The Baba Yaga by Una McCormack

Author:Una McCormack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Rebellion Publishing Ltd

THE CREW OF the Baba Yaga was sitting at an intersection, watching the station traffic pass them by and trying to decide their next move. Failt was happy exactly where he was: he had found more alien delicacies to nibble on, and as long as Walker kept them coming, he would sit where he was and watch the world go by forever. It was as if he was making up for the lost years of his childhood, Walker thought; years of privation and hard work, with very little to live on. Years stolen from him.

Yershov wanted to return to the Crossed Keys. He had liked the place, despite the unexpected arrival of a Catholic priest, and he saw no reason not to go back and sample more of its wares. Besides, he said, if there were still people hanging around the ship asking questions, did they really want to run into them? No, he said, shaking his head—let them get tired of waiting and go away.

Or else give them plenty of time to settle in and shoot them all on their return, Walker thought, but she didn’t have the energy to argue. She was beyond tired; an ache had settled in her bones and all she wanted to do was lie down and sleep... Yershov, looking over at her, cleared his throat. “You all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“Not... sick?”

“No,” said Walker, shortly. And it was true: she had not been sick at all. She’d been expecting it, but it hadn’t happened, as if her body was colluding with her mind to keep her in denial about what was happening to her. But she couldn’t remain in denial, could she? She had to make some hard choices. Her body was, after all, on a schedule...

I must be mad. I should go home. But I can’t go home, she thought desperately. There’s nothing for me there and it’s all gone too far. But where do I go instead? Where do we go, little one? Where can I take you where you will be safe?

Where else? Onwards. To live-in-peace-and-harmony.

I’ll find this place if it kills me, thought Walker. I’ll find this place for you, little minnow. Peace and harmony.

She rubbed her eyes. Her fingers came away damp.

“Missus,” said Failt, tugging at her arm. “Why don’t we try the little man again?”

Walker tried to focus. “I’m sorry, Failt, I don’t know who you mean.”

“The little man. You know.” The child rounded his shoulders so that his wiry, hungry little body seemed suddenly plump, and then pulled at two of his tentacles, which bounced up in curls. Walker burst out laughing. For all the world, the Vetch child looked exactly like DeSoto.

“Didn’t know you were a mimic along with everything else, Failt.”

He sketched a small bow. “Many talents, missus. All yours.”

“Well, I think you’re probably right. DeSoto might know something...” She sounded doubtful even as she said it. “But I suppose there’s nobody else to try.” She called over to Yershov. “I’m going to try my contact again,” she said.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.