Beta'd by KrisEleven. Many thanks!

Translations: Are here.

Le-se—Garbage

Chu feil wo si le—Over my dead body

Dong ma?—Understand?

Wo de ma he ta de feng kuang de wai sheng dou—Holy Mother of God and all her wacky nephews

Ni men dou shi shagua—Idiots, all of you

Chapter 7—Outside the Law

The planet Osiris, February of the year 2517

They'd taken away his hands, and that terrified him. Simon had never been a fighter, not physically at least; that wasn't the point. As all his intellect had grown to seem progressively more useless in his search for River, he'd come to rely on his hands for a sense of steadiness, for something he could still depend on. He was a surgeon, and they never shook.

Now he could not see his hands. Nor could he move them, not even enough to brush at the tickle of blood running into his palms. Simon chastised himself for not knowing better than to fight the top-of-the-line handcuffs, but the panic when the Feds had grabbed him had been too great to resist. Was it all going to end now, when he was so close? The doctor realized vaguely that he was more frightened for River, abandoned at the Academy with no one to come for her, than he was for himself, even standing in a lineup while his DNA imprint was processed before being thrown into jail.

They're hurting us. Get me out.

Simon rocked a vein in his lip between his teeth. No. He would get out of here if he had to defy the laws of physics, much less government or morality. He would make that top-three-percent ranking good for more than landing jobs in places sanitized from every hint of moral ambiguity. Perhaps he was going mad. The idea disturbed him less than it should have. The longer he searched, the longer it seemed that his previous cosseted existence had been the dream, and that this—using credits and coin for bribes, dropping drugs in alcohol and smearing them on his own lips, erasing his waves and shutting out the concern in his colleagues' voices—this was real.

"Thieving le-se." The guard's voice was more bored than malicious. "At least rats have the sense to stay away when there's traps about. I was hoping to get home early tonight. Now—"

"Hey, Officer." The man behind the desk was frowning. "This one's in our database."

"So? Bet you anything half these idiots have prior records. It was a blackout zone, not a beauty salon."

"No, no prior record. Federal listing."

"Details?"

The man behind the desk tapped on his touch-screen. "Oh, hey, a MedAcad license. No previous crimes...works at St. Martin's...Dr. Simon Tam. We should probably wave his folks, tell them what happened."

"I'll do you one better. Tell them if they pay two thousand we'll let him off with a warning. I've got enough files to hunt through as it is."

"Got it. We can grab him out of the holding cell later if we need to."

OoOoO

The guard slammed shut the door of the cell. Simon hunched in the corner and hoped the other three men who shared the cramped space would leave him alone. He hadn't seen Geming or Sumner on the way here, for which he was grateful. At least if he got out, there would still be a chance of their being able to help him and River.

"This is your fault," one of the men accused the other. "If you hadn't let them hit you with the rifle, I wouldn't have tripped and—"

"Let? I let them shoot me? Next you'll be sayin' I planned for us to be there the night of a raid!"

"You're stupid enough," the first man snapped. "Our first job, and we get snatched. And one of the Feds stole all the coin I brought with me tonight. Count on these Alliance dogs to grab everything they can get."

"They do that," the third man grumbled. "Haven't you ever been in jail before?"

The second man opened his mouth, then closed it, and his eyes alighted on Simon. "Maybe we can get it back," he said craftily. "That man looks like he could have something we want."

"I don't—" Simon began, but the first man was already dragging him out of the corner, turning his pockets inside out.

"There's no coin here."

"Of course there isn't," Simon snapped, trying to jerk out of his hold. "The same man who took your money took mine. You should have realized that, you fool."

The man threw him down hard on the floor. Simon felt his head crack against the wall, already cursing himself for losing his temper. "You've got a tongue on you. Maybe I should rip it out." Fear rose in Simon's throat. I can't do a thing...

"Hey! Are you straight off the Rim or what?" The third man spoke up. "Expensive Alliance cell, remember? Monitors! They'll punish us all if they catch you fighting."

The man who'd knocked Simon down whirled on his partner. "Why didn't you think of that?"

"Why didn't I think of that? Why didn't you think of that?"

The third man eyed the doctor. "Save it for later. Guards don't much care what happens in prison." He grinned nastily at Simon. "Got no money, hmm? Well, there's other things you can bargain with when you're there."

Simon gritted his teeth. River. Who's going to help River? If I don't get out of here, she'll be alone...

There was a click and the door slid open. "You people are nothing but trouble. You deserve to rot." He pulled Simon to his feet by one arm and dragged him out of the cell. "Come on."

The third man sighed. "Too bad. We were having so much fun."

