Laurie ran out of the main doors of the Hotel and stared up and down the street. He was thankful that on Moon Base the artificial light was constant, and there was no night.
There were however quite a few people, mainly aliens, milling around. Most of these were dressed in the uniforms of the various space shipping companies for whom they worked. None of them were the three men he was looking for. Truthfully, he had not expected to find them so quickly, for several more minutes had already ticked away.
Which meant that he had two choices open to him. He could go left or right; a fifty-fifty chance of being either right or wrong. Making up his mind he turned left and set off at a brisk pace. It was at times like this that he wished the Base had maintained the Moon’s gravity, rather than inside the various domes, changing it to Earth normal. At least then he could have covered the ground far more quickly.
His feet hit the hard floor in a faster and faster rhythm as he pounded along. Turning yet another corner, he caught sight of three people just disappearing from sight. They did not appear to be hurrying, but then, why should they? After all, if it was them, then they had the Sectuib with them. There was no reason to believe that they might be followed.
Of course, Laurie knew that he could well be wrong and it was not the men he was after. There was little he could do about that now, save keep his fingers crossed and press on.
The Gen looked around the street as he ran towards where he had last seen the three men. He had no idea where he was. Moon Base was huge, and he had never been in this part of the facility before.
Reaching yet another corner, he stopped and peered around it. The last thing he wanted was to run, quite literally, straight into his quarry.
His heart began to race as he saw them. The three men, with Jordan in the middle, were about half way along the narrow thoroughfare. Slowing his pace to match theirs, Laurie kept them under surveillance knowing that the renSime might well be zlinning his approach, and Jordan too, with any luck.
Laurie found himself in another dilemma. He had found them, but what should he do now? He had not really thought much about his next move. Find them, had been the priority of the day. So now he had achieved this, would it be best to wait and see where they were going, or should be tackle them straight away? After all, as he readily conceded, he had little or no idea about how many others might be waiting for them at their destination; probably far too many for him to handle on his own.
With a deep sigh he finally acknowledged that if he was going to attempt any sort of a rescue, it had to be now.
He also accepted that he only had one very slight advantage. The fact that, as far as he knew, they had never seen him before, and did not know who he was.
Pulling his small blaster out of his pocket he set it on stun, and palmed it in his hand down by his side.
Increasing his pace slightly, he approached the three men and had actually got to within ten feet of them when the Sime turned. He had a small particle weapon in his hand, which was now pointed straight at Laurie. The Gen knew that the Sime must have zlinned both his approach, and the weapon in his hand.
Both Laurie and Arvac fired simultaneously, and the Sime immediately crumpled to the ground as the stun weapon hit him. Laurie also felt a blow as the beam from the particle weapon hit his left shoulder, burning a hole through his clothes, and his skin.
As Laurie was coming to terms with the fact that he had been injured, Wyle who had been walking on Jordan’s other side, suddenly launched himself at Laurie hitting him hard in the stomach with his head. Laurie gasped out loud as the air rushed out of him and he was knocked to his knees. Before he could even think of retaliating, the Gen was suddenly pulled off him as Jordan grabbed him with hands and tentacles and tossed him hard to one side. Both men hearing the loud crack as his head hit the hard floor.
‘Thanks. I was supposed to rescue you.’ Laurie gasped as the Channel poked and prodded at the wound with his tentacles.
‘What possessed you to come charging in like that?’ Jordan demanded to know. ‘I zlinned you when you were a long way behind us, but I never expected you to approach so close. I would have expected you to follow, and then send for assistance.’
‘Send for who?’
‘I have three Zeor agents based at the Hotel, you know that!’ The Channel stated as he zlinned the two unconscious men and decided they were not badly injured.
‘I forgot.’
The Channel bit back an angry retort.
‘Well since I’m obviously not going to get a thank you for rescuing you, we’d better get away from here before their friends come looking for them.’ Laurie muttered.
