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    Platinum Mind
    Platinum Mind
    Platinum Mind
    Ebook754 pages11 hours

    Platinum Mind

    By Sharon L Reddy

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Witnesses "saw" a murder. No autopsy report was presented. There was no appeal. The maximum security facility hadn't asked for a budget increase in five years. A former supreme court justice's dying request was for her great-great-granddaughter to learn what was going on. The owner of Diamond Intersector wanted to know, too. She gave her grandnephew the job of helping her and a ship. Then her father, Lucky Diamond, sent a message, after 67 years. A ship came and left in the middle of the night. They had a direction, twice.

    Sky was not prepared to feel the callused hand of the man he'd never seen clasping his, or to just know his name. It was the beginning. Justice was not blind to her mockery.

    About books by Sharon L Reddy, reviewers said:

    recluse:
    "The author is a fine wordsmith who possesses a marvelous imagination."

    Raven's Reviews:
    "...unique, fast-paced style ...allows one to read almost as fast as one can think."
    "...romantic brain-candy... If you like almost any kind of men at all, you'll like hers..."

    Mistress of the Dark Path:
    "...you will also notice your mind is stimulated."
    "...designed for a more educated and worldly crowd."

    R. Cagle:
    "I got hooked immediately."

    Marji Holt:
    "The characters came out of the books and into my dreams."

    Twenty-four titles. Start your collection today.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSharon L Reddy
    Release dateJun 28, 2011
    ISBN9781583383681
    Platinum Mind
    Author

    Sharon L Reddy

    I write science fiction romance, but it's the literary definition of romance. Swashbuckle, Baby, in "white tie and tails." High romantic fantasies, million word mysteries, family sagas, statesmen, gurus and wise immortals. Loving dads, sons and brothers, and of course, the women who understand and appreciate them. High fashion and landscape design. Materials and art, the books are built to be read very fast, specifically for the way women visualize. Research on the soap operas of the fifties, trends in international populist (fan) fiction, technological development, and above all, long-term entertainment value. It has to be good in reruns. The intent is create a body of work that's just fun to read, in spurts or bursts over decades. Ethics, responsibility, nobless oblige, the power of money, the use of prestige. I write good guys win. Period. They're fantasies for women. Men with lots of muscle say, "I love you," a lot.Most of what is currently published was written in the first decade, 1991-1999, before Mother Nature changed my personal definition of "mature audience." I hope you'll remain with me as I and my work mature and enjoy the second decade of my work now being published, as well.I've lived many places and visited far more. My current residence is on a high mesa in New Mexico, in the United States, where I am engaged in a habitat restoration project.Explanation of the Pilots Group:Some of these works have been sitting on my hard drive close to twenty years and they're no fun for anyone just sitting there. They're exactly what they've been titled, pilots, like for a TV series. It is my intent and hope that other writers will choose to continue the adventures of the characters. There are only three restrictions. Don't kill off my heroes, don't make good guys bad guys and give my story credit if you publish. Yes, you may publish and make money on your stories. I loved reading and writing fan fiction, but the limitations on it could be frustrating, so... Have fun with these works that specifically don't have them.

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      Book preview

      Platinum Mind - Sharon L Reddy

      Sharon L Reddy

      Platinum Mind

      (c) 2011, 2012

      Target Yonder

      Smashwords Edition

      ISBN 978-1-58338-368-1

      Cover background: NASA, STScI

      Chapter One

      Over. Finished. Done. Past tense. The trial and his life. He heard the judge sentence him to life confinement and it rang through his mind, but seemed to come from far away. 'His' attorney turned and walked out of the courtroom. It was the only time he'd ever seen him. He'd tried to protest that at the beginning of the trial, which had lasted less than a half-day. He'd been gagged for his attempt, a sound suppression field placed around him.

      He'd stepped onto the world of Moradorn nine days before and been arrested within an hour for a murder committed minutes after he'd arrived.

      There had been witnesses. Three people had seen the murder. All of them had described him perfectly to the police and pointed him out in court. There hadn't been an autopsy report presented. He wasn't sure there was a body.

      He wasn't guilty. He'd killed no one. He was sure they knew it, perhaps even the jury knew it. As he shuffled, manacled at wrists and ankles, from the courtroom at the prodding of three guards, he softly said, Justice, be not blind to this. Witness thy mockery.

      M'Radia S'Thonberra watched the beautiful young man with long white-gold hair pass through the door and fought back tears of pain and anger. Her great-great-grandmother had set her a task with her dying breath. She'd laid aside her paints and locked her studio, but she had a sketch pad in her hands. She was working on a memorial to her great-great-grandmother.

      She closed the sketch book before the person who had gotten her into the trial reached her. All the sketches were of the tall, muscular and erect, young man, with burning anger in his gold-green eyes. Strange eyes to see framed by long white-gold lashes that brushed light cocoa skin when he closed them. She mentally shook herself, but couldn't manage to return Gen Halbrimer's smile.

      Did you get what you needed?

      Yes, I can imagine Great-great-grandmother up there in her robes and the tension of the trial scene now. It just looked so... bland on vid.

      I wasn't sure this would do it. Rather an 'open and shut case,' as they say. The M'dorgansi murder trial lasted nearly a half-year. Of course, no one saw that crime.

      And three saw this one. I kept wondering why they didn't interfere, start yelling for police.

      They went to them immediately.

      Yes, right after they evidently stood and watched him 'brutally and repeatedly bludgeon an unidentified female' to death. Personally, I think I'd have been screaming as loud as I could and hunting a bigger club if I 'heard and saw' something like they described.

      None of us really know what we'd do in any odd circumstance unless it happens to us.

      Very true. Thank you again for your assistance.

      Certainly. I'm very much looking forward to the completed work.

      So am I. Gen Halbrimer, do you know who the woman with the silver streak in burnt sienna hair is? She's absolutely striking and looks somewhat familiar.

      Burnt sienna, obviously an artist. That's Clamara Diamosky, owner of Diamond Intersector Transport.

      Excuse me, please. I want to do a portrait and she can afford to pay for it, a very unusual circumstance.

