by T E Olivant
“I’ve considered which of the mines might meet your requirements,” Tibo said, handing Lu Tang a datapad.
“Have you checked for active miners?”
Tibo peered at his screen. “There is one that is currently empty and two others that are being mined as we speak.”
“Target the empty one. I would rather not waste lives.”
“How thoughtful of you,” Tibo said, looking rather surprised.
“Human beings are a resource, like anything else. I would not wish to waste them. They have some sort of value. Not like the osmium, or the platinum of course. But a modicum of value none the less.”
“All heart, aren’t you,” Tibo chuckled.
Lu Tang sniffed and said nothing. The man was becoming intolerably over-familiar. Well, he wouldn’t be needed for much longer.
“I want the rocket ready to launch within the hour.”
Tibo raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been planning this for a decade, Augment. Why the hurry now?”
“Just get it done,” Lu Tang replied.
“Are you all right?” Tibo asked. “Your left eye is kind of twitching.”
Lu Tang reached up. His eyelid was indeed twitching. Strange that he hadn’t even felt it. Probably a problem with his Augmented nervous system. A few centuries ago he could have returned to Mars to have it fixed. Not now, of course.
“Nothing for you to worry about. You just concentrate on phase one.”
“Understood.”
Lu Tang watched the door close behind Tibo’s sizeable rear end. At least the man was too loyal – or too dumb – to ask what phase two might be.
The plastic bed sagged as the Augment sat down. The tiny room allotted him by Tibo was hardly befitting of a God. His old friend had some more sumptuous lodgings in another part of the mining station, but had not offered to switch. Lu Tang felt a wave of irritation at the man. He thought he was such a big player with his little mine and his friends in high places. He truly had no idea how little his life mattered.
There was a light vibration in the floor beneath the Augment’s feet. Lu Tang smiled. A man with his experience could recognize the feeling when a large rocket was launched into the air. Tibo had not let him down. Phase one was complete.
Chapter 15
“What the hell was that?”
Biddy stood with the rest of the crew and simply stared at the Viewscreen. It showed a satellite view of the planet Eritree, just a few million kilometers away from Pratchett Cinque. A giant cloud of dust had appeared where just a few frames before there had been buildings and tracks. The pictures were coming in from a cloud-based news server somewhere in the Fuller system.
“They are saying it’s a mine collapse,” the Geek said over the speaker system. “But there’s no way that’s what caused it.”
“He’s right,” Elvis said, staring at the screen. “The blast is all wrong for a mine collapse. They implode. This was definitely an explosion.”
“An attack from space?” Kenzie asked.
Elvis was already shaking his head. “No, that doesn’t fit either. The crater would be much larger. This had to be something from the surface.”
“A bomb?” Biddy asked.
“Possibly.”
“It’s the God,” a voice said from behind them. Biddy turned to look at Macleod. The woman had arrived onto deck silently and now stood leaning against a console, her hair a white halo of fluff.
“How could you know that?”
“I had been warned that he was planning something in this system.”
Biddy felt her temper rise. “Warned by who? And why weren’t we given the same information?”
Macleod smiled sweetly. “We weren’t one hundred percent sure. And besides, we certainly didn’t imagine that the action of the God would be so, well, definite.”
Biddy felt her teeth itch. “Can I have a word with you in my office please?” She turned and strode away without even checking if Macleod had followed.
When the woman shuffled in behind her Biddy slammed the door shut.
“What exactly is an observer’s role?” Biddy said, trying to keep her voice level.
“The title would pretty much cover it,” Macleod said, with a small smile.
“Is that right. It seems to me then that an observer should be outwith the investigation itself. From what you’ve just said out there you are right in the middle of it. Any more secret information you happen to be privy to?”
Macleod watched Biddy for a moment without saying anything. Then she said, “mind if I sit?” and took herself over to Biddy’s chair. Another power move designed to annoy, and boy was it working.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t kick you off the ship,” Biddy said, giving up on being civilized.
“If you do that you lose your license with Scotclan.”
“Really? Somehow, I don’t think it would be that simple. What if I tell Scotclan that their so-called observer was nothing of the sort but instead directly involved in the case?”
Macleod narrowed her eyes. Then she grinned. “Listen, why don’t we stop with the games? I’ll give you what information I can and you can stop fending me off, all right?”
Biddy waved her right hand to indicate that Macleod could continue.
“I was sent to you by the Clan Chiefs. They chose me because I have a previous connection with this Augment. I was in charge of his detention.”
“You ran the prison?”
“A small section of it. Specifically, the part where our missing Augment escaped from.”
“Hang on, what’s Scotclan doing on Widdershins 3?”
“We won the contract to do the security last year. A small team of five of us monitoring what seemed to be a low risk site. The residents were confined to their rooms. All food and waste systems were automated. All security had to do was watch the viewscreens and the data from the body monitors. It was meant to be an easy job.”
“Guess it didn’t work out that way.”
