Spindrift
Chapter 6: Abandoned

I paused just below the opening. It was very dark still. The city of Rii has no street lights; theplanet Rii has no moon. I peeked overthe edge. Chang’s house was heavilypock-marked. There were a few bodies inthe street, all in Rii garb.

There’s been somefighting, Ari. But the house looks intact.

How far away isit? Can you make it safely?

Oh, I can make it;don’t know about safely.

Dri! Be careful!

I’m the very soul ofcaution. I caught a slight movementout of the corner of my eye from one of the holes on the side of Chang’s place. Some of these holes looked deeper than theothers-like, perhaps, loopholes. Could ithave been the muzzle of a weapon? If theRii had taken the building, they wouldn’t be covering the street throughloopholes. Ari, I think our people are still inside. I’m going to give it a try.

Are you sure?

Not completely,no. How far away can you read mythoughts?

Not much further thanyou are now. You’re worrying me.

I’ll make it quickthen. It was about twenty meters andaround a corner to Chang’s door. Therewere no other openings I could use. If Iwere quick, the Rii would not notice me until too late. If our friends opened the door fast enoughand didn’t shoot me, I should be fine. Iscrambled out of the well and ran, crouching.

I made it about half-way before the first shot rangout. The bullet snapped by my head andexploded against the mud brick. Suddenly,all the loopholes erupted. Tracers crisscrossedthe street. First green (ours) and thenred (theirs). The night lit up as thoughit were the Emperor’s birthday. Irounded the corner, hoping my bare feet wouldn’t slip. I charged the door. It opened at the last second and I flewthrough, slamming shoulder first into a stack of canned strawberrypreserves. The steel door then slammedshut, several bullets thudding against it.

“Nice of you to drop in, sir,” said Windridge. “Shiro! Did you mark their firing positions?”

“On it Sergeant.” Therewas a series of shushes and thumps as missiles slammed into several buildingsacross the street. Soon, the enemystopped firing.

“Cease fire! That’llteach ‘em.” Windridge offered me hishand.

“Thank you Sergeant. I would’ve knocked, but I was in a bit of a hurry.”

“No problem.”

“How are we doing?”

“Not too bad, considering we’re all alone on a planet fullof hostiles.”

“Can we hold?”

“We can hold this position as long as our ammo lasts; andthat’s about a third gone.”

I shook my head. “Notgood. We’ve only been at war for sixhours. Casualties?”

“A few nicks; no penetrations yet.”

“Lieutenant Morgan!” Chang emerged from behind a counter. “By God’s green Earth, you must be the luckiest son of a bitch in theGalaxy!” He came around and offered mehis hand.

“Thanks! I hope I haven’tjust used all my luck up.”

“Where’s the Ambassador?” asked Chang. “Is she all right?”

I nodded, “She’s waiting at the bottom of the well I justcrawled out of.”

Chang stroked his chin and looked thoughtful. “Yes, she should be safe enough there for thetime being.”

I turned back to Windridge. “Sergeant, I’m thinking we’re gonna have to bug out of here. This position isn’t worth spending all ourammo, let alone our lives. We need someplace to hole up and hide ‘til help comes.”

“We were kinda thinking the same, back when we thought youwere prisoners or worse.”

“What did you come up with?”

“I’ll let Mr. Chang here tell you.”

The older man grinned. “Seems one of the previous tenants here was involved in smuggling orthievery or something. There’s a passageleading from a storage bin to the water tunnels.”

“The same one Ari, the Ambassador, is in?” I felt a load being lifted from my shoulders. PerhapsI haven’t abandoned her!

“I believe so. Thetunnel ends at a wall, but it’s rigged to collapse with a firm push.”

“Won’t they figure it out and follow us?”

Chang pointed at Windridge. “The sergeant here rigged some explosives and booby trapped the door tothe bin. If the enemy gets too curious,the whole place goes boom!”

Orange light started coming in from outside theloopholes. “Sergeant! Take a look at this,” said one of thetroopers. “Look up and to theright.” Windridge stepped over to a loophole;I took my place at the one to his left. Above the dark line of buildings across the street, a formation ofmeteors was streaking across the sky.

“Drop-ships. Lookslike we’re gonna have company Lieutenant.”

“I count nine,” said Windridge. “If they’re the same size as Whirlwinds, that’s a battalion.”

“Shit! They’re notscrewing around,” said Kelly.

“Maybe they expect more trouble than just us,” I said.

