Counter-Measures

  Ark looked around slowly, shaking his head. "Hell of a fight, Staffa. "

  Staffa jerked his head at the STU filing down past the corpses. "Find something for them to do, Ryman. Buy me some privacy. "

  Ark nodded, shooting a glance at Sinklar, then at Adze. He raised his voice, calling, "All right, people, give me a body count and plot locations for the retrieval team. Baggs, you and Naitche take teams and scour those niches off to the side. Mining technicians, I want a survey of stable and unstable areas.

  Stable will be marked by green beacons, red will cordon off danger zones. We don't want anybody killed by falling rock. Cmon, people, I want this place secured up to this point."

  Adze stood to one side, watching unforgivingly as Sinklar choked on sobs.

  Staffa bent down, taking his son's hands. "Need a minute alone?"

  Sinklar whispered, "Yes. Thanks."

  Staffa jerked a nod to Adze as he walked out into the main part of the corridor. Scars from blaster fire marked the walls and every other light bar had been shot out.

  16 What's that all about?" Adze tilted her head toward where Sinklar hugged his knees, shoulders spasming.

  "That is what a commander looks like when he mourns his dead, soldier. "

  "Don't know if I'd want someone who cries like that for a commander.

  Staffa cocked his head, taking her measure. "Better find a different outfit then, Adze. Granted, you're young, but on Nesios, I watched Ryman bawl for two days when he lost two Units because of a bungled deployment. His people drowned in the dark when they landed in the wrong spot. And as for me, I've wept myself dry over the last couple of years.

  Staffa pointed at a twisted piece of desiccated meat-the arms thrown wide, lower half missing below the ribs. Long red hair had swirled around a shrunken face, the lips pulled back to expose white teeth. The intestines had been strewn in brown snaky trails from a collapsed gut. Hips and legs lay some distance away, the bones of the pelvic girdle splayed and brown in the light.

  "I wept for her when that bolt blasted her in two."

  Adze blinked, looking back at Sinklar. "But, sir, I thought . . . "

  "I meant it when I said I'd take your age into consideration, Adze, but you'd better give some thought to these bodies in here. Each and every one of them marched in and fought like hell for that young man. And do you want to know a little secret of command?"

  "Yes, sir. "

  "One of the reasons they came in here and died was because they knew he'd cry for them - "

  Staffa turned away, jaws clamped as he stared at the corpse of the red headed girl, remembering how fear-pale she'd been at the first attack, and how she'd finally died, fighting savagely in the rear guard so others could escape.

  He bent down, gently tracing his fingers over her coarse red hair, matted now with dust. Yes, Staffa, you've weptfor them all. But weep as you will, you can't lay the dead to rest.

  Sinklar had risen to his feet, eyes puffy and bloodshot, face reddened with shame.

  Staffa stepped over, placing a hand on Sinklar's shoulder. "Maybe they'll rest easier now."

  Sinklar wiped at his nose and avoided Staffa's eyes. "I was crazy, Staffa. So desperate. It was just a matter of finding the right key to break you. Time was running out. If I could do it all over again .

  "We'd all do it differently." Staffa smiled wearily and, S.TsT fime, drew S)n)c)ar to his breast and hugged him tightly. "Come on. We'll get them buried, all of them. Seddi and Regan, all mixed up. And maybe we can see that it never happens again."

  Sinklar pushed back, mouth working as he struggled for control. "Yeah." He swallowed hard. "How much more ... where did the fighting stop?"

  "Just past this corridor."

  "Let's go see your nightmare machine. " Sinklar squared his shoulders, walking on, expression ashen. Adze had immediately taken her place behind Sinklar, but this time she looked thoughtful as she stepped around the sprawled dead, many reaching out with dried fingers-curled into talonsas if desperate for succor.

  Staffa rubbed his chin for a moment, staring at the corpse of the redheaded girl. Wearily, he started back down the familiar corridor, remembering other times when he'd walked this smooth stone, Kaylla at his side. He'd held hope for Free Space then, hope that young girls wouldn't have to die in agony, their guts ripped violently from their bodies.

  Had so much changed? Had he begun to lose that hope? You're tired, Staffa.

  That's all. Just a little tired.

  For an agonizing moment, Lark could do nothing but gape at the carnage strewn across the Vegan Representative's floor and at the belled muzzle of Skyla's blaster that centered on the middle of her chest.

