by Beth Reason
Chapter 22
Scarab eased from her perch on top of a large, ornate fence that surrounded the Bradwin property. She'd been sitting up there nearly an hour, trying to determine the type of electro perimeter being used and figuring out the sweep pattern of the sentry bots. When she was confident she could beat the system, she took a deep breath and went for it.
The electro perimeter was easy. Though it made a complete square, it was only a couple of feet high. She initially assumed that the perimeter was programmed to allow bots to pass through, as they scanned all the way to the old, decorative fence. However, twice she saw human guards lift their legs and step over the invisible shields. It was pathetic, really, and she shook her head once again at Bradwin's stupidity as she easily stepped over the invisible barriers as well. There was another one around the house itself that broke for the doorways. The signature on the small radar Weevil had included in the bag of tricks he sent with Scarab showed a much higher alarm zone, but she could easily deal with that when she got there.
The human guards marched with strict regularity. Every seven and a half minutes, one would appear to the southern side of the house where Scarab planned her entry. They'd spend two minutes walking slowly by until they rounded the corner out of view. She doubted any of them had any significant experience guarding as they really did little more than saunter around. She sat right on the top of a fence for several rotations of guards, and not one of them bothered to look up. Bradwin was one cocky son of a bitch, she'd give him that.
The bots were the only real problem, as bots always were. They scanned in small sectors. On her particular side, there were four, and each traveled in tight squares around the south lawn. There was not an inch they didn't scan. However, they didn't bother the guards. The guards marched directly in their scan path, and the first time, Scarab held her breath, expecting a great laser show. Instead, the bot hesitated, scanned, then moved on. Scarab watched the same thing over and over, fascinated. Either the scientists had figured out how to make a smart bot that actually worked, or the guards had some sort of device that terminated the bot's kill signal. Either way, Scarab was positive she wasn't going to receive the same friendly welcome reaction if she crossed their path.
As Scarab crouched in the shadows waiting for a guard to pass, she quietly pulled her pack around to the front and searched inside until her hands closed around a small device Weevil had promised was "almost sort of guaranteed, probably" to disable a bot. She had been watching the house for hours from various locations. The sun would be up soon, and if she didn't at least get inside, she'd have to wait another agonizing day. She knew she couldn't take that kind of torture. She'd have to rely on Weevil and hope one of his machines finally worked.
Scarab closed her eyes and took a deep breath, settling the pack on her back firmly and getting into a running position. She cleared her mind and let her old instincts guide her. The guard turned the corner and didn't even look back and she knew she had to move. She crouched low and took a few cautious steps towards the grid of bots. Old fear surged inside and she had to tamp it down as she pressed the button on the gadget and waited to see what would happen. The seconds ticked by, the bots got closer, and she felt a trickle of sweat roll down her face. "Come on," she whispered, not really sure what she was even supposed to expect. The bots were mere feet from her. In no time, they would pick up her heat signature and it would all be over. She held the button as Weevil instructed and swallowed hard, knowing she wouldn't even have enough time to draw a weapon before she was fried.
The hum of the bot changed and Scarab had enough time to swear and squeeze her eyes before she heard the laser. After a heartbeat, she realized she wasn't fried and she cracked her eyes open to find that one bot had fired on another. The second bot turned and released a burst of electricity as it went down, taking the first out of commission as well. Scarab's eyes went wide as the other two bots received the signals to assist and they, too, began firing on the first bot. Within seconds, all four bots were incapacitated by their own lasers, and a heap of metal carnage lay in the lawn before her. She looked at the device in her hand and let out a small, triumphant laugh of relief before clamping her lips shut and looking to see if the mini war had been noticed. The night was still silent, but she knew she had to move fast. Even the most moronic of guards couldn't miss the crumpled mess. She shoved Weevil's wonderful little device into her pocket and ran forward, crouching low with a wide grin on her face. Someone finally figured out how to beat the bots. What she wouldn't have given in her hunting days for something like that!
The hum of the second electro perimeter wiped the smile off her face. Scarab pulled the radar off her belt and studied it. According to the readings, the wall of electricity climbed up to the tops of the lower story windows. It made sense. The smooth marble walls would be impossible to scale. Anyone trying to get in would have to go through a door or a window. She peered at the window and wasn't surprised to see thin wires running through the glass. She'd be dead if she tried to get in that way. She leaned back and looked up, seeing no way to access the second story windows. A glance at her watch said she only had about three more minutes before the guard rounded the corner. She quickly eased up to a door, double checking the radar to make sure it was not electrified before giving it a quiet test. It was locked, as she figured it would be, and she crouched down to consider her options.
Scarab had seen a guard enter the door. Whatever type of lock system was used, the guard had the key. Making up her mind, she slipped behind a bush, pressing her face into the prickly branches to keep her back from crossing the invisible wall of death. She took a deep breath and held it, straining to hear footsteps. When her lungs began to ache, she slowly released her breath, taking care to make as little sounds as possible, then repeated until she could hear the tell tale scuffle of boots on the carved marble walkway. She waited until she saw the man's legs through the scraggly leaves of the bush, then eased out and silently followed him until he was right in front of the door. The man never even had a chance. Before he could register her movement, a knife was at his throat and a hand was over his mouth.
