by T. R. Harris
So when the first bolts were released from the Yakilian ships, Riyad simply performed a steep barrel roll to his left, at such a speed and angle that the Phoenix seemed to appear almost instantaneously on the opposite side of the two left-attacking ships.
Then before the Yakilians could react, Riyad unleashed his own hell upon the attackers closest to him. The laser weapons he fired were also unlike any before them. They were low intensity, yet even at that, they departed the Phoenix at nearly one-third the speed of light, and carried at their tips a cone of special heat-resistant material. Yet even that material wasn’t enough to withstand the extreme temperature of the short-range lasers for very long. By the time the cone disintegrated and the lasers were shut down, the payloads were already streaking toward their targets at speeds faster than any flash-bolt could achieve.
The payloads – the material that had been embedded into the mesh of the laser cone, consisted of thousands of tiny ball bearings. They now traveled toward the Yakilian spaceships at unimaginable speeds, and each carrying the kinetic energy of a small meteorite. Since diffusion shields are designed to absorb and dissipate the electrical charge from energy weapons, the ballistic balls of metal passed cleanly through the shields and contacted the surface of the Yakilian ships unimpeded. At the point of contact, the hulls dissolved, opening up an area approximately three feet in diameter, as the cloud of ball bearings continued to pass through all interior features and exit out the other side of the ships in less than a blink of an eye. The rapidly escaping atmosphere within the Yakilian spaceships further widened the hull breeches, and soon both ships were torn in half, with each end tumbling off in a Y-like formation into the blackness of space.
The other two Yakilian ships witnessed their counterparts fall in a most-lopsided manner and chose not to pursue the Phoenix. Instead, they bolted off in the opposite direction at speeds much higher than was recommended within a stellar system.
“I tried to warn them,” Adam said at the conclusion of the short battle. “But I’m glad it happened. This will give the Yakilians even more to think about if they ever want to go up against the Expansion again.”
Having never lost his smile, even in the heat of battle, Riyad looked over at Adam. “Listen to you, Mr. Cain. You sound like such the company man. I would have never imagined it to be so!”
Chapter 3
Over the five hundred years since Surun became the capital of the Omphly Federation, the look of the planet had changed considerably. Now most of the planet’s architecture consisted of stark, grey concrete buildings devoid of ornamentation of any kind. The structures were functional, and that was about all. The male-dominated society chose function over form, not concerned with anything beyond the basic. So their architecture, cities, society – indeed the entire planet – was a study in absolute functionality, guaranteeing they would never win any awards for style or creativity.
Hoagmar Zin had never been to the planet before so he didn’t know what to expect beyond the basics: Expansion-normal gravity, a breathable atmosphere slightly higher in oxygen content than his native In’mar, and the current headquarters of his old friend Fex-Lor Tenth.
It had been nine years since last he saw Fex-Lor, not since the skinny Vinnerian had left the inner sectors and headed for the rebellious regions of the Expansion, seeking a more-open and profitable environment from which to run his operations. From the few contacts he’d had with his former partner-in-crime recently, Fex-Lor was doing quite well, or at least he was now. This was a relatively new situation for him, since Zin had heard that only three years before Fex-Lor was having to sell slaves just to make ends meet. Since the slave-trade occupied the lowest rung on the ladder of criminal activity, this meant Fex-Lor had not found his Golden Forlac like he’d been seeking, not until just recently.
Yet the news filtering out of Surun and the Federation now revealed Fex-Lor to be one of the top three crime lords in the sector, and this had all come about over the past three standard years. Besides the joy he would experience with seeing his old friend again, Zin was more-than-curious how Fex-Lor had managed his profitable turnabout in such a short time.
Yet reminiscing about old times was not the primary reason Zin had come to Surun. He was actually on an assignment, and his former partner might be a source of information which could prove very profitable to Zin. At least that was where all the trails were leading.
