Equinox (11 page)

He stared down at his guitar. “Once, but that’s not the–” He stopped and Rosie got the idea he was debating whether or not to tell her something.

“Have you told Riley?” she said.

“Nothing to tell – yet. But if I find something …”

“You’ll have to do something about it,” Rosie said.

Dalton held her gaze for a moment, then looked away. “Yeah, well, anyway.” He began to pick at his guitar again and made an effort to lighten his tone. “So, why do the Senate want you?”

She cleared her throat. “Someone – I don’t know who – sent them some information. The Senate think I might know something about how my dad recovered from the MalX.”

“Do you?” he asked quietly.

Rosie couldn’t answer.

She could feel the weight of his stare, but all he said was, “It’s okay. Later, eh?”

She nodded, then scooped up the last of the noodles and spoke around them. “Riley says it’s better if I turn myself in rather than trying to hide – or run away. Personally, I’d rather run – if I knew some way of disabling men twice my size.”

“You mean like self-defence?”

“My aunt’s been saying she’s going to teach me, but she never has the time.”

“I can show you, if you like.”

“You?”

“Sure.” He smiled. “You got something better to do? We’ve got a fully equipped gym here.”

“Of course you do.” She pushed her empty bowl away. “But I’ve already got enough aches and pains, thanks.”

“I promise to go easy on you.”

Rosie sighed and thought about it for a minute. It was better than sitting around stewing. “Okay.” She got to her feet.

Dalton’s gym was a separate bungalow. It had every new piece of high-tech training gear, from AI running pods that made you feel you were running on a beach or in a forest, to hologramatic trainers and AI fighting programs, but what Dalton showed her was all simple, hand-to-hand defence.

After an hour of practising, Rosie was tired and sore and her shoulder was aching, but she didn’t want to stop. Dalton was a good teacher. She had managed to throw him off his feet and was trying to pin him down, with one arm locked around his neck, when the security alarm suddenly chimed loudly. Startled, she tightened her grip and he wheezed.

“Sorry.” She loosened her grip.

“It’s the gate alarm,” he said. “Your aunt must be here.”

Rosie let him go, pushing against him to regain her feet. “How did I do?” she said. “Were you really disabled or only pretending?”

“Oh, I was disabled,” he said and rubbed at his neck. “I think you’re a natural. Your reflexes are pretty good.” He headed out of the gym.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. Christ, it’s hot out here!” He squinted in the sun as they crossed the deck and went back to the house. The generated wall of glass dissolved as he waved a hand at the outside sensor and they went back into the kitchen. “Help yourself to a drink. I’ll go let your aunt in.” He spoke over his shoulder as he walked down the hall.

“She’s going to be mad,” Rosie called.

“I hope you’re not expecting me to solve that problem. My Prince Charming act doesn’t extend to rescuing you from relatives.”

“Just let her in.” Rosie laughed.

He disappeared down the hall with a parting shot. “If you hear cries for help, just run, save yourself.”

Rosie chuckled and went to get some water. Her smile faded though when Aunt Essie came down the hall. She looked like she was scoping for someone to use as target practice. Dalton had disappeared. Wise move.

“Aunt Essie.” She faced her. “I’m sorry.”

“Goddamned right.” Essie strode into the kitchen, hands on hips, dressed all in black. “You’re lucky Riley has such good contacts and could get that boy to get you out of there.”

“I know.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about that message?”

“When, exactly? You haven’t been home. You’re never home. And it’s not like you could bring yourself to come with me to see Dad.” Even as she said it she knew she sounded like a whiny brat.

Aunt Essie spoke through gritted teeth. “I was working. I told you that already.”

“All night? I couldn’t even contact you on the com. Riley said you were with him sometimes.”

Her aunt exhaled hard, running her hands through her hair. “I’m allowed to keep some things to myself, aren’t I? Just what do you want from me, Rosie? I’m doing the best I can. I’m not cut out for this. I’m not like your mum, or like Adam used to be.” She was looking at her with a desperation that Rosie had never seen before. “I thought we were in this together.”

“So did I,” Rosie said. “But lately you’re just never there.”

Essie sighed and sat down heavily. “I know,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry, kid. Sometimes I forget how young you are. You’re just so capable.”

