The Sectuib prowled around and around the luxurious rooms that made up his suite at the Tecton Headquarters, wishing he were back at Zeor. Wishing this ordeal was over. Wishing he could have anyone for transfer rather than Laurence Knight. Even a general class donor would be acceptable at this moment in time. No, not just acceptable, he corrected himself quickly – it would be preferable. Infinitely preferable!
Dear god. What had he let himself in for? He had never considered himself to be a coward, far from it. Yet, right at this moment he would give up all he owned, if he did not have to do this.
Many times in the past, something had happened that meant he had to wait for his transfer. On at least one memorable occasion he had been caught in a snow drift and it had been delayed for more than six days, and he had survived. Even then, it had been nothing like this. Shen. It wasn’t even time yet, and here he was acting like a young Sime who had no control over himself, at all.
He was a fool. He was working himself into this condition simply because his donor was Laurence Knight and for no other reason. He was Sectuib in Zeor for shen’s sake. He couldn’t allow this to happen to him, and he wouldn’t.
The muted chime from the door, made him jump with surprise. When was the last time that had happened? Was this Laurence Knight at the door? Perhaps, although there was an hour to their transfer. He knew the time to the very last second.
Normally a donor would arrive well before the appointed time so that they could both relax before the actual transfer took place. He did not expect such a courtesy from Laurence Knight of course, nor if he were honest with himself, did he truly need it.
No. He just wanted him to arrive at the exact time, walk in, do what he had to do and walk out again. Quick, and painless. Who the shen was he fooling? No one, least of all, himself!
The muted chime rang through the rooms once more. Only this time it sounded more like a death knell than anything else. He had to answer it, if he didn’t, would the Gen decide to just walk away? The cold shock as he absorbed that frightening scenario froze him in mid step. Surely he would not do such a thing? Then again, why shouldn’t he? He was, after all, Laurence Knight, a Gen who had not only stolen precious
artifacts and tomes from Zeor, but had brutally assaulted a fellow Gen and had left him brain damaged! This was the man from whom he had to take transfer…no, no he couldn’t do it...!
Pressing the release, he stood stony-faced watching the open space as the door slid to one side.
The unknown young Gen who stood there paled with fright, as he looked at the frigid faced Channel and visibly began to shake as he mumbled, ‘I have a communication for you, Sectuib. Reception thought you might want it straight away.’
Jordan immediately felt ashamed of himself. What right had he to both frighten and glare at a Gen like this? ‘Thank you. I appreciate it,’ he said the formal words as he took the package from the Gen’s numb fingers, and forced a smile that apparently looked more like a grimace. The Gen turned and almost ran down the corridor.
Closing the door Jordan leaned his head against the cool wall and tried to order himself to relax. Dropping the package onto a table to be attended to later, much later, he went to make himself some trin. It might help him to stop shaking, for he was indeed shivering almost uncontrollably from head to foot.
Picking up the glass of hot tea he had just brewed, he quickly replaced it again, for the liquid was sloshing out of the glass, because his hand was shaking so violently.
Twenty minutes to transfer. It looked as though the Gen had no intention of turning up until mere minutes before time. Laurence Knight was lucky that he was a Channel and also a first, and not just an ordinary Sime who might very well jump on him as soon as he arrived, and attack him in kill mode. Yes, that would show him!
Shen. What was he doing now? Even thinking about attacking a Gen was anathema to him. And then it hit him…what if he didn’t turn up at all?!
On the day that Vidal and Jason had gone on R & R, he had attempted to do as his friend had suggested. He had approached Laurence Knight to ask that they at least try to get along for the few days leading up to this transfer.
The response had not been exactly as he would have liked it to be, but it had not been totally rejected either. Then, the bombshell. He had had to tell the Gen that both his father and older brother had died in an accident. Worse than that, he had also had to explain that because of the ban Zeor had imposed on the Gen, he could not even attend their funerals…and this was the man from whom he was supposed to take transfer? Shidoni!
Inexorably the time ticked relentlessly away, and the Sime sat in frozen horror as he waited, and waited…
Five minutes to the deadline, the muted chime sounded once more. Jordan, by this time, was so enclosed in himself that, at first, although he heard the sound, it did not register with him as to what it actually was. It was only on the second chime that he rose on stiffened legs, and made his way to the door. What if it was the erstwhile messenger boy again? For once he wished that the insulation in this part of the Tecton building was not quite so good. At least then he could zlin who is visitor was, before he opened the door.
