Chapter 1 - updated 01/07/03
Chapter 2 - updated 01/07/03
Chapter 3 - updated 02/07/03
Chapter 4 - updated 02/07/03
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Completed after the +++++++++
Merc
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Tor nodded and Pors smiled revealing a set of bright white teeth against the dark tan of his skin. He was of similar height to Tor and of slightly slimmer build. The graded hair cut and pressed, crease free, regulation style clothes gave him the appearance of a military man.
Tor took a moment to cast his eyes over the rest of the agents and most could easily have blended into the general public unnoticed. This was slightly disconcerting to Tor and made him aware that he needed to spend some time getting to recognise these men by sight. Another thought struck him that he only had Pors word he knew Caran but that did not mean he was an agent.
His hand drifted towards his blaster and he rested his palm nonchalantly on the butt, Pors eyes flicked from Tors’ face to his hand then back to his face completely unfazed and looking relaxed, “Well now you’ve introduced yourself, I’d like to see some ID!”
“Caution is the better part of valour Mr Grall,” Pors nodded, then he carefully and slowly he opened his jacket, ensuring Tor could see both his hands at all times he held open one side to reveal a pocket from which he pulled out a small leather bound agents badge. “You recognise this of course?”
Tor reached out his free hand and Pors, still smiling, handed him the badge, he examined it slowly and flipped open the cover. Inside was a comms unit, he did not have the expertise to know if it was genuine, but he would have to believe that if these men wanted to take him prisoner or kill him then they would have done so already.
“I’m still some way off from getting the Crystal Fab in place!” Tor commented as he handed back the badge.
“As we are fully aware Mr. Grall, perhaps we should continue in private, shall we return to your ship?” Pors asked.
Tor felt a sense of rising panic and he needed an excuse not to go back, “I need to get a bite to eat and something to drink. It’s been a long trip.”
The agent thought for a moment and looked back to his colleague who whispered something. Pors nodded and looked back at Tor, “Understood, we know just the place.”
Pors guided him towards one of the shuttle lifts, Tor kept glancing around to try and estimate how many agents were with him. He counted ten, two took the previous shuttle lift, six crammed themselves into the lift with him.
He now spotted they were all wearing an ear piece and he commented to Pors, “Expecting trouble?”
Pors glanced across and raised an eyebrow, “Not from you Mr. Grall. But there have been a few unsavoury characters on the station recently, Bloodhearts’ people.”
Tors pulsed raced, “Ah.”
“The Boron are good but they don’t screen every ship that docks,” Pors continued, “So we’re here to provide a little extra protection.”
The shuttle lift stopped and the doors opened, several agents stepped out first and dispersed before Pors led Tor towards a food hall, he noticed several of the agents had commandeered a small cluster of tables next to the windows. They sat next to the window and Tor looked out on the blue ocean world below as it shone and glistened in the light of the Ocean of Fantasy sun. The weather systems towards the polar caps occasionally flashed with tremendous lightning storms.
“That’s quite a view.” Tor commented.
“Yes it is!” Pors replied in agreement as he looked down.
Tors’ stomach rumbled and he turned to the table menu, he selected the Argon language and chose several interesting sounding items and a Batral ale.
Pors also ordered a drink, and waited until they arrived before beginning to talk business, “I guess you want to know why we’re here.”
“That would be a good start.” Tor responded casually, he was relaxing.
“As you know the Service has arranged for you to accommodate not only our good selves on the Crystal Fab, but also a number of additional military personnel that have volunteered to help safe guard the security of the region.” Pors started.
Tor nodded slowly, “It was discussed.” The previous conversation was a distant memory as he tried to remember some of the details.
“I have a list of names here which you can look at and it will be transferred to your ship.” Pors handed over a data pad.
Tor began to scroll through the list as the agent continued, “Naturally most of these will be based on the Crystal Fab to support the agency. Ten of them have been allocated to the Silicon Mine in X-four. Their names have been separated out and shown at the bottom of the list.”
Tor continued to scroll down then stopped and moved back up a few names before raising his eyebrows.
“Someone you know?” Pors asked having been watching Tors’ reaction.
The name Tris Matayah appeared as one of the pilots allocated to the Crystal Fab, he did not answer straight away, “Possibly, depends on how many Tris there are in the universe.” He continued down to the bottom ten names but did not recognise any of them. “So where are these pilots at the moment?”
