Voices of Hope (The Seafort Saga Book 5)

by David Feintuch

Pook seemed as winded as I. “Whereya goin’, Jared?”

  I brandished my knife. “Get away! I’ll kill you!”

  Pook snorted. “Look at ’im, Swee. Thinks he c’n hold us widda frazzin’ toy.”

  My breath came in a sob. “Goddamn you!”

  Pook licked his lips and edged closer. Despite my race through the humid night, I felt a chill.

  Allie pushed Pook aside. “He diss Krand. He mine.”

  I wasn’t going to be a prisoner. I wouldn’t be tied, carved upon, fed scraps, thrown into a reeking elevator.

  “Kill me, bitch? Go ahead and try!” I spat. “Lose the best chance you’ll ever fucking have!”

  “Wha?”

  I pounded my chest; flinched at the pain. “You trannie bitch, I can bring down a tower. Can this asshole Pook?” I aimed a kick at his kneecap, but missed. “But we need Halber’s help. Fifty men, maybe less. Enough to buy time!”

  If they wouldn’t listen I would die here on the street, with no chance to exact my revenge. In a moment of clarity I realized I hated them all equally: Pook, Allie, Halber, Dad, the frazzing Old Man and his bitch wife Arlene. And P.T., worst of all. Somehow, he was involved in my fall. If ever I had time, I’d think it through, but for now I had a job to do.

  Allie’s knife slashed; the blade caught my pants pocket. I leaped clear in the nick of time, lunged at her anew. “C’mon bitchgirl! I don’t fucking care anymore!”

  Pook caught her arm. “Hol’ it.” In his eyes, a wary respect.

  Allie said, “Gotta bring Uppie back, Pook. Else can’t face Halber.”

  Pook made a sign. “Wait.” Back to me. “’Kay, Uppie. Whazzis ’bout tower? Halber say you babble ’bout needin’ nets.”

  I hammered on the rotting doorframe. “Of course. A decent puter with access. But that’s the point! I can get that in the tower!”

  Pook’s face fell. “Ya ’xpect us ta letcha walk off ta ya frazzin’ towah? No fuckin’ way—”

  I shrieked, “Listen, you stupid trannie!” Pook tensed himself, knife poised. Again I pounded the doorframe. “I’m not going to the tower. We are!”

  Slowly, as I spoke with ever-increasing urgency, his knife dropped to his side. The boy Swee looked from one to the other of us with wonder, and even Allie drew close.

  Chapter 38

  POOK

  WHO C’N FIGGA UPPIES? In my elevate, Jared cry an’ waillike babykit. “Lemme go, Pook. Please, Pook!” Now, even afta Halber whomp him good, he diss Krandboy Sub by hisself. Take Krand’s shiv, take shoes, run through tunnel like ta ’scape sure.

  We lucky ta coma him in store, where nobody but a real stupe would cringe, but he taunt us ta dissim like he don’ care.

  Seems all he really want is bring down towah full a his Uppie frens.

  Go figga.

  Helis roar ovahead, lights probin’, but I pay no ’tention, tryin’ ta think. Allie an’ Swee wait nervous, while Jared glare at alla us.

  He demand ta see Halber, but Halber put him in staysh he ’scape from. He demand chance ta bring down towah, when dat’s what Halber tellim ta do in firs’ place.

  Course, by dissin’ Krand he make everythin’ complicate. Allie take me aside ta whispa Jared be hers afta, fo’ venge. He pay fo’ Subboy, even if Halber decide ta lettim get ’way wid. I nod, payin’ no ’tention.

  An’ Halber gonna be royal pissoff when he hear ’bout Krand. At leas’, Allie say, she c’n go back under, long as Jared come wid. So togetha, we ’xplain ta Uppie only choice be comealong.

  He look at me accusin’. “Why ya leave me, Pook? The Subs took me away and you didn’t come.”

  I go red. “Couldn’,” I say. “Prollems.” How c’n I ’fess Uppiekit small as Peetee whomp me? “When I come lookin’, ya gone wid Halber. Anyway, he an’ I got deal. Gotta bring ya back.”

  “Fine,” he say, wid Uppie pride. He add, “But tell him I’m his only chance. Make sure he knows if he hurts me again, I won’ work for him. I want respect!”

  It time fo’ test. “Think I’ll cut ya mouth, Uppie, fo’ makin’ us ran afta.” I pull out shiv. Maybe I do it, too. His attitude got me pissoff.

  He grin, wait ’til I get close. Then he spit full in my face. “C’mon, trannie! See if ya c’n cut me, ’fore I rip your fuckin’ head off!”

  Can’ help it. I go chill. Finally, I say, “You change, Uppie.”

  He giggle. “Yeah. Once you lose everything, it don’ matter no more.”

