The Face of Earth (20 page)

Agnar cracked open an eyelid and looked at the Kahrazoid woman with interest, ignoring the indecent remark. “You want to be part of my crew?”

“Oh, yes. We recently lost our captain and our ship in a skirmish with authorities over our not quite legal cargo. We’re a mixed crew, with several different species represented, but we are loyal. Would you be interested in allowing us to join you?”

Agnar closed his eye and settled back into the pillows. “Consider yourself and your shipmates hired. Wake me when it’s dark. Until then, I don’t wish to be disturbed.”

The Kahrazoid woman giggled. “My name is Equaria. I’ll leave you to recuperate.” She dressed and let herself out of the room. When the door closed behind her, Agnar had already been sleeping for several minutes.

The suns were setting when Agnar finally awoke. His head still hurt, but at least he could move without the room spinning. He showered and dressed, then made his way down to the eating establishment on the ground floor. After consuming enough for two people, he began to feel a bit better. He leaned back in his chair and watched the holovision in the center of the room. The news was gory as always, showing people dying in the various wars that were continually fought on backwater worlds. The newswoman was attractive, but she read the news as if it were a list of ingredients.

“We have an update on the fugitives wanted in connection with the tampering of archaeological evidence in the Fourth Quadrant. The two men, Flavoi Fierra and Tresar Convy, and the unknown Yalsan woman, along with a Bitowan woman, have been seen boarding a ship on the island of Convy in the Carrian Sea of Yalsa. They narrowly escaped as authorities approached the island. They were last seen heading toward the Hysterion System. If anyone sees them or their Pulsar Class Starship, they are to report it immediately.” The announcer abruptly changed the subject, reading the scores of the latest game. Agnar quickly paid his tab and headed out to the lobby, just in time to run into Equaria and six other humanoids. She lit up when she saw him and began to introduce her shipmates. Agnar took her by the arm, interrupting her.

“We don’t have time for that now. I’m trying to catch up to the women who put these halabands around my neck, and I have a lead on their whereabouts. We must leave now.” He led his new crew to his ship, explaining some of the Bitowan technology as they boarded. Equaria laughed and pointed to one of her men.

“There’s no need to explain, sir. Rathor there is an expert.” Rathor, who wore a cloak that hid his appearance, pulled the hood down and smiled. Agnar shuddered. Rathor was a Bitowan, and his resemblance to Emperor Varton was uncanny.

“It’s unusual for a Bitowan to leave his system, Rathor. Why did you?” Agnar’s curiosity overcame his revulsion to the man’s appearance. Rathor just smiled and looked to Equaria to answer for him.

“Well, sir,” she said, “Rathor is the illegitimate offspring of the Mother Empress and her Yalsan lover. His mother was put to death for mating outside of her own species, but she managed to get Rathor away before the emperor could kill him. He is Emperor Varton’s younger brother, born just before the emperor’s eldest daughter.” Equaria patted Rathor on the back. “The Bitowan Empire’s loss is our gain.”

Agnar led the way to the bridge, reflecting that despite physical and cultural differences, most humanoid species seemed to share the same problems. The crew dispersed to the various bridge consoles as if they had been flying this kind of ship for years. Agnar was impressed by their efficiency as they quickly launched and brought the ship into orbit around Bellos. Agnar settled comfortably into the captain’s chair and gave his crew their first orders. “Scan for any Yalsan ships in this system.”

At the tactical console, Rathor answered almost on top of Agnar’s command. “There are nine Yalsan ships in the area.” He paused and squinted at the console, confused by what he was seeing. “Sir, the ship farthest from here is showing no life readings, but is traveling at a high speed out of this solar system.”

Agnar felt his heart leap. It had to be her. He realized how much he missed her when she wasn’t around, even if she didn’t like him. He shook his head, trying to clear it. Karina had bewitched him, and it was affecting his logic. He had to stop feeling and start thinking if he ever wanted to be free of the halabands.

That ship had to be them. Of course Tresar would find a way to be undetectable to scans. Too bad for him he didn’t find a way to mask a ship. He could hardly contain the excitement in his voice at the thought of seeing Karina again, and of getting the cursed halabands off. “Set course to follow. I want to see that ship on the viewscreen within the hour.”

CHAPTER 14

It was a subdued group that gathered on the bridge of Tresar’s ship. They stared at the viewscreen, watching the planets of the Hysterion System as they passed through it. Bellos was especially breathtaking, outlined by the two suns behind it.

Karina sighed. It wasn’t very pleasant, living on the run. “So, now that we’re fugitives, where can we go?” she asked.

Tresar thoughtfully rubbed his chin. “We should leave the galaxy at the very least. I suggest we leave the quadrant as well. It’s a big universe out there. I’m sure we can find a nice place to settle, or we can continue exploring if settling isn’t your thing.”

Sharra straddled one of the chairs at the science console in order to have a good view of the passing planets. Karina had introduced her to trousers, and she found them to be very liberating. She doubted that she would ever want to wear a skirt again. She cleared her throat to get her shipmates’ attention.