Moments later and the door slid open to reveal Laurence Knight. The two men stared at each other before the Gen walked past him without uttering a single word.
Reaching the main room the Gen looked around as he shouldered himself out of his coat, and tossed it across a convenient chair.
‘I’m a bit late.’
‘You are more than a bit late!’ The Channel began and then cut off the flow of words. The last thing he wanted right now was a knock-down- drag-out fight with his donor.
‘How are we going to do this? Shall I control, or will you?’ The Gen demanded.
‘I will.’
‘That’s fine by me.’
Jordan already perceived his donor not as a person, but as a large throbbing golden ball of energy and light, to which like a moth to a flame, he was inexorably drawn. Yet, at the same time, he was frightened to move closer and touch it, just in case it burned or hurt him.
He had never experienced anything quite like this before, and he conceded it was a strange dichotomy. He was suddenly frightened by the thought; for if he could not touch, then he could not take that life force into himself. Then he would surely die.
When he was small he had sometimes listened to the older Gens and Simes telling horror stories late at night. The worst of these had always been about death by attrition. Afterwards he had found it hard to sleep. Perhaps now he was about to experience it first hand?
Suddenly, Jordan came back to the present with a bang, to find the Gen standing close to him. Immediately the Sime’s tentacles of their own volition lashed around his well muscled arms, and his laterals settled into position on his cool skin. Yet, for all his undeniable eagerness, he still could not bring himself to allow the fifth contact point; straining his head backwards as the Gen tried, yet again, to touch his lips.
‘Sectuib, relax, please. I have to do this,’ Laurie said, for perhaps the third time. The Channel could see his lips moving, but the words made no sense, and meant nothing to him as panic inexorably took over from reason.
Without realising what he was doing, Jordan found that he was moving slowly backwards as the Gen stepped forward trying to initiate transfer against his resistance.
When he was backed all the way against the wall, his tentacles holding the Gen so hard that his skin was already bruising, Laurie struck, forcing his own lips against the Sime’s to make the final contact.
If this did not work, then Laurie knew that his only alternative would be to simply try and leave the room. He had little doubt that the tactic would be effective, but it might well force the Channel into kill mode. He would like to avoid that, if at all possible.
Remembering that Jordan had said that he wished to control this transfer, Laurie stood and waited for him to do so. Nothing happened.
Laurie was unwilling to break lip contact with the Sime, just in case Jordan, who was so much stronger than him, should refuse to initiate it again. Then deciding that he simply had to take the initiative, Laurie quickly began to force selyn out of himself and into the channel; slowly at first, then, as he found no resistance, faster and faster…
Suddenly to his surprise, although he should have expected it, the Channel wrenched control away from him. For a brief moment, the Gen was disorientated by the unexpected move. The two men found themselves fighting together to keep the flow steady and even, until Laurie surrendered completely to the Channel.
At that moment, Jordan, acting like a thirsty man in the desert, tore almost viciously at the selyn that remained, increasing the speed of his draw. Again, he took the Gen by surprise as Laurie hastened to lower all his barriers before the sudden and unexpected onslaught, becoming completely passive under the attack.
Just as Laurie realised that he had no more selyn to give and a stab of pain ripped through him, Jordan immediately terminated the flow. After a brief moment, the Sectuib slowly broke lip contact, and dismantled his tentacles with a sigh of relief.
No sooner had he done so, than Laurie collapsed onto the floor at his feet.
Swearing softly under his breath the Channel knelt by the Gen, zlinning him deeply; and saw that he had given him a slight burn and his arms were badly bruised. Shen and shid. He picked the limp body up and carried him quickly to the couch before he went to fetch a fosebine/trica spray from the bathroom.
Rushing back to his side, Jordan found him trying to sit up. ‘Lie still,’ he ordered as he grasped the Gen and sprayed the medication directly into the centre of his chest, watching as it disappeared into his skin.
‘How do you feel?’
‘Fine. I feel fine. Don’t fuss.’
‘No. You don’t feel fine. You suffered a slight burn.’ The Sime said contradicting him. ‘Now lie still, and don’t move,’ he repeated again, pushing the unresisting figure back down onto the couch.
