This Work Is Part Of A Series (The Messenger Archive Book 2)

by DC Bastien

  "Mes... can you move over to the little escape ship?"

  "Yes, Saidhe. Initiating transfer now."

  "Let me know when you're ready."

  Loap was standing guard, a gun in either hand, now. He was ready to lay down covering fire, eyes scanning left and right for threats. Saidhe ran her hands over the console, warming up the small engine.

  "What are you planning, Tho-Saidhe?"

  "Messenger can't take off, but we can put Mes in here and give their manes some afterburn. We can both fit in here, and get... get some distance between us."

  There was only space for two of them on the little vessel. Saidhe knew that it was blatantly obvious they would be leaving Vadim behind. She didn't want to, but... you had to make the tough decisions, if they were the right ones. She slipped into the pilot's seat just as the engines initialised enough to lift half a foot from the ground.

  "Mes, now would be a good time to--"

  "I am in here, Saidhe." Mes' voice was tinnier, from inside the little hopper's hull, not the full, echoing voice of the ship. "I suggest we leave now."

  The Hleen leaned around through the open door. "Get in, you scaly beast!"

  Loap sunk low on his haunches, and then sprang into the ship; standing with feet at shoulder-width apart, braced. "Go. I will keep my weapons ready in case we need them."

  "There's shit for armour on this hull, our only chance is to avoid everything that wants to hit us, scare a few of them with the noise, and get into some dark zone before surface-to-air drones take us down."

  "Remind me again why this is a good idea?"

  Saidhe wasn't sure it was.

  ***

  Biann was nervous. Yes, Kre had offered, but even though she felt more comfortable around the stoic chaplain now, there were still lines that were difficult to cross. Kre was always very... distant...

  Right now, however, Biann had her ankles hooked around the Sianar's waist, arms around her shoulders, sliding under her fake mantle and fingers knotted into her hidden mane. She mumbled another apology, worried it was hurting, but not sure it would even be heard at the pace they were running.

  It should be exhilarating, by all accounts: sitting astride a Sianar who was charging at full pelt, but worrying about her friends and family wasn't helping. They were in the back streets now, and Biann couldn't help but be amused at that. They were keeping to their schedule after all, even if the darker areas of Jazibe were flying past too fast to appreciate.

  Eventually, Kre-Nappre skidded to a halt, her paws struggling to break her momentum, and Biann had to clutch on tighter still or risk being thrown. Kre's chest was heaving from the exertion, and her fur was hot and wet, so Biann was all too happy to slip to the floor, and take a step back. Kre's mouth was open; her long, pink tongue flopped out of her muzzle to pant, and her flanks were shaking. Though Biann wondered how much was exertion, and how much was nervous tension.

  "It... has been a while... since I ran like that," she admitted, a little sheepishly.

  "Well, it's been never that I did. You're... you're really impressive, you know?"

  "Because... I can run?"

  "Because you can run. And you're also super smart. But you gotta be... what: one of the top bracket of your people, with your heritage?"

  There was a little whuff vibrating whiskers, and Kre dropped to all fours before shaking from head to toe, as if shrugging off the exertion. "Why should I be proud of something I had no say in?"

  "You mean... because you didn't work for it?"

  Kre nodded, and rose back up again. She looked a little more composed, even though her fur was still damp in places and her pupils blown. "Precisely. I could have been born a cripple, or an idiot. I could have been born poor, or in some remote, isolated community. My physique is not a result of training, or discipline. It's... simply my inheritance."

  "Sure, but even with your metabolism, if you didn't learn to use your skills, or keep yourself trim, you'd not be in such a good shape?"

  "Perhaps. But it is not the quality I most revere."

  "You said yourself you could be born dumb. It's the same thing... you had the opportunity and the capacity, but it's what you've done with it. You could have been anything. You could have thought you were better than everyone else... but you didn't. You don't."

  "It's true, I don't. I... am grateful for the opportunities my father gave me, of course. It is just that..."

  "You feel guilty?"

  The Sianar's ears flattened sadly against her scalp. "Not everyone is as fortunate."

  "No, but you're doing good. I've seen you! I've seen you inspire kids to go study, to make something of their lives. You'd be a great teacher. I mean... if you did it long term, not just short bursts."

  "Thank you... perhaps I would. It would require me to stay in one place, though, and that is something I have cause to avoid. If I based myself on any one planet, then I am sure it would be easier for... for politics to catch up with me." Kre shrugged, eyes slanting away. "We should find a place to lay low for the night."

  "Okay. We probably want somewhere that only deals in bricks."

  "Will they not sell us out?"

  "Some of them, yes. But... you find the right one? And if you've paid them right, then they return the favour."

  "It is a good job that my father paid us so handsomely for this job, then."

  "Yeps. And let's hope he don't want a refund because of all the problems."

  "He won't. My sister? Well. That's another matter entirely..."