      Good luck.

      Thanks. Hello, I'm a portrait artist. I'm using that as an excuse to talk to someone I think and hope is working as hard as I am to not show she'd like to take the whole place apart to get to the bottom of that... If I think of a disgusting enough noun, I'll let you know.

      Do. I can't come up with one either. Let's talk about your qualifications for what I have in mind over lunch. My car is that way.

      So is mine, but I sold it to someone else to get here. My great-great-grandmother's estate is taking awhile to settle. It seems several people are upset she left most of it to me and contesting the will. Let me show you a sketch.

      You're hired. You're actually good enough no one will ask why.

      Thank you. I'll do a couple of you while we talk about what I haven't been able to learn, so far.

      Why.

      That's the word. No one seems to be collecting money. Police, witnesses, attorneys, prosecutors, judges, not a credit more they should have, anywhere I could find.

      I couldn't find any either. That young man worked his passage here on a ship belonging to someone who's a very good judge of character. He was arrested two days before the ship lifted, but I'm sure the captain didn't hear about it because he'd have called me.

      Did you know the Gambert Herscel maximum security confinement facility hasn't asked for a budget increase in five years? I keep wondering how they're housing and feeding almost four hundred in a facility that was built for a maximum of three hundred for the same amount of money.

      A very interesting bit of information.

      My great-grandmother's name is, was, Urtilla M'Radia. She kept a very close count of how many were determined to be 'violently sociopathic beyond any reasonable hope of rehabilitation' and sentenced to it. She gave me her wrist comp just before she died, but I had to turn it over to the probate court. Rights to her memoirs are expected to contribute significantly to the financial value of the estate. I barely had time to download it to my light palette before someone demanded I hand it over. I'm glad it was in the pocket of the smock I was wearing, when I ran for my car and the hospital, when she called the last time. I told them I doubted there was much in it, but the comp itself was worth about forty credits used, and since they also wanted the stylus she'd given me that was only worth about two, I just handed it over.

      She obviously chose the right one to name as her primary heir.

      Thank you. I loved her very much. I'd have told the others to shove it up their combined asses if she hadn't wanted something specific done with it, and she knew it.

      My grandnephew would like you. He's been tearing up the credit drafts I send him for his birthday, since he learned to read. It aggravated his parents intensely. They don't speak to him. I do. Last time I did, he yelled he'd see me at Briminy Park at ten on Sixday, as long as I didn't try to pay his way in. I yelled he was paying mine. We had a marvelous time. My car. Yorthid, this young portrait artist has convinced me she'd do an excellent job. She's also convinced me a bit of advance is in order. I expect to learn her name over lunch at Gerton's.

      Oh, sorry. M'Radia S'Thonberra, but I sign my work Radberra and go by Rad.

      I sign mine C. Diamosky. Call me Clay. Put that pad away, Rad. I don't want a portrait of me. I want one of my grandnephew. He drops most of his name for the same obvious reasons you do. His parents stuck him with the 'important' names of both sides of the family too. His name is Diamosky T'Soskadan, but his identification says Sky Kadan.

      Uh...

      You know him?

      Just by reputation.

      Do tell.

      More than one description of broad shoulders, satiny blue-black hair, big blue eyes, skin like ivory in the light of dawn and shattered hearts he doesn't seem to hear breaking.

      Probably not. He thinks of his appearance as helpful in his job as social activities director for Corvasett Lodge and the young women who go there as pleasant dance partners.

      I wonder if he knows their last social activities director was married, had a degree in recreational therapy, was paid less and the night club was never part of his job.

      Tell him, please.

      Yor!

      Clay, you need him. He's the only one you can really trust to take over Diamond, eventually, and some of the load off you now. He's the only one who won't throw your weight around and order someone else to do exactly what you don't want anyone else doing, while he collects a nice salary.

      You see what happens when you have the same driver for twelve years, Rad? He begins to think he's part of the family.

      Never. You and he are the only ones I'd claim and you only claim each other when you're both wearing hats and not using your names.

      About too true. I think he'll take the job I'm offering this time, Yor. I want to send them both to Barsoom.

      Yeah, that one he might take.

      Barsoom?

      Yorthid noticed a small cargo ship of Barsoom registry arrived at T'Faradi port at odd intervals and stayed a few hours, at most. He brought it to my attention because it's always at night and it leaves right after one small hauler goes to it. He thought they might be smuggling drugs.

      I just happen to have some dates stored in my light palette.

      Bring them up. Comm on. Connect Baby Boy.

      Sky.

      Tell the assholes paying you more than they paid the last person with the title, a degreed rec therapist with a wife and no duties at the night club, they forgot to mention they deduct the difference as advertising to attract young women. If it irritates you to be considered part of the decor, I'm headed for Gerton's with a young woman who has about the same attitude you do about family names and money. She's got a job her dying great-grandmother gave her. I'm giving the same one to you. She's also going to paint a portrait of you for me. It's my excuse for sending her with you. I think Moradorn is exporting convicted murderers whose only crime is they're young men from off world. The trail starts with a ship registered on Barsoom.

      I'll be there in ten minutes. I just have to slug someone first. If I'm late, bail me out.

      I'd be delighted.

      He was still too numb to think when he shuffled into the back of a transport. Suddenly he realized he was in a ship cargo container. He spun and felt an inject dart hit his leg. He screamed his fury once before the anesthetic took effect, but no one heard.

      Rad blinked and brought herself back to her surroundings. She'd suddenly 'seen' the young man walking toward her and the young man at the trial side by side. They were about the same height, just about two meters, and both far outside the norm of medium olive skin, brown hair and brown eyes, exotic and beautiful. Even her own light brown hair, light olive skin and hazel eyes were more common.

      I feel like an idiot, Aunt Clay.

      I didn't know it until Rad told me, Sky.

      He offered me a raise. Said I did a good job on the rest of the stuff, but they'd give me a five percent increase to just host the club. I was too disgusted to slug him.

      Sky, if you hadn't been sure you were doing a good job, you'd have realized how they were using you.

      So I keep telling myself. Thank you, Rad.

