“This is almost two hundred credits,” Ben said.
“Maybe we should go into the arms trade,” Kim said. “That’s more money than I make in a month of canyon racing.”
“It’s more than I’ve ever had at one time,” Ben said. “I can’t take this.”
“Supplies,” Magnum said. “We need stuff.”
“Okay, I can see that. But here, I’ll only take a hundred. The rest is yours.”
“So what now?” Kim asked.
“Well, the first priority is to find Liam.”
“Who is this Liam?”
“He’s a merchant.”
“Well, where is he?” Kim asked.
“He’s already gone for the day,” Ben said. “But I know where to find him. He likes to spend his evenings in a pub called the Lazy Fly.”
“Sounds like my kind of place,” Kim said with a smirk.
“Come on, it isn’t far,” Ben said. “We’ll go into the city.”
Chapter 16
Longdale was built in layers. The top layer was filled with glittering high-rise buildings. Only the wealthiest citizens in good standing with the Royal Imperium were allowed there. Each of the three entrances was heavily guarded by the Imperium’s Security Force.
The second level, often called the Quad, was neatly divided into four sections. Two were tenements for the service workers that spent their days cooking, cleaning, and manning the many retail establishments on the upper level. One section was Torrent’s highly touted Technology Institute. For a price, students could learn to work in the vast battle cruisers of the Royal Imperium Fleet. The fourth section was a small entertainment district for the residents of the Quad.
Below them were two levels of industrial manufacturers, large corporations that drew an army of workers from the ground-level slums and around the city itself. But the most interesting level of Longdale, at least to Ben’s way of thinking, was the Underground.
Deep in the bowels of the earth below the city lay its necessary monsters, water treatment, power plants, air quality filters, thermal power converters, and garbage disposal. It was dark, dank, smelly. And between the large machines built to supply the city’s every need, were unlicensed taverns, black market vendors, flesh peddlers, and vice dealers.
The Lazy Fly was one of the more prominent underground establishments. More than just a booth or a gathering place, it was an actual building with a wooden bar, tables and chairs, even a small dance floor. Music pumped from ancient speakers hidden in the ceiling, and the smell of the on-site unlicensed brewery almost concealed the odor of the Unground and the people gathered there.
Ben led the way through the narrow streets of the ground level and to a stairwell behind a maintenance shed. The Security Force knew all about the Underground, but they rarely did more than make the occasional sweep. As long as the riffraff stayed underground, the security forces were content to let them kill each other. Death was always a possibility in the dark corners under the city, from violence to poisons that found their way into the foods and drinks served there. Drug overdoses were common, as was murder. The bodies were incinerated, the crimes rarely reported and almost never investigated. Going under the city meant taking the chance that you might never see the light of day again.
The Lazy Fly wasn’t far from the stairwell Ben had taken, and once inside the bar, they ordered drinks and retreated to a corner.
“Okay,” Kim said. “Where’s your guy?”
“He’ll be here. Just relax,” Ben said.
“Well, that’s not going to happen. This place makes the canyon taverns look like a resort on Avalon Five.”
“It may be rough, but the ale is pretty good. Give it a try,” Ben prompted.
“I don’t care,” Kim said. “I don’t think this glass has ever been washed.”
“The alcohol kills the germs,” Magnum said.
“I’ll take your word for it,” she said, pushing the glass away.
There he is,” Ben said. “I told you he’d be here.”
“So, go get the gas,” Kim said. “The quicker we get out of here, the better. I never thought I’d miss the junk fields.”
“I left word for him at the bar,” Ben said. “He’ll come to us when he’s ready.”
“You mean we’re just going to sit here?” Kim asked.
“And drink,” Magnum said, clinking his mug with hers.
Nearly an hour passed before the man named Liam approached their table. He had sat across the room, watching them for a long time. Making sure he wasn’t walking into a trap. Kim had complained the entire time and would have left if she hadn’t been afraid of getting lost in the dark corridors of the Underground.
