"Security in the empire is weak. We have no enemies, so a minimum is spent on securing communications, or just about anything else. As with our other technologies, system security was developed by Humans and has been in place for ten thousand years. Master Hallik has a small team of engineers who, with the help of Mr. Pike, have managed to crack what little security there is.
"The video feeds move through the shuttle's own systems, out to the galactic comm networks, and then to a single outpost, where it’s broadcast as a one-way signal. At the receiving end of the broadcast, the signal is repackaged and encrypted before being sent through three wormhole portals to this station. Most of that effort is likely unnecessary, but done out of precaution."
"Any way to broadcast news feeds in that same manner?"
"That would certainly be possible, but I would be hesitant to offer such as it would only be a distraction from our work."
Jamus shook his head. "I don't buy that. At least not entirely. Knowing what's currently happening in Betuaon State should give us better insight as to how we exploit the information we're gathering. More knowledge is better, right?"
"I suppose that would be a correct statement. I will make a note to discuss this with Master Hallik in our next briefing."
"He hasn't been around since we started this current mission."
"The master is busy with his new duties. Moving up on the power list comes with new responsibilities."
"How long before you think we can topple Montat?"
"That outcome is perhaps only weeks away. Several initiatives are underway that will not only shift contracts, but will also shift support from underlings. Wealth accumulation may be accelerated with the proper support of others. A number of relationships are brewing with underlings who are looking to move up."
"How would that be possible?"
"Should an individual fall hard enough, they may lose several positions on the power list. Those riding the coattails of Master Hallik may see their own fortunes enriched. All at the expense of the target in question of course."
"Glad to have you on our team, Bersa. You've been nothing but professional in all this."
"I am highly paid. And I do have debts to settle with many of the leaders of Betuaon. It was their actions that got me fired and black-balled."
Jamus leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You've never spoken about that. What happened?"
"The farms of Betuaon are some of the best producing in the empire, rivaled only by Jarovin State. I was on a team that was evaluating the Jarovin production."
"Spying on their production?"
"That would be accurate. I managed a team of twenty-eight such spies. The Jarovins caught wind of our operation and were able to turn my entire crew, sending us false numbers that led to mass mis-plantings of a number of our crops. We lost a tremendous amount of credits that season. As it turned out, my bosses were complicit in the act, but successfully outmaneuvered me while placing the blame fully in my lap. I was trusting where I should not have been and I paid a heavy price."
"So you got fired?"
"Not only was I fired, security officers were sent for my arrest. Master Hallik, having decided against the recommended plantings, saw an opportunity to get the full story as to why others had been so badly hurt. I was whisked away before the arrest, and have been in his employ, and his debt, ever since."
Jamus chuckled. "So we're all just a bunch of criminals here. While Hallik may have kept us alive, I'm still suspicious of his motives. It's out of character for you people to risk it all for a chance to move up politically. After seeing how the others operate, I see that most opportunities and successes are very modest in nature."
"Status quo."
Jamus nodded. "Status quo."
As was predicted, the wealth of the House of Hallik surpassed that of Masterette Montat, elevating Hallik into the sixth position of wealth and power in Betuaon State. The professional crew on the Montat shuttle was retrieved and the original crew restored. The Greft landed in bay one with the recovered team.
Jamus and Bersa were standing in the lounge when the others came through the door.
Hugs and handshakes were exchanged.
Hallik stood with a broad grin on his face. "My people. My wonderful... Human... people. Such success in such a short time. Outstanding! With this latest move I now control Caloran in its entirety. The same can be said of Haraku. I am part owner of Kronong and Ballix. And I am close to foreclosing on Pilor's mines on Gatemon. You are all to be congratulated, thanked, applauded, celebrated, and commended."
Jamus asked, "Who's our next target?"
Hallik turned toward a display wall. "Bersa, if you would please."
An image of a Brekan official showed on the wall.
Jamus chuckled. "Going after one of your own this time?"
"More than you know. Master Snooka has been my mentor for nearly twenty years. I look forward to this challenge with both trepidation and eagerness. He is a fair person. His organization is solid. He rarely takes even the smallest of risk.
"In fact, I'm expecting this may be our most difficult opponent in all of Betuaon. He inherited the fifth position from his father, who inherited it from his father, and so on for twenty generations going back. The House of Snooka is a relatively new name in the power hierarchy of Betuaon. But they have done well for themselves."
"What about the House of Hallik? How long has your name been among the wealthy?"
"Hmm. For that we would have to go back more than eight thousand years. We were emperors from the hundred sixty-third to the hundred seventy-fourth. Since that time, every few thousand years we've managed to rise to the position of sector governor. But none of those lasted for more than a single term. We've managed numerous district commissions and hundreds of state titles. The House of Hallik has a long and storied history."
"And soon it will have a new emperor added to that list."
Hallik smiled. "Yes. Let us hope that is so."
Dester asked, "Will we be loading his shuttle crew with our people?"
"Master Snooka has no interest in status symbols. He is very loyal to his people. And as I said, fair to all in his ownership and employ. I'm afraid swapping crews will not be possible in this instance."
