Zero Read online

  “We are.”

  It was a wide and busy level, people rushing back and forth with panels and tools and grim expressions. One wall was a bank of windows looking out onto the blinking neon mess of Tranquillity. The ceiling was high above them and on the far left of the walkway were clustered a myriad of establishments: repair shops, tool merchants, computer supply outlets, transport rental and cubby-hole installations that proclaimed they could service ID badges. Whatever that meant. There were also various stalls and stands selling food from all corners of the Orbit. The smell of spices, cooking oil and herbs warred with the smell of too many people and oxygen that had been recycled too many times.

  “Imbrium's a spacer block,” Webb said as the ducked and weaved amongst the crowd.

  “You don't say,” Hugo mumbled, dodging around a harassed tech with trolley full of wiring.

  Webb chuckled. “Good thing for you to learn early, Captain. The Service may set the rules, but the spacers play the game.”

  “And do you consider yourself Service or spacer?”

  Webb grinned again. “Like you have to ask.”

  They turned off the main walkway and into a narrower passage. Most of the booth space was boarded up. There was one large unit right at the end of the passage with its large double doors open. A sign above the doors read Sturm Hafen.

  “It means -”

  “I know what it means,” Hugo said.

  Webb shrugged. “Sorry, Captain. Didn't think the Academy had any need to teach anything other than English and Japanese.”

  “How long is this going to take?” Hugo said as they got closer. “I have orders to report to Luscombe at Command.”

  “Not long,” Webb said. “Besides, you said you were hungry.”

  As they drew closer he noticed a lifter pulled up at the entrance. It was loaded with chairs and tables broken into pieces and boxes full of shattered glass as well as a couple of smashed digiprint frames and other unidentifiable wreckage.

  “Shit,” Webb mumbled as he moved past it.

  Hugo frowned then blinked as they moved into the dim interior of the windowless bar. When his eyes got used to the gloom he could make out a wide open space, cluttered with battered tables and chairs. There were booths along one wall and a pool table in one corner. A real one too, not a simulator. The bar took up the length of the room on the right. The mix of bottles on the shelves behind it was unlike anything Hugo had never seen. There were spirits he'd never heard of and some of the labels he couldn’t even read. There were a few people in the booths with plates of food and jugs of drink, sitting alone or in groups of two or three, conversing in low voices or working on computers or the panels built into the table tops. No one looked up as they entered.

  As they moved further in Hugo saw that the far end of the room was lacking in furniture. There was a girl sweeping and the sound of tinkling glass and men were piling up the remains of another broken table. There were scorch marks on the floor and wall, and one of the men had a bandaged arm. A very large man with his back to them was overseeing the proceedings, muttering in German.

  “Jesus, Jaeger,” Webb said. “What the hell happened?”

  The large man turned round. He had very dark brows and hair and his frown was heavy. There was a cut with some livid bruising on his forehead and his lip was split. “Webb,” he said. “What the fuck do you want?”

  Webb shrugged and took a seat at the bar. He still moved easily but Hugo was sure he could detect a certain tension across his commander's shoulders. “Just here to eat, man. If there's any of your kitchen left?”

  The big man sighed and rubbed his face. He barked something to the girl with the broom, who nodded, put the broom aside and scurried through some doors at the back. He then came round the other side of the bar. “Kitchens are open. What do you want?”

  “Two of whatever. We ain't fussy.”

  The big man snorted, tapped some commands into a panel built into the bar. “That I know is true.”

  “What happened?” Webb said, looking around.

  “What do you think happened? Upstart kids thinking they're rebels.”

  “Anyone hurt?”

  “None of my lot. The snots won't be back in a hurry though,” Jaeger said as he poured three glasses of something clear.

  “Did this get reported?” Hugo said.

  “Hugo,” Webb warned.

  Jaeger eyed Hugo keenly. “Who's this, then?”

  Webb took a deep breath. “Jaeger, Meet the Zero's new captain.”

  “Looks like Service scum to me.”

  Hugo riled and stood.

  “Hugo, sit down,” Webb barked.

