Hired Gun - A Bounty Hunter Space Opera Adventure (Aeon 14: Machete System Bounty Hunter)

by M. D. Cooper

  He pantomimed the technique before continuing. “I’ve got drops in case you get dry eye. Don’t use the other kinds or brands. Only the kind I gave you. Same thing for the cleanser. Use exactly what I’m giving you. You should also pick up some type 21A disinfectant to use if you get experience itching or burning. If it doesn’t go away within an hour, get to a doctor.”

  Coo stepped back.

  Trey sat up slowly, blinking. “Anything else?”

  “Yes. If your use of these, or the altered Ident, is discovered, for some reason, don’t mention me.”

  “That goes without saying,” Reece said.

  “On the contrary,” Coo argued, holding up a finger and wagging it side to side, “it must always be said.”

  “Duly noted. I already transferred the money to you, so if that’s it, we’ll be on our way.” Reece edged toward the door.

  “Don’t let me keep you,” Coo said. “I think I’ll go do a little shopping.”

  “Buy some pants.” Trey grabbed the bag of eye care supplies and his updated credentials card.

  Coo raised an eyebrow. “Wasn’t on my shopping list, but since you brought it up, I’ll think about it.”

  “No you won’t.” Reece stepped to the door. She was ready for some fresh air.

  “No. I won’t.” Coo smiled. “See you next time.”

  Reece hustled down to street level and took long breaths. “I hate the way that place smells.”

  Trey had already summoned a taxi, and it was waiting at the curb. “Yeah. It’s like moldy leftovers and cat ass.”

  She laughed. “That isn’t how I’d have described it, but yeah, it kind of does.”

  “How would you describe it?”

  “I’d say it’s more like bad water reclamation and decaying hope.”

  Trey nodded appreciatively. “I like it. It has a certain whimsy.”

  Smiling, she got into the taxi.

  With Trey’s eyes and Ident squared away, next on the day’s list of activities was a trip back to the Bubble Club to learn what Ed had discovered.

  She spotted a pharmacy a few blocks from the club, and directed the driver to pull over while Trey mumbled something about the hassles of human drivers.

  She remained outside while Trey bought what he needed to keep his lenses in good shape.

  “Did you stock up?” she asked as they walked the short distance to the Bubble Club. “I don’t know how easy it is to find those specific brands planet to planet or system to system.”

  He waved a canvas shopping bag at her in response. It appeared to be relatively heavy, so she took that as a yes.

  They crossed a side street and she led him down a back alley behind the storefronts. “We can cut through here.”

  The scenery quickly changed from bright billboards and slick window displays to service entrances and large storage bins. They had almost reached the back entrance of the Bubble Club when she heard clanking sounds and laughter.

  It was rather early in the day for people to be loitering and enjoying whatever substances they preferred, but such behavior in the area wasn’t unknown. In the entertainment district, anything could happen; some people just couldn’t wait until after hours to get the party started.

  Not wanting to cross paths with people who were likely to exhibit poor decision-making skills, she adjusted course to exit the alleys and go around to the front entrance to the Bubble Club.

  Then a high-pitched sound of distress came from the same direction as the laughter.

  She stopped and met Trey’s gaze. A look of agreement passed between them, and they headed for the source of the sounds.

  When they rounded the corner, they saw three men near two storage containers, looking into the narrow space between. A space too small for an adult, though a child could have squeezed into it.

  “What’s the game, guys?” Trey asked. “Can we play?”

  “Just having some fun,” the shortest one said. “It’s nothing to do with you.”

  Reece squinted at the dark space between the containers, but couldn’t make anything out. Whoever was in there didn’t make a sound. “We kind of feel like it is.”

  All three immediately turned toward them, their prey forgotten. “It’s three to two,” the short one said. “Sure you want to come looking for trouble?”

  Their pupils were dilated, and Reece could tell the three men were already well into their daily dose of chemicals.

  “We’re not the ones making trouble.” Trey stared them down.