Liam brought over a pitcher of ale. He sat it on their table, then took the fourth and only empty seat. He said nothing as he refilled their glasses. Magnum had swapped his empty mug for Kim’s, while Ben just sipped the potent liquor.
“This one is on me,” Liam said.
“That’s very generous of you,” Ben said.
“I take care of my friends,” the mysterious stranger said. “I hear you’ve been waiting for me, Ben. Who are your friends?”
“This is Kim Beaudry and Magnum Wallace,” Ben said. “They’re friends.”
“If you say so, mate.”
“I do,” Ben said. “I got the ship finished, just like I said I would.”
“She’s up and running, eh?” Liam asked.
“She will be once we have some fuel,” Kim interjected. “Know where we can get some?”
“In fact, I do,” Liam said with a smile. “The Royal Imperium sells it, you know. Of course, you have to be a licensed, approved owner of a registered ship to get it from them.”
Ben leaned in close to Liam and spoke in a quiet voice that was barely audible over the din of the bar.
“What about the Confederacy? Wouldn’t they be willing to get us started?”
“Oh, how would I know?” Liam asked.
Kim made a face, and Magnum was watching the other patrons. He hardly seemed to be following the conversation at all, but Ben knew better.
“Come on, Liam. We both know you move goods from off-world.”
“I’m a businessman, nothing more,” Liam stated. “I certainly have no political agendas.”
“We’re not Imperium spies,” Ben said.
“I wish,” Kim said just loud enough to be heard by the others who gave her a distasteful look. “Sorry.”
“Look, the Echo is in good working order. I just need some Zexum to get her off-world and running. I guarantee we can get past the blockade. Kim is the best flyer on Torrent Four.”
“That’s not saying much, is it?” Liam chuckled, earning himself a scowl from Kim. “But let’s say for a moment that you’re right. Let’s say your ship is whole and capable of interstellar flight. It takes more than fuel and a good pilot to run the blockade and be of use to the embargoed worlds.”
“What are you saying?” Ben asked.
“I’m saying that a crew would have to be resourceful to run the blockades and make contact with Confederate shot callers. Getting off Torrent Four is the easy part.”
“So you won’t help us?” Kim said.
“Well, I didn’t say that, now did I?” Liam replied. “But you might find my help a little thin, if you take my meaning.”
“I still don’t understand,” Ben said. “We’d be willing to work for the Confederacy in exchange for the gas. Say, two runs, that’s fair.”
“You’ve got the right idea,” Liam said. “But if I know the chaps running the rebellion—and I’m not saying I do, mind you—they won’t trust you until you prove yourself.”
“How can we do that without the gas?” Ben said, his voice rising in frustration.
Kim put her hand on his arm. “Liam is saying that we have to steal the gas to prove we’re up to their standards.”
Ben looked at Liam. “What?”
The merchant was older, at least in his fifties, with gray stubble on his
sagging cheeks. There were thick bags under his eyes, and even though he was thin, he had a round, protruding belly. He didn’t respond to Ben’s question, but just looked at the younger man.
“How can you help us, then?” Kim asked.
“I know of another place with Zexum. Not a lot, mind you, but enough to get a Kestrel class vessel into orbit,” Liam said.
“You want us to steal it?” Ben asked.
“I’ve no doubt you would find a way to buy it, or barter for it if the Imperium wasn’t so tightfisted with it,” Liam explained. “But there are times when a crew has to find a way to make things happen. If you could get a supply of gas on your own, it would go a long way with the people I may or may not know.”
“Who?” Ben said. “I couldn’t steal it from another ship. That would strand them here and they would get the Security Force on high alert.”
“I agree, that would be nothing but bad karma. No, I have the perfect target in mind,” Liam said. “But I have no part in this business. I can’t help in any way. And if you get caught and mention my name, I’ll deny it.”
