"Oh, buying the flowers didn't take long nor buying the robot. It didn't even take long to shoot three of our friends from over there. It was the paperwork that took forever," Ron came back smart-alecky.
Gus dropped the flower he was carrying as he whirled to see if Ron was joking. He saw the look in his eyes and knew it wasn't a joke. He saw that Ron was pale and looked shaky. He started shaking even more as he thought about what had just happened. Gus picked up the flower and they loaded the rest on the grav-sled. They pushed it into Auntie without another word until everything was put away.
"We better go find Tik and hear this story together," Gus said gravely. Gus was watching his friend and partner with concern. He felt that Ron had been through a severe emotional trauma.
Gus broadcast for Tik and she said she was in the situation room looking over the ethic rules Kota had dropped by earlier. The two men headed for the situation room. Tik knew something was up as soon as they walked into the room.
Gus said, "Why don't you tell us what happened."
"Well, I bought the robot and the dealer said it would take a couple of hours to get it. I decided to go shopping at a different nursery while we waited. I found some different, really colorful flowers so I bought some of them. I checked with Auntie before I bought them just to make sure they were compatible. We were headed back to the dealers when it happened." Ron paused.
"What happened?" Tik demanded anxiously.
"I think a picture is worth a thousand words; so, Auntie, will you please show what happened, starting with the vehicle running us off the road?"
Auntie started the video and Ron watched himself in action. Tik was growling and almost hopping up and down when the first creature fired at Ron. Gus was tense, also as he watched the scene unfold. When Ron shot the two at the back of the vehicle, they both muttered, "Good, they got what they deserved!"
When the video finished, Ron took up where he'd left off, "I asked 'old ugly', there on the ground, why I was attacked. He told me that we are worth a lot of money and Auntie is worth even more. He said there is a reward of 50,000 credits each; if we are captured, and Auntie is worth a million credits, delivered to the Bugs. He also mentioned that there are four Bug mother ships and he didn't know which one put up the reward. He said it might have been all of them. We know now that the Bugs want us and Auntie back in a bad way. I, for one, am tired of the Bugs pushing us. It's going to cost any bounty hunters in a big way from now on."
"Do you think the incident the other night wasn't a robbery? Were they after the bounty?" Tik asked.
"I don't know. I don't know how word like this gets around. I can understand Kota finding us; because they were looking for the radio broadcast, but how would local thugs find out? We may have to talk to Kota to find out some more," Ron answered.
"What do we do about it? Can we leave here right now?" Gus asked anxiously.
"I have to stay until tomorrow at least. The police said they were going to investigate and I will have to go back into town to sign some papers. They thought I could leave after that," Ron stated.
"Well, those thugs the other night and now, these ugly sewer crawlers found out we have teeth and claws. The bounty might not look so attractive once word gets out," Tik declared angrily.
"Yes, I agree. One thing I learned this morning was that we need to practice a quick draw. On Earth, we have movies where cowboys wear guns all the time. They survive by being able to get their gun out fast and still hit the target. If I hadn't taken my weapon out before I got out of the vehicle, I would have been in trouble. The shield did work nicely though," Ron said.
Auntie chimed, to let them know that Kota and Zibo were at the shield. Tik said to let them in. Tik used the intercom to tell them to come on in. She said they were all in the lower situation room. Kota and Zibo entered the room in just a short time.
Kota had a very serious look on his face as he spoke without any sort of greeting, "I've got some bad news. One of our Traders picked up a rumor on another planet and radioed it to us just this morning. They said the Bugs want…"
"Want us badly and have offered a 50,000 credit reward for our capture, right?" Ron finished for him.
"How did you know? Did someone else radio you?" Kota asked anxiously.
Ron told Auntie to roll the video again. Kota and Zibo watched in shocked silence. When the video was through, Kota asked, "Where did you get that weapon? It looks like you have been practicing. Those were not lucky shots, were they?"
"Well, we have been practicing every day since we found them here on the ship. There are some targets that Auntie programs to move and we have had some competition to help. These aren't our first choice as weapons but they are easily concealed," Ron said as he moved his shirt to expose his weapon. "I notice that you don't bother to conceal your weapons."
Kota grinned and said, "No, we don't encourage any false hope for trash like that which attacked you. They know that we will give no quarter and usually give us a wide berth."
"What do local authorities say about openly carrying weapons?" Gus asked.
"They don't care as long as we're not waving them around and threatening local citizens. Most of the time, they try to stay out of disputes between traders, as long as the locals don't get caught up in it," Zibo answered. "Are all of you that good with the weapons?"
"Would you like to see how we do on the targets and maybe try them for yourself?" Tik asked with a superior little smile.
"I'd love that!" Zibo remarked.
The trio led the way to the armory and opened the door. When Kota and Zibo stepped in, they gasped in amazement. There were weapons they recognized and others that looked familiar but didn't quite fit what they thought a weapon should look like. The trio picked up their preferred weapons and Tik instructed Auntie to set up a series of 4-inch random targets.
