Overdrive (11 page)

◊

         Simbiel,
Knights Captain Tynan, and the crew of the
Divine Retribution
had docked
with the
Dirty Little Minx
an hour earlier. After being searched for
weapons in a similar fashion that Logan and Tarquin had, Simbiel, Tynan and 10
Templar Knights consulted the Minx to ascertain the location of their quarry.
The ship had told them that Logan and Tarquin were attending the ball.

Working on the
assumption that Felix would be with his mates and not bothering to dress for
the occasion, the Areopagites arrived at the Meat and two vege club, found out
roughly where the men were situated, and decided to wait. Simbiel could see
them on the other side of the bar. The red haired male, apart from his height
and hair coloring, vaguely fitted the visual logged into his AI.

So far, the
Watchers hadn’t made an appearance but Simbiel believed that it was only a
matter of time. If the Areopagite’s had discovered the existence of the
Overdrive then it was a safe bet that the Watchers had as well. He’d seen
Watcher and Areopagite Guardian angels on board who bowed to him deferentially
and been pointedly ignored. He watched scowling and somewhat bemused as a group
of drunken Martians staggered past. Two of them had flaming candles
inexplicitly rammed up their arses.

Tynan, instructed
by Simbiel, approached two women dressed as Vampires. He explained that he
wanted to surprise two business associates, transferred some credits into their
accounts, and watched as the two women made their way towards Logan and
Tarquin, engaging them in conversation. Getting the two men away and
preoccupied would make their job of kidnapping Felix so much the easier.

◊

“So, you don’t
believe in religion then?”

“Nah. Its the
recourse of the weak minded." Felix raised his eyebrows at Crystal and
took a sip of his beer. “You?”

“I have slightly
religious leanings. Its the nature of my work."

“What exactly do
you do again?”

Crystal smiled
that sexy half smile she had. “I told you. I look after my clients business
interests."

“That still
doesn’t tell me anything. You’re being a little cagey aren’t you?."

Felix thought for
a moment. “You don’t work for the Areopagite’s do you?” He should have asked
her this before. His brain had been slightly scrabbled by his libido and
testosterone.

“No, of course
not. They’re a bunch of religious fascists.”

Felix wiped his
brown in mock relief. “Whew. Had me worried there for a sec.”

“Why should the
Areopagite’s worry you?”

“I’m allergic to
religious fascists," he said in what he hoped was a convincing way.
Crystal looked dubious but decided not to pursue the matter any further.

Felix was watching
his friend’s progress with the two vampires out of the corner of his eye.
Crystal, noticing his attention was diverted, glanced in the direction of Logan
and Tarquin.

“So, have you guys
been friends long?”

Felix nodded.
“Since school. We all went to University together.”

Crystal looked
incredulous. “Even Tarquin?."

“Oh yes. He
doesn’t look it and makes pains not to show it but he’s actually got a degree
in physics of all things. I think he tries to fit the stereotypical mould of a
Snareball gladiator."

She looked over at
Tarquin. Accompanied by much giggling, one of the vampire twins was trying to
take his G-string off. “Well, he’s doing a good job. And what about Logan?”

“Ah. Our Logan is
a former Captain in military intelligence for Unamuno’s military."

“Former?”

“Yes. Sadly, young
Logan decided that it would be in the interests of his promising career to have
sex with his CO’s wife. He was wrong.”

Crystal laughed.
“And what about you”?

“Well, I got my honors
in Astroengineering and Physics and then did my doctorate in theoretical field
manipulation.”

“Is that anything
to do with ship propulsion?”

“You could say
that."

“I just did."

“Oh yes, so you
did.”

Logan came over
and told the couple that he and Tarquin were leaving with the Vampires.

“Shan’t be long,
but don’t wait up." He winked at Felix and spoke into his ear. “You be
careful. If there’s any problems, call us via the ship and we’re come running.”

“I’m sure there’s
nothing here I can’t handle."

Logan looked over
towards Crystal. “I wouldn’t be too sure if I were you.”

With a cheery
wave, Logan and Tarquin departed with their respective vampires.

“Make sure they
don’t suck you to death," yelled Crystal after them.

Logan turned
around and grinned. “That’s the general idea isn’t it?”

◊

Simbiel watched
Logan and Tarquin depart. That just left Felix and the woman he was talking to.
This would be too easy. How to get them off the ship would be another matter
and of course he had the Watchers to consider. No point in delaying though. It
was, thought Simbiel, time to act.

He beckoned to
Tynan. The Templar Captain and his knights stood a few meters apart from
Simbiel. Despite the fact that the club was rather crowded, a buffer zone
existed not only between the Templars and their Angel, but between the
Areopagite’s and other passengers.

Tynan came over
and gave Simbiel a short perfunctory bow. “Lord?."

“Its time. Grab
the man and the woman and bring them back to our quarters. Quietly.”

“Yes Lord”

“And Tynan?”

“Yes Lord?”

“You might want to
think about changing your clothes."

The Templars were
in their Areopagite garb. Tynan swiftly issued orders and within seconds, he
and his 10 Knights had their Coveralls dressing them identically in black
leather. He sent five Knights to cover the exit nearest Felix and the rest
formed up around him. They made their way towards Felix and Crystal. The crowd
parted to let them through, unconsciously sensing trouble. Ten meters away from
the couple, they passed close to a large Polar Bear and gorilla. Tynan brushed
past. His elbow toppled a beer off the table which exploded on the floor,
sending glass fragments and beer all over the Templars behind him. He felt a
tap on his shoulder.

Looking around in
annoyance and expecting to see one of his men, he was surprised to be looking
at a white furry chest instead.

