Shouts from the deck below him diverted his attention and he looked over the side, “What?”
“What do you mean what?” shouted Lisa. “You didn't notice your freaking ship was invisible?! All we can see is your damn head!”
Steele did a double take, looking out over the wings and back behind himself towards the stern, seeing only the floor beneath him and the wall behind. If he looked hard, really hard, he could see the vague outline, a minor distortion.“Whoa. That's cool...”
■ ■ ■
“Lawman 63 shoved the e-Pad in front of Cheriska for the umpteenth time, “Look at it again.”
“I don't have to look at it again,” she sneered, “I told you I haven't seen those people.”
“One of our other Lawmen spoke to them on the docks, your business came up specifically. We know they were headed here... A transport driver dropped them off just outside the Peninsula on the outskirts of Town Central, straight up the street from here.”
“Well they never made it here,” Cheriska insisted. “That's quite a distance from Deep Black, and since it seems all the extra money I give you assholes doesn't buy the safety of my clients through this fucking area, maybe I should simply pay off the damn criminals. Oh that's right,” she slammed her empty mug down on the table with a whack, “you're all one and the same, aren't you? Is that why you're mad?” She stood up, “Someone finally kill that ass you call a brother-in-law? Did he and his band of thugs try to nab the wrong person?!”
“That's enough!” shouted Lawman 63, slamming his fist down on the counter. “Consider Deep Black shut down until further notice!”
“Kiss my ass, you prick. Consider you and your goons cut off. Not another credit.”
“We'll close down all your business, then,” threatened the Lawman.
“You give that a try. In the meantime I'll be calling the Chief Constable, the Magistrate and the Primayor...”
Lawman 63 lunged across the counter at her and she jumped back meeting the frame of Mouse walking up behind her. “Problem..?” With one arm the big man slid Cheriska around behind him, eying the Lawman.
Sweeping his jacket, the Lawman rested his hand on the grip of his sidearm, “Back off you...”
Four Lawmen emerged from the warehouse brushing past Mouse and Cheriska, “Let's go...”
“You didn't find anything?” raged 63.
“No.” The Lawman with the number 87 on his jacked paused at the end of the counter, studying 63 and his body language, glancing over his shoulder at the Deep Black employees. “Do we have a problem here?”
Lawman 63 straightened up, “No, nothing,” he said slowly, staring evilly at Cheriska. He turned and followed the others out, not looking back.
■ ■ ■
The music was loud enough to dance to, but not so loud that you couldn't have a conversation. A layer of smoke hung near the ceiling and people milled about, some dancing. The clientele was mixed; some dressed for a night out, others like the rough neighborhood it was. An truly eclectic mismatch of patrons. A red-haired waitress with alabaster, nearly transparent skin came over to the table and laid an e-Pad down. “Here's a menu. Anything you want, Mouse said is on the house...”
Draza Mac leaned to the right, studying a half-nude dancer on the stage. “Uh, anything?”
The waitress smirked, “Food, drinks... or yeah, that too.” She switched her eyes back to Steele. “Just tap whatever you'd like,” she indicated the e-Pad, “and I'll bring it over.”
“Thanks,” nodded Jack. “So does Cheriska own this place too?”
The waitress bought her finger to her lips, her eyes shifting nervously around. She nodded once and hastily left the table.
“That was odd,” offered Lisa.
“Hey, this whole rock is odd,” commented Jack, studying the inside of the nightclub and the faces around them. “Like that maze of tunnels Mouse brought us through...” He paged through the menu and selected a handful of items.
“I was starting to get a bit nervous back there,” admitted Draza Mac.
“You and me both,” added Lisa. “How many businesses do you think Cheriska owns?” she wondered aloud.
“Judging by what I've seen so far,” said Jack, running his fingers through his hair,” I'm guessing a good part of the Peninsula.”
Lisa's eyes were scanning the room. “Do you think those guys that jumped us were part of her, um, enterprise?”