“There is a galaxy four hundred thousand light-years into the Fourth Quadrant that Bitowan scientists are studying. It is unusual in that it contains more than seventy percent habitable planets. They have yet to mount a mission to visit it because of its great distance and because it is outside the known quadrants. It would take some years to get there on your drive system, but I do not think we have any pressing engagements beyond fleeing from the Yalsan authorities.”

“And from Haron,” Flavoi added, grimacing at Sharra. She frowned and nodded.

Tresar perked up at the suggestion of investigating unexplored space. “I for one would love to go.” He sent a questioning look to the others. Karina was grinning, and Flavoi nodded his head. “Very well, let’s go. Flavoi, set course . . .”

Suddenly the proximity alarm went off. Tresar switched the view on the screen to show the rear view and saw a sleek Bitowan ship coming up fast behind them. He and Flavoi looked at each other. “Haron?” Tresar guessed. Flavoi shrugged, uncertain. They turned at the sharp intake of breath behind them.

Sharra was glaring at the approaching ship. “Agnar.” The word came out with a hiss as she exhaled.

Tresar looked anxious. “Are you sure?”

“That is my ship. I would recognize it anywhere.”

Flavoi increased the ship’s speed. “Maybe we can outrun him.”

Sharra shook her head. “Nothing can outrun that ship.”

Flavoi strapped himself into his chair. “If we can’t outrun him, then maybe we can outmaneuver him. I’m not the greatest pilot on Yalsa for nothing, you know.” Flavoi steered the ship out of the solar system so he could switch to the star drive.

Tresar quickly strapped himself down and motioned the women to do the same. He didn’t like the gleam in Flavoi’s eye. Flavoi’s fingers danced across the console as he engaged the star drive. Stars stretched as the ship suddenly accelerated. The Bitowan ship kept pace easily. Flavoi left the Hysterion System behind and headed toward an emission nebula, hoping that the interference caused by the radiation would make them harder to track.

The Yalsan ship rocked as they were fired on from behind. There was a loud whine as engine power dropped. They passed too close to a large, dark planet on the edge of small solar system and were caught in its gravitational pull. With little thrust available from the weakened engines, they went down. Karina gripped the armrests of her chair, sure that they were all going to die.

“Can you land us safely?” Tresar yelled to Flavoi.

Flavoi fought the controls, the heavy gravity making it difficult to maneuver. “Land? No, but I can control the fall so we survive the crash.”

The ship entered the atmosphere, heating up as it plunged toward the planet. Within minutes it reached the surface and hit, sliding across the ground at high speed. Flavoi used the air brakes to slow their pace. The viewscreen went blank, its transmitter damaged by the impact. They were in the dark, still sliding across the rocky surface, but slowing. They came to an abrupt halt as the ship hit something immovable. They jerked in their seats, the straps holding them securely. Then there was silence.

Tresar was the first to recover his breath. “Is everyone all right?”

Karina grunted. “I’m okay. Completely bruised, but okay.”

Sharra’s voice came out of the darkness to Tresar’s right. “I am alive as well.”

“And me,” Flavoi said quietly.

“Good landing, Flavoi,” Tresar said. Flavoi grunted. “Any landing you can walk away from, eh, Flavoi?”

Flavoi laughed bitterly. “Yeah, but this planet isn’t inhabited. So where do you suggest we walk?”

Tresar blindly felt his way toward the exit. “How do you know it’s not inhabited?”

“Because it’s Druzyx.”

Tresar paused. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I recognized the system as we were going down, and it’s the only planet in this system. So get the space suits, it’s going to be a hot day.” Flavoi followed action to word and felt his way to the air lock. The others followed.

Once they suited up, Tresar opened the door. The blue sun glared in blindingly, and they adjusted their visors to compensate. Tresar helped them regulate the inner temperature of their suits to keep them cool. The dark ground absorbed and radiated the heat of the sun tenfold.

Flavoi walked around the ship to assess the damage. The engines had been ripped from their pylons and were nowhere to be seen. The path of destruction made by the ship stretched to the horizon.

Karina looked around the desolate landscape. “How the hell do we get off this rock?”

Sharra was watching the sky. “I do not think that will be a problem. Agnar will be here to pick us up any minute now.”

Tresar looked at Sharra suspiciously. “How is it you’re so sure he’s coming to our rescue? After what we did to him, I wouldn’t be surprised if he left us here to rot.”

“Rescue? Did I say rescue?” Sharra said sarcastically. “No, he is not coming to rescue us. He is coming for her.” She pointed to Karina.

They all turned and looked at Karina. Tresar crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at her, feeling suddenly and inexplicably jealous. “Why would he come here for you?”

“Ah . . . well . . . I kind of put a couple of halabands on him,” Karina started. “But he put them on me and Sharra first!” she added defensively.

From above them came the whine of engines. They looked up and saw the Bitowan ship slowly descending, coming to rest forty meters away. Tresar looked around wildly for an escape and found none. Flavoi casually leaned up against the side of their downed ship and struck a nonchalant pose. Karina and Sharra looked at each other and shrugged. They sat down on a piece of debris and waited.

