by Simon Haynes
"Drop it!" shouted Alice, aiming Teresa's gun at them both.
Smith managed to overpower Harriet and brought his own gun down, firing at Alice as soon as it was level. The shot skimmed past, and in return she fired twice. The first shot missed, but the second missed Harriet's head by a whisker and slammed into Smith's shoulder. He looked down for a moment, his expression surprised, and then the gun fell from his fingers and he slumped to the deck.
"Again?" said Harriet angrily. "Are you that determined to kill me?"
Alice gave her a strange look. "Relax, this is Teresa's gun."
"I don't care if it's the emperor's personal hand weapon," shouted Harriet. "That's twice you've nearly—"
"Harriet, it's a stunner. Smith will have a lousy headache when he wakes up, but he's not dead."
"You still might have hit me!" growled Harriet, not mollified in the slightest.
"Yeah, well … better a headache than a funeral." Alice shot Smith again, just for luck, then spun the weapon and tucked it into her belt. "Do you know how to use the radio on this ship? Teresa's hit, but she reckons they'll send a medic from the capital."
"I'm sure I can figure it out," muttered Harriet. "What about Teresa? Is she okay?"
"She's still breathing." Alice looked down at Smith. "You'd better ask for some kind of security detail, too. They can take Smith away, because there's no way I'm sharing oxygen with this piece of garbage all the way home."
Chapter 23
While Alice fussed over Teresa, making sure she was comfortable and demanding the paramedics attend to every detail, Harriet spoke to the head of the private security team. The commander was a grey-haired woman in a dark blue uniform, and she was surprised to see a Dismolle Peace Force officer on Vasquez.
"Haven't seen your lot for years," she remarked, as her people gathered up Smith's fallen crew. "Just as well, if you're going to bring this kind of trouble with you."
"Smith kidnapped me," said Harriet. She explained quickly, making sure the woman noted it down. "What sort of legal system do you have here?"
"A rope," said the woman. She saw Harriet's expression. "I'm kidding. Don't worry, he'll be taken care of. We usually lock them up and charge them by the day. Once they run out of cash we hand them over to your lot. I've got an arrangement with a Peace Force office in the next system. You probably deal with them a lot."
"Yes, all the time," said Harriet quickly. The last thing she wanted was for the woman to discover she was only a trainee. Smith would probably claim she wasn't qualified to arrest him, and then he'd be free.
"Well, they come by every so often, to take away all the worst cases. No idea what they do with them, but it's definitely a one-way trip." The commander watched her people dragging Smith away. "That one's the leader, right?"
"Tyron Smith, yes. He's behind it all."
"I've heard of him. A few people will breathe easy with him gone."
"What about his ship?"
The woman glanced up at it. "We needed a new patrol vessel. Perfect timing."
"Can I grab my belongings first?"
"Be my guest. I only want the ship."
"Good luck to you," said Harriet, and they saluted each other.
"Just one thing before you go."
"Yes?" said Harriet.
"Don't run private little ops on my planet. Not without clearing it with me first."
Harriet was going to explain, but it was easier to agree. "You have my word."
"Good. Next time I'll haul you and your people in too."
Harriet ran up the ramp to the airlock, crossed the flight deck and took the ladder to the lower level. She jogged to Smith's cabin, where she took Teresa's gun from her jacket and adjusted the setting to max. Covering her eyes with one hand, she blasted the locked safe, cringing as hot metal spattered all over the furniture. When she looked up, the lock was a molten lump of metal, and the door was ajar.
Inside she spotted her commset, the cheap penknife and a slim metal box. She reached in with a gloved hand and took all three, putting the knife and commset in her pocket. The box had a grey touch pad on top, similar to a fingerprint reader, and Harriet wondered whether it really contained the key to a fortune. Well, that was for later. First they had to get Teresa to hospital, and then she'd get Alice back to Dismolle for what was going to be a very heated debrief. Harriet tucked the slim box inside her jacket and headed back up the passage to the flight deck.
