Starfire at Traitors Gate

by Christine Westhead

  The tunnel ended with huge, glass fronted doors and they slid open to reveal the Customs area. One of the guards shoved Raan with his rifle butt and they walked inside the large, airy room. A counter ran the length of the back wall and it was sectioned off in several places, where a few people were already talking to officers on the other side of it. This was the departure and arrival check-in point and was pretty standard in all Starports. Without checking in or using a pass it would be virtually impossible to access anything in the city. Everything from aircars to communication was operated by waving hands or eye movements. The check-in point took all this information, stored it and passed it on to everything that needed to be accessed on the planet. It was supposed to simplify and keep account of people's movements and transactions, but it was possible to hack into and fool.

  Delta Ten handed over his computer card, placed his palm on the pad and was immediately passed through a little gate to supervise the unloading of his ship. The blank faced man behind their bit of the counter fixed Raan with a smug expression and said,

  "Now then, what do we have here? Your papers are a month out of date and this," he motioned to Starfire and sneered, "female has none at all."

  "We'd like to see someone about her," began Raan, "You see, we kind of came across her."

  "They promised me a job!" gritted Starfire. "Gave me a drink and the next thing I know I'm on their ship, locked in my cabin." She twisted out of Raan's grip. "I demand to see someone in charge. I've been brought here against my will." The custom's officer looked upon the scene with obvious distaste. He pressed a button on his console, opened the little gate on his part of the desk and signalled the two guards forward.

  "You had better come through here," he said. Raan and Erion grasped an arm each and Starfire was dragged through the gap, across a small hall and out into Starport itself, still protesting loudly.

  A quick look around showed Erion that Kessel was one of the larger, more prosperous ports. The doors opened out into a large, bright, airy courtyard which was surrounded by more shops, restaurants, hotels and theatres on several levels. A grassy children's play area with trees, benches and fountains graced its paved interior and several market stalls and café tables were clustered under a sparkling, central glass dome. The sky above was bright blue, and small blossom trees swayed in a light breeze, spreading the scent of their little flowers across the area.

  Traditionally, Passenger Starports; Ports, as they were colloquially called, were circular with one large entrance for the Customs and Check-ins and others leading to and from the town. They were places of recreation, used by travellers, workers and civilians alike but there were no happy shoppers here today. The only people they saw were serious faced workers, business people and far too many Galactic Police. Most of the shops were closed and the market stalls were empty. Nobody looked very happy and people scurried quickly along, keeping their faces pointed to the ground, obviously anxious to get where they were going without attracting undue attention. Self important Galactic Police were stationed at every exit, checking people's i.d. with a portable hand scanner. Erion had seen it before and knew what it was. Martial Law! She caught Raan's eye and he nodded, quickly.

  Their little party turned right as soon as they left the Customs area, upsetting a small flock of brightly coloured birds that fluttered upwards in a flurry of wings. The guard stopped outside an official looking building with the words, 'Port Authority' stencilled on one of the large, double doors. The building had obviously once been a department store of some kind and had large windows, but it was impossible to see inside because the glass doors and widows had been painted over to above eye level in a dull, beige colour. The beefy, female guard waved her hand over the ident and spoke.

  "Three possible perps without proper identity. One of 'em's a Terry."

  "First room on the left," a voice commanded. The door slid open and the guard entered, motioning them to follow her. The dullness inside was a complete contrast to the light, airy Starport. They duly took the first door to the left and walked in. There was a computer desk in the room with chairs in front of it, but they were not invited to sit. The guards stood one on each side of the door in that menacing way that only guards seem to have. Presently, another door slid open and an elderly Aurian walked elegantly in. He bowed to Erion and Raan.

  "Welcome to Kessel. I am Commander Kraith of the Port Authority here. I see you have brought someone who does not have any identification. He leaned forward and peered at Starfire's little badge. "Lindi," he mused. "Pretty name. What do you do, my dear?"

  "I'm a beauty specialist," said Starfire in a wispy voice. "I must speak to someone. I've been brought here against my will."