  “Don’ care if I cut?”

  “Sure I care. What the fuck can I do about it?”

  We look at each otha. Helis drone low ova us. I know something wrong wid night. We in Broad turf, an’ no one challenge. Sounds ain’ right, neitha.

  Jared point high at towah. “Look at those smug bastards. I’ll bet the Sheraton tower holds two thousand, maybe more. And that one.” He swivel, pointin’. “The Holoworld offices. How’d you like to see that mother burn?

  For min, I imagine zarky flames flickerin’ roun’ spire. I lick lips. “Allie, how c’n we bring Jared ta Halber, not gettim diss?”

  She bite knuckle. “Firs’, we go back unna, ’fore Broads get us. Halb be eitha at Hunnert Ten or Four Two Square. I talk ta him. He likes me sometime.”

  So dat’s what we do.

  Only, Pookboy nevah been nor’ past Four Two, so don’ realize how far we gotta walk. Feet hurtin’ bad when finally we climb up ta Four Two staysh.

  I wipe forehead, still dizzy from watchin’ Allie’s light swing on tracks.

  Big room was crowded wid Subs. I amaze ta fin’ ol’ Changman sittin’ wid Raulie. At firs’ I try ta hide, but afta min I go proud; I ain’ done nothin’ wrong. I brung Peetee ta Sub jus’ like I promise. Ain’ my fault he runaway.

  “Stay outa,” Allie warn me, an’ tug at Raulie’s arm. “Where Halber?”

  He point. “Decidin’ what ta do wid wound joeys.”

  Allie’s eyes go wide. ’Cross room, Halber kneelin’. Laid out like dead, maybe fifty Sub, some drippin’ blood, othas awful burn. “Jesusgod,” she say ta joey. “Parkas did that?”

  “Naw. Unies.”

  Halber’s eyes come up, fix on us. My stomach lurch. Boss Sub stare us, one at time. He look long an’ har’ at Jared.

  Allie go to him. “Please, Halber. Lemme ’xplain.” She talks of. Point at Jared. Halber crouch near wound Subs, lissenin’.

  Afta time, he walk towar’ us, slow. Casual, I look roun’, decidin’ where ta run.

  But he got ’tention only fo’ Jared Washinton Uppie. “Ya diss Krandboy.”

  “Don’touch me!” Jared’s voice be shrill. “Not if you want towers!” His eyes lock on Halber’s. “I swear to Lord God, lay a hand on me and it’s over!” Tremblin’, he face Boss Sub. “Did she tell you my plan?”

  Long silence. Den, “Some.”

  “Want to hear the rest?”

  ’Notha silence, while I watch amaze. “Yah.”

  Togetha dey walk off.

  I whispa ta Allie. “We safe?”

  “Prolly. Shush.”

  Dey gone long while. Nothin’ betta ta do, so I wanda ta Chang an’ wait fo’ his scold.

  He ack like don’ see me.

  “Watcha doin’, Mista Chang?”

  “Waitin’.” He look up. “Stay off street, Pook.”

  “Yeah, Unies. I hear ’bout.” I jerk thumb at Sub dead. “Wha happen wid Parkas?”

  “Subs won.” His voice flat. “Don’ matta.”

  “I brung Peetee unner,” I said, cautious.

  “I know. Was here wid me.”

  “No swind?” Couldn’ help myself. Last I saw, Peetee runnin’ towar’ track wid pissoff Subs afta him.

  “What happened to him, Pook?”

  “Ain’ sure.” Hated ta admit.

  “He changed.”

  “Not jus’ him.” Words came ’fore I could stop.

  Chang’s ol’ eyes watch me, shrewd. “G’wan.”

  “Jared Uppie. He mouth Halber like he ain’ sc
are.” I shake head. “Worl’ upside down, Mista Chang.”

  Sudden, Changman sob. “Pookboy ...”

  Dunno why, but I rush close, put han’ on his shoulda.

  He rest his han’ on mine, wipe eyes. “Bah. Gettin’ glitch wid old.”

  Silent, I agree. But not right ta tellim jus’ now. “Upside down,” I say again.

  Allie come runnin’, tug my arm. “Halber wantcha now!”

  I follow.

  Sub Boss look like he been in month a rumbs. Hair matt, eyes wild, he pace backanforth like can’ keep still. “Show ’em good,” he growl. “Subs won’ go widda whimpa. Gonna shake worl’!”

  I nod, like I know what he mean.

  He whirl, grab my shirt, haul me close. Reek of nervous sweat. “Ya Uppie ran off!”

  I squeak, “We gottim back, Halber. I tolya ta, lemme stay wid—”

  “Ya bring him back, or he come hisself?”

  “We brung!”

  He shake me har’, make my teeth rattle. “Truth!”

