Not Dead Yet

by Dennis Young

  “The batteries are slowly draining, probably damaged in combat or in the crash. I can’t find any wiring issues, but there is a crack visible in one, so that’s the suspect. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

  Talice kept her gaze steady, squashing the urge to pound her fists on the table. Loudly. “How much time? Give me a real-world scenario.”

  “Two days maximum at acceptable power levels to run all necessary equipment with a safety margin.”

  “How much without a safety margin?”

  “Captain—”

  “Don’t bullshit me Jamal! I’ve got to know so we can decide whether to complete this mission or go home right now. I need military assessment, not hopes and wishes.”

  “Talice,” said Mac quietly.

  “Mac, this is no time to pull punches. We’ve got one chance to finish this mission successfully or go home with our tails between our legs.”

  Talice shifted her gaze back to Jamal, trying desperately to soften her tone. “From this moment, how much power, assuming a minimum safety margin? If you don’t have the numbers, get them for me. I know you’ve pulled a miracle, you and Niky and Mac, just getting things back to where we have a chance. I need to know what to do with that chance. Soon.”

  Jamal looked to Mac, who looked to Niky, who looked back to Talice. “I’ll have your answer in a couple of hours. Mac and Niky and I were just going over things,” he replied.

  Talice nodded. “Then I’ll leave you to it. Honestly, thank you all. We’d be dead by now if not for you.”

  She rose and headed downship, through the hatch and out the open equipment bay ramp into the waning sunlight. She spied Briggs and Rory working on the ATVs.

  “I need your opinion, guys. If we drop right on top of the target, what’s our best and worst outcome?”

  Briggs considered for a moment. “Best, we take them all alive. Worst, we get knocked out of the sky, crash on top of them, and everyone is killed. It will be on the net and vid in about six months when they come looking for us.”

  “We’ve only got one SmartGun left,” said Rory. “And the 10mm drone is gone. And only one minigun on Bird One.”

  “Do we know they don’t have any more missiles, or some sort of artillery?” asked Briggs. “What are they doing right now with that fighter we saw under the tarp?”

  Talice worked her jaw and paced away for a minute. “Good points. Just about what I thought, too. We don’t know enough, but we’re out of time. Batteries are draining slowly. Two days and we’re stranded for good.”

  “We can go home and return. That’s a real option, isn’t it?” asked Rory.

  “The deadline was due to elections. Once that passes, this whole situation is moot. Damage done.”

  Rory shrugged. “Fucking politics, and we’re blamed no matter which way we go. We need double pay on this one. Maybe triple.” He shook his head. “Think this is all going away after the elections? I doubt it. We’re doing everyone’s dirty work, not just the Marines.”

  Talice waved a hand. “Let’s assume no more missiles or artillery. We can land unopposed for the most part. How do we take these people alive?”

  “Can’t let them know we have a deadline, too,” said Briggs. “They can wait longer than we can, right?”

  “Then we give them twenty-four hours, or we blow the place up,” added Rory. “There’s no other way, Captain.”

  Talice paced again. She turned to face them. “Get weapons and armor ready. Get Tooley and Jian to help you. We’re in a box, guys, and we need to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. You’ve got a couple of hours, that’s all.”

  Briggs grinned. “We’re ready now, Captain. Give the word.”

  “I’ll do that, soon. We’re gonna make it very uncomfortable for Nemesis and Jance, I promise.”

  * * *

  Talice retreated to her hammock once again, ducked behind a supply crate to change her patch, then cracked open a bottle of S-H and drank it slowly. One more little item to discuss with Mac. Then we go. But there’s a loose end I need to talk about with her, because it’s been bothering me since we got here.

  She made her way to TacOps, finding Mac alone and looking worn. “How long since you were out of that ridiculous chair and walking?”

  Mac looked up. “Too long. Want to help?” She held her hands out and Talice took them.

  “Okay, ten steps, right? Then back?”

  Mac shuffled her feet, then again. “Quads still aren’t as strong as they need to be. Hips are sore. This hurts.”

  Talice said nothing, wondering if Mac simply wasn’t getting enough exercise, or something else was wrong. They made it halfway down the tilted corridor, Mac grumbling all the way.

