Prophet (9 page)

"Want to run a tab?” asked the Iceman.

"No, one beer's all I want,” said the Kid, sliding some hexagonal coins down the bar. He paused and stared intently at the Iceman.

"Is something wrong?” asked the Iceman, eyeing the Kid suspiciously.

"That's funny,” said the Kid.

"What is?"

"You sure as hell don't look like a living legend."

"Well, to tell you the truth, I don't feel much like one,” answered the Iceman. “But just out of curiosity, what does a living legend look like?"

"I don't know,” said the Kid. “But not like you.” He paused. “Still, you must be as formidable as they say, just to get as old as you are."

"Son, let me give you a little friendly advice, if I may,” said the Iceman, studying the Kid intently.

"What is it?"

"Whether or not I'm as formidable as they say, I'm formidable
enough
.” He paused. “You can't see them, but there are four guns trained on you at this very moment, so my advice to you is not to do anything you might not live long enough to regret."

"Four?” said the Kid, surprised. He looked around the room once more. “Where are they?"

"That,” said the Iceman with a grim smile, “would be telling.” He paused again. “And speaking of telling, perhaps you'd like to tell me just what you're doing on Last Chance?"

"I came here to find you."

"Okay, you found me,” said the Iceman. “What now?"

"Now I deliver the Gravedancer's message."

The Iceman stared at him. “What do you know about the Gravedancer?” he asked at last.

"You might say that we're partners, in a manner of speaking,” answered the Kid.

"No, I don't think I'd say that,” replied the Iceman. “Men like Lomax don't take on partners."

"Well,” said the Kid, mildly flustered, “he gave me his ship and he trusted me to deliver a message to you."

"Okay,” said the Iceman. “What is it?"

"Right here?” asked the Kid. “At the bar?"

The Iceman looked amused. “There's no one within thirty feet of us. Would you rather tell me next to the roulette wheel—or maybe in the men's room?"

The Kid shrugged and leaned on the bar. “The man who put out the hit on you is a religious cult leader called the Anointed One."

The Iceman frowned. “I never heard of him. Why does he want me dead?"

"I don't know."

The Iceman began drying a glass with a bar towel while he considered what he'd been told. “Why didn't Lomax just radio me the message?” he asked. “Why send you?"

"He was going off to meet with the Anointed One, and, well..."

"And you weren't invited?"

The Kid nodded his head.

"Well, that's what comes of being a junior partner."

"There's more,” said the Kid.

"Oh?"

The Kid pulled out Lomax's ring. “He said to show you this."

"All right, I've seen it,” said the Iceman. “It's his. Now, what's the rest of the message?"

"That no matter what you hear on the grapevine, he's not out to kill you."

"
Am
I going to hear that on the grapevine?” asked the Iceman.

"He seems to think so."

"So he met with this Anointed One under the guise of a freelance killer?"

"You're very quick."

"Well, let's hope the Anointed One didn't offer him so much money that he forgets where his loyalties lie."

"He wouldn't do that,” said the Kid.

"You'd be surprised what people would do for money,” said the Iceman. He pulled a bottle out from behind the bar, picked up a couple of glasses, and limped over to an empty table not too far from the doorway. “Come on, young man,” he said. “We've got some talking to do."

The Kid followed him to the table and sat down opposite him.

"Have a drink,” said the Iceman, filling both glasses and shoving one over to the Kid. “On the house."

"Thanks. What is it?"

"A whiskey they make over in the Binder system."

The Kid took a sip. It burned his tongue and throat, but he forced a smile to his face. “Good,” he muttered.

"Don't ever take a job as a diplomat or a politician,” said the Iceman wryly.

"I beg your pardon."

"You're a lousy liar."

"I said I liked it,” said the Kid irritably, downing the rest of the drink in a single gulp, then fighting unsuccessfully to stifle a strangled cough.

"How the hell did Lomax ever hook up with you?"

"What is
that
supposed to mean?” demanded the Kid.

"It means I want to know how the hell Lomax hooked up with you,” the Iceman repeated calmly.

"I did him a favor back on Greycloud."

"What kind?"

"I saved his life."

