Deja Ortega: Oddsbreaker Read online

“I know the place,” Rip said.

  “Good,” Deja replied, then thought of something. “Remember the man who bought you all that food?”

  “Sure, I remember him. Real nice for an outsider type.”

  “Well, he was kinda blown up and shot in the attack on the marketplace. I’m tending to him while we wait for the area to be stabilized. So if you want a job finding stuff for me and him, come on over to the hostel, OK?”

  “Sounds good,” said the child, nodding his head.

  “Excellent. I’d be especially thankful if you could find a crutch or bedpan, some disinfectant…and maybe some alcohol.” She had found it difficult to help Geoff to the toilet because of his wounds, his broken leg in particular. It would be good if she could locate a crutch or bedpan. And, well, the disinfectant and alcohol went without saying. She felt a pang rattling around in her heart. Perhaps she ought to be able to get by without drinking, but everything was so stressful right now. Wasn’t she entitled to a little something to help dull the fear and worry?

  Rip smiled. “Got it. See ya ‘round.” With that, he hefted the empty water jug and walked back the way she had come.

  Parting ways with him, she kept to the shadows and advanced toward the courthouse. The pavement beneath her feet was cracked in places, so she picked her way with precision in the moonlight. She was wearing her boots now instead of sandals, so her feet were well protected. But she couldn’t risk falling and getting injured or alerting the insurgents of her presence. The truck with the rebels had thankfully turned down a side street, so the path to the courthouse appeared open at the moment. Still, she remained alert.

  Somewhere in front of her, she heard a noise like a door shutting. Instantly, she crouched down and hugged the wall of the building to her left. She focused her eyes in the direction of the sound. A pair of armed hostiles emerged from a building with loaded sacks over their shoulders. They were facing away from her, which was fortunate. But they were also going toward the courthouse, which was most unfortunate. Debating what to do, Deja decided to sneak up on them and ambush them if possible. Who knew what they could be carrying? She might just find some useful booty.

  Quiet as a cat, she advanced toward the duo, one short and stocky Be’Voyan and the other tall and muscular. Both appeared to be males, though she couldn’t quite tell from behind in the dim light of the moons. She pulled a throwing knife from her left boot so she had a weapon in each hand.

  Once she was quite close, she whispered into the still air, “Halt. Don’t make a sound or one of you is dead and the other is hobbled for life.”

  The two figures stopped, then both tried to look back.

  “No. Don’t turn around. Freeze,” she ordered, creeping closer to the pair. “Good. Now, slowly put down your guns.”

  “Lady, you are messing with the wrong people. We are the chosen ones,” said the stocky male.

  “Well, I beg to differ. And I’m the one with the knife and the blaster ready to take you out. So don’t try anything.” Her voice was hard like plasticrete but low in volume. She didn’t want anyone else hearing something and sounding an alarm.

  Her captives leaned forward, lowering their rifles to the ground, and then straightened up. “Good,” Deja said. “Now walk backward two steps. Then down on your knees with your hands behind your head.”

  They complied. Both of them were wearing black garb—pants and short-sleeved shirts. She slipped up behind them and placed her knife at the base of a major artery in the thickset Be’Voyan’s neck. Then she spoke to the other one. “Tall guy, you tie up your friend with those zip ties you’re carrying. In front of yourselves is fine. Then zip tie yourself.”

  “Lady—” the shorter one started to say, until she pressed her knife harder against his skin.

  “Don’t call me ‘lady.’ Just do as I say. Or you’ll be martyrs for your cause in no time, trust me.” She wasn’t sure she would kill them. But they didn’t need to know that. If she had to choose between them or her, she would choose herself. Just like she had during the attack on the marketplace. She gritted her teeth at the memory.

  When her captives’ hands were zip tied, she holstered her blaster but kept the knife where it was. Although the other guy was bigger, the smaller one was more hotheaded. She pulled a scarf out of the side pocket of her backpack. It would make a perfect gag. In short order, she had stuffed it into the mouth of the more troublesome hostile. That done, she pulled out her blaster again and sheathed the knife, pointing the blaster at the ungagged rebel.

