Oh, his week continued to grow stranger and stranger. Kestral abandon his spot between the storage racks ventured toward the ramp, keeping his gaze craned upward, on the off chance the Vega returned faster than he was expecting in a couple of options for where he could hide if he did. Looking beyond to the mega-city, Kestral had to wonder just what the city had to offer. Chances were, great restaurants, solid entertainment, and maybe even someone he could spend the night with. Hell, a couple of hours that would do. Scrubbing a hand over his face he tried to shove the ideas out of his head. There was too much about the planet that was an unknown and, even though it was curious, he knew better than to press his luck, especially when they had someone— two people—on board who were wanted.
Disgust curled through him. Since when did he become the good guy? Dammit, that did leave a bad taste in his mouth. Movement above told him where Vega had shifted his attention. Based on the schematics that Kestral got to look at, he'd moved to one of the sensor dishes. Metal hammering on metal reached his ears, and he wondered if they had to flatten the disc back out from damage either from launch or the concussion blasts. Interestingly enough, the people pursuing Nina had never tried to destroy the Gilly, they tried to hammer them down. Concussion blasts were designed to scare people or at least drive the ships where they wanted them to go. Penetrating blast would've been more effective if they'd actually wanted her dead.
Oh, that could be a new problem, Kestral realized. If the Order of the IV wanted 9-A back, that meant she probably had something they wanted. While the order wasn't known for giving up, they were even less known to be forgiving when denied.
He’d have to warn Shaw when he returned. Touching a hand to his blaster, Kestral renewed his vigilance with more determination. The last thing they needed was another ambush. The second the thought occurred to him his gut tightened. He was not a worrywart by any stretch of the imagination. His philosophy tended to be let life happen as it did. He'd roll with it, take punches, and then he’d dish out his own.
Something about this planet was triggering every instinct he had. They needed to go.
The figure descended from the hull, so Kestral withdrew tucking himself against an interior panel just off the ramp. The position gave him a good view of both what Vega was doing as well as the city itself. Movement in the distance told him people were coming and going—passengers, travelers, whatever. A lot of people. The landing platform where Shaw had parked the Gilly was located easily a half-mile from the next, but that didn't change the view. In fact, it was so wide open and so clear, he couldn't miss the three men stalking toward the ship.
They weren’t wearing security gear and they weren't dressed like dockworkers. Kestral prepped his weapon then touched the wristband on the shock shackle to send a signal. Now would be a good time for Shaw to get his ass back there.
“Who the hell are you?” Vega’s surprise echoed through the hold.
“I’m the guy about to save your ass. Get behind those containment units.” Kestral didn’t have time to explain it to the engineer.
“What’s going on?” To his credit, the man didn’t need telling twice.
The men approaching moved with a familiar gait, almost military precision. Kestral didn't have time to waste on an explanation. The only teams of bounty hunters he’d ever heard of didn’t take no for an answer and never left anyone alive to argue with them. Glancing over at Vega, he said, “The name is Kestral. The three men approaching the ship are about to attack it. I have no doubt whatsoever that they'll take out anyone between them and their target. You don't want to be that person.”
The dark skinned man gave him a long measuring look then glanced toward the platform. The closer the three men drew, the more certain Kestral was about who they were. They were all heavily armed and taking no precautions to hide it.
It was a gamble to trust the engineer, but if Shaw trusted the man to be on board the ship. “Are you armed?”
Vega raised a large spanner and a wrench.
“Well,” Kestral said considering the man’s size and the weapons. “It could be worse.”
An alarm sounded within the ship. Apparently, Zed had woken up from his nap and discovered that, yes, they had people approaching. “Incoming vessel approaching starboard aft. Warning. Collision imminent.”
