Welcome to the Galactic Shoppers Network

by Ian Rodgers

  Chapter 20

  It was sleek. A bullet in the star-speckled voids of space. Yet it was massive, many thousands of times larger than a mere projectile. It had no markings on it save for a collection of barcode style markings along the nose and rear. Vessels moved too fast through space for mere pictures to be seen, so any Alliance spacefaring ship that plied the stars possessed a digital registration code that could be scanned or broadcast even at near light speeds.

  No windows, since glass, no matter how durable, was a liability in the vacuum of space. Instead, tiny cameras dotted the hull and peered out at the universe, relaying all manner of data to the onboard navigation systems.

  No weapons, at least none that were overt. Even merchant ships possessed some manner of defenses, even if it was modified mining lasers for cutting away at space debris or anti-meteor torpedoes. To assume this innocuous vessel was defenseless would be a grave mistake for anybeing who sought to engage it.

  Inside the spaceship it was much easier to see the status of the being who owned it. The furniture, while made of metal and plastic, was all finely crafted and showed off an air of sophistication.

  The ship was the Song of Unity, the personal craft of Chairperson-Elect Xenovida. It was state of the art and worth tens of millions of credits. It was currently traveling through space at impossible speeds to reach the closest relay to the primitive world of Earth.

  As for the passengers, they were doing their best to relax before reaching the destination. Choka’love Aunlood was busy playing a few hands of Elgen Poker with Ambassador Qwel while the Chairperson-Elect went over various documents, trying to catch up with some of the paperwork so she wouldn’t be behind.

  Aside from the three VIP’s, crew, staff, and FIST operatives were milling about aimlessly. Some were doing weight training to avoid losing any muscle mass during Zero-G transit, others were using the exo-net for one reason or another. Space, as majestic as it might be, was frightfully boring to travel through.

  The monotony was broken when the communication’s officer hurried into the rec room where Aunlood and Qwel were. Other crew members looked up as well, sensing something interesting about to occur.

  “Lord Ambassador, Chairman, do you perhaps know where the Chairperson-Elect is? We are about to reach the Kalam Relay. After that it’s only a short jump towards our final destination.”

  “I believe she is in her quarters. Is there another matter you wish to bring up? Just coming down here to inform us personally about our arrival seems excessive,” Aunlood noted. The comms officer nodded.

  “There is a message from the Kalam Relay’s port authorities. Apparently they were asked to inform any Alliance vessel licensed to the Privy Council Select that there is somebeing who wishes to speak with the being in command.”

  “Would somebeing please fetch Lady Xenovida for us?” the Ial requested. Two staff jumped to their feet and hurried off. It wasn’t long before the leader of the Privy Council arrived in the central area of the ship.

  “What seems to be the issue?” she inquired. Qwel gestured to the communications officer who saluted.

  “As we sent our arrival data to the spaceport in Kalam, we received in turn a request from somebeing who is looking for a chance to speak with the person in charge of this vessel.”

  “And this is important because?” Xenovida asked, an eyeridge rising.

  “Well, the being asked for a member of the Privy Council Select specifically. As in, they knew or at least suspected we would be coming to this area,” Aunlood explained for the Chairperson-Elect’s benefit. He could tell her curiosity was piqued by that.

  “Do we know who it is that wishes to speak with us?” Ambassador Qwel asked.

  “We do.” Upon revealing the identity, everybeing’s expression became surprised.

  “Are you certain?” Aunlood asked in disbelief.

  “Yes.”

  “Well then. How interesting. As soon as we have docked with the spaceport, contact them and inform them we are willing to speak face to face,” Xenovida ordered, receiving another salute from the comms officer.

  “Will you want Aunlood and myself there with you?” Qwel wondered and the Chairperson-Elect nodded.

  “Of course. She wanted to speak with the being in charge. All three of us are working on the matter of the droid together. Who knows, it might be pertinent.”

  Any more discussion was cut off by a piercing beep that cut through the ship.

