By Jane Carver
Despite the urgency of the situation, Gambrel and Pessios did not leave Dasari for a full seven-days. Pessios suffered a head injury as well as one to his chest, preventing him piloting the Forbidden. Gambrel waved away the man’s apologies as he recovered his own health.
Pessios insisted they depart as soon as his vision cleared. “I contacted Canfanto and told him of the attack. They have heard nothing of Haggin or the Unseen. Captain Merlo is concerned about our health.” Gambrel waved that away as well.
Nothing he or anyone else did would make the man on that far-off vessel feel better. But Gambrel added the names of those slain on the Unseen, especially Haggin’s mate, to the list of those demanding justice. Righteousness. Revenge. By whatever name, Haggin needed killing. Those who followed his lead deserved death too.
By the time the Forbidden left Dasari, neither man knew exactly where to go. “If we follow the Tally Circle to its end, we may catch them. Remember, they think we are dead, caught in their ambush,” Pessios pointed out.
“They may change their course and double back to some of the places they passed, thinking to establish a power base. Gastrojan said Haggin wanted to control those with authority. Did he mean trading or political power? The man spent five twelve-moons establishing trade routes and contacts.” Gambrel paced the small main cabin.
“When you look at it that way, the only thing he needs now is political power to control trade. What planet has the strongest trade influence?” Pessios pulled out the map. “Canfanto and I were free merchants but mainly on Ancade. We seldom left unless it was on an Ancadian ship. Even then we did little trade off world. You know more about this than I.”
“Let me see the map.” The map of their current sector lay open on the console. Gambrel used one thick finger to trace the route they had flown so far. Tapping one name, he commented, “This one might work.” He scratched his chin. “Then again, the justice keepers there are strong. A stout political base but well enforced.” His finger moved on to the section of space ahead of them.
Pessios waited for Gambrel to decide on a course. The big man stood with his chin down, both arms folded loosely across his chest as a frown settled on his face. Numbers on the clock changed many times before he spoke.
“Two possible choices Haggin might take. Now,” he spread his hands out in a thoughtful gesture, “Which one he chooses is anyone’s idea. But they are close so we can check both within a reasonable period of time.” He laid a finger on the map and showed Pessios first one planet then the other. “Each planet is small. Wedon has one major town. The rest is farming communities no bigger than a few houses grouped together. Jaslus’ capital city and two smaller ones are close. Because the towns are small and few, justice keepers take care of problems inside the city, not necessarily outside. That covers a lot of territory. If Haggin establishes a base on either planet, he will be part of the system in no time with his ability to create trade, or havoc, whichever best suit his purpose.”
“If he plans on using Vangee, he must give her a reason to cooperate.” Gambrel rubbed the bristles on his chin. “Now what would convince Vangee to help him?”
“The announcement of your death serves no purpose, my friend.” A slap on the shoulder from Pessios was met with a smile.
“No, I think not. If anything, she would refuse to continue. No, he has something immediate on hand to use as leverage. I’m surprised he hasn’t done so yet. Gastrojan said they keep her mindless.” Though he spoke lightly, Gambrel’s fingers curled tightly at his side.
“Pessios, contact Canfanto. Ask him to consult the captain. What might Haggin use to force Vangee’s cooperation?”
“Aye.” Pessios settled deep in pilot’s chair and lost focus as he mentally communicated with his friend aboard the Fenix.
* * * *
“Gambrel?”
“Humm,” He rolled over in his bunk when Pessios called.
“Jacon’s daughter is missing”
“What do you mean missing? Wasn’t she aboard the Fenix when the justice breakers attacked?” He pulled on his tunic and trousers.
“She is not aboard the ship nor among those killed. Canfanto thought we had been informed. A matter of miscommunication. I’m sorry. That might explain why Vangee is kept mindless, and Gastrojan thought they could control her. Bassik must be with them. She is the leverage against the Radiant.”
Curses streaked the air blue as Gambrel pulled on his boots. “We have to assume the women are alive and well though they may not think so.” He stomped the boot heel down and left the cabin behind Pessios. “The sooner we check out those planets the sooner we can get them back.”
The Forbidden headed to the planet Wedon first because there was only one town to investigate. They passed over the planet, scanning for the Unseen, but found nothing. If the ship hid in the vast outlets, Pessios detected no energy readings.