  “Big Guy, here’s another scarf. Open up.” She crammed the scarf into the second one’s mouth. Then she ordered the two of them to get to their feet and walk into the nearest open doorway without turning around. She needed to put them in a good hiding spot—and she didn’t want them to see her face in the process.

  They hadn’t gone far into the building before Deja could see what it was: a travel agency of some sort. There were pictures of different locales and various earthbound vehicles, seagoing ships, and spaceships on the walls. She wasn’t wearing her LinguaLenses at the moment, but the Be’Voyan writing on the main wall had a character that meant “Go” and another that meant “anywhere” or something to that effect. Without much ado, she found a narrow door to what was probably a supply closet. “Open the door, Big Guy,” she ordered. He pulled open the door and, voila, a supply closet. Perfect. It had a tall shelving unit filled with office supplies at the back and a rolling caddy with cleaning supplies against another wall. “Both of you get in there and do not attempt to look at my face.”

  “Mmphooo,” the shorter one mumbled in protest.

  “Quiet,” she barked. When they were standing side by side in the small closet, she said, “Now kneel again.” Once they’d done so, she adjusted her blaster to stun and shot both of them. They flopped forward, unconscious. “Sorry, fellas. Can’t have you freeing yourselves too quickly.” Then she stepped back and closed and locked the door. For good measure, she wedged a chair underneath the doorknob. There. That oughta do it.

  Adjusting her backpack over her shoulder, she proceeded to the entrance on quiet feet, then peered out. Nobody there. And the sacks of loot and the guns were still lying on the ground.

  With no further time to spare, she scooped up the bags and guns and hurried on her way. The courthouse was just seven minutes away. She arrived and, to her great relief, found Kanicha waiting inside the front doors. “Hey, Kanicha!”

  “Deja,” she replied, relieved. They embraced. The slender Be’Voyan woman tried to smile, just barely showing the gap between her teeth. “Here are the meds you needed. And here is some food, including some broth cubes and gelled fruit. Might be easier for the Coalition officer to eat.”

  “Thanks,” Deja said, her heart brimming with gratitude. “Tell Maizie I said hello.”

  “Of course,” Kanicha promised. “What do you have in those bags you’re carrying?”

  “Good question. I, uh, ‘liberated’ them from their liberators,” Deja said with a laugh. “Let’s take a look.”

  Together, they searched through the bags for useful items. They found more food, some pre-loaded CredChips, some sterling-silver and gold jewelry, some data pads, some ammo, and various other items.

  “Nice,” Deja observed. “Here you take this stuff. I’ll take the rest. Oh, has Sef managed to contact the GJC?”

  “Yes. But they say they cannot do an exfil until the rebellion is put down. Could be a few days.”

  Deja cursed but attempted to smile again. “OK, I better get going. Be careful.”

  “Will do,” the other woman said, adding, “What you did to save that man was brave. He’s lucky you were here.”

  Deja managed a real smile. “Thanks. Goodbye for now.” She turned and left the way she came. She made quick work of sneaking home, keeping to the shadows of buildings. She encountered a platoon of city police officers, who asked her a few questions. They let her go after she showed them her correspondence with Officer Dolja
ng on her PalmStar. Anyhow, she didn’t come across anymore rebels. Whew, she thought, entering the hostel. Now let’s just hope these meds kick that infection in the butt.

  Geoff startled awake. Panic gripped him when he looked around and could not find Nurse.

  Unable to move much, he couldn’t tell if she’d taken all her stuff. He knew she’d had to venture out before to secure extra food and supplies. Maybe that’s what she was up to. His whole body was drenched in sweat. And his head was still throbbing and his body felt floaty and sluggish at the same time.

  Still, he forced himself to remain awake, despite the pain. Finally, about thirty minutes later, his rescuer trudged back in, a worn pack on her back, two guns over one shoulder, and a bulging sack over the other.

  “You should be asleep,” she scolded, putting down her load and kneeling by the makeshift bed.

  “Nurse,” he sighed. “You came back. You stayed.”

  “Whoa, don’t get teary eyed. Heavens, I didn’t know Coats were so weepy.” She winked at him.

