Chapter 11
A Pinch of Salt
SALT HATED DEALING with androids. This one, in particular, was about as helpful as a poke in the eye.
‘The Director is unavailable at the present time,’ it said, smiling sweetly. It was an administration model, programmed to deal calmly and efficiently with all enquiries – to an extent that was totally infuriating.
‘This is important,’ growled Salt. He dumped the shoulder guards he had spent the last two hours repairing onto the desk in front of the robotic administrator with a clatter. ‘Lanista specifically instructed me to deliver these spaulders to her, in person, the moment they were ready.’
‘Regrettably, she is not on the premises,’ replied the android cheerily.
Salt could really do without this. He had hoped to return Lanista’s armour as quickly as possible. It was vital that he continue his search for Tea-Leaf. By now, the others would be well into the mission.
It struck Salt as rather odd that Lanista was not here at Corporation HQ. She had clearly told him to bring her repaired armour to her here. What had drawn her away unexpectedly?
The old Armouron warrior felt an intuitive sense of dread. Had she somehow rumbled their secret rescue operation?
He tried again.
‘If she’s not here, can you tell me where she is, please? I’ll take them to her there.’
The administrator’s fixed smile didn’t waver.
‘The Director has not requested that she have her location disclosed.’
Salt decided to try another angle. ‘Fine. But I wouldn’t want to be in your boots when she finds out I tried to follow her orders and you got in my way.’
The android didn’t respond immediately. It wasn’t used to threats. Salt guessed it was running a full analysis of the situation.
He knew that as a machine, the robot had no sense of self-preservation or fear. It would, however, be programmed to avoid getting damaged. The Corporation liked to keep repair costs down. And if it had served at HQ for any length of time, it would know that annoying the Chairman’s hot-tempered sister was a sure way to get damaged.
As he had hoped, the administrator abruptly changed its tune. It had clearly found no specific instruction to keep Lanista’s whereabouts secret.
‘The Director is leading Peace Squad T-16 in an investigation into unauthorized activity in the disused sewer system,’ it informed Salt, still beaming. ‘I calculate that her probable destination is the West One Peace Keep.’
Salt felt a swell of anxiety. She was in the Old City sewers. She must have picked up Hoax and Oddball’s trail somehow.
This changed everything. His search for Tea-Leaf would have to wait.
‘Right. Thank you.’ He tried to remain outwardly calm. ‘In that case, I’ll need to get this armour to her there. I’ll need my travel authorizing. Can you do that from here?’
‘Since you are fulfilling a request from a member of the Board, that should not present a problem. What is the registration of the vehicle you will be using?’
‘I’ll take the Sieger. Plate AC5079.’
The android pulled a slim fibre-optic cable from its waist and plugged it into a port in the desk. A few seconds passed. Then it disconnected and addressed Salt once again.
‘I have successfully obtained clearance for that journey for you: shuttlecraft AC5079 from its current location – the Academy, Central Five – to the West One Peace Keep. Your return trip has also been authorized.’
‘Thanks,’ growled Salt. He swept up the spaulders from the desk in his bear-like arms and turned to leave.
‘Have a nice day!’ chirruped the administrator.
Salt gave a gruff snort. That was looking less likely by the second.