“I don't think so. It would be counter productive. She stands to make a lot more from her legit business than smuggling girls...” He paused waiting for the waitress to finish depositing their food and drinks on the table, watching her walk away. “Though I'm sure moving women on the black market is probably lucrative in its own right, it can't possibly compare with her warehouse.”
“You never know... They did seem to know we were coming,” said Draza Mac, pointing out the elephant in the room.
“Yeah, that thought has been bothering me too,” nodded Jack. “It seemed staged, not a crime of opportunity...”
■ ■ ■
“You OK Cheriska?”
She reached up and patted Mouse on the chest, “I'm fine. Good timing by the way, I think he really wanted to throttle me. So, how are our clients doing? Are they secure?”
“They're down on level three having dinner and drinks at the CherriPit. I comped them whatever they wanted...”
“Good deal. Let's hope their shopping list makes up for all the trouble...”
“Oh it does,” grinned Mouse, handing her his e-Pad, “it does.”
She scrolled through the items. “He wants twenty-five stasis emitter systems?”
Mouse nodded. “Full kits; emitters, reflectors, sensors and cabling. The SEk-2540 systems. New ones.”
“I don't think we have that many, do we?”
Mouse pulled up a stool and swung a leg over. “Nope, we have seventeen. But we have enough rebuilts to cover the order. I told him they were factory warrantied rebuilt units and he OK'd it.”
“Excellent,” waved Cheriska. “But I wonder what he needs that many for? That's a lot of emitters...”
“He didn't say. Told me it was for a confidential client.”
“If I didn't know better,” she mused, inhaling on her puff stick, “I'd say he was building a ship. A big one...”
“Could be for a base too,” offered Mouse, “you can run those units in series for bigger bays...”
“Did you tell her the best part?” asked Cheriska Too, strolling into the office from the warehouse.
“Scroll to the bottom of the order,” prompted the big man, pointing at the e-Pad.
Cheriska scrolled to the stop. “By the Gods! You sold the Remora?”
“As-is, no guns. I had to throw in a full load of fuel, though...”
“Well done, Mouse! This definitely makes up for the rest of the day... How's his credit? Did you check?”
“No terms, he paid in full.”
Cheriska stared at him, unblinking. “Cash?”
“An instant funds transfer...”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment, glancing at the order total. “He has some mighty deep pockets...” She inhaled on the puff stick, staring blankly. Suddenly something seemed amiss and it gave her an uneasiness she hadn't felt in a while.
■ ■ ■
“I'm telling you,” whispered Lisa urgently, “that's Nina!”
Jack was trying to get a better glimpse between the passing patrons of the girl on stage in the red dress. “Nina's dead, Lisa...”
“Correction, Nina's missing. Her body was never recovered so her death is not confirmed. We do not know, for sure, what happened.”
“I suppose it's not impossible...” muttered Jack, trying to see through the increasing crush of people, “that we might have missed an escape pod... Dammit, it's too crowded, I can't see her now.” He stood up, his CABL-enhanced artificial eye targeting the girl in the red dress, zooming in.
“I hate to rush things folks,” said
Mouse, appearing out of nowhere, “but we've got to go. Now...”
“What's going on, Mouse?” asked Lisa, trying to keep tabs on her brother at the same time. She snagged his sleeve, holding him from disappearing into the crowd.
“The Lawmen are giving us some problems... They're putting pressure on us trying to locate the three of you, we need to get you out and back to your ship.”
Steele was torn, if that truly was Nina, and he was fairly certain it was, he owed it to her to get her back. “The girl in the red dress...” he pointed, glancing back at Mouse.
“You don't have time for fun and games,” urged the big man, “Cheriska got word the Lawmen are going to raid this place...”
“Dammit,” growled Jack, I don't want to have sex with her, I think she's one of our friends who went missing...”
“The Syndicate owns the girls, Mr. Mercury, you can't help her. Let it go. You'll only put her life in danger and get yourself killed...”
Reflections of flashing colored lights at odd angles danced across the walls and ceiling of the club, causing general panic, people screaming and pressing towards the exits. Jack shot a glance toward the stage and the girl in the red dress had disappeared.
