Cracks in the Spires

15: Pico tells the truth

Kiri watched the arrival of the skimmer with mixed feelings. Worry was too strong but he had started to become concerned by the delay, so his father's return was a relief. On the other hand if Administrator Verde was here for talks that meant it was safe for him to go back to the City. He'd been vociferous in his dislike of the idea of being dumped out here but it had been much less awful than his imaginings. It wasn't an outdoor version of the Squats. When they'd understood about his anxiety people had gone out of their way to make him comfortable. On top of all that he'd met Marcellina who'd turned out to be Jan and fun. To find someone else like him, well not exactly like him, but a man who wore dresses and make up and didn't care what people thought about it had been a revelation. He was going to miss it when he returned to Esperance.

The door of the skimmer opened and a girl emerged ignoring the two steps in favour of jumping down and bouncing about. Kiri frowned when the girl was followed by his father but no-one else.

"That doesn't look like Administrator Verde unless there's some revolutionary medical technique I haven't heard of."

Kiri snorted with laughter at Jan's comment "That is definitely not Dad's boss. I wonder who she is."

The girl scampered over to them grinning broadly

"I'm Lolly. I'm an operative. Who are you?"

Pico frowned repressively "First rule of operatives, don't tell anyone that's what you are."

"I thought you said the first rule was don't try extortion on your boss?"

"That's internal rule number one; this is external rule number one. Now be quiet."

Lolly folded her arms and rolled her eyes. Kiri tried not to laugh but Jan's giggle set him chuckling as well.

"Hullo Dad. Hullo Operative Lolly."

"You're surviving the desolate wilderness squat then?" 

"Yes and it's not that bad. If I'd known I was going to meet Marcellina..." The sharp tug on the back of his dress from Jan halted him mid sentence. "Anyway what are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming back until Administrator..." this time it was his father's scowl that stopped him short. Pico looked round

"Where is everybody? Specifically Essandra Tesh Vik and Varlon Esta?"

It was Jan who answered "Most people are out at the island harvesting the flax and maize crops. There's a storm coming and they're too valuable to risk. Everyone else is either harvesting here or securing covers over the fields. Kiri and I and a few others are making food to take round so people don't have to stop work."

Pico was surprised. "You have a weather forecasting system?"

Jan nodded "It's not as sophisticated as the city, no balloons or computer models, but you get to know the signs" he pointed to the high, thin wisps of cloud "Those plus the barometer is dropping rapidly. The wind direction means it's likely to be a bad one."

"How long before it arrives?"

"Not sure, might be later today, might be tomorrow. I'd advise moving the skimmer into the tunnel unless you're only going to be here a short time."

"I didn't intend to stay long. There's been a slight delay in our plans. I want to speak to Miss Tesh Vik and Varlon Esta. Also I need to make arrangements so we could land at night if necessary."

"Essandra is out at the island. It'll be two hours or more to get her back. Uncle Var is here with us, or will be when he gets back from the quarry. If it's urgent I can go and get him."