Lets get Catchut moving before they change their minds and suck us back in. Or the Saqr find us.
Saqr. He crawled over to Catchut, positioning himself alongside so that he could hook Catchuts arm over his shoulder.
"So far-Ive had-all-the ideas. Now you-tell me-which-d.a.m.n direction, he told Randall, thick-tongued.
The mere pointed without hesitation to rows of scant dotted lights, high above and beyond the dark shape of the s.p.a.cecraft. "Thats gotta be Mount Pell over there. Which means were close to the landing port. Cant see it till we get round the other side of this thing.
Jo-Jo shouldered Catchuts weight, his feet sinking into the sand and his legs trembling. He wouldnt be able to walk far. "Youre sure were on Araldis?
"Smells and feels like the same dry piece of c.r.a.p to me. Sure hot enough to be. Now shut up until were further away, said Rast.
Jo-Jo saved his breath for the effort needed to get past the Mediums never-ending girth and over the dunes to the mountain.
He felt better as they walked, buoyed by the blood flow returning to his body. The euphoria of movement wouldnt last long, though. Hed been inactive for too long, nourished only on Sole-knows-what. This burst of energy would fade.
Activity seemed to help Catchut as well, and he began to take more and more of his own weight until he eventually shrugged them off.
Jo-Jo relinquished his hold on the wiry mere with relief.
"Im figuring the portll be crawling with Saqr still, said Rast, when she deemed it a safe enough distance from the Extro craft to speak. "Maybe thats why they spat us out. They think we wont stand a chance out here.
"Coulda spat us into the vac, Capo.
"I doubt itd be able to thin its skin in s.p.a.ce to junk us.
"Yeah, said Jo-Jo. "Or maybe itd learned what it needed?
"Like what? Randalls voice was sharp and clear, even though she was a few paces ahead of him.
"Dunno, said Jo-Jo. "Just a thought.
"Yeah, well heres-what-I-got, Randall puffed as she floundered doggedly up the next dune.
Jo-Jo had to force his legs along harder to keep up with her. Randall had her weaknesses, but stamina wasnt one of them.
Catchut did the same, habit more than anything else.
Randall stopped at the top and caught her breath before saying more.
"Im reckonin the Extros are here cos they need somethin. Moren likely a mineral that Araldis has, but not necessarily. Could be somethin else as well. Thing is, between that motherf.u.c.kin big drum of weirdness and the Saqr, they dont need much to survive here. The Medium appears self-sufficient, and the Saqr are primitive as f.u.c.k. Jancz and like might be the only other "esques here apart from any survivors. She stared towards the darker outline of the mountain. "Im bettin that whatever hasnt burned up there is still how the Latinos left it. Theres got to be an AiV in one of those fancy places that works, or that we can get to work. We do that, then we can go scout for anyone left alive. Mira said she told Pellegrini to head for the islands. If theyve made it, thats where theyll be.
It was a long speech for someone not long out of a puddle of Extro goo, and her voice got hoa.r.s.er with each word. Jo-Jo took some time to digest it all. "So weve just got to dodge Saqr till we find something that can fly?
Randall started down the dune and they automatically followed her. "You got it. More important though...
"Yeah? As they reached the bottom, Jo-Jo felt firmer ground under his feet and the sting of pebbles.
"Look, she said.
Jo-Jo could see her pointing to the sky. Sunrise was coming.
"Weve got to get to shade before Leahs up, or well be mummified before you can think jack s.h.i.t.
TEKTON.
Tektons legs didnt seem to want to hold him upright. Fortunately, the nanosuit hed borrowed from Samuelle lent him stability. A glance across Commander Farrs cabin told him that the old Stain Wars veteran Jelly Hob was feeling much the same.
The pair had been arguing over Tektons wild demands-that Hob fly him back to Belle-Monde-when Farrs com-sole had activated to record the summit meeting on Intel station. At first theyd paid only scant attention to it, too busy with their own exchange, and the fact that Hob had discovered Tekton trying to access the Commanders Dynamic System Device.
But since Baronessa Fedors sudden and unvarnished announcement to the summit that the Post-Species were mobilising ma.s.s weapons, neither had spoken a word.
Hob broke silence first. "Only one place this shipll be going now, Tekkie, and thats to war. Alarms started up, as if to lend weight to his words. "I be thinking that youd best get off now "less you wanna be flying inta a dogfight with the Extros. Catch a civilian ride; theres enough of them here. Best to hurry though. Thingsll get messy, I warrant.
Tekton nodded, thinking Hob made good sense.
"Yes. Best. What ships are available? And how do I get to them?
Hob took a step closer to Lasper Farrs corn-sole and ran gnarled but surprisingly deft fingers down the pad, calling up reports. Images of the shift sphere formed in the air between them. The rings glittered with activity as ship icons changed positions and jostled for queue ranking.
