by Casey Lea
“Aye, sar. Senior has the bridge.”
Free groaned inwardly at the formal and very human response. Spense was royally drakked-off. However, Free pushed away from his seat and headed from the nest without a second thought. Spense would get over it. He always did. It was one of the things Free liked about him.
The link was short, much shorter than he was used to, and Free reached the bay for the single small shuttle in seconds. He stepped into it, folding into the nearer of the two seats and humming softly to himself. No, he realized, that was Dax humming in his head. A tune Free didn’t even know, but it was pretty.
Karrie used to sing it to the little ones.
“Not to you though.”
Course not. How are you planning to get past the docking scans for Hinterland? It’s Malik’s home base and will be wrapped up tighter than a constipated sphincter.
“Start with bribery and move on to violence.”
Dax’s next thought sounded disgusted. You’d be lost without me. Just get us berthed and I’ll unscramble the codes you need.
Free didn’t answer as he steered the dart out of the opening hatch. He slipped it through with both wings scraping the sides and instantly closed the port. He let the small ship settle against the belly of the larger vessel it had just left. It nestled there like a remora tick and he tried to still the flutter in his own belly. He was going to see Dee again. Soon.
He leaned his head back against the reclined seat. She was fine. He was certain-sure of it. His insides twisted, but he fought back. She was alive… she was alive… she was alive. She had to be.
She’s good, Dax agreed with all the confidence of youth. Now snuggle up to a real smuggler and let’s slip into a dock before anyone sees us.
It was good advice and Free pulsed the thrusters to push the dart away from its mother ship. It fell out of the shadow of that vessel and into the light of a blue-white star. It was hard not to flinch and feel that the bright face of the planet below was staring at him.
A larger shadow passed overhead and Free darted after it. He pulsed his ship upward to nestle close to the tail fins of a merchanter-class vessel with extra weapons tacked all over it. It was definitely a smuggler’s ride and from its size perhaps a slaver’s too. He hardly dared to breathe as he matched its pace while fine-tuning his camouflage field. The dart should look like part of the pirate ship and pass through all scans other than an intense drill-down.
Nice flying, Dax chimed in. What’s with the attitude? I’ve seen cats in a kennel that were less nervous.
“If we get caught, we can’t save Dee.”
It was as simple as that and Free admitted he was more than scared. He was terrified. If he mucked this up, Darsey could die. If he failed, even if he didn’t get her killed, she’d still be a prisoner. He gasped for air and pulled his thoughts away from such a captivity and what it meant. She was alive, he was sure of it, and that was the most important thing.
A dazzling white beam swept over the ship like slow-motion lightning. Free tensed and Dax cursed for him. An intense scan. Free didn’t know why there was a change in routine, but a port alarm sounded while a no-entry cursor started to flash on his image of the berths ahead and he swore too. A distant voice whispered through the dart so he flicked at the settings hologram to make it louder.
“…incursion has occurred. All movement is to halt. Unsanctioned incursion has occurred. All movement is to halt…”
Free silenced the order. This was a problem and he had no idea how to get round it.
34
Terminal Velocity
Free watched the harsh beam of a drill-strength scan move closer and made his decision. It was time to leave. He pulsed the thrusters until the dart drifted away from the shelter of the hard-edged pirate ship above. It tipped toward the grey-and-blue planet below and he let it go. Perhaps he could drop it into the atmosphere disguised as a meteor.
Won’t work, Dax offered without invitation. Even a dart’s going to ping the alarm. It needs to be smaller.
“Thanks,” Free growled. “I can’t start throwing out the seats and the sink in midair.”
Course not. Just jump.
Free managed a chuckle at that. At least one of them still had a sense of humor. He sensed disdain from Dax and stopped laughing.
Scared? the boy asked, making Free snort again.
“Of many things. That includes failing Dee, so don’t ask me to jump out of a spaceship again.”
It’s easy.
“I’m sure it would be if I had wings. I don’t. End of big idea.”
This time Dax laughed. Patri made us jump with our wings furled. Good practice for moments like this.
Free took a second to consider the suggestion more seriously. The planet filled his holograms, its solid curve softened by the fuzz of an atmosphere. Those clouds almost looked soft. Almost.
“No, it’s crazy. You still must have opened your wings to land safe.”
Duh. But your com can power anti-grav for a time.
“At terminal velocity? Only for a few seconds. It’s not enough.”
Well, I can’t think of everything.
A scan spotlight brushed past and Free narrowed his eyes. It was getting very bright up here. He reached to flick the controls that would speed their descent, but the scan swept back. He had to close his eyes against it and a siren whistled through the dart.
We’re busted, Dax added helpfully. They won’t bother with questions. Missiles next. About ten seconds.
“What? Guano.”
Free could have spent a lot more time swearing, but was already moving. He blew the hatch and held on tight with one hand, while turning back to grab the power storage cowl on the front of the engine. Wind whipped past, whistling along with the warning siren, as his atmosphere vented into space. His fingers curled around the edge of the power store as it slowly – gods, so slowly - opened.