At that moment fire erupted again from the Rii positions,followed by an assault. The Keeper’s menknew it was their last chance to prove that they were effective allies, able todefeat an Imperial detachment on their own. It took only five minutes to break up the attack, but it was fiveminutes we could ill afford. As for theammunition, it was now almost half gone.

“It’s now or never, sergeant,” I said. “Edgar’s regulars won’t give us the chance tobreak off.”

As the men filed down the stairs behind the storage bins, Inoted the scattered canned goods and ruefully rubbed my sore shoulder. “Chang, I know water will be no problem inthe tunnels; but what about food?”

“Already taken care of.”

“Good.”

The tunnel was low and narrow, almost too small for anarmored man. It was very roughhewn,clearly more recent and less carefully done than the water paths. At its end was a room perhaps four metersacross. A small boat packed withsupplies sat in the middle.

“That’s the wall.” Chang pointed across the room at some dry stone masonry.

“Windridge is still rigging the trap. D’you want to do the honors, Yuri?” I asked.

The private handed me his rifle. “A pleasure sir.” He walked up to the wall and gave it a shove,then pushed and pushed again.

“A firm push you said?”

Chang shrugged and shook his head.

Finally, there was a loud crack followed by a rumble and atremendous splash. The whole wall felloutward. Soon, the boat was pushed intothe water and Chang and I boarded. Iscanned the tunnel up and down with a flashlight, no Ari.

Ari! It’s us. Where are you?

A moment later she emerged with a splash next to theboat. “You scared the crap out of me,coming through the wall like that! I hadno idea who it was. I hid on thebottom!” She was obviously relieved,however. I was also relieved (and just alittle disappointed) to see that Ari had moved her sash up to cover her chest, even though that would mean having to keep her pistol in the boat.

“Did you miss me?” I smiled. She grabbed me about the neck and kissed me, almost pulling me into thewater. Everyone stared.

“I’m guessing you two have been through a lottogether.” Said Chang.

Ari released me and took a deep breath. “Why hello Justin! How’ve you been?”

“Not too bad, Milady, considering the circumstances.”

“We need to move,” said Windridge. “Sorry to interrupt, but it’s going to getvery unpleasant here real soon.”

“Which way should we go, Dri?” Asked Ari. “That way leads to the edge of town, if I remember rightly. Or should we go back toward the palace?”

“Back toward the palace,” I said. “They may not expect it and there are morebranches back that way. We’d be lesslikely to get ourselves cornered. Let’sgo, Sergeant.”

The water was up to the chests of the armored soldiers, butthat would only serve to slow them down. Their armor was insulated and even had its own air supply ifnecessary. The boat, which was pulledalong by a couple of the troopers, hauled me, Chang and the supplies. Ari either hung around the boat or swam aheadto scout things out.

We had gone perhaps a kilometer when the water trembled anda few bricks fell from the ceiling. Aquarter-minute later, a surge nearly pulled the boat out of the grasp of Yuriand Galt. I picked up an oar and fendedoff a wall. “Damn, Sergeant! What was in that thing?”

“Uh, I lent him a few kilos of high-grade rifle powder. It’s what the Rii use in their muzzle-loaders,”said Chang.

“That was good thinking,” I said.

“Actually, it was the Sergeant’s idea.”

“Just earning my pay,” said Windridge as he waded past.

“With any luck, they’ll think we went up with it,” I said.

“With any luck, some of Edgar’s boys did go up with it,”said Yuri.

“That’ll teach ‘em to glory-hog,” agreed Galt.

Some minutes later, Ari emerged from the water with a pale,silvery fish in her mouth. Look what I caught! She spat it out into the boat. “I’m in the mood for something fresh. Don’t suppose any of you lads like sashimi doyou?”

“I do!” said Shiro.

“Great! We’ll splitit when we stop to eat.”

“You do realize those things are kinda dangerous,” saidChang.

I drew my feet up on the bench to keep my toes away from theflopping, gnashing, angry beast’s long, sharp teeth.

“They’re also kinda tasty. I had one while I was waiting under the well. Here.” She deftly snatched it up behind the gills and bit off the head, whichshe noisily chewed. “Not so dangerousnow, is it?” She then threw the bodyback in the boat and spat out some of its teeth.

I thought Justin was going to be sick. I must have looked almost as bad.

She laughed. “Didn’tyour papas ever take you boys fishing?”

“Not like that,” said Justin.

“Except occasionally for sport, we don’t fish on Caledon.”