  “We shall be arriving in Kalam System at the star port in two GS hours,” the helmsman reported over the intercom. “Please make your way to the gravity couches and prepare for deceleration and Real-Time phasing.”

  Several sighs and grunts greeted this announcement but everyone hurried off to comply. As annoying as it was to spend a few hours strapped into special seats, it beat having organs forcibly catapulted out of the body when the spaceship stopped going faster than light and the inertia finally caught up.

  More like a bathtub that stood up vertically, the gravity couch was made of reinforced titanium and filled with shock absorbing plastic foam that was designed to keep the body stable through any sort of motion.

  Aunlood, being the seasoned interstellar traveler he was, made sure he added a specially made cushion to his gravity couch before sinking into the plush interior and strapping himself in. He let out a relieved sigh as he felt the extra support on his lower back.

  After an hour or so there was a faint tingling sensation down the Ranga’s spine as the bubble of Real-Time that kept the spaceship intact during FTL movement dissipated and a faint vibration coursed through his body signaling the ship was now using sub-light drives to power through the emptiness of space.

  “Now arriving at the Kalam System Relay and Port Farside. Thank you for your patience. And remember to contact the nearest medical personnel if you experience any symptoms of nausea, dizziness, light-headedness, or acute pain.”

  The chairman of Crown Corp. rolled his eyes at that. For a government craft helmsbeing the speaker sure acted more like a civilian pilot. Then again, maybe they acted that way because they worked for the government. Safety regulations were such a pain.

  After waiting for a few more minutes Aunlood unclasped himself and stepped out of his gravity couch. As he quickly exited his quarters he almost ran into Xenovida.

  “Ah, pardon me.”

  “Do not worry, Aunlood. I completely understand your eagerness to stretch your legs. Come, let us get Ambassador Qwel and we can go see our little visitor.”

  Trying to exit the spaceship was a chore. Rows of station workers had lined up to greet the three most powerful individuals within the nearest eighteen systems and more than a few dozen visitors had stopped to gawk at the Chairperson-Elect, a member of what was seen by many as a divine species, and the head of the largest corporation in the Alliance.

  “Greetings, my lords and lady. Welcome to Port Farside. I am the station manager. It is an honor to have you here.”

  “Please rise, child. You need not bow your head,” Qwel said kindly. At the Ial’s words the being rose, though it kept its head lowered in respect.

  “Lead us to the one who requested our presence,” Xenovida ordered, not interested in wasting any time. Or standing around and looking like a zoo exhibit. Immediately the trio and their guards were lead through numerous metal corridors to a door the station manager assured them led to a proper meeting room, set up just for them.

  “Thank you. Please ensure we are not disturbed,” Qwel requested, and after a bit more bowing and scraping they were left alone.

  “I am starting to see why you were annoyed when I bowed to you, Ambassador Qwel,” Aunlood stated. “It was annoying just being in the vicinity, and you have to deal with that all the time.”

  “Fervor and gratitude are some of the consequences of my people’s actions,” the telepath said with a nod of his head. “It does get tiring constantly being praised for doing the right thing after a while.”

  �
�I don’t think we should keep our guest waiting,” Xenovida cut in, and the stepped through the door.

  “The station manager said you were coming. Thank you for accepting my…” the voice trailed off dumbly as the speaker saw just who exactly had stepped through.

  “Not who you were expecting?” Xenovida said with a hint of a tease in her voice as she took a seat at the conference table.

  “No. I can honestly say I was not expecting the Chairperson-Elect herself, let alone an Ial or the owner of Crown Corp.”

  “Well, my companions and I can honestly say we were not expecting a celebrity to contact us in such a manner either, Miss Karzenk,” the politician said as her companions sat down as well.

  Charma swallowed a lump of fear as her crest flattened itself to her skull. She may have gotten in over her head. But in for a pinch, in for a pound. She took a shuddering breath as she steeled her nerves before bowing her head slightly in respect.

