The Price of Pleasure (16 page)

“I’m leaving now, so you keep taking care of your sister,” she told Able, then she swung the sack over her shoulder and carried it out into the main room.

Seth was still sitting there, staring sullenly at Sarai. The slight woman continued to hold the blaster on him steadily. Her face was still pale, but the look on her face was determined. Bragan remained in his corner, standing. He was still tied, but they had loosened the bindings to make him more comfortable.

“How are you doing, Sarai?” Calla asked cautiously. The woman was so tense she looked as if she might break into a thousand pieces at any minute. Her husband’s lifeless body still lay on the floor between her and Seth.

“I’m fine,” she said. “Just keep moving, because I want to get this over with.”

“All right,” Calla said. “I’m going to get the food and water packs now.”

It took her about twenty minutes to build a little pyramid of supplies sufficient to feed and water Seth and Bragan for several weeks. Help should arrive long before then, she kept telling herself. Seth would be just fine.

Once all the supplies were ready, she walked over and let Bragan out of his bonds.

The man grabbed her suddenly, causing her to gasp in shock. Sarai’s voice came anxiously from across the room, “What’s wrong?”

Bragan gave Calla a smacking kiss on her cheek, then let her go.

“Nothing to worry about,” he said. “I just wanted to wish her luck. Now what do you need me to do?”

“I want you to drag Calvin’s body and the supplies into the airlock,” Sarai said.

“My pleasure,” he said, grinning broadly. Then he spoke to the angry man across the room in his sing-song way, “Oh, Seth, we’ll become great friends in our time together. You’ll see, you’ll see.”

The tone of his voice alarmed Calla–would Seth be safe with Bragan? The man was definitely unhinged. She made a snap decision to cuff Bragan before allowing him off the ship. Seth deserved that much at the very least. She glanced over at him quickly, afraid to meet his eyes. He sat there, hands above his head, staring at her steadily. There was a promise of retribution in his eyes.

It only took Bragan a short while to load all the supplies, but Calvin’s body was too much for him to handle by himself.

“Seth, help him,” Calla said. Seth stood slowly and deliberately, flexing his arms as he rose. His hands were clenched into fists tight with anger. Calla shivered, backing up a couple of steps.

“I won’t hesitate to shoot,” Sarai said. “I’ve already done it once, I’ll do it again. I have nothing to lose, so don’t tempt me.”

Seth believed her, because he turned to grasp Calvin’s body under the armpits.

Bragan took the feet, then together they lifted the man and carried him out into the airlock. The Seth spoke for the first time.

“Leave the Jansenite here,” he said. “It’s too dangerous to take with you.”

Calla was startled, and she looked to Sarai, unsure what to do.

“He’s right,” Sarai said. “Calvin always handled it very carefully. He could use it to blow up this ship, though. Do you think he’d rather die than let us escape? It would be a suicidal move.”

Seth merely glared at them, but Calla spoke.

“I don’t think he’ll do that,” she said, hoping desperately that she was right.

“Remember, Seth, the children are completely innocent. They don’t deserve to die, no matter what you think of us.”

“I give you my word I won’t use the Jansenite against you,” Seth finally said. “But it’s very important that you leave it behind. I don’t want it out there on the open market.”

“I thought you were going to sell it,” Calla said, startled.

“I thought you were going to trust that I knew what I was doing,” Seth replied pointedly.

“Just get the damn Jansenite,” Sarai said, confused by their exchange. “No, have Bragan do it. I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”

“I’ll get it,” Calla said, breaking in quickly before things got out of hand. “I’ll bring it out here, then Seth and Bragan can take it off the ship.”

“Be careful,” Seth said, trying not to look at her. “If you drop it, we’re all dead.”

Calla carefully dragged the boxes out into the main room, then Seth and Bragan placed them in the airlock. Sarai’s gun never wavered.

When they had finished, Sarai gestured toward the pressure suits hanging in the airlock bay. Seth was still wearing his, but Bragan needed one. Seth pulled on his helmet, then he and Bragan quickly checked each other’s suits.

“Bragan, come over here,” Calla said. Sarai looked at her in surprise, but gestured with the gun that the man was to follow her instructions. “Hold your hands out in front of you.”

Calla quickly clasped a pair of restraints around the man’s wrists. She had been concerned he’d make a fuss, but he simply cocked one eyebrow at her.

