She’s here!
A quick survey of the dock showed a couple of workers tending to returning survey drones. He exited the hopper silently and moved hand over hand along the guardrails. He’d gotten nimble in the low gravity and he believed he was quick enough to exit without being noticed. The exit doors opened and he was startled to see Tosh standing there.
“Hey man, we gotta talk,” said Tosh. He looked pained.
Alvin removed his helmet. “Sure, what’s up?”
“I had to use my creds to get her flight suit made,” said Tosh.
“Thanks, I owe you company credits, then.”
“Not my credits man, my credentials. Who is she? Is she a hooker?”
“No, she’s a contractor. We needed a laser specialist in a pinch. She’s an engineer on The Hope.”
“Bullshit.”
Alvin pursed his lips.
“Okay, listen, she’s my girl. She got fired. She can’t pay the private rate at Armstrong. It’ll break her.”
Tosh shook his head. “It’s on you, then. I was following orders.”
“I’ll pay you back, don’t worry.”
“I won’t, man. I don’t know how you’re getting her home, though.”
Tosh flew into the dock and Alvin continued up the ramp toward the crew deck.
He was right. It would present a problem. One for which Alvin had no solution. However, it was better than leaving Katy alone at Armstrong. Who knew if government agents might show up there to question her. He’d just have to keep her out of sight. There were ways to deal with Beckman. Blame it on security. Tell the little middle manager it was a VR assist and that Katy wasn’t cleared for Dactyl. Then he could keep her in his room for the next two days.
That’s what I’ll do.
He approached the last turn before his room, then paused. It was quiet. There was no one standing up on the balcony above. He felt the back of his neck tingle and made a wide turn. There was Chickowski in front of the door. He had a knife in his hand. He looked erratic.
“Time to talk or squeal, corpo,” he yelled.
“What is there to talk about?” said Alvin.
He gripped his helmet tightly, preparing to deflect the knife.
Then his door slid open.
Chickowski turned to see Katy. His mouth fell open at the sight of her. She looked down at the knife.
“What are you gonna do with that little thing?” she said.
Alvin leaped forward and smacked the man in the head with his helmet. He went down hard and Alvin pounced on him, ready to strike again.
Katy stepped out of the room.
“Be careful!” shouted Alvin.
“I think you got him,” she said.
The man was out cold. Blood ran down his forehead and cheek. Alvin hovered over Chickowski’s body with his mouth in a snarl.
“Get back in there. I need to call someone,” he said.
His anger was barely in check, but Katy didn’t seem to mind at all. If anything she was turned on by it.
“My hero. Give us a kiss first,” she said.
She grabbed him by the shoulders and planted one on him. His adrenaline was pumping. When he pulled away, he noticed the bruising around her nose.
“Your face,” he said as he caressed her cheek.
Behind him he heard footsteps and he broke away from her embrace. Sioux came up the ramp to see Chickowski sprawled out.
Her attention shifted to Katy.
“Go inside,” said Alvin.
Katy listened this time.
“What happened?”
“He attacked me,” Alvin said. “He’s fixated on me.”
The two of them crouched down around Chickowski and checked his breathing.
“I’m gonna message Dr. Choi. Looks like a concussion at least,” said Sioux.
She gave a quick blink as she controlled her Opti-Comp.
Alvin exhaled. “Okay, I’ll contact Beckman. Thank you, Sioux.”
“This is gonna set off Henry and Rodriguez.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Who’s the girl?”
Damn—she saw Katy.
“Project specialist.”
Sioux gave him a look of doubt.
“Who knew she’d look like that?” He smiled and tossed up his hands. “Thanks again.”
He entered his room and shut the door.
Inside, Katy wrapped her arms around Alvin and he felt his nerves jumping around.
“What was that about?” she said.
“Long story. The uptake is the meds aren’t working for that guy.”
“Meds? Why was he after you?”
“Listen, there’s a few things I need to tell you,” said Alvin.
“I think you need to relax first.”
She pushed him back on his bed and start undoing his space suit. He found it easy to postpone the conversation.
An hour later there was a buzzing at Alvin’s door.
Beckman.
“Hide,” he whispered.
There was nowhere to go, so Katy moved to the far corner at the front of the room. Alvin hopped off of the bunk and put on his shirt and shorts. He walked up close to the door and looked through the peephole. He motioned to her to stay in the corner.
The pocket door slid aside and light glared off Beckman’s balding brown head. He looked pissed.
Alvin squinted at him. “Yes?”
“I need you in my office.”
Alvin nodded.
“Where is the guest engineer?” said Beckman.
“She’s working on something.”
Alvin nodded awkwardly after he said it.
Beckman sniffed at the air and grimaced. “Be in my office in ten minutes.”
He turned on his heel and walked off.
The door shut and Alvin slid down the wall into a squat.
“I should get to those things I had to tell you,” he said.
Katy left the corner and sat beside him.
“Tell me,” she said.
“The guy with the knife, Chickowski, he’s nuts. He’s been listening to a guy—a guy I told you about.”
She looked at him puzzled.
