“Hmm. Their bunker?”

  “Sterile. See for yourself when you collect your tribute.”

  “We will. I assume you’ll be moving on today?”

  “Definitely. We’ll drive through the night to catch up with our schedule. We have a client first thing tomorrow.” I staged a once-over of the motley crowd and sighed for effect. “Normally, I’d say I was disappointed to leave. I so enjoy experiencing new encounters. Desperido, I’m afraid, does not fit the criteria.”

  Mando swigged his beer, followed by a grotesque contortion of mortal disgust.

  “Why do we drink this shit every time we make a run through this pissbucket town?”

  “To remind us how good we have it back home.”

  “Oh, yeah. I think …”

  Vincente grinned at his chum with a matching snuff pistol.

  “You said it last time, Mando, and that was before the fight.”

  “And you gave the same answer then.”

  Perfect. They had loosened up a tad. I dived in.

  “I’m curious. You have little regard for the town, and there seems to be no one of importance here – certainly no wealth to mine – yet you return on a regular basis. Lumen mentioned at least five previous visits. What’s the lure?”

  Vincente puffed from his digipipe but had the courtesy to direct the smoke elsewhere this time.

  “Raul, life is not free. Not even in this forgotten town.”

  “I don’t take your meaning.”

  “Look around. These people are here by choice because they can’t handle proper society. But the privilege to hide don’t come free. Food and shelter costs credits everywhere, but in Desperido, protection also has a price. These people pay it gladly, but they got to work for it.”

  “Ah. So, you’re suggesting the unemployment rate here is much lower than one might presume?”

  Vincente and Mando shared a snicker.

  “Low? Hell, it’s non-existent. There’s no industry here, but everyone contributes. All six hundred.” He looked over the counter, where Lumen gazed out beneath that ominous unibrow. “She makes sure of it.”

  “Interesting. What sort of work?”

  “The quiet kind that draws no attention. See anything unusual in Esai’s bunker?”

  I recalled the second chamber and its workbench of varied technology that I otherwise ignored.

  “So, these people are freelancers. I follow now. The Horax employs some of them, hence your visits. Lumen runs the town, but your boss has a financial stake. Yes?”

  Vincente wiped his lips with a napkin.

  “That’s an interesting theory, Raul. I can’t confirm or deny. But the one certainty about life, wherever you go: Looks deceive. Yes?”

  He raised his beer, and I joined him in our newfound understanding.

  A moment later, Lumen and Ship arrived with our stews. She carried one in each hand, with Ship bringing the third. Apparently, she didn’t trust the boy with that much weight on his tray.

  “Eat and enjoy,” she said, more subdued than the last time. “Then finish your business and leave.” To me, she added: “If you’re covering their tab, now’s the time.”

  I opened my pom and happily transferred the credits. This would not be our final transaction.

  10

  I CLEANED MY BOWL FOR APPEARANCES but had no opinion about the stew. I ratcheted down my taste buds after the overheated experience with the beer. They’d done enough work for the day. My syneth-based organs converted the broth into usable liquid and compressed the solid food into a marble-sized black stone that would eventually expel.

  When we left true godhood behind, Moon and I hoped our new status would allow us to appreciate the joy of food. No such luck. When something leaves your life for two thousand years, you’ve pretty well kicked the habit. So we learned.

  During the meal, my eyes followed Lumen and her boy Ship through their routine. She sat down with a few locals, but I doubted their whispers had anything to do with food or drink. Her body language veered somewhere between employer, politician, and mentor. Vincente said Lumen knew every resident – their skillsets, their income, and their backstories.

  “No one lives here without her permission. Follow her rules, pay the tariff, mind your own business, and you can grow old here.”

  “Interesting. Did she have to sign off on Esai and Emilio?”

  “We don’t ask many favors. When we do, she accommodates. It ensures the town’s independence.”

  “Will she care that they disappeared without a trace?”