“Did you spill my
fucking pint?," a deep voice growled.

He looked up into
the menacing face of a polar bear. A Gorilla was grinning over his shoulder.
Tynan, confident in his numerical superiority, but not willing to draw
attention to himself or his Templars, decided tact might be required. “Yes,
sorry about that. Can I buy you another beer?”

“Fucking right.
Better make it two.”

Tynan signaled to
one of his men who made his way to the bar. He made as if to turn around but
was stopped by the Polar Bear.

“Oi. I haven’t
finished with you yet."

Tynan struggled to
control his temper. “Yes?”

“Spill my pint
again and I’ll fucking have you. Got me?”

Tynan lost it.
“Look, fuck off you moron.” He motioned to some of his men who came to stand
beside him. The Polar Bear’s eye’s went wide and he went to grab his bar stool.
His gorilla friend nudged him and looked in the direction of approaching
security guards. The Polar Bear waggled a finger at him. “This isn’t over. I’ll
see you later."

Tynan grinned
mirthlessly. “Look forward to it." He turned around again and followed by
his men, continued walking towards Felix.

◊

Crystal sensed
trouble. She was watching 6 men dressed identically in black leather purposely
make their way in her direction. The leader had his eyes fixed on Felix. She
watched as words were exchanged between the leader of the 6, a large Polar bear
and his almost equally large gorilla companion.

“I think we should
leave”

“Why? I’m having a
great time.”

“I get the feeling
that you could be trying to avoid attention from the Areopagite’s. There’s a
group of them heading this way.”

Felix looked
around. “Where? I don’t see them."

The guys in black
leather coming towards us. The swords are a dead give away.”

Felix, spotting
them, suddenly looked frightened. “I think you’re right.”

“Come on."
She grabbed Felix by the hand and led him towards the closest exit.

In the corridor,
five Templars were waiting for them. All of them had their hands on their
swords hilts. They stepped forward and grabbed Felix and Crystal by the arms.

Felix struggled.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Get your hands off me.” Crystal tried
to access the ship but her AI had crashed.

One of the
Templars smiled at Felix. “Someone wants a word with you.”

Moments later,
Tynan appeared in the corridor with the rest of his Knights.

“Ah, Mr. Tebbitt.
Finally we meet." He smiled silkily.

“Who’s Mr.
Tebbitt? I think you’ve got the wrong man. I’m Horace Belloc."

“Of course you are
Felix. Now if you’d be so kind as to come with us." Tynan laughed. “Oh
yes. Its not like you’ve got any choice really.”

He led the way
down the corridor. Felix and Crystal followed behind, almost being carried by
the Templars. Felix looked at Crystal. “What are you doing? Call the ship and
get us out of this shit." Crystal looked almost apologetic. “I tried. My
AI’s not working.” She paused. “Felix?”

Felix shrugged and
looked sheepish.

Tynan, turned his
head slightly as he walked. “I took the liberty of disabling the ships access
from here to our quarters. My Knights here have also temporarily shorted out
your AI. Sorry about that.” He didn’t sound very apologetic.

Felix was
beginning to get frightened. Where was Logan and Tarquin when he needed them.
“What do you want with us?.”

Tynan arrived at
an AG lift, stopped and turned to face Felix. “There is no “us." I just
want you. This woman…”

“Crystal”

“Whatever; just
happened to be in the wrong place. Now as to what we want with you, well, all
will be revealed in the fullness of time. I can tell you this much though, it
looks like you’ll be going on another cruise. And this one won’t be quite so
pleasurable."

Tynan, Felix and
Crystal along with the other Templars all piled into the lift, exiting at level
50. Tynan led the way down the corridor and stopped outside double wooden doors
with “executive suite” written on a discrete golden plaque. The doors swung
open and they found themselves in a well appointed and spacious lounge. Felix
and Crystal were plonked down in desk chairs, flanked by two Templars apiece.

“What now?, said
Crystal sarcastically. “Perhaps some entertainment? A beverage? Make mine a bubbly."
Felix smiled, nodded and held up two fingers.

“You’ll find out
soon enough," a smug Tynan replied.

“You seem to have
the advantage," said Felix. “You seem to think you know me, but I’ve got
no idea who you are”

Tynan performed a
short bow. “Knights Captain Tynan of the Areopagite’s at your service.”

“If you’re at our
service, how about letting us go?," said Crystal.

“I think not."

The doors slid
open and Simbiel entered the room.

Tynan and the
other Templars bowed. “Felix Teppitt, allow me to introduce the Lord Simbiel,
Power of the Sixth Order”

“Who’s Felix?”
said Felix. Crystal tried unsuccessfully not to laugh.

Simbiel walked
over and smiled down at Felix. “Being a bit unco-operative are we? I’m sure the
trip to Arabot will cure that." He looked at Crystal. “And who’s this
pretty young thing? A Hedonistic whore I think.”

Crystal glared at
him. “Go fuck yourself."

“And a feisty
whore at that. If it weren’t for the Proscription, I’d take pleasure in
adjusting that attitude of yours. Perhaps Captain Tynan and his men will oblige
me."

Felix struggled in
the grip of two Templars. “Leave her alone tosspot."

“Certainly. If you
give us the data on the Overdrive."

“I don’t know what
you’re talking about."

Simbiel shrugged.
“We’ll see." He turned to Tynan. “Put them in one of the bedrooms."

Four Templars
grabbed them, threw them into an empty bedroom and shut the door. It was pitch
black.

“Well, what now,"
asked Crystal. There was silence. “Well?”

“I shrugged. Its a
bit dark in here. You probably missed it."

“What’s with this
Felix business anyway? You lied to me."