Having deposited the Sime where he could clearly see the elevator, the stairs and the entrance, Jason went up to their suite to speak to Vidal.
Entering the main room, Jason quickly ascertained that the Channel was not there. Nor was he in any of the other rooms. So where was he? Of course, if the information that Neil had gleaned today was accurate, then it was not inconceivable that he had been contacted by Jordan and had gone to see him. But would he do that without telling them first? As far as he could see, Vidal had not left a message either in their suite nor, when he spoke to the Clerk on duty, down in reception, had he left a message down there for them.
Deciding that he should bring Neil up to their suite as quickly as possible so that they could discuss this new development, Jason was making for the door when his eyes were suddenly drawn to a damp patch on the dark grey carpet. Jason knew for certain that it had not been there when he and Neil had left earlier. It also seemed highly unlikely that Vidal had spilled anything. He was, after all, a Sime, and they were anything but clumsy.
Bending down Jason touched the wet patch and then lifted his fingers up into the light. There was no doubt about what it was – blood! The only conclusion seemed to be that Vidal had most probably been taken from here by force, and certainly not under his own volition. Who would have taken him, and why?
Hurrying down to reception he collected Neil. They were walking over to the elevator when one of the Clerks on duty called out to him. ‘I believe you enquired earlier about your fellow guest, Sosu?’ He said politely, and at the Gen’s nod of agreement went on, ‘It seems that my colleague, Hendii, saw Hajene Trent leave less than an hour ago with two other Simes.’
Jason walked back to the desk and looked across at the other receptionist who was Gen, ‘Can you remember what the two Simes looked like?’ he asked quickly.
Hendii shook his head. ‘Not really. I just happened to look up as they went out through the doors so I only saw their backs. They were both considerably smaller than Hajene Trent. All I can tell you is that one was bald, while the other had brown hair tied into the nape of his neck, but that’s about all I noticed. I’m sorry.’
‘Is anything wrong Sosu?’ the other Clerk asked looking slightly worried.
Jason quickly controlled his field as he forced a smile and said, ‘No, nothing is wrong. Thanks for all your help.’
Neither man spoke until they arrived in their suite, when Neil demanded to know what was going on. Quickly Jason explained and pointed to the damp spot on the carpet.
‘He could have stumbled and hurt himself.’
‘For shen’s sake, Neil, he’s a Channel! He’s hardly likely to do that is he? Of course, it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that someone tripped him on purpose.’
‘It was only a suggestion.’ The Sime stated and then went on, ‘Perhaps we should be asking, who would take Vidal, and why?’
‘I have no idea. Did you recognise either of the men from the Receptionist’s description?’ He asked, and the Sime shook his head in denial.
‘Neither did I.’ Jason confessed, and then said, ‘I have to put a call through to Earth. Why don’t you make a pot of trin while I do that?’
The Sime opened his mouth to question the Gen, but then closed it again, as he made for the tiny kitchen.
A short while later when Jason walked into the kitchen he found Neil sitting at the breakfast bar sipping tea. ‘Any luck?’ He asked as he poured a glass for Jason, and pushed it across to him.
‘Jordan is still on Earth.’
‘Are you sure about that? It may just be the story that Zeor has been told to put out.’
Jason shook his head, ‘No it isn’t anything like that. I spoke to him.’
‘You’re certain it was him?’
‘Of course I’m certain. There’s nothing wrong with my hearing! I’d stake my life on it being him.’ The Gen snapped back.
‘I know what I heard Jason, they were certain that the Sectuib was here on the Moon, no doubt about that at all.’
Jason lifted his head and stared at the Sime shock written large on his face, ‘Shenshi, Neil, do you realise what this means? They’ve gone and mistaken Vidal for the Sectuib!’
‘But…’
‘Think, Neil, if you were looking for the Sectuib in Zeor and had never met either him or Vidal. Then you saw a Channel possibly entering a hotel on the Moon, who looks just like a Farris and fits his description in every other respect. Isn’t it conceivable that you might just make the same mistake?’ The Gen demanded, ‘Didn’t they say that he was using a false name?’