It had been two months since Zin received the commission. It had arrived through one of his normal cutouts, and consisted of just a simple text message along with a sum of twenty-thousand credits transferred into his account. His assignment was to track down and report the current location of a creature name Ni-gel Mcoukatie – or something like that. He had seen the words, yet was at a lost as to how the name was pronounced in his native In’marian. Since the minor-name was so difficult for Zin to speak, he chose to call his mark Ni-gel. It was simpler that way.
This was the fourth assignment he’d received from this same source, and by now a pattern was beginning to emerge. With the type of information sought for each commission, Zin was pretty sure his ultimate employers were the Klin.
The fact that he did not know this for sure was his only saving grace, and the reason he accepted the assignment in the first place. With the mysterious and ancient Klin now a documented ‘outlaw race’ by the Humans, Zin would be taking an incredible risk accepting a commission from them. Yet with all the cutouts and blinds he had established over his career, he was confident he could plead ignorance if he was ever accused of assisting the Klin. However, he had no idea how the Humans would treat such a plea, especially in light of their own nasty reputation.
So Zin did his best to consider this just another tracking; why his masters wished this information was none of his concern. He would follow the leads, locate the target and then report back. This was what Zin did best.
And yet the credits made him think this commission was different from all the others. Twenty-thousand was about normal for his services, yet at the end of this track – if he could meet the conditions set forth – Zin would have waiting for him a one-hundred thousand credit bonus. That was an incredible amount simply for locating an individual. The assignment’s single caveat for receiving the bonus was a deadline of only three months for completion.
Two months had already past, yet the trail of this being Ni-gel was definitely growing warmer. There was a possibility that his friend Fex-Lor could provide Zin with the final piece to the puzzle.
“Zin, it is really you!” Fex-Lor Tenth said with undisguised joy. The tall Vinnerian approached the much smaller In’marian and embraced him, running his right hand down Zin’s back and then moving it to his groin area. “Ah, I see you have a gift waiting for me. It has been so long since I’ve experienced one such as yours.”
Zin pulled away and felt a warm tingling throughout his body. Yes, there were perks to this assignment, even on top of all the credits he could earn. He missed his old partner, and even though they were of different species, the stimulation they could offer each other was immensely satisfying to both.
But first things first….
Once the two friends were comfortably seated on a soft cushion forming a semi-circle in Fex-Lor’s office, Zin chose to tend to business first, and pleasure second. The gathering of information was a subtle dance Zin had perfected, yet he did not want to dwell on it any longer than was necessary; the memories of past trysts were too strong to ignore.
“My friend Fex-Lor, you have indeed succeeded where you said you would. I am very impressed.”
Fex-Lor lit two Silean smokesticks and passed one to Zin. They each inhaled deeply, holding the pungent, yet potent, fumes within their lungs for as long as they could before exhaling. Although their physiology varied slightly, the ’sticks did their job at roughly the same level for both species. Soon, the talk would be over, and the effects of the ’sticks would only enhance the physical reunion that was to come.
“Yes, my fo
rtunes have indeed improved. I am sure you have heard that they were not always so.”
“I was concerned for you, yet my confidence never waned. So what changed?”
“I am not proud to say this, but I have not accomplished all this success on my own. Often we need support in other areas to help us achieve our goals.”
“You have a partner?” Zin’s joy began to fade slightly, as he felt the unfamiliar pangs of jealousy rise up in him.
“Yes, but not that kind, my friend,” Fex-Lor said reassuringly. “This is strictly a business arrangement.”
“Who is this new partner?”
“I am not allowed to reveal his identity, even to you, Zin.” Even as the words were spoken no regret could be heard in Fex-Lor’s voice. Zin knew what was coming. “Of course, there is no one else here to know of what I speak.”
Fex-Lor leaned in closer to Zin and placed a smoothing hand on his shoulder. “He is a creature they call The Ma-Jor. I have not met him physically, yet we have linked on a number of occasions.”