  “I wanted to talk to you about a matter very close to my heart. It’s also the reason I believe you have come out here to Kalam in the first place, and I don’t think it’s for the spa,” Charma said.

  “Oh?” Wasn’t this interesting, Aunlood thought as he leaned in slightly.

  “And what are we here for?” Xenovida asked politely.

  The leader of the Planetary Alliance was curious, but not overly worried about what the idol had to say. It would not be the first time she had encountered famous people who let fame get to their heads and either become paranoid about the government or think they were important enough to warrant special attention for one reason or another.

  “You’re here at Kalam to head over to a Class B world known as Earth in order to retrieve a Crown Corporation advertising droid that went rogue and developed into a TI.”

  Eyes went wide at the singer’s words. Ambassador Qwel tilted his head back in shock as Aunlood briefly turned invisible in surprise. As for the Chairperson-Elect, she merely narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists.

  “Explain to us how you obtained this information and I’ll consider not charging you with treason.”

  Charma shivered at the icy tone of the Kanir and swallowed.

  “A few Galactic Standard months ago I was here in Kalam, relaxing after a rather hard season. I’d expected to laze around for a bit, but the day I arrived I was contacted by somebeing.” She closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

  “It was a male and a Crown Corporation model droid who’d accidentally called my personal number.”

  “You met them? The TI and its owner?” Aunlood exclaimed.

  “Audio calls at first, but after a while they switched to video calls. I thought the male was from an Isolationist Enclave who’d gotten lucky and received the beta-test advertisement droid. It was only recently that I found out who they really were.”

  “Dear child, speak your mind without worry,” Qwel said, trying to figure out the reason for the Dren’s actions. The ambassador could feel the idol’s emotions, and had a good idea what this was all about.

  “I want to speak on behalf of Zane Pendon the human and Rob the TI and plead for mercy on their behalf,” Charma said, bowing her head.

  “Pendon?” Xenovida’s face took on a strange expression. The Chairperson-Elect’s reaction did not go unnoticed and the room suddenly felt chillier for some reason.

  “Yes. That is the family name of the owner of the droid who obtained True Intelligence. As a side note, the droid prefers to go by the name of Rob,” Charma said quickly.

  “I see. How very interesting.” Xenovida tapped her fingers onto the table as she peered at the intergalactic idol before revealing a dangerous smile.

  “I have heard your request and can clearly imagine why you’d make it,” Xenovida began. “However, your word alone is not enough. Still, a well-known celebrity such as yourself could help make this incident into a much better PR incident.”

  The dangerous smile became a smirk. “You will have to join us on our mission to Earth, Miss Karzenk. You possess information that is highly volatile and it would be shame to be accused of treason, wouldn’t it?”

  Charma’s crest fell and her body felt weak and limp. After a moment she nodded and the leader of the Alliance clapped her hands. One of the FIST escorts poked their head in and Xenovida pointed at the idol.

  “Please escort Miss Karzenk to the ship, and get her situated in some guest quarters. She’ll be joining us for the remainder of the mission.”

  A silent nod was the only response and the heavily armored being gestured towards the idol who shakily stood up and followed the soldier out.

  “Was that necessary?” Aunlood inquired once the trio was alone. Surprisingly it was Qwel who answered.

  “It was. Charma Karzenk is a part of this now, and is clearly close to the pair of law-breakers in question. And as Xenovida said, her help could turn this situation around from an embarrassment to a heartwarming love story.”

  “Love?!” Aunlood looked from the Ial to the Kanir in shocked disbelief. When they nodded the Ranga sat down, blinking in surprise.

  “I did not see that coming.”

  “Matters of the heart aside, we should be preparing to leave as well. I’ve received confirmation that the serum has been delivered and is in the possession of the droid,” Xenovida said as she looked up from a device on her wrist. “And now that we know ‘Earth’ is no longer a Class C world, but in fact a B, meaning there will be less issues with uplifting if we choose to do so.”

  The group rose and made their way back to the Song of Unity. Their journey was coming to its end. A very interesting one at that.