The Sime stared at him for a few moments before he said, ‘Assuming you’re right, and I’m not saying that you are, how do we find him and get him back?’
‘My question exactly. I can only think of one place where he might be.’
‘And that is?’
‘The place you visited today, Gateway. I can’t think of anywhere else can you?’ Neil shook his head, ‘Then it would appear that that’s the only lead we have. As I fully intend to get Vidal back somehow, we’d better not waste any more time chewing the cud, let’s go.’
‘I hope you aren’t thinking of going into Gateway yourself?’ The Sime called as he followed the Gen out of the suite, and the Hotel.
‘Why not?’
‘Shen it, Jason. You know very well why you can’t.’ The Sime stated. ‘Vidal would never forgive me if anything happened, and I didn’t take care of you.’
‘Did I hear you right? Did you say – you’ll take care of me?’
‘Look I’m sorry. Maybe I phrased that wrongly. I know you can look after yourself. In fact, I’ve never known a Gen who could take better care of himself, but you are still a Gen. If you came into the Gateway with me now, you couldn’t protect yourself from the people in there. Even I couldn’t do that.’ He said earnestly.
‘If they can arrange transfers, then it stands to reason there have to be Gens in there as well as Simes. Besides, you’re assuming that they’ll know who I am. I very much doubt that.’
‘Of course there are Gens in there.’ Neil said. ‘But you’re forgetting something. These people have obviously been following Vidal. Who’s to say one of them didn’t see you as well?’
‘No, I don’t think they were following him. It was probably more of a chance thing. Perhaps when we arrived at the Hotel and Vidal signed in, or like when you saw me coming out of my apartment on Earth.’
Neil waved a couple of tentacles in the air in frustration as he stated, ‘Be that as it may. I see no reason for you to place yourself in jeopardy, when it really isn’t necessary.’
‘So you’re suggesting that I just sit back and let you risk your life, when it’s my partner that we’re looking for?’
‘I assure you, that as far as I’m concerned, it’s no risk at all. I’ve been in and out of the place more than once. They know me. There’s no reason at all that I shouldn’t go in again to find out if Vidal’s there or not.’
‘You had a valid reason last time. What reason will you use this time?’
The Sime grinned. ‘The Gen girl I talked to has the hots for me. I could tell.’
‘You’re absolutely sure about that? Perhaps she was just sitting too close to a heater.’ Jason said wryly.
‘Jealous?’
‘I haven’t even seen her. How could I possibly be jealous?’
‘All right, so shut up for once, and listen. I intend to tell her that I couldn’t get her out of my mind, and I had to see her again.’
‘Spare me, please! Do you honestly believe she’s going to fall for a load of crap like that?’
‘And why shouldn’t she? Women love that sort of thing.’
Jason shook his head, ‘If you say so. I just hope you’re right.’
‘I am. Trust me.’
‘Oh, I trust you, I’m just not too sure that this girl is going to, that’s all. By the way did you say she’s a Gen?’ The Sime nodded his head. ‘So if Gens are walking around seducing the customers, why can’t I go in with you?’
‘Because, all the Gens in the Gateway belong to the Distect. You’d give yourself away to the other Gens in a hundred different ways without intending to, and that’s not even counting the Simes. Some of them will be able to read every nuance in your field as easily as any Channel. They’ll spot you as a fraud straight away. Believe me, I do know what I’m talking about here.’
‘But I don’t…’
Neil interrupted him, ‘Look, Jason, for shen’s sake let me go in first, just to find out if Vidal is in there. When I’ve ascertained that, then we can decide what to do next.’
Jason stared at the Sime for a moment or two before he nodded his head in capitulation as he said, ‘All right, just don’t take all day doing it.’
‘I may well be a little longer this time than last. I can’t just leave the girl standing there can I?’
‘Yes you can. All you have to do is make a date to see her, and then kiss her goodbye.’ Jason advised.
Neil snorted impolitely as he sneered, ‘Gens may make great companions my friend, but as lovers? Believe me they leave a lot to be desired.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that. I don’t do too badly.’ Jason retorted with a grin.
