Treasure of the Galactic Lights (Jason King: Agent to the Stars--Episode 2)

by T. R. Harris

  I was sacked out when Angela woke up and began to wander around the starship. Roger Bennett came to my cabin to give me a heads up.

  “How much farther to go?” I asked.

  “Another six hours,” he answered. “She doesn’t seem that curious about our course, but I think you should get up and distract her.”

  I liked the sound of that. The other men onboard had conceded the contest to me. Angela was mine…if she agreed. A minor detail.

  ********

  “Hey you,” I said as I entered the main salon. Angela was seated at the solitary dining table, poking at a plate of processed brown stuff.

  “I thought you wanted to sleep all the way back to…to Sylox,” she said with little emotion. “How’s your foot?”

  “I got up a few hours ago and gave myself another shot. It doesn’t feel that bad now. Thanks for asking.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Again with that bland, almost cursory response.

  I poured a cup of coffee and joined her at the table. “What’s wrong? You seem down.” She didn’t answer. “C’mon, cheer up. We won.”

  She lifted her head and our eyes met. There was no joy in her beautiful orbs.

  “I would, if I didn’t know how screwed I am.”

  Her reply caught me off guard. She spoke again before I could say anything. “And the really sad part about it, I don’t know how involved you are in all this?”

  I blinked several times, growing more nervous by the second. “What are you talking about?”

  Her smile was sour and sardonic. “Are you going to sit there and tell me you don’t know we’re not headed for Sylox? You think I’m really that stupid? This is my job…I’m an investigator, and a damn good one.”

  “I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Knock it off, Jason. I’m not one of your gullible real estate clients who believe everything that comes out of your mouth. I can read a nav chart as well as anyone.”

  She had me dead to rights. “We’re returning the Lights to the Guardians,” I explained. “It’s the best thing all around.” Then I tried to sweeten the pot. “And we’re all going to make a shitload of money—you included.”

  Her gray-blue eyes bore into me. “You really believe that bullshit? Hell, maybe you are just a simple-minded dupe in all this.”

  I was too nervous to react to the insult. “Giving the Lights back to the Conn is better than letting Kinness and his band of alien crooks controlling them. There’s too much political maneuvering going on behind the scenes for my tastes. Just look what happened to me with the whole Unity Stone Affair.”

  “You really don’t know, do you?” she asked, shaking her head.

  I didn’t know what to say.

  “As the lead investigator into the attempts on Enic’s life, I had access to all the resources the Union has available. Did you know your friend, Lefty Rodriquez, received a six million dollar payment weeks before he began working security for President Jor?”

  “That was probably just a deposit from the Guardians. It was his job to intercept the Lights on Sylox.”

  “That would be fine…if the money came from Annoc-Conn.”

  “It didn’t?”

  She shook her head. “The aliens in the Quad think they’re pretty smart, but they don’t have a clue what the Union and the Amelians are capable of. I was able to trace the money to a depository on Masnix-4.” When she saw the blank look on my face, she explained. “It’s a planet within the Suf-D Confederation. From there, I tracked it to Diplophern, the home planet of the Suf-D’s. It wasn’t too hard follow.”

  I was desperate for a counter to her argument. “Not all Guardians are Conn, Angela. Just look where the Lights were hidden. Ackonnon is in Suf-D territory. Maybe there’s a contingent of Guardians on Diplo…matic, or whatever you called that planet. And there were Conn fighting us back on Sylox. It’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad in this game.”

  She studied my face. “I’m glad to see you’re an innocent in all this, Jason, but you’re coming down on the wrong side. Believe what you want, but Rodriquez isn’t delivering the Lights to the Guardians. The money originated from a Resurgence account. He’s giving the Lights to the same people who want to destroy Earth.”

  I sat up straighter and looked toward the open door of the pilothouse. With all the natural masking sounds a starship produced—along with our whispers—I was sure Lefty and Bennett hadn’t heard our conversation.

  “What are you going to do?” I asked the Consulate criminal investigator and Kung-Fu master.