“They are currently stationed in Getsu Fune. We have a secure outpost in the sector.”
Tors’ food turned up on a hover tray that settled itself down on the table in front of him. The cover opened and the sweet aroma of Stott Spices gently wafted from the steaming food. The Boron had taken a great deal of effort in catering for the various races and although nearly all of their traditional dishes were served cold, they had come to understand the Argon preferred their food boiled or burnt in varying degrees. The loss of flavour was generally compensated for by the addition of the spices.
“Go on.” Tor commented as he picked up a fork and began to try the dish in front of him. He waved his hand in front of his mouth as the superheated fish meat attempted to scold the inside of his mouth.
“Careful Mr. Grall, the chefs here tend to overheat some of their dishes! Give it a couple of minutes to cool.” Pors looked out of the shielded windows at the ocean world below.
Tor took a long sip of his ale then let out a long satisfied sigh.
“I will attempt to bring you up to speed with the economics of the new sectors,” Pors started, “A number of cartels have moved in. This is still an under developed region and there are a few power struggles to gain total economic control. The Argon military and the service do not have the resources or manpower available to curb these activities.”
There was a momentary pause as Pors took a sip of his juice drink, “I have no doubt you will be approached by the cartels offering a hand of friendship. But those offers will come at a price, and if you want to do business then you will have to make deals or you will find it very difficult to buy or sell anything.”
Tor looked pensive, he reminded himself of how he felt when being menaced by the Split, “How would it be if I imposed my own force of will?”
“You’re not here to start a war Mr. Grall. That would make life difficult for all of us and needless to say the Service and the Military would remove our support. We will recommend one of the guilds that you need to ally yourself with.”
Tors’ jaw tightened he did not like the sound of this, but he had come this far and he was not going to turn back now. “Okay!” Looking at the plate of food, he gave it another hesitant try and was satisfied it had cooled down enough to eat.
Pors continued, “Mr. Grall I have to say that the apparent absence of any sign of the Khaak worries us. It is extremely important that we get ourselves established and gathering information. Your station is to be a base of operation and we need to get our equipment in place and operational as soon as possible.”
Tor put his fork to one side, finished chewing, looked at his time piece and said, “I have an Orca here currently loading a Silicon Mine, unless that is someone’s changed the order without my permission, so what are you trying to say?”
“No your orders to the Orca has not changed but we have arranged for a jumpdrive capable Mammoth to deliver the Crystal Fab as soon as you make the payment transfer,” Pors informed.
Tor carefully looked at the fork. He took the time to tell himself that the agent was only the messenger, and somewhere inside he felt annoyed. “You mean to tell me that I, and my people could have docked in a jumpdrive capable TL and saved ourselves the inconvenience and losses we incurred getting here.” The words came out quickly. His elbows now rested on the table and the tips of his fingers were bridged. He looked straight ahead and his voice was even and calm.
Pors knew Tors’ feelings simply from this stance and body language, “TL’s seldom have space for passengers. Your people would still have had to fly here.”
“Well if you want to have the station up and running then you had better get your people to protect it during construction.” Tor retorted quietly.
The agents smiled slowly, but this was not the time to become confrontational. He would have to agree even if it meant the possibility of detection by the other station owners that the military and the service were there was significantly higher numbers than previously thought.
Tor allowed his annoyance to fester and took another sip of ale before resuming his meal. One thing he would need to do is get some supplies and provisions. With the agents watching him it would mean that Nyeshta leaving the ship would be impossible but he had to look casual and discreet. As he finished his meal he looked at the agent, “Okay, where’s the Mammoth stationed and I’ll arrange for the credit transfer?”
“Thank you Mr. Grall, the TL is in the Light of Heart shipyard,” Pors replied.
Tor held up the data pad and asked, “Does this also have the agents names on it.”
“No Mr. Grall, for security reasons you understand,” Pors answered, “You will be introduced to them personally.”
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tor handed back the pad and took a look at his time piece. He realized he had a long time to wait before the Orca would be ready. Somehow he needed to kill some time without returning back to the ship, and as he contemplated his next move he ordered another Batral ale.
Pors looked vaguely perplexed, before commenting firmly, “Perhaps Mr. Grall you should return to your ship and give the authorization for the Crystal Fab to be delivered.”
Tor looked at the agent with an unhurried expression and responded, “Hand me back your pad and I’ll comm the ship from here.”