"Ships moud says theres around three thousand civvies in-system, said Hob, reading from the display. Not sure how much longer, though. Dowl res station in the Leah systems been reported as open agin. Couldna be a good sign. Not if them Extros are there like she said.
The Baronessa had told the summit that a primitive species, the Saqr, had invaded the planet Araldis and the Dowl station. Now she feared a huge Post-Species force had based itself in the same place-her home world.
Mira Fedor. Such an unimposing figure to be delivering such profound news, thought Tekton. His abdomen tightened with apprehension. Though his academic life had been coloured with devious and sometimes murky politics and the pursuit of personal aspirations, he had never suffered physical threat.
Since venturing into the wider worlds, though, as part of his endeavour to construct an edifice that would impress the Sole Ent.i.ty back on Belle-Monde, his life had taken a sinister and terrifying turn.
Not quite recovered from Lasper Farrs failed attempt to murder him on the planet Edo, hed been coerced into hiding aboard the same lunatics ship as the only way to escape.
Now, it seemed, hed found himself in the last place in the galaxy he could wish to be. If the Dowl shift station had reactivated, and Mira Fedor was truthful in her p.r.o.nouncements, it could mean only one thing: the Post-Species were preparing to invade the OLOSS worlds. And Intel station-where he was now berthed-with its concentration of OLOSS leaders and dignitaries, was a most plump and juicy target.
A trap! yelped Tektons free-mind. This whole summit meeting was designed to bring OLOSS leaders into one place. It could be the Post-Species first target.
After a few extra moments of consideration, his logic-mind was in complete agreement. Dastardly simple and effective.
"Theyre coming here, Tekton told Hob. "The Extros are coming here first.
Hob stared at him unhappily. The sirens had settled into a high-alert pattern. "Im thinkin you be right, Tekkie, said the old Stain Wars veteran. "I gotta get to the bridge.
Tekton gave Hobs shoulder a light squeeze. He was not inclined to friendly physical displays, but the occasion seemed to call for it. Though their acquaintance had been brief, the grubby pilot genius had saved his life and extended him compa.s.sion and kindness. Tekton had never needed those things before; never cared for them nor offered them to others. The halls of the Tadao Ando studium and the corridors of the Belle-Monde pseudo-world had not been places for such things.
To say that the scales of selfishness had fallen from Tektons eyes was perhaps overly dramatic, but his perspective had altered, he allowed, on some counts.
And now he wanted an opportunity to explore his newfound compa.s.sion, see how it affected his decisionmaking and the outcomes of events in his life.
These arrogant and infuriating Extros, who were planning to annihilate every sentient species in Orion, did not serve his new frame of reference at all.
"Lead on, good fellow. Show me the way off this ship, he said, gently pushing Hob out of the cabin door. "But just let me pee first. Ill be but a step behind you.
The pilot nodded and stepped outside.
In a trice Tekton had snapped up the small black box on Lasper Farrs com-sole and stuffed it inside the seal of his nanosuit. Sammy would be furious to loose her spare combat gear, but there was no time for bargains or explanations. The suit adjusted around the DSD, leaving only the faintest telltale bulge over his belly.
Lets see how Lasper Farr goes without his Dynamic System Device, thought Tekton. And lets see what I can do with it.
He hurried out of the door to join Hob. They moved quickly along the corridor to the lifts.
"Shipll be in lockdown soon. You cn use the Commanders uplift to get down ta cargo. Should be able ta still get out through the hold. Theyll be loadin. In that suit theyll think youre Sammy. Shouldna be too many questions. Jus look like you know where youre going. Good luck, Tekkie. Were gonna need it-all of us.
Hob used his ident to open the door to the private lift and ushered Tekton in. Then the door slid across, and Hobs battered old face was gone.
A ridiculous pang of loss stung Tekton as the lift plummeted to the cargo area of the ship. He might never see the old fellow again, depending how things panned out.
For Crux sakes, suck it up, free-mind barked with pa.s.sionate concern. Weve got to get out of here. No time for blubbing.
Concentrate, proffered logic-mind more moderately.
With his Sole-altered minds badgering him, he had no time to dwell on loss. The doors at the other end opened, and he stepped into the ships large and gloomy cargo bay. No one took any notice of him; automatons and crew hastened around the hold, shifting and securing payload.
Tekton slipped into a gap between crates and crouched down, Sammys suit making slight wheezing noises with his movements. The loading ramp was still open, but not for much longer, he guessed. He must leave now or face being stuck on Lasper Farrs ship.
That realisation brought an unfamiliar surge of adrenaline-fuelled determination, and Tekton ran with suit-enhanced speed towards the ramp. One of the crewmen saw him and shouted. The ramp light flashed its closing sequence, and the connecting section began to retract.
Heart pounding painfully, legs burning with the effort, Tekton sprinted up the inclining ramp and leapt the distance to the Intel loading facility. He landed heavily, jarring his legs and falling forward onto his hands and knees.