  "Dear me," the old man looked crestfallen. "We can't have this." He favoured Erion and Raan with a haughty glare that had them looking at their feet in shame.

  "I just want to go home," Starfire tried to look helpless but it wasn't working well. However, Kraith seemed to be convinced.

  "Where is home, my dear?"

  "I'm from Steel City on Terrell. My identicard is lodged in the Deepdown Beauty Parlour. Or there's my brother in Water Treatment; he can vouch for me."

  "I'm afraid you will have to stay in one of our cells while we contact your place of employment to confirm your identity." Kraith patted her hand as her face fell. "I am sorry, dear, but with this Martial Law and everything, it could be weeks before anything happens."

  "Prison! I don't want to go to prison. I haven't done anything wrong." Starfire pointed to Erion. "She promised me a job. She drugged me. She's the criminal here!"

  "Try not to distress yourself, my dear." Kraith started to stroke her hand and Starfire resisted the urge to pull it away. "I tell you what, while we are getting this business sorted out, you could stay with one of our most prestigious families. You would be well looked after there at no cost to yourself. What do you think?"

  "I don't know…" Starfire looked doubtful and the old man patted her hand some more. His skin was like dry, warm parchment and his bony fingers resembled claws. They even had long nails on the end of them and Starfire repressed a shudder as he continued. "They are fine people and they will welcome you into their home. Don't you worry now. As soon as this business is sorted out you can go home."

  "Do you mean it? I can really go home?"

  "Of course you can. What sort of place do you think this is?" The old gentleman smiled and patted her hand again.

  "All right then," Starfire still looked doubtful, "I'll go to these people."

  "Very wise." He nodded to the huge female guard. "Will you find someone to process this young lady through local customs and then escort her to the Tamara House?" He waited until a middle aged Aurian woman in office wear popped her head around the door and beckoned Starfire from the room. When she had left, Kraith turned to face Erion and Raan and the kindly expression vanished to be replaced with sneering contempt.

  "Now then," he began, "what are you two trying to prove eh?"

  "I don't know what you mean," snarled Raan, eyes looking steadfastly at the floor.

  "Come along, young man; we have traced your records. You are Lowin and Morei Rask from the Aurian base on Terrell where you work in the administration department. You are supposed to be on holiday. The girl was employed by one of the lifestyle centres there. She disappeared leaving a note to say she was going to visit her brother but she never arrived did she? Because the two of you kidnapped her and brought her here."

  "How do you know all this?" snarled Raan, instantly giving himself away.

  "Shut up!" Erion hissed through gritted teeth as if she realised his mistake. Kraith shook his head and glared at the couple.

  "We do not condone kidnapping. Why did you bring her to Kessel?"

  "We'd heard… we thought…" started Erion, desperately. "We needed money."

  "Did you think we would pay you for this wretched creature? You have been gravely misinformed." Kraith looked like he was going to explode and Erion
began to think that their plan was not going to work after all. "Go back to your ship and stay on it until it leaves tomorrow. The 'Terry' female will have to stay here until her immigration papers are sorted out and she has earned her return fare. If you do not wish to end up in rehabilitation here or on Terrell, you would be wise not to mention her to anyone. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, sir," said Erion quietly. Raan looked up.

  "The Captain of the Grennig…."

  "What about him?"

  "We couldn't pay him," began Raan, not meeting Kraith's gaze. "We thought when you … if you paid us…."

  "Get out!" screamed Kraith. Erion and Raan leapt off their chairs and scuttled towards the door. "See them to their ship," he instructed the guards. When they had left, Kraith shook his head sadly. "Amateurs!"

  Outside in the Port courtyard, Erion and Raan hurried along, trying to keep up with their guards. A short ride in one of the driver-less taxis took them back to the Cargo Bays, heading for the Grennig. Not until they were safely aboard their ship did they discuss what had happened.

  "That's a good one," began Erion. "Little Lindi will have to stay with Tamara until she has earned her fare home."

  "That'll be never then," said Raan. He shook his head in disgust. "It's slavery under another name."

  "Well, we have thirteen hours before our landing permit expires. That should be enough time to get Starfire and Hal back," said Erion.

