Skyfall by Anthony Eaton Page B

playing around with the user interface program and we accidentally reassigned the lift. That’s how we ended up down here.’
    The scarred man considered them for a long moment. ‘The user interface program?’
    â€˜It’s a … system tool.’
    â€˜And you know how to use it?’
    â€˜Not really.’ Lari could see Kes thinking furiously, trying to stay ahead of her story. ‘That’s why we got accidentally dropped here.
    â€˜Accidentally?’
    â€˜That’s what I said.’
    â€˜How did you know about this “user interface” in the first place?’
    â€˜I found it.’
    â€˜Really? Impressive. You’re what, thirteen years old?’
    â€˜Yeah.’ Kes met his stare.
    â€˜And I take it your parents won’t be happy to discover you intruding into data systems beyond your clearance?’
    Neither of them needed to answer that. Gregor met their stares with amusement, then leaned down and lowered his voice.
    â€˜I think I understand the situation now. And because you’ve decided to be honest with me, I can help you. I can get both of you back up to your clearance level without any attention from security. You’re obviously clever, so should I choose to do so, I presume you’ll be able to hide your tracks.’
    â€˜Thanks …’ Lari started, but Gregor held up a hand.
    â€˜Don’t thank me, Larinan. Nothing’s free in this world, especially down here.’
    â€˜I can organise whatever payment you think is fair.’
    The man laughed. ‘I’m sure you can. But I don’t want anything you can offer me at the moment.’
    â€˜What then?’
    Gregor’s smile became flinty. ‘Just remember that you owe me. Both of you.’
    â€˜Owe you what?’
    â€˜A favour. I’ll let you know when the time comes to repay it.’
    â€˜How?’
    â€˜Trust me, son. I have ways. Now …’
    He whistled up his men and they appeared again within seconds. Gregor took the larger of the two aside and they engaged in murmured conversation.
    Kes took the opportunity to whisper, ‘Sorry, Lari.’
    â€˜You’d better be. This is the last “adventure” you’ll be dragging me into.’
    â€˜I didn’t realise we’d—’
    â€˜Right.’ Gregor returned his attention back to them. ‘Go with my man here and he’ll get you to a dome where at least you’re cleared to call for a lift. Then it’s up to you to get home. I’d suggest that you summon a lift to a central dome, and once it’s under way Kesra can relog it back to wherever you started out from. It’s not completely foolproof, but it should cover your tracks from a casual sweep of the lift logs. Can you manage that?’
    â€˜I think so.’
    â€˜Well, then. It’s been a pleasure meeting you both.’ Gregor turned as if to leave, but then he stopped, knelt down, and gestured them to listen.
    â€˜Two things. Firstly, if for some reason you get found out up there, it would be a very bad idea to mention my name to anyone. And secondly, as of now, both of you owe me a favour. Please don’t think I’ll forget that in a hurry.’ He stood up. ‘Goodbye, then. I’ll look forward to meeting you again.’
    Gregor pulled his cowl back over his head and vanished into the throng of people.
    â€˜This way.’ The large man nodded, indicating that they should follow. ‘And stick right by me, okay?’
    Lari didn’t need to be told twice. He stuck to the man like glue.

    She is in a white land.
    A cold, white plain stretches around her, infinite, boundless, endless, white.
    Here there is no red, no brown, no dusty greens or washed-out yellows.
    Only white. Only cold.
    She walks, her bare feet making no impression on the hard surface. She reaches down into it, seeking below the cold for the earthwarmth that must be there somewhere, but