JOINING MISSIONS
Scene 56
Mentrianos slipped quickly out of the hospital area and down the exploration tunnel to the ruined hatch. I have to hurry – they’ll look for me and figure out where I’ve gone. That Munizkara woman was watching me like a slkheer bird.
He leaped a few rungs down to the great tunnel, and ran and ran toward the portal shaft, stopping every minute or so to listen for pursuit. He heard a staccato stutter of boots that paused every few seconds. As he turned to keep running, a hoarse voice called, “Wait! I’m not chasing you! I’m after that deserter!”
It was Bunjaian.
“Is there anyone following you?” Mentrianos shouted back. I’m unarmed – why didn’t I think about this? Maybe he has something I might need.
“No! Not yet, anyway! Wait for me!” After a few minutes, Bunjaian came puffing up to him.
“You’re armed.” Mentrianos said. “Got anything I can use?
“Of course I’m armed! How else would I catch and control a prisoner?” Bunjaian showed a slung beam weapon and a holster with a bally gun. “I’ve also got some shocker paralytics when I need to get past people. And this.” He turned a little to show Mentrianos a large-handled knife in its sheath. “I carry a roll of bondcuff tape too.”
“So we’re going the same way. To the portal, right?”
“Seems that way. Why are you going?”
“I need to set something right. I’m looking for my baby.”
“Baby? You’re hunting a baby?”
“No, her… nurse took her from me. I want to get her back,” Mentrianos growled. To himself he thought, I want to get her away from Tellina, and take her where Tellina and the others won’t dare to follow.
“You going to do this barehanded with a lot of people trying to stop you?”
“Well, if you can help me arm up a bit, I can show you where we can go to stay under cover. Those shockers would help. We can get from there back to Muathen.” Or wherever I want to go.
Bunjaian nodded. “Here.” He opened a small case. “These are jector carts. Jab one in an arm or a leg, and it’ll shock out a person for an hour or two. Each one has four charges, just for bigger targets.” He handed Mentrianos the case, pocketing two carts for himself. “Be careful – the conical end is the action point. Don’t hit yourself with it.”
“Thanks.” Mentrianos strapped the case to his side.
They trekked to the foot of the portal shaft and looked up. The reek of the battle still breezed down on them, weighted by its fumes.
Bunjaian froze. “Did you hear something back there up the tunnel? Footsteps?”
They listened for a few quiet breaths, but heard only the trickle of water in the center of the down-sloping tunnel.
At last, after the long climb, they stood by the portal’s pedestal, breathing hard, three mangled bodies still nearby. Bunjaian held his side where the stake had gone in. Why was there still this glowing, burning pain?
“Here.” Mentrianos pointed at the Sirathen symbol. “They went this way. This other one takes us to a whole different place.” His finger hovered over the Wylwood symbol. “It’s not like our world at all, but we could use it if we need to.”
Bunjaian looked over at the shaft with apprehension. “Let’s go to Sirathen. My deserter will be there.” He unslung his beam weapon.
Metrianos pressed the Sirathen symbol.