“My old gaming manager, Carroll Henry. He’s here. He hates me and he’s trying to convince these guys that I’m bad news. A company man, out to replace them with machines.”
She laughed. “That’s ridiculous. You’re no company man. You don’t even know what you’re here for.”
He looked at her sheepishly.
“What?” she asked.
“I do now,” he said. “And they may be right. It’ll certainly reduce the head count.”
“What do you mean? What is it?”
“It’s a game changer.” He scratched his head. “It can break down matter, transmute it, and send it across space.”
“It?”
“It’s a sphere. A black sphere. I don’t understand it. And there’s more. I was right about Mohammed Rinsler. He’s alive up there. He’s the one who built it.”
“Up there?”
“The moon, Dactyl. That’s where we tested it. I take hopper fifteen on autopilot out each day, but listen—that’s not important. When I picked it up—it was on a shuttle—the people on that shuttle were all dead.”
“What?”
“That’s why I snuck you aboard. Alteris is in a battle with Washington and I’m not leaving your safety to chance. We have two days here until I head back.”
“We’re in real danger?” she said. “I hoped when they roughed me up that was the worst of it.”
“I’m sorry about that, Katy. I got us both into trouble when I played in that tournament. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“But, Al, it was good for you.”
He nodded and began to get dressed. “I didn’t need this drama. I only needed you.”
“I’m here,” said Katy. “It’s not all bad. You said Rinsler unlocked your implants.”
“Yeah, he has an old quantum console
.”
“You mean off network? Like criminals use?” She looked intrigued.
“Yep, he’s not a criminal . . . well, technically, I guess he might be. Listen, when we get home I can play for money. It won’t be the majors, but we can live well.”
“I’m glad it happened this way, Al. A little danger is exciting. Now go take care of that asshole boss.”
He shook his head at how easygoing she was about the whole affair. Then he kissed her and was out the door.
On the ramp down to Beckman’s office, he caught stares. He walked the corkscrew corridor slowly and kept his eyes open for danger. His knock on Beckman’s door was met with a quick reply to enter. He stepped inside and nearly jumped when he saw Carroll Henry seated to the left of the door.
“Sit down. We’re just talking here,” said Beckman.
Alvin took a seat. “Are we talking about the attack on me?”
“You just put my best repair tech in the med bay,” growled Henry.
“He’s a nutjob. What kind of nonsense have you been feeding him?” said Alvin.
“I’ve been letting ’em all know what a piece of work you are,” he answered.
“Enough,” said Beckman. “What is this about? Video games? An old rivalry?”
Henry leaned in closer to Beckman’s desk. “This punk cheated on a Uni playoff game and hacked the game core to do it.”
“I did no such thing.”
“Then he told lies to the investigators and blamed it on my son.”
“All right—” said Beckman.
“I didn’t blame it on anyone,” said Alvin in a sharp monotone. “You blamed it on me.”
Beckman sat back in his chair. His gaze went to Alvin. He looked uneasy.
Henry’s upper lip curled back over his teeth. “Those kids never played again and I lost a damn fine career.”
Motherfucker. “I never played again, either.”
“You don’t deserve to, you cheated and you took my son from me.”
Beckman’s posture changed.
Alvin shook his head. “Chad felt guilty about what he did. I just played the game like always.” He looked at Beckman “I didn’t know anything was wrong until it was over.”
“You took my son.”
Beckman’s eyes darted back to Henry.
“Okay, that’s enough—I’m sorry Chad died,” said Alvin. “I really am, but it wasn’t my fault. It’s time you moved on.”
Henry rose up. “Why are you still alive?” His fists were balled up like ripe tomatoes. Beckman reached under the desk.
Alvin was still. He watched Henry with sharp eyes, ready to defend if need be.
“Chad hacked the core,” said Alvin. “Chad took his own life.”
“Answer me!” shouted Henry. “Why are you still alive!”
I’ve been waiting my whole life to end you . . . .and I don’t see the point anymore.
“I’m not alive, coach. You took my dreams from me.”
Henry leaped at him. His hands went around Alvin’s neck.
Alvin stood to meet the attack. He grabbed Henry’s wrists and struggled with the taller man. Beckman jumped from his seat to help. Together they managed to pull his arms away. Alvin coughed as Henry’s hands came off his throat.
“Why are you still alive?” Henry’s face contorted into a red mass as he shouted.
The door slid open and Alvin thought for sure it was the other ’roiders coming to kill him.
Bossman appeared in the doorway.
He locked gazes with Henry, whose face went angrier at the Corporate Security man’s appearance.
“Duty calls, muthafucka,” said Bossman.
He lunged for Henry and threw his massive arms around the man’s neck. He yanked him free of the struggle like a rag doll.
“It’s about time,” said Beckman.
Henry tried to lunge for Beckman. He struggled for a moment, his hands reaching out. Then he went limp and his arms fell to his sides as Bossman choked him unconscious. He was dragged away. His legs banged against Alvin on the way out.
“You lucky I’m still here,” said Bossman.
