Sinklar still hesitated. “I and my people can withdraw? No strings? You’re willing to place any articles we agree on in writing?”
Staffa nodded. “It’s no longer a matter of power plays or games. We either find the answer—or we all die. My gamble is that you’re bright enough to understand the dilemma when you review the data.”
Sinklar cautiously took his hand, a tingle sparked by that firm grip.
Mac sat in the observation blister on Gyton’s port side. He slouched with one boot propped on the spectrometer. The curve of Rega cut across one corner of his view. Beyond, the stars were shimmering in a frost-swirl pattern, some fuzzy as their light bent through the Forbidden Borders.
Here he’d found her, standing staring out with a lonesome lost look on her face. Here he’d realized just how much he loved her, and they’d touched, the effect so electric.
The very thought of her left something inside aching and empty. Three long days had passed now since she’d walked off into the guts of Chrysla with Staffa. In that time, Mac had pitched headlong into the impossible task of trying to orchestrate the Empire. Dion had been indispensable, maintaining order, running the utilities to keep power, water, sewer, and food services going. What was left of the “Regular” army had melted away or fallen in to keep the government functioning.
Mac didn’t look up as Sinklar entered. For a moment, they both remained silent.
“How’d the meeting with Rysta go?” Mac asked. Sinklar settled on the bench. “She’s a bright woman, but more importantly, she accepted the job. She’s going to take over patrolling to make sure no one fools with the shipping.”
“She’s half pirate at heart. She’ll be good at that.” Silence.
Sinklar slapped his leg. “What’s wrong, Mac?” “Nothing. “
“Aren’t the roles reversed? You’re hurting. Talk to her. “
Mac gave his friend a disgusted look. “Leave it alone. “
Sinklar shook his head. “Can’t. She’s quite a lady. I’m still shaken every time I see her. Arta keeps bubbling up in my memory, you know, seeing her looking crazy with Gretta. . . . “
“They find Ily yet?”
“No. She’s gone, Mac. Shipped out in Skyla’s yacht. Companion targeting picked her up, of course, but her ship had a friendly signature, a code the Companion targeting uses to keep from blasting good guys in the heat of combat. Slap and Jinx Mistress are out trying to track her, but I guess that yacht’s got a lot of tricks ,in it. “
“Skyla all right?”
Sinklar sighed. “That’s mostly over my head. Of all people, Chrysla is working with her. Doing something she calls double-bind reconditioning. I guess it was Arta who really got to Skyla, really messed her up, so Chrysla is countering that. She’s a psychologist, did you know?”
“I know. “
Sinklar stared thoughtfully out at the stars. “The quanta are laughing.”
“What did Staffa decide to do? Is he going to keep them both?”
So much bitterness in your voice. I don’t know, Mac. That’s up to the three of them to work out.” Mac hung his head. “I never knew I could come to love like I’ve come to love her. It’s not just that magnetism, it’s who she is. Delicate and brave, suffering and triumphant. She beat hell, Sink. I can’t stand the thought of living without her.” Or of living close to her when she’s another man’s wife-your father’s wife!
“Talk to her, Mac.”
“Not now. She’s got enough to worry about.” Stop tormenting me, Sink. He knotted a fist, watching the tendons bunch and ripple. “After all she’s been through, I can’t inflict myself on her. “ He shot a weary glance at Sinklar. “She’s ... your mother, for God’s sake. “
“Yeah. So?” Silence. “You’re sure Staffa’s your father?”
“Yes. Anatolia ran the test. Not only that, but the data Buchman saved proved it. Proved all of it. “ Mac dropped his head into his hands. “I must look like a real fool. “
Sinklar stepped over, clutching his hand. “No, pal. She’s real different from Arta. “
“Is that why you’re here? To make me miserable?” Sinklar let go of Mac’s hand and walked up to stare out at the stars. “What if I told you we had a chance?” “A chance at what?”
“Saving this.” He waved an arm. “All of this. All those people down there.” A pause. “Remember that time on the ridge outside of Makarta? I meant what I said. We’re going to clean it all up-all of us. We’re not licked yet.”
“Got a miracle in your pocket again?” “Targa. “
“That a battle cry or a planet?”
“Both. Seems there’s a computer on Targa. A big computer, all chock-full of fascinating programs. I talked to Kaylla Dawn about it.”
“You? Talking to a Seddi?”
“She’s not just a Seddi.’She leaves you ... well, believing she’s seen it all-and knows more about life than you ever will. I think, Mac, that I can work with her.”
“So you’re going back to Targa?”
“Yes.” Sinklar’s eyes lost focus. “Back to Makarta, Mac. “
Going back to face your ghosts? Is that it? Sinklar turned. “I want you to come with us.”
“Us? “
“Staffa and me.”
Mac smiled while his heart ached. “Can’t, Sink. This is one you’ll have to do on your own. “
“Why? What are you going to do?”
Mac cocked his head, staring out at the stars. “You say Ily’s still out there? Well, maybe I’ll load up and go find her. Can you get me a ship?”
“Which one do you want?”
Mac glanced around. “What’s wrong with this one?”
Sinklar hesitated. “You’re sure about this?”
Mac stared at the stars. Can’t you see? Going with you-being around him ... and her-would be like twisting a rusty knife in the wound, pal. “Got excitement bred into my bones, Sink. You don’t need an able lieutenant anymore. You’ve got a family to figure out. Me, I’m going to go see my dad again, and then I think I’ll go see what Free Space is all about.” He frowned. “I never liked that bitch anyway. If I can run her down-tag Fera at the same time, I can kill two devils at once.
“ Kill two devils ... I think I understand. You’ve got it, Mac. “ Sinklar gave him a knowing smile and reached out, shaking his hand. “Take care, Mac.”
“You, too. “
After Sinklar had left, Mac continued to sit, his boot propped on the spectrometer, eyes on the distant stars, the memory of an amber-eyed woman filling his vision.
THE END
Also By W.Michael Gear
Spider trilogy
People Books - First North Americans (with Kathleen O'Neal Gear)
The Richard Hamilton Duology
Anasazi Mysteries
Other Novels
The Big Horn Legacy (1988)
Long Ride Home (1988)
The Artifact (1990)
Starstrike (1990)
Dark Inheritance (2001) (with Kathleen O'Neal Gear)
Raising Abel (2002) (with Kathleen O'Neal Gear)
The Athena Factor (2005)
The Betrayal. The Lost Life of Jesus (2008) (with Kathleen O'Neal Gear)
Children of the Dawnland (2009) (with Kathleen O'Neal Gear)
About the author
W. Michael Gear is an American writer, and archaeologist born in Colorado Springs, Colorado on May 20, 1955. He is perhaps best known for his First North Americans series, co-authored with wife Kathleen O'Neal Gear. Gear currently resides in Thermopolis, Wyoming along with wife, fellow author and co-writer Kathleen O'Neal Gear.
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