by Beth Reason
Chapter 6
"Get up! Get up! Get up!"
Voices boomed, lights flashed, and Tenet was on his feet and running before he was even fully awake, the sudden intrusion speaking directly to his instincts. He felt the ground under his feet, heard the deafening swoosh of blood rushing through his head, groped in front of him to push branches out of his face a second too late.
What in the hell was going on?
Jace must have found them.
Scarab!
Fully awake and in better control of his senses, Tenet made himself stop to go back for her. Before he could do so much as turn around, a great weight thumped his back and drove him face first into the ground.
"I suggest you do as you're tole and this'll go a whole bunch easier for ya," said a deep, unfamiliar voice.
Tenet thought of struggling for a fraction of a second but knew he was caught. He let himself go slack and tried to pull in deep breaths. He had to get calm. He choked as he sucked in some dirt, and allowed strong hands to pull his bound hands and help him up.
"Hey, calm down now." There was a thump on the back, then the hand pushed him forward. "Here, now freshie. Lean over and catch your breath. I didn't wanna tackle you, but ya shouldn'tna run. Jeez. Deep breath. There ya go."
Tenet drew a deep breath and hacked loudly a few times before spitting out the mud. He wiped his chin on his shoulder and turned to look at his captor. The man was enormous. Tenet was by no means short. In fact, in the academy, he stood a few inches above most of the others his age. This man had an easy foot of height over him. Even in the dark Tenet could see strong features he was sure were made of iron itself. He blinked a couple of times, trying to decide what his next move should be. "Where's my wife?" he croaked, throat raw from the after effects of the widow weed heightened by the dirt he just swallowed.
"Don't know. You bolted like a jackrabbit and ifn'a weren't for me I bet you'd be halfway ta home by now!" The man was huge, but his voice was warm and kind. Tenet knew right then this man did not want him dead. He had no coldness about him. Caught? Yes. But not dead. He didn't work for Jace. Of that, Tenet was certain.
"I want my wife."
The big man wrapped his hand loosely around Tenet's upper arm and began to guide him back to the fallen tree. "Relax, freshie. If she does what tole, she'll be unharmed." Tenet couldn't help but snort and the big man laughed loudly. "You got you one a them feisty ones too, eh? Might could mellow with years, ya know."
Tenet could see bright lights flooding the forest. As they neared, he saw about a dozen new faces. He scanned frantically for Scarab and felt a flood of relief when he saw her standing peacefully between another man and a woman. As they got closer to the light, he could see that all of them wore uniforms.
"Archie are you hurt?" Scarab called.
It took Tenet a second to remember that was him and he cringed inside. Why the hell had he let that weasel choose Archibald for his new name? "I'm okay, Angel. You?"
"I'm unhurt."
The big man lead Tenet right to her and he leaned in under the guise of kissing her. "Borderlands?" he whispered quickly. She gave him a quick peck and nod. He couldn't help the relief and put his forehead to hers. They made it.
The big man laughed and tugged him back. "Must'na been wed long if ya still feelin' kissy lovey, eh?"
"No, not long. A few months."
"Sir, I can't find any papers."
Tenet turned at the prim, clipped tone. A woman had everything from their packs laid out. He was about to protest but Scarab caught his eye just in time and shook her head.
A third person came around and stood in front of Tenet and Scarab. "No papers. Little food. You both look like you've been steeped in manure and driven through the thresher." The man had none of the friendliness or warm accent of the big man holding Tenet's arm. He was clearly the leader of this patrol. He stroked a neatly trimmed beard. "You're too close to be going, so looks like you're coming, correct?"
"Yes, sir," Scarab rushed to say.
The man turned his attention to her. "Name?"
"Angel Lorne."
"Where are you heading?"
"I don't know, sir," she said honestly. Tenet was surprised with the submissive tone of her voice. She seemed to know what she was doing, though, because the man in charge relaxed his posture and his face took on a friendlier demeanor.
"You sound absolutely spent, young lady."
"We were being chased for days," Scarab said, sounding even more spent than before.
The man gave a nod. "Yes. Unfortunately the outskirts have too much outlaw activity."
Scarab had submitted immediately when woken by the soldiers. She recognized the patrol instantly and knew they were safe if they played their cards right. Though it only took a few minutes to get Tenet back to their makeshift camp, it had given her enough time to decide how to play this, how much truth they'd need to admit to the soldiers to make their story convincing without giving away too much away. She decided she didn't need the deaths of these men and women on her conscience, so they had to know they were up against an experienced assassin. "It wasn't an outlaw. We're being hunted by a hunter sent by my family."
The man frowned. "A hunter?"
"Bounty hunter."
He rubbed his beard furiously. "They aren't allowed here. Surely you're mistaken."
"My family was against our union." She shot Tenet a glance she hoped conveyed that he should back her up completely. "And...they are..." she swallowed hard, as if it was painful to talk about.
"It's okay, baby," Tenet said. He caught her look and planned to play it up to the fullest.
"They're very cruel," she finished quietly.
"I...see," said the man in charge. "And they'd truly send a hunter after you?"
She nodded. "I'm the only daughter, and Archie couldn't..."