OoOoO

"Have you completely lost your mind?"

Let's see. I've been robbed from, shot at, lost at least ten pounds from stress, and just came from hearing that the government I trusted is playing with my beloved meimei's brain. "Pretty nearly."

Simon's father glared at him. "We got the wave at the Friedlich's. I had to leave your mother at the dinner table."

What? "I'm sorry, Dad. You know I would never have tried to save River's life if I had known there was a dinner partyat risk."

"Don't you dare be flippant with me." Gabriel's voice was low. "I just spent two thousand credits to get you out of here and I had to walk through that door which goes on my permanent profile." He glanced behind him. "Are you trying to destroy this family?"

"I didn't realize it would be so easy." It was the wrong thing to say, and Simon realized that instantly. "Dad, I...I didn't doanything."

"You were in a blackout zone—"

"Talking! To someone who might be able to help River. And I'm going right back there." Simon lurched past his father.

Gabriel blocked him before he could go far and led him toward the door. "Chu feil wo si le.This is a slippery slope, young man, you have no idea how far down you can go, and you're not taking us with you."

"Meaning what?"

"I won't come for you again. You end up here, or get mixed up in something worse—you're on your own. I will not come for you."

This isn't happening. I'm your son, River is your daughter. Not toys you play with and throw away when they get broken.

"Now, are you coming home?"

OoOoO

Simon stared dully at his parents across the dinner table. "What is it you want from me?"

His mother reached for his hand. "Simon. Don't do this. We've been worried sick about you."

I wish you'd worry less about me and more about River. "Are you concerned about me, or how you're going to explain to society that your son is a criminal?"

Regan drew back. "You're not a criminal, Simon!"

"Yes, Mother, I am. I was in a blackout zone. What's more, I've been meeting with smugglers, thieves, and spies on a regular basis for the past two years," Simon spat. "And furthermore, I'm going to continue doing so until—"

"You will do no such thing," Simon's father said coldly. "The conditions of your release, such as they are, will not allow it."

"The conditions of my release?"

"Are in the form of a verbal agreement with an Alliance official, but are no less binding for all that." Gabriel met Simon's eyes. "You are to live in this house, and be under our supervision. We will monitor you for any sign of this madness continuing."

"Live here? What are you talking about? I have my apartment—"

"The lease on which has now been cancelled. In addition, you will agree to see a psychologist—"

"I don't want to see anyone but River!" Simon exploded. "Would you even listen if I told you what I found out tonight? The government you cut deals with is playing with River's brain!"

Regan cut in. "Simon, we want to help you."

"Help River, then. Help me get her out. To somewhere safe. I know we could do it, if we just—"

"I know we could end up in prison, or worse," Gabriel snapped. "That is what I know for certain. You know nothing, only whispers that may not be true."

"Please." Simon took a breath to calm himself. Tell me I was wrong, tell me you're not going to give up on us. "Just for once, can't you give us what we need?"

"For once? We've always given you anything you could want!"

"And the one time I ask you for something that really matters, you say no!"

"Gabriel! Simon!" Regan laid her hands on the table. "You're both overexcited. I'm sure if we talk about this in the morning—"

"No," Gabriel said firmly. "We are not going to talk about this in the morning, or at all. It isn't negotiable. Simon, you will stay here until you are fit to leave."

Simon bit his lip and closed his eyes. "Fine. But I'll need my things."

"Very well. We'll retrieve them now. The sooner you are truly at home, the better."

OoOoO

Dr. Robina Mahdavi propped her hands on her hips. "Simon Tam, this had better be an emergency. A horrible emergency with a lot of blood."

Simon hefted the bag he'd hastily packed over one shoulder. "Well, there's some blood. Not a lot." He held up his hands.

Mahdavi held the door open. "Those are from handcuffs, aren't they? You have some serious explaining to do." Simon stumbled into the hall. His host shut the door and pointed through to a couch in the next room. "Sit down and start talking. Now."

Simon sat, dropping his bag down beside him. "I was in a blackout zone, talking to Geming and Sumner." He sighed. "I got caught. Dad came to get me out, but..."

"But what?" Mahdavi prompted.

"He and Mother don't believe me about River being in danger. They made a deal with an Alliance official that I'd be under their supervision until I agree to drop the issue." Simon's voice turned harsh. "I told them what I'd learned, I told them the government was playing with River's brain—"

"Hold on five seconds." Mahdavi held up a hand. "Playing with her brain?"

"Behavioral conditioning, chemical-altering drugs, maybe even surgery. They don't know why, just..." Simon trailed off, then righted himself. "I have to get her out, and I can't do that with two parents and a psychologist watching my every move."