“Afraid I’m going to hurt your lover?” he asked with a smirk. “Don’t worry about it.

I don’t hold it against you.”

“Just go out into the airlock,” she said, unable to meet his eyes. Then she tossed the restraint key to Seth, who caught it in one gloved hand. “You, too. Into the airlock.”

Seth turned and stalked into the airlock, then turned back to face her.

“I won’t forget this,” he said coldly. “You’d better start running, because Goddess help you if I catch you.”

“We’ll send someone for you,” Sarai said tightly. “You have all you need to make it until they arrive. Once the airlock cycles, we’ll give you twenty minutes to get everything out and get away from the ship. Then we’re leaving.”

“I’m sorry, Seth,” Calla said. “I don’t have a choice. I won’t go back to slavery.”

“Your husband has a new girlfriend,” Seth said with disgust. “You might want to think twice about trying to join him.”

His words sent pain shooting through her.

“He’s not my husband,” she said. “I just said that to get rid of you at the hostel.

You’ve got to go now.”

Seth’s eyes widened, but before he could say anything Calla punched the button that shut the airlock. The door swung closed, and the light went red as the ship started pumping out air.

Twenty minutes later, Seth had unloaded the supplies and was standing with Bragan at a safe distance. Sarai checked to make sure the children were strapped into their chairs, then joined Calla in the cockpit. Seth had left the autopilot set to take them back to Discovery station. Together, they pressed the key to initiate their takeoff sequence, then braced themselves as the ship lifted away from the asteroid. Calla forced herself to watch Seth’s still figure for as long as he was visible from the ship’s window, then turned to Sarai.

“I guess it’s time to start working on re-programming the auto-pilot,” she said. “The last place I want to go it Discovery station. I have the codes and manuals in my hand-held computer.”

“When will we send the rescue message?” Sarai asked quietly.

“I think we should clear the asteroid field first,” Calla replied after a brief pause.

“We’ll send the message before we make the leap to light speed.”

Chapter 11

“Fifty thousand credits. That’s my final offer,” Karinvass said, eyeing the two women standing before him. Their ship was worth at least 150,000 credits, but they obviously didn’t have any idea what they were doing. Clearly, they’d never been out of their home systems. Every time they saw an alien, their eyes widened. As he watched, the little one–the one with the brown hair and freckles–bit her lip, and looked at her friend for guidance. If he wasn’t careful, he might lose the sale…

“Here now, I don’t have all day,” he said roughly. It was always better to keep the upper hand in a negotiation like this. He didn’t want them to feel bullied, but he also didn’t want to give them too much time to think. They were ripe for the taking, and he wanted that ship.

“Either you like the deal or you don’t. I have other customers to help,” he added, despite the fact that they were his only prospects at the moment. It wasn’t often that he had the chance to acquire a ship like theirs, especially for such a price. It was stolen, of course, but that wouldn’t matter if he moved it quickly enough. There were plenty of customers who’d be interested in buying a prize like that one.

“All right,” the freckled one said, looking panicked at the thought of him losing interest. Karinvass gave her a broad smile, then held out his hand to shake on the deal.

She looked at him, confused at the gesture, and for a moment he almost felt sorry for her.

She really was green. These two were going to be eaten alive if they weren’t careful.

“I’ll be right back with your credits,” he said, and they smiled at him nervously.

Shaking his head in bemusement, he turned and went into his back room. Once the door was locked, he activated a small control panel on the floor. A tile moved noiselessly across the floor, revealing his safe. As he counted out the thousand-credit chits, he briefly considered short-changing them. He’d bet they’d never seen a credit chit worth so much–it would be easy to pawn off some counterfeits.

Then an uncharacteristic wave of compassion came over him. He was already making a fortune off of them, he reminded himself. They were on the run, any fool could see that. Besides, if he let them go now, he could always make more money later if someone came looking for them. He smiled again at the thought, then closed up the safe and walked back out into his shop.

“Here are your credits,” he said, counting the money out carefully before them.

“Fifty thousand, just like I promised.”

Their eyes widened, and the quiet one–she was taller–gave him a smile so lovely it took his breath away. She really was quite pretty, he realized. Maybe he could… Then he laughed to himself. He was getting
too
greedy, now. He’d already taken enough from these two little birds. Better to let them go.

“Here are the access codes,” the little one said, pressing a piece of paper into his hands.