  “Okay, turn around. Ten more steps. Good. Now go sit. “Let’s talk.”

  Talice sat, leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “Mac, why hasn’t Jance contacted us to gloat? We know she’s here. She’s got to know it’s us. No one else was dumb enough to take this job.”

  Mac nodded slightly. “I’ve wondered that myself. It’s not like her. Maybe they’re monitoring her, don’t trust her.” She looked up, meeting Talice’s eyes. “Maybe we wounded her, or killed her in the drone attack.”

  Talice shook her head. “I don’t believe it. Something’s up, but I have no idea what. Are they just trying to sucker us in? Or is there dissention in the ranks?”

  Mac sat back, winced, and moved around a bit, trying to get more comfortable. “I don’t think they have any more firepower. If Jance is in charge, she would have come after us once their balloon cameras saw the crash. Maybe that’s where they disagreed.”

  Talice thought about it, then nodded. “Yeah, I can see that. Someone a bit more cautious with less training convinced everyone to hold back. Jance didn’t like it. She’s much more aggressive.”

  “Which leaves us where, Princess? Right where we are, yes? It’s either-or.”

  “Wish we hadn’t lost the 10mm drone. Damn.”

  “We need to take Bird One and knock that balloon out of the sky, first thing,” said Mac.

  Talice nodded. “Then hold back, let them sweat trying to figure out when we’ll attack. Deliver the ultimatum. Bird One could go in at ground level and take that place out before they had any chance to launch.”

  Mac raised a finger. “If that’s what it comes to, yes. But that’s not the plan.”

  “But we have to make them think it is, Mac. We’ve got to convince them we don’t care. Otherwise, they can wait us out. We’ve only got two days.”

  “So we go balloon-busting, then hide behind a mountain?” Mac shook her head.

  “We need to know somehow if they’ve got missiles or guns big enough to knock us out of the sky.”

  “We tried that.”

  Talice pondered. “Then it’s all or nothing. Blaze of glory. Or…”

  Mac raised an eyebrow.

  “What if I tried to contact Jance? Move in closer, under cover, use our wristcom system we think she has access to?”

  “That’s… a big chance.”

  “Yeah, but at least we’d know who we’re dealing with. If she doesn’t answer, it’s pretty obvious. If Jance is out of the decision-making loop, that’s a good thing, right? An hour out, an hour back, and maybe thirty minutes for attempted contact. In the meantime, you keep things moving here. I’ll take Tooley.”

  Mac mulled it over. “No heroics. This is strictly intel gathering.”

  Talice nodded. “Hua, Sergeant. Let me get this done for you. Then we’ll finish the job.”

  * * *

  It took Talice and Tooley a full hour to reach the recon site in the darkness. They hid the ATV under an obvious overhang, then moved it twice more under cover, hoping to fool the balloon cameras, in case they were watching. Which Talice assumed they were. They huddled under a secondary outcropping they hadn’t used before, just in case someone decided to lob a missile, if they had any left.

  “No lights in the central building,” said Tool
ey, watching through a 20X magspec. His visor was up, as was Talice’s, and he glanced her way. “Can I ask why Jance has it in for you?”

  Talice shook her head. “No idea. Believe me, I’ve asked myself that question a dozen times. We were teammates in the Marines. I know she doesn’t care for authority, and I was her lieutenant. Still, she always did her job, and more. She just…” Talice’s voice trailed. “Maybe she just fell in with the wrong crowd after she was out.”

  “This whole situation, with the mission, I mean. I really don’t understand it.”

  “Welcome to the club. It’s politics. No one is supposed to understand it.”

  “Captain… this stuff they’re talking about is all legal. Fourth Sector has always had sex business.”

  “Yep. But again, politics. Two councilmen with fingers in the pie, so to speak.” Among other things, thought Talice.

  Tooley shook his head. “There’s got to be more to it than that.”

  Talice didn’t answer. Sharp kid. But hell, anyone could see through this smokescreen.

  She sat and dug into a pocket. “Time to make a call.”

  “Think she’ll answer?”

