Vlaak made the sneeze-retching sound again. “Gaaahhh!” He howled, dropping the emerald. “Okay, Fine! Just make them go away!”
Dr. Harmigen strode forward and picked up the emerald. He turned and nodded to Ethel. Ethel made some incomprehensible squealing noises. A few seconds later, Vlaak fell to his knees, coughing loudly in his helmet. A swarm of flies continued to buzz ominously overhead. Sam and Xartis sank to the ground, exhausted. A cloud of flies hovered above them as well.
“Thank you, Ethel,” said Pepper, rubbing the bump that was forming on the back of her head. “Sorry things went a little off script there. I didn’t intend to double-cross you.”
“I know,” said Ethel, with a smile. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Turns out that we make a pretty good team,” said Pepper.
“Indeed,” said Dr. Harmigen. “It’s almost a pity this is probably the only chance we’ll have to work together.” He was examining the emerald in his palm.
Ethel shrugged. “Speak for yourself. I’m exhausted. I’ve lost ten percent of my population in the past few hours.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” said Dr. Harmigen, putting his other arm around her. “I know this has been rough on you. But with the money we’ll get from fencing the emerald, we’ll be able to create a whole new habitat for the swarm.”
“Just tell Blemmis I sent you,” Pepper said. “If he gives you any trouble, well…” She glanced at Heinous Vlaak, who was getting to his feet, shaky and breathing heavily. His hand was on the lazegun at his hip. He eyed the swarm still hovered over his head.
“Ethel can take care of herself,” Dr. Harmigen said. “But if you’re going to leave, you’d better go now.”
Pepper glanced at the Fiat Tenebris. She could hardly believe it was really happening. She was really going to get off this damned planet. “You guys are sure you’ll be okay?”
“We’ll be fine,” said Ethel. “We’ll head over to Blemmis’s apartment now. Once we get the money for the emerald, Sully can start working on the habitat. If these jerks give us any trouble, I can take care of it. Tough guys become strangely compliant when you threaten to fill their nasal passages with insects.”
Sam and Xartis shuddered. Heinous Vlaak glared at her.
“That’s it then,” Pepper said. “We’re square.”
“We’re square,” Ethel said.
“Good,” said Pepper. “So I have just one more question.” She looked from Ethel to Dr. Harmigen. “So now that Ethel is… I mean, is the metaswarm going to… I guess what I’m asking is, do you two….”
They stared at her blankly.
“You know what?” Pepper said. “Never mind. Good luck. With the habitat and whatever else you crazy kids get up to. I’m outta here.”
“Safe travels!” cried Ethel and Dr. Harmigen together.
Pepper gave them a salute and ran toward the spaceship.
“I’ll get you for this!” Heinous Vlaak shrieked, shaking his fist in the air.
“Qui tenet teneat, qui dolet doleat,” said Xartis wistfully.
Pepper ran up into the ship. It was as beautiful inside as it was outside. She climbed into the cockpit, closed the gangplank, and hit the ignition. The engines purred to life.
“Oh, my,” she said, her heart racing. “You are a bad little kitty.” She hit the throttle and the sleek black ship shot into space.
She was free.
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The Yanthus Prime Job: A Pepper Melange Novella (Starship Grifters) Page 7
