The Prison in Antares by Mike Resnick Read Free Book Online

humanoid species . . . and especially, see if you can get us a map of what I’m going to call the subway system until we get a better term for it.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œProto, let me see a native of Six in uniform.”
    The alien instantly morphed into the desired species.
    â€œLooks good,” said Pretorius. “What rank are you?”
    â€œDamned if I know,” answered Proto. “The same as the officer in the bar.”
    â€œLet Pandora run your insignia through her computer.”
    â€œRight,” said Proto, walking over.
    Pandora had the machine scan him, then waited a few minutes for it to come up with an answer. “It is almost the equivalent of a captain,” she announced at last.
    â€œAlmost?”
    â€œThey have three levels of officer between their lieutenant and colonel. This one’s closest to a captain.”
    â€œOkay,” he said. “We can’t expect Proto to learn the whole damned language, and besides, we don’t want him to have to explain away an accent. Find him a couple of simple phrases: Yes, sir; no, sir; right away, sir; things like that.”
    â€œRight,” agreed Pandora.
    â€œWhat do the rest of us do?” asked Irish.
    Pretorius smiled. “Just be glad I haven’t given you any orders yet,” he said. “I assure you that’s due to change.”
    â€œWell, clearly I can’t apply my expertise until we rescue Nmumba,” she said, “but I’ll be happy to do anything that’s necessary to effect that rescue.”
    â€œAnd I’ll be asking you to,” he replied. “But until we know where he is, or where he’s likely to be, and how best to get to him without getting him or all of us killed, you might as well just relax.”
    â€œAnd once we hear from Madam Methuselah again, you’ll develop a plan of action?”
    â€œOne thing you can count on,” said Snake in amused tones. “Whenever you ask him what that plan of action is, he’ll tell you he’s working on it. You’ll be lucky to get any details three seconds before the bad guys start shooting at you.”
    â€œOh, come on, Snake,” said Circe. “He brought us all back alive. What do you suppose the odds were against that?”
    â€œI didn’t say he wasn’t lucky,” replied Snake. “I said he wasn’t talkative.”
    â€œIf I have a choice,” said Irish, “I’ll take luck.”
    â€œShip approaching,” announced Pandora.
    â€œRegistration?” asked Pretorius.
    â€œNothing we’ve ever seen before.”
    â€œOkay, it’s a Neutral Zone. As long as he’s not showing his weapons, pay him no attention. He’s probably just on his way to McPherson’s World.”
    â€œThat place is a gold mine,” said Irish.
    Circe smiled. “You’re undervaluing it.”
    Irish considered the remark, then nodded her agreement. “Platinum.”
    The ship ignored them and proceeded to its obvious destination.
    â€œDon’t leave the Neutral Zone until we hear from Madam Methuselah,” Pretorius instructed Pandora.
    â€œI know,” was her reply.
    â€œAnd scramble whatever we send her.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œIn fact,” continued Pretorius, “we’ll move the money the long way around.”
    â€œI don’t understand,” said Pandora.
    â€œOnce we know where she wants it, send the message in code to a space service bank and tell them to transfer it. They’ll have better protections for something like that than we do.”
    She nodded her head. “Right. Got it.”
    Circe walked over to the galley. “I think I’ll have some tea.”
    â€œI’m dying to see you work,” remarked Irish. “I’ve never seen a living lie detector before.”
    â€œI like to think I’m a little more than that,” said Circe. “But I do have one