The agent looked uncertain for a moment then pushed the pad back across the table. Tor picked it up and selected comms mode before dialling in the ships registration.
Sweety answered, “Greetings, you have reached the answering service for Tor Grall please leave a message and I will deliver it when he returns.”
Tor smiled wryly and replied, “Hi Sweety, it’s me and I need you to do me a favour.”
Sweety maintained the formal tone, “What is it you require?”
Tor made the request and Sweety acknowledged. He closed the comm and handed the pad back to Pors with the question, “Satisfied?”
The agent gave a slight nod. Tor took another long sip of his drink and let out a satisfied sigh of contentment, “You know it’s nice to be able to sit back and relax after a tough trip,” He continued rambling on conversationally, “And after a few hours in the pilot seat it’s good just to be able to get up, walk around, to see other people and hear them talking. It makes you realize there’s more to life.”
“Be thankful you’re not a interplanetary freighter pilot Mr. Grall. They tend to spend months in transit without anyone but themselves for company.” Pors commented.
“I don’t know how anyone could cope with that.” Tor commented as he tried to envisage months of solitude.
“These days pilots opt for advance stasis and sleep nearly the whole journey. Which is fine, unless you’re expecting trouble,” Pors responded.
Tor asked curiously, “Is there still much of that?”
“Unfortunately yes and the interplanetary pirates have been advancing their ships specifically for capturing freighters intact.” Pors replied still watching the storms on the planet below.
Tor continued to be interested and asked, “How?”
“It takes a few minutes to wake up from advanced stasis, in which time a tracking pirate ship, that we’ve come to dub ‘the Hole’, quickly catches up with the target freighter. As it engages its reverse thrusters two bay doors open, high energy plasma fire strips away the shields and then the freighter is hit with EMP cannons which knock out the ships systems. The freighter is then gripped by two clamping arms and pulled into the hold.” Pors took a sip of his juice.
Tor looked slightly alarmed for a moment, “Well I hope they haven’t come up with something similar in the sectors.”
“Not yet, but we think it’s just a matter of time,” Pors commented casually, “Trouble is, that a ship like the Hole is too easy to detect in local space. It’s just too big for sector forces to ignore.”
“Well that’s a comforting thought,” Tor responded but with a slight hint of pessimism as many sector forces seemed to allow pirates to traverse through.
There was a moment pause as each man drank. Tor glanced around with a growing sense of curiosity and asked, “As impressed as I am to think I deserve such attention, but why are there ten of you?”
Pors continued to watch the planet, “To protect you. Although the Argon government has extremely strong relations with the Boron, it doesn’t mean we can take over their station security for the benefit of individuals such as yourself.”
As sincere as the agent sounded Tor was not overly convinced. He let his mind wander briefly and a creeping doubt began to rise about the safety of Nyeshta. Perhaps Caran had looked into his story, but then again someone like Caran could not just walk onto a pirate station and ask questions. No, Tor told himself, but he was in the service and they would have spies on board. After a few questions Caran would know she had been sold soon after her arrival, a few more questions and he would also know she was taken away in an Elite.
There were too many coincidences and the ease at which those could be made to point directly at him caused Tor to shift uncomfortably in his seat. Tor could feel his insides knotting themselves together. He sipped his ale carefully his eyes fixed on the planet below, the glass pressed hard against his teeth to steady his hand and prevent any tremble from reflecting in the liquid. Reflecting carefully on his conversation with Caran and all those things he did not say, knowing full well that if they found her on the Defiance that he would once again look into that disfigured face and this time it would not be so pleasant. The only consolation was that it was all coincidence, the ship was under an alternative registration and Sweety had masked the transaction and altered the ships logs. Somewhere inside the knots became tighter as he told himself that these things would not matter to Caran and one way or another he would extract a confession.
He finished the drink in one last gulp and put the glass down. He tried to look calm and relaxed.
“Are you okay?” Pors asked with a hint of concern.
Tor quickly glanced across, “What?”
“You just seemed to lose your colour. I was wondering if everything is okay?” Pors asked again.
Tor thought rapidly, “Oh yeah I’m fine now, just something in the food tried to disagree with me. Perhaps a touch too spicy for my taste.” Tor rubbed his stomach sympathetically by way of show.
Pors nodded slowly in understanding, “Yes, unfortunately in their attempt to please the Boron chefs do occasionally get a little carried away.”
Tor glanced at his time piece and rose from his seat, “Time is pressing and I need to get some supplies.”
