"That's a tale told by those above us to keep us in line."
Hallik gestured around himself. "This station, a science and research station, was built by Humans ten thousand years ago. If you were to walk around and look at the systems, you would see they appear to match our modern systems. And why is that? They match because the designs of our systems are ten thousand years old. We're still using what the Humans built. We are the dumb species of the galaxy. They were brilliant."
"You've gone stark raving mad. How could you believe any of that?"
Bersa stepped forward. "It is true. I test in the top 3 percent of all citizens for intelligence. This random selection of Humans who are now off Shackle are as smart or smarter than I am. The other aware Humans we've tested are the same. We are the idiots, as is evidenced by the stagnation of our technology since we took over. Had it not been for the Great Betrayer, Humans would probably have spread this empire to the entire galaxy."
"Preposterous. This is an outrage. When Governor Aurin hears of this you will be finished."
Hallik smiled. "Soon enough, Master Aurin will be working for me."
Chapter 23
* * *
A comm came in to Hallik. He took it in private, returning several minutes later with a concerned look on his face.
Bersa asked, "Master?"
"I've just had a report from Caloran. Several days ago, a strange craft was spotted as it left the atmosphere. A freighter just happened to be jumping into that space, catching the craft in its sensor logs."
"Ships come and go all the time. It should be in the port logs as well."
"No. The pilot checked. He said it was a shuttle-size craft, the likes of which he'd not seen before. And there's more. He followed the ship's trajectory back to the surface. We now have a whole village at that location, just over a hundred people, who are all suffering from black-colon."
"Someone is planting the virus?"
"Possibly. We need to investigate this. I'm having all the data transferred here. Use this facility to find out whatever you can about it. If someone is intentionally spreading the virus, we need to know who and we need to know why."
Bersa turned to the others. "It seems we have a new mission."
Drakis asked, "What virus? What's happening?"
"Have you heard of the occasional Human becoming aware?"
"I would assume every master has. They are to be turned over immediately for study. Why?"
"If what we just saw is true, someone is planting that virus."
"The authorities should be notified of this immediately." Drakis crossed his arms. "Hmm. I wonder if this could be corporate espionage. This would be right up Thelm's alley."
Bersa smiled. "Thelm is a buffoon. We did this to you, the people in this room. Thelm is a pawn under our control and no more."
Hallik said, "Please take Drakis and his crew and confine them somewhere. If they are cooperative, we might let them live. If not, terminate as you see fit."
Bersa nodded. "Consider it done. You, Drakis, and the rest of you, come with me."
"Where are you taking them?" asked Jim.
"Confinement. That is all you need to know."
When the others had left the room, Hallik clasped his hands together. "Mr. Gecka, I would normally be furious that you lost control and brought this all about. However, it appears to have all worked out in our favor. Drakis, shamed in the court, decides to disappear. Who would question it? And at the same time we are already expanding into his business, something that we will fully take over. Drakis’ son is far from his father and will struggle with running his business. So it would seem your actions have only worked to accelerate my rise toward the governorship of Betuaon State. I should thank you."
"You can thank me when you become emperor by ending all this."
Hallik smiled. "The goal of us all."
Bersa returned. "Locked away safe and sound. I got an alert on my comm that the data from the mystery ship has been uploaded. I'd like to take the team in to begin evaluation if I could."
"Please do. I have other business to attend to. Being number four in rank below the governor has its responsibilities."
Hallik boarded the Greft and was soon away. The others moved into the classroom.
Tamia said, "Someone spreading the virus... now we finally know what's happening. But who would be doing this?"
"That is what we will be attempting to find out," said Bersa.
An image of the ship was pushed up on the display.
Bersa frowned. "I have extensive knowledge of ships. I don't recognize this one."
Jim said, "Maybe this is a ship Turly has seen? Can we bring her in?"
"Turly is not available."
"What happened to her?"
"She is alive, but in confinement."
"And why can't she be brought here?"
"She was taken down to the med labs and shoved through an airlock into a room that was contaminated with spores from down on the planet."
"Why would you do that? She was cooperating."
"I had my orders. And now we know what the spores will do. She has blisters covering half her body. Very unsightly."
Jim shook his head. "Are we becoming them?"
Tamia asked, "Can she still ID a ship if we bring it up on a monitor in the lab?"
Bersa nodded. "I suppose that to be possible. Come, we'll see if she has an opinion."
The group walked the stairs down to the medical lab on deck eight.
Daniel rolled in to join them. "What's this I hear about a ship?"
"A mystery ship was spotted at Caloran," Martin replied. "We think it was delivering the virus to a village. The entire village is now sick. We just want to know if Turly has seen anything like it."
"And why are we in here—whoa. What happened to her? How'd she get in there?"
The Sevada was looking out through the glass windows surrounding the lab she had been placed into. Pus-infested boils covered much of her exposed face and arms.
Bersa asked, "How are you feeling?"
"They don't hurt. More nuisance than anything. What is it? Why is this happening to me? What is this place?"