"I couldn't afford the dowry." Tenet hung his head as if he were truly ashamed of the circumstances.
"It be a love story, boss man," said the big man holding Tenet. He let go and gave Tenet a sympathetic squeeze on the shoulder. "It be fine, freshie. Just fine. We like our love stories up'n here."
"Can the sap, Fratz," said the woman near the packs. She walked over and put her hands on her hips. "Don't tell me you believe this pile of shit, Cap."
The man in charge stroked his beard another second before he gave a nod. "I actually think I do."
The woman threw her hands in the air. "Lovesick idiots."
"You are certainly not what we expected to find here, kids," he said to Tenet and Scarab. He motioned for Fratz to cut them both loose.
Tenet rubbed his wrists then took Scarab's hand in his, giving it a little squeeze. She hesitated only a second before twining her fingers with his, and he felt a relief wash over him.
"Gina, get them some water." The woman shot Cap a glare, but she got a canteen and handed it to Tenet. He passed it to Scarab first and the woman, Gina, rolled her eyes. No fan of love or people by the looks.
As they drank, the man in charge continued. "Are you certain that it was one of your kind up here?"
Scarab choked on her water. "Our kind?" Tenet asked, holding his breath.
"Southies."
"Yes, sir," said Tenet, relieved. He took a drink of water.
"He's been following us for days," said Scarab. "He's got tech, too. One recon drone we shot down, and at least one sweeper that came damn close to beating us before we crossed that river."
The man let out a low whistle. "Well now. Guess your daddy wasn't kidding about getting you back!"
Scarab shot Tenet a look and a nod, and he gave a little shrug back. They were buying the story. Tenet couldn't believe they finally had a little luck on this trip.
"Fratz, Gina, load 'em up. The rest fall in for new assignments."
Fratz gently nudged Tenet. "On up'na way, Mr. Archie. We got a transport over that bump."
"Where are you taking us?"
"It's okay...honey." S
carab was warning him. He knew it, but thrilled at her use of the term of endearment anyway.
"I was just asking the nice man where we were heading, sweetie." Tenet bit the inside of his cheek when he saw her stiffen. She turned and stalked ahead, with Gina hot on her heels.
Fratz laughed and thumped Tenet's shoulder again. "Just like mine, I tell ya. One minute all honey and wine and the next gettin'ta scrappin'." Tenet couldn't argue. That's exactly how it was.
They climbed over the slight hill and as soon as they crested they could see some sort of large vehicle at the bottom, lights on and motor humming. Before they reached it, another came from the other direction and rumbled right past them. Gina opened the door and ordered them to get in and strap down.
"I'm going to see if Cap needs me to hang back," Gina said to Fratz. She didn't wait for either permission or a reply, just took off in a trot after the other transport. Tenet was not sorry to see her go.
"Well she's a ball of sunshine," Scarab muttered, struggling to get herself strapped in.
Fratz rolled with laughter as he deftly snapped up her harness. "She means well. She just get to be cactusy every now an again." He helped Tenet with his straps.
"Where are you taking us?"
"Headquarters. On about twelve ticks that way."
Tenet assumed a click was a mile. "We got close then."
Fratz sat across from them and held on to a handle hanging from the ceiling of the large transport unit. "I say you made it. In just time, by the looks of you."
"Your accent is different from the others," Scarab said. He was friendly and talkative. Time to gather as much intel as she could.
"I'm a Midlander." At their confused looks, he gave another deep, easy laugh. "None of you from Southie know anythin'! Midlands. Right in the smack center. We get the best of it all. Height of'na north tribes, charm of'na south." He flashed a broad grin and Tenet didn't doubt the charm. "All with the beauty of being too far in for people to screw over."
"Sounds great. Why are you here, then?" Tenet asked. Scarab knew he wasn't intentionally trying to set the big soldier at ease, to sway him to their side and gain his confidence. It was just something Tenet did naturally and she could have hugged him for it.
Fratz shrugged. "Me, now I like adventures. I adventured down this way and met my Phyllis, and now I adventure every day so'n I don't gotta listen to her cluck!" He giggled and Tenet laughed along with him.
Scarab rolled her eyes. Time to get back to business before the men made even bigger asses of themselves. "Where are you taking us?"
"Like I say, headquarters. Town of Carlton. You've got'na see the boss lady. She gets the say so on who can stay and no."
"And who's this boss lady? Another Phyllis?" Tenet winked and the big man returned it with a conspiratorial nod.
"Pretty much, freshie."
"What happens if she doesn't let us in?" Scarab asked.
Fratz shook his head and shrugged. "Dunno. Cap could say."
Scarab bit her lip, a sudden rush of old fear settling in. As Tenet chatted with Fratz, she turned to look out the window into the dark and try to ignore the little girl's panic inside. Until that moment, she'd been too relieved it wasn't Jace that found them. Now, sitting in a government transport surrounded by soldiers, it was too close for comfort. It was too familiar. She bit her lip until it bled, trying to make herself calm.
Things were different. She knew this. It wasn't like before. It was a different government. Besides, she was no longer a child. She could handle whatever they did. She could do this. She had no choice.