“Dammit.”
“We have to go now!” shouted Mouse.
Steele pulled his empty mag out of his belt pouch, handing it to Draza Mac, “Swap me.” Draza pulled a loaded magazine from his belt and traded. Stuffing the loaded mag into his pouch, Jack grabbed Lisa's arm, “Can you fly the Ramora?”
She searched his face, she knew he was going after Nina. “I think so...”
“Think doesn't cut it, Lisa. Can you fly the Remora?”
“Yes.”
“Then do it.” Steele switched his gaze to Draza Mac, “You're her back seat...”
“Yes, sir.”
The stampede of patrons was trying to force their way through the front doors to freedom, temporarily stalling entry of the Lawmen, but the raid was inevitable. The floor was littered with bottles, discarded food and broken glass.
“Use that side door, Mr. Mercury,” pointed Mouse, “they'll be heading to the Island.”
Lisa grabbed her brother's hand, “Maybe it's not worth it...”
“I have to try,” said Jack. “Have the Raven launch, meet them in space, they can protect you.” He looked over at Mouse, “You can deliver our parts via shuttle...?”
Seeing the Lawmen weaving their way in through the crowd, the big man pulled Lisa and Draza Mac toward the hidden back exit. “The shuttle's already packed. Go now!” he nodded towards the side door.
Steel bolted past the stage amid authoritative shouts from behind him. The corridor to the back door was narrow and he prayed the back entrance was unsecured, the only alternative hiding spots the restrooms he had just rocketed past. He hit the back door at a run, blowing it open so hard it slammed against the outside rock wall with a bang, the two Lawmen standing outside startled to see him suddenly appear. He didn't slow his pace, instead accelerating like a running back for open field, bulldozing the first Lawman. The second managed a solid grab and Steele spun his body, viciously throwing an elbow, producing a juicy crunch, dropping the man in an unconscious heap.
He sprinted away, spotting an empty patrol vehicle at the end of the street, his senses suddenly picking up every shadow, ever movement, every sound...
■ ■ ■
“It was nice of them to wash it off,” commented Draza Mac, looking through the clean canopy from the back seat of the Remora as he fastened his belts.
Lisa climbed over the side of the cockpit with a boost from Mouse. “Uh huh,” she grunted, dropping into the seat and scanning the controls. “Mac, call the Raven while I get us running. Get them moving.” She belted herself in, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes for a moment, recalling her checklist in her head. She flipped on the main power and the flight control systems, testing the surfaces and gimbaled maneuvering jets. All the surfaces were free. Locks, chocks, blocks...all clear...
“We don't have suits or helmets,” commented Draza Mac from the back seat, “what does that mean?”
“It means, we can't afford to screw up. So please shut the hell up and let me concentrate...” Air system, communications, sensors, scanners, fuel pumps, jet systems, anti-grav... The fighter bounced up off the deck. Fuel levels are good, power cells are completely charged... “Mac, we're head-in, I'm going to have to back us out the door. You're going to have to guide me out with your turret camera...”
“Got it. Stasis field on, door is open,” he said, watching the monitor.
Hand on the throttle, Lisa paused. What am I forgetting? She scanned the dash and the systems. HOLY CRAP! The canopy! She pulled the lever, the long canopy motoring swiftly forward, latching down with a hiss, the green indicators coming on. “Good one Lisa,” she muttered, “go into space with the canopy open. Brilliant...”
■ ■ ■
Commander Brian Carter was halfway to the bridge when TESS' holo-screen popped up, Draza Mac looking back at him. It was a short conversation, prompted by Brian who had to remind the Marine to keep a long story short. Now Brian was second-guessing himself, realizing he didn't fully know all the circumstances. Hopefully the missing details were minor. “TESS, forward the coordinates to the bridge...”
“Yes, Commander,” she replied, almost seductively.
