He gave covering fire, making the outlaws duck.
Scrambling up the small hill, Des and Orde stumbled inside the dubious sanctuary of the cool, dim cave. The boulders that partially blocked the entrance meant they could stand comfortably, and Orde placed the manblasters and survival kits down onto the ground before turning to help Des ease Aiken onto the dusty floor.
He groaned and blinked up at them before slipping into unconsciousness again.
"How is he?” Marcel glanced briefly over his shoulder.
"I don't know. Give me a minute.” Quickly Des unbuttoned his shirt and spread it open. “Superficial wounds to the chest. A lump on his temple explains his fluctuating conscious state."
Orde moved further into the cave. “I'll see how far back it goes."
"Good idea,” Des agreed. “Don't want any outlaws jumping us from behind."
Moving her hands down Aiken's legs, she felt the bump even as he let out a small groan of pain. Pulling the dagger from her boot, she slit his pants legs and studied the dark bump in his leg. “Broken."
"Damn.” Marcel nodded towards the survival kits, his own included. “There are painkillers in there."
Moving swiftly, Des located the analgesia patches and quickly slapped one onto Aiken's shoulder. Within minutes he slipped into deeper sleep, and she attended his superficial injuries before joining Marcel at the entrance to the cave.
"Apart from that leg, he'll be fine.” She squinted out into the burning sun. “Unless he has other internal injuries we don't know about."
"How comforting."
"Well, I'm not a bloody doctor, Marcel.” She studied the outlaws who had settled in on the hill opposite.
"And yet, I feel better having you with me.” He grinned.
"Don't think sweet-talking me now will gain you back those goody points.” She gave him a brief smile, a shared moment of camaraderie.
Orde's voice sounded in her ears. “Boss, there's a tunnel that curves upward. It leads to a small hole near the top."
"Can anyone get in or out of it?"
"Only if they work at it, but we'd hear them."
"Right.” She rolled her shoulders. “Is there anything there you can use to hide it from outside?"
"I could place some these boulders against it and hope they hold."
"Do it, and then return down here."
Over the communication receiver, she could hear Orde grunt as he did his best to block the hole. Turning her gaze towards the outlaws opposite, she squinted.
They were talking amongst themselves, crouched down behind the shelter of the rocks.
Peering up, she watched the fighter crafts do a couple of victory laps across the sky, as well as swooping down over the cave.
"Cocky,” Marcel observed.
"What makes me uneasy, Marcel, is the fact that they could blow us up in here, but haven't made any move to do so.” Des watched the fighters thoughtfully.
Orde moved back into the cave. “I reckon they'll play with us for a while before trying to flush us out."
"Probably."
He squatted down next to her and peered out. “I'd say—"
"Hey! Peacekeepers!” A voice boomed out.
Startled, Des and her two men exchanged glances, and then she relaxed. “They've got a voice projector going."
"I'll cry if they start singing,” Marcel said.
"It might be better compared to what they have planned,” Orde murmured.
The loud voice sounded again. “Why don't you three come on out and play with us?"
Whistles and jeers greeted this from the outlaws.
"Come on! I promise we'll be real nice to you!"
"God Almighty,” Des said. “They're going to talk us to death."
Orde chuckled.
"Now, my name's Stone, and I'm your host for the short time you have left before we come and get you, Peacekeepers!” the outlaw called.
"He's about as thick as one, too,” Marcel muttered.
"Now how about I tell you what the entertainment is going to be?” Stone continued, and stood up to wave his arm. “In case you're wondering, this is me!"
"Gee, my heart pounds,” Des said.
"Whatever turns you on, Boss.” Marcel squinted down the barrel of his laser. “Too far away. Damn."
Stone started to strut up and down the skyline. “Soon, there will be more of us arriving, and you know why?"
"Do I get two guesses?” Scrambling back into the interior of the cave, Des retrieved the manblaster and brought it back to the rocks.