‘All right, Sectuib. Calm down. I’m not going anywhere. I couldn’t, even if I wanted to.’
Jordan touched his arm with one tentacle as he said, ‘Did I do this?’
Laurie smiled weakly, ‘Since you and I are the only people here, I suppose you did.’
‘I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you, not in any way.’ The Sectuib stated.
‘Shen. It’s not the first time it’s happened to me, although I confess, not in recent times.’ Laurie assured him with a tight smile, ‘Besides, it was partly my own fault anyway. I should have arrived earlier than I did. But I had some trouble on the way here.’
‘What sort of trouble?’
‘A drunk fell into the river. I helped drag him out.’
‘Shen it. That’s why your clothes are wet! I didn’t even notice when you arrived.’
‘That’s hardly surprising in the circumstances,’ Laurie said.
The Sectuib looked unconvinced by this assertion as he asked, ‘Can you stand up?’
‘Yes, I think so.’ Laurie said, and suited action to words.
‘Good. I want you to go into my bathroom and take a shower. You’ll find a robe behind the door. While you’re doing that, I’ll send your clothes down to be dried and pressed.’
‘Thanks.’
By the time the Gen came back into the room, wearing the Sime’s bathrobe, Jordan had arranged for a light meal to be sent up.
Laurie sat down on the couch with the tray on his knees, while the Channel sat opposite him.
Laurie had not realised just how hungry he was till he actually began to eat.
‘I must apologise again, for hurting you, Laurence.’
‘Laurie.’
‘Laurie,’ the Sectuib corrected himself before he went on, ‘I also want to thank you. If you hadn’t initiated transfer, I don’t believe that I could have done so.’
‘Why ever not?’ the Gen asked with obvious surprise.
The Channel gave a brief laugh before he said honestly, ‘Quite simply— I froze. It sounds ridiculous now, but to be truthful I’d worked myself up into quite a state by the time you arrived. Such a thing has never happened to me before.’
Laurie smiled as he said, ‘Don’t worry about it. Panic happens to the best of us at some time in our lives. Besides, like I said, most of it was my fault. I was late, and I shouldn’t have been.’
‘No, it wasn’t just your late arrival that triggered my fear,’ Jordan confessed ruefully, and before he could continue, the Gen interrupted him.
‘You were worried sick about taking transfer from someone like me! Right?’
‘Yes, and I’m sorry.’
‘No need to be. I’d probably have felt the same way in your shoes,’ Laurie said, and then after a few seconds he went on. ‘In view of the fact that both my father and older brother are now dead, I can at least set your mind at rest over one or two things. Although I must ask for your promise, that what I am about to tell you goes no further than yourself.’
‘Of course. That goes without saying.’ The Sectuib said at once.
‘Thank you. It wasn’t me who robbed Zeor, nor did I hit the Gen and leave him unattended. It was my older brother.’
Jordan stared at him, zlinning him at the same time, as he observed with surprise, ‘You’re telling the truth.’
‘Of course I am.’
‘But why would you take the punishment on your brother’s behalf?’
‘I don’t expect you to understand, but my father was getting old and had had a lot of illness in his later years. On top of that, my brother was his favourite child, he always had been, which was why he was far more spoilt and wilful than me. For my father to learn what Zack had done to Zeor would have been a terrible shock to him. He might well have died. At least I bought him a few extra years, and he died in ignorance.’
The Sectuib shook his head, ‘It explains a lot. I did wonder at the time why you remained silent throughout the hearing, your friend entering a plea of "guilty" on your behalf; and relying only on your written statement. Even when your punishment was handed down you remained silent. I thought you were too ashamed to speak.’
‘I was able to control my field as long as I didn’t speak. However, if I had said even one word, you and every other Sime in the room would have known I was lying.’
‘Undoubtedly.’ The Channel shook his head. ‘As I said before, I am truly sorry about the loss of your father and brother. Surely that means you can now admit the truth and put the record straight? It would also open the way for your reinstatement into Zeor.’
‘That’s why I asked for your promise before I told you,’ Laurie said. ‘My father may be dead, but I still will not dishonour either his or Zack’s name. People are already beginning to forget the entire incident. To try and correct the record now would only dredge the whole matter up again, and to what end? Just to enable me to re-enter Zeor? No, I’m quite happy working for the TIB. I prefer to let things rest.’
