by Tony Healey
The mercenaries looked to Largent. After he nodded, they all shuffled toward the elevator.
"Don't forget your buddies." Pazo scooted further away. "They may be sleeping, but they're going in there with ya."
The mercenaries followed the order, dragging their comrades into the elevator by the arms.
"Kirby, ya still with us over there?" Pazo asked.
K1R-B stood up and inspected scuff marks on his abdominal plate. "I could go for a nice buffing, but at least all systems are green."
Pazo snickered. "Good. Now if ya'd be so kind as to seal the elevator, I'd be appreciative."
"Wait," Largent said. "You can't leave us in here. We'll starve to death."
"After everything you've done, I'd say ya deserve it." Pazo's nostrils flared. "But don't fret. We'll be sure to pass along your coordinates to the Union. I'm sure they'll be anxious to talk to ya."
"What about him?" Largent pointed to Wils.
"Don't worry none about him," Pazo said. "I'll take real good care of him for ya."
K1R-B hacked into the control panel and closed the elevator doors. The arrow icons above the doors went haywire, alternating rapidly between up and down designations and changing colors every few seconds.
"That ought to hold them," K1R-B said.
"Yeah, and with those proximity mines I laid down below, the others aren't getting out any time soon either." Pazo released Wils. "What do ya say, Officer? Ya ready to answer for your crimes against the Terran Defence Force?"
Wils dropped to a knee. He gagged and massaged a strip of deep red skin across his throat. "You will all pay for your insolence! I will see you all thrown out an airlock for this!"
Pazo clubbed Wils with his claw. The officer's eyes rolled back into his head as he slumped over. "There, that's better."
___***___
Pazo finished binding Officer Wils to a steel bench in the cruiser, and shut the door. He walked around the front end to meet Kort, Max, K1R-B, and Dr. Pyra.
"Thanks again for everything you've done for us," Dr. Pyra said. "We're forever in your debt."
"Nonsense." Pazo shook the doctor's hand. "It was the right thing to do."
"I'm glad you saw it that way – all of you," Dr. Pyra said. "On a lawless planet such as this, I can't say anyone else would've been so kind."
Kort looked at Max and smiled.
"I've radioed ahead to another Ice Runner. He's coming to pick up the rest of you lot," Pazo said. "I've got room for one more passenger, Doc. Ya sure ya don't want to come along?"
"Thank you, but no. I should wait with the others and ensure everyone leaves safely."
"Fair enough," Pazo said. "I'll see to it that these three get across the tundra without incident. We'll rendezvous with Mayday and wait for your arrival. You're going home today, Doc."
A tear escaped Dr. Pyra's eye. "I wish all of us could've made it to see this moment. Horace must be devastated." The doctor turned and set off back to the mining facility.
Pazo thumped the door. "Well, that still leaves an empty seat in the cruiser if one of ya wants it."
"Appreciated, but our work on Quaris is not yet done," Kort said.
"Suit yourself."Pazo opened the door.
Max tapped him on the shoulder as he climbed into the cruiser. "Pazo, before you go, I need to ask you a favor."
"Name it."
"We're looking for a friend of ours," Max said. "A mercenary told us that she hitched a ride across the tundra. Can you check with your network of Ice Runners to see if anyone has information that may help us find her?"
"Her?" Pazo rubbed his chin. "This friend of yours wouldn't happen to have long, purple hair and the mouth of a sailor by any chance, would she?"
Max beamed with excitement. "Yes! That's her! You've seen her? Where is she?"
Pazo sighed. "Kiddo, I’m not sure ya’ll like the answer."
“Huh?” Max frowned and looked at Kort.
"What's the problem, Pazo?" Kort asked. “Have you seen her or not?”
"Yeah, I've seen her. I'm the one that took her across the tundra," Pazo said. "She weren't alone, though."
"That was probably Tanzin," Max said. "She must've found him."
"Whoever he was, he's bad news." Pazo fired up the engine. "I've seen my fair share of shady characters over the years, and this guy even made my skin crawl. Whatever they're up to, nothing good will come of it."