"So how do we hit him?"
"For this we turn to Mr. Pike. He has offered the suggestion of placing cameras on the shuttle during routine maintenance. Master Snooka is a stickler for following schedules, and I just happen to know his shuttle is due for its annual maintenance in three weeks. I'm working to place at least two of you with the repair crews who will be performing the inspections and any scheduled maintenance.
Dester chuckled. "You know, given the fact that you keep us drugged up, I can't believe you entrust us to repair your ships."
Hallik replied, "When on the drug, even though not motivated to think on your own, you Humans seem to be excellent at following instruction. Repairs, upgrades, any regular maintenance, even initial construction are all tasks at which Human slaves excel.
"With luck we will be able to convince the supervisors that an early replacement of their environmental system is warranted, something to stave off an untimely failure due to wear and corrosion. If successful, we may have access for as much as a day. Who here is familiar with environmental system maintenance?"
No hands were raised.
Hallik smiled. "Just as well. I have a new recruit coming in tomorrow who is replete with the desired skills. She will be teaching each of you how to repair and replace the components that make up the recycler and air adjuster units."
Dester asked, "She?"
"Tamia Brown. Her last eight years have been spent as a member of the maintenance crew that services shuttles on Placion, a colony in Alequan State."
Jamus asked, "You found someone who was aware in another state? How'd you manage to get them out?"
"Let's just say she became aware after her purchase."
Jamus stood. "You have the vir
us?"
Hallik nodded. "It was isolated by my team on Haraku six weeks ago."
"So you could infect anyone?"
"Technically, yes."
"You could free the entire planet?"
"And that would be disastrous. If you are looking to have an entire planet of slaves quarantined and eliminated, then yes, I could free an entire planet."
Hallik moved to a chair and sat. "Let's imagine for a minute that we infected all of Caloran. Who would be there to care for the sick? Statistically speaking, close to one third of those who come down with the illness perish. Are you looking to kill one third of the Humans on Caloran?"
"Well... no."
"And of those who survive, Caloran is not a self-sustaining colony. Food is delivered every other week using freighters. That food is then distributed to the farms, where it provides daily sustenance for the farmers, while crops are growing. Do you not recall the food drops that are made to each farm every two weeks? You free all your people and even if they do survive, in two weeks’ time they are all beginning to starve. Is that your plan?"
"OK, I get your point. But this is still a huge development. What if we go in with teams to administer the drug and care for the sick? After that, we teach them to continue to farm as if nothing has happened. That way they are all ready when the time comes for a revolt."
Hallik chuckled. "Mr. Turnbull, I admire your enthusiasm. If we free even a single Human and leave them to their own devices, they will get caught. And when that happens, the entire farm will be quarantined and checked, along with the surrounding farms. And if more 'awares' are found, we end up right back at the full quarantine of Caloran again. I'm sorry, but we cannot use the virus to free Humans until such time as we, or at least someone, can provide for them. To do anything prematurely is to sentence them to death."
Jim placed his hand on Jamus' arm. "Master Hallik is right. We can't do anything until we have the means to do it all. I wouldn't want to risk my family until I can be there for them to insure they will live. We flip them now and there is nothing to keep them alive."
Hallik said, "Mr. Turnbull, I've kept the empire news feeds from you and your team with a purpose. You've heard rumors of Humans being hunted for sport? I am now willing to confirm this to you. My people, the Brekans, are very much sportsmen in this regard."
"You saying Humans are still hunted for sport? I thought that was just a legend. Bersa alluded to that having been done away with."
"Here in Betuaon State, yes, for a short time. There were a number of scandals involving gambling that caused the empire to ban sport hunting in Betuaon for a period of five years. However, the practice of tracking and killing Humans for sport and pleasure has been alive and well throughout the rest of the galaxy. There are actually..." Hallik took a breath. "Actually entire colonies dedicated to it. Some are hunting colonies, some are breeding colonies, and some are both. Betuaon began to have the hunts again three years ago."
Chapter 12
* * *
"Whole colonies?" said Jamus. "What kind of scale are we really talking here?"
"This will be shocking to you all," Bersa replied. "I'd hoped to spare you from it for some time, but perhaps it is time you knew the full story. We are talking hundreds of millions per year. It's the favorite pastime of the empire. All species, especially mine, revel in it. The last hundred emperors have all made their wealth from the sport. Newsfeeds are filled with tournaments and competitions."
Jamus sat. "And your people just let this happen?"
"Let this happen? Our people live for the games. There are those who think the behavior to be barbaric, but they are vastly in the minority. They remain silent for fear of being chastised and shamed."
Dester scowled. "Let me guess, when people are taken away due to injury or illness, or even making mistakes, they aren't just killed, they’re dumped into these hunts?"
Hallik sighed. "They are. And to shock you further, I will admit to having participated in several of these in my younger days. Mostly due to peer pressure as I didn't really see the attraction. Now, here today, after knowing the lot of you, I find the practice appalling."
