Deep Hydra

by Michael Formichelli

  “I am Captain Gorger Tua’Nyn’Pchaa’Kala’Wathi, but for brevity’s sake, just refer to me as Captain Gorger. We come with news and goods from the capital, but I warn you not to expect much. The lingering effects of the travel ban have affected our stock.”

  The speech was interrupted when two of the Galaeneans handling a crate tripped on the platform and sent it flying into another, longer container. Still hovering on its cushion of dark energy, the impact sent it over the lip of the platform and into the crowd of assembled merchants. The bodies around him pulsed backwards and those closest to the incident recoiled from the falling object and a scream cut through the air.

  Do we have eyes on Kurev still? Nero scanned the press of bodies as the chaos bloomed around him. The crowd pulled back with a collective, horrified gasp and jostled him from side to side as several merchants forcefully decided elsewhere was the place to be. In the growing commotion he started pushing his way through to the front where the view of the crowd might be a bit better.

  “I lost him,” Sorina transmitted.

  “I think he’s heading toward the loading dock,” Kae’s desperate voice came over the comm.

  Nero was grateful to finally get a break in his streak of bad luck. By the time he reached the scene of the incident the market warehouse was sparsely populated. A Relaen dressed in gray overalls lay beneath the two-meter long crate. His narrow face looked discolored, and his ears were twitching as he labored for breath. Nero gritted his teeth, wondering how one got crushed under a cargo crate when things fell so slowly in this place, and assessed the man’s condition.

  “Crap.” He grabbed the edge of the crate. Prospero, contact the local authorities.

  “Don’t touch it!” the big Orgnan boomed.

  Nero looked up and saw two Galaeneans rushing towards him. Both of their skins were colored in shades of gray and brown matching their pressure suits. Neither one of them appeared to have the mass nor the countenance to be threatening to him.

  With a life at stake he ignored the Orgnan and flipped the crate off the Relaen as he stood. The box drifted more than fell until it struck the deck with a clang and its lid popped open.

  What the hell? For just a moment in the shadow of the crate’s lid he saw the faint glow of a control panel and a translucent tube of some kind containing what could be a humanoid figure within. The box rolled over onto its top and shut itself in the process. He had just enough time to look at the deformed, gory mess of the Relaen’s crushed pelvis before both Galaeneans slammed into him.

  The impact sent him flying across the room. He traveled much further than he thought he would, struck the ground, bounced, and hit it twice more before friction finally stopped him near the far wall.

  It’s the light gravity, Prospero explained. Kae, do we still have eyes on Laska Kurev?

  “Negative!” His friend sounded desperate.

  “Negative,” Sorina said. “I am moving in.”

  Nero brought his knees up and performed a handspring that sent him soaring through the air. Ignoring his situation, he reached for his gun and his fingers touched his hip. Shit, he thought, realizing his weapon was on the ‘Slynn. He still had his knife in his boot, but felt Prospero’s anxiety at the thought of drawing it in such a public place.

  The Galaeneans who attacked him were hurrying to right the crate under the scathing gaze of their captain. The big Orgnan, along with the rest of those in attendance, were staring at him as he landed. The Orgnan’s red eyes went from him to the crate and back again. He muttered something, and Captain Gorger’s fleshy beak bent downward in a human-like frown.

  Did I see what I think I saw? Nero thought.

  Prospero opened a window in his UI showing a freeze-frame of the moment the crate opened. He could clearly see the shadow of a human form within the capsule.

  He started towards the crowd, scanning their faces. Most were Relaen and a few were Cleebians, but a small number were bald-headed humans. The Cleebians followed him with one eye while keeping others on the Orgnan and the captain. He didn’t blame them. The brute was now flanked by two more Orgnan in addition to the handful of Galaeneans assembled behind them.

  That’s a lot of hostiles, he thought.

  I advise against what you’re thinking. You’re still not used to the light gravity. I suspect this fight will not go well.

  You’re always trying to stop my fun, he thought. We can’t risk Rune getting loaded onto that ship.