Outside, Teresa's stretcher was being handed down carefully to willing helpers. Alice was amongst them, and as the group set off through the undergrowth, Harriet jumped down from the landing pad and followed.
They made their way through the thick forest, eventually emerging before a landing pad with a large, white ship sitting on top. The ship had official markings, and the cargo ramp was lowered and waiting. As they trooped up the ramp, Harriet made her way over to Teresa, who was still reassuring Alice.
"I'm fine, kid. They'll have me patched up in no time."
Despite her tone, Teresa looked pale and drawn.
"If there's anything I can do …" began Alice.
"Yeah, the box. You've got to find it."
"Of course! But what about your ship?"
"She'll be fine. The autopilot will bring her to me when I'm ready."
They made it into the ship's hold, where Teresa's stretcher was secured. Then the ramp lifted, and once it was closed the ship took off without fuss. As soon as they were in level flight, Harriet sat next to Alice and Teresa and drew the infamous box from her jacket. Alice's eyes widened at the sight, and Teresa stared at it hungrily.
Alice took it with shaking fingers and pressed her hand to the pad. There was a tiny click, and she opened the lid. They all craned forward and saw …
A faded old photograph.
The photograph showed a smiling couple holding a baby, and Alice picked it up gently, staring at it. Meanwhile, Teresa put her hand out and tilted the box, trying to see if there was anything else inside.
There wasn't.
Teresa shrugged. "Oh well, that was a bust."
"It's my parents," whispered Alice. She was staring at the photo, her eyes intense. "I've never seen them before."
Harriet understood how Alice felt. Her own parents had been killed when she was two, and she had absolutely nothing of theirs. Then, with practiced ease, she locked the feelings away. "That was thoughtful of him," she said, and managed a weak smile.
"Pity Smith never saw this," remarked Teresa. "He's wasted years chasing a photo."
Very carefully, so as not to crease it, Alice tucked the photo in her pocket.
Teresa put her hand out. "Want me to throw the box away?"
"No, it's mine." Alice glanced at her. "Don't worry, there aren't any hidden compartments. The walls are too thin. Plus if you mess around with it, the atomizer will probably dissolve your fingers."
"Oh well, I guess the photo is prize enough." And with that Teresa sank back on the stretcher, exhausted.
The flight was a short one, barely ten minutes, and when they set down Teresa was whisked into a waiting vehicle. Alice went to follow, but was refused. Instead, she sought out Harriet. "Some day, huh?"
Harriet said nothing. They were stranded on Vasquez, they had no way to get home, and it was night time. Alice might be used to sleeping on the streets, but Harriet preferred a little more comfort, especially after getting kidnapped, tied up and shot at … twice. She looked around, but apart from a handful of ships the landing field was empty. Nearby, the terminal building shone in the darkness, and she wondered if they could nap on the chairs in the departure lounge. "Come on, let's go."
They set off together, and on the way Harriet stuck her hands in her pockets and felt the hard shape of the commset. Slowly, she drew it out, wondering whether it would work. Well, it was worth a shot. "Hello? Bernie?"
There was a long delay, and then her spirits soared as the familiar voice replied. "Trainee Harriet? Where are you?"
"
I'm on Vasquez. Alice is fine, we're both safe."
"You're on Vasquez? Trainee Harriet, do you realise how much planetary roaming costs?"
"Yes, we're both okay Bernie. Thanks for your concern." Harriet rolled her eyes. Trust the robot to worry about money.
"I am truly glad you are not dead," said Bernie.
"Thanks, that's sweet of you."
"Indeed. Funerals are even more expensive than long-distance calls."
Harriet gave up. "Look, we're stuck here. Can we get a flight or something?"
"Of course you can get a flight. Just ask a passing freighter to drop you at the Dismolle spaceport."
"I meant a passenger flight, Bernie. You know, a liner or something."
"Out of the question. An interplanetary flight is—"
"Expensive?" guessed Harriet.
"—not scheduled for another three days," finished Bernie.
