"Yeah, I called it back from the settlement while we were having breakfast." Teresa gave Harriet a look. "Like I said, it can fly itself."
Harriet held her tongue, in case Alice got a lift and she didn't.
"Alice, you're up front with me," said Teresa, once they were on board. Harriet was left to struggle with her harness, until eventually she sort of tied the ends together, hoping it would be good enough. Meanwhile, Alice buckled in like a pro.
"You can help fly her, if you like," said Teresa. "I'll take the stick, you handle the thrusters."
"Really?"
"Sure. It's not like we can hit anything in space."
What about on the way up? Harriet wanted to ask, but Alice was having the time of her life and she didn't want to be a misery guts.
They lifted off with a massive roar, and then Teresa pulled back on the stick while Alice pushed the throttles to the stops. Harriet clung to her seat as the ship tore into the sky, and she realised she should have asked for help with the harness. Luckily the force was pushing her back into the seat, and she realised she'd be fine as long as they didn't come to a sudden stop.
It seemed like no time at all before they were in space, heading towards Dismolle on a long, curving course which would have them home in less than an hour. The cabin grew cold, and Harriet noticed Alice and Teresa were both rugged up in thick jackets, while she only had her Peace Force uniform. She blew on her fingers and wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stay warm while the little ship rocketed through space, with Alice and Teresa chatting away like long lost buddies up front.
Never mind, she thought. It would soon be over.
— ♦ —
They set down without incident, despite Harriet's fears. Alice looked as proud and as happy as she'd ever seen her, especially after Teresa congratulated her flying skills.
"That was amazing," said Alice. "Really special. I'll never forget, I mean it."
Teresa reached for the master control switch, and winced.
"Hey, why don't you stay with us?" said Alice.
"What?" Harriet was still trying to untangle her belts, and was on the point of ripping them out in frustration.
"Sure! She got hurt saving us. We should put her up until she's better."
Harriet wanted to point out that she and Alice had been the ones doing the saving, while Teresa had just laid around after getting shot by accident. However, at the last second she toned it down a bit. "She'll be fine. Her eyebrows still work, don't they?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Look Alice, I've got to deal with something at the office. I can't waste time …" Harriet's voice tailed off as she stared at Teresa. Inspiration had just struck, and she was rapidly turning over the pros and cons. "Okay, she can stay with us. Let's go."
"That was sudden," said Teresa.
"She's right. You saved our lives and we'll be eternally grateful."
"And?"
Harriet paused. "Well, there might be something you can help me with. Come on, let's get a cab and I'll explain on the way."
In the cab she outlined her idea.
"No way," said Teresa flatly. "I am not going to impersonate a Peace Force officer."
"Oh, go on! We can't do it, we're both too young. But you must be at least thirty, and—"
"Twenty-six," said Teresa, with a frown.
"Really? Anyway, you'd pass for a captain no problem. And this woman's over eighty if she's a day. She'll never notice your complete and utter lack of training. And we'll have a day or two before you meet her. There's plenty of time to find you a uniform big enough, and to smooth out some of your rough diction."
Teresa stared at her. "You have a funny way of asking someone for a favour."
Harriet shrugged. "I tell it like it is. So, you in?"
"What do I get?"
"Free bed and board until you're fit and well. For a week, at least," she added hurriedly, before it became an open-ended invitation. "Don't worry, Alice will cook for you, I'm sure."
"I'll think about it. I don't want to get arrested for impersonating an officer."
"Who's going to arrest you? It's an official request, just to get us out of a hole."
The cab drew up outside the Peace Force station, and as she got out Harriet gazed up at the solid concrete facade with affection. The building was as solid as a bunker, and looked like it had been designed to stop a direct hit from a giant meteorite. It was permanent, strong and dominating, just like the Peace Force.
They entered through the big front doors, where Dave Birch was sitting behind the counter with his manuscript. He looked up as they walked in, and beckoned urgently to Harriet. "You've got big trouble," he muttered, concern etched into his lined face.
"That's all right, Teresa's here to help."
"Not her. Your robot pal is dealing with that Foster woman from the Association."
"Yeah, I know, but it's okay. I've got a plan. Teresa's going to dress up as a captain."
Dave glanced at Teresa. "Okay. If you say so."
"Before you retired, did you meet any captains around her age?"
"Can't say I did, but once you're as old as me, all thirty-year-olds look like teens."
"I'm twenty-six!" protested Teresa.
"Well, however old you are, I hope you're ready to put on a show." Dave jerked his thumb towards the office. "Foster's in there now, ripping strips off Bernie."
"She's here?" demanded Harriet. "Now?"
"You sure pick things up quick," remarked Dave. "Maybe you should be a detective or something. When you're old enough, that is."
Harriet put her eye to the crack between the doors leading to the office, and saw Foster literally jabbing a finger into Bernie's chest. "This