  I estimate Laska Kurev is here to negotiate Rune’s sale with Captain Gorger, but I can’t be certain. The figure in that capsule could be an artificial, in which case it is perfectly legal—though artificials typically don’t need cryo-tubes.

  He gritted his teeth and walked back to the dock watching the Orgnan track him as he moved. The two Galaeneans who hit him finished maneuvering the crate back on the platform as he arrived at the injured Relaen. The man was no longer breathing. With a sigh he raised his eyes.

  “Who are you, little human? And what have you seen?” The Orgnan asked.

  Nero opened his mouth to answer, but the doors leading into the station hissed open. Several Relaen in the blue uniforms of station police officers rushed in. Behind them came four brown-clad medics who went to the fallen man’s side. Sorina rushed up to them, pointing in his direction with her ears vibrating.

  The group on the platform broke rank at the approach of the police and gained a sudden interest in the floor. Captain Gorger met his eyes for a long moment before looking up towards the approaching authorities and folded his arms before his chest.

  “It seems I have forgotten just how isolationist my people can be. They are not as willing to help find Rune as I would have thought, even under Athame’s direction as a Praetor,” Sorina said when she came to his side. “Where is Athame?”

  “I don’t know. She said she would meet us here but there’s no sign of her yet. She’s not with the local authorities, is she?”

  Sorina’s ears bent downward in a negative gesture.

  “Are the police going to help us at all?” He scanned the thinned crowd with his eyes. Kae was still sifting through the merchants. Their ears looked like trembling grass as they vibrated in the air. The few spacers that hadn’t already left were clumped together off to one side.

  “I told them our ship was commandeered by the Praetor, and that we were helping find the boy. At least I do not think they will arrest us now,” she said.

  “Let me guess, it’s a foreigner’s issue? Well, maybe they’ll change their mind when I show them what I saw in the crate.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  He linked the image Prospero isolated.

  I just want to interject here and say again that it might be an artificial and perfectly legal.

  “The shadow is too big for a human boy,” she replied.

  That’s what I said. I’m just trying to be the voice of reason before anyone jumps to conclusions, Prospero sent.

  Sorina’s ears wilted. “It is probably an artificial. I cannot imagine anyone doing something so brazen here, but—”

  “Excuse me,” a Solan’s voice said.

  Nero looked up and froze, suppressing the urge to break the man’s neck and twist his hairless head off.

  “Laska Kurev,” he said and transmitted for Kae’s benefit. A quick scan of the area around the man failed to reveal Rune. “Where is the boy?”

  “So, you know my name. Good. What a coincidence seeing you here.” There was a gleam in the man’s eye he didn’t like. “In the market for a servant?”

  Nero sensed Sorina tense beside him. Instead of engaging the man straight away, he watched the Relaen authorities question the crowd and crew. By the platform, the medics deployed a collapsible gurney for the deceased Relaen.

  “Answer my void-damned question.” He snarled at the man.

  We can’t engage him with the ship police here, not without Athame. You’re not a Praetor anymore, Prospero said.

  He neede
d to give Kae time to get over and box Kurev in. They couldn’t risk him bolting. If they didn’t get Rune back he would never forgive himself. When it became apparent Kurev wasn’t going to answer he decided to change tactics.

  “Here alone?”

  “Your robot didn’t leave me much choice. That’s a hell of a combat model you have there.”

  “It’s just you? Who has Rune?”

  “I’m a professional. The boy is safe for now, but that will depend on you.” Laska snorted. “You know. I could have you arrested for the actions of your ‘bot, but if you hand over Kaeden Faen and let us go we’ll call it even.”

  Nero licked his lips. “What are you doing here at the market of a known slaver? Maybe the police need to hear my suspicions?”

  Laska’s eyes darted over to the ship authorities. “Heh, hardball, huh? All right. Normally I’d say knock yourself out, but I’m in a bit of a hurry, so I’ll just be up-front and hope you’re reasonable people. I’m here to try and procure a ride from the Urgoryth. I intend to do so without interference.”

  “Fat chance.”

  “If you do interfere my associate will kill the boy.” The spacer glared.

  “Keep talkin’ that way and see if my fist doesn’t find its way into your skull.”

