by Alex Fall
“Forty two thousand.”
“How much money do you have?” He asked after considering a moment.
“Here's the hard part,” I said as I brought my folded hands up to my lip. “It's kind of illegal for me to leave town, so by helping me you might be charged guilty by association.”
“What?!” He exclaimed. The waitress returning with my bottle of wine stopped at the interruption to check on both of us. I signaled for her to drop it off and leave, which allowed Tetsuro enough time to formulate his next words.
“There's no way I can-”
“Let's get one thing straight,” I cut in. “Just because something is illegal doesn't mean it's wrong. I'm going over there to save a lot of people from a lot of trouble. If you don't believe me, well just look who you're talking to. So you can either come work for me as a non combatant and get paid sixty thousand, or you can stay here and continue as you were except for one minor detail.” I stood and snatched my bottle to leave.
“What detail are you referring to?” He asked nervously.
I paused to lean in close to his face. “You will know my intention of leaving town. And since it's an illegal action and I don't want to get caught, that puts you in a potentially dangerous spot…”
Tetsuro took a second to digest his thoughts then checked my face. I locked on with a deep, soul gazing glare then without words set a contact card by his plate. Then I left a startled Tetsuro to his meal and continued on with the day's errands after picking up my shrimp for the road.
Only one day and there's still much to be done. That's assuming I can get the biggest asset out without anyone noticing. How do I do this?
“Hey Erin!”
The distantly familiar voice caught ears as I was strolling through the streets. I glanced over to a table for those who are insane enough to a eat outside in this wintery weather and saw Marcus, my self proclaimed friend. What's he doing here? What's he doing outside?
“What are you doing outside? Aren't you cold?” the jolly man asked.
“I'm surprised you recognized me through my bundles.”
“It's the eyes,” he replied with a gesture.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I work here. Magistrates gave me a job.”
“No, I meant, here. Outside.”
“Oh! Eating. Want to join?”
“No!” I blurted reflexively. It's way too cold out here. But work? Magistrates? My mind kicked into overdrive.
“What are YOU doing here?” He replied.
“Looking for some help.”
“Anything I can help with?” He perked up.
I smirked. “Actually…”
* * *
My leg twitched in bed, which is what woke me from another bad dream. Keegan was looking for me. I always hear his voice but he couldn't find me. I shook my head and rubbed my face. My room was dark and muted, tinged blue by my own eyes. My head was fuzzy and my stomach was uncomfortable. Today is the day I leave, but it felt no different than any other, except for the blood on my pillowcase. I stumbled over to the sink and noted the dried blood around my nose. Nosebleed. It happens every time I go drinking...
Sharon was still asleep when I began to make my breakfast. Lori was in the cockpit tuning some of the instrument clusters. Wyatt was still on his way. I exited my now cleansed living quarters to stand outside and watch the snow flurries. Normally I wouldn't ever do this, but this time I was waiting on someone. Soon Tetsuro entered my ship's bay with a couple luggage bags.
“It's a good thing you weren't more than ten minutes late,” I greeted. “If you were, the deal would have been off.”
“Sorry, I woke up and- wait, what?” He stuttered.
“Hurry up. If you make me wait in this cold much longer, I still might cancel the deal.” He skittered on board, checking behind himself as if I were going to backstab him. Once there, I heard Lori explain to him my relationship with the cold. I finished the last bite of my food, returned my dishes inside, grabbed a small pack of my own and my cello.
“Is everyone clear on what to do?” I announced as I was about to leave. They ought to be considering we just went over this last night.
“Yes, captain.”
“I...think so?” Tetsuro said.
“Lori, contact me when Wyatt gets here. And make sure Sharon eats.”
“Yes, captain.”
“Wait, who's Sharon?” Tetsuro’s voice echoed as I left.
The cold stung against my face, which was the only thing exposed to this weather. I even activated a couple hand warmers to keep me company as I traveled through the streets. Before long, I ended up waiting on a street corner of no particular consequence. My comm vibrated lightly to let me know someone wanted to talk.
“Lori?”
“Hey. Wyatt's here.”
“Good. As soon as you're ready, leave.”
“I'm ready now captain. Are you ready for us to leave now?”
“Yes, go. I'll see you when I get there.” With that, I reached up and silenced my comm.
It still took about fifteen minutes before Marcus arrived, but on the fourteenth minute, someone called my public comm. Inwardly I laughed. I bet I know who that is…
“Erin De'mus, you better explain what's going on and it better be good,” Hugh barked.
“What are you talking about?”
“Are you telling me that you aren't on board your ship right now?”
“No I'm out and about. What do you do with my home?” I asked with feigned irritation.
“It just took off! Are you sure you're not on board?”
“If I was home, I wouldn't be freezing my *cuss* off. And what do you mean took off? You let someone steal my ship?!” I yelled. This is amusing.
“Ok, this is...I’m going to have to call you back. There's been a development,” Hugh replied. He sounded flustered.