      It wasn't common knowledge. I just happen to know a woman who used to work in the lodge accounting office. Her opinion on it was you should have been allowed to prove you had what it takes to do the same job the other fellow did, but they changed the duties as soon as you applied for the position.

      Let's talk about another young man I think someone plans to use.

      Yes, Aunt Clay, let's. I think Barsoom is pointless. It's practically supported by the ship registry. Pay the fee and the only question asked is the name of the ship. You know it even better than I do. I think we have to upset the shipping schedule here.

      You've been talking to Yorthid.

      Have since the day you hired him. I got him on comm for a brief as soon as I got in the car. Taking a cargo before it gets off the ground is theft. After it has, it's piracy and you're liable to blow it up trying to take it. To report a theft, you have to give a description of the stolen items to the police and they look for the perpetrators of the crime. To report an act of piracy, you only have to limp into comm range of anyone and yell the word, and everyone in space with guns starts hunting.

      You wouldn't be content just following the ship?

      When I was getting out of my car, I suddenly thought of a word that shocked me so badly I almost fell on my face. You haven't thought of it yet or you wouldn't have asked that. The word is 'slavery.'

      I... think I've changed my mind about lunch.

      They headed for Clay's office after a very light lunch. They worked on it for quite some time, but the spaceport was just too well-lit and guarded. Clay suddenly made a decision. She bought a small ship she knew was for sale, told Sky to go take the pilot's exam and began making arrangements for it to be ready to follow the ship of Barsoom registry. Then she placed a very private comm call to her chief of operations on the docking station.

      Yorthid noticed something very odd, Lilan. So odd, my grandnephew just nodded and went to take the pilot's exam when I bought him a ship.

      'Very' doesn't begin to describe it.

      Exactly. He pointed out Barsoom registry means nothing but the owners had some cash. I want every captain out there we trust watching for a ship when it leaves here and pointing him and the young artist I'm sending with him, ostensibly to paint a portrait of him for me, the direction it went. Lilan, be careful. The authorities here are ignoring that ship too hard. I can't find any payoffs, but there's a smell in the air. I think it may be fear.

      I may have a possible direction to point. Grislan Thormer said Mirror Sector is just too quiet. It makes him nervous. Since reports of missing ships, pirates and possibility of war don't, I take a statement he is into careful account when planning courses. That was almost a year ago, but he's still nervous.

      Damn. I almost wish I hadn't gotten Sky in on this now, but I still can't think of anyone else more likely to find out what's happening and not get killed in the process.

      Yes, he's a great deal like your father.

      Shh, he's going to take enough risks as it is. Being told he reminds us of 'Lucky Diamond the pirate hunter' might be a bit much. It's the one thing his parents were careful about mentioning that I agreed with.

      He's going to hear it, eventually.

      I plan on telling him, eventually, but not until after he's learned a major part of luck is caution and being well prepared when that isn't enough. I almost hope he runs into him out there somewhere.

      You're sure he's still wandering around.

      My mother was. She never doubted for a moment he was going to outlive her by quite some time. I've got a feeling we need to get this in place, Lilan. That ship comes in at odd intervals, always at night, and leaves within a couple hours.

      Now I know the ship. I've noticed it too, and that it gets clearance real fast.

      It smells.

      Definitely. Is the ship down there or up here?

      Up there. The Velvet Sprite.

      Uh... I'd heard she might be for sale, but it wasn't a loud whisper.

      Of course not. There would have been dozens calling daily, who just wanted to say they'd been on her. She just happened to be the only thing for sale small enough Sky didn't need a captain's license.

      You got away with buying her for him and are feeling smug about it.

      Very, but he doesn't know what ship I bought, yet.

      Rad thumped Sky on the head and he was very surprised. Clay worked not to giggle. She had no doubt Rad was just as stubborn about such things as he was, but a bit more practical. She'd also been working on the mystery longer.

      It was the only small, fast, armed ship for sale that was on the space dock and didn't have a lien against it, Sky. Basically, the only one I could just transfer credits and get the title in return, without a lender slowing down the process while they tallied the payoff price, the refund for insurance and so on, for at least two days. You wouldn't get clearance to get off the ground soon enough to follow that ship and we both know it. I put it in your name and paid the gift tax on it because you'd decided to let me loan you the credits to buy a ship and I 'got away with it.' I smugly told S'Gerthy I hadn't told you what ship, I planned to tear up your credit drafts, just like you'd been tearing up the ones I sent you for your birthday for years, and we needed to get it done fast, before you caught on. He took care of it himself.

      A yacht isn't a practical ship for engaging in trade, Aunt Clay.

      That's not what you're doing. You finally agreed I needed you when Yorthid asked you which of our other relatives wouldn't begin work by looking for buyers for the company, and wasn't already hoping I'd die soon so they didn't have to wait long to sell it. You're looking around so you understand why Diamond Intersector is a stabilizing economic force and contributes to peaceful relationships between worlds.

      It's not a cheap ship to operate, either.

      Actually, more efficient than most. You are getting paid, Sky. This will be too obvious if you aren't.

      You found a way to get me.

      Yes, I did, but I don't plan on dumping the whole thing on you, until you do see why you're the only one I can trust with the company and the real job. You're going to be troubleshooting for a very long time. It's what I can't do now and have never found anyone else I'm sure can. That means look for the reasons captains are nervous and chief engineers are telling ghost stories. Somewhere out there, there are others. My father was sure of it. He'd seen ships of very odd design more than once, when he was exploring beyond settled space. I started this company with one ship and a cargo I got a loan to buy, too. The reason has always been to be ready to meet others in peaceful trade, when we do run across them.

      You never told me that.

      I never told anyone before. There's no one else I could tell, not even Yorthid. Frankly, I expect you to have to find one person you can trust to tell when you reach my age, too. I don't think they want to meet us yet, but I'm working on making it more likely, by making war less likely, by strengthening the economic bonds between worlds.

      Take it, Sky. It has the only job description I've ever heard that makes it too important to trust to anyone who asks what the salary is.

