All about them, people either dozed or watched the monitors positioned to the front and sides of the air transport’s interior. Most of the news centered on the takeover of their world’s government and military powers. Jaer kept his head down but watched the display streaming across the multiple screens.
“They appear to be local transmissions,” Roni said in a hushed tone.
“The enemy has control of the media,” Jaer said in a low voice. He turned to gaze at Roni. “Restriction of the news would have been high on the enemy’s priority before allowing the stations to return to their broadcasting.”
Roni’s brow furrowed and she nodded, looking away from the screens to the scenery passing by the clear window.
The streaming DVSL around them changed, showing the interior of the spaceport on Arranoth. First Erynn’s face flashed on, followed by Tiar, Sean, Roni, and himself. Jaer watched the screens and listened to the voice of a male reporter’s account.
“Lieutenant Erynn Yager, Commanding General Damon Yager’s daughter, is wanted for questioning in the attempted assassination of General Cale Athru. In a failed effort only days ago, Lieutenant Yager, along with her four companions, plotted to kill General Athru during his recent visit to Korin to gain recognition for his popular cause of an intensified alliance between our worlds. General Athru, aided by one of Admiral Newell’s top officers, Captain Faylen, were unsuccessful in an attempt to detain Lieutenant Yager at the spaceport at Arranoth. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Yager or her companions should report to the local authorities.”
Jaer bared his teeth, gripping the seat back in front of him. The blue padded metal bent under his powerful hold.
“None of the report is true,” Roni whispered, ducking her face.
Jaer raised his head and scanned the immediate area. “Newell is not brainless. He hopes to have the entire populace of Arranon searching for us. He is using the resources at hand, and he is attempting to pit Korin and Arranon against each other again. We are no threat if divided and quarrelling among ourselves.”
“The reports won’t be believed,” Roni stated in a harsh whisper.
“Some may believe,” Jaer said. “There will be those that need to believe, to avoid the unpleasant truth.”
Roni nodded.
Lights blinked on in the cabin of the transport. Outside, dark enveloped them as they moved into a tunnel. Jaer sensed eyes on him but was unable to locate anyone that seemed concerned about him or Roni.
“We should get off at the next stop.” Jaer loosened his grasp on the seat back. Roni took a deep breath. She prepared, as he did, for what lay ahead.
The next stop was underground. Artificial light flooded the area. Jaer and Roni followed several commuters off the transport. Monitors throughout the platform displayed information cycling around to report the lead story of Erynn, wanted in connection with the attempt on Cale’s life. People hurried to get off and on the air coach from the crowded platform. Jaer and Roni remained unnoticed for now, but that would end soon.
A woman stood staring at a monitor showing children playing in a park.
More of Newell’s propaganda.
Jaer’s jaw tightened. Her briefcase, covered by a blue jacket, stood behind her. Jaer motioned to Roni, walked behind the woman, and reached down, grabbing the coat. He handed it to Roni, and she slipped into the jacket as they rushed up the stairs leading away from the platform.
Outside, tall buildings of clear glass, chiseled stone, and heavy steel beams surrounded them. Transports dashed by in both directions on the busy street. The sun shone out of a clear blue sky.
Jaer felt vulnerable and out of his element, noticeable among the crowd. Few of the citizens of Tamaagra wore their hair in the time-honored style as he did. His size was also gaining him some attention. He was a powerful man. His black uniform accentuated his presence. The people on the walkway glanced in his direction, eyes widening, sidestepping his approach.
“We need transportation,” Roni said. “We’re starting to get noticed. It’ll only be a matter of time before we’re recognized.”
“Tell me about it,” Jaer grumbled.
They passed a restaurant with tables set up outside along the walkway. Roni moved over to a vacant table and pulled out a chair. “Stay here. I’ll see what I can find. Relax. Order something.” She smiled. “You give the impression you’re about to grab and eat a small child.”
Jaer chuffed and sneered at Roni. “Funny,” he said but smiled at her before she walked away.
Jaer touched a small screen at the center of the table, and a menu appeared. He indicated his choices. The screen went dark. A server emerged from inside the restaurant and set a plate of food and a large pitcher down in front of Jaer, disappearing back inside without a second glance. Jaer watched the young man over his shoulder.
He’s used to tourists and strangers.
A mother, her arms loaded with packages, guided two children over and sat down at the table next to his. She dropped her purchases on the empty chair between her and one of the children. The mother and the eldest child, a girl, watched the DVSL at the front of the restaurant. Jaer averted his face when his picture appeared on the screen. The youngest child, a boy, stared at him, obviously taken by Jaer’s unusual appearance.
“Great,” Jaer mumbled, locking eyes with the young boy.
Roni walked up and sat down across from Jaer, between him and the staring child. She picked up a fork and helped herself to the food on his plate.
Jaer poured her a glass from the pitcher.
“Isn’t it a little early for that?” she asked around a mouthful while indicating the glass he poured with a nod.
“You told me to relax,” Jaer said, glancing up and down the street, surveying the people passing by.
“Don’t get too relaxed,” she said, swallowing. “I need you to be alert.”