Yeah, that wasn't good. A laser blast slammed into one of the struts of the ramp. Kestral didn't wait to see what else the men would do, he turned with blaster in hand and opened fire. His first two shots caught the man who fired upon them right in the chest and he went flying backwards. Retreating up the ramp, Kestral hit the control button to close it. He glanced once again at his shock shackle—no sign of response from Shaw. ‘Course, who know if it worked like communicator. Maybe it was just a one-way buzzer.
“Whatever you are fixing, are we good to launch?” He turned his attention to Vega. The engineer nodded.
“Sensors are still going to be down, but I wasn't working on the thrusters yet. Still have a damaged one.”
“Too damaged to launch?” Kestral was already running for the ladder to the crew level deck.
“While it won't be pretty.” Vega was right behind him. Kestral paused at the crew room, where he’d secured Tika and Nina. Pivoting, he faced Vega. “I have two passengers in this room. They're both under the captain's protection, which means they are under my protection. Look at them cross eyed, and I'll shoot you where you stand.”
If his threat bothered the engineer, the man's expression never betrayed it. In fact, he looked more curious than threatened. Maybe Kestral needed to work on that delivery.
“Warning. Collision imminent. All attempts to communicate have not been accepted.”
The alarm shifted to something sounding more like a red alert than just a warning. Kestral didn't have time to debate the issue. He freed the locks on the door then pulled the hatch open. Tika stared at him, wide-eyed, then looked at the engineer with even more shock.
“Don't have time to explain. We’re under attack. Shaw isn't here. Do you have access and can you fly this thing?”
She spread her hands and shook her head. “I'm not a pilot.”
“You don't have to be a pilot.” He reached in and grabbed her arm ignoring the sizzling warning of the shock as it came. She jerked away at the sensation then glared at him. “Seriously, you don't have to be a pilot if the ship's computer will listen to you. It can initiate launch all by itself. Can you do that?”
Bafflement reflected her expression, then she took a deep breath and marshaled the strength he'd already seen her exhibit on numerous other occasions. “I have access to Zed. I don't know if that will provide us with a way to get us off the planet.”
“Warning collision in ten seconds.”
“But I'm willing to try.” She glanced down at her the patient. “Nina stay here.” It wasn't until that moment that Kestral realized Nina was even awake. Tika rushed past both him and Vega and ran for the cockpit. “Who is that?” Not waiting for Kestral’s response, she said, “Zed, prepare for takeoff. We have to avoid that collision.”
“The captain is not on board.”
“I know he isn't. Is he close?”
Impact slammed into the hall and metal sounded metal scraped on metal.
“Collision reported. Minimal damage.”
That was something. Tika glanced over at him and Kestral rolled his hand in a circular motion for her to continue. “Zed? Report.”
“The captain is not within scanning range.”
Not a good sign.
“Can you read the captain's vitals from here?” A blast sounded on the hull.
“Warning attempted breach docking bay hold.”
Impatient with the verbal game, Kestral snarled, “Tika tell it to take off again.”
“Zed, can you track the captain's vitals?”
“You do not have access to that information.”
Nope, not helpful at all. Tika dropped into the seat Shaw generally used. She tapped
the screen and stared at the information scrolling across it. “Zed, initiate lunch sequence.”
“Authorization?”
“Authorization Sullivan, Shaw.”
“Sullivan, Shaw is not a board. Please repeat authorization.”
Kestral wanted to curse. Glancing at the engineer, he said, “How fast can you hotwire this thing?”
The engineer shook his head. “I'm not helping you hijack the ship.” Another blast sounded on the whole.
“Authorization Anderson, Tika. Guest access. Emergency launch, to protect the ship.” Kestral wasn't sure whether Tika made that up on the spot or was reading something off the screen in front of her. It didn't matter, the engines kicked in and the thrusters came online.
“Authorization granted.. Emergency procedures online. Launch is imminent.” The impacts on the hull ceased as the ship began to rise. Kestral blew out a breath as the Gilly continued to its uneven ascent.
“How far are we going to go on this?” Kestral asked.