  “Actually, I hope so. On this mission, I’d rather deal with someone I know than someone I don’t. Too many variables otherwise.” Talice shucked away a gauntlet and typed in a message. Hello, Jance. We need to talk. Talice.

  They waited in silence. The night was silent as well, with almost no native fauna sounds. Somewhere in the distance a dingo howled, then another in reply.

  “Maybe it’s past her bedtime,” Tooley said, grinning.

  “I’ll give her thirty minutes. Maybe a bit more. We need to finish this.”

  “What if—”

  The wristcom chimed. Talice read, It’s about time. I thought you were dead. Jance.

  Talice nodded. “Okay, Tooley, stay sharp. I don’t want anyone sneaking up on us while I’m engaged. Back off about ten meters and keep a lookout.”

  He moved away without comment. Talice typed. You wish. What’s your situation? I need to know who’s in charge and what it’s going to take to end this. Talice.

  The reply came back immediately. End it? We’ve just started. Sorry about messing up your ride home. Hope you like hot weather. Jance.

  “Fuck you,” muttered Talice. She thought for a minute before typing again. Oh, don’t worry, we’ve got a way home. But the only way you and your friends are going anywhere is in a body bag, unless you and I can reach a deal. So you’d better drop the pretense and work with me. Talice.

  A minute passed. Then another. Something slithered or crawled across Talice’s armored leg. She shook it away, not daring to bring up her light. This cave probably comes to life at night. Creepy isn’t even a word here.

  The wristcom chimed again. What the hell do you want with these people? They’ve done nothing illegal on Theia. They’re just prospectors, see? Trying to make an honest creditmark. Jance.

  Stalling. She’s stalling for time, but why? Talice typed furiously. Okay, that’s fine. We’ll just drop a few grenades on you and see how you like that. Oh, and Hellbores. Don’t forget the Hellbores. Talice.

  More time passed. Talice’s chrono showed at least five minutes. Jance is obviously discussing things or running for her life. Maybe negotiating for her own safety.

  She glanced back at Tooley, the magspec at his eyes again. The wristcom dinged. What do you want? I need specifics. Jance.

  Talice considered. Good question. What do I want right now? Negotiate by wristcom? Are they watching the messages? Tapping in? Jance obviously isn’t doing this all herself. Maybe I need to thin the crowd a bit. Big chance, but maybe worth it.

  She typed again. I want to meet you, face to face, to work out a deal. No tricks, no ambushes, just you and me. We’ve cooperated before. We can do it again, for everyone’s safety. We’ll meet in the open, halfway between your place and mine. Let me know within five minutes. Talice.

  “Let’s find out if she’s got any guts at all,” Talice mumbled to herself.

  Two minutes passed. Then three. Then four. The wristcom chimed. How fucking dramatic can you get? Okay, you get your wish. Frankly, I could do with a walk. Thirty minutes. I’ll even turn on my searchlight at twenty-five. You do the same. No tricks, agreed. Jance.

  Talice let go a breath, then called Tooley down from his perch. “Okay, step one is complete. I’m going out to meet her. You stay put, watch through the magspecs. And keep an eye out for people following her. If you spot anyone, yell. But no firing. Got it?”

  Tooley nodded. “Hua, Captain. Want me to warm up the ATV, just in case?”

  “No. If she cheats on this, I’ll be dead anyway, so it won’t matter. Better she thinks I’ve come alone than you get killed, too. Do your job, Tooley. That’s an order.”

  Talice scooched down the slope, headed for open plain. She didn’t dare look back.

  * * *

  The night was cool. Talice had her visor up, watching around. She upped her suit heater just a bit, then down again as the terrain became a bit more rugged. The distant lights of the target guided her, and she kept them centered on her trek. Twenty minutes in, and there was no sign of Jance.

  Easy, Wyloh. No need to get suspicious. You’ve still got a bit of a way to go.

  She kept walking. Did Jance agree too easily? If she’s in charge, no. If not, then maybe they’re hoping to get rid of her. Geez what these people have isn’t that valuable. Can’t be. Except if they know about the women who disappeared from these clubs, that’s a different story.

  What if Jance doesn’t know? Holy crap…

  Movement ahead caught her eye. Then a light. Talice stopped, switched on her helmet lamp, then continued. The light ahead dimmed a bit, then stopped. Talice paused, taking measure of the figure about ten paces away.

