Alpha Man Chapter 6

[Ed Man]

The Dragon

Chapter 6

Josh headed for his ship to get to the South Gate and come up with a plan on the way.

Josh ordered. “Sarah plays Ann the clip on the Pirates interview about the Dragon so she can review it. Sarah can you beam us out of the bar and onto the ship if I need you to?”

Sarah replied. “Yes but you have to be close to each other within 12 to 16 inches. Or you can be extracted one at a time at 90-second intervals. No buffers are on the station at this time so any point to point transport can be made.”

“Sarah relay to Ann what we just discussed and do a ready check so we can get on the way.” Josh stated.

Josh had entered the bays where the ships were and noticed how nice the freighter was starting to look as he entered the Zipper.

Josh ordered. “Sarah get us departure clearance and take us to the South Gate at one half speed.

Josh and Ann were putting their spacesuits on as Josh stated. “Ann I think we should use the transporter. We should take the boy in the bar if try to take them in space he’ll almost certainly be killed. The bar is a closed area one way in and one way out only one door to watch. The Dragon will have to release the boy and remove the collar. If the boy strays to far away from the controller the collar will blow his head off. Or the collar can be detonated with an over ride code only the owner knows. We have to get the boy and the control device. Then we can scan it and disarm the collar. Then we take the boy beam out and leave.”

Ann asked. “Why not wait till he lands on the new station or take the boy in his room?”

Josh explained. “If we go in his room security will hit us full force and if we wait tell he lands on the new station and take him there security will be a big problem not counting every one will duck for cover and start shooting! Our best bet is to try bargain for the boy. We’ll have to do this on the fly so be ready. I’ll have Sarah keep a lock on us incase we need to bug out.”

Josh stated. “Ann I need to keep a clear and open mind and remain cool and calm. If you look anxious others will pick up on it and know something is wrong. Special Ops take a pill to steady their nerves and heighten their senses and deadens the pain if injured. It gives them an edge and last for about four hours.
Do you need or want one?”

Ann asked. “Am I just a part of a secret mission your on where I conveniently die at the end?”

Josh declared. “No one dies not even the bad guys I try to do a mission the easiest way and without any bloodshed. I have done a few special missions before. We have to trust each other I’ll do whatever it takes to get us out first if needed. You’re my partner and the first one I’ll be looking out for and I hope the same goes for you about me.”

Ann stated. “I do trust you its just so much has happened so quickly its a little overwhelming! I know we’re doing what needs to be done I just never thought I would be the one doing it. I feel good about this lets get the boy. I’ll be fine don’t worry.”

Josh ordered. ’Sarah take us to the Pirate Base in Ore Belt and dock. Ann we need to get ready so we can leave the ship right after it docks. Pirates get nerviest if a ship lands and sits for a long time.
Most land to get of a ship and eat and rest. Not to get ready for a battle these Pirates are always ready for a fight. And so will we.”

Josh and Ann started getting ready as soon as they exited the gate Sarah guided the ship to the Pirate Base with ease through the asteroid field and docked.

Josh looked at Ann saying. “Last chance to back out I won’t be mad or hurt I can take you to the Trading Station and you can wait on me?”

Ann stated. “Were in this together lets do it!”

Josh ordered. “Sarah keep a lock on us at all times keep our COM secure we want to hear each other and you. Ann stay close till we get to the bar then you set near or at the end away from the door. I’ll take a table and don’t look around. Order a drink and scan it if its okay just take a sip and stare at it and avoid the drunks trying to pick you up. Don’t worry about me I’ll be trying to move on the Dragon to get the boy without bloodshed. So when it starts you’ll know to watch my back. If I have to fight one of his men to get the boy don’t worry. Fighters like to bet I’m hoping to use this to our advantage and win the boy and deal with the Dragon later.”

As they entered the bar Ann found a seat at the end of the counter Josh sat down at a table. Josh looked around taking notice of the surroundings and the people in it. Their were three pilots at one table these were the Dragons hired pilots. The Dragons #1 man and a pilot were at a table on the other side of the bar. There were three more loaners scattered through the bar. And two mercenaries a half Split and Human and a Paranid. The Dragon and the boy were not in the bar so they wait.