      Don't pay me more than... seems reasonable, Aunt Clay.

      I plan on paying you exactly what I paid myself, expenses and enough to put on a good show when necessary. I think it will be, Sky. Somewhere there's a great deal of money involved in this. I'm also sticking a large amount in an account for you, Rad. I checked on it and your great-grandmother's will is going to stand up to every challenge. Sign these, please.

      Sign?

      I told my attorneys the whole thing disgusted me, I certainly saw why she did it, and they're now working for you. I also told them you're very talented and don't need it, but I planned on convincing you not fighting for it and not using it was precisely what she'd hoped you wouldn't do. These give them the right to fight the case for you and say you'll pay me back when you get what she did not want the others to have, because they'd all been hovering over her waiting for her to die and salivating.

      Hand me the stylus. That's exactly what they did. I haven't spoken to my mother in a half-year. I overheard her complaining Great-grandmother was 'wasting' their money on a resident nurse and she was 'too old to have the sense' to move into a facility and sell the house, so they didn't have to pay for someone to do an inventory, 'get rid of the trash' and conduct an auction when she died.

      Grr.

      Exactly, Sky, but I'd have still just dropped the whole thing, if she hadn't wanted me to do something important and specific with it, and she knew it.

      Which, of course, is why I had to convince you to look at it from her viewpoint, which I totally understand, and see she'd have been very aggravated if you didn't actually fight for it. That was almost as difficult as convincing my grandnephew to work for me, and take you with him to paint a portrait of him for me, while he gets to know Diamond personnel on other worlds. Of course, that part did become less difficult when he saw you. Yorthid will enjoy gossiping about it. You both need to grab clothes and get moving. It'll be dark in two hours and that ship could show up any time after that.

      My place is too far away to go and get back.

      How far?

      Gascony, but I've been staying in Nymphina Springs. My easel and paints are there.

      Sky, get what she needs to paint a portrait. I'll get B'Gerd's started on clothes for her. Yorthid will pack you and we'll send everything up to the ship. Here are your account cards.

      He's got my key code. Let's go, Rad. We have a slave trade to stop and it begins with looking like that's not what we're doing.

      Well, that took care of wanting dinner.

      As soon as they left, Clay got busy on the comm. She giggled conspiratorially with Barina, the manager of B'Gerd's, and put her to work on making sure Sky, who had finally agreed to work for her, when she yelled she needed to be two places and he was the only one who she trusted to be her, wanted to take the first young woman he's really shown an interest in places to wear everything from a ship suit to a devastating formal gown. Barina laughed when she noted she did have a size scan and she'd done rather well concealing the scanner in her hand, when she was using it on both of them.

      There was a shuttle standing by when Yorthid got to the port, with the contents of Sky's closets and drawers and a large number of garment bags and packages from B'Gerd's. He took it up and put everything away quickly, with the assistance of three grinning employees from the Diamond offices on the space dock. The whole company was in on getting Sky to work before he changed his mind.

      The dock traffic controller was in on it, too. She'd clear the ship for departure as soon as he asked for it, hopefully before he noticed dinner wasn't all the owner of Diamond had sent to it. She cleared an incoming ship to orbit and turned them over to T'Faradi port traffic control, just before the Diamond personnel shuttle lifted from it. It gave her the same odd feeling it always did, but the instructions to pass it straight through came from the top.

      Clay sighed and checked her messages. She was hungry, tired, worried and several other things, but hadn't checked them since morning. She rapidly went through a half-dozen routine reports and queued things to be dealt with the next day. She was nearly done when she hit one she just stared at about five seconds. It said, I need a body with fifty years less on the drive. Mirror sector. Cospia Station. Ask for Old Theo at the Black Harbor Bar. Happy birthday sixty-seven times, Little Gem. She hit the comm fast.

      Velvet Sprite, docking station.

      No personnel aboard. Correction, personnel with correct entry code at hatch.

      Aunt Clay?

      I'm passing you a message.

      I've got it. I didn't say good-by to Grandmother or my parents.

      My sister never understood mother either.

      I realized that when I was about five. It made me feel better about the fact they didn't understand me.

      Enjoy your dinner, but don't open the wine until you're on course in TL drive. Note the name, place of origin and number on the bottle.

      I'm going to end up out of here before I look over the ship.

      Now would I do that? Safe journey. Comm out.

      The expression on Sky's face would have told Rad there was a great deal more to the message than was obvious, if she hadn't seen it and heard his odd reply.

      Even I've heard of Cospia Station. Things like, 'Take plenty of money and a guard for it.' I got the wine bottle is a name and registry change for the ship. What was the bit about family?

      Telling her I knew who it was from, her father, Lucky Diamond. Let's compute a course and expect to be told we're on the right one.

      You think he's looking for what we are?

      He's on to something nastier than he's up to handling, and that means real nasty. He yelled for the only person he's sure would know it and who to send, Aunt Clay and me.

      You're not a bit overconfident, are you?

      Passing the pilot's test with a perfect score may have gone to my head a bit.

      Perfect?

      I like math. I wouldn't have passed the test for a captain's license, and I know it. I did qualify to keep track of my bridge and engineering hours towards it, though, and I picked up the study disks. Rad, this ship is a custom-built jewel. Aunt Clay's friend S'Gerthy is Sormer T'Gerthano.

      Yipe!

      Exactly. She's armed because even the furnishings are worth a not-small fortune. Aunt Clay probably put a dent in her credit balance buying her. A large, new, cargo ship wouldn't have, but this baby did. Of course, he didn't need to make any money on it and he is rather fond of her, so it might not be as big a dent as most people think.

      You'd been holding out until she came right out and said she needs you because no one else can do the job?

      Holding out until she really did need me. I thought it would be several years yet. I liked my job. I planned to keep it awhile.

      Ow.

      Yes, but at least I didn't get it because of who I'm related to.

      This is true and of primary importance to anyone whose relatives come in two types, ones who do things and ones who are sure they're important because they're related to them.

      Very nicely put. I'm hungry, but the course computations need to be done first. Let's get that bottle. I'd really like to enter the registry change and split the log after we leave here and before we get to somewhere else. I just can't think of a way to do it.

