The Lieutenant Commander noticed Harry’s pensive expression. “Looks pretty from out here, but I expect it has a few ugly memories for you, eh?”
“Sir?” Harry almost jumped in his seat, he had been that lost in his thoughts. “Er, yes sir, it does. Ferghal and I first walked in the void on the inner moon, the smallest, and it was the first unearthly world we walked upon as well.”
Bob Dalziel knew of the midshipman’s ordeal at the hands of the Johnstone researchers. “Good memories are the ones to hold on to.”
Harry stayed silent for a moment, not trusting his voice, which was threatening to break on him. “As you say, sir.” He focussed on his work, plotting their approach to orbit, and took refuge in the maths and the star chart as a welcome distraction.
Allowing himself a peek at the scanner images he saw three orbital platforms and a number of Fleet vessels including a starship and several transports in orbit or attached to the docks. Half listening to the conversations around him, he focused on directing the helm and manoeuvring. The course and approach were straightforward enough.
I can’t keep running away from this, he thought. Distasteful as it is, I shall have to confront my own fear of this place, or it will continue to disable me. Suppressing a shudder, he flexed his shoulders. But not today, he told himself. He set to work running the next series of calculations for braking, and passed these to the Coxswain’s console.
Watching, Bob Dalziel nodded to his second-in-command. “Relax, Caryl, I’ve been monitoring his solutions and handling on my monitor.” He indicated his screen. “Have you noticed that half the time he isn’t using his manual interface? He only does so when he remembers we’re watching. It’s as if he’s trying not to be different and to do it as he thinks we expect him to. Heather Behr tells me that O’Connor does this too. A bloody useful trick, I think, especially since he’s twice as fast as the rest of us and a heck of a lot more sensitive with the controls too.”
“I wondered about that,” replied the Lieutenant, equally as quietly. “I know it’s supposed to be a result of what that Consortium lot did to them, but sometimes it’s a bit creepy when you ask him to calculate a course solution and it just appears on your screen. I hear there was a question as to whether he could have been used on the DGK to get past the Consortium blocking devices. It looks as if that would have worked.”
The Lieutenant Commander’s comlink chirped. “Navigation,” he responded.
“Bob,” the Captain’s voice was clear. “We’ll be lying off Orbit Dock Three until further notice. We’re ordered to take position at North Cardinal Fifty-Two by Two at fifty miles. Bring us into that spot, please.”
“Got that sir, North Cardinal Fifty-Two by Two at fifty miles.” He looked across at Harry. “Did you hear that, Harry? Bring us onto Orbit Dock Three at the coordinates given, please.”
“Aye, aye sir.”
The ship altered course and decelerated rapidly. Unaware of the scrutiny of his officers, Harry concentrated, oblivious to the fact that he had not used the keypad interface for several minutes as he went through the required steps in the navigation routines and subroutines.
Finding the solutions, he manoeuvred the ship by relaying the course corrections and orders directly to the helmsman’s screen and to Engineering. He could sense Ferghal manipulating and controlling the ship’s propulsion system. Occasionally they swapped mental comments as they passed commands to each other, and they found comfort in the brief contact.
Harry withdrew from the system and turned to the Lieutenant Commander to find himself under that individual’s interested gaze. He flushed slightly, wondering why they appeared so interested in his work.
“Ship is on station, sir.”
“So I see, Mr Heron, well done. But tell me, when you were unable to access the networks on the DGK through the manual interface, couldn’t you have reached it this way?”
“Pardon, sir?” Harry looked surprised then embarrassed as he recalled the Captain’s order to always at least appear to use the interface. He hesitated. “I’m sorry, sir. Captain Haakon ordered me not to access the AI network. I did not think of the consequences of what I had done until later.”
Bob Dalziel laughed.
Harry grinned nervously. “Captain Haakon seemed to think that I had deliberately withheld my ability from him, sir. I shall use the manual controls in future if you prefer I do so.”