‘Only if they’re deaf and blind,’ Neil murmured softly as he said, ‘I’ll try to be as quick as I can.’ Without waiting for a reply, he began to walk away. Then suddenly stopped and retraced his steps to say, ‘Promise you won’t follow me inside, Jason?’
The Gen sighed. ‘I said I’d wait out here, and I will. Just don’t be too long.’
‘And how long, is too long?’
‘Shen it, I don’t know do I? But let’s say if you’re longer than an hour, I’ll begin to wonder if they’re going to let you out again. Then I’ll have to think about coming in,’ he warned.
‘I’ll be out before then.’ Neil said as he augmented his way across to the door.
For the first thirty minutes Jason waited patiently staring at the metal door until he found his eyes closing. Realising he had almost fallen asleep, he began to walk up and down, until he noticed that the door had been opened from the inside.
Assuming that it would be Neil coming out, the Gen quickened his steps back to his vantage point. Then saw that it was not his friend, but two other Simes. They fitted exactly, the descriptions given to Neil and himself by Hendii, the receptionist at the Hotel. Both were short, one was bald, and the other had brown hair tied into the nape of his neck.
Now what did he do? Wait for Neil? Follow the two Simes? His only other alternative was to go inside Gateway himself and drag the Sime out; and Neil had ruled out that option.
Shen it. The only positive lead he had as to where Vidal was, might well be the two Simes who were rapidly disappearing along the street. He had to follow them. What other choice was there? His mind made up, he set off in pursuit.
Keeping a discreet distance from his quarry and concentrating on keeping a dampener on his rapidly growing field, Jason hoped that they would be too engrossed in their conversation to bother about zlinning him, for there were plenty of other Gens walking about in this area.
Jason also wondered if Neil had seen the two Simes leave Gateway If he had, then why hadn’t the Sime left straight after them? Unless of course Vidal was in there; in which case he was following the Simes needlessly. Round and round went the questions, giving him the beginnings of a really bad headache.
He could, of course, try his communicator, but if the Sime answered, he would have to be very discreet indeed. Jason had no idea who might be listening in on the conversation. In all probability, however, Neil would not answer him. Of course he would not know that till he tried to contact him. With this thought firmly set in his mind he pulled his communicator out of his pocket.
Crossing from one side of the street to the other, he kept the two Simes in view.
At first he thought he was going to get no response, until suddenly Neil’s familiar voice said, ‘What is it now?’
‘It’s me.’
‘I realise that.’
‘Is it safe for me to talk?’
‘Yes, but he quick.’
‘The two Simes that Hendii said had left the hotel with Vidal… They’ve just left Gateway and I’m following them. I didn’t know what else to do.’ Jason stated, ‘Have you found Vidal? Shall I come back there, or keep following them?’
‘No, keep after them because I’m almost certain that Vidal isn’t here.’
‘Almost?’
‘Sorry, but I can’t be more specific. I’ve either zlinned or looked into every room I can find. If there’s a hidden room somewhere, then I can’t find it.’ Neil informed him and then went on, ‘Anyway, there’s no point in my wasting any more time here, so I’m on my way to you. Just don’t lose them, Jason, it looks like they may be our last chance of finding Vidal.’
‘I’m doing my best.’ The Gen said without taking his eyes off the two distant figures.
‘Give me directions. Where are you now?’
He did so, and in a very short time, or so it seemed to Jason, the Sime caught up with him. Although he knew that Neil must have been augmenting in order to reach him so quickly, he was not even out of breath.
‘Where are they?’ He asked at once as he zlinned the way ahead, but could not pinpoint them.
‘They’ve just gone into one of those shops.’
‘Which?’
‘The one at the end selling alien artifacts,’ Jason replied without taking his eyes off the entrance to the shop.
‘I was just deciding whether to become a collector and go inside myself,’ the Gen admitted with a quick glance at his Sime colleague. ‘By the way, do you think it was sensible for you to augment like that?’
‘Just look after yourself, Jason, and let me take care of my own selyn levels,’ the Sime reminded him bluntly.
‘You’re right of course. The last thing I want to do is become another Vidal. Sorry.’
Neil waved two tentacles in his direction as he accepted the apology and then said, ‘Maybe I should go into the shop with you, at least I can zlin if they are in the storeroom or somewhere else.’