  Rot it! Should I shoot her? Skyla hesitated, the pad'of her finger on the firing stud.

  " You're going to die, bitch," Vymer groaned as he tried to use his good hand to clamp the jetting blood spurting from his severed arm. "Gyper's going to .

  . . wring you dry for this."

  I IVymer, why did you come after me? Why did you want to arrest me? On whose orders? Rill's, or Ily's?"

  :'Fuck you again!" Vymer shouted.

  'Run!" Lark squeaked, terror-wide eyes focused on Skyla's blaster muzzle. "I-Internal Security. More of them, coming. Run, Silk!

  Hurry!"

  "Don't want to talk?" she asked Vymer one last time. "Rot you, bitch."

  Skyla stood, holstering her weapon. She shot a look at Magrite who watched wide-eyed and terrified. "Tell them the truth when they come. I'll inform Vega about what's happened here. You'll be safe. I don't think Terguz wants to be abandoned by Vegan traders."

  Skyla grabbed a handful of Lark's clothing and yanked her out the door, glancing up and down the thoroughfare. Back toward the shuttle terminal, she could see black-suited men running in their direction.

  "This way!" Lark pointed to the right. "Come on! I know a place!"

  Skyla turned on her heel, following the girl's lead as she hurried along. "All right, talk, Lark-and you make it damned good, you hear? You're about two pounds of trigger pull away from eternity. "

  "I . I followed you. Wanted to see what . . . what set you off in the bar."

  "In the bar, you mean in the Wayside?"

  "Yes. You . . . you went pale, looked scared. All of a sudden, you know. You were just staring at the holo of the station. Then you got up to leave, looking real desperateand, you changed, got control, and asked Garn a question. He didn't notice how your hands balled into fists when he answered.

  You practically ran to your ship. I . . . watched." "Uh-huh. Which side are you on?" Skyla dragged her

  on, heedless of the looks she got from the crowd. "You're hurting my arm!" .

  'Bout time a mother took care of her kid," a merchant called from a sidewalk stand. "Bat 'er one for me!" "Want to hurt a little worse? No? Then sure as pus leaks from infection, you'd better talk, sweetheart. "

  "I'm on no side! Not Gyper's, not Father's, only my own! "

  Skyla caught sight of a gravcar barreling down the corridor to the dismay of pedestrians. She yanked Lark into the cafe they were passing, shoving her down against the wall before dropping into the plastic seat next to hers.

  The place was nearly empty, the few patrons involved in their meals. The duraplast tables showed hard use, scarred and stained from years of elbows and stassa spills.

  Through the fabric of her torn robe, Skyla shoved the blaster muzzle into the girl's side. "Look down at the table, damn you." Lark bent her head. Skyla could see the pulse racing in the girl's neck.

  The gravcar whirred past, leaving shouts of anger in its wake.

  "Your father? Whose side is he on, and why?"

  "His own, I guess. He's still loyal to the Emperor, can ybalt's dead!

  you imagine that? 7' "Got that right."

  Lark shivered. "Those men back there, you k-killed them, didn't you? "

  "What kind of game did you think you bought into, kid? Ily plays for keeps. So do I.-

  "Ily?" Lar
k's trembling had grown worse. "Ily Takka. You one of her agents?"

  Lark swallowed hard. "No. Blessed Gods, Silk. Let me go I don't want any of this. I just wanted .

  'Yes?" She shook her head, a very miserable little girl. "I just wanted to get off this ball of ice, that's all. I thought maybe I could do you a favor. Keep the bulls from catching you. Maybe you'd take me with you-in spite of my father."

  Skyla shot her a measuring look. Believe her? Lark looked about ready to throw up.

  "Which way out of here? They're going to cordon off the shuttle bay."

  " N-no, " Lark gasped You 're on your own. I'm out of this as of right now. I've already had more than I-- "Which way?" Skyla shoved her blaster into its holster

  and climbed to her feet. She dragged Lark up after her. "Sorry, kid, but you're not thinking so good these days. They might get to Vymer in time. Keep him alive long enough to talk. On the other hand, Magrite is smart enough to know they're going to put her under Mytol. She'll spill her guts. That includes you. When you came charging in, you bought a hand in the tapa game.

