by Simon Haynes
*
Sonya stared at the clean white wall inches from her nose. A moment later, she heard a repeat of the noise which had woken her: a male voice calling her name. It had to be Hal and his robot, back from their little expedition. She looked at her watch and cursed. Two more hours to go. She'd have to work on Hal - get him to move her equipment out of the clearing and talk him into setting it up. If that failed she had Tinker on standby, but she would only use the robot as a last resort.
Sonya stood up and ran her fingers through her hair. Then she opened her door. "Mr Spacejock, I —" Her voice tailed off as she saw Rex Curtis standing outside with a blaster in his hand. "W-what are you doing here?"
"Change of plans. Is Spacejock aboard?"
"No. I don't know. I thought you were them, coming back."
"Them?"
Sonya glared at him. "Yeah, them. Spacejock rescued his damned robot, the one your people were supposed to get rid of. I came aboard and walked right into an interrogation."
"Where are they?"
"There's a ruin in the next clearing."
"I know. I landed next to it."
"Well, they went underground looking for me. That was hours ago and I've not seen them since."
"Where's the briefcase?"
"Hal's got it," said Sonya quietly.
"What?"
"I had it with me and they almost caught me in the ruins. I ran for it, but when I got to the trees I realised I'd left the case behind."
"Why didn't you go back?"
"They found it and took it underground with them."
"Well, we'll just have to get it back again." Rex jabbed his finger at the cargo door. "I need that briefcase to fly the Volante. If that paperwork isn't delivered on time, my whole company is going to collapse."
"I thought you wanted me to delay Hal's ship?"
"That's right. Then I discover this paperwork is needed to set up our new finance deal. Central Bank - they're our new lenders. So I came here as quick as I could to get it moving again."
"Why don't you get Hal to fly us there? As soon as he comes back —"
Rex shook his head. "I'm not putting myself at the mercy of a freelancer. No, it's time to use Tinker."
Chapter 29
The copter took off from the palace, laden with computer hardware, circuit boards and spares. It swept over the palace wall, skimming the trees as it struggled for height. A few minutes later Clunk set the machine down outside the concrete pillbox and vanished inside, emerging straight away with the control panel. Hal stored it away, while Clunk climbed onto the roof of the pillbox to get at the energy panels, stacking them on the edge for Hal to lift down.
He'd just packed the fifth panel when Clunk returned with two more. "That should do it," said the robot. "We can always come back if we need anything else."
Hal eyed the heavily laden copter. "You'll have to come back for me, by the look of it."
"Nonsense. Put the boards down there, get in and I'll put the computer on top."
Hal grunted as the heavy metal box landed in his lap. "Take care. That's delicate equipment."
"Sorry, I forget they weren't brass." Clunk sat in the pilot's chair and started the motor. "Lucky we don't have far to go."
The copter lurched into the air and gathered speed quickly, leaving the trees behind as it headed out across the plain. They were halfway to the hill when Hal felt a tickle on the back of his hand. He looked down and saw a tiny spider dragging itself across his skin, flattened by the downdraft. Taking his hand off the bar, he shook it over the side and watched the spider sail away in the wind. Something tickled the back of his neck, and he flicked away another spider, just as something else crawled up his shin. He looked around the metal case and stared in horror at the wave of spiders crawling up his legs. With a yell, he threw the computer over the side and set about the spiders with a vengeance, flicking them overboard, swatting them as they crawled up his legs, over his lap and onto his chest. When the last one had gone, he pulled his legs up and watched the tangle of equipment closely, ready to lash out at the slightest movement.
Moments later, the hill came into view. They landed alongside, and while Clunk dealt with the engine Hal stepped down and dusted off his flight suit.
Clunk looked around. "Where did that computer go?"
"The damn thing was full of spiders. Millions of them crawling all over me - going up my legs, around my —"
"Hopefully we won't need it." Clunk looked up at the mast on top of the teleporter. "We're going to need at least four of those energy panels. You get them on the roof while I make a start inside."