Cap returned, barked and order to move out, and sat next to Fratz across from Tenet and Scarab. He studied the tired young couple in front of him. They had a rough journey, that much was clear. He didn't doubt they were being hunted. A quick survey of the area showed no signs of the ex-Cons he and his team had been chasing. Besides, some sort of tech had caused the signal they picked up, and since neither of the Lornes had anything on or around them, it was probably a safe bet whoever was hunting them did. He sent his troop out to scan the area. It was against about five different treaties between the governments for a hunter to pursue a bounty this far inland, and a live capture of a southern bounty hunter caught breaking those treaties would be an incredible boon to his career. It would certainly earn a promotion. He was too old to run up that mountain. He'd leave the younger ones to that and hand these two obviously important people over to the major personally.
Cap didn't doubt they were more important than they let on. The ones from the other lands always thought they were so much smarter than Borderlanders. He'd given up being offended a long time ago and now viewed it with keen amusement. He didn't know who they were, but it certainly wasn't a young couple who ran off to elope. Even with the screwed up way they did things down south, that story was far-fetched. That wouldn't be enough to bring a hunter this far north.
The kids had eluded a hunter, one with some pretty heavy tech at that. A drone and a sweeper? A couple of kids in love rushing off to have a fairy story life wouldn't have lasted this long. Hell, a couple of kids from the farmlands should never even heard of a sweeper. There was far more to this story than he could even guess, and he wished he could talk the major into letting him sit in on her interrogation. It wouldn't happen. In all eleven years of his border service, he'd never been able to crack into that level of trust with her. No one had. It's what made her the most hated officer on the base. It also made her the most respected.
"I'm taking you to Carlton."
"I tole 'em," said Fratz.
Cap nodded. "It's our base of operations in this sector. You'll meet with Major Krupkie. She makes every decision at the base. She'll determine where you go from here. I suggest you be honest with her. She's got a reputation for smelling a lie a mile away and the good lord help those who get caught out." He gave Tenet a knowing look. When the man squirmed a little, he knew he was right about not getting the whole story.
"Don't be messin' with the boss lady," Kratz confirmed. "She'll eat you for breakfast."
"Our packs!" Scarab said suddenly, finally turning from the window."
Cap held up his hand. "Don't worry, everything was unharmed. I've loaded them in the back. They'll be searched and tested. If they come up clean, you'll get it all back."
Tenet frowned. "Clean?"
"Yes. No contraband, no diseases in the seeds. The clothing is in horrible shape with the good lord only knows what. They might simply burn it."
"But that's all we have!"
He shrugged. "Infection and disease are more important. We can't risk another epidemic. If it's just mud, they'll probably be washed. But if anything contagious is detected, it'll go into the furnace. It's the way it's got to be. You want to risk lives on a few shirts?"
Tenet shook his head. He knew about epidemics. They had their share of mass illnesses in his own lands, but he'd never considered that aspect of their journey. He worried about the seeds. They had their own customs checks between their own provinces. He didn't know why he never stopped to think that they'd do the same in the Borderlands, that they'd test them for purity or potential contagion. It was another thing he had glossed over in his mind, and a real big one. There was nothing to do but hope the seeds passed muster. They were ruined before they even began their new life if those seeds weren't acceptable.
"Your medical kit has been confiscated pending approval."
Tenet had expected that. "It's all legal herbal remedies."
"Where you're from, sure. And clearly there's only enough for personal use."
"Versus what?"
"Drug running." At Tenet's confused look, Cap sighed. It really was tragic how little the freshies knew about life. "Illegal trade between border towns. You bring a bunch of drugs up our way, we give you something you want, our people get hooked on herbs they can't get and we've got a ton of fried addicts to deal with."
"I didn't know that was a problem."
Cap shrugged.
"Not so much now the Cons aren't in charge. More than we'd like, still. That's our main job, stopping the runs, especially this time of year. It's what we figured you were up to." He gave a small laugh. "Shit, I think Gina had her heart broken when she realized you were just runaways. She's a little, ah...over eager."
Drug running. Tenet let out a deep sigh. The herb growers had to be in on it. The medicinal crops were strictly government owned, run, and managed. Large amounts could not be bought and sold without their knowledge. If anyone was getting the people of the Borderlands hooked and fried on the drugs, it was his government itself. No. Not his government anymore, he reminded himself.
"We're almost there," Cap said, breaking into Tenet's thoughts. "When we get to the base, Fratz here will take you to the guest barracks and you'll get cleaned up and have a meal before you see the major."
"It's soldier grub, but it's not so bad." Fratz gave a friendly smile.
"Anything," Tenet said. "We haven't eaten since..." his mind blanked. When was the last time they ate? Yesterday? The day before? The very thought of food made his stomach growl.
Scarab watched out the window. Early morning light was just beginning to spread across the sky. They drove straight to the west, then turned left onto a road and headed back south, curving around a finger of the mountain. Another few minutes brought them closer to a town, its lights glowing in the early dawn. Tucked into the mountain itself, it was completely invisible from the southern border unless you happened down the mountain side directly behind it. It was a strategically brilliant place for a soldier base, Scarab had to admit.