  Keep him distracted, but don’t chase him off, Prospero warned. Behind the Spacer, Kaeden was pushing his way through the crowd while trying to stay out of the line of sight of the police.

  Laska snorted. “You poor bastards. You have no idea what you’re messing with.”

  Sorina took in a sharp breath.

  Laska smirked. “If you two are here, I’m betting Kaeden Faen isn’t far behind. Right? Where’s Kaeden Faen? It’s him and the boy I care about. You and your friends get to go.”

  Interesting, Prospero thought. If we’re not on his bounty list it isn’t Daedalus’.

  Nero avoided looking directly at Kae. “We’re not leaving without Rune and Kaeden. I guess you’re gonna have to deal with us regardless of what you want.”

  “That’s too bad. By the way, your artificial is pretty impressive, though illegal. It’s supposed to have pinhole eyes, white skin, and no combat subroutines that can take out a whole squad of bondsmen.” He whistled. “Hell, I’ll buy her from you for a million ConSovs if you’ll hand Faen over.”

  He thinks Athame is a regular artificial. Prospero sounded amused.

  Nero tried hard not to grin. Laska may think they had no idea who they were dealing with, but it was clear he didn’t either.

  “She’s not for sale, but I’m sure she has a few more surprises for you.”

  “Does she? Heh, what are we talking about? A trade? Is she a pleasure model you converted or something? Are you two into the freaky stuff?” He looked at Sorina.

  Nero’s eyes flickered over the man’s shoulder. Kae was almost upon Laska with a murderous look on his face. His lip was cocked upward on one side in a sneer that displayed his clenched teeth.

  “You’re not willing to trade the boy, right?” Nero asked. Are we in the clear? Is he really alone?

  “I have not seen any of his companions,” Sorina transmitted. “I am watching the other spacers, but they do not look like they are taking interest in us.”

  “You are correct. I’m not,” Laska stated. “You have no idea how high the bounty is on them, do you?”

  “Why don’t you tell me?” He asked. The last Relaen in the crowd of merchants was about a meter and a half behind Laska. Kae was stepped past her.

  “It’s a hundred-thousand ConSovs. Can you believe that?” Laska chuckled. “You look like the soldier type, but I’m guessing you’re not a bondsman. I’m betting you don’t understand what kind of money that is for just a man and a boy.”

  “It’s a lot, right?” Nero said.

  Kae drew his fist back. He was about to punch Laska in the kidney when the Relaen beside him took a quick step forward, knocking him off balance.

  Nero tensed.

  It was a mistake. Laska’s eyes narrowed. He tried to turn around but the Relaen woman grabbed him by the nape and forced him down to his knees.

  “What the—” Nero started, but held his tongue when the woman’s features melted into those of Athame in her Abyssian uniform.

  “Laska Kurev, you are under arrest for kidnapping,” she stated in a loud voice. Several of the station authorities looked over, their ears vibrating in surprise. Up on the stage, Captain Gorger, who was being interviewed by one of the police officers, tapped the Orgnan beside him and pointed. His entire crew looked nervous.

  When Nero turned his attention back to Laska, he found the man gasping with wide eyes and an open mouth.

  “You’re that boy’s guardian, the artificial.”

  “Abyssian,” Sorina stated. “This is Praetor Athame.”

  Kae moved to stand beside Nero. “Where’s my son you son of a bitch.”

  “Praetor? Ah. Hey, I’m a licensed bondsman. I, ah—” Laska’s eyes darted between them. His mouth worked without sound for several moments and the color drained from his face.

  “Do you have any idea how long you’ll spend digging up rocks on a penal colony for kidnapping?” Nero leaned down, putting himself nose-to-nose with the bondsman.

  “Kidnapping? What? No, no, no. No way! This is a legal bond retrieval. I have a contract!”

  “Who?” Kae sneered. “Who put the bounty on us?”

  Laska’s red eyes widened. “I pulled it off the network. I wasn’t hired directly by anyone.”

  “So where were you supposed to bring me?” Kae squatted down on his haunches and grabbed the man’s shoulder. Nero looked up, but the station authorities were concentrating on the crew of the Urgoryth so intently it was obvious none of them wanted to be perceived as interfering in Abyssian business.

