by James Cox
"Most impressive," said Leader, "It seems you were correct."
"I told you," said Everett, "She is most talented."
Everett walked over and took her hand, lifted it and kissed it. The third man produced a blaster.
"You won't try anything foolish, of course," said Everett, "I do not have a lash with me but we'll soon be where we can... discuss things... privately."
Two more guards dragged Robert into the room. His eyes were closed and he had a small trickle of blood on his lip. This angered Robin.
"If you've hurt him..."
Spots swam in Robin's eyes as Leader backhanded her hard.
"Do not make threats, idle or otherwise. Your life can be miserable and long or miserable and short," said Leader, "I will decide and you will not."
Guard gestured with his blaster. Robin rose and walked toward the door. The two with Robert dragged him along. Not good! Their plan hinged on him and Carl remaining free.
"You don't need him," said Robin, "He's just an employee. He's nothing to me."
Everett chuckled. "In that case, my dear, we can find... other uses for him."
When they reached the loading docks Robin saw eight men holding blasters on the other workers. Including Carl. She turned to Everett.
"Claud... Claud, please! They're innocent. I just hired them. They're not involved with... with me."
"A pity, my heart. They are involved now. We cannot leave any... witnesses behind."
"But..."
"Enough!" Leader grabbed her hair and jerked her head around. "If their deaths trouble you then consider it a part of your punishment. You or someone like has caused me great inconvenience. If not you then you will still pay!"
Guard poked her with the blaster and she had no choice but to move. They forced her into a large hover and dumped Robert unceremoniously into the back.
***
The sergeant leading the guard detail watched as the ambassador's aide and his party boarded the hover. His orders were to dispose of the scum and he'd do so gladly but there were a few details to tend first. He turned to his men.
"Stand ready. Lead lance, with me."
With the other six men covering five of the workers the sergeant and his lancer pulled the sixth aside. The lancer began relieving the man of what few valuables he had. The fool resisted so the sergeant blasted him and let the lancer continue.
"That was a warning," said the sergeant, "Resist and you will not die as quickly."
The second man offered no resistance but had nothing of value. The third had a little money and an acceptable chrono. The fourth wore a cheap music player around his neck. The sergeant activated it and listened a moment.
"Profit! That is the worst sewage I've ever heard!" He ripped the thing off the man's neck and threw it down.
Twenty-eight CAS grenades detonated as one. Micah crushed the throat of the man nearest him, grabbed his blaster and started firing. Two of the guards tried to fire but, blinded by the flash and concussion, missed dismally. Several of the workers screamed and the guards might have but Micah paid no heed. The smoke from the grenades set off the fire suppression system and made a smaller storm inside the building. By the time the sergeant cleared the draw the rest of his men were dead. Micah shot his blaster away at the wrist.
"That was your warning," said Micah, "Do not resist and you might live a little longer."
Micah assessed the situation. The other four workers looked at him with no less terror than they had the Corpses.
"C-carl..."
"We're polar, Lane," said Micah, "Shut off the fire alarm, please."
Lane scurried to comply. Micah motioned the sergeant, now cradling the stump of his hand, against the wall.
"I have a hard choice to make," said Micah, "You have an easier one. You will give me the information I need. You may choose no pain or much pain. You'd best choose quickly."
"Carl..."
"Phase down, Ricky. The best thing for you right now is to take the others to the office. Trust me, you don't want to see what's likely to happen."
"I know where they're going."
Ricky blinked at the speed with which Micah moved to cover him too.
"Ahh... Ivan thought you might need some help on the inside. Their hover is under constant surveillance."
"You know how to use a blaster." Micah made that a statement.
"I do but I won't need one." Ricky looked around. "I have a mess to explain here. The CA will respond to the fire alarm, you know."
"Rut!" Micah looked at the sergeant.
"I have diplomatic immunity! You." That last he aimed at Ricky. "I wish to file charges against this barbarian thug!"