The Dragon enters the bar with a slave girl with her hands bound to a belt around here waist and the boys close behind.

The Dragon stated. “This is Batgirl and she’s for sell today only. She comes complete with a bat. Which is in good shape. And they need a new pilot the old one got killed. He accidentally got shot after bailing out rather hastily. Leaving us Batgirl and a ship to sell. The bid starts at 45,000 credits.”

One of the Pirates shouted. “Let us see what she has to offer!”

The Dragon pushed the girl up against the wall took his blade cutting her top right up the center and was about to expose her when Josh yelled stop! The girl was in tears and scared and trembling as the Dragon asked. “Why not human!”

Josh replied. “Because I want her and I don’t anyone to be looking at the goods till I’m through with her!”

The Dragon responded. “What’s the bid?“ One Pirate yelled 30,000 no one else said anything.

The Dragon stated. “Batgirl and ship are yours for 50,000 if you don’t want us to look.”

Josh replied. “Let me scan her to see if she’s clean. If she is we have a deal!”

Josh took his scanner to the girl scanning the girl and the Dragons controller. So Sarah would be ready to deactivate the collars on the boys.

Josh replied. “It’s a deal. What about the boys I could use them in my requisition business.’

The Dragon stated. “I’m training them to be fighters like myself.”

Josh had seated the girl as Sarah replied at his order the collars could be disarmed.
Josh looked at the Dragon and replied. “Aren’t you a little old and over weight to be a fighter?”

The two mercenaries chuckled at Josh’s statement. Ann and the rest were very nervous because the Dragon was red with anger. The three loaners left at seeing the anger of the Dragon.

The Dragon stated to Josh. “You shall die for your words human!”

Josh replied. “Hold on I use to be a fighter and all fights need to have a prize and odds to bet against. Who here will place the odds and take the bets.”

The barkeeper stated. “I can do that. I give you 50 to 1 the Dragon draws your blood in the first minute. And 100 to 1 you don’t last 5 minutes. Now place all bets.”

The Dragon replied. “I bet all I have that the Human dies begging for his life after I bleed him on the first strike!”

The Dragon and his First placed their bet of winner take all on the betting system. Then Josh had to cover or place all he had to cover the bet. At 100 to 1 Josh covered the bet with ease.

The half-breed mercenary placed a 10-credit bet that Josh would win just to make the Dragon mad at him for some reason.

Ann was frantic not knowing what to do Josh smiled as he set his drank near her saying not to worry. And telling Sarah to disarm the collars.

The mercenary talking to his partner said. “This unholy dog deserves death!”

The half-breed replied. “I would take great pleasure in killing the Dragon! But we took a job and have to return him alive to our client. This will give our Guild a reliable reputation and get us better paying jobs we can’t afford to kill him. He’s worth one and a half million credits alive only 250,000 dead!”

The Dragon and Josh were on a dancing area and all the surrounding tables had been moved back out of the way. The Dragon lunged at him using his left arm. Josh just sidestepped and whorled around to see the Dragons right hand blade coming at him. Josh swerved left taking his right hand pushing the Dragons blade clear while plunging the blade in his left hand into the Dragons upper right arm. The Dragon snarled as the blade in Josh’s hand dripped in his blood.

Josh stated. “Surrender now and live!”

After hearing Josh the Dragon was infuriated at the statement and made a lunge at Josh using his bad arm as a leading slice at Josh. Josh knew that his left blade was coming so he lunged to the right as the Dragons left blade flew past Josh missing him. Josh kicked his left leg at the knee making the Dragon stagger down a little as Josh jabbed his right blade into The Dragons left kidney. As the Dragon went down on his knees Josh seen Little Ds pistol swinging up to shoot him. Josh with lighting speed drew and fired his pistol striking Little D right between his eyes.

