Tying up Loose Ends

A Pink Dormouse Production

Chapter Two

Vila

He woke up, realising with a start that sunlight was streaming into the room through the grimy window, showing their accommodation to be even less salubrious than he’d noted the previous night. He turned to check on Avon, who stared blankly back at him.

"How long have you been conscious then?" He touched Avon’s face, scarcely believing his eyes. "You’re burning up; let me get you something to drink." He slid off the bed and managed to find an almost clean glass in the bathroom cabinet. Wonder if the water’s drinkable. Oh well I’m sure we’ve had worse- sometime.

"Here you go." Avon propped himself up on one elbow and drained the glass.

"Thanks. What did you have me drinking last night? I feel terrible."

"Last night! What’s the last thing you remember?"

"Not sure- I am certain it did not involve this place."

"Do you remember anything about Gauda Prime?" Avon shook his head. "Blowing up the base?" No. "The shuttle above Malodaar?" No. "stealin’ the Zeroc gold?"

"It’s a bit hazy but I think so."

"Blake’s people said amnesia might be a side-effect of the medication-"

"Blake? I found him then?"

Vila hesitated.

Whatever I say now, it isn’t going to bring Blake back. On the other hand Avon looks like the truth might just finish him off. Looks like drug withdrawal’s kickin’ in with a vengeance too. He fetched another glass of water and handed it and three pills to Avon.

"Take these, you haven’t been well."

Avon swallowed the pills,

"Something happened, didn’t it?"

"There’s no easy way to tell you: Blake’s dead."

"Damn fool. Getting himself killed before I could-" Avon broke off and turned away.

"On the plus side Tarrant, Dayna and Soolin were ok the last time I saw them." Like he really wants to hear that right now. Don’t think he heard me anyway... Now do I stay or should I leave him alone for now? "I don’t know about you but I’m hungry. I’m going to see what I can find out there."

Avon gave no sign of having heard him...

It appeared to be around midday but the streets of the small town were practically empty. What people there were seemed distinctly hostile and he was grateful for Tarrant's gun nestling in the inside pocket of his jacket.

Pity none of them thought to leave me any credits. Makes one extra thing for me to do while I’m out here. If I can just come by enough for food now, then maybe Avon will be able give me the details of one of his hoards to buy clothes and a ticket out of this place tomorrow. He’s really cut up over Blake though... if Tarrant’s telling the truth about him being suicidal before they flattened him then I shouldn’t leave him alone too long. Wish I’d had more time to find out about the side effects of what they’ve been giving him- I could probably have pocketed better pills as well if I’d known who to ask... Now there’s a likely source of funds...

A reasonable haul: sufficient currency units for his purposes, a little technical gizmo that might interest Avon and a couple of trinkets that might be of use if he could find a pawnbroker. He bought bread, cheese and a large flask of mineral water; looked longingly at the brandy but resisted; then headed back to the hotel.

Don’t like this place at all... better give it a couple of days for the others to ship off the planet then we’re on the first transport out no matter what Avon has to say about it: I’ve had it with taking orders...

Avon

Vila has given me a small data storage unit, which I assume he stole somewhere so I suppose I may as well make use of it...

Our third day in this miserable hotel room. Vila has gone out once again, this time to try and find us passage to anywhere that may be considered safe. He brings me food I have no appetite for and tries to interest me in petty minutiae from the outside world. I wish I could pick up the pieces and carry on the way he can.

I find his presence oddly comforting. Having awoken next to him more times over the past few years than I care to catalogue I suppose he represents security in some twisted way.

I suppose I should really get up and see what new clothes Vila has found for me. If he is successful on his latest excursion we may be required to leave at short notice.

Marianne

She clocked him as soon as he entered the tavern: he had the haunted look of one who has seen too many deaths.

More fallout from the crackdown on rebels I’ve been hearing about? Or has he been caught up in a different turf war?

The second thought caused her to instinctively check the one-handed crossbow at her side and to tuck a stray strand of hair back under her cap. Once, with a bulky jacket to cover her curves, her height had allowed her to pass for a boy. These days she relied on a carefully cultivated air of danger and well-developed muscles to keep away any unwanted attention but it didn’t hurt to hide as many outward signs of femininity as she could.

Her eyes followed the newcomer to the bar; he cast a nervous glance in her direction and she turned her attention to the bottle of beer in front of her.

"Mind if I join you?" It was the man she had been watching.

"Go ahead." He sat down opposite her and took a sip from the fruit-based drink in his glass. Nothing to write home about looks wise but his obvious anxiety meant that he must still feel something. Refreshing after all the hard cases that had approached her recently.

"Tastes completely different without the alcohol."

"You want to drink this stuff- the alcohol content’s practically non-existent." Surely one bar round here sells decent beer...

"No, I’m stayin’ right off the booze for now- need to keep me head clear."

"I’ve been doing that the past ten days- hence my stopover tonight. Well, that and the steakhouse down the road."

"The barman tells me you run freight. Ever carry passengers as well?"