Micah looked at Ricky. "Do you need him alive?"
"Not really."
The sergeant barely had time to gasp before Micah shot him. Both of the other workers fainted. Ricky winced and shook his head.
"Sorry about the mess," said Micah, "Will you take care of them? They're good workers and we have quite a bit of money in the office."
"I'll do that, Carl." Ricky handed Micah his comm. "I've got it set on locator. You need to hurry."
***
"I must congratulate you, dear Robin," said Everett, "You've done quite a bit of damage. It will take a long time to repair it. What you and your friends," he glanced back, "at Engerstreet... Pure genius. Besides what you cost me you cost my friend here," a glance at Leader, "so much more. Were you the one who... penetrated his cores?"
Robin simply looked at him blandly.
"Perhaps not, then. But for the strength of our alliance you would have split us. Perhaps irreparably. Tell me, my dove, is he the other burner who so foolishly stole my data?"
Robin locked her jaw and looked out the - opaqued - window. Robert lay sprawled in the back with his hands bound.
"Robin, darling, you'd best tell me. Compared to my friends my methods are kind and gentle."
"Yes. H-he helped me steal your data. I hope you choke on it!"
Everett chuckled. "You see?" He smiled at Leader. "I do not promise what I cannot deliver. Two burners, both exceptionally talented and the key to all the... merchandise as well."
The hover turned sharply, stopped, then moved again. Then it grounded and the driver killed the engine. Everett and Leader left, leaving Robin behind. Her guard prodded her out and two more grabbed Robert's limp form. By the look of the immense building around them they were in an abandoned factory of some kind. Uncertain of her footing in the dim light she walked slowly.
The guard finally prodded her into an office, still abandoned but better lit.
"This is not the price you agreed to," said Everett, visibly upset.
"Conditions change," said Leader, "This is our offer. Note that we have included several vouchers and letters-of-credit. Generosity on our part."
Everett pointed to three of the papers. "Double this! With two burners of caliber I can cover all of it and more in half the time!"
"Then do it for yourself," said Leader, "You always take your portion first, even when you are instructed otherwise! We are tired of your extravagance and your odious arrogance."
Robin saw Everett's anger. Leader had the high ground and he knew it. An idea occurred to her and before she could talk herself out of it she cleared her throat. Everett, Leader and the three guards looked at her.
"I have a proposal," she said. She edged away from Everett and focused on Leader. "Y-you obviously need burners. I d-don't know what happened to your system but I plus-plus guarantee you I can fix it! S-so can he. If... if you want talent, j-just hire me!"
"Robin," started Everett
She faced him and spat at him as hard as she could. "You are disgusting! You are low, vile and evil and I HATE you! I HATE you and I will never burn for you again!I-I'll do everything I can to see you FRY!"
"Interesting," said Leader, "You will work for me, then?"
"Y-you're a bottomfeeding bastard," said Robin, "b-but he's the slimiest, most evil, swine-ra
ping son of a whore that ever lived!"
Everett's mouth tightened at this and Leader chuckled.
"So. You will work for me and you will commit your partner as well? Fascinating." Leader sounded amused, both at her description of him and her offer.
Robin thought fast. She saw Everett shaking with suppressed rage.
"Y-you could just let us go," she said, "B-but I d-don't think you will."
"Correct," said Leader, "You cost him, and by extension me, a great deal already. Perhaps you can recover its value, perhaps not. Why should I hire you when he," Leader looked at Everett, "can guarantee results? Even if his expenses are... excessive."
"I'm n-not expensive," stammered Robin, "I know he costs you a lot. If I have a nice meal, good 'sticks and a warm bed I'm happy. Well, that and a good terminal. Y-you need that anyway."
Everett couldn't contain himself any longer. He exploded into laughter! He guffawed! He laughed so hard he almost collapsed against the table, instead bracing himself with his hands.
Leader regarded Robin. "I shall consider your offer."
