the lift system working.” He found time simply to look at her. Looked back to
the screen by his own console, at a face lying sideways on white sheets, at
tranquility and dark, lively eyes. Alicia Lukas smiled, the faintest of
movements.
“Call just got through,” he said to Elene. “Got word to and from Downbelow. A
crippled probe appealing to Mallory for rescue out of main base… and an operator
somewhere removed from base—saying Emilio and Miliko are safe. Couldn’t confirm
it… things are badly torn up down there. The operator’s base is somewhere in the
hills; but evidently everyone was under cover and all right. I need to get a
ship of our own down there, and probably some medics.”
“Neihart,” Elene said, looking up at her companions. A big merchanter nodded.
“Anything you need,” he said. “We’ll get it down there.”
Chapter Six
« ^
i
Pell: green sector one; 1/29/53; 2200 hrs. md,; 1000 a.
It was a bizarre gathering, even for Pell, in the rearmost section of the
concourse, in the area where separate, illusory screens afforded a little
privacy to parties. Damon sat with Elene’s hand locked firmly in his and amid
the table, the red eye of a portable camera, a presence in itself, for he had
wanted her to be among them tonight, as she had always been with his father and
with all of them on family occasions. Emilio was by him; and Miliko; and Josh on
his left, and next to Miliko and Emilio a small clutch of Downers, who obviously
found chairs uncomfortable and yet delighted in the chance to try them, and to
sample special delicacies, fruits out of season. At the far end of the table,
the merchanter Neihart and Signy Mallory, the latter with an armed escort who
relaxed sociably in the shadows.
About them was music, the slow dance of stars and ships across the walls. The
concourse had settled somewhat back into routine… not quite the same, but
nothing was.
“I’ll be putting out again,” Mallory said. “Tonight. Staying—was a courtesy.”
“Where?” Neihart asked bluntly.
“Just do as I advise you, merchanter; designate your ships Alliance. You’re
offlimits. Besides, I’ve got a full load of supplies for now.”
“You’ll not stray far,” Damon wished her. “Frankly, I don’t trust that Union
won’t try something yet. I’d just as soon know you’re in the vicinity.”
She laughed humorlessly. “Take a vote on that. I don’t walk Pell corridors
without a guard.”
“All the same,” he said. “We want you close.”
“Don’t ask me my course,” she said. “That’s my business. I’ve places. I’ve sat
still long enough.”
“We’re going to try a run to Viking,” Neihart said, “and see what kind of
reception we’ll get… in about another month.”
“Might be interesting,” Mallory conceded.
“Luck to us all,” Damon said.
ii
Pell: Blue dock; 1/30/53; 0130 hrs. md.; 1330 hrs. a.
The hour was well into alterday, the docks nearly deserted in this
non-commercial zone. Josh moved quickly, with the nervousness he always had
outside someone’s protective escort on Pell, with the vulnerable feeling that
the few strollers on the dockside might know him. Hisa saw him, stared
solemn-eyed. The Pell dock crew by berth four surely recognized him, and the
troops on guard there did: rifles angled toward him.
“Need to talk to Mallory,” he said. The officer was a man he knew: Di Janz. Janz
gave an order and one of the troopers slung his rifle into carry and motioned
him ahead up the access ramp, walked behind him through the tube and into the
lock, past the quick traffic of troops this way and that in the noisy corridor
and suiting room. They took the lift up, into the main central corridor, where
crew hastened about last-minute business. Familiar noises. Familiar smells. All
of it.
She was on the bridge. He started to go in and the guard inside stopped him, but
Mallory looked his way from her place near the command post and curiously
signaled both guards permission.
“Damon send you?” she asked when he stood before her.
He shook his head.
She frowned, set her hand consciously or unconsciously on the gun at her side.