by Rook Winters
“I’m not mixed up in anything. I was helping to deliver a message about Clint Donovan’s death.”
“If that’s how you want to play this, that’s fine by me. I get paid regardless. But you’re in a heap of trouble and you’ll be paying off your newfound debts for the rest of your life. My job is to help negotiate the best possible settlement for your case. I can only do that if you’re forthcoming with me.”
Court massaged the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger. He was in over his head. He had no one he could trust, no one he could turn to, except this advocate.
“Alright, since you’re the only person who cares about getting me out of here, what do I need to do? What do you need to know?”
“Everything.”
Court sighed then inhaled deeply. He explained life in the village and described the day Elle had arrived, the day Dr. Donovan had died. He talked about the grav flyers swooping in and the murders of everyone he’d known and loved.
Then Court told Joranko about helping Elle make her way to Toronto, meeting Britt, and being taken by the Qyntarak.
“Wait a second,” Court said. “I forgot about falling down the stairs. How come I feel totally fine?”
“You did take quite the fall. Brain scans showed that you suffered a concussion. You had numerous contusions and broken bones in your, let me see here, left hand, it says.”
“How long was I out?”
“Oh, not that long. Maybe ten or eleven hours.”
“How is that possible?”
“Seriously? You must really have lived in the middle of nowhere. According to my records, you had four hours of surgery and therapy with a medical bot. You also received a fairly large dose of nanobots that are doing internal repairs. Your bone was reconstructed by a surgical bot and you were given a high strength tissue growth accelerant to deal with swelling and bruising. These corporate syndicates don’t like the appearance of brutality. They’re pretty good about making sure that people are healthy and clean before they show up at a hearing.”
“What are nanobots?”
“Nanobots? They’re—well, I suppose you could call them microscopic robots that get injected into your bloodstream to repair tissue. Think of it as a robotic enhancement to your body’s ability to heal.”
“They did that without my permission.”
“Trust me, kid, in the state you were in when they brought you here, you wanted them to do that. With the bang you took to your head, you may not have been mentally fit to even make a decision about your own healthcare. You’re lucky. A lot of people who have a run-in with the syndicates end up bleeding somewhere in a dark corner of an alley.”
“I feel like I’ve been violated or something.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s standard practice. I’ve had nanobot repairs at least a dozen times over the years. It’s no big deal.”
“So, what happens now?”
“Now we’ll find out what damages are being claimed by your actions and involvement. The young woman that you were with, according to our data systems, her official designation is L37. Why do you call her Elle?”
“That’s what she told us to call her.”
“Interesting. Depending on how we need to position your involvement, you may want to refer to her as L37 when you’re in front of the juries or hearing committees. It may not be to your advantage for them to think that you have a close relationship with her.”
“It sounds like you’re thinking you can protect me by putting all the blame on Elle.”
“Yes, that is one possibility. I want to keep all of our options on the table until we know what we’re dealing with.”
“That one’s not an option. Elle is my friend whether that’s convenient for me or not.”
“Well, aren’t you just a hopeless romantic? I suspect you would change your mind after a few months of physical labor on a red ship.”
CHAPTER 47: BRITT
Britt rubbed her eyes, trying to convince her brain to sweep away the cobwebs that were clouding her thinking. They’d sedated her, she’d pieced that much together, but she didn’t know where she was. The two people who’d checked on her had refused to answer any of her questions.
She had to assume that Elle and Court had been taken as well. She felt some guilt about that. Her plan to negotiate their freedom in exchange for a data vault was flimsy even if they hadn’t realized it. It would be worth it, though, if Bear and Wilm could get the real data vault to the Willow Wisp. A few lives down here on Earth were a fair trade to save ships full of the sick and dying.
She prayed that Bear and Wilm had made it out with Ainsley, Ursula, and the doctor. If not, her sacrifice would be a waste.
A formal-looking guard in a stark gray uniform opened her cell door.
“Follow me, ma’am.”
“Where am I going?”
“Someone posted your bail.”
She led Britt down a hallway that smelled vaguely of antiseptic and anxiety. Britt noticed that the walls had signs posted in human languages. Given that Qyntarak had taken them, she had expected a more alien facility.
“Position your eyes in front of the camera, press your hand on that sensor. Now hold out your arm. You will wear this tracking bracelet for the duration of your bail release. We will know where you are at all times. Any attempt to tamper with the bracelet or otherwise circumvent the conditions of your release will result in revocation of your release, forfeiture of the bail payment, and additional fines. In other words, breaking your bail would be expensive and there’s nowhere you can go that you can’t be found.”
“Thanks for the pep talk. Who bailed me out?”
“She’s waiting outside.”
Britt wondered if it might be Ainsley.
“How are my friends? The ones who were brought in the same time as me?”
“Their status is confidential and not your concern.”
“Please, can’t you at least tell me if they’re being released too?”
“Sorry.” The guard shook her head side to side and Britt could see that there was no progress to be made there.
