After the jump into the vicinity of the Krix’ir system, Linda had set a course for the planet at a slower speed to give them all time to sleep.
Gabriel woke them two hours out and they got busy preparing for the search.
‘Is this really what they wear down there?’ said Andy, looking suspiciously at the purple baggy trousers Gabriel had produced for the landing party.
‘The jackets are pretty cool,’ said Ed, strutting back and forth as though on a catwalk.
’Yeah, but you don’t have baggy purple trousers.’
Linda poked her head around Andy’s cabin door and laughed at seeing the two of them in such strange clothing.
‘Is it hammer time?’ she asked.
‘Is it what?’ said Ed.
‘Can’t touch dis,’ said Andy, doing a quick spin – and then having to wait for his trousers to catch up.
‘Not into nineties rap music, then?’ said Linda.
‘Absolutely not,’ said Ed, horrified.
‘That would be far too much fun for Edward,’ said Andy. ‘He likes sitting alone in a dark room, drinking gin and listening to old Tom Waits albums.’
‘No, I don’t. That’s not true. I prefer rum.’
‘Guys, I believe Phil is waiting for you in the blister. He has some toys that’ll prove useful for your trip down to Gangsta’s Paradise.’
‘I saw what you did then,’ said Andy. ‘Was Nuthin’ but a G Thang.’
‘It was Juicy,’ Linda replied.
‘Will you two quit this talking-in-code shit?’ said Ed.
‘Put it in your Mouth,’ said Andy, giving Ed a shove towards the door and leaving Linda in fits of giggles.
‘Hi, guys,’ said Phil, a few minutes later, as they all arrived up in the blister lounge. ‘Wow, is it hammer time?’ he added, smirking at their attire.
‘Don’t you bloody start,’ snapped Ed.
‘Oh, okay,’ said Phil, raising his hands in a placating manner, giving Andy a quizzical look. ‘Err, have a seat, and I’ll go through what we’ve got.’
Ed and Andy sat next to each other on the couch opposite Phil and surveyed the items on the table.
‘Firstly, hats,’ he said. ‘The planet is very hot – there’s a lot of star shine – so everyone wears a hat, which is quite useful for us as we can incorporate a POK into each one.’
‘Do we have to close our eyes to use them though?’ said Andy.
‘No,’ said Phil. ‘These have been programmed to show a kind of heads-up display directly onto your retina. As long as the Gabriel remains overhead, you will have a facial recognition system that will scan every face within sight, looking for one of those four from the island, and they also incorporate a weapon activation warning.’
‘Wouldn’t it be a bit late for a warning after the fact?’ asked Ed.
‘Again, no,’ said Phil. ‘All modern weapon systems sit in a passive state, so they don’t discharge by mistake. Firing them is a two-stage process that involves engaging the activation switch before toggling the fire trigger. So, you will get that activation warning, with the direction to and distance from the shooter.’
He handed a hat to them both. ‘Put these on, guys, and tell me what you see.’
They both donned the hats and looked around the cabin.
‘Everybody’s face is ringed in green,’ said Andy.
‘Correct,’ said Phil. ‘When it finds the man you’re looking for, he will be ringed in red.’ Phil picked up what looked like a torch from the table. ‘These are your Exos or stun guns; they’re designed to look like a torch, something every miner carries down on Krix’ir.’
He got up, walked around the room and activated the weapon.
‘Ah,’ said Ed. ‘I’m getting the warning loud and clear.’
‘Same here,’ said Andy. ‘Directions too.’
‘Cool,’ said Phil. ‘Everything’s working then.’
He spent the next few minutes teaching them how to use the Exos and which of the five strength settings to use to get the desired result. He then gave them black bracelets that looked like jewellery.
‘Those are your currency,’ he said. ‘They’re GDA-affiliated, can be accepted on almost any member planet in this sector. You let the vendor scan them.’
’How much credit have we got?’ asked Andy.
‘Enough, believe me,’ said Phil. ‘Although, there’s very little to spend it on down there anyway.’
The translators were next, small and compact and, according to Phil, programmed with over five thousand languages and dialects. These could be kept in a front pocket of a shirt and had been tuned to transmit over Ed and Andy’s BlueScape chips.