"So why not organize with others who feel the same way and speak up?"
Hallik chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Marr. To do so would be suicidal. We are realistically talking a maximum of 5 percent of the population who silently disapprove. Another 15 percent are probably ambivalent, leaving 80 percent who are enthralled. Any mention of curbing this practice would result in me losing a full 80 percent of my business to customers who would be offended, if only by my thoughts."
Jamus said, "Wow. Bad enough that we're worked to death."
"Which only serves to elevate the need for us to be successful. Tomorrow we continue our fight to free all Humans."
"Any way to bring in the news feeds now? I mean, how much worse can it be out there? Hearing this stuff is a motivator, not a distraction."
Hallik stood. "Bersa, please see to it that the feeds are enabled. Mr. Turnbull, I can assure you there is more to be heard and more to be disgusted with. Your people are property. Property is often neglected, tossed aside, and abused. Expect to be outraged on a daily basis."
The Greft soon departed. The group broke into discussions about the information that had been revealed. Anger was followed by disbelief, and then determination. Two hours of rage-speak was followed by a demand that they be allowed to get back to work.
Bersa said, "I recommend you take the remainder of this day to cool off and unwind."
"I don't think that's possible," said Jamus.
"Ms. Brown will be here in the morning. I recommend we wait until that time to begin instruction on the coming mission."
"Why? We don't need her here for us to learn the basics about environmental systems. Might be good for us to get a head start. Otherwise I'm likely to start punching walls."
Dester stood. "I'm with him."
The others nodded.
"Very well. Proceed to the classroom. I'll be right up."
The remainder of the day was spent perusing volumes of image data showing the components of environmental systems and their functions. The following morning, after arrival, Tamia Brown was greeted by a group who understood the basics and were ready to learn.
"First, let me say, thank you for what you are doing. If what I've been told is true, perhaps one day we will all be free."
Dester asked, "And second?"
"Second, if I get overwhelmed up here, well, it's because I'm overwhelmed."
Jamus asked, "How long ago did you have the virus?"
"Three weeks."
Dester nodded. "Get ready for a few bouts of paranoia. I was about three weeks out when I was grabbed. Made me angry with everyone around me. It's still overwhelming, but you learn to cope with it."
The class got underway. Cryo-recyclers, carbon dioxide separators, re-oxygen generators, filters, scrubbers, and a multitude of other components were covered. One day turned into a week, and then three. The team was given two hours of free time. In the morning Tamia and Jamus would be heading to the shuttle repair facility at the Kalimus colony, owned by the House of Snooka.
Jamus sat on a couch with a beverage. Jim and Dester sat beside him. Tamia selected a chair by herself.
Jamus asked, "You ready for this tomorrow?"
"I think so. I mean, I know recyclers. I can take them apart and put them back together. And those cameras seem easy enough to install. Unless I was specifically looking for one, I wouldn't even notice. And anyone on Smudge isn't gonna care. I am nervous though. My hands have been shaky all day."
"You're gonna want to get that under control. The guards in most of these places aren't all that bright, and they aren't motivated, but they do look for any unusual signs in Humans. If you're shaking, they might suspect illness. And if they suspect illness you might be sent away. You certain you're good with this?"
"As certain as I can be, I guess? No. I'm certain. This means
too much to all of us."
"It's OK to be nervous," said Dester. "That's a natural Human reaction to stressful situations. But don't sweat it. Jamus is a pro at this. Cool, calm, and collected. Now if he starts shaking... just start running. Hahahaha!"
Jamus sighed. "You aren't helping…"
Tamia held up a hand. "No. It's OK. A little humor might actually settle me down."
"Tell us about your last duty. You have other family there?"
"No. They are all passed. My father was an enviro-system slave though. Got caught in a carbon dioxide splitter. The guards assigned to monitor him watched him die through a glass window as he suffocated to death. I was twelve at the time. And I was there. But I had no feelings over it. It just happened and he was gone. My mother was taken away when I was two because of an ankle injury. She was young, so I was an only child."
"Most of us are still trying to grasp the reality of our own families and their ends. Jim is probably the only one here with active family now."
"They're on Haraku. Master Hallik was kind enough to keep them in his care."
Tamia nodded. "I overheard Dester talking about Humans being hunted?"
"Apparently we are the empire-wide sport," said Dester. "You want to get angry over our situation, just think about the hundreds of millions of Humans sacrificed every year just so these alien pukes can get their jollies. Makes my blood boil just mentioning it."
Daniel rolled up in his wheelchair. "Hello."
"Hello, Daniel." Tamia turned back to the others. "In my years in this job, I don't ever recall it being talked about. No... wait. Oh wow. I just remembered. My brain just pieced it all together. I've seen a thousand news feed with the hunting plastered all over them. Wow. It never clicked before as to what was going on. This is horrific."
Jamus nodded. "If you have to dwell on it, dwell on the fact that we’re going to be the ones who stop it."
Dester said, "Yeah, at some point it’ll be the aliens who are being hunted. And it won't be for sport. It'll be war."
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