Alice hesitated. She was fed up with being hunted, but Harriet needed the gear in a hurry. Plus she'd never fired a crossbow, and she might put the first dozen bolts through the wrong window. "Okay, set down. But I want you out of there at the first sign of trouble."
"Agreed."
Alice took her seat, and they dropped between the apartment buildings towards the rooftop landing. The enemy opened fire, but their weapons lacked the power and range to hit the ship, and any shots which did find their mark splashed harmlessly on the armour.
They set down with a bump, gunfire still bracketing them from above. It was an unnerving sensation, sitting under the transparent canopy while blaster fire rained down, and Alice didn't feel safe until she joined the others below the ship.
Harriet emerged from the stairwell, looking up in surprise as she saw Arnie's wing overhead.
"Keep down!" hissed Alice.
A shot hit the ground nearby, scattering stones, and Harriet ducked and ran to the group. "Good to see you, Moira. I thought you might come." Harriet glanced at the robot. "Worthy. Glad you're here."
"I'm lucky to make it," said the robot. "Did you know this trainee doesn't have a pilot's license?"
"Let's deal with that later, shall we?" Harriet turned to the stairwell. "Everyone out," she called, "and keep your heads down!"
They were joined by several of the others, Caldavir amongst them. He stopped when he saw his wife, then shook his head with a wry smile. "Couldn't stay away, I see."
"Someone has to make sure these things work," said Moira. "And we both know you can't cut a piece of wood without chopping your own fingers off."
They hugged, and then the unloading began in earnest.
Chapter 23
While they were lugging the equipment to the ground floor, Alice took the opportunity to speak with Harriet. "I never back down from a fight. You know that, right?"
"Sure. I've got the scars to prove it."
Alice glanced up the stairs, but they were alone. "People could die here, sis. Why don't we load everyone aboard Arnie and get the hell out of here? It'd be a tight fit, but—"
"Do you remember when we were battling that guy Canitt? He landed a freighter in the middle of the city, unloaded a bunch of armed mercs, and there was nothing we could do about it." Harriet gestured. "While Darting's people are concentrating on us, the rest of the city is going about its business, but if we leave, Darting is going to turn on them instead. We have to stay, we have to fight, and we have to win."
"Go Harriet!" said Alice admiringly. "I can see you hunting them with crossbows yet."
"I hope it won't come to that. We've charged the blasters up, and if Dave and I can stun enough of the enemy they might pack it in for the night."
"Did you get Bernie back?"
Harriet shook her head. "Couldn't charge her, couldn't move her."
They reached the main office, where they unloaded the gear they were carrying. Moira was there, setting up the tools, getting tables together to use as workbenches, and laying out her plans on a desk.
"That's the last of the stuff," said Birch, as he came in carrying several lengths of timber.
"Then let's get started," said Moira. She indicated a drawing. "Grab a pencil, and transfer that shape onto the wood. You two, bring me the flat bar. Worthy, you're doing the metal cutting. Make sure the sparks don't set anything on fire."
"Yes ma'am."
"Dave, can you use a bandsaw?"
Birch looked dubious. "I'm not that much of a handyman."
"I'll set it up for you. Just keep your fingers out of the blade. It's easy, honest."
Harriet could see everything was under control, and she went to check on McCluskey, who was keeping watch. "Any sign of them?" asked Harriet.
"They're taking shots at your robot now and then, but that's all."
"Wasting their time," remarked Harriet. She peered over the barrier to see Bernie about twenty metres away, a hulking shadow in the street. If only they'd got her closer! Earlier, she'd considered going off to find a power lead, but the robot sucked in vast quantities of electricity, and even a heavy duty lead would have fried itself under the load. Back in Dismolle, the charge cables were as thick as Harriet's thumb, and they were not something you picked up at the local hardware store.
Harriet frowned as she heard a roar overhead. "Where's Alice going now?" she demanded.
"Maybe she's moving out of firing range."
Instead, the roar got louder, and to Harriet's surprise the jet landed in the street, right next to Bernie. Ben appeared on the ladder, and Harriet almost shouted with joy as she spotted the cable in his hands. As he dragged the end towards the robot, shots rained down from above, but they splashed harmlessly on the ship's wings.
Ben plugged the cable in, then retreated to the ship. Through the transparent canopy, Harriet could see Alice looking at her, her face illuminated by the instruments. Alice gave her a thumbs up, and Harriet responded.
"Smart girl," said McCluskey. "She's got a real brain on her."
Harriet glanced up at the building, and saw a darkened window flash with light as one of the shooters fired on the ship. She noted the exact location, then returned to the main office. The place was a hive of activity, and it was hard to think with all the noise from the machinery. Birch was enveloped in a cloud of sawdust, a rough wooden stock taking shape on the bandsaw he was using. Worthy was in the canteen, using an angle grinder, hot yellow sparks raining on the tiled floor. Others were cutting lengths of wire rope, chopping metal rod into short, even lengths, or putting points on the finished bolts with a grindstone.
Harriet went to find Moira, who was busy organising
