Zero

by J. S. Collyer

  “Screw smooth response,” Webb muttered, starting to reprogramme the panel. “I want to feel my ship.” He didn't get the argument he was expecting which made him uneasy but a glance in More's direction showed he had the slight tightening of his cheeks which was the closest he ever got to showing amusement. “See?” Webb said, still re-routing command signals. “Thomas knows what I mean. I can't believe you let him do this to the Zero, More.”

  “Sorry, Commander,” More said. “We're coming into the satellite's space now, Captain.”

  “Hail and get us a dock, Sub-Lieutenant.”

  As More was getting the satellite's control on the comm, Webb went further into the command controls. It was like coming home. In terms of time he was aware of, he'd only been separated from the Zero for a few days. But it felt like his fingers were rediscovering everything, like they knew he had been away for months and months. It soothed him and he immersed himself in it, not even realising when More had handed control entirely to him. He guided them into dock, feeling every inch of the ship respond.

  There was a clunk and a shudder as the ship berthed. Webb took a moment longer with his hands on the controls just enjoying the feel of it and refusing to think about anything else.

  “Hey,” he blinked out the viewscreen as the midshipman came into sight, crossed the dock towards the exit with a heavy pack. “Where's Kinjo going?”

  “Leave her.”

  Webb frowned at Hugo. He wasn’t looking at him. “What’s going on, Hugo?”

  “I said leave her, Commander. That's an order.”

  Webb ignored Hugo's barked protest and ran from the bridge and scrambled down the ladder into the hold. “Kinjo,” he called as he ran down the ramp and into the dock. “Wait up!” She increased her pace but so did he and caught her by the elbow before she went through the exit. “Kinjo, what's the deal?”

  “Let me go,” she said, not looking at him. Her eyes were hard as she stared at the door.

  “You're leaving?” he panted. “Why?”

  “I...” She stopped, hoisted her pack higher on her shoulder and tried again. “I can't stay.”

  “Why?”

  She looked at him then. He flinched at the hardness in her eyes. “Let me go.”

  “Not until you explain what the hell you're doing.”

  “You don't understand.”

  “You're telling me.”

  “You promised me,” she cried out after a long pause. “You promised...”

  “Iena...”

  “Don't.” She breathed in and out and he let go of her elbow. She stared at a spot over his shoulder. “Webb…you promised me I would never be scared and alone again... you promised me that. And then you were... you were gone.”

  Webb felt his throat tighten. “I'm sorry,” he managed. “I didn't mean for that to happen.”

  “Of course you didn't,” she spat. Her eyes burned. “You never think... never think what it would be like for those you leave behind.”

  Webb felt like he'd been kicked in the stomach. He looked at the anger flaring in her eyes and felt it singe his skin. “But it's okay, Iena. I'm back now. I can protect you again.”

  She shook her head. “You can't. Not now.”

  She swept through the hatch into the corridor beyond. The door hissed shut behind her and he stood there feeling boneless.

  “She took it hard...” Webb blinked at a burning around his eyes and looked back at Rami stood behind him. “We all did.” He stared at the lieutenant, trying to untangle the emotions warring in her eyes. But his chest was aching and his head was spinning. “Come on,” she said. She hesitated the barest second then held her hand out. He looked at it for a moment then took it and allowed her to lead him back aboard.

  ɵ

  Most of their dealings on X10-899 passed Hugo in a daze. Some part of him marvelled that he was able to negotiate trade without having to concentrate. He tried to sink himself in overseeing the exchanges and some much-needed maintenance on the Zero's engines to distract himself from the cloud of uncertainty that hung around him.

  Webb went quiet for a time after Kinjo left and this had Hugo on a knife edge, concentrating on trying to act normal but watching the clone for any sign he was suspecting something was wrong. But when the clone eventually eased and became more himself again, this only muddled Hugo’s emotions further. It was like he'd learned to live without a limb, only to have it grow back overnight. It was getting under Hugo's skin. He was glad when they were back in drift and he had a mission to anchor him.

  “There are plenty of traders along the Earth-side rim that would give us a good price,” More was saying as he adjusted their course towards Lunar 4.

