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  "Oh no, they're here!" exclaimed the man. "They'll think I ratted them out. I'm done for!"

  "Relax, will you?" Alice drew the gun. "I'll have them under arrest before they know what hit them."

  "No guns, not here. My grandson is out back. He's just a boy … you can't start shooting, please!"

  Alice lowered the gun and looked around. Nearby, there was a bookcase sitting in front of a chest of drawers. Moving quickly, she shifted the bookcase, making a gap between the two pieces of furniture, then ducked down just as the front door opened.

  "Hey pops," said a male voice. "Got my cash, I hope?"

  "Y-yes. Let me get it for you."

  "Good stuff. I love it when people keep their promises. Saves all that mess, know what I mean?"

  "I don't mind a bit of mess," said a second voice, in a lazy drawl.

  Alice frowned, because the second speaker was a woman. The first store had been hit by two men, and if this was another lot then Chirless had bigger problems than Birch had suspected. Alice's grip tightened on the gun, and she listened intently. If these two took the money and left, fine, but if they tried anything she'd have no choice but to try and stop them. Her heart thudded in her chest as she crouched there, and she tried to stay as still as possible.

  She heard the sound of credit tiles, and then the man spoke again. "Looks good to me pops. We'll be back next week for a top-up. Okay with you?"

  "S-sure," said the old man. "Anything to keep the peace."

  Alice heard the front door open, and she risked a look over the drawers … just as the woman turned towards the furniture. "You know, I could really use one of those …" The woman's voice tailed off as she saw Alice. "Who's there?" she shouted. "Stand up and show yourself!"

  The man paused in the doorway, and Alice realised she was sunk. So, she got up, and as they spotted her uniform, she brought the gun up to bear on them. "You're under arrest," she said calmly. "Move, and I'll shoot you down."

  There was a split second during which nobody moved a muscle, and then the man turned and ran for it. Alice shifted her aim to the woman, who started raising her hands in surrender. Then, before Alice could react, the woman hooked one of the china jugs off the side table, hurling it towards her with a flick of her arm. Alice flinched, raising her arms to ward off the missile, and as the jug smashed on a piece of furniture she was showered in fragments.

  When she recovered, the doorway was empty.

  Swearing under her breath, Alice vaulted the chest of drawers and ran for the door. It closed automatically just before she got there, and she was forced to wave her arms at the sensor while the van drove off with a squeal of tyres.

  The doors opened, finally, and Alice squeezed through and ran into the road. She levelled the gun and fired off half a dozen shots, smashing the van's rear window, punching holes in the rear doors and blasting one of the tail lights into a cloud of multicoloured fragments. She only stopped firing after two shots went wild, skimming off the pavement and burying themselves in a wall.

  The van weaved as it tore up the road, and Alice could see the occupants hunched over in the front, keeping their heads down. Slowly, she lowered the gun, a serious look on her face. She'd seen them off, for now, but she couldn't help feeling she'd just started a war.

  As she eyed the broken glass littering the road, she felt for her commset. She swore as her fingers closed on thin air, and she turned and ran for the electronics store.

  — ♦ —

  "Still nothing?" asked Birch.

  Harriet lowered her commset. "Not a huge surprise. She prefers to duck confrontations." She frowned. "Well, duck them with me, at least. Everyone else is fair game."

  "Are you sure she took your gun?"

  "Yeah, but I don't care about that. I mean, I'll have to make a fuss about it, of course, but right now I just want to know how she's getting on."

  "She'll be fine."

  "Of course. It's everyone else she meets I'm worried about." Harriet glanced at her commset. "Can you deal with Foster on your own? I really think I should go and—"

  "Ms Foster will see you now," called the receptionist, gesturing towards a door. "Down the corridor, up the steps and it's the first on your right."

  Harriet put her commset away and stood up. "Let's get this over with. We just want the names of a few ex-coppers, people we can call on for backup."

  "Got it," said Birch.

  They strode to the door, and Harriet pulled it open, letting Birch through. Moments later they reached Foster's office, where a new brass plate on the door bore her name. "I thought this was supposed to be temporary," muttered Harriet.