  You've got no choice but to ante up." Skyla raised a pale eyebrow. "One way or another."

  Lark's fright-wide green eyes had begun to tear.

  "Come on,"' Skyla growled. "You wanted to get off this ice cube? Show me how to get out of here alive, and I'll get you off planet."

  Lark gasped for breath. "You'll get me killedl

  "Holy Rotted Gods! And you think Ily Takka will give a rat's ass for your life after she's got her talons into you?" Skyla gave her a hard grin. "Try skipping out on me, brat, and I'll get you killed even faster. Now, where in hell can we hide around here? And remember, if they find me, they find you. "

  off the planeti "What are you going to do? You can't get Lark wrung her hands, then pointed. "This way. Take this cross corridor. "

  Skyla watched warily as they started down the narrow way between little shops selling rugs, Riparian fish, electronic gadgets, and incense. "At the moment, getting off planet is the last thing I'm interested in. No, squirt, you're going to show me how to get to Gyper Rill's office. And I don't want to get caught doing it!"

  "Are you mad?" Lark gaped. "That's who just tried to arrest you! "

  "Pus-Rotted right, and he can point me straight to Ily." Pale and shaking, Lark seemed to be gaining control of herself. "They'll have patrols everywhere looking for you

  "Yeah, I know. That's just what I'm afraid of."

  "If they find us . . . " al Security guys "I'll take care of that, Lark. These Intern

  don't know that much about warfare."

  "I don't get it. If you get into Rill's offices, how do you expect to get out?

  " Lark shouldered her way diagonally across a fruit vendor's stall.

  "If I can get close to Ily and Arta, kid, I don't need to get out." Skyla said, smiling grimly to herself. "On the other hand, if they manage to get away, Gyper Rill won't be more than an irritant."

  Lark shook her head. "Irritant? He's the Director of Internal Security. The most powerful man on the planet. Lark glanced back warily. "Who are you?"

  "Name's Silk. "

  "Yeah, right, and I'm Tybalt the Imperial Eighth." They crossed another of the main thoroughfares before Lark led her into a narrow corridor, past the public restrooms, and to a maintenance closet. Lark fished in her belt pouch, producing a set of electronic strips. She ran four through the lock before the door clicked open.

  "Knew it had to be one of these."

  Skyla followed the girl through the insulated door and into the narrow space.

  Chill began to eat at her exposed skin. A yellow light globe gleamed above, and thick, insulated suits hung from racks.

  "Where are we?"

  "Where they'll never look," Lark assured her. "These are the ventilation and powerlead access tubes. Here, you need to put on one of these suits. They'll keep you warm. The only people that come in here are maintenance personnel.

  That's what they condemned me to last time I got in trouble. "

  "What's the plan?"

  Lark bit her lip, hesitating. "Look, how am I supposed to get off planet if you're dead? "

  "How do you suppose you're going to get off planet if I kill you for jerking me around?"

  Lark exhaled, her breath a cloud of vapor. "Will you give me your word? If you do manage to get away with this, you'll take me with you? You understand, I can get you to the Internal Security Directorate, right? But I can't get you inside. "

  "Get me there, and yeah, Lark. I'll take you off planet. You've got my word. "

  Lark leaned her head back, eyes closed. "This had better work. If it doesn't Father's going to lock me in my room, and I'll never get out again until I'm one hundred and twenty. "

  Skyla sorted through the insulated suits, finding one to match her build. "So what's with your father? I would have figured any horny man who stepped into the Wayside would have smuggled you out of here."

  Lark was pulling on the second leg of her suit. "Remember, you promised. Gave your word."

  "I gave it. Why are you so worried about your father?" "You, of all people, might really be able to get me out of here. I've never met anyone as brassy as you are, Silk." She slipped an arm into the suit, zipping the fasteners tight.

  "My father? He's the Imperial Administrator for this smelly chunk of ice."

  The lift carried Mac, Chrysla, and Boyz up in ornate splendor. The walls had been crafted of sandwood, inlaid with golden filigree and jeweled ornaments.

  They slowed, the brass doors opening to let them out on a marble finished foyer. A woman dressed in a flowing white own stepped forward. "Welcome, my Lords. Ashtan offers

  its thanks and appreciation. I am Lady Simon, at your service. Hopefully these rooms will suit you and your needs during your stay on Ashtan."