  “Get us a dock on one of the spokes,” Hugo said. “We need to check in on Calle and Javi whilst we're here.”

  “Do you think they'll have anything for us yet?”

  “They’d better,” Hugo muttered.

  “Jesus, Hugo,” Webb said. “When did you get so good at this?”

  “Whilst you were off doing your sleeping beauty act,” Hugo said. “Adjust course and get ready on the comm.” Webb chuckled and Hugo felt a small smile of his own creep over his face.

  ɵ

  “Are you sure about taking him onto the colony, Captain?” More said as he shouldered his pack and glanced across the hold to where Webb was examining one of the new motorbikes.

  “Whoever made him will want him back,” Hugo replied. “We need to draw them out.”

  “Very well, Captain.”

  “What is it?”

  More shook his head. “Nothing, Captain.”

  “I know when you're thinking something you won't say, More.”

  More sighed. “It's him, Captain,” he said with a shrug. “I know it's not. But it is. It feels like we're lying to him.”

  “I know,” Hugo said. “But we have our orders. And if we ever want to track down the sons of bitches that killed him, we'll have to deal with it.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Glad to see you've not let everything go to shit, Hugo,” Webb called as he re-attached the cover over another bike. “Though I think we need to have words about your stock in the galley.”

  “Fruit packs are healthy, Commander,” Hugo growled, weaving his way towards the Jeep and climbing into the driver's seat.

  “Healthy's for the dying,” Webb said, getting into the passenger seat. “We're picking up turkey jerky while we're here.”

  “That was something I didn't miss,” Sub grumbled as he climbed in the back.

  “Aw, Sub,” Webb said, twisting in his seat. “Does that mean you missed the rest of me?”

  Sub grumbled and Webb laughed. Hugo felt something ease in him. He knew it wasn't real. He knew it wouldn't end well. But right now, it was like his crew was whole again.

  Just so long as he didn't think of Kinjo... Kinjo covered in Webb's blood.

  Hugo shook his head and started the engine. “More?” he called out the window. “Are you joining us?”

  “Yes, sir,” More said, pocketing his panel and clambering up into the back of the Jeep with Sub.

  Lunar 4 customs took a thorough scan of the Jeep and a download of the inventory. The officers were efficient but surly, frowning over their fake gun licenses, and Hugo was shifting in his seat and growling by the time they had got through onto a groundway that lead to the colony intersections.

  “I love Lunar 4,” Webb said, smiling as they came out into the dull light of the start of the day cycle. “Everyone talks funny like More.”

  “This from the colony-born Yank,” More muttered.

  Webb laughed. “Hey, who are Calle and Javi anyway?”

  “Just some fences,” Hugo said. “We're coming up towards the industrial intersection now. You and Sub go with the ore. Remember we need lifter giros. Stay on the comm.”

  “Trade?” Webb whined. “Come on, that's boring. Let me come deal with the fences.”

  “Negative, Commander. They don't know you.
”

  “I'm a likeable guy. Come on, Hugo. I wanna see what kind of points you've picked up on your own.”

  “Go with the crewman, Webb,” Hugo growled. “That's an order.”

  “I see you haven't had the rod removed.”

  “And I see your near-death experience has not improved your attitude any. Let Sub broker the deals and sit in the background and be quiet. You have been out of the game too long. Listen and learn.”

  “Listen and learn,” Webb snorted. “Not like I was in the game for fifteen years before that or anything...”

  Hugo pulled the Jeep over and glared at Webb until he climbed out, grinning. “Come on then, Sub. Let's go have some fun.”

  Hugo pulled the Jeep back into the thin traffic of the mid-level groundway. He saw More watch out the back until Webb and Sub were out of sight. “Do we have anything to barter with, Captain?”

  “They were looking for baranium traders last time we were here.”

  “Lucwitz won't be in business for much longer.”

  “Calle and Javi don't know that.”

  More nodded and lapsed into silence.

