"I'll be at a celebration in my honor on Tatemus II. I won't be back until late this evening. We can get together in the morning."
"Governor, this requires immediate attention. Please wait on the tarmac there on Tatemus. I need five minutes of your time."
"Five minutes, Hallik, no more. I don't want to be late to an event when I'm the guest of honor."
The shuttles each landed fifteen minutes later. Hallik hurried across the tarmac and up the ramp onto the Voluntra.
An irritated Governor Thelm sat with a scowl. "What could possibly be so important, Hallik?"
"We have a situation developing on Gatemon. Six hundred miners have been infected with the black-colon virus."
"Is it one my mines?"
"No."
"Yours?"
"No. The mine belongs to Montat."
"Then I don't see how sick miners is a critical issue for me. You're wasting my time with a matter that can easily be resolved in the morning."
"No, Governor, it can't. Black-colon is the virus that makes Humans aware."
"The black what?"
"The illness the miners have, they will all become immune to Shackle."
Thelm turned to face Jamus. "Is this what happened to you?"
Jamus nodded.
Thelm scratched one of his droopy ears in thought. "Hmm, perhaps this is an opportunity."
Hallik asked, "For what?"
"I'll let you in on a secret, Hallik. Jamus here... he's aware. And many of the masters have been clamoring for a personal slave like I have. Perhaps we should purchase these ill slaves and turn them into personal slaves for the other masters. That might be a very profitable enterprise."
"Except for one huge issue. It's highly illegal. What do you think the other governors would say if they knew Jamus was aware? That he's no longer addicted? I’ll tell you what they would say... they would say it was time Governor Thelm was terminated, and all the wealth of the House of Thelm confiscated. Not reporting an aware Human is a high crime."
Thelm began to squirm in his chair. "Jamus? You generally have a useful suggestion. What can you add?"
"I think revealing these aware Humans gets them killed, gets you killed, and gets me killed. I would want to listen to Master Hallik to see if he has a solution."
Thelm looked at Hallik. "Well?"
"We need to purchase the mine from Montat. No matter the cost, although it may come at a decent price with a bunch of sick miners. So we buy it and then work on a containment strategy. If we can keep this quiet, we might just be able to make it go away."
"Why haven't I heard of this black-colon before?"
"The powers above us want to keep it quiet. But I don't know who or how far up. If we attempt to contact anyone about this, we run the risk of exposing ourselves. And I can assure you, that would not end well for any of us."
Thelm said, "I'm sending you an authorization code that will allow the purchase of the mine. I have this event to attend. Do what you need to do to keep this under wraps, Master Hallik."
Thelm turned back toward his slave, "Jamus, can Master Hallik be trusted?"
"I don't think we have a choice, but from all I've seen of his activities, yes, I believe he can be trusted to do what's right."
"You've shown good judgment up until now, Hallik. And you've been a good friend and advisor. Handle this properly and I will find a way to reward you."
Thelm stood. "Come, Jamus. We have a crowd to wow."
The governor of Betuaon and his personal Human companion left the shuttle as Hallik walked back toward his own.
Bersa came over the comm. "Master, tell us what we can do from here. Will you need ships to collect those who are infected?"
"Let's wait until I get there to make that decision. We need to know the full situation."
"Just to let you know, the others are now away. Each is settling into their assignments and I have no issues to report."
"Excellent. Keep me informed. Be ready to assist if called upon."
"As you request, Master."
The Greft lifted from the tarmac and was soon settling on a new one at the infected Gatemon mine. Several heavy smoke trails lifted into the sky.
A comm was opened to Master Montat. "This is Master Hallik. Are you on Gatemon?"
"I am."
"At your mine?"
"Yes."
"I'm on the tarmac. Could you have an escort meet me? I'd like to talk about what we have here today."
"Someone will be there momentarily."
Minutes later, Hallik walked into an office where a smiling Montat was seated. "What can I help you with today, Master Hallik? I presume you're here at the bidding of the governor?"
"Perhaps. Tell me about the current situation."
"There's no situation. It's been taken care of."
"The illness of your slaves?"
"No longer a problem."
Hallik furrowed his brows. "How could it not be?"
"You saw the smoke from the pyres. It's not difficult to figure out."
"You killed them?"
"Terminated. Just as we have the right to do with any sick slave. I'll admit to the number of slaves being a setback. But the situation is now under control."
"Are you aware that such incidents are to be reported?"
"These are slaves—my slaves. I don't see where termination is anyone's concern but mine."
"And just how are you going to log the termination of six hundred ill slaves without calling attention to you not properly reporting this?"
Montat leaned forward. "You've been good to me since my initial downturn, Hallik. Are you saying you're going to turn me in for such a minor infraction? A technicality, really?"
"I'm saying you may have made a grand mistake, Montat. Terminating those slave and burning the corpses... how do you know you aren't just spreading that virus, whatever it is, through the smoke? How many miners are here at this complex?"
"Maybe ten thousand?"
"How do you know you didn't just infect ten thousand miners with this stunt? And any others who may breathe in that smoke as it spreads. What if this is the start of an epidemic?"
Montat returned a look of concern. "I guess none of that had occurred to me. I can have the pyres put out immediately."
Hallik stood staring at him for several seconds. "How much is this mine worth, Master Montat?"
"What?"
"Given the circumstance, what would you place on it as a fair value?"
"Hmm. I don't know. Maybe... twelve to fifteen million credits? It's a relatively new mine with an expected very large ore deposit."
"I've been authorized to give you the lower of the two figures. Take it, collect your senior staff, and leave the premises immediately. And do not mention this incident to anyone or I'll be forced to report you for termination."
"What if I don't want to sell?"