‘Finally, I have these for you.’ He picked up two small, oval, plastic cases about the size of an egg. ‘These are to be used only as a last resort.’
‘In case we get hungry and need an emergency omelette?’ asked Andy.
Linda who’d joined them a moment ago, sniggered and Ed gave Phil an apologetic look.
‘No, but you got the “emergency” bit right,’ he said. ‘These activate a personal beam shield and they really are a last resort.’
‘From what direction?’ asked Ed.
‘All around,’ answered Phil. ‘It creates a sphere of energy that envelops you and is to be used when the shit has really hit the fan and your only need is to get out alive. It will absorb most handheld energy weapons for around a dozen hits or so. But remember, they generally can’t get to you unless it’s absolutely point blank. Some of the bigger weapons may penetrate it if it hits absolutely square on and, most importantly, you can’t use your weapon either as the shield works in both directions.’
‘So, it’s like a get out of jail free card?’ said Andy.
‘I wouldn’t say “free”, as the kinetic energy in the shot will still knock you over, but it will avoid chunks of your body disappearing. It’s also worth remembering that, when activated, you will light up like a Christmas tree on every scanning array in the system. I’ll be in the shuttle at all times with the motor running and, if one of you does activate the shield, I’ll be there as soon as I can.’
‘Sorry to interrupt, guys,’ said Gabriel. ‘I’ve picked up a message on the open band that instructs all ships in the system that the planet will be reopened for space traffic in four hours.’
‘Shit,’ said Andy. ‘That doesn’t give us much time.’
‘How many space ports are there on Krix’ir, Gabriel?’ said Ed.
‘Just one – at the main settlement of Goss’inray.’
‘Fancy a beer in the departure lounge, Mr Virr?’
‘An excellent idea, Mr Faux.’
‘Have the car brought around please, Phillip,’ said Andy. ‘Mr Virr and I are going to town.’
‘Right you are, sirs,’ said Phil, smiling. ‘I believe the chauffeur has finished polishing the hubcaps.’
Once Linda had positioned the Gabriel in a stationary orbit over Goss’inray, Phil cloaked the shuttle and the three of them dropped into the upper atmosphere.
There wasn’t a lot to see coming down over the town as the planet was basically a dry rock with an atmosphere. It could, in some ways, be likened to Mars several million years ago. The oceans that had once covered at least two-thirds of the planet had all but gone and the small drop in oxygen levels over the last few thousand years was a sign of things to come. In the meantime, the miners had rich pickings and it would be a long time yet before they would need suits and breathing apparatus.
It didn’t take long to find the space port – the collection of ships of all shapes and sizes parked around the apron gave it away.
Phil brought the shuttle down behind a couple of large, semi-derelict buildings on the far side of the field, after scanning to check no one was lurking.
‘I’ll be right above, watching and listening,’ said Phil. ‘Good luck and please be careful. If it looks too difficult, abort the job. We can always follow whichever ship he gets on.’
‘Stop worrying, Phil,’ said Ed. ‘We’ll be fine.’
Andy popped open the airlock and they both jumped down without bothering with the stairs. The airlock closed and they were instantly on their own as the whine of the antigrav drives faded out above them and was replaced by the background buzz of insects native to the planet.
‘We’ll be fine?’ questioned Andy. ‘You do realise this guy’s probably military?’
‘I know, but Phil’s a worrier. And, anyway, our target won’t be expecting us and— what the hell is that stink?’
‘It smells like the seaside when I was a kid,’ said Andy. ‘A mixture of rotting seaweed and fish. We’re more than likely walking on an old ocean floor.’
‘I wonder if there’s a cockle stall. Come on, the departure building is supposed to be over this way.’
They noticed that everything appeared old and rundown. The ground was mostly hard-packed dirt, with the roadway similar to fifty-year-old concrete: crumbling, potholed and grey in colour. There were several kinds of fern-like grasses, scratching an existence on the sides of the roads, and a sprinkling of tenuous trees and shrubs of questionable health dotted here and there. An attractive green and lush environment, it was not.
‘Cockles and mussels, alive, alive’o,’ sang Andy, as they walked.
‘Did you go for the chilli vinegar?’ asked Ed.
‘Yeah, and the black pepper.’
