Free Young Rissa by F.M. Busby Page B

right? Well, there’s faster ships. One that left Earth not long after you did, arrived here — oh, call it two months ago. With a packet for you from Erika, for one thing. And, for another, a UET agent.  
    â€œYou can forget two of those names. Harnain’s red-tabbed here and on Terranova — by the time you could get there, I mean — at the least. As well as on Earth. Mostly on suspicion, Erika thinks, but still — there it is. The other, though — Kerguelen — I’m forgetting I ever heard that one, and I suggest you do the same.”  
    Her hand made a sidewise, brushing motion. “Yes — perhaps — probably. But what about the UET agent? No one followed me today.”  
    â€œYou were booked through to Terranova; he went on to there. I checked around, as Erika’s letter requested, and I’m pretty sure he hired some local talent to watch for you when the MacNamara showed up. Would he have a picture of you to give them?”  
    â€œI should not think so. Only a description, if that.” Osallin’s fingers worried his left earlobe. “After you got off the ship, how long were you visible as Harnain?” “Hardly at all. I came aground wearing a cape with the hood up, and obtained a groundcab almost immediately. Once inside it I donned a veil; before that, I coughed occasionally to give me the excuse to hold a handkerchief to my nose and mouth. The driver would not recognize me — and the next time anyone saw my face, it was this one.”  
    â€œHmm.” The man’s fingers drummed on the desk. “If UET’s locals don’t have boarding clearance, likely they didn’t spot you. If they do, they’re employees and can’t get off-port until their shifts end. Either way, they can’t connect Harnain with Obrigo. Except . . .”  
    â€œThrough the driver?” She shook her head. “That one was too busy arguing with some functionary about where it was permitted to park and to pick up passengers. She did not look at me — more than a brief glance — until I was veiled.”  
    â€œBut if an employee paid by UET saw you and saw the driver? Your clothing — ”  
    Rissa laughed. “Osallin, there is no such thing as assured immunity. But Erika taught me to gauge odds, and here I adjudge them good. Only one thing perturbs me — why should UET go to so much trouble regarding the person whose name we have agreed to forget? Not the money, surely — to UET, that must be a trifle.”  
    Osallin scowled. “Erika didn’t give you enough background. Perhaps even she doesn’t realize how rigid the UET’s policies are.”  
    â€œAnd neither do I. Will you tell me?”  
    â€œIt’s simple — they won’t lose face. You got fame when you won the lottery, and notoriety when you escaped North America — now you’re an Underground hero until they catch you. They don’t like that.”  
    â€œNo.” Rissa managed a shaky laugh. “I suppose they don’t. But out here — so far away, so many years?”  
    â€œIf you’re caught, they profit. A trifle, you say? Perhaps not so trifling, with Erika handling your affairs over the course of years. But that money on Earth is untouchable until you’re in custody or proved dead. Then, with a little routine chicanery, it’s UET’s.” He Waved away her protest. “And don’t forget — you paid your way but their agents ride free, except for the wasted years of their lifetimes. To UET, the cost of pursuit is trivial.”  
    She shuddered. “They are not human, are they?”  
    â€œOf course they are.” His tone was cheerful. “Wherever did you get the idea that ‘human’ is a synonym for ‘good’?” She could find no answer.  
    â€œWell, then, Tari Obrigo, it’s time you