by Karl Morgan
“The Boley can talk?” Mali said. “Is that possible? Bola, what’s going on?”
“Damned if I know, Mali. Damned if I know,” she replied.
Fa-a-Di stepped forward and smiled at Fanon. Bola opened the cage and Fa-a-Di got on his knees and crawled inside. There was no room to sit up, so he lay on his side next to the Boley, who reached out and touched his hand. Two Nan noticed the commotion and joined the group. All stood transfixed as the sight of the two gas giant animals inside the cage with the winged glass spider clinging to the bars. After ten minutes, Fa-a-Di crawled back out of the cage. The two Nan went inside and examined the Boley’s wounds, which were improving very slowly.
“Let’s see what else you have, Bola,” Fa-a-Di said as they walked away. He looked back to see Fanon smiling at him. After the cages, they entered an open ward where several other Boley and other creatures were being treated. Fa-a-Di looked around at the other creatures. There were more than twenty injured Boley and a dozen other smaller creatures in various states of mending. Dave could see tears in the general’s eyes.
“Are you okay, brother?” Dave asked.
“Yes and no, brother,” Fa-a-Di replied. “Friends, I sincerely thank you for what you are trying to do here. Frankly, I’m amazed at your generosity and kindness in the face of such abomination. No matter what happens here, I want you to know that Greater Gallia stands with you. You are doing your best here, I know. If it is acceptable, I’d like to send the doctors from my ship here tomorrow morning along with some medical equipment more suited to these creatures.” He turned and shouted, “Jake, come over here please!” Jake flew across the room and landed on the general’s chest.
“Are you leaving now, brother?” Dave asked, seeing the pain in his friend’s face. “I’m sure Bola has more to show us.”
Fa-a-Di put his hand on Dave’s shoulder. “That’s okay, brother, but Fanon has already told me much more than I wanted to know. I sincerely hope and pray there is a solution for the problems in this system.” He turned to the rest. “My medical team will arrive at 0900 local time. Okay, Jake, get me out of this place.” The two disappeared.
“All of you provide doctors and medical supplies to help the injured on this planet, right?” Dave asked. “But did all of this happen due to one day of slag dumping?”
“Let’s head back to your shuttle, Dave,” Bola said. “I think we’re finished here for tonight. Good night Vee and Mali.” They waved as she and Dave walked away. “We try to come here whenever we get enough money to buy supplies. I probably come two days a week. It’s expensive too. We have to buy all of our medical supplies from other systems. We have to pay fines for every rule they say we break. The Opa do better than the Ulu or us, but all imports are very expensive. We’ve started pooling our profits to make life better for all, but then expenses like this hospital and buying Zula back hit us.” They arrived back at the shuttle and climbed aboard. Avery repressurized the cabin and they pulled off their helmets. The shuttle slowly lifted off the platform and headed back to Lagamar Vol.
“Admiral, Captain Lake advises they are waiting for us to depart for Lagamar Ulu on our arrival,” Avery said. “We will arrive on Lagamar Vol to drop Bola off in twenty minutes.”
“Thanks Avery,” Dave said. “Bola, thank you. This trip was amazing. I’ve learned a lot of good and bad tonight. Hopefully, we’ll find a way to keep the good and stop the bad.”
“Admiral,” Avery interjected. “I have an idea on the Zula problem. We need a big favor from one of your friends though.”
“I knew you would come up with something, Avery,” Dave replied. “I’m guessing you’re suggesting De-o-Nu.”
“I can never keep a secret from you, Dave,” Avery laughed.
Bola grabbed Dave’s arm. “Your friend is having a rough time now, Dave. He, Jake and Fanon were able to talk, so there are no secrets anymore.”
“What do you mean, Bola?” Dave asked.
“First, you have to know that we might control our planets, but the system belongs to the Society. That’s why they can dictate to the Opa to use Lagamar 7 as a dump,” Bola said.
“I guess that makes as much sense as anything I’ve seen so far,” Dave replied.
“Lagamar 7 is much more than a dump, Dave,” she said. “The Opa have a very limited area where they can dump. The rest of the planet is a hunting preserve.”