The Iceman stared at him. “
You?
” he said with open disbelief.

"Me."

"I'd ask how, but you'd probably tell me."

"You think I'm lying?” asked the Kid heatedly.

"Let's just say that I think you're exaggerating,” said the Iceman. “You'd better be,” he added. “If Lomax needed you to save his life, I hired the wrong man—and I didn't get to be this old by misjudging the people I hire.” He paused. “Where did you come across the Anointed One?"

"We didn't. We made contact with one of his men on Olympus, but I don't know where the Anointed One himself is."

"What
do
you know about him?"

"Not much. Just that he's some kind of cult leader, and he wants you dead."

"You're sure it's a
he
you're talking about, and not a
she
?” asked the Iceman, finally taking a sip of his drink.

"Yeah. At least, Korbekkian—that's his man on Olympus, the guy who keeps hiring men to kill you—Korbekkian kept calling him
he
. Why?” asked the Kid. “Is there some woman with a grudge against you?"

"Anything's possible,” said the Iceman. “I just want to make sure she's not calling herself the Anointed One these days."

"So there's a woman out there somewhere who wants to kill you,” repeated the Kid, his face alight with interest. “What did you do to her?"

"It's a long story,” said the Iceman, downing the remainder of his drink.

"I'm all ears."

"It's also none of your business,” said the Iceman.

"You know, you're not the friendliest guy I ever met,” said the Kid.

"Look,” said the Iceman. “I've had five men try to kill me in the past couple of months, men I've never seen before. Now you show up out of the blue to tell me that some religious nut I've never heard of wants me dead, and that any day now I'm going to hear that the Gravedancer is working for him. Now, some people might feel friendly under these circumstances, but I don't happen to be one of them."

"But I'm here to help you,” said the Kid.

"You?” said the Iceman with an amused smile. “What can you do?"

"You'd be surprised."

The Iceman shrugged. “Probably I would be.” He paused. “What's your name?"

"They call me the Silicon Kid."

"Who does?"

The Kid swallowed hard. “Anyone who's met me since I left Greycloud,” he answered lamely.

"All ten of ‘em, eh?” said the Iceman. “Well, it's an interesting name, especially for a young man who seems to be all flesh and blood. How did you come by it?"

"The Gravedancer gave it to me."

"In that case, I'm properly impressed,” said the Iceman. “
Why
are you the Silicon Kid?"

"I've got implanted chips that let me see in the dark, and into the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums. And while I was on my way here from Olympus, I created one that will give me the fastest responses of any man in the galaxy."

"You haven't had it implanted yet?"

"No, but it's simple outpatient surgery,” said the Kid. “If you've got a doctor on Last Chance, I can have it done in less than an hour."

"We've got one,” answered the Iceman, “but he hasn't been sober for the better part of ten years. If I were you, I'd wait until I hit a bigger world."

The Kid looked his disappointment. “I was kind of hoping to have it done here, so I could protect you."

"I thank you for the thought,” said the Iceman, “but I don't
need
protection on my own world.” He paused. “Besides, I'm leaving this afternoon."

"Oh? Where are you going?"

"Into the Democracy."

"Why?"

"Because if I stay here, I'm a sitting duck for this Anointed One's killers,” answered the Iceman. “Maybe Lomax can handle the situation, and maybe he can't ... but I don't plan to wait to find out."

"But why the Democracy?” asked the Kid. “I never said the Anointed One was there.” He paused. “Hell, I don't know where he is."

"Neither do I,” said the Iceman. “But I damned well intend to find out."

"And you think someone in the Democracy can tell you?"

"Oh, yes,” said the Iceman with certainty. “There's someone there who can tell me."

"Why travel all that way?” asked the Kid. “Why not just send him a subspace message?"

"I didn't say he'd
want
to tell me,” replied the Iceman. “Just that he could.” He paused. “And he will,” he concluded grimly.

"I'm coming along,” said the Kid suddenly.

"I don't recall asking you to."

"There won't be any action here at all once you leave."

"Kid,” said the Iceman seriously, “the graveyards are full of young men who came to the Inner Frontier looking for action. Believe me, you'll be much better off just waiting here until Lomax shows up."