“Why ever not?” said Ari with a look of dismay.

“There’s an enzyme in the fish there that makes theminedible. They taste horrible.”

“How sad. That makesme not want to visit, even if it was your home. Anyway, there’s a shallow spot about a hundred meters down that awaythat would make a good resting place.”

We stopped and shared out rations. Ari crawled into the boat, sat next to me,and ate a portion of the fish, giving the rest to Shiro.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you two make it out ofthe palace?” asked Justin.

“We had some help,” I said.

“Help?” Justin raisedan eyebrow. “Who or how?”

“An old friend of yours,” said Ari.

“Of mine?” Then hesmiled. “Jen.”

Ari nodded. “Westumbled into her or she stumbled into us, depending on how you look at it. She led us to one of the maintenance wellopenings and showed us the way out.”

“I’m not surprised.” He sighed. “Hersis a sad tale. Her father was a goodfriend of mine. I’m sure, had he lived,he would’ve been able to protect her from what happened.”

“And what was that?” asked Ari. She leaned forward, listening intently.

“Her father died in an epidemic, about two years ago. Unfortunately the Keeper’s two sons also diedof the same cause. They were his onlyheirs. Jen was orphaned and available,so the Keeper put aside his old wife and married her, despite the fact that shewas too young, even by Rii standards.”

“Other than being a horny old bastard, why did he do it?” Iasked.

“I think I can answer that,” said Ari. “To prevent a disputed succession.”

“Right,” said Justin. “Without a direct heir from the present Keeper, the royal family is justa tangle of cousins.”

“So the fate of the dynasty rests in her womb now,” saidAri. “What if she bears a girl? I’m sure that won’t be met with celebration.”

Justin shrugged. “Iassume they’ll just try again, unless Parthans can provide the Keeper with somereason to turn to someone else. Which,I’m sure, Parthans would like to do.”

“Let me guess,” said Ari. “Parthans has a daughter.

“Not as pretty, but probably just as fertile. I suspect Parthans is behind this switch toEdgar. He would want a friendlier pairof lips next to the Old Man’s ear, especially if the switch starts to provecostly.”

“With the succession so precarious, why did the Keeperdecide to risk everything by allying with the pirates?” I asked.

“I suspect that this has been in the works for a while-since before the epidemic.”

“Still, it doesn’t seem to make sense. Parthans could have been bribed, of course,but why should the Keeper listen to him?”

Justin shook his head. “I don’t know.”

We decided to look for a place to sleep after that. We took a side tunnel and found anothershallow spot. A watch was set. The other Marines sought comfortablepositions, protected by their suits from the cold and wet. After kissing me good night, Ari used hertail to scoop out a bed in a deeper spot and settled in, only an occasionalbubble marking her presence. Justin andI had a more difficult time, trying to replace room to lie down on the small,heavily loaded boat. Eventually, I founda position comfortable enough to drop off to sleep.

I woke up shivering. Shirtless and shoeless is not a good way to try to sleep in thosetunnels. I would’ve never thought I’d bespending so much time cold and wet on a desert world. I didn’t know how long I had slept, but itwas long enough for daylight to stream down from the nearest well, about eightymeters away. I started to rise and shiftabout to a less uncomfortable position when I heard sounds. I froze and listened. It was splashing and talking. Judging sounds in that subterranean maze istricky at best, but they sounded close.

I next watched, fascinated as an armored gauntlet slowlyemerged from the water, reached over and shook my shoulder. It was Windridge. He opened his visor and whispered.

“Abe is watching a Rii search party. Too small to be meant for us. Probably looking for you and the Ambassador.”

I nodded. “Let ‘em be,unless they replace us. If they do, then‘no survivors’.”

“Got it.” He closedhis visor and slipped back under.

I was sitting up and trying to restore circulation to my legswhen Ari surfaced next to me. I put afinger to my lips. She nodded.

Something’s up? She thought.

Somebody hunting foryou and me. For their sake, I hope they replace nothing.

Suddenly, there was a shout, a short burst of gunfire, ascream and then silence.

“Damn! We’re gonnaneed to move, I’m afraid.”

“What the Hell was that?” Justin sat up, his eyes wide.

Windridge raised himself from under the water. “Sorry, they walked right into us.”

“Anybody hurt?” Iasked.

“Not on our side.”

“I know there was no helping it,” said Ari, “but we need tokeep Rii casualties to a minimum, sergeant. Most of these people would probably have rather stayed loyal, peacefulcitizens.”