In the next room, Britt found a woman she neither knew nor recognized sitting straight backed on a stool at a simple metal table. The woman’s hair, shaved at different lengths on each side and dyed (or genetically engineered) a brilliant blue, was not a style she’d seen in the Toronto area.
“Dr. Barrett, my name is Petra. We shouldn’t talk here but I have friends who would like to make your acquaintance.”
Why is my old name coming up so much all of a sudden?
“What friends?”
“Come with me and I’ll introduce you.”
Given her limited options, Britt followed the woman out of the building.
“Where are we?”
“New Boston. Part of the reclaimed land after the Qyntarak restored sea levels.”
“New Boston?”
“Yes, the human affairs task force headquarters is here.”
A car pulled up in front of them.
“After you,” Petra said. “It’s not far but we shouldn’t linger together in public.”
Britt’s heart pounded in her chest. Letting a stranger whisk her away after posting her bail felt reckless, but she told herself that forward motion of any kind was better than being trapped in a cell.
Once the car was moving, Petra continued, “The human affairs task force is effectively a human brute squad. A man named Kane runs it. He works for the governor.”
“The governor? As in, the Qyntarak governor for the entire planet?”
“That’s the one.”
“And who do you work for?”
The woman smiled. “To be honest, I’m surprised that you got in the car with me before you had that answer.”
“This hasn’t been a typical day.”
“Indeed. To answer your question, I wear a few hats but I’m here representing a group within the Qyntarak leadership who are dissatisfied with the way Qyntarak
operations on Earth are managed. Given everything that has happened and the nature of the data Dr. Donovan smuggled out of his research facility, they want to speak with you. They would like to see if they can help facilitate further transmission of that data.”
“You’re taking me to see the Qyntarak leadership?”
“Yes, some of them. I can hear the skepticism in your voice. They’re the ones who provided Dr. Donovan with his data. They are very invested in seeing the rest of his mission completed.”
The car came to a stop outside a bleak concrete and metal building with few windows and none of the regular features of a typical human complex such as a front door or steps.
“There’s an unofficial entrance for humans over there. Useful for times like this when people need to enter discreetly.”
Britt followed Petra under a canopy that covered the full width of the alley beside the building. In the reduced light, Britt could only make out what looked to be a door with no handle. Petra pounded on it with the palm of her hand.
“Security for this entrance is intentionally low tech. This canopy,” she said as she waved at the fabric less than a meter above Britt’s head, “acts as a signal blocker. Nobody, in theory, can see or hear anyone who uses this entrance.”
“Will that be problematic with my tracker?” Britt waved the arm with the black and silver band clamped on her wrist.
“It would if the signal were blocked for any significant amount of time. Once we’re inside, my friends have technology for spoofing your tracker signal. The long-range sensors will think you’ve taken a leisurely stroll to a nearby restaurant.”
“You have the technology to spoof Qyntarak tracking devices?”
“Technically, they’re not Qyntarak. Like a lot of stuff built by Aldebaran, it’s mostly human engineering. But having some Qyntarak allies helps in situations like this.”
With a click and a hiss, the door receded into the wall and cool air rolled out. The room was even darker than the alleyway. As Britt’s eyes adjusted to the reduced light, her breath caught at the sight of a Qyntarak wearing a partial suit. The rest of its leathery scale-like skin was exposed, something rarely seen by humans. Britt felt gooseflesh crawl up her arms. She’d seen her fill of Qyntarak the last two days. It would not be easy to trust one.
“Nora Barrett, it is my honor to introduce you to Rex, Assistant to Undersecretary Traxonorn.”
“Rex?” Britt whispered, looking at Petra warily.
“A nickname. Its real name is long and very difficult for humans to reproduce. The nickname was its idea.”
“Human Nora Barrett, I am honored to partake in an introduction with you. I am full of awareness of the brave labor that you undertake in great service of your people trapped in starships under the threat of serious disease that takes life.”
The alien words came through a box attached to what would be a helmet equivalent for Qyntarak anatomy. It looked like a sleeve or sock over the caterpillar-like shape of its upper body. Despite its thin construction, the sleeve concealed most of the Qyntarak’s sounds and broadcast human language instead.
Britt bowed, hoping the movement communicated the appropriate respect without using the demeaning kneel that was often demanded of humans in the presence of Qyntarak officials.
“It is an honor to meet you as well.”
“My service was requested by my patron and its colleagues to communicate with you about certain matters. The undersecretary and its colleagues hold large concerns in consideration of the treatment of humans on this planet. They have concluded that the treatment of humans and other native species on your planet is not in resonance with the philosophy and respect for life and home that is most prevalent among the Qyntarak peoples on our other worlds. The undersecretary befriended the human Clint Donovan, a researcher of genetic compatibility between our species. Clint Donovan held many philosophical positions that were in great alignment with the beliefs and philosophies of the undersecretary and its associates. Speaking with you directly would be a reckless step for the undersecretary to embark upon of its own accord. I was instructed to interface with you and to assess what help and assistance and guidance and advice shall be required from the undersecretary and its colleagues in order to guarantee the safe delivery of the data provided to Clint Donovan to the Reclamation leaders on the starship known to humans as Willow Wisp.”