Alice nudged her. "Teresa can fly us back tomorrow. She said so earlier."
Harriet didn't think Teresa would be flying anywhere, but it gave her an idea. "Bernie, how about a hotel room? Will you spring for that at least?"
"Well …"
"Oh, go on. We just busted Smith, and we're both exhausted. Just a room, and dinner, and … breakfast. A real one."
"Anything else?" demanded the robot acidly. "A spa treatment perhaps, or—"
"That's great, Bernie. Thanks! We'll stick it on the account. See you tomorrow!"
"No, wait. I must ask you about something."
"What is it?" asked Harriet warily.
"Agatha Foster has been calling. She insists on a meeting with my superior officer, and I do not know how to proceed."
Harriet frowned as she remembered the cold, emotionless old woman from the traffic stop. "Put her off."
"I have done so, but she is persistent. Please suggest a method by which I may be rid of her."
Harriet's eyebrows rose. That was most un-Bernie-like, and it seemed Foster was really becoming a problem. She was going to tease the robot by suggesting a large bribe, but it seemed a little unfair after she'd managed to wangle the hotel room. "Let me sleep on it, Bernie. I'll think of something."
"Please do, as I fear we are running out of time."
"Relax. She can't shut us down."
"She's the head of the Dismolle Residents' Association. She has limitless power."
"All right, I'll deal with it. Promise." Harriet hung up, then found a hotel on the screen. "Five stars okay with you?" she asked Alice.
"I'm not fussed."
"Okay, booked." By now they'd reached the terminal, and after crossing the concourse they emerged on the other side, where a line of cabs was waiting. Harriet gestured to the nearest, and she and Alice slumped in the back, barely able to keep their eyes open.
— ♦ —
After a quick meal, Alice and Harriet retired to their room. Harriet had considered booking two rooms, but the price was astronomical and she knew Bernie would never forgive her. So, they took it in turns to use the shower, then wrapped themselves in snowy white dressing gowns and collapsed on the twin beds.
As she lay there in the darkness, Harriet replayed, over and over, the moment Alice had pointed the gun at her … and fired. Not just once, but twice. So what if it was only a stunner? It was cold and callous, and a side of Alice she never knew existed.
She'd meant to have it out back on Dismolle, with Bernie acting as a moderator — or a referee, more like — but she knew she wouldn't sleep unless she said something. Harriet opened her mouth, ready to broach the subject, but before she could speak Alice got in first.
"I'm really sorry about today, Harriet. I don't have any excuses, I'm just … really sorry."
Harriet's lips thinned. Sorry didn't cut it. "If you ever go off the rails like that again, I'll personally see you run out of the Peace Force."
"Harriet, Smith killed my uncle! Surely you—"
"Never again, Alice," said Harriet coldly. "I don't need that sort of crazy in my life. Got it?"
Alice was distraught. "I promise I'll never do anything like that again. I mean it!"
"You won't do it to me, I guarantee that." Harriet rolled over to go to sleep. In the darkness, she thought she heard a muffled sob. Well, let her, she thought grimly. Better a good cry now, than wild gunfire some time in the future.
Chapter 24
Next morning, Harriet and Alice were sitting in the hotel dining room, tucking into a large breakfast. Alice looked tired, but they chatted normally and neither of them mentioned Harriet's outburst of the previous night.
"I love crusty rolls," said Harriet, spreading butter and jam all over the steaming hot bread. She pointed with the knife. "You should try the apricot, it's much better than the strawberry."
Alice obeyed, taking a bite before shaking her head. "Yeah, not for me. I like crunching the little pips."
"They'll get stuck in your teeth." Harriet reached for her coffee, then paused with the mug halfway to her mouth. Teresa had just walked in, one arm in a sling, her face pale and haggard. "What's she doing? She's supposed to be in hospital!"
"She must be damned tough," said Alice admiringly. She pushed her chair back and made room, seating Teresa at the table between them. "Try the rolls," she said, offering the last one. "They're great with the apricot jam. And let me get you a mug!"