“We’re Marines,” said Windridge. “We only kill when lawfully ordered to.”

“I understand. Andthank you,” said Ari.

I felt myself start to flush. “I gave the ‘no survivors’ order, notWindridge.”

“I’m sorry. Ishouldn’t have interfered. It’s a badhabit of mine.” She looked rueful.

I couldn’t blame her. I hardly took myself seriously- shirtless, shoeless and being towedaround in a dinghy. She was in over-allcommand anyway. “Well, let’s getmoving.” I climbed out of the boat. “Aslong as the water’s shallow, I’m going to wade and stretch my legs.”

“Then take these.” Justin began pulling off his boots. “There might be broken glass or other sharpstuff on the bottom.”

“Thanks.” His bootswere a trifle large, but quite tolerable. “Keep angling toward the palace, Sergeant. I’m beginning to get the ghost of an idea.”

“I’m mapping as I go.”

The water gradually grew shallower. Eventually, Ari had to climb back into theboat. I noticed as we passed eachwell-opening, that Justin became more troubled. I fell back to wade next to him. “Something wrong?”

“Perhaps. I’m notsure.” He looked at his watch. “Thistime in the morning is when most people collect their water ration. I haven’t seen a single bucket yet; have you?”

“Not one. What do youthink it means?”

“A curfew maybe?” said Ari. She sat up.

“Imposed by whom?” asked Justin. “It would take alot of intimidation to keep people from their water.”

“I can venture a guess,” I said. “But I should see for myself. Justin, may I borrow your robe?” I was starting to feel restless and saw thisas an opportunity to get out of the tunnels for a while.

“Sure.”

“I’ll bring it right back.”

“You’re not going up there, are you?” Asked Ari.

“Yep. We need to knowwhat the hell’s going on while we’re slogging about down here.”

“Alright then.” Shekissed me. “For luck, and I hope youdon’t need it. The luck I mean.”

I gave her shoulder a squeeze, put on Justin’s Rii garmentand waded to the nearest well. The waterwas less than a foot deep here. Thatwould make it difficult to draw water, which made me think that this openingwould be little used, and therefore, I hoped, less likely to be watched.

I climbed as quietly as I could and paused just inside, tolisten. It was eerily quiet. It was as though the city had been completelyshut down. I chanced a peek. The well was in the middle of a narrowstreet, lined by low buildings. Not asoul was in sight. The only movement wasa swirl of dust picked up by a light breeze. I leapt out quickly, before anyone could rounda corner and see me do it. The buildingswere featureless, with no windows and few doors. There was nothing to indicate whether or notthey were inhabited. Perhaps this is their equivalent of awarehouse district.

I guessed which direction might lead me to a busierstreet. I knew it would be safer to losemyself in a crowd, if I could replace one. Iwalked at what I figured to be an appropriately casual pace. I was almost to the next intersection whenthere was a shout.

“Hey you! Stop rightthere!”

Shit! I turned slowly and held out my hands. At the other end of the street, about ahundred and fifty meters away were two men, armed with battle-rifles andwearing yellow power-armor; two of Edgar’s Free Worlds Alliance Marines.

I was pretty sure I didn’t want to hear whatever it was theywanted to say to me, so I ducked and ran. Hitting a man-sized target at one-fifty meters takes either skill or acooperative target, preferably both. Iresolved not to provide the latter. Asit turned out, neither of them was equipped with the former either. Nevertheless, there seemed to be an awful lotof metal zipping close to my head when I finally rounded the corner.

Except for being longer and wider, this street was a closematch to the previous. Not only was itnot crowded, but again, there was not another soul in sight. It was obvious now that my little scoutingmission was a bad idea. There wasnothing left to do but get back underground at the nearest well. Unfortunately, that opening was a goodtwo-hundred or more meters off. Gettingthere before my pursuers got some more shots at me was unlikely; also it wasalmost certain that they were calling for backup. I saw no alternative, however, but to sprintfor it and hope for the best

I’d better make it, Ari would never forgive meif I got myself killed just because I was feeling restless and wanted somesunlight.

I was just getting up to speed when there was movement to myright. An arm reached from one of the fewdoorways and yanked me in.

The arm belonged to a middle-aged man wearing Rii clothing. He had a short beard and blonde hair. He quickly closed and barred the door. I don’t like being shoved around, but heseemed a reasonable alternative.

“What makes you think they won’t search in here?” I rubbed my sore chest.

“We’ll be gone by then. Follow me!”