Counter-Measures

  "That's right." Skyla turned. "Now, what were you saying, Rill?"

  The Director's expression had turned quizzical. "Is this a joke?

  Skyla shrugged. "Might be. Do you want to produce Ily Takka for me? I'll take Arta Fera, too. I want them bothnow!

  The secretary moaned and tried to sit up. Skyla pulled her pulse pistol, handing it to Lark. "Use your thumb. Push up on the lever on the side of the pistol, that's it. So long as that lever is up, the weapon will discharge when you pull the trigger. Stay back at least three paces from him. If he tries to move, pull that trigger."

  "Will it kill him?" Lark moved over, pulse pistol pointed at the secretary.

  "It will atomize whatever the pulse hits, kid. If you came this far, you damn well better be ready to kill."

  "I am," Lark whispered. "Like you, I figure I'm already dead." She paused.

  "You know, there's a certain freedom in it."

  "Yeah. But it can be damned short-lived." Skyla narrowed her eyes, inspecting the Director. "Rill? Did they really space? "

  He nodded. "Like I was trying to tell you, I don't want trouble with the Companions. I want to cooperate in anyway that I can. Get me a line.to the Lord Commander, and I'll be happy to deal."

  At the mention of the Companions, Skyla heard Lark gasp. "Rill, I want you to step around the desk. There, that's it." She fished a vial out of her pocket. "Recognize this stuff? Ah, I see that you do. " She tossed it to him.

  "Now, you know all about Mytol. Let's see you take a little- "

  He lunged at her, fast for a man of his size.

  Skyla sidestepped, driving an elbow into his side, then spinning. Her kick snapped his kneecap to one side, and she punched a blow to his solar plexus before hammering him on the side of the head with the blaster. Gyper Rill fell like a Targan pine.

  "One move and you're dead, asshole," Lark was saying to the stunned secretary.

  Skyla glanced over to see a pale Lark staring over the pistol sights at her frightened victim. Skyla sighed, plucking the Mytol from where it had rolled on the floor. "All right, Lark, you're going to get your first lesson in truth drugs and captive tying."

  "What about the bunch beyond the door. They've got a lot of guns out there.

  The whole hallway is full of them." Skyla pulled Rill into a sitting position, checking his pupils. "They'll try gas eventually. We may have half an hour. If that doesn't work, they'll try a frontal assault."

  I'Gas? "

  "Yeah, and you don't have a suit. Well, maybe we'll be through before then."

  Skyla lifted her vial, parting Rill's lips. "The secret to this stuff is getting the right amount down the subject's throat. Rill's big, about one hundred and ten kilos. Figure a drop for every twenty kilos. That's six drops.

  "

  "What if they get too much?"

  "They get real sloppy on you. I did that to a Seddi once, and he kept trying to tell me how much he loved me in between bouts of passing out."

  "You won't get away with this," the secretary mumbled, head down as he groaned. "You're surrounded."

  Skyla corked her vial, slapping Gyper with all her strength. He blinked, staring up at her through pained eyes. "Skyla Lyma," he whispered. "That's who you are."

  ' 'Nice work, Rill. It'll take the Mytol a little time to work into your system. Want to get a head start on it? "

  He shook his head. "No. Keeping your yacht was stupid. I should have called Itreata first thing."

  :'Where's Ily? "

  'Spaced. I told you the truth. I spent the night up there . . .with both of them." A silly grin spread across his face as the Mytol eased into his brain.

  "Blessed Etaria, that's how a man ought to be fucked. Arta, then Ily, then Arta. Oh, that Arta, she's a wonder . . . exciting, you know? Ily's the better of the two, has the right muscles and knows how to use them. But with Arta, those breasts just seem to melt into your chest. And through it all, she looks at you with those burning amber eyes. When you come, she's still looking at you, as if she's drinking in your soul."

  I IDrug's got him," Skyla muttered from the corner of her mouth. -Gyper, where are Ily and Arta headed? What planet is their destination?"

  He shook his head, smile fading. "I don't know. They could be headed anywhere.

  "

  :'What about Vega? Would they be headed there?" 'I don't think so."

  :'Why not?"

  ,just . . ." He screwed his expression, struggling with the drug. "A . . .

  hunch. You understand?"

