Mirror Space - Marianne de Pierres [44]
‘Understanding of the Post-Species is limited. Advise against drawing comparisons.’
‘Whatever. I have the substance and I want the woman back. Simple stuff.’
‘No knowledge of her.’
‘Thought you kept an eye on what the Host-species are up to.’
‘Much to be observant of currently.’
Rast frowned. ‘Yeah. We noticed. What’s with all the traffic?’
Most of the Extra’s face and its digits melted away, leaving only the protruding arm stub and lips; the globe shivered with fluidity. ‘Identify the humanesque.’
‘Her name is Mira Fedor, an aristocrat from the border world Araldis. We were together on Rho Junction and a bunch of flippered jellyfish abducted her.’
‘Siphonophores.’
‘Yeah.’
The Extro fell silent for a time. So long that Rast squatted down where she was and pulled some chewing-stim from one of her pockets.
Once more Catchut and Latourn followed her lead, though they sat behind her, their eyes roving and hands close to their weapons.
Jo-Jo noticed the dark sweat stains on Latourn’s jacket and how his hair stuck to his scalp, and how his tongue worked constantly in his cheeks. Of them all, he seemed the most unnerved by the presence of the Extro. Catchut seemed more comfortable; hands steady enough and eyes darting about in cool appraisal.
Jo-Jo found himself sympathising with Latourn. He’d seen Extros before - hell, Rho Junction had been overrun with them - but not this kind. Something about the fluidity and the peculiar smell exuding from it made Jo-Jo’s mouth dry.
More importantly though, how the hell did Rast Randall know it? She’d fought in the front line of the Stain Wars. That’s what Lasper Farr had said, and she’d confirmed it later in their conversations aboard the ‘zoon. But her manner, here, now, was too damn friendly for someone dealing with the enemy.
The merc leader turned to stare at him, as if guessing what he was thinking.
They locked glances for a long moment.
‘I bought some cryoprotectant on Intel station. Landhurst runs illegal trade in it. I was supposed to deliver them to a contact. Things didn’t quite work out that way. Then we end up here. Opportunity.’
‘How do you know it?’ Jo-Jo nodded towards the silent arm nub and lips of the Extro.
‘You can’t just know one of them. They’re not like that. They just do it - appear that way - to make us more comfortable. I jus’ gave EK a name so I didn’t feel like I was talking to a million Extros at once.’
‘So you’ve been trading with the Extros while you’re working for both Farr and the Latinos?’
She scowled at him. ‘I told you when we met. I’m nobody’s bitch. I earn where I choose and so does my crew.’
Catchut nodded his agreement but Latourn looked uneasy.
Jo-Jo wanted to wrap his hands around Rast’s throat and choke the life out of her. Her greediness had meant she’d left Mira and Bethany vulnerable.
And yet, if he were honest, his lifestyle resembled Rast’s in so many ways: the same self-absorption but without the killing.
Until now. Now he couldn’t think of anyone or anything other than Mira Fedor and the slight bulge of her newly pregnant belly. There. He’d allowed the thought into his consciousness. Was she really pregnant or had he just imagined it?
‘The League of Sentient Species has signalled aggressive intentions towards the Post-Species,’ said EK unexpectedly.
‘What do you mean?’ Rast stayed in her crouched position but Jo-Jo saw her muscles tense. ‘Where do you mean?’
Vibrations emanated across the chamber.
‘Sounds like the whale’s getting ready to blow, Capo,’ said Catchut. One hand had moved to his utility belt, where with deft fingers he eased open one pouch.
It took Jo-Jo a moment to realise he meant the ‘zoon.
Rast came out of her crouch in a slow, controlled manner. ‘Wouldn’t do for us not to be there, Cat.’
‘I’m thinkin’ the same, Capo - under the circumstances.’
The hair on Jo-Jo’s body began to prickle. His muscles bunched, ready to move quickly.
At the same instant the three mercenaries slid their face skins back into position. Jo-Jo copied them as Catchut flicked a grenade of sorts from his pouch. It should