They pulled up and stopped at a large gate. The driver of the transport said something on a communicator, and a voice told them to move ahead. The gate opened and they drove through. Everything was very well lit by street lights, and Scarab was grateful for her instincts kicking in, pushing aside fear to take in every detail. If they needed to escape, she needed plans. It didn't matter that the town was surrounded by barbed wire. It didn't matter that even in the early hours of the morning, soldiers walked around thick and deep. It didn't matter than an actual escape was impossible. Her mind had been searching for a focus, and here it was. The transport slid slowly up the streets and she took in every detail.
Cap watched Scarab's face change. She had been demur when they caught her, scared when he reached the transport. Not anymore. Now she was...planning. Her face reminded him keenly of Gina when she was onto something and his curiosity deepened. When they arrived at the barracks, he jumped out and warned Fratz to keep a close eye on her before he went to wake up the major.
Fratz led the two inside, then woke the guest barracks foreman who had fallen asleep on the front desk. "Up, soldier! No sleepin' on the job. We got ourselves company."
The man started awake, then hurried around doing everything Fratz barked out. It seemed Fratz's orders carried weight, whether it was from rank or sheer size, and Scarab filed that information away as well. They had a powerful friend. He may be needed.
Tenet and Scarab were led to showers. Tenet almost cried as hot water washed over him. It had been months since his last real shower, since his last thorough scrubbing of any kind. He watched in amazement as the dirt oozed off him in the cascading rivulets of water. He scrubbed and rinsed and scrubbed and rinsed until the water ran with clean suds and his skin felt raw and new. He stepped out and toweled off, then took the new clothes he was given, simple soldier clothing, and used the comb and toothbrush provided. As he stared in the mirror long after he was finished, he didn't recognize himself. He had lost weight. That was fine. He was always slightly softer than he wanted. His beard was already growing back in and he decided not to shave it. All of the soldiers he'd seen wore beards. Even Gina had an alarming amount of whiskers, though he'd never say that out loud to anyone. Beards seemed to be the norm, and he was sorry he shaved his off last week.
Was it a week? Or was it yesterday? He was so damn tired he couldn't remember. Everything was blurred. He sighed. His skin was browned by the sun, his brown hair very much lightened. His mother would be beside herself, but he didn't think it looked bad. For the first time in his life, he liked what he saw.
Tenet stepped out into the hallway and Fratz was standing with Scarab waiting for him.
"About time," she muttered, trying to sound annoyed but too glad nothing happened to him to really pull it off. She couldn't help it. Her past left a deep mistrust of anyone in a uniform on this side of the border. She'd rushed through her own washing and as the minutes ticked by waiting for Tenet, she started to wonder if they'd done something to him. Separated the two to get him alone and... She took a deep breath and steadied her nerves. He was fine. "I'm starving."
Fratz led them down the hall to the small guest mess. On the table sat an assortment of cold foods. Most of them were familiar. There were boiled potatoes and carrots, some sort of bread, and some sliced chicken. There was an unusual looking green vegetable in one bowl, and some dark, red meat on a platter. Tenet really didn't care what the food was. He was starving and waved off Fratz's apologies for not having a hot meal for them.
"Cookie won't wake this early," the big man said.
Tenet and Scarab were already sitting and helping themselves. "Honestly, this is a feast." Tenet gave the man a smile, then dove into the food. Even cold, it tasted amazing. "What are these?" he asked of the mysterious green vegetables.
"Sprouts," Fratz said with a sneer.
They were small and round, and if Fratz's expression was to be believed, terrible tasting. Tenet was brave and picked one up. When he bit into it, he was pleasantly surprised. It was slightly bitter, but had layers like a lettuce or a small cabbage. "I've never had these."
"They need the colder air to grow. You like 'em?"
Tenet took another and nodded. "Yes, very much."
Fratz gave a snort. "Good! Eat 'em up and save us havin' to!"
Tenet offered Scarab one. "Pass." She went right for the meat. Fratz raised an eyebrow, but held back his comments. She dove into the venison like a pro. Definitely someone used to eating meat, while the man was not. Interesting.
When they were completely full and ready to burst, Fratz lead them back out to the main room to sit and wait. "Cap'll get ya soon," he said. He had to go check in to his own barracks, then see his wife. He apologized for having to leave, assured them they'd do just fine, and headed out. Tenet suddenly felt the apprehension creep back in with his departure.
"I hope we get to see him again," Tenet said to Scarab. She only nodded. It was then that Tenet noticed her eyes. He knew that look. She was assessing, taking stock. She was in hunter mode. It put him edge. Why did she feel like they were in danger? Had he missed something?
"When we go to see the major, let me do the talking," she whispered, barely moving her mouth.
"What?" He leaned closer.
"Let me talk to the major," she said, just as quietly but with careful distinction to her words. She was sure they were being monitored. She knew they were being watched, so it just made sense that the soldiers would be listening as well.
"Why are we whispering?"
Scarab sighed. Great. Well that blew that one. "Just let me do the talking," she said quickly, then shifted away from him, hoping that would keep him quiet.
Tenet was confused by her actions, but the look on her face made him merely lift an eyebrow in question. She turned her head and his worry increased. He wished he could talk to her, but she made it clear with every ounce of her bearing that was out of the question. He sat back and began to tap his fingers nervously on the arm of the chair.
