by Zach Winderl
“True.” Atom’s sad, slow smile split his face. “But when have the accords really affected anything outside the Palm?
“Realistically, that wasn’t an option in the long game. They would have nuked their own people,” Atom said, stepping out from the wall and looking to the door of the restroom with concern. “She’s been in there a while.”
Toby hesitated. Atom read the officer’s attempt to jump thought-trains midstream.
“I don’t like being here,” Atom continued. “We’re sitting on an unstable core. These aren’t our people. And even though we are the lightest policing touch, I don’t trust them out of my sight.”
“Same.” Toby’s hand drifted to the pistol holstered across the chest of his armored vest. “Mir has been in there a while longer than usual. Think we should check on her?”
Before Atom could reply, Mir strolled from the door and tossed a few extra ko into the attendant’s bowl. “I don’t envy your cleaning of that place after what that woman just did,” she said to the elderly woman. “My condolences.”
Turning to the others, she adjusted the straps on her vest as they dug uncomfortably into her shoulders. “We ready to float out?” she asked with a grin. “Quicker we get away from this stink the better.”
The cadence and lilt of her voice struck a chord with Atom. He studied her face with a calm intensity.
“You sure it was the lady in there and not you?” Toby’s good-natured smile proved infectious and after a moment, Atom burst out laughing. Mir grinned and winked at Atom. “The downside to being your partner, Mir. I know way too much about your bodily cycles and functions.”
He turned and led the way down the street. Atom and Mir fell in behind.
“How long you two been together?” Atom asked.
“Too long, evidently.” Mir rolled her eyes.
They fell into a light banter as the trio wove their way through the crowded streets. Toby carved the path, but the other two walked on either side and the three exuded a light, jocular mood despite the chaos surrounding them.
Atom turned his attention from Mir and marveled at the people swirling about them. The Adlerians ignored the invading Migori military police and tried to figure out how to reboot their daily lives. The upside to the catastrophe seemed to be limited casualties. Beyond the single ship shorting and crashing into the distant hill, Atom only noted a few minor injuries sustained from the crashing of vehicles and lacerations from broken windows caused by the crashing ship’s shockwave.
Confusion seemed the most common reaction. Atom assumed there might be problems with looting, but all the shops they passed seemed to be functioning as close to normal as possible. Patrons and shopkeepers worked around the power-outage.
“Seems the plan backfired,” Atom commented.
“Say again,” Toby said over his shoulder as he guided them through a press gathering around a dark pub nestled between two silent warehouses.
“I said, I’m not sure what the Adles were playing at with this EMP, but it seems it hasn’t disrupted much of anything.”
“It’s shut down production in the warehouses.” Toby gestured to the two towering warehouses flanking them with silence. He glanced at Mir. “But I’d guess they’ll have some sort of power grid up and running within the day. You’re right, it might cost them some money, but nothing much more beyond that.”
“What’s the purpose?” Mir asked.
Atom stopped in a small eddy of the foot-traffic and squinted up from their boxy, artificial canyon at the wispy clouds scudding across the green-touched sky. He looked to Mir and said, “They could have used the electronic gap to slip in a ship. Spies, saboteurs, or maybe assassins came down in the blast.”
Toby joined Atom at the side of the road.
“You think?” Mir pulled her long, dark hair into a tail and glared up into the sliver of sky with defiance. “I don’t know about you, but I haven’t noticed any ships, other than that unlucky hauler on the hill.”
“We’ll check in when we get back to headquarters,” Toby said. “They’ll have a better idea of the possibilities and what we’re to do.”
Atom nodded. “I caught wind of something big in the chamber, that’s what I was following up on when you guys stumbled on me. Unfortunately, all I could get before they pegged me was that they were prepping. Ammo, fusion cells, supplies were being stockpiled, but I never picked up what they were for or when they were to be used.