"How did you get away from them?"

"I had my father take me back to my apartment to get my things. He waited outside the door to keep me from leaving. It's on the ground floor, so I climbed out the window." Simon gestured to his bag. "This was all I could bring. And I still have the money in my bank accounts."

"But won't they be after you?"

"I doubt it." Simon smiled bitterly. "They won't want anyone to know I got away from them."

"Your parents are fools. And you got yourself caught?" Mahdavi shook her head. "I'm not letting you out on your own until you can prove your sufficiency at the whole thinking thing." She grabbed a blanket off the back of a chair and threw it at him. "If any Feds turn up here, you're going to cover your head with this and let me do the talking, dong ma?"

"Yes. Thank you. I mean..." Simon stared at his former professor blankly. "Why are you...won't I be putting you in danger too?"

Mahdavi gave a bleak smile. "Not any more than I'm already in. Now, get some sleep. If Geming and Sumner do have a plan, I have a feeling you're going to need your rest."

The planet Osiris, March of the year 2517

"Wo de ma he ta de feng kuang de wai sheng dou! Simon Tam, where have you been all this time?"

Simon whipped around from where he'd been sitting on Dr. Mahdavi's back steps, working on one of his wood carvings. "Ahuva! What are you doing here? If you get caught in a blackout zone—"

"Never mind me. I've been worried sick about you!" Ahuva ran up to him. "It took me forever to even find out where you were."

Giving in to the relief at seeing a face he knew he could trust, Simon dropped his carving and knife and hugged Ahuva tightly. "How did you find out?"

"A lot of bribes, and then I was in a bar and Dr. Mahdavi recognized me from MedAcad. She guessed I might be looking for you. What happened, that you're here?"

Simon quickly explained the situation with River as he retrieved his carving and knife. By the time he finished, Ahuva looked horrified. "Playing with her brain? That's—awful. But are you sure this is the only way to get her out?"

"I've been trying for months. Geming and Sumner are the only people who've managed to give me any information at all, so I'm wagering on them."

Ahuva laid her hand on his arm. "You wouldn't do well in prison. I don't think you realize that properly."

"I know." Simon put a hand over hers. "Prison isn't particularly kind to anyone."

"You can't win in a fight," Ahuva said bluntly. "Not your fault, you've never been taught, and it'd be nice if you never had to learn. But now you're an outlaw, Simon. You'll have to fight to survive."

"If I have to learn to fight, that's what I'll do."

"People learn to fight by losing, and what safe place do you have to do that? I've done studies on disease on penal moons, and it's not hard to tell that if you lose a fight there, whoever wins can do what they like because the guards and officials don't intervene."

"I don't care."

"You should. There'd be nothing to stop them from beating you or raping you or taking your food until you starve."

"And how do I know River isn't hurting just that badly?" Simon demanded. "Since I learned what they were doing to her, I haven't slept through the night. I have to make myself eat, and I'm barely eating at all. But no matter how much I'm hurting, I always know River is hurting more. So why not be in prison? It couldn't be worse."

Ahuva shook her head. "Yes, it could. You may be sane in a crazy 'verse, but the crazy 'verse is still the one you have to live in. I know you have help—and I'll help too, if it comes to that—"

"You don't have to—"

"I'm glad to, Simon. As I said, you have help, but you're still one man, and there's some things no one gets through whole. Just try not to learn about them first-hand."

OoOoO

"Here, throw it over here!"

"Don't let him get it!"

"Come on, come on, come on!"

Simon paused by the group of kids playing keep-away outside the compound. He'd wandered by here more than once in his search for the address Geming had given him over the wave, and he was fairly sure he was lost.

"Take it up, take it up there!"

"That's right, go!"

The boy trying to get the ball planted his feet and glared. "You can't go up on the roof! That's not fair."

"Sure it's fair!" The girl who'd scaled the house tossed the ball up and down. "Come up and get it!"

"Ni men dou shi shagua."The boy stomped away.

Simon caught up with him. "Excuse me. Ah, would you mind—that is to say, could you tell me—how to get 193 on Jade Street?"

The boy gave him a look. "You're new, aren't you?"

"Um, yes."

The boy rolled his eyes. "193 is there." He pointed at the house the girl was sitting on, which Simon had passed twice.

"Half the numbers are missing and the rest are out of order," offered another kid. "So new folk get lost."

"Well. Thank you." Simon knocked, and had to duck quickly to avoid getting hit by the ball the girl suddenly hurled down to her compatriots.