Fortunately they didn't have long to wait. Cap came to get them and lead them outside, where two armed guards were waiting. They fell in line behind the trio and they all silently made their way down a street to another imposing building. Cap lead them inside and up a flight of stairs. He paused at a large door. "I meant what I said earlier, kids. Don't try and bullshit her. She's in a foul enough mood at
being woken up early."
"Thanks for the warning," Tenet said. Scarab just gave a nod.
Cap sighed. They weren't going to take his advice. He was sure of it. Well, he wished them luck and hoped a little cleaning up and food would make them believe their own story enough to sell it. "Go in and sit. You'll be called one by one."
Scarab's eyes narrowed. "We won't be interviewed together?"
"You'll be interrogated separately." Cap hoped they understood the difference. He gave them a little push towards the door and then they were alone in some sort of small office. An empty desk and a few chairs sat in there, and there was murmuring coming from another room behind the desk.
Scarab knew the odds of this room being bugged were small, being the boss's office, and took advantage of their brief moment of privacy. "Stick with the story. Don't break from it," she whispered in a rush. "Go off on a seed tangent if you have to convince her. I'm working on a plan if we need to cut out quick."
"Are you out of your mind?" he hissed back. "Cut out to where? With five hundred guns at our backs?"
"Then sell it!" she said back. "Sell it and hopefully we won't need plan B, okay?" She shot a quick look at the door. "Shit. I wish we were going in together."
"I know what to say."
"Yeah, but what if we say something different? What's my favorite color?"
"Green," he said quickly. All of the clothes she bought were in shades of green. Her hair brush had a green handle. Anything that she had a choice on was green. Of course he knew that much about her.
That shocked her. It was green. She shook her head. "Okay, but there are a million other things you don't know..."
The door opened and they jumped apart as a very disgruntled looking man barked for Angel Lorne to follow him. Tenet gave her hand a hopeful squeeze, but he saw the dread in her eyes before she turned to follow. In a moment, the man came back out and flopped in the chair behind the desk.
"Sit down, Mr. Lorne. It's too early and your pacing's going to drive me nuts."
Tenet sat quickly and didn't realize he was tapping his foot until the secretary glared at him. He stopped but couldn't help biting his nails, his nervousness needing an outlet. From inside the office he could hear the faint murmur of two female voices, but no distinct words could be picked out of the noise. After a few minutes of excruciating waiting, the beep of something down the hall made him jump.
"A little jumpy, are we? It's just the coffee pot. Relax. You want a cup?"
Tenet nodded. "Yes, thanks."
The secretary left and Tenet wondered if he had enough time to listen at the door. He weighed the options and decided it was worth getting caught. He stood and took a step when the door suddenly opened and Scarab came out. She looked grim, but not hopeless. She gave him a small nod. "Your turn."
He couldn't tell much from her clipped tone, but surely it was a good sign that she was sent out so quickly. She walked toward the chair he was just sitting in and as she passed, she gave his arm a little pat. It was a small sign, but one he couldn't miss and he felt relief and a new strength.
He tapped on the door.
"Enter!"
He quickly went in. An older female soldier was sitting at a large desk in the sparse room. She was clearly a woman of business with no time for frivolity. There wasn't even a picture on the bare walls. Everything in the room was stark and cold, and as he closed the door he swallowed hard.
"Sit." She snapped her fingers, suddenly reminding him of his mother when she was in a snit, and he all but jumped to comply. "I am Major Constance Krupkie, commander of the Carlton base of the United Borderlands Armed Forces."
"Nice to meet..."
"And you are?" Her clipped tone cut him completely off. This was not a social event and he had to keep that in mind.
"Archibald Lorne," he said.
"Hm." He could not decipher the look on her face. Her hands were folded on the desk in front of her and her back was ramrod straight. Her eyes reminded him of Scarab, and he squirmed under her icy calculations. The seconds ticked out from the clock behind her and echoed in the room. "And you farmed tomatoes, I understand?" she said at length.
"Yes, ma'am."
"What variety?"
"Roma, mostly."
Her eyebrow went up slightly. "That is not a popular variety."
He felt his mouth twitch and tried to keep himself from smirking as Scarab's advice to give another farming lecture filled his thoughts. "It is in the southern regions."
"We are no longer in the southern regions. What makes you think we have a need for tomato farmers?"
"I didn't think you do."
That surprised her. "Then why are you here?"
"I imagine for the same reason everyone hops the border."
"Hm." She unfolded her hands and tapped neatly trimmed fingernails on the desk. "And yet you bring tomato seed with you."
He nodded. "There was a rumor that seeds trade well up here."
"Surely you understand the foolishness in planning around a type of seed we do not grow." She thought she had him. He could see the spark of challenge in her eyes. Yes, she was a lot like Scarab, and he suddenly felt oddly comforted by that.
"Maybe it's not foolishness, but opportunity," he countered.
"Explain yourself."
"Romas actually grow well in most climates. They would be a desirable commodity, something new and different."
"You expect people will actually want something from the south?"
He nodded. "I'm sure of it. If they didn't, then we wouldn't have such high trade pacts with the Borderlands." He was suddenly grateful for Scarab's lectures.