  Merc armor? HCS? What the hell. Oh, shit… she took Aya’s suit. Fucking scavenger.

  “Hello, Talice. Like my HCS? Yeah, it was your friend’s. Damn, woman, what did she do that you mutilated her like that? And you think I’m a bad guy?”

  Talice licked dry lips and took a long pull from her S-H tube. “Not your concern or business. Doesn’t quite fit you, does it? Sort of smashes your boobs up a bit. Not wide enough at the hips, either, I’ll bet.”

  “Fuck that. It works. What do you want? I’ve got other business tonight.”

  I’ll bet you do. Talice considered where to start. “You know why I’m here. I want these people alive.” Talice swallowed, knowing her next words likely wouldn’t be believed. “Let me have them, and you can walk away. No questions.”

  Jance’s eyes narrowed. “Just like that? Oh, come on, Talice, that’s no fun! And do you think they’d let me leave if they knew you were coming for them? What the hell? This is kid stuff! They’ve done nothing wrong! It’s fucking politics, you know that!”

  “That isn’t my concern. I have a job to do, and I’ll do it, one way or the other. You either cooperate, or you’re not getting out of this alive, Jance. I’ve got you by the balls.”

  Jance chuckled. “Big talk. I’ll kill them myself, then where will you be?”

  She’d do it, too, thought Talice. Just for spite, if nothing else. “Then we’ll see you don’t make it off this planet. Like I said, you cooperate, or else.”

  Jance was silent for a long moment. “There’s something else, isn’t there? This is stupid, to be fighting over politics. Tell me, or kiss your job goodbye.”

  Talice took a breath. “Yes, there’s more. I can’t give you any details, but you’re smart enough to work it out yourself. You know why these people are being tracked and who’s tracking them. Just think about Crius. Those women used as sex slaves came from somewhere, and not just kidnappings.”

  Jance’s face lit after a moment, and she nodded. “I see. Yeah, that’s a possibility. Alright, you have my attention. Now what?”

  “I told you.”

  Jance nearly laughed. “So I’m supposed to hand them ove
r and walk away? You think their friends wouldn’t get wind of that in time? There wouldn’t be anyplace in this system I could run to.”

  Geez, there are more Nemesis around? Does Fawkes know that? Talice shook her head. “Not my problem. Yours.”

  “I think I’d rather just kill them. No witnesses, and you take the blame.”

  Talice seethed. “Fuck you! What the hell do you want?”

  “I really didn’t want to do this yet, but we’re at a stalemate. Congratulations.”

  “Fuck you again! Stop playing games! You’re going down!”

  Jance shook her head. “Don’t you wish. Here’s the deal. You meet me, one-on-one, and I’ll turn these people over to you.”

  Talice started to speak, then paused at the absurdity of Jance’s words. “What the hell…?”

  “Oh, don’t worry, I’ve had it all set up for a while. Gonna be in vid, net, everything. Just you and me, Talice. Winner take all.”

  “You mean… like a boxing match?”

  Jance laughed. “Oh, you are so great! This is what I love about you! No, dumbass, merc stuff! You know, guns and armor and blood and guts. Hopefully yours.”

  “You… are crazy…”

  “Yeah, so what? That’s the deal. Take it or leave it. Otherwise, come in and dig them out. Just don’t be surprised if there’s nothing left but bodies.”

  Jance turned and began to walk away.

  Talice called after her. “How… how will I know…”

  Jance turned, walking backward. “Tomorrow. Come after them. Do something dramatic, scare the fuck out of them. Make them think it’s all your idea! Hell, I don’t care. But you agreed. You and me, baby.” She actually winked and saluted.

  Talice stood, dumbfounded, wondering exactly what had just happened. Jance was out of sight by the time she headed back to the outcropping and Tooley.

  * * *

  The ride back to Bird One was made in troubled silence. Talice continued to process her conversation with Jance and what it all really meant.

  Was she serious? A fucking duel? Yeah, that’ll last about three seconds. And on vid, and net? Hell, people would be clamoring for their money back if its pay-vid. What the hell is she thinking?