by Jake Bible
There was a pounding at the blast doors and all of the many eyes flitted towards the noise then returned to blink and stare at Roak.
“A half of a centimeter?” the third Klav asked, almost begged.
“A millimeter?” the second Klav insisted. “We will allow you to use the emergency exit.”
Several of the Klav shooshed the second Klav, their tentacles flapping at it to shut up.
“I like emergency exits,” Roak said. “A millimeter of what?”
“Millimeter of what,” the first Klav echoed. “Of flesh. A millimeter of flesh.”
“Shit,” Roak said. “Sure. A millimeter of flesh.”
“It would be a milligram,” the third Klav said.
“It would,” the second Klav said.
“The disc,” Roak snapped.
“Yes,” the first Klav said and took the disc. It handed it to a Klav that came rolling up quickly then returned to the control console on the corner. “T’pel will get the answer you need, Mr. Roak.”
“Roak,” Roak said. “Just Roak.” He glanced at the scalpel the third Klav still held. “How you want to do this?”
“Left or right arm?” the third Klav asked. “Which would you prefer the sample be taken from?”
“Left,” Roak said.
“Your sleeve,” the third Klav said.
Roak unclasped the suit’s arm then slit the light armor with his fingertip, exposing his forearm just above his left wrist.
“This will hurt,” the third Klav said.
“Yeah, I know,” Roak said as the blade of the scalpel cut into the anterior flesh of his arm.
Roak winced, but didn’t cry out as the Klav sliced a cubic millimeter out and put it in the container. The second Klav brought a sponge over and coated the divot in Roak’s arm then placed a small patch across the open wound. It sealed up immediately and the patch even took on the color of Roak’s skin.
“Numbs it,” the second Klav said.
“If you say so,” Roak replied and replaced his light armor sleeve.
The pounding at the blast doors continued then was followed by silence.
“They’re going to try to blow it,” Roak said. “How strong are those doors?”
“Impenetrable,” the first Klav said.
Explosions rocked the doors, making them shake in their frame, but not a dent or crack showed. If anything, the seams between the pieces appeared to tighten.
“Kinetic defense,” the first Klav said. “The harder the attack, the stronger the material becomes.”
“It is why we need an emergency exit,” the second Klav said. “Those doors are no longer useful.”
“Not for several days,” the first Klav said.
The third Klav returned from giving the Roak sample to a couple of its colleagues. It waved a tentacle at Roak and pointed over to the console.
“Almost finished,” it said.
Roak nodded as he looked about the room.
“All of those tubes? New genetic experiments?” Roak asked.
“Our deal does not include exposing the details of our work to you,” the first Klav said.
“Fair enough,” Roak replied.
“The woman,” the third Klav said.
“Assumed woman,” the second Klav argued.
“Assumed, yes,” the third Klav agreed. “By vocal pattern and body shape, it is assumed it was a woman.”
“Hard to tell with the covering,” the second Klav said.
“Why does she wear the covering?” the third Klav asked.
“Because she doesn’t have a face,” Roak replied. “And our deal does not include me exposing details of my opponent.”
“Opponent? Not enemy?” the first Klav asked.
Roak eyed the ball of eyes and frowned. “I try to avoid having enemies.”
“But you must have a great deal,” the first Klav said. “A man–”
“Not quite,” the second Klav interrupted.
“A not quite man such as you,” the first Klav continued. “Many enemies, indeed.”
“I try to avoid having enemies,” Roak said. “So, I do what I have to do.”
“And friends?” the first Klav asked. “Do you avoid friends as well?”
“Trying to get a psyche eval to go with your sample of flesh?” Roak asked. “Not part of the deal, either.”
“We could pay you a great deal of credits if you were to stay for further study,” the first Klav said.
“Chits,” Roak replied. “I don’t work for credits.”
“Chits then,” the first Klav said. “We can arrange a good deal of chits to be paid to you.”
“I’ll pass,” Roak said. “I do the studying, I don’t get studied.”
“A pity,” the first Klav said.
“A pity,” the second Klav echoed.
“A pity,” the third Klav agreed.
“Yeah, yeah, total pity,” Roak said. “We about done over there?”
“Yes, quite,” a fourth Klav replied. “Who shall I give the results to?”
“Me, damnit,” Roak barked.
“I will take the results,” the first Klav said and extended a tentacle.
Roak growled, but waited as the fourth Klav handed the first Klav a small tablet.
“We will keep the data disc since you have illegally obtained that information from our system,” the first Klav said. “However, you may keep this tablet.”
“Gee, thanks,” Roak replied as he took the tablet from the Klav. He studied the screen and frowned. “Three names? I needed you to narrow it down to one.”
“We could not,” the fourth Klav said. “Our system showed an equal likelihood of connections to these three names. Any of them could have been using the ones to call us as intermediaries or fronts as that type of clientele most certainly do.”
“Most certainly,” the second Klav said. “So secretive.”
“Underworld denizens,” the third Klav said.
“Their credits or chits are as good as any,” the first Klav said. “We do not question use, we only question viability.”
