by Gary Weston
Raven said, ‘If I could have stopped her, believe me I would have.’
Ian said, ‘Sally. Maybe we’re being a bit hard on Raven. You heard what Inspector Jett just said happened.’
‘Even so. Ok. I’m upset.’
‘Understandable,’ said Raven. ‘Jett. Any news from Boss?’
‘Only what we already know. The Interplanetary Council are debating the situation.’
Ian scoffed. ‘That’s about all they do, talk. In the meantime, Tilly is on her own in there, and if she doesn’t get some drixolate soon…’
Sally said, ‘Raven said they have a camera aimed at Tilly. Can we see her?’
‘Of course,’ said Jett. ‘Over here.’
The communications officer let Sally have his seat. ‘She can’t see or hear us, and we can’t hear her. But at least you can see her.’
‘Oh, Ian. Look at our baby. In that cell on her own.’
Ian looked over Sally’s shoulder. ‘At least she still looks well enough.’
Jett said, ‘She has a good sixteen hours yet.’
Ian said, ‘And we do what in the meantime? Watch her die? I know how that stuff kills people.’
Sally stared at Raven. ‘We can guess what those weak-kneed toss-pots in the Council will do. Yack, yack, yack until it doesn’t matter anymore. You…We need to be doing something.’
The pleading look in Sally Jordan’s eyes burned through Raven’s soul. ‘We’ll be doing something, all right. You have my word on that.’ He said those words and meant every one of them. The trouble was, he had no idea how they could get Tilly Jordan out of that prison cell alive.
Chapter 179
Imperious Clarence Lark removed his spectacles with the thick black frames, took the cleaning cloth from the silver case and wiped the lenses. Then with a flourish, he put them back on, letting them slip forwards to the tip of his long thin nose so he could stare over them at the screen that filled half of one wall of the debating chamber. It was a well-practised technique that, he thought, gave him a studious appearance, as if deep and serious deliberation had been given to the matter in hand. That spectacles had become obsolete almost two centuries before, was of little consequence to Lark.
For once, the split screen gave clear images from similar debating chambers on several planets. The automatic translators almost sounding human. Totally ignoring all known laws of physics and the inevitable time delays in transmission, the debate raged like this.
‘Councillor Veritas,’ said Lark, pausing for dramatic effect, ‘I do not, as you previously intimated, consider this matter lightly. I merely reminded you and the Council that I vigorously advocated the death sentence for Corey, Fritz and most of the drixolate runners, unlike your good self. Perhaps if you had followed my lead, my golfing vacation on our furthest moon would not have been interrupted for this emergency debate.’
Veritas bristled at Lark’s public and outspoken criticism, and his thin lips curled around each other as if he was sucking lemons. ‘Indeed, Councillor Lark. It would indeed seem that the almost unanimous, and I repeat, almost unanimous decision that benignity afforded most of the drixolate runners appears to have been in this isolated instance misjudged in hindsight, but be that as it may, we need to move on with the matter in hand and not dwell upon what might have been.’
‘Well said,’ said one.
‘Here, here,’ said another.
Veritas had his loyal band of supporters. ‘As we speak, the life of a fine D S I agent hangs in the balance. I for one have no hesitation in securing the agents release by promising anything Corey and Fritz want to hear, and then executing them immediately Jordan and the other captives are free. I would not lose one iota of sleep that I had gone back on my word, in fact, downright lied to those villainous swine, in order to secure those captives release.’
A roar of approval.
Lark said, ‘Councillor Veritas. I’m not sure which disturbs me the most. Your ability to be duplicitous with your promises, or your naivety in thinking that even with amnesty being granted for all their past crimes, that they would actually let Agent Jordan and the others walk free. Human nature, especially by evil humans like Corey and Fritz, would dictate taking any such amnesty with a bushel of salt. They would undoubtedly keep at least a few of their captives, particularly Agent Jordan, expecting such amnesty to be, shall we say, non-binding, so they could hold us to our word.’