  Reece started to flip her jacket away from her hips to display her weapons—knuckleheads like these usually backed down fast when they realized they were dealing with a heavy—but Trey stepped forward and all three men went for him.

  Trey punched one in the throat, threw the second to the ground, and connected a meaty fist with the temple of the third. The second guy popped back up, but Trey’s knuckles in his eye put him right back down.

  Reece hadn’t even had a chance to wade in. “Well, thanks a lot,” she said. “I didn’t even get to hit anyone.”

  Trey shrugged, and she gingerly walked around the three idiots to the bins and peered into the dark space between them. Whoever was in there had gone eerily silent.

  “Think the kid got out somewhere?” Trey asked, standing at her shoulder.

  “I don’t see any way out. The bins go all the way back to the concrete wall and there can’t be enough space beneath….”

  Trey dropped to a crouch, attempting to look beneath the bins. Reece watched behind him in case any of the jerks got back up.

  “Hey,” Trey called softly. “I see you in there. Come on out. It’s safe.” He held out a hand.

  After a few moments, a tiny hand extended.

  It had fur.

  The face of a little monkey peeped out, looking anxious.

  “What is it?” Trey looked puzzled, but kept his hand extended.

  The creature shied away when he spoke.

  “Mouse monkey. They live mostly in wooded areas, but sometimes when food is scarce the little ones get pushed out and come to the cities where they raid dumpsters or scavenge what’s left on the ground.”

  “Do they have diseases or anything?” He kept his eyes on the monkey as he spoke.

  “Nothing humans can catch. Sometimes they have fleas or other bugs.”

  Trey reached into his pocket and pulled out half a cereal bar. He unwrapped it and held it out to the monkey.

  “It’s not good to feed them,” she warned. “They’re mostly left alone, but if they learn to beg or bother people, they’ll be reported and removed.”

  “What happens to them then?” Trey patiently held very still.

  “What do you think happens to animals that are considered to be vermin?”

  The monkey came out into the light, quivering with fright, but tempted by the food. The poor thing was skinny, and limping on one of his left foot.

  “Ah, he’s hurt. Probably got hit by a bottle one of those idiots threw. That’s too bad. He’ll get picked off or exterminated.” Reece felt for the monkey, but there was nothing she could do.

  Cautiously, it took the food from Trey’s hand and limped back a step to squat and eat it. Its bright little eyes darted nervously from Reece to Trey.

  “There’s no sanctuary or something for them?”

  Reece frowned. “Are there sanctuaries for vermin where you’re from?”

  “No, but he doesn’t look like vermin. He looks intelligent.”

  “Yeah, I hear they’re pretty smart. I don’t know why people don’t make pets of them, but they don’t. Maybe they’re smart enough that they make troublesome pets.” She had enough problems keeping Rio out of things he shouldn’t get into. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like with a far smarter critter—especially one with opposable thumbs.

  The monkey put his hand on Trey’s, staring soulfully at him. Then he scampered up Trey’s arm and sat on his shoulder.

  “Do they have vets here?”
Trey asked, standing. The monkey kept its balance by holding on with its three good paws and curling its tail around Trey’s neck.

  Reece groaned. “For pets, they do. But no one treats a mouse monkey. Though why these guys wanted to fight us in order to keep tormenting the thing, I don't know.”

  “Maybe they just like fighting. Some people do.” He squinted at her.

  “Fair point. But like I said, vets don't take care of mouse monkeys.”

  “They will today.” Trey’s face had hardened into a resolute expression, and Reece knew it was no use to argue.

  She sighed. “Fine. I’m searching.”

  Almost immediately, she located one nearby. “Three blocks west. They just opened.”

  “Lead the way.”

  They were going to be late to meet with Ed. As Reece walked alongside Trey’s non-monkey-inhabited shoulder, she sent a message advising of their delay.

  They walked past the three men, one of whom was out cold while the other two groaned in pain.

  Reece shook her head. “I can’t believe you idiots got into a fight over a mouse monkey.”

