A Brother's Shadow: Murder, Friendship and Deception, page 31
After a prolonged pause, there was a click. Without turning around, Jill pulled on a handle and yanked open the hatch which squawked in protest. After he followed her through, she resealed the hatch, enabling an airlock to do its work. Marco was stunned that the airlock was still functional on such an old ship, but it had become evident it was inhabited.
‘What is this place?’ he asked as they hung up their suits outside the airlock before making their way down a twisting set of stairs. ‘Jill!’ he said forcefully.
Jill stopped and for the first time since they had left the house, she looked at Marco. ‘I’m sorry, Marco, but I’m just not sure how I’ll cope with looking after Bon without you, and… I’m going to miss you.’
‘You must have forgotten, I’m a V-clone,’ Marco said, pulling Jill in for a hug.
‘The radiation must be affecting my brain,’ Jill said, using all her strength to hold back tears.
Still in an embrace, Marco spoke. ‘I’ll make sure you know the basics to keep the robot going before I leave and as long as I’m not in custody, I’ll always be available for you to contact.’
After the embrace concluded, the pair made their way down the remaining steps. At the bottom of the stairs was a doorway, closed off by strings of beads. A series of chugs and creaks that had been present since they entered the ship but not loud enough for the pair to notice, now became blatant from the other side of the beads. As soon as Jill rattled through them, a strong, sweet scent filled Marco’s nostrils. Since arriving on Mars, significant smells had been in short supply so as the aroma hit him, he was overwhelmed. It was pleasant at first but as Marco pushed through into the room, the smell became overpowering and clung to the back of his throat. As he awkwardly shifted his tongue to alleviate the effects, Jill drifted about the room with intrigue, as if her nose was following a distinct trail through the air. The room itself was not particularly large but brimmed with vibrantly coloured exotic plants which grew up the walls, dangled from the ceiling and found themselves almost everywhere. Jill could not hold in her excitement as she pulled one flower after another to her nose and sucked in their scent. Marco was much more attracted to the various mechanical parts which were strewn across the floor, creating a continuous obstacle course. He was particularly surprised to see a thruster from a Cyclone. He knew that if Vytech found out, the dwelling would be rather empty in a very short period. The reason for the noises had been revealed as a series of pipes that haphazardly made their way through the room, dripping fluids as they went. Their target was the plants but the floor and objects upon it had become accustomed to frequent splashes too. The resulting humidity created the feel of Aurum Terra’s jungles.
Jill was engrossed by a red flower whose purple stem spiralled elegantly but Marco continued and reached a counter at the far side of the room. Behind the counter was another bead-covered entrance. Like the floor, the counter was littered with mechanical parts. One object was a cylindrical frame which had a transparent tube in its middle carrying a blue fluid. Just as Marco picked up the frame, the beads in front of him rattled. Caught off guard, the tube fell from his fingertips and clunked back onto the surface. Through the beads came a bizarre creature. If stood upright it would come up to Marco’s chest, but it was bent over with its head protruding forward, a clump of skin hanging limply from its chin. It shuffled forward upon two stubby legs with bulky feet which predominantly consisted of two toe-like prongs. The creature had a potbelly and scrawny arms with three inward-facing fingers. There were no hairs on its faint-turquoise body and its skin was harshly wrinkled as if it had spent the last year submerged in water. Its face was comparable to a human’s although its nose consisted of rounded triangular slits on a bulge, and its eyes were further spread. All the being wore was a leather rag around its waist.
‘You should be careful with that, or you may be carrying out the rest of this conversation without a head, or a body. And I’m not referring to the device’s explosive properties,’ the creature said as it shuffled further forward, becoming completely hidden behind the relatively high counter.
Marco stared at the empty space behind the desk, wondering if the rest of the interaction was going to take place without the creature in sight. Jill had just joined his side when there was a thud accompanied by a grunt behind the counter. Suddenly a turquoise scalp jolted into view and Marco observed patches over it that were of darker pigment.