Chapter 37
Lagamar Ulu was a mysterious planet. From the forward view screen, Jon Lake saw a planet covered in a dense brown-yellow cloud bank. Only small patches of blue in the center of oceans and the peaks of dozens of mountain ranges avoided the cloud cover. Lagamar Ulu was a manufacturing center for this sector of the Society. Raw materials were sent from mining planets like Lagamar Opa and other worlds to be converted into the goods that the Society relied on for everyday life.
“Jon, Lagamar Ulu Central Command is hailing us,” Lia said. “Shall I put them on?”
“Yes, thanks Lia,” Jon replied. The screen split and the face of a beautiful Ulu woman filled the right side. “This is Captain Jon Lake of the Nightsky requesting orbital clearance at your convenience.”
“Welcome to Lagamar Ulu, Nightsky,” she replied. “I am Major Voa Maroo of Lagamar Ulu Central Command. I am transmitting orbital coordinates to you now. I spoke with Minister of State Vee Ondi earlier today and he offers his regards to Admiral Dave Brewster.”
“Thank you, Voa,” Jon smiled, “but Admiral Brewster will not be joining the away team this morning. He hopes to catch up with them later this afternoon.”
“Thanks for the update, Jon,” Voa said, smiling sweetly. “I’ll let the Minister know after we disconnect. Our team will be awaiting your dignitaries outside our capitol building in Porto at 1000 hours local. I will send those coordinates shortly. I have also been advised to let your dignitaries know that our atmosphere can be disturbing to some and we recommend that every person has a breather. Lagamar Ulu out.” The full screen was filled with the planet again.
Ali Bai turned from his helm and looked at Jon. “You’d better watch out or I’ll tell Lauren,” he laughed.
Lia laughed out loud. “Thank goodness! Turnabout is fair play!” The entire bridge crew laughed.
“Now this is supposed to be respect for your captain?” Jon shouted, and then laughed as well.
The Kong-Fa hovered ten feet over the ocean on Lagamar Vol, in the same location where Bola had freed the Zula the previous evening. Five of her fighters circled the area to watch for anyone who might notice the massive Gallicean star cruiser sucking tons of ocean water into her sealed hold. A set of shuttle bay doors were opened and several crew members wearing breathers managed the hoses and checked the water level in the hold. Ambassador De-o-Nu supervised. He touched his com-link and shouted, “No-ka-De, watch the controls! We’re starting to roll to the port and we’re losing altitude. You have to compensate for the weight of the water, fool!”
“Sorry, Ambassador,” No-ka-De answered. “I’ve got it stabilized now. It won’t happen again.”
A shuttle from Nightsky pulled up next to the Gallicean ship and hovered. Gradually, it moved forward and landed inside the shuttle bay next to the working men. Dave Brewster and Jake Benomafolays exited the shuttle and came over to the Ambassador. “Brother, I’m so happy to see you here,” Dave smiled as he shook his friend’s hand. “This is a wonderful thing you are doing today. How is it going?”
“This part is easy, Dave,” De-o-Nu said. “We should have sufficient water in ten or twenty minutes. But I am very concerned about my impetuous brother-in-law.”
“Where is Fa-a-Di?” Dave asked. “I thought he would be here.”
“What he saw last night was too much for him. He took a contingent of Marines with him to the platform to guard the doctors,” De-o-Nu replied. “I know he can take care of himself, but the anger in him is too high. I’m afraid he might do something we will regret later.”
“Unless a stupid hunter shows up t
oday, I don’t think there should be a problem, brother,” Dave said.
“My instinct tells me differently, brother,” De-o-Nu sighed. “I just have a feeling in my gut that things are going to get crazy soon.”
“Captain,” one of the Galliceans said, “we have enough water now. I’ll start retrieving the hoses now.”
“Thank you,” De-o-Nu said. He turned to Jake. “I guess it’s up to you now, friend.”
“I’ll do my best, but I’m not sure what I’m looking for,” Jake said. “Wish me luck.” Jake dived into the water and disappeared from sight.
“Nothing to do now but wait, brother,” Dave said as he sat on the deck.