  I swallow. “He run lookin’ fo’ you, ta ask ’bout towahs.”

  “He get his chance.” Halber spun me round, put han’s unna my arms, lifted me high, wid bellow. “Mira, Subs! Looka Pook Midboy! Rememba his face!” He drop me down, twis’ me ta face him. “If Jared Uppie runs away, bring back dis Pook so I c’n skin him inch by shriekin’ inch!”

  I shudder. “Cool jets, Halb—”

  He shove damp face close. “Stick ta him like adhese, joeykit. Make sure he do what he promise, or I getcha if it last thing I do!”

  “Cool, Halber! I do watcha say! Cool.” I try to stop from gabble. “Hones’!”

  “Raulie and you gonna take fifty Subs south. Carry as many Valdez permas as Jared say. Help him.”

  I recoil. “Jared in charge? Ya lettin’ Uppie lead trannies?”

  He snarl, “Raulie in charge a Subs. Uppie in charge a frazzin’ puter an’ equip, an’ bustin’ inta towah. You in charge a Jared Uppie.” With effort, he make hisself calmer. “Look, Pook.” He shove me inna chair, pull one close for hisself. “It comin’ ta arma geddin upabove. You been up, musta see.”

  “Yeah,” I say, doubtful. All I rememba is coupla helis buzzin’ roun’. Wonder why Halber so shakeup.

  “Sub ways won’ be safe, long as Unies onna street. Govermen gonna squish us ’less alla tribes rumb togetha.” His brow go knit. “Runners gone ta every tribe we c’n reach, tellin’ ’em big meet this aft, unner. Not ta worry ’bout passby or innifo. I called everyone what can come. Changman was right. Gotta ack like one tribe.”

  I feel skin prickle. Makin’ history, ol’ Chang say.

  “Hope Jared c’n distrac’ ’em some, give us a chance.”

  “Don’ matta he diss Krand Subboy?”

  “Later, time ta think about. Now, so many more been diss ... He rub han’ ova face. “Pook, help wid our venge much as ya can. Do it, ya got Sub frien’ fo’ life.” His voice hard, but his eyes pleadin’.

  I go swell. “Jared an’ me Simese glitchkits join at hip. I stay wid him, swear. Help him bring down towah!”

  “Good.” He clap my shoulder, like I tribe.

  I ask, “Wha’ happen wid Peetee? He run all ova lookin’ fo’ Jared, an’—”

  Halber bare his teeth. “Peetee mine, if I catch. Goes in stewpot fo’ what Fisherman did.”

  I try ta unnerstan’. Las’ I hear was Fisherman visit Chang in shop.

  “Frazzin’ Uppie!” Halber pace. “Came unner, stood righ’ here, coupla feet from ya chair. Swore he Sub now, was, willbe. Then he ’n his bitchgirl call down Unies.”

  I nod. “Frazzin’ Uppies think dey own da worl’.” Only surprise is why Changman think otha.

  Halber beckon. “Get along.”

  “Righ’. C’n Allie come wid?”

  “Don’ matta.” He scrunch face at new arrivals from tunnel. “More? Livin’, or dead? Put em near res’. Lor’Chris’!”

  I much happier trampin’ tunnel wid buncha Sub joes than chasin’ Jared Uppie in scary dark. We walk fas’, everyone carryin’ load.

  Like I promise, I stick close ta Jared like adhese. But I don’ worry ’bout Jared run, ’cause he gettin’ ’xactly what he ask.

  Raulie ’xplain plan. Usin’ Valdez permas fo’ torch, we gonna force streetside door of towah. Meantime, Jared and resta Subs break in ’notha towah, head fo’ puter room.

  Don’ make sense ta me, but I jus’ along fo’ watch.

  Afta while, we reach Three Fo’ staysh. Few Subs still guardin’ stair.

  Raulie ask, “Unies upabove?”

  “Buncha truck on Three Six,” joey say. “Lots roun’ Two Eight. Only few sojers ’tween.”

  “Lesgo.” Raulie beckon us up.

  I warn, “Sojers see us.”

  “Ain’ dawn yet, joey. We got time ta get ready.”

  I shake my head, confuse. Livin’ unner, howya suppose ta know diff night ’n day? I wunner how Subs stan’ it.

  We creep out on street. Raulie’s scouts peek roun’ cornas, beckon safe. Few at a time, our trannies dash ’cross streets. Final, we huddle roun’ base a office towah, Subs grippin’ axes, spears, torches.

  Jared go bossy, order us roun’ wid equip in his snot Uppie way. Subs do as he say, more nervous ’bout sojers comin’ roun’ corna dan mad ’bout his Uppie contemp’.

