"Tyron Smith, yes. He's behind it all."
"I've heard of him. A few people will breathe easy with him gone."
"What about his ship?"
The woman glanced up at it. "We needed a new patrol vessel. Perfect timing."
"Can I grab my belongings first?"
"Be my guest. I only want the ship."
"Good luck to you," said Harriet, and they saluted each other.
"Just one thing before you go."
"Yes?" said Harriet.
"Don't run private little ops on my planet. Not without clearing it with me first."
Harriet was going to explain, but it was easier to agree. "You have my word."
"Good. Next time I'll haul you and your people in too."
Harriet ran up the ramp to the airlock, crossed the flight deck and took the ladder to the lower level. She jogged to Smith's cabin, where she took Teresa's gun from her jacket and adjusted the setting to max. Covering her eyes with one hand, she blasted the locked safe, cringing as hot metal spattered all over the furniture. When she looked up, the lock was a molten lump of metal, and the door was ajar.
Inside she spotted her commset, the cheap penknife and a slim metal box. She reached in with a gloved hand and took all three, putting the knife and commset in her pocket. The box had a grey touch pad on top, similar to a fingerprint reader, and Harriet wondered whether it really contained the key to a fortune. Well, that was for later. First they had to get Teresa to hospital, and then she'd get Alice back to Dismolle for what was going to be a very heated debrief. Harriet tucked the slim box inside her jacket and headed back up the passage to the flight deck.
Outside, Teresa's stretcher was being handed down carefully to willing helpers. Alice was amongst them, and as the group set off through the undergrowth, Harriet jumped down from the landing pad and followed.
They made their way through the thick forest, eventually emerging before a landing pad with a large, white ship sitting on top. The ship had official markings, and the cargo ramp was lowered and waiting. As they trooped up the ramp, Harriet made her way over to Teresa, who was still reassuring Alice.
"I'm fine, kid. They'll have me patched up in no time."
Despite her tone, Teresa looked pale and drawn.
"If there's anything I can do …" began Alice.
"Yeah, the box. You've got to find it."
"Of course! But what about your ship?"
"She'll be fine. The autopilot will bring her to me when I'm ready."
They made it into the ship's hold, where Teresa's stretcher was secured. Then the ramp lifted, and once it was closed the ship took off without fuss. As soon as they were in level flight, Harriet sat next to Alice and Teresa and drew the infamous box from her jacket. Alice's eyes widened at the sight, and Teresa stared at it hungrily.
Alice took it with shaking fingers and pressed her hand to the pad. There was a tiny click, and she opened the lid. They all craned forward and saw …
A faded old photograph.
The photograph showed a smiling couple holding a baby, and Alice picked it up gently, staring at it. Meanwhile, Teresa put her hand out and tilted the box, trying to see if there was anything else inside.
There wasn't.
Teresa shrugged. "Oh well, that was a bust."
"It's my parents," whispered Alice. She was staring at the photo, her eyes intense. "I've never seen them before."
Harriet understood how Alice felt. Her own parents had been killed when she was two, and she had absolutely nothing of theirs. Then, with practiced ease, she locked the feelings away. "That was thoughtful of him," she said, and managed a weak smile.
"Pity Smith never saw this," remarked Teresa. "He's wasted years chasing a photo."
Very carefully, so as not to crease it, Alice tucked the photo in her pocket.
Teresa put her hand out. "Want me to throw the box away?"
"No, it's mine." Alice glanced at her. "Don't worry, there aren't any hidden compartments. The walls are too thin. Plus if you mess around with it, the atomizer will probably dissolve your fingers."
"Oh well, I guess the photo is prize enough." And with that Teresa sank back on the stretcher, exhausted.
The flight was a short one, barely ten minutes, and when they set down Teresa was whisked into a waiting vehicle. Alice went to follow, but was refused. Instead, she sought out Harriet. "Some day, huh?"
Harriet said nothing. They were stranded on Vasquez, they had no way to get home, and it was night time. Alice might be used to sleeping on the streets, but Harriet preferred a little more comfort, especially after getting kidnapped, tied up and shot at … twice. She looked around, but apart from a handful of ships the landing field was empty. Nearby, the terminal building shone in the darkness, and she wondered if they could nap on the chairs in the departure lounge. "Come on, let's go."
They set off together, and on the way Harriet stuck her hands in her pockets and felt the hard shape of the commset. Slowly, she drew it out, wondering whether it would work. Well, it was worth a shot. "Hello? Bernie?"
There was a long delay, and then her spirits soared as the familiar voice replied. "Trainee Harriet? Where are you?"
"I'm on Vasquez. Alice is fine, we're both safe."
"You're on Vasquez? Trainee Harriet, do you realise how much planetary roaming costs?"
"Yes, we're both okay Bernie. Thanks for your concern." Harriet rolled her eyes. Trust the robot to worry about money.
"I am truly glad you are not dead," said Bernie.
"Thanks, that's sweet of you."
"Indeed. Funerals are even more expensive than long-distance calls."
Harriet gave up. "Look, we're stuck here. Can we get a flight or something?"
"Of course you can get a flight. Just ask a passing freighter to drop you at the Dismolle spaceport."
"I