Ron asked the two Traders if their weapons were adjustable for target practice and they said they were. The targets flew out and darted amongst the equipment stored in the cargo bay. The trio each called a different colored target and proceeded to shoot. Auntie projected a running score of the hits near where they stood. At the end of twenty five shots each, Gus was the only one who had missed a shot. He had missed a particularly tough diving target that had made it behind the boat just as he shot. Kota and Zibo were shaking their heads at the trio's accuracy. Ron asked if they would like to try it and they agreed. They picked their colors and the targets started flying. The two Traders missed half the targets. When they were through, Ron joked that he could make the targets three feet in diameter like they were when they had started and let them try again. The two traders laughed and declined the offer. Kota was very interested in the targets and asked to see one up close. Auntie flew it up to him and he grabbed it. He turned it over and inspected it closely. He asked how they were made and Auntie started to go into a very technical explanation of the manufacturing process. Ron stopped her when Kota held up his hands and said he didn't need that much detail.
Kota finished with the target and let it go. He turned to the trio and said, "I'll give you 500,000 credits plus a 5% bonus for each one sold, for exclusive rights to manufacture and sell these targets. I would limit sales to Dar Es Salaam Traders. We don't have anything even close to this. We have some targets that fly but not in intricate patterns like you just had these fly and not in adjustable sizes. As you could see from our shooting, we need a lot more practice. What do you say?"
The trio was shocked by the offer. They had no idea that a simple thing like that would be so valuable. They conferred for a few seconds mentally and then Ron agreed. Kota said he would bring over paperwork later that day. He asked where they would like the credits transferred.
"We have no idea where to transfer them to. Everything we own is right here on this space ship. Each of us has things back on our home planets but they are a long ways away. I don't suppose they have anything like prepaid debit cards, do they?" Ron asked.
"I don't know what a deb
it card is but the Charter Alliance makes a special tamper proof chip that will tie into Auntie. You can carry your balance with you and use it for buying goods on planets that accept Charter credits," Kota explained. "When I start selling these targets, you'll automatically get an update on credits whenever you land on a planet that accepts Charter credits."
That sounded like a good deal to the trio, so they accepted that offer. Kota said he could have the device shipped here or he could have it at their next planet. The trio told him to have it at Fen Avholog if they accepted Charter credits. Kota said he would check when he did up the paperwork.
"Oh, I almost forgot, when you surprised me knowing about the bounty. The Navy lost the mother ship after it jumped. Now that they know the mother ship has been kidnapping Charter citizens, they have the legal excuse to stop and search them," Kota disclosed.
"Which mother ship will they search?" Ron asked.
"What do you mean which mother ship?" Kota responded.
"We heard there were four mother ships and they all communicate and cooperate on some projects, like our bounty," Ron said.
"That's news to me. I think I'll pass this information along," Zibo announced.
"Have you made any decision about affiliation?" Kota asked.
"Not yet. We had some questions but haven't completed the list yet. The excitement this morning upset our schedule. Speaking of that how would thugs on this planet find out about the bounty on us? By the way, Gus, did you have time to finish what I brought in this morning?" Ron asked, knowing he hadn't.
"No, I didn't. I need to go finish that. We'll need it here very shortly," Gus replied as he headed to the upper level.
Ron and Tik kept the two Traders engaged in conversation for a few more minutes to give Gus time to refuel the new robot. Kota explained that sometimes races like the Bugs would work with local groups and would leave communication gear with them. The locals could then keep them informed about the local planet and also receive information from the Bugs. Kota wondered why he asked and Ron told him that they were starting to question the thugs attack from the other night. He said they were starting to wonder if they were attempting to capture them, instead of robbing them. Kota said that could be a possibility. Gus gave a signal that he was through, so Tik and Ron started walking the two to the upper level.
Kota remarked, "Well, we better get to our ship so we can send messages and finish our paperwork. I'll bring it back after while."
Auntie sounded an alert. She said there were two more space ships on the way to the planet. At their present speed, they would arrive in two days. They seemed to be the same class of space ship as the one from Nodac-Liujia.
Zibo stared in open-mouthed amazement and then asked, "How does your ship know that there are other ships coming in? I have mine set to alert us but she hasn't seen a thing yet."
Tik replied, "Well, it could be because we dropped a remote detector when we were coming in to the planet. It gives you a lot more warning."
"I can see that. What other surprises does this ship hold?" Zibo said.
"We don't know all of them yet. It seems like we find something about every day or two," Tik hedged.
"Well, we better get. Do you know when you will be leaving yet?" Zibo asked.
Ron replied, "We had planned on leaving tomorrow but I have to go in and sign a statement some time during the day. The police thought I would be free to leave then but there seemed to be a question that was left hanging."
Gus walked up and said, "Oh, by the way don't forget your stuff."
"What stuff?" Kota asked. "I have the target right here."
"That robot over there," Gus replied.
Kota and Zibo were speechless. The trio took them over and gave them the title and paperwork. They told Kota the robot was a present for all the help he had been on the mother ship. He started to protest but they would have none of it. They told him that if he wouldn't accept the gift for helping, then it was a late wedding gift. Kota finally accepted the robot and started checking everything out. Tik gave them some pointers on programming the robot and told them that the robot would do the shopping as well. Once she knew their eating needs, she would tailor-make their meals for them. Zibo and Kota both were excited at the prospect of having help with the cooking and cleaning. The two Traders started for the door with the robot following along behind.
