The Gender Game 5: The Gender Fall(22)

After donning the same gear, Owen slung a bag over his shoulder, and I double-checked that the video chip containing Tabitha and Violet’s altercation—one of numerous copies Thomas had made, for strategic purposes—was in my pocket, protected by the plastic box he had put it in.

Amber moved past me, pushing open the narrow door that separated the command deck from the long, cavernous cargo bay. I followed her inside, past the small passenger door, toward the large rear door that dropped down to form a ramp—a useful feature designed for transporting vehicles.

She moved to a panel, sliding her own mask over her face, and then glanced back at us, clearly making sure we were both wearing ours. I gave her a thumbs-up, and she pulled a lever sticking out of the wall. There was a slight shake as the door cracked open, and then it lowered down smoothly as she worked the lever. I watched as the ramp dropped, frowning when all I could see was the night sky, followed by a never-ending black void.

I looked at Amber, wondering what she had planned, but she had her back to me. She squatted down, throwing open the lid of one of the benches that lined the walls of the cargo bay, and began pulling out a bundle of black nylon rope. As she shook it out, I realized it was a harness, not unlike ones used for rappelling or rock climbing.

She tossed one to Owen, who immediately put it on, sliding his foot through the leg holes and pulling them up over his pants. I watched for a moment, then turned back to Amber to find her standing in front of me, holding an identical harness out to me.

So… the base is below us? I asked via the subvocalizer, accepting the straps.

Amber arched an eyebrow and gave me an impish smirk, then reached out and hit a yellow button. There was a hum overhead, and I looked up to see the lines of rope running from the front to the rear of the heloship begin to move. Two lines descended from the winch, and Amber reached out to grab them.

Pretty much. We’ll be going down the cliff face, she informed me as she bent over to hook up Owen’s harness.

I cocked my head, looking at the harness in my hand. Wouldn’t it be easier to just land in The Green?

Amber’s fingers flew over Owen’s harness as she tugged here and there to tighten it up, then ran the rope through several metal keys meant to tighten and prevent the climber from falling should part of the apparatus break.

The entrance to the base is actually in the cliff face, she replied as she worked. It’s faster to go down than to climb up the outside entrance.

I took a step closer to the open space, looking down into the featureless darkness. I didn’t share Violet’s fear of heights, but I did have a healthy respect for them. Yet Amber’s point was reasonable.

I began putting on the harness. Amber was there a moment later, helping me arrange the straps and tighten them. It was clear she had done this before, so I let her take over for me—this was something I definitely didn’t want to screw up. In the span of several breaths, she had tightened the harness and laced the rope through the anchor points. She gave a few more experimental tugs on it, then nodded.

As she straightened, she gave us both a serious look. All right, guys, here’s the deal. I’m going to lower you down, because it’ll just be simpler this way. Once you’re in, I will rappel down behind you, and then we’ll proceed into the base.”

Who will handle the winch on our ascent? I subvocalized.

Oh, I can do it remotely, Amber replied casually as she moved over toward the buttons controlling the winch. As she did so, Owen took a step forward and surrendered his weight to the harness, dropping a few inches out into space, his harness tightening and the rope jerking above him.

Then why not come with us? Maybe I was asking too many questions, but I wanted to make sure this mission plan was airtight.

Amber shook her head, pursing her lips through the mask. As much as I love this heloship, I have no idea what weights these ropes were tested at, or how much they are able to hold. It’s too much of a risk to go two on the rope. Especially with you strapping young men. She smirked. You’ve probably got a couple extra pounds of muscle.

Try twenty-five pounds, I thought, careful not to project that one out loud. I walked to the ledge and peered down into the abyss. I tugged once at the rope, then eased out away from the heloship’s floor, slipping my feet over the edge. I might as well get this over with quickly. My stomach gave a sickening lurch as the rope took my weight, and the harness jerked and tightened uncomfortably around my hips, but everything held.

Meanwhile, Owen grimaced, taking a new look at his rope. So you’re using us as guinea pigs? he asked Amber.

Amber laughed, and then nodded. If it makes you feel better, then technically, I used Violet’s cousin and uncle first.