We stayed to one side of the road, in case we needed to jump for cover. We did. A few hundred meters along, shots were fired behind us. Sapale went down in a hard roll. I figured she was hit. But she brought her weapon up and blanketed them with fire. One man fell and two others retreated. She was up running in a flash. That's when the helicopter appeared overhead. Search lights swung wildly, but found us quickly. Automatic fire erupted from the craft. We dove to cover. Sapale returned fire. Then her gun locked. She was out of ammo. As she tossed her gun to the ground we ran toward the nearest house. An explosion bloomed from where we had just stood. These guys meant business!
I kept pace with her as we made for cover. Another blast boomed to our left, hurling us to the ground. I was up first and pulled her up by the arm. She was stunned. I threw her over my shoulder and ran for all I was worth. The next few bombs landed well behind me. The person either dropping them or launching them couldn't correct for my speed. That break wasn't likely to last long. I ran between two houses. The instant I was past them, one plumed up in flames from a blast. The chopper was too close and was tossed back spinning.
In the seconds I had before they could see us again, I crashed through the wall of a small structure. It was a garage. I set Sapale down and stuck my head in the open car window. I could do this. The controls were similar to the others I'd seen. I set Sapale in the passenger seat and got behind the controls. No key was needed, so I started her up. I have no idea how fast the car could go, but I intended to find out.
We crashed out the closed door and onto the street. The helicopter zoomed toward us. I slammed the accelerator to the floor. A car swung around the corner. Crap! The soldiers had caught up. I flipped the car into a one-eighty and sped the opposite direction. Shots started coming from the car, then from the chopper. I swerved back and forth. The next corner, I skidded to the right. The vehicle behind me swung wider, barely clearing the curb. The helicopter cut the corner and positioned itself a hundred meters in front of us. No way I could pass under it. I lurched the car between two houses.
The landscape trees forced the helicopter to rise quickly and the car missed the turn. It backed up then started after us. I couldn't think of a way out. We were too exposed. I really didn't want to tip my hand, but if things didn't change in a hurry, I'd be forced to use my finger-laser.
We plowed over a lawn, around some trees, and came out on a street. I headed left. The copter above dropped a few bombs, but they weren't close. Ahead, the street split at a large intersection. I made the turn and headed in the direction of some large buildings. The chopper was right above us, so I began to make irregular jerks from side to side. The other car was dropping back, unable to match our speed. When possible, I went under tree branches for cover.
Sapale's head was finally clearing. She massaged her neck. “We can't outrun them for long.” She pointed to buildings. “We'll never make it that far. The road's too straight. They'll cut us to pieces before we can reach it.”
“I know. We may have to…”
The helicopter burst into flames and the burning debris crashed to the ground. In my head, I heard, “You're welcome.”
What?
“You know how you asked me to drop a few probes?”
Yeah.
“I just did. You're welcome.”
I shouted out loud. “Al, you son of a vacuum cleaner, you saved our asses! That's so cool!”
Sapale was understandably confused. “What? Who're you talking to? What happened to the helicopter?”
Oops. “In a second,” I said to Sapale. Al, can you drop one on the car chasing us?
“You want me to drop one where the crater is?”
What crater?
“The crater where the car went boom when the first probe struck it.”
Al, you crafty hunk a'junk. Thanks! I owe you big time.
“And I'm not planning to forget that fact.”
Sapale cut back in. “Explain, now!”
I patted her thigh. “Easy. My ship blew up the helicopter and car. We're clear.”
She lifted my hand off her leg like it oozed pus. “That won't be for long.” She craned her neck around to glare at me. “So, Dontiqui was wrong after all. You do have a crew up there.” Staring straight ahead, she admitted. “Pity she didn't live long enough to know the truth. Their plan for how to deal with you hinged on you traveling alone. Not that it matters now.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“They're all dead and we'll be joining them soon.”
“Aw, come on now. Have a little faith. I'm not that easy to kill.”