“We will be conspicuous if we go into town. I’m not sure how many strangers show up regularly.”
“Let me go in as a free trader,” Pessios suggested. “With goods from the rear compartment, things these people have never seen. I can wander at will. Ask a few questions and learn much if one listens, a sideline of free traders. Information is a valuable commodity.” His lizard-like tongue flashed out and tasted the air around Gambrel. “Beside you are too big to be anything other than trouble.”
Gambrel’s mouth quirked into a smile. Even if Pessios stood out among the people of Wedon, they accepted traders. He, however, would be obvious for no good reason. Some might ask questions with no ready answers which did not suit their purpose.
* * * *
“I’m not sure what I expected to find, but it wasn’t Pharlie.” Pessios stepped into the hatch of the Forbidden.
“Welcome back. I thought a rescue might be in order. You were gone longer than planned.” Gambrel led him to the small galley. “Sit and tell me what you mean. You found Pharlie?”
“Gastrojan’s friend left the city the day we arrived. One of the serving maids described him perfectly, his garish taste in colors when he dresses and his penchant for caps of a fashionable style. More noticeable than even I.” Pessios chuckled as he ate. “Seems friend Pharlie plans on returning and setting up a shop.” He raised his elegantly curved brows. “He made himself pleasant to several merchants and their charming daughters. A wife or two if I heard right.”
“Was anyone else with him? Like Lycol? Or Walys?”
“Walys won’t show, I think. Too memorable if seen.”
“True. The scar and white streak in his hair makes him noticeable.” Gambrel pondered the information then asked, “If Pharlie isn’t here now, where is he?”
“Seems he made a quick trip off world before settling down.” Pessios wore an expression Gambrel recognized as his I’ve got more news look.
“So where did Pharlie say he was going?” Would his drawled question inspire a quick answer?
“Seems he went to Jaslus.” The flash of Pessios’ grin confirmed Gambrel’s suspicion.
“So, do we follow Pharlie who probably sails with Haggin or wait for him to return to Wedon? It is possible, you know, the two parted ways.”
Gambrel nodded. “True. Since we are stuck between choices, why not wait where they must travel—in space between Wedon and Jaslus?”
“Excellent idea!” exclaimed Pessios as he jumped up from his seat and headed out the door. “I recall…” His words were lost as he ran down the passage.
“Recall what?” Gambrel jogged after his friend. “Recall what,” he repeated when he caught up with Pessios in the control room.
“Here.” The smaller man thumped a spot on the map. “Perfect!”
One look and Gambrel clamped the other man’s shoulder hard. “That it is, my friend.”
One-third the distance between Wedon and Jaslus lay a desert planet with one moon. Dust rode the astral tides around the satellite moon, forming a hazy band marked on the sector chart as Pallin’s Ring. Nothing indicated the ring dangerous to ships.
“We set our own trap here.” For the first time, Gambrel felt right about his decision.
* * * *
Deep in the brownish dust circle, the Forbidden lay secured for the eventide. “Any sign of a ship yet?” Pessios entered the control room and approached the console where Gambrel sat on duty.
“Nothing. Not even a regular trader.” A mighty stretch and he traded places with the pilot. “If our thinking is true, the Unseen will pass here. I wish we knew how long Pharlie planned on being away from Wedon.”
“Did not hear that bit of information.” Pessios checked the long-range scanner. Nothing showed.
“Waiting is not what I do best, but I learned patience over the twelve-months.” An airy wave of his hand and he left the room.
* * * *
“Gambrel!” A hard shove on his shoulder almost pushed him out of bed. “Get up. The Unseen approaches.”
Dressing as he ran down the hall, Gambrel followed Pessios, his guns strapped to his side, ready for action.
Once the men decided to wait for the ship in the moon’s ring, they devised a plan that fit what was available. Run the Forbidden under the Unseen. Even the sophisticated radar system would not detect them. The smaller space ship would rise to the starboard rail, attach, and deactivate the burrblin at the point of contact. To shut down the entire mechanism would release the contained atmosphere and kill all aboard.
Neither man doubted his ability to overpower those sailing the ship. The operation’s stealth ensured easy boarding. Mercy was no part of the plan. A cold-blooded plan to be sure, but effective in ridding the skies of men like Haggin and his followers.