"Ah, you mean business.” Orde pushed his dark hair back from his brow. “Don't fancy him for a beau?"
"Not my type.” Resting the barrel on the rock, she laid her cheek against the side of the barrel.
Stone continued to strut up and down, the voice projector gripped in one fist. Behind him she could make out the raised hands of the outlaws, their whoops and whistles coming through loudly.
"Firstly, I know you're there, Demon!” Stone yelled. “Big and tall and strong enough to take us all on!"
"He's so poetic.” Des sighted him down the barrel of the manblaster.
"You're pretty in a freaky kind of way, Demon!” Stone continued. “You know what I'm going to do to you? I'm gonna tie you down on your back and strip your clothes off, and then I'm gonna screw you every way I can! You got that? On your back, on your belly, in your mouth!"
"He's not very original, is he?” Des looked up from sighting him down the barrel. “Doesn't he have any imagination?"
"Doesn't sound like it.” Picking up his own manblaster, Orde returned to her side.
"And then you know what?” Stone laughed. “Then the others are gonna take you and screw you blind!"
The outlaws howled, making baying noises.
Des glanced over her shoulder when Aiken groaned, but returned her attention to the outlaws on the ridge when he subsided.
"And then, we're gonna take you two and three at a time! You've got three orifices, Demon, and we're gonna fill them all!"
"He's giving me a headache.” Used to the coarseness and threats of outlaws, Des refused to worry.
She'd taken the job knowing the risks, and she wasn't about to get upset over any threats, however real and likely, until the time came. And even then, she'd go down fighting.
"Don't worry, Boss,” Orde said quietly. “We won't let them take you."
Des gave him a small smile.
"And guess what we have in store for your male peacekeepers, Demon? We're gonna strip your men and do the same!” Stone bellowed.
More baying sounds met this, and several laser bursts flared.
"Oh, now I don't think that's very nice.” Marcel grimaced. “I'll be face down in the dirt!"
"At least you won't have to look into his face,” Des reminded him. “I'm the one that apparently has to look at his ugly mug."
"You do have a point."
"So what do you say, Demon?” Stone yelled. “Gonna do some begging? Some begging for this?” Crudely grabbing his crotch, he made jerking motions in the direction of the cave.
Several other outlaws got up and did the same, hooting and yelling obscenities.
"All right.” Des looked at Marcel and Orde. “I'm about to make a little example of this arsehole. It may mean trouble."
"Gee, you mean we're safe now?” Marcel raised his eyebrows.
"I'm just saying it may spark off a little trouble. Are we ready?"
Orde rubbed his chin. “How about a little bet to make it interesting?"
"You're on!” Marcel held out his hand. “One hundred dinnos says she takes out the bastard's legs."
"I say it's his head.” Orde shook his hand briskly.
Sighting down the barrel of the manblaster, Des smiled a little as she found just the right spot. Taking a slow, deep breath, she squeezed the trigger.
Almost immediately Stone froze. Looking up from the barrel, Des watched as he suddenly started clutching himself and screaming
, before dropping onto the ground, one of his legs going the other way. The other outlaws dropped behind the shelter of the ridge.
"Damn,” said Marcel admiringly. “You shot off his dick!"
"Nice.” Orde patted her on the shoulder.
"A bit sloppy,” Des replied, feeling an immense satisfaction go through her. “I shot off one of his legs, too."
"That should get a result,” Marcel said. “And I think it will be very soon."
They threw themselves back into the depths of the cave as a fighter craft suddenly appeared and flew for the cave. Sure enough, its laser guns peppered the ground in front of the cave, causing chips of rock to fly in all directions.
Orde got cut on the leg by a flying chunk, but apart from that, no one was hurt. The fighter craft soared off.
"I think they're making a statement.” Marcel crawled back to the shelter of laser-burned rocks at the entrance.
"I think I might have upset someone.” Des moved up beside him.
The sounds coming from the ridge now weren't merry, but angry.
"We may have to make a decision soon,” Orde stated.
