by Paul Darrow
Avon was silent.
“Anna Grant was present when your mother was murdered.”
Avon did not move a muscle. It seemed as if he had stopped breathing.
Maco eyed him fearfully. “Reiss controls her. Vasht is her protectress.”
Avon said nothing.
“What will you do?” Maco asked carefully. “Whatever you decide,” he added hastily, “you can count on my assistance.”
The heliplane’s engine changed its rhythm and tone. It was beginning its descent into Lupus.
“Be very wary,” Maco said intently. “They mean you harm.”
Avon smiled wearily. His eyes alone conveyed his pain and disappointment.
The aircraft landed and, once they had disembarked, took off again. The wind created by its rotor blades almost jerked them off their feet.
They stood and looked into the distance at the castle that housed the High Council of the Federation.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Maco said.
Avon’s dark eyes, like a serpent’s, slid over him. “Is Reiss here?”
“No”
“Is Anna Grant?”
“I think so.”
A troop of Death Squad guards trotted towards them from the castle grounds.
“Vasht will be here,” Avon said.
“Certainly.”
“Good.”
The Death Squad troopers drew closer.
“Remember,” Maco whispered, “getting into Lupus has proved relatively easy. Getting out might pose a problem.”
The troopers surrounded them.
“I think they want us to accompany them.” Maco said.
Avon stood quite still, apparently studying their reception committee with interest.
An officer stepped forward. He deferred to Maco. “You are expected,” he said. He turned to Avon. “Who is this man?”
Maco smiled benignly. “A friend.”
There were several ominous clicks as the troopers primed their weapons.
Maco was nervous. His hands fluttered protest. “I assure you that Vasht expects him as well,” he said eagerly.
The officer had not taken his eyes of Avon. “Why have you come here?” he asked.
“Well,” Avon said, quite unabashed, “it seemed like a good idea at the time!”
6
The Death Squad troopers separated the two men. Maco was escorted to the castle. Avon remained with the officer and four others. Without warning, one of the troopers hit him in the groin with the butt of his laser rifle. Avon doubled up in agony, his vision blurred, nausea all but overwhelming him. The officer grabbed his hair, yanked him to his feet and slapped him hard across the face. Then the troopers lifted him, carried him several hundred meters to a small house and stood him between them as the officer unlocked a door. Then they propelled him forwards and he received a vicious kick in the back. He stumbled through the open door into the house, fell to the ground and lay still. The officer kicked him once more and he lost consciousness.
When he came to, he was in Anna Grant’s arms. The pain in his head was almost unbearable, his senses nearly deadened. But he could smell her clean, seductive perfume, feel her soft body against his, hear her whispered endearments, taste her kisses.
With a supreme effort, he flung her from him. She lay next to him, her fingers clutching the ground, her eyes blazing.
Avon staggered to his feet. Anna crawled to him and grasped his leg. He kicked her aside.
The room seemed to move, he could hardly see. He stumbled to a nearby door and crashed it open. The room beyond was a bathroom. He took icy water from a standing jug and poured it over his head. His pain receded.
He glanced at his reflection in a mirror. His face was bruised, cut and swollen, blood caked his mouth. One eye was almost closed.
A slight sound made him turn. Anna stood close by, her face creased with anxiety, her eyes soft and appealing. She was either a consummate actress, or she cared for him. She held out a bottle of liquor. Avon snatched it from her and drank deeply.
Tentatively, she approached him, took his hand and led him to a large, luxuriously furnished room. She laid him down on a couch and sat alongside him. Her long fair hair practically touched his face. Her face hovered over him like a sad moon. She touched his brow. Avon closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
When he woke up, he was alone. He stood and the room was still. His eyesight was normal. He discovered that he was naked under a long silk robe. He crossed to the bathroom and once more surveyed himself in the mirror. His cuts and bruises had been carefully tended. The swellings had gone down.
When he stepped back into the room, Anna was lying on the couch. Leaning on one elbow, her face propped in her hand, she was watching him intently.
Avon leaned against the door jamb. “How long have I been here?” he asked, his voice thick.
“An Earth day.”
“Who cleaned me up?”
“I did.”
Avon snorted in disbelief.
“Some troopers helped me,” Anna said quietly.
Avon rubbed his eyes as if to dispel an unwanted vision. Anna sat up. He took a step towards her, his hands clenched into fists, his face taut with anger. “How did my mother die?” he asked through clenched teeth.
Anna sprang to her feet and crossed to a desk set against a wall. She opened a drawer, took out several phials and syringes and placed them on the desk top. She stepped away, her back to the wall.
Avon walked over to her. He took one of the phials, opened it and sniffed its contents. He took a little of the fine white powder it contained and tasted it. He looked up sharply. “How long?” he asked.
Anna shrugged. “Long enough.”
“Since Saturn?”
She nodded.
“Before I left for Earth?”
Again she nodded. Tears appeared at the corners of her eyes.
Avon crushed the phial in his hand. Anna stepped forward and he took her in his arms. She spoke to him in a whispered rush of words. He could hardly hear her.