  "I understand. Why did they want the Vegan Rep?" ,'To get the files."

  :'Why? "

  'To find different identities." :'Which identities? "

  'I don't know. Ily doesn't tell a person much about her plans." He looked up at her, eyes glazed. "Did you know you're a beautiful woman? Eyes like blue ice. Hair like-" :'What about Will Blacker? The Regan spacer?"

  'Dead. They took his ship. Victory."

  Skyla nodded. Thatfigured. "What's your deal with Ily? "Free port here. She can come and go as she pleases, no questions asked. She's good-a survivor. If Staffa doesn't catch her, she'll be a profitable asset for a long time. It's good business to keep her happy. Not only that, but she's a master when it comes to sex. She knows all the right places, how to use her body."

  "She's meaner than a Cytean cobra crossed with Riparian slime.

  "Oh, yes, that's Ily. But she excites me.

  "Why did you want to arrest Silk? What tipped you off?"

  "Ily noticed the yacht on the comm monitor when she spaced. She asked what the registry was. I called Port Security and Customs, and told her it was registered to a Regan merchant woman named Silk. She said the yacht belonged to Tedor Mathaiison, the Regan Minister of Defense. She said she knew that yacht, in fact, she'd screwed Tedor's brains out in the master cabin. I immediately sent Wilm and Vymer to locate Silk. I wanted you brought in for questioning. Last I heard, Vymer and Wilm . . . they'd been killed in the Vegan Rep's office. "

  "If you had to guess, Gyper, where would you guess that Ily and Arta were going?"

  Rill frowned, blinking from the drug. "I would guess maybe back to Rega. Or maybe Imperial Sassa. I would guess anyplace except where you would expect her to show up. She would hide in her pursuer's blind spot. "

  "But we can trace Victory. She'll have to register at a Port Authority, won't she?"

  Rill shook his head. "She's got the Vegan shipping records. Victory's registration was all in Regan Comm Central. That's been destroyed by the Companions. She can use any registry numbers for a Model Sixteen Regan freighter that are active in the Vegan records. "

  "What about Pedro Maroon? Where is he?"

  "Out in the ice somewhere. Vymer took care of it." "Dead? "

  Rill grinned. "Should have seen what Arta did to him. He died happy. She killed him while he was still inside her, can you imagine? Right there on the desk, she waited until he came then she killed him." He paused. "That's the excitement of screwing her. Those amber eyes are staring at you, and you know she wants to kill, right then, just when you release."

  "He's sick!" Lark gasped.

  "No," Gyper retorted. "Not sick. 'Cunning. Like Arta and Ily. Cunning.

  It's a time for cunning people. " His eyes wavered as he tried to focus on Skyla. "How about you? I

  could make you a deal. Work something out. You never know when you might want a free port. No questions asked. You're a beautiful woman. I could make the same arrangement with you that I have with Ily. "

  "See which one of us is better at making you come?" "Yes. I'd like that.

  Comparing-"

  Skyla slapped him.

  "That hurt," Rill told her.

  "It was supposed to. And you want to deal with the Companions?"

  "Any way I can. I talked to Kaylla Dawn, told her we'd do anything to cooperate. I've been meeting with the unions. They've taken that Seddi sumpshit to heart. Let them. Things will wind down and they'll remember I was on their side.
The Seddi will like what I've done, and I'll do everything I can to make sure you and Staffa are satisfied with Terguz. "Will you set Ily up . . . just to make us happy?"

  "If you make it worth my while, I will. Just tell me what you need."

  Skyla stood up, a sour twisting in her gut. "I need you to shut up."

  Rill nodded, smiling pleasantly.

  Lark still stood, her pistol centered on the secretary. The man looked like he wanted to throw up. "This is really disgusting," Lark whispered. "Should I kill them now?" "Little bloodthirsty, aren't you?"

  Lark gulped, the pulse pistol rock steady in her grip. "You know, my father, silly as he is with all his talk about the Empire, he still really believes in what he says. I'd rather drink Riparian slime than be in the same room with these guys. "

  Skyla nodded, stepping around the desk. "Rill? What are Your people gOing to try next? Gas?"