The lid started to lift and he pried it the rest of the way, breaking the mechanism to force his hand in. He grabbed the energy cell within and pushed off with his feet. He arced through the hatch, following the last of his air and saw something curving in. A missile.
He pulsed his com and rocketed away from the dart, but was still too close. His com field would be shattered when the dart exploded. He set the power cell to drain and slapped it to his wrist.
The missile hit and Free’s world turned to red and violet while shrapnel sped past. Something hit him a glancing blow and space became dark again.
Free had no idea how much time had passed when he came to. The dart’s alert siren was still whistling around him, which didn’t seem right, and he was trying to make sense of that when a voice in his head drilled through the noise.
Are we alive? Truly?
Probably, Free thought back. Give me a minute to check.
He started by flexing his fingers and toes. They all seemed to work, so they must still be there, at least he hoped so. He opened his eyes and instantly squinted. He was falling through sunshine, while the wind blasted his body and whistled past his ears.
Hinterland was still there, but much larger and it was no longer a planet. It was a rug stretched out below to catch him, spreading as far as he could see in every direction. He was free-falling and his com power was gone.
“Good news,” he screamed above the wind to Dax. “We’re alive. Bad news, not for long.”
Your breaking-news skills pluck. How did we survive the missile?
“I tied an extra power-source into my com. I guess it’s depleted, because I’m being battered by a wind tunnel.”
Why the hail don’t you have wings like a normal person?
Dax was trying to sound brave, but Free could feel the fear behind the boy’s bravado. It wasn’t difficult, since he shared it. The ground was so close it seemed to be leaping to meet them. The grey sea and rippled coastline were stunning and likely to be even more so up close. Should he close his eyes?
No, Dax though just as Free made the sa
me decision.
He watched the lacy strip of beach hurtle to meet them and tried to appreciate the sight. He gave himself to the fall - the sounds of it and the plucking of wind at his limbs. Adrenaline shook him as hard as the breeze, but he didn’t look away. It was quite a dive. Too bad he didn’t have something as old-fashioned as a parachute stored in his com.
“Drakking hells.”
Free’s fingers felt cold and clumsy on his com, but he managed to tap the release sequence at his third try and a flag much larger than he was fluttered from storage. He grabbed desperately for an end, but the leading edge was ripped away by the wind. He grasped after the tail of cloth and his fingers snagged a corner.
Got it, Dax crowed, but there was terror in his cry.
The huge banner danced with the wind, while Free struggled to cut in. He hooked his hand deeper in the silky cloth. It tried to slither away, but as it slid from his grip he got his other hand on it. There was a brief tug-of-war with the gale, but he had the scarlet-and-gold Royal Fleet flag and reeled it in to bunch against his chest.
Free looked down and wished he hadn’t.
His fingers started knotting the corners of the flag together and he managed to pull his gaze back to them. He worked feverishly fast. The ground was so close he could see it magnified with every second, despite focusing on his hands. It was a background that was lunging for him and about to become the foreground.
The knots were finally tight, but the rocks edging the beach had grown clear and sharp-edged, along with the tendrils of water-trees in the surf. Free stuffed his arms through the two sets of knotted corners. The flag snapped out to be snagged by the wind and clutched at his underarms. He folded his arms across his chest and gripped his opposite biceps tight.
The flag billowed open and Free was jerked upward.
He dangled for a few seconds, before the ground swallowed him. He smacked into wet sand and darkness.
When Free opened his eyes again he was staring at a cold blue sky and water was running under his calves. He shivered at the touch of the wave, so his com must be fully depleted. It would take time to recharge and he couldn’t afford to wait. It was shockingly hard to roll over and stand. He wobbled upright in the damp sand and had to take a step, but at least his body seemed to be working.
You call this working? Dax asked. You’ve slept half the day away.
That was a shock. “Truly?”
How should I know? When you nap, so do I. Climb the dunes and let’s see where we are.
Free chuckled and jogged up the beach to climb the sand hills beyond. He went carefully, avoiding the sharp-edged grass-like plants that covered the slopes. The top was surprisingly high and he was puffing by the time he finished his climb. Drak, he missed his com. He looked around and swore.
There was no sign of sentient life. Not even a shack. There was something though, darkening part of the horizon. Fortunately Free had good eyesight, even without assistance. He squinted and recognized a planetary link. It snaked out of sight, but would doubtless lead to the nearest city. He should be able to get to the link in less than an hour, though he wasn’t sure how he’d get past any checkpoints.
That’s easy, Dax said. I used to live here and I remember my codes. So let’s move. I want to go play hero and get the girl. I’m really keen on that part.
“The only reward you’ll get is me reading one of those comics you like.”
You are not fun. You’re anti-fun. You’re the black hole of fun.
“Hush. I need to run and you need to have those codes ready on the tip of my tongue.”
Dax became mercifully quiet and Free slid down the dune, spilling sand as he went, but keeping his stride carefully controlled. He wanted to sprint, but paced himself because he had to keep his eye on the prize. Saving Dee. He’d feel her mind once they were close and then nothing would slow him down.