Hal glanced at the sheer concrete walls. "How am I supposed to get up there?"
"Push the copter up to the wall, climb up the copter, step onto the roof. Simple."
"Smarty pants," muttered Hal.
Clunk gathered an armful of components and vanished inside the building, while Hal moved the copter into position, fetched the panels and balanced them on the rotor. He clambered onto the machine and slid the panels onto the concrete roof, one by one. Then he inspected the mast, and decided Clunk would be grateful if he fitted the panels in place. It certainly looked simple enough.
Hal pulled himself onto the roof, collected an armful of panels and crossed to the mast. There were several clamps on the metal pole, and after a few minutes work he had the new panels ringing the mast like petals on a giant flower. After that, it was a simple matter to strip the electrical cables and offer them up to the contacts. He closed the last connection, and there was a loud pop from below, followed by a stream of curses.
Hal looked over the edge, just as Clunk emerged from the building with a smoking circuit board in his hands. The robot stared up at him. "What did you do?" His gaze travelled to the mast. "Did you connect those panels into the circuit?"
"I thought I was being useful."
Clunk waved the smoking circuit board. "You're lucky I have another. Now get down here before you fall off."
Hal clambered down the copter and entered the teleporter. Inside, Clunk was working on a bunch of cables protruding from the wall. The robot had exposed the tip of his index finger and was busy flashing wires together, inspecting each joint carefully as it cooled.
"How's it going?"
"Fantastic, apart from the unexpected power surges."
"I'm sorry, okay? I just thought —"
"Best if you don't." Clunk inspected the control panel. "That should do it."
"You mean we can go back?"
Clunk looked at him thoughtfully. "I should go first, to test the device. It might transport me somewhere completely unexpected."
"How will I know if it worked properly?"
"Give me five minutes. If I'm not back by then, the teleporter will be ready to send you." Clunk held up the control panel. "When all the lights are on, it's ready. Press this button to go."
"When all the lights are on, press the go button. Understood."
"You'd better wait outside. I'm not sure how large the sphere of influence is, especially with those additional panels."
"How will you come back if the teleporter hasn't charged up?"
"According to the teleporter diagrams, receiving uses a lot less power than transmitting."
Suddenly Hal's mouth fell open. "Clunk! Don't you see?"
"What?" asked the robot, looking around.
"The teleport scientist, the one with the display at the spaceport! We can give him the diagrams to build a real machine!"
"That quack?" snorted Clunk. "He couldn't build a paper plane."
"No, listen. We put all our money into his shares, and when we're holding as many as possible we reveal the teleporter plans. He spends all his time building and marketing the things and we pocket all the cash. It's perfect!" Hal realised Clunk wasn't quite as enthusiastic as he was. "All right, say we cut him out and do it ourselves. With your brains, skill and wisdom and my er … my er …"
"Let's worry about the future when we're
safely aboard the Volante," said Clunk.
"I know, I'll do the marketing," said Hal. "Spacejock Teleporters. Or what about Spacezap? No, Insta-trav!"
"Mr Spacejock?"
"Huh?"
"I'm going to activate the teleporter. I suggest you step outside."
Hal stopped in the doorway. "Clunk, I really appreciate this."
"It's nothing, Mr Spacejock."
"You say that, and yet you're willing to lay down your life to protect me from danger. You —"
"Actually, I was programmed this way."
"Oh. Well, thanks anyway." Hal turned and walked outside. As he stepped away from the building there was a tremendous flash of light, followed by a high-pitched whine. He ran to the doorway and looked inside. He was alone.
The control panel beeped and one light came on. As he watched, another joined it. Ten seconds later a third lit up.
"Nine more," muttered Hal. "I hope this damn thing works."
*
Sonya led Rex to the ruins, while Tinker followed with steady, thumping footsteps. They walked in silence, with Rex lost in thought and Sonya puzzling over his sudden arrival. Eventually she had to ask the question which was bothering her. "Tell me, why can't Hal fly us to Ackexa?"