‘I agree. Since I can see no good reason why you should have attempted such a foolhardy rescue in the first place, I can see no reason to thank you for it.’ The Sectuib said as he set off away from the scene and back towards the Hotel.
‘Fine, if that’s your opinion, let’s drop it shall we? At least it’s turned out all right, you can’t deny that.’
‘You were injured, but you could just as easily be dead.’ The Channel said remorselessly.
‘But I wasn’t! I’m here, alive and kicking. Isn’t that the whole point of the exercise? Besides, what if you had told them where the negotiations are now being held before your precious "agents" rescued you?’ Laurie said sarcastically.
‘I would never have told them a thing.’ The Channel replied at once.
‘Not willingly, no, but they would probably have used drugs…’ he left the words hanging in the air as he said looking around, ‘There were quite a number of people in the street when all this happened you know, none of them appear to have called the authorities.’
‘This is Moon Base, Laurence. Aliens from all over the Galaxy pass through here at some time or other. Even those who are not welcome on Earth itself, are allowed to call here for humanitarian reasons, including food, water, medical supplies and engine repairs. You know that; and because of that it’s also an unwritten law amongst them that no one interferes in anyone else’s affairs, and no one ever tells the authorities anything. It makes policing the Base very difficult, indeed. Crime is rife.’ Jordan said, pointedly.
They were now well over half way back to the Hotel Laurie was finding that his shoulder was hurting more with each step he took.
Sweat was already running down his face, and although he knew that the climate inside all the Domes was kept at a comfortable level, he still felt that the temperature was rising higher and higher.
‘This has gone on long enough,’ the Channel suddenly stated.
‘What has?’
‘You are in extreme pain, and it’s getting worse. I have waited, but you haven’t seen fit to say a word to me!’
‘That’s because I’m all right.’
‘No, you are not all right!’ Moving to the side of the Gen that was not injured, Jordan pulled Laurie’s arm across his own shoulders and slipped his other arm around his waist as he helped him to walk.
‘Perhaps I should carry you,’ he suggested.
‘No, thanks. I’m fine.’
The Sectuib gave a frustrated sigh but said nothing more as Laurie worked hard to simply put one foot in front of the other; while at the same time he attempted to keep his pain from leaking into his field. Exactly how successful he was in doing this he had no idea, but a wave of relief ran through him as their Hotel came into view.
In the elevator, Laurie found that he was leaning all his weight against the Channel. When they arrived at their floor, he knew he could go no further. The light that lit the corridor seemed to grow dimmer and dimmer as his legs finally gave way under him and he began to sink down. Jordan lifted him bodily before he could hit the floor, and carried him into the suite.
Jason jumped to his feet as he saw them come through the door. ‘Is Laurie all right?’
‘He has been hit on the shoulder by a particle weapon.’ Jordan replied. ‘How is Vidal?’ he demanded to know, as he carried Laurie to the couch.
‘Not good. I don’t know what those lorshes gave him but he couldn’t even stand up for ages, and he’s still nauseous. He’s in the bath at the moment. He didn’t think he could stand up for long enough to take a shower.’
Vidal suddenly appeared in the doorway, a towel around his waist. He was zlinning Laurie, as Jason went across to help him walk to one of the chairs.
Jordan was zlinning the other Channel as he said, ‘I suggest you sit down before you fall down, Vidal.’ He set to work on Laurie’s wound.
After a few minutes, the Sectuib looked across at his friends. ‘I’ll tell you all that happened later. However, we had to leave a couple of injured men in the street. I have sent Lisle and the others to take care of them, if they are still there of course. We may get some useful information out of them about who else is involved in all this. It might well prove useful to Sam Betjeman. We shall have to see.’
Yet more minutes ticked slowly away, and Jason looked once again at his chronometer, something he had been doing regularly for the last hour as he stalked around the room.
Vidal still sitting in the chair, looked pale and far from well. He watched his partner walking around and around, knowing full well what was bothering him.
With a deep sigh Vidal tried once again to pull himself together, but his legs were shaking too much for him to really attempt standing up again.