“Really? Well, we'll see about that soon also, won't we? Look, I know of another safe house. We can hide there a little while.”
That didn't sound too inviting. The last safe house was smoldering ash. “I don't know. I think we should hide on our own and find out how to regain my shuttle.”
“It's your funeral. I was assigned to be your guide, so we'll do it your way. I have to say, for the record, neither aspect will work. With the forces working to find us, we can't remain out of sight for long. And as to your ship, unless you have a large, well-armed crew, you're not getting near it.”
“Such a pessimistic young lady. I'm confident we'll get off this rock.”
Her head snapped back to me. “We? Are you somehow under the foolish impression that I'm going anywhere with you?”
“You make me sound like a disease.”
She folded her arms and slumped in the seat. “You might as well be. Where exactly do you prophesize I'll be going with you? Your Earth?”
I replied meekly. “That's not possible.”
“Thanks, comrade. The shooting's over so now I'm thrown out with the day's trash?”
“No, it's not that at all.” Women across the galaxy were all impossible.
“Oh, then I'm not good-enough company? Do I smell funny to you?”
Okay, reverse psychology. “So, you'd come if I asked?”
“No, you regressed rodent, I would not! I live here. I will die here. I'm not some helpless maiden who requires your aid. Men!”
“Why don't you stop and offer to let her out of the car,” chimed in Al.
“Because I'm not a pig like you.”
Sapale slugged me on the arm, hard. “So now you insult me! Stop the car. I want out now!”
“Easy, girl. No, I wasn't talking to you.”
She signaled toward the back seat with her head. “No? Who else is here?”
I replied with resignation. “I was talking to my ship's computer.”
“That excuse is so wrong, I have no idea where to begin. How can you speak to a computer that isn't here? You clearly don't have a radio. And why, Dronith spare me damnation, would you insult a computer in the first place?”
“Look, Sapale, can we get out of this pickle first? After that, I'll tell you what I'm able to.”
She hit me again, harder. “What you're able to. So is it I'm too stupid to understand or you don't trust me enough after I saved your skin?” Did I mention the part about the universality of dealing with females?
“Safety, first. Chitchat, after.” I pointed to the clothes I'd snatched at the house. They were in a heap between us. “You'll probably need those.”
She looked at her body. “What? I've never had any complaints before. Oh, I get it, I'm a repulsive alien monster. Am I grossing you out?” She shook her body very…ah, nicely.
“Suit yourself. I'm down with it either way.”
We'd reached the city. I pulled into a parking garage. I ditched the stolen car and purloined a second. After driving a short distance, I repeated that action. The third vehicle was more of a truck, which was nice. Until it was reported missing, they'd not be looking for us in one. Al provided me with the directions to a secluded area near the shuttle. As we drove, I asked Sapale if she required any supplies or provisions. She spat back that if I didn't need anything, then she didn't either. I liked her in spite of herself.
> I ditched the truck in a gully and we covered it in brush. Sapale had never heard of vehicle tracking systems, so I figured it was sufficient precaution. I led us half the way to where the shuttle lay and decided we'd camp there the night. She bristled at being told what to do, but didn't protest too convincingly. As the night wore on, the temperature dropped significantly. No big deal for me, but I asked her if she'd be okay. I said we could build a small fire if she required it. She scoffed loudly that if it wasn't too cold for me, it wasn't too cold for her. If I ever got around to telling her I was an android, I bet she'd hit me really hard.
At dawn, we made our way to the ship. We crawled up a hill near the landing site and I spied over the top to survey the scene. Seventy-five heavily armed guards roamed the area and temporary barricades had already been erected. A direct assault was out of the question. There would be no reinforcements to help us, so I was perfectly stuck as to a plan. Maybe I could stroll up and say I was a traveling salesman anxious to sell the residents brushes and household cleansers? It could work. I asked Al if he had any bright ideas. He inquired if I mistook him for a miracle worker. Thanks, pal.