“Honestly,” he said as he spread his arms wide in an exaggerated shrug. “I was under the impression that the counterattack was coming at Seeonee and we were just an off-world staging point.”
“That’s good to hear.” Toby grimaced. “Maybe the group was just supposed to make a power grab after the main strike had neutralized the system hub.”
Atom nodded with slow realization. “Logistically, that would make the most sense. Almost nothing ships direct from Kafiristan, it all runs through Seeonee. It would explain why they never received any orders to move.
“So, I moved,” Atom rubbed his face with weary vigor, trying to wake himself from a heavy dream.
Toby grinned and thumped Atom on the shoulder. “It’s above our grade. Let’s just get back to the depot and let someone else try to make some sense of what’s going on.” He glanced about and slipped back into the crowd with worry in his step.
***
Margo made it to the first corner of the alley before the undamaged thug caught her up in his arms. He made sure to keep her well away from his weapon and clear of his face. Like a cornered honey-badger, she thrashed about, but eventually settled into a scowling impression of her father as the man hauled her back to the pram and his grumbling leader.
Beside the dead pram, the second guard sat pressing on his wounded leg.
“Hit me like that again and I’ll break your arm,” the short man growled as the thug held her up by the back of her tiny jumpsuit. He clutched an arm to his side, trying to hide the hole burned in his jacket and the raw burn beneath.
Margo stared in stony silence at the leader.
“What should we do with you?” The man stepped closer, his watering eye twitching as he tried to glare down Margo. “You aren’t from around here. Spacer’s kit?”
Margo lashed out with a tiny foot, missing the man’s nose by a hair.
“None o’ that, lil’ miss,” the thug holding her soothed in his deep voice, even as he held her a little further away from his boss.
“Come on,” the little man snarled, kicking over the pram in a simmering rage. “She may not know our han by sight, that doesn’t excuse what she’s done. I’m sure your folks will come looking for you. They can redress the afront. If not,” his lip pulled up into a sneer. “We can always sell you to cover damages.”
“What about the pram, boss?” the guard asked.
“No way it survived the blast. Leave it.” The little man turned to the street with fists on his hips. He glanced back at the wounded guard seated on the ground. “Get off your lazy goose and leave coords so her folks know what they owe us.”
Without waiting, the leader fled down the street at a fast walk, parting the seas of idling citizens who had gathered to watch the show. Behind him, the guard carrying Margo shrugged at his companion and followed. The wounded man, pale and sweating, clambered to his feet and hobbled to the downed pram. Glancing over his shoulder, he righted the metal basket and set it against the wall. He frowned and tried to wipe away the smear of blood from his wounded leg, but only succeeded in making it worse. Pulling a blank chit from his pocket, he keyed in the han name, but left the total blank. With a shrug, he tossed it onto the bundle of blankets in the bottom of the pram.
Keeping his breath slow and even, he limped after his companions.
As he drew away and the crowd began to disperse, the blankets shifted and a small dragon head poked over the rim of the pram.
“I’m coming, Go,” Kozue whispered.
***
Atom studied the
layout of the compound as Toby led them through the gates into the hubbub beyond. Migorihan troops hustled in ordered chaos as they scrambled to react to the attack.
Stepping to the side, Atom and his companions dodged an outgoing squad of lightly armored security squad.
“Seems like they haven’t lost too much initiative.” Atom paused to watch the group disappear into the thronging streets beyond. The gates cranked shut behind them, blocking out most of the noise from the street.
“For as peaceable as things have seemed, you know that we’re sitting on a powder-keg of a war zone,” Toby replied as he skirted around the assembling squads in the courtyard. “Even if most of the people here aren’t planning on rising up, they’re Adlerianhan to the colors they bleed.
“I know you’ve been on the deep, dark side of the planet, but don’t go wrong-thinking that because they aren’t a direct threat that the populous won’t be edging to help out where they can when the next attack comes.”
“On that note, I do have some information that needs to trickle up the chain.”
