Shadower

by Catherine Spangler

  After the women left him, he went to the window, chain dragging behind him. He was apparently in one of the huts facing the copse of trees and bushes. The sun reflected off the grass, which looked like a large oval carpet of vivid green. It presented an odd contrast to the bare dirt outside its perimeter.

  He wondered how the women were getting the grass, as well as the trees and bushes, to grow in this relatively barren environment. He got his answer a moment later, when he spotted two massive drilling irrigators resting at the far end of the compound. The planet must have some underground aquifers. Apparently the women were pumping water from beneath the surface, an arduous undertaking.

  Sabin had no doubt Moriah was responsible for this endeavor. She was very ambitious—too much so. He paced the room, ignoring his throbbing head. He needed to talk to her, to pound some sense into that thick skull of hers, to convince her she needed his help.

  That option terminated when he heard the roar of engines revving and hoverlifts firing. Returning to the window, he saw the same ship that had been loaded last night rising upward. The cabin vibrated as it moved overhead, picking up speed.

  He yanked the chain, chafing at his confinement. Moriah was headed into certain peril, and Galen was slipping through his fingers, while he was chained in a crude cabin in a desolate sector of the quadrant. Hearing the door open, he whirled to see Radd enter. Fury flared, and Sabin stalked toward the scrawny traitor. "What the hell are you doing on this nowhere planet?" he growled. "I've been looking for you all over the quadrant, and you turn up here, strutting around like you own the place."

  "It's a kinda long story. Are ya okay?"

  "Do I look okay? That's another thing. Thanks for standing by while I was trussed up like a wild boar." The chain ran out, bringing Sabin up short. Unfortunately, Radd was just outside his reach.

  "Sorry 'bout that." Radd leaned against the door frame. "Didn't make much sense to go against the women. They get kinda militant when they're crossed. Figured I could help ya better if I stayed outta it."

  Sabin's fingers itched to wrap around the twerp's throat. "Yeah, take the coward's way out."

  Radd didn't appear insulted. "Naw. Take the smart way. I coulda objected to ya being tied up, but then the women woulda been mad at me. Lionia woulda been difficult to settle down. See, they're startin' to trust me."

  "You have to help me get out of here." Sabin strained against the chain, but it refused to give. "Moriah has no idea what she's heading into. Galen will go free."

  Radd's youthful face took on a serious expression. "I know the danger. And I know Galen. He needs to be taken out."

  "Then help me, damn it!"

  Radd pulled a sequencer from his pocket, tossed it casually in the air and caught it. "I was plannin' on it."

  "You've had that all along? Give it to me!" Sabin lunged for the sequencer, but Radd retreated a step. "Not so fast. Ya gotta do this right."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Well, there's still five women here. If they see ya tryin' to escape, they'll maim ya. So ya have to sneak off the planet."

  With Lionia and Kiah gone, Sabin could handle the ones left. "Give me back my stun guns, and I'll take care of the women."

  "Naw, don't do that. I like these women. And if ya did stun 'em, they'd still warn Moriah after they came 'round. Ya leave at night, and they'll never know ya got away."

  "That will give Moriah too much lead time," Sabin argued, urgency riding him hard.

  "I've worked on the ship she's using. Your Skymaster is much faster. I know ya can catch up. But there's another problem."

  Sabin groaned in frustration. "What now?"

  "Ya don't know where Moriah is headed."

  "I expect you'll tell me."

  "Uh, I don't know."

  "What do you mean, you don't know? You appear to be pretty damn friendly with Lionia. Surely she told you something."

  Radd scuffled his feet. "Uh, well, we usually don't do much talkin'."

  He'd just bet. The mechanic was proving to be full of surprises. Sabin considered other possibilities for finding Moriah. "I suppose it's useless for me to ask about a homing beacon?"

  "I think the Leors insist on Moriah usin' one so they can track her. Only problem is, I don't know the frequency."

  "Great. So which woman do I torture the information out of?"

  "Celie."

  "Celie knows where they're headed? I'm surprised Moriah would tell her."

  "She didn't. Celie's been real nervous about this deal, so she broke into Moriah's personal computer logs. I caught her doin' it."