"You make a point. Not being a farmer, I've no idea if it's viable," she quickly amended. "But I suppose your idea may have entrepreneurial validity. Why the citrus?"
"We were advised at the border town that citrus seeds were always an easy sell."
"Interesting."
Tenet couldn't even catch a hint as to what that might mean.
A knock at the door was answered, and the secretary brought in coffees. "Would you like me to stay and transcribe?"
Major Krupkie raised an eyebrow. "Do I ever?"
He sighed. "No, ma'am. But I was hoping there was some higher purpose to dragging me out of bed at four in the morning other than to make some coffee."
"Then your hopes are hereby officially dashed, Potter. Dismissed." Tenet couldn't miss the glint of amusement in her eye. It remained as she turned her gaze back to him while sipping her coffee. "Tell me about the herbs on your person."
"Medicinal, I guarantee it," he was quick to assure her.
"I have no doubt. My question lies in your ownership. It is a rare thing for a common tomato farmer to have the permissions of your government to purchase and carry such drugs."
"They aren't my government anymore," he said firmly. Tenet thought he saw the corner of her mouth twitch, but he couldn't be sure. She waited for him to actually answer her questions. "My mother was from a southern tribe. They're known for healing and she took it upon herself to be the healer for our lot."
"I did not know there was a staff large enough to require a healer on a tomato farm."
It was a challenge more than a question. He gave as casual a shrug as he could. "It was in her blood and my father humored her. There was not much money to be had in that whole sector. A healer was hard to come by, and she'd often visit neighboring blocs to take care of their sick in return for whatever they could spare."
She began tapping her fingers on the desk again, and Tenet's nerves began to fray.
Tenet knew he should only answer what was asked. Scarab had warned him over and over that if they ever got caught and questioned, he should keep his answers short and to the point. But his nervousness was getting the better of him and he couldn't help but try and fill the painful silence. "We were tomato farmers, but we weren't really that good at it, if you want to know the truth. My father made some questionable business decisions."
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"Did he?"
Tenet nodded, hoping he was coming across eager and sincere instead of desperate. "Yes. He never wanted to inherit the position, but he had no choice. I believe he would have been happier with potatoes. They're quite similar to tomato plants, you know. And they take far less work."
"So you father was lazy."
He didn't know why he felt bad for smearing the name of a man he never met who meant nothing to him, to the Borderlands, to the major or anyone else he'd encounter the rest of his life. But he did. "Well, I wouldn't say that. I'd say that his desires lay elsewhere. It's difficult to muster enthusiasm for one thing when you so clearly wish for something else."
"On that, we completely agree. So which are you, Mr. Lorne? Are you a tomato farmer or a medic at heart?"
"Medic," he answered without hesitation.
"Indeed?"
"Yes, ma'am. I guess...I guess I inherited my mother's tribal intuitions."
Major Krupkie picked up her coffee cup and took a long, slow sip to buy herself some thinking time. She had a real situation on her hands. She knew it as soon as Cap woke her up. If the captives were standard, ordinary runaways, there wouldn't have been a bounty hunter hot on their heels. Pursued by ex-Cons, maybe. But Cap assured Krupkie he was positive that the two had correctly identified who and what was after them. And the more this man talked, the more he confirmed her initial instinct. The facts didn't jibe with their story in any way. First, two farm bumpkins from a tomato plot wouldn't have made it this far north this quickly. They'd have had to have insider help for that, and failed tomato farmers couldn't afford the kind of services they'd need. It was high summer down there, now. If anything, they would have migrated and then slipped down from the north and landed in the northern borders, not her south west corner of the map.
The woman was good. Angel? Hardly. Not only was that not her name, but Major Krupkie doubted she held even a hint of the deity in her person. Oh, she was good, almost convincing even. She was demur and polite, scared and shy, just as she should be. Hell, many would probably have bought her act hook, line, and sinker. But many wouldn't know that look in her eyes. Many wouldn't have known that it was meat she ate first at the buffet, the subtle test for every visitor. Many wouldn't have paid attention to the mannerisms, the practiced movements, the cutting visual sweep she made as soon as she entered. The woman was not some farmer's daughter. At best she was an escapee from one of their cattle ranches, if she was from Southland at all. The major had her doubts on that.
And this man in front of her. If he was a tomato farmer, then she was the president. Tomato farmers are poor, especially failed ones. Though his story made sense about his mother, there would never be any way a tomato farmer would have enough money for the ridiculous dowry a healer daughter would have required to begin with. Elopements happened, sure, but because of their idiotic caste system, his father would have instantly ceded his rights of leadership. He wouldn't have a tomato farm to hate, then try to pass off to this alleged son.
The boy knew agro, though, that much was certain. He was also wealthy. Even though everything on his person was pathetically ragged and low cost, he carried himself with the practiced grace of aristocracy. These southerners, they didn't realize that the Borderlands had an upper class, too. There were rich and poor everywhere, and no matter the origin, there were simply some things that could not be disguised. He was highly educated. He used words that no mere tomato farmer would. He sat with an air of importance, even though it looked like he'd been through hell. Neither was even close to who they said they were and Krupkie would stake her life on that. Hell, maybe she already was.