Veritas said, ‘So, Councillor Lark. Precisely what would be your alternative proposal? To let Agent Jordan die the excruciating death she surely faces? I must say quite frankly, I’m sure most of the Councillors present at this meeting would be as disturbed as I am, that you could be so uncompromising and, dare I say, so callous with another human being’s life, particularly one who has served us all so well for many years.’
‘Here, here.’
‘Well said, Veritas.’
‘Indeed, Councillor Lark. Answer me this. If it were one of your children, even one of the few legitimate ones, would you be so free with their lives?’
Lark slapped the bench with the flat of his hand. ‘And would you, Councillor Veritas, put even more power into the hands of these ‘ne’er-do-wells? We narrowly avoided the human race being sold out by fellow humans, and yet here you are again, evidently advocating doing precisely that.’
The debate continued with the personal point scoring and politicking, a conclusion far from being decided. And on a planet, far, far away, a woman sat alone in a cold, lonely cell, her life ticking away.
Chapter 180
Inspector Jett said, ‘Here are the plans of the prison, Agent Raven.’
Raven studied the plans on the screen. ‘Not much of a prison, really. Only enough for ten prisoners at any one time.’
Jett said, ‘Fifty year ago, back in those days, the population was half of what it is today. The odd drunken miner getting into a fight at the weekend, a rare murder. I doubt if all ten cells were ever fully occupied at any one time. As the population grew, crime grew with it, the new larger prison was built and this place was surplus to requirements.’
Miss Saltoe said, ‘These plans go back at least seventy years. Modifications could well have been made in the twenty years until the place was closed.’
‘Good point, Miss Saltoe,’ said Raven. ‘Are these definitely the most up to date plans, Inspector? It would help if we could find a way in without Corey and Fritz seeing us.’
Jett said, ‘My grandfather worked there for thirty years, up until the place was closed. He would know.’
‘Any possibility we can speak with him?’ Raven asked.
Jett was already calling her grandfather. ‘Pops. It’s Moyra. Pops. If I have a vehicle pick you up, can you come to see me? No. Nothing for you to worry about. I just need to ask you something. Ok. Thanks. Oh. Wrap up warm. The weather’s pretty rough. Thanks, Pops.’
Jett made another call to arrange for her grandfather to be picked up. While they waited, a call came through from Boss to tell Raven there was still no decision from the Interplanetary Council. That didn’t surprise him, but it did disappoint him. Following that, Corey called.
‘Raven. Fritz and I were just wondering what progress you were making with our demands.’
Raven tried to keep the anger out of his voice. ‘Nothing from the Council yet, Corey.’
‘How very disappointing. And after all those years of loyal service, too. Raven. Agent Jordan must be running out of time. Of course, should Agent Jordan be considered expendable by our illustrious leaders, I still have several other potential victims in here. It would be a simple matter to administer drixolate and then we could have even more entertainment watching them die, also.’
Raven started to boil and imagined his bare hands about Corey’s throat. ‘You and I will get together soon, Corey, and it won’t be a social occasion.’
Corey chuckled. ‘Raven. We both know that the information in my head is too valuable for you to threaten my well-being. Many millions of people would be only too d
elighted to hear of this new breakthrough. It would be a pity to disappoint them.’
‘Corey. I just told you. There is no news from the Council. You’ll know when I do.’
Another chuckle from Corey. I look forward to their response. Later, Raven.’
Raven had to get outside, not wishing to lash out on those around him. He stepped out of the vehicle, slamming the door behind him. The snow was coming in thick and fast and was almost up to his knees in places. He stared at the high prison walls, and the cameras installed by Corey and Fritz. Trudging through the snow, he stood and stared at the cameras, sure that Corey was watching him. He pointed at the camera, then at himself, then back at the camera. Simple gesticulation that meant, “You and me, Corey. You and me.”
Raven heard a noise as a hover-car came up the road, blowing snow high in the air. It pulled up at the rear of the mobile command centre and the driver got out and opened the passenger door. An elderly man was helped out and the young officer gave Tom Jett his arm for support and went to the door of the command centre, which Raven opened.