  “No. She loses a couple dozen every year. Some take off without notice. A few blow their brains out.”

  Mando chuckled. “I couldn’t live a month in this hellhole.”

  “Granted, it’s not a pleasant geographic setting, but you must admit: She’s done quite nicely by this cantina. I expect it would draw a hefty crowd in an urban environment.”

  Mando waved me off like a misinformed tourist.

  “Dunno what passes down in Mesquine, but the northern cities are more refined than this dump. And the food? That stew was shit, even with the cream.”

  Yet he ate the entire bowl. Interesting.

  “What’s her story? How is she able to operate this town outside any legal jurisdiction?”

  “Wouldn’t we love to know,” Vincente said.

  “You don’t?”

  “First trip down here, I made the mistake of asking. I went back to Senora Cardinale and told her how I was treated. I wanted permission to put that cunt in her place, preferably in a shallow grave.”

  “The response?”

  “In so many words, she said if I ever made a move against Lumen, my career would be terminated. Lumen is not Horax, but she’s untouchable. They have an arrangement. That’s all I know.”

  Yet another woman holding the ruthless reins over a little kingdom. My hope for humanity’s future grew. I found this setup especially delicious for Azteca, one of the most patriarchal of planets.

  “Fascinating, Vincente. I’ll be certain to keep this in mind should I pass through these parts again.”

  “Moon’s on his way,” Theo interrupted. “Addis said he’s almost to town. He’s very excited.”

  “I need him calm and disciplined when he enters. Pass it along.”

  “There you go again, dumbass, playing lord of the manor. Discipline, discipline, discipline. One of these days, Moon is going to go freelance on your sorry ass.”

  “For both our sakes, let’s pray not.”

  At the height of maximos deos, Moon and I spoke directly to each other from the ends of the nine universes. Now, we often depended upon our D’ru-shayas to act as links in a comm chain. It worked, but it felt like a downgrade to homing pigeons. Judgmental ones, no less.

  Cardinale’s men shuffled in their chairs. They were ready to call it a day, but I needed them to meet my partner again. I stalled.

  “I gather you two are charged exclusively with ensuring Senora Cardinale’s interests here?”

  Vincente sighed with the resignation of a man whose life long ago reached its apex.

  “You make it sound important.”

  “No?”

  “It’s mindless work. Two days a month off our main route.”

  “For the past three years,” Mando groused.

  “I see. You believe this job should be assigned to men who are less senior in the organization?”

  “We don’t discuss internal matters, Raul.”

  And yet he did. Most likely, enough to get himself and Mando demoted if not terminated. Humans had always been chatty like that in my presence – even before godhood. My aura, I reckon.

  “If it weren’t for the women,” Mando said, “we’d be in and out of this wasteland in a day.”

  “Women?”

  Mando’s eyes turned lecherous. They fell on a young lady in the far corner: A tall, hefty redhead with lime green lips.

  “She calls them care workers.”

  “Who? Lumen?”

  “Yeah. There’s no families here. Leastwise, no couples.”

  Vincente jumped in. “Remember I said everyone contributed? A few earn their keep by fulfilling carnal needs.”

  Of course. What wretched human outpost didn’t have its quota of prostitutes? This little revelation afforded me an idea.

  “I wonder if Lumen would be amenable to servicing my partner and me. We’ve been traveling for weeks without … pleasure.”

  Vincente looked at what remained of his beer and grimaced.

  “I doubt their dance cards are full. You’ve had a rough day. A little reward seems in order.”

  “Indeed. I hope Ilan agrees. He should be here any moment now.”

  “Yeah. Well. We had finished our business when Esai called us in. I think we should collect your tribute and hit the north road.”

  “I’m pleased we were able to reach an amenable settlement. As for your boss, if she’s ever inclined to look outside the ranks to procure implements of aggression, we’d love to be considered.”

  Vincente pushed back his chair.