  "They'll expect a signal from me soon. If they don't get it, Vymer will try gassing the ventilation."

  "Vymer's dead. What's the signal for 'all clear'?"

  "I must press the white stud at the base of my comm monitor. "

  Skyla pressed the stud. "What does the red one do?" "Brings security charging in immediately in case of trouble. "

  "And the blue one?

  "Tells security to arrest whoever steps out of the door." "Nice." Skyla slapped the desktop. "Rill, what's your biggest secret? The one you'd never tell

  anyone?"

  "I have holos of Ily and myself having sex. She would kill me if she ever found out.

  "Where are they?" "Personal file, 11743."

  Skyla settled herself behind Rill's desk, calling up the file. She ran through several minutes of it. Her innards cramped at the first sight of Ily. Shivers darted through her muscles as she stared into those black eyes, saw Ily's shining black hair swing as she stripped out of her black outfit. Skyla clenched her fists, watching as Ily smiled up at Gyper Rill, moving toward him with teasing steps. It was all Rill had said it would be.

  "One more move like that, and I'll kill you!" Lark burst out. The secretary groaned and sank back on the floor. Skyla got a grip on her wavering courage and accessed

  the comm, getting a woman's face. The security officer's eyes widened. "Who are you? This is the Director's-" "Shut up. I want a line to the Administrator's office. Tell

  him Skyla Lyma, Wing Commander of the Companions, is on the line."

  "Do you have the Director's-"

  "I'm on his pus-licking comm, aren't I?- Skyla looked to the side. "Hey, Gyper, can I use this comm for Companion business?"

  "Of course. "

  The security woman frowned, bit her lip, and placed the call.

  "What are you going to do?" Lark asked anxiously. "What part does my father play in this?"

  "I might need him one of these days. Seekore is going to show up with that battleship. Maybe your father can make it as Terguzzi Administrator. Maybe he can't. I'll give him the chance. "

  The image of a long-faced man with snowy white hair formed. "Wing Commander?

  To what do I owe-" "You're Frederick Gaust?"

  "I am. Wing Commander, I take it you're here on the planet. If you'd have--

  "Shut up and listen, Administrator. I've got some good news and some bad news for you. The good news is that I'm sending you Director Gyper Rill's files, which will allow you to destroy him and his organization here. I'm including one which details his sexual activities with Minister Ily Takka. I would take it as a personal favor if you'd release it on the after hours holo. The Wayside might like to run it in their big wall tank. I don't care, just so long as it gets around, understand? "

  The Administrator nodded, a light of comprehension growing in his eyes.

  He looked nothing like Lark, but rather like a chilly sort of formal bureaucrat. "And what else?"

  " I'm sending you the access code to the security files here. It should have everything, all the profiles, the arrest warrants, surveillance data, and the rest. Publish it all." "Why? These are Imperial records we're talking about, Wing Commander. My authority-"

  " Screw your authority, Gaust! I'm handing you the stuff. Use The Regan Empire is gone. A new day has dawned. I'm giving you a chance to be part of it or be left behind. Think of it as a favor, all right?"

  ' 'What's your price for all of this? Nothing comes free, especially in politics."

  Skyla leaned forward. "Commander Seekore will be arriving here in a couple of weeks in the Companion battleship, Sabot. When she does, I don't want any trace of Gyper Rill or the Internal Security Directorate to remain.

  Understand? And you'll need to work something out with the unions. I meant it when I said the Empire is gone. Either you can work with the new epistemology, or we'll find someone who can. Now, if you're smart, you'll contact Kaylla Dawn on Itreata. "

  He winced. "That is bad news. Surely, as Wing Commander of the Companions, you understand the necessity of order. As Administrator, I can't-"

  64 Wrong, pal. You must. How's it going to be, Administrator? Can you work with them? Build a different kind of government? Share the power? You have a choice. Use your imagination and innovation. Talk to your people. Compromise.

  If Seekore arrives and your people don't want you, you're history, pal. "

  "I see." He looked as if he really didn't.

  'The other thing I wanted to call and tell you is that your daughter is spacing with me. She's joined the Companions, Administrator.

  "Lark? Impossible! I won't allow it!"

  Skyla leaned back and crossed her arms. "Want me to pay a visit to your office?