‘I have to admit that I don’t understand your reasoning.’
‘I don’t expect you to. I simply ask that you respect my decision.’
‘That goes without saying.’ Jordan said at once, and then went on with a wry smile, ‘I have to admit that in some ways I’m being selfish, for if I could welcome you back into Zeor, then at some time in the future I could have you again for transfer.’
The Gen placed his tray onto the floor at his feet before he said, ‘You forget Sectuib, we both now work for the TIB. If you ask Sam to make me your partner, then there is no reason at all that I am aware of, why you shouldn’t take transfer from me for as long as you wish.’
‘You wouldn’t object?’
‘Why should I?’
‘I did burn you, and bruise your arms,’ he reminded the Gen.
‘You only burned me because I’ve been taking Steremin for several years. It’s been far too long since I have given anyone a proper transfer, let alone someone of your speed and capacity.’ Laurie admitted and went on to point out, ‘I know you won’t bruise me next time. After all, we both know I wasn’t trying to get away from you.’
Jordan sighed with relief as he listened to the Gen’s words, and knew he was speaking the truth.
‘Besides, Sectuib, today was great for me, even if I did have to force your hand – or should that be tentacles?’ He asked with a grin.
‘I’ll speak to Sam,’ the Sectuib promised, ‘Next time, I promise, I won’t be so reticent. In fact, I guarantee it.’
***
The three men were once more on board the ship that had brought them to Solidano, and had gathered in Vidal and Jason’s cabin.
‘I’m not looking forward to the journey back to Moon Base,’ Neil said as he sat on the floor with his back to the bulkhead, one leg stretched out before him, his hands clasped around the knee of his other leg.
Jason nodded his agreement as he stared down at the Sime.
‘Unfortunately, it’s something we all have to put up with,’ the Channel murmured, ‘Since we can’t change anything, it does seem a waste of time for the two of you to keep harping on about it.’
‘There’s absolutely nothing to do for at least nine days and nights,’ his partner pointed out, and then grinned. ‘You two are better off than me you know, you do have your tentacles to play with.’
Neil sniggered out loud, while Vidal merely shook his head before he informed them, ‘I spoke to the Captain a few hours ago. Apparently the starboard cargo hold is only half full, at least till the ship berths at Moon Base. I asked him if we could use it, and he said yes.’
‘Now what do we want with a half empty cargo hold?’ Neil demanded, beating Jason to it by a fraction of a second.
‘Exercise of course,’ the Channel said. ‘I’m sure we could all do with some, especially after so many days of inactivity.’ As neither of the other men spoke, Vidal looked at them in surprise as he explained to his partner, ‘You and I have both neglected our hand to hand fighting for well over a month now.’
Jason sighed as he finally conceded, ‘I suppose it will help to pass the time,’
Neil simply looked at both men as though they had suddenly grown two heads. ‘I’ll come and watch you since I’ve nothing better to do, but don’t expect me to join in.’
‘Why not?’ Jason asked him in some surprise.
‘Because, I’m not a masochist. I get more than enough exercise just walking around the ship. Besides, I only fight when I have to; even then I prefer to use a blaster, and not my fists.’
‘I don’t blame you for that,’ the Channel murmured. ‘Any blow to the tentacle sheaths is painful, let alone one that is self imposed. As a matter of fact, that’s one of the reasons I practice so much.’
A few hours later found all three men in the cargo hold, which was just a little under half full with containers. Neil was perched cross-legged on top of one metal container looking, as Jason had already pointed out, like an elf on a toadstool.
At the moment there was a broad grin spread across the Sime’s good looking face, as he watched the others limbering up by doing various bending and stretching exercises.
Neil had helped them to place a number of thick woven covers, that they had assumed were used to cover the more fragile pieces of cargo, on to the floor, to act as mats. While they were not ideal for this purpose, at least they offered some protection from the hard metal.
‘All right,’ Vidal said drawing a halt to their exercises, ‘Let’s try a few throws.
‘Okay, but remember, no tentacles and no augmenting.’ Jason warned the Channel.
‘I’m not likely to forget.’ Vidal retorted indignantly.
