by W H Beswick
After this he sat back down and studied the Earthling showing little interest. The tiniest of smiles came to his thin lips. “We both know you are not the first Earthling I have met. You might be one of the most interesting. I am pleased to see you made it through the war. I suppose you have guessed I have been discreetly following your investigation. Playing the same game. Letting everyone think you not very clever. It worked well for you during war. But we both know you are almost always the smartest person in the room.”
“Ah, ah, well sir that is very kind of you to say, but Lady Venusun is much smarter than I. I am beginning to suspect the princess is too.” The Earthling said, not looking at me.
Which was good. I blushed at his compliment, but didn’t believe him for a minute.
“Ah, ah, sir, let’s just be honest with each other.” The Earthling said with a very friendly tone. “You may be interested to know the ship is now heading for Sirona.”
“I suspected we have changed course. You think this changes things for me?”
“Yes sir, I think it does. I think you were hired to kill Queen Rexannis. Before you object. The queen isn’t dead. So far as I can tell you haven’t broken any laws.”
“You don’t suspect me of all these murders?” He asked, leaning forward and putting his elbows on his knees.
“Definitely not the doctor. That was sloppy. Very unprofessional. The other two murders were very well planned. Someone put a lot of thought into them, but they just don’t feel like you. I have seen your work. I suspect you were hired by the Prime Centurion.”
“Without admitting to anything, I will just say the Prime Centurion and I had a business arrangement.”
“Thank you, I understand. Ah, ah, so with the Prime Centurion dead you are just going to enjoy the rest of the voyage?”
“That was always my plan. I should mention something. I am doing this because I really don’t want to have Lady Venusun become annoyed with me.”
“Ah, ah, well sir. With all due respect you were going to do some work on her Golden Halo. She would be more than annoyed. This ship is the pride of her fleet.”
“Exactly. This may surprise you but I had no idea the lady owned this vessel. Once aboard I realized this and was having second thoughts. I was going to discuss this matter with the Prime Centurion but…”
“He died.” I said out loud.
“Yes, he did.” Zumo said, smiling at me. Then he returned his attention to the Earthling. “The Prime Centurion had a…what is the word. Oh yes, he had a boss. Sadly I have no idea who this person is. But the Prime Centurion was afraid of him.”
“Him?” The Earthling said, now more interested. “You think his boss was a man.”
“That is the impression I got.” Then he leaned even closer. “You seem to have some sway with Lady Venusun. If you could convene to her that I have no intention but enjoying the rest of this cruise, but would like to get off as quickly as possible.”
“The next time I speak to Lady Venusun I will mention that. I wouldn’t be surprised if she too wants you off her ship as quickly as possible.”
“Not her kind of person.” He said with a small laugh. “Yesterday, I would have said the same thing about you.”
“Ah, ah, well sir, things change.”
“Oh one last detail, the now deceased doctor was brought on board to be part of this…what is the correct Earth word? Oh yes, conspiracy. I don’t know what part he was to play but it was important.”
“Then killing him was an unplanned act.”
“Exactly. They may be doing what you Earthlings called tying up some loose ends.”
CHAPTER 41
QUEEN’S REMINDER
After we left Zumo’s cabin, the Earthling explained to me what tying up loose ends meant. We were just debating our next move when Queen Rexannis appeared in the passage and started to look out the clear wall, studying the universe. She glanced at us.
The Earthling took this as a sign to approach. We walked up and waited. I noticed there were now two guards standing at discreet distance but who appeared to be waiting for something to happen. The queen was still dressed in black with a veil, but now wore a blouse with rather loose pants. It was more of an outfit one wore inside the palace. Not generally in public.
“I do find space travel tedious.” Queen Rexannis said without looking at us. “Now sailing on the water. That I enjoy. I have several boats.”
“Ah, ah, I am not a fan of small boats on water.” The Earthling said. “I never quite got my sea legs.”
I was about to ask what the Earthling was talking about, when the queen turned and smiled at him. “You suffer from what is called sea sickness?”
“Only on very small boats.”
“Then you wouldn’t have that problem on my vessels. They are all quite big. I have been led to believe you suspect Bacco of smuggling a weapon called a gun onto the Golden Halo.”
“Ah, ah, it is just a theory.” He said. “I hope I haven’t offended your majesty.”
“I took no offense. But I did look through the Prime Centurion’s things.” She said, reaching into the pockets of her pants and pulling out two things. One was a much smaller pistol than the one used to kill the doctor. It didn’t have the spinning cylinder to hold bullets. The other was a short, round metal tube.
“What is that?” I asked, moving closer.
Once again the Earthling quickly took several steps back and put his hands behind his back. It was then I noticed the two guards had moved closer. For a moment everyone just stared at each other.
“Queen Rexannis, you know that it is illegal for an Earthling to even be this close to a weapon. Let alone touch it.” The Earthling said, stepping even further back.
“I was led to believe that you touched a pistol earlier in the evening?” She said with a smile. The two guards moved closer.