De-o-Nu pulled a flask of Gallicean whisky from his suit and offered it to Dave. “It is going to be a very long day for all of us, brother. Before going into battle, it is customary for us to share a drink. You first.” Dave took a drink from the bottle and began coughing. De-o-Nu shrieked with laughter. “You need to learn to love this stuff if you are going to be a warrior, Dave Brewster!”
A small black shuttle slipped downward through the atmosphere of Lagamar 7. Twelve humans in black pressure suits were strapped in as the ship was pushed about by the driving winds on the gas giant. The ship followed the coordinates provided by Bola and Mulwi Deka who were handcuffed and chained to the last row of seats. The platform came into view and they approached it rapidly.
“What is going on down there, Igol?” the pilot said.
“I have no idea, Ordo,” Igol replied. Two massive shuttles filled most of the open space on the platform. Ordo maneuvered the black shuttle to the edge of the platform and landed. Igol walked down the narrow aisle to the Dekas. “Thanks for the information, you two,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind if we leave you here for your own safety.” He laughed and said, “Okay men, it’s time for the Brotherhood to investigate and deactivate this facility. Let’s go.”
The ten agents of the Brotherhood left the black shuttle and secured the door so the Dekas could not escape. They were shocked by the size of the other two shuttles. Each was five times larger than their own. The markings on the ships were unlike anything they had seen. All the agents were armed with two blasters. Each held one in their hand, ready for any eventuality. Five agents entered the smaller building while the others maintained the perimeter. After a few minutes, the agents left the building with three Nan in handcuffs. They were dragged along with the group toward the second building. Two agents stayed outside with the prisoners while the rest entered the hospital.
They passed the rows of strange creatures in cages quickly and entered the open ward. Three giant winged creatures in white coats were tending to other injured beasts while three more Nan ran about assisting them. “What is going on around here?” Igol shouted, as he fired a blast into the ceiling.
Doctor No-o-Ka spun around to see what was happening. “Get out of here!” the Gallicean physician shouted. “Can’t you tell this is a hospital, you fool?”
“Who and what are you and who gave you authorization to set up a hospital on Lagamar 7?” Igol asked as he and his agents aimed their blasters at the doctor.
“I am a medical doctor, son,” No-o-Ka replied, “and I don’t need anyone’s authorization to help the wounded and sick.”
“Let me make this clear, Doctor,” Igol laughed. “This is a Society of Humanity planet and you clearly are not a human, so you have no jurisdiction here. Either you leave this room with us now, or I will kill all your pets here, then I will kill the Nan, and if I need to, you will be last.”
“Let’s not be rash now, son,” No-o-Ka said as he raised his hands. “My team will go quietly. We are here to save lives, not end them. Please let the Nan stay here for a few minutes to make sure these patients are stable. You can leave guards with them.”
“I guess that’s fair,” Iglo said. “Let’s go now.”
The three Gallicean doctors left with six guards, while the remaining two kept an eye on the Nan who were frantically closing incisions and checking on their patients.
Chapter 38
The shuttle drifted through the dense smog layer over Porto, capital city of Lagamar Ulu. At three hundred feet, the cloud layer broke and the huge city spread out beneath them. Other than the small center where the buildings of government sat, the city was divided into dozens of zones with large industrial complexes in the center and housing and commercial property radiating outward until they met the next zone. The windows of the shuttle were covered with dust and grime from the clouds as the ship settled down on the landing marks provided.
“Please remember your breathers,” Wendo said. “This is not a pleasant place without them.” He pulled a breather over his head and smiled. The group donned their masks and exited the shuttle. Avery Adamsen stayed on board to guard the ship. He breathed some of the local air while the dignitaries exited and had no desire to wander about this dirty place. A single Ulu man with no breather approached their group. When he saw Wendo and Antar, he hugged them both and led the group into a large stone building, which was stained from years of exposure to the smog. They strolled through the large rotunda and into a legislative chamber that was empty. Rows of wooden desks surrounded a central podium where the President would suggest new laws for consideration.