Tika glanced over her shoulder and shook her head. “I don't know, but you guys should brace yourselves.” Vega had already gripped the hatch entryway when the secondary thrusters kicked in. The stress slammed Kestral back and he grunted as he impacted into the wall. Bracing his feet, he locked himself into position.
“Thanks for the warning.”
“Zed, destination?”
There was a jerk as the ship passed through the gravity field and entered low orbit. For one brief minute, Kestral felt like he was floating and then he landed softly on the deck once more. How the gravity engine on this thing worked, he had no idea. He was just glad it was there.
“Low orbit achieved. Beginning sweep.”
Tapping her fingers on the control panel, Tika scrolled through something on the screen. “Zed, establish communications channel to Captain Shaw.”
“You do not have access to that functionality.”
He could've sworn he heard her say dammit, but she didn't say it aloud. Her fingers curled into white-knuckled fists. “Zed, please send a restricted transmission to Captain Shaw.”
“You do not have access to that functionality.”
“Yo, Zed,” Kestral demanded. “What access does she have?”
“Inquiry denied. You do not have access to that information.”
“He's pretty much locked her out of everything that isn’t an emergency function.” Vega released his grip on the hatchway and took a step deeper into the cockpit. “Ask the ship to run a diagnostic, in detail, all guest access.” Tika repeated Vega’s request, then started to laugh. But it wasn't a very humorous laugh.
“Guest access is restricted to food, entertainment, and emergency procedures only. And I am the only one with guest access.”
“Zed?” Vega asked looking to Tika than to Kestral.
“Online.”
“Zed, recognize Storm, Vega. Engineer first class. Authorization 1161415. License number Delta echo 116. Request access to communications panel for repair.”
“Access granted.”
Vega smiled, but Kestral simply shook his head. Great, the captain left him in charge of keeping the passengers safe, but gave the engineer no one had met before more access to shit on the ship. Pointing his weapon at the engineer, he said “And exactly what do you plan to do with your suddenly granted access to the communications array?”
“I'm going to hotwire it so she can call the captain.” He didn’t slow as he moved to the communication panel the computer illuminated. Inside were circuits, wires, and crystals. None of it made much sense, but Kestral didn't take his gaze off the engineer nor his weapon.
“You do know you're being rude, don't you?” Tika chided him.
“Haven’t you figured it out yet? I wasn't raised in polite society.”
The next hour passed in a tense standoff as they continued their low orbit, and Vega worked on the computer. Unfortunately nothing he did allowed them access to the communications channels. For some reason, the ship continued to deny any requests even when he rewired portions of it.
“Okay, so if we can’t go in the front way, we go in the back.” On the one hand, at least the engineer sounded like he knew what he was doing. On the other, Kestral didn’t like plans he didn't understand.
“And how do we do that?”
“Somewhere on that planet, the captain has his datalink. If we can at least transmit a message to the link as a part of the signal from the ship…”
“Wait a minute,” Tika said jumping up from the seat. “His datalink. It monitors everything on the ship, from your shackle, to Thunder and Lightning. Zed, do I have access to the monitors on Thunder and Lightning's containment units?”
“Limited access allowed.”
Tika grinned. “I know how to get a hold of Shaw.”
Kestral nodded following her line of thinking. He motioned with his blaster toward the engineer. “Lock that up and come with us.” The three descended into the hold, and Tika went and went directly to the panels detailing the life signs for horses. With Kestral and Vega watching, she tapped the message out on the panel adding to the data log. Once finished, she hit update.
It took all of thirty seconds, before Shaw's voice came over the comms. “You better have a damn good reason why my ship is not where I left it.”
Tika grinned. “I did it!” The she added, “I promise, we weren't leaving you, but we were under attack, and they were shooting at the Gilly.”
“Zed, damage report.” Shaw's voice rang through the hold with an authoritative note.
“Laser damage to hold minimal. Impact damage minimal.”
“What's your status right now?” None of them answered him directly, so Kestral actually assumed he was talking to the computer. “Anyone?”