The agent neither hesitated nor advised against this, but simply stood up at a measured rate, “You tell me what you want and I’ll show you where to get them.”
Tor instinctively knew he would not be escaping from the presence of the agents, and if he tried it would raise their suspicions. Somewhere inside he was hoping the element of doubt about his potential guilt would mean they were here to watch over him, to see if she was here and establish his guilt by direct association rather than by pre-emptive arrest and search.
Needless to say he purchased more clothes for himself, and numerous jars and sachets of ready meals. Pors watched with interest as Tor ordered three crates of ales to be delivered to the ship.
“That’s a lot of ale! I hope you won’t be drinking it whilst flying.” Pors commented.
Tor smiled and glanced at his time piece with only three Mizura to go before the scheduled departure he felt that the crunch time had come for him to return to the ship. He looked up at Pors and replied, “That’s to celebrate the opening of the mine!”
With the goods on the back of a hover cart they made their way back down to the docking platform. The Piranhas were finished and had already launched. Only the two Elites and the Defiance remained.
“Looks like your people are ready to go.” Pors commented as his eyes passed over the lines of docked ships.
“They’ll be gathered outside ready for the order.” Tor replied confidently, but now his nerves were beginning to take hold as with every step they approached the ship.
He stopped by the door and said as cheerfully as he could, “Well thanks for the tour. I expect I’ll see you again soon.”
“I’m sure you will, once you’re safely on board we’ll be setting out to join our companions in Getsu Fune.” Pors and the other agents waited patiently, mostly looking around at the crowd for anyone suspicious.
With his heart thumping hard, Tor placed his hand over the palm scanner and the doors opened. He stepped in quickly to obscure the view of anyone that could be peering into the cabin. Nyeshta was not there. Tor breathed a sigh of relief, the adrenaline rush washed over him in a wave of relief. He did everything he could not to smile as he unloaded the cart and let it glide back out of the ship.
Pors simply smiled and showed no sign of being disappointed not to have found Nyeshta. Tor wondered if he had just let his imagination take over, that the men were there specifically to look after his safety and not as he had previously thought to ensnare him.
With a cheerful wave he closed the airlock doors and once they had sealed he let the moment of relief pass over him once again.
“Okay, Tor it is time to leave!” Sweety commented.
He turned around and wandered into the cabin and sat in the pilot seat. Tor asked casually, “So did you get everything you wanted?”
“All installed and functioning within acceptable limits,” Sweety replied, “Departure clearance approved.”
The clamps released and the Defiance under the station guidance computers moved it into the flow of departing ships. The two Elites were somewhere behind.
“You know Sweety, I’m rather glad to be leaving.” He commented. The outer blast doors of the station were already open and the glow of distant stars filled the view. Ahead of him he could make out the bulk of the Orca which was already making its way out of the sector. Amongst his own formations of fighters and freighters were two new Dolphins.
He pulled up the details and smiled as they both were filled to capacity with energy cells and the life blood of the yet to be constructed Silicon Mine that resided in the belly of the Orca.
******************************
“So are you going to ask where I am?” Nyeshta commented in his ear.
Tor almost leapt a foot out of his chair and put his hand against his chest from the shock, “For **** sake,” He gasped.
“Yes I am well, thanks for asking.” Nyeshta smiled sweetly, “Now that you’ve warmed my seat perhaps you should vacate it.”
Tor, still suffering from the shock, complied with the request. As Nyeshta sat down in the seat Tor found the words he was looking for, “Where the hell did you come from?”
Nyeshta looked around in feigned surprise, “I’m surprised at you Tor. If you hadn’t noticed this ship has a small restroom at the back of the cabin, next to the rear hold. Big enough to hide in without being cramped.”
Tor looked perplexed, “Shit. I thought Sweety had transported you to another ship.”
“Ah, I’m touched,” Nyeshta smiled and commented, “but that would have been a last resort. Station security monitors for unauthorised transportations.”
Tor felt as though he was being mocked but inside this did not matter, the situation had passed and no one had come out of it badly, and he commented gently, “It’s good to see you Nye.”
There was a degree of sincerity in his tone that Nyeshta could not fail to miss. She hesitated and gave Tor a look of curiosity and the smile softened from the forced look, before saying quietly, “Yeah, it’s good to see me too.” She concentrated her attention on the space outside the ship.