  “We’re well-stocked, and we’re not keen on dealing with third parties. But I’ll review your products and mention your services. Do you have contact protocol?”

  “I’d have to clear that with my own boss. If I do, I’ll leave it with Lumen the next time we pass through the region. She seems like an apt facilitator.”

  “Don’t be so sure.”

  We all stood, which might have pleased the owner were she not distracted by the bearded man entering the front door. Moon arrived in a cloud of cigar smoke.

  “Who in ten hells are you?”

  Lumen charged toward him, which I didn’t advise when approaching a psychotic god responsible for the deaths of two billion people. Moon kept his calm, nodding toward the trio of new friends.

  “He’s mine,” I intervened before the moment escalated. Fortunately, she did not brandish the shock club. “We’re partners, Senora Lumen.”

  “Fine. Then he’ll be seeing his way out with you lot.”

  I hated to disappoint her. Rather, I motioned Moon to join us.

  “Gentlemen? My business partner, Ilan Natchez.”

  Moon waited until I scratched my nose twice. Then he extended his hand to both men.

  “Pleased to meet you under better circumstances.”

  Vincente took his hand and grunted.

  “The same,” Mando said.

  “These gentlemen are prepared to leave, my friend. We trust all business has been finalized?”

  Moon didn’t betray the joy he must have felt incinerating Esai.

  “All cleaned up. Enjoy your tribute.”

  Vincente pushed in his chair and glanced at Lumen, who parked near the door, tamping one foot.

  “We’d best make our exit while the getting is good. You’ll be returning to your tumbler?”

  “In due course,” I said. “My partner must be peckish by now.”

  “If we have any concerns about today’s business, we know where to find you.”

  “It’s been a pleasure, gentlemen.”

  Lumen saw them out and held the door open for us. We disappointed her by retiring to the bar. We hopped up on a pair of stools and awaited service. Ship started our way, but the Senora cut him off at the pass.

  “What are you two playing at?”

  “My partner missed out on lunch, and it was so very delicious. I thought perhaps a stew for him, plus a little something extra, if I’m not being too forward.”

  The unibrow thickened with her impatience.

  “I know your type, Raul Torreta. You’re a grifter. You start your con by opening your bank account. After that, people service your needs, no matter the cost. This time, you missed the mark.”

  Huh. No one ever saw through my art. No one still alive, that is.

  “My compliments, Senora Lumen. It’s true. I’m a rat bastard who preys on simple minds. However, you are nobody’s mark. I saw that the moment we entered your establishment. My plan focused solely on Vincente and Mando, for whom you’ve shown utter disdain. They explained your status in Desperido. I wouldn’t bother roping you into my schemes. Frankly, I have too much respect.”

  She leaned across the bar.

  “You’re standing on a shaky ladder. Be careful not to fall.” She signaled to the kid. “One stew.” Ship ran into the back room. “You wanted something extra?”

  “I understand you offer a selection of care workers.”

  “Those malgados tell you that, did they?”

  “It’s not for myself.” I turned to Moon. “My partner has had a stressful week, and he deserves a special treat.”

  She shook her head and scanned Moon, who tucked his cigar between his teeth. He had no clue what I proposed.

  “Does he? We charge double for outsiders. You good with that?”

  “Of course,” I said, before Moon had a chance. “Ilan is a man of few words, but his particular skillset in the sexual arena is legendary.”

  My sales pitch was true, if one ignored the previous nineteen and a half centuries. During our short window as immortal humans, Moon embraced his sexual potency to the tune of several hundred women. I never heard a complaint.

  I opened my pom, and up popped my bank account.

  “Payment in advance, Lumen.”

  No self-respecting businesswoman would turn down a fair offer.

  “I’ll see what I can do then we’ll talk price.”

  “Excellent. Just one care worker, please. My own taste runs a different direction.”

  “I also have men.”

  “Really? Interesting. Not today, thanks.”

  She walked off with the hang-dog grimace of instant regret.