"I don't trust him. I'm going to take his ship, deliver the cargo and then come back for him afterwards."
"But surely —"
Rex stopped. "Look, Spacejock and I have a feud going … we're both after the same business, and we'll take any advantage we can get. I've already told you my company will go under if Central doesn't get that paperwork in time. If Spacejock discovers he can ruin me by dumping all those pallets into a star, what do you think he'll do? No, I'm taking his ship and I'm delivering them myself. That's the end of the matter."
They set off again, and this time Sonya was silent. A minute or two later they arrived at the clearing, where the jet-black flyer crouched near the stone pillars like a bird of prey. The air was still, and the mossy structures cast dark shadows across the grass.
"This place gives me the creeps," muttered Sonya.
Rex waved Tinker towards the entrance. "I want you to go down there, locate my briefcase and return it to me. Is that clear?"
The robot's eyes gleamed. "You wish me to eliminate foes?"
"No," said Rex firmly. He ignored the robot's crestfallen look and elaborated on his instructions. "I want you to go down those steps and find the briefcase. It might be in the possession of a human or another robot."
"Foes?" said Tinker hopefully.
"Just ask for the briefcase, all right?"
"And if they refuse to give it to me?"
"Threaten them."
"If they still refuse?"
"Take the briefcase by force. Destroy the robot and slap the human about if you have to."
Tinker cracked his knuckles. "Mission understood. Find the briefcase, destroy the robot and whack the human."
"I said slap, not …" began Rex, but Tinker was already descending the staircase.
Sonya gestured after him. "You can't set him off like that. Someone could get hurt!"
"Don't waste your sympathy on Spacejock," said Rex. "He never spared any for your Outsider kin while he was busy stranding them."
"I'm beginning to wonder whether that wasn't just a malicious rumour."
"You know the saying. Where there's smoke, and all that." Rex shrugged. "Spacejock's in the thick of it, you mark my words."
*
Clunk arrived with a flash of light, leaving him blinking and dazed in a mirrored chamber. He sniffed, analysing the air, and a broad grin appeared on his face. It was planet Canessa! He'd found the way home!
He tucked the briefcase under his arm and activated the control pad. The heavy door began to open, and Clunk darted towards it. Mr Spacejock could arrive any moment now, and while the alien data hadn't been all that clear about the effects of teleporting two beings into the same physical space, the gruesome diagrams spoke volumes.
Clunk stepped over the threshold, and started as a huge shadow loomed from the corridor. He had no time to react - a large fist drove out of the darkness, smashing into his chest, breaking through his plasteel skin and crushing his internals. He dropped to his knees, his vision blurred and his circuits screaming fatal errors.
The briefcase was wrenched from his grip and a hulking figure turned its back and strode away, its head brushing the ceiling and its shoulders as wide as the corridor.
Clunk's vision dimmed, and the last thing he saw was the concrete floor coming up to meet him.
Chapter 30
There was faint crash from underground, and Sonya peered down the stairs. Rex was squatting in front of the opening, head cocked as he listened to Tinker's progress.
"We should have gone with him," said Sonya. "Hal could be lying down there hurt, and if Tinker —"
"Spacejock's nothing but a low-down pirate, and you know it."
Sonya frowned. "I spent some time with Hal, you know. He's —"
"A charming rogue? A dashing spaceship captain?" Rex glanced up at her. "I'm surprised. I thought you were a level-headed career woman, not a simpering stud worshipper."
Sonya snorted. "I worship nobody. It's just …" But how could she explain her instincts? That Hal seemed like a decent person?
"Where's that bloody robot got to?" muttered Rex, scowling into the dark. "If he's got lost —" He broke off at the sound of heavy footsteps, and a moment later the robot came into sight, bounding up the stairs two at a time, swinging the battered briefcase from its left hand.
Rex stood back as Tinker reached the top of the stairs. The robot handed the case over and stood to attention as Rex examined it. The silver case was scratched, the corners were out of true and when he opened the lid the red cable hung limply, the end just a tangle of wires. "Looks like it's been through a black hole," he said, switching it on. "Bobby? Can you hear me?"