“It would take more than this,” he said, raising the tall glassful and grinning at her. Jaer ordered another plate of food, and it arrived as quickly as the first.
Roni began to eat. “So, you like Erynn?”
Jaer dropped his fork and glared at her.
“What? You aren’t allowed to have feelings for her?” Roni asked, not backing down from Jaer’s menacing gaze.
He turned his attention back to the passing pedestrians.
“She likes you too, you know.”
Jaer pushed his plate away. “Now is not the time,” he said, not looking at Roni. “I have a job to do.”
“This may be the only time,” Roni whispered.
Is what Roni says true? Does Erynn care for me?
He sensed Roni’s eyes on him, searching for a reaction. “Were you able to get a transport?” Jaer asked, changing the subject.
Roni smiled. “Okay, you don’t want to talk about her or your feelings toward her. And yes, I have a transport. It’s parked just down the street.” She indicated the way with a nod of her head while laying down a thin metal prong.
Jaer glanced at her. “That was fast.” He deposited what they owed into a slot next to the monitor. “Let’s go.”
Roni took one last bite and rushed to catch Jaer as he hurried away.
Chapter 26
CAPTAIN FAYLEN ENTERED DAMON YAGER’S home. Admiral Newell had taken up residence here when it was necessary for him to be on planet. Faylen smiled. Commanding General Yager certainly didn’t need these quarters any more. He stepped toward the small office off the foyer. Sentries parted, allowing him to enter.
Newell sat behind a solid wooden desk. Faylen removed his blocked cap from his shaved head and took a seat.
“When are you leaving, Captain?” Newell sat back and the chair creaked.
“After you’re briefed, sir. There’s a ship waiting.”
“Good. The sooner we can persuade Erynn Yager to assist in our conquest over Arranon, the sooner we can leave these appalling worlds—the openness, the strange scents, the disorder.” Newell looked out the window
and shuddered. “Too disturbing.”
“Yes, sir.” Faylen looked out at a blue sky, sunshine, and trees swaying in the warm breeze.
I find it pleasant here.
“Give me your report, Faylen.”
Because of records of vouchers purchased and surveillance vids, they knew Erynn’s destination.
Faylen cleared his throat. “By late morning Tamaagra’s time, the city will be covered. No one will enter or leave without first passing through a checkpoint. It will be impossible to walk down a street without running into a patrol. If they are in the city, or try to enter, we’ll have them.”
Newell smiled. “I want you in Tamaagra as soon as possible, Captain. See to this operation personally. I don’t have to remind you of the importance of detaining Yager.”
“I’ll find her, Admiral,” Faylen said. He stood up, saluted, and strode from the room.
Chapter 27
JAER HURRIED TO THE FIRST stop on their route—an outlet that sold bulk packaged food. He wanted to get this done quickly and get back. Their luck wouldn’t hold. Someone would soon recognize them from the frequently broadcasted descriptions.
A CMD (City Map Directory) in the transport gave directions to the simple building with towering shelves meagerly stocked, and full of patrons.
Newell’s occupation is good for business.
Activity in the large warehouse was useful for Jaer and Roni, also. People here were too busy to take notice of other shoppers. Jaer and Roni were overlooked as they filled two large packs and entered a long line of people waiting to pay. The atmosphere was somber, the conversations around them hushed. No DVSLs played endless loops of misinformation. Jaer remained alert, glancing out the wide windows at the front of the building. The line moved them slowly toward the disbursement counter.
A stocky man leaving with his arms full bumped Jaer as he passed. “Sorry.” The man glanced into Jaer’s unyielding face and then quickly down, darting away.
Jaer watched the retreating man.
The man stopped after a few meters, turning back to stare at Jaer. Backing up until he was even with Roni, he whispered, “Don’t leave through the front doors. There are soldiers patrolling outside.” The man rushed away, not looking back.
Jaer’s head snapped toward the windows. Troopers clad in gray-green armor, heavy weapons held in front of them, ambled up and down the walkway. Jaer’s jaw tightened. He set the pack he held down in front of Roni. “Stay here. I’m going to check the rear exits.” His voice was low, his focus on getting himself and Roni out of this safely.
Before he could move, a store clerk walked up, her expression grave. “Come with me. I’ll get you out the back door. There are no soldiers watching the alley yet.”
Jaer reached down and grabbed the pack, pushing Roni ahead of him. The clerk ushered them to the rear of the building and a heavy door. She punched buttons and silenced the alarm. The woman slid a flat green disc through an oblong receptacle. The door glided open in silence.
Jaer peered into the deserted alley. “Thank you,” he said, glancing at the clerk.
The woman had a pretty, round face, but her preoccupation with the recent worry had etched lines around her mouth and eyes.
Roni reached into her pocket, pulling out a handful of krigunds.
“No, I won’t take payment. Ignore what the reports are saying about you. Most of us know the truth, and we’re behind you. It’s our honor to assist the Anbas against the oppression placed on us by Newell’s regime.” She smiled, and the act revealed a glimmer of the attractive woman under the mask of fear and concern. “Please help us—help all of us.” Tears shone in her sad gray eyes.