  The little scamp. Sabin wanted to hug her. "Then free me and get Celie in here."

  "Uh, Sabin, it isn't gonna be that easy. Celie's scared of ya now. Ya got to treat her real gentle and convince her ya really intend to help Moriah."

  Ah, hell, he'd forgotten Celie knew he was a shadower. She would equate him with her father and Pax. She'd probably been influenced by Moriah's opinion of him as well. Even worse, every minute it took to convince her was precious time lost. "All right. See if you can get her to talk to me. I'll try to make her understand the situation. Give me the sequencer."

  Radd shook his head. "She'll be too nervous if you're loose. Might even sound the alarm."

  Why did he have to be so logical? Sabin seethed, wanting to be free of the shackles, but knowing Radd was right. He strode to the wall and sank to the floor. He'd be less threatening in that position. "Then get her."

  "She's right outside. Been frettin' over both you and Moriah all mornin'." Radd leaned out. "Come on in, Celie."

  She appeared in the doorway, dark eyes huge in her pale face. Hesitant, she clenched her hands.

  "It's okay," Sabin reassured her. Everything depended on him convincing her he could be trusted. "Come in, sweetheart. I won't hurt you. I promise."

  She stepped inside slowly and raised her chin, her attention on him. "You're a shadower." The tremor in her voice belied the bravado of her stare.

  "I am a shadower," he agreed quietly. "But there are special circumstances involved. Moriah didn't give me a chance to explain. Are you willing to hear me out?"

  She looked away, a few locks of blond hair partially covering her face. "You lied to her."

  He hadn't answered completely when she asked him what he did for a living, but he hadn't actually lied, either. "No, Celie, I didn't. Moriah didn't ask if I was a shadower until we reached Elysia. When she did, I told her the truth."

  She turned toward him, her expression doubtful.

  "I can understand how learning I was a shadower upset your sister," he pressed on. "I know it upsets you, too. But it's crucial that you hear me out. Moriah is in great danger."

  Fear flared in the girl's eyes. Sabin knew concern for Moriah was the key to obtaining her cooperation. "I come from a group of people who are very poor." He paused, at an impasse. Very few knew he was a Shielder. Radd didn't know. Sabin's own partner, Chase, didn't know. If that information ever circulated, Sabin's death would be imminent. He was too much in the view of the Controllers.

  He proceeded carefully. "Our planet has very few resources, and necessities are scarce. Unless we wished to turn to illegal activities—such as smuggling—" He paused to let his innuendo sink in. A flush spread over Celie's face, and he knew he'd found his mark.

  "Then we had to find a legitimate way to get the goods we desperately needed. I volunteered to become a shadower and I use the miterons I earn to purchase supplies for my people. But I only track really bad criminals, Celie. I swear it." He leaned forward, his voice fervent.

  "I would never turn in someone who had broken one of the minor, stupid ordinances. Nor would I turn in someone who might be innocent. I've always been careful to capture felons I know to be evil. Except for the money I used to purchase my new ship, every single miteron has gone to benefit my people."

  He told the truth with genuine sincerity. The only information he didn't disclose was that the money was going to Shielder
s. Since the gold helped fund ships and weapons for the purpose of battling the Controllers, it was actually a strike against the evil system that perpetuated shadowers and grievous injustices.

  Celie took a tentative step forward. "You're a shadower. Like my father. Like Pax. They were liars, both of them."

  "So you don’t know if I’m telling the truth or not."

  She nodded, her hands twisting her flightsuit. He could see she wanted to believe him, wanted to help Moriah, but fear and doubt held her back. "Celie, sometimes all we have to go on are someone's actions and our own instincts. You and I were alone together in a prison cell for almost an entire cycle. You were on my ship for another cycle. During that time, did I threaten you in any way or do anything to harm you?"

  She looked down, shook her head. "No."

  "Did Moriah ever accuse me of hurting her in any way? Do you know I treated the wound she received from the Jaccians?"

  She met his gaze, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. She was a younger version of Moriah, in so many ways. "No, she didn't appear hurt after being with you. I-I don't know much about the Jaccian wound. Moriah doesn't tell me things that might upset me."