  Hugo held the big man's calm, dark gaze for a moment longer then sat himself down. Webb looked a bit pale.

  “Look Jaeger. We didn't...”

  Jaeger snorted again then held a glass out to both Webb and Hugo. “Relax, boy,” he said. “I got a pounding headache. Don't feel like picking a fight with ex-Service types today. Now drink.” He held up his glass. “Prost.”

  Hugo watched as Webb and Jaeger downed the clear liquid in one swallow. Hugo sniffed his and blinked as his eyes started to water. He felt Jaeger's gaze on him and followed suit. He coughed, fire burning down his throat.

  “Atta boy,” Jaeger said, refilling the glasses. “Oh, I forgot. Webb, someone came by looking for you a while back.”

  Webb paused with his glass part way to his mouth. “Oh?”

  “Ja,” Jaeger said. He drained his glass, wiped his mouth on his sleeve and peered at Webb. “Short fucker. No hair. Odd-looking.”

  “Ain't ringing any bells,” Webb said, just as the girl reappeared and put two bowls of a rich-smelling stew down in front of them.

  “He didn't find you?”

  Webb shrugged and turned his attention to his food. The thick scent was enough to make Hugo's stomach clench and he picked up his fork and began to eat. Hugo had to admit it was good, heavily seasoned, and had sizeable chunks of meat.

  “Real beef?” Hugo asked, looking at Jaeger again who was pouring himself another glass from the bottle.

  Jaeger smiled. “You wanting to see my license, Service-boy?”

  “Listen, Jaeger,” Webb cut in. “Have you seen Harvey lately?”

  Jaeger held the glass against his forehead, frowning. “Harvey?”

  “Yeah,” Webb said, chewing. “Marilyn Harvey. Haven spacer. Pilots the Phoenix?”

  Jaeger put the glass down, still frowning. “I remember. No, not for some time. I think I remember hearing she got herself in some shit.”

  Webb paused, fork halfway to his mouth. “Yeah?”

  Jaeger shrugged, cleared away the glasses. “That's what I heard.”

  “Deep shit?”

  “Is there any other kind?”

  Webb blinked slowly. “What exactly did you hear?”

  “It was a while ago. Something to do with the Splinters. I don't know what. If she's got any sense she's gone to ground.”

  Webb took another mouthful and frowned into his bowl.

  “How'd you like it, Captain?” Jaeger said.

  Hugo swallowed his mouthful. “It's good,” he said.

  Jaeger grinned. “That's what real meat does for you. Now, is that it? I know I owe you, Webb, but I've got rather a lot to get done.”

  “Nothing else, Jaeger,” Webb said, scraping the last of his food from his bowl. “Just thought the new captain might want to see a true Tranquillity hotspot.”

  “You're a cheeky bastard,” Jaeger said. Hugo didn't think it sounded like he was entirely joking. “You wanna be careful. One of these days your mouth's gonna get you a bullet in the back.”

  Webb held the large man's gaze whilst he swallowed the last of the stew. “You're one to talk,” he said, face splitting into a nasty grin.

  Jaeger tensed. Hugo stopped himself reaching for his gun with an effort. Webb just sat there, grinning, not breaking eye contact.

  Finally Jaeger laughed, clapped Webb on the
shoulder. “You little shit. Get the hell out of here. I've got a bar to rebuild.”

  “See you around, Jaeger,” Webb said, standing.

  “Not too bloody soon, I hope,” Jaeger replied, turning and heading back toward the kitchens. “Oh,” he said, turning. “What you want me to say to your bald friend if he comes back?”

  Webb shrugged. “Some variation of fuck off?”

  Jaeger smirked. “I'll think of something.”

  “Come on, Captain,” Webb mumbled, suddenly not smiling. “Let's get out of here.”

  ɵ

  “What happened to his bar?” Hugo asked as they drove back through the groundways towards the harbour.

  “Jaeger's got a long list of enemies,” Webb said, frowning out of the windscreen.

  “Why?”

  “He fought on the other side.”