  * * * * *

  Reece had somehow picked the perfect veterinarian based on nothing but proximity and operating hours: Dr. Root had a soft spot for mouse monkeys.

  The little creature sat on the table obediently, looking far more at ease than it had in the alley. Reece didn’t know if it had some way of sensing intentions or if it had determined that these humans didn’t pose a threat. Either way, it sat and allowed the vet to touch its sore paw.

  “Nothing broken, but it got a good smash. I’ll run a tissue accelerator on it to clear most of the swelling and speed the healing process up, but it’s going to be sore for a few days. I’ll give you some pain medicine you can give him.”

  “Erm.” Trey’s eyes widened. “I kind of thought I’d get him looked at and take him someplace safe, where he could find food.”

  Dr. Root blinked. “Oh. I thought that if you were taking on the cost of his care, you were going to take him on, too. If you aren’t going to take him in, there’s no point in treating him. He’s half-starved already. He’s a runt, and can’t feed himself. It’s kinder to just put him down.”

  “As in kill him?”

  “Sometimes it’s the only choice to prevent pointless suffering.” The doctor’s face creased with compassion.

  Trey’s response was immediate. “No. Treat his foot. I’ll figure something out.”

  Dr. Root reached out and petted the monkey on the head. The small simian leaned into his hand. “They’re intelligent, often affectionate animals. I’ve never understood why people don’t keep them as pets.”

  “Do you?” Reece challenged.

  Rather than scowling, the vet smiled. “If I took on a mouse monkey, it would be a cruelty because of the long hours I work. These guys need social interaction. They get lonely.”

  “You could get two. Or three,” she pointed out. “Then they could keep one another company.”

  “You make a good point. When I move into a bigger apartment, I’ll think about that.” He stepped away and returned with a small tube-shaped device with a pyramidal head. He spent a few minutes slowly moving it back and forth over the monkey’s paw.

  “There.” The vet set the tool down. “He’ll feel better now.”

  Indeed, the monkey used that very paw to reach out to make a grab for the medical device. Laughing, the vet got hold of it just in time.

  “Just keep in mind how clever he is,” Dr. Root advised. “Do you want a transport carrier?”

  “Carrier?” Trey looked puzzled.

  “Standard travel regulation for an animal. I can give you the necessary travel documents for him, but he’ll need to be contained in a carrier to get on any kind of mass transit.”

  “Oh.” Trey blinked several times. “Okay, I guess.”

  Twenty minutes later, they resumed course for the Bubble Club. Reece hoped Ed wouldn’t be miffed. She tended to hold a grudge—she was a bit like Marky in that respect.

  The monkey rode on Trey’s shoulder. Trey had shoved the medicine into the carrier.

  As much as Reece didn’t want to see the monkey come to harm, she half-hoped the little creature would change his mind about Trey being his new best buddy and scamper away.

  No such luck. The critter seemed more than happy to be riding high on the shoulder of his savior.

  “You’re going to have to give him a name,” Reece said.

  “Doesn’t naming him mean I’m accepting some sort of ownership over him?” Trey asked. “That’s kind of a commitment.”

  “Yeah, you assumed that commitment already, when you shelled a out thousand credits for his care and papers. Congratulations, you’re a mouse monkey owner.”

  Trey only made a brief grunting sound in reply.

  “Why are you so concerned about him?” she asked. “When you looked at him and realized he wasn’t a kid, why did you not just move on?”

  “I hate to see the innocent suffer.”

  “I guess we have that in common, so I won’t give you shit about the monkey.” She gave him a sidelong glance.

  He smirked. “I guess we’ll see about that. But it’d be nice.”

  Acceptance passed between them, and for the first time, Reece felt like he could actually become her partner.

  Someday.

  Theoretically speaking.

  THE PURSUIT

  DATE: 03.21.8948 (Adjusted Gregorian)

  LOCATION: Eladitlun City, Iagentci

  REGION: Machete System, PED 4B, Orion Freedom Alliance

  “You’re late.” Ed entered the main room of the Bubble Club after Reece and Trey had been waiting at a table in the empty lounge for twenty minutes.