As Kota and Zibo walked across the ramp toward their ship, Kota said, "Did you notice they were using ESP. I'm sure it was a lot more than we do. I could feel some of the transfer but I had no idea what they were saying. I'm sure they were actually talking, using the ESP."
"I thought they formed group opinions awfully quick. If you didn't know about ESP, you wouldn't even know. I wonder if that's another secret they discovered from Auntie," Zibo mused.
"I'm sure of it and those weapons they have are more advanced than ours. We have to convince them to affiliate with us and to let our scientists on that ship," Kota stated with conviction.
Ron looked at Gus and Tik as he said, "Kota knows we're using ESP. He was watching too closely as we tossed things back and forth. I think he has a low level natural ability for it."
"What are we going to do with those ships coming in? Do you think they are bringing reinforcements to try to capture us?" Gus asked.
"If they mess with us anymore, they will be in for a rude surprise. I'm tired of side-stepping and running away from threats. I say, we meet them head on," Tik declared fiercely.
"I'm tired of being pushed, too. I just don't want to be banned from this planet if they think we bring too much trouble," Ron said.
"I say, we don't look for trouble but if they start it, we finish it!" Gus asserted just as fiercely as Tik.
Auntie alerted them that Fu was approaching the space ship. The trio went to the small door to greet him. As they headed for the door, Auntie told them the two ships had been in radio contact with the one here on the ground. They were speeding up and it looked like they would arrive that night.
"Hello, space travelers. I hear you had some excitement in town again today. Are you all right? By the way, the police are here in the terminal. They would like to talk to you," Fu commented politely.
Ron answered, "I'm fine. Your planet is getting as bad as bear hunting with Joe Meek. I may have to go off planet just to rest up." Fu, Tik and Gus all laughed. "I'll be inside in just a second. I need to talk to Tik and Gus."
Fu said good-bye and walked back to the terminal. Ron said to Tik, "We need to check and see if Auntie can pin point an arrival time for those two ships. Also, see if she can scan their ship to see how many creatures are still in it."
Tik and Gus went back into Auntie to check things out and Ron walked into the terminal. Two of the policemen, who had interviewed him that morning, were waiting.
"I'm sorry you had to wait. I had some business that I had to take care of. How can I help you?" Ron said.
"We came to let you know that the wounded creature died. We really didn't have all the medical facilities to treat his species. Also, we wanted to ask if you could give us a description of the one that drove away. We haven't found either the vehicle or the driver," the policeman asked.
"I didn't really get a good look at him. I was being shot at and I was worried about my driver. I didn't even think to take a good look at the other driver. Did the wounded creature give you any clue why they were shooting at me?" Ron replied.
"All he ever said was that you would get yours one of these days and maybe sooner than you think," the policeman replied.
"I wish I knew what I did to upset them. Neither my partners nor myself could think of anything we ever did to those creatures. Did the creatures come from that space ship out there? Are there any more of them out there? Maybe you could ask them what we did wrong. If we parked our space ship in their spot, I'll gladly move, if it will stop any more attacks," Ron stated.
"We can't legally go out to their ship, so we used the radio here in the terminal to try to
reach them but we didn't receive an answer. We are wondering what to do with the bodies. By the way, do you wish to press charges if we catch the driver?" the policeman explained.
"I'd like to but if I have to stick around to testify, I probably won't. I don't know how long it would take to bring the creature to trial but we are about loaded and ready to head for another planet. We have enjoyed your planet and hope we will be welcome again but we have to keep on the move to make any money," Ron related.
"Yes, it could take awhile to come to trial depending on the lawyers and judges. We would be afraid that if the creature got back to his space ship, he would leave and we would never see them again. You are more than welcome here. You have done nothing wrong, as far as we can see, and Mr. Fu here speaks very highly of you and your partners, as does your driver. I think we have several merchants here that would like to see you return also," the policeman said.
"Good. All we have to do now is trade off the goods we purchased here. Then we can come back and stock up again. Do you need anything else?" Ron asked.
"No, you've answered all of our questions. We have finished the investigation. You could come down to the station a little later and sign the report and then would be free to leave tomorrow, when you're ready.
"I'll be there between 4:00 and 5:00. If you think of anything else, just get in touch with the terminal and I'll try to bring it," Ron said.
The policemen left and Fu said, "I need to talk for a minute if you have the time."
Ron told him, "I'll always try to make time for you, my friend. What can I help you with?"
"It's more what I can help you with. There are two more of the Nodac-Liujia space ships on the way in. Only one is going to land for right now. The other will stay in orbit for a few days before making up their minds to land. The one landing is coming here for trade," Fu stated in a quiet, conspiratorial voice.
"Thanks, friend. That's good to know. Hopefully, they are here for trade and won't bother us like their countrymen. We don't want any more trouble and like I said, we would like to come back," Ron told him. "Could you do me a favor and see if our driver can come back at 4:00 to take me to the station?"
Alcantaran 1: Alien Abduction Page 29