Beckman backed away, panting. “Get him to Choi and have him restrained,” he shouted as the security man left the room.
Bossman nodded.
Beckman angrily tucked in his button-down shirt and sat back down.
“Okay, Baylor. Clearly, Carroll Henry needs to be evaluated. I am asking you now to please leave for Dactyl with your associate. We are down a repair tech and now our lead surveyor. Your presence is impacting normal operations.”
No shit.
Alvin rubbed at his neck.
“There’s one problem with that. She’s not cleared for Dactyl. We need her to run the repairs via VR. She can’t go on-site.”
Beckman’s head dropped. “You’re killing me, Baylor!”
“I can try to get clearance, but it will delay our tests.”
“No. No delays. You’re supposed to be done in a couple days. Let’s keep it that way. While you’re on Dactyl, she stays locked in your room. She can run the VR session from there. You get me?”
Alvin nodded. He stood and attempted a respectful tone. “I want you to know that I value your dedication to this project.”
“Get the fuck out of my office,” said Beckman.
The next morning, Alvin awoke before the sound of his alarm clock. He’d not had a good night’s sleep. He wasn’t sure how the crew would react to Henry’s confinement, and he thought it best to get to Dactyl during the shift change. He would take Katy to eat in Buzz’s room without being seen. While he dressed, he scoped out the hallways again using the camera feeds.
I think we’re good.
“Katy, time to get up.”
He shook her arm. Her skin felt rough.
She yawned herself awake and rolled over. She looked tired. The bruises around her nose looked worse. She held a hand over her face.
“Don’t look at me yet,” she said.
She never acts this way.
“Hey, you feel okay?” said Alvin.
“Yeah, just stress. I didn’t sleep well.”
“Me, either. We’ll be out of here soon. Now get ready. I’m going to take us over to Buzz.”
“What’s he gonna do for us?”
“He’s got a food printer. Undoctored. They medicate the crew.”
She yawned again and reached for her pants.
“I don’t think it’s working,” she said. “Certainly not on that Henry guy.”
“I have a scarier thought,” said Alvin. “What if it is?”
She laughed as she pulled a black hoodie over her head. “Let me do my makeup.”
“It’s just Buzz. Don’t worry, we’ll make it quick.”
She ignored him and began wiping on foundation. “Alvin, am I going to be sneaking around like his the whole time I’m here?”
“Only for one more day. This is the safest place to be right now. No one’s getting in without Alteris approval.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said.
He winked. “Don’t worry. I have a good track record. Let’s go already.”
She finished up and pulled the hoodie tight over her head.
“You’re taking the stealth thing kinda far,” said Alvin.
“I look like shit this morning,” she said.
They stepped out the door and tiptoed through the crew quarters. Everyone was asleep. He pointed out the empty mess hall on the way. She said nothing and kept her hooded head pointed at the ground.
Something’s wrong with her.
They reached Buzz’s room and he pressed the doorbell. No response, so he pressed it again.
It opened.
Buzz grumbled, “All right, already.”
He paused with surprise at seeing Katy. “Hello, Alvin. Who is this person? And aren’t you a little early?”
“I’m Katy.”
“She’s here for some fixes to the equipment,” said Alvin.
“Yes, of a different sort,” she said.
“Well, you two seem comfortable together,” said Buzz.
“We became friends on the trip over. She works on The Hope. We’re just looking for some takeout today. Can we come in?” said Alvin.
“I suppose,” said Buzz. “You know I’m going to have to requisition more Nutri-Paste?”
He let them in and they printed up breakfast burritos and hurried back out the door.
“Stay out of the papers today,” said Buzz.
“I’ll try.”
On their return they passed the med bay. Henry and Chickowski were inside, strapped down on gurneys. Katy pressed up against the glass and stared at them for a moment.
“You’re safer with those two in there,” she said.
“I guess so,” he said.
A sinking feeling manifested in Alvin’s stomach.
Rodriguez is still out there.
Another forty minutes still remained until shift change. That was plenty of time to eat and say good-bye to his girl before a day of work. He held her hand tightly as they walked back. It felt coarse and he wondered again about her health. His anxieties were starting to bubble up. They entered the room unseen and he placed the food on the bed then hugged her tightly.
“Thank you,” he said. “I’m not sure I could have made it here in one piece. I think I might have drunk myself to death.”
“Like you said, all you needed was me.”
She pulled away and a tear rolled down her bruised cheek. It was then that Alvin noticed how pronounced her cheekbones looked. There were wrinkles around her eyes and her lip quivered as she smiled.
God, she must really be stressed. What did they do to her?
She gripped him in a tight hug, and for the first time she seemed fragile. Her hug grew tighter still and he felt her arm come around his neck, and he wondered what she was doing. Then came darkness.
Thirty-Six
Alvin awoke to the blare of alarm klaxons. His throat was raw and his head throbbed. He sat up. He was on the bed. Breakfast was scattered on the floor at his feet. He coughed. A red light flashed above the door. Then he remembered Katy.
He whipped his head around. Where is she?
Alvin Baylor Lives! Page 23