Deeper Darker

Chapter 60: Planning Ahead

Fourth Quadrant.

Planet Fountain.

Gorbol Training Academy.

Point-Two clung to the drone as his weight sent it plummeting towards the ground. Admittedly, it was a slower fall than if hed been on his own, but it still felt somewhat lethal.

Above him, the Vendx ship was still airborne, smoke pouring out of its fuselage but the flames no longer covering the underside of the hull.

Beneath him, Ubik was holding onto his drone with one hand while his other was stuck inside the drones casing, making alterations on the fly, literally.

Both drones slowed their descent as they adjusted for the additional weight, but Ubiks changed course and headed towards a corner of the courtyard while Point-Twos began to go back up.

If he was returned to the roof, he most likely wouldnt receive a warm reception.

Ubik was on the ground already and rushing off to who knew where, the drone following him like an eager pet. It seemed like Point-Two was on his own. He was near enough to the Academys walls to attempt climbing down. The buildings surface was covered in cracks and ledges. The problem was more of switching from the up escalator to the down.

He rated his chances of making a clean transfer in the eightieth percentile. High eighties.

Point-Two took a breath, focused on a crack just above him, just level, just below, and let go. He didnt push off he didnt want to add any excess movement that might bounce him off the wall he just let go and reached out.

Three fingers on his right hand wedged into the thin gap, the stone crumbled against his fingertips, and the walls rough surface scraped his palms as he fell.

Point-Two looked down and aimed his feet at the sliver of ledge he could see quickly rising towards him.

His toes hit, the angle of his ankles inverted to absorb the impact, and he stopped. Then he started to fall backwards. Point-Twos hands flapped at the wall and frame around the window. He couldnt find anything to grip, nothing to cling to, and then everything was out of his reach.

At least he was nearer the ground than he had been. He would probably be able to avoid any broken bones if he twisted at the right moment and rolled. How he missed zero Gs where falling didnt even exist. He took another breath and prepared to twist.

He stopped falling and hung in the air. Not quite weightless, more like a coat on a hook. Looking down, the ground was only a couple of metres below him, along with Ubik.

The drone holding Point-Two by the back of his collar began to descend.

I didnt think youd come back, he said to Ubik as he gently touched down.

What? And leave you behind, a smear on the floor? No, I wouldnt do that. Not when I need an active target for my field test. Youre the one those Seneca assassins are after. If anything happened to you, theyd pack up and go home; probably take credit for your death anyway and make a bundle. I hear these Seneca are unscrupulous people.

Ubik unhooked the drone from the back of Point-Twos greys. The crooked spike probably hadnt been designed to catch people falling through the air.

Point-Two looked up at the smoking ship. Vendx are going to be pissed at you.

I doubt it. Small explosion like that, happens all the time. Probably think it was faulty wiring. Its the dynamic obsolescence they use, gives them a very high failure rate. The old Harriers, the Sloane series, used to burst into flames all the time. Even with a failure rate of 0.1 percent, thats a lot of screw-ups when youre supplying the entire galaxy.

I dont know, said Point-Two. The ship looked like it was leaning to one side. A little nudge and it might come falling down. Theyre in a combat situation. Theyre going to check.

Maybe youre right, said Ubik. No way to prove it was us, though.

What do you mean us? I had nothing to do

Lets try this way, said Ubik. We dont want to get in the way of the big battle. He set off through the covered walkway that surrounded the courtyard, the drone hovering over his shoulder.

Point-Two followed. You still think theyre coming?

Of course, said Ubik. You cant let people think a lowly FVG trainee got away from you? An independent contractor relies on positive word of mouth. They need you dead and your head on a stick. Theyll follow you to the end of the universe now that youve shown them up.

Me? I didnt do anything. It was you.

No ones paying them to bother with me. Hunt you down and make an example of you, I expect. Do they sleep? I can see them never resting, never stopping until theyve got your blood coating their hands and your testicles on a necklace. Must be nice to feel wanted after being an orphan for so long.

The doors into the main building were open. The doors were actually no longer in the doorframe. Ubik leaned in and looked down the hallway.

Im not an orphan, said Point-two, not really knowing why Ubiks needling bothered him so much.

Sure, sorry, I forgot about Mom 2.0. This way. Quietly.

Im making less noise than you, said Point-Two, which was true.

You know, youre very competitive. Try to relax, youll live longer.

Somehow, Point-Two doubted it.

***

Somethings happening, said Princep Galeli. An explosion.

In the Academy? asked Captain Hickory.

No. Above us. One of their ships. Galeli fiddled with some buttons to get a better reading on the two ships stationed overhead. Minor damage, but theyve lost one of their stabilisers. Do you think your people are here?

