“I’m unfamiliar with the Provost Marshal’s name, sir,” Keeper Laurenell pitched in.
Droe gave her an odd look.
Parejas gestured over to Commander Takkar to explain.
“Rels has been off the books as of late,” Takkar explained, “I mean, he has been undercover for some time. He handles the colony’s trade business . . . or supervises it, is a better word to describe what he does. He makes sure no Humans are smuggling or trading anything they shouldn’t be with outside races. He keeps our secret trades lines intact.”
“I don’t recall a name like that in the Annals,” Laurenell cited.
Parejas stepped up, “We all have our secrets, Keeper. His name is on a need-to-know basis. And now, you know.”
A grin issued from Droe.
“Yes, Commander. Thank you,” Laurenell said as she moved back to her post.
Kason caught Droe’s grin towards the Keeper and acknowledged it with his inquisitive look towards the Lieutenant Commander.
Droe smiled.
“We also need to keep watch on an astrological anomaly which may or may not have a connection with the Gashnee. It’s the same anomaly which caused the first fleet to vanish back in 206 P.E.”
“This, I’m familiar with,” Laurenell piped up, stepping forward.
Parejas turned and shook his head, “Sorry. Not now, Keeper.”
Embarrassed, she nodded and stepped back.
“I have assigned Commander Takkar to take the Flashpoint and investigate.”
Turning to the Reaver, “Kason, you and your team will be on standby if any crises arise in any of these areas. Captain Bossarios,” Parejas now turned to Nevlen, “your troops will hold exercises and continue to keep their defensive positions around Mydian.”
“What about the Earth Rebuilding Project?” Takkar asked.
“I have decided that no additional forces will be given an escort for the Eruditions’ return to Earth. They know the risks of wanting to recolonize the planet so soon. They have taken the necessary precautions by hiring and training a taskforce of volunteers. We can’t thin our ranks for the colony. They’re on their own.”
The commander’s words seemed harsh, but the situation didn’t warrant the separation of forces if the Kryth attacked. There was not a hint of hesitation or favoritism towards the Earth mission his fiancé was leading.
“What about the old guard?” Takkar asked, “We have several ships we could send along that are about to be decommissioned.”
“Most of the ships have been stripped of armaments already. I thought along similar lines, but the Precept has passed and they are going tomorrow.”
The commander’s directives were interrupted by the computer.
“Commander, Assemblyman Qurinden is waiting outside. Shall I grant her access?”
Parejas looked around the room, “Did anyone invite the Assemblyman?”
Everyone shook their heads.
Parejas was bemused as to why she was paying a visit now.
He would find out first-hand, “Computer, let her in.”
The door opened and the Assemblyman walked in. Her ceremonial coat flowed along the ground as she entered.
“This is unexpected, Assemblyman. A pleasure, but
Unexpected,” Parejas said as she approached.
“My apologies, Commander. I didn’t mean to interrupt your meeting. I wanted to offer my assistance, should you require it.”
“And what assistance would that be?”
“My knowledge regarding ancient races. I could assist you with my theories and understandings of what we know about the Azliklon-Gashnee.”
Parejas didn’t flinch. The others in the room, however, looked around with odd expressions at how her comments were so close to what was just being discussed.
“I don’t know if this is coincidence or bad timing, Assemblyman.”
“How so, Commander?” Qurinden asked, her red eye’s lens rotated, focusing.
“I know of your interest in archeology and ancient races, but we were just discussing the Gashnee in this meeting that you were not invited to.”
All heads went down at the commander’s tone towards the Assemblyman, except one.
“She could help with what she knows.”
Parejas turned his head sharply to look over at Nevlen.
“She could, I mean. . . She does know these things she speaks of. We need all the help we can get on this mystery,” Nevlen continued.
“I didn’t ask for your opinions, Captain.”