Jaer gripped her shoulder gently and nodded. “We will try,” he said. “I promise.”
The woman turned, wiping at her eyes, and ran back into the main warehouse.
Jaer glared after her, the muscles in his face tight. Roni pushed at Jaer, and he slipped outside. She followed, and Jaer depressed a panel that closed the door. Trash-compaction units lined the backs of the buildings on both sides of the shaded, quiet alley.
“Can we make it back to the transport?” Roni asked in a low voice.
“No,” Jaer whispered. “We’re on foot again. I don’t think we should chance the air-rail either.”
Roni nodded. “I believe you’re right, but what about the rest of the supplies?”
“We’re going to have to figure out another way to get what we need, and transportation,” Jaer said.
They strapped their packs on and set off up the alley to where the narrow access crossed a main thoroughfare. Jaer stood with his back pressed against the rear wall of a building and peered up and then down the street. Sweat trickled along his temple. Armored troops stood on the corners to the far right and left on both sides of the street. The soldiers held long, bulky weapons, and watched the pedestrians that cut a wide path around them. Jaer imagined he could hear the armed men’s laughter at the intimidation they caused, but he knew that wasn’t possible. His emotions were high. He needed to pull his loathing in, for now, and concentrate on getting out of Tamaagra alive.
To Erynn. I will tell her how I feel about her. Roni is right. There may not be much time left for us.
Jaer stared ahead. The alleyway across the busy street was clear. He stepped back into shadowed concealment. “We’ll have to find a way to cross without alerting the soldiers of our presence,” Jaer said, watching the transports darting past in both directions. He gazed up at the rooftops. The span over the street between the buildings stretched above him.
“There has to be a way,” Roni muttered, gancing around their immediate area and back the way they had come.
Jaer realized he needed to regard the city like any unknown setting filled with risks and possibilities. There was a natural balance to the workings of an environment if you just stopped and considered the components.
“Follow me,” Jaer barked. He’d watched the traffic and detected an ebb and flow, a pattern. Jaer left the cover of the alley, his head down, glancing peripherally up and then down to where the soldiers stood. He stepped off the walkway, crossing in the middle of the street to the far side during a receding flow and ahead of a surge approaching from both directions. Their actions didn’t disconcert the oncoming transports, and they had not been alone in their dash across the street.
Once he was in the cover of the deep shadows of the next alleyway, Jaer listened for the shouts of the troopers alerted to their location. His heart pounded in his chest, and he wiped sweat from his eyes. There were no calls of alarm, no snap and scrape of running boots pursuing them. Jaer glanced at Roni. She wiped at her face. He nodded, frowning. The trooper’s incompetent and inattentive method was difficult for him to comprehend. They were careless and undisciplined, but he was grateful for their failings nonetheless. Jaer pushed his back against the stone wall and slid up to the edge, peering out at the busy street. The soldiers stood in their same locations, watching the people passing by.
Jaer and Roni continued crossing several busy streets in this manner, unnoticed, until they hit a dead end. Three transports sat parked at the back of a squat building. Jaer tried the door of the first.
Locked.
Roni tried the second and shook her head.
The third opened and they stripped off their packs, throwing them in ahead as they pressed inside. Jaer smashed the center console with his fist and ripped apart the wiring. He carefully reattached two wires, and the vehicle whirred to life.
Jaer backed around, facing the street off the alley. The transport’s dark tinted windows offered a degree of concealment. Roni’s hair was damp, sticking to her reddened face. She adjusted the climate control unit until cool air blew over both of them. Jaer moved into the line of traffic heading away from the city center and back to residential areas. The soldiers on the corners and walking the streets barely glanced at the passing transports.
“They don’t seem to be interested in the street traffic,” Roni
said. “That must mean there will be numerous blockades established on the main routes.” She faced forward as they moved along smoothly. “We’re being funneled into a trap.”
Jaer turned right and then left, zigzagging his way onto less traveled streets and into a housing sector. “Yes. That is exactly what they are attempting.”
Armored soldiers were everywhere. They patrolled the residential area as heavily as the business district. Jaer pulled onto the tree-shrouded drive of a large home and stopped.
“I’ll see if anyone’s around.” Jaer got out of the transport, the engine still whirring. He hurried up the walk and stood at the door, peering in darkened windows. He saw no movement within. It appeared no one was home. He tried the door.
From behind him, a mechanical voice stopped his efforts. “What are you doing?”
Jaer turned slowly. Two armor-clad men, their weapons held ready, stood behind him in the landscaped yard, the street beyond obscured by dense vegetation.
They must have come from around the back of the house up the side path.
Jaer stepped down from the entry and approached the soldiers, his arms loose at his sides. “I have locked myself out. I hoped my cheille was still home to let me in,” he said with a submissive tone and manner.
The two relaxed.
Foolish.
Jaer smiled.
“Let me see your credentials,” one of the soldiers said, his voice tinny.
“Of course,” Jaer said while reaching into his back pocket and stepping forward off the walk. There was a staser concealed at the small of his back under his tunic. “Oh wait, there is my cheille now.”
Storm of Arranon Page 16