  “It’s too late. Remember, I’m damn good at my job, especially at reading body language. Rodriquez already knows. I saw it in his eyes. He’ll be ready for anything I try. And I’m more than expendable; I’m actually a dangerous liability. I’ll be surprised if I survive the journey to Annoc-Conn. There’s no reason to keep me alive.”

  “What about me?” I said. “They think I’m one of them.”

  Angela smirked. “Don’t take this wrong, sweetheart, but you’re a cripple. And besides that, there’s nothing keeping you alive, either.”

  “Lefty and I are friends—”

  “Friends who lie and deceive each other. Good luck hanging your hat on that hope, Mister King.”

  Angela barely reacted when Lefty entered the salon from the pilothouse. She simply placed a small forkful of brown mush in her mouth and began crewing.

  I turned my gaze upon Lefty. Our eyes met, and for a moment time stood still. Then my old Army buddy pursed his lips and shook his head.

  “Dammit, Jason, now what am I supposed to do with you?”

  Shit!

  “You still need me to open the tank,” I blurted.

  “How do you figure?”

  “The key’s coded to my DNA. You don’t think the Guardians would allow the key to work unless the key-master was still alive? Otherwise, just having a sample of my blood would be enough.”

  “They’ll just cut the damn thing open.”

  “And risk rupturing one of the Lights? Remember, no one knows for sure what it takes to break them. Five of the damn things going off at once would make for an exciting Fourth of July in whatever section of the galaxy they go off.”

  Lefty was silent for a moment. “Okay, that gives you a reprieve, but not your girlfriend—”

  “I’m not his girlfriend.”

  “Yeah, that’s what they all say. Give it time, Ms. Cole.”

  “I would…if you’d let me.”

  Lefty laughed. “Good comeback. Hell, I may keep you around just for the comic relief.”

  “She stays alive, or I won’t help!” I declared.

  “The key is operated remotely. As long as you’re alive, you don’t have any say in it.” He cocked his head at me. “Or are you telling me you’ll kill yourself to keep me from turning the Lights over to the Resurgence? Spare me the dramatics, lieutenant, but you’re not the type.”

  I was getting frustrated that everyone seemed to be able to read me better than I could read myself. “I would do it…to save Earth,” I huffed.

  Lefty nodded. “If you were sure you could save it. But you can’t, and you know it. But I’ll tell you what.” He stopped and smiled. “I’ll keep Angela alive as long as you cooperate and not give me any trouble. After that—and I get my money—I’ll let you both go. At that point, it’ll be too late for you to do anything.” He paused and we locked eyes again. “Otherwise, I’ll be glad to take my time with the lovely Ms. Cole. As I recall, I still owe her for giving me this.” He rubbed the still-red gash on his forehead. “Do we have a deal, or do I toss her out the airlock right now?”

  “Chill out, Rodriquez, I’ll behave…as long as you leave her alone.”

  “Good. I’m glad that worked. You know, I’ve seen this same scenario play out a thousand times—in movies.” Then Lefty’s forehead furrowed and his eyes burned into me. “I’ve also seen how most of those plots turn out, with the good guy saving the day. But tr
ust me, ol’ buddy, I’m not going to be stupid enough to let you get the drop on me.” He looked at his watch. “Be smart and chill for another six hours. After that, the two of you can go…and live happily ever after, if that’s what you want.”

  “Do I still get my cut?”

  I was curious.

  Lefty burst out laughing and left the room. He also didn’t say no.

  Chapter 20

  Angela and I weren’t allowed in the pilothouse for the descent to the surface of Annoc-Conn. Although injured, he knew I was a trained Army Ranger—rusty, of course—and Angela was a threat in her own right. But even with the blast shield covering the broken out viewport, we stood in the salon looking into the control room as the ship landed, with Bennett standing guard, flash weapon at the ready.

  For a man about to make the lion’s share of fifty million, Lefty didn’t appear to be in a very good mood. He snapped orders at Bennett, who grunted and obeyed. Angela and I were hustled to the main exit hatch, about to get our first look at the famous planet of Annoc-Conn.