‘Jason.’ The Gen stopped in mid-step to look across at the Channel his eyebrows raised in query. ‘I realise you’re worried about Neil. So am I.’ He tried desperately to force a smile as he went on, ‘I’ll be ready to go in just a few minutes.’
Before the Gen could reply the Sectuib looked up from tending Laurie to say, ‘Whatever drug they used on you, Vidal, it’s knocked the stuffing out of you. You aren’t fit to go anywhere.’
‘I agree.’ Jason said at once. ‘If you can’t go, then I must,’ and he went to crouch down beside the Channel as he continued softly. ‘I promised Neil that, if for any reason you couldn’t go to him, then I would.’
Vidal stared down at the Gen’s earnest face as he said, ‘Am I understanding you correctly? Do you seriously intend to serve him yourself?’
‘Why not? He’s a renSime for shen’s sake. The amount of selyn he’s going to need is infinitesimal compared to a Channel like you. We both know I won’t even short you next time.’
Jordan stood up with a sigh of satisfaction, stretching his limbs, which had become cramped. Turning to look at the two men he said, ‘I have put him to sleep. With luck he shouldn’t wake for several hours.’ His eyes moved to rest on Vidal as he went on. ‘If you will keep an eye on him, Vidal, I will go and serve Neil.’
‘You can’t do that!’
The Sectuib stared across at Jason as he asked, ‘And why not? It will not be the first time I have carried out this task.’
‘I know that. But this time he’s terrified of you, and to be honest I can’t say I blame him, either.’
‘Jason!’
‘I’m sorry, Vidal, but you know I’m right and…’
‘Please.’ The Sectuib held out his tentacles for silence, ‘As I understand it Neil Heyer is now on board one of your family’s freighters Vidal. Since he has committed no crime on this Base, I cannot have him removed from there. Nor would I do so. Not as long as he stays on board the ship till it arrives back on Damos Two. He is safe from me, Jason. That I can promise you – unto Zeor.
‘Well that’s a relief, anyway,’ Jason admitted.
‘Good. Then there’s no reason why I shouldn’t go and serve him.’
‘I’ll go with you.’
‘That will not be necessary.’
‘Maybe not, but I have to explain the change of plan to Neil. As I said before, he’s not exactly enamoured of you at the moment, Jordan. To be honest with you I can’t say that I blame him. After all, you did send some of Zeor’s agents after him. Not exactly what I would call a friendly act.’
The Sectuib sighed as he capitulated. ‘Very well, if you must. We will not be long, Vidal, and I will lock the door after us.’
‘Laurie will be fine, Jordan. Don’t worry about him.’
Jason placed a small blaster on the arm of Vidal’s chair as he said, ‘Just make sure you keep that handy,’ and quickly followed the Sectuib out of the room.
***
The two men did not speak till they arrived on board the Amethyst and the Captain hurried up to them. It seemed to Jason that he had been waiting for them to arrive.
‘Thank God you’re back. He’s going crazy in his cabin. I’ve had to post a couple of Simes outside in case he actually got out. The MO wanted to see him again, but I daren’t let him enter.’
The Sectuib turned to look at the Gen as he demanded, ‘Exactly when is he due for transfer Jason?’
Jason glanced down at his chronometer, ‘Just under five hours from now.’
‘Are you serious? He’s a renSime for shen’s sake! A junct renSime, and he’s been locked in his cabin alone, with just your word that you’ll bring someone back for him?’ Jordan looked from Jason to the Captain in evident horror as he snapped ‘Take me to him, at once!’
The Captain led the way. ‘He stopped screaming to be let out, just under an hour ago. Here, this is it.’
‘I suggest both of you move away.’ The Sectuib said to the two men. Then turning to the two Sime crewmen he stated, ‘Close the door after me, and don’t open it till I ask you to.’
‘Yes, Hajene.’
Seconds later Jordan, projecting as Gen, slipped inside the now silent cabin. He immediately zlinned for the renSime, locating him at once. He was scrabbling around like a terrified animal under a pile of bedding at the side of what had once been his bed. Everything in the room was broken or torn to pieces.