  "Maybe she carries spares," murmured Birch.

  Harriet grinned, and knocked on the door.

  "Come!"

  The door opened, and Birch entered the sumptuous office first. "Ms Foster … Agatha. We meet again!"

  "David, so nice to see you!" Foster smiled at him, and then her smile faltered as she saw Harriet. "Oh. It's you."

  Harriet decided not to call her Agatha. "Yes, Ms Foster. Trainee Harriet Walsh, present and correct."

  "Well, you're certainly present, but I can't vouch for the rest."

  Zing! thought Harriet. Their swords were crossed, and the duel was about to begin.

  Fortunately Birch was there as a second, and he handled Foster like a pro. "I was only saying the other day that Chirless and Dismolle should combine their Residents' Associations. I see the process is already under way."

  "Oh, this?" Foster smiled. "I'm merely keeping the Chair warm for a colleague."

  Harriet could hear the capital letter … and she could also see a shiny new nameplate on the desk. If this was temporary, she was a Peace Force Captain.

  "I'm so glad you're here," said Birch. "With a little co-operation, you can help my team with a major case."

  "I'm in no position to offer resources," warned Foster. "This organisation is run on a very strict budget."

  "We're not after funds," said Birch quickly. "Just a little information."

  "Do tell."

  "We're investigating gang activity in Chirless. An old acquaintance might be up to her old tricks, and her first targets appear to be store owners. She's extorting cash, and let me tell you, once she's got her hands on enough money she'll bring in a whole army of thugs to do her bidding."

  "I see. And how does this affect the Residents' Association?"

  "They're your residents she's beating up," snapped Harriet. "Or don't they pay you enough to—"

  Birch raised his hand, silencing her. "What my trainee is trying to say, in her blunt fashion, is that nobody benefits from social unrest. Stores will close, and residents will flee the city. There will be whole suburbs under gang control, and you'll have little chance of getting them back. Not without spending a great deal of money on private security."

  That hit a nerve. "What do you suggest?"

  "They're still fresh on the ground, Agatha. There can't be more than a handful of these people, and with quick, decisive action we can round them up and make the city safe for all."

  Harriet felt Birch was laying it on too thick, but Foster merely smiled.

  "Again, I ask what you need."

  "Contacts. You must have the details of a few retired Peace Force officers living in Chirless. I can use those men and women right now."

  "Are you suggesting I send an army of pensioners against these thugs?"

  Harriet raised an eyebrow. That seemed a bit rich, given Foster was about eighty herself. Then again, she probably wasn't drawing a pension.

  "We're not suggesting pitched battles in the streets," said Birch. "I just need their expertise to guide these, er, young trainees."

  Foster fixed Harriet with a penetrating stare. "I understand your concern. However, I must deny your request."

  "What?" exclaimed Harriet.

  "First, we have strict privacy laws. I can't just hand out details to anyone who walks in off the street."

  "This is Superi
ntendent Birch of the Dismolle Peace Force," snapped Harriet. "He's hardly—"

  "Second, and more importantly," said Foster, completely ignoring her. "I can't have Dismolle interfering in Chirless matters. It sends entirely the wrong message to my fellow Association members."

  "Agatha … " began Birch.

  "I prefer Ms Foster, if you don't mind. Familiarity is so tiresome, don't you agree?"

  "Ms Foster," said Birch quietly, "I served with the Chirless Peace Force my entire career. Your sister—"

  "Rest her soul," said Foster piously.

  "I'm a local. Your sister was my Super. Just because I work with the Dismolle branch now—"

  "Birch. David Birch. Yes, I recall your name now. My sister once mentioned you in connection with a bribery scandal. I believe she had to fire you, am I right?"

  Birch pressed his lips together.

  "Well, I'm sorry, but my mind is quite made up." Foster glanced at her terminal. "My next appointment is due, and I do so hate to keep people waiting. Important ones, that is. You can show yourselves out without assistance, I take it?"