  He gave her a goofy smile. He hadn’t known his eyes were misting up. Must be the drugs.

  “Sorry. I’m just glad you came back, Nurse.” He had uttered the last word with a light caress, then closed his eyes.

  “Actually, it’s Deja. My name’s Deja Ortega,” she said softly.

  “Deja,” he repeated, opening his eyes. “Why did you save me?” he wondered aloud. “And how did you know I’m with the Coalition?”

  “Well, I saw you buy that boy, Rip, a bunch of meat pies and stuff.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah. I knew you had to be a good man,” she said in a quiet voice.

  “I try.” He swallowed painfully. His face was already flushed, which was good because he would’ve blushed a little.

  “More than try. You do,” she declared. “As for the Coalition, you rattled off your serial number and rank while in the grips of this fever, which is why I had to go out in the first place.”

  “Oh?” he said again.

  “Yep. Got some antibiotics with the help of a mutual friend, Officer Doljang. I’m afraid the GJC won’t be extracting you for another few days, though. So you’re stuck with me.”

  “Somehow that doesn’t seem like a terrible thing,” he said, smiling.

  “Haha,” she replied. “Just remember that when I try to start your IV. I haven’t practiced this in a long, long time.”

  “Don’t worry, I can take it.”

  “I’m sure you can, soldier. But I’ll try to make it as painless as possible.” It took her three tries, but she got a line in. Geoff didn’t flinch; he was used to needles. Then she started him on the antibiotics. He found he was amused as she created a holder for the IV bag from a metal hanger she found in the closet. She pulled the hanger out of shape until the wires were more-or-less parallel and then bent one end. Hammering the bent end into the wall, Deja hooked the bag to the other end. That would let gravity do the work. She also injected more pain meds. Now that’s nice, he thought, trying to figure out how to keep her talking. He wanted to know more about her. So far she seemed…brave and kind, not to mention feisty and funny. All qualities he admired in someone.

  “Deja…tell me more about you. You know what I do. What’s your occupation?”

  He almost cursed when he saw her grow pale. Crud! What did I say wrong?

  “Let’s just say I’m a…Jane of All Trades, yes?”

  “Don’t worry,” he said before she could protest further. “If you think I’d rat you out after what you did for me, you can think again.”

  “You say that now, but—”

  “No, I mean it. Just level with me. Please?” Geoff asked, forehead crinkling.

  “OK, then, if it means that much to you.” She sighed. “I used to be part of a traveling troupe of space carnies. But then an explosion on our ship killed most of my troupe, including my mother. It wasn’t an accident.” A shadow seemed to fall over her face as she said this, and he cursed himself.

  “I’m sorry. What a wretched thing to happen,” he said.

  “Anyhow, without a ship or a troupe, I was kind of lost for a while. Until I landed on being an oddsbreaker. Yep, that’s right. I’m a crazy, lowly oddsbreaker.”

  Geoff raised his eyebrows, thinking something else entirely. “Not lowly at all,” he scoffed. “You have more guts than some of the soldiers I’ve worked with. And crazy, well, who isn’t these days?” He smirked, trying to make her grin.

  She stifled a chuckle. “There now, enough talking for today. You need some rest.”

  “Yes, Nurse.” Geoff let his feverish eyes close at last. He had been saved by an oddsbreaker of all things while on vacation during a local holy war! It sure beats Mom and Dad’s origin story, he mused. In no time, he drifted off to sleep, thinking of a time when he might introduce a girl like Deja to his parents.

  Later that night, Geoff was roused from sleep by a knock on the door. He forced his eyes open and saw Deja sitting on a chair to the side of the door. She didn’t look alarmed at the sound, which was a good sign. Still, his hand reached for his blaster, which Deja had given back to him. He leveled it at the door. Deja also got out her blaster and held it ready.

  “Who’s there?” she called.

  “Just me. Rip,” came the answer.

  Deja stood and eased the door open. The small Be’Voyan boy stood outside the door, holding a bulging pillowcase in his hands.

  “Come on in, Rip,” Deja invited. The child trundled in with his sack and put it down on the floor.

  “Gotcha some good stuff,” he said.

  “Show us what you found,” Deja invited.

