Free Macaque Attack by Gareth L. Powell

became thoughtful. “His ambition clouds his judgment. But even he must realise that, without children, Kishkindha’s future looks bleak.”
    Victoria shook her head and smiled. “I still can’t believe that you and Ack-Ack... I mean, I knew he spent a lot of time down here talking to you, but I never realised you were, you know. Doing It.”
    The Founder glowered through her monocle.
    “I’ll have you know that it only happened the once.”
    “And you got pregnant first time?”
    The elderly monkey straightened her dress and turned to the porthole. “What can I say? The boy’s an exceptional shot.”
    Victoria put a hand to her mouth to stifle a smile. “But you’re two hundred years old. I wouldn’t have thought—”
    “Neither would I, but it appears we were both wrong. Apparently, the treatments I’ve taken to retain my youth have been more effective than even I could have suspected.” Still at the porthole, she looked back over her shoulder. “So, do we have an agreement, Captain?”
    Victoria gripped the pommel of her sheathed sword.
    “I turn you loose?”
    “And in return, I calm things down in the monkey camp.”
    “And K8?”
    “I help her too.”
    Victoria let out a long sigh.
    I know I’m going to regret this.
    “ Oui, d’accord. ”
    “Is that a yes, Captain?”
    “As long as you keep Bali out of my face.”
    The Founder placed her palm against the porthole’s glass. “And in return, I’m free to go down to the surface, to walk in the jungle, to feel the earth beneath my feet and the sun on my face?”
    “I suppose.” Absently, Victoria scratched at the long ridge of scar tissue at her temple. “But I’ll need to know where you are at all times.”
    “Naturally.”
    “You’ll be on probation.”
    “I’d expect nothing less.”
    “Fine, then.”
    The Founder gave a courteous nod. “Thank you, Captain. And not just from me.” She gave her distended abdomen a gentle and affectionate pat. “But from these two, also.”

 
     
     
    CHAPTER NINE
    IN VIRTUAL VERITAS
     
    K8 DIDN’T HAVE time to create an entirely new virtual environment, so she stole one, lifting the code from a popular combat game. Looking over her shoulder, Victoria made a face.
    “An oil rig?”
    “It’s the best we could do on short notice.”
    “Is Paul ready?”
    “We’re loading him in now.” K8 entered a command and Paul’s image appeared on the rig’s helipad. Victoria saw that he’d dressed for the part. In his olive green combat fatigues, black beret and silvered sunglasses, he looked like a South American revolutionary.
    K8 donned a headset and passed another to Victoria.
    “You can speak to him through this,” she said. She turned back to the screen and pulled her mike closer to her mouth. “Okay, Paul, we’re going to load in Nguyen’s back-up in a moment. First, there are a few things you need to know.”
    Paul walked to the edge of the helipad and leaned over, looking at the gantries and waves below. The rig was in a rendering of the North Sea, out of sight of land. A stiff wind blew from the northeast, ruffling his clothes.
    “I’m listening,” he said.
    “This might be a sim, but it’s based on real world physics. Things work the same in there as they do out here. So, don’t try to walk off the edge of the rig or anything stupid like that.”
    Paul stepped back from the edge. “Gotcha.”
    “Also, you’ll be able to feel pain.”
    “Jesus.” Paul flinched. “What kind of game is this?”
    “A hyper-realistic combat game. Special forces versus oil pirates.”
    “Sounds dreadful.”
    “Actually, it’s pretty cool. But the point is, if you thump Nguyen, he’s going to feel it.”
    “Okay.” Paul shivered and wrapped his arms across his chest. “Couldn’t you have found somewhere a bit warmer?”
    K8 smiled and glanced at Victoria.
    “The only alternative was a magical fairy castle, and we didn’t think that sent out the right message.”
    “What?” Paul