by T. M. Catron
“Why do they make them so easy to find?” Abel asked as they went down a well-lit, wide staircase beyond a door in the nearest building.
“Nobles use them to travel unseen within the city. Politicians like ways to move around without being seen.” Rance shuddered as they descended the stairs. The first corridor wasn’t bad—well-lit, airy, and clean. They met a few people running past them who must have had the same idea.
They followed the corridor, sometimes stepping into a side hallway to avoid running into more people. As they went, the tunnels turned darker. And they weren’t well-maintained. Dirt and grime covered the floor and splashed up onto the walls. What lights were available, instead of warm yellow, became white and uninviting.
Doors were everywhere. Occasionally they passed one that had the hum of a machine behind it. The smell of warm grease pervaded everything, mixing with the damp air until it stung their eyes and throats. Although dry air was being pumped through, it couldn’t eliminate the sticky, cool air of neglect.
The worst part by far was the feeling of being slowly, excruciatingly crushed by the ground above. Rance was okay on a cramped spaceship, but underground was a whole other complication. Her stomach rolled into a knot that wouldn’t untie, and she had difficulty breathing. When she did, the smell of grease and foul air almost drove her to turn around and run out. She put her visor down.
Abel led the way. “We have similar tunnels on Triton,” he said. “But there, only maintenance and security workers use them.”
Abel followed dark, exposed piping above their heads. The ceilings became so low Rance and Solaris had to duck. Despite the cool air, Rance broke out in a sweat. Her clothes became uncomfortable, sticking to her body and making her feel generally gross.
Once, Rance had gone into the mines on Xanthes with her father and Tally. She’d lasted ten minutes before her heart raced and her head began spinning. She almost passed out. Tally had had to escort her out of the mine, to the great displeasure of Davos.
As the tunnel sloped downward, Rance breathed carefully through her nose to keep from panicking. But she didn’t say anything. No point in worrying Abel or Solaris.
But when the floor leveled out again and water beaded on the walls, the knot in her stomach turned into a rock.
They were under the river.
“You okay?” Solaris asked.
“Yes,” she replied tersely. “Just hurry, okay?”
They picked up the pace, weaving through tunnels that became increasingly darker. Rance worried she would lose her mind, imagined sitting down on the concrete floor, putting her head between her knees, and crying like a baby. But just as she was about to act out her fantasy, the floor began to slope upward.
“You know, boss,” Abel said. “I always thought Prometheus was a rich planet. But after seeing these maintenance tunnels, they must have fallen on hard times. No wonder Unity isn’t here to defend them.”
“Most cities are like this beneath,” Solaris said. “The empire isn’t as grand as it would seem on the surface.”
Rance didn’t have any opinions to offer on the matter. Well, she did, but she was too busy trying not to panic or lose her sanity to discuss the state of the empire. Although she was on the run from a barbaric marriage decree, Rance still considered herself a citizen. She cared about the empire, and the cities’ dilapidation concerned her.
Beneath her helmet, Rance’s hair was soaked with sweat. She forced the broken latch apart to take it off. The smell of grease and dirt was preferable to suffocating inside her own personal sauna.
Finally, the way widened, and they began climbing a hill. They passed intersecting tunnels. Each one became more elaborate, more comfortable than the one before it. They were almost there.
“Where do you think this comes out?” Abel asked.
“Most of these tunnels come up in the residential district,” Rance said. “Like I said, the nobles use them quite frequently, although I don’t think they travel the one that we just used—it was too dirty.”
She breathed more easily now, and her heart rate had slowed to the point where she could deal with it. Maybe she would get out of this alive—and without hyperventilating.
They walked another hour. Gradually, fresh, circulating air dried Rance’s hair. The water on the walls dried. And then the corridor ended in a wide staircase leading upwards to the street.
Chapter Seven
When they exited through a door leading out of the basement of a low, flat building, the first things they noticed were the sirens blaring and the darkness falling. Rance put on her helmet again—gently—and closed the visor. The wind picked up, blowing the smoke away. Just like from the other side of the river, the residential section stretched out as far as the eye could see. Tall, shining buildings, wide parks, and fountains stretched in every direction. The buildings here were farther apart, allowing the green-tinged sunset to light the deserted streets.
Now that the sun had faded, the day was turning cold. Rance shivered. She was weary, hungry, and the weight of her responsibility slowed her down like she was carrying the Star Streaker on her back. What if they couldn’t get out? What if she couldn’t find Moira?
Behind them, on the other side of the river, the fire had spread to other buildings. That way was completely closed off. If they ever found Moira, they’d have to find an alternate route.
Rance had no intention of going back underground. She tried to contact James, who was planning to pick them up. But all she got was static.
For the first time, she doubted whether she could keep her friends safe. She wanted to keep her word even though she hadn’t actually spoken with Moira. But she also wanted to keep Solaris and Abel in one piece. It was up to her to protect the crew. She was the captain. And they were her family.
She trudged along, leading them into the darkened section of the city. Rance knew exactly where she was now and headed for Moira’s neighborhood. Davos had his own residence in this area, but she was certain her father was nowhere near the planet. At least, she hoped he hadn’t been near it, or on one of those ships that had exploded in the barricade.