"To run or fight? That decision was never in doubt, nor is my answer.” Des cut her gaze to him. “We fight."
Calmly he returned her gaze. “I expect nothing more."
Her gaze slid to Marcel and he nodded.
Des relaxed. “All right, we need to start making plans—"
"Des!” A deep voice resounded in her ear.
Unable to believe what she was hearing, she stared at her two peacekeepers.
"Des! Can you hear me?” The anxiety in the rumbling voice made it harsher.
"What the hell are you doing on the communications system?” Des demanded, recovering from her shock.
"Just do what I tell you—"
"Where's Yucel, damn it? Get off the system, trader!"
Orde and Marcel were slack-jawed as they continued to look at her.
"Yucel is trying to find the outside interference in the communications,” Simon growled. “Emory is on his way to you."
"Then who the hell is running the office?” Des's grip on the manblaster tightened until her knuckles went white. “Huxley!"
"Here, Boss—"
"Get that bloody trader off the air and get your arse in that chair! You're in charge, Goddamnit it!” She couldn't believe the nerve of the trader.
"Actually, Boss, the communications system and scanner is open only by being channeled through the trade ship,” Huxley explained. “And the Daamens are the only ones who can operate the system.” His voice started to break up. “They're leading ... scanners ... on the way to your ... picked up ... position...” Static sounded.
Bugger. Des looked at Orde and Marcel, who were still staring at her.
"The Daamen traders are tracking us?” Marcel queried.
"And on their way?” Orde looked thoughtful.
"Aye, we're coming.” Simon's voice was as clear as a bell in Des's ear. “And the peacekeepers from Sharver are also on their way with four fighters. If you can stay under cover for another twenty minutes, we'll be right on top of you."
"You better keep your distance, trader,” Des said tightly, relieved to hear that Adin was on his way, but concerned for the big trade ship. “You aren't equipped to deal with these fighters."
"You'd be surprised, lass, what this ship is equipped to deal with.” There was silence for a second. “And what I'm equipped to deal with."
Des actually blinked. Surely he couldn't be thinking ... oh. The scene in her kitchen came back immediately, and it was all she could do not to blush.
Marcel and Orde were looking relieved as well.
"We might get out of this with our arseholes the same size as when we got here,” Marcel said.
Des couldn't stop the bubble of laughter from slipping free. “Yeah, well I might get away with every orifice the same size...” Uh-oh. Simon could hear everything that was being said, and if he could hear ... She shrugged suddenly. Well, bugger it. It was nothing worth worrying about, not when their very lives were in danger.
At least help was on the way.
"Hello.” Orde hefted the manblaster up. “Looks like the outlaws won't be waiting much longer."
"What's happening?” Simon immediately demanded sharply.
Getting up on her knees, Des looked over towards the ridge. More outlaws could be seen in the distance, moving closer, and the fighter craft were situating themselves to face the cave.
"Des?” Simon demanded again. “Speak to me."
"We've got a little situation here,” she said.
"Report.” Adin's clipped voice was a welcome sound.
"Three fighter craft sighting down the cave,” she replied. “Outlaws massing on the ridge directly opposite the cave. Have you got us locked on scanner, Adin?"
"Yes, but we're still fifteen minutes away."
"I don't think they're going to wait that long."
"What's your plan?"
"Fight."
"Your plan?” He insisted.
"Give us a minute."
Silence fell on the communication receivers, and Des looked at Marcel and Orde.
"Right.” Marcel rested the butt of the manblaster on the ground by his foot.
"Any ideas?” she asked them quietly.
"What're you thinking?” Orde queried.
"I'm thinking those outlaws are going to rush down that hill at us, while those fighters keep us pinned down by spraying the front of the cave with laser fire."
"Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm thinking, too."
"So I reckon we need to give them a little surprise."
"That'd be nice, too."
Marcel grinned. “The hole in the cave? Near the top?"