"It's a ten-thousand-year-old Human science lab. They were studying the planet below. You're infected with something they brought up. But we aren't here to talk about that. We're here to ask if you have ever seen this ship or one like it."
An image was brought up on a display. "Hmm, interesting. It has many of the characteristics of ours, but no, I don't recognize it. Where is this from?"
"Caloran. It was seen leaving the planet, and two days later an entire village was infected with the same virus that made these Humans aware."
"Someone is spreading that?"
"It would appear so. Is there anything on this exterior you recognize? Anything that would give us a clue as to where it was manufactured? If we can find that, maybe we can find who's piloting it."
Turly studied the image for several minutes, repeatedly shaking her head. "No. Nothing I have seen before. Can I see the flight data collected from the sensors?"
Bersa pushed the information to the display.
"Hmm, this all looks standard. Speed, hull temperatures... wait... they do look to be exclusively using a gravity drive. Most ships, excluding our master-shuttles, use conventional engines in atmosphere. So this would have to be an expensive ship. And why Caloran?"
"We don't know. It seems to be the target of these virus outbreaks. We have more than five hundred aware Humans we are caring for. We are running out of space and the ability to conceal this. If this is discovered before Master Hallik makes Betuaon Governor, this entire colony might be quarantined. Such an event would almost certainly doom our mission to failure."
Martin asked, "Five hundred Humans are aware? Is any effort being made to bring them into our network here?"
Bersa sighed. "We do not have the management resources available to take on such a task. It was contemplated earlier, but we kept coming
to the same conclusion. Master Hallik and I do not trust any others to carry out missions like this team. One moderate mistake could bring all this crashing down."
"So how do we stop whoever this is from spreading the virus?" asked Tamia.
"That is a question we will be attempting to answer."
The study of the mystery craft led to a collection of Caloran sensor logs going back several years. Anomalies in the data accounted for more than half the known infections. The team was convinced the infections were deliberate. Thousands of new sensors were purchased and deployed.
Several weeks passed before Hallik returned to the station. "Bersa, how are my team members faring?"
"They are getting restless. We need new missions. Perhaps it's time we explore the businesses of those who make up the top ten of the Talion District. We need something to occupy our minds."
"And Jamus? I've not had time to watch the feeds."
"Jamus has Thelm eating from his hand. They are best of friends. I'm concerned Master Thelm will grow weary of their friendship, or will be confronted because of public exposure, and Jamus will then be terminated due to pressure. We have an excellent understanding of the businesses under Thelm's ownership. Perhaps it's time to pull Mr. Turnbull out and bring him home."
Hallik replied, "I don't believe that is in our best interest at the moment. I'm preparing to ramp up our efforts against both Wilcer and Aurin, and I'd like to use Thelm as a club—and then perhaps as someone to take blame should things go wrong. Having Mr. Turnbull in there and feeding direction to Thelm has been of stellar benefit to our cause."
"Very well, Master."
Hallik was suspiciously silent for most of a minute.
Bersa asked, "Is everything OK?"
"I have some bad news. I was contemplating how best to break it."
Kerena said, "Just tell us. We see and hear bad news every day now."
"The five hundred twenty-eight Humans I had in my care have been captured and taken away."
Martin stood. "What? How?"
"In an attempt to make room for others who are becoming aware every day, I moved those to a new secret facility on Lentrep. Drakis owned a large plot of mountainous land there. I had a facility built in his name and moved the people from our facility on Caloran to there. Even though they were well cared for, there was a dispute and a riot. A building burned and was detected by the local authorities, who came out to inspect.
"The military was called in when the Humans were discovered. Thirty-six were killed. The remainder were rounded up from the mountains when they attempted to flee. I fear they are now being cut open and studied. The only positive would be with Drakis missing, no one can question his motives, or even determine if it was by his doing. Oh, and each was told to mention Drakis' name should they be captured, and to otherwise play dumb."
Tamia asked. "What of their numbers? The tattoos on our shoulders and forearms? Doesn't that tie them to you?"
"All registered as being sold to Drakis several years ago. Each of you have had your ownership altered as well. If caught, you do not and have not belonged to me."
"Five hundred Humans. Awares. Must have been terrifying. If you're on the Smudge, at least your reactions are somewhat muted."
"Yes. It is unfortunate. Also unfortunate is the fact that we now have close to a hundred fifty on Caloran who are aware. A few visits from the mystery ship like the last one and we'll be running out of room there again."
"Can't we expand it to hold more?"
"We already run the risk of exposing this operation by having them in my territory. As stated before, should the authorities find them, all of Caloran might be quarantined for study. Already there is talk of doing so on Lentrep, the capital of Masterette Wilcer's holdings. She is speaking with Aurin in an attempt to keep it quiet. Should the district governor get wind of such an incident, there would be district agents snooping around all of Betuaon."
"This is disastrous," said Bersa. "I understand the need to keep them hidden away, but as you stated, we risk this entire operation should they be discovered."
"I will not betray the aware Humans, if only to keep my team here happy and believing in myself and our mission. But our time may be running short. District control of this state would bring a swift end to any effort we might put forth."