Rance may have still felt the sting of her father’s betrayal, but she didn’t wish him dead.
The tall buildings lining the street exuded wealth and power. Once upon a time, Rance would have enjoyed strolling through the streets dressed in fine clothes, her face studded with jewels. But she had not been able to do so for some time, and now that she knew how other people lived, she preferred the life of a free commoner to the life of a pampered noblewoman.
Rance hadn’t wanted to admit all this to Solaris when he’d questioned her. But she was embarrassed by who she used to be. She knew she couldn’t help where she’d come from, but when she thought of all the silly parties and ridiculous expectations she’d had, she grew angry with herself.
Her anger made her even more determined to get Moira off the planet. It seemed like all the pirates in the galaxy had gathered in this one spot. What were they doing?
Of course, Prometheus was an important planet. It controlled vast swaths of the sector as well as held an important governmental seat on Triton. But without the citizens, the planet wasn’t as useful. So, what did the pirates have in mind? Were they simply here to pillage and plunder?
If they were, Rance wouldn’t be surprised. She’d grown up hearing terrible stories about the pirates who flew across the galaxy with abandon, perpetrating horrific crimes upon the innocent they encountered.
With a shudder, Rance decided she didn’t want to be anywhere near the city when they landed. Which meant they had very little time to get out.
“Where will she be?” Solaris asked.
Rance sent a quick message over her comm, broadcasting again in case Moira was listening. But all she heard was static. “Communications are still down.”
“And they’ll continue to be until the pirates land,” Solaris said. His face turned red, and Rance was about to ask him why when they encounter
ed a group of men walking up the street. Wishing to avoid another confrontation, Rance, Solaris, and Abel moved into the long shadows cast by the buildings.
The men walked on. Rance had the feeling that it was only a matter of time before they would have to fight their way through a crowd. Right now, people were just trying to stay indoors and away from the sirens.
Rance turned to look at Solaris. He was glaring at the men as they walked away. She’d never really seen him angry. “Everything all right?”
“I just wish we had some direction, that’s all. For some indication that your friend is even here on this planet where we are wandering around exposed for all to see.”
A surge of anger welled up in Rance. “If you didn’t want to come, you shouldn’t have.”
“It’s not that,” Solaris said, shaking his head. “I don’t like pirates.”
“Only pirates like pirates,” Abel said sagely. “And most of them don’t like each other, either.”
“Didn’t you fight pirates as a Galaxy Wizard?” Rance asked.
“Yes, many and often. Since I was a child, I vowed that any I encountered would feel the full wrath of the Wizards.”
Rance frowned. She’d never heard Solaris talk that way. He was usually mild-mannered, and except for the few times he’d been forced to act, it was easy for her to forget that he’d fought in Unity’s elite special force.
Rance’s comm crackled in her ear, sending an eardrum-splitting squeak into her head. “Ow! Who’s doing that?”
“Not me, boss,” Abel said, wincing.
“Nor me,” Solaris said. He turned on his heel and scanned the dark towers around them. When nothing else came through, they continued their hunt.
Rance decided to make her way to her father’s old residence. Moira had lived close by a few years ago. They were taking a chance that she still did, but options were scarce given the circumstances.
They walked for another hour. The planet grew darker, the deep shadows of night replacing the long shadows of the buildings. Prometheus didn’t have a moon, and the stars were blocked by smoke spreading over the city.
They hid from a few more roaming bands, unwilling to find out if they were friend or foe. Every few minutes, Rance tried hailing Moira on an open channel.
As the night went on, the group became even more tired. Rance forced one foot in front of the other, shook her head to keep her eyes open. With no food and no sleep, she was running on pure adrenaline. And even that was failing her.
With his armor to support his weapons as well as his body, Abel didn’t complain. Solaris stewed about something. Rance didn’t ask what. At that moment, all she could think about was sitting down, putting her head on her knees, and sleeping.
After midnight, the first of Kaur’s dark ships flew overhead. The trio ducked into an alley, watching the sky for more. Three more ships passed by before they felt safe enough to move on.
“They’re landing, aren’t they?” Rance asked.
“Looks like it,” Solaris said.
“Will the Star Streaker be safe?”
“If James doesn’t move it.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“No, but where’s he going to go?”
“You don’t know what he’ll be forced to do!”
“True,” was all he said. And he refused to argue further.
Rance, fuming, hungry, and cold, was ready to give up. She wanted to, oh so badly. Suddenly, the mission seemed like a foolish errand—an immature, brainless, impulsive errand. Rance mentally kicked herself. If they got off the planet alive, it would be a miracle. She looked at Solaris again, hoping he had at least one more miracle left in him.
Finally, she pulled up her handset to check the status of the Star Streaker, but it wouldn’t tell her anything, either. She tried to hail James on the comm. All she earned was more squawking in her earpiece.
“You ready to give up, boss?” Abel asked.
“No. I just wanted to check in with them. But it would be great if they could pick us up.”