  The Jeep drove into the shadow of Carlisle Block and pulled up outside Su Casa. The boarding house sign had been repainted in the last four months but otherwise the only difference was that another of the windows on the lower level had been boarded over. Calle himself was behind the counter in the gloomy reception, feet propped up on a broken air conditioner, watching zero-g handball on a display too large for the reception booth.

  “Hola. Twin or double?” He looked up with a grin, took in More and Hugo and his face shifted. “Well, well. Back again? Business or pleasure?”

  “Javi here?”

  Calle's eyes narrowed. “Business, then?

  Hugo stood with his arms folded.

  Calle sighed. “Allana,” he called over his shoulder. “Cover the front. Come on then, Captain.”

  Hugo glanced around then followed Calle through a door behind the counter. They went through the darkened kitchen then through another door into a room far more lavishly furnished than the rest of the building. Calle's twin was there, talking in Spanish to a video display in the wall. He looked over his shoulder as they came in, paused, muttered a few more words to a rather startled looking person on the other end then cut the feed.

  “Kaleb? And Thomas too?” Javi said, smiling to show perfect white teeth. “I didn't expect you back this soon.”

  “Do you have anything?”

  Javi came forward with an exaggerated shrug. “Come now, Captain. The sort of information you want takes time. Fences don't give their contacts up just like that, you know.”

  “I thought you said you could talk your way round anyone?”

  Javi clasped his hands together, smiling yet more broadly. “Of course I can. And your collateral is worth it, I know. Patience, amigo. You will get your names.”

  Hugo glanced at More who was stood silently behind him with hands clasped behind his back. He wasn't sure what he was expecting to get from his sub-lieutenant, but whatever it was, he didn't get it and had to bolster his courage on his own. “I have something else to add to my collateral. If you can give me something now as a show of good faith.”

  The brothers took on the same carefully guarded expression.

  “Good faith, you say?” Javi said. “But where are my manners? You think living on Lunar 4 with the colony Anglos for this long would have improved them. Calle? Wine?”

  “No, thank you,” Hugo said as Calle moved to a handsome cabinet in the corner.

  “Are you sure? We have the real deal, you know.”

  “I don't doubt it. But we're in a hurry.”

  “You always seem to be in a hurry, Hugo,” Calle said, pouring red wine from a decanter. “You should learn to slow down occasionally. Live a little.”

  Hugo ground his teeth, but breathed through his immediate reaction seeing Javi watching him.

  “Go on then, Kaleb,” Javi purred. “What have you got to tempt us with?”

  “The name of a baranium dealer.”

  Javi and Calle were quiet for a moment whilst Calle handed a glass to his brother. “Just a name?”

  “And a location,” More said.

  Javi sipped, dark eyes boring into Hugo. “Can this name be linked back to you?”

  “Does that matter to you?”

  “Why, Kaleb,” Javi said, swilling his wine. “I'm hurt. Your welfare is very dear to me.”

  “Do you want the name or not?”

  “Well,” Calle said, perching on one of the deep couches. “That all depends. What is this show of good faith you expect us to extend?”

  Hugo swallowed. “Just a name. Let me know if you've heard it recently.”

  “A name for a name?” Javi said and looked at his brother. “Seems fair.”

  “Go on then, Hugo,” Calle said. “What name are you hoping we haven't heard?”

  Hugo hesitated long enough to look at More. His face was still impassive, though he did meet and hold Hugo's gaze.

  “Come, come, gentlemen,” Javi urged, perching next to his brother. “No division in the ranks I hope?”

  “No,” Hugo said. “It's just a delicate matter.”

  “They are our speciality.”

  Hugo took a breath. “Ezekiel Webb.” The twins took a mouthful of their wine. Javi looked at Hugo. Calle looked at the wall. The seconds ticked by and Hugo felt his heart beat rise. “Well?”

  “He was your commander, wasn't he?” Javi said. “The one with a contract out on him about a year ago. Disappeared, didn’t he?”

  “Yes.”

  Javi and Calle looked at each other then. Hugo held his hands at his sides with an effort.

  “Calm down, Kaleb,” Javi said, looking at his expression. “You'll give yourself an aneurysm. In what context might we have heard his name, do you think?”