  As they walked along the corridor to the lobby, Harriet resisted the temptation to kick holes in the walls. Alongside her, Birch was quiet, but his face spoke volumes.

  In the lobby Harriet pulled out her commset and called Alice again. To her surprise, she got a reply. "Alice? Where have you been?" She paused. "What you mean, there was a gunfight in the street? Are you all right?"

  Birch signalled the receptionist. "Get me a cab. Now!"

  Chapter 7

  "Okay, see you in twenty minutes. I'll meet you outside the furniture shop."

  Before Alice put the commset away, she checked a few menus. "Hey, nice job!" she exclaimed. "I always wanted that game."

  "You're welcome," said the shop owner. "Now, if you could just pay up …"

  "Sure, sure." Alice laid her gun on the counter and patted her pockets. "Well, look at that. I left my cash in my spare uniform."

  "Oh my," said the woman drily. "What a shock."

  "Call it evens?" said Alice.

  "Evens for what?"

  "Evens for me not busting you."

  The woman sighed. "All right, it's on the house. Now get out of my shop. You're scaring the real customers away."

  Alice took the gun and left, whistling tunelessly as she emerged in the street. Further along the road a pair of robots were cleaning up the broken glass, sweeping it carefully into dustpans and tipping them into a trash can on a hand cart. When they were finished, one of the robots climbed onto the front of the cart while the other took the handles. Then, with a whirr from its motors, the second robot sprinted up the road, pushing the cart along as fast as any car.

  After they'd gone there was no evidence of the gunfight, apart from two blackened craters in the nearby wall.

  She returned to the furniture shop, where the owner was clearing up shards of broken pottery. "You!" he exclaimed. "You could have got us killed!"

  "You're welcome," said Alice, with a frown.

  "Don't mind pops, he forgets to take his pills."

  Alice glanced towards the counter, and paused. There was a teenage boy, about her age, tall with fair hair. He had a friendly face, and as she looked at him he smiled. "Do you know anything about the couple who came in?" she asked.

  "They were here this morning. We didn't have the money, and they threatened pops until he promised to have it ready for them." The boy gave her a nervous look. "They took all we had. There's no way we can pay again."

  "We have to," said his grandfather. "Those people, they will never stop."

  "Relax," said Alice. "I just shot up their van. They'll think twice before showing their faces around here again."

  The old man peered at her. "Oh, yes. I remember being young and foolish myself once. Lucky for me, I got old and wise."

  Alice reddened. "What are you on about?"

  "Those people, they will fetch more people, and bigger guns." The old man prodded her uniform. "They will come back, and this will not protect you … or us."

  "I have friends too," said Alice defensively. "And guns. And a damn great fighter jet."

  "This will be useful in my shop," said the old man, with a shrug.

  His grandson crossed to the front door and looked out. "How long before they come back, pops?"

  "Who knows? Not long enough, I say."

  "So that's it?" demanded Alice, "You're going to keep paying?"

  "Do I have a choice?"

  The old man left with his broom, and Alice was silent. Then she noticed the grandson beckoning to her from the doorway. They left the shop, and together they stood on the pavement outside.

  "Sorry about that," he said. "These people have got pops really riled up."

  "Are you sure?" said Alice. "Looks to me like he's already rolled over and offered up his belly."

  "You don't know him." The boy looked her up and down. "Are you from Chirless?"

  "No. I'm Alice Walsh, out of Dismolle. We were called in this morning."

  "I'm Ben. Ben James."

  "I'll put that in my report," said Alice drily.

  "What's Dismolle like?"

  "Pretty much like Chirless, only we fight back when people try to take our stuff."

  Ben hesitated. "Do you really have a jet?"

  Alice was about to reply, but her commset rang. "Yep?"

  "Alice, change of plans," said Harriet. "I've spoken to Birch, and we're going to set up a base at the old Chirless Peace Force station."

  "Should I meet you there?"

  "No, we'll meet at the ship, and Rover can fly us there. Arnie, I mean."

  "Too late," said Alice, with a laugh. "You're walking, sis."

