Part 19 (2/2)

'Wait! Along the belly. Gotta be something we can work with there.

'Maybe. But the exoskel-the cuticle-covers everything.

'Must be somethin that can dissolve the cuticle.

'Fedor will know that, he said.

'Youre losin it, Rasterovich. No way you cn know if its her up there. He heard her frustration.

They fell silent, both watching the display.

'But it could be someone. Someone who can get us off this dead rock. Its nearly daylight, she said eventually. 'Get some more sleep. Well go tonight. She brushed past him and headed upstairs again.

THALES.

Farisss gaze scalded Thales. 'You 'n her?

He turned from watching Mira Fedor disappear out of the doorway, and tilted his head to stare up at the woman he adored. Her wide eyes were narrow with doubt. At any other time he might have felt some satisfaction, even pleasure, that she was suspicious. Now though it seemed strangely unreal. 'No, he said with finality. 'Never. I want to find Gutnee Paraburd.

Fariss accepted his clipped response without insult or comment. She was a pragmatic person, not a sensitive one, and she was shaking her head. 'Best thing now is to get out of here. Sophos wont listen to you, no matter what you got as proof. I say we go 'n hunt down those that dont like the way things are here. Talk to them. Maybe they got some leverage.

He smiled. 'You sound like a member of Consilience.

She cracked the door open again and squinted. 'Whatever it is, you better decide, quick.

A welter of thoughts ran through Thaless mind. He knew that finding Paraburd was not just about proving his innocence to the Sophos. In all honesty he wanted revenge on the devious fellow. An image of Fariss placing her hands around Paraburds neck... No! He stopped himself and searched deep within to touch his Jainist beliefs. Revenge would not serve them at this point. Revenge was not a worthy motive.

'We should go. Find the woman, Linnea. Build a case among those who would listen, he agreed.

Fariss glanced back at him and grinned approvingly. She pulled a small dagger from her boot and used it to prise an iron leg from a chair. Then she slipped the bar through her belt as a secondary weapon. 'We go straight for the outside pad. Steal a local ride. Once we get out into the transit area again, Im gonna start some trouble. Keep me in sight, but stay back. Its gonna be untidy for a bit.

Thales moved alongside her, and stood on his toes to kiss her mouth.

She responded by lifting him to her and sliding her tongue into his mouth-a moist, pa.s.sionate, dominating kiss that left him weak. He clung to her for a moment or two, savouring her strength and solidity.

She lifted her head and set him on his feet gently, as if he were a child.

'Fariss. Thank you for staying- ”Nother time, hon. We gotta go.

Her casual endearment filled him with unbelievable warmth.

Then she was all business. 'Go left down the corridor and take the first door into the main port. Ill be behind you. Once youre out there, blend into the crowd and tail me. When we get close to an exit, go outside and find a taxi.

'What if I cant get one? The terminal is frantic.

She looked at him steadily. 'Thales, I want you to steal one.

'S-steal? But Im not- 'Just get the taxi and get it near me. Ill do the rest. She gave him a confident smile. 'Got it?

He nodded and looked to the door.

She stepped in front of him and threw it open.

'Go!

He ran left without looking back. In a few seconds, raised voices echoed from the way hed come. Fariss was blocking the corridor, stalling until he got out. He heard the groan as her fists made contact with the first guard. A rifle discharged.

Not her. Please, not her!

But he didnt stop. If he stayed, hed be a hindrance. He would do as she said. She was a soldier. She could take of herself. She can. He repeated it to himself as he ran.

The nearest service entrance to the port was blocked by a cleaning trolley and several large containers containing liquid catoplasma. He tried to heave the trolley to one side, but the containers were too heavy. In desperation, he dropped to the floor and used all the strength in his legs to push. The trolley s.h.i.+fted enough to slide the door ajar. He squeezed through into the terminal.

A quick glance told him the biggest crowds stood around the ticketing counters, so he hurried over and joined a queue.

Only moments later, heads began to turn as the door hed come through was flung open, and a catoplasma drum-minus lid-rolled out. The liquid splashed and spread like an oil spill. It would thicken soon, and then harden.

Fariss followed it, jumping the puddle of liquid with one enormous leap. The pursuing politic guard tried to emulate her athleticism and fell short, slipping in the mess and giving her a precious advantage in the chase.

But more Robes came from other directions. Thales saw that they were hesitant to use their rifles in the crowds. Fariss ducked under the kaffe railing and threaded through tables, pulling them over behind her, knocking over beakers of mokka and plates. Patrons scrambled away, shouting, adding to the furore.

Thales saw his opportunity and walked quickly to an exit. In his rush, he b.u.mped into someone. An apology sprang automatically to his lips until he recognised the man: Gutnee Paraburd, his hair longer, his chin covered with gingerish stubble.

They stared at each other in unhappy recollection, then Gutnee stepped neatly back to allow a group to pa.s.s between them; when theyd gone, so had Paraburd.

Thales didnt linger. The lack of surprise in Gutnees expression told him that the man knew him to be here. He ran out of the building and across the tarmac among the traffic auditors and the AiVs manoeuvring into parking spots. Fariss was ahead of him, weaving in and out of vehicles, ducking around pay stations He approached the bank of taxis. 'Esques milled around the pay maestro, demanding rides. The maestro shouted at them, trying to force them into some order.

The taxis were all locked automatons. Thales wouldnt be able to get one without the maestros release command.

Steal one, Thales.

Keeping track of Fariss, he edged over to the private vehicle lot. A family of 'esques were climbing out of a small domestic flyer, simultaneously engaged in a blossoming argument.

Thales waited until they were at the rear luggage compartment, then crawled into the pa.s.senger seat from the other side. He lay there for a few moments staring at the controls, breathing heavily. Hed operated similar vehicles as a child, transporting scholars to and from his birth town to the Logic Courts, and then later, a few times, when he and Rene had taken holidays on the Faust Coast. This one was even simpler than those, a luxurious and virtually automated flyer with an updated verbal command function.

The carriage rocked as the luggage compartment slammed shut.

He had to decide. Fariss wouldnt be able evade the Robes much longer.

Voices grew louder, and the door slid open. A hand fumbled along the pilot seat for the activation slide, the 'esque still talking to his family outside the door. The man had only to turn his head to see Thales lying sideways on his seat.

Thales grasped his chance. He grabbed the slide and rotated his body around, reached for the ignition slot. The slide slipped in, and the vehicle issued a guttural start-up sound which sent the mans head swiveling.

'What- 'Close doors, Thales told the craft.

The man instinctively withdrew his hand to avoid having it crushed and yelled.

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