“We would never rat you out,” Ben said.
“Just tell us what you have in mind,” Kim said.
“The Technical Institute has Zexum,” Liam said calmly, gazing down into the pitcher of ale, which was nearly empty. “The Royal Imperium sells small containers of it for their classes and experiments and so on.”
“The TTI? Kim said with a snort of derision. “You’re out of your mind.”
“That’s on the Quad, Liam,” Ben said. “We can’t even get up there. We don’t have clearance.”
“I know a young lady with skill at crafting passes,” Liam said. “It isn’t cheap and you’ll have to have credits to pay her with. She doesn’t barter, but it would get you up to the fourth level without a second look.”
“There will be security forces up there,” Kim said.
“True,” Liam agreed. “But they’re lazy. They don’t expect common folk can even get access to the Quad. As long as you’re careful, you shouldn’t have a problem getting what you need. One canister would be enough gas to power your ship into orbit. From there, you could connect with a Confederate vessel willing to trade work for Zexum. At least, that’s the rumor I’ve heard.”
“If we get the gas,” Ben asked, “would you set the rest up?”
“I’d be willing to pass along a message,” he replied. “For a small fee, of course.”
“Of course,” Kim said. “We wouldn’t want to put you out.”
“We’ll do it,” Ben said. “Introduce us to your friend.”
“You’re sure?” Liam asked.
Ben looked at Kim, who didn’t look happy but nodded slightly.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m sure.”
Chapter 17
Liam led the trio out of the Underground and into a maze of squalid tenement housing that reminded Ben of his childhood. He and Kim had lived on the same floor of one of the slum apartments under the city. It had been a long time ago, and Ben didn’t remember much about it. His parents had both gotten sick and moved out of Longdale when he was thirteen. It had been the best time of his life, moving from place to place, searching for treasure among the salvage yards, learning to barter and avoid the Salvage Scalpers. Eventually, his parents had moved on without him. At the time, he must have thought they would return. He was only sixteen at the time, and couldn’t remember being sad. Perhaps it was because he felt that he was old enough to survive on his own. He was already adept at finding and refurbishing tech in the junkyards around the city.
Being in the slums under the towering city brought back a lot of memories, and very few were happy. His parents had fought a lot. The conditions were squalid, the neighbors untrustworthy, and the buildings were filled with gangs.
Liam moved among the loitering, empty-eyed residents without fear. Eventually, they came to a door and he knocked. Ben heard bolts and locks being turned. After a moment, the door opened just a little.
“Customers,” Liam said, stepping back.
Kim looked at Ben, who stepped forward.
“We need passes to the Quad,” he said.
“How many?”
“How much are they?”
“Fifty credits each,” she replied.
“That seems steep,” Ben replied, expecting to barter.
The woman on the other side just closed the door. Liam chuckled from behind the group.
“She doesn’t negotiate,” he said. “Her name is Florence. She hasn’t left the apartment in decades, but she can get you in the Quad.”
“Knock again,” Kim said. “Try being nice.”
“Fine,” Ben said.
He wanted to appear fully in control, but he felt desperation rising up inside him. He didn’t want to steal the gas, but he knew they couldn’t get off Torrent Four without it. Liam’s argument made sense. If he were in charge of the Confederacy, he might want newcomers to prove themselves. By stealing the gas, they would show that they had the skill to pull off a heist, plus it would incriminate them and thus rule out the possibility that they were undercover Security Force operatives.
He knocked on the door, and it opened again. Florence had a plain-looking face. He hair was brown with some gray showing through. Tiny wrinkles had begun to form on her upper lip.
“You have money?” she asked.
“Yes,” Ben said.
“Show me,” she insisted.
He pulled out the paper credits the gun vendor had given to Magnum.
“We need two passes,” he said. “One for me, one for her.”
“Just a moment,” Florence said, shutting the door.
“Why me?” Kim asked.
