“No funny moves,” said Dutch, pointing the plasma pistol
at Officer Angelo’s rather big nose “and no-one gets hurt. Okay?” And although
she spoke in a quiet, relaxed tone of voice, they could all see by her
tight-lipped look that Federation Officer Angelo was a hair’s breadth away from
death.
“Take it easy. No-one’s going to do anything funny,” he said,
slowly raising his arms in surrender as his recently buoyant heart sank to his
boots.
“Get your keys out and un-cuff me. Slowly. Then her,” she
indicated to Sweet Mary, whose mouth was opening and closing in shock.
Kicking himself mentally, his mind in all sorts of
turmoil, Officer Angelo did as he was told, being very careful not to make any
sudden moves. His hands even shook a little when he tried to get the key into
the lock of Dutch’s handcuffs; her piercing eyes never left his face for a
moment.
“Now,” she said when he had uncuffed Sweet Mary. “You’re
going to behave nicely, aren’t you?” and shoved the gun into Officer Angelo’s
ribs for emphasis. He winced and nodded energetically, being carefull to keep
his eyes down and non-confrontational. Dutch was bright eyed and sparking like
a live wire. He felt like a deflated balloon. There was no point in trying
anything; she would see him coming by a mile and he knew he was going to get
hurt if he tried anything, not to mention other people getting caught in the
cross-fire. Better a healthy coward than a bleeding hero.
“Un-cuff him as well,” she gestured at Righteous. A plan
was starting to form in Dutch’s mind. This was the kind of situation she was
used to, the kind she thrived on, pitting her wits against adversity. She had a
gun, and she had hostages. Things were looking up.
Rose, no longer crying, merely sat quietly and watched as
the drama played out in front of her like a movie. Her grief served to remove
her from the directness of the scene, her numbed emotions unable to respond
anymore. She didn’t really care what was happening.
“Okay, let’s go.” Dutch herded them together with the gun.
“You too,” she pointed at Rose. “Up you get lady. You say you’ve been to your
son’s ship?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Take us there!”
“I don’t know where it is. I’ve been there, but I don’t
know how to get there from here. I got lost. I don’t know where I am actually.”
“Well that’s great. That leaves you Officer Angelo.”
Officer Angelo looked at her in surprise. “I’ve never been
here in my life before. Well, not on this side of the station. I have no idea.”
“That’s not the answer I’m looking for. Anyway, I think
you’re lying,” she said raising the gun and pointed it at him.
“No please don’t do that,” said Rose coming out of her
stupor and rising from her chair. Sweet Mary also chimed in, having finally
found her voice that she had been looking for in the midst of her panic,
frightened that Dutch was going to do something silly.
“Dutch, please don’t.”
“He’s lying,” repeated Dutch. “And if he isn’t, then he’s
useless baggage anyway. Might as well get rid of him now…” Rose and Sweet Mary
were just about to get hysterical and hurl themselves into the line of fire to
save Officer Angelo when a dark voice boomed out.
“I know the way.”
Rose and Sweet Mary stopped in mid protest, mouths still
wide open. They swung their heads around as one and looked at Righteous.
“I know the way,” he said. Although he was mightily
discomfited by his surroundings, Righteous Alchemy was in no way lost. He knew
exactly where he was. In his mind’s eye he could feel the layout of the entire
ship and all the people on it. He could feel the exact route they had to take
to get to the ship. He also knew that although the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ was
heavily guarded, there was a back way that very few people knew about. “I can
take you there,” he said calmly. Righteous could also sense that Dutch didn’t
have much confidence in him.
“Why should I believe you? You can’t even see the hand in
front of your face. You have to be led to the toilet for crying out loud,” said
Dutch.
“I’ve got just as much to lose as you do. And I might not
be able to see anything directly, but I can sense things.”
Dutch, with a sinking feeling in her stomach, realized
that she had lost once again. This is what her plan boiled down to; stumbling
around the station behind a blind man hoping to find the ship by accident.
“He can do it,” said Officer Angelo, quite surprised by
the words he had spoken. “I’ve seen him find his way around G.O.D. 4, and
that’s the same layout design as this. And he knows when there’s danger up
ahead,” he said. “Though why I’m telling you this I don’t know. It’s just that
if Righteous leads us we have more of a chance getting out alive. With you
leading us we got more chance of getting killed. No offence,” he said to Dutch.
Dutch switched her gaze back and forth between the two men
and then made up her mind.
“I should have my
head examined. But okay, only because we’re running out of time. You…Lover boy,
you lead with the lady, people won’t be suspicious of you. Remember I’ll be
right behind so any funny business and your girlfriend gets a plasma perm.
Sweet Mary; you and Righteous walk right behind me. You take his hand and help
guide him.” Dutch moved quickly now, jostling them into position, giving no-one
any time to think.
“My Shoes,” exclaimed Rose. “I forgot my shoes.”
Dutch waved the gun at her. “Get them, quick.” Everyone’s
eyes followed Rose’s stockinged feet as they padded across the room to her
chair and retrieved her shoes. She slipped them on and came clip-clopping back.
After a quick look down the corridor, Dutch, now itching
with impatience, motioned them all outside.
“Please don’t do this Dutch. We’re going to get into
trouble,” pleaded Sweet Mary who was trembling from head to toe.
“We’re already in trouble, now do what I tell you and
move!”
“But someone could get hurt,” whined Sweet Mary. Dutch’s
nerves were now starting to rasp and she had no time for this.
“Just shut the hell up and move before I drag you out by
the hair.” she shouted. “Now move. I’m not in the bloody mood for chatting. Go
- Go - Go,” she said, herding them out the door none too gently.
Sweet Mary was a small woman, just half the height of
Righteous. The top of her head barely reached his chest. With a quivering lower
lip Sweet Mary slipped her shaking hand into the huge paw of Righteous, his
hand completely enfolding hers. She felt like an insubstantial wisp in his
grasp, tender as it was. He must have felt how her hand trembled for he gave
her a comforting squeeze and she started to relax a little; which was just as
well because her anxiety levels were fast approaching the Null-wave’s cut-off
point, and then she’d be useless to anyone. She leaned in closer to Righteous
as they walked, almost hanging on his arm for support. Close up he smelled of
wood smoke and spice. She liked that. She had smelled many men before; most of
them sour and rancid. Her experience of men in general was distasteful, so she
was pleasantly surprised by Righteous’ gentle manner and sweet nature.
“Just relax,” he said, giving her hand another squeeze.
“Everything’s going to be alright.”
Sweet Mary felt something release in the pit of her
stomach like a plug letting out her anxiety and found herself breathing easy
again.
“Thanks,” she said, giving his huge mitt a squeeze.
WILL DUTCH'S CRAZY ESCAPE PLAN SUCCEED? BE SURE NOT TO MISS NEXT WEEKS EPISODE.
