job to be a walk in the park," said Liu.
"We aren't going to let you do this alone," Mitchell added.
He nodded in appreciation.
"Like you all, I thought long and hard over this. Up till last night, I could have left this world and put it to the back of my mind. But Volkov sending the Sheriff here to talk us to death, well he just went and pissed me off."
"Poetic," replied Erin.
He smiled in response and then turned to Andrews.
"I want you to continue your work here. We may not be leaving anytime soon, but having the Lady up and running could really turn things around when things start to heat up. You'll have to go it alone, though."
"No problem. Give me today and maybe a bit of tomorrow, and I'll see what magic I can work."
"I need one to stay here and keep guard." He turned to Hella. 'You seem to like it, fancy the job?"
She nodded in agreement, "Whatever you say, Boss."
"I'm your boss now, but I'm not THE Boss. You can call me Max, Mason, Captain, Sir, but never Boss, you hear?"
She nodded in acceptance.
"Yes, Boss."
It’s clear she has a real problem with authority, but it’s a character flaw I can live with.
"The rest of you, gear up. The time for playing nice is over. Armour, rifles, let’s be ready. We're going into town to take this job."
The group leapt into action. Within five minutes, they were climbing aboard and raring to go. Mitchell was at the controls with Mason riding shotgun. He raced Mily forward.
"Hang on!" yelled Mason.
Mitchell brought them to a stop on the ramp where Hella stood.
"You need a gun?" he asked her.
"Managed so far without one," she replied dryly.
If it were anyone else he would assume arrogance, but she had already proved herself more than once.
"Well if you do, feel free to grab one. You'll find a few rifles and pistols in locker three, back towards the bridge."
"I'll be sure to use whatever is needed."
"Right, let's move!"
They raced off down the ramp and over the sun baked hard ground north towards the town.
"Think the offer still stands?"
"I thought you weren't in this for the money, Mitchell?"
"I didn't say I didn't want it, Captain."
Mason agreed. It would be a couple of years’ salary for each of them at least.
They rolled into town to find it was operating as normal. Several of the passersby recognised Mason and stopped to stare at him as they rode past.
"Where we heading?" asked Mitchell.
"I've no idea where Machesky can be found, so head for the Digger, and we'll go from there."
He turned back to look at the others.
"Town’s people are friendly, but there are plenty residing nearby who aren't, so keep your wits about you."
They pulled up to the bar to find the Sheriff's copter parked outside. As their engines fired down, they could hear a voice shouting inside the bar. Mason leapt off the copter and rushed through the doors without a weapon in hand.
"Who fired the gun?" he heard a voice yell. Mason passed into the dark room and found Alken with his hands around the barkeep’s throat and forcing his back against the bar. He shook his head in disbelief, feeling sorry for the poor man who'd taken two beatings since they'd arrived.
"Who did it? Who did it, Kaper?" he screamed into the man's face.
"I did!" Mason shouted.
Alken's head snapped around at the sound of his voice.
"Well, well. Back in town, looking for trouble again. Well, you've found it."
He released his grip on Kaper. He took a wide face on stance to Mason and pulled his coat back from around the pistol slung at his side. Mason could see the grip of the laser weapon was carved out of some kind of bone. It was a lavish and unnecessary show of wealth from a lawman.
Alken stood five metres from Mason, and he showed no attempt to close the distance. After the humiliation he’d had the night before, he was being sure to stay at draw distance. Mason could hear his people stepping up to the edge of the building outside and listen in. They were awaiting his next move, as they could see Alken from the windows.
"So, here we are. You just admitted to the murder of a man in town; a man who was in the employ of and undertaking Mr Volkov's orders. I'm the Sheriff, you're the murderer, and you've got a gun. Drop it and come quietly, or I'll have to do this