  "I hope Starfire can find him," said Raan. "He'd better be there or we'll have two rescues to do."

  There's more than a good chance, I'd say," answered Erion. "According to Gant, Tamara will want to make him suffer. Hal will be in that house somewhere, if he's still alive. Del, where is Tamara's house from here?"

  "It is in the residential district, an hour's drive in a ground car," answered the robot.

  "We'll have to steal a car," said Raan, "we can't risk renting one."

  "What do you mean, 'we'?" began Erion. "If there's any stealing to do, you'll have to do it. I wouldn't know how." Raan looked sideways at her in a way that showed he didn't believe a word of it.

  "Piece of cake," he boasted. He swivelled in his chair to face Delta Ten. "We need to be off grid before we go into the city. Can you do that?"

  "Yes, Captain. I have already wiped all traces of your visit to the Starport."

  "Good. Have you found out anything about the house defences?"

  "I have only been able to access the ground floor plans, but from other sources about Tamara and Orinne, it is likely that there will be surveillance devices inside and guards patrolling the grounds."

  "That's what I thought," mused Erion. "I wish we had more time to prepare. Has Starfire called in yet?"

  "Nothing yet, Major," answered Delta Ten. "She may not be in a position to use the transceiver."

  "We'll wait until sundown then we'll move in," stated Erion."We'll stick to our plan, such as it is."

  "Don't forget Starfire's a Marine," said Raan, "she'll be okay."

  "Oh, I know she can take care of herself, Captain. I just hope nobody makes her angry enough to blow her cover."

  On the other side of the city, Starfire climbed out of a Galactic Police hover car and stood outside the Tamara mansion, looking up at the great pink stone castle. Two huge front doors swung silently open and Tamara himself stood there, his hands outstretched in welcome.

  "Come in, come in. Kraith has told me about your terrible ordeal." Starfire thanked the woman who had brought her and walked into the hall on the man's arm. "Kraith tells me you are a beautician." Starfire looked down shyly and lifted her eyes to smile up at him, hoping that she wasn't overdoing it. "We are having a grand ball tonight so we will have to wait until tomorrow to get to know each other. I know my lovely wife would welcome your expertise." He stroked her arm gently and Starfire forced herself to smile up at him. "So pale," he murmured, "so soft and pale. Whoops!" he caught her as she tripped and almost fell off her three inch heels.

  "Tamara!" called a voice from her left. Starfire leaned past the big man to see Orinne emerge from a side door. Even without watching the vids of the couple, Starfire would have recognised her. She was as fat as her brother, but much shorter and had the same small, piggy eyes that glittered in her big, moon face like orange jewels. She was also under the false impression that crimson velvet suited her and waddled up to them like a red barge, her feet hidden under her long skirts. She touched Starfire's cheek with a talon like finger nail and smirked up at her. Starfire had to stop herself from reeling back at the smell of body odour and sickly perfume that enveloped her like a cloud.

  "Another new toy, my dear?" Starfire mentally added halitosis to her list. Orinne's breath could strip paint.

  "Please, Orinne. This is our guest, Lindi. She's going to be staying with us until her papers are sorted."

  "Really," sniffed Orinne. "Well, I'm much too busy to deal with her at the moment." She waved a bejewelled, pudgy hand towards a tall, skinny woman, whose faded copper hair was pulled back from her head in a severe bun.

  "Marta, please take dear little Lindi to one of the guest rooms and settle her in, would you. Then see me about the menu for tonight."

  "Yes, Madam." The skinny woman took Starfire's arm in a vice like grip and steered her towards a wide marble, curved staircase. The woman's sharp nails bit into Starfire's bicep but she refrained from slipping out of the vicious hold, slamming the woman into the wall and throwing her down the stairs. Instead, she gave a little whimper and tried to pull away. As she was being pulled up the stairs, she looked back and saw Orinne and Tamara in conversation.