‘When we get back, we’ll go to Folkestone and have half a pint of cockles at Chummys,’ said Ed.
‘And a couple of pints of ale in the Pullman. It’s a date.’
‘Just a couple? Surely not.’
The plan of the area they’d studied earlier had shown the off-world departure terminal to be on the western side of the field. They could see the buildings they wanted in the distance. An electric four-wheel drive vehicle passed them and the driver didn’t give them a second look, which seemed promising.
As they neared the cluster of newer-looking buildings, more vehicles passed in both directions and the terminal itself was buzzing with activity. Hundreds of people milled around, dragging luggage inside, mostly out of the queue of weird-looking vehicles stretching round the block.
‘We should have expected this,’ said Ed. ‘Everyone’s been trapped here for days.’
‘Shit, I hope this facial recognition program’s good. There must be half the settlement’s population travelling today.’
‘Just walk as though you belong. If you do find our man, don’t – whatever you do – make eye contact. Keep him in your peripheral vision.’
They marched up to the terminal and straight in through one of the several entrance doors.
It was complete bedlam inside. It reminded Ed of an Eastern bazaar mixed with a Western rodeo.
The local clothing was predominantly loose-fitting white robes with occasional splashes of colour and wide-brimmed hats, which made it hard for the recognition software if people were looking down.
‘Wow,’ said Andy, staring around the huge hall. ‘Look at all the different races.’
‘They’ve got hairy ears like cats over there,’ said Ed, indicating to a group facing away from them.
One of the group turned his head towards them and smiled.
‘Holy crap – and cat’s eyes, teeth and whiskers,’ said Ed.
‘They’re Gatas from the planet Lynkas,’ said Phil. ‘They also have cat hearing so I politely suggest you shut up.’
‘How do you know who they are from just that description?’ asked Andy.
‘Because I can see through your eyes when you’re wearing a POK.’
‘Remind me to take my hat off if I go to the bathroom,’ said Ed, wrinkling his nose at Andy, who gave him a revolted look in return.
‘Should we split up?’ asked Andy.
‘I can connect your BlueScapes so you can talk to each other,’ said Phil.
‘Thanks, Phil. Good idea,’ said Ed.
‘I suppose we should concentrate on lone travellers and not the groups,’ said Andy.
‘Not necessarily. He could have befriended someone, or even a group, to give him better cover.’
‘Are you sure you weren’t a detective in a past life?’
‘More likely the villain,’ said Ed, searching the room as they walked.
‘I’ll go around the outside and we can meet at that bar at the far end.’
‘Okay, walk purposefully. If he spots you searching, he’ll be gone.’
‘Cool bananas,’ said Andy and walked off, turning his head from side to side to give the software its best chance.
Ed did the same, ploughing his way through the sea of strange aliens, who were all queuing to secure tickets off the dusty rock. A whining roar outside caught Ed’s attention and, looking over to his left, through the floor-to-ceiling windows, he could see another large spacecraft drop down, spin around and land softly on the apron outside.
‘Phil, what should I ask for at the café that Andy and I would find palatable?’ he asked.
‘Order “dyo byra topikos”; that shouldn’t be too strong,’ said Phil.
‘What’s that?’
‘Local beer.’
‘Okay, thanks.’
Two minutes later, they met at the café, having seen nothing but green-circled faces around the whole departure lounge.
‘If we base ourselves here, everybody has to pass by on the way to the gates,’ said Ed.
‘Good thinking, Sherlock. Whose round is it?’
Ed quickly slipped onto a stool at the counter as it became free.
Andy took the hint and grabbed the adjacent one.
A rather harassed-looking barman swept up and gave them a classic “you’d better know what you want” look.
‘Dyo byra topikos,’ Ed said, hopefully.
‘No locally brewed stuff on this rock. We have beer from Regg’taa in the next system. D’you want regular high or euphoria?’ asked the barman through the translator.
‘Two regulars please,’ said Ed, with a chuckle after meeting Andy’s quizzical expression.
‘Perhaps we could get some euphoria to go,’ said Andy as he continued to scan the passing faces.
Two jugs of beer arrived and the barman held a silver disc up to Ed, who touched it with his bracelet. It appeared to have worked as the barman nodded and moved on to the next customer.
‘It’s okay,’ said Andy, after sniffing his beer and taking a tentative sip.