Macleod grimaced. “It did until last month. Then our most important prisoner escaped.”
“And you don’t know how that happened?”
The old woman sucked in her cheeks. “Of course not. I would tell you if I did.”
“Just seems a bit suspicious that this Augment Scotclan are so interested in managed to escape from a place managed by their own people.”
“Every member of my team was from my own clan. Unbribable.”
“But still…”
Macleod gave a curt nod. “But one of them must have been. You’re right, I’ve come to the same conclusion. Damned if I know who. Of course, as head of the team I was called to account by the main council of the Clan. They wanted to chuck me back in Widdershins 3, as a resident this time.”
“But you persuaded them to let you chase down the Augment?”
“Just as I was about to be sent away word came through about your assignment. I called in every single favor I still had and Scotclan sent me here.”
Biddy narrowed her eyes. “And your mission here?”
“Just as I said. To observe your efforts to find the Augment.”
“Why did Scotclan want me observed in the first place? I’ve tracked down plenty of criminals in my time, why didn’t they trust me?”
“This mission is very high stakes. Scotclan’s reputation is on the line. We were in charge of the Augment’s incarceration, and we failed. Plus there’s the question of your fee. The whole Celtic Alliance is watching your every move.”
Biddy wasn’t sure this was an adequate explanation, but she sensed that it was the best she was going to get.
“All right. Here’s how it’s going to go. I don’t have time to take things up with Scotclan right now. But once we’ve got the Augment I am going to make a formal complaint about your presence on my ship. For the moment, seeing as you clearly have specialist knowledge, I am going to let you remain on board. You will however recognize my authority. Are we clear?”
“Clear.”
Macleod smiled her sweet little old lady smile.
Biddy stalked back to the command room, not entirely convinced that she had come out top. But at least she now had some hint of Macleod’s motivation. Assuming she had been telling the truth, of course.
The command room was quiet, the screens still filled with the debris of the explosion on Eritree. Biddy realized that there was one possibility that Macleod had carefully not mentioned. If the Augment had bribed someone to get out of his prison cell, would Macleod not be the most likely suspect? And if that was the case then Biddy had a collaborator of the very criminal she was trying to catch, right on board her ship.
“Tea?” Frances asked, spotting her frown.
“Yes please.” Biddy accept the cup of brown liquid and tried not to grimace when she took a sip. Sometimes even insta-tea had to do.
Elvis and Hastings were looking from Biddy to Macleod and back again.
“All right,” Biddy said with a sigh. “Our observer is staying for now. Macleod has informed me that she was involved in the security of Widdershins 3. I am hoping this gives her some insight into where our Augment might be.”
The Detective turned to Macleod and gestured for her to speak.
Macleod took a seat and folded her arms. “We could tell from the Augment’s progress through this sector of the galaxy that he was heading to the Fuller system. He has previous there: he was involved with many of the mining planets over a century ago when they were initially founded. So we knew where to start looking. We put out feelers among the gangs that run the mines. Rumors reached us a few days ago that something was being planned on Eritree. But the gangs were unconcerned. Time had moved on and the present rulers didn’t much care about the person who had set them up more than a hundred years ago. I guess the Augment felt he had to do something to get their attention. He did that.”
“How many were killed?” Biddy asked.
“According to the news channels there were no deaths,” Francesca said.
“He got lucky,” Macleod said with a shrug. “Not that he would care anyway. Gods are not famous for being concerned about the deaths of a few measly human beings. Which is what concerns me. I don’t know what he’ll do next, but something tells me that the humans won’t be quite so lucky this time.”
“He could be miles away by now,” Elvis said.
“I don’t think so. He’s got the attention of the gangs now. He wouldn’t leave before he’s got what he wants.”
“And what exactly is that?” Biddy asked.
“I don’t know,” Macleod said. Biddy didn’t believe her for one second. She thought about having it out with the woman, but what would that achieve? All it would do would be to demonstrate to her crew that the Scotclan woman could say whatever she liked. Biddy didn’t want them getting anymore reminders about how much control she had had to give up.
“All right, we will assume for the moment that the Augment is responsible for the explosion. If you think he’s still on the planet, do you have any idea where?”
“May I?”
Macleod stepped over to the navigation module and spun the screen towards her. Francesca met Biddy’s eyes and Biddy gave her a nod.
“There!” Macleod pressed a button and the main viewscreen was filled with a ship.
But no ordinary spaceship. It had to be some sort of glider class. The huge, delicate golden sails were far too fragile for something that would ever have to land on anything solid. It was the most ostentatious show of wealth Biddy had ever seen in a single craft.
“So what you’re telling me,” Biddy said slowly, “is that we’ve found our Augment. And he’s on that ship?”
“That’s right. Or rather, the mining station where the ship is docked. They are owned by the same person.”
Biddy stared at the object on the viewscreen. Hard to believe that after all this time, all this effort he was so close. And was it wrong that she was finding it all rather unsatisfying? Biddy Mackay knew she was a good detective, one of the best. But since her ‘Observer’ had arrived, everything had just fallen into place. And she didn’t like it one bit.