‘Not much point in that,’ Neil yelled down at him, ‘You’re just as likely to be attacked by a Sime as you are a Gen.’
‘Thanks for the advice, Neil, but we’ll do it my way if you don’t mind.’
‘He is, however, correct.’ The Channel pointed out, ‘We must practice it the other way around as well.’
‘All right, fine. But not now. We’ll do it later.’ Jason snapped as he asked, ‘Are you ready, or are we going to spend the whole day talking?’
The Channel said he was ready. Immediately Jason fell to the floor rolling over as he did so to wrap his legs around the Sime’s legs, bringing him to the ground. Moving quickly, Jason then straddled the slim, sinuous body feeling an immediate sense of achievement, but not for long as Vidal gave a sudden heave and threw him off to land on the floor. Moments later, he had reversed their positions.
For the next thirty minutes or so, they fought on and on. Their positions were reversed again and again; as first one, then the other, gained the upper hand.
While from his bird’s eye view high above them, Neil shouted instructions, which both men chose studiously to ignore.
Finally the Sime freed himself from the Gen’s clutches to roll to his feet catching the towel that Neil tossed to him; as he offered a hand to pull the Gen up. All the time, watching his partner in case he should attack again. He had been caught out too many times in the past not to be wary.
‘Go and sit down,’ Vidal suddenly ordered. Jason was too tired to argue, as the Channel turned to look at Neil. ‘Come on. You’ve been telling us what to do for the last half an hour. Let’s see you put some of your own advice into practice.’
Reluctantly, the Sime removed his shoes and hopped down to the hard floor to approach the Channel. Jason, meanwhile, climbed up to take his seat on top of the container.
Almost before he had settled down to watch, the two Simes faced off as with a flurry of activity they seemed to fly at each other; appearing, at least from the Gen’s point of view, to meet in the air; looking for a moment as though they were both in an anti-grav unit.
Jason leaned forward eagerly. He was always fascinated whenever he had the opportunity to watch Earth’s most efficient predators fighting each other in augmentation. He had little doubt that Vidal was the superior fighter, but Neil was street wise, and for all his apparent laziness, he was no slouch, as the Gen already knew.
As the seconds ticked away, Jason found it difficult to keep up with their moves, as first one, then the other, gained supremacy.
As the seconds turned into minutes, it became obvious to the Gen that Neil was growing tired. His lack of fitness became more and more apparent.
A short time later as they all sat down to eat, Vidal grinned across at his partner as he said, ‘I suggest you and Neil have a session together in the morning. No disrespect, Neil, but I am fitter than you. It’ll give Jason a bit more of a chance.’
The Sime shrugged, ‘Why not?’ He looked across at Jason as he said, ‘I’ll hold back a little, but you have to be able to defend yourself against a Sime.’
Jason nodded vigorously as he said, ‘I know that, Neil, and I do have some moves that might surprise you.’
Vidal listened and nodded his satisfaction as he said, ‘Before we left Solidano I contacted one of our freighters, and asked the Captain to call at Moon Base to take Neil back to Damos Two. I received a message today. The freighter will arrive at Moon Base a few days after we get there.’
‘Thanks, Vidal. I wondered how long I’d have to wait to get a ship out. On top of that I was told that I wouldn’t get a straight journey through to Damos Two. They said I’d have to change ships at least once.’ Neil stated and then said fervently. ‘I just hope Zeor’s shenning officials aren’t still hanging around, waiting for me to return.’
Jason laughed, ‘If they are we’ll just have to smuggle you off the ship when we get there.’
‘Please, do you have to make everything sound so cloak and dagger?’ Vidal asked.
‘Well what do you suggest we do? Let him walk off and straight into their arms, I suppose.’
‘No, of course not. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be discreet, just that it’s not necessary to talk about "smuggling" him off, that’s all.’
Neither of the other two men bothered to offer him a reply, as Jason’s eyes met Neil’s in total understanding.
***
The T’omp’ic duly docked at Moon Base ten days after leaving Solidano. Vidal and Jason left the ship together, and then watched the people milling around as they waited for Neil to disembark. The Sime followed a short time later, lost in the middle of a number of passengers and crew who were clustered around him.
Vidal had called ahead and had arranged for a hotel suite to accommodate all three of them. It was close to the various shipping bays. They quickly made their way there though the bustling crowds.