"Not as a rule." Too much hassle, too many memories of when I was part of a crew.

"Not even passengers who know enough to make themselves useful?"

"I prefer to work alone. Where you headed anyhow? I might know someone who could take you." Can’t take him but don’t think I can abandon him either.

"I’ve asked around plenty already. We need off this rock asap an’ as far away as possible."

Looks like I was right about him. "We?"

"Me and my- friend- he’s not been well an’ I really don’t think this place is doing him any good."

Call me soft hearted but I actually believe him. Unusual that anyone round here’s got someone he’s so concerned about. "Look, I’ll be heading back to Astbury after this run. You may be able to convince me to bend my rules this once."

"Astbury Base? It really exists?"

"Oh yes, we just like people to think it’s all a myth: keeps the number of unwanted visitors down. Most of the galactic authorities can’t handle the idea that an amalgamation of Farmers, Stoners and the SCorps can be self-governing and make a reasonable effort of it."

"But isn’t the SCorps a bit, well, violent to be running a planet?" A notorious ‘army for hire’ of Death or Glory boys, the SCorps claimed direct descent from an Old Calendar Special Forces Unit. Additionally, the rumours linking its leadership with organised crime had the odd foundation in reality.

"Oh the guys are no trouble to anyone that doesn’t threaten them and theirs." She made it obvious that she considered herself one of ‘theirs’.

"One thing I do admire about the SCorps: the guys stick to their honour code a lot better than yer average band of outlaw ruffians." He had got the message.

"Don’t knock it. I grew up on a farm; unlike my brothers, that wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. I got out as soon as I could and moved into the SCorps’ main building at Base. They taught me a lot about piloting a ship, some basic engineering, that sort of thing. After that I worked with some of the tech development guys that pass through Astbury every so often- which is how come the Sappho has so many interesting mods. Look, why don’t we talk about this over dinner? I’m hungry and you look like you haven’t seen a decent meal in weeks. We can round up your friend on the way."

Vila

If Marianne’s as knowledgeable as she makes out there are a lot of things she can talk to Avon about... I hope he responds better to her better than he does to me or at least finds a new foul mood to try out on us. He was studying Marianne as she pulled on her leather jacket and slung her backpack over one shoulder.

"Look, I’d better just warn you, me friend might not be exactly receptive to visitors right now. He’s hardly talking to me an’ I’m not sure he was entirely sane even before all the stuff we’ve been through lately."

"Relax, I’m more or less unshockable, I’ve met some very insane people in my time." Marianne checked her crossbow and headed out of the bar. Vila followed her, casting an appreciative glance at her legs.

She’d be quite attractive if she wasn’t trying so hard to scare people off... all that black leather... I suppose if all else fails her and Avon can always exchange fashion advice... He increased his stride to walk alongside her. She’s maybe a bit tall for me- shouldn’t really be thinking about it when I’m supposed to be looking after Avon, but p’raps once he’s a bit better... Though if they both agree to all three of us getting’ off this place together, do I really want to spend the rest of my life with a whole planet of leather-wearing lunatics?

Marianne

"You’re actually staying at this place?" And I thought the local drinking establishments were dire...

"We didn’t have a lot of choice."

"I am so glad I decided to sleep on my ship tonight."

Her guide opened the door; the dark haired man sitting on the bed didn’t look up when they walked in.

"Vila?"

"We’ve got company." The man looked over at them.

He’s totally off the scale. Drugs, long-term mental exhaustion, something else I can’t quite pinpoint... I should know who he is, shouldn’t I?

"Hi. I’ve come to invite you out to dinner." She tried to sound as if she made such offers to random maniacs on a regular basis.

"I’m not hungry."

"The local money-laundering place serves the best steak I’ve tasted outside of Astbury."

"Astbury?" There was a flicker of interest.

"Marianne’s a freighter pilot heading back there; I’ve bin tryin’ to persuade her to take us along so we can get away from this sector until you’re well again," her new friend explained to his companion.

"Astbury does have a certain appeal; based on what I have heard, I think you at least would like it."

"Give me ten minutes then we can go eat an’ talk it over." Vila disappeared through the door into the bathroom. Marianne pulled the only chair over to the bed and sat down.

There’s something distinctively familiar about these two. Wish I could remember why I feel I should know them.

"How much has he told you?" the man asked.

"Enough to work out that you’re on the run from people I probably don’t want to be mixed up with."

"Officially we are dead... Unofficially I may as well be." The pair had been through the mill and then some; Marianne wondered what had happened to the rest of their crew.

"You don’t look too good and- Vila, did you say? He’s trying to hide it but I don’t think he’s far off falling apart himself."

"Something went horribly wrong... I see no reason for us being here by choice."

"You don’t know?"

"One of the side-effects of the medication I was given was to erase a substantial time-period from my memories. Maybe once I am completely recovered..." He sighed. "The worst of it is I lost someone I cared a great deal for and I have no memory of saying goodbye... Vila has been supplying pills to ease my symptoms and I find taking a few extra dulls the pain somewhat."