“Let her get ahead of us.” Excitement seeped into the control room as Pessios powered up the Forbidden. “As she passes above us, we will slip in beneath her hull.”
And then the unexpected happened. Like a racer startled at a sudden noise, the Unseen powered up her engines and shot off.
“What the fick?” Gambrel broke into a sweat as he leaned over the pilot’s chair. “Did they detect us?”
“Not sure.” Pessios held the controls steady. “Follow or stay hidden?”
“Hold your position. They may suspect someone follows, but if we show then they will know. Let’s see if this is panic or if there’s something real here.” Though he wanted to chase the ship racing away in the opposite direction, hiding was the best option at the moment.
Without warning, the Unseen swerved in a graceful starboard arc back in the direction she came. As if the helmsman were drunk on wine, the ship tacked first one way then another. The erratic course made no sense.
“What is going on?” Pessios held the controls ready in case the bigger vessel headed toward them. His thoughts translated into the helmsman’s action. The Unseen laid a course straight for Pallin’s Ring. And them.
“Watch out!” A hard tug on the control stick to port, and Pessios avoided a near-collision. The Unseen veered off to one side as if rudderless in the astral tide. Out of the dusty ring she burst, on a path straight for the planet below. Gaining speed each passing second, the ship shot forward.
“No,” Gambrel’s scream filled the room and echoed off the walls.
As if she were a racer on a short lead, the Unseen pulled up, shuddered visibly before…
The blast caught the Forbidden across the side, tossing her in a roll Pessios fought to stabilize. For desperate seconds he worked to avoid the fate of the Unseen, blown into incandescent sparkles quickly dying in the darkness and peace of space. The brilliance outside the window faded before he gained full control of his own helm. Only then did he look for Gambrel.
Like a statute, he stood rooted to the floor, hands lax at his side, his jaw dropped in disbelief. “Vangee.” An agonized whisper. “She’s gone.”
He stared into the emptiness where once traveled a magnificent ship under full sail. Nothing marred the blackness beyond the window now. Even the ripples in the dust ring caused by the ship’s passing had filled in and appeared no different than before.
Like a soft toy with the fillings removed, he sank to his knees, his eyes still unfocused. “Gone. No one left.” His head dropped into wide palms that caught hot tears. Great draughts of air filled his lungs and left as sobs. His body shook so hard, he rocked. Loss. The pain of loss. “Hope,” he sobbed, “rose the day I met her. I secured it when she mated with me. Gone,” he repeated. “Hope. Vangee. Gone.” His body folded in on itself, crumpled, and fell on the floor. The sound of weeping fueled more pitiful sobs.
Reduced to a shell of manhood. No care whether he lived or died, Gambrel lay in a heap on his back, unmindful of Pessios at the controls. In all his years, he did not remember being so heart sore, even when he learned of Lindan and Dara’s deaths.
“Get up!” Pessios’ excited call barely penetrated Gambrel’s grief. “Get up, Sarjean, or you will miss something important.” Pessios could not rouse Gambrel, so he reached down with one hand and jerked the man’s head up to face him.
“Fick it all, man. I just caught a blip on the screen. Something fast escaped into this infernal dust ring when the Unseen blew. Get your ass off the floor and help me.”
Weak from spent emotions, Gambrel pulled his body up hand over hand using the pilot’s chair and the edge of the console. He saw his pain reflected in the eyes of his friend. But his sense of loss mellowed as Pessios gave chase to the unidentified spacer racing away from them.
Gambrel refused to let hope touch his heart again. Haggin was the kind of man to abandon his transport and escape. “Follow at maximum speed. Haggin flees. I feel it. The man died the moment the Unseen did. All that remains is for breath to leave his body.” Gritty determination flowed through him. He straightened with the strength of will only a lost one could experience upon seeing his destiny in sight.
The spacer ahead of them shot through the astral tides. Powerful engines drove the small craft.
“Oh fick!” Pessios pulled the control stick back hard. The Forbidden almost ran up the tailfin of the smaller vessel.
“What happened?” Gambrel determined the men aboard would not fool them again with an unexpected maneuver. The spacer had stopped and now floated without direction. Did no one control her? A tense silence followed. Neither ship moved, but neither hailed the other.