Solaris gave her a sideways glance. “There’s no shame in going back, Captain Cooper. To come this far for someone you barely know—it’s commendable.”
Maybe he was right. She looked into Solaris’ blue eyes, wondering what he was really thinking.
He seemed to be thinking one thing and saying something different.
“Do you think we should go back?” she asked. She waited for him to respond, but she knew her decision. They’d come this far. If she left now, she’d always regret it. It felt too much like running away.
But you’re very good at running away, Devri. She pushed aside the small voice inside her head, the one that liked to remind her of her failings. No use dwelling on the past now. And this situation was different. Moira’s life could be in danger. Running away from her father only endangered herself and, to some extent, Tally. Running away from Moira could mean her death.
Solaris, who had been thoughtfully watching the street, finally shook his head. “We’re here, might as well assist if we can. If you’re right and she was afraid to leave the planet, she’s in hiding. I just wish we could get past those jammers.”
“Me, too.”
Rance tried one more time to raise James or Moira. But when her earpiece sent ringing vibrations into her skull, she stopped trying. Then she looked up at the dark sky with its smoke and glanced around at the quiet buildings. She was just about to suggest they find a place to rest a few minutes when a woman exited the building across the street.
She was dressed in a long robe, the kind that trailed the pavement when she walked. Even from the silhouette, Rance recognized that type. It was a noblewoman’s clothing, never meant to touch the ground outside. Only the very wealthy wore robes like that because they never had to walk outside for themselves if they didn’t want to. They only wore those fine clothes indoors.
The woman looked both ways up and down the street. Rance didn’t try to hide. But when the woman saw them, she shrank back into the shadows of the building.
Rance’s comm squawked again. Only this time, a woman’s voice was mingled in with the static. It wasn’t coming through the earpiece but from across the street.
“Stay here,” she told Solaris and Abel. Then she darted across the street, keeping her eye on a band of men three buildings down. The woman saw Rance and turned to go inside.
“Moira?”
The woman stopped, looking Rance up and down as if she didn’t believe what she was seeing. Then she approached cautiously, trying to identify Rance in the dark. “Devri? Is it really you? I didn’t think I’d reached you.”
Rance kept her eyes on the gang of men. They looked like they were checking alleys, checking doors. She didn’t like the way they systematically looked at everything. Since it was dark, she couldn’t tell if they were pirates or citizens, but this late at night she didn’t want to take a chance on either of them.
“I didn’t think I’d find you either,” Rance said. “Hi, Moira.”
Moira grabbed her in a tight hug. The young woman was much shorter than Rance, but her grip was strong. She trembled a bit, and Rance could only imagine how frightened she must have been.
As soon as Solaris and Abel reached them, Moira let go and punched in the code to let them inside.
Inside was dark, but their feet echoed off fine stone. Even the air felt richer.
“This building still has power,” Moira said. “But I’ve kept off the lights to avoid any attention.”
“You’re the only one left in the building?”
“Just my serving girls are with me—Tania and Sonya.”
She led them to an elevator which Rance was happy to see still worked. They stepped onto it, and less than a minute later, it opened on beautiful, expansive living quarters at the top of the building. Plush furniture and AI-controlled amenities covered the entire room. Expansive windows gave them views of the city on four sides, with private rooms in the middle of the building.
From their vantage point, the fires around the city burned like torches at a ceremony—giant torches ringing them in, offering no way out. Warships flew overhead and around, all marked with Pirate Kaur’s symbol.
“Moira,” Rance said. “I want you to meet some of my crew—Roote and Abel.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Moira said, offering each of them her hand. “I would offer a party in your honor, but things have changed a little bit around here.”
Abel and Solaris both bowed.
“Are you ready to leave?” Solaris asked.
Moira looked confused. “Now?”
“That’s why we’re here,” Rance said. “You asked for help getting off the planet.”
“Yes. I did.” Moira looked disorientated and stared around the room as if she couldn’t think of what to say next.
“Pack one bag, keep it light,” Rance said. “We’re going to have to find another way back to the Star Streaker.”
“Is that the name of your ship?”
“Yes.”
“And you want to leave now?”
In truth, Rance wanted nothing more than to lay down on one of the cushions in the middle of the room and go to sleep. Her head hurt, her body hurt, even her teeth hurt. Her exhaustion must have shown because Moira suddenly had a look of pity on her face.
“Have you eaten?”
In answer, Abel’s stomach rumbled. Solaris walked around the windows, looking out at the city below and the glow of the fires.
Rance sighed. Despite the fact they needed to get out as quickly as possible, she was too tired to think straight. And she was just as hungry as Abel.
“We’ll give you some time to pack,” she said. “In the meantime, we could use some sleep. And food. Alright with you?”
Moira nodded. “I won’t need much time. But you’re welcome to sleep anywhere you find a space. There are plenty of rooms. Mine is the first door on the right. Take any other one you choose.”
Abel was the first to take her invitation, stomping off to find a door. He disappeared into it right away, and Rance heard his weapons and armor clatter to the floor. Within seconds, his deep snores rang out throughout the house.