“I’ll find you if they don’t work,” Karinvass said, although he wasn’t concerned. He was sure it had never occurred to them to double-cross him. They were too innocent.

They left the store quickly, turning out into the main corridor and out of Karinvass’

sight. Calindra station wasn’t really that large of an outpost, he reflected, if you knew the right people. If he changed his mind and wanted to find them again, he would be able to.

Deciding he had worked enough for one day, Karinvass left the store–locking it carefully, as always–and headed across the wide corridor. The station’s open gallery rose four stories above him, stretching as far as the eye could see. Either side of the gallery was lined with shops. Up two levels was his favorite drinking house, where the
bakrah
was cheap and the women were friendly. It was time to celebrate his newfound wealth, he thought with satisfaction. It had been a most profitable morning.

* * * * *

“Calla, I don’t trust that man,” Sarai said, looking at her friend anxiously. They were walking quickly along the wide boulevard that was the station’s center of commerce.

Earlier that day, Sarai had watched all the activity around them with wide eyes, but now all she could think about was escape. “I think he knew we weren’t the real owners of the ship.”

“I think you may be right,” Calla replied. She clutched their bag of precious credits closer. People seemed to be watching them; they weren’t safe, she could feel it. “But we’ll be gone as soon as we find a transit. We just need to figure out where we want to go.”

“And what we’re going to do when we get there,” Sarai said faintly, her expression troubled. “Calla, I don’t know how to do anything. How am I going to support my children?”

“Sarai, we’ve been over this before,” Calla said, trying to stay patient. “If we can just find the right place, we’ll open a hostel. I know all about hostels, I’ve worked in one all my life. We’re going to be fine.”

“I’m sorry, Calla,” Sarai said. “I know, I’ve got to trust you.”

“That’s all right,” Calla said, flashing her a quick smile. She and Sarai had grown close in the two weeks since their escape from Bethesda base. A wave of sadness came over her, the same feeling she got every time she thought of the day she had left Seth behind on the asteroid. She missed him so much. Suppressing a sigh, she said, “Here we are–I think the hostel is down that corridor.”

Together they turned into the quiet corridor. In contrast to the busy boulevard, this area of the station was more residential. There were blocks of apartments, small food shops and even a book and vid store. Their hostel was nestled in the middle, a little gem of hospitality. A kind-looking pleasure worker at the space port had directed them there the night before. Not only was it quiet, it was inexpensive, which was important. They couldn’t afford to waste the few credits Calla had from Jess’ stash, or those from the sale of the ship, either.

When they walked through the door, a chime rang but no one was at the front desk.

Calla could hear voices, though. Able and Mali were in the back, talking with someone animatedly and laughing. She looked over at Sarai, whose face had grown cold. They had told the children not to open the door for anyone, and now Able and Mali were out of the room completely.

Moving quickly through the small lobby and living area, Calla and Sarai walked into the kitchen. Mistress Bannings, the hostel’s owner, and her daughter, Erika, were sitting at a table with the children. Erika’s children were there, too, and the entire group seemed to be playing some kind of board game. Erika looked up and smiled.

“I hope you don’t mind that we invited the children into the kitchen to play,” she said brightly. “We don’t usually get guests with children, and my girls were so excited to meet them.”

Calla’s heart melted at the sight, but Sarai’s lips were tight. Erika shot a concerned look to her mother for support.

“Now, Sarai,” Mistress Bannings said kindly. Her gentle face was covered in wrinkles, most of them from laughing. She looked every inch a beloved grandmother; Mali and Able had been utterly charmed by her from the start. “Don’t worry. The children were perfectly safe, and I knew they must be hungry. Speaking of which, neither of you have had anything to eat yet today. Would you like something?”

Mistress Bannings so obviously meant well that Sarai couldn’t stay mad. She sighed, then said, “Yes, that would be very nice. Thank you.”

Erika immediately jumped up and started fixing them some food, while Mistress Bannings gestured for Calla and Sarai to join her at the table.

“Why don’t you girls take Able and Mali into your room to play,” she told her grandchildren. They jumped up, and all four ran off together laughing. “The girls will keep them occupied while we talk. You have lovely children, Sarai.”

“Thank you,” Sarai replied, unable to keep herself from smiling at the compliment.

Erika brought them plates of food, then joined them at the table.