  When the hatch cycled open, we were hit with a combination of dry, dusty air and a blast of heat, along with the blinding brilliance of a late morning sun. Bennett ordered us out, and as my eyes adjusted, I found we were in the middle of an arid desert made up of rust-colored sand. In the distance, pillars and spires of the same ruddy hue rose into a blue sky, where wisps of dust danced on rising torrents of heated air.

  As Bennett prodded me with the barrel of his weapon, I was relieved to find that the gravity of Annoc-Conn was pretty light, probably only half of Earth’s. This lessened the pressure on my injured toe—although I had to admit the latest injection of the miracle painkiller was doing its job just fine. I felt almost stupid good.

  Lefty appeared at the hatch and scanned the landscape. He focused on something and followed his eagle-like stare to an approaching dust cloud descending a nearby hill. Moments later, a tiny caravan of three bulbous-tired vehicles pulled up alongside the Enterprise. A trailing cloud of dust engulfed us momentarily, and I was disappointed to see Bennett staring intently at us, despite the cloud. The man was a professional; it would take more than a passing distraction for me to get the jump on him.

  Three tall, brown-skinned aliens exited the lead vehicle, huffing and moving in slow motion. I’d seen creatures like this before, but only briefly, during the battle at the conference center on Sylox. Were these Suf-D’s, or just some other random race? It really didn’t matter, because nine more of them poured out of the other trucks, all armed with flash rifles.

  Whoever they were, they were in charge.

  Lefty strode past us and up to one of the aliens. The leader was about the same height as the others, but he seemed a little heavier, and the craggy texture of his skin told me he was older than most of the others. He wore an expensive-looking outfit made of gray cloth—almost like a Human business suit yet with no collar, just a v-shaped dip exposing coarse brown skin. The focus of his large, brown eyes seemed to dart around frenetically. I couldn’t tell if this was natural or from a state of excitement. The high timbre of his voice convinced me it was from excitement.

  “You have the Lights…here with you…Mon Rodriquez?” The alien’s voice was stilted and came in short bursts. He also seemed to be straining to breathe.

  “As requested,” Lefty answered, squinting against the drifting dust and brilliant sunlight. “Did you bring the payment?”

  The alien turned to the row of vehicles. “It is underground…in the preparation center. You will join us…for the trip.”

  Lefty studied the numerous armed guards. “Why so many?” he asked the lead alien.

  “You…have the Lights. It is a precaution…against others.”

  “Just so it’s not for us.”

  “You are our friend. You have brought…the greatest treasure. We worship you.”

  I recoiled when I heard the word worship, hoping it was just a figure of speech. Lefty didn’t seem too impressed, either. Rather, he turned to Bennett and motioned for him to herd Angela and me to the lead vehicle.

  A squad of aliens entered my ship and exited a few moments later carrying the container with the Galactic Lights. A cloth was draped over the tank. The leader ordered them to stop, then he pulled away a corner of the covering. He inhaled sharply as the flash of the Lights danced on his brown skin, even in the stark light of day. He replaced the cover and then directed the others to place the Lights in the second vehicle. They opened the back, and I got the impression a space had been prepared for the tank, one that would keep it safe and secure for the journey to wherever we were headed.

  The transport was roomy inside, and Bennett slipped into the third-row seat with me and Angela next to him. The lead alien and Lefty took the seat in front of us, while two more aliens sat in front, one driving.

  The old alien turned his head to look at me and Angela. “I do not recall…seeing you before.”

  Lefty answered for us. “The male is the coded key-master.”

  “And…the female?”

  “She’s along for the ride.”

  “I am Porlok Grunge, of the Uniform Resurgence of Light and Righteousness Committee Four.”

  I blinked. That was one hell of a name for an organization. But with a last name of Grunge, it all seemed to fit.

  I focused on the number four in the title. “Are there more branches of your organization?” I asked.

  The alien frowned and didn’t answer.

  “You said you were committee four. I’m asking if there are more committees?”