‘Stupid piece of crap,’ the creature grumbled. There was another series of thuds and grunts before the scalp shifted up again, revealing eyes. This was followed by the largest thud yet and the creature sprung up with extreme velocity. It was briefly airborne as it reached its climax before coming a short distance back down, landing on the device that held it up. The creature’s abundant loose skin jiggled with the impact. An unpleasant smell filled the surroundings but neither Marco nor Jill reacted.
The creature snorted crassly before swiping an arm across the desk, creating a small clearing.
‘I’ve not had customers for a while,’ it mumbled.
‘I can see that, Thergrula,’ Jill said, raising an eyebrow.
Thergrula put its hands on the clearing and leaned forward.
‘Jillian, is that you?’
‘You bet it is, you old bastard.’
‘Not so young yourself anymore,’ Thergrula tutted.
‘For once, I can’t argue with you.’
‘Now, what can I get you?’ Thergrula said assertively, pounding the desk with a hand as it did so.
‘We need somethin’ capable of getting’ into a low Martian orbit,’ Jill said.
This information intrigued Thergrula and it leaned further forward. ‘Finally getting off this dust ball, Jill? About time.’
Jill looked to the floor, so Marco replied. ‘No, it’s for me to get to the Vytech HQ.’
Jill looked up abruptly to see disgust on Thergrula’s face. ‘And why would you want to visit the V-clones?’ it demanded.
Jill hurriedly replied. ‘They’ve got his papa imprisoned and he’s goin’ to try and get ’im out.’
‘Ah, those discriminant fools, trying to enforce rules on our people. They should keep their fingers in their own arses and focus on the bloody war they started.’ Thergrula had become a darker shade of blue. ‘Right then, young chap, let’s see what I have for you.’ Thergrula slouched behind the counter, revealing a back which had two sizeable outcrops crested with what looked to be scarred skin. It returned with a vast leather-covered book. Thergrula dropped the book onto the clearing, causing it to slam and release a cloud of dust. ‘So, how much money you got?’
‘Not much,’ Jill replied, which made Thergrula suck in air through its mouth.
After scrolling through a countless number of tatty pages with handwritten notes inside, Thergrula came to the page it was looking for. The text was in an alien language, but Marco was still curious to observe how words were formed. To him it appeared to be a series of varying length straight lines accompanied by dots. With its fingers in a pincer, Thergrula ran its hand down the page and three quarters of the way through, it stopped, then tapped twice.
‘This, should do you nicely.’ it said before scanning the room. ‘Five!’ it boomed. The sound of travelling water returned. ‘Five!’ There was a rustle and then, as though out of thin air, a Glaebosus appeared. It looked very similar to Manny with its long head and lumpy, almost scaled, skin. However, it was a darker tone of brown than Manny.
‘Get my walker,’ Thergrula demanded, and as quick as it had appeared, the Glaebosus was gone.
Soon the waist-high creature returned. In tow, it awkwardly dragged a set of robotic legs which were topped with a seat. The legs were the same size as the Glaebosus which made navigating the room a challenge. When only a metre from Thergrula, it caught a plant, bending its stalks into a solemn droop.
‘What are you doing, you imp!’ Thergrula bellowed. Without responding, the creature continued its journey and placed the legs by Thergrula’s side. Muttering under its breath, Thergrula mounted the seat, revealing a lengthy tail which it tucked round its side. Using a joystick, which stuck out from the frame, Thergrula clunked its way out of the room. Jill and Marco followed behind.
Soon enough, they were all in spacesuits and following Thergrula across the yard. With each plod of the robotic legs, Thergrula bobbed on the suspension, its short legs extended out on supports in front.
Admiring the sight in front of him, Marco spoke to Jill over comms. ‘So, what species is he?’
‘First of all, it’s not a he,’ Jill chuckled. ‘It’s an Isheal, and the long-tailed species don’t have genders.’
‘Oh,’ Marco said, embarrassed by his ignorance.
‘They’re a pretty peaceful species, Isheal. Unlike humans, they operate from one central governin’ board which has obviously helped them spread across the Milky Way.’