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
Parejas turned his attention back to the red-eyed robot, “Your matters are with the Precepts, Assemblyman. Please leave the defense of the colony in the hands of the Ordinance.” His cold tone was evident.
“My apologies, Commander. I will return back to my duties,” She said, inclining her head politely.
As she turned to leave, she nodded to the others standing around the projector.
Parejas watched the door slide shut.
Without turning, he addressed his officers, “You all have your orders. Follow up with the brief and submit any questions you may have by 0900 tomorrow. You’re all dismissed.”
The door slid open and the commander exited the other door opposite the one the Assemblyman came in through.
Nevlen’s eyes narrowed on the back of Parejas as he left.
The Keeper Laurenell approached the Reaver, but not before Droe did.
“Can I have a word with you, Kason?” Droe asked.
The question caught the Keeper, who stopped her approach and turned, leaving the platform.
“Sure. What do you need?” Kason asked.
“I had some questions about the new Reaver suits Doctor Solome was working on,” Droe said, guiding Kason towards and out the door.
Nevlen just looked at Commander Takkar before he left.
Commander Takkar was now by himself, chuckling, “Eventful. Always eventful.”
Data Cell 19
Droe and Kason walked through the corridor of the Keres One Station.
Long windows followed the hallway as they strolled next to space and the planet Janus beyond.
“So what did you want to know about the new Reaver suits?” Kason asked.
Droe smiled, “Nothing really. I just wanted the chance to thank you personally for trusting me with Ramek’s rescue.”
The Reaver grinned, knowing the real reason she asked, “You don’t need to thank me. I can trust you. You did an excellent job. But, that’s not the reason you wanted to speak to me, is it?”
She played it off, “Well, yes. You asked me to take charge of the operation and not have Nevlen’s hands all over it. You couldn’t trust him. I know you trust me, but I just wanted to let you know. That’s all.”
“I see.”
“What was that tone for?” She quarried.
Kason stopped, “This has nothing to do with Laurenell does it?”
“The Keeper?”
He chuckled, “Yes, the Keeper.”
Her eyes darted away, “Why would it have anything to do with her?”
“What’s that tone now?” He inched closer to her.
“What tone, Lieutenant Bender?”
He laughed, “It’s ‘Lieutenant’ now?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He stopped before her and looked into her eyes.
She caught his stare, her lips parted.
They both held that position for a moment before Kason continued, “You think she likes me.”
“She does. . . I mean, yes, it’s obvious. Can’t you see it?”
Kason walked around her. Droe turned in place, following his movements.
“I just thought I caught a hint of jealously, that’s all.”
“From her,” Droe stated.
Kason smiled from ear to ear. “No, not her. You.”
Droe tensed a bit. “Why would I be jealous?”
“That is the quest
ion, Lieutenant Commander.”
“It’s ‘Lieutenant Commander’ now, huh?”
Kason stopped. “I did sense something, then.”
“What you sensed was her eyes and lips covering your body with her greeting when she came in.”
Laughter burst forth from the Reaver, “I’m starting to understand women now.” he said with a smug grin.
“Oh really, Lieutenant.”
“I think so.”
“Well, understand this,” Droe said as she turned and walked away from him.
Kason watched as she moved at a good pace down the corridor and out the exit.
“Combat is so much easier.”
Data Cell 20
The Greater Rings system was the place to be if you were in the trades. This was the intersection for cultural diversity in this quadrant of the Milky Way. Commerce came to deal in the main city of abundance, Aba-Qun Ta. It was the, whose-who of those seeking prosperity, as well as those who would wheel and deal amongst the galaxy’s finest tradesmen and most notorious hustlers. You either did your trade dealings legally within the confines of the Domain’s and Vrae’s control, or you belonged to the black market. Either way, you were still required to pay your dues to the local magistrate to keep your head from being blown off at the slightest misstep of disobedience. This city was money. It was power. It was pure greed at its best. But, above all else, it was a place for information, if you knew who to find.
