Free Lacuna: The Spectre of Oblivion by David Adams

Euros and the US had defaulted. Now the dollar was basically worthless. If it weren’t for the construction of the Pillars of the Earth bringing people back to work and creating a market for unskilled labour in the country, things would be much worse off.
    “Three hundred, then.” Liao flicked through a wad of notes, careful to keep them close to her chest. A number of vagrants sat nearby, watching the proceedings with envious eyes, no doubt eyeing her cash and smelling the pizza. “Here.”
    Anthony took the money, then looked at someone over Liao’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s James! Come back for the world’s best pizza, ‘ey?”
    Liao whirled around, her smile intensifying as she saw James. “James! I wasn’t expecting you back for—…”
    But James’s face was a grim mask and he was wearing his uniform. Her smile disappeared just as fast as it had arrived. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
    He stepped up to her, leaning right up to her ear, whispering so only she could hear.
    “Get your stuff. Get the baby. We’re leaving for the airport. A Broadsword is coming to take us into orbit later this evening.”
    “To orbit?” Liao frowned. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?” she whispered back.
    “The Kel-Voranians withdrew their embassy. The bastards just packed up and left without saying a word; a ship picked them up a few hours ago. Intelligence has us at high alert. Something’s going down and we don’t know what it is. The Pillars are being prepared for combat and the crews are being recalled from leave.”
    Liao felt the familiar feeling of adrenaline pumping through her body, the rush that came with suddenly being at the very forefront of events taking place around her. No longer was she getting information through the nightly news or the papers; this was living in the middle of history being made.
    “Why do they need me?”
    “They don’t, but I put in a special request. I need a consultant I can trust. Given the threat against you, we’re taking the kid, too.”
    She pulled her head back from James, suddenly feeling like her old self again. She’d be going back into space. Not aboard her ship, mind, but a ship. It was enough for her. “Let’s go,” she said. “I can be ready in an hour.”
    Tai snatched up the pizza slices and the three of them began power walking back towards the apartment building.
    “What’s happened?” Tai asked, reaching a hand into the paper packet, extracting a slice, and blowing on it urgently.
    “I’m being recalled to the Tehran .” She gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry.”
    Tai looked genuinely saddened, but nodded. “Damn. Well, I’ll take care of your affairs here. The apartment will be nice and clean when you get back.”
    Liao grinned at him. “That’ll be a nice change.” Suddenly she stopped, rolling her eyes. “I forgot Jennifer’s, damnit. I promised her.”
    With Liao leading, the three jogged back to the pizza stand.
    “Sorry,” she said breathlessly to Anthony, “three more pepperoni.”
    “It’s fine,” he said, shaking his head, a broad smile on his face as handed her the extras. “Always happy to sell more pizza.”
    She hurriedly withdrew her purse and paid for three pepperoni slices, then they started back again to her apartment. Hurrying down the street, Liao pointed down a cramped alley between two apartment blocks.
    “Let’s cut through here. It’s a shortcut.”
    James seemed sceptical, but she started down the narrow alley and they followed.
    “So,” James said to Tai, “you feel comfortable staying here while Liao and I go back to space? You should be used to the place by now.”
    “Hah, you must be kidding, Captain.” He chuckled. “Living in this city, surrounded by Americans? I think I’ll go crazy by the time—”
    A man, unshaven and unkempt, stepped into their path. He was lily-skinned and sickly, gaunt even, as though he had spent his days inside. His hair was a tangled mop, his body cloaked in a