  ***

  The little emergency hopper had been upgraded somewhat, in order to make it space-worthy, but it was still barely more than a space-tight shell with engines. The ship was Biann's latest pet project, but they hadn't had it long enough to make much of a difference to the early design. It would manage in the vacuum of space, but it couldn't possibly leave or re-enter orbit, not without a significant investment in it first.

  Loap braced as much as he could, guns drawn, ready to shoot at the attackers if the hull was breached. The floor rattled terribly underfoot as they made a quick ascent, and he wondered how much better it was since the last time he'd been forced into it. Then he'd worried he'd die in the tin can, alone in the vastness of space while the rest of the crew went off to play Mexican Stand-off with the Bankers. At least this time he had company, but he'd still rather not die.

  "Hold on," the Hleen pilot said, through tightly gritted teeth. "I'm going to strafe them, give the Cap'n a fighting chance, and give them a mouth full of after-burn..."

  Saidhe gunned the engine, and they were in the cargo bay, above the officers. There was only a few feet of clearance above them, and if Saidhe wasn't careful, they would scrape the roof.

  Loap couldn't hear the shouts from below, only the reports of gunfire and, before the Roq had any time to think, they were out again. No holes that he could see the outside world through, not ones that hadn't existed before. He blinked as the sudden change of light hurt his eyes, putting one gun over his brow to shield the worst of the glare. Outside the ship was a wide hangar, and Saidhe flew them over some cold, still ships and up above the buildings lining this industrial area of Jazibe. The sky was a soft salmon, the clouds in thin bands like the tall grasses. It was strangely peaceful to look at, and utterly at odds with the welcome they'd received. Sadly, though, didn't have much time to appreciate it as Saidhe flew them away from the sensors.

  It was typical. Even on a 'nice' planet with a 'safe' job, the Captain still found ways to make their life a living hell. It was a gift.

  ***

  Vadim glared at the Sianar who was shoving him, his wrists rubbing against the cuffs, trying to gauge the give. He'd tensed up when they'd put them on, to give himself the best chance of escaping, but without a weapon and with three of them, it would be difficult. Difficult, but not impossible.

  "Hey, remember some of us have shorter legs," he grumbled, as they walked from the hangar to the office off to the side.

  "I co
uld carry you," the Sianar suggested, his furry muzzle grazing the back of Vadim's neck. "If you don't shut up."

  "Would you carry the Za?"

  "The Za wouldn't need carrying."

  "So his right-hand man?"

  "His right-hand man wouldn't get captured, Kip. You're more... his left."

  Vadim's head snapped around to the doorway at the far side of the office, where a tall figure was hugging the wall. His voice was unmistakable. It always would be.

  "The hell are you doing here, Avery?"

  "Lovely to see you, too."

  Avery waved at the dock staff. "Please, go fetch my car. I'll take it from here."

  "What about the security footage, chief?" one of them asked.

  "I'll take care of it. You'll all be lauded for your efforts to stop such a violent and dangerous criminal group. I'll make certain."

  "Yes, Sir."

  They left, leaving Vadim even more confused. He waited until they were all out of earshot before turning back to the Enforcer. "You want to tell me what the hell is going on here?"

  "I could ask you the same thing."

  "I asked first."

  Avery shook his head. "You really would argue black was white, wouldn't you? Fine. I was trying to save your sorry behind, if you must know."

  "And by 'save' you mean 'get dicks to shoot at me, scramble my crew, and then take me prisoner'?"

  "You weren't supposed to engage in gunfire with my men, Kip. You were supposed to surrender, so I could take you into 'custody'."

  "And... you couldn't just ask me out for dinner like a normal guy?" Vadim snorted in disgust, and then hopped onto the end of a desk, hands still bound behind him. He was damned if he was going to ask for help with that.

  "Not when you're so hot. And no - I mean legally speaking, before your head explodes from all the swelling. You have any idea how hard it was for me to intercept the ship in time? To find reliable, trustworthy staff I could use for this?"

  "Your idea of 'in time' differs from mine, Gunner."

  Avery rolled his eyes. "You were supposed to figure it out, when Evans name-dropped our first assignment."

  "That... what was meant to be a clue?"

  "Do you even pay attention?"

  "I pay attention just fine! It's just your clues are so abstract as to be incomprehensible! And where, exactly, are my crew now?"

  "You tell me. I was on the other side of the city when you landed. I got here as fast as I could." Head to one side, eyes narrowed. "Your AI is missing. And you were the only one aboard the ship."

  "Yeah... what can I say? We're good at running."

  "So good you even run when it's not in your best interests."

  "Would you just uncuff me so we can find my crew and get the hell out of Dodge?"

  "And pass up the opportunity to use these handily pre-prepared restraints for deviant sexual activity?" Ithon was leering, a lopsided smirk curving the corner of his mouth. "Oh, you're such a spoil-sport."