“Mother and I wanted to talk to you,” she said, glancing at Mistress Bannings.

“We’re worried about you.”

Calla’s head snapped up, and she looked at the women suspiciously.

“Now, don’t get all defensive with me, young one,” Mistress Bannings said, her face kind and understanding. “We’re on your side. Both of us know what it’s like to be a woman alone in the world. I’m concerned about you.”

“Why would you be concerned?” Calla asked, trying to evaluate their motives. Both Mistress Bannings and Erika met her eyes with calm, friendly expressions. They seemed to be genuine…

“I can tell you’re running from something,” the elderly woman said after a moment.

“Or
someone.
And I can tell that you don’t know where you’re running to.”

Sarai opened her mouth to protest, but Mistress Bannings just smiled and raised a hand to silence her.

“I don’t want or need to know the reasons,” she said. “If I don’t know, I can’t tell anyone. But I would like to offer to help you, if there’s any way that I can. I know you sold your ship this morning–“

Calla looked up at her, startled. “How could you possibly know that?” she asked.

“This station is smaller than it looks,” Erika said with a smile. “One of my friends works in a tavern not far from Karinvass’ shop. He was in there, buying rounds for the entire house not ten minutes after you left. She called to tell me all about it before you got home. If you had let us know you were trying to sell it, we probably could have sent you to a more reputable trader.”

Calla and Sarai exchanged startled looks. This wasn’t what they had expected.

“What we’re trying to tell you,” Mistress Bannings said quietly, “Is that if you’re hiding from someone, you’re not doing a very good job. We can help you. Now tell us what you plan to do with yourselves.”

Calla looked to Sarai for guidance, but the young mother simply shrugged her shoulders. Then Calla decided to take a chance and trust her instincts. Mistress Bannings and her daughter seemed like good people, and they really did need the help.

“Let’s just say we’re trying to rebuild our lives,” Calla said slowly. “We’re looking to move somewhere far away, and start a business.”

“What kind of business?” asked the elderly woman.

“I’d like to open a hostel,” Calla replied. “I have some experience in running one.”

Mistress Bannings nodded her approval of the idea.

“Running a hostel is a good trade for a woman on her own,” she said. “Do you have enough money to buy a hostel?”

“I think I might,” Calla said slowly.

“Good,” Mistress Bannings replied. “Now, how about location? Do you know where you want to go?”

“No,” Calla said slowly. “We haven’t decided yet.”

Erika and her mother exchanged knowing looks.

“My aunt, Lilith, has a hostel on Hector Prime,” Erika said after a brief pause. “It’s a lovely planet, an ecological preserve and wildlife sanctuary. There’s a great need for hostels, because so many students go there to study each year. The population is constantly changing, and it’s quite far from here. It might be a nice place for two women to build a new life for themselves.”

“Is it in Saurellian space?” Calla asked quickly.

“It’s actually in a neutral zone,” Mistress Bannings replied, one eyebrow raised questioningly at Calla. “It’s not really of any value to the either the Saurellians or the empire. Neither side has taken the time or interest to garrison it. It’s under the political control of one of the trans-system universities, which has branches on both sides of the conflict. I doubt you’d run into any Saurellians there, if that’s a concern.”

“We need to talk about this privately,” Calla said. “I don’t know if that’s the right place for us or not.”

“Think about it,” Erika said. “You can learn more about the planet from the terminal in your room. It’s called Hector Prime. If you’re interested, let me know. We can help you arrange to travel in an inconspicuous way, and I know that Aunt Lilith would be willing to help you get settled when you arrive.”

“Thank you,” Calla said. “We’ll let you know.”

She and Sarai exchanged small talk with the women until they finished their food, then went up to the room.

“What do you think?” Sarai asked as soon as they were alone.

“I don’t think they mean us any harm,” Calla said slowly. “And I don’t feel like we have that many options. I can’t believe they heard about the ship so quickly. If they know all about it, who else will? I don’t think we’re safe here.”

“I agree,” Sarai said. “I don’t see how we can afford to stay here much longer, and I have no idea where to go if we don’t take their advice.”

“Let’s do it, then” Calla replied, closing her eyes. An image of Seth’s face came into her mind, and she ruthlessly pushed it away. “There’s no reason to stay here any longer than we have to. Let’s go tell Mistress Bannings that we’ll take her up on her offer.”