      Explain that a bit, please.

      It's fairly common practice to split the log when a ship is sold, store the old one and begin a new one. A log can't be just dumped, but everything in it, except the maintenance record, is private information belonging to the previous owner. If it is done, the log is usually filed under privacy seal with the registering authority when the ship is sold, but Diamond Intersector is authorized to store them because it buys so many ships.

      I might be able to manage that.

      How?

      By setting a specific place 'personal assets in lieu of' takes over from insurance.

      Yipe.

      Are you planning on running into something, like a planet?

      Uh, no, but I think of insurance as something you have because other people run into things, like you.

      So do I, but that's a great deal less likely in a ship than in a car and a description for insurance is liable to tell someone exactly what ship this is.

      This is true.

      By the time they got to the bridge, they were both nearly giggling. They'd discovered fully equipped included a custom flyer and car in the transportation hold, a tastefully appointed small gym with spa, a plant-filled solarium with bar, four cabins with huge beds and cozy seating for four, a galley that was fully stocked and had a counter with two stools and nook that would seat four, a dining room that would seat eight and a living room in which twenty wouldn't be crowded. Sky kept having to pull Rad past the art work. She noted the little yacht was a large, more than lovely, home with a star drive. Sky added, And weapons we need to learn to use.

      Rad entered the ship's new name and registry number first, but ordered the computer to split the logs and download the old to Diamond Intersector files, when the Summer Cadenza made the third nav check after departure from the station. That was the one at which Sky said they could be coming from any one of four sectors, including the one in which Barsoom, where the ship was now registered, was located.

      It was an interesting bit of programming and she realized she wouldn't have been able to accomplish it if Diamond Intersector hadn't been authorized to store the logs of purchased ships. Then she did a bit of work on Sky's pilot's license. It would be renewed with the nearest issuing authority, by comm, at the time the log was split, under a new name. She changed hers, while she was at it.

      She thought about it, then wrote another line of code into the standard change code. If she was right about the registry programming, it would do the registry change, but 'forget' to delete the old records. She told herself it probably wasn't illegal, because few would realize it could be done. If it worked.

      Sky did the course computations on a data pad while Rad worked. He finished before she did, but didn't interrupt, just watched over her shoulder and handed them to her when she got done. The computer confirmed they were correct. She noted he really was good at math. He noted she was more than really good with a computer and all they really needed to be a fantastic crew was a terrific chief engineer.

      Tarundi Kossameer.

      Who?

      That's his name. I keep seeing him standing beside you, like that's where he belongs. I did a sketch of you and nearly put him in it with you. These are the ones I did of him this morning. He's about the same height you are. That hair is gleaming white-gold silk that stirs and falls back into waves of flowing sunlight, with every movement of his head and the lightest stir of air. Skin of pale cocoa and green-gold eyes you're surprised aren't slitted like a cat's.

      He...

      Sky?

      I can picture him... too completely. Can feel his hand grasping mine, strong and callused. Things like this don't happen to me. I'm very... solidly grounded in reality.

      Come on, 'grounded,' let's do everything else we need to get ready and food into us, before we need the fuel we haven't got we're already burning.

      They got the ship prepped, then ate a great dinner too quickly to really appreciate anything other than they did really need it. They'd just put the containers it had come in into the recycler and gotten back to the bridge when they got a two-word message from Clay. Lifting. Go!

      He awoke in a cage in a ship's hold. There was a nutri-bar and water container laying on the floor and a waste cycler in the corner. He used the cycler, then ate the bar and drank the water. He realized there had been something in them when he began to have trouble focusing on the door of the cage. He curled up on the floor of it when he could no longer stand. His last conscious thought for a long time was of Justice with blindfold gone and sword in hand. She had the face of a young woman he'd seen in the courtroom.

      Chapter Two

      For nineteen days, ships passed the course of a ship that was watched for at every navigation beacon, to Diamond Intersector on Moradorn. For nineteen days, another ship followed on the course set before it left there, right behind it. The twentieth day, a ship recorded a course change and it was computed and sent. The change didn't catch up to the Summer Cadenza until they were preparing to dock at Cospia Station. Sky swore, hit the comp for charts, then slowly smiled and completed docking.

      Sky?

      The ship is either rendezvousing with a ship or waiting for a call from here.

      You're sure of it.

      There's nothing on that course, Rad, not a space station, habitable world, or even a navigation beacon. Let's go find Old Theo and see if he's my great-grandfather, or just a friend who'll point him out.

      They checked the station directory and discovered the Black Harbor Bar was a 'down-level dive.' They wore ship suits to it. They were the only thing they had suitable for it. When they walked in, they noted they also seemed to be the only appropriate form of dress. Theirs were a bit better than most, but a few patrons wore suits that hadn't been worn for a long time and been through the cycler often. As soon as their eyes adjusted to the dimness, Rad tugged on Sky's arm and led him straight to the white-haired man tending bar.

      Hi, Old Theo. I'm Radella Thorn. This is your great-grandson Skylar Clayson. He looks a lot like you, plus about twelve centimeters.

      Rad's an artist, note the sketch pad she thinks of as part of any outfit. She sees what people did and will look like with a lot of years one way or the other. We were about to head this direction, but it was nice to have a specific course to set. My grandmother's sister gave us one.

      I don't doubt you've got the right old man, Skylar, even if you are a real surprise. You remind me some of me about seventy years ago, but I see your great-grandmother real clear in your face. I know she died six years ago.

      She missed you a long time.

      I missed her too. Never loved anyone else like I did her. Never spent twelve years in one place, or with one person, before or since. You two are a good-looking pair.

      Circumstance, but neither of us is complaining. The murder statistics are up on the world we were on and the police and courts are too efficient at finding someone to convict. We decided it was time to leave.

      I left a world because the police made me nervous a couple times, Rad. Wound up here about a half-year ago. Got to thinking about the last place I stayed awhile. Getting old, I guess, but it's an interesting place. I recommend the Green Timber ale if you're looking for palatable and not a fast way to get drunk.

