Eugene Lambert - Into the No-Zone

The steel grip is cold in my hand. And the chill spreads to the rest of me as I get why there’s only two rounds. One for Colm, one for me. It’s our way out, in case he and his loyal fighters can’t protect us from those who would hand us over.

Feeling numb, I give my word. So does Colm.

Ballard solemnly bumps stumps with each of us and turns to go. At the door he hesitates. ‘I’m very sorry it has come to this.’

You’re sorry? But I say nothing.

‘For now I remain in overall command of the Deeps, but those who are pro-treaty already openly call me traitor. Even among my allies many feel you two are – shall we say – a luxury we can no longer afford.’ He frowns and stares at me. ‘It’s odd, Kyle, I’m no dreamer, yet I’ve always had a sense that you were somehow the key to unlocking our future on Wrath. Only how can you do more than you have already?’ He shakes his head. ‘While I have it within my power, I will continue to protect you. I give you my word.’

With that, he steps through the doorway and is gone.

When Rona comes in later her face is drawn. I ask if she’s heard about the Council’s decision. She sighs and says she has.

‘What’s it like out in the Deeps?’ Colm asks.

‘Not good,’ she tells us. ‘Schroeder’s followers were on their way here to seize you, but Ballard’s fighters turned them away.’

‘Was that the shooting we heard last night?’ I ask.

She spills some of the soup she’s pouring into my bowl. ‘It’s got a bit of meat in it this time. Eat up now, before it goes cold.’

I gaze at her, suspicious. ‘Rona?’

Finally she meets my eye, looking so troubled I get a lump in my throat and wish I’d kept my mouth shut.

‘It’s Sky,’ she says.

My heart goes bang. ‘Is she all right? What’s happened?’

‘I’m sorry, Kyle. She’s gone.’

‘Gone? What do you mean gone?’

My foster-mother sighs. ‘Last night a windjammer launched without clearance. The winch-launcher was hacked and remote-controlled. They tried to shoot it down. It got away.’

That heavy blaster fire last night . . .

I feel dizzy, like I’ve stood up too fast.

‘No way! Sky wouldn’t clear off without me –’

Words stick in my throat as the truth sucker-punches me. Ness must have come up with the goods about her sister’s location. And here’s me, trapped and useless. A liability, that’s all.

Colm doesn’t look surprised, but clutches at straws for me.

‘Are you sure it was Sky?’

Rona slumps down on to a stool. ‘It was the Never Again , your mate Dern’s ship. He has form for clearing off when the going gets tough, I hear. Only he was found later in a ditch, tied up and gagged, a lump on his head big as a lizard egg.’

I groan. ‘Don’t tell me. Sky did it?’

She nods and tucks away a stray lock of her greying hair. ‘Dern says she poured a liquor bottle down his neck before clobbering him. He’s mad as hell. Can’t say I blame him.’

My spoon slips from my hand and clatters on the table.

‘I don’t believe this.’

I’d been sure that if push came to shove and Ballard couldn’t protect us, Sky would get off her arse and rescue us.

Colm was right though. Sky doesn’t care.

‘I’m sorry,’ Rona says, reaching for my hand.

But I’m too gutted and too fast . . . and I won’t let her have it.

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