“There is no point in doing that if it’s easier and more efficient for you to do it this way.” Bob Dalziel stood. “Frankly, I wish I had that ability.” He laughed. “My interface skills are a little erratic.”
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER VALLANCE LOOKED UP SHARPLY as the shadow fell across his table. He frowned at the sight of his visitor.
“What do you want?” he growled in irritation.
“Come, come,” said the newcomer, his grin making him even more annoying. “I’ve a message for you. Bert said to tell you he’s in on this operation. All you have to do is identify the targets and leave the rest to us.”
“Fine. Tell Bert to stick exactly to the plan. No getting creative. Tell him this is his last chance. He sticks exactly to the script and gets the targets to the rendezvous for collection. No distractions, no deviations and definitely no side excursions. This place is swarming with troops, and if he tries anything, anything at all outside the agreed plan, they’ll be all over him before anyone can even sneeze.”
The visitor looked angry. “Bert won’t be happy about it. He likes to do things his way.”
“I don’t care what Bert likes or doesn’t like. If he can’t comply, the deal’s off.” Vallance huffed in frustration. “There is far more at stake here than his ego. Tell him it’s straight down the line or not at all.”
“I’ll tell him.” The visitor made to leave.
“Do so. And remind him that if it goes wrong, he’s on his own with a large price on his head.”
The visitor scowled. “And on yours!”
“That’s where you are wrong, my friend,” said the Lieutenant Commander, carefully anonymous in his casual outfit. “My cover is solid, but you and your friends will be deeper in shit than you can imagine if you try anything clever on that score.”
Chapter 26 – Pangaea, Again
Marcus Grover looked up in surprise. “Good God, it is you! I’d heard you were coming, but had to see you for myself to believe it.”
Harry grinned. The settlement of Urquhart had grown and changed since the expulsion of the Consortium from Pangaea. It now boasted several additional accommodation domes and a new leisure industry.
“Indeed, Mr Grover. We are here on leave. We are assigned to your establishment for accommodation and to meet Captain Stotesbury of the Advocate Admiral’s Office. I am glad you appear to be thriving now.”
“As you say, Mr Heron.” Marcus smiled. “I must say I am surprised to see you, though. I should have thought you’d seen enough of this place and of us.” Offering his hand, he added, “I hear your boat trip went well — only one attack from a Pleurodon.” Shaking hands with Ferghal, he asked, “You do know there is a price on your heads. The Johnstone people want you fellows badly, and there are some who won’t hesitate to turn you in. I hope you have protection.”
Harry took the proffered hand and smiled. “Yes, we did have an interesting passage. I will say that I would not have chosen to spend my leave here, with respect to you and your family. But,” he shrugged, “it seems the Fleet has some arrangement with you, so here we are.”
The hotelier nodded. He could appreciate the youth’s feelings. “Yes, I was lucky. We got some development funds, and I managed to persuade the Governor’s office to let us build this place, then along came the Fleet Recreations Office and booked it solid.” He noted that Harry seemed older — more than his nominal age suggested — and he stood a lot taller than he remembered. “But I am forgetting my manners, Mr Heron. Please sign in.” He noted several soldiers and a transport. “You
r escort?”
Harry laughed and nodded. “I think so. Advocate Captain Stotesbury is coming, and it may have something to do with his investigations. We will be joined by some others from our ship as well.” He grinned. “Perhaps we could have the best rooms for arriving early!”
Marcus gave a shout of laughter. “I like your nerve. You’ve got it.” Nodding to Ferghal, he added, “There’ll be one or two looking to stay out of your way then. I think Stepan Glinka will probably take to his bed and stay indoors until you leave. Terrien Hurker won’t be too eager to go out while you’re in town either.”
He escorted them to their rooms in the best wing of the hotel, across the hall from each other. “These two are the best in the house.” He winked, adding, “We’ll give the Advocate Captain the end room. It’s a good room, but it doesn’t have the view yours has.”