“I never touched the gun on the floor.” He said, glancing at me. “Princess Deela will testify to that and there are more witnesses to confirm that fact. Since a murder had just been committed, I was legally safe to make sure the gun was turned over to the proper authorities. In this case it was the captain.”
“I was there. Captain Fross took the gun. The Earthling never touched it.” I snapped, moving closer to the queen and putting my hands on my hips. “You may be a queen, but I am a princess. I may not be the brightest princess, but I can tell when someone with a crown is trying get someone of lower status in trouble.”
Another staring contest.
Finally the queen just smiled at me while she held out the pistol and whatever the other thing was. A guard came up and took them. Then he carefully laid them on the deck. Queen Rexannis and her two guards started to leave.
“Ah, ah, you found these among the Prime Centurion’s things?’ The Earthling asked, making her stop.
She studied him for a moment. “I apologize for underestimating you. Now I see I am the fool in this matter. Rather a new experience for me. I don’t like it. My man will stand with the weapon until you get the captain here to pick it up. Earthling, am I your friend?”
“Ah, ah, your majesty, how can an Earthling be a queen’s friend.”
“I will take that as a yes.” Rexannis said in a very sweet tone. “You are very clever. I hope you find the murderer. I shall be in my cabin if you require my assistance.”
“You have been more than helpful.” He said and bowed. A little low for my liking. “Your majesty.”
CHAPTER 42
THE ENSIGN’S FATHER
“What was all that about?” I said, following the Earthling away from the guard and the weapon. I could see he was putting as much distance between him and it as possible. “I mean Lady Venusun would have been outraged. She wouldn’t have allowed you to be arrested.”
“It wasn’t about me being arrested.” The Earthling said, stopping at the end of the passage. A steward came out of the parlor.
“Sir, Queen Rexannis just told me my assistance was needed here.”
He said. He looked nervous and seemed to be forcing himself to be polite. Lady Venusun’s threat of losing his job probably filled his head.
“Notify the captain, there is another pistol along with a silencer down that passage. Queen Rexannis found them in Prime Centurion Uxtel’s cabin. For obvious reasons I can’t be left alone with the weapon.”
The steward nodded and touched the silver pin on his white jacket. This called the captain.
It took longer than expected to clear up the matter of the pistol and the thing called a silencer. Finally, the guard confirmed our story, but only after Fross got frustrated and announced he was going to call Lady Venusun.
With the pistol and silencer taken away to be locked up in the ship’s safe, the Earthling and I were able to continue our investigation. He had decided to seek out Ensign Sig’s father for some reason.
“So that silencer thing makes a gun quiet?” I asked as we walked down to the last cabin. Not one of the bigger cabins but still on the executive level.
“Not completely. Makes a gunshot sound more like a thud.” The Earthling said. “The pistol itself was a Walter PPK. Centuries ago it was a popular weapon with spies because of its size and weight. Which brings up the question: why not use that to kill the doctor?”
“Yes, a soft thud would be almost unnoticeable.” I agreed, remembering the gunshot had left my ear ringing. Then I remembered how this all started. “You said the queen didn’t want you arrested?”
“Ah, ah, no. She was reminding me of my place. Reminding me she was a queen and I was an Earthling. Quite unnecessary. It is impossible to forget my place in the universe at this time.”
We came to the door. The Earthling politely knocked.
No answer.
Then he knocked harder.
Still no answer.
Then he banged on the door with his fist and said in a harsh tone. “Daris, don’t make me get the captain to open this door. You are only making the situation worse.”
Finally the door opened a crack. The man I knew from the poker game peeked out. “What do you want, Earthling?”
“He wants you to open the door and let us in.” I snapped, moving in front of the Earthling. “We are investigating a murder and I suggest you open the door…Now!”
The man named Daris looked terrified, but still hadn’t opened the door. This man was forgetting his place. So I hit the door just as hard as the Earthling.
I was shocked. The man still didn’t open the door. Now not only feeling insulted but angry, I was about to shove my way in. Did this man not recognize my authority? Apparently he finally realized who he was dealing with. The door swung open. The short, slender man was wearing a bathrobe similar to the Earthling’s, except it was a very dull white. It appeared to need washing. He could have passed for an Earthling if not for the pointed ears. His hair had been black but was now mostly gray. His eyes were round and surrounded by worry lines. His lips were so thin they kept vanishing when he sucked on the lower one.
I stepped into the room with my nose in the air, giving the room a regal glance. The cabin itself was, indeed, small with its own bedroom. It needed a dusting but was clean enough. I chose not to sit. I could see the corner of an unmade bed through the door. I didn’t think we had woken him up because there was a movie playing on his room monitor. This caught my eye because there was not color. It was all black, white and grays. The movie itself was more confusing. There were men dressed in robes fighting other men with long thin swords. They were speaking a language I didn’t understand.
The Earthling moved in front of the monitor and watched for a moment. Then he studied the control panel before hitting a button. A tiny gold disc came out. More looking around. He found a case for the disc and carefully put it inside. The Earthling turned and said. “Ah, ah, sir I have to ask where you found a copy of Seven Samurai. Oh, this set includes both the Western remakes. Very hard to find. I have only seen bits and pieces, but have always wanted to see the whole movie. Well, let’s be honest, at this point in time I would be happy to see any Earth movie.”
