CHAPTER 13

Hera: Close by the merc ship, approx. 4 AM

Glad they kep’ the red lights, won’t bugger up my night vision while I’m inside.

Seen some movement up top, must be the merc pilot. Minor complication, that. Hoped both of ‘em’d be down here at the ramp. Coulda just dialed down the Callahan and dropped ‘em both from a distance. Gotta do this one the hard way.

That bein’ the case, need to move a bit. Circle round, come up ‘longside the can. He’s been pacin’ from one side to the t’other at the top of the ramp. Take a quick peek, see where he is. Up the ramp quick, take him with my knife. Can shoot the pilot from behind, then scram the core. ........................................

Gettin’ over here was the easy part, now for the hard. Ease on up here just a little more and sneak my eye round the edge.....other side, good. Set the shotgun down, easy. Get my knife out, flip it around, edge out. Here he comes, and............now.

Into the light, onto the ramp, gain speed. Goin’ for his pistol, ain’t gonna make it. Slam into him hard, throw an elbow strike to the face, follow it up with the blade. Try to duck as the blood sprays from his throat, don’t quite make it. He’s down, thrashin’, bleed out in a minute. My right hand and arm are covered.

Knife in scabbard, Callahan out, safety off. Ladder headin’ up, where I wanna go.

Passage looks clear, door to the con is open. Yeah, he’s there. Metal grid deck, gotta be smooth and quiet. Toe then heel, toe then heel, quiet as I can.

Close enough. Take a breath, sights centered on the back of his head. Let it out slow, and squeeeze.... POP. Move in quick now, POP, second for insurance.

Good hits, first prolly was enough. Break the gun open, discard empties, replace with fresh. Back down the passage, check each compartment. Nuthin’, nuthin’, and nuthin’. All clear.

Engine room door ahead, closed. Get to the side, yank it open. Side, side, high, low. Nuthin’.

What a piece of go se. Wires goin’ all over. You boy’s’ve either got balls like boulders or brains like walnuts. Bypassin’ the actuators like that is only when you need to un-ass in a hurry. Keep runnin’ like that steady and you’ll end up as very small bits that glow in the dark. Never mind, where’s the damn control box? Lessee....primary power there, connects over to the feedback, which connects to...there. Pop open the lid. Disconnect there, there, and there.

Blackness. One, two, three....lights back on. Battery backup green light. Now where to put this damn card? Ah, perfect. Slides right up behind there. Leave any blood on it? A little. Okay, spread it around in here. Brush up against this thusly, a little over here, and some here. Good enough.

Now to get that wave sent and beat it on outta here.

Bunkhouse, Higgins’ Compound, 15 Months Ago , night

Got the mag-cards from the both of ‘em, just in case. Sure wouldn’t mind takin’ a gun too, but I gotta keep this all on the quiet side. Gun goes off durin’ any of this might as well resign myself to bein’ stuck here permanent. If I live, that is.

Two down, four to go. Zeeb and Mister Lucky next. Lights finally went off in here as I was comin’ back. ‘Bout damn time, too. Give‘m awhile to settle down, get all the way to sleep. They were even kind enough to leave a light on low so I don’t fall over nuthin’

Had a look in here earlier durin’ the game. Bunks are all towards the back, I’ll have about two seconds to see where they are after I open the door. Gotta move quick, real quick, but precise. In the door, round the table whichever way to the closest guy, take ‘im hard and fast. Get the other one before he wakes up. Don’t wanna poke my head up there for a look-see now, just in case they’re still awake. ...................................

I’m tellin’ ya, that boy can snore to wake the dead. How’s the other one sleep through that? Take the quiet one first, closer or not. Move.

Open the door , snore to the right, go left. Step, two, three, four, THUNK, THUNK.. Move right, two bunks over on top. THUNK, THUNK, THUNK. Sure cure for snoring. Club’s gettin’ kinda grungy, be a bit slick. Best get another, then over to the house. ...................................

That’s the last one, drag ‘im over here behind this bush. That was almost too easy. If this’s the best Higgins’ got it’s a wonder the mudders ain’t overrun this place.

Mag-card in the reader, and......in we go. Ease the door shut. Hall over yonder, down that, second on the right will be the study. Pat the pocket, yup, still got the bag. Few more minutes and I’m gone.