Read Online The Prison in Antares by Mike Resnick - Free Book Online

can get to him before they break him.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said awkwardly.
    â€œDon’t be. You’re new to this, and asking questions is how you learn.”
    â€œOkay,” announced Pandora. “We’re cleared to land and are about to begin our approach. They’ve given us a spot about six ships away from the one we’re after.”
    Pretorius frowned. “That makes it a little more difficult, but what the hell.”
    â€œI don’t follow you,” said Circe.
    â€œI was thinking if we could land right next to the ship we could transfer most of the armaments and the computer without being spotted, but we can’t be seen doing that much walking back and forth from half a dozen ships away. We’ll keep our ship and transfer everything in deep space or on a totally empty planet once we take control of the Antarean ship.”
    â€œHow many of them are in the town and how many are still on the ship?” asked Ortega.
    â€œHow many are in the town is just guesswork,” answered Pretorius. “We don’t know how many the ship is carrying. But Pandora can tell us how many are still onboard.”
    â€œIn a minute,” she said. “I’m still making course adjustments.” After another thirty seconds or so, she began manipulating the computer again. “There are three living entities onboard.”
    â€œThree Antareans, right,” said Pretorius.
    She shook her head. “Two Antareans.”
    â€œWhat’s the third thing?”
    â€œI can’t tell from the readings,” she replied. “It could be anything from a prisoner to a pet to a non-Antarean passenger.”
    â€œBig? Little?”
    She studied her computer. “Maybe eighty pounds.”
    Pretorius turned to Ortega. “So if we only see the two Antareans when we board it, keep an eye out for something with teeth or pincers that may be lurking in a bulkhead.” He turned to Irish. “That goes for everyone. I’m telling Felix, because with his physical equipment, real and artificial, he’ll be first in line when we board it.”
    â€œOkay, we’re through the stratosphere, entering the atmosphere, and should touch down in three minutes,” announced Pandora.
    â€œProto, time to become an officer,” said Pretorius. “Make him a native of Antares Two.”
    â€œWhy Two?” asked Irish as Proto’s image changed.
    â€œBecause he doesn’t speak a word of Antarean,” answered Pretorius. “Hopefully they have different dialects on different worlds. And since our prey isn’t military, maybe they’ll leave him alone if he’s an officer and projects a nice, haughty air.”
    â€œMakes sense,” she said, nodding her head. “I’m learning.”
    They fell silent then, watching the planet growing huge on the viewscreen, which then adjusted and began homing in on the Tradertown. In another minute the buildings and streets were visible, as was the spaceport, and shortly thereafter they touched down.
    â€œAll right,” said Pretorius, walking over to the hatch. “I have no idea how long we’ll be, but don’t contact us. I’ll contact you if we need anything.” He turned to Snake. “Grab a weapon and kill any Antarean that tries to enter the ship.”
    â€œWhat about something other than an Antarean?”
    â€œKeep him or them covered, have Pandora disarm them, and wait for me to get back.”
    â€œAlways assuming you live long enough to come back,” said Snake.
    â€œAlways assuming,” said Pretorius, climbing down the stairs to the ground. He waited for his four companions to join him, and then began walking into the town.
    â€œShit!” muttered Ortega. “It’s all bars and restaurants. We’re gonna look mighty suspicious looking into every one of them.”
    â€œWe won’t have to,” said Pretorius. He