Rogue(120)

“Thank you,” I nodded, turned and left.





CHAPTER 25





They took us directly to the spaceport, past all security, and delivered us, with only the clothes on our backs, to a flight bound for the Freehold. That wasn’t where I wanted to go, but we didn’t have much choice at this point.

Once in orbit, we were able to shop, with a very blatant escort loitering near us, and more obviously armed guards outside them. I made sure they could see my movements, so they didn’t get happy with a trigger by accident. If they did so by intent . . .

We settled for basic clothes, a bag each and new phones. I hope they enjoyed the ones we’d left with them. Without a proper access code the first time, they should have completely slagged the memory cores. It was possible they disabled them, removed the cores and tried to crack them. If so, they’d have only the information we had on Randall. Everything related I’d pulled and scorched before we’d started our departure.

At the jump point, I warned Silver. “We need these things out of our necks. They may want to kill us, or just screw up and do so by accident, so sorry. I may need to intimidate someone into responding. I could need your help. That could be dangerous.”

“I have your back,” she said.

It was good to hear that, but I really didn’t want to have her die over something silly.

We sought the UNBI office. Their receptionist was young, probably a college boy doing intern work. He recognized it as important, and relayed the information. They let me sit twenty minutes before coming out.

The woman who came out tried hard to put on the bureaucrat face, but it didn’t work. She looked us over and hesitated.

“Mr. Destin, I have your file here. What do you want us to do?”

“I want you to disable this bomb in my throat,” I said, pointing at the faint scar.

“I’m not sure what authority I have to remove devices implanted by a higher echelon.”

“Because they said you should,” I tried reasonably.

“Yes, I saw your load. I need to confirm that with them, though. This will take some time.”

“Then I will sit in this chair until you have that information,” I said. “I wouldn’t want you to have any doubt of my whereabouts, being the dangerous man I am.” I gave her a stare. Silver tapped her foot and managed to match the glower.

She disappeared into her office. Three minutes later, someone came out with medical gear, swabbed my neck, sprayed an anesthetic, slid in a probe and pulled out a capsule. They did the same for Silver. She winced. I hadn’t.

“Thank you,” I said, and stood and left, Silver at my heels.

She clung to me for a moment.

“I’m playing the girlfriend role for a moment. I was really worried about you there.”

“So was I. Yes, it could have been ugly for both of us.”

She said, “I don’t want to be melodramatic. I nearly died.”

“At least twice. We are really not welcome here.”

“I know,” she said, and was quiet.

After we vacated the government’s office, though they permeate everything, like a bad smell, I said, “So now we can figure out which way to hop. I want to get aboard a non-UN ship fast.”

We didn’t have a choice. A ship’s officer met us in the waiting room. They apparently paid fare for us on an Earth ship bound for the Freehold. It was a luxury commercial liner

“Good day, Mr. Destin. I’m Third Officer Kwan. I’m directed to make sure you are very comfortable in your cabin for departure.”

I could have taken him out, but I suspected there was a squad with weapons behind the door, and that they had orders not to worry about collateral casualties. We were leaving on this ship and heading in the direction of home, at least for now.

“I accept the situation, sir. Please show us to our stateroom.”

He smiled as he said, “Please go ahead of me to your right. Dock Four.”

We preceded him with enough distance to minimize advantages. I could have taken him, but unless I planned to start a battle in the station, or immobilize everyone aboard and fly it myself, no cards. Even then, the current route would definitely take us to a system where Earth had warships.

It was aggravating, but inevitable.

We got VIP passage through the gate, aboard ship, and into a stateroom. It was better than basic, but not first class. No complaints. Kwan sat with us until they undocked, then said, “Enjoy the trip,” and left.

Silver and I gripped each other in comfort, release, aggravation, exhaustion. My own apprentice had run an end-around past me. I’d been IDed, my past dug up, and I hated the universe.

“I have to message the boss,” I said.