CAPTAIN STOTESBURY’S ENQUIRIES REQUIRED FAR LESS TIME than Harry feared. A brief visit to the Johnstone facility allowed him to confirm the location of the events and experiments. It also allowed him to unlock aspects of the second Consortium AI he had inadvertently isolated in their escape. Back at the hotel, he told Ferghal that he wanted to visit the home of the Glinka family and assure them he bore no ill will.
Ferghal hesitated. “Do you insist that we call upon Master Glinka?”
Harry understood his reason for uncertainty. “I do. I have heard he is recovered, but disabled.” His smile flickered across his face. “He suffered badly for defending his home and family, my friend. You need not accompany me if you do not wish to.”
Frowning, Ferghal shook his head. “And let you fall into some new mischief? No, I shall accompany you, though I feel no remorse for having nearly killed him.”
THE VISIT DID NOT GO QUITE AS HARRY HAD HOPED. Stepan Glinka was sullen and clearly afraid, his wife nervous and uncomfortable. Ferghal, however, diverted the children and quickly lightened the atmosphere. By the time they left, Stepan had relaxed. At the door, he shook their hands, adding, “Mind how you go. A few here will be glad to see the bounty in their hands. You should not wander round without an escort.”
Harry smiled. “Thank you for the warning, but I think we are safe enough. Our path takes us back to the hotel, and the Marines are everywhere.” His gesture swept the landscape between the residential domes, currently devoid of any other human presence. “It is but two hundred yards to the entrance to the hotel dome from here.” He bowed slightly to Mrs Glinka. “We may not have the opportunity to call again. I hope things go well for you both.”
They had not gone far from the Glinka household when they met Lieutenant Commander Vallance.
“Well, well, Heron and O’Connor, isn’t it? What brings you here?”
“A rest period, sir,” Harry replied politely. His instinctive feeling of unease struggled to overtake his natural courtesy and ingrained respect for the man’s rank. “We have been sent on leave for a day or two.”
“Of course,” the older man said, obviously making an effort to sound casual. “Staying at Grover’s hotel, I suppose.”
“Indeed, sir.” Harry sensed the man was trying to keep them talking. “I beg pardon, sir, but we have another engagement and must be on our way.”
“Of course.” Vallance smiled. “I expect Captain Stotesbury will want your services up at the facility.”
Harry was about to deny this when something rang a small cautionary warning in his mind. “As you say, sir.” Two could play this game of false politeness to dig for information. “And you, sir? Posted to a new ship or to the school here?”
“Just finishing some leave. My ship will be joining your squadron in a few weeks.” The Lieutenant Commander exhaled and looked about him. “Time I got out of the classroom. Working in the field is much more productive. We’ll meet again, I’m sure.” He resumed his walk and made his way to a transport vehicle. He boarded, and it sped off in the direction of the harbour. From his seat he made a call on his link. “They’re on their way. No escort.” He cut the link. “Little fools.”
Harry watched the departing transport and quickly assessed the situation. “We’d better hurry, Ferghal, before the Captain discovers we have no escort. Something about that man Vallance doesn’t sit well with me.”
“Aye, with me either,” Ferghal said.
They continued at a brisk pace in the direction of the hotel when they heard a door open in a nearby residential dome, and a woman emerged.
“Looking for something?” she asked.
Recognition flared in Harry’s mind. “Good day, Mrs Hurker. Thank you, no, we are simply passing by.” No sooner had he spoken than a burst of firing erupted from two domes away. The world spun and he collapsed, unaware that Ferghal was already down.
Mellia Hurker stepped aside as several men in a variety of military coveralls and equipment ran out and grabbed the downed pair.
“Take them round the back and put them in the transport. We don’t have much time to get them away to the holding.” The men scurried to comply. “Their security escort will be along in a minute.” She watched the men drag Harry and Ferghal toward the back entrance.
“Put cuffs on my husband and me, then stun us. That’ll delay the pursuit,” Mrs Hurker ordered. When the men hesitated, she said, “Do it now! What are you waiting for?”
They did as they were told then hurried to the transport vehicle waiting behind the dome. As soon as the doors were shut, it lifted and sped off, skirting the town before disappearing into the trees even as a security detail burst through the front door of the house to discover Mellia Hurker and her husband restrained and unconscious.