The major watched him squirm. He toyed with his cup, his leg bounced up and down, and there was sweat on his brow. He was lying. The woman had been, as well, but she was much better at it. Of the two, she was the dangerous one. Did it matter? If he tied his fate to that of a criminal, didn't that make him a criminal as well? On paper, she should offer them banishment or execution. She should not, under any circumstances, offer them refuge anywhere in her borders.
Maybe she was getting old and soft, but she wasn't ready to pull the trigger on this case just yet. She needed to know more. No, she admitted to herself. She wanted to know more. And she would. Though that woman was planning their escape, Major Krupkie felt confident that their troops could keep the pair under watch for another day or so while she pressed her best agents for some quick intel. She glanced up at the clock. Four thirty in the morning. If she had to be up this early, at least it was for something interesting for once.
"Potter," she called loudly, making Tenet jump. The door flew open. "Escort the Lornes back to the guest barracks. Have Walters assign them Block Four." Her eyebrow raised slightly, making Tenet wonder at what Block Four meant, but he didn't get a chance to ask. Potter's hand was on his arm pulling him up. "Potter!" Krupkie barked. "I said they are guests. No need to get rough."
"Yes, ma'am."
Tenet looked around quickly. That was it? Had he said something wrong? He let Potter pull him out and didn't even get the chance to thank the major or plead his case any more before the door was shut behind him and he was face to face with Scarab's concerned expression.
Scarab gave him a little frown and shake of her head, glancing quickly to Potter. Tenet gave a little shrug.
"Come on, I don't have all day," said Potter, holding the door open. They walked out in front of him to be met in the hall by two unfamiliar soldiers. "Take them to guest barracks and let Walters know the boss ordered Block Four."
"Yes, sir," said a young soldier, snapping a salute.
The soldier was young and over eager, and Scarab knew she could take him easily. The other one, though, was older, more experienced. He had the look of someone who'd seen real battle. If she was on her own, then maybe. Tenet wouldn't have a chance, though. They'd get to Block Four, whatever that was, and she'd press Tenet for details. Though her own interview hadn't gone exactly how she expected, she was confident she said nothing that would give them away or raise any concerns. She certainly said nothing that would be considered threatening or dangerous. She was very careful about that. She felt the frustration bubble up inside as the soldiers seemed determined to take the walk back to the barracks at a snail's pace.
Block Four turned out to be a heavily fortified room. The walls were metal. The door was metal with multiple locks. The inside of the room was nicely furnished, even having a private bathroom off the main bedroom/sitting area. Scarab noticed there was nothing sharp or heavy. The chairs in the sitting area had no frames. They appeared to be simply cleverly constructed overstuffed pillows to sit on. The table was bolted right to the floor. She looked up and saw the windows, tiny slits at the top of the walls that let in little light. Block Four was a prison cell. Panic crawled inside and she whirled around to bolt as the door was closing, the clicks of the locks echoing through her.
"Damn it!" she hissed. She should have made a run for it. She could have taken the older guard by surprise and the younger one probably would have overreacted and made a foolish mistake. Maybe...
Tenet's hand on her shoulder stopped her thoughts. "It's okay," he said. "If they wanted us dead, we would be by now."
She was surprised he knew what she was thinking. "What did you say?" she hissed.
"Me? Nothing. Just what we were..." Scarab whirled around and pointed to her ear, then placed her finger on her lips. That's right, they were probably being monitored. "...doing. It's okay if they know we eloped, honey," he finished.
Scarab rolled her eyes and shook her head, then pushed past to look around the room.
"It's not bad in here," Tenet said, flopping back on one of the chairs. When his momentum sent him right over the other side onto the floor, Scarab knew she assessed properly. They were just cushions that looked like chairs. As Tenet struggled to get up, Scarab moved into the bathroom to check it out, ignoring his swearing at the trick furniture. She frowned as her eyes scanned the s
mall room. Again, nothing sharp, nothing lethal. There was no window and only a very tiny vent fan in the ceiling. There'd be no escape there.
"Are you still griping about the chair?" she asked, walking around the room and getting a more detailed look at the walls, the layout, and anything else that might be useful information to store for later.
Tenet was holding the "chair" and had it turned upside down. "I can't understand why in the hell they'd make a chair that's not a chair. Look! It's just a pillow. Why do that?"
Scarab was amused by his naivety. "So you couldn't break a leg off and take out a guard." She tried to wiggle a small table by the bed. While she couldn't see any bolts, it didn't so much as shake. Damn. She ran her hand underneath the top to feel for wires, but it was smooth. She moved on.
"Why would I hit a guard?" he asked in shock.
"Because prisoners often do that." Scarab was on her hands and knees, looking under the bed. No wires or listening devices there, either.
"Oh," said Tenet simply. He hadn't considered they were prisoners. As soon as she said it, he felt foolish for missing the signs all around the room. All those locks, tiny windows, everything either bolted down or harmless. "I'm an idiot."