‘Thanks for coming, Mr Jett.’
‘Good to feel useful again, young man.’
Tom Jett went into the command centre and his granddaughter kissed his cheek.
‘Moyra. What’s all this about? Your driver didn’t give much away.’
‘Pops. Two scum-bags have a D S I agent and some men inside the prison. The agent has been given drixolate and if we don’t get her out soon, she’ll die.’
Tom Jett was stunned for a moment as he took that in. Finally he said, ‘Moyra. As much as I’d like to help, I don’t see how I can.’
Raven said, ‘Mr Jett. I’m D S I Agent Raven. I need to get in there to help my colleague. We have some old plans, but we were hoping you would help us find a sneaky way inside.’
Tom Jett grinned a wrinkly smile. ‘Then it’s a good job my old brain still functions. Let’s take a look at those plans.’
Chapter 181
The locks on the solitary confinement cell clanged open and Tilly Jordan gasped and looked up from her bed. Her heart sank as Corey, followed by Fritz with his gun, calmly entered.
‘Agent Jordan,’ said Corey. ‘Keeping well, I trust?’
‘Have you come to your senses, Corey?’
Corey said, ‘Nothing has changed. Typically, the Interplanetary Council are unable to decide what to do.’
‘I told you they wouldn’t be coerced by the likes of you. Either let me go or kill me now.’
Fritz aimed the gun at Tilly and looked to Corey. ‘Shall I?’
‘Fritz. She’s a D S I agent. She’d be disappointed if we made things that easy for her. For now, she’s more valuable to us alive. Just about. But, if the Council decide her life isn’t quite as valuable as you and I do, then we shall reconsider our options.’
Tilly said, ‘My parents. Where are they?’
‘In the command centre outside. I wouldn’t be surprised if they aren’t looking at you right this minute. Why don’t you give them a friendly wave?’ Corey gave an exaggerated smile and waved both hands at the camera.
‘They don’t deserve to suffer like this,’ said Tilly. ‘Are you really that heartless?’
Corey shrugged. ‘Apparently, yes.’
‘Let me say goodbye to them. That’s all I ask.’
Corey seemed to be thinking that over. Then his face cracked into a grin and he was clearly enjoying the agent’s suffering. ‘What do you think, Fritz? Is there some way an attractive woman like Agent Jordan could persuade us to be nice to her?’
‘You bastard,’ snapped Tilly.
‘See, Fritz? I try to be nice and all I get for my troubles are insults. Let that be a lesson to you. It doesn’t pay to be nice.’ Corey opened the cell door. ‘Reflect on that, Agent Jordan.’
Corey and Fritz left the cell and slammed the door shut, locking it before they walked away, leaving Tilly to slowly die.
Chapter 182
‘So, this channel was extended after these plans were made?’ Raven asked.
‘I’m positive,’ said Tom Jett. ‘It took weeks to construct. It extended to right about here, if I remember correctly. We could hardly hear ourselves think, half the time. That was in thirty seven, five years after these plans were drawn up, fifteen years before the place closed down.’
‘But no access into the prison through hatches from the channel?’ Karma Casey asked.
‘Of course not,’ said Tom. ‘Too easy for the cons to escape if there were.’
Inspector Jett said, ‘So, the only way into the channel is here, outside the prison?’
‘Yes,’ said Tom. ‘Most of the plumbing, electrical conduits and sewerage pipes feed into that channel. Ninety percent of any maintenance was done in there. It saved a lot of disruption of the prison routine. I should know, I was in charge of the maintenance. What I couldn’t do myself, would be done with an outside contractor, under my supervision.’
Casey said, ‘Not much help if there are no hatches to get inside from.’
Raven said, ‘I’m guessing Corey and Fritz don’t know about this channel. That’s an advantage, as far as I’m concerned. The extension runs under this main corridor. Now, that point there is very interesting. And so is this point here.’
Jett said, ‘You have a plan?’
Raven winked. ‘I always have a plan.’