“Just a moment,” Britt said. “Are you telling me that you are part of a group of Qyntarak that want to help humans get rid of the Qyntarak on Earth?”
“If that is what ultimately is required in order to achieve the return of liberty to the human species. Our preference, if the possibility is greater than nothing, is to establish long-term trading relationships that are economically viable and mutually prosperous for both our races. We do not believe such an arrangement is possible with the current Qyntarak representation in this system. The governor, the syndicates, and other influential Qyntarak are concerned solely with profit and the establishment of new markets for human resources on Qyntarak worlds.”
“You mean selling humans for food.”
“That is accurate.”
“Then bring on the help.”
“Is the data vault intact?”
“As far as I know, it’s still safe in Toronto. If you can help us, there might still be time for us to get it on the next delivery shuttle on which we have people able to deliver it to the Willow Wisp.”
“Does the achievement of this mission require the release of all of your staff from the holding facility where they are awaiting their penalties?”
“I will need the help of my people, yes, but I don’t know which of them were taken or where the others are.”
“I have that information,” Petra said. “Three of you were taken at the University of Toronto. The one you call Bear was apprehended outside watching when you were loaded into the grav flyers. Dr. Barton returned home, but she’s not of any real concern to anyone now. It looks like the security chief at the university went to ground, although I’m sure I could find her in a pinch. The other two are holed up together in a squatter town.”
“How do you know all that?”
“It’s what I do.”
“So Elle, Court, and Bear are in custody. Can you get them out?”
The Qyntarak made a noise that its helmet broadcast rather than translated. Britt wasn’t sure what it meant.
“Much difficulty is involved in securing the release of debtors accused of stealing property from an organization such as Aldebaran. The governor has personal interests. There is much difficulty to guarantee that the accused humans are treated fairly. My patron and its colleagues will not have liquid capital sufficient for the payments of the debts to be levied against you and your three colleagues. They would not be able to allocate sufficient assets to pay the fines and debts without raising suspicion. Should this mission not succeed, the undersecretary and its colleagues must remain distant from suspicion so they have the freedom to try again in the future. I have need to further investigate. Intuition instructs that we will only be able to release the three humans temporarily as we have done for you.”
“Chances are they won’t want to release L37 on bail at all,” Petra said. “I’ll see what I can do about that. Maybe I can hack into the system and tweak her records to make it possible.”
“Then we have come to a beneficial conclusion of action. I will allow the funds for Petra to arrange temporary release of your staff. I look forward to a productive and successful collaboration, human Nora Barrett.”
“Please, call me Britt.”
CHAPTER 48: COURT
Court woke to the sound of someone entering. He’d lain down to close his eyes for a few minutes but obviously had fallen asleep. The man who’d killed Marsh stood at the door of the cell. Everything went out of focus except that man and his uniform. The uniform he’d been wearing when he murdered the entire village.
“What do you want?” The hostility in Court’s voice w
as unambiguous.
“I see the nanobots and accelerants have done their work. You’d never know you’d fallen down a flight of stone stairs.”
“I said, what do you want?”
“My name is Kane, and you should be more polite to the man who holds your future in the balance.”
“That’s not what my advocate told me.”
“Your advocate? You honestly believe the governor’s office would assign you an advocate competent enough to get you out of a mess this big? You’ve been a massive pain in the ass to a lot of people and they’ll all want to bury you. Between the fines and processing fees plus the accommodation charges you’re racking up by the hour in here, you’ll be so far under water that you’ll never see the light of day again.”
Court glared in response. He wanted to lunge across the room and grab this monster by the throat, but he suspected that might get him killed.
“I’m here to help.”
“Like you helped Marsh?” Court shouted. The rage was making his body tremble.
“Come on, don’t be so naive. I never had anything against the old man personally. Ultimately, Clint Donovan’s the one to blame. It was him who mixed up your village in his treason.”
“You had the data vault. You had what you wanted. You didn’t have to kill him or anyone else. I saw the whole thing.”
“Yes, so I’ve heard. I must admit, I’m impressed, and I don’t say that often or easily. I was a little embarrassed to learn that two people hid at the edge of the woods without my team noticing.
“Listen, Court, to be completely transparent with you, I’m sorry that we had to do what we did. If there had been another way, I’d have taken it. I’m just one player in this game. The Qyntarak make the rules and the governor calls the shots. This is their planet now. We just happen to still live on it.”
“If that’s all you’ve got to say for yourself, then we have nothing else to talk about.”
“No, there is still one more thing. You’re going to want to help your friend L37 get out of here, aren’t you?”