  "Then what does your heart tell you, Celie? Am I a bad person?"

  Moisture pooled in her eyes, and her face contorted with indecision. "I don't know!" She whirled, stepped toward the door. "You're a shadower!"

  He tensed, anxiety spearing through him. "I'm Sabin. Sabin. I kept the Anteks away from you, Celie. I returned you safely to your sister. I defended Moriah against two Jaccians, and treated her wound. I knew she was a smuggler, but I never turned her in. Think about that. I could have gotten a reward, but I never turned her in. I don't hurt innocent people." He flung his hand toward Radd. "Ask Radd. He's known me a long time." Despite that, no telling what Radd might say.

  Radd placed a reassuring hand on Celie's arm. "He's okay, for a shadower."

  She stood there for what seemed an eternity. Finally she nodded. "All right. I'll help you, but you have to promise you'll go straight to Moriah and protect her."

  Sabin sagged against the wall in relief. "You have my word. I plan to stop Galen and make certain your sister is safe." What he did with Moriah after that didn't count.

  He held out his wrists, and Radd pressed the sequencer on the lock. The shackles came off, and Radd released the chain. Rubbing his wrists, Sabin strode rose and strode to Celie. He gently cupped her chin, and her eyes widened. Uncertainty still lurked in their brown depths.

  "You did the right thing, sweetheart. I'll do my best to keep Moriah and the others safe. But I need to know where they're headed."

  She nodded. "The iridon will be delivered to Saron in two more cycles."

  "Is there a specific location on the planet?"

  "I don't know. Moriah's log didn't name one. Eark will probably give her exact coordinates when she gets closer."

  "Okay. Don't worry about it. I'll find them."

  "I'd better go with ya," Radd said. "Ya might need some help."

  "I'll take all the assistance I can get." Sabin clasped Celie's shoulders. "Can you keep the other women distracted until after we're gone?"

  She smiled for the first time. "Sure. I'll tell them Radd is bringing your meal. They don't want to come near you anyway."

  "Good girl." He turned to Radd. "I'd like my weapons back, if you don't mind. Then let's get the hell out of here."

  Chapter Seventeen

  They circled Saron twice, running off space scum who had descended on the planet like vultures on a carcass. The rumors of the iridon shipment apparently had flown far and wide. Luckily, Sabin's new ship was impressive enough to convince most of the scum he was indeed a Controller agent, with the authority to arrest or kill anyone who crossed him. At the very least, the pirates weren't about to argue with his firepower. And the two who were foolish enough to challenge him regretted it.

  Jarek maintained orbit farther out, weapons ready in case Sabin needed him. It proved unnecessary, though, and he flew in behind Sabin’s ship. They did one more orbit, this time to scan the planet's surface.

  Saron was basically a stopover planet, offering fuel, supplies, and entertainment for space-weary travelers. Situated in a remote part of the quadrant, it wasn't heavily monitored by the Controllers. It also had a hilly, wooded terrain, making it a good location for illegal transactions.

  Sabin figured the iridon exchange would take place away from the primary area of activity. About one hundred kilometers from Saron's main landing field, his sensors found what he was seeking—two ships on the ground. More than likely, they were those of Moriah and the smugglers delivering the iridon. A third, lone ship was moored twenty or so kilometers beyond that. He hadn't chased off any ships that appeared to be Galen’s, and he wondered if this ship might be his.

  Anticipation and adrenaline thrumming through him, he brought his craft down near the base of a hill situated between the two groups of ships. Jarek landed on the other side of a thicket of trees. The sun, a fiery orange ball, was beginning its descent. Nightfall was two hours away.

  Jarek joined Radd and Sabin outside the ship. "Where's your partner?" he asked Sabin. "Didn't you say he was headed this way?"

  "He should be here any time. It seems the person delivering the iridon is someone McKnight has been tracking for over a while."

  One cycle ago, Chase had learned Dansan was making the iridon delivery, and he'd headed for Saron immediately. Dansan didn't have a bounty on her head, though, and Sabin had no idea why McKnight was so obsessed with finding her. Still, he knew of Dansan's reputation. She was ruthless and lethal. She was one more element of danger in this situation. How could Moriah take so many risks?