After retreating to safety, I told Sapale I hadn't hatched a plan to take back my ship. She rolled her eyes and declared she was stunned. Since I wasn't sure how long we'd be on the run, I asked her where we could get supplies. I elected not to say they were for her. She'd get all macha and likely starve to death to prove she was tougher than me. She knew a place. We uncovered the truck and drove there. As I didn't want to walk into a trap, I asked for some background. How many people were in the house, what materials were there. She declared I was an idiot. What was I going to do with such information? Whether I knew that or not didn't change the fact that we needed the supplies and were going to get them here.
I told her I wanted to go alone to look in an open window. I really wanted to use my probe to make sure the cavalry wasn't laying in wait. She said we could check, but she wasn't about to let me out of her sight. So we crawled to a window. While she peered in, I asked the house what was in it. We were so close, the fibers only extended a few centimeters and I held my left hand behind my back to block her view. The house had one occupant, he was eating, and no obvious traps were present. Sapale asked if I was satisfied. I told her yes, and we snuck around to the back door and slipped in quietly.
Her contact gave us a couple rifles, some food, and warm clothing. I declined an offer to stay there longer. The last time I was a house guest was too fresh in my mind. We drove the truck to a covered area and ditched it, then borrowed a nearby car to head back to the shuttle. I didn't want to trust Sapale's friend to not alert the authorities about our vehicle. No plan had gelled in my head, but I wanted to be near the ship in case an opportunity presented itself. After ditching the car and checking the shuttle landing zone, we withdrew to a safer spot for the night.
While seated under an overhang, wrapped tightly in separate blankets, Sapale began to chat. “No plan to take the ship yet?”
“No,” I shook my head, “no clue.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
I shook a finger at her. “I'll come up with something, and soon. Just you wait and see.”
“You're as headstrong as the men of Kaljax. Are all earthmen like you?”
I smiled mischievously. “If there're real lucky, they are.”
“Yup, you're just like Kaljax's sperm donors.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
“I'll bet you do. By the way, where's your brave crew now that we need them the most?”
“They'll be…” Wait. My crew. That was it! I threw down my blanket and leaned over to kiss her on top of her head. “Sapale, you're a genius! Thanks.”
“What?”
“Where's a large area the shuttle can land near enough to us that we can get there quickly but far enough away so the guys guarding the ship can't get there for at least ten minutes?”
“Ten minutes after what? What are you babbling about?”
“Ten minutes after the shuttle blasts off.” She stared at me in complete disbelief. “You mentioned my crew. That's it. They can remotely operate the craft. After it lands, we jump aboard and hightail it out off-world.”
With uncharacteristic flatness to her voice, she marveled. “They can do that?”
“You bet. I can't believe I didn't think of it earlier.”
“And after we're gone, what then?”
“No idea, but we'll be safe and sound and have all the time we need to develop a plan.”
She mentioned a few locations that I had Al double-check. One was perfect. We retrieved the car, drove to the clearing, and waited. In the distance I could see a burst of light indicating the shuttle was away. I bet those guards fouled their britches when the engines ignited. Or maybe they ignited too, if they were close enough. Actually, the dead ones had it easier then any who survived. Mangasour was not going to be pleased he lost his great prize.
The shuttle set down like a feather and Al dropped the ramp. We scurried on board and I took over. We were in low orbit ten minutes later. Even if someone on the ground tried to use their satellites against us, we were perfectly safe.
I held my hand up to high-five Sapale. She took hold of it lightly and shook it instead. “No,” I corrected, “that is the greeting. This,” I raised my hand, grabbed hers, and slapped it against mine, “is how we celebrate.”
She shook her head disapprovingly. “What an unexpressive race you are.” She walked over to me, sat in my lap, and placed a palm on either side of my face. She rubbed her chin lightly in an arc from one hand to the other across my forehead and back again. Then she sucked in my lower lip like it was a juicy oyster and bit lightly at it for a blessed eternity. Without a word, she returned to her chair, tossed one hand toward me demonstrably, and revealed to me. “That is how we celebrate on Kaljax.”