I walked the city’s marketplaces as I’ve done many times before, unknown by the races that traded and bartered here. I had my contacts, but they were few and far between. I liked it that way. The rest don’t cast a suspicious eye as long as you blend in with the culture and the goings-on of the trade system. Play by the rules and they leave you alone, or at least make sure you’re not the one they catch.
I decided to stop for some food as I awaited my contact. I always met associates in the worst of weather during heavy city activity. The night was dark and the rain was coming down in sheets. The wet winds carried the variety of vendor aromas through the streets and passages of the ore district. The alien fare was hard to acquire a taste for in these parts. One of the many places I hung my hat was a little side-street joint known as Lu-shoo. It had a good central location to get the low-down and survey any exchanges, as I didn’t come here for the service or entrees. The menu here served up yantinon larvae, a Mertiklask delicacy for sure. Stomach pains and toilet duty waited me with this choice. It was always the greengage I chose, larvae were not on my chosen list of acceptable proteins. I also ordered what was the closest thing to Human coffee. It does the trick, if you can get it down.
Before I sat down at the outside bar, I noticed a little Cuukzen in the corner. Cuukzen were used as maintenance crews for the city’s subterranean works. I knew every Cuukzen in the city, so this Mistuuk character would be easy to spot. Commander Parejas said he would find me. I found that hard to believe, as I am the one that finds, not the other way around. It wouldn’t matter though, this Cuukzen had some good intel on my target and I agreed to work with him. Rather, he work with me.
I kept my eye on the Cuukzen. He was trying to be inconspicuous; it wasn’t working. The little bastard seemed nervous as he kept looking in my direction every few seconds. That’s when I noticed the second Cuukzen jump up into the seat next to me.
I smiled as I knew the corner Cuukzen was a decoy and it was about time this little guy showed up, “You must be Mistuuk?”
“You actually fell for that?” Mistuuk beamed.
That’s when I sat my drink down and parted my duster, exposing the hidden BT-10 repeater pistol beneath, pointing in the midget aliens’s direction, “Does it look like I fell for it? Not bad, though, Cuukzen. Go ahead and order something.”
“Ha! Mert food is for Vraes. I prefer real food, not aythra waste.”
“I don’t care if you like it or not. Don’t look at me. And order something. It wasn’t a request.”
“Right!”
He had to order the larvae.
I finished my drink, gulping the last swig down, “Meet me in the alley to the north in ten minutes.” I wasn’t going to give him a chance to respond; I swiveled around in my seat and walked down the street to the rendezvous point.
The rain was still coming down hard, pouring off the market’s roofs and down into the drainage lining the streets. I waited in the alley for the Cuukzen, wondering if the information he had would help our situation in finding these Gashnee Ancients. It better, I thought. I wasn’t about to go on a wild tamerak chase for nothing.
Ten minutes of waiting felt like thirty in the cold, pouring rain. I watched, cloaked in my duster as the water ran off onto the ground at my feet.
The Cuukzen approached, almost skipping as if he was just going out for a stroll, “Okay, I’m here. Now what?”
“Follow me and don’t say a word.”
I was always cautious heading in or out of the main workspace I called home. With the little Cuukzen in tow, I carved courses through the back alleys and side streets of the city, making my way to the tech side of the market. More alien action took place here than anywhere else in Aba-Qun Ta. I always backtracked and kept an eye on the change in scenery. As the only Human amongst alien races, it wasn’t hard to stand out if you weren’t careful.
The disguise I wore helped. The long, black coat and hat came from an era in Human history the aliens would know nothing about. I blended in well with my six-foot-three frame, as one of the Kryth, Vrae, and several other races of taller height. The mask I wore covered my mouth, nose and eyes, looking more like some metal, alien breathing apparatus that several races wore in these parts. The remaining clothes I sported were a semi-armored suit with black-deck boots. Black was the way to go, as it added that extra “beware” effect amongst the parasites of these parts. Caution and keeping a low profile was the word to live by here. I preferred to reside center-stage amongst the wheelers and dealers so I could keep a close eye on anyone who would cherish my demise; namely, the Kryth.
