"Sir?"
"Would we be permitted to leave?"
"At once, sir."
More buzzing, and the door opened again.
As they flew away, Jeep said, "Sir, Roborepair wants to know whether to
repair ship in its present position or move it elsewhere."
Alyar was beginning to feel more confident. "In its present position, I
think. For now."
As they turned south, Janee began to sniffle.
"What now?" he demanded.
"I miss my Demon."
Alyar turned to Bru. "Isn't that just like a woman? She wants a Demon
again!"
She raised her head and glared at him. "He was cute and soft, and he
cuddled against me and made happy sounds. You tamed the Iron Fley,
and if you really loved me, you could surely handle one little fluffy
Demon!"
Alyar let Jeep stop and hang there while he tried to cope with the
effrontery of it. After all he'd been through, stealing her, to have
her suggest that he go into more danger just to satisfy her crazy whim!
His hands reached out for the levers again. Shaking his head dazedly,
he started northeast to look for the outlaws.
* * * * *
Some time later, they were headed south again, Janee's Demon asleep in
her lap. Jeep was loggy with iron and other treasures extorted from
various bands of outlaws. In the two rear seats, Bru and Marisu were
holding hands.
He was startled to see two more beasts hunching up from the south,
beyond the smits and jaksins. Four of them together at one time!
When they circled down, they found Pabossmit on his hair, scowling
southward. He cringed when he saw the Iron Fley, then managed to look
both dumfounded and furious when he recognized Alyar and Bru.
"You young hoodlums! I'm glad that thing caught you! Look there--those
are the grans and the kendies coming, and Pabossjaksin's so mad he'll
join them against us!" His face softened into the start of a grin as he
sized up the two girls, but then hardened again. "I hope you're proud
of yourselves, getting your whole clan killed or made slaves!"
Alyar started toward a clearing. "Come on down, Paboss. We've got so
much magic now, we could laugh at all the clans in the world." And, to
Jeep, "Jeep, can we bring Iron Mountain over here and fly it around and
show these savages they better behave?"
"A bloodless demonstration? Certainly, sir. I'll go aloft at once and
radio."
* * * * *
The four stood in a clearing, with awed smits around them at a
respectful distance. Paboss came pushing through the hair, as awed as
any, but less scared.
"Tamed the Iron Fley!" He began to guffaw. "Stole Pabossjaksin's
own two daughters! Haw, haw! Young man, when I retire...." His eyes
covered Janee approvingly, then turned back to Alyar. "You're wounded!
What--oh, toothmarks!" He laughed some more. "Didn't I say any girl
worth stealing would put up a fight?"
Alyar happened to be looking toward Bru, who had his own knot of
admirers. Marisu was standing a little behind him, as a bride should.
At Paboss's words, she frowned and her eyes fixed on Bru's smooth
shoulder. Her gaze grew more intent. She moved slowly forward, her eyes
crossing as they remained on the spot.
Closer....
Closer....
Bru yelled.