  “In what?”

  Webb looked at him. “Governor McCullough’s Revolution.”

  Hugo blinked. “He fought against an independent Lunar State?” Webb nodded. “Why?”

  Webb shrugged. “He liked the moon the way it was. Lost him a lot of friends though.”

  “Why does he stay?”

  “It's his home.”

  “And the bald man that was looking for you? What was that all about?”

  “You know as much as me on that one, Captain.”

  There was silence as Webb steered them in and out of the traffic. It was coming up to the night cycle but the traffic on the groundways, walkways and flyways seemed as busy as ever.

  “Which side did you fight on?”

  “In the revolution?” Webb laughed. “Jesus, Hugo. I was still dodging youth unit officials and stealing food from dumpsters on Lunar 1 during that whole mess. Only difference to me was that there were slightly more bullets to dodge. What about you?”

  “I was still an under-cadet in the Academy. My parents and one of my sisters fought against the rebels though.”

  “Did they make it?”

  “My parents did. My sister didn't.”

  Webb didn't say anything. Hugo continued to watch the traffic.

  “Who's Harvey?” He eventually asked.

  “Just another point,” Webb said, frowning out of the windscreen. He didn't offer anything else and Hugo didn't push. With the good food and strong drink swirling inside him and everything he had already seen and heard that day throbbing through his head, he was more than happy to leave it.

  ɵ

  Webb hung back and let Hugo precede him onto the Zero's bridge. The new captain had done tolerably well, considering. At least he hadn't screwed up any connections or got them shot.

  “Rami,” Webb bent over her at her workstation, keeping his voice low. “I think Marilyn might be in some trouble.”

  “What else is new?” Rami said, not breaking in her typing.

  “Think this might be real trouble. Splinter-type trouble,” Webb murmured, glancing over to watch Hugo as he walked up to More and started issuing launch orders. “Can you dig around and see what you can find?”

  Rami nodded, looking grave. “Although if she's gone to ground, I won't be able to find anything.”

  “I'll be more worried if you do find something. Just take a look, okay?”

  “Okay, Zeek,” Rami said, then she smiled at him. “I'm sure she's fine.”

  Webb nodded and straightened. “Find anything new on the moonframe?”

  Rami shook her head. “There's been a couple of upgrades since we were last here, but both routine.”

  “Good. Buckle up. I think the Captain's taking us back to Command.”

  “Command? Again?” Rami blinked.

  “He has orders to report to Luscombe.”

  “It's not gonna look good, docking at Service Command twice in two days.”

  Webb shrugged. “We'll manage. Everything okay on the checks?”

  “All clear,” she said, closing down the reports on her workstation display.

  “Commander?”

  Webb turned. Kinjo was stood there, panel clutched in hand and eyes flicking between Webb and Hugo. Hugo was bent over More's control panel watching the sub-lieutenant run the rest of the pre-launch checks.

  “All secure below?” Webb said, taking the panel from Kinjo.

  “Yes, Commander,” she said. “How'd it go with Dolgorukov?”

  “Well,” Webb said, checking a couple of reports and handing the panel back to the midshipman. “You stocked that cargo just right. He was pleased with the burn connectors.”

  He could see her fighting a smile. Then she sobered, glanced at Hugo and stepped closer. “How'd the captain do?”

  Webb sighed. “Still early days, Kinjo. Get yourself strapped in below. Sub and Bolt ready to go?”

  “Yes, sir,” she said, saluting.

  Webb laughed. “Good. Off you go.”

  “Commander?”

  Webb turned towards Hugo. “Yes, sir?”

  “We are ready to launch. Set in a course for Command.”

  “Yes, sir.” Webb dropped himself back into the control chair next to More and strapped himself in. He tried to exchange glances with More to see if he could pick up what his sub-lieutenant was thinking. But More's face was its usual impassive mask.