  "Forgive me for not being seduced by your clumsy efforts when my crew is in danger."

  "Potential danger." A shrug, and Avery walked over. He took careful hold of the cuffs and released them, slipping them into his pocket. "Next time, like I said: pay attention."

  "Next time, maybe agree the safeword in advance?" Still, Vadim was pleased his hands were free. He had to fight the urge to rub at his wrists, though, and instead grabbed for his gunbelt, which the officers had at least kindly left behind.

  Avery blew him a kiss and winked. "I promise, sweetheart. Now... as far as I can tell? Saidhe and Loap left with half of my old house and the AI."

  "Mes."

  "Pardon?"

  "She prefers to go by 'Mes'."

  The Enforcer blinked for a moment, then nodded slightly. "With 'Mes'." He at least didn't sneer over her name. "The other two were already gone before my men could arrive. Any reason they scarpered so early?"

  "Biann wanted to sight-see."

  "Ah. Right. And they are now...?"

  "Well, when your guys tried to get the jump on me, I called 'em up and told 'em to run." It had seemed like a good idea at the time.

  "Can you still get in touch with them?"

  "Pass me my pager." He nodded over to the desk closest to Avery, and caught the small device in his left hand. He pushed a few buttons, listening with his head tilted to one side to catch the sound. "Do you read me? This is the Captain. Is anyone on this frequency?"

  Nothing. Not even static.

  "With th-- with Mes gone, would you even be able to hail them?" Avery asked.

  "Yeah, I should be able to, if we're all in the same city. Hell, likely if we're even on the same planet. Never had to try it before without her, though."

  "They may believe you're under duress."

  "No shit."

  The blond man made a wide open gesture with both hands. "Feel free to use the safe-word you set up with them."

  That got him a glower in return. He hadn't set one up, per se. It had never been necessary. Maybe he should think about one for future use, especially if it wasn't just Bankers in disguise he had to worry about, now.

  Speaking of. "Wait... how do I know it's you?" It probably took him a little too long to ask that.

  "Call out your pet. He'll verify me."

  "...Mr Bitey?"

  "The one and the same. Unless you air-locked your most convenient source of testing? Plus, he can prove that you're you, too."

  Vadim whistled a note that started low and ended shrill. He wasn't sure the little Ru would obey, because he was a law unto himself, but after a few minutes Xaix came bounding out, his agile long body a wave of furry intent.

  "Here Bitey... here boy..."

  Xaix went first to Vadim, sitting half a foot away, and sniffed the air non-committally. He looked up, expecting some form of treat.

  "I haven't got anything here for you, buddy, but I'll make it up to you. Just... check that bastard out for me, would you?"

  Xaix considered the request, then more cautiously approached Ithon Avery. He circled the man's legs a few times, before consenting to a head scratch. And then he decided he was happy, and climbed up Avery's arm to settle around his shoulders, trailing his tail down the front of the man's chest.

  "How in the... no. Don't tell me," Vadim said, in disgust. "Charm the pants off a stone, you would."

  "I would find a stone an unsatisfying partner. For one, the abuse I would get back from it would be limited. We don't have long... grab the essentials for your ship, and I'll break open the crates and steal the contents. The trumped-up quarantine order will force them to seal off the ship for decontamination and investigation, leaving it pretty much inviolable for a while."

  "And you're sure it's a trumped-up order because...?"

  "Because there's no way Ail would ship something dangerous with his daughter and heir apparent."

  "And if someone else snuck it in there?"

  Avery shrugged. "I think it's a bullshit reason. They've been trying to kill her for months now, and you pissed off some very important people. Important enough that they want you in custody, but for some reason not dead. You'd have exploded by now if they wanted that, and if they're keeping you alive? They wouldn't actually send you out with boxes of deadly wasps."

  "Wait: wasps?"

  "It was a conjecture. Go pack."

  ***

  [Sianor: Ithon! *rubs my face all over him!*]

  [Ashroe: Oh, that felt better. I feel snark withdrawal when I'm not being an asshole.]

  [Sianor: They're so precious. And by precious I mean 'would shoot your face off if they heard you call them that'.]

  [Ashroe: It would be worth it.]

  [Sianor: So how is the Christmas shopping going?]

  [Ashroe: Great. I'm doing it online. Means I can do it in my PJs.]

  [Sianor: Couldn't you do that on a normal day?]

  [Ashroe: Yes, but this way I can eat yule log cakes and drink snowballs and listen to really inappropriate s
creaming musicians as I do it, and not go into town, or go to work the next day. Yelling people > twee, saccharine, once-a-year CDs that are on repeat in every single shop, but somehow wherever you go, it's always the song that just finished in the last place. It's like this horrifying time-travel trap.]

  [Sianor: So what have you bought?]

  [Ashroe: I bought my parents some boring parent stuff. Like, I got this sewing kit for my mum. It's in a pirate treasure chest. She won't find it amusing, but I will.]