‘You can tell it’s not brewed in Faversham,’ said Ed, gritting his teeth after taking his own sip. ‘But at least it’s cold and vaguely beer-like.’
‘Just like a holiday in Australia,’ chuckled Andy.
Someone slid onto the barstool next to them and ordered a beer from the barman. They took no notice as they were scanning the passing traffic – until he spoke.
‘Good morning, Edward. Good morning, Andrew,’ said the stranger through a translator.
They both froze and slowly turned to find a short stocky man dressed in local mining attire and also wearing the trademark wide-brimmed hat.
‘They told me if there was a bar I’d find you there,’ he continued and lifted the brim of his hat.
Both Ed and Andy’s eyes opened wide in surprise as the recognition software ringed his face in red.
‘I believe you’re looking for me,’ he said, his eyes continually surveying the room. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not here to harm you. Quite the opposite actually. I’m here to surrender to you.’
Ed had slowly moved his left hand down to retrieve the torch clipped to his belt, obscured from the target because of Andy.
‘I know this may be a bit of a shock to you both, but my name is Luzin. I’m a Major in the Theo Timora from Paradeisos. From what I’ve been told, you’re possibly the only chance of survival I have.’ He peered around Andy, who was still in a state of shock and not daring to move, and indicated to the torch that Ed had just grasped hold of and – without actually looking at it – was trying to remove the safety.
‘You won’t require your stun weapon, Ed,’ he said. ‘I quite intend to walk out with you willingly and get aboard your shuttle. You may restrain me if you wish.’
‘You do know who we’re with?’ asked Andy, finally overcoming the shock to actually speak.
‘I know full well whose ship you’re on,’ said Luzin. ‘They won’t torture and kill me, but the GDA will.’
‘Well, to be honest, I don’t blame them. You killed over forty-seven thousand of their crew on the Katadromiko 37,’ said Ed, gaining confidence.
‘That’s just it,’ said Luzin. ‘That virus would not have affected anyone else but the Exys. We were incredibly careful. To kill the crew of a Katadromiko cruiser, it would’ve had to be genetically altered in a laboratory and then systematically added to the water supply.’
‘Who are the Exys and how the hell did you know we were coming?’ said Andy, pointing straight at Luzin’s face.
The first thing Ed experienced was the pinging of an alarm, then an almighty crash of dozens of bottles and glasses exploding all around him. He’d glanced down to check the stun setting on the torch so it was pure luck that no glass or wood splinters from the disintegrating bar lodged in his eyes.
He found himself disorientated on the floor and then realised the pinging noise in his ears was the weapon activation alarm. There were screams and shouting all around him, debris falling and the smell of burning wood and plastic. As he finally got his thoughts together and looked up, he saw Luzin sitting on his barstool – only something wasn’t quite right. He at first believed Luzin was no longer wearing his hat and was bending backward so his face was obscured, but then the true realisation hit him.
Luzin didn’t have a head at all. He felt bile rising in his throat.
‘Ed, Ed. It’s a Makrys,’ shouted Phil. ‘A sniper laser weapon. And I’m not getting any signal from Andy’s POK.’
‘Shit, Andy,’ shouted Ed. He jumped up and stared all around him. There were people stumbling around, covered in blood, and it seemed the shot had come through one of the large floor-to-ceiling windows. It had shattered and showered everyone with shards of broken glass.
Ed suddenly realised, to his horror, that Andy had been sitting between him and Luzin and was nowhere to be seen.
‘Andy,’ he shouted. ‘Andy, where the hell are you?’
He saw Andy’s hat beneath the bar next to where he’d been sitting. He picked it up and, turning his back to the bar, surveyed the room, desperately searching for his friend.
‘Andy,’ he shouted again and then heard a familiar voice behind him.
‘Good morning, Mr Virr. Pint of the usual today?’
Ed spun round to find Andy standing on the other side of the bar, his face as white as a sheet and covered in blood, dust and glass.
‘You fucking twat,’ shouted Ed. ‘What are you doing over there? I nearly shit myself when I couldn’t find you. Come on, we need to get out of here now.’
‘I can’t find my hand,’ said Andy, holding up his right arm, which ended in a bleeding stump, and then he promptly passed out.