He gestured at the guards. All three drew their blasters and covered her. Robert moaned and woke, looked about dully then focused on Robin.
"Awake, then," said Leader, "I shall be brief. Robin has offered me her services and yours. For a price." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, elegant pulse pistol. "I accept your offer," he said to Robin, "To seal our contract you will kill Everett." He handed Robin the blaster. "The safety is off and the weapon is charged. Do not aim anywhere but at him. Kill him now."
Everett stopped laughing completely as Robin took the blaster. It felt warm in her hands. She stepped to where she had an unobstructed line to him. Her breath caught as she lifted the pistol. Her hand trembled but she willed it steady. She braced it in both hands and pointed it between Everett's eyes. She saw fear filling them. The air felt thick as molten metal. The trigger felt firm beneath her finger. Her heart began racing. All she had to do was pull the trigger. Just one small squeeze. Blood pounded in her ears. She willed her finger to squeeze the trigger. She ordered it!
Robin closed her eyes and let the pistol drop.
"Oh, how precious you are, my darling Robin."
Everett took the blaster from her. When she looked up she saw the same obscene glow in his eyes she'd seen so many times before. He leaned over, kissed her gently, then slapped her hard and followed it with a backhand. Spots swam before her again and she heard Robert exclaim, a shuffle and a pair of meaty thuds. Then silence. The tears that rolled out of her eyes were for him.
"When I give an order," said Leader, "I expect it to be obeyed." He looked at Everett. "Very well. Double. We will expect commensurate results."
Robin shrank into herself. Robert was her backup and he was a prisoner with her now. Carl was his backup and they left him facing eight blasters unarmed. She felt a tangible fear crawling through her. With his hands bound and his ribs probably broken Robert couldn't fight. Nor, apparently, could she. Robin began to consider the idea that she was well and truly on her own.
"A pleasure, as always," said Everett to Leader.
The guards nudged Robin outside the office. Three hovers rested there now and the guards prodded her toward one. Another half-carried Robert, none too gently, and tossed him into the back seat of one of the hovers.
A blaster coughed and the Robert's guard's head exploded into mist! Panic washed through Robin. Leader bit off a curse, dropped, rolled to cover and drew his own blaster. Robin's guard crouched beside the hover and drew his blaster. Without really thinking Robin kicked as hard as she could. The man's head crunched against the hover and he slid bonelessly to the floor, blood pouring out his nose and mouth. It started to pool on the floor and...
"Robin! Get in here now!!"
Robert's words finally penetrated. She looked inside the hover.
"Get DOWN," commanded Robert.
Robin dropped to her knees and shuffled for the hover.
"Look at me. Look at me, Robin. Robin!"
She met Robert's eyes.
"Listen, hon. There's a blaster on the floor just outside the door. I want you to get it for me."
Robin reached past him and grabbed it. She tried to ignore the blood and lumps on it but her stomach twisted. She eased herself back inside, trying not to get the gore on her hands. Blaster bolts still flashed and flew, some striking their hover.
Robert wriggled until he had his hands away from his body and the shackles stretched taut between them. "Okay, hon. Hold the blaster about eight centimeters from the middle of the chain and pull the trigger. It's going to hiss and flash but we'll be polar."
Robin inched the pistol into position.
"NO, my darling. Do not do that." Everett crawled into the shelter of the hover's open door. "In fact, you will crawl into the front seat and drive us away from here."
"No."
"I insist, my dear." Everett drew Leader's blaster and pointed it at Robin. "Unlike you, my dove, I have no qualms whatsoever about using this on either of you. My life is infinitely more valuable and you, while talented, are both replaceable."
"No! This is my friend and so is the one out there." Robin leveled the blaster at Everett's head. "You will stay there and wait for the CA to arrive!"
Everett chuckled. "Always amusing, my heart. Put down that blaster. We both know you won't use it. Put it down, crawl into the front seat and drive me away."
"No."
Everett looked at her with no amusement now, his expression hard and cold.
