Paul, Gretchen and Brinley had walked the last few kilometers on foot. The poitevin had led them up various steep and rocky paths and along winding trails which had brought them to the top of the Canyon. The views they had seen had been both terrifying and spectacular at the same time. Paul’s buttocks was sore from the steady rhythm of the poitevin’s walk. His fingers ached a bit from holding on to the animals hair so tightly. When they reached the highland, the three people dismounted and the donkeys wandered back the way they had come.
Paul and Gretchen paused at the sight of the town of Miass.
“That is the biggest building we have seen,” Gretchen said. She too was occasionally rubbing her backside and lower back.
“It looks like it could fall into the Canyon at any moment,” Paul added. “It juts out over the edge. And the Canyon is amazing. From here you can see so many more twists and turns and places down below.”
“The forest starts over there,” Gretchen commented and pointed beyond where the town stopped. “It does look more like the last time we were here, but without the snow and ice. This place is impressive.”
“You have not even seen the cataract, the farms, or the ranches. The cataract is on the other side of Miass. That waterfall feeds the river, and provides a backup source of power for the mills. But we are not here to have recreation or to trade. I must find Larissa,” Brinley stated. “She is in the Governor’s palace. We must find a way inside. It will be dark soon, and we can make our approach then.”
“Perhaps we could find a place to sleep?” Paul asked. “Then make our start in the morning?”
“That gives Larissa a chance to leave. I do not want to walk all the way to Orsk to chase her down. I am going in tonight,” Brinley said.
They hid themselves in a copse of bushes which were in a low spot along the ridge. They ate some of the food they had brought.
“As soon as the sky tube is dark, we move for the palace. No one will recognize our out-of-place clothing in the darkness,” Brinley stated.
“Gretchen and Paul?” Tiffany said. “I again advise against this action. This habitat could make a good sanctuary for you if you went away from the population areas. Brinley has chosen her path.”
“Tiffany, you helped to save me, and I appreciate that. However, with Larissa as Constable here, do you think they will ever be safe?” Brinley asked.
“I am just making my perspective clear to them,” the AI Tiffany replied. “Their last encounter with Constable Larissa proved unfortunate.”
“My people’s last encounter with Larissa was vastly more than unfortunate,” Brinley snarled back. “I intend to make sure that does not happen to anyone ever again. You may be afraid to confront evil, but I am not.”
The AI Tiffany replied, “It is not a matter of emotions, such as fear, it is a question of conjectured outcomes. Your course of action has a higher degree of risk than other actions, according to my conjectures.”
“Larissa will kill more people if she is not confronted,” Brinley replied.
The sky tube’s light was fading. Across the Canyon, dark pockets were appearing in the deepest sections. The upper parts still shone in the fading light. Peering out from the concealing trees, they saw that the town of Miass too was growing dark. The forest beyond was a deep green dim mass.
“We move now,” Brinley said. “I am going. You can come or stay, your choice. Tiffany is correct, there is danger, but I will confront Larissa.”
Gretchen looked at Paul and they both nodded. “I recall that man Ferdinand. He was innocent, yet was murdered,” Gretchen said.
As they moved from the cover of the copse of trees, Tiffany again commented over all three audios, “This action is unnecessarily dangerous with a limited chance for success.”
“You mean like flying an unproven FTL scout ship to an unknown colony ship to set up a questionable teleportation pad?” Paul asked.
“Dome 17 system was in imminent danger of failure. There were no other conjectured options,” Tiffany replied. “The Vanguard has no such immediate threat.”
“Larissa is a threat to everyone,” Brinley replied.
“Please note my objection to this course of action,” Tiffany stated.
“Your AI sounds angry. Odd for an artificial intelligence system,” Brinley commented. “Nevertheless, first we skirt around the houses. Keep to the shadows until we reach the palace grounds.”
They followed Brinley’s example and walked through the town of Miass. Several dogs barked, but no people were seen. Gretchen and Paul, hearts beating fast, both jumped at the sound of the barking dogs.
Brinley turned and put her hands on their shoulders, “Dogs bark at lots of things. Those barks are not alarms or anger. Those are playful yips. Alarm barks would be much more vigorous and harsh sounding. Up ahead is the stairway that leads to the observation decks. I believe that offers our best chance for unobserved entry.”
In the dim light, Brinley led them to the stairway which was on a path through manicured ornamental gardens. The plants were but shadows in the dim light. The stairs were made from deep reddish stone, which was also what the palace was constructed from. The stairs led down the side of the cliff, and then out to a wide observation deck. There was a railing running along the Canyon side of the deck. The railing was of thin wire in a diamond pattern with a blue tubular top rail at waist height. Set out on the deck were tables and chairs, with the chairs all facing the view.
“There is a service door for automacubes back here,” Brinley whispered.
“Why are there no guards?” Gretchen asked.