"Do you want to die tonight?" Scarab asked quietly. The man furiously shook his head. "Then open the door." He shook his head again and she moved the knife blade, just enough to nick his skin and sting. The man whimpered and then moved forward awkwardly. He ran his hand in front of the door sensor and there was a click as the door swung into the manor. Scarab released her hold on his mouth, but kept the knife in place. "How did you do that?"
"Chi...chip," he stammered. He held up his wrist and wiggled it around.
"Internal?"
He nodded, then stopped when he felt the blade. "Y-y-yes. Don't kill me," he begged.
Scarab removed the blade from his neck. Before he could react, she pulled her hand back and bashed the handle of the knife into the man's temple. He crumpled almost soundlessly to the ground, and Scarab pulled him into the manor, her eyes quickly scanning the hallway. It was clearly a servant's entrance. Instead of the opulent marble and crystal she knew she'd see in the main section of the manor, the floors and walls were constructed of cheap concrete. She froze and listened. She could hear someone talking from a room toward the end of the hall, but detected no movement.
Scarab listened at a sliding door to her right. All was silent and she eased the door open to reveal a closet. Perfect. She pulled the man inside and then closed the door, jamming her knife into the door track on the floor. She doubted the guard would wake up for awhile, but even if he did, he would be good and stuck.
Scarab made her way down the hall, pausing to check each door for any signs of life behind. The household was still sleeping for the most part, and she thanked her lucky stars. As she neared the one room with activity, she moved silently, easing her body forward until she could clearly hear the sound of some sort of broadcast. She took a deep breath and peeked around the corner, her hand on her gun just in case. A guard sat in front of a
com doc, listening to some program while he snoozed. Scarab rolled her eyes and backed away. Even though it worked in her favor, she couldn't help but be disgusted by the lack of preparation Bradwin showed. Didn't he know she'd be coming for her family? She shook her head and crossed in front of the doorway. On the other side was a staircase, and she slipped up the dark passage, climbing carefully to the second floor where the family would be housed.
At the top of the stairs, there was another sliding door. Scarab pressed her ear to the wood and listened, but the other side of the door was as silent as the rest of the house had been. She eased her gun from the holster and set the rounds to stun. If she could avoid killing innocent servants, maids, and guards, she would. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her sleeve, then inched the door open.
It was as if Scarab had opened a door to a different world. Far from the cheap concrete of the maid quarters, the hall in front of her was clearly meant for the upper echelon. Intricately carved marble walls stretched before her, illuminated by soft crystal lights. On the walls hung millions of credits' worth of artwork, and large, ancient vases stood on carved wooden display tables, silent testaments to the overabundance of wealth in the Bradwin household. Scarab had never been inside such a manor, she'd only ever imagined the beautiful things behind the stone walls. She crouched in awe at the sight, so many times more impressive than anything her mind could conjure, and felt a sinking feeling of inadequacy. She'd never dreamed Tenet had given up so much. And Violet. She couldn't give Violet one tenth of...
"Stop it," Scarab hissed at herself. She couldn't let those thoughts take over again. Tenet had left willingly for a reason. He gave it all up and she hadn't once heard him long for marble hallways or fancy vases or crystal lamps. She tightened the grip on her gun and pulled the radar scanner off her belt. There was no indication of any security measures, no more electro fields. She shook her head again at the blind stupidity of the very rich, and put the radar back. A glance at her watch told her she had an hour, hour and a half tops if she wanted to make the escape that night. There hadn't been any alarm raised yet about the downed bots, and she wondered if that would be the case until daylight. There was a shuffle of noise behind her down the stairs, and that brought her out of her musing. She scooted forward and shut the door behind her, then quickly made her way down the empty hall. The one thing she knew for sure was that she had to get somewhere safe.
Scarab slipped into the first open doorway and plastered herself against the wall, straining to hear. She waited one minute, then two, then five. When she was sure whatever noise she heard was staying downstairs, she ran a hand through her hair and looked around the room. It was a library of sorts, one with old fashioned, real books like they read in the Borderlands. Since most Southlanders used com docs to read, owning bound paper books was another sign of wealth. She looked around, idly wondering how much time Tenet had spent in there reading as a child. Was it his escape? She smiled at the thought. She could easily see him ducking down on that old fashioned sofa, preferring to read about candle making instead of kissing up to potential wives at some fancy party. Did Violet now read the books with him, too?
Scarab set her jaw and shook her head. She was getting too distracted. She was too close to blow it now. She made up her mind and picked up the walkie talkie Kenti had given her. She pressed the button. "Inside the manor," she said quietly.
"I thought you were going to watch and report..."
Scarab pressed the button, cutting off Kenti's angry voice. "Get the team ready on the southern point. Give me one hour." She lifted the button.
"Don't press the button while I'm talking," he ordered. "Repeat what you said."
"Give me one hour and be ready at the southern meeting point." She let the button go.
"Scarab, it's too late. We'll wait until tonight..."
"Get ready," she repeated before switching the machine off. She put it back on her belt and slipped out into the hallway. She looked down one way, then the other. She had to choose. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer to the Mother, then turned left and hoped for the best.