“Magnum stands out a little,” Ben said. “No offense.”
The big man shook his head.
“Besides, he can get the supplies we need,” Ben continued. “I doubt you’d want to go back to the Underground alone.”
“And you’d be right,” Kim said.
The door opened and Florence held out two small containers with cotton swabs inside.
“I need DNA samples,” she said. “Give me the money, and come back in an hour.”
Ben took the vials and gave one to Kim. They both rubbed the cotton swabs inside their mouths, then put the swabs into the vials. Ben handed his over with the money.
“At least an hour,” she said sharply, before closing the door.
“Well, how about another drink?” Liam said. “It’s your turn to buy.”
They went out and found a street vendor. The man was selling gluten buns and a coffee made of burned roots. Ben had never tasted real coffee and didn’t really like the imitations he’d come across. The vendor also had distilled spirits, which he sold without a license. Liam got just enough coffee to flavor the pungent alcohol. Magnum had a gluten bun. They sat on a power transformer that also served as a bench, waiting for the hour to pass.
“I don’t suppose you can tell us much about the university,” Ben said.
“I never attended,” Liam said. “Self-taught, mostly.”
“But you’re sure they have the gas?” Kim said quietly.
“Yes,” he replied. “And the best part is, even if they realize it’s missing, they won’t bother with the security forces. The Royal Imperium grants them a license and they buy what they need. They won’t want anyone knowing they lost some. It would bring in too many nosy security personnel.”
“I hope you’re right,” Ben said.
“Of course I am,” Liam said. “Why would I steer you wrong? Just make your way to the labs and look for the warning labels. They mark the containers so no one can miss them. That gas is dangerous under the wrong conditions, you know.”
“Should we wait until morning?” Kim asked.
“Not unless you want to get caught,” Liam replied. “Just go in, pretend you’re part of the janitorial service that cleans the place. They pay dozens of people to go in every night.”
�
��Won’t they realize we aren’t part of the regular crew?” Ben asked.
“First of all, try not to be seen,” Liam said. “And if you are, act natural, like you’re supposed to be there. You follow me?”
Ben and Kim nodded.
“Don’t overthink things. Maybe, and I mean maybe, if someone sees you they might wonder who you are. But no one wants to get the Security Force involved. If they ask, just tell them you’re new. Get in, get out, and be on your way.”
“Simple,” Kim said sarcastically.
“If you don’t want to do it, I understand, but Florence doesn’t give refunds,” Liam said. “And I’m sticking my neck out here. I don’t appreciate being led on.”
“We’re going to do it,” Ben said. “If this is the only way off this junk heap, I’ll do it. Magnum, while we’re gone, see if you can find some protein bricks. We could be off-world for a while.”
“And some seasoning,” Kim said. “Something better than what Ben has been using, if possible.”
Magnum chuckled, but reached into his coat. He pulled out the small flechette pistol and gave it to Ben.
“Just in case,” he said.
Ben nodded. “Thanks. We’ll meet you back here in a few hours.”
“I know some people,” Liam said. “I’ll help your man get what he needs.”
“Thanks,” Ben said.
“Where’s the closest lift?” Kim asked.
“The lifts are all in the center of the city. Just follow the roads. There are plenty of signs once you get close. Just remember, act like you belong and no one will question you. The Institute is in the northwest corner of the Quad. Good luck.”
Ben turned to Magnum. “If we’re not back by dawn, go back to the ship. Take care of Nance. If we can, we’ll meet you there.”
The big man nodded.
“You ready?” Kim asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Ben said. He extended a hand to Liam. “Thanks for your help.”
“Not a problem, not a problem. Good luck.”
They left the merchant and Magnum on the bench. Ben was nervous, but he felt better once they started moving. Getting back to Florence’s apartment wasn’t simple. The corridors all looked the same. They had to remember the graffiti, which was the only real signage in the slums.
Kestrel Class Page 8