But maybe a mission could go smoothly every once in a while. At least it would be easy enough to take down the target.
“Ahem.” The ladylike interjection could only have come from one person.
“Is there a problem?” Biddy asked.
“No, no,” Cher Macleod replied.
Biddy felt a tension headache starting at the base of her neck. “Perhaps you have a suggestion of how we should proceed?” she said to Macleod, through gritted teeth.
“Well, since you asked, I think it might be pertinent to wait for backup from Scotclan. I’m sure they have another spaceship in this sector.”
I bet they do, Biddy thought. And I just bet you’re in communication with them right now.
“I think it would be more prudent to act while we have the chance,” Biddy replied. “After all, there have been attempts to capture the Augment before and they ended with colossal loss of life. I think that a small team might have a more subtle approach.”
“We could just blow his ship up,” Hastings said.
Biddy gave him a look.
“I was kidding,” the Captain added. No one laughed.
Chapter 16
Lu Tang checked the time on his datapad and saw that the man he was meeting was already ten minutes late. It was irritating. No, more than irritating. Infuriating. He knew without confirmation that his levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol were elevated, but his augmented brain seemed to be struggling to control them. That was making him even more irritated.
The meeting had been scheduled promptly enough once he had notified the relevant people that he had been responsible for the little demonstration at the mine. And now –
The door to the tiny secure room opened and a figure walked in. Lu Tang fought the urge to reach for a weapon. The security he had put in place was two-fold. Firstly, the ship’s sensors had registered every non-organic molecule on the man’s body before they let him on board. The ridiculous golden vessel was at least good for some things. And secondly, Tibo had been positioned outside to manually search the client for any hidden nasties. Lu Tang knew that it was safe, but he still felt vulnerable. An unusual feeling for a God, and not a pleasant one.
“You sure as hell got our attention,” the young human said when he entered the room.
The Augment merely gave a nod of acknowledgement and gestured to him to sit down. He didn’t see the point in dwelling on the rocket attack on the mine. It had served its purpose and it was unbecoming of a God to gloat.
“If you had answered my summons the first time it would not have been necessary.”
The human was male, young, and walked with a swagger that was calculated to annoy. Lu Tang had seen such displays a thousand times in his many centuries of life, so he was neither impressed nor intimidated. If anything he was a little disappointed that the man still felt he had to obey the needs of his testosterone driven hormones. Still, the less humanity changed the easier it was to control them.
“I don’t think they thought you were genuine. Of course, now they do. My name is Idris.”
The man sat down, his legs splayed wide to show how relaxed he was. His hair was swept up in some sort of ornate style that was probably the height of fashion but that Lu Tang thought looked utterly ridiculous. A slight tremor of a muscle in the man’s neck told him that Idris was rather more nervous than he wished to appear.
“I am Mr. Tang.” Lu Tang deposited his box on the table in front of him gently.
“This is… the merchandise?”
Lu Tang grimaced. The man was clearly a fool. The Augment did not believe in small talk, and he certainly was not going to waste his intellect on this cretin. “It is a portal drive. It is the portal drive, the only one. You may examine it, but do not touch.”
There was a definite shake to Idris’s hand as he opened the box. He stared at the dim yellow light. Lu
Tang had to fight the urge to grab it back out of his hand.
“It, erm, looks to be in order.”
The wave of irritation threatened to overwhelm Lu Tang. Why were his augmented systems not adjusting properly? If he became any more tense he would end up jumping on the man and throttling him to death. Satisfying as that would be, he would only have to start all over again with another contact. And that would be a poor use of resources.
“You have come to sell it,” Idris said. “How much would be appropriate?”
“A price for something like this?” Lu Tang couldn’t help but chuckle. “You cannot even imagine. There hasn’t been a currency invented yet that could come close to what it’s worth.”
“What then? Name your price.”
“For something that will change the galaxy? A price might be… a planet.”
To give the human credit, he only blinked once. “You want Eritree? Well, that would be unprecedented. But perhaps I could talk to my associates…”
“Don’t bother,” Lu Tang said, suddenly tiring of the game. “It’s not for sale.”
Now the man reacted. His nostrils flared and his cheeks turned red. “What exactly is the meaning of this? You have come here to waste my time?”
“Not at all. You may still acquire the portal drive. But I do not want to sell it. I would like to perform an exchange.”
“Exchange? But I don’t understand.”
“You… or rather, the people you work for, have something of mine. Several things, in fact. I want to make an exchange. The portal drive for my valuables.”
The man stared at him now, all pretense at artifice gone. “What could it be that you would swap for the greatest technology the universe has ever seen?”
Lu Tang tapped his datapad, then turned it around for the human to see.
“It… it cannot be.” Idris stared at the screen. His eyes were so wide they looked like twin moons.
“It is, I assure you.”
“I have nothing to do with such a… thing.”