Neil, who had both heard and zlinned the "Gen" as he entered the cabin, now tensed and stood up. Immediately he began to stalk his prey. Jordan met the furtive and almost feral eyes of the Sime.
‘Neil, come, I am ready to…’ With a shrill scream of sheer agony the young Sime threw himself at the Channel their tentacles entwined and their hot dry lips met in bruising contact.
Within seconds it was over and Neil slid to his knees, tears running down his cheeks. The Sectuib followed him down his arms encircling the thin body as he offered comfort to the renSime, who was still sobbing.
Moments later Jordan moved to open the door, allowing Jason to enter. The Gen’s eyes opened wide as he took in the chaos around him, then he saw the Sime’s huddled figure, and he, too, knelt down beside him drawing him into his own arms as he whispered, ‘It’s all right now, Neil. It’s over.’
‘He’s come to take me away Jason. How could you do that to me?’
‘No he hasn’t Neil. I swear to you that he hasn’t.’
‘He’s going to take me to Mars Station…I’d rather be dead.’
The Sectuib stepped closer and lifted the renSime’s chin with a tentacle to look into his frightened eyes. ‘I assure you I have no intention of removing you from this vessel, Neil. You are free to go to Damos Two.’
‘You mean that?’
‘Of course I do. Have you now lost the ability to read my field? Return to Damos Two and I will not bother you again.’ He sighed and then went on. ‘I won’t pretend that it was not my original intention to take you back into Zeor’s custody. However, both Jason and Laurie helped me to realise that even in Zeor, times are changing. If they were not, then we would not now be negotiating with Rior and the Distect. And I, too, am grateful for your help. I hope you will have a safe journey back home.’
The renSime sat and stared up at him. It was Jason who prodded him in the stomach with two fingers to encourage him to reply.
‘Er…thanks, Sectuib.’ He said sheepishly, and then managed a weak grin as he said, ‘You’re still very good you know, but I couldn’t take even you as a permanent diet.’
‘Then it’s lucky for both of us that it will never be necessary.’ Jordan said, as he smiled in return.
***
The two men entered the suite to find Vidal sitting beside Laurie, who was now awake and sitting up on the couch.
‘How did it go?’ Vidal asked as soon as he saw them.
‘No problems.’ Jason said at once, and the Sectuib coughed but kept a discreet silence as he moved to examine the injured Gen.
‘How are you feeling?’
‘A lot better, but my shoulder still feels hot and rather tight.’ The Gen confessed.
‘During the healing process that’s to be expected,’ Jordan informed him and then went on. ‘You’ll have a bad scar there, but it’ll fade in time.’
‘I’m lucky it wasn’t my face.’
‘You’re lucky it wasn’t your life!’
‘Yes, that, too, I suppose,’ Laurie said grudgingly. ‘Will I be all right to catch the shuttle tomorrow?’
‘I see no reason why not.’ Jordan looked across at the other two men, then quickly zlinned Vidal, and was relieved to see that he was fully recovered, as he asked, ‘Is there any reason why we shouldn’t all go back together?’
saievereldedly nervous he ***took one of the chair.ault.s,left the Base long before their victims bodies were
Vidal shook his head. ‘None that I can see – Jason, what about you?’
The Gen, too, shook his head as he confessed, ‘It’s fine by me. I, for one, won’t be sorry to get back to terra firma. But shouldn’t we ask Sam first? After all, we know there are still some of the Organisation’s people running around up here.’
Vidal smiled at his partner. ‘I contacted him while you were out. And he agrees with me that even with the extra agents that the Organisation have drafted in, not counting the ones we have accounted for ourselves; the Organisation are still an unpleasant fact of life that we shall always have to live with on a daily basis.
‘We can never expect to eliminate them entirely either from the face of the Earth, or the Moon come to that.’ He glanced across at Jordan before he went on. ‘Sam tells me that the negotiating team have now been moved to a place where, hopefully, the Organisation will never find them. Sam also tells me that this time he hasn’t even told you where they are, Jordan. He’s also made sure that that fact has been widely leaked.’