  Perhaps you have some files that need publicizing?"

  "But my daughter-"

  "Has made her own decision, Frederick. Get this, and think about it. She's taken responsibility for her own life. You have to take responsibility for yours. I've given you all that I can. Sink or float, your choice." Skyla killed the connection, getting to her feet. "Come on, kid. We've got a ship to catch. "

  Lark shot a curious glance at Skyla. "You mean, you really are Skyla Lyma?"

  "In the flesh, such as it is. Now, it might be a little tricky getting out of here. Rill? Will anyone try anything when we walk out of here?"

  "Not unless I order it."

  Skyla lifted an eyebrow. "Well, we'll just use a little magnataping and see that you don't move. Come watch this, Lark. There's a trick to tying these guys up. You want to make sure they can't even wiggle. I'll show you. "

  "Sure we shouldn't kill him? What if he gets in touch with Ily, tells her you're after her?"

  "Let him. I want her to know I'm coming to kill her. "But she'll be warned. "

  Skyla nodded. "Yeah, there's that, all right."

  Lark studied her from sober green eyes. "Why? Wing

  "

  Commander? Why me.

  Skyla shrugged. "Because if you were desperate enough to come in here after me, you either don't give a damn, or you really want the chance. "

  Lark nodded, watching carefully as Skyla worked. "There's something else, too, isn't there?"

  "Yeah, kid. But I'll tell you when we're aboard the ship. "I won't like to hear it, will I?-

  "Nope. But you bought into this game."

  CHAPTER 23

  5780:01:24:14:55 GST It/Comm/Sec/Clr

  From: Verdant Mancuso

  Computer Division

  Manufacturing and Production Unit Itreata

  To: Magister Kaylla Dawn Seddi Warrens; Itreata Magister Dawn: In response to your request for information, we can only tell you that current production of Model 7706 N-dimensional gallium arsenide computers is proceeding with the utmost haste. Our facility is operating full-time and we have our technicians working at their maximum potential.

  It must be noted, in response to your concerns, that our facility can only produce the 7706 at a given rate of one unit per thirteen hundred man-hours.

  Our epitaxic nanotanks produce boards only as fast as the physics allows
.

  We are aware of the need for replacement comm for the Farhome project; however, we cannot rush the processing of a single unit. We trust that you understand the added delay you would experience were we to deliver a flawed unit. Had we additional nanotanks, skilled workers, and materials, we could promise commensurate production. Unfortunately, we cannot.

  You asked for an estimated delivery date for the Farhome hardware. Replacing this many units in such a short time is a difficult process. As it is, we will be

  shortcutting our normal testing regimen and cannot guarantee the integrity of the units being produced. I regret being unable to give you an answer in line with your present needs. Delivery on the final unit F.O.B. can be expected within another four months.

  If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

  Myles Roma walked beside Delshay, resplendent in her eyesearing purple armor.

  Whereas her stride could be likened to that of a feral cat, Myles still waddled, though not with the wheezing, rotund gait of a year ago. Just that morning, in fact, he'd seen his toes from a standing position for the first time in years.

  He stepped off Cobra and onto the spartan docking bay. which acted as an umbilical and one of the tethers for the Companions' warship. Hyros and his small staff followed, in turn flanked by the ever present STU. The well-lit room measured fifteen meters across and was lined on one side by lift doors.

  Windows to the right and left gave a stunning view of the moon's surface and Cobra's sleek sides where the giant floodlights illuminated them.

  He'd been amazed by the ingenious technique used at Itreata for the securing of its fleet. The weak gravity of the rogue moon and its rapid rotation allowed the Companions to tie their ships to the planet where angular momentum kept them in place. The result proved to be a considerably quicker commute through the skyhook and into the moon.

  "You seem surprised," Delshay noted, amusement in her violet eyes. "I thought you'd been to Itreata before."

  "As the Sassan Legate, Commander. We were brought in on the other side of the moon, well away from the fleet and constantly monitored. But this-" he pointed out one of the tactite viewing ports--is fantastic."

  She led him into one of the lifts and hit the controls. Gravity manipulation proved so sophisticated, Myles couldn't feel himself dropping. "How's the software coming? "