      Two. You off shift soon?

      Probably can be, Skylar. What you got in mind?

      Just Sky, please. Dinner and catching up on what you've been doing for at least the last couple years. The total number is a bit daunting and even you probably don't remember them all.

      Just the high spots. Bainer! Mind taking over early? This big kid is family and I'm using it as an excuse to get a free meal.

      Family, huh? Thought you didn't have any.

      Well, there was a beautiful woman who kept me in one place long enough to have two kids, a long time ago. Got a bit sentimental, after a couple more than usual, and sent a birthday greeting to one awhile back, and he tracked me down. First thing he did was give me shit for not doing it regular for a long time, but I can put up with it for dinner, as long as it's not on this level.

      On our ship. We looked at prices and smelled food on the way here. Anywhere it smelled good didn't have prices that looked good.

      That's Cospia Station, Sky. Bring lots of money, or don't expect much welcome, or much else.

      We've got money.

      You do?!

      Yes, Theo, but we don't spend it unless there's something we want. We both got it the old-fashioned way. The one in both our families, who made it, gave it to the only ones who weren't standing around drooling, waiting for them to die to get it. We both took it because they convinced us the droolers deserved it. I've got one other relative I speak to and she doesn't have any. I've got a very nice ship the former owner, evidently, got a great deal of pleasure aggravating a lot of people, by not saying he was going to sell, or telling them how much it sold for. 'You're looking for a ship? Here. That shouldn't put too much dent in your account balance. Don't tell anyone what you didn't pay.' She's got a lot of talent. Between us, we don't expect to run short. Show him the sketch, Rad.

      Can I see too? You really are good.

      She's even better with paints, Gen Bainer. She has a light palette she uses to get exactly the right color, then she looks at it and does things that make it look even more right.

      All a light palette is for is to give you a place to start, Sky. If you wanted an exact recording of color, light and shadow, you'd take a holo, not have a portrait painted. The art is in subtly shading the colors to convey the personality of a person.

      You won't run out of money.

      Thank you, Bainer. Everyone in my family, except my great-grandmother, considered art instruction a waste of time and money. My 'hobby' wasn't prestigious. Good comp programmers at least were paid well and my family name would assure I got a position with an important-sounding job title, in keeping with their social standing on my home world. I quit using the family name when I was eight, got it made official awhile back and left the first time an opportunity to do so came along.

      I changed my name the day I hit legal age and did the same.

      I suppose asking what they were would be silly.

      I'd satisfy your curiosity, Bainer, but my family is only important in their own minds on one world and primarily in one city.

      I wasn't even recognized as being part of my family in the one where they lived, after I changed my name. I'm too smug about it to risk being told someone, not from there, recognizes it.

      Don't ask me, Bainer. I left there before my kids were half grown. The only name I'd recognize is mine and his great-grandmother probably wouldn't have used it if I'd married her.

      She wouldn't have said yes if you'd asked her.

      She told me that, Sky, or I might have.

      You wouldn't recognize hers?

      I've never heard Rertini in an important context.

      That wasn't it. Though I did think of using part of Great-grandmother's in mine. I did speak to her. Let's see, I imagine you know I'm an only child and I have two cousins I avoid.

      Lucky man. I have to dodge lots more. Oh, I need to put food on top of what I just drank too fast because I'm hungry, and not drink more, or I'm going to need steering. Sky! You could have left it.

      Not more than twelve percent alcohol, cool and refreshing, nice bite, but a sipping ale it isn't. I'm bigger than you are, Rad, and I'm starving. I'll burn it all before the alcohol gets to my brain. 'Scuse me. A bit more effervescent than I'd realized.

      Bainer?

      I've got it, Theo. Have a good dinner.

      Thanks. So, how big is this 'nice ship' you've got and where are you thinking of going after you decide Cospia is ridiculously expensive, Sky?

      I'm going to end up tending bar full-time again. I can see it coming.

      Told you I was a drifter when you hired me, Bainer. Been here longer than I stay most places already. Like the place, but I'm not getting far toward coming up with enough to move on and I know better than to try to add to what I've got in the casinos.

      Yes, and I wish I expected someone else to come along with that much sense.

      That's not sense, it's a lot of hard experience. Put the nine-and-a-half hours I got coming in the charity jug.

      Point. I'll put something in it. Ah, five cash.

      Stick this in for me, Sky.

      That's the best bet to make with your money in this place, Rad. That gets station kids to a world to run and play in the sun and stand in the rain. Only two percent for administration of the program.

      I was sort of looking forward to trying my luck.

      As long as you take a specific amount to spend, it's fun, Rad. I'll point out which ones you should see on the way up-level?

      Up-level. It was nice meeting you, Bainer. Left, Great-granddad.

      Feels odd to hear that, but I think I like it.

      How did we do?

      Caught every cue and filled the right ears with enough trivia, you're only of interest because you have money someone might get out of your accounts, Sky.

      The one at the end of the bar, the two at the table and the one playing a vid game.

      You really do have a good eye, Rad. Bar and table just nose for info someone might pay for. Vid game is a real pro and I don't know who she works for, but they're not people I'd want as friends.

      Extortionists and slavers aren't my preferred companions either.

      Say what?

      A young man was convicted of murder. His attorney didn't submit an appeal. It doesn't seem to be routine procedure any longer and the number of trials for brutal murder, witnessed by several people, is up. None of the recent ones have had autopsies presented as evidence. The maximum security confinement facility hasn't asked for a budget increase to handle the overflow. No one has more money than they declare on their taxes. Someone is demanding young males as 'tribute' from my home world and my great-grandmother set me the task of stopping it with her dying breath. She was Chief Justice of the Intersector Supreme Court established by the Treaty of Orbriny for seventeen years. They haven't asked any questions.

      It's even worse than I realized. I've been looking for some kind of solid evidence to give them.

      They're as terrified as everyone else, and no one is saying of who, or what. We want that beautiful young man. Excuse me.

      Sky, what's she going to do?

      I have no idea, Great-granddad, but the last time she decided to do something, I ended up on a ship headed here a few hours later.