“Let’s keep with the Orca,” Tor instructed quietly and deposited himself in the co-pilot seat and he smiled, “Sweety do you have the military assigned pilot list?”
“Yes, on screen.” Sweety replied.
Tor read down the list, before asking, “Any chance you can reassign these pilots?”
“Is there anyone in particular that you would like re-assigned?” Sweety asked.
Tor smiled, “You know Sweety I think you’ve already analysed the list so why don’t you tell me?”
Sweety replied, “As much as I would like to, after the credit transaction for the Crystal Fab the Mammoth has already made the jump. All fighters are already on their way to protect the construction site.”
“You mean the station kit has already been deployed?” Tor asked with a degree of concern.
“That is exactly what I am saying,” Sweety confirmed.
Tor was feeling perplexed, the Secret Service had jumped ahead, “What’s the status of the station?”
“The Mammoth is preparing to depart now your fighters have entered the sector,” Sweety reported.
An urge to go and visit the site came over Tor, “Sweety, who can I make second in command that the others will take orders from?”
There was a momentary pause as Sweety examined all the pilot records, “I have two candidates. The most qualified is Broden Falstarn. He is an ex-Argon Navy Captain, released from service with commendations and has been with the War Master Guild for the last four Jazura. The second is Moda Faba, a former Boron Navy Flight Leader, also released from service with commendations and the Heltak Fin Medal for Bravery but he has less combat experience and is only a recent addition to the Guild, with six Mazuras service.”
“A Boron? I didn’t realize we had any Boron with us,” Tor commented.
“Perhaps you should read through your employee list more carefully,” Sweety replied gently with an undertone of sarcasm.
It passed Tor by as he scrolled through the screen menus in front of him, “Okay, get me Broden.”
The screen flickered and the image of Broden appeared. Tor could see the military influence almost immediately as the man almost snapped a salute when Tor appeared on the HUD at the far end.
“Sir?” Broden snapped formally before Tor had begun to speak.
“There’s no need to be so formal, “ Tor started, the man relaxed, his eyes looked clear and sharp, the squared off jaw showing a light stubble almost as long as the close cropped hair on the top of his head. Tor had little doubt that if the man stood up he would be broad, reasonably tall and probably spent an unhealthy amount of time doing exercise, “I need a second in command and, having taken advice, our records indicate that you are the best qualified for the position. So I’m asking you if you want the job.”
Broden took a moment to consider his reply, “What will the job entail Sir?”
“I need you to take control of the rest of the pilots and give orders in my absence. I also need you to help organise them and give me advice as to any additional needs,” Tor said as he tried to work out in his own mind what he really wanted and as he finished he was not certain that he had explained himself very well.
Broden gave a slight smile of understanding, “Thank you Sir, I accept your offer.”
Tor smiled, “Excellent I need to run on ahead and review the construction of the Crystal Fab in X-seven.”
Broden looked perplexed, “I would suggest you have an escort Sir.”
“That’s okay I doubt there are any ships of any significance that can keep up with this one,” Tor said confidently and closed the comm, “Okay Sweety, Nyeshta do you think we can handle any trouble we might encounter if we head off on our own?”
“I think so,” Nyeshta replied.
Sweety delayed in answering and then said, “I think we should have the Pegasus scout ahead of us.”
Tor thought for a moment, “Okay, who’s the pilot?”
Sweety replied, “Sholetinmanckesala.”
Tor hesitated, “Okay, do you think he’ll object if I call him Shole?”
Nyeshta mentioned, “You’re probably better off using Sho.”
Tor glanced across but Nyeshta was looking out of the cockpit screen, “Okay Sweety, get Sho on the comm.”
The young Paranid appeared on the viewer, “Yes Sir?”
“Sho, I need you to scout ahead of me, we’re going to visit the Crystal Fab construction site in sector X-seven,” Tor instructed.
“Acknowledged Sir,” The Pegasus turned and suddenly with a bright flare from the engine was hurtling away from the group.
Tor commanded, “Sweety, open the comm to the rest of our ships.”
Sweety replied, “Comm open.”
“All ships this is Tor, it looks like the Crystal Fab has arrived ahead of schedule and is currently being deployed in the sector currently known as X-seven. The Pegasus and I are going to visit the construction site. In the meantime Broden Falstarn has been appointed to take command in my absence,” Tor waited a moment to see if there were any voices of dissent, “I will still be contactable and if a situation arises inform me immediately. See you all in sector X-four.” He closed down the comm.
