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Chapter 53
By AC
"How much longer do we have to wait here?"
"Just until the worker bot arrives."
"And how long is that going to be?"
Paula grinned and pointed.
"Would right now suit you?"
Talehn followed her finger and saw a squat box on four legs amble over to them. Four arms extended from the box's corners, two holding a small case, two holding a large sphere with -- He gasped, recognizing the robot he and Cisia had seen the night they escaped the Ministry. Cradled in the worker 'bot's grasp, it looked the worse for wear.
Paula muttered a "Hi Rover" to the wreck, before opening the case.
"Great. We'll need these." Talehn and Byrce stepped forward. Byrce lowered the gun he had pointed at the machine -- Talehn didn't blame him, he was a little jumpy himself. Paula pulled out three small disks and passed them out.
"Stunners," she explained. "Aim the black dot on the edge at your target and press the green oval to fire."
"They're energy weapons," Byrce explained when Talehn looked his question at the patrolman. "They'll paralyze a person temporarily. A good surprise weapon but not very sturdy from what I've seen."
"We'll need them anyway," Paula said, looking at the policeman. "I don't want to see anyone else killed tonight."
Byrce paused as if to object, but nodded instead.
Talehn pocketed the stunner.
"Did your friends supply anything else?"
"Oh yes."
Paula pulled out a small cylinder.
"This is a chempack; I can use this to recharge my first-aid unit. And this--" she pulled out a small card-sized device. "--is a quancomp; a quantum-logic computer. I forgot to bring one when I left the Izumi. It'll give me full access to the Izumi's sensor systems as well as full holocommunication with Raoul and the others. And a few other functions as well."
Talehn was a little puzzled, and looked it. Paula saw his expression.
"If we're going to save the planetary mind AND fight Dalasius, we're going to need a lot more than our wits and weapons."
Talehn nodded.
Byrce said. "Any little bit helps. Thanks Paula. Was there anything else?"
"No. That's all they fabricated for us."
"Then we'd better get moving."
Before long, they stood at the Core, stopped by a door with an electronic lock.
"I'll try my access code," Talehn said, pressing keys in a familiar sequence.
"Do you think that's wise?" Byrce said, one hand on his gun. "After all, the Ministry's got a warrant out for you."
"We're here to talk to Ven. At the very least, this will get his attention."
Talehn finished the sequence and stepped back. The door stayed closed. After a few seconds, Paula took a step forward.
"It was a good shot, Talehn. Maybe my quancomp can--" Before she could finish her sentence, four men in body armour surrounded them, automatic rifles at the ready. Byrce cursed aloud and went for his gun, but a fifth gaurd grabbed his arm and removed the weapon. The door opened. Hands raised, Talehn turned to face the man who emerged.
"Well, the prodigal tech returns," Ven said. "Where is the interface?"
"Cisia is someplace safe," Talehn said, accentuating the name. "And she's the least of your concerns right now."
"On the contrary, her well-being is very much my concern. As it is the District's."
Ven turned and looked at Talehn's companions.
"Going rogue, officer?"
"Byrce Siever, Patrolman second class, 31-404."
"Name, rank, and serial number, is it?" Ven turned to Paula. "And who are you?"
"My name is Paula ter Maarden. I'm an xenobiologist from the survey ship 'Izumi' currently orbiting your world. And Talehn is right; we have to talk to you."
"And you shall... on my terms." Ven turned to the gaurds. "Lock up the patrolman and the 'xenobiologist'. Be sure to remove anything that may be a weapon."
He turned his gaze on Talehn. "One way or another, you will tell me where Cisia is."
Talehn never felt so lost.
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