  "Let's see who's around." He raised infrared binoculars to his eyes and turned slowly, scanning at full range. He picked up seven life forms near the two ships. "They must be Moriah, Lionia, and Kiah, Dansan and her people," he speculated, uneasy that Moriah's group was outnumbered.

  He wouldn't put it past Dansan to double-cross Moriah, take the credit disc, and keep the iridon for herself. But as resourceful as Dansan was, she probably knew the Leors were behind the purchase. He hoped the woman had enough sense not to tangle with that race. Galen, on the other hand, was arrogant and overconfident, and probably wouldn’t hesitate to cross the Leors.

  Sabin turned, continuing his surveillance. Five kilometers from the two ships, four life forms rapidly approached the first group. Galen or other marauders? "There’s another group moving on Moriah and Dansan, and they're traveling fast. Get the skimmer," he ordered.

  They quickly unloaded the land craft and took off toward the two ships, Jarek piloting. Watching through the binocs, Sabin cursed. "The new group is almost to Moriah and her people. How far are we?"

  "Six kilometers," Jarek answered.

  Damn. They couldn't take the skimmer much faster, because they were weaving through the trees. Concern for Moriah sent Sabin's heart racing. Why had she put herself in this danger? He tried to push away the emotions that kept nagging at him. He'd known at a young age he never wanted to lose a loved one again; never wanted to feel the overwhelming grief and loneliness when that love was ripped away. Moriah didn't even care about him. She'd lied to him, used him, and left him. Alone, which was probably for the best. It was the safest existence.

  A rumble caught his attention. He heard the roar of a ship taking off. Up ahead, a large black spacecraft lifted, then arced away. That must be Dansan leaving. He returned to the binocs. Only one ship now, with three life forms beside it. And the four approaching life forms had circled around them and were closing in. Blazing hells! "Go to full speed!" he yelled.

  Jarek opened the throttle and the skimmer hurtled toward the converging groups of people.

  But Sabin knew it would be too late.

  * * * *

  Watching Dansan's ship speed across the horizon, Moriah breathed a sigh of relief. The woman gave her the creeps, with those pale eyes devoid of any humanity. Know
ing her treacherous reputation, Moriah had been prepared for a trap. She and Lionia and Kiah had all worn protective body suits and blast helmets, and carried extra weapons. But it had gone down without a hitch.

  Now the iridon was safely loaded on the ship, and Dansan was gone. Galen and all the other lowlifes Sabin had been so worried about hadn't materialized. Or perhaps his dire warnings had just been a ruse to get her to reveal the delivery location.

  A wave of pain swept through her. A shadower couldn't be trusted. Never. Not even a handsome shadower with a seductive body and bone-melting, husky-voiced promises. She'd have to deal with Sabin when they returned to Risa. Suddenly tired, she pulled off her helmet and turned toward Lionia and Kiah, who had also removed their helmets. Lionia, who disdained armor, took off her protective vest. "Come on," Moriah said. "Let's get out of here."

  "Now don't rush off on our account."

  She whirled around. A man stepped into the clearing, flanked by three others, all heavily armed. She recognized one of the three immediately. Turlock. He sported his favorite weapon, a long-barreled blaster. She focused on the leader. He was the man she'd seen on Sabin's video viewer. Galen. He was compact but muscular. His neatly trimmed hair and beard were gray. He looked ordinary enough, except for his eyes. They were pale, malevolent, and maniacal.

  He spoke again, his voice low and well-modulated. "Please don't try to be heroic." He patted the pulse rifle he carried. "Life is cheap. But I've been known to spare cowards."

  Moriah met his chilling stare. "What do you want, Galen?"

  He tilted his head arrogantly. "Ah, you know me. My reputation precedes me." He bowed with a flourish of his hand. "Galen Kane, at your service. No, make that at my service." He straightened, a sinister glint in his eyes.

  This man had been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent Shielders. Moriah grew cold inside. "What do you want?" she demanded again, refusing to show fear to this madman.

  "Please." He rolled his eyes in mock dismay. "I think it should be obvious why I'm here. This iridon delivery has been big news for cycles now."