Toby nodded. The safety and relief of their surroundings washed an unwinding sense of weariness over the officer. “Mir, do you mind running him up to the captain. I need to turn in our own reports.”
Mir shrugged without a snarky comeback. “Should I catch up with you after?” she asked.
Toby looked at her in confusion for a moment and then said, “No need.” He turned away and ambled for one of the two-story, cinderblock buildings that comprised one wall of the compound. “We’re done with our shift. When you’re done dumping him, grab a shower and rest up. We’re back out in the thick in six.”
“Firm,” she grumbled after his receding form and headed for the central building. “You coming?” she asked when she realized Atom had not followed.
“Sure.” Atom watched her with hawk-like eyes, uncertain of her intentions.
“Well, come on then. You’re standing between me and a hot shower.” She turned and glared at him. “I’ve spent the last twelve wandering these dusty streets and I want a bite and a lie down before I have to float back out.”
“Fair enough,” Atom sighed, and trotted to catch up.
They wove through the crowds of arriving and departing soldiers. Winding, but always making their way towards their goal. Once Atom began following her lead, the surly officer ignored his presence. She nodded to a few officers and guards in a familiar manner, but for the most part seemed lost in her own thoughts.
“He’s with me,” she grunted at a pair of guards flanking the front door to the building, and again at several checkpoints as she wove them deeper and higher into the building.
Only when they reached the top floor did a ranking officer bar her way.
“Who is this?” the officer demanded from behind his desk. His two raccoon eyes and packed nose made it hard for Atom to take seriously
“Mosby.” Mir’s sour expression did little to reassure Atom, but he fixed his eyes on the officer and waited with a placid expression.
“He’s not one of ours.” The man leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms.
“His creds say otherwise.”
“And those are…?” the man trailed off, locking eyes with Atom.
“They were on his pad, but that got wiped when the EMP detonated, just like every other piece of electronic equipment. He’s got his badge, but nothing deeper.” Mir dropped her chin, hardening her glare. “Look, Frederickson, I’ve less than six hours to my next shift, probably a lot less with the way things are floating. My orders are simple: escort Mosby up the chain, and drop him. I don’t have clearance for a debrief and last I checked, neither do you.
“Not that I’d know, since he wouldn’t tell me much more than his name and show me his creds. Now would you stop your toothless barking and run along to tell your master that Mosby is here to see him. Tell Pico that we picked up a plain out in the street who says he’s under direct orders from the lord’s son back at court and the rest is buried in his files.”
At her words Atom’s thoughts faltered. Lord’s son….
“So please, for the love of a shower.” She crossed her arms and seemed to loom over the hapless Frederickson. “Figure out how to make your feet function so I can get on with the little bit of a break. Once he’s settled, I can burn on with my life.”
Officer Frederickson bristled then flinched at the pain in his face.
Mir grinned, as if daring Frederickson to strike. “Deflate,” she whispered, a feral look in her eyes that amplified her intimidating air. “Do your job, so I can be done with mine.”
The tension hung thick in the room. Atom felt the strange urge to slip out sideways. Instead, he straightened up and waited for the exchange to resolve itself.
“Fine,” Frederickson said, choking on a dry throat. “Captain Pico is in his office trying to sort this afternoon out. I’ll let him know you are here.”
Without waiting for a reply, the officer rose and slipped into the office.
“You do that to him?” Atom asked.
“Nope,” Mir replied. “Although, he’s such a pain, I wish I had. If he doesn’t get out of my way, I might be tempted to rebreak his face.”
“Breathe through it. That would just put off your shower a long while,” Atom said, stretching his back as he glared at the door. “How long you been down the well?” He asked without looking at Mir.