  Accustomed to military protocol, Mac gaped, while Chrysla stepped forward, bowing graciously. "We are sincerely impressed by your warm welcome and hospitality. Hopefully, our work has merited such a delightful reception. "

  Lady Simon smiled, beaming. She looked like a woman in her mid-thirties, but Mac decided she'd survived at least two, and possibly three, rejuvenation procedures - For all he knew, she might be two hundred. She turned, walking with a gracious poise, indicating the rooms that branched out from the circular corridor that surrounded the high penthouse. "These offices here should serve your needs for communication and conferences. Personal quarters lie just beyond. "

  Mac stuck his head in the office door, glancing around. "Looks just fine."

  "May I get you anything?" Lady Simon asked. "A meal? Perhaps some special delicacy?"

  "Sleep," Mac said, smiling stupidly. "A hot shower. We're exhausted - "

  Lady Simon nodded, acceptance in her pleasant features. "We understand. You've created miracles, First MacRuder, you and your wonderful soldiers. If sleep is what you wish, I shall leave you. In the event you do need anything, please, call. Comm will . . . " She laughed melodiously. "Old habits. Send a runner down one floor and I shall attend to it. "

  At that she whirled, vanishing in a flutter of white.

  Mac yawned, stretching his tired limbs. "Home sweet home. "

  "Pretty plush," Boyz muttered.

  "Yeah, get your comm set up and see to security. " He gave her a grin. "If the planet's falling apart, wake me up. If not, I want to sleep for a couple of centuries."

  Boyz saluted. "Yes, sir. I think we can handle the rest." "How did you locate this place?" Chrysla asked, studying the polished black tile on the floor and noting the exquisite furnishings.

  Boyz grinned, a glint in her eyes. "Asked for the poshest place in town. Red said this was it. We just walked in, said we wanted the top floor, and they gave it to us." I

  Her grin widened. "Want to be Emperor of Ashtan, Mac?"

  " Get out of here." Mac pointed down the hall. "Call me if anything breaks. "

  Boyz nodded and trotted off toward the lift. "Emperor?" Mac yawned again, blink
ing. "Do they get to sleep?"

  "Come on, let's take a look at these quarters." She led him beyond the offices and past the doorway that blocked the hall. As he followed, Mac enjoyed the sway of her hips, more than aware of the way the armor conformed to her bottom and accented her long muscular legs.

  Don't even think it, MacRuder. You're tired, remember? Ready to sleep. His hormones didn't get the message. Despite the cape she wore, Mac was uncomfortably aware of those full breasts. Rotted Gods, did she know what she did to him?

  " What do you think?" Chrysla asked, a luminous curiosity in the amber depths of her eyes. Her skin seemed infused by an excitement that betrayed itself in her smile.

  "Nice," Mac yawned, turning to take in the Myklenian tapestries. The cut crystal ceiling broke sunlight into rainbows of light. The Nesian carpeting rippled in golden waves under his boots.

  Chrysla walked back and opened the ornate double doors that led into the dining room. Here, an entire wall had been finished in transparent tactite, giving a view of the city below. She stood silhouetted, every curve of her perfect bo

  dy outlined by the light. Mac forced his gaze to the rest of the room. Antigrav recliners surrounded a stasis dining table of Vegan marble studded with Etarian gems.

  Mac followed her through the bath, stunned by the immensity of it. The hot tub could have doubled for a small swimming pool. A zero g shower filled another section of the room.

  Finally, Mac stepped into the sleeping quarters, smiling as he walked to the sleeping platform. Myklenian fabrics draped the sides, while the crystal ceiling illuminated the whole. The platform itself was not only gravity capable, but holo programmed, and a golden dispenser had been built into the headboard along with a complete comm. You could "Now, I've seen everything," Mac marveled. ""

  run the whole Empire while lying in bed - "

  "Providing they can get the comm completely functional," Chrysla added as she walked around the room. "Rotted Gods, that platform looks good. " She jumped, flopping into the cushions, moaning with delight.

  The warm fuzzy sense of fatigue dulled Mac's inhibitions. He flopped beside her, staring into her eyes. "Feels good, doesn't it? Well,,welcome to Ashtan.

  So far, so good. We've got the place stabilized. How's it feel to come home?"