Metal Swarm - Kevin J. Anderson [156]
Sullivan clasped his hands to keep his anticipation under control. ‘Could I send a message to Lydia? Can we let my family know that I'm on the way?'
‘Shouldn't be a problem. You're still a Hansa citizen, right?'
‘As far as I know.'
Rlinda arranged the contact via the Curiosity's tight-channel comm systems. Because Sullivan provided her with private-beam codes, she was able to make a direct link. ‘I can route through local nodes. Your wife won't know it's anything more exciting than a sales call.'
Sullivan grinned. She could tell he was nervous, as well as eager. ‘It'll make her day.'
‘How long have you been married?' BeBob asked.
‘So many years that I've lost count.'
Rlinda rolled her eyes. ‘No you haven't.'
The older man gave a sheepish smile. ‘Forty-two years. And a half.'
As BeBob engaged the link and boosted the signal, Rlinda swung her chair around. ‘Are you sure you don't want us to make some kind of grand announcement? Get the Hansa out to greet you with a marching band? It's got to be big news to have you come home.'
BeBob nearly squawked. ‘Rlinda! Low profile, remember?'
‘I didn't say we had to tell everyone you're aboard. In fact, I'd prefer you hid in a cargo compartment marked “Hazardous Waste”.'
‘That's the first place they'd look.'
‘No big reception committee, please,' Sullivan said. ‘I'm not much of one for making a fuss. Just let me slip out of here and go have time with my family. The newsnets are sure to find out sooner or later, but give me a little time for a private reunion.'
‘Whatever you say.'
When Lydia answered the signal, she was taken aback, and then shocked, thrilled, and slightly scolding. ‘Well, well, I was wondering when you'd call home. I take it you're not dead, then? The Hansa reported that your whole cloud-harvesting facility was destroyed, no survivors.' She answered with a sternness that was clearly false.
He leaned so close to her image that Rlinda thought he'd bump his nose on the screen. ‘You didn't get my letters? I had my green priest send them. You never knew I was rescued when the hydrogues destroyed my skymine?'
‘Didn't get any letters - but, yes, I did hear the news. I've been waiting ever since.' Now she smiled. ‘You look like you could use a shave.'
‘You look wonderful.'
‘Flattery like that makes me think you've got something to hide.'
‘It means I missed you. Our ship is coming down to the Palace District spaceport now. Aren't you glad to have me home?'
‘Absolutely. And not just for your scintillating conversation either. I could use a hand around here.'
‘So, you'll be there to meet me?'
‘I'll bring the family.' Lydia stared at him, as if she didn't want to cut the connection. ‘But I have to get moving, otherwise we won't have time.'
Sullivan kept looking at the blank screen, then blinked and turned to Rlinda and BeBob. ‘I have a fairly large family, you know.'
Two hours later, they set the Curiosity down on the marked pavement and opened the hatches to the fresh and familiar air of Earth. BeBob pushed his face into the breeze. ‘Ah, just smell that!'
‘Time for you to hide in the cargo compartment. I'll deal with the red tape.' Rlinda knew that spaceport security was going to be a labyrinth.
Sullivan was gathering his packs of personal possessions, keepsakes, and rewards the Mage-Imperator had given him when the Hansa's trade officials transmitted a list of their new enforcement measures. Rlinda listened to the comm, a stormy expression brewing on her wide face. ‘Damn! BeBob, get to the cockpit.'
‘What is it?'
‘The goons are coming with scanners to inventory all cargo bays, including sealed containers. They're going to find you wherever you try to hide.'
‘What am I going to do?'
‘You're going with Sullivan - and you're going now. They just seized a big ship full of contraband components over in Zone B,and the goons are “apologizing for the delay in processing” us. Get your ass out of here, don't call any