“And what has this Ma-Jor done that has enhanced your profits?”
The look of joy faded somewhat from Fex-Lor’s face, even though his hand continued to caress Zin’s shoulder. “I cannot take responsibility for what has happened. Prior to my affiliation with The Ma-Jor, I was suffering dearly. But then two representatives of his arrived – a most unexpected circumstance seeing that they were both Human!”
“Humans – he has Humans working for him?”
“Yes. But not only that, The Ma-Jor is a Human as well.”
“You are in partners with the Humans?” Zin began to grow nervous. If his commission indeed came from the Klin, and Zin now comes to find out he is on the trail of a Human, then he could be caught in the middle of a very serious conflict. “Why did you accept that, Fex-Lor? The Humans are dangerous, violent and unpredictable.”
Fex-Lor looked down at the couch, breaking eye contact with his friend. “Regrettably – at first – The Ma-Jor made me an offer I could not refuse.”
“Surely you could have said no? You should have said no!”
“You do not understand, my friend,” Fex-Lor said looking back at Zin. “I was not allowed to refuse the offer. The Humans came to my domicile and killed nine of my most fierce and effective guards as if they did not even exist. It was made clear that I must accept the offer of partnership or suffer the same fate.”
“Then it was a command, not at offer.”
“That is correct, yet I use the term the Humans used.” Fex-Lor sat up a little straighter and raised his chin. “Yet Zin, even though the affiliation is with the Humans, I have profited handsomely, as you can see. The negotiation may not have been one at all, but the results have been very satisfactory. In fact, I wish you to join me. My greatest problem at this time is finding adequate personnel for all the activities I am involved in.”
“And what are those?”
“Primarily, the supply of weapons to the Federation, apparently there is great need for stockpiles. The Omphly have primitive weapons of their own, and yet now they are bringing in the most-sophisticated available and The Ma-Jor is my only supplier. Join me Zin, and you can assume the role of my equal. Together we will earn so many credits that we may both leave if the Humans prove to be too demanding.”
“I do not trust Humans, Fex-Lor, but tell me more: what does this Ma-Jor look like.” Zin was sure that Ni-gel and The Ma-Jor were one and the same. It was what had brought Zin to Surun in the first place. He just needed a little more confirmation.
“He is a smallish, pink creature – as are all Humans I’ve seen – yet with tiny brown dots on his face. His hair glows a slight reddish tint – and he has the habit of continually bearing his teeth at me when we link. At first I was scared, but then I noticed he did it with everyone, even his own kind, so he was not challenging me to a life duel.”
Yes! This was Ni-gel Mcoukatie. So this Human was influencing the criminal activities throughout a third of the Expansion. Fex-Lor and the Federation were only part of his operation, as Zin’s trail had revealed. This Human, the creature known to Fex-Lor as The Ma-Jor, seemed capable of great feats. In addition, he had made Fex-Lor extremely wealthy – and someday possibly even Zin would share in that benefit!
And yet just knowing that Fex-Lor’s patron was Ni-gel did not fulfill Zin’s contract. He had to locate him as well.
“So where is The Ma-Jor? Where is he located?”
“I do not know his headquarters, but recently I was asked to arrange a secure compound for some of his activities here within the Federation.”
“Where is that?”
“Why do you ask? It would not be safe to attempt to meet him. You said it yourself, Humans are violent and unpredictable. I would hate to see anything unforeseen happen to you.”
“I’m more curious than concerned. If we are to partner again, I would not welcome interference beyond a reasonable level, even from our patron.” Zin leaned over and snuggled against Fex-Lor’s chest. He could feel the beating of his heart under the warm skin.
Zin had already decided that he would take Fex-Lor up on his offer to join him, yet the fulfillment of his commission was so near, it would be impossible to walk away from a hundred-thousand credits. He would track down Ni-gel and make his report. But then he would return to be with Fex-Lor.