  “Just tell me, yes or no,” Hugo said.

  Javi sighed and sat forward on the couch, elbows on knees and looking up at Hugo through his fringe. “This is a big show of faith, Hugo, I hope you realise this?” Hugo kept quiet and just swallowed against his dry throat. Javi looked back at his brother. Calle took another sip of wine then gave an infinitesimal nod. Javi sighed. “Yes, Hugo. We've heard the name. There's another contract out on him. Different terms this time.”

  “What terms?”

  “Live capture only,” Javi said.

  “Whereas before?”

  “If you want details of the first contract, Hugo, you're going to need more to trade with.”

  Hugo clenched and unclenched his fists. “Who?”

  Calle sighed. “That's as much as we know, Hugo, and I'll tell you this for free, in good faith, as you say: we didn't know who put the contract out first time, either. Just the terms.”

  “Granted we didn't try too hard to find out,” Javi said, getting to his feet and moving back to the wine cabinet. “But no one asked us to. If only you'd run into us a few months sooner, eh, Hugo?”

  “That's all you have?”

  “That, and this,” Javi said. “You might want to find him before anyone else does. The return is worth anyone's while. You're lucky we like you or we might have put feelers out of our own.” Javi smiled again, though there was an edge there this time.

  “Now, Captain Hugo,” Calle said. “This dealer?”

  “Lucwitz,” Hugo said. “Pole-Aitken, Southern Quarter. Ask at the Crescent Inn.”

  Calle drained his glass whilst Javi nodded. “Thank you, Kaleb,” he said with another smile. “Pleasure doing business. Now, you'll both stay for dinner, yes?”

  “Thanks, no,” Hugo said, already heading towards the door.

  “Come again soon,” Javi said as the door closed.

  “Captain, I think we need to get the clone back out of sight,” More muttered as they hurried down the pitted walkway. “If the contract is as lucrative as they're saying, we'll have a hard time keeping him safe.”

  Hugo w
as already tapping a command into the comm on his wrist panel. “Commander? Webb, do you read?”

  No reply. More tried too and still no response.

  “Sub? Crewman Subune, do you copy?”

  “Captain?”

  “Webb? Why are you whispering?”

  “Ran into a bit of trouble, Captain,” came Webb's mumbled reply. “We're hidden... oh shit.” There was a muffled shout and the sound of Sub cursing and a crash and the link went dead. Hugo tried to reconnect with no luck.

  “Come on,” Hugo called over his shoulder, running down the walkway and splashing through puddles of grey water before scrambling back into the driver's seat of the Jeep. “Can you get a trace on their wrist panels?”

  More was tapping at his panel. “It's always been difficult on a colony. The metal interferes with the signal... wait... got him. Head rimwards, captain. They're still in the industrial markets.”

  The groundways were getting busier with the rising day-cycle. The skyways hummed above them and the intersections in the trading areas were already rammed. Hugo cursed and swung them onto emptier side streets, More shouting directions and attempting to raise the others on the comm.

  They rounded a corner and came up against a solid fence surrounding an industrial lot, the stalls still shut up. There was an alarm blaring somewhere in the distance.

  “They're in there somewhere, Captain,” More said, checking the readings on his panel.

  Hugo growled, climbing out and drawing his gun. More followed, clambering over the wire fence at Hugo's side and hauling himself over the top. Hugo dropped to the ground a second after him and let him take the lead. They raced across the tarmac, weaving between the stalls. A sleepy stall owner opened a window to peer out as they ran by, but pulled back with a squawk as gunfire rang out somewhere up ahead.

  As they continued to weave amongst the maze of stalls Hugo began to think they would never find their way out again when there was a familiar voice shouting and Webb and Sub came stumbling round a corner. Hugo and More skidded to a halt and they ran up, panting.

  “What happened?” Hugo said but they didn't have time to answer when a yell and the sound of an engine revving came from around the next stall. “Split up,” Hugo barked. “More, you and Sub head that way, we'll go this. Whoever gets to the Jeep first get it the hell away from here and wait for the others to come in on the comm. Move.”