“Let’s go.” Tor instructed as he looked around and he could have been certain he saw the faintest of smiles on Nyeshtas’ face.
The Defiance peeled away from the rest of the group and looped over the top of the Orca at full speed. The ship was closing rapidly with the gate, and Sweety announced, “Sho reports the sector ahead is clear and he is progressing into Menelaus Paradise.”
The Defiance crossed the activation threshold and the jump tunnel opened. Moments later the boosters had been engaged and Tor felt himself being pressed hard into his seat until the limiter cut in to indicate they had reached maximum speed. Tor spent a few moments looking at the galactic map then switched to his accounts. He frowned at how depleted his finances had become. Only a quarter of his original funds remained since he started this venture. However the Bakery with its own dedicated accounts appeared to be very healthy with a regular turn over of stock.
The Defiance crossed into Menelaus Paradise and headed on towards the Getsu Fune gate. The Pegasus was already reporting the route ahead was clear and in a few brief minutes the Defiance had made the jump. Tor felt a twinge of nervousness as they exited the sector and jumped into X-two. There were a number of established stations here having been one of the first sectors to be developed. Sweety had guided the Pegasus to travel through the X-four sector. Tor had almost expected the gates here to look different to the ones in the core sector but was disappointed to see they were identical.
As the Defiance made the jump, Tor thought he saw something stuck to the back face of the gate. The jump tunnel filled the view and his attention was suddenly drawn to the scene in front of him.
“Wow,” It was the only word he could think of. The gates in X-four were much further apart than in the other sectors but the journey seemed to last no time at all. Both Tor and Nyeshta appeared to be mesmerised by the view of giant gas clouds shimmering with ion storms. The rich colours of the clouds shimmered in the light of the condensing planets and stars.
A few of the astral bodies that were beyond the centre simply reflected the light of the forming stars, the lighter gaseous elements too cold to form anything more than frozen gas planets.
Massive flares, millions of k’s long flashed through the nebula. The dense centres of the two suns, with their vast spirals of collapsing gases, shone bright white.
In amongst the nebula a number of asteroids, material that had once been near to the core of the previous sun and had, in the explosion, been flung this far out and beyond in a giant ring. In time many of these would succumb to the ever increasing gravitational attraction of the major bodies and be pulled into new positions or into the forming planets and suns.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The journey through X-five and into X-seven were by comparison very unremarkable. Sweety guided them towards the station construction site and as they approached three of the ships broke away from the various flights encircling the basic structure.
“Incoming message,” Sweety announced.
Nyeshta moved and hurriedly left the cabin saying, “Hold it Sweety till I’m out of sight. Tor the pilot seat’s all yours.”
Tor needed no second instruction, “Okay Sweety patch it through.”
“Mr. Grall, welcome I am Captain Mileton Coursade. Let me escort you around the perimeter of the site.” The captain was a middle aged man with short cropped hair and a neatly trimmed beard. But that was as much as Tor could make out from the holo-projection.
As he led Tor in an Elite the two Busters dropped in slightly behind and on either side of him. Tor rolled the ship so he could see the station better.
Mileton gave a brief commentary, “As you can see the core of the station is now in place the primary shield generators for the station have been activated and are running on auxiliary power until the main generator can be brought on line. This gives protection to the construction robots from any hostile attack and is why we have to stay at this distance from the core. Any closer and we’ll be risking hitting the shields.”
Tor could see the area was filled with construction robots the largest construction machines were extruding the huge beams that provided the superstructure of the station. Tor saw the source of the material as two containers that had been separated from the massive kit.
Mileton broke Tors’ thoughts with the comment, “As we come around to this side you can see where the docking bay is currently being constructed.”
Much of the docking tunnel was now complete and the outer bulkhead doors were in place. Additional strengthening struts were visible beneath as the outer hull wall was being attached. Tor was impressed at the speed of construction and every moment he watched the station grew. In the zero G environment two robots were manoeuvring the first of the crystal fabrication units into position whilst the platform it would eventually stand on was still being extruded.
“How long will it take before you’ll be able to dock?” Tor asked.
Mileton replied, “It’ll be another two Tazura before they finish the inner and outer hulls. Probably another Tazura before all the power grids are charged and the in station systems are fully operational. We should be able to dock before then but it’ll be a bit rough and ready.”