I think I know who you are- oh, by the Powers- if the rumours I’ve been picking up are half true then you guys are in well over your heads. Looks like I’m going to be taking you with me then. Marianne had a strong urge to envelop Avon- she was pretty certain about his name now- in a maternal hug but suspected it would not be appreciated. She settled for taking his hand in hers; he started to pull it back then relaxed slightly and accepted the gesture of friendship.

"I know I shouldn’t," he continued. "If the situation were reversed and he was drinking excessively to deal with the situation, I would be the first to criticise."

"He’s not drinking at all right now."

"So I gathered. These past days he has shown greater strength of character than I ever gave him credit for."

"He obviously thinks a lot of you." She wanted to qualify the relationship between the men before she said the wrong thing. Back home ‘are you guys an item?’ was a standard conversation-opener but on a lot of other worlds people seemed needlessly twitchy about such things.

"Obviously. Which is more than can be said for our former associates, although maybe they have their reasons. I can make it worth your while to take us to Astbury if that is what you are worried about."

"I’ll take you," she assured him, "we can discuss the financial side over food. Vila’s already offered to make himself useful on my ship so that may be payment enough."

"Vila’s somewhat dubious skills are a poor recompense for the risk you would be taking if certain parties discovered that the pair of us are still alive."

"You don’t need to buy my silence: I may work within the law but I have no particular love of authority, especially when it comes to the Federation. On Astbury you’ll find most people can be indifferent to what you’ve done previously if that’s how you want it. The place has an air of respectability that was lacking a few years ago, but some of our prominent citizens still have a price on their heads elsewhere in the galaxy."

Vila emerged from the bathroom, "Avon-"

"I think Marianne is perfectly aware of the situation. Now are we going to sample this steakhouse?" Avon stood up unsteadily and Vila rushed over to support him.

Vila

"Here she is." After an excellent meal, during which conversation had mainly revolved around Marianne’s experiences as a pilot but had touched briefly on the social structure of her home planet, they had left Avon back at the hotel. Now Marianne was taking Vila to the Sappho so he could look over the systems.

It was big, mostly given over to freight storage and had seen better days, judging by the battered paintwork of the exterior. Walking into the first hold section, he noticed that the inner walls had been freshly painted and everything was a lot better cared for than the outside had led him to expect.

"Nice ship. You’re definitely ok with us tagging along?"

"Just this once. So long as people don’t start making a habit of it."

"Oh I don’t think we’ll be going anywhere else for a while. Not until I’m certain Avon’s ok at least."

"You know he’s been overdoing the pills?" Vila nodded. "I thought you might have been listening."

"I’ll keep ’em somewhere safe from now on- it’s just not like him to take anything he doesn’t have to. Thanks for getting him talking by the way. He said more to you tonight than he’s said to me since we got here."

"Probably because I’d got no expectations about him; he seems to care about you, which might make things more complicated for him."

"I sincerely hope not. People Avon cares about don’t usually have much of a life expectancy- Blake being the latest example. I prefer being too useful for him to get rid of."

"But you care about him."

"Bit of a bastard that," Vila agreed. "S’pose I’m doomed to tag along in his wake until someone less dangerous comes along."

"So what’s he really like? I’ve heard the occasional snippet of gossip but quite a lot of it has been contradictory."

"Well, he’s a complete bitch to work with, bloody minded, arrogant, determinedly unemotional, and sub as fuck if you can actually get him into bed- which may explain why I put up with the rest for so long. Sayin’ that I was fully prepared to let him have his grand reunion with Blake and leave the pair of ’em to it. Fucked that up royally didn’ we?"

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not right now. And anythin’ you may have heard about recent events is most emphatically not to be mentioned in front of Avon."

"Understood"

The forward section was surprisingly luxurious: actual red shag pile underfoot on the flight deck, black leather swivel chairs at the consoles and a small plaque over the pilot’s console declaring

‘Good Girls go to Heaven But Bad Girls go Everywhere.’ The weaponry systems were unusually sophisticated for a simple freighter, but if you were allied with the SCorps, you probably had a few big time enemies.

"Sorry the living accommodation is a bit cramped for three- it’s fine when I’m on my own. There are bunks in there; I can move the wine crates off the third one if need be."

"I don’t suppose Avon will object to sleeping with me for a bit longer. He’s not objecting to anything right now and that’s got me really worried."

"Give it time- it can’t be easy for him. Now how about we go over the controls properly? Then I’ll introduce you to Virginia, my flight computer."

"Virginia, this is Vila. You can take instructions from him until further notice, so long as they don’t contravene any of my commands."

*Welcome, Vila. Do you play card games?*

"Course I do. You sound like my sort of computer."

*Well someone has to keep Marianne occupied on long journeys; she gets all sorts of ideas when she’s bored*

"That’s quite enough, Virginia. You don’t have to go telling Vila my life story."

*As you wish, Marianne*

"Interesting personality program." Vila smiled, "I can’t wait to see Avon’s reaction to her."

When he got back to the hotel Vila slept properly for the first night in weeks.

On to Chapter Three

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