Hallik returned to his shuttle and other business. The station remained in a somber mood for the rest of the day. The following morning, after a standard breakfast of eggs, toast, and an oatmeal-like paste, everyone headed to the classroom.
An image of Jamus showed on the wall as he walked behind Thelm. "Master, is it wise to go poking our nose in Masterette Wilcer's business?"
"If she has been harboring Humans that are not on Shackle, that is a major violation. I would like to know what she holds out as her defense."
"Did you not say the Humans were found in a Drakis-owned facility?"
"Yes, Jamus. But on her capital planet. I find it difficult to believe she was not on top of something like this that was taking place right under her nostrils. If so, at a minimum that would be negligence on her part."
"Ah... I see. You are looking to capitalize on her mistakes. Should she be implicated, you, in all your glory and wisdom, would certainly move up to number two in all of Betuaon. You are smart to take steps to accelerate your move up, Master. Genius."
Thelm stopped as he thought. "Hmm. Yes. I suppose I am genius. And second to the governor in all of Betuaon, indeed an honor and privilege. Did you know that seconds are often invited to district-level meetings?"
"No, Master, I did not."
Thelm chuckled. "Of course you didn't. You're a Human slave. Sometimes I find asking ridiculous questions to be humorous."
Jamus gave his best impression of a demented chuckle.
Thelm sighed. "Please don't ever do that again. It lessens my opinion of you."
"Yes, Master. As you ask."
Thelm walked up a shuttle ramp. A guard stepped forward. "Who are you?"
Thelm returned an angry glare. "Who am I? I am Master Thelm of the House of Thelm. I would like to speak to Masterette Wilcer. She is expecting me."
The guard scrambled to move from his way. "I apologize, Master. Things have been hectic here. I wasn't told of your impending visit."
Thelm huffed as he walked past. "Well, that just makes you incompetent. It's your duty to know."
As Jamus followed up the ramp, the guard began to step forward, hesitated, and withdrew. Another encounter with an angry master would not be in his best interest. Thelm walked into an expansive office, where Wilcer was seated behind a desk.
"Ah, Masterette, I'd like to thank you for taking this meeting."
"What is it, Thelm? What was so important?"
"I apologize for asking, but were you involved in this aware-Human debacle in any way?"
"I'll excuse that question because I know you had to ask. The simple answer is no. That was Drakis' land. It's no wonder he disappeared."
"Have there been any reports on his whereabouts at all? Any sightings?"
"None. It's as if he vanished. If he opened a portal, it was outside sensor range. For all I know, he could be headed out of the known galaxy, knowing he was going to get caught for his illegal activities."
"Again, I apologize for asking, but given our business entanglements, even though minor, I had to ask."
"Understood. I'm scrambling now to try to contain this disaster. This is my home base here on Lentrep. Should news of this leak to the district, even with me having no involvement, a full quarter of my businesses would be impacted. And any subsequent investigation could run on for years."
"I can see where that would be detrimental."
"Well, you should also know that the district coming in would be detrimental to your business as well. If you had any dealings with Drakis, I would suggest you untangle them as fast as you can."
"Just one that had yet to be implemented. I am fully protected."
"None
of us are protected, Thelm. The district will send in their cronies and our businesses will be stripped of their profits. Betuaon would lose big, and the other states would be all too happy to benefit from our demise."
"What steps are being taken to shield us?"
"I'm trying to convince Aurin that we should keep this quiet. We do our own internal investigation. If the district comes in, Aurin will lose, and anyone who does business with Aurin will lose."
Thelm rubbed his chin. "Hmm. What if Aurin was convinced to keep this from the district, and then you notified the district?"
Wilcer leaned forward. "Are you suggesting an alliance to take down Aurin?"
"Would that not make you governor? And would that not put you in charge of managing the district investigation, seeing as it came by your request?"
Bersa shook her head. "What is he doing? That would be disastrous. With the district here due to criminal activity, there would be no chance of upward movement."
"Do you have business dealings with Aurin?"
Thelm nodded. "I do. But none that couldn't be quickly unwound."
Wilcer sat back. "Did you ever think you could make it to number two in Betuaon, Thelm?"
"I have been there before, but I suppose every master has had dreams of being in every position above them at one time or another."
"I've already been working on Aurin. If you were able to convince him to conceal this incident, we would have him in a pinch. How would you like to have a third of his businesses?"
Thelm raised his eyebrows. "That would almost double my holdings."
"As it would mine. Interesting. I had not anticipated us having an opportunity to have such a talk. Until this all surfaced, I didn't even have designs on the governorship. Now, here in this moment, it's all I can think about."
"What would you have me do?"
"There are a thousand reasons for Aurin to keep this from the district. Tell them all and convince him that he has your backing. I will do the same. When he takes those first few irreversible steps, we'll have him in our grasp."
Thelm smiled and then gave Masterette Wilcer a concerned look. "Wait, didn't you say the district coming here would likely cost you a large portion of your business?"
FREEDOM Legends Page 21