man’s attempt had broken the ice with the patrons of the Mother Lode. Several of his friends were already eyeing Ruby and pointing at her, exchanging jokes and encouraging each other.
She uncrossed her legs and massaged the fatigue out of her thighs. “I don’t know how women sit like this.”
Howls of laughter and rude comments burst from her growing fan club. She avoided eye contact and made a decision.
During the confrontation, she had noticed Ike talking to some men at a table near the back of the room. He hadn’t recognized her. He was leaving now, so she stood up and followed. At the door, she grabbed a long jacket that covered her to mid-thigh. Then she disappeared into the shadows of Darklanding.
He moved fast, looking over his shoulder from time to time, but more often checking his back trail at the corners where looking back was less obvious. She tucked into doorways to hide whenever she sensed he was getting nervous. All in all, the man seemed to walk like he owned the place.
“What are you doing here, Ike?” she muttered as she watched him go, oblivious to her presence.
Ike cut straight through the residential and warehouse sections of Darklanding and approached the spaceport. He sauntered up to a gate and spoke to a pair of guards, showed them something, gave them something, and then passed through unmolested. One after another, ships circled the spaceport and landed. Others flared their engines to climb into orbit.
Ruby stared at the guards, calculating her chance of getting by them. Her experience at the Mother Lode had exhausted her patience with flirtation and charm as methods to get what she wanted. She decided to climb a nearby building and try to watch him for as long as she could.
Her efforts paid off. Moments after she found an abandoned rooftop, she saw him walk toward a ship that was oddly dormant. The loading ramp lowered and he walked on. Ruby couldn’t be certain from this distance, but she thought there was a lot of people on that ship and they were anxious to get off.
The ramp closed. The rest of the spaceport remained busy with loading and unloading. Trains of transport carts swerved around the dormant mystery ship as though it was a normal thing in the world.
Ruby hugged herself and shivered. The walk back to the Mother Lode reminded her that she was wearing a miniskirt and carrying her high heels in one hand.
What the hell was he doing here already? she wondered.
CHAPTER EIGHT: Collecting Evidence
“You should not have done that,” Mast said. “Those men committed a crime against the people of Darklanding.”
“So did the other men we let wander off, or do you plan on tracking them down and bringing them all to justice?” Thad asked.
Mast studied his feet. “That does seem impracticable.”
“Those two jokers were only looking for a free meal and a place to crash for the night. Well, that’s what one of them was doing. Not sure about the quiet one.” Thad went to the back door, opened it, and stepped out.
The pale-faced drunk lay face down in the alley. Thad walked over and squatted to check his pulse while keeping his gun-side away from the man just in case he woke up angry. Several seconds passed before he was satisfied the man was alive.
“Mast, wake him up,” Thad said.
“I will awaken him,” Mast said, kneeling to gently shake the man’s shoulder.
Thad went inside to ponder a bad feeling he had in his gut. There was something about Ike he didn’t like. The man was a troublemaker with an open tab at the Mother Lode. Did Shaunte know about this? Pierre surely had to. Dixie was probably in on it as well. Everyone in town knew Ike, everyone but the sheriff. He made a mental note to start confronting people.
After about ten minutes, he went to the back door to check on Mast. He watched without getting involved. He wanted his deputy to become self-sufficient and more comfortable dealing with humans. The Unglok knelt beside the human and patted his shoulder, muttering soothing words and promising to get him home before he got in trouble with the missus.
Thaddeus went back inside and paced the small office of the jail. He was deep in thought when a knock came at the front door.
“Sheriff Fry, I need to have a word,” a voice said.
Thaddeus recognized the voice almost before
the visitor started to speak. Crossing the room with his gun-hand on his sidearm, he opened the door partway to stare down at Ike. “Fine, Ike. Let’s have words.”
Ike laughed. “Sheriff, I think under other circumstances, you and I would get along smartly. I’m here to check on some of my friends. Heard they acted out a bit and caught some charges with the law. And about all that business back at the Mother Lode, that’s just the alcohol talking. I respect the law, I really do.”
Thaddeus waited, unwilling to invite the man in.
Ike shrugged. “Well, can I see my friends?”