Hickory shrugged. Its possible they worked out we were in trouble. Although, I can only see them coming to our rescue if they thought it would get them a pay raise. Frankly, if any of them showed that kind of initiative, Id be inclined to give it to them.

What about the boy? said Gipper. You seem to think hes the hot sauce no one can handle. Could it be him?

It could. Trainee Matton is very capable, but I fail to see how he could target a ship. Its not like he has any way to get up there. Im not even sure why he would want to. The fights down here.

Shouldnt we go out there and help him? said Gipper, up on his feet and ready to go. If I stay cooped up in here much longer Im going to explode, too.

Have you any idea what they can do to us with the gear they have? said Hickory.

Have you any idea what we can do to them? said Gipper, full of brio, mostly unjustified. This is the armoury, isnt it? Dont we have any non-Vendx weapons in here.

This is the old armoury, said Galeli. Its more a storeroom and emergency bunker, although this is the first time weve used it for that. Actually, if I remember correctly

Galeli left the console and went over to the table in the corner. Help me with this.

Gipper eagerly approached and grabbed the top of the table which came off with a little effort. Inside was a lot of dust and a bunch of equipment.

Whats this? said Gipper, pulling out a long tube. Plumbing?

Careful with that, said Galeli. It fires rockets. You put it on your shoulder and the rocket goes in that end.

What else have you got in here? said Gipper. Spears and swords?

How many rockets are in there? said Hickory. They might not be prepared for this kind of tech. Good thing the guild never throws anything away the galaxys greatest hoarders.

I think Ive got something, said Jace.

Youve contacted the ship? said Galeli. Finally, reinforcements.

No, not that, said Jace. I patched into the Vendx comms. He took out his headphones and the case erupted into shouting.

Theres two of them. Get everyone down here now. Send every drone youve got. The person speaking sounded intensely panicked.

Theyre moving, said Bev, her ear on the doors. Theyre leaving. Where are they going.

I dont know, said Hickory. But if were going to make a move, nows the time. Everyone grab something and make sure you know which way to point it before you pull the trigger.

***

Whats he doing? asked Point-Two.

Down the other end of the passage was a Vendx soldier, standing there with one arm waving and one foot stamping.

Suits locked him out, said Ubik. Half of it. Happens when the servos get out of sync. Not a big problem, just takes a little adjustment.

Im trying! shouted the Vendx soldier to no one. It wont work... Yes, Ive tried rebooting it... Yes, I powered it down completely, it made no difference. He sounded very frustrated.

We should help him, said Ubik.

Really? Hes got a very big gun.

Yes, but its stuck in the hand thats frozen.

The long-barrelled laser rifle was in the hand that wasnt moving, pointing straight up. Can you send a glitch team?...I know theyre busy, were all busy, but if I dont get any help I cant pick up my participation bonus. Ive already blown my deductible, have a heart, will you? Hello? Are you still there? Damn it!

They make them pay for everything, said Ubik. Terrible way to do business.

Ubik began moving towards the man who continued to rage silently. You could tell by the way half his body stamped and punched the air.

Whats the plan? whispered Point-Two as he followed Ubik and the drone.

Dont worry, Ill think of something, said Ubik. Hello? Excuse me?

The soldier tried to turn around but his body remained rooted to the spot. Who are you? he said through the helmet that covered his entire head.

Were trainees at the Academy. Nothing to do with whatever, you know. Ubik waved a hand in the general direction of the ships above them. Is your suit malfunctioning? I think I can help. I have some tech training. Used to work on a glitch team before they let me go for exceeding my overdraft limit. Its the microtransactions that get you, right?

Yeah, yeah. The mans suspicious tone was gone just like that. Youre ex-company?

Yep, two years. He opened a panel on the arm of the frozen side of the suit and pressed something.

The hand holding the rifle spread out its fingers and the rifle fell. Ubik caught it. Here, let me take that. Its alright, not like we can use it. He gave it to Point-Two with a grin and raised eyebrows. Biometrics, no way to get round that. Now, Im just going to realign the servos. Might feel some static.

Ubik grabbed the stiff arm and twisted it so the panel was easier to access. Then he grabbed something on either end and brought them together.

The man screamed, shook for about three seconds, and then went limp on one side. Smoke drifted out from the suit.

Right, lets get him out and you in. Ubik opened the back of the suit and a thin man slumped out backwards onto the floor. He was still breathing and also slightly smoking.

You want me to put on his suit? said Point-Two.

Yep. You wanted a plan. Im your prisoner, were going to see the supervisor. You can ad lib the rest, right?

The sounds of shouting and gunfire reverberated down the passage.

Hurry up, I think theyre here, said Ubik. I dont want to miss seeing them in action.

Point-Two climbed into the suit. It probably wasnt the best plan hed ever heard, but the suit would provide him with some protection. He had a feeling he was going to need it.