We made it to the furthest alley in the tech district. There was only one way in and one way out of this place. I liked to know who was coming and who was going. I began to go through three security key-pads set up at different hidden locations within the alley, making the Cuukzen look away of course. The last one opened a drainage grate.
I made my way down a flight of stairs as the water poured through and down the slanted run-off. Mistuuk was still glued to my every move. I accessed the last security pad. Turning a valve on an old pipe like an old safe combination, the final access-pad appeared from inside the valve’s opening. A construct behind the stairwell slid open, allowing access to my home-away-from-home.
The inside wasn’t much to look at. There was a bed, work bench for the toys, a secure holo-system, and a stock room. I removed my coat and hat. The little alien watched as I removed my face mask. I’m assuming by his look, it was the scars on my chiseled face and neck that caught his attention, and not my lavish, black hair and blue eyes.
“Can I talk now, Mister Sentel?”
“Call me Rels, and go ahead.”
Mistuuk just shook his head, “You’re an ugly Human, Rels.”
“Ha! I’ll take that as a compliment, you little bastard.”
“You know, this looks just like the safe-room I had on Solat-Des.”
“Does it now?”
The little guy made his way around my home, touching everything he could get his pudgy hands on, “Don’t do that.” I gestured, letting him know I didn’t like my stuff touched, especially by a little reddish-brown alien. I wanted to get this going, as time was against us. I didn’t bring him here for Cuukzen small talk, so to speak.
I activated the holo-system and began to ask the questions.
“So, I hear you’re a bounty hunter of information. You hate the Kryth and think the Fossari are idiots. And you don’t much admire aythras. Is that right?”
“Most definitely.”
&n
bsp; “Good. I hate them all myself. So, what information do you have on these Ancient Ones of the Gashnee?”
The little Cuukzen walked over and jumped up onto the edge of my bed. He wiggled a bit to make himself comfortable, blinking his eyes rapidly and smacking his mouth a few short times. He could have at least taken off his wet clothes.
“Could you have minded removing your wet trench before getting on my bed?”
“Right!” He stood up, pulled down his hood, then removed his coat, tossing it near the head of my bed, right on the pillow, “How’s that?”
“Yeah, much better, thanks.” I could see this was going to be a long day.
He repositioned himself, then answered my question, “The Ancients are Gashnee prophesiers. There are only three alive at any one time, holding all Gashnee lore.”
“Three?”
“Yes, only three. They are born as triplets and separated at birth. Each lives for a thousand years in different parts of the galaxy, never seeing one another until approaching death. Then, they come back together to fuse as one, once again beginning the birthing rights of the Ancients before conceiving the Three again. This is to carry on the prophecy tradition, as they hold all Gashnee history and future prophecy.”
I hadn’t known the Cuukzen were capable of such humor, “Are you spinning me?!”
He just blinked, probably not understanding my comment.
“You’re telling me that these three Ancients are living vestals of knowledge for the Gashnee prophecies? That they hold and decipher the lore for the Gashnee?
“Yes.”
“Don’t they have memory cells, crystals, or holo-discs for that kind of stuff? Why living creatures? That’s just bizarre. They could easily be killed and that would end the living memory banks for sure, wouldn’t it?”
“That’s why they are separated by great distances at birth.”
“Oh, that makes sense. Are you joking?”
“I never joke. Well, from time to time, I do. I like joking with Kryth. They’re so serious. Especially that Lintorth one.”
“Lintorth Sol? You know the Si General?” I wasn’t expecting that.
“Well, I don’t really know him, Rels. I was captured and interrogated by him before I came into your race’s company. Not a nice Kryth at all. Then again, they’re all not nice.”
Annals of the Keepers - Deception Page 12