“They’ve already been processed,” Thaddeus said. “Just out of curiosity, what were the names of your friends?”
Ike laughed and winked. “I don’t know them like that. Just thought they’d be here and I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t come to check them out.”
“If you want to be good to your friends, keep them in line.”
Ike turned to go.
Thaddeus let him take a few steps. “What are you doing here, Ike?”
“I’m just kind of in between jobs right now. A guy like me, and a guy like you, are more important in these frontier worlds. Kindred spirits, you might say.” Ike paused. “Miners worry about the roof caving in. I know I did when I was down there. Management worries about strikes and contract negotiations.”
“Just what are you saying, Ike?” Thad asked.
The scar-faced tough-guy shrugged his broad shoulders again. “Just saying. The Company Man seems like a real nice broad. I don’t think she’s got the steel in her veins to handle a strike. Most of what goes on during labor relations ain’t written down nowhere. You get me?”
Thad let his long coat fall away to reveal his gun and badge. “It’s not illegal to have labor negotiations. It is illegal to cause disorder. Do you get me?”
“Yeah, I do, lawman. And I think you’re smart enough to know nothing good is going to come from you and me fighting.” He turned and walked away.
Thaddeus reached into the pocket of his coat, pulled out a recording device, and clicked the stop button.
* * *
Next day, Thaddeus headed to see the Company Man about a matter of grave importance. He dressed in his best jumpsuit, brushed off his long fire coat, and shined his boots. Barbers seemed a rarity in Darklanding. His hair would reach his ears before long. By the end of his term, he would be a real hair farmer if he didn’t figure something out.
He grabbed his hat from the battered office chair and slid his sidearm into the holster. “Thank you for not stinking up my room,” he told his chair.
The stairs to the Mother Lode bar creaked as he nimbly descended and strode among the minimal breakfast crowd.
“Sheriff, there’s a man by the stage who won’t leave,” Dixie said, thrusting herself forward as she batted her eyes. “I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t shown up in the nick of time.”
Thaddeus tipped his hat to her. “My pleasure.” He couldn’t help but smile at her. Focus. Think with the big head, he told himself.
He walked to the passed-out drunk and kicked his boot.
“Uh…what? Where…?” the man said as he roused himself to a sitting position.
“What’s your name, friend?”
“Carter F. Hayes.” He rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands.
“Get on home, get some rest, and get to work. People are counting on you,” Thad said.
Carter nodded as he stood and worked his way toward the door.
Thad ordered breakfast and sent a message to Shaunte requesting a meeting at her earliest convenience. He had the recorder in his pocket and had thought of a thousand ways to explain what was coming to Darklanding.
“I’m sad, Sheriff,” Dixie said, leaning close.
“What’s that, Dixie?”
“I wasn’t the one to put you in such a chipper mood,” she said demurely, looking up at him with sheltered eyes. “Maybe next time?”
“Just heading to work. Another day in paradise,” he said, stumbling as he started to make his escape before remembering that he hadn’t eaten.
“You were whistling when you came down the stairs,” she said.
Thaddeus paused and returned to his seat, forcing his eyes to his food. “I guess I was.” He took his fork and started to eat, chasing it with an orange-colored fluid described on the menu as orange juice.
“I’m just surprised you’re up so early,” she said, letting her words languish, before delivering the punchline. “Not as surprised as I am about that Ike fellow arriving at the crack of dawn.”
Thaddeus stopped eating the scrambled green eggs on his plate. “Did you say Ike was here?”
She nodded, wide-eyed with sincerity. “Went straight up to the Company Man’s office.”
Thad put down his fork, then drained the orange drink in one long pull. “Tell me, Dixie. Does Ike have a tab at the Mother Lode?”
“For companionship or alcohol?” she asked.
“Either. Both.”
“He does. No idea who pays it.”
Thaddeus wiped his hands on a cloth napkin, then headed for the stairs to Shaunte’s office.
“Have a nice day, Sheriff,” Dixie said mischievously.
He took the stairs two at a time, stopping outside Shaunte’s office door when he heard Ike’s voice.
“Treating my men that way isn’t going to keep order. They work a hell of a lot harder than the Gloks and get treated like outsiders. Only way they get to eat a decent meal or have a drink is if I pay for it, and I ain’t made of money,” Ike said.