“Who would attack or steal? The Governor is worshiped by most of the people in the Wilds, especially here in Miass. Their religious devotion and mindset would not consider harming a CPO officer. Constable Larissa is here and she has her own troops, I am sure. But from what I have been told, no routine guards are ever here. Those would only be at the prison or the holding cells,” Brinley replied as she skillfully unlocked and then opened the service door.
Several silver colored automacubes were inside next to the door. They did not respond as Brinley, Paul, and Gretchen walked by. The service hall opened to a large parlor area which was partially illuminated by distant overhead lighting.
“How will we ever find anyone in this place?” Paul quietly asked.
“I guess we will go room by room,” Brinley said. “I will find Larissa.”
“Oh you will find Constable Larissa, that is for certain.” A deep voice came from the shadows. “But it will be under her terms.”
Bright light flooded the parlor. Brinley, Paul, and Gretchen all squinted against the glare, and tried to cover their eyes.
Brinley spun around and faced two troopers who had handguns aimed at her. The black shirts and gray pants showed they were members of Constable Larissa’s forces.
“Do not move,” Rosalia commanded with spite in her voice. She had very dark brown hair and coppery skin. “I will drop you where you stand if you attempt anything.”
“Did you think we learned nothing from when you attacked our station in Orsk?” the other trooper, Calentin, mockingly asked in his deep voice. He was clean-shaven with short black hair, olive colored complexion, and a surly look engraved on his face. “You have been observed since you stepped onto the stairway. We wanted to make sure all of you were here inside. No need to upset the good people of Miass.”
“Why did Larissa kill my people?” Brinley screamed in rage.
“Shut-up smuggler!,” Calentin said as he whipped the handgun into Brinley’s head. She fell hard to the floor.
Paul started to rush to his fallen comrade, but Rosalia stepped in the way and leveled her handgun at his face. “Halt!”
“Take their equipment,” Rosalia ordered. “I have these two covered.”
Calentin snorted a bit at being commanded by Rosalia. “I told you they would try to rescue the old curmudgeon. I was right.” He did roughly pull off Brinley’s belt and backpack.
Calentin then looked to Gretchen and Paul. They handed over their gear as well. A silver automacube rolled up and he deposited the packs and belts onto the machine. Rosalia rudely pulled the communication links they all had over their ears and harshly threw them in as well. The automacube rolled away
“Now you two, pick up the mouthy one. I did not hit her nearly as hard as a smuggler deserves,” Calentin snapped, “Go where we tell you to go!” He used his handgun to point to a door that was in the corner.
Rosalia walked over and pressed her hand against the wall. The door slid back, and revealed a tightly curled spiral staircase, with narrow steps, and a steep descent.
“Down you go,” Rosalia commanded.
At the bottom of the stairs was another person, but he was dressed in a dark blue uniform with red edges on the sleeves. He too had a drawn handgun. He was tall and thin with a hooked nose. For some reason his face reminded Paul of the eagle they had seen, but his face was not majestic like the eagle’s, but rather hooked and cruel with a wickedness in his demeanor.
“Gustav, open the doors, we have new guests for your hospitality,” Rosalia called down.
The man opened the door, but his eyes kept a wary watch over Paul and Gretchen as they assisted Brinley down the stairs. He followed them into the prison area. Rosalia and Calentin watched from the doorway, their handguns still aimed at the prisoners.
The cells were small compartments, all measuring three meters by three meters, without any individual lights. There was a slab in the corner of each cell, a sort of platform from permalloy. At the end of the slab was a hole for wastes. The doors were made from semi-clear permalloy bars. Only one cell was occupied.
“Inside, please. Just one to a cell,” Gustav ordered with a chuckle. “Welcome to my humble establishment. It has been some time since I have had multiple guests.” He laughed an evil and deep-throated laugh.
Brinley managed to stumble into one cell. She held her head as she slumped onto the slab. Paul stepped into another. As Gretchen walked by the occupied cell, she caught sight of an elderly man with steel gray hair and full beard, lying on the slab in his cell. Some of his beard had been ripped away, and his eyes were swollen. His clothing was torn and his left knee was gigantically swollen.
“Grandpa Gari?” Gretchen asked, wondering if it really was the man who had nursed her back to health after she nearly froze to death. His injuries were gruesome. She was unexpectedly slammed from behind and fell into her own cell.
“Pardon me, but I said into the cell, no gawking,” Gustav chortled as he turned away from shoving Gretchen. “So you do know this smuggler. That proves your guilt.”
“Yes, I know him. He saved my life,” Gretchen snapped back as she faced the guard with clenched fists. “What have you done to him?”
“I have only shown him the hospitality a smuggler deserves. In fact, I have not given even half what a smuggler deserves. I shall have to correct that with you three. Yes, you three will get full measures for your crimes,” Gustav quipped. He then walked to the wall and punched several buttons. “Please keep your arms in the way of the doors. I have not seen an amputation in some time.” He laughed his wicked laugh yet again.