“Take it,” Daris said, slumping onto a small sofa and looking down at his bare feet. As well he should considering his incredible rudeness toward a princess.
“Oh, that is very generous.” He continued waving his hand in the air. “Back when I was a police officer, this would be considered a bribe. So I have to ask myself. Why would you want to bribe me?”
“Then don’t take it. I really don’t care.”
“Now that is a lie.” He said, taking a moment to look at the case containing the movies. “You see, the princess and I already know some things about you. For one we know the Prime Centurion invited you on this cruise. We also know that you have a daughter who is working on this ship.”
“That’s lie! If you are talking about that half breed filth.” He snarled jumping to his feet. I was shocked not only by his outburst but his use of that foul term. But considering his behavior so far I shouldn’t be surprised. “If she is making that claim I shall sue…”
“Sue her?” The Earthling said, quickly cutting the man’s threat off. “That is a very Earth thing to say. No Daris, or whatever your real name is. I suggest you start treating the princess with more respect by telling us the truth. Now as I was saying. The Prime Centurion invited you…”
“Fine. I will be honest. First, that wasn’t the Prime Centurion. It was an imposter. An Earthling just like you. I knew him back on my home world. He worked in one of your agencies. You know the ones with three letters. Always acting so mysterious. What you Earthling called cloak and dagger stuff. Like no one knew what they were. As for being invited, I was blackmailed into coming here. You think I want to be on a ship owned by Lady Venusun?”
“You worked with Earthlings.” He said, looking at the movie case again. A smile came to his lips. “I see you picked up a taste for things from Earth. I suspect it was because you married an Earthling. Now why would the Prime Centurion want you here?”
“The girl is my daughter. I was supposed to confirm she was half-Earthling if needed. It wasn’t until I was on board that I realized the whole plot. The last thing I needed was to be involved in a murder. A murder that involved an Earthling.”
“So you were surprised when the Prime Centurion died?”
“Why do you think I left so quickly? Actually, after I got to my cabin I realized. His dying got me off the hook. Another Earth phrase. I just had to hide inside my cabin until we got to Icakka. Then sneak off the ship. I doubted anyone would notice, with a dead body and an Earthling on board.”
“You have friends on Icakka?” The Earthling asked, still studying the front of the movie cover.
“A few.”
“Did you know Optio Zana and Dr. Crag are dead? Both murdered.”
“What? Both of them?” Daris said, looking up with real surprise. “Then you know he was an Earthling too. Crag did surgery on both of them, and a little on me. When the man was sober he was a brilliant surgeon.”
“Back on Earth, he would been called a high functioning alcoholic. The doctor’s job was done. Why was he here?”
“The impression I received was he was needed for more operations, and something to do with injections.”
This made the Earthling look up. He was lost in thought once again. This time not ear pulling but stroking his chin. Then he looked up. “More operations? This last Earthling, who is he?”
“I don’t know. The Prime Centurion and Optio were my only contacts. I do know whoever this Earthling was he was very rich and powerful back on Earth. We both know what that means.”
“He could be a wanted man.” The Earthling said.
“No, no, all Earthlings were pardoned.” I said. “According to my father, they were given these pardons and let go. Not that there were many places for them to go.”
“Not all Earthlings were pardoned.” The Earthling said. “There is a secret list of names. These Earthlings, if they are alive, are wanted. They were the men
and women who were behind everything.”
“Everything?” I asked, a little confused.
“He’s talking about politicians and the heads of corporations. The men and women pulling the strings. Deciding to treat the universe like they did their own planet. Instead of invading countries, they invaded worlds. Not with weapons at first. The wars came later. All to increase their profits.”
“It is suspected that some of these people escaped the destruction of Earth.” The Earthling said with deep, sad sigh. “There is even a theory that they were behind it. Covering their tracks so to speak.”
“Are you saying some Earthlings may have helped in the destruction of your planet?” I said, wanting to fully understand his statement. “That is just evil.”
“Evil?” He said, looking at me. “Yes, that is a good word for them. As far back as I can remember these evil people knowingly polluted the air and water for money. Money they didn’t even need. How pathetic is that? Helping put the final nail in the Earth’s coffin is not a far reach. In their minds, the Earth was doomed anyway. They just helped finish the job to cover their tracks.”
“Cover their tracks?” I asked.
“Their escape. No goes looking for a dead person.”
“They knew about you.” Daris said. They assumed you would be the perfect…what is the word?”
“Fall guy? Patsy? Someone to take the blame.” The Earthling said, just shaking his head. “But the Prime Centurion dying changed all that.”
“Yes, now I suspect the last Earthling just wants to get off this ship.”
“Just like you. Then maybe not. Men like him don’t like to lose. I would like to borrow this.” The Earthling said holding up the movie, but then putting it down on a coffee table. “But you will need something to pass the time. Maybe another time.”
“Please take it. I have others.”
“I am just borrowing it. It will be returned.”
Then we left with the movie.