An apologetic half-smile crossed her face and Rosie whispered, “Doesn’t feel like it sometimes.”

Aunt Essie’s smile faded. “I know. And I know I should go see him, but …” She shook her head. “I don’t think that helps either of us. Him or me. Still, you should have told me about that message. I was home a bit, enough, wasn’t I?”

Rosie could feel her heart shrinking to the size of an amoeba. She was scared but she didn’t want to voice it. Silence settled over them, only interrupted by the distant rush of the ocean and the faint sound of Dalton playing his guitar again.

Her aunt touched her arm. “I understand that you’re scared, but we’ve got to deal with what’s happening now and I’m not going to let anyone get to you. Are you going to be a Black and sort this out?”

Rosie took in a long breath and straightened up. “Sure. Let’s get it over with.”

“Good.” But she was still eyeing her like she wasn’t quite sure she was ready. “Come on, I’ve got a car waiting.”

“I’ll get my bag.” Rosie went to the room she’d slept in. When she came out Dalton was leaning against the wall.

“So,” he said, “Senate Prime.”

“Yep.” Rosie slung the bag over her good shoulder.

“I’m guessing Riley has a plan.”

“Hope so.” Rosie’s fingers felt cold where they clutched her bag. “Thanks for the fighting lessons and, um, everything. My aunt’s waiting.” Rosie walked past him.

“Hey, Pilot Girl,” he called and she turned. “Watch your back. I don’t want to have to rescue you again.” He smiled, but it was a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Senate Prime was a thirty-storey building that took up one entire side of Aurora Plaza in Central. The plaza was a massive pedestrian space dotted with patches of fake greenery and numerous AI information booths. A tall, clear column in the centre of the square provided access to a suspended shuttle station, several transport tubes shooting up and down inside it.

Rosie’s heart was beating way too fast when they stopped at the entrance. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down, and stared up at the edifice of curved metal and solar glass. The sky above was the washed-out blue of late summer and she could see a slight shimmer coming off the top four storeys of the building, as if it was surrounded by some kind of invisible field. Maybe it was.

“Ready?” Aunt Essie said.

“No.” They’d spent the trip going over how things were supposed to play out, but it hadn’t made her feel any better and she was sweating despite the cool interior of the car. There were too many variables for her to feel anything close to calm. A woman called Agent Sulawayo was supposed to be meeting them inside. She was Riley’s contact and was going to make sure Rosie was okay.

“Don’t panic, kid,” Aunt Essie said.

Rosie picked up her bag. “What if it goes wrong?”

“Then I’ll get you out. But let’s hope I don’t have to. Just keep your answers short and don’t deviate from what we talked about.” She opened the door of the transport and stepped out.

Right. Simple.

Heat came from the sun above and radiated up from the pavement. The pungent smell of rubber and burnt electricals filled the air, mixed with the sweet scents of a bakehouse in the plaza. Senate Prime was set a few metres back from the road, the entrance one enormous revolving door through which a stream people, most dressed in Senate uniforms, were passing in and out. They joined the crowd and entered the huge atrium. A transporter hub took up most of the back of the space, with ten elevator tubes whisking people up to other floors, and in front of it was a long low counter manned by three guards. On either side, scattered across the floor, were several AI ports.

Aunt Essie stopped at one and waved her ident over it.

“Welcome to Senate Prime, Miss Black,” it said. “Please select your interaction level requirement.”

“Same goddamned cheerful voice every time,” Aunt Essie muttered.

“That won’t be necessary, Miss Black. If you could both come with us.”

Rosie jumped and turned to see a large guard flanked by two others standing behind them. The guard who’d spoken had his hand resting on a gun at his waist. His stare was flat and unfriendly.

“And you are?” Aunt Essie slowly put her ident back in her pocket.

“We’re from Unit Twelve,” he said as if they were supposed to know what that was. “We detected you approaching the building. Come this way.” He turned towards the transporters and held out one muscular arm.

Aunt Essie took Rosie’s arm. “Looks like henchmen one, two and three are our welcoming committee.”

The guard’s jaw tightened a fraction, but he didn’t say anything, only stepped back to let them by. Then he fell alongside while the others came up behind and frogmarched them to the hub.