“Just let me see what the progress is with the Orca,” Tor switched the comm to another frequency, “Sweety how’s our Silicon Mine?”
“The Orca will arrive in the X-four sector in fifteen Stazura.” Sweety confirmed.
On the shipyard in Family Nyj, Feran was being guided towards the station commanders reception chambers. He smiled cruelly at the frightened faces of the slaves as they scuttled down the corridors to perform whatever duties their master had ordered.
The Split officer that guided him occasionally kicked or struck any slave that stepped or crawled into his way. The doors to the chambers were not the plain lacquered metal doors that slid to one side, but heavy wooden doors embellished with a carving of the family insignia and were mounted on heavy iron hinges. It was a pretentious symbol of the families’ heritage. Two slaves grasped the iron rings and then pulled the doors open. They bowed low to them as they approached.
“You wait,” The officer stated in his harsh voice and then left Feran. The doors closed shutting him inside the chamber and made a satisfying booming sound as they finally met.
Feran looked around at the trophies on the walls with its many shrunken Boron heads the flippers pinned out to give the preserved face a rictus grin.
A soft low voice commented, “They look so much happier dead, don’t you think?”
Feran did not turn around, “Campaign trophies?”
The voice replied, “There would be too little wall space and too many to count if I hung all of them up. So I only keep the admirals heads,” There was a pause, “It’s good to see you again Feran, though I must say our families bonds seem to have grown weaker over the past few Jazura.”
Feran turned around and looked at Jolak Nyj, a Split man almost twenty Jazura older than Feran. He was still very much in the prime of life and showing little sign of his true age.
“You are looking well,” Feran observed.
“Better than you my friend,” Jolak stepped into the circle of soft chairs that encircled an open fire hearth in the centre of the room, “So I hear that High Councillor Twh has chosen you for the outer sectors.”
It was old news but Jolak had not had the opportunity until now to discuss it with Feran. Feran moved at a leisurely pace towards the seats. He knew there was no danger here and could relax, at which point he dropped down and rested in the soft cushions. There was little heat from the fire, it was more for effect than function and again was reminiscent of ancient times on the Split home world.
“Yes, but it is not as much of an honour as it has been made out to be.” Feran felt bitter and it reflected in his voice.
“What have you been told about the Khaak?” Jolak asked in his quiet voice.
At that moment two servants shuffled into the chamber and with heads bowed guided in several platters of food and hover trays of drinks. Ferans muscles twitched at the seemingly uninvited interruption.
“Calm yourself, they will be gone soon enough,” The last few words were hard edged and directed at the slaves. With a fleeting look of terror they moved as quickly as they could in placing the food and drinks next to each of them before hurrying out of the chamber.
“Perhaps you think I treated them too leniently?” Jolak commented as he picked up a dish that held some meat still oozing blood.
Feran moved his right arm and the blade shot out as he clenched his steel fingers, “Perhaps.”
Jolak smiled and popped the chunk of flesh into his mouth, “Now to my original question, what have you been told about the Khaak.”
“Only that they have proven to be a formidable and worthy opponent,” Feran replied.
Jolak finished chewing and swallowed, “Good meat, you should try it,” He paused and frowned before speaking, “They are both, the individual ship is not strong but they attack in numbers, like the h’Tlajas on the home world. The weapons they use are more advanced than our own.”
“How?” Feran asked as he tried the meat dish.
“They have beam weapon technology. The energy of the weapon is not high but the particle beam produced is devastating,” Jolak commented nonplussed and picked up a drink, “Did you like the dish?”
Feran finished chewing and nodded, “Excellent, what was it?”
Jolak smiled, “Teladi.”
Ferans face slowly broke into a smile, “I never knew they tasted that good.”
Jolak nodded, “And I believe you are to be congratulated my friend.”
Feran raised a curious eyebrow as he surveyed the range of food still on the platter, “For what?”
“Creed, there has been no report of his return,” Jolak commented, “I feel that the Xenon may have achieved what we could not.”
“I’d be happier if I saw his rotting corpse,” Feran responded with a smile. Even he had to admit the amount of time that had lapsed since Creeds disappearance was too great for him to possibly have survived. However nothing that entered the Xenon sector since had emerged to confirm the fact.
Feran picked up a small dish, “And what about Grall?”
“We showed him every discourtesy, but I was almost tempted to allow his damaged ships to dock. They could have made good trophies, but that would have upset the High Council,” Jolak commented bitterly.