“Don't bother, I'll find them myself!” I ended the call before he could deny me, but afterwards I stood there and chuckled to myself. Idiots. They'll be looking for my ship long before they will realize I'm gone. The fifteenth minute rolled around and as it did, a quiet, light aircraft entered the scene and landed nearby. Marcus opened a window and poked his head out. I waved in return. My ride has arrived at last.
“Hey what's that?” Marcus asked as I was stowing my things.
“A cello.”
“Since when do you know cello?”
“I was surprised you even know what a cello is,” I scoffed.
“I'm surprised YOU know what a cello is,” he returned. “But I'm glad you have one. Art is great for the soul.”
“Yay, philosophy,” I said unexcitedly.
Marcus took a breath. “So you're sure you want to do this?”
“Oh yes. Certain.”
We moved to pick up some final supplies from my lab and my gym, and then headed to the final destination of my stay in the Decapolis. It took several hours to get there. The Board tried contacting me a couple more times but I ignored them as I usually do. The only part of me that hurt in all of this is that I wouldn't get to see Keegan again. I replayed the last image I had of seeing him in his hospital bed. That's not how I want to remember him. I wish it could have been of his smile, or making a meal for me, or teaching me cello. Instead, it was his hollow, dying body. My heart went numb, and it must have shown on my face because Marcus turned to check on me.
“Everything OK?”
“Just thinking of him.”
“The guy you told me about?”
“Yeah…”
“He sounds like an incredible person.”
“You would've liked him more if he spoke Anglo.”
“Don't give up hope. There's still a chance.”
“Marcus...he's in a coma on life support. Zero brain activity. I've seen a lot of dead bodies, so I think I know when someone is dead or not.”
Marcus glanced over at me. “...You don't seem entirely convinced.”
I let a breath ou
t of my nose. “Let's just focus on getting there.”
Soon enough, “there” came in view. What appeared to be a large scale model city embraced by a sprawled station met our eyes. The model city part of it was restored and painted the colors of the Magistracy of the Decapolis, and on its side was a name: Little One.
“Man, you don't appreciate how big it is until you see it from above,” Marcus commented.
“And half of it is hidden under the street level,” I added. “You sure I can pilot this thing?”
“Oh yeah, it can be run on minimal crew. But I think you'll have a friend or two on board with you.”
“Good.”
Marcus laughed. “I can't believe you're going to hijack a pre-war cruiser.”
I smirked as well. “The only one left running, might I add.”
“I'm going to drop you on the platform there, is that good?”
“So long as my stuff doesn't fall off.”
Marcus checked his aircraft interface when the station hailed him. “Well, it's starting. Good luck with everything.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the help. I would say I couldn't have done it without you but...I AM Erin De'mus.”
Marcus rolled his eyes and passed on his clearance code and flew over the old cruiser just long enough to drop me and my crates off under the guise of delivering a “special package.” It was up to him to explain it all, but I'm almost certain I would be pinned with the crime in the end. I stayed on the outside of the juggernaut ship only long enough to tether everything down. After that, it was only a matter of time before I set up a line and made my way into the flight directors tower. I landed on the roof of the structure, threw down another line, and jumped off the twenty-five meter structure. Only a couple meters down and I clamped the line, whipping me into the topmost room. A well placed burn later and the window blew open. Every person inside stood in fright, but before I landed, I spotted a face that presented trouble. Mason. What's a board member doing here? Sorry, but you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I tossed an active smokescreen into the room to cover my tracks and my telltale face.
As I slipped into the room and onto my feet, I transferred all my momentum into Mason with a blow. As he began to fly back, I gripped his coat and swung him around, tripped him, and smashed him headlong onto a console panel. He was out cold before he knew what hit him. The smoke swallowed me and the Board member.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.” I stood and produced an SMG. “Let's keep this simple. Release the Little One from its dock.”
“You're...who are you? W-what is this?” a young man stuttered. The smoke was clogging the room and I was thankful I had a breath filter.
“Do you want to end up like this guy?” I threatened. I heard a worker move towards another console. I aimed my gun at him amidst the gloom. “Oh, and if I catch you calling anyone for help, I'll light this room up and steal the cruiser manually.”
“We don't mean harm. We don't know who you are. Just let everyone else go and we can handle everything. Isn't this a bit much?” a man I assumed to be the Coordinator asked.
I scowled and opened fire into the ceiling, then the doorway to stall the oncoming guards. “Let's simplify this even further! Everyone to the door!”
The workers stood and gasped (which led to coughing.)
“NOW!” I yelled. After gathering everyone (including a knocked out Mason) to the exit, I kept them under tension with my gun while I located the correct control panel. Let's see, Marcus said it was supposed to be console six. Is this one six? Ugh, my eyes are watering a lot. Yes here we are, input command code 786, then 9921, then flip the top two switches of the second row. Distant mechanical noises started up and the old ship creaked.
“Sorry in advance, but I can't have you following me.” I turned and gunned down console six and console two. No security. No undoing what I've done. Hopefully that stalls them. I turned to face the crowd. “You have about 5 seconds to leave the room.”