After a few moments, the door opened, revealing a woman with carelessly braided reddish-blond hair and steady green eyes. "Hello. Come in, we're expecting you."

Uncertain, Simon stepped over the threshold. The woman closed the door with a snap and held out her hand. "Dr. Tam. You can call me Csizmadia. My husband—that would be Sumner, to you—filled me in on your story."

Simon shook her hand, relieved that she'd given him the pseudonym he recognized. "I'm very glad to meet you."

"Hmm." Csizmadia raised her eyebrows. "A criminal like me?"

"You're not the one playing with River's brain." Thinking of that still set Simon's teeth on edge; he didn't know if he'd ever get used to the idea.

"True enough. Come on, we're meeting in here."

She led the way into a kitchen near the back of the house. Simon blinked at the peaceful-looking, sunlit room. Csizmadia looked at him, obviously amused. "I'm guessing you're more used to dark alleys and blackout zones?"

"Now, dear heart, don't confuse the man." Sumner, sitting at a wooden table, waved Simon to a seat. "People don't think of outlaws as having tea on a pleasant afternoon, which makes it safer for us to do so than meet in a, shall we say, more traditional locale."

Geming, seated across from him, snorted quietly. "Ya just like tea. Let's get to it."

Simon sat down, feeling nervous. He wasn't sure he completely trusted Geming and Sumner, and Csizmadia he'd never seen before. It didn't help that they were all carrying guns—hidden from sight, but Simon had learned to spot such things.

Csizmadia took a chair herself, resting her elbows on the table. "Alright, Dr. Tam. First things first. We know the location of the Academy. It's on a small moon off Liann Juin."

Simon nodded, trying to tamp down his eagerness. "How is their security?"

"As tight as ya can get without keepin' the air out," Geming informed him. "Think it's fair to tell ya, Doctor, we ain't done this exact thing before. Prison escape's a Sunday picnic in comparison. I should know."

"What we really need is blueprints." Sumner tapped his fingers on the table. "Unfortunately, they are not available."

"I can pay—" Simon began.

Sumner waved him off. "No one is even trying to sell them. I have searched most dedicatedly."

"Then what are we going to do?" Simon tried to keep panic out of his voice. If these people couldn't help him, he didn't know what he'd do. He hardly had the money pay them, much less find anyone else.

"It's possible we can get them from Swallowtail," Csizmadia said. "If she even decides it's worth the risk to contact us again."

"Who is this Swallowtail?" Simon asked cautiously. "How do we know we can trust her?"

"We don't," the three replied in unison.

"Ya see why it's so risky," Geming explained. "Whole thing could fall apart at the last minute if she informs."

"Still, the basic structure of our plan can be decided upon," Sumner said. "Inside people, or outside people."

"I'm afraid I don't know—" Simon began, embarrassed.

Csizmadia took over. "See, with this kind of thing—a heist, if you will—there are two choices. One is, you can pay the people inside the institution to sneak what you want out. Two is, you can just go in yourself and get it, paying the people who are likely to spot you along the way."

"Which is the best?"

Sumner laughed grimly. "If it were that simple, we would not be having this discussion. The first way is less risky for you personally. It is expensive, but your safety is more assured. On the other hand, it is not as likely to work. There is a good chance they will take your money and vanish."

"And that's in addition to the coin you will have to pay us." Csizmadia's mouth quirked. "Pulling the wool over Alliance eyes does give some satisfaction, but our work costs coin. Call it a consultant's fee."

"What about the second option?" Simon asked. "The one where you go in yourself and get it?"

"Daredevil option," Geming pronounced. "Ya get caught, ya get maximum security or the wrong end of a gun. But the whole game's in your hands. Ya can make sure ya get what you're after, instead of endin' up with an empty cryo box."

"Cryo box?" Simon wished fervently he wasn't so out of his depth.

"How else are you planning to smuggle your sister off the Core?" Csizmadia asked. "Disguise won't do. From what we've heard, her mind's going to be in pretty poor shape. You can't trust her not to give you both away."

I used to trust River with everything. "And I suppose you can't try again if you take the first option and people let you down."

"Impossible," Geming agreed. "Folk get their wind up, and ya probably don't have the coin for it anyhow."

"Then the second option. If we can." Simon took a breath. "And when you say coin..."

Sumner looked at him. "Probably everything you have. It's your choice, but if you want to get your sister back, you'll come out poor."

"I'm not giving up," Simon said firmly. "No matter what it takes."

And he would just have to pray he had the strength to keep that promise.

Notes

Another fun pseudonym: Malka Csizmadia was a Hungarian who helped rescue Jews during the Holocaust.