Doorways Chapter 11a

“Cope!” Netty prodded Barney with her toe. “Oh wake up man before I give you one upside the face with my bag!”

“No!” Barney cowered in the corner. “Er ... I mean ... what?”

“We need a sensible and accurate prediction.” Netty informed him. “Alexandria knows that Elizabeth was parking the ship over the border. OK?”

“Docking.” Barney corrected. “You dock ships, not park them.”

“Would you like me to dock that toolbox in your mouth?” Netty asked sweetly. “I didn't think so. Anyway! Given the location of the ship and the location of this Macca person's house, which way will Alexandria have gone? Any silliness and Elizabeth and I will stuff you out of that hatch.” Elizabeth had to turn round to hide her laughter. Netty Ling would have made an excellent Sergeant.

“Hell! Ease up a bit lady.” Barney got to his feet and straightened his grubby tunic. “Let's see. Rayne would know she couldn't make it to the border in one go. They'll need to rest and she's not daft enough just to park her arse out in the open.”

“Or dock it.” Elizabeth sniggered.

“Ha-ha!” Barney guffawed.

“Elizabeth, please.” Netty said sternly.

“Sorry. Go on Barney.”

“She'll head for either the old gas works, or the waste-fields.” Barney nodded.

“So which one?” Netty badgered.

“I don't know.” Barney shrugged. “Hey! Lower the linen, lady! I don't know! Hell I've narrowed it down to two!”

“OK I suppose so.” Netty said stiffly. “Right, we go that way.” She pointed out of the window.

“Shouldn't we ...”

“We go over there, Cope! Away from whatever it is that's exploding behind those trees! We don't want blown to bits do we?”

“Nitrogen flares?” Elizabeth looked at Barney.

“Ha! Nice one Rayne! You thug.” Barney grinned.

“Excuse me?” Netty asked in confusion.

“Nitrogen cylinders.” Barney nodded. “Chuck them up in the air, aim a flaming oil rag at it and BOOM! Very illegal, by the way. I'll have a word with her about that.”

“You'll do no such thing! It's a distress flair!” Netty said hotly. “Oh she's so intelligent! Come on then, let's move out!” Netty pushed Barney towards the hatch.

Alexandria had almost had kittens when she saw what Bowles had been using as a pillow. Several nitrogen cylinders. Her and Val had constructed a see-saw and Bowles was now perched on a stack of crates, awaiting the signal.

“Bombs away!” Alexandria yelled and Bowled jumped onto the raised end of the see-saw. “Whoosh!” She then executed a perfect hand grenade launch of a Molotov cocktail. “Heads dow ...EEK!” Everyone dived to the floor and covered their heads.

“I can't believe we're doing this.” Darius cringed and squinted up at the flair. “Those are the last two so I hope they see them.”

“Barney will know what they are.”

“Of course he will, they're illegal.” Bowles nodded.

“Um ... are they?” Alexandria grinned and sauntered outside. All that was left of Macca's burning stash was a dull smog.

“What a blast eh?” Val sat next to Alexandria on the grass. “The whole bloody Sector! You're mental, Rayne.”

“I needed a diversion.” Alexandria smiled. “Me and my box of matches.”

“Alexandria? I ... well I need to talk to you.” Darius was fidgeting and hopping from one foot to the other.

“I thought you might.” Alexandria winked at Val, then followed Darius round the side of the shed.

“Firstly, I'd like to apologise.” Darius nodded.

“Ah it was quite nice.” Alexandria smirked.

“I didn't mean that, I meant ... well ... everything.” Darius said weakly.

“No need. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.” Alexandria smiled.

“This whole bizarre thing here is the most irrational thing I've ever done. Hell we'll all be thrown in jail.” Darius exhaled loudly.

“Darius, what do you want us to do?” Alexandria asked quietly. “You don't want me here in the Minor Sector with all the crap. That's not hard to understand. I can't live as a fugitive from zone to zone through the system, Darius, nor can I hide in the Major Sector for the rest of my life. I don't deserve that, I've done nothing criminally wrong.”

“I know, I know.” Darius rubbed his eyes. “Listen, Alexandria, I ...”

“Foxtrot? And you are?”

“Netty!” Alexandria ran round the corner and leapt at her friend.

“Oh sweetie!” Netty stopped glaring at Val and almost crushed Alexandria's ribs. “Are you OK? Master Hawk!” Darius came wandering into view. “Are you OK? I know Bowles is, he's been dancing, apparently.” She gave the squirming soldier a dirty look.

“I'm fine Netty.” Darius smiled. “We did it eh?”

“We certainly did!” Netty beamed. “Now can we please leave? If I have to swipe at Cope again with my knitting it'll be in knots.”

“Yep! Anyway, me and Val are off.” Barney nodded.

“Yes, quite.” Netty agreed

“We'd never have done this without your help.” Darius told Barney and Val. “You've not seen the last of us, I'm sure.” Netty didn't look to pleased at that prospect.

“Just get sorted, for shit's sake.” Barney sniffed. “You behave your bloody self, Rayne. No giving him grief.”

“Pink carpet, remember?” Val winked at Alexandria, then left with Barney.

“Elizabeth, how much time do we have?” Darius asked.

“Darius we still need to talk.” Alxandria tugged on Darius' sleeve.

“Hush. Elizabeth?” Darius flapped his hand at Alexandria who looked mildly outraged.

“Three hours.” Elizabeth answered.

“Oodles of time!” Darius rubbed his hands together and hauled Alexandria towards the cruiser.