"I know her, Pazo," Max said. "She's not like that. If she's gotten mixed up in something dangerous, we need to help her."
Pazo revved the engine. "I dropped them off at the Hailstone Caves, about half a day's journey from here on foot."
"Thank you," Max said.
"Can I suggest that ya don’t go after her?"
Max shook his head.
"Yeah, didn't think so." Pazo slid a plasma rifle out the window. "If I can't stop ya, I can at least make sure I arm ya."
Max collected the heavy, tungsten-plated rifle and put the strap over his shoulder. "One last thing." He patted K1R-B's head. "Kirby, you should ride back to Mayday's camp with Pazo."
"What?" K1R-B gasped. "I can't leave you."
"It's okay, buddy." Max raised K1R-B's arm with the missing hand. "You've earned some quality downtime."
"But I don't require rest, Max. I can still help."
"And you will. Help Mayday contact the Union and put an end to this," Max said. "You've done more than your part in getting us this far. Let Kort and I take it from here."
K1R-B cocked its head to the side and regarded Max. It embraced him with a tight hug.
"Kirby . . . I think I heard my ribs crack," Max said.
Startled, K1R-B let go and stepped back. Max laughed and returned the droid's hug.
"Hate to break up this tender moment, but we're losing daylight," Pazo said.
Kort gripped K1R-B's arm. "Safe journey."
K1R-B nodded. It walked to the front of the cruiser and climbed into the passenger seat. Pazo pulled forward and circled the cruiser around Max and Kort. K1R-B leaned out the window and waved his nub.
Max cupped his hands around his mouth. "I'll fix you up as soon as I get back, Kirby. That's a promise!"
The cruiser treads plowed through the hardened snow banks, throwing confetti-like shavings into the air, and disappeared into the distance.
___***___
The words INCOMING TRANSMISSION appeared on the Bloodletting's console. Roma flipped a switch and raised a flat panel monitor from a concealed compartment. An orange and navy-blue background dissolved into a live image of Silas Doum's crimson mask.
"Status report," he demanded.
An overhead screen flickered with static. Roma tapped the side until the image cleared, displaying the ship's trajectory lines.
"I had to navigate around an unmapped asteroid field," Roma said. "I've lost time, but should arrive on Quaris within the hour."
"The sooner the better," Silas said. "Remember, I said stall them. Do not allow them to leave Quaris before my arrival."
"And if they resist?"
"Spare only the boy. I don't care what you do to his companions."
A smile stretched across Roma's face. Her forked tongue passed between pointy incisors. "As you wish, my Lord."
17
Kort retired to his chambers on the Fair Maiden, frustrated and angered by Delta's blatant disrespect. He couldn't believe she'd be so brazen as to pilfer Max's tiny ship and head out for Quaris on her own. Delta was tough and bull-headed – a fact he understood well – but he feared her rough and tumble mentality wouldn't be enough for her to survive on Quaris for long.
Kort poured liquid from a flask into a glass on the nightstand. He swirled the chocolate-brown beverage counterclockwise a few times, and drained the glass in one swallow.
"Ahhh."
As Kort went to pour another round, an LED screen illuminated on the nightstand. The words TRANSMISSION RECEIVED appeared on screen. Below the text, a square-shaped profile image of Juke holding his fingers up
in a "V" with a grin on his face. He picked up the data tablet and swiped to answer the call.
"Hey, is now a good time?" Juke asked.
"About as good as it's going to get." Kort wiped his mouth. "Delta's gone. She stole Max's Skimmer and charted a course to Quaris without us."
"Oh, dear. This makes what I'm about to tell you that much worse, I'm afraid."
"You found something?" Kort asked.
"Yes, and your hunch was correct." Juke projected an image to screen of a young man with spiky blue hair, and a tribal totem tattooed on his cheek in black ink. The photo had the Union's insignia in the upper-right hand corner. "It took quite a bit of digging, but I did find this Tanzin character's rap sheet. Saying he's no angel would be putting it mildly."
"Juke, that's a Union watermark. Please tell me you didn't hack into their database."