Then Josh stated. “Anybody else need killed?” As he looked around the room.

Then the half-breed spoke. “That was a good shot and some of the finest knife fighting I have ever witnessed. Let me buy that dog off your hands. I have a client that wants him alive to pay for an injustice he has done to the Split. He will die paying for his crimes. I’ll pay you 300,000 credits for him and your trouble. And you can keep my share of the winnings. We will take care off getting him off the station.”

Josh holstered his weapons turned to the Dragon and hit him knocking him out and falling to the ground. Josh turned around stating. “You got a deal all we wanted was the boys. When he comes around tell him he should have sold them to me.”

The Mercenary asked. “Who are you? And do you want a job!”

Josh answered. “I’m the Phoenix. And I have a job but thanks. I can place him in your ship from here if you want me to? And you won’t have to shoot your way out dragging that beast.”

“And how can you do that?” The Mercenary asked.

Josh explained. “I have a new toy that will soon be on the market after the military has a defense against it. It’s a point to point and freight transporter. Which means I can transport this dog into your ships holding area from here.”

The Mercenary replied. “What do we need to do?”

Josh answered. “Let me scan your scanner to get a signal lock. Then you or your friend go and scan the area you want the prisoner put in and my ship will beam him aboard. The reason for scanning your ship is to assure a leg or arm is not beamed into your hull.”

Josh helped Ann remove the collars off the boys. Then removed the restraints from the girl telling her to sit and wait for a little while it would be over soon and she could return to her life as soon as we all leave this base together.

The Mercenary asked. “Let the boys kick the Dragon while he’s out! I was done much like these boys and was released by a Mercenary who came for the head of my owner. I wish I had just struck him someway before he was taken away. Give these boys that chance!”

Josh asked the boys if they wanted to kick the monster that had tortured them. And he’ll never be able to hurt anyone again.

Each of the boys walked together to the body of the Dragon kicked him and started crying as they ran back to Ann. A sense of Justice filled the Mercenaries face as he watched.

Josh asked. “Ann are you and the boys ready to go to the ship?”

As they nodded yes with tears in their eyes Josh ordered Sarah to transport them aboard. As everyone looked in astonishment as they vanished before their eyes!

Josh stated to the barkeeper. “Transfer all that the Dragon and his dead friend possess to me. Do you need anyone other than me to do that?”

The Barkeeper answered. “No. When you make a bet the ownership of the wager is open until bet is completed or called off by all involved. You are the winner so all they have now belongs to you.
As soon as you lay your hand on this scanner. ”

Josh laid his hand on the scanner and seen the titles of a Bat, two Bayamons and a Dolphin and all there contents transferred to him. And one slave hid in the Dolphin.

Josh held his PDA out to the mercenary for his payment for the Dragon. The mercenary transferred the credits saying. “My partner has just done the scan now what?”

Josh replied. “Tell him to stand back and watch.” As Josh ordered Sarah to transfer the Dragon into the mercenary’s ship.

The Mercenary replied. “It’s been a pleasure doing business Phoenix.” As he left the bar.

Josh ordered Sarah. “Sarah is there any illegal goods or traps on the ships we just acquired?”

Sarah replied. “One captured navy pilot. No traps. No illegal wares.”

Josh order. “Sarah download to the fighters and the freighter take control of the fighters to escort the freighter. Ann you’ll have to fly the Zipper so secure the boys and make ready.”

Ann replied. “Under stood Josh.”

Josh took the girl and pulled her close saying were ready to go. Sarah put us on the Dolphin.
As they were beamed aboard the girl flinched then Josh told her to take a seat we need to leave now.

[Ed Man]

Thanks for the input so far.
Please give your comments or suggestions. I'm a new writer and I like the game so why not. I'm finding it rewarding and consuming. It takes longer than I thought it would. But I enjoy this and I hope the readers do also.

[blazermick]

Keep up the good work. The grammar is a little off but i dont care as the story is quite appealing. Big fan of the fiction so keep up the good work.. am eagerly awaiting the next installment.