The ride in the elevator was silent and fast. They exited on the twenty-sixth floor and were ushered into a small room with one table, two chairs and a window that looked out over the city. It was cool in the Senate, but Rosie was still sweating with nerves as the guards left them alone, closing the door with a quiet snick.

Her aunt did laps around the room, tapping the backs of the chairs.

“The decor’s as bad as it ever was.” She stopped at the window, peering down at the street.

“Did you used to come here when you were with the Senate Elite?” Rosie asked. Essie had been in the Senate Elite – the force the Senate sent to work for the United Earth Commission’s Peace Alliance – for two years before she joined Orbitcorp.

“Occasionally.”

Rosie leaned on the back of one of the chairs and chewed on her lip.

“Don’t look so worried.” Aunt Essie waved towards the light fitting in the centre of the ceiling. “They don’t need the entertainment.”

Of course, someone was watching them. The door opened and a short pudgy man came in. He gave them a cold smile, revealing perfect white teeth. “Rosie Black and her aunt, Essie Black, I presume?”

Rosie didn’t answer. Essie looked him up and down and said, “Where’s Agent Sulawayo? I was told we would be seeing her.”

“She’s occupied.” He put his hands in his pockets. “I’m Agent Whitely.”

This was bad. Rosie looked quickly at her aunt as he sat opposite. Essie’s expression bordered on hostile.

“Whitely? I’ve heard of you,” she said. “You’re the agent who locked up six Banker kids last year for staying ten minutes past their allowed time in a Central Immerse. Looks like we need more chairs, ’cos I’m not leaving her alone with you.”

“No.” Whitely took a wafer-thin com from his pocket and frowned at it. “You will be waiting outside while I conduct this preliminary interview.”

“I don’t think so,” Aunt Essie said. “Rosie is still only sixteen and I’m her guardian.”

“For a preliminary interview we are allowed to insist you leave – regardless of her age.” Agent Whitley’s smile had gone as he turned in his chair to regard her. “Let’s not make this unpleasant, Ms Black.”

Aunt Essie looked like she was considering belting the man. Rosie quickly said, “I’ll be okay,” and shot her a look pleading for caution. They didn’t need more trouble.

“Fine,” her aunt said. “I’ll wait outside. But you can’t hold her, Whitely, she’s still a minor.”

“Of course. We wouldn’t consider it.” He smiled blandly.

Aunt Essie looked at Rosie. “I’ll be right outside the door. Listening.” She swivelled her gaze back to Agent Whitely for a moment, then strode from the room.

“Alone at last.” Agent Whitely smiled as the door closed.

“Lucky me,” Rosie said with sarcasm.

The agent’s gaze became bright with speculation. “Are we going to have a problem with you?” he said. Then he spoke into his com. “Activate.”

A very bad feeling stirred in Rosie’s gut. One of the previously blank walls of the room suddenly shimmered slightly in the centre and a door evolved from the greyness. Pitch vibration technology. Special paint that could distort light waves and change what you saw.

“What’s going on?” She got to her feet, but Agent Whitely ignored her. He rose and placed his palm on the door. It slid open to reveal one of the guards from downstairs.

Rosie’s internal alarm went off the scale. She spun around and leaped for the exit, but before she got there the guard had her. Time to test Dalton’s lessons. She leaned back, grabbed his arm and twisted outwards, sweeping the closest foot out from underneath him with her leg.

He grunted and went down. Rosie lunged for the door, but he was on his feet in an instant and slammed her face first against the wall, pulling her arms up. Agony streaked down her injured shoulder. She screamed and tried to kick him but met only air.

“That’s enough.” Agent Whitely raised his voice.

The pressure on her arms eased, but he still held her against the wall. Scared and furious, Rosie drew in a quick breath. “Aunt Essie!” she shouted.

“It won’t do any good; she can’t hear you,” Agent Whitely said from behind her. “The room is soundproofed. Now, stop resisting and this will all be over soon.”

“What will be over?” The wall smelled sour and the pulse burn throbbed with pain. “You said we were just going to talk. You can’t do this. I haven’t done anything!”

“That’s debatable. Bring her.” He spoke briskly, ordering the guard.

Rosie almost lost her footing as the guard shoved her in front of him. She tried desperately not to panic. This was suddenly feeling all too similar to when Helios got her on Mars.