‘I didn’t see anyone taking an undue interest in Neil, did you?’ Jason asked, glancing across at Vidal as they made their way to their suite.
‘I said you were both worrying unnecessarily.’ The Channel said at once, and then turning to the other Sime he said, ‘I suggest you stay here in these rooms and do not go out until the freighter comes for you.’
‘I’d love to agree with you, but I can’t,’ Neil said at once. ‘I have to go and see someone.’
‘Who? Surely you are not going to compromise your safety and…’
‘Hold it right there Vidal; you more than Jason should understand why I have no choice but to go out,’ the Sime stated.
Vidal zlinned the renSime deeply before he said, ‘Of course, I doubt you would be able to wait for the full month before transfer,’ he said softly.
Neil nodded his head ruefully as he said, ‘I have to admit that I haven’t exactly practised much self discipline in the last few years. When I’ve wanted transfer, I’ve simply taken it.’
‘And of course, you have to arrange transfer before you go on board don’t you?’ The Channel said quickly.
‘Can’t you do it Vidal? I know it’ll bring on an attack of entran, but I can always take care of that afterwards,’ Jason pointed out.
‘Ah…Jason, Vidal, thanks but no thanks. I much prefer to find a willing Gen.’ Neil said quickly.
‘Are you sure you can find someone on Moon Base?’ Vidal asked.
‘Yes of course. You can find most things, provided you know where to look.’
‘Very well. In that case I would advise that, if possible, you leave taking transfer until just before the freighter arrives.’ The Channel said as he zlinned the Sime again, and then gave a sigh of relief as the Sime nodded his agreement.
‘I still have to make one short trip out. I might as well get it over and done with now.’ Neil added.
‘I thought we just agreed that you would remain here till…’
‘And I will, I promise. But I have to make arrangements to have someone on standby. I can’t just turn up and expect to be taken care of at a moment’s notice. This isn’t the shenning Tecton, you know.’
‘I am well aware of that,’ Vidal said dryly as he went on, ‘Very well, as there seems to be no alternative. However, I don’t like the idea of you running around Moon Base on your own. Unfortunately, I can’t go with you since I have several calls to make.’
‘I’ll go.’ Jason volunteered at once.
‘I like that even less.’ The Channel admitted.
‘I’ll take care of him,’ Neil said, with a grin in the Gen’s direction.
‘Now I wonder why that’s not a very comforting thought either?’ Vidal asked rhetorically, as he watched the two men exit the room, with mixed feelings.
‘So where do we have to go?’ Jason asked as they left the hotel and joined the jostling crowd of humans and aliens.
‘Follow me,’ Neil said and set off by turning to the left dodging both people and their bags as he did so.
As he hurried in pursuit of the Sime, Jason noticed that they hurried past various hotels and restaurants, together with Clubs and Bars; until they soon entered what passed for the commercial district.
Without a moment’s hesitation Neil made several rapid turns, and they soon found themselves in a rather seedy run down part of the Base, where small warehouses had once thrived; until a few decades ago when most of them were relocated to the dark side of the Moon. These buildings had now been taken over by various small companies, with names that gave absolutely no indication as to the type of businesses they conducted here.
‘This is it.’ Neil said, and pointed with one tentacle to a metal door that was sandwiched between a small warehouse and a building that appeared to have no function at all. ‘Welcome to Gateway.’
‘Are you sure that’s the place?’
‘I’ve been here before.’ The Sime reminded him, and then said pointedly. ‘It doesn’t look much on the outside, I grant you. The people who run this place, aren’t too keen to advertise what they do.’
‘I suppose not,’ Jason said with a grin.
‘You’d better wait here. I won’t be long.’
‘Can’t I come in with you?’ The Gen asked, curious to see what was on the other side of the nondescript looking door.
‘No you can’t. How do you think I’d explain that I’m looking for transfer, when I have a ripe Gen like you in tow? I know you gave transfer just over a week ago, but believe me when I say that your field is still a lot higher than most Gens are at the end of a month.’ Neil informed him bluntly.
Jason silently acknowledged the logic of the Sime’s argument and went to take up a position behind several large boxes, from where he could see the door and not be seen by a Gen. If a Sime came out, he would have to try and do his disappearing trick.