‘Not a good idea. Supposing one of them either saw you or zlinned you at Gateway?’
Reluctantly the Sime agreed as he said, ‘So you go in, and I’ll wait here.’
However, no sooner had Jason entered the dark interior of the small shop than he came hurrying out again.
‘What happened?’ Neil asked as he drew close.
‘The shopkeeper was only too eager to talk. Apparently the two Simes rushed in, brushed passed him almost knocking him over, and went out the back. It looks like we’ve lost them. They must have realised I was following them.’
‘Not necessarily. Come on. Let’s get around the back. Maybe I’ll be able to zlin them,’ and he led the way behind the small row of shops. ‘Of course using the shop may just have been part of their overall strategy, to ensure that they were not being followed.’ He stated, as he zlinned both to the left and right.
At the rear of the shops was an open area that stretched in both directions; and just ten metres or so straight in front of the rear entrances was the end of the dome in which they were now standing. 100 metres to their left, a small group of workmen were doing the everyday maintenance on the Dome. Jason had read a lot about how necessary this work was, if the people living and working inside the Domes were to be kept safe.
‘Wait here.’ Neil ordered, and raced down to speak to the workmen, returning within seconds to say, ‘No one has gone past them in the last thirty minutes.’
Automatically they both turned right as Neil said, ‘Come on we’d better hurry or we’ll stand no chance of catching up with them.’ He immediately took off at full augmentation leaving the Gen to follow as best he could.
For a moment Jason thought of yelling for him to stop or slow down, but then changed his mind. After all, if they wanted to catch the two Simes, and ultimately find Vidal. They had no alternative but to move as fast as their quarry.
With all this in the forefront of his mind, Jason ran as quickly as he could after Neil. He knew he had no chance at all of catching him up, but with any luck he might just be able to keep him in sight.
Concentrating on nothing more than simply putting one foot in front of the other as quickly as he could, he saw the Sime in the distance disappear around yet another corner. Taking a deep breath, Jason increased his speed, his heart thumping in his ears, lungs straining for all the air he could draw into them.
As he reached the corner and raced around it, he hoped against hope that the Sime would still be in view, only to find he was careering into an immovable object that quite literally knocked the remaining air out of him, and sent him crashing to his knees gasping desperately for just one more breath.
‘Jason, are you all right?’ Neil demanded as his hands and tentacles grasped the Gen around his shoulders, and hauled him effortlessly to his feet.
‘I’m fine,’ he finally managed to pant. ‘Where are they?’
‘I have no idea. I appear to have lost them?’
‘You’ve lost them!? How the shen did you manage that? You must have been right behind them.’
‘I was. I can only assume that they have entered one of these empty buildings along here.’
‘So do you think they saw you!?’
‘Maybe.’ Neil said at once. ‘Hardly surprising in the circumstances. They’d have to be blind both physically and nagerically to have missed me racing after them.’
‘Shen it to hell!’
‘My thoughts exactly.’
‘So what do we do now?’
‘Search these three buildings I suppose, unless you have any better ideas?’
Jason muttered, ‘No.’ as he sighed loudly and rubbed the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.
‘Right then. We’d better split them up between us. You take the first building, I’ll do the second. We’ll do the third one together.’
‘Fine by me, let’s just get on with it.’ Jason said irritably. ‘And try not to augment any more okay?’
The Sime ignored him as he moved to stick his head inside the first building to zlin the place. ‘As far as I can tell it’s empty, but I don’t know for certain. It could be they’ve got a few insulated rooms on the upper floor. All I can say for sure is that there is no one down here.’ He said, and moved quickly towards the second building, leaving Jason to his physical search of this one.
The Gen began to stomp his way up the uncarpeted stairs, till he realised that he was making an unnecessary amount of noise, and could well have already informed anyone who happened to be up there of his presence; so he climbed the rest of the stairs on his toes.
The entire building as far as he could ascertain, was unoccupied. Whilst he was relieved that there was no one there, he was at the same time worried as to whether they were going to find Vidal before harm came to him. With this thought very much in the forefront of his mind, he hurried quickly back down the stairs and out of the building.