‘Why leak it at all?’ Jason asked.
‘Well, if the Sectuib doesn’t know where they are, there’s no point in trying to kidnap him again, is there?’ Vidal pointed out.
‘A wise precaution,’ Jordan conceded quietly.
‘Mind you, they could still kidnap you, and threaten to execute you if Sam doesn’t tell them what they want to know.’ Laurie told the Sectuib.
‘I was just going to say that.’ Jason said to the other Gen.
The Sectuib gave a brief humourless laugh as he conceded ‘Yes, I suppose that, too, is a possibility.’ Looking across at the other Channel he said, ‘Did I once say that Gens are always optimistic? I take it back.’
‘Ah… one other thing Hajene,’ Laurie suddenly said, ‘Am I take it that in light of recent events, you’ve decided to change your mind, and not request Sam to pair us together again in the future, and that…’
‘What makes you think I’ve decided to do that?’ Jordan demanded to know.
‘Well, after what was said…’
The Sectuib interrupted him to say, ‘I believe Jason had far more to say on the subject than either you or I.’
Jason gave a sheepish smile as he conceded the point and then said, ‘I won’t retract it. Well not all of it, anyway.’
Vidal gave an exasperated tsk, but remained silent as Jordan laughed out loud and then said, ‘I don’t expect you to Jason. As I recall both you and Vidal have had many such…disagreements in the past.’
Jason nodded. ‘Well yes, I suppose we have had quite a few rows. I’ve even felt like punching him on the nose before now, and it’s only the fact that I know I’d never get away with it that’s stopped me.’ He confessed wryly, before he continued.
‘Funnily enough though, it hasn’t driven us apart, in fact just the opposite. At times it’s even helped to clear the air, and is far better than bottling everything up inside. Get it out in the open is always the best policy.’
The Sectuib smiled almost indulgently at Jason. ‘I tend to agree with you. Not that I would wish Laurence and I to actually exchange blows of course! However, a slight disagreement now and then; well that I’m more than prepared to accept.’
Vidal looked relieved. Jason looked pleased, and Laurie just looked shocked.
‘Do you mean that?’ Laurie asked, when he could finally manage to speak.
‘I don’t speak merely to hear my own voice, Laurence.’
‘I’ll take that to be a yes, but I won’t apologise for what I said earlier on, because most of it I meant. You realise that?’
‘Yes I realise that, and to be frank I probably deserved some of it.’ Jordan admitted before he went on, ‘Since we both appear to have a somewhat volatile nature, it seems there will be times when for the sake of harmony and accord, we shall have to simply agree to disagree. Do you not concur, Laurence?’
Laurie mutely nodded his head as Vidal quickly got to his feet, glad that his nausea had now subsided. ‘Am I to take it from what you’ve just said, that you now have a permanent partner, and we’ll all be working together in the future, Sectuib?’
Jordan looked down at the Gen as he asked, ‘Laurence, what do you say?’
‘If you can remember to call me Laurie, and if you think we can rub along together – then it’s fine by me.’
‘Thank God for that.’ Jason said with feeling.
‘I suggest we seal the bargain with a glass of trin,’ Vidal said at once.
‘Shen the trin! We’ll toast it in that vintage wine you and Jordan are so fond of!’ Jason commanded, then grinned broadly as the Channel went without argument to call room service.
Two bottles of every expensive wine duly arrived, and Vidal dismissed the waiter before he poured the rich ruby red liquid out into the glasses provided, and handed them round to his three friends.
‘Come on Vidal, you bought the wine so the least you can do is propose the toast,’ Laurie said at once, and the others agreed with him.
Vidal sighed as he grinned across at them. ‘Very well, if you insist,’ and he held the crystal glass up high. ‘Gentlemen, I give you a toast that I think is in some ways appropriate to all four of us – a new beginning.’
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