  "When Bernie hears you lifted my gun, you'll be writing essays for the next ten years."

  "Flying you to the Peace Force station, yes sir," said Alice smartly, and she hung up.

  "You really do have a ship!" said Ben, looking at her admiringly.

  "Yeah. It's just an old military jet, but the controls are really light."

  "You fly it?"

  "Sure."

  Ben's jaw dropped, and he looked at her like she'd sprouted wings. "Could you … do you think maybe … I could get a ride some time?"

  "Well …"

  "I mean, I know it's official Peace Force transport and everything, but—"

  Alice decided to see just how much further his jaw would drop. "The ship isn't Peace Force transport. It's mine."

  The reaction was all she expected, and more. He couldn't have looked more surprised if she'd taken her gun and shot him in the foot. "Anyway, I'd better dash," she continued, "I've got to fly the others to the Chirless station."

  "Shall I get you a cab to your ship?"

  "No, it's just round the corner. I landed in the park."

  "Really?" Ben hesitated. "Can I watch you take off?"

  Alice shrugged. "It's a free planet." Despite her casual tone, she was enjoying herself. Bernie and Harriet had been angry when she'd bought Arnie, Birch had been terrified of her flying, and she had nobody else to show her pride and joy off to.

  They set off together, with Ben asking endless questions about engine power, jump range and weapons, and Alice doing her best to answer.

  — ♦ —

  Harriet stepped out of the cab at the entrance to the park, and she smiled to herself as she saw Alice and some teenage boy chatting together near the ship. Actually, he seemed to be doing all the talking, while Alice seemed relieved to see her and Birch.

  As they approached the pair, Harriet put her hand out. Wordlessly, Alice handed over the gun, and Harriet tucked it away … using an inside pocket, this time. "Who's your friend?" she asked.

  "This is Ben. His store was just hit. Ben, this is my sister Harriet."

  Ben nodded, then eyed Birch. "Good afternoon, sir."

  "Was it the same people?" asked Harriet.

  Alice shook her head. "Nope, this was a man and a woman. Black van, pretty
decent music—"

  "That's not how Rose described the music," said Harriet. "He said it was horrible."

  "What would he know? He's ancient!" said Alice. "By the way, one of the other shops paid up as well, and the owner said they're coming back for more next week."

  "I'll get a description from you once we get to Chirless. Anything else?"

  "This van had a missing rear window, a couple of big holes in the back door … and a broken tail light."

  Harriet looked at Birch. "We should get onto traffic, see if they were involved in an accident."

  "No need," said Alice. "That damage was down to me. I shot them up when they fled."

  "Alice!"

  "What? They attacked me!" She neglected to mention it had been a china jug. "I was just defending life and property. You know, because we're Peace Force and we're supposed to do that."

  "All right, this isn't the place. Let's get going."

  Alice opened the fighter's hatch and hauled the ladder down. She motioned Harriet and Birch aboard, then turned to Ben.

  "Well, I guess this is goodbye," he said bashfully.

  "Actually, I was going to tell you to move back. Otherwise you'll be fried." With that, Alice swung onto the ladder and climbed rapidly until she reached the airlock. The others had already gone ahead to the flight deck, so she hauled the ladder up and closed the hatch, sealing it tight.

  Then she ran lightly up the steps to the flight deck, where she took the pilot's chair and fired up the console. "Ready Arnie?"

  "Indeed."

  Alice looked through the canopy and saw Ben. He'd moved to a fair distance, and as he saw her looking, he gave her a wave. She ignored him, and turned back to the console. "Is everyone clear?"

  "Yes."

  Without hesitating, Alice fired up the thrusters, and after they settled down to an even bellow she increased thrust. Slowly, the ship rose into the air, and once they were clear of the surrounding buildings she glanced down at Ben, gave him a smile and pushed the throttles forward. The ship leapt forwards with a roar, and the park vanished behind them.

  "He seems nice," said Harriet.

  "Don't even," muttered Alice. She addressed the console. "Find the Chirless Peace Force station."