Thaddeus watched his profile through the frosted glass of the office door.
“Who is paying your tab at the Mother Lode, if I may ask?” Shaunte’s voice was calm, but tense.
“That’s a personal question. Don’t feel we’re good enough friends right now for me to answer it,” Ike said.
“I can find out,” she said.
“Then find out. Doesn’t matter. SagCon can’t treat men and women like dirt and expect them to keep busting their backs,” Ike said.
“You seem awfully concerned for them, considering where you were during the last contract negotiation,” Shaunte said.
Ike moved and spoke low enough that Thaddeus could no longer hear him.
He knocked on the door, then opened it. “Mind if I come in? Sounds like an interesting conversation. Patrons are complaining up and down the hall. Thought I’d investigate,” Thaddeus said.
Shaunte and Ike stared at him. Thad wasn’t sure who looked guiltier. He thought about the recorder in his pocket and wondered if he should leave it there. He crossed his arms. “Good morning, Ike.”
“You arrested two men with families to support back on Frenen’s World. They’re good workers who don’t deserve your harassment,” Ike said.
“I released them last night. You know that,” Thad said.
“Well, that’s not the point.”
“What is the point?” Shaunte asked.
Ike’s lip curled back for just a second. He narrowed his gaze and clenched his fists.
Thaddeus stepped forward, ready to put the dangerous man in his place, but Shaunte held up a hand for him to stop. “Not the time or place, Sheriff.”
A second later, Ike was all charm. “Well, I suppose you have our best interests in mind.” He backed toward the door, hands raised in supplication. “Good day, Miss Plastes. Good day, lawman.”
“Not if you start trouble,” Thaddeus said.
Ike nodded his agreement several times. “Sure thing. I understand completely. There won’t be any trouble in Darklanding.”
CHAPTER NINE: Who’s that girl?
Thad wasn’t sure what to think of his confrontation with Ike. He’d started the day with a clear head and plenty of resolve. All he wanted now was for Ike to leave Ungwilook and for Shaunte to level with him. How did she know Ike?
“It sounds to Mast like she hired him for security during the last labor dispute,�
�� Mast said.
“Referring to yourself in the third person is bad grammar,” Thaddeus said. He stood the tractor tire up and rolled it to the edge of the field, smearing dirt and grease across the old jumpsuit he’d selected for his workout gear. “What was he, a strike-buster? A head-knocker?”
“I do not know this information,” Mast said. He stared at the tire as though it were a dangerous alien. “Are deputies required to abuse tires and wheels? It seems a bit unnecessary.”
“If I can flip this tire, I can flip Ike on his head. Which sooner or later is going to happen. He’s trouble,” Thaddeus said.
“I very much agree,” Mast said. He clapped his hands. “Did I say that more rightly?”
“Um, yeah, the first part,” Thad said.
Mast smiled ear to ear and strutted back and forth with his hands on his hips, blaster swinging on his side and badge shiny as any badge ever had shined on this planet.
Thad nodded toward the weapon. “We’re going to need to teach you to use that.”
“Do you think so?” Mast asked.
“Yes, I think so. Sooner rather than later.”
“Perhaps I should learn to move the tire first.”
Thaddeus shook his head. “Different skillsets.” He took Mast’s weapon, unloaded it, then double-checked the safety mechanism. He pointed it at the remaining tires in the corner. “Look through the front sight here. That’s the main thing. Line up the back sight with the front and keep them level across here.”
Mast nodded rapidly, looking like he might dislocate his long neck.
“But mostly, it’s the front sight. Especially up close.”
“You said mostly. Is that like muchly?”
Thad lowered the weapon with his right hand and massaged his forehead with his left.
Mast took back his weapon and aimed it at the tires in the corner. “Is that animal safe?”
Thad saw the pig-dog that he had named after the one who conquered Europe, Charles Magnus. But that didn’t fit. He was more the gladiator type. The ugly creature smiled and wagged its stumpy tail without standing.
“Stand there and practice aiming. Don’t touch the trigger. I’ll keep the power magazines to your blaster over here by my hat. Porky Pig should be safe enough for now,” Thad said.