  "How's our guest in the cellar doing?" asked the fat woman. "It's a shame we don't have time for a little more fun before the dinner party." Starfire didn't hear Tamara answer as they were too far away. She was marched to the end of a wide, carpeted corridor at the top of the stairs. They turned right up another flight of stairs, along a passage and turned right again up much steeper, narrower stairs. There wasn't room for them to walk side by side, so Marta pushed Starfire in front of her.

  "Walk!" she snapped, prodding her roughly in the back. There was no floor covering and their footsteps clattered and echoed on the ancient wooden floor boards. The stairs stopped at a little landing and Marta snapped, "Left!" Starfire duly turned left, and walked down a narrow corridor, flanked with plain doors. There was a dirty window at the far end, where the ceiling sloped in on both sides. Starfire guessed they were right at the top of the house.

  "I hope you had a good meal, 'Terry'," Marta stopped near the end of the passage and kept her harsh grip on Starfire's upper arm while she slid a bolt across a small door and opened it. "We're having a big do tonight, lots of important guests and the Garrison Commander of the Galactic Police, no less. You, my little 'Terry' bitch, are the last thing I need right now. If you behave and stay here nice and quiet, you might get some leftovers tomorrow because I don't have any more time to devote to you tonight." She thrust Starfire into the tiny room and slammed the door behind her. Starfire was sent sprawling across the bare floor to land beside a narrow bed in a crumpled heap. By the time she had wrenched off the hated shoes and hauled herself upright, the door was shut and bolted.

  Chapter 18

  "Anything from Starfire yet?" asked Erion.

  "It's only been three hours," answered Raan. "Give her time."

  "It's just that I can't stand all this waiting around." Erion paced up and down in Grennig's pilot section. "I don't think I'm cut out for all this stealth stuff. Give me a battle any day. I like to know what I'm going to be doing."

  "Believe me, something awful will turn up pretty soon and give us a starting point." Raan leaned forward and checked the comlink was still operational out of habit.

  "Bimbo to mother hen, come in!" It crackled into life and Raan threw Erion a big grin.

  "About time!" said Raan, not quite keeping the relief out of his voice. "Where are you?"

  "I'm on the top floor of Tamara's house. I'm lock
ed in a poky little attic room. It has an old fashioned door with a sliding bolt. I'll be out of here in no time." Erion leaned towards the com link.

  "Have you found anything out?"

  "I think Hal's still alive. I heard Orinne and Tamara talking about a guest in the cellar. The way she said it, I'm pretty sure it's him."

  "We're under ship arrest," began Erion. "It will be dark soon so we can sneak out. We should be with you as soon as Raan steals a car."

  "If it's any help, there's going to be some sort of big party here tonight. Lots of V.I.Ps and Police Brass."

  "We'll try to get inside and back you up."

  "Okay. I'll call you again when I know more. Bimbo out." Starfire broke the link and placed the little Lindi brooch back on her tunic. Delta Ten had made the brooch and incorporated places for her laser dagger hilt and a small, but powerful transceiver. They had been an integral part of their plans and much had depended on them not being discovered. Starfire took out her laser dagger hilt, activated it and quickly sliced through the sliding bolt. The door swung silently inward and she cautiously poked her head out. The corridor was empty. She slipped the dagger hilt into her pocket, broke the heels off her shoes, slipped them back on and made her way down some more narrow stairs at the back of the house to the ground floor. They emerged into a white, tiled food preparation room where a harassed chef flitted between several large food dispensers. Steam wafted about the kitchen and the aroma of warm bread and roast meat made Starfire's mouth water.

  A swinging door opened and two young giggling Terrellian girls dressed as waitresses walked in pulling hover trolleys. The sounds of music and laughter drifted in, to be curtailed as the doors swung shut again. Starfire hastily hid behind a tall refrigeration unit and waited until the trolleys were loaded with plates of fruit and taken out again. Another door swung open and a tall, snooty looking Aurian entered the room pushing a hover trolley in front of him. This one was loaded to the gunwales with clinking bottles and Starfire guessed that door would lead to the wine cellars. The waiter spoke briefly to the chef about the menu and surreptitiously handed him a dusty bottle. Starfire waited until the waiter disappeared through the other door and the chef bent down to hide the bottle under a counter.