  Reece had no doubt that she’d simply been paying them back for not arriving when they said they’d would.

  Then she noticed the monkey and stopped in her tracks. “You brought a mouse monkey into my club.”

  “That a problem?” Trey asked.

  Ed stepped closer. Her gait bore no resemblance to the slinky saunter of their last visit. Out of performance mode, Ed was almost like another person. “Not for me. But you really shouldn’t encourage it. Another name for them is ghost monkey. They’re hard to catch if you want to, but if one gets attached to you, it will haunt you forever.”

  “I’m pretty sure I’m already stuck with it.” He pointed to the carrier he’d set on the floor behind him.

  Ed laughed. “Well, good luck with that. It’s a brave soul that takes on a ghost monkey.”

  Trey frowned at her. “You look really different.”

  Gone were the long wig and the painted skin. Ed wore a crisp business skirt and blouse, and her natural hair. She was still gorgeous, but instead of shining her sexuality like a beacon, her beauty gave her a sophisticated, polished appearance.

  “Is that good or bad?” She leaned forward, as flirtatiously as she would have the night before.

  “Just different.”

  She straightened and her flirtatious expression disappeared. “Ah well. If you’d said it was good, I’d have had to throw myself at you. But as it is…feed your monkey.”

  Trey’s forehead creased. “What?”

  She pointed at his shoulder. “They need to eat frequently, and that one looks half-starved. I’ll call up some food.”

  Reece said, “The vet told us he can eat most anything, but unprocessed foods are the healthiest for him. Nuts, fruits, vegetables, and such.”

  “That’s just as well. The cook doesn’t arrive until closer to opening hour. I’ll see what my assistant can rustle up. We don’t have a big menu, but I’m sure there’s something that will do.” Ed’s eyes flicked to the right and her gaze unfocused for a moment.

  She nodded. “There. Now, on to business.”

  Reece curled her hands into fists to mask her hope. “Did you come up with anything?”

  “Of course I did.” Ed gave her an aren’t-you-silly look. “Bu
t I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

  “Let’s start with the good,” Trey decided.

  “An optimist, are you?” Ed arched an eyebrow at him.

  “Maybe.” He shrugged. “Depends on the situation. But it’s nice to have the good news in mind to temper the bad. Don’t you think?”

  Ed smiled faintly. “Depends on the situation. All right, then. The good news is that I got all the details on Fitzmiller’s stay and departure. I was even able to track down where he was headed.”

  Reece felt a rush of elation, but then tamped it down. “What’s the bad news?”

  Ed looked sympathetically at Reece. “He was headed to the Eashira System.”

  All of Reece’s previous enthusiasm drained out. In spite of having Trey along for just that purpose, she’d really thought she could catch Fitzmiller while he was still in the Machete System. The reality of her situation lit a white flame of fear in her chest.

  “I saved a tiny bit of good news,” Ed added. “Fitzmiller’s funds are limited, and he had to take a connecting flight at Kolanu Station.”

  Reece blew out a relieved breath. That was more like it. Kolanu was one of the stations in orbit of Geha, a large jovian planet in Machete’s outer reaches. No interstellar travel required.

  “When did he arrive there?” Reece asked.

  “That’s the beauty part. He’s on a slow boat and hasn’t gotten there, yet. If you take an express liner, you could beat him—if the liner has no delays.”

  Reece immediately accessed the Link to pull up flight schedules out of Igaguti Station. “I’ll look at availabilities. Trey, call us a taxi.”

  “Already done, on both counts,” Ed answered crisply. “I’m sending you your boarding information now. All you have to do is get there in time. It’ll be tight, because the only express liner leaving today is departing from Unega Station.”

  Ed’s assistant arrived—a fresh-faced man in his early twenties. He offered a tray to Ed, but she gestured to Trey. The assistant set it on the table next to him and quickly left.