Pariah by W. Michael Gear

Author:W. Michael Gear
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DAW
Published: 2019-05-13T16:00:00+00:00

43

“You’ve got your radio,” Kalico said as she led the way across the baked clay of the landing field to Talina’s aircar. “I haven’t a clue about where Rork Springs is, but as long as you can transmit, we can follow the signal to you.”

Talina, a sack of supplies over her shoulder, glanced sidelong at Kalico. Beside her, Kylee strode along in her yellow overalls, her hair in a single braid down the back. The girl might have been cataloging targets for later destruction given the wolfish look in her eyes.

“I’d think you were really worried, but that would lead me to embrace notions too unsettling even for me.” Talina gave the woman a wry smile, her memory having dredged up the time she’d contemplated shooting Aguila in the head. Shig had talked her out of it.

Kalico grinned back, the scars on her face not diminishing the warmth expressed. “It’s all selfishness on my part. I really want you back in Port Authority by the next time I’m up there. I need someone to drink with at Inga’s. If I have to endure another night of Shig and his damn philosophy, I’ll slit my wrists.”

“Why do you think I ran for the bush? It was that or give up drinking.”

As they reached the aircar, Talina glanced around and took final stock. Corporate Mine was humming to work; the chime rolling in from the surrounding forest contrasted with the sound of machines. Overhead thin strands of high cirrus made patterns on the morning sky.

“Thanks for taking care of us. The food was a special treat. Not to mention two whole cups of coffee. I won’t forget it.”

“Neither will I. I’ve had Ituri list it as a charge on your account. I just hope it isn’t a bad debt.”

Kylee said, “We ready to go?” as she climbed over the side and into the aircar. A large crate had been laid in. Must have been in addition to the other supplies Kalico had given them.

Kalico crossed her arms, studied the kid. “You sure you don’t want to wait for your mother? She’ll be here in another couple of hours.”

Kylee shook her head with a ten-year-old’s virulence. Behind her stricken eyes lay a deep-seated terror, and she appeared on the verge of tears. A desperate panic was building inside the kid. To make her point, Kylee clicked herself into the safety restraints, and stared fixedly forward through the windshield.

“Trust me on this,” Tal told Kalico.

“You’ve never struck me as the motherly type,” Kalico told Talina. “You sure you know what you’re doing, flying out into the bush like this? And taking Dya’s daughter with you?”

“She’s my quetzal guide. I’ve got to get through this. Figure out what’s going on in my head. As for Kylee, she’s got her own demons to slay. Hell, maybe we can save each other.”

Talina tossed her war bag onto the back seat and climbed in.

“You be careful out there.” Kalico was watching her through concerned eyes.

“Me? You’re the one with a mine, a farm, and an unstable reactor.

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