‘We have the Coalition and maybe if humans had sorted out our squabbles on Earth before we had the tech to expand, we would also still be one entity.’
‘Sure, okay,’ Jill puffed. ‘They’re also excellent merchants. It’s why three of the five largest trade corporations were set up by Isheal.’
‘Interesting. Those weird, scarred outcrops on its back, do you know what they are?’
Jill again chuckled. ‘Yee, they be a signal he’s a naughty boy.’
‘Right,’ Marco said, not quite sure how to handle what had just been said. ‘So, you don’t know?’
‘I weren’t lyin’. There should be wings there, but if Isheal are exiled, they get docked.’
‘Wait, so you’re telling me that blue lump over there used to be able to fly?’ Marco asked disbelievingly.
‘Well, not exactly. Isheal used to be able to fly, but since they are no longer threatened by wild animals on their home world, they eventually lost the ability. Only a few who devote their lives to the art can still fly and you’ll probably never see one as they’re sworn protectors of their colonies and won’t leave.’
‘How do you know all this?’
‘Not bein’ from Vytech means I actually speak to other species.’
‘Also, how the hell are we going to pay?’
Jill was about to reply when Thergrula halted.
Before them rested a small, ailing spaceship with a tiny cockpit. It was impossible to see seats through the canopy as it was covered in a sheath of dust. The ship had rested in the same position for so long, the of dust had begun building itself a tomb around it. The landing gears were completely buried and the outer material, which had a flaky texture, was badly corroded in places. Thergrula quickly got a team of Glaebosuses to remove the dust which revealed a concerning number of wires dangling from the ship’s underside.
‘I doubt that thin’ could move a metre in one piece, let alone get into space,’ Jill sneered.
‘It’s a trusty League of Humanity ship. It’ll do the job.’
Neither Jill nor Marco looked convinced as Thergrula circled the ship, kicking away loose items that lay around it, some likely originating from the ship itself.
‘It’ll be perfect for the job in hand. You would not want to go to the V-clones with anything too threatening as they may get trigger happy. There’s two seats: one for you, one for your dad, which is also perfect.’
Marco wiped the dust from the canopy to see the seats which had been crudely crammed into place.
‘There’s no way that cockpit was designed for two humans,’ he said in disbelief at the cramped conditions.
‘Its previous owner was also an Isheal, and they did modify it a bit, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy having personal time with your father. Also, you should be glad it was an Isheal who owned it last. We take a lot more care of our belongings than your small-minded, wasteful species, who only consider the immediate future.’
Jill crossed her arms. ‘How much do you want for it?’
‘Ten thousand credits.’
Jill and Marco simultaneously choked. ‘You can’t be serious?’ Marco said, after recovering.
It soon became clear Thergrula was serious and after intense negotiations, he eventually lowered the total to 9,500 credits.
‘Come on, you’re not going to be selling this to anyone else,’ Marco said, walking alongside the cockpit. ‘At least come down to nine thousand.’
‘I can find other suitors who will offer much more,’ Thergrula said, as Marco pulled himself up onto the ship so he could access the cockpit. Before Marco knew what had happened, there was a crunch, and he was tossed backwards onto the ground, blinded by a plume of dust that rose up around him.
Eventually, the dust subsided, revealing that the landing gear on Marco’s side had given way and the ship’s cumbersome fall had left it half dug, on a diagonal, into the Martian surface. Splayed on his back, Marco turned to Thergrula with an expression showing he was less than impressed.
‘Okay, nine thousand,’ Thergrula groaned. ‘But that is as low as I go.’
Jill looked around awkwardly, not making eye contact with either of the others and then sighed. ‘All my savin’s only add up to six thousand three hundred.’
‘And you think something is going to get you into space for that money? I’m already giving you a ridiculous discount; I cannot go lower,’ Thergrula said matter-of-factly.
‘Please.’ Marco said. ‘I need this more than you know.’
‘A price is a price,’ was the reply.
‘You’re clearly overcharging us!’ Marco replied, his patience wearing out.
‘I’m no fool, War Starter. You should be on your knees thanking me for not informing the authorities.’