“When I was a child, unknown to anyone of our family, I became ill. It was a sickness of the mind. This was my treatment. It was Sabbath who supplied me, but he wouldn’t help unless I did something in return. He was using me on behalf of Axel Reiss. I’m still being used. I’m supposed to be a distraction for you here. To soften you up so that they can kill you.”
Avon was unconvinced. “They can do that any time they like,” he murmured.
“I knew nothing of what was to happen at Saturn Major.” Anna continued. “They killed Pi Grant because he would more than likely learn of my addiction and begin to ask difficult questions of Sabbath and Reiss. They killed Rowena because Reiss knew she had been with the traitor Rogue Avon and that you were his son by her. I begged them not to do it. I tried to stop them. You must believe me!” She smothered him with kisses. She wept uninhibitedly.
Avon led her to the couch and they lay down upon it, clutching each other like frightened children. “Take me away from here,” Anna begged through her tears. “I love you. I would never have willingly hurt you. I’ll never hurt you again. You must believe me!” She kissed him again. Her hands grasped the cord of his robe and she tore the garment of him. She crushed her body against his, forced him to love her.
When it was over, they lay naked together. The room was in darkness. Their faces were very close. Anna’s eyes were wide and innocent. Avon could not doubt that she loved him. He kissed her mouth, her eyes, her breasts.
Avon stood, wrapped his silk robe around him and retrieved the bottle of liquor from the desk. He shared its contents with her. “Sabbath is dead,” he said finally.
Anna sighed.
“I can’t work out why I have been brought here,” he said, “perhaps you can guess?”
“I’ve already told you. They mean to kill you.”
Avon frowned. “This is the heart of the Federation. My life is worth nothing here. Why haven’t they killed me alre
ady?”
“I don’t know.”
Avon stood and began to pace the room. “Three men were responsible for my father’s death. Rowena found out about them and sought vengeance. She became obsessed. Makarov was one of them. She poisoned him. Before I left Saturn, she made me swear to kill the others. I can’t break the promise. I intend to keep it.”
“And then?”
Avon smiled. “I have no plans.”
“We could run,” Anna said.
“Where? There is only Federation space.”
“We could run to the Children.”
Avon stopped pacing. Anna ran to him and placed her arms around him.
“Who or what are the Children?” he asked.
“Seven planets in no man’s space between the Empire and the Beyond. In the Eastern sky. They are called the Children because they are satellites of Jupiter, the father. But they orbit far from the planet and well away from Federation space lanes.” She moved away from him and turned on a dim light. Her naked body seemed ghostly in its glow.
“Why hasn’t the Federation conquered the Children like everywhere else?”
“The satellites have nothing to offer. They are sanctuaries for the very rich and are self-supporting, but they have no precious metals or stones. Nothing worth fighting for. Of course, the Federation attempted an invasion and landed troops on one of the Children. They were annihilated. It attacked again in greater force, but the inhabitants, rather than surrender, exploded a nuclear device that devastated the satellite and wiped out any number of the invaders. This was too high a price for the Federation to pay, so a truce was negotiated. The Children are independent and ignored. The destruction of the eighth satellite ensured the survival of the remaining seven.”
“And there is where you want to run?”
Anna took his face in her hands and smiled up at him. “There is nowhere else.”
“What will it take?”
“The Children have a High Council, too. We must appeal to it for sanctuary.”
“We might be rejected.”
She kissed him. “Not if we have money.”
“Why would the Children need money?”
“Some things must be bought. They must also buy off any adventurers that might threaten them, Federation or otherwise. Money is the army that guards their independence.”
“How much would we need?”
“A lot.”
Avon smiled. “And where do you proposed we get it?”
“We can withdraw it from the banking system. A system controlled by the Seventh family.”
“Of which I am now a member?”
“Yes.” Anna laughed gaily. Avon grabbed hold of her and kissed her passionately. She broke away, snatched up her robe and wrapped herself in it. “We must eat,” she said, “I have food and drink for us.” She glanced at the drugs lying on the desk. “Will you help me?” she asked, her voice seeming to come from afar off.
“Yes.”
“Will you love me, protect me?”
There was a long pause before Avon said, “Yes.”
Her face radiant, she kissed him, then bustled about the room preparing a meal for them.
They sat at a table by a window that overlooked the grounds of the castle of Lupus. “Tell me about Vasht.” Avon said.
“She was Reiss’s woman.”
“When will Reiss come here?”
Anna paused between mouthfulls of blood-red meat. “He is a prisoner.”
Avon was startled. “What?”
“He killed two leaders of the Council. An attempted coup of some sort.”
“Their names?”
“Blanca was one. The other was his lover, Pel Gros.”
Avon wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Gros was one of those three who connived in the matter of my father’s death.”
“Who is the other?”
“Axel Reiss himself.”
They were both alarmed by a sudden loud knocking on the door. Indicating that Anna should remain still and silent, Avon crossed the room, approached the door, turned a key and opened it.
“I hope I’m not intruding,” Maco said.
Avon smiled and stepped aside. “Come in.”
“Thank you.” Maco stepped over the threshold and, closing the door behind him, Avon led him to the table. Anna stood.