  Geoff, still too weak from the infection and his wounds, didn’t try to rise from the cot, but he turned his head so he could watch.

  Rip started unpacking the bag. He took out some protein bars, jerky, bread, icewine, disinfectant, blankets, a bedpan, and other assorted items. Heat flushed over Geoff’s neck and face when he saw the bedpan. True, he’d been having some trouble getting to the toilet. But he was darned if he was going to resort to a bedpan! He decided to hold his peace until the kid left.

  “Well done, Rip,” Deja said. “What do you want for all of it?”

  “I figure Ð120 should be good,” the youngster said. “And I’ll take some of that fruit you’ve got.”

  “It’s a deal,” Deja said, before Geoff could offer to pay. She took out her wallet and fished around for some CredChips. Handing them over, she said, “Pick out what you want.”

  “Thanks, missus,” said the youngster, who took the CredChip then busied himself with choosing some fruit.

  “Good job,” Geoff told him.

  Rip looked up. “No problem,” he said. “Now you listen to the missus here and get better quick, yeah?”

  Geoff chuckled. “Consider it done.” He saluted the boy.

  “Well, I’ll be off now.” Rip stood and left, shutting the door behind him.

  Geoff said, “It’s a shame that kid is on the streets. I’ll have to see what I can do about that once I get back on my feet.”

  Deja focused her green eyes on his face, then brushed back a lock of black hair. “You know, I bet you will do something about that. It’s admirable.”

  “Thank you, Nurse. Is that why you like me?” Geoff asked with a subtle grin.

  “Oh, I didn’t say I liked you,” Deja corrected, cocking her head playfully.

  “Ah. I stand corrected. Or I lay corrected, to be precise,” he joked. “On a serious matter, though, I have to say that I am not using that bedpan.”

  The young woman pursed her lips. “Really? Then you best be using these.” At that, she opened the door, leaned out, and retrieved something he couldn’t see. Turning around, she presented him with a pair of actual crutches.

  “Nice,” he said, laughing. “Courtesy of Rip, I take it?”

  “Yes. He left them outside the door as instructed. I just wanted to see your face when we presented you with the bedpan.
”

  “Well, you’ve had your fun,” he said. “Now please give me those crutches and go outside for a bit. I’ve gotta attend to some business.”

  “Aye, aye, sir,” she replied, handing him the items and turning to leave. He did so like to watch her going—and coming.

  Three days later, Deja kneeled by Geoff as he lay on the cot. “Now let me look at those sutures again,” she said. With care, she raised his shirt and removed the bandage. “Excellent. No redness or puffiness anymore. Looks like you’re healing just fine. It’s a good thing I scored those antibiotics for you. Otherwise I would’ve had to force feed you some moldy bread.”

  “Ugh,” he said, and meant it. He knew she had done him a great service, not just by saving his life in the first place, but by keeping him alive. But he would take IV antibiotics any day over moldy bread, having had to eat some of that to survive on one of his many missions.

  “Let me check your arm now,” she said. She looked at it carefully, and he remained quiet, wondering what else to say. He had seen her sneaking drinks from her flask all too often. But he didn’t want to pry. Besides, nobody’s perfect.

  “Your bullet wound looks quite good, too,” she announced. Moving the blanket, she revealed his bare legs and pressed down on his injured leg gently. He felt proud that he didn’t wince. “The bone is mending nicely as well. Now for dinner and a nap. And don’t give me any trouble,” she cautioned, wagging her finger at him.

  “Never, Nurse. I promise. Only, answer me this, what’s it gonna take for me to see you again after this is all over?”

  Deja paused, pressing her lips together. “How’s this,” she said. “Exciting dare. Slim odds. Good food.”

  “Oh, is that all?” he asked. “Whew. Here I thought I might need to get myself blown up again.”

  She laughed. “No, I would advise against that. Strongly.”

  “Very well, if you insist.”

  “I do. Now, how about we have some dinner before your buddies show up to take you off this rock?” Deja said.

  “Sounds good. I’m famished.” Geoff grinned widely and sat up slowly, swinging his legs carefully over the edge of the cot. “What are we having?”