* * *
Boss had no words to express how he felt. The screen on his office wall had the transmission from Councillor Veritas. The static was slight, and didn’t diminish the clarity of the message.
‘I swear I did my best, Boss. I wanted to at least pretend to agree to their demands, then find a way to eradicate them once Jordan and the men were free.’
Boss said, ‘It was always going to be close call.’
‘My only hope, what we all hope, is that those on the scene, can find a way to rescue the captives.’
Boss stood up and paced the floor. ‘Agent Jordan has personally put away scores of villains over the years, even before drixolate was known about. She almost died on the job. For the last three years she has suffered physically and emotionally because of injuries sustained serving the rest of us. And even after all that, when she was finally putting her life back together, do you know what she wanted most of all? She wanted to be an agent again. That, Councillor Veritas, is an extraordinary amount of loyalty and the desire to make a difference.’ He stared at the screen, Veritas’ face squirming with guilt. ‘And we do what for her, at the time she needs us the most? We hang her out to dry.’
‘Boss…’
‘No, Councillor Veritas. Things suddenly become very clear to me. In my position I have sent agents on missions with a less than twenty percent chance of making it out alive. That’s what I do, and that’s what my agents accept. In the twenty two years I have been Boss, I have lost fourteen agents with another eleven injured or maimed for life. And it looks like Agent Jordan is going to be another name on that depressingly long list. But do oyu know what makes this one different, Councillor Veritas?’
‘Boss?’
‘Always, at the back of my mind, I always thought, always hoped, myself and my agents had the full support of the Council. That, if circumstances like this occurred, and the support was asked of the Council, it would be forthcoming.’ Boss sighed, and sat at his desk. ‘I’m ashamed to finally realise just how naïve I’ve been all these years.’
‘Boss…’
Boss took off the double lightning bolts of office from his shirt and held them up to the camera. ‘Councillor Veritas. This is me resigning. I will continue in my position until this sorry saga is resolved, but whatever the outcome, I will no longer serve as Boss.’
‘For now I will keep that between you and me. You’re angry. I understand that. I only wish I could do more.’
‘So do I, Councillor. So do I.’
Chapter 183
Tilly Jordan lay on her bed. Perhaps she was imagining it, but somewhere inside he
r, something wasn’t right. Not yet packing up, but warning her that if things didn’t change and fast, her organs would gradually and painfully shut-down. Tilly wasn’t scared of dying. Many times she had put everything on the line as an agent, in the latter years at the side of Tagg Raven.
Then, after half her face had been destroyed, she had turned to booze. Not even getting the benefit of the taste, or the fiery hit at the back of the throat. But, night after night, she would sit with the bottle, pouring it freely into the feeding tube, “drinking” her sorrow and loneliness away. Operation after operation had built up her face to the point she could take no more, and slowly she had sunk into a dark abyss.
Death? Why hadn’t she died that time she had been shot? Was some cruel deity laughing at her, revelling in her suffering? Countless times she had lined up her concoctions of painkillers, to be washed down with booze. No cry for help, no testing of the fates, just the acceptance of the inevitable.
It had annoyed her to wake up again, a skull full of pain, a heart full of bitterness and misery. She would curse the gods, then battle through another empty, unloved day.
Yet, through it all, one thing kept her going. Tagg Raven. Over and over the mixed emotions and inner turmoil which were her feelings for the man, confused and tormented her. That single second on that final mission together, where they had tracked a kingpin in the drixolate running to a hidden base on a desolate planet. Tagg had been at his brilliant best when they had kicked down the door and shocked the kingpin into a frightened jelly of a man.
They could have just shot him. They were the rules. If there was sufficient evidence of running, supplying or trading in drixolate, it was unnecessary to make an arrest and the choice could be made on the spot to execute the individual concerned. Why Tagg Raven had hesitated, would be one of the great imponderables. A dozen times before, either he or she had done exactly that. Uncovered the evidence, hunted down the bad guy, and if the evidence was irrefutable, kill them. Tagg had done it; she had done it. Just another satisfying day in the office.