As he stepped onto the sidewalk Neil came out of the second building. ‘Any luck?’ The Sime demanded, and Jason shook his head.
Seconds later they both entered the third building, but it, too, was empty.
Standing in the doorway prior to stepping out into the street, Jason looked at the Sime with resignation. ‘So that’s it, we’ve lost them.’
‘Yes it…’ The Sime stopped talking and placed a tentacle against his lips giving the universal sign for silence, as he pointed outside the building with another tentacle and drew the Gen back against the wall.
For several seconds they stood in silence. Then the Sime motioned for the Gen to remain where he was before he stepped into one of the downstairs rooms, and disappeared momentarily from Jason’s view.
Just as suddenly he reappeared again. ‘So what was all that about?’ Jason demanded at once.
‘A Gen female just walked past the front entrance.’
‘Is that all?’ Jason was disappointed.
‘Come along, and do not make a noise.’ The Sime whispered stepping outside into the street.
‘Why? What?’
‘Ssh! I’ve seen her before, at Gateway.’ Neil replied. ‘Of course, the fact that she is in this particular area may mean nothing at all, but then again she might well lead us to the two men. We can but hope.’
‘We could do with a bit of good luck right about now.’
***
‘As I said before, I am not the Sectuib in Zeor,’ Vidal repeated yet again. ‘Surely one of you is capable of zlinning the truth?’
‘Ah, but you’re a "First," Sectuib, while we’re only renSime,’ the bald one stated sarcastically. ‘Which means that it’s relatively easy for you to fool both of us, isn’t it?’
‘So let’s try something else. Have either of you heard of Maxwell Trent?’
‘Who hasn’t?’ The bald one said at once.
‘Are you trying to say that you’re Trent? The second Sime asked, ‘Because if so, you can forget it. I’ve seen Maxwell Trent at Runzi HQ and he’s years older than you.’
Vidal gave a bark of humourless laughter as he said, ‘He should be older – he’s my father.’
‘Nice try,’ the bald laughed. ‘But no one would doubt who you are. Not with features like that.’
‘I’m flattered,’ Vidal said quietly. ‘But you’re both wrong.’
The second Sime, whose brown hair was tied into the nape of his neck, shook his head as he stood up to inspect the special cuffs that fastened the Channel into his chair. ‘Stop arguing with him, Pete,’ he instructed, ‘He’ll be here soon, and then we’ll know for sure won’t we?’
‘Who’ll be here?’ Vidal demanded to know.
‘None of your business,’ Pete barked back at him.
‘I hope we’ve got the right one, Pete. You know what a temper he has, and he’s just as likely to take it out on us if it isn’t him.’
‘Stop worrying, Guya. I’d stake my life on it being him.’
‘I know. The problem is you’re staking my life, too.’
Vidal watched as the two Simes moved to sit down at the table with open bottles of porstan before them.
Surreptitiously the Channel tried the strength of his cuffs but without success. He had not really expected any. These Simes were obviously used to ensuring that their prisoners – and he had little doubt but that he was a prisoner – could not escape.
That quite obviously being the case, he gave up trying to do the impossible, and turned his mind to wondering who it was that his captors were expecting? Here, too, he drew a complete blank.
The only bright light on the horizon appeared to be that Jason and Neil were, for the moment at least, comparatively safe. These men, it seemed, had only been interested in capturing the Sectuib in Zeor. To all intents and purposes they had achieved this. So for the time being at least they would not be looking for anyone else.
For the next hour or so the two Simes talked quietly together, ignoring the Channel altogether. Which suited Vidal just fine. He preferred to be left alone.
For a few minutes Vidal listened to the two Simes talking. But as far as he could understand their conversation, it revolved entirely around the merits of one flitter against another. It appeared that part of the money they were each being paid to bring him here, was going to be spent on buying one, or possibly two, new flitters.
So, Vidal thought, Pete and Guya were only paid muscle working for the highest bidder. Which meant, that whoever this man was that they were waiting for; then it was he that Vidal should be worried about, and not them.
Of course it could well be that this unknown man, when he arrived, would know straight away that he was not the Sectuib in Zeor. Whether this would be a good thing or not, Vidal was not entirely sure.