“I dropped right after the assault on the platforms.” She wandered over to Frederickson’s desk where she perched on the corner and started casually sifting through his loose papers. “Realistically, it wasn’t anything of an assault down here. The Adlerhan defended the system long enough to evacuate key personnel and then pulled back to the gate station just inside this system. Their fleet is poised just within range of the shipyards, but those have been evacuated. We’re sitting on the other side, but haven’t made a move yet.”
“That means we really are in a stalemate?”
“Other than the EMP I haven’t seen any real action.” She frowned at a memo, turning her head to read it in a darting glance. “Fact is, those bodies you put down were the first sign of violence I’ve seen on this planet. Granted, I’m just military police. I don’t fight, I just keep the peace after the drop.”
She returned Frederickson’s desk to order and stood up, stepping close to Atom. “I guess things are peaceful enough for the real peacekeepers to be here,” she said with a weary smile. “But I suppose you knew most of that, seeing as you’ve been here longer than I have. Way I see it.” She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and fixed him with a knowing look. “You should be telling me all of this stuff.”
“I only asked how long you’d been boots down.” Atom’s pleasant smile disarmed her.
Shaking her head, Mir wandered away from Atom to stare out the wide window. “This is all wrong,” she said, glancing over at him. “I’ve been doing this less than ten years, but I’ve never seen a planet pacified this fast. It feels like they know we’re just visiting and are just waiting for us to leave. It’s like they’re all in on it, but forgot to tell us.”
“War is never what we expect,” Atom replied.
Mir turned from the window with a puzzled expression, but before she could continue, Frederickson swept through the office door.
“Captain Pico will see you now,” he said without looking at Mir.
Straightening his shoulders, Atom nodded to Mir and stepped through the door with accustomed confidence. Inside, he looked down on a man poring over maps and loose-leaf paper. Mir followed in Atom’s footsteps with trepidation.
“Who the hell are you?” Pico demanded without looking up from his cluttered table.
***
Margo found herself tossed into a small storeroom in an unceremonious heap. For a moment ,she sat in confusion, trying to process the path to her imprisonment.
“Don’t worry, Go, I’ve got you,” Kozue purred from above.
Taking comfort in the
sound of her mother’s voice, Margo climbed to her feet and wandered around the confines of the room. A shelf occupied one whole wall. Above the shelf a small window allowed a spear of aqua-marine sunlight to illuminate the room. Margo wandered through the stacked crates and boxes that occupied the rest of the room.
“I sent help,” Kozue said as Margo picked her way through the maze and back to the one open space in the room. “Look up.”
Margo followed her mother’s voice and squealed with delight as she caught sight of Cody poking his head through the grating over the window. Without hesitation, the girl clambered up a small pyramid of boxes to a point where she only had two shelves left to climb. Shoving small boxes and some tarps out of the way, she carved a small space on the top shelf to crouch and look out the window.
Cody flexed, sunlight reflecting off his oil-dapple wings.
With a smile, Margo poked a finger through the grating to scratch the dragon’s chin. The dragon preened and then opened his mouth to allow Kozue’s tinny voice to escape.
“I’ll send Cody for help. I must also operate on the assumption that they do not know that you have been separated from your father.”
“Where’s Da?” Margo whispered. Her little fingers clutched at the grate.
“I am uncertain. I can’t talk to him. But I will find him, love.” As Kozue spoke, Cody looked about, searching for something.
Hugging Margo’s finger with both foreclaws, the dragonette peered through the bars at the girl. “Hold fast, Margo. I’ll be back with help as soon as I can locate the Ticket. With my network down, I don’t have a precise location, but from altitude, I should be able to run a grid search of the landing pads and find our home.”
“Hold fast,” Margo repeated, steeling her eyes as her face slipped into a replica of Atom’s.
Cody bobbed his head and disappeared into the sky with a flurry of leathery wings. Only when he had flown did Margo look beyond the window into the wide courtyard. The window sat level with the ground and Margo studied the low porch lining the rooms that opened onto the courtyard.
Even without the training possessed by her father, the girl recognized the buildings as a home.