I ran a sleeve across my saliva-coated chin. “I think I like yours more.”
“Somehow I thought you might.”
I held my arms out toward her. “Want to celebrate some more?”
“You bet. As soon as you do something worth celebrating again.”
“Oh, that's harsh, my lady.”
She scowled playfully. “Oh really? Look, you got us off the ground and out of immediate danger. But you have yet to explain what you promised you 'might' and I'm several kilometers above my home. Our plays are divided into four acts. You've completed Act One. The action is far from over.”
“Okay, I do owe you a complete explanation. First we dock with my vessel, then I'll tell you whatever you want to know.” I held out my hand. “Deal?”
She reached across and shook on it. “Deal.”
“I don't get a lip-thingy, too?”
“You have done nothing yet to warrant one.”
“I know. Can't blame a guy for trying, can you?”
TWENTY
Within an hour of liftoff, we docked with Ark 1. I gave Sapale a brief tour of the ship, which was all that was needed since it was so small. Ffffuttoe was still in hibernation. I dragged her out of the fridge and set a bowl of food near her nose. That always did the trick.
“So,” Sapale asked, “where's your vaunted crew?”
I gestured to Ffffuttoe on the floor. “She's the only one besides me. Dontiqui guessed correctly.”
“That dead thing certainly didn't fly the shuttle or destroy those vehicles chasing us.” She all but pinched her nose. “It doesn't look like it's even a good carpet.”
“She,” I corrected. “Ffffuttoe is a girl, like you.”
That drew a nasty stare. “Who helped us?”
“That would be my ship's artificial intelligence computer, Al. Say 'hi,' Al.”
“I'd like to say,” he chimed in, “I'm pleased to meet you, but I believe I'll reserve judgment for the foreseeable future. No offense intended, of course.”
“Knock it off,” I said. “She helped me and she's our guest. You'll be nice to her. Is that c
lear?”
“I have forged the distinct impression she's trouble on two legs.” Al sounded quite judgmental.
Sapale pointed generally to the atmosphere. “That's your computer giving you a hard time?” I shrugged to signal resignation. “Why do you put up with it? I'd unplug it then push it out the airlock.”
“I can hear you, you know?” Al sounded especially petulant.
She lowered her hand. “Maybe smash it with a hammer before tossing it into the void.”
“Those exact thoughts have crossed my mind more than once.”
“And you know I can hear you too.”
“So, it's just you, the frozen rug, and the disrespectful computer? How can you have journeyed so long with so little?” She was truly amazed.
I took her by the elbow and led her to the ship's one chair. “It'll be a couple hours before Ffffuttoe's awake. I might as well do that explaining I promised. You want something to drink? Eat?”
“No, that's…” Her eyes lit up. “Yes! I'll have whatever you drink.”
“Ah, you want coffee!” I wagged a finger at her. “But don't hold me accountable for any resulting addiction issues.”
I brought us both a mug. She inhaled the steam deeply and held it in her lungs for several seconds. Then she sipped at it cautiously, and not just because it was hot. I could hear the wheels turning in her head, analyzing, categorizing, and cataloguing the flavors and nuances. It wasn't until a third was gone that she spoke. “This is horrible and sublime at the same time. I very much like it, yet wish it had never entered my mouth.” She had a look of childish wonder. “There is nothing like it on all of Kaljax. How much do you carry?”
“Not so much, now that I'm ten of your years into my mission. Why?”
She flipped her head to the side. “Then it's not worth killing you so I might have the rest to myself.”
“Your parents didn't spank you enough. Did you know that?”
She drew in the steam and let it out with a question. “Ten years alone. That's a long time.” She glanced around. “And your ship is so tiny.” She set her mug down. “How's that possible?”
The Forever Life (The Forever Series Book 1) Page 16