With that, I pulled a grenade. I haven't seen seen a crowd run so fast in a long while, but in keeping with my bluff I pulled the pin and rolled it towards the door. Smoke further filled the room, and with a tap of the reel, I was pulled back onto the roof, then back onto Little One. Have to hurry, have to hurry…
I clamored over the outside of the massive ship until I found a walkway that took me to the bridge. Surprisingly, the bridge access was unlocked. Even more surprising were the three crewmen waiting for me.
“Captain on deck!” one announced. All three stood and saluted.
“Don't do that ever again,” I muttered, scanning the people present before me.
One of them coughed as they relaxed.
“Are you here to help? Cause most other options will end in your disaster,” I warned.
“Yes captain.”
“Hurry up and get us out of here. Destination coordinates are forthcoming. In the meantime, head northwest and get us away from the city!”
Despite its size, the ship lurched forward and gained altitude at an alarming rate. I had to grab onto a handrail to keep myself from being spilled out on the floor and possibly out the open door. I should have closed that.
The rest was left up to the three mystery friends of Marcus. We disappeared into the sky and soon enough I realized I successfully stole the biggest ship that currently runs. I broke the law and escaped the Decapolis. I beat one of the Board members down. I smirked once more. This is fun. I should do this more often.
Part 31
The shopping center came in view with similar cruising speed of my stealth ship. For as big as this cruiser is, it sure moves fast. The three bonus crewmen on board the Little One seemed loyal to Marcus but apparently he left a good word for me and they jumped right on into the mix with little second guessing. Apparently they viewed it as some kind of honor to work with me, but I didn't really care. It was just nice to have more helping hands. I was taught the basics of handling the cruiser while we traveled, but the three encouraged me not to take the vessel without supervision of at least one of them. In turn, I explained my plans to them.
My laboratory was to be set up within the cruiser. I didn't want anyone having access to my medicines, the cure, any means to synthesize either, or make something new with my things. The cruiser was to never touch ground. I instructed them about flyers and how to handle them if they try to approach. Supplies would be flown on board via intermediary vessels, and all such vessels must be checked and checked again to make sure nothing gets on board that isn't supposed to. A side docking bay was designated for my personal use once I learned my home was compatible. Scanning and field equipment would be incorporated into the cruiser and the cruisers main function would be for overwatch and expediting. I also passed on words of warning about the Leftovers. Hopefully this all works.
We approached outside the grounds of the shopping plaza and Tetsuro acted as a shuttle for me and another crew member to the ground. We were met by a startled and awed group of Nicolette's people. Sharon too was clutched by fear. The cruiser this near to the ground was causing reverberation in the air and faint rumbles in the earth.
“That is what we were waiting for?” a rebel yelled.
“I tried to tell you it was big!” Wyatt yelled back.
“It's pre-war isn't it?” Nicolette asked in a loud voice. “My dad talked about these but I don't even know if he's seen one!”
“Yes it's prewar! I tried to tell you that too!” Wyatt threw in.
“Does that thing have weapons? There's no way to stop it if it gets stolen!” another rebel expressed.
“The weapon systems are offline! The Decapolis felt it was fitting considering the amount of damage these things used to cause!” I answered.
We moved inside the once-upon-a-time clothing store housing the warp gate. It was quieter inside but the presence of the cruiser was inescapable. Most of Nicolette's people were still gawking outside. Sharon joined me by my side. “I d
on't like that thing. It's too big,” she said.
“It's not as scary inside,” I replied.
“Okay, so here's the interesting thing about the warp gate,” Wyatt began. “The size parameters can't be fiddled with. If it's too big, the gate might not be stable enough to pull everything through, and if it's too small, you might just be zapped to death instead of getting warped. I don't know how distance or power input or messing with any of the...baby hula hoops affect any of this.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Baby hoops?”
Wyatt tossed a hand up in defense. “Look, I'm not trained in the ways of the warp gate. I don't know how to work these. I just know...how NOT to work them. But! There is a piece of good news.”
He gestured to Nicolette. She continued explaining by saying, “My guys couldn't figure out the GPS system, and apparently the gate uses its own positioning system, and besides that it has more than one destination point. So we went old school and used the stars. Turns out we are on the same planet, but for some reason we just haven't run into each other. And using the stars, now we know where we are in relation to each other.”
“So we can fly there now?” I asked.
“Yes. Just make sure you fuel up because as far as we know, there's not a lot between here and there.”
“What about the other destination points for the gate?” my bonus crewman asked.
“Still working on that one,” Wyatt answered.
“Nicolette, about Lenburg?” Lori quietly prompted.
“So we're flying there now? Cause I can go get the ship of we're flying there now,” said Tetsuro.
I put a hand up. “Wait for dismissal first.” Tetsuro faded into the background and mumbled something to himself about messing up and hoping he doesn't get fired.
“Yeah. Lenburg…”
“What about it?” I questioned.
“You've left quite the impression,” Nicolette sighed. “Without their precious Seeker to help them, the Reds became more aggressive with their searches. On top of that, security on all the Benevolent owned establishments has increased dramatically, and fighting is picking up again. It's like when I was little…”