As they stood in the large chamber, Vee Ondi said, “Good morning and welcome to Lagamar Ulu. I am the Minister of State for this planet. Unfortunately, most of the ministers who wish to meet you are not in the city today. As you may know, we Ulu work three weeks with no breaks and take every fourth off. Our President and Minister of Economy are currently taking their week off on Mount Alila. We will catch up to them this afternoon. Now if you will follow me, we will visit the foundry in the Neko Zone and the assembly plant in the Oplo Zone. We have provided the coordinates for all sites to your shuttle pilot who has offered to take us around. As we are going outside again, I suggest you replace your breathers.”
Though it was still morning, the sky over Porto was dark and dreary. Black rain drops stained the outside of the shuttle as it moved to an even darker area. Hundreds of chimneys pierced the skyline belching smoke into the air. They landed in a small pad near the Neko foundry. They could see a line of freighters hovering over the huge planet. One at a time, each freighter would drift down over a massive grate over a hole in the roof of a building and open its cargo doors. Ore would drop from the ship and pour through the grate and into the plant. That freighter would head back to the stars to be replaced by the next in line. The shuttle moved to the far end of the plant where pallets of freshly poured metal ingots were loaded onto other freighters for export or trains to be sent to local factories.
No-o-Ka and the two other Gallicean surgeons walked out onto the platform with the Brotherhood agents. After a few minutes, the final agents brought the Nan assistants out of the hospital and they secured the door. All the Nan were chained together and secured to the door of the hospital building. Agents Igol and Ordo walked over the No-o-Ka. “Okay, doctor, I suppose I know whose shuttles these are now,” Igol said. “Where are you from and why are you here?’
“I am chief physician for General Fa-a-Di. The general is the current High Commissioner of Greater Gallia in the Ulagong Galaxy,” No-o-Ka explained.
“I heard about you guys,” Igol laughed. “You’ve come with the traitors Balak and Arrak to request a Free Society in your galaxy, right? You have to know that will never happen, don’t you?”
“Little man,” No-o-Ka said. “You can put away your weapons. I am no danger to you. But why do you say the Free Society will never happen?”
“Sorry about the blasters, doctor, but rules are rules. Until I find a way to secure you three, we have to be ready for an attack,” Igol replied.
“That is probably wise, little man,” said a voice behind them. They spun around to see Fa-a-Di land on the platform. He was wearing freshly polished black armor which gleamed in the sunlight. He wore a black and silver battle helmet and war boots with
long metal talons. His blasters and daggers were secured to his belt.
“Let me guess,” Igol said as he aimed his blaster. “You are Fa-a-Di.”
“Very good, little man,” the Gallicean said. “But to filth like you, I am General Fa-a-Di, High Commissioner of Greater Gallia and hero of both Predaxian wars. In my galaxy, it is an act of war to aim a weapon at a head of state.”
“But this is not your galaxy, general,” Igol laughed. “You and your doctors are under arrest.”
Fa-a-Di screeched with laughter. “Silly little bug, do you think I came here alone?” Two Gallicean Marines landed on both sides of Fa-a-Di. Their dark red battle armor was the color of human blood. Each had two blasters in their hands and four daggers on their belts. As the agents watched, more than forty more Marines landed on the platform, each carrying a laser rifle aimed at them. “As I see it, you have two choices, little man,” Fa-a-Di smiled. “You can shoot me or you can surrender. I have been shot by better weapons many times. You might hit me or you might not. Either way, my Marines will kill you all and feed your remains to the Boley in the hospital. What will it be?”
The agents dropped their weapons and a Marine quickly retrieved them. “Okay, general, you are in charge now. What are you going to do with us?” Igol asked.
“Although you do look delicious, I have already had my breakfast today,” Fa-a-Di laughed. “I suppose we will let you leave. We do not want war in this galaxy. Let me take a look at your ship first.” The Gallicean walked over to the black shuttle and looked through the windows. He could see Bola Deka and another Vol chained inside. He waved and smiled at Bola, then turned to Igol again. “You are a very naughty boy. What is your name, son?”
“I am Agent Igol Vart of the Brotherhood, general,” he replied. “You are in desperate trouble for detaining us. Those people in the shuttle are our prisoners and we won’t give them to you.”