They all watched as Agnar and an unusual group of humanoids emerged from the Bitowan ship. Within minutes they were herded into the ship, and as soon as the air lock closed, their helmets were removed, effectively preventing their escape.

Agnar removed his own helmet and glared at Tresar. “A ship for a ship, eh, Tresar?”

Tresar eyed him. “What do you want, Agnar?”

“I want those women to remove these halabands.” He pointed at Karina and Sharra, and then to his neck.

Sharra shook her head. “It is not me you want, Agnar. The halabands were the work of Karina.”

Agnar’s attention shifted to Karina. He almost smiled, impressed by her initiative. Most freed captives would bolt, not imprison their captor. He stifled a grin and looked stern. “You will take these off or my crew will kill you,” he bluffed.

Karina looked unimpressed. She had learned a lot about halabands from Sharra over the past few days. She knew as long as he had them on, she was safe. “Go ahead, kill me,” she mocked, knowing that if he had her killed, he would never get them off.

Agnar ground his teeth, feigning anger. “No, I won’t have you killed. But how safe do you think your friends are?” He motioned to his crew and they quickly converged on the others, two of them holding each of Karina’s friends. Equaria grabbed Karina by the arm and dragged her over to Agnar. He grinned maliciously down at her. “Who shall I have killed first?”

Karina tore away from Equaria’s grasp and adopted an authoritative pose. “You will tell your crew to release me and my friends now.”

Agnar grimaced. “Release them,” he ordered, unable to disobey.

No one moved. Equaria grinned. “We know how the halabands work and we know what’s best for our captain. We won’t take the orders he gives that come from you. We will kill your friends if you don’t take the halabands off him.”

Karina knew she had been beaten, but she couldn’t give up so easily. She addressed Agnar, ignoring Equaria. “Yes, you could have my friends killed. But how motivated do you think I’d be to free you after that? If you spent any time at all on Earth, you know that female Earthlings tend to fight like cats when cornered, and they don’t forgive easily. Touch even a hair on their heads and you’ll wear those halabands until the end of time.” She paused to take a breath before continuing. “I’ll make a deal with you. If you take us off this planet and deliver us safely to the planet of our choice, I’ll remove the halabands.” She waited nervously for his answer, despite her brave front.

Agnar didn’t mull over her proposition at all. “Done.” He turned to Equaria. “Strip their ship of anything salvageable. And throw them in the brig.” He turned and walked to the bridge, hiding a smile. He would have come for Karina even if she hadn’t put the halabands on him.

His crew escorted the prisoners into the lower level of the ship. Equaria took Karina’s arm again and led her along behind the others. She and her friends were deposited in the brig and left alone. Tresar looked sick. Karina put her arm around his shoulders, trying to comfort him.“It’ll be all right, Tresar. Don’t worry.”

“It’s not that,” he replied glumly. “Agnar will have all the inventions I brought with me. And he’ll have the technology from the upgrades I made to the ship. It’s like he’ll have a piece of my soul.” He pulled away from Karina resentfully. “And it’s your fault. He wouldn’t have come after us if you hadn’t put the halabands on him.”

Tresar went to the farthest corner of the cell and sat on the floor with his back to the others. Karina watched him for a moment, sighed, and leaned back against the wall. Flavoi was looking everywhere but at Tresar and Karina, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing. Sharra watched avidly, finding this interaction between the sexes fascinating.

Half the day passed before they heard the engines rumble and felt the deck vibrate beneath their feet, indicating that the ship was about to take off. Tresar was still huddled in his corner sulking when Rathor walked into the room.

“Hello, Sharra.” Sharra ignored him. “Do you know who I am?” Silence. “I am your uncle. The half brother of your father.” Sharra looked up at this and searched his face. She was uncomfortably aware of his marked resemblance to her father. She let curiosity get the better of her, and moved to the confinement shield separating them.

“I have heard stories about you.” Sharra’s look was piercing. “None of them good.”

Rathor threw back his head and laughed, shocking Sharra. Bitowans rarely smiled, let alone laughed. “I am sure I have done every sordid thing from here to the Fourth Quadrant.” He cocked his head at her. “But at least I have not helped the most notorious enemy of the Bitowan Empire escape with my ship and abandoned my father on the eve of my marriage to his most celebrated general.”

Sharra flushed at his words and glared angrily. “At least I do not call the most notorious enemy of the Bitowan Empire captain.”

Rathor grinned. “At least I am not his prisoner.”

Sharra pursed up her lips and turned away. Rathor chuckled. “You do not have to be his prisoner,” he said cajolingly. Sharra turned back slightly. Rathor continued. “His quarrel is not with you. It is with them.” Rathor gestured at the others in the cell. “He is in your debt for freeing him from your father. And for giving him a powerful new ship.” He paused, waiting for Sharra’s reaction. She turned to face him once again, openly interested now.