"Pfft," Juke spit. "I'm not that stupid, thank you very much. I cashed in a favor that the Union owed me, that's all. Oh, and you're welcome, by the way."
Footsteps passed by Kort's door. He flipped the data tablet over and tucked it under his pillow. As soon as the steps faded down the corridor, he retrieved the device.
"Uh . . . what was that all about?" Juke said.
"Don't worry about it." Kort kicked off his slippers and slid into bed. He propped a pillow against the headboard and leaned back. "And did you look into that other thing?"
"Dear sir, I'm insulted by the insinuation that I wouldn't perform a thorough investigation." Juke closed his eyes and stuck his snout in the air. After a brief pause, he opened one eye. Kort shook his head. "Wow, you are surly this evening. She must have gotten deep under your skin."
"Can we just get on with this, please?"
"Fine," Juke continued. "In all seriousness, yes, I checked Tanzin's records and wasn't able to locate a death certificate. As far as official documentation is concerned, he's still alive, but his whereabouts are unknown."
"So he is alive . . ."
"Well, if he is, he's pulled off one helluva disappearing act." Juke's ear twitched. "I also ran that other name you gave me – Karr – and he's not the kind of guy you'd want chasing after you. He's known in the underworld as ‘The Demon of Sohlm,' and let's just say it's a name well-earned and leave it at that. Delta is beyond lucky to have escaped him. Not many have."
"Hmm . . ." Kort rubbed his chin. "Dammit."
"What's the matter?"
"We're going to have to go after her."
"Uh . . . Kort, buddy?" Juke said. "Did you not just hear a single word I said? Whatever Delta and her boyfriend are involved in, it's dangerous."
"That's why we have to go," Kort said. "Max would never forgive me if something happened to her, and I could've prevented it."
Juke raised the corner of his mouth into a half-smile. "Can't say I'd do the same in your situation, but you've always been a better man than I."
"Maybe all that fur prevents a sense of duty from seeping in."
"Oh, hardy-har-har." Juke sneered. "This coming from the reputable ‘merchant'."
"Do me a favor, would you?"
Juke smacked his lips. "Isn't that what I just did?"
"This information about Delta and Tanzin . . . lose it."
Juke nodded. "Max?"
"Yeah," Kort said. "I don't want to shatter the image of her he's created in his head. Kid's had a hard enough go of it lately as it is. He doesn't need this clouding his mind, too."
"Understood." Juke pressed a button on his console. Kort heard a familiar tone, one signaling the deletion of a file. "Oh, and Kort. If you're going after her . . . be careful, alright, buddy?"
"Aww, you're worried about me? That's adorable."
"I'm being serious. We've been through a lot together; seen some great battles," Juke said. "But . . . I don't have a good feeling about this."
"I appreciate it, Juke. You have my word that we'll be careful."
Juke rubbed his snout. "Kort . . . there's something else, actually. Another development has come up that I need to talk to you about. It's concerning – "
"Can it wait, Juke?" Kort refilled his glass. "I've got a lot on my plate right now as is."
"Sure, buddy . . . another time. Good night."
18
Hours of walking passed without rest. Max's lungs burned, and he wanted to stop for a break, but understood the importance of reaching Delta before things got out of hand. She'd come a long way since her days as a thief, and he didn't want to see her fall back into her old life.
Maybe Tanzin could join our crew, he thought. His skills would come in handy.
Although a small part of Max harbored anger for the way Delta left them, he wanted to move past it and get things back to the way they were. He craved a regained sense of normalcy.
The gravity of his situation – being one-third of a key to something well beyond his comprehension – still weighed heavy on his mind. He'd lost his friends and family in Aquine's destruction, and felt disconnected from a life he once knew.
Of course he cherished Kort and K1R-B – he couldn't imagine a day without them – but he'd bonded with Delta in a way that was different. They were both broken toys; connected by an intangible something that he'd never be able to share with his uncle or his best friend, no matter how close they were. It's what compelled him, and made Delta's friendship worth fighting for.
"Look," Kort said.
A majestic rock formation loomed not far ahead, casting an imposing shadow upon the pale, white snow. Although mostly covered by fresh snowfall, a shallow trail of cruiser treads led toward it.