The Kid shook his head. “There's a whole galaxy out there, just waiting to be seen.” He smiled. “I plan to see it."

"Go tourist class. You'll live longer."

"If you don't take me along, I'll just follow you in the Gravedancer's ship,” said the Kid.

"That's your prerogative,” answered the Iceman. “Try not to wreck it."

"Damn it, Iceman!” said the Kid. “Why can't I make you understand that I'm on your side!"

"Kid, you don't even know what the game is."

"Do you?"

"No,” admitted the Iceman. “But I'm going to find out."

"You might need me."

"I doubt it."

"Once I get my chip implanted, I'll be the fastest gun anyone ever saw."

"Fast is good,” said the Iceman. “Accurate is better.” He paused again. “And knowing when not to shoot is better still."

"If I'm with you, you can tell me when to shoot and when not to."

"Telling you what to do isn't my responsibility,” said the Iceman. He stared into the Silicon Kid's eyes. “You don't know what you're getting into. If you have a brain in your head, you'll go back to Greycloud and stay there."

"You don't know what
you're
getting into, either,” retorted the Kid.

"I'm
already
in it,” replied the Iceman. “Five men have come out here to kill me."

"What makes you think they'll stop, just because you leave Last Chance?” said the Kid. “I could help you."

"Why?"

"Why what?” asked the Kid, confused.

The Iceman stared at him with open curiosity. “I never laid eyes on you until ten minutes ago. Why do you want to risk your life for me?"

"I've heard stories about you since I was a kid. You probably aren't going to believe it, but you're one of my heroes."

"I'm too old and fat and lame to be anyone's hero,” said the Iceman.

"All the more reason why you need me. You may be invulnerable on Last Chance, but you're fair game once you leave."

"Look, Kid, even if you get your implant, all it means is that your reaction time is quicker."

"Isn't that enough?"

The Iceman looked amused again. “It means you can miss twice as many shots as most normal people."

The Kid got to his feet, picked up the bottle, and walked over to the bar. He placed it down at the far end, then returned to the table.

"Can you shutter the windows and kill the lights?” he asked.

"I've got a couple of dozen customers who won't appreciate it."

"Just for a few seconds."

"Why?"

"So I can prove to you that you need me."

The Iceman stared at him, then shrugged. “We're going to darken the room for just a moment,” he announced to the assembled drinkers and gamblers. “There's nothing to worry about. If you've got cards or money on the tables, place your hands over them."

He waited a few seconds, then nodded to one of his men, who went into his office. A moment later the doors closed, the windows became opaque, and the lights went off.

"Now what?” asked the Iceman.

"Now I show you what I can do,” said the Kid.

There was an instant of silence, punctuated by the explosive sound of a bullet being fired from a handgun, and then a crash.

"What the hell was
that
?” demanded the Iceman, as a woman shrieked and a few men yelled obscenities.

The lights came on immediately, and the Iceman saw that about half his clients had drawn their own weapons.

"It's okay, folks,” he said reassuringly. “Nothing to get excited about."

"Take a look,” said the Kid proudly, pointing to the shattered liquor bottle on the bar.

The Iceman limped over to the bar and stood a few feet away from the bottle, staring at the glass shards that lay atop the bar. “You can see in the dark?"

The Kid nodded. “And I can hit what I'm aiming at."

"How do I know you didn't just remember where it was?” asked the Iceman.

"Do you really think that's what I did?” asked the Kid. “We can do it again, and you can place it anywhere you want once the room's dark."

The Iceman considered the proposition, then shook his head. “No, it's not necessary. I believe you."

"Well?” said the Kid, grinning confidently.

"All right,” said the Iceman. “I'm impressed."

"
How
impressed?” asked the Kid.

"From this moment on, you're working for me."

"What does the job pay?"

"It depends on what I want you to do,” answered the Iceman. He pulled a wad of credits out of a pocket and handed them to the Kid. “This'll hold you for awhile."

"Thanks,” said the Kid, taking the money. “When do we leave?"

"After I have lunch and pack my gear. You can meet me over at the hangar."

"Thanks, Iceman,” said the Kid. “You won't be sorry."