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A glance at the proximity viewer told him that the ’esque was chasing him.

‘Lock doors.’ He scanned the area for Fariss. From the cluster of guards, they had her cornered by the pay station furthest from the terminal. A politic transport with red and gold markings was approaching from the opposite direction.

The sight of it spurred Thales. If the guards captured Fariss, she’d be taken to detention, as he had been. His thoughts flashed to Villon. He wouldn’t fail Fariss as he’d failed gentle Amaury.

He told the vehicle to hasten to the farthest pay booth. It showed a location image on the screen and asked for confirmation.

‘Yes!’ he said. ‘Hurry.’

‘At what speed do you wish to travel?’

‘Maximum limit.’ Then he reconsidered. ‘No. Maximum speed possible without damage.’

‘You wish to ignore speed limits.’

‘Yes. Ignore all speed limits.’

‘It is legally required that you record your deliberate intention to break the law.’

‘I have instructed vehicle –’ Thales glanced up at the registration holo ‘– MAO4O to ignore speed limits.’

‘Thank you,’ said the flyer. ‘Harness securing.’ Safety straps snaked around his shoulder and waist. It lifted and accelerated with force.

Thales fell back against the seat. A few moments later they were hovering above Fariss. There would only be one chance to pick her up; the approaching politic vehicle was already broadcasting threats.

‘Descend at maximum speed and hover three mesurs above the ground surface. Stand by for immediate ascent,’ said Thales.

‘Confirming that speed will be outside safety parameters,’ intoned the flyer.

‘Confirmed,’ said Thales.

It dropped without further warning to a very short distance above Fariss’s head. She jumped for the flyer’s struts and wrapped her hands around one of them.

‘Ascend and accelerate out of the port zone to Clementvale.’

‘Confirm location on map,’ said the flyer.

Anxiously Thales tapped in confirmation as the Robes closed on Farris, batting her with their swords. She kicked back at them and swung her long powerful legs around the strut.

As the flyer lifted, one of the taller guards managed to seize her ankle. They flew, clinging together for a short distance, before Fariss slammed his face with the heel of her other boot.

With horror, Thales watched his fall from the proximity cams. ‘Proceed with maximum speed.’

They soared over the port boundary, gaining height and speed. He worried that Fariss would freeze or fall, but the politic flyer was pursuing them aggressively now, lights and sirens activated.

Thales tried to think above the pounding of his heart and the trembling of his limbs. He’d never acted so decisively before. This was not impulsive, like his attack on Sophos Mianos, or because he was afraid of dying, like his actions on Rho Junction. This was a clear rational choice, and he must see it through.

And Fariss needed him.

She was kneeling on the horizontal strut now, inching her way up.

‘Open the passenger door,’ he told the vehicle.

‘This is a manufacturer warning. Opening the door at current speed will cause instability and changes in cabin pressure,’ the vehicle bleated back.

‘Proceed!’ ordered Thales.

As the door opened, he was slammed back against his seat by the wind that tunnelled through. He reached out a hand, which Fariss grabbed with bone-crunching force. She hauled herself up onto the seat, sprawling over him.

‘Close door,’ Thales gasped.

The door slid shut quickly, leaving them tangled and breathless.

Fariss lifted her head and dropped a heavy breathless kiss on his face. She slid her legs down and levered into the passenger seat. ‘Where are we going?’

‘We’ll land near Clementvale. Make enquiries for the woman Linnea.’

‘But how we gonna shake them first?’

Thales stared out of the window. The city was passing beneath at a terrifying pace as they reached maximum speed. Worse was the vibration.

‘You overridden the safety?’ shouted Fariss.

He nodded and waited for her reaction.

She slapped him on the back with approval