"Do you think she's still there?" Max said.
"Only one way to find out, kid."
Max stepped forward.
Kort grabbed him by the wrist. "We don't know what's going on here, so above all else, be careful. Don't do anything foolish. Am I clear?"
"Yes."
"Max," Kort said with a stern tone. "Am I clear?" His grip tightened.
Max looked at his uncle's hand. It was the first time he'd noticed his uncle act so protective over him. They'd faced plenty of danger together before, but this was different. Kort was different.
"Yes, I'll be careful," Max said. "You have my word."
Kort released his grasp. "Good. Stay close to me at all times, and if I say run, I expect you to run. No dilly-dallying or second-guessing. You got me?"
Max said, "Relax. It's Delta."
___***___
The terrain sloped downward toward the mouth of a cave. Below the thinning snow, a gritty path of rock and sand emerged. It was the first time they'd felt solid ground beneath their feet outdoors since crossing the tundra.
The path cut through the mountains, creating high ridges on either side. Kort scanned the area back and forth as the road to the Hailstone Caves descended deeper.
"You don't think there'll be any bats in there, do you?" Max asked.
Kort chuckled. "You've ran from snow golems that could've torn you to shreds, and been bitten by a thornchigger that almost killed you, but bats you're afraid of?"
Max frowned. "Hey, don't make fun! They're creepy."
"What's so creepy about bats? They don't bite."
"Uh, how about they're disease-carriers, for one," Max said. "For two, they're basically flying rodents. And three, they – "
Blaster fire hit the ground at Max's feet. Sparks shot up and fizzled out. Kort jumped in front of Max and shielded him with an arm. Max slipped the tungsten pulse rifle off his shoulder and peered through the sight to the ridge above them.
Delta appeared at the edge with a blaster in her hand. Steam swirled around the barrel. Max moved out from behind Kort and lowered his weapon. He waved his arm. "Delta, it's us. Hold your fire."
Delta raised her blaster and closed one eye. A targeting scope's red light stretched from her gun to Max's chest.
"What are you doing?" Max said. "Didn't you hear me? It's us."
"You shouldn't have come, Max," she said. "Go back while you still
can."
Kort drew his blaster and aimed at her.
"Everyone just calm down." Max lowered his uncle's arm. "Delta, we're not mad about you taking the ship, and we aren't here to fight with you. We came to help."
"I don't need your help, flyboy," Delta said. "And I didn't ask you to be my savior. I'm not telling you again. Get out of here."
"What's gotten into you, Delta?" Max's voice cracked. "This isn't you."
"How would you know, Max?" Delta snarled. "You think you know me just because we've been on a few adventures together? You think I owe you something because you got the Union to drop those charges against me? What do you want from me?"
"I don't want anything from you. You’re my friend, and I’ll always have your back."
Delta rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, I've got enough friends."
"You can't mean that," Max said.
"No?" Delta raised the targeting laser from Max's chest to his forehead. "I'm going to give you till the count of three, and then I'm going to blow a hole in your head."
"Delta!"
"One . . ."
A gust of wind rustled Max's sleeves. "Please, Delta. Don't do this."
"Two . . ." Delta coiled her finger around the trigger.
"But – "
Kort nudged Max. "She's made her decision, kid. Let's go."
Max resisted, maintaining eye contact with Delta.
"Kid!" Kort barked. "Remember what I said earlier? When I say run, you run. We're done here."
Max exchanged parting glances with Delta, and backtracked up the path they'd come from. The disappointment materialized as a lump at the back of his throat.
Delta holstered her blaster. "Let this be the last time I see you, flyboy." She stepped back from the ledge and disappeared into the mountains.
___***___
Max felt warm. He fought back the tears because he didn't want to acknowledge how deep she'd wounded him. Specifically, he didn't want to allow his uncle the satisfaction of being right. ‘You should've listened to me, kid,' he'd say. Max was in no mood to hear it.
The image of Delta staring down the barrel of a blaster at him replayed over and over again in his mind. The look in her eye was unmistakable.