‘How long will you be in there?’
‘It shouldn’t be any longer than thirty minutes, maximum.’
‘Any suggestions as to what I should do if they don’t let you out after say, an hour?’ Jason asked, as Neil turned away.
The Sime turned back again and grinned broadly as he said, ‘Since I don’t expect that to happen, then no, I don’t have any suggestions. Just use your common sense I suppose, or you could fetch the cavalry.’
‘Cavalry?’
‘Vidal.’
‘Oh, yes, of course. Good luck.’
‘Thanks. Hopefully, I won’t require any.’
Once the Sime had disappeared through the door, Jason took to looking at his chronometer every minute or so, and was relieved when the door finally opened, and Neil stepped out turning right and walking away.
Jason waited a few moments to make sure that no one was coming out from the door to follow them, and then set off in pursuit of his friend.
‘Slow down, Neil, I can hardly keep up with you.’ He panted as he drew level with him.
‘We have to hurry, Jason.’
‘Why? Where’s the fire? What’s happened? Didn’t you arrange your transfer?’
‘Yes I arranged it; that is not the worry.’
‘What is?’
‘I overheard a conversation while I was in there. It wasn’t meant for my ears.’
‘And?’ Jason pressed quickly.
‘And it concerned the Sectuib.’
‘Jordan? You mean Jordan? What did they say, did you hear it all?’
‘Yes I heard.’ Neil paused and then went on, ‘I always knew that the Organisation helped to operate Gateway, that goes without saying. After all, these places are spread all over the galaxy. But I didn’t realize that they also used them as meeting places for some of their operatives. Although it’s fairly obvious when you think about it, what better place could they use, after all?’
‘It could be that the Organisation doesn’t operate from there. In fact, the people you overheard could just have been visiting to arrange a transfer, like you.’ Jason pointed out.
‘Perhaps, not that it really matters now.’ Neil observed. ‘Because it seems that the Sectuib is actually here on the Moon, right now as we speak.’
‘Jordan’s here? Did they say why he’s here?’
‘No. But you can see what this means can’t you, Jason? He may be looking for me. I can’t possibly go back to the Hotel, not now. He may be there already. Vidal might…’
‘Calm down, Neil. Tell me exactly what they said.’ Jason ordered.
The Sime took a deep breath before he said, ‘I was sitting on a bench beside an open door. There were three of them in the room next to mine, two men and a woman. I didn’t see their faces so I have no idea who they are, or what they look like. But one of them said that they had seen the Sectuib in Zeor here on the Moon, and he was using a false name.
‘He also said that their people down on Earth had not been able to find out where Zeor had taken the negotiators to when they left Eaglestone. The woman said that obviously Sectuib Farris would know where they were. Then the other man said he had spoken to his superior on Earth and he had ordered them to find the Sectuib, and get the information out of him.’
‘And that’s all they said?’
‘Yes. I didn’t wait for any more because it was obvious they would be leaving at any second. I wanted to be well clear of the place before they came out.’
‘You’re lucky they didn’t zlin you sitting out there.’ Jason pointed out.
‘They probably did. However, I wasn’t the only one sitting there beside the open door. The difference was that none of the others were interested in what they were saying, even though they could hear every word. Remember, Jason, they were all waiting to take transfer. As you are well aware, to a Sime in need, nothing is more important than that. I on the other hand was only arranging for my transfer, and therefore had my wits about me. ’
‘Thank heavens for that!’ Jason breathed slowly.
‘Indeed, but what do you suggest we do now?’
‘We go back to the hotel and tell Vidal what you overheard. Then try to find Jordan and warn him.’ Jason replied. ‘I wonder if Laurie is with him?’
‘I just told you, Jason, I can’t go back there. You know why. You can go back and tell Vidal. In the meantime, I’ll book into a different hotel,’ the Sime said, ‘For all we know, the Sectuib may even be in the same Hotel as Vidal, especially as it’s the best on the Base.’
‘Look, how about you don’t book into another place for the time being? We simply keep it open, as an option.’ Jason said, ‘In the meantime we will make our way back to the hotel. You can wait in reception, and I’ll go up and speak to Vidal and see what he thinks you should do. Agreed?’
‘I suppose so.’ The Sime acknowledged reluctantly.
Read Chapter 12
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