Transformation Space - Marianne de Pierres [106]
‘You know, when we shut the sphere you’ll be trapped here,’ he said.
Her smile faded. ‘Can’t say I like that idea much. But could be it’s the only way to stay alive. If so, then you’re gonna have to keep me entertained.’
Her answer was light, but Thales saw the slight tightening of her jaw. Fariss was a free spirit, not a person to be tied to one place. But their choices were limited. The Extros had seen to that.
‘I’ll do everything I can,’ he promised.
‘Make sure of it.’ She leaned over and kissed him deeply, stirring his desire.
He washed, then followed her out of the cabin to the low-lit lounge area. Janne and half the Feohte were there with Magdalen and Linnea. All of them were watching a map in the centre of the room.
Linnea glanced across at them and pointed at the diagram. ‘This is the area around station Shift Command, where the res-shift controls are. There’re two ways in – either through the front door, or by busting a hole through from the information node which backs on to it. IN is the best option, in my opinion. Other than the technicians, there’s usually only a small entry guard. Whereas Shift Command’s got a series of checkpoints.’
‘We’ve brought cutting tools,’ said Janne. ‘Are the walls titanium?’
The galley supervisor and former IN tech nodded. ‘Behind the actual node is steel. The outer walls are titanium.’
‘Ling-Ma will stay with her craft,’ said Magdalen. ‘Linnea will lead us to the IN.’
‘And then?’ asked Janne.
‘Then I call the tune,’ said Fariss.
Thales held his breath, waiting for objections. But no one spoke, not even Janne. Strangely, the Feohte leader seemed satisfied. As they all did.
At some point in the short time they’d been together, an implicit agreement had been reached among the Swestr. Fariss knew danger better than anyone.
BALBAO
‘We’re station side,’ said Jelly Hob. ‘C’n feel it.’
Balbao roused from his doze and sat up. He sensed nothing different to the previous days they’d spent in their prison. ‘How can you tell?’
‘C’n hear it,’ said Hob.
The others joined them in paying attention. The old woman, Samuelle, nodded her head. ‘Yeah. You’re right. They haven’t vacced us yet, Jeremiah. So now what?’
Balbao was wondering the same. Days had passed with no contact from Farr, or anyone save the guards. Ra had not returned, which, though a relief in some ways, had made him speculate over what had befallen the arrogant Godhead. Was Ra assisting Farr is some way? Or was he dead? Somehow, he felt it might be the former.
‘That would be Scolar res station?’ asked Lawmon Jise.
He and Miranda Seeward had spent much of the time over the last few days huddled together, whispering and petting. Their fellow prisoners had tried ignoring them, but the pair seemed almost childishly unaware, or uncaring, of their exhibitionism.
‘Less Lasper decided something else, I’d say so,’ said Sammy. ‘You know, the Swestr are strong here,’ she added under her breath to Jelly Hob.
Balbao wanted to ask her what Swestr were, but
Connit jumped up off his bunk and smacked the wall.
‘Why did he come here? It’s suicidal!’
Commander Farr’s son appeared to have inherited none of his father’s unnatural calm. In fact, Balbao was starting to fear for the young ’esque’s sanity. In sleep, Connit had moaned and ground his teeth, and during waking moments he was singularly withdrawn.
His dour mood infected them all, and they fell glumly silent in the wake of his statement.
Even later, when they ate together, conversation didn’t improve, and Balbao went to sleep feeling disconsolate and helpless.
He was woken by a hand across his mouth and a warning in his ear. ‘It’s Sammy. We wanna talk to you, nice and quiet now, over at our bunk.’
Balbao fought his instinct to swing at the person who’d brought him abruptly from sleep, and nodded.
She took her hand away and disappeared back across the dark cell.
Balbao gave himself a few moments to wake before sitting up. Jise, Miranda and Connit all appeared to be asleep. He trod carefully over to Sammy and Hob’s section of the prison cell.
Sammy