After all, once it was ascertained that he was not the Sectuib in Zeor, they might simply turn him loose. His excitement at this idea soon faded, when he realised that it was highly unlikely that this would happen. They might well judge that Vidal would immediately contact Zeor and tell them that their Sectuib was in danger.
No, it seemed far more likely that Pete and Guya would simply be told to dispose of him. The Channel did not like the sound of that second scenario at all. The problem was, it appeared to be the more likely of the two options on offer.
Vidal knew that Moon Base had a higher count of dead bodies than even Earth itself. Some were undoubtedly suicides, but the vast majority were murders.
It was after all so easy to force someone conscious or unconscious out through the airlocks beyond the edge of one of the Domes, where they died instantly. Computers, of course, monitored every square inch of the Domes. Criminals also knew every technique possible to disrupt the computers for the few vital seconds that it took to carry out their nefarious act.
Unfortunately, too, even in this modern age, very few of the perpetrators of these crimes ever got caught. Perhaps, because so many turned out to be aliens. Their murderers had often left the Base long before their victims’ bodies were found.
Vidal sighed. Sometimes, he conceded, it was far better to be ignorant of facts like these, rather than know about them.
‘May I have a glass of water?’ Vidal asked politely.
Pete ignored him, but Guya got up and poured a small amount of porstan into a mug and brought it across to him.
‘He said to give him no food or water.’ Pete called across.
Guya merely grunted, and for a few seconds he held the mug to Vidal’s lips while he swallowed down the warm ale. He would have preferred water, but any liquid was better than none.
‘Thank you,’ he murmured, and the Sime nodded his head before he walked back to the table to sit down again.
Moments later the three Simes looked towards the door, as they all zlinned that a Gen was approaching. Pete immediately stood up a small compact blaster in his hand.
They did not have to wait long for the door to open without the chime sounding. Vidal found himself looking at a Gen that he had sincerely hoped never to see again. Small, squat, over muscled, and extremely ugly, all those adjectives could well be applied to Gregory Carleton. The Channel bit back an expletive as the short but memorable time he had spent with this particular Gen on Damos Two, came rushing back to him.
Carleton entered the room his cold eyes passing over the two Simes to alight on Vidal. ‘So, this is…no it isn’t! What the shen are you two morons trying to pull here?’ He demanded, turning to stare at the two men in question.
‘This is the Sectuib in Zeor…’ Pete began.
‘Like shen it is!’ Gregory Carleton shouted back. ‘This man’s name is Trent – Vidal Trent. He’s nothing whatsoever to do with Sectuib Farris.’
‘He said he was Maxwell Trent’s son, but we didn’t believe him,’ Guya interrupted quickly.
‘Shut your shenning mouth!’ Pete ordered as the Gen snarled at them both.
‘I don’t know whose shenning son he is, and I care less. I just know he isn’t the one I’m after.’ Gregory yelled, his jowls quivering as his face went red with temper.
For a brief moment all three Simes expected the Gen to explode with fury, as he screamed abuse at the two Simes.
‘Well, what the shen are you waiting for? Go find him, and don’t bother to come back till you do!’
‘What about him?’ Pete asked pointing a tentacle in the Channel’s direction.
‘What about him?’ Gregory shouted back.
‘Shall we take him with us, or…?’
‘Just get out of my sight! I’ll see to this one.’ Carleton stated, and then turned to stare coldly at Vidal as he said. ‘We got interrupted last time as I recall. This time we won’t.’ An evil smile broke over his ugly face as he went on. ‘At least it will help to pass the time if nothing else.’ Walking across he slapped the Channel across the face several times. The diamond ring he wore caught the corner of Vidal’s mouth, and a thin trickle of blood ran slowly down his chin.
The two Simes, deciding it was time to escape from the room, rushed out without further comment.
‘I can’t tell you anything, because I don’t know what all this is about,’ the Channel said as he licked the corner of his mouth with his tongue, trying to stop the bleeding.
‘I am aware of that,’ the Gen said with an evil smile of satisfaction. ‘But that doesn’t matter right now. This is merely a pleasant way to pass a few tedious hours.’