“So you have decided! That is wonderful,” Fex-Lor took the last long puff off his smokestick and then tossed the last remaining nub on the floor. Then he caressed Zin with both arms, holding him tight. “You need not worry about The Ma-Jor. He is on Uniss-3, or he was the last I heard of him. But that was only a week ago. I assume he is still there. Now, Zin, let’s get you unpacked. It will be so wonderful having you with me again.”
Zin pulled away and sat up. “I am afraid I will need a little time.”
“Why?” Fex-Lor was genuinely hurt. “I thought—”
“Yes, you thought right. However I must return to In-mar briefly to tie up my affairs there. I hope you understand? I shouldn’t be gone more than a month.”
Fex-Lor was suddenly beaming again. He climbed up off the cushion and helped Zin to stand. “I assume you do have at least an hour to spare before heading back out? I need something to hold me until your return. But then after that – off with you! The longer you delay, the longer it will be before you return … for good.”
A few hours later, Zin left the company of Fex-Lor Tenth and returned to his ship. After checking the coordinates for Uniss-3, he launched and then settled in for the six-day journey to the planet.
A quick drop to the surface, a few discrete inquires – and if fortunes smiled upon him – a confirmation of Ni-gel’s whereabouts.
He would then send a secure link with the information. Once the bonus was in his account, he would return to Surun … and to Fex-Lor.
In truth, Zin was attracted to the skinny Vinnerian – even if those of his own kind would find it appalling – but certainly not to the same degree Fex-Lor felt towards him. Yet, as always, Zin had other motives for joining with Fex-Lor. After the completion of this assignment, Zin had no guarantee of when the next commission would be arriving, or from whom. Granted, one-hundred thousand credits was a princely sum, yet not enough on which to retire. Fex-Lor was offering him stability and the chance to share in substantially more credits over time – plus a bonus of another kind.
Zin smiled, thinking of the conversation he had had with Fex-Lor. Indeed, it appeared as though his old friend had also made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Chapter 4
It wasn’t until the last day out from Pyrum-3 that the pain of the welts on Adam’s face and body had healed enough that he didn’t dwell on them constantly. Yet all it took was seeing his reflection in a mirror or shiny bulkhead to remind him that they were still very visible; lines of angry red forming a hilarious grid pattern over one side his body. He had hoped they would be less noticeable by the time they reached the base otherwise Sherri would b
e merciless in her ribbing. He could more-easily tolerate the cruel jokes from his fellow soldiers, but Sherri’s would be particularly biting. She just had a talent for such things.
Maybe another day would be all it would take – but that wasn’t likely. It seemed that their extremely rapid transit from Yaki back to Pyrum-3 would be his downfall….
The journey to Adam’s base took eight days, which in reality was about ten days faster than any other ship in the galaxy could have made it.
The bulk of the time savings came from the fact that the Phoenix did not have to travel the established long-haul space routes where the bulk of interstellar traffic took place. With the finicky nature of gravity drives, truly deep-wells could only be established when away from conflicting gravity sources, such as stars, nebulae and the like. The main space lanes of the galaxy were a rare mix of wide open spaces and just enough rogue dust to be gobbled up by the focusing rings and compressed to a point of critical mass required to establish the series of singularities that were at the heart of faster-than-light travel.
Without the interference caused by the wacky twisting of space/time within more densely populated regions, long-haul vessels could establish such powerful singularities that space for half-a-light-year surrounding their transit paths was disturbed by the gravity wakes.
To attempt such wells within a stellar system – or even near a star-cluster for that matter – would have been catastrophic. For one thing, the wells would have been overloaded by the abundance of stray matter near these objects, resulting in their unpredictable disintegration. And secondly, deep-transit wells could cause such havoc to the surrounding space as to actually change the orbits of many of the smaller bodies nearby. Therefore, once within a denser region of space, star-travel slowed to only a fraction of the velocities which could be achieved within the deep-space lanes.