  “I do not…understand. It is…Committee Four.”

  “Never mind; I was just curious. Where are we going?”

  “You don’t need to answer him, Porlok,” Lefty said. “He’s not part of the team.”

  “You said…he is the key-master.”

  “The result of unforeseen circumstances is all. He’s here for a specific purpose and that’s all.”

  “Will he…remain behind?”

  I locked eyes with Lefty. “He’s going to blow up the planet, isn’t he?”

  Before Lefty could answer, the alien rambled on in his odd, stilted way. “Of course…it is our destiny. And then…others.”

  “Including Earth?”

  “Don’t answer that!” Lefty ordered.

  “He doesn’t have to!” I cried out. “You just did it for him. What the hell are you doing? You’re a Human, and you’ll let this sweating piece of alien shit destroy your homeworld?”

  A vein pulsed in Lefty’s neck. “So what if Earth is destroyed? You’ve been out here long enough to know that there’s an unlimited number of Earth-like worlds, all offering a great place to retire in luxury. And, buddy, I mean in real luxury! I’m not getting any younger. Fifty million will take care of me for more years than I have left.”

  “You can’t be serious? It can’t be all about the money…and what you can buy with it. What about the Human race. Don’t you care about anyone but yourself?”

  “There’s already about a billion Humans out here in the galaxy. The race won’t die off; we’ll just resettle on other worlds. Besides, I’m not the one who’s going to destroy the Earth…he is.”

  “But you’re giving him the means to do it, dumbass!”

  “If not me, then someone else.”

  I’d heard enough. Now I nearly scaled the back of Lefty’s seat, ready to ripe is throat out with my bare hands. In my rage, I’d forgotten about Bennett.

  Lefty’s sidekick laid a savage blow to the back of my head with the grip of his flash weapon. Although the weapon was made of hardened plastic, he delivered the hit with such ferocity that it felt like I’d been struck with a twenty-eight ounce framing hammer. I already had a bump there from when I fell against the door to the Chamber of Light, and so I got the message. I fell back in the seat and let my eyes roll back in my head. Then I passed out.

  Well, not really. Fortunately for me, the drugs coursing through my body mitigated the pain
to just about nothing, but I wasn’t going to let Bennett know that. To my joy, I heard Angela screaming, protesting what just happened. She took my head in her arms and pressed it tight against her ample breasts. Until then, this was the closest I’d gotten to second base with the woman.

  My right hand fell limply against her left butt cheek. I squeezed it. Angela jumped; luckily it coincided with a bump in the road we were on. Aware now of my ruse, she moved my supposedly sleeping head to her lap, much to my disappointment. Oh well. It was great while it lasted.

  Chapter 21

  Through closed eyelids, I noticed when the light outside the vehicle dimmed considerably. The alien Porlok had mentioned something called the preparation center being underground. We must have arrived at our destination.

  Wherever we were, we were in the middle of a desert on a heavily-populated planet. But it made sense. When one has the means of destroying an entire world with something the size of a softball, why press your luck by placing your secret lair around a lot of people who could upset your applecart. This also meant the cavalry probably wouldn’t be riding over the crest anytime soon.

  The preparation center had to be some specially-designed bunker where one of the Galactic Lights would be set to detonate at a future date. Porlok didn’t strike me as the type who would sacrifice his life for the cause, not unless he had to. So the question became: what lengths was I willing to go to prevent it.

  As my head rested in Angela’s lap, I mentally debated the topic. Lefty said I wouldn’t do anything crazy unless I was sure my sacrifice would save the planet. It was also fact that if Porlok was left free to follow his ambitions, my shimmering blue world would be destroyed. Now I wondered if I really did had the balls to save it?

  I thought back to my Army days. I was a different person back then, and the prospect of committing the ultimate personal sacrifice for the sake of duty, country and honor was a given. Most of us had no doubt what we would do if the time came. But things were different now—I’d changed. But had I changed enough that my own life was worth more than the lives of nine billion of my fellow Humans?