Stepping closer he grasped the Channel’s upper arm and began to exert pressure on his biceps. Vidal drew in a quick breath as he hissed through his suddenly dry lips. ‘If you continue doing that, or go any lower down my arm, I will surely die. Is that what you want?’
Gregory released him at once and chuckled softly as he nodded his ugly head. ‘You’re right of course. I’m often told that I tend to get a little over exuberant at times. Thank you for reminding me. I’m sure I can devise a much slower, and nastier way for you to die.’
‘I’m sure you can.’ Vidal agreed quietly. Not bothering to inform the angry Gen that there really weren’t that many worse deaths than by irrepairable damage to his tentacles, which would mean a slow painful death from attrition. What the Gen didn’t know, after all, was to Vidal’s advantage.
‘By the way, there’s one question that’s been bothering me for some time. How did you manage to get away like that?’
‘I have a good fairy, she often helps me out.’ The Channel said facetiously. ‘Ahhh…’ His head jerked back as the Gen hit him yet again.
‘Not the right answer. Shall we try again?’
‘I woke up and found the cell door was open. I simply took the opportunity.’ Vidal said.
‘The force fields were also turned off, I take it?’ The Gen said sarcastically.
‘Yes, now you mention it, they were. I was lucky.’
‘Did you get help from one of our people, or was it someone from outside who assisted you? Perhaps someone from Rior, for example?’
‘I’ve no idea. You’re in a far better position to know that than me.’
The Gen kicked his knee hard, and Vidal gasped as the muscle popped and he knew if Carleton kicked him again, he would lay the bone bare.
‘You are being very stubborn Trent. But, never mind. I much prefer it that way. It’s always more fun to break a man like you, rather than one who gives everything away in the first few minutes.’ Gregory stated. ‘It’s only a pity I don’t have any of my toys here to amuse you with. I’m sure I can dream up enough ways to entertain you, while we wait.’
I’m sure you can, the Channel thought as he closed his eyes and wondered just how long he would be able to stand this? Unfortunately he did not even have the satisfaction of knowing that he was keeping something important away from the Gen.
Indeed, Gregory Carleton probably knew far more about the whole assassin affair than he did. No, as this evil little man had said, he was being tortured purely for the edification and pleasure of Gregory Carleton, and for no other reason at all.
On top of that Vidal had no idea where the negotiators had been taken when they were rushed away from Eaglestone. Although he had little doubt that Jordan probably knew; and he sent up a silent prayer that his friend would never fall into the clutches of this man.
However, there was one thing that Vidal did know for certain, and quite obviously Gregory Carleton did not, and that was that his friend Jordan was still down on Earth, and not up here on the Moon. Laurence Knight had told him where he was when he had spoken to him earlier.
Seconds later another blow landed on his face and closed his eye. Vidal allowed a scream to leave his mouth, thankful that there was no one but the Gen here to hear him.
The sound of the door opening drew the attention of both the Gen, who looked surprised, and Vidal who wondered why he had not zlinned the woman’s approach before. But then the Channel realised at once that he had been far too engrossed in his own pain, to bother with zlinning anyone outside the room.
‘What the shen are you doing here?’ Carleton demanded.
‘We thought you’d like to know that your box has arrived at Gateway,’ the small blonde woman stated, her eyes fixed on the Channel, as she asked. ‘Is he the Sectuib in Zeor?’
‘No he isn’t!’ The Gen snapped back at her, as he turned to grin down into the Channel’s bruised and bloody face. ‘It seems my toys have arrived after all; so much more sophisticated than mere fists, as I’m sure you’ll agree.’
Then seeing that the woman was still standing there with her mouth open, he said angrily. ‘Go back and tell them to send the box here.’
The Gen made no effort to move, as her eyes were transfixed on the Channel.
‘I said, you’ve delivered your message, now go. Unless of course you’d like a taste of what he’s getting.’ Carleton said ominously.
Vidal thought that he had never seen a Gen move quite so quickly, as she disappeared through the door, not even bothering to close it behind her; while Gregory Carleton laughed out loud at her hurried exit.
Read Chapter 13
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