Chaos Space - Marianne de Pierres [111]
Tekton stopped and looked properly at the young man. Despite the voluminous robe, he was refined in looks and educated in manner. ‘I should say the same to you, young man.’
To Tekton’s astonishment, tears filled the young man’s eyes and he cast the lab-rat a desperate look. ‘I-I c-can’t d-do i-it without knowing!’ he said between chattering teeth.
‘Knowing what?’ Tekton glanced back and forth between them. Then a sense of prescience tingled across his scrotum. What dealings had he interrupted?
Words spurted from the young man’s mouth. ‘Whether the DNA will interact with the bact—’
‘You gotta go,’ insisted the lab-rat, hopping from paw to paw. ‘We got business. Now see! Now!’
Moud, who is this impertinent creature?
The door opened and a scarred balol entered, brandishing a Micro Tavor.
Tekton initiated his Heedless Shadow which shot up from his shoulders like a tossed hat, arming itself as it unfolded. Its kinetic pistol blew the Tavor and the bald’s hand back out the door. The balol went howling after both.
‘I have paid for this temporary HealthWatch and I shall remain here until it works,’ said Tekton calmly.
According to station records, Godhead, this laboratory is a bio-merchants distribution office for an OLOSS company. The ‘creature’ is simply a local employee.
Tekton’s scrotum stopped tingling and tightened.
Which company? The top of the chain, moud, not some insignificant subsidiary.
That information will need to be retrieved from the Vreal Studium Byways. It will be charged to your allowance.
Yes, yes, I know that. Just hurry up!
Manruben gave a cough and began to breathe more evenly. Some of his colour had returned and his belly rumbled. He reached down between his legs and scratched.
. . . There are several inexpert attempts to conceal the connections but the original company is called Jis-Ward Inc . . .
Tekton’s prickling testicular prescience spread into a full-scale body quiver. Who is the Principal?
While the moud continued to hunt records in the Vreal Byways, Manruben began to hawk and spit and then mutter. Finally he sat up. When his eyes were able to focus, he seemed neither surprised nor concerned. ‘Where’s that girlie gone?’ he demanded. ‘I haven’t finished wi’ her.’
‘Sit still, you disgusting bag of bones. I have just paid exorbitantly for temporary Health Watch which has brought you back from the dead. You will now keep away from women until our business is complete.’
Manruben’s jaw sagged in dismay. ‘You’re a harsh one, Tekkie Godhead.’
‘Godhead?’ said the young man. ‘Does that... mean you are a tyro—from Belle-Monde?’
Tekton inclined his head. ‘I am.’
Good Sole, said Tekton’s moud, it’s Dieter Miranda Seeward.
Aha! Tekton’s minds crowed. Gotcha!
Instructing the Heedless Shadow to target the agitated lab-rat, Tekton drew the young man by the elbow over to the door, out of earshot. ‘And I sense that somehow you have been forced into unfortunate circumstances. Can I be of assistance, perhaps? I have access to the foremost expertise in microbiology.’
The young man held out his hand. ‘Thales Berniere from Scolar. I have been tricked into accepting a job as a bio-courier.’ He lowered his voice. ‘My life has been further complicated by a chance meeting with a man who sought to further exploit my situation.’
‘May I enquire who engaged your services on Scolar?’
‘A man named Gutnee Paraburd from my homeworld. His real name, I have since learned, is Gutnee Fressian and he is a known criminal. He led me to believe that I was bringing back DNA that would be used in the vaccination of influenza. I am not at all sure that is the truth.’
Tekton’s stomach fluttered with excitement. What is dear Miranda up to in her effort to impress Sole? ‘Perhaps it is time for you to find out.’ He reached to the door and flipped the lock. Then he turned purposefully back to the lab-rat who was gnawing the end of the counter in aggravation.
‘What is the true nature of the package that Msr