      Rad walked up to a man in exquisitely tailored, very expensive, clothes that didn't fit. She flipped open her sketch pad and stared at him coolly. He looked at the sketch.

      I don't answer questions, so don't ask any. I wasn't done with the painting when he left Urbana. It irritates me. I learned he's not on Barsoom, Argosy or Moradorn any longer, either. That irritates me more. I want him. Your employers have three days to make a reasonable deal. In four hours, my people will prove it's a very good idea.

      Who are you?

      You asked a question. Since I didn't really think you were very bright, I'll answer one. Just a good artist. My traveling companion is quite sure of it. I like him and his great-grandfather. Don't cause me to... depart their company prematurely. I plan a painting of them too. I really prefer to do paintings of living people. Him, within three days. In four hours, you'll be sure it's a good idea.

      Rad walked back over to where Sky and 'Theo' were standing and smiled sweetly. She told them she really was getting hungry and suggested they proceed to the ship. Sky asked what she'd been doing. There were ears tuned their direction and he was sure he should.

      There's a painting I want to do. The person it's of sort of disappeared. That person looks at everyone who passes. I showed him a sketch and said I was looking for him, more or less.

      More or less?

      Well, he didn't strike me as being exceptionally smart, so I did preface it a bit with my qualifications and aggravation one of my subjects disappeared. You know, walking beside you when your stomach growls makes me a bit nervous, Sky.

      Makes me a little nervous too, Rad. I usually look for food to toss large, hungry things real fast.

      I probably should have grabbed a sandwich before I left the ship, but I didn't think of it until I'd gotten Cadenza docked and we were on our way out the hatch.

      Cadenza?

      Summer Cadenza. I liked the wine quite a bit and was looking for a name...

      No doubt you're related at all. I got the name of a ship I used to have off a beer bottle.

      You had a ship?

      A long time ago.

      Did you have a captain's license?

      Yes.

      I have a pilot's license.

      You're about to ask me to sign off hours for you, aren't you?

      I qualified for logged-hours-only to get my license. With about eighty, taking the ship apart and putting her back together, I'd have enough to take the full licensing exam and not have to worry about the four hundred of procedure.

      You do realize most people do those hours because it's easier than the test?

      I've been studying. Port procedures and docking protocol are not a problem. She's a lovely ship and does have four large cabins and a nicely stocked galley and bars.

      Bars, huh? I'd have to get it renewed.

      I'd be delighted to help you do it.

      You have to do some of them while docked?

      About half. Are you in a hurry to leave, Rad?

      No, I've been looking around, Sky. I think about three days here would be... quite reasonable.

      As soon as they got to Cadenza, Rad said she needed high energy food she could get down, without having to look at or pick up, and ran for the bridge. Sky whooped and ran for the galley.

      His great-grandfather didn't run after him. He'd sent for help with a younger body. Trying to keep up with it would be silly. He could also appreciate a lot more at a brisk stroll and was grinning widely when he caught up in the galley.

      I'd heard ships like this existed.

      I'd heard this one did, but it was just a rumor. Even Aunt Clay hasn't been on it. I don't think she knows more than it had to be incredible because the owner is incredibly wealthy and has superb taste. Well, she'll have looked over the engineering specs. Do those look like small enough bites to stuff in her mouth without her having to blow some back out to keep from choking? She did last time.

      Last time?

      She's been studying too. She calls the ship computer 'Summy' and I think it likes it.

      I've seen a couple ship computers I was sure liked people. Telling myself it was impossible didn't help, but I kept doing it anyway.

      Thank you. It just wasn't working and I was a bit worried about it. It's nice to know it's just because it doesn't, and not a personal lack of faith in the math that tells me it's impossible. Math is always right or wrong. That's why computers can decide, but not judge. Therefore, the undefined factor in the equation is the reason. That's a person. There are too many people not to believe they're possible, even if the math to explain them doesn't exist. Yet. I feel much better.

      You're interesting, kid. So is she. Is she as good on a computer as she is at sketching?

      Great-granddad, have you ever seen a light palette?

      Several of them.

      Expensive, weren't they?

      Hell, yes, the initial mood index programming is some of the best-protected work of genius out there. But nothing says you can't buy the components and program one for yourself.

      She carries hers around in her pocket, but she does pat to make sure it's there before she leaves a place she's had it out. Really good components have to be ordered from the manufacturers. Getting through all that protection to reprogram one that already has really good components, the way she wants, would take hours. Computer programming would have bored her terribly. Only art, perhaps only paintings of living people, was... both structured and creative enough to be interesting for her whole life. Now, if I don't end up wearing this, I won't get my head thumped and we'll get an explanation, as soon as she has time to give it.

      Head thumped?

      I'm sure she'll decide to give my mind a bit of help getting moving sometime when you're around to see it. Maybe I should cut them again just to be sure.

      Just make sure she's got something she can suck through a tube to wash them down.

      Large container of tasty nutritional beverage with very long sipper.

      Don't poke her in the eye with it.

      I never miss anything I'm aiming at. It was a real nice surprise when all those hours of combat-simulation games proved even more useful than I expected.

      What did you expect?

      They'd give me a break from dancing and reduce the number of men growling at me. Worked well. You know, I really was a good social activities director. I hope those assholes hire someone else for his looks without mentioning it and find it out... disastrously.

      You do carry a grudge.

      Never. I just decide what a person deserves and anticipate them getting it with glee. Someone here deserves what Rad is about to give them. We'll fuel her, then watch and grin. She'll tell us about when she'll talk to us, if it won't be soon.

      Feed me!

      Smaller bites and longer sipper, Rad.

      Mmph.

      Well, I'm not wearing it. Now this.

      Good. Both. Three hours forty-eight standard from mark. Mark. Drift Cloud. Roulette. Center table. Two thou on seven. Four hours one. Nova Celeste. Geo-Spin. Cylinder four. Four hours twenty. Regency. Quadranna. Cube of Gold. Sixteen by forty-four. Four hours thirty-seven. Starspark. Star Cloud slot progressive. Unit two south three east. Roulette quadranna must. Mmph.

