Presh's Lie, Chapter Two

Hours passed as 4-H-N pored over the terminal in an otherwise deserted workroom. At great length Mini-Flash Meteor wandered in.

“Meteor, look at this,” said 4-H-N.

“But it’s been half an hour since my last tappy smell-bomb,” the other complained, though she did come over. “I’m half an hour overdue my next one.”

“Did you notice anything strange on your rescue-mission today?” 4-H-N asked.

“Why, yes,” replied Mini-Flash Meteor. “A freak confluence of gravitational forces in that region of space has been adversely affecting Flashslip’s pants-elastic ever since.”

4-H-N thrust a finger at the screen.

“I’ve been going over the telemetry,” said she, “and I think Mini-Flash Semiprecious put her own shuttle in danger. Do these figures say that to you too?”

Mini-Flash Meteor scanned them.

“Were they the work of a soldier or spy, with full field-training in that kind of subterfuge, then perhaps,” was her conclusion. “But it’s far too professional a job for one of us, gantrative. In your own quaint parlance, are we perhaps clutching at straws?”

“What about the rest of it, Meteor?” cried 4-H-N. “A girl who was supposed to be in a shuttle accident doesn’t have a scratch on her. Her medical records are mysteriously missing. Now this, which just tops it all. And you’ve already told me you’ve seen she’s got poor Flashslip twisted round her little finger…”

No sooner were the words out than 4-H-N knew, from the triumphant expression spreading over her companion’s fine features, that yet again she hadn’t trodden carefully enough.

“Now it makes sense,” Mini-Flash Meteor condescended splendidly to 4-H-N. “Now I understand why all this painstaking research. Little Miss Public Service Announcement’s legion of adoring admirers is suddenly down by one, which can only mean sinister forces must be at work. The alternative doesn’t bear thinking about. You will reassure the galaxy, won’t you, as soon as the truth comes to light? That it’s not just because Mini-Flash Semiprecious is pretty and pleasant and doesn’t smell like last week’s sleeping-knickers?”

“You explain the medical records, then!” 4-H-N demanded. “Why aren’t there any? Every Mini-Flash who’s gone over to Joe was supposedly here before that, right? So if she wasn’t ever at Headquarters, where did she come from?”

“Have you considered the wild outside chance someone might have filed some documents in the wrong place?” ventured Mini-Flash Meteor.

4-H-N flung back around to her console.

“I’m worried about my friend because he might be in trouble, Meteor,” she declared. “I do see that’s one concept you’ll never be able to understand. Intelligentsor Day was the first time I’ve ever wished I was a boy. I couldn’t have asked for a better look at your bum, vanishing fast in the opposite direction to Auntie Green.”

Mini-Flash Meteor stood up straight. “Then may I treat you to a reprise here and now, fluffy one?” she glittered.

“Yes, fine, go,” said 4-H-N, reverting to her studies. “Sniff yourself into a stupour like you do every night. You’ll be about as much help.”

Days later, Flashslip hurried to see Mini-Flash Semiprecious in the hydroponic garden of the medical bay. He was all breathless smiles.

“I found them!” he told her the moment she turned.

“Oh, Flashslip, I am glad,” beamed Mini-Flash Semiprecious. “Where were they?”

“Somewhere I was sure I’d already looked,” said Flashslip, as they sat down together on a bench. “Isn’t that always the way? I go on duty in five minutes but I just had to let you know.”

Finally, thought Mini-Flash Semiprecious to herself. At long last.

“That’s wonderful news about the medical records, Flashslip,” said she. “There was one other thing though, which I was meaning to ask you about. I need a data-unit from out of my shuttle. You’re busy tonight, and I’ve sent enough work your way as it is! So, please can you ask that boy who’s your assistant to bring it over for me?”

“Mini-Flash Phytolith?” queried Flashslip. “Or Mini-Flash Meteor. She’s free every evening. I’ll get her to do it.”

“I’d prefer Mini-Flash Phytolith,” Mini-Flash Semiprecious said again. “Mini-Flash Meteor frightens me a little. It’s widely known she has a delinquent past, like that 4-H-N.”

“Well, yes, they both do,” conceded Flashslip reluctantly. “But 4-H-N’s a round sort, Presh, and neither of them are into that sort of thing anymore. It’s really no trouble to send Mini-Flash Meteor. It’ll be good for her to get out of her quarters and do someone a favour for a change.”

Flashslip didn’t like where he was going with this. He didn’t like his stubbornness and jealousy. But he couldn’t help it. Presh was the first girl who hadn’t made him slip. She was special. What it might mean, that she insisted on seeing the boy under his command instead of the girl, was something he’d still just as soon steadfastly refuse to confront.

He couldn’t see that beneath her soft inviting lips, Mini-Flash Semiprecious’s teeth were clenched.

In the name of the Leader. In the name of The Magnetic Stones.

She forced a heavy sigh.

“Then I’m going to have to tell you the truth,” said Mini-Flash Semiprecious, in tones of confession. “But please, I don’t want to end up looking like some sort of sneak. Picking holes in The Flash Club, after you saved me. You talked about the present climate, and I just know what certain people would make of that. It’s the only reason I’ve kept quiet.”

By now Flashslip was staring, a little alarmed.

“Your friends’ delinquent history isn’t as long ago as you think,” Mini-Flash Semiprecious stated. “4-H-N and Mini-Flash Meteor have been coming to my ward late at night. Trying to get me to do things for them. Bad things. Wrong things. I guess they think that because I’m one of Joe’s Faction, I must also be against the Alliance.”

“Against the Alliance?” repeated Flashslip in a whisper, his head spinning.

“So please,” begged Mini-Flash Semiprecious. “Send Mini-Flash Phytolith, Flashslip. For my sake. If Mini-Flash Meteor knew I was leaving, I don’t know what she’d say or do.”

At this, Flashslip could but stammer out a promise to do as Mini-Flash Semiprecious asked.

That one took his hand.

“My hero,” she smiled. “Then tomorrow, before I go, we’ll say a proper goodbye.”

TO BE CONTINUED