  “I’m telling you, I don’t have anything to say!”

  “Mr. Pendon, you’re not helping yourself here.”

  When only silence was the response a sigh rushed out. A suited man, slightly past his prime if his thinning grey hair was any indication, was sitting across from Zane Pendon who was currently handcuffed and sitting in a bare interrogation room.

  “You can plead the Fifth all you want, but it will only hurt your case,” the agent said. “We have unusual energy readings from your house that do not match any known radiation signature alongside a device that, while built from an eclectic assortment of appliances, is the most advanced radio transceiver anyone has ever seen. Just tell us what you know and you’ll be free to go.”

  Zane remained quiet. It had served him well the past ten days. Or was it eleven? Time in the holding facility was hard to determine. He’d slept ten times, so the coder could only assume he’d been held for that long.

  After being arrested by a veritable army of FBI, CIA, and other government agencies he had been shipped to… somewhere. He hadn’t been told where he was.

  They’d found Rob’s ramshackle exo-net relay but not the droid, who had wisely stayed hidden somehow, even when the ranch house was searched top to bottom.

  During Zane’s stay with the various agents he’d been interrogated constantly. Always trying to find out how he’d built the machine, and why. He said nothing. The longer he was here, the longer their eyes were on him and him alone. That meant when the medicine arrived in the backyard, Rob would be able to take it and head to LA to administer the drug to his sister.

  His internal thoughts were interrupted by a groan from the older man who stood, shaking his head.

  “Since you won’t talk, we have no choice but to transfer you to a more secure site in DC where we’ll have to continue these talks but with a more persuasive twist.”

  Zane frowned, not liking the way the agent had said ‘persuasive.’

  “Don’t I get a lawyer or anything? I haven’t committed any crimes. All you have are assumptions and a piece of tech I built in my spare time to see if I could.”

  “Sorry, no lawyer. Well, maybe after you talk.” Zane looked over to see a familiar man walk through the door. It was Frank, or rather, Agent Denver, the man who’d arrested him.

  Zane frowned, an expression mirrored by the older gove
rnment official. The ponytailed man exchange a look with his superior that said ‘let me handle this.’ Grey-hair sighed again but stood and Agent Denver eagerly took the seat.

  “Hello again, Mr. Pendon. Now, as I was saying, no lawyers for you. You see, the various acts put into effect by Homeland Security give us wide operating powers in the pursuit of threats. And if we have good enough reason to believe you are one, then we can legally hold you indefinitely,” Frank Denver said with a smile. There was no warmth in it though and Zane repressed a shiver as a feeling of dread crept into him.

  “Unusual radiation and background noise that is not known to be produced by anything on Earth. A lot of odd purchases online from your bank account, including lots of stock market speculation and several tons of precut lumber. Not the most suspicious of actions, but I saw a connection where no one else did.” Agent Denver leaned in.

  “Coworkers call me a conspiracy nut, but I’ve cracked dozens of cases with my ‘sideways thinking.’ Now, hear me out: Two meteorite strikes in the same area within approximately half a century. Odd lights for a few months thereafter. Silly and frivolous purchases. You and your grandfather are more alike than you think.”

  Zane swallowed a lump that formed in his throat. The FBI agent continued to speak, though the smile grew wider on his face as he observed the prisoner.

  “Coincidences? Maybe. But non-harmful background radiation and a tool that can broadcast a radio signal past Pluto in less than a second?” Agent Denver leaned back. “Those raise some questions. Enough of them for me to convince the Powers That Be to keep you here. And, if need be, use any means necessary to extract what we want from you.”

  Pale faced, Zane numbly watched as Frank Denver stood up and walked out of room, leaving the young man to stew in fear. The older agent shook his head at his junior’s antics before turning to the captive Pendon.

  “Agent Denver is right. If you’re not forthcoming on this matter, we will have to do things we’d rather not do. Just remember; for National Security we’re willing to become terrible people. Think on that while you’re on your way to DC.”