A Sergeant entered from the rear. “They got clean away, sir. I’ve called for reinforcements and transport trace scans.”
The Lieutenant nodded. “There’ll be hell to pay over this. Damn.” He looked at the medics reviving the Hurkers. “The whole damned thing stinks of a set-up.”
“Agree, sir. I’ll have the forensic boys run this place over. Something’s not right.”
“Good idea.” He nodded toward the Hurkers. “Take them down to the cells — call it protective custody. Then get one of the interrogation team to get their story. I’ll take the rest of the men to search for the route they took.”
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN SOME OF MY PEOPLE were abducted?” Captain Rafferty fumed. “Who is it?”
“Midshipmen Heron and O’Connor, sir.” The Marine Major let his annoyance show. “They apparently went out to visit the Glinka family and didn’t inform us.”
“How the blazes did that happen? Never mind, does Captain Stotesbury know? Do you need any assistance from my ship?”
“The Advocate Captain knows, and he’s furious. He’s on his way back now. If you can do a deep focus scan of the whole island, it may turn up something. We think — no, the indications are that the Hurker couple facilitated the kidnap, and we know who took Heron and O’Connor.”
HARRY REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS BOUND AND PRONE on a dirty floor. His hands were restrained behind him with metal cuffs, and his ankles were similarly secured. He tried to free his mouth of a strap of thick tape by scraping his cheek against the floor, but finding this impossible, he focussed on figuring out where he might be.
In the darkness, he could hear someone struggling nearby. Certain that it must be Ferghal, he focussed on his link to the AI, and could hear the communications of a household network.
“Turn on the lights in U3,” he ordered. The lights came on, and he saw Ferghal a short distance away. The room appeared to be a storeroom, but the state of it suggested it was not much used.
“Ferghal, do you hear me?”
Wriggling to face Harry, Ferghal nodded, grunting through the tape covering his lower face. “Aye, I hear you.”
“We must free ourselves. I will try to get my hands in front of me.” Wriggling round he managed to get into a seated position then contorted himself until he could get his arms beneath his body and finally, with a lot of
effort and some damage to his wrists, to his front. In triumph he pulled the tape clear of his mouth. “Ow!” he exclaimed. “Damnation, that hurt.”
Working over to where Ferghal lay, he whispered, “Access the network to discover where we are and who guards us. I will remove the tape so we may speak normally. Have a care, it is a powerful glue and stings as it comes away. It will hurt, but I’ll make it quick. Brace yourself.”
Ferghal nodded, and Harry ripped the tape off in one quick move.
“Bloody hell!” Ferghal exclaimed as soon as his mouth was freed. “Did you have to make it hurt that much?”
Harry grinned. “Best to get it over with quickly.”
Ferghal wasn’t convinced on any account. He looked around at their confinement. “Now you see the folly of your starts, my friend. Visiting a former enemy is one thing, a noble desire perhaps — but we should not have gone unescorted.” He rubbed his sore face and listened to the network. “There are five here, two in one room and three more in another, and more elsewhere, but I’m not sure where.” He grunted, contorting his body to get his hands in front of him. “Let me but lose these irons and there will be a reckoning for Mr Hurker and his Jezebel wife.” He glowered at Harry. “I never wanted to see them again in my entire life, but I went along because you asked me to.”
“Now is not the time or place to argue about this.” Harry sighed. “Very well, I was misguided in my intention, but let us take stock and get free before we wrangle over the rights and wrongs!”
“And how do you suggest we remove these?” growled Ferghal, holding up his manacled wrists. “Have you some miracle key concealed upon your person?”
“No, I do not,” snapped Harry. “As well you know. Now help me search these cases. There must be something we can use.”
The search produced several items, but nothing with which to remove the manacles. With these restricting their every move, escape was impossible. Ferghal’s anger increased as his frustration mounted. “There is nothing here but rubbish and broken tools.” He kicked at the boxes to emphasise his point.
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