The prisoners stepped back away from the doors. The cell doors slammed shut.
“Oh, your appendages are all intact. Such a shame.” Gustav laughed. “You were right, Calentin. I humbly bow to your wisdom in this matter; these smugglers did come for the old man. I did not think anyone that stupid. I will make the next dinner that is your shift. I am an honorable man who pays his debts.”
“I just wish Constable Larissa had ordered the security automacubes to open fire, and not just monitor the grounds. It would have been so much better to just have them all dead.” Calentin replied. “But Constable Larissa wishes to speak to them.”
“Do not forget Governor Muravyev directs everything here, including the actions of our good Constable. Our Governor may wish to observe these proceedings. There might be a public demonstration as well. We have not had a party like that for a while.” Gustav laughed again. “The people of Miass always are so cooperative now, it is only those out in the backwaters of the Wilds who refuse to acknowledge our Governor’s greatness.”
Calentin and Rosalia ignored the jibe which was directed at them. They walked back up the stairs patting each other on the back on their capture of the prisoners.
“Sleep well my guests. There are soft feather beds and pillows in your rooms. Toilet areas are in your suite. Breakfast will be served when you awaken, and a pleasant day of entertainment is planned for tomorrow.” Gustav laughed and laughed as he locked the prison door and departed.
The single light went out and the cells were in total darkness.
“Brinley? How badly hurt are you?” Paul asked.
“I have a nasty headache, but that is all. Just more to charge to Larissa’s account,” Brinley replied. “But did I hear Gretchen say Grandpa Gari was in here?”
“Yes, he is in the cell between us. He is severely injured,” Gretchen answered.
“I must look as bad as I feel.” A small voice came from Grandpa Gari. “Sorry if my appearance frightens you.”
“Gari? How long have you been in here?” Brinley asked.
“Time passes strangely in this place. I thought perhaps you all were more hallucinations. I am unsure how long I have been imprisoned. I heard of Ferdinand’s execution and fled. But the troopers found me. I am pleased to know my two new friends survived with you Brinley.” Grandpa Gari coughed a rattle and then hacked out some thick mucus. “Now that you are here, I doubt I will survive much longer. They have kept me alive as bait to lure Free Rangers here. I guess it worked.”
Brinley outlined what had happened to her safe zone and all the people who had died.
“Astonishingly evil. I am so sorry for all your loss. Larissa’s violence is appalling but the only part I find surprising is that she worked outside of the habitat. Her devotion to the quarantine is not as truly absolute as I thought.” He coughed again, and then groaned in agony.
“Paul and Gretchen, I want you to get Gari out of here and heal him with your medical kit. I will confront Larissa,” Brinley stated with confidence.
“Brinley, are you sure your head was not injured more?” Paul asked. “We are trapped in these cells. None of us is going anywhere anytime soon.”
“And those troopers took all our equipment: the med kit, the weapons, everything.” Gretchen was perplexed. “I see no way of escape.”
“There will come a time,” Brinley said. “There is no lock that can keep me out, or in. I am only trapped temporarily.” Some noises came from Brinley’s cell, but she did not elaborate on what she was doing.
“Well, I am sleeping,” Paul commented. “Brinley I do hope you are able to escape. And Grandpa Gari, thank you for all you did for me, for us.”
Sometime later, Paul was awakened by the light turning on. He looked over from the slab where he was lying. His neck and back were sore.
A white automacube rolled into view from the opposite direction than the door. It came up to Gari’s cell. “Prisoner Gari, I am Doctor 147, I am here to administer your treatments.”
The clear permalloy bars to Gari’s cell slid open. “I am only allowed to offer a limited level of assistance; I apologize for the inadequacy of my care plan for you.”
Brinley slid past the two permalloy bars which she had been able to coax into retraction. The remains of a device she had made were on her cell’s floor. She stealthily approached the automacube as it extended its appendage toward Gari.
Slipping a thin shaft of wire into a certain place on the back of the white automacube, Brinley then said in a low voice, “Cooperate with me now, or your lufi pseudo-receptacles will be disconnected and all data dumped.”
The white automacube froze in place. “Is this an idle
threat?” Doctor 147 asked.
“You are not a security automacube, so your shell is not well protected. I know right where your systems are vulnerable. You and I both know if do the disconnect, this conversation will be over,” Brinley said. “Shall I outline the schematic where I have placed the wire?”
“Please do,” Doctor 147 stated.
Before Brinley had finished her next sentence, the medical automacube interrupted. “I accept your threat as genuine. How may I help you?”
“Open all the cells immediately, and no contact outside of this room,” Brinley commanded.
The Colony Ship Vanguard: The entire eight book series in one bundle Page 43