He looked back. Relief lessened the pain. The ramp was almost closed now, and the disorder out on the docks meant that no one would chase him.
Disorder? More like an apocalypse! Free-mind was aghast.
Like an anthill thats been kicked over, thought Tekton. Scramble and scurry.
But logic-mind gave only questions and warnings.
Dont fall in front of that loader! Look for the exit! Which ship is leaving next? Check the signage.
Tekton scanned the leader boards for each dock, but the ship names and codes meant nothing to him. Something commercial. A captain wholl accept money and ask few questions, logic-mind instructed.
He walked purposefully through the crowd, his suit lending him agility and speed, praying to avoid an accidental meeting with Commander Farr or Samuelle. Soldiers in a host of differing uniforms swarmed, waiting to be let aboard their ships. Tugs descended to pull the bigger ships to the launch bays. As soon as one left, another replaced it, and the loading continued at a frenetic pace. Tekton could barely make sense of the endless broadcast announcements.
To avoid Farrs soldiers, he headed to the furthest dock, stopping only to ask random "esques where they were going, hoping to find a non-military ship. His enquiries were met with either garbled panic or ignored.
"Ill pay double your normal fare, he begged one harried ships bursar.
"I told you theres no room, mate. I dont give a c.r.a.p about how much you can pay. Weve got the entire Matamon government aboard, and not enough res buffers to fit them. You come on here, and youll likely rattle to death. Thats if we even get out of this d.a.m.ned system in time.
"What do you mean?
"The f.u.c.king Extros are coming, mate. Thats what I mean.
Tekton stepped back from the bursars sweaty vehemence. The man was almost hara.s.sed enough to pull his holstered pistol and shoot the next person who asked to be taken aboard.
With a growing panic fingering his insides, Tekton watched as the bursar shouted closing instructions for the hold and headed up the ramp.
What will I do? he asked his minds. Wild and dangerous options danced across his thoughts.
Then, unexpectedly, the bursar stopped and ran back down.
"Look, theres a "zoon hybrid scheduled for berth as soon as we pull out. Its one of the last coming in. Everyone else is in the shift queue or gone in-sys. Hang around this berth and you might get luckier with them. He checked his hand-com. "Ships name is Salacious.
Tekton nodded his appreciation.
"Good luck, mate, said the bursar and hurried onto his ship.
Tektons minds considered options while he waited for the trader ship to slip dock. He could go to the station master and request a.s.sistance, but with the station in utter chaos it was unlikely hed be heard. That option also meant he risked an encounter with Farr.
Or he could pay his way onto this hybrid and take what fate brought him. If the Extros were indeed coming, a biozoon might be a safer option than an OLOSS military ship or a mercenary vessel. Biozoons were rumoured to trade with the Post-Species.
All he needed was to get himself, and the DSD that pressed so uncomfortably against his ribs, out of this system. He could make different travel arrangements from the next place he docked. He would wait. Yes. That was best.
Stepping back near the frame of a loader, he grasped its hydraulic arm and held on. The structure shook as ships peeled from their moorings in quick succession, hurrying from the station.
In an absurdly short amount of time, Tekton was alone on the dock and the vibrations had stopped. It was eerie and surreal; just him and the rows of automated loaders.
He wondered, irrationally, if he was the last left here.
Ridiculous, snapped logic-mind. Not enough ships to get them all off.
How can you be sure? challenged free-mind.
Tekton let them bicker while he concentrated on his breath and attempted a meditative manner.
At inhalation three hundred or so, he heard a noise. Glancing up, he saw the scarred grey belly of a biozoon descending through one of the docking channels. It set down heavily into the mooring, as though worn out with the effort.
For the briefest flicker Tekton thought it was the Baronessa Fedors biozoon, the one hed seen docked at Rho Junction, but upon inspection it was smaller and less impressive. The restrained cephalic fins and generally degraded appearance confirmed the bursars statement that it was a hybrid. From what Tekton knew of biozoons, hybrids tended to lose their condition, especially those who fell into the hands of less considerate operators.
Tekton quickly reached inside his suit and shifted the DSD so that the telltale bulge lay at his back.
The egress scale peeled open, and an "esque climbed out onto a set of rungs crudely pegged to the biozoons skin.
Wait, both minds warned him simultaneously. Dont approach him.
He listened to them. Samuelles combat suit could be interpreted as threatening, and he noted that the "esque carried a weapon. Tekton didnt wish to test the suits weapon resistance ability. It was, after all, Samuelles spare.
The "esque stopped just short of him, giving him a slow appraisal. At the same time a grey-skinned Balol emerged from the egress scale and began to climb down.
"You the welcoming party? asked the "esque.
Tekton slid back the suit hood and showed his face. He and the "esque were of similar height and both lightly built. Tekton, of course, had the advantage of wearing combat protection but even so the mans casual demeanour unnerved him; his pale eyes were not unlike Lasper Farrs.