The Pharoah Contract

“Come up to the control blister,” Ruiz said. He turned and spoke kindly to Kroel, still huddled on the bench. “Master Kroel, will you wait for us? Above are dangerous machines, and you’ll be safer here.”

* * *

In the control blister, Ruiz leaned against the main board. “We have a problem.”

Only Dolmaero laughed, though Molnekh smiled his wide toothy smile.

“Yes, well…” Ruiz grinned at them. “But what I mean is this: The boat is programmed for Corean’s destination. I can’t change it. So we must either ride the boat in that direction or strike off on foot. It’s my opinion that the veldt is too dangerous. I don’t know much about the wildlife in this part of Sook, but Corean’s people were afraid of something.”

Ruiz did not mention the stirrings of the mission-imperative in his mind, a voice that demanded he proceed with his investigation. The mission-imperative was weakening, with time and the slippage of the death net, but it was still strong enough to make him very uncomfortable, and thus less effective.

Molnekh spoke up. “I’m afraid too. Hungry things live in the grass; I’m sure of it. But whatever Corean had planned for us has no appeal for me now.”

“Nor me,” said Ruiz. “But there’s some good news. We can ride the boat toward our destination, and if we see a good spot to stop — a village where we can get transport to a neutral launch ring, for example — the program will allow me to land.”

“This then is what we must do.” Flomel spoke in an assured tone.

Ruiz looked at the mage, surprised. “I’m pleased that you agree with my assessment. Master Flomel.”

The mage’s face was a mask of affability, and Ruiz thought Flomel had never looked more treacherous. “‘When the Hellwind blows, even the strongest tree must dance’; so it is said.” Flomel smiled, a somehow ghastly expression.

Ruiz glanced at Nisa, saw a look of loathing pass over her face. She was watching Flomel intently; when her gaze flickered to Ruiz for a moment, he winked.

Dolmaero perched on the edge of the couch. He seemed troubled; his fingers twisted together, and he stared at the floor.

“What of you, Guildmaster?” Ruiz asked. “Give us your opinion.”

Dolmaero looked up, clearly uncomfortable. “I think your plan is the only possible one. But… Ruiz Aw, I must ask you: What are your intentions toward us? Has our ownership passed to you? And can we hope to return to Pharaoh?”

Ruiz blinked. “No, no, I’m not your owner. You’re free, as far as I’m concerned. Anyone who wishes may leave now and make their own way.” He turned and looked at Nisa. “Though I would regret it. As to getting home to Pharaoh… I’m sorry, but I think it unlikely, at this point.”

Nisa jerked her gaze away from Flomel and looked at Ruiz, shock written in her face. The others mirrored that emotion.

“Ahh…” said Dolmaero heavily. “This is a blow, Ruiz Aw. But not completely a surprise. Until you took the boat, I’d put such hopes away. Still, will you tell us why we couldn’t somehow return?”

Ruiz was uneasy. How could he tell them that under pangalac law they were still the property of the Art League, that the only way they could ever return legally to Pharaoh was as brainwiped cargo? He temporized. “Travel between the stars is expensive, and few ships call at Pharaoh.”

Dolmaero watched him sadly. “I fear that isn’t the whole story.”

Ruiz looked down. “No. It’s a complicated matter. We’ll talk of it later, if you wish, but now we need to be moving. I’m expecting a call from Corean; she’ll be unhappy when none of her folk answer. I’ve checked as best I can for override circuits, and I don’t believe she’ll be able to take control from us. But I can’t be sure; I’d like to make as much progress as we can before she calls.”

Ruiz turned to the main panel, began to ready the boat for travel. Without turning, he said, “Everyone sit on the couches and fasten the restraint webbing; it’s possible we’ll have a rough trip.”

When the engine began to whine, and the boat lifted into Sook’s sky, he looked back at them. All sat stiffly in the webbing. Three wore identical frowns of uncertainty.

But Nisa smiled as she watched him, her eyes full of some sweet emotion that lifted his heart.

Biographical Notes

Ray Aldridge was born in 1948. He has published a three-volume series, The Emancipator, featuring ex-slave investigator Ruiz Aw. The volume titles are The Pharaoh Contract, The Emperor of Everything and The Orpheus Machine. Short stories by Aldridge appeared in Full Spectrum 4 (1993) and The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction: A 40th Anniversary Anthology. Among his shorter works are Steel Dogs (1989), Gate of Faces (1991), a Nebula Best Novelette nominee (1992) and The Beauty Addict (1993), a Nebula Best Novella nominee (1994).