“Introductions are unnecessary,” Maco said to Avon. “We know each other well.” His pebble glasses gleamed. “I take it you are reconciled?”
Avon said nothing, but he poured their guest a glass of wine.
“There appears to have been a misunderstanding.” Maco said. “News of Sabbath’s death had preceded us. As he was once an admired member of the Death Squad elite and it was learned that you had had something to do with his death, his comrades expressed, shall we say, annoyance. They decided you should not escape unpunished. Hence their playful antics upon our arrival.”
Avon rubbed his sore face. “Playful is not the word I would have chosen.”
Maco smiled. “Tomorrow, you will be inducted into the family. However, there is a complication. You probably know from Anna here that Axel Reiss has been arrested for the murder of Blanca and Pel Gros.”
Avon nodded. He stood quite still. He thought he knew what was coming.
“Reiss has elected to defend himself. He has requested trial by combat.” Maco sniffed. “It’s an ancient and barbaric rite.” He smiled thinly. “Civilization has come a long way, hasn’t it?” He looked from one to the other. “Vasht has nominated Avon as his opponent.”
“Perhaps my membership of the Seventh family will be shortlived.” Avon said drily.
“We must make every effort to ensure that you survive the encounter.” Maco said significantly.
Anna stepped between them. “Maco, can we trust you?”
“With what?”
“Our lives.”
“A heavy responsibility.”
“We wish to escape the Federation.”
Maco smiled patronizingly. “That is a virtual impossibility.”
“We intend to run to the Children.”
Maco appeared stunned.
Avon, who trusted no one, was appalled by Anna’s confession. He watched their visitor carefully, prepared to kill him if any thought of betrayal seemed to cross his mind. Maco remained impassive.
After a while, he exhaled slowly. He looked at them both admiringly. “A bold plan,” he said.
“But feasible,” Anna said excitedly.
“You would need a great deal of money.” Maco said. Then realization dawned and he smiled broadly. “Money that the Seventh family could provide.”
“Will it?” Avon asked.
Maco shook his head. “No.” Reflected light danced on his glasses. “Of course, with my assistance, it would be possible to obtain the documentation necessary for a trip to Jupiter. From there, I could arrange that we safely reach the sanctuary of the Children.”
“We?” Avon said.
“If I am to assist,” Maco spread his hands in a gesture of finality, “I could not stay behind. The Federation would exact hideous retribution.”
Avon eyed him suspiciously. “Why should you give up everything you have here in order to help us?”
“Pah! I have very little. I am subject to the whims of Vasht and any other puffed-up member of the High Council. I am also a slave to the families.”
“Then, you will help us?” Anna asked.
“And help myself.”
“How do we get hold of the money?” Avon asked, ever practical.
“That will be up to you. Once I have introduced you to the banking house, you must find a way to enter the computer programs and syphon off what we require. You must do it in such a way that we will gain a few days grace before the embezzlement is discovered.”
“What makes you think I’m capable?”
Maco smiled his secret smile. “I’ve been given access to all information concerning your aptitudes and skills. Remember, I’m supposed
to be a trusted employee of Vasht and Axel Reiss. I know you have talent.”
“I can’t help feeling,” Avon said coolly, “that these circumstances have arisen a little too fortuitously. Why do I imagine I am being manipulated?”
Maco smiled disparagingly. “You are a cautious man. But ask yourself why anyone here would care to manipulate you. The Federation is all powerful. At the moment, Vasht is all powerful. She could eliminate you like that!” He snapped his fingers. “Anyway, all this could be academic. Our little scheme could go awry. There is the matter of your stand-off with Reiss. If he kills you, we are all three dead!”
“Don’t fight him,” Anna said urgently. “Let’s run before they make you.”
“Difficult,” Maco said.
“But not impossible!” Anna was angry, seemingly protective of her lover.
“You know it is impossible,” Avon said softly.
Maco smiled. “You see? He wants to fight. He wants to kill Reiss.”
“I have to kill him,” Avon said.
Anna appeared to accept defeat.
“I might be able to help you,” Maco said matter-of-factly. “In studying your file, I was stuck by Sabbath’s comments about you when you faced danger and, apparently, superior odds. He noted, with some admiration I thought, that you are prepared to use any and every means to achieve the right result. With Axel Reiss, believe me, you are outmatched. I can arrange something to tilt the balance in your favor. I hope you’re not too proud or chivalrous to refuse my help.”
Avon looked at him, his face expressionless.
“I take it from your silence that you accept?” Maco said. “Had you refused, then our other plan would be finished before it had begun.”
“When has Vasht decided the combat will take place?” Avon asked.
“In a little less than an Earth month from now.”
“In the meantime?”
“In the meantime, you are a valued member of the Seventh family. Privy to all its financial secrets.” Maco helped himself to more wine. He raised his glass in a silent toast, then drained it.
Anna sat on the couch. Both she and Maco looked steadily at Avon. After a long pause, Maco smiled and said, “We three could be a formidable combination.”
Avon, ever watchful, ever suspicious, smelling conspiracy, always untrusting, said, “But which of us holds the key?”