Bloodlines

Bloodlines
Chapter 1: Past Sins

It is easy, standing amid the desolation of Mars, to see how the events leading up to this had been so meticulously arranged in advance. Sid once told me that I was creature of fate, but I’m not sure I believe in fate anymore: this was defiantly the product of a human mind.

Everything that came before seem slightly surreal now, but that’s probably lack of oxygen making itself felt. I should probably head back, but I need to see this, otherwise nothing else will make any kind of sense.

Kay was right: this is beautiful…

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Hadrian’s is the kind of bar that could exist in any city: small, out of the way, and quiet. It had been adopted by the guards at Dark Side as their semi-official bar years ago, and Ren and I liked the fact that almost no one else knew were it was. The sight of so many of people in security uniforms tended to put a lot of people off

It was 9 o’clock on a Saturday night and Simon Neo had agreed to baby-sit so Ren and I could have a night off. The two guards assigned to watch Ren’s back sat at a table, sipping their fruit juices.

The truth behind Ren’s identity had leaked to the press shortly after the Ares had departed for Mars. The storm of controversy had shaken her badly, as there were many who still blamed her for the destruction of the Lagrange station. I’d tried to get the truth out, but almost no one would listen. It seemed to be blowing over as the press found other things to keep them occupied.

“Your turn to brake.” Sidney Pierce pointed at the pool table with her cue, “Looser buys the next round.”

“Better get your wallet out then.” I smiled as the piano player in the corner started to play something sad and sweet.

“Feeling confident, are we?”

“How many years have we been playing pool against each other?”

“Since you joined SIU.”

“And in all those years, how many times have you beaten me?”

“Once or twice.” Sid smirked, “It could happen again…”

“Will the two of you just play?” Ren looked dog tired, “This is the first night out I’ve had since John was born.”

“Sorry.” I lent over and kissed her on the cheek, “Neither of us has had a lot of time off lately. Our jobs may not be the most exciting in the world, but the hours are long.”

“That’s because no other bugger’s stupid enough to want the job in the first place.” Sid raised her beer, “In almost ten years of operation, there has been one recorded escape from Dark Side; Reaper. And we all know that that was arranged by Those Who Shall Not Be Named.”

“Unfortunately, it is the only job up here that we are qualified for.” Ren sipped her wine, “And as much as I hate to admit it, I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

“She’s just happy that Simon’s babysitting.” I laughed, “His own fault; he knew it would be expected of him when he agreed to be Johns godfather.”

“I’m his godmother, but you didn’t ask me.” Sid raised an eyebrow inquisitively, “What’s up with that?”

“Simon’s a much better pool player than you.” Ren snickered, “Nathan can never beat him.”

I spotted one of the security guards press the radio transceiver in his ear, evidently receiving a message from wherever it is such things originate. He looked at Ren, then at me, before turning to his partner and nodding.

“What’s going on?” Ren asked as she put her drink down, “And don’t even think about lying to me if you want to be able to walk out of here.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask the three of you to remain here.” The guard looked at us, “It’s for your own protection.”

“You will have to forgive me; English is not my first language.” Ren walked over to the guard and, lightning fast, grabbed him by the crouch and almost lifted him off his feat, “Tell me what is going on, or you will never father children!”

“That will do!” Anastasius LaCroix appeared in the doorway, “I am the one who told him to keep you here.”

“Well we are blessed!” A smiled, my voice dripping with sarcasm, “And what, pray tell, is so important that the head of the Armstrong City ruling council lowers himself to our level?”

“Oui.” Ren nodded, “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“I can’t say, right now.” LaCroix I need the three of you to come with me.”

“There are very few people who can order me what to do anything and expect me to comply.” Ren glared at him, “And you, monsieur, are not one of them, comprenez?”

“Very well.” LaCroix took a deep breath, “We’ve just received an encrypted transmission from Mars: Kaywinnit Guptah is missing.”

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Simon was waiting outside the central command centre when we arrived. He quickly handed John to Ren, who was immediately protective of our son, not even letting her guards near him. The men backed off immediately, not likely the predatory look in her eye. Sid, however, was able to move into Ren’s personal space to dote over her godson.

The massive blast doors that protected the innermost parts of the command centre slowly swung open to reveal the most heavily guarded room on Luna. I saw Simon look around in wonder: in many ways, the command centre is where he was born.

LaCroix marched across the room, back ramrod straight, eyes fixed dead ahead. I followed after, easily matching his long stride as we approached the main communications room on the far side of the chamber. The naturally formed cave had been excavated back when Armstrong City had been founded, and was protected by over a kilometre of solid rock.

“We received the message from Dr Guptah’s assistant, a Dr Lamar Witwer.” LaCroix handed over a printout, “It seems that she was inspecting a scientific station some distance from Port Lowell. Her rover seemed to stop for some time on the return journey, and she failed to respond to any communications. A dirigible was sent to investigate.”

“And?” I stared him down.

“The rover was abandoned, no sign of Dr Guptah, and no tracks leading away. Her environment suit was missing, but there is a limit to the amount of air she could carry.”

“I take it that they’ve been looking for her?”

“Non-stop. But there is a dust storm approaching from the south; they’re going to have to stop soon until it passes.”

“And how long will that be?”

“Two days, maybe more.”

“Too long.” I turned to Simon, “I need a ship. A fast one. Now!”

“There is no reason to think that anything untoward has happened to Dr Guptah.” LaCroix protested, “Dr Guptah is the most powerful telepath known: if she was in trouble, everyone on Mars would know it…”

“Unless you have the formula for the suppressant gas, and Kay has the sort of enemies who know that.” I pointed out, before turning back to Simon, “A ship?”

“The HG Wells is almost complete.” Simon looked distracted, “She’s a prototype, highly experimental, but she’s significantly faster than anything else we have…”

“You have 24-hours to get her space worthy.” I walked over to Ren, “I have to go to Mars.”

“I know.” Ren just nodded, “You wouldn’t be the man I married if you didn’t.”

“You do know that there is nothing between Kay and me, that she’s just a friend.”

“She’s my friend too, and I want to know that she is ok.”

“If this is the Conspiracy, they may come after you next.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her.” Sid smiled, “You’ve got more friends than you realise, Nathan: no one is going to hurt Ren or John while they remain here.”

“Thank you Sidney.” I rested a hand on her shoulder, “You’re a true friend.”

“So are you.” My former sergeant smiled, “Now go get Kay back.”

To Be Continued…