      Oh, that's what all those numbers she fed me on the way to the bar were. She's right. Some are advertising they pay off higher than they do. Are we dumb about this?

      Naive. Sweet.

      Be careful.

      Three day's worth. Fun. Feed me.

      Great-granddad, do you have something appropriate for up-level casino-hopping, or should we find several tailors to do something exquisite rush order?

      Let's just find something exquisite and only find one tailor to make it fit perfectly rush order. They do carry such things for people on this station.

      Have you seen anything here like that in my size?

      It might be faster to start from scratch for you.

      Have you ever worn a seven-hundred-credit pair of pants with one pocket a visible fraction higher than the other? I have. Had my balls rubbed by a wad of material in five-thousand-IB-credit formal opera attire.

      Specify that here.

      My balls got rubbed?!

      How does she reach you to thump you? IB credit.

      It never occurred to me not to.

      Dry!

      Sorry, Rad. I did lose track of the priorities. I'm going to talk her into testing for a bridge operations license instead of pilot's.

      Definitely the right bridge position. You'll make a good captain. It won't be easy.

      Thank you. I think challenges are fun too. Koss... I was working on it, Rad!

      Happens. Not impossible.

      That's a fast thump.

      Fits between a symbolic key and a command pad stroke. Either hand.

      You done working on it?

      No, but I will get it moved into interesting puzzle to play with. The person we're following is known to me. I've never seen him, except in Rad's sketches, and didn't recognize his name, but I know what it feels like to clasp his hand. I know he's Koss.

      Happens to a lot of people.

      I know that, Great-granddad. I'm just a bit affronted it happened to me.

      Could we shorten Great-granddad a generation?

      Absolutely not. I thought you liked it.

      I do. I just think it's a bit long to say with 'duck.'

      True, but Granddad and Grandfather are out. I love both of mine, forgive them completely for being assholes and idiots and don't speak to them.

      Diamosky what?

      T'Soskadan.

      Hers?

      M'Radia S'Thonberra.

      Pop?

      What? Oh, Pop! I think I like it, but I'm still going to tell people you're my great-grandfather.

      It'll be a relief to them. They'll be sure you... three need mature guidance.

      I always seem to be in reach when that happens to me, Pop.

      I don't try to argue that it isn't supposed to, when it does.

      It's her sketches?

      It's something.

      Of course! Impossible can't happen. If something happens, it's not impossible, even if it happens to me.

      'Affronted' was the right word.

      I always choose terms carefully when explaining my feelings. Peripheral two, comm link emulation. Audio pass only. Connect. Station Directory. Shopping information.

      This channel audio-link only.

      Yes. I need a judgment, not a map.

      Visitor Assistance.

      Name and location of the best tailor on the station to do a rush order superbly.

      There are several fine tailors on the station, Gen.

      Fem, I want the name of the store with the finest selection of formal wear for men and the person who works there with the best taste, too. If I had time to do a personal survey of wares and skills, I wouldn't have commed you.

      This is an audio-link only.

      It usually is when I'm in the spa. Pop, for a place that supposedly caters to a wealthy clientele, they seem to be very inexperienced in dealing with them.

      What did you do with the five-thou-IB-credit outfit, that the tailor got a wad of cloth in the pants, after you wore it to the opera?

      Recycled it, of course. There was no point in putting it in the closet, Pop, and I certainly wouldn't give something that made me miserable to a charity.

      What did you do about the tailor?

      Had her choose material and patterns and make me four. Taking that much out of the rear of a pair of pants is difficult. I wasn't about to put a good tradesperson in the position of trying to do it for me again on short notice. She was terribly embarrassed. I think she got away with giving me more than the five percent discount I said was reasonable.

      Fem, I'm about average size. Give my great-grandson the best tailor to do fast and best clerk to select what to do it on.

      Hariver at Vandershonden's is the best-dressed person I know of. He'd probably know the right tailor.

      Excellent! That's exactly the information I needed. Comm out. Connect Vandershonden's. Gen Hariver.

      Hariver here. May I help you? Oh, audio link.

      Sorry about that, Gen Hariver. My great-grandfather is going to take me casino-hopping, but he needs appropriate attire for the evening up-level. Do you know who Old Theo is?

      Very well-kept man with white hair?

      That's him. Choose something exquisite for him and arrange an appointment with the best tailor to do a superb rush job, a couple hours, less if at all reasonable to ask. I expect to pay for the service, of course.

      Lo Tee Murdrinsk. He's best to do the type of work the pale cream Marippa silk by Falinsod will need for the gen. Shouldn't take more than about twenty minutes, which is some of the reason for selection of the material and designer. Here, whenever it's convenient for you.

      Excellent! It will contrast nicely with my Notanna linen. Twenty-five to thirty minutes. All right, Pop?

      I hate rushing through a good meal. You owe me another one.

      A promise. We'll be there, Gen Hariver. Close audio link.

      You're backing her play.

      Naive. The only person who thinks of a real lucky streak as 'What fun!' is one who thinks of a real run of losing as 'Let's have supper and hope the chef doesn't have a headache and the wine hasn't turned.' Naive the only way we can get away with it.

      Kid, you remind me more of me all the time.

      Thank you. Since I realize it more all the time, too, I know you knew exactly who I was and that Aunt Clay needs you and you need her. There's absolutely no one else either of you can spoil rotten.

      True.

      Enough?

      Mmph.

      I'll make something for later that you can get with a fast grab and a lean to sip.

      After you do something about the ravening beast I keep hearing.

      Definitely, Pop. You know, I do like that.

      And it's short.

      So is Sky.

      I'll probably use it along with duck, Kid.

      Would you call me kid if I was ten years older?

      Expect to.

      All right. Oh, food. Sorry, we're going to have something fast. We'll have spectacular for supper.

      Even the fast you have is close.

      Aunt Clay ordered for the galley.

      I'll go let her spoil me. Wouldn't, except I can afford to spoil back.

      I was sure you could.

      Just plain sure of yourself.

      "Proof I am naive about some things is far too recent a memory for

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