  “Did you order a woman for me?” Moon asked, having developed a clue at last.

  “I promised years ago to get you back on track. A return to the old ways. You earned it.”

  He exhaled a long stream of white smoke.

  “I’m not sure I’m ready or able.”

  “You’ll be fine. Remember Bessios. The glory years. Think of Addis. The real one, not the D’ru-shaya. She’d want you to recapture your masculinity. So, tell me about the handshakes.”

  He scanned the immediate vicinity and lowered his voice.

  “I transferred the contagion.”

  “Well played. How long before they develop symptoms?”

  “Three standard days.”

  “Fever. Headache. Mild cough. Yes?”

  Moon nodded. “They’ll infect half their contacts.”

  “Enough to raise concern but not panic. At this point, a public health emergency would be overkill, my friend. Those two will survive how long?”

  “Twenty standard days.”

  “Perfect. Only the hosts will die, but the message will be sent.”

  Moon was especially adept at plague distribution. Delivering a smaller, targeted contagion required nuance.

  “What am I missing, Royal? Why a Stage 3?”

  I saw Ship emerge with a bowl of stew.

  “I’ve had a grand revelation,” I whispered. “Tell you about it tonight at the fort.”

  The boy delivered the stew – absent heavy cream – and asked if Moon wanted a drink, which he turned down.

  “And you, suh? Anothuh beah?”

  I recalled what Vincente said about Ship’s accent being an affectation. Upon further review, he might have been correct. It heightened my interest in the kid. I wondered about his motive for this play-acting. I had to know more.

  My chance arose a few minutes later. The full-figured woman with red hair and lime green lips joined us at the bar, two seats from Moon. She was a far cry from the original Addis (as streamlined and powerful a woman as I ever met). But Moon wasn’t choosy in his prime, nor was he in position to be selective now.

  Lumen tapped me on the shoulder.

  “Is she acceptable?”

  “Brilliant. Yes, Ilan? Beautiful creature. Yes?”

  Moon forced a smile. He long begged for this opportunity, certain it would break him out of his erratic emotional cycles. Yet I had the distinct impression he was insecure.

  He’d be rusty at first.

  “Yes, Raul. Thank you, Senora.”

  I flipped open my pom and transferred the credits.

  “You’re welcome.” She whispered to me: “I have someone who hasn’t worked in several days. He’s fallen behind on his payments. He’ll charge half if you’ll do him the favor.”

  “Poor man. I’m not in need today, but I’d like to help him out. What if I pay you in his name, but ask for a different service in return?”

  Lumen backed away to study me long and hard. I didn’t blame her. After all, I was a rat bastard.

  “What service?”

  “Oh, it’s quite tame. I’d like someone to show me around town. A tour guide. I was thinking about him.”

  I pointed to Ship, who quietly cleaned behind the bar.

  “What? Why the boy?”

  “He seems bored. Few chairs are filled. You can handle what’s here.”

  “Why so interested in the town?”

  I shrugged. “I like to know the places I visit. Hold them tight in my memories. It’s all part of the grand journey through life. Yes?”

  She laughed, which I considered a breakthrough.

  “I’ve known my share of smug, presumptuous assholes. None compares to you, Raul.”

  “Appreciate the kind words, Senora. How much for the tour?”

  11

  B EFORE MOON WALKED AWAY in the arms of his first woman in two millennia, I whispered, “Tender heart.” It was code for “Be kind, caring, and human. Please, don’t hurt her.” Moon tended to act out in moments of frustration. Doing so today would interfere with my larger scheme.

  Ship Foster seemed relieved at the opportunity for a break, although he thought my tour request was peculiar. He threw on a floppy hat that did him no favors and showed me about the town. I listened without interruption as he pointed out individual stone or mud structures and who he believed lived in each. He described how most of the fifty buildings were spread out underground. A cooler environment, he said, easier to handle during the brutal summer. Lightened the load on the sun globes.