  “Hook your Valdez together, like this. Then the others on separate line. Now ’cross. Haven’ ya heard of series parallel connect, fa Chrissake?” He look roun’. “Who knows how to cut?”

  “Me. Sollie.” Older Sub joe. He grin, showin’ hardly no teeth.

  “You’re sure?”

  Sollie grunt. “I worked on unnercars. When we ain’ got acetylene we hook permas fo’ torch, so we din’ need ya tellin’ us.” Two glare at each otha. “Whatcha wan’ torched?”

  “Hinges.”

  Sollie slip mask ova face. “Don’ look at,” he warn. “Too bright.”

  I watch, mouth open. Allasudden, can’ see nothin’. I curse, rubbin’ eyes. Allie snicker. I swing blind, but miss.

  “He tolya,” she say.

  “Stupe Sub!”

  “Shush, joeykits!” Someone shove.

  I blink spots. “Where ya get cutters? How ya learn ta torch?”

  Allie shrug. “Trayfo from Chang, mos’ly. We figga how long time back, when Alwyn fix firs’ unnercar.”

  “Wha’s light doin’?”

  “Burnin’ door.” She glance roun’. “Jeez. Mira shadows on buildin’ ’cross street. Unies gonna see.” Glare from Sollie’s torch got whole street lit, justabout.

  “One more!”

  Soon, door sag. Inside, loud bell is bongin’. Subs pour inta build. Raulie light first torches at doorway, den Subs light res’ from each otha.

  I grab joey’s arm. “Watcha gonna do?”

  Fierce grin. “Run upstair, burn frazzin’ towah!”

  My eyes light. “I go witcha!”

  Jared an’ Sollie finish pack up equip. “C’mon!” Dey hurry ’cross street.

  “Gimme torch!” I c’n hardly stan’ still.

  Allie poke my arm. “You spose ta stick wid Jared.”

  “Naw, I gonn ...” I stop dead, cursin’ Halber, Subs, Changman, God hisself. Ain’ fair. C’n Pook walk away from torchin’ towah? Impossible. Even Halber unnerstan’.

  Long moment I stop, poundin’ my side wid fist.

  Wid sob, I run afta Jared.

  Ain’ frazzin’ fair.

  Chapter 39

  ROBERT

  “I’M SORRY, SIR, WE have our orders.” Colonel Wirtz was in full battle dress.

  The Captain was beside himself. “Orders to kill everyone in sight?”

  “No, but—”

  “Stand down! I’ll take responsibility.” He ran his fingers through his hair, shot Arlene a look of reproach. “Lord God, how could you?”

  Colonel Wirtz said, “Mr. SecGen, the best I can do is put you through to headquarters.”

  “Do that!�
� The Captain paced back and forth.

  Dizzy, I leaned against the troop carrier. Halber’s fist had been like a club. I took a deep breath, and my ribs gave sharp warning.

  Within the Park, the distant snap of lasers.

  I groaned, laid a hand on Adam Tenere’s shoulder as I took a tentative step.

  Tenere’s face was a mask.

  I said tentatively, “This time it was Arlene’s idea. The boys had been gone so long ...”

  His voice was flat. “Robbie, I won’t pretend I care that much about the trannies. But what you did to him ...”

  “I know.” Yet Dad and I had gotten what we wanted; the streets would be cleared.

  It might cost the Captain his marriage, if not his sanity.

  When first we’d told him, crouched behind the wall, his eyes were glowing coals that mirrored the lights of the Unie encampment. He’d heard us out. “You did this,” he finally said, “in my name?”

  “The official reason is trannie unrest.” I tried to look away.

  He’d swung to Arlene. “You started a war to find Philip?”

  If I’d expected she’d be cowed, I was mistaken. She grated, “Think how long he’s been gone. What was I supposed to—”

  “Wait. Search.”

  “We tried that!”

  “Pedro Chang had Philip in his shop!”

  “But I didn’t know, Nick. You wouldn’t call.”

  He’d looked to me, back again to her. “How many deaths are on our hands?”

  He stood, a target for any half-witted trooper, and cupped his hands. “Hold your fire! I’m Nicholas Seafort, with Assemblyman Boland! We’re coming over the wall!”

  I’d expected him to be burnt to a crisp, but by some miracle he wasn’t.

  Now, outside the Park, safe with the Unie troops, I weighed our clearing the streets against the loss of his friendship, and decided Dad and I were still far ahead.

  It gave me no joy.

  Waiting for an answer at headquarters, the Captain paced anew. “P.T. is in the Sub, but Halber wouldn’t say where. Now Halber wants to kill him. How large is the tunnel system?”

  Wirtz shrugged. “Much of it’s collapsed. At one time it honeycombed the island.” A pause, while he considered. “Sir, give me a few hours and I can flood the tunnels with knockout gas. There’s a good chance—”