Mirror Space - Marianne de Pierres [70]
She sensed his mood and stepped closer. ‘On the outer level, the one above the docks, there’s a woman called Samuelle. She manufactures the rust-eating parasite that keeps Edo clean. Ask around for her and she’ll find you. I’ll see to it.’
Thales pulled back from her. He didn’t want her help. ‘What will you do now?’
‘Find a way to help my child.’ She stared up at him. ‘That’s all there is.’
Thales nodded. He wanted to wish her luck again but it seemed pointless to say it. Luck would not rescue her Jess from Araldis. Likely nothing would.
He pressed the door open and left.
He walked most of the way back to the main recreation chamber. It gave him time to think and reconcile his feelings. Much as he no longer wished to be with Bethany, saying goodbye had been awkward, and the news of Tekton unsettling. Was Beth right? Had Farr disposed of Tekton? Or had her mistrust - her paranoia - about her brother made her leap to a ridiculous conclusion?
Today there was no sign of the Trade Fest. All the decorations had been packed away and the booths dismantled. Only the dais remained, and a Lamin with a recording dice, inspecting the walls and floors for damage. Several soldiers squatted in a corner playing a handball game.
Thales approached the Lamin. ‘Pardon me. Could you direct me to a place where I might seek employment?’
The Lamin’s nostrils flared and wiggled a little. It looked Thales up and down, eyes blinking.
Thales couldn’t tell if it was the same one who’d given him the voucher to Aleta, or indeed the same one who’d escorted them to meet Lasper Farr the day they’d arrived. There was a likeness about their race that his less than discerning eyes couldn’t recognise.
‘Why would you come here to enquire?’
‘There was an information booth here during the Trade Fest. I thought maybe it was a permanent fixture.’
‘Nothing is permanent on Edo. Identify yourself.’ The Lamin held out the dice for Thales to place his fingers on.
He hesitated for a moment, remembering Beth’s warning.
‘It is required that every visitor to Edo identify themselves on the request of an official employee.’
‘How do I know that you’re official?’
‘I am Lamin,’ said the creature primly. ‘Official is what we are.’ It twitched its head in the direction of the soldiers. ‘Your reluctance is suspicious.’
Thales clicked his tongue in irritation and grasped the dice. The display flashed a set of symbols that he didn’t understand.
The Lamin, however, pulled the dice from his fingers and peered at it closely. ‘Proceed to the docking level. Adjacent to the inspection booth on Dock 15 is the administration office. There are many jobs currently available.’
Thales nodded. ‘Thank you.’
He turned and walked out of the chamber, pleased to get away.
He caught one of the free taxis outside and rode it to the shaft. A group of workers dressed in identical overalls with a swirling logo and the name GOG across the back crowded around the entrance to the pedestrian lifts. He listened in to their conversation. In the two short times he’d been on Edo, his preoccupations had kept him from acquiring any real sense of the people and their manner. If he was to survive alone, he mustn’t fall into the hands of another Gutnee Paraburd. He’d find employment and learn to be an ordinary working man. Then he’d put his plans into action without the help of Bethany or any other person.
‘How did the Fest treat you?’ everyone seemed to be asking each other as they filed into the lift. ‘Thank Edo it’s over!’ was the most common reply.
Thales let their chat wash over him, and relaxed into the sensation of speed without force as they ascended towards the docks. Already it seemed a very long time ago that he and Mira Fedor had caught the vehicular lift to see the Festival. She’d sought his company instead of the mercenaries’, then. What had befallen her? he wondered. She was a refined and gentle woman, if not a little unconventional. He had liked her well enough, despite that, and her ability with the biozoon was remarkable.