“Apparently, you don’t question handing over genetic codes to masked and covered mystery women,” Roak said.
“Excuse me?” the first Klav said. “Nothing has been handed over.”
Roak froze and stared at the first Klav. He was getting a headache from trying to figure out which of the many eyes to look into.
“You said you did,” Roak said.
“I did not say anything of the sort,” the Klav replied as it waved its tentacles and narrowed six of its eyes. “I ask that you not use violence against me for your misunderstanding, please.”
“I don’t intend to,” Roak responded, but his right hand did move closer to the KL09 on that hip. “I even prefer not to. But I am going to need that genetic code.”
“You do not,” the first Klav said. “Your bounty is for the retrieval of Jonny Nebula, not for the genetic code contained in…”
The Klav stopped itself, but Roak saw more than one of its eyes glance towards the first row of tubes.
“Interesting how you know what my bounty is,” Roak said as he walked towards the row of tubes.
“We like to know if there might be issues with clients and if we may expect a visit from one of their representatives,” the first Klav said. “I will ask that you please stop where you are.”
“I’m gonna need the tube with the code in it,” Roak said. “The code is Jonny Nebula, yeah? You can clone him again and again from the code, right?”
“We can replicate any of the beings contained within the primordial tubes,” the first Klav said. “But we only do so upon the request of the owner and once payment has been made.”
“Good for you,” Roak said, inching closer to the row. “I don’t need a clone, just need the tube.”
“We cannot accommodate you,” the first Klav said.
“It’ll avoid the violence part of this interaction,” Roak said.
“You mad
e a deal with us,” the first Klav insisted. “Deciphering the connections of the communication log entries was all we are required to give you.”
“Yeah, but what you gave me were three names,” Roak said. “I wanted one name.”
“You are doing what the mammalian races call ‘splitting hairs,’ Roak,” the first Klav said. “Do not harm your reputation by stealing what is not yours.”
“Pal, I have built my entire reputation on stealing what is not mine,” Roak said. “I’m an Eight Million Godsdamn bounty hunter.”
He pulled his KL09 and aimed it at the first Klav then slowly turned it on the row of tubes. Every Klav in the room screeched then began waving their tentacles over their bodies, their eyes blinking rapidly again and again.
“I’ll take it that these tubes are irreplaceable,” Roak said, his finger tightening on the trigger.
“You do not know which one is the tube you seek!” the first Klav exclaimed. “You will just as easily destroy your own bounty!”
“Yeah, but you aren’t going to give it to me anyway,” Roak said. “So, what do I have to lose? This way, I know you can’t give it to someone else.”
“All your work will have been for nothing,” the first Klav said.
“You are absolutely right,” Roak said. “Can’t argue with that.”
The Klav faced Roak; Roak faced the Klav. Then he sighed and turned to face the row of tubes.
“No!” the first Klav shouted. “No. Please. We will give you the primordial tube you seek.”
“How will I know it’s the right one?” Roak asked.
“Because it is tagged and verified,” the first Klav said and flicked the tips of two tentacles together in a snapping motion. The third Klav shuddered then rolled to the row of tubes. “Very unscrupulous, Roak. Very unscrupulous.”
“That word doesn’t pack much of a punch with me,” Roak replied. “I take a job, I finish a job, I get paid for the job. That’s the full list of my scruples.”
The third Klav returned with a half meter tube of blue gel in hand. He extended it to Roak.
“There is nothing to stopping us from alerting your opponent,” the third Klav said, causing the rest of the Klav to hiss violently at it. “What? This is true.”
“I expect you to rat me out,” Roak said. “If you didn’t, then word would get out that there are no consequences for robbing you. It’s the logic that got you guys to let me in here in the first place.”
“Not so sound logic, I must admit,” the first Klav said.
“Yeah, well, you didn’t exactly know who you were dealing with,” Roak said. “And you slipped up by telling me my opponent didn’t get the genetic code. Two simple mistakes.”
Roak tucked the tube into his belt and looked about the room.
“So, where’s that secret exit?” he asked, making sure each of the Klav saw that he was still holding his KL09 in a tight, ready to use grip.
The first Klav closed all of its eyes. “Show him.”
The third Klav mumbled a few curses then gestured for Roak to follow it to the opposite corner of the room.
“Do you know the names on that list?” the Klav asked Roak.
“I’ve heard of two of them,” Roak said. “Something like this would be a move either of them would make. I don’t know the third name.”
They reached the corner and the Klav revealed a small panel. It entered a complicated series of numbers into an old keypad and part of the wall slid away to reveal a short, narrow, Klav-sized tunnel.
“It is that third name that will make sure you are repaid for this deceit,” the Klav said as it moved aside. “You will not make it far in life. Not anymore. The House of Teeth may be a poor translation of our language, but it is an apt description for when we are double-crossed.”
“I never single-crossed you,” Roak said as he tucked into the tunnel. “I’m just the hunter after a bounty.”
The Klav’s reply was to shut the tunnel hatch and plunge Roak into pitch darkness without saying another word.
“Hessa?” Roak called.
“I…where…you?” Hessa’s staticky voice replied.