Fans whirred, blowing streams of dust, and the briefcase beeped. "Yes, Mr Curtis."
"Are you hurt?"
"I cannot feel pain."
" I mean are you working?"
"Of course."
"What about this?" Rex tapped the torn red cable. "Is it important?"
Sonya nodded. "That's the cable for overriding the ship."
"You mean we can't fly the Volante?" He grabbed the black cable. "What about this one? Come on, you're the computer expert! Talk to me!"
"I might be able to crack the Navcom by force, but it could take a while." Sonya looked thoughtful. "You know, it would be easier if you just let Hal fly us there."
"Will you give that a rest?" Rex snapped his fingers at Tinker. "You! Wait here and don't let anyone out."
Tinker looked down at him, his face impassive. "You wish me to remain on this planet?"
"It's your duty."
Slowly, Tinker shook his head. "This is not the best position for defence."
"Are you disobeyeing an order?"
"Negative. In order to maximise effectiveness I wait at the foot of the steps, concealed in darkness."
Rex looked relieved. "Right. You maximise whatever you want as long as nobody gets past."
Tinker saluted, then turned and marched down the stairs.
"Well, Ms Polarov," said Rex, hefting the case. "Back to the ship."
"What about Spacejock? You can't just leave him here with that thing on guard!"
Rex sighed. "Look, you're going to need time with the ship, right? Once you've hacked in and we're ready to leave, you can come back and tell Tinker to let the guy out in an hour or two." He jerked his thumb at the flyer. "He can use that to get off the planet. Happy now?"
Sonya nodded slowly.
"So let's get to the ship and start work. If that paperwork isn't delivered on time my whole company's going down the drain."
*
Hal materialised in the teleport chamber and saw his startled face reflected in the mirror-finish walls. He recognised his surroundings immediately, and p
umped his fist in the air with delight. "Clunk, we did it!" He stepped away from the centre of the floor, moving towards the doorway. "Clunk?"
Light blazed from the corridor and a huge figure advanced on him. "Foes will be destroyed," said a metallic voice.
Hal backed up, squinting into the blinding glare. "Clunk? Is that you?"
It most certainly wasn't. Instead of a friendly squashy face, this robot had a head like a granite boulder. Its jaw was big enough to crush cars, and as for its massive hands … Hal frowned. Were they really covered in blood? "Where's Clunk?" he demanded. "What have you done with him?"
The robot charged without warning, powering into the chamber with its head down and its arms spread wide. At the last moment Hal stepped aside, and the robot slammed into the mirrored wall, shattering the panels and exposing tightly packed wires. Shards of glass rained down, and Hal scuttled around the chamber as the robot recovered. This time he was ready, and when it charged he pushed off from the wall and ducked under its grasping hands. He slammed into the glass panel beneath the controls, bounced off and landed flat on his back.
There was a burst of music, and when Hal looked up he realised the control panel was glowing. Across the chamber, the robot let out a furious yell, slamming its fists into the mirrored wall in rage. Glass exploded outwards under the impact, showering the floor and crunching under the robot's feet.
Hal got up and faced the robot, his back to the wall. "Not very quick, are you?"
The robot's eyes blazed in the low light, and it clenched and unclenched its fists. "Foes must be destroyed."
"You want to destroy a foe? Come and get me, you ugly mother!"
The robot charged, its massive fists clenched for the killing blow. Casually, almost lazily, Hal slapped his palm on the control panel. There was a brilliant flash as the teleporter activated, and when Hal's vision cleared he was alone.
He'd only savoured his victory for a couple of seconds when a warning light began to pulse, filling the chamber with blood-red flashes. One of the mirrored panels exploded in a shower of sparks and broken glass, and Hal stumbled out of the chamber with his arms over his head. He staggered along the corridor, his vision full of flashes, red lights and after-images. Gradually his sight recovered, and in the semi-darkness he spotted a trail of dark liquid on the floor. It ended in a huddled bronze shape.