"No, you're just not a criminal," she said loudly. If anyone was listening, she wanted to be sure they got that point hammered home. There was no kitchen. Their meals would have to be delivered. That looked to be their only opportunity if escape became necessary. Scarab sighed and stood, hating the helpless feeling. She was fairly certain that there were no listening devices in the general area of the bed. If they were very quiet, maybe whispering under the pillow, she could figure out what was said and what the major believed she knew. If she could figure out that much, she'd have a better idea where they stood. "Come on. Let's go to bed."
Tenet was surprised by the request, but didn't argue. He was exhausted. He untied the new boots and kicked them off as he crossed the room. Scarab left her clothing on, and in spite of his disappointment, he did the same. They got in under the covers, and she scooted right up to him. He pulled her close with a grin and she gave him a light elbow to the stomach.
"What was that for?"
"You're hogging the covers, dear," she said loudly, pointing to her ear again. Then she pulled the pillow out from under his head and put it on top.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Keep your voice as low as you can," she said, leaning in. "The walls have ears, remember?"
He sighed. So she was planning, not cuddling. "Yeah. Right. Sorry."
"What did you say?"
"To Krupkie? Nothing."
Scarab let out an annoyed huff. "So you two sat there for five minutes drinking coffee and staring at each other?"
Tenet rolled his eyes. "Of course not. She asked the basics, I gave her the basics."
"What specifically did you say?"
This was not his fault. He was sure of it. And she was so positive it was. "What specifically did you say?" he countered.
"She asked my name, location of our farm, my father's name, location and type of his crop."
"Uh oh."
"Did she ask you that?"
"No."
"Good. Then there's no contradiction there."
Tenet frowned. "We should have thought of that."
"Keep your voice down!" Scarab took a deep breath. "Yeah, we should have. If it comes up again, his name is Lance Daws and he's a worker on the turnip fields."
Tenet was impressed. Whether by accident or design, she somehow made up a plausible story. Turnip fields would be close enough to his pretend father's tomato lands to make their meeting almost a foregone conclusion. "Lance Daws. Got it."
"And then she asked for details on that ex-Con we killed. She seemed to be very interested in knowing if we saw any others on our journey. Controlling the gang seems to be the main function of this outpost. Now, what did she ask you?"
"Name, rank, and serial number," he said, giving the standard military response he'd learned at the academy. "She asked about the medicines."
"And?"
"And what? I told her the truth, that my mother was a healer from a southern tribe and I took an interest in that instead of my father's tomatoes."
Scarab bit her lip. "Hm."
"What?"
She shook her head. "Nothing. I mean, what else could you say, right? You had the drugs on you. There had to be a reason."
"Besides, she seemed very interested in my wanting to be a medic."
"Good. We hoped as much."
"Did she ask you anything about your training?"
"No." Scarab didn't think much of it at the time, but now that she heard Tenet got grilled, she found it odd that Krupkie didn't ask her a single question about her education, training, or potential services she could provide for the community. She knew the picture she painted for other people. She spent years relying on the fact that people could take one look at her and know they better stay in line. The fact that Krupkie didn't ask anything about what she could do suddenly made her worried. She did her best to play the lost little girl. Maybe it wasn't enough. Maybe she was too much herself no matter how much she tried to change. Maybe Krupkie didn't ask because she didn't have to. "Shit," she whispered, a shiver going up her. It wasn't Tenet. He didn't give them away.
Tenet felt her shiver, felt her tense. He could feel her fear. He gently pulled her arm until she rolled over. He tucked her into him and held her close. She only stiffened for a few seconds before she began to relax. "If they know, they know. Nothing we can do about it now, right?" He lifted his head and put the pillow back where it belonged, then did the same with hers.
He was right, and that pissed her off. They were more stuck here than they would have been dodging the govers in Southland. At least there they had a chance. They had options. "How can you be calm?" she hissed, trying to pull away. "How can you always be so damn calm?"
"One of us has to be." He pulled her to him and held his arm firm. He could feel her scowl, and that made him smile. "We're here. We made it. Okay, so we're kind of in jail."
"Kind of?"
"And we really don't know what's going to happen later. But for right now, we're clean for the first time in weeks, we've had a great meal, and now we're spending our first night together in a surprisingly soft bed." He felt her tension slip and couldn't help the feeling of satisfaction coursing through him. He was learning her in spite of her best efforts to keep him out. He was finding the ways past her defenses. "Seriously, if this is how they treat their prisoners, how bad can they be?"
She swallowed hard, feeling the panic bubble again at his words. "You don't want to know," she whispered, pressing herself back into him for the solid comfort of his arms.
Tenet hoped that one day she would tell him. But, it wouldn't be today. "We're safe from Jace," he pointed out. It was something. If she couldn't get out, she was positive Jace couldn't get in. "And you're letting me hold you again," he murmured against her ear.
To her surprise and consternation, she didn't rebuff him. Her mind decided to grab on to that revelation instead of the fear. "Go to sleep, Te...Archie," she corrected quickly.
Tenet hooted and cheered inside. She didn't push him away, she didn't argue. She didn't pull away even slightly. In fact, she nestled in as if she really was starting to get comfortable being in his arms. He gave her a small squeeze, smiling into her hair. "Good night, Angel," he whispered. Whatever happened later would happen. For that moment, it was more than enough.