“Crew safe and secure.” Kestral glanced at the engineer. “We've also got a guest with us. I believe you hired him.”
“By the way, the secondary journey is going to cost you extra,” Vega added.
“I need a safe port to bring the Gilly back down to the planet at. One where she won’t be noticed. Any suggestions, Mr. Storm?” A note of warning echoed in Shaw's voice.
“There's a couple of spaceports the smugglers like to use. They’re old, not well-kept. Most of the locals steer clear of them to. We could use one of those.” What did Shaw have on this guy? Every piece of information he turned up on this captain made Kestral more and more curious.
“It would also help if somebody else other than yourself had the right to fly this thing.” He seriously doubted Shaw was going to grant it to them, but thought the captain needed to know.
“Zed can bring the ship back in, all we have to do is give him the coordinates.” Point made. Shaw wasn't going to give them access to fly his ship. Though in all fairness, Kestral had to admit he probably wouldn't give access either. Because if Kestral had access to the ship, that meant he could leave.
“Where are you in the city?” Vega asked.
“I’m at the library.” The library?
Why would Shaw need their library?
“From the library, there's a redline at the mass transit station one block to your east. Get on the redline and take it across the city. It's a supersonic, so it can get you to your destination within an hour. Once you depart at Cross Church, it's the second to the last exit on the train. From the station, head due west. It will take you about fifteen minutes, but you can't miss the station there.” Vega’s directions were extremely specific.
“What aren't you telling me?” Apparently, Shaw thought so, too.
“It's not the safest part of the mega-city. The adjudicators only patrol the interior. Anything on the perimeter, they let the gangs deal with.”
And the questions just kept coming. “How safe is it going to be for him to walk there, much less for us land?” He accepted the idea they needed to retrieve Shaw, he did not accept putting the two people he was supposed to be protecting in danger.
“There are worse places to land. But
if you got people after you,” Vega gave him a bland look. “That will be your best bet. Nobody monitors it. The only people use it are criminals. Even most bounty hunters avoid it because the gangs will take them out for interfering in their business.”
Tika raised her hand, all delicate and sweet. “So what will they do to us if we go through there?”
“Not a damn thing to my ship.” Shaw ended the argument. “Give Zed the coordinates. Zed receive coordinates from Vega. Once you have them, put the Gilly in a geosynchronous orbit above those coordinates and then wait for my signal. I'll notify you as soon as I have the area in sight.” It would certainly minimize their time on the ground.
“Shaw,” Kestral said. “It might be safer if you let us come down first and I can come out to meet you.”
“I'm more than capable of taking care of myself, Kestral. Protect the women. Stay with my ship.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” That year was starting to look longer and longer and longer.
“Zed, limited access for landing and takeoff granted to Anderson, Tika.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Tika, do not, I repeat do not land the Gilly until you've heard from me.” So, he trusted the bleeding heart. Of course he did. Because wherever she went Kestral was bound to go. Oh, he had a headache.
“What if we don't hear from you? What if something happens?”
Silence stretched between the three of them as they waited for Shaw's answer.
“Zed, begin twenty-four hour clock. Run the timer. If you haven't heard from me by then, transfer the captaincy of the Gilly to Anderson, Tika. Acknowledge?”
Tika’s eyes widened.
“Acknowledged. Violation of protocol noted.”
“Don't really give a damn right now. But don't worry, I'll be there. Just keep my ship safe in the meanwhile.”
“Understood.” A hint of sadness marred Tika's response. But it seemed to be enough for Shaw. He disconnected and the comm line went dead.
“Vega Storm.” The engineer gave Tika a slow, hungry smile and extended his hand. To Kestral's absolute shock, she looked to him before she accepted the greeting. Was she checking to make sure the sky was safe? Had she actually gained a little hint of self-preservation? He would almost be proud if he cared.
Space Cowboy Survival Guide Page 13