  “The contract said to drop you and the boy off at the capital.”

  “What?” Kae frowned.

  “The capital?” Nero rubbed his chin. “It’s a big place. Where were you to leave them?”

  Laska hesitated.

  “Speak.” Athame’s fingers dug divots in the spacer’s neck. He could hear the strain in the bones as Laska’s eyes bulged.

  “This is torture, you can’t—”

  “Speak.” She squeezed harder.

  “My people do not get involved in the affairs of foreigners,” Sorina stated. “Your broken neck will be of no concern to them.”

  He found his voice. “Okay, okay. No bounty is worth this. How about I signal my men to bring the boy here?”

  “No tricks,” Kae said.

  “No, we’ll play this straight-up, I swear. Do you think I want my neck broken?”

  “Think about that if the thought to double-cross us enters your mind,” Kae said.

  “Okay, they’re on the way over. I swear.”

  The man does look terrified. His vitals indicate he is telling the truth, Prospero said.

  “You said you came here to get a ride from the Urgoryth, and you need to go to the capital. How do you know the ship’s headed that way?” Nero asked.

  “I don’t, but—” his eyes flickered up to the loading dock. “See that Orgnan there beside the captain?”

  “Yeah?”

  “That’s Targth Rogkoth. He’s a big-shot back on the capital. I happen to know him from—let’s call it his entrepreneurial days. I got a fifty-fifty shot that he’s either headed out to parts unknown or back to home base.”

  “I see,” Nero muttered.

  “Did you say that Orgnan was from the capital?” Sorina asked.

  Laska’s face twitched before he answered. “Yeah, why?”

  “Nero, Targth Rogkoth is the son of Grull Rogkoth, the local Kharg in Ikuzlu City. He’s wanted on narcotics charges, smuggling, and suspicion of conducting sentient trafficking.”

  So, an all around nice guy? He transmitted.

  Her ears bent to the sides.

  Sorry, couldn’t help myself. He looked at Targth Rogkoth on the plat
form. As much as I’d love to bring that son-of-a-bitch in I think we’ve got a bit too much on our plate right now, and with Athame having revealed herself it’s only a matter of time before Daedalus sends a real Praetor here. He may already have.

  “I know.” Her ears twitched.

  Athame’s eyes shifted to him. “I can guarantee he has. The local authorities transmitted a report to the CSA after I made contact. We have only days before the signal reaches them. If there is a Praetor nearby we will have, at most, a week before we are attacked.”

  He pressed his lips together. Up on the platform the Relaen authorities finished with Captain Gorger and started to question Targth Rogkoth. Nero shrugged and turned his back to Laska, but did a double-take. The crate containing the mysterious humanoid figure wasn’t on the platform.

  “What the hell?”

  “What is it?” Sorina asked.

  “The crate’s gone.” He frowned, scanning the platform twice more before he was sure of it. “They must’ve moved it out in the commotion.”

  Laska laughed but cut himself off when Athame squeezed her fingers.

  “There is nothing funny here. If the boy does not materialize healthy and unharmed in 180 seconds, I will break you bone by bone,” she said.

  “Understood…” Laska licked his lips. “He’ll be here, and he’ll be fine. I promise. Like I said, no bounty’s worth this. In the meantime, ah, can you let up a bit? My neck is going numb.”

  Remind me never to make Athame angry, Nero thought.

  Point taken, Prospero stated.

  “Please?” Laska asked.

  Nero looked into Athame’s eyes and nodded. “If he runs, break his legs.”

  “Affirmative.” She let him go.

  “Hey, thanks.” Laska rubbed his neck.

  “Don’t thank me. I’ll kill you if Rune doesn’t show up, got it?” he said.

  “Not if I kill him first,” Kae half-growled.

  “Nero, I can think of only one reason to move the crate,” Sorina transmitted, drawing his attention away from their prisoner.

  So what I saw—

  Maybe they are smuggling sentient beings after all, but we aren’t Abyssians anymore. We are now waiting for Rune. We cannot afford to investigate, Prospero said.