  Webb sighed again and let his hands run the start-up commands without really concentrating. More must have detected his distraction because he contacted harbour control and confirmed the launch. Webb just waited for the command and then engaged the engines. The Zero hummed and he felt her rock underneath him as she lifted off the ground. He glanced at the displays with half an eye to ensure they kept a plenty of distance between the ships berthed on either side and soon felt the ship pull itself free of the gravity. The sky outside the viewscreen melted from orange to black and then there was nothing but the candle-flames of stars amongst the vastness of space.

  Webb programmed in the course and then took the ship round in an arc. Earth came into view, swirled blue and white like a marble. The Zero settled into her course and Hugo ordered full thrusters from his seat at the back of the bridge.

  Webb smiled and looked over his shoulder. “You want to take her up to full, Captain?” Webb swore he almost saw a flicker of excitement in Hugo's dark eyes. The older man hesitated a fraction of a second then unbuckled his harness and came across the deck. Webb unstrapped himself and vacated the chair. Hugo sat down and for a moment just stared at the panel. Webb hovered, one hand on the back of the chair. He noticed both More and Rami sneaking glances.

  Hugo reached out for the controls, glanced at the meter readings on the display and then took her in hand. Hugo took control with the fluidity of instinct, easing the Zero along her course without any wavering from the planned path mapped out on the display.

  “She might look like she's held together with wire and gum, but her engine's top grade,” Webb said. “More has her autopilot programmed like a dream, but manual is when she really shows her colours. Don't be afraid to push her.”

  Hugo appeared to be only half-listening. His hands were finding the commands easily enough and now he barely looked at the meter readings. Webb wondered whether Hugo even remembered the rest of them were there. He folded his arms and watched, keeping one eye on More but the sub-lieutenant wasn't having to correct anything Hugo was doing. He couldn't help but smile, and something eased inside him.

  III

  “Sorry to have kept you waiting, Captain.”

  “Not at all, Colonel,” Hugo said, standing as the colonel moved across his office to the sideboard and poured a couple of glasses of blask.

  “Here,” Luscombe said holding one out. Hugo took it. “To future prospects.”

  Hugo lifted his glass. “To future prospects.” The two men drank.

  “Sit,” the colonel said.

  Hugo sat back down as Luscombe took his seat behind the desk. The colonel took another swallow of his drink and then gave Hugo an appraising glance. “So, you've completed a hand-off and are still in one piece. That ca
n only be promising.”

  Hugo didn't reply, just took another sip of his drink. It was good and earthy, sliding a slow warmth through him. He remembered the clear stuff that Jaeger had given him and took another appreciative sip.

  “Well, Captain? Report.”

  “We made contact with the point, Anton Dolgorukov. He appeared satisfied with the cargo supplied and Webb seems confident we can count on his co-operation in the future.”

  The colonel nodded, half an eye on the display on the wall that was displaying news and Service reports on a rolling feed. “Good. Not that I would expect any less. This was small potatoes. We would have given you something more worthy of your abilities but with the Zero timing is something that rules you, not the other way around.”

  “Did you authorise the giving away of those machine parts to this point then, sir?”

  Luscombe shook his head. “Authorise? Hugo, you don't understand. I don't know all the ins and outs of the Zero's dealings. The crew maintain most of their relationships and business contacts independently. Webb knows his business better than I want to know. I only need a report after every mission directly assigned to you by me. And if anything significant is ever unearthed during the course of the Zero's regular business.”

  “Such as?”

  “You'll know it when you come across it.”

  Hugo nodded, gritting his teeth.

  “The Orbit has many levels of society, Hugo,” Luscombe said with a sigh. “The Service has better control over most of them than any other force in history. But it seems the more united the upper echelons, the more fractured and disjointed the lower. We can't afford to be too careful. We can't fix all the problems, but we can monitor them. The Zero project ensures that nothing takes us by surprise.”

  Hugo swirled his drink around in his glass. “Sir...” he said slowly.

  “Hugo,” Luscombe said, draining his glass. “You are not being punished. I appreciate this has been hard..”

  “I've been publicly denounced and dishonourably discharged.”

  The colonel leant back in his chair, regarding him levelly. “What you did was inspired by bravery and good motives. But it was also against orders.”