"Then I report you as-is. And you will of course be terminated because you have violated a main directive when it comes to dealing with Humans. What if your fires here have spread this pestilence to the rest of Gatemon? And what if it then escapes this planet and spreads to others? Do you want to be known as the person who made all Humans aware?"
"Aware?"
"A possible side effect of this virus. Humans are made immune to Shackle."
"Why weren't we told of this?"
Hallik sighed. "Because the emperor and the sector governors don’t want it to be known. Imagine the public panic over such rumors, and the economic disaster that would follow."
Montat thought for a moment. "Hmm. I understand. Very well. Gatemon M414 is yours, Master Hallik. My people will be gone within the hour."
"Remember, not a word of this to anyone. If word gets out of this incident, this entire planet will be quarantined and every sector and district inspector on this side of the empire will be out here snooping around."
"What of it spreads through the smoke?"
"If that happens, there's nothing we can do
about it. Just hope it doesn't." Hallik looked down at his comm. "The funds should be in your account, Montat. Leave... now."
~~~~~
Once again, this Human is asking for your help! If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review on the site where it was purchased. And by all means, please tell your friends! Any help with spreading the word is highly appreciated! I have a free science fiction ebook short story, titled "THE SQUAD", waiting for anyone who joins my email list. Also, find out when the next exciting release is available by joining the email list at [email protected]. Visit the author's website at www.arsenex.com for the rest of the series and other works!
Thank you for reading my work! I hope you have a great day!
Stephen
Books by Stephen Arseneault
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SODIUM-AMP-OMEGA Trilogy Series
SODIUM:
Butchered, abandoned.
Dissected like lab rats.
Alien machines are stalking Humans.
Man is suddenly no longer alone in the universe. Advanced enemies plague our very existence. We have to muster all our strength, determination, and courage if we are to survive. And if those can be managed, there is a galaxy to be conquered.
This six-book saga takes Man from his first encounter with aliens back in 1957, all the way to a fight for our all-out survival in the future. If you love tales written in the style of the science fiction masters, prepare yourself for full immersion in this fantastic adventure! Get it here!
AMP:
In a distant galaxy, Humans are on the run.
An insane species follows.
They will not stop... ever.
Trapped on an immense station with limited resources, our only option has been to flee. Years of peace are over. War is again coming to the Grid.
This time however, it's time to stand and fight.
This exciting eight-book series chronicles the struggles of Don Grange, a simple package deliveryman, who is thrust into an unimaginable role in the fight against our enemies. Can we win peace and freedom after a thousand years of war?
Continuing as a legacy of the SODIUM series, the story picks up a thousand years into the future. Don't just sit at home scratching your head about what to do because you are bored, go on a mental rampage, travel the stars, take a risk and dive head-first into this non-stop-action saga! Get it here!
OMEGA:
The Alliance is crumbling.
There are rumors of war in Andromeda.
Whole colonies are being conscripted to fight.
When corruption and politics threaten to throw the allied galaxies into chaos, Inspection Detective Knog Beutcher gets caught in the middle. Espionage, intrigue, political assassinations, rebellions and full-on revolutions, they are all coming to Knog Beutcher's world.
Told from the unique perspective of an alien, this thrilling eight book series is cast a thousand years into the future beyond the exciting AMP series. Prepare to be reading until the wee hours! Get it here!
* * *
HADRON:
Billions die.
Life on Earth is shaken to its core.
We can be our own worst enemy.
After scientists using the Large Hadron Collider discover dark matter, the world is plunged into chaos.
Massive waves of electromagnetic interference take out all grid power and forms of communication the world over. Cities go dark, food and clean-water supplies are quickly used up. Marauders rule the highways. One group of citizens takes a stand. Can they make a difference?
A benevolent species will arrive in their spaceships to rescue the Human race from themselves. Only, are they really so benevolent? Our little corner of the Milky Way may be a very hostile place.
This eight book adventure begins as a modern day, Human survival story and then morphs into an all out fight for rule of our section of the Milky Way. If you love reading apocalypse-turned-science-fiction, and reading with your mouth agape, this saga was made for you! Get it here!
* * *
ARMS:
Selling arms to the outer colonies.
A sweet deal.
Unless you're being used to threaten the peace.
Genetically engineered and trained for war, Harris Gruberg and Tawnish Freely, former Biomarines with the Domicile Defense Force, have been out of work since the centuries-old war with New Earth came to an end two years prior. They lack the knowledge and experience needed to live among a civilian population.
Getting involved in the illegal arms trade offers the promise of working with something they know-- weapons. When the profits from their efforts run wild, they soon find out acquiring wealth so easily comes at a high cost. Will their mistakes bring a return of the Great War? Or is what's coming far worse?
If you enjoy fighting the good fight, protecting the people and what you love, the ARMS saga will keep you ripping through pages until your fingers bleed! Get it here!
* * *
FREEDOM:
Addicted.
Enslaved to the Empire for 500 generations.
We are bought, sold, traded, and hunted for sport, our value only measured in credits.
But a mysterious virus is sweeping through our populations, giving immunity to the addiction and making us aware of our condition. We feel the call of freedom. Our masters feel different.
If you love being dependent, confined, trapped in a great story, this unique six book saga will become an addiction of your own! Get it here!
* * *
QUANTUM:
A lifetime lived in under a minute...
Impossible, everyone thought.
Until now.
An Opamari scientist has found a way. By cloning a subject and sending the clone back in time, the subject can live the clone's entire life in less than a minute of sleep.
But all actions have consequences. Playing with the past can be disastrous for the present.
When a ruthless tycoon steals the technology, the future of the galaxy is at risk. Will humans, after being slaughtered by the Opamari more than 50,000 years before, be resurrected by the tycoon's actions?
If you love time travel and historical fiction, the Quantum saga will keep you burning through the pages late into the night! Get it here!
* * *
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FREEDOM Legends Page 26