After Alice left, Harriet glanced at Teresa. "Shouldn't you be resting?"
"It's not that bad. I'll manage."
"So … what are you doing here?"
"I heard you two stayed over. I figured you'd be needing a ride home."
"You're not flying anything in that condition."
"Pfft." Teresa held up a small square device. "With this I can handle my ship with one arm tied behind my back." She looked down. "Or tied in front of my chest. Whichever."
"It doesn't sound very safe." Despite herself, Harriet was tempted. It might be hours — or days — before they could find a ship to drop them home. And Teresa did seem pretty confident.
"Relax, it's fully automatic. I could wiggle my eyebrows and still land on a ten-credit tile."
Alice returned with an empty mug, which she filled to the brim with coffee before offering it to Teresa. "How are you feeling? Did they fix you up properly?"
"Yeah, I'm good. I was just telling Harriet I'd fly you both home, but she's not convinced."
"Are you kidding? Of course we'll go!" Alice turned to Harriet. "Her ship is amazing. You'll feel like you've been bundled into a cement mixer full of rocks."
"Amazing," repeated Harriet drily. "I can't wait."
They finished breakfast, settled the bill using the Peace Force expense account, then took a cab to the spaceport. As they drove onto the landing field they heard a siren, and the cab pulled under a thick concrete shelter to wait for the arriving vessel. Through the gap they saw a small ship flaring above a landing pad, before setting down on its three landing legs. "Hey, that's your ship!" cried Alice.
"Yeah, I called it back from the settlement while we were having breakfast." Teresa gave Harriet a look. "Like I said, it can fly itself."
Harriet held her tongue, in case Alice got a lift and she didn't.
"Alice, you're up front with me," said Teresa, once they were on board. Harriet was left to struggle with her harness, until eventually she sort of tied the ends together, hoping it would be good enough. Meanwhile, Alice buckled in like a pro.
"You can help fly her, if you like," said Teresa. "I'll take the stick, you handle the thrusters."
"Really?"
"Sure. It's not like we can hit anything in space."
What about on the way up? Harriet wanted to ask, but Alice was having the time of her life and she didn't want to be a misery guts.
They lifted off with a massive roar, and then Teresa pulled back on the stick while Alice pushed the throttles to the stops. Harriet clung to her seat as the ship tore into the sky, and she realised she should have asked for help with the harness. Luckily the for
ce was pushing her back into the seat, and she realised she'd be fine as long as they didn't come to a sudden stop.
It seemed like no time at all before they were in space, heading towards Dismolle on a long, curving course which would have them home in less than an hour. The cabin grew cold, and Harriet noticed Alice and Teresa were both rugged up in thick jackets, while she only had her Peace Force uniform. She blew on her fingers and wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stay warm while the little ship rocketed through space, with Alice and Teresa chatting away like long lost buddies up front.
Never mind, she thought. It would soon be over.
— ♦ —
They set down without incident, despite Harriet's fears. Alice looked as proud and as happy as she'd ever seen her, especially after Teresa congratulated her flying skills.
"That was amazing," said Alice. "Really special. I'll never forget, I mean it."
Teresa reached for the master control switch, and winced.
"Hey, why don't you stay with us?" said Alice.
"What?" Harriet was still trying to untangle her belts, and was on the point of ripping them out in frustration.
"Sure! She got hurt saving us. We should put her up until she's better."
Harriet wanted to point out that she and Alice had been the ones doing the saving, while Teresa had just laid around after getting shot by accident. However, at the last second she toned it down a bit. "She'll be fine. Her eyebrows still work, don't they?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Look Alice, I've got to deal with something at the office. I can't waste time …" Harriet's voice tailed off as she stared at Teresa. Inspiration had just struck, and she was rapidly turning over the pros and cons. "Okay, she can stay with us. Let's go."
"That was sudden," said Teresa.
"She's right. You saved our lives and we'll be eternally grateful."
"And?"
Harriet paused. "Well, there might be something you can help me with. Come on, let's get a cab and I'll explain on the way."