He swept the screen and it disappeared as he hustled toward the bridge at a trot, keying the mic on his earpiece, “Now hear this, all hands on deck, all hands on deck. Prepare to cast off immediately...” Lights strobed yellow, matching the gong, ending after several cycles.
“What's going on?” called Maria, catching up and pacing him.
“Hello, shit? Meet fan,” replied Brian.
“Leave it to Jack...” she commented lightheartedly.
“I've learned to expect nothing less. Take the second seat?”
“Sure.”
The hull vibrated, the deck moving beneath their feet as they neared the bridge. The bridge doors swished open, separating down the middle as they passed the sentry in the corridor. “Report,” called Brian, sliding to a stop, dropping into the command seat.
“Umbilicals clear, gangway clear, docking clamps released, hull sealed. We're ready to get underway.”
“Get us out of here, helm.”
“Looks like we have an audience on the dock,” announced Maria, pointing to the collection of flashing lights.
“Better luck next time, Copper,” sneered Brian. “Mr. Ragnaar, did you get the coordinates?”
“Aye sir, coordinates programmed in.”
Brian called up tactical on his command screens. “Good. Follow the traffic lanes. Once we're clear, fly it like you stole it.”
Ragnaar glanced over at Quixetta at the helm and they shared a nod.
■ ■ ■
Lisa's headset chirped, “Remora, you're clear. The parts shuttle will be on its way as soon as I can get over to the other bay.”
“She keyed her mic, Copy that. Thanks for all your help, Mouse.” She watched the bay doors close as she rotated the fighter around, still coasting backwards. “Shields up,” she announced, flipping them on, the field generators spinning up to a hum. The display showed all the shield emitters working at full capacity, something Jack could not test in the bay. She was glad to have the protection considering she was unarmed. She flipped the engine startup, listening to the spool-up, watching the readout, punching the igniter when the marker popped green. A throaty thump turned into a low growl, eliciting a sneaking grin and instant butterflies in her stomach. Hand on throttle, she was about to fly a fighter for the very first time.
“We've got company...”
Oh crap! Lisa snapped her head in a swivel, looking around, “Where?”
“Directly behind. Looks like a Law Enforcement bird of some kind... They're hailing... message is; return to the dock.”
“Screw that. Hold on...” She slid the throttle forward, tentati
vely at first, then with a bit more authority, the engine coming to life, pressing them back into their seats.
“There's another one, bogey left!”
Lisa hazarded a glance, the second one cutting in at full throttle from around the tip of the planetoid. A threat indicator lit up, a warning horn squawking. “This asshole is targeting us!” She clenched her jaw, a sudden sweat breaking across her brow as the adrenalin hit, heart instantly pounding as she shoved the throttle to the far stop, thumbing the boost button. “Not today...” she winced, the G forces narrowing her vision. The cockpit gravity gyro was working to normalize the G forces but a flight suit was required for the best results. She let go of the boost button and eased the throttle back as her vision went gray, the G forces balancing out, allowing her to gulp some air. “You with me, Mac?” she panted, easing the throttle forward to the far stop again, the gradual increase easily compensated by the Remora's gyro.
“Still here... you almost had me there, though.”
“Sorry about that. They still with us?”
“No,” he replied, blinking hard, taking a deep breath. “They fell off the grid pretty quick when you hammered it.” He tapped on his nav screen, “We're way off course...”
“I know.” She rolled and pulled on the stick, putting the fighter in a wide arc, “No sense in pointing them to our rendezvous.”
■ ■ ■
Maneuvering the Lawman's patrol vehicle down streets and through tunnels toward the Island, Jack Steele was wondering how he was going to find Nina in the red dress. It wasn't like there would be a sign with an arrow; kidnapped girls here. He was beginning to doubt this particular line of decisions and the direction it was taking him. Of course that was the problem with decisions you had to make in short order, there was better than a 50/50 chance you were going to make the wrong one. And the farther you followed that path the farther astray you were going to end up. Unless of course you succeeded, in which case it was a genius plan.
Wings of Steele: Revenge and Retribution Page 15