“Why did they stop?”
Pessios shrugged his shoulders.
A loud pop and a crackle of static filled the empty airwaves in the Forbidden’s cabin. “If anyone can hear this transmission, please acknowledge.” A feminine voice whispered the plea.
Gambrel’s heart stopped beating. It started up again so that his chest shuddered. “Vangee?” His hands fumbled at the control switches. “Quick, Pessios, open a channel.” The pilot flipped a switch.
“Vangee?” For a man so strong and commanding, her name sounded as weak as a newborn’s cry.
“’Brel? That is you?” The sound of weeping came clearly through her question. “’Brel?” All Vangee seemed able to say.
“Hurry, Pessios, hurry.”
Pessios powered the Forbidden and docked beside the other ship. “Before we open the hatch, consider this.” He laid a hand on Gambrel’s arm to hold him still. “What if she is being forced to call us? We can not rush into another trap.”
“Yes, yes.” as impatient as he was to reach his wife, Gambrel remembered the trap set on Dasari. He flipped the communication switch and called his mate.
“Vangee, we need assurance this is not a trap.”
“’Brel, I am holding Haggin and Walys by my powers. They cannot move against you.”
Though not much assurance, they had no real choice. He feared his enemy could force Vangee to say such. “We’re coming in. Stay away from the hatch, sweetheart.”
“Pessios,” Gambrel spoke softly, “I cannot kill these men in front of Vangee. I must wait to take their lives. Then I will leave. She will hate me for what I do.”
“My friend,” Pessios stopped Gambrel before he popped the hatch separating the two ships. “We have journeyed long together, and now it seems we win. Take care. I do not want to explain your loss to Captain Merlo. And remember too,” he added, “you did Vangee’s thinking for her before, and she took you to task for it. Do not underestimate the Radiant.” He grinned as his red tongue flicked twice.
They had journeyed far together, Gambrel realized. This man was more friend than any other, second closet after his mate. His point about doing Vangee’s thinking was valid. Perhaps he should do his own thinking on the subject. He looked forward to years ahead when the two of them would discuss such matters of import.
“Good fortune, my friend.” They clasped arms before taking up positions on each side of the ship’s hatch. Pessios tapped the control, and the hatch slid open.
* * * *
Silence. No one rushed them nor did blasters fire past their heads.
“Vangee?” Gambrel did not move for fear of an attack. Sweat rolled off his face to land with a small splat onto his leather shirt. Guns ready to blast if necessary, neither knew what to expect.
“’Brel?” Vangee stepped into view, and Gambrel’s heart kicked over hard.
When she held out her arms, he didn’t bother holstering his guns. He raced forward to meet her and swept her up into a bone-crushing embrace. His relief, his joy was so great he couldn’t even kiss his own wife. All he wanted to do was hold her, feel her warmth, hear her breath where it brushed his ear.
“Look out!” Pessios swept into the cabin and literally knocked Gambrel and Vangee over. As he did, he fired. Twin blasts hit their targets. Saved!
But not without a price.
Gambrel rolled, pushed Vangee behind him, and aimed his blasters in less than a heartbeat.
She realized what went wrong before him. Pessios lay curled up in the middle of the cabin. Gently she turned him on his back and gasped at the sight of blood running from the yawning wound in his chest.
“Can you hear me?” Vangee gathered the man into her arms, taking his pain into her own body. He was dying.
“Mistress Sarjean.” The Lizzardian’s smile did not match the destruction of his body. Light radiated from him. Joy at seeing her alive once again.
“No.” Gambrel’s voice choked with sorrow as he knelt beside Pessios. How could such a thing happen now? When they were so close to winning all?
Vangee looked at Gambrel, her agony as unbearable as the pain Pessios endured. “In my joy, I forgot to hold them.” Tears flooded her eyes. “This is my fault,” she whispered.
“You could never kill in front of Vangee.” Each breath the smaller man drew added to his pain. “They took the decision away from you.” Haggin’s blasted body lay sprawled across a blood-soaked console. Walys lay tangled in the base of the pilot’s chair. “Let me carry that burden.”
Weak laughter barely audible. Pessios whispered, “Mistress, do not let him think for you.”
Vangee gathered Pessios to her heart and wept. This time Gambrel sobbed for the loss of a true friend.
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