35
Too Late
Free knelt beside a length of twisted chain with a broken shackle on the end and struggled with nausea. His com checked the blood and skin smeared on them. He risked a glance, but looked quickly away. Darsey’s DNA was all over the steel. The attached chain was still linked at the other end to a monstrous bed, but he pulled his thoughts away from that in an effort to stay sane. She’d been here. He must be close, but slow. Too slow.
I’m sorry, Dax thought softly.
“Don’t be,” Free managed through clenched teeth. “We’re on the right track. I just need to move faster.”
He headed back to the door and the empty hall beyond. Were the guards missing because they’d shifted Darsey, or were they out hunting her after an escape? The planetary alarm hinted at a rescue, but he didn’t know who else would be trying to help Dee. Wing and Jileea’s ships were too far away.
The sound of boots got Free moving again. He made it through the door and round a corner before anyone came in sight. He checked his com for the feed from a spy fleck he’d dropped. The image was grainy, because his wristband was still on low power, but it was enough to see that the pirates passing by didn’t have Darsey.
Free slid down the wall to crouch on the balls of his feet and risked closing his eyes. The sense of Dee’s mind was still strong. It had led him this far, but remained imprecise. It was almost as if she was sleeping, but that seemed impossible with so many whistles sounding and lights flashing.
Gods drakkit, Free thought and waited for Dax to pretend to be shocked at his swearing, but his companion stayed sensibly quiet.
The maze of tunnels that formed Malik’s stronghold was filled with muffled cries and distant footsteps, which meant Free only had one option. He had to get to the spaceport, steal a ship and return to Spense. They could tag every ship leaving, until Wing arrived to search the sector. Dee must be close. They had evidence now and it was time to get violent.
Still it galled him to have to walk away. He wanted to roam these cramped corridors until he had her safe in his arms. Unfortunately, there were pirates roaming them too. He could try creeping round in the energy conduits, but that was slow and his patience was gone. He had to get back into space before Dee was stolen away again.
“We need to leave,” he said and Dax responded at once.
Here’s the layout, he offered and a vision of Malik’s headquarters appeared in Free’s mind. It was detailed and he saw at once where he was. The earth-block fortress spread over two floors, with taller towers at each corner and a courtyard in the middle. It’s back wall was set on the edge of a cliff, with no easy way past and consequently no added security. It looked like the perfect escape route for anyone prepared to risk the thin lip that led down from it.
Free had reached the base of one of the rear towers and if he turned to the right he’d be parallel with that earthen wall. The corridors he was moving along were made of fullerene which was much harder than the mud blocks, so he needed to find a path into a room with an exterior wall. He checked Dax’s memory again. “How do you know this place so well?”
Basic reconnaissance. Patri was very big on the basics. We had to know the strong points of every town we lived in and a fortress full of pirates isn’t something you forget. Lucky for you I remember their energy flow frequency too, so we can slip into their power conduits without frying.
Free grunted and checked his path one more time. Then he ran without using his com, but his pace was still fast enough to take the edge off the anxiety gnawing at him. He reached a door that led to the guards’ quarters and finally looked for a hidden conduit he could squeeze along. The barracks were at the back of the fortress, on that nearly sheer exterior wall. He could slip into a sleeping room and cut his way out. He just hoped that because of the emergency everyone was on duty, rather than resting.
The door was locked and impossible to breach, but the energy conduits were usually their own protection. Consequently, they had no added security and no need for pass codes. He checked his wrist and his com had regained enough power to vibrate his personal shield at the rig
ht frequency to protect him from the energy flowing through the walls. It was time to find a path to the most logical exit point.
Free felt carefully along the wall around the door and his hands slipped through the camouflage on its far side and into a hidden conduit. Energy flashed past his fingers making them hot, but it was bearable. He eased himself up and into the hatch, crawling forward into a tunnel that was almost too tight. He had to slide forward, pushing with his toes, as colorful lights streamed past.
A short trip through the pulses of power led Free into the barracks. He ducked his head out of the camouflage field hiding the service ways and found an empty corridor. He listened and this area of the stronghold was quiet, so he slid out of the conduit, planting his boots carefully on the floor. The passageway remained silent. He trotted in the direction of the outermost rooms, glancing round a corner, before turning into a new corridor. He had nearly reached its end when he heard soft footfalls.
Free turned, to see three figures slinking round the corner behind him.
There were two males and a female, moving just as cautiously as he was. They stopped and studied him back. Free locked gazes with the largest of the group, who stared appraisingly from mismatched eyes. The difference was obvious, even at a distance, with one light green and the other bronze. He otherwise seemed to be human, but looked unlike anyone Free had ever seen before. The stranger shifted his bulk slightly, to stand between Free and the rest of the group.
The big man’s body was typically fit and muscular – in modern society few people chose to look weak - but his hair was striking. It was clipped so short it was little more than a red fuzz and fire seemed to be crawling through it. Free realized the stranger’s hair had been shaved to leave curves that were filled by tattooed tongues of flame. The effect was striking and shifted Free’s assessment of the man from that of professional soldier to a potentially less-disciplined warrior. Perhaps a member of some new cult.
The female stepped past her colleague and her gaze flicked over Free. Her upper lip curled in disdain, but her voice was soft. “Move.”