"Lower that blaster, Robin. You are too weak to pull the trigger. It takes determination and will to fire a weapon and kill someone. It takes strength and resolve that you do not have! Put down the blaster and drive me away from here!"
"No."
Everett shifted aim to point at Robert's head. Robert tried to shift around but Everett slammed the bottom of the grip against his head.
"Do as I say or he dies now."
"No."
Everett's thumb moved toward the safety.
Robin fired!
Everett's eyes widened as the bolt burned into him.
Robin fired again. The impact knocked him back. She fired again. And again. Again. Again! Horror and revulsion washed through her as she kept squeezing the trigger. Some of the shots missed but most didn't. She fired again!
"Robin. Robin! Robin!!"
She came to herself slowly. The blaster was hot in her hands and her eyes were blurry. her breath came in ragged gasps and she couldn't seem to stop sobbing. Her body shook hysterically as she looked at Everett. Or what remained of him.
"Robin! Come back to me!"
She turned her head and saw Robert, still wedged behind the hover's front seat.
"Is... Is... Is..."
"It's over, hon," he said, "It's over. You did well."
She took a shaky breath.
Footsteps!
Carl walked around the front of the hover. He had several burns and he walked with a limp but he ignored them all.
"Everything cryo here," he asked.
"Plus-plus," said Robert, "Any survivors to worry about?"
"Nak. Three or four bolted out the back door but they won't be back soon."
Carl released Robert's hands. He looked at Robin, the blaster and Everett's remains.
"Good shots," he said.
"Good decision, too," added Robert.
Carl helped them both out of the hover, carefully shielding Robin from her handiwork. Her stomach still twisted but she absolutely refused to allow her body to throw up in front of Carl.
"What now," she finally managed to ask.
"For truth," said Robert, "We've done what we needed to do. We have some... friends... to contact. I guess it's back to Echo Bend after that."
Robin nodded, then Carl and Robert froze.
A total stranger stood just inside the doorway looking at them.
Carl's blaster leveled on the man before Robin could e
ven think.
"You won't need that," said the man, holding up his arms, "I'm not armed."
"That's platinum and polar orbits, friend," replied Micah, "but I have more than a few reasons to be careful."
The man nodded. "I understand. I have a pair of friends, also unarmed, who would like to talk to you. If you're willing."
Micah nodded and the man made a gesture. The door behind him opened to admit Ivan and the CA officer who gave Micah his card. With a sigh of relief Micah sheathed his blaster.
"He's polar," said Ivan, "I work for him."
"Good enough," said Micah, "I assume we have things to discuss, and that you're not here to congratulate us."
"We do and no, unfortunately. I will take the opportunity to do so, though. At this moment the CA is en route to this location in force. After the reports they received I fear a simple order will not make things go away. You have, after all, broken more than a few of our laws."
"But... You can help us," said Robin.
The man shook his head. "As my associate has informed you our situation is complex. In your place I would carefully consider my options. I myself favor a calm and rational solution to things."
Sirens sounded in the distance.
"You can try to fight your way out, of course," continued the man, "but I would advise against that. I will, of course, evacuate Signora Macy. That much I can do."
Micah considered a moment then slowly drew his blaster and set it down.
Chapter 16. A Mother's Pride
After a while the CA officers swarming the factory put Robin, Carl and Robert into a hover. Oddly, the officers only shackled their legs after a cursory pat-down and search. Robin tried for the calmness Robert and Carl showed. Carl lay back and dozed while Robert ran coins through his exchequer, validating them.
"Can't be too careful after a blaster-fight, luv," he grinned.
The door to the back opened and Ivan and his superior climbed in. When they settled the hover lofted and left. Ivan looked out the back window, muttering. When Robin touched his foot with hers, gently, he jumped and withdrew it. At the CA station silent officers led them all to a room deep within the bowels of the building. A medic removed their shackles and tended to Robert. Afterward he brought tubes of cheap chog.
