[Makebelieve] Bothers of the Blood - Mark Of Cain 19

[makebelieve archive]

CHAPTER NINETEEN

"Tis settled, then?" Ian said, his glance tracing from Dalton to Adric and
back again. "We'll all be playing friendly for the interim?" His winged brow
shot up, inviting their answer.

Both men remained stubbornly silent and unresponsive.

"Okay, make that hostile allies. That be doable, all things considered,
that's better than nothing. So-o, the next question is, where do we start?"

"By repairing the Hellequin," Paris said.

"The Hellequin is a wreck," Arissa scoffed. "She was disintegrating before
we got to Euzkadi. After the crash, she's nothing but a useless pile of
junk."

"That ship has to be repaired," Paris remained adamant. "She's our best bet
once we're back in flight."

"Sure and this be getting to be a bloody habit, but damned if I'm na' going
to have to say it again," Ian grumbled, thrusting his hands into the tight
pockets of his jeans. "Paris be right, Arissa love. 'Twould be damn hard to
duplicate all the adaptations we've worked into Hellequin. You can be
backing me up any time, Dal."

Dalton fingered the silver filigree trim that had come loose at his cuff.
After a moment, he nodded. "Unless our equipment can be installed in another
ship without seriously limiting its usefulness," he said slowly, "the
Hellequin must be recommissioned."

"But, surely..."

"Hear me, Arissa. When we relieved the Coalition of our stardrive, we
acquired the sole working model along with the only viable set of plans.
Fortunately for us, the designer died during our raid, leaving us with a
drive no one can duplicate. Unfortunately, if memory serves me, it can not
be removed from Hellequin without major readjustments. Which means the drive
may not survive a recomissioning."

"And the teleport," Paris said. "Don't forget the teleport."

"Absolutely. The modifications to the ship that were required before the
teleport could be installed were nothing to scoff at. Transferring just
those two adaptations alone would be tantamount to assembling a ship from
the shell in."

"I concur," Domani said. "Assuming the equipment is currently operational
and the ship can be reconditioned."

"Let's do it, then," Adric said, slapping his thigh. "Nicki, contact Planet
Security. Tell them the bounty hunter will be taking over any investigation
concerning the downed ship. They'll kick up the usual protest, but the
hunter has clout. We'll get the cooperation we need so long as we're right
and the Coalition hasn't figured the bounty hunter and the leader of alpha
base are one and the same?"

"According to reports still coming in the link was not uncovered," Nykita
assured him. "The bounty hunter should still weld his power."

"That's settled then. We'll need an assessment of the damage done before we
attempt to bring the ship back to the compound, so I'll dispatch a work crew
to the crash site immediately we're done here. Once we know the worst,
Dalton, I'll see to it you get a full report. Nicki, I want you to
coordinate the repairs with him."

"With St Moritz?" She shook her head. "I don't think..."

"I wouldn't be surprised if Dalton had some intriguing thoughts on what he
wants done with the ship, once she's torn down, " Adric interrupted firmly.
"In the spirit of our alliance, he must have the full cooperation of our
techs."

Her lips thinned rebelliously, but she ground her teeth and nodded. "All
right. I'll do it. On one condition."

"Conditions again," Adric muttered.

"Yes, my dear." She knelt on one knee at his side. "Conditions again. You've
been on your feet for quite long enough. I won't make a fuss if you return
to the mediunits."

"I have too much to do."

"Or barring that, go to your cabin for a lie down," she continued, ignoring
his protests. "Let the vest do what it was designed to do."

"I am healing just fine."

"Admit it or not, your strength is teetering on the edge. As your attending
doctor, I insist you do what I ask. I won't be held responsible for your
health unless you do."

Adric pursed his lips, running his fingers over his recently shaved chin.
"How long before our personnel are ready to began the evacuation?"

"Another few hours. We don't have an immediate need to run, so we're
salvaging as much as possible." She tugged at his hands, gently urging his
obedience. "You have time to rest, and you do need the rest. Once we get to
the retreat, we're going to need you at your best."

"I must admit to being a little tired," Adric said, letting her entice him
to his feet. "So, if rest is the order of the day?"

"It is."

Keeping a tight grip on Nykita's wrist, he guided her away from the others.
At the door, he paused. "Nykita," he said, watching Dalton closely. "When
you get a spare minute, I want you to come to my quarters."

"Is there a problem?"

"No. Well probably, but it's nothing you can't fix. My arm's gone dead. Cold
as a cryogenic lover. I'm afraid the circuits may have overloaded." He
hesitated, seeing an angry scowl mar Dalton's lean features, almost as if
the man had heard Adric's whispered complaint. But that was impossible. No
one's hearing was that good. Was it?
"Come to my cabin when you can, Nicki. And don't mention any of this to Dal.
He sure as hell isn't going to want a cripple on his ship."

"I'll be done here in a few minutes," she told him. "You get to your cabin
and wait for me. And Adric, do it this time."

He nodded and stepped through the door before he suddenly turned back into
the room. His amber glance moved over the mercenaries, finally settling on
Dalton. "You really are welcome here, haurride."

"Am I?"

"Of course you are. We've always been a rather nasty combination. Now we
have the opportunity to work together again, we're going to win once and for
all. I know we can make this arrangement work. For all of us."

"If you say so," Dalton said. A slow, knowing smile traced his full lips.
"Take care of that arm, though. Your of no use without it."

Adric glanced at his left arm, frowning. "Nothing to concern yourself
about."

"I concern myself with anything that might endanger my companions," Dalton
said ominously. "And anyone."



end part 19

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