Space Captain Smith by Frost Toby

Author:Frost, Toby [Frost, Toby]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
ISBN: 9781905802432
Publisher: Myrmidon Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

‘In here!’

‘I’m scared, Isambard.’

‘Don’t be. You’ve got me here. It’ll be fine.’

A crow screeched and then everything was silent. The stillness of the world seemed to swallow them as they approached, as if one loud sound might shatter it. The man in the grey coat stepped inside the house. Smith said, ‘I shouldn’t have brought you out here. This isn’t a place for you.’

‘For a woman?’

‘For you. Listen, if it gets nasty, I want you to run, alright? I’ll make damned sure I settle his goose, but I don’t want you getting hurt. Run and call for Suruk.’

‘Captain Smith?’

‘Yes.’

She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you for giving me a lift.’

‘Let’s settle some hash,’ he said, and he pulled back his coat and strode inside.

Corveau sat at the back of a long whitewashed room, empty apart from a table and a chair. He wore the same white suit: it looked as if he’d slept in it. There was a very thin cigarette in his hand, and no can of beer in front of him.

Two men stood behind him. They held their shotguns loosely, ready to raise and use. Behind Corveau’s chair there was a door.

‘Mr Smith.’

‘That’s Captain.’

‘Sure.’ Corveau yawned. Behind him, one of the men spat onto the concrete floor. ‘Sleep well last night?’

‘Like a log.’

Corveau snorted. ‘You think like a log as well, walking in here. One man against three. Or maybe a little more than three.’

‘What do you want?’

‘It’s more what you need. Which, I believe, is this.’ His hand snaked down to his suit pocket. Smith’s fingers tensed, ready to grab the revolver at his side. ‘Here,’

Corveau said, and he placed a small black device on the tabletop, the size and shape of a television remote control.

‘What you’re looking for, I believe.’

‘Yes. How much do you want to get off-world?’

‘Nothing.’ Corveau shrugged. ‘Things change. That’s why I’ve got you here, in person.’

‘Why’s that?’

‘To inform you of a change of plan. I don’t want money any more. I want her. The girl goes with us.’

‘What?’

‘With us.’ It was a new voice, but familiar. Smith’s eyes flicked to the door. Smart in his blue-grey uniform, a sash around his waist, Captain Gilead stepped into the room and stood beside Corveau. ‘Change of plan, Captain Smith. It’s your lady friend we need.’ His thumbs were hitched over his belt.

‘What the devil do you want her for?’

Gilead smiled. On his tight-stretched face, the expression looked unnatural. ‘I have my reasons. In three days time, the Republic of Eden will sign a formal nonaggression pact with the Ghast Empire. Then, as a gesture of our goodwill, we will hand this woman over to them.’

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