“Using some emergency exit,” Roak said as he turned the headlamps on his helmet to full and started following the tunnel, his back hunched over from the low ceiling. “Try to lock onto me, if you can.”
“Have to…no longer…”
“Hessa?” Roak called as he continued through the cramped tunnel. The AI didn’t reply.
He moved as fast as the narrow space would allow until he came to a surprising sight.
A small airlock was right in front of him with a simple panel of controls to its right. Roak studied the panel then pressed the only button that looked like it would do anything. No klaxon, no warning lights, just a pop and a whoosh and Roak was outside the asteroid, spinning out into open space.
“Hessa!” Roak yelled.
He was very glad he had his suit on. Taking his own advice had paid off.
He tried to use his wrist thrusters to stop his spinning, but all it did was add chaos to his flight.
Then his vision was filled with a ship, but it was gone as he spun one more time and his back slammed hard into the hull.
“Hello,” Hessa said. “I have caught you.”
“Yeah, you have,” Roak said and engaged his mag boots. “Walking to the side airlock now. Then we better get out of here before the soldiers decide to leave the House of Teeth and come for us.”
“No need to worry,” Hessa said. “I found their ship under the facility. It has been destroyed. They will have to wait for a new ride.”
“Good work,” Roak said as he reached the airlock. “Coming in.”
26.
“Thanks,” Roak said as he tossed his helmet into the co-pilot’s seat and sat down fast as the ship started to accelerate away from the House of Teeth. “What kind of damage are we looking at from the radiation?”
“It is not too bad,” Hessa said. “Repairs will be minimal, but necessary. Any suggestions as to where we should go?”
“Zuus Colony,” Roak said. “Bhangul Whorp can get the repairs done without us being noticed.”
“Is that a good idea, Roak?” Hessa asked. “The Zuus Colony is where you found my ship. It seems problematic to return there.”
“Could be,” Roak said. “But it’s the closest place that I can even remotely trust. We need close and fast, Hessa. She’ll be on us as soon as she realizes I got what she couldn’t. Pretty sure that was her plan all along.”
“This she you speak of,” Hessa said. “I would like to know who she is.”
“No,” Roak said.
“Mr. Ple R died because of her,” Hessa said, her voice testy. “I enjoyed Mr. Ple R’s company, Roak. I believe you did as well. You two were similar enough to respect the other while being different enough not to feel too threatened. I would venture to say that he could have ended up being a friend to you which is something you desperately need.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Roak said as he stared out the view shield at the approaching wormhole portal. “No need to get personal. I have friends.”
“You have acquaintances you contact and use when you have need,” Hessa said. “They are not friends.”
“Ally is a friend,” Roak said.
“Ally is a woman on a planet that you have not visited since you left several months ago,” Hessa said. “You have spoken to her once over the comm and that was to make sure she had received a payment you sent her way. Not a friend.”
“I don’t know,” Roak said. “We were pretty friendly when we were together.”
“I am troubled that you are not more upset by Mr. R’s passing,” Hessa said. “It does bother me.”
“What does? Ple’s death or my lack of concern?” Roak asked.
The wormhole portal grew even closer then it flashed and three ships appeared directly in front of them.
“Both!” Hess answered before sending the ship into a steep climb that to
ok them up and over the three ships.
She immediately pushed the ship into a sharp dive and aimed right for the center of the wormhole.
“You will want to hold on,” Hessa said as the ship hit the portal and trans-space consumed them.
It wasn’t anywhere near as uncomfortable as the last bad-angled entry they made, but Roak still had to put the back of a gloved hand to his mouth to keep himself from throwing up.
“Talk to me,” Roak said once his stomach calmed down. “Same ships as before?”
“Not the exact same, but they are similar enough for me to believe they are part of the other entity we are dealing with,” Hessa said. “Is this woman in charge of them?”
“As much as I would be,” Roak said. “She’s leading the hunt, but they more than likely answer to whoever hired her.”
“And she is again?” Hessa pushed.
“Someone from my past,” Roak said. “That’s all you’ll get.”
“Fine,” Hessa said.
“Don’t bother trying to find out who she is, Hessa,” Roak said. “Her past is as blank as mine.”
“No one is without a past,” Hessa said. “You have made that clear by letting me know she is part of yours. If you share a past, then that gives me a place to start.”
“No chance you’ll give this up, is there?” Roak sighed. “Don’t answer. I know you won’t.”
“I am going to suggest that you visit the med bay,” Hessa said. “It has become quite apparent that the implant I gave you is a liability. Best to remove it and eject it from the ship while we are in trans-space and our destination is unknown.”
“Toss it off the ship while we’re in trans-space? That’s a risky maneuver,” Roak said.
“It is the only choice to avoid being tracked,” Hessa said.
“If you think you can do it,” Roak said and stood up. “Not going to argue about going back to being implant free.”
“I will replace the current one with a new implant, Roak,” Hessa said. “As I have stated, the comm implant is too valuable an asset to disregard.”
“Damnit,” Roak mumbled as he entered the lift. “Whatever, Hessa. Not like I can fight you on this.”