Marco knew it was an empty threat due to the nature of Thergrula’s operations, but the words War Starter registered. A Glaebosus was perched by his side and with a single hand, he grasped its neck and held it aloft. The little creature let out a squeal, thrashing its legs in the air.
‘Marco!’ Jill shouted in horror, but his grip tightened.
‘Marco, what are you doing!’ she demanded, storming towards him. Again, he tightened his grip and the Glaebosus’s legs stopped swinging and hung limply. Jill slapped Marco firmly on the cheek, causing him to drop the creature. The small being bumped onto the ground before scurrying into a small gap under some scrap metal. After standing motionless for a few seconds, Marco slumped onto the floor. Looking into the dirt, he whispered the words, ‘Sorry… I… my body just doesn’t listen to me anymore.’
As Marco sat there, the reality of the situation seeped through him like poison. It was possible he would never have a chance to find out the truth about who killed Ambassador Kirach. This hit as hard as finding out that he had not got into the Navy. His whole purpose that had carried him forward in this dry, hope-abandoned planet was fading away. Jill stared at him, but his stare was fixed on the ground. He did not want her to feel like she had let him down.
Ideas to get money cycled through Marco’s mind but nothing would get him close to the total required. This was worsened by the fact that all his plans would involve stealing, which would increase the risk on Jill and the others greatly. Marco could not help but let his mind wander to Archer, and his anger grew as he considered how lucky the man had always been. As he pictured him lying in a warm bed, cuddling Emily, his jealousy grew like a storm within. Their new child entered his thoughts, and he made himself breathe deeply to help his anger to subside. Marco chuckled. He was thinking how, if he was not captured in the coming months, which seemed extremely unlikely, for the rest of his life he would never be able to find a woman of his own. Not only would he put them in great danger, but he had one of the most well-known and feared faces in the galaxy.
38.
The fighting had been intense, but everyone in Sharpe’s flight was still in the fray. Sharpe’s mind was fixed in absolute focus. He was aware of every moving object in the vicinity and in his nimble Cyclone, he could move around as if it was part of his body. He felt invincible. Kroaton fighters were highlighted in red boxes created by his implant. Using his eyes, Sharpe selected a target, turning the outline to amber as the chosen fighter whizzed beneath him. As CAT confirmed target selection, Sharpe whipped his Cyclone round in a roll to get on the back of the Kroaton. After completing the manoeuvre, the centre of his view contained the infamous cross of Kroaton fighters’ wings. The amber box began to flash, accompanied by a series of beeps in Sharpe’s ear. After a couple of seconds, the outline turned to a fixed green and missiles coursed away from both wings, a small delay between each. They closed the distance on the Kroaton fighter in moments. However, the pilot was ready.
When the first missile was about to hit, the Kroaton yawed away, rolling at the same time but even with their limited fuel supply, the missiles were not going to be shaken off that simply. They twisted round with the fighter before bearing down on it once more. Countermeasures were ejected from the fighter, leading to one of the missiles prematurely exploding. However, the second missile, travelling on a slightly different course due to its location when the fighter turned, was unaffected and connected with its target. There was a brief flash and debris splayed out in all directions. ‘Target destroyed,’ CAT confirmed.
Jenkins was flying as Sharpe’s partner, his Cyclone following closely behind Sharpe. ‘Good kill, sir.’
Before long, Sharpe was homing in on another target. As another outline turned amber, there was a flash nearby. ‘Take that, you ectothermic, lumpy, sack,’ Reed hooted.
Flower let out a deep chuckle. ‘Nice one, kid.’
Sharpe was forced to make tight, evasive manoeuvres as an oncoming Cyclone, tailed by a Kroaton fighter, blitzed past. ‘Is that one of you that needs assistance?’ Sharpe asked. Before he received a reply, a surge of light came from behind, briefly lighting up his display. Sharpe took a deep breath, fearing the worst.
However, his worries were quickly alleviated by the howls of Himinez. ‘Woohoo, number five, baby. I. Am. The Looord of Death.’
