The Quest of the DNA Cowboys

by Mick Farren

  'He's quite serious. Reave has decided to stay here.'

  'But why?'

  'I like it here, Billy. You kept telling me that we were look­ing for something. Well, I've found it. I want to stay here.'

  'Don't you think it's a bit early to decide?'

  A.A. Catto answered for him.

  'He's made up his mind. He's staying,'

  Billy turned to face her.

  'What have you done to him? Reave never used to wear makeup and jewellery.'

  A.A. Catto's large blue eyes flashed with anger.

  'What's wrong with makeup and jewellery?'

  Billy shrugged.

  'Nothing. It's just . . .'

  'It's just that you've got a narrow hillbilly mind.'

  Reave fingered his silver collar.

  'It's not exactly how it appears, Billy. It's . . .'

  A.A. Catto interrupted him.

  'Shall I tell you how it really is, Billy? Shall I tell you what his pretty collar's really for?'

  There was the hint of a sneer in her voice. Billy sat very still as A.A. Catto went on.

  'The reason that Reave likes it here is that he doesn't have to think too much. It's easy for him.'

  She held up her hand.

  'See my ring. See how it matches Reave's pretty collar. They are linked together. With my little ring I can give him amazing pleasure, or I can punish him. He doesn't have to think about a thing.'

  Billy swung round on Reave.

  'Is this true, man? Is this what you want?'

  Reave stared at the floor and said nothing. A.A. Catto again answered.

  'It's what he wants. Watch.'

  She turned her ring. Reave gasped and arched his back. Billy's mouth dropped open.

  'You did that to him.'

  Reave was shaking his head dazedly. A.A. Catto laughed.

  'My little ring, and his pretty collar. He doesn't have to worry any more. He likes that.'

  'You've made him into a pet.'

  'He likes it.'

  Billy stooped beside Reave.

  'Do you, Reave? Is this what you want?'

  Slowly Reave nodded.

  'I guess so, Billy.'

  'But you're her slave, man. Just an object to keep around the place. Is that the way you want it to be?'

  'I think so, Billy.'

  'You're crazy. What's going to happen when she gets tired of you?'

  'I don't know. I'll deal with that when the time comes.'

  A.A. Catto rolled over on the bed and smiled spitefully.

  'What's the matter, Billy, are you upset because he's mine now? Did the two of you use to be lovers?'

  Billy looked up in surprise.

  'Of course not. It was nothing like that.'

  'What was it like, then?'

  'We . . . we were partners.'

  'That's different.'

  'Sure.'

  'Well, you've lost him.'

  Billy looked helplessly at Reave.

  'Tell her, Reave. Tell her how we left Pleasant Gap to look for something good. Tell her how it was. Reave.'

  He waved his hand round the room.

  'We didn't come all this way, and go through all those troubles to end up with this. This ain't what we came looking for.'

  Reave looked up at Billy. His voice was very quiet.

  'I didn't come looking for anything, Billy. I didn't have no dream. I just came for the ride.'

  Billy slumped in his chair. A.A. Catto draped her shawl round her shoulders, and stood up.

  'It looks like that's it, Billy. You'll have to follow your dream on your own now. Reave's staying here with me. That's right, isn't it, Reave?'

  Reave nodded silently. She smiled sweetly.

  'Of course, you must feel free to be our guest for as long as you like. Maybe you'll decide to settle down here. I know some of the other ladies have their eyes on you.'

  Billy stayed exactly three days.

  On the first he lay around his apartment and sported with the Hostess-1s.

  On the second he went to a party that A.A. Catto threw to show off Reave, and was taken off by Juno Meltzer to sport with her.

  On the third he decided to leave. He left Juno Meltzer still asleep and made his way back to his own apartment. The Hostess-1s were waiting for him.

  'Did you have a good night, Mister Billy?'

  'Yeah. It was fine.'

  'How may we serve you today? We have a few suggestions.'

  'I'm leaving.'

  'Leaving, Mister Billy?'

  'That's what I said.'

  'Have we displeased you?'

  'Of course not. It's just time to move on.'

  'We're sorry you don't like it here. Are there any services we may perform before you leave here?'

  'Yeah. You could get me my old clothes, my porta-pac and my gun. If it's possible, I'd like some transport to the edge of town.'

  'We'll have to clear it with Miss Catto.'

  They had a brief conversation with A.A. Catto through the vid-screen and then turned back to Billy.

  'Miss Catto has authorized your request. We'll arrange everything.'

  They left the room, and reappeared half an hour later. They presented Billy with his clothes, which were cleaned and pressed, his belt, his porta-pac and his gun. He quickly changed and came back to the Hostess-1s. One of them gave Billy a leather shoulder bag.

  'A gift from Miss Catto.'

  It contained food concentrates and a water bottle.

  'Did you fix transport?'

  'There'll be a Personnel car in the compound. It will take you to the edge of the valley.'

  'Okay. I guess I'll be going.'

  He kissed both the girls, and grinned at them.

  'Thanks for everything.'

  They looked confused.

  'It's not your place to thank us.'

  He touched the door stud.

  'I thought it would make a change.'

  The doors closed behind him. He rode down in the lift, and followed the signs to the Personnel compound. A grey-uni­formed driver saluted smartly and opened the car door. Billy sat in the back and smoked a cigar as he was whisked past the shacks and ruins. The car halted at the edge of the hills. Billy climbed out of the vehicle and the driver sped away without a word.

  Billy turned and started to walk up the track. The thought crossed his mind that maybe he should have waited till the end of the day. Then he could have walked off into the sunset in the grand classic manner. He dismissed the idea as pointless. There was, after all, no one to watch.

  About the Author

  MICK FARREN is a product of St. Martin's School of Art, Phun City, IT, Nasty Tales and an Old Bailey obscenity trial. He now writes full-time and has had two previous novels published. The Quest of the DNA Cowboys is the first of a brilliant new Science Fantasy trilogy.