"Yep.” Des nodded. “We get up near that hole, and while those fighters are firing at the cave front, we go through and come out the top, and take them down with the manblasters. We only need to get a good shot through their space shields—"
"Des, ‘tis too dangerous,” Simon interrupted.
She ignored him. “Those outlaws will be right behind the fighters. While two of us concentrate on the fighters, one of us can start cutting down the outlaws."
"Des!” Simon's voice barked out over the head microphones. “The fighters will kill you!"
"Those outlaws want us alive, trader. They'll use the fighters to keep us down until the outlaws storm the cave and capture us. There's more outlaws massing behind the ridge, too many to fight in the confines of the cave. Out in the open, with the element of surprise, is our only chance."
"Chance? You'll be killed for sure!"
"Ether way, Simon, we're meat. Laser meat or outlaw meat, and I know what kind of meat I choose to be."
"Me, too.” Marcel shuddered.
Orde hefted the manblaster in his hands. “A true peacekeeper goes out fighting, not waiting to be captured by outlaws."
"It's true,” Adin said quietly. “I'd choose the same way."
There was a murmur of agreement through the communication receivers from the other peacekeepers flying with him.
"Then don't do anything foolhardy until there's no choice,” Simon said tightly.
"You don't tell us what to do,” she replied coolly.
There was silence for a second before he said softly, “I'm not telling the others, lass, I'm telling you. Nay, I'm asking—begging—you to take care."
Someone whistled in amazement over the communication receivers, another voice chuckled. Orde and Marcel were slack-jawed for the second time in as many minutes.
Color crept up Des's cheeks. She couldn't believe that Simon had dared to say what he'd just did over a communications line that every peacekeeper in the vicinity would hear if they listened.
Six
Marcel opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, she snarled, “Shut up!” So he subsided, but his eyes gleamed.
"We'll go and get the hole ready, just in case,” Des said, gratefully seizing
the opportunity to continue with what she knew—planning and fighting for survival. “Marcel, you stay on watch out here."
"Gotcha, Boss."
Turning, Des's gaze fell on Aiken. He was watching them tiredly. Moving swiftly she dropped down beside him. “How're you feeling?"
"Like crap.” He managed a weak grin. “I'm part of the fight, right?"
"Aiken—"
"No. I can't fight and run with you, but I sure as hell won't be letting those bastards get hold of me, either.” Reaching down, he unclasped the laser from the holster at his thigh and lifted it out. “I'm going to fight with you, just not with you, if you know what I mean."
In the same situation, Des would have done the same. They all would have. There was no way she was going to leave Aiken stripped of pride and protection and the respect he deserved. “Fine. We'll drag you as far back into the cave as we can and prop you up so you can shoot anything that comes either way, from above through the hole if we don't make it, or through the front of the cave. Agreed?"
"I'll watch the back and front.” He nodded.
"We're going to see about that hole.” She touched him briefly on the face, a gentle stroke. “Okay?"
"I'll stay here and ensure Marcel doesn't decide to hightail it out there and take them all on by himself,” Aiken joked.
"Good plan.” Standing up, Des nodded to Orde. “Lead on."
The cave didn't go back very far, but the angle of the tunnel was surprisingly steep. Almost immediately she saw glimpses of sunshine through the tiny gaps left by the rocks Orde had used to block the hole.
"Let's start unblocking it, but take care,” she added. “There may be outlaws up there trying to get in."
Carefully they started to remove the rocks, working as quietly as they could manage. There was no sound from above. Finally, just as Orde was about to remove the biggest rock, Des palmed her laser and stood back. Nodding her head at him to continue, she trained the laser on the hole in the cave roof and kept a gentle pressure on the trigger, ready to fire at the first sight of an outlaw.
The rock came away but there was no sound.
"Des?” Adin asked quietly.
"So far, so good. I'm about to stick my head through the hole and see what's up there."
"Be careful,” Simon said at almost the same time as Adin.
Heart of a Peacekeeper Page 14