by Gary Weston
Raven said, ‘When I know how Tilly’s going to be.’ He looked at Casey. ‘If you need to go, I’ll understand.’
‘No, Tagg. I’ve already told Boss I’ll be here as long as you are. He was cool with that.’
‘Thanks, Karma. I appreciate that.’
The doors to the emergency room opened and a woman in a doctors gown came out.
‘Agent Raven. I thought you’d like to know, Tilly Jordan has recovered consciousness. There’s a long way to go yet, but we’re more optimistic about her survival.’
‘She…she’s going to live?’
‘I said we are more optimistic. We’re doing all we can for her.’
‘Can I see her?’
Before he got the doctors reply, the door opened again, and Ian Jordan, came out.
‘Tilly’s asking for you, Raven.’
Raven followed Ian back in the emergency room. Sally was by the side of the bed, holding Tilly’s hand. Tilly’s colour looked much improved, and her eyes were open and looking brighter. She even managed to smile at Raven.
Raven said, ‘Welcome back to the land of the living.’
‘Come here, you.’
Raven went to her side and kissed her cheek.
‘I’ve told Mom and Dad not to be blaming you. This wasn’t your fault.’
Sally said, ‘We saw what you did, Tagg. You did everything you could to save our girl.’
‘Thank you. That means a lot to me.’
‘Tagg,’ said Tilly. ‘Those things I said to you back there. About me…you, know.’
‘I know. Your head was all over the place. For the record, I never stopped loving you. But, I’m with Joy, now. And the baby, when it gets here.’
‘You need to go back to her. She needs you.’
Raven said, ‘I want to make sure you are ok, before I go.’
‘Tagg. I’m not meant to die just yet. I’ll be ok in time. Go home to Joy. And tell Boss I’ll still be an agent when I recover.’
Sally said, ‘Tilly.’
‘It’s what I do, Mom. People like me and Tagg make a difference. Tagg. Kiss me and go.’
Tagg smiled and kissed Tilly on her lips. They shared a look so full of emotion and understanding. Their hearts and souls would always be intertwined. With the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders, Tagg Raven walked out of the emergency ward, ready to go home.
Chapter 187
Joy Dainty said, ‘You ever leave me again, Tagg Raven, there’ll be hell to pay.’
‘Never going to happen. I mean it this time.’ To hold Joy in his arms, wrapped up in the bed sheets, made him feel complete again.
After more kisses, Joy said, ‘At least Tilly’s making a full recovery. Boss told me she’s at home with her parents. She’ll be coming home in a couple of weeks.’
‘Does she still want to be an agent?’
‘So Boss said. You have a meeting with him in half an hour. Go shower and go see him.’
‘I’d much rather just stay here with you.’
Joy slapped his bare chest. ‘I’ll be waiting right here for you. Go.’
Raven kissed her and reluctantly got out of bed. ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can.’ He stood there naked for a moment, staring at Joy. ‘I really do love you, you know.’
Joy rubbed her belly. ‘You hear that in there? Your daddy loves your mommy.’
Raven bent down and kissed Joy’s bump. ‘You in there. You’d better believe it.’
* * *
‘Not like you to be drinking on the job, Boss,’ said Raven.
‘Only when the occasion demands it. I just had a call from the hospital on Tryzon. Tilly’s been given the final all clear. She’ll be making her way home on the next available flight.’
‘Great news. I’ll drink to that. Cheers.’
Boss said, ‘There’s more news. That antidote seems to be working on those men. They’re still in good shape with no signs of relapsing. Not only that, the laboratory has managed to break down the formula. They can replicate it. Millions of people will no longer be dependant on drixolate.’
‘I call that a result. Nobody trying to make use of drixolate again. The crime rate will drop to almost nothing overnight.’
Boss nodded. ‘There’ll always be new things happening to keep the D S I busy.’ He poured them both another drink and stood up and paced the floor the way he often did, then he sat on the corner of his desk. ‘It says a lot about Tilly Jordan that she still wants to be a D S I agent, after being let down by the Council the way she was.’
Raven said, ‘That’s not how she sees it. And neither do I. We never expected them to agree to Corey’s demands.’
‘Well, I don’t see it that way, Tagg. I told Veritas I’m resigning as Boss.’
That shocked Raven. ‘You don’t mean that.’
‘I’ve been in the job too long. Time for me to step aside. I intend to stand for Councillor in the upcoming elections. I want to see if I can make things better for the D S I as a Councillor.’
‘Ok. I’m stunned, but you’ll get my vote.’
‘Thanks. Tagg. Did you ever wonder how a Boss becomes Boss?’
‘By drawing the short straw?’
Boss laughed. ‘You’d think so, wouldn’t you? It’s actually quite straightforward. No voting. No interviews. When a Boss resigns, he picks his successor.’
‘Ok.’
Boss took off the double gold lightning bolts, and handed them to Raven. ‘Congratulations, Boss. The job’s all yours.’
‘Me? You want me to be Boss?’
‘Tagg. There’s not anybody who even comes close to you. You are now the Boss of the D S I.’
Raven stared at the gold badge of office. Then he stared at the former Boss. There was a moment of tension then Raven pinned the badge to his collar and became Boss.
‘You’d better go home and tell Joy the news.’
Still getting over the shock, Boss got up and went home to Joy.
The end
Deep Space Intelligence: Masters Return
Chapter 188
It was a setback. Nothing more. The humans had fought back and won a battle or two, but not the war. Humans. So versatile, so nutritious. Humans could take their Masters to other worlds, transform oceans and seas into the green, sustainable habitats the Masters required.
But, as useful as the humans were, they had their limitations. The females only produced one or two offspring, and those offspring took many years to grow. It had become a trade-off, either using the breeding stock of two thousand as slaves, or culling a few for food. They were becoming so rare that they were now a delicacy, a treat for special occasions, especially the young ones. More were needed.
One human had become the conduit for communication. A male. The male humans, for reasons the Masters still didn’t comprehend, were the most pliable and easier to control. For some unknown reason, human females had a stronger will, and a resilience to being controlled. So, Sam Thorne was chosen as the one to have his mind probed, and what he would be told, would be spread by him to the others. He had been summoned, called to the edge of the green ocean, bringing with him his own daughter, born on that planet. A girl child, hardly able to walk. He sat on the shingle and waited, his daughter by his side.
‘Thorne.’
‘Master.’
‘The ship. Is it ready to fly?’
‘Repairs are complete, Master. We have taken the fuel from the other ships we have here. But once expended, we can no longer fly.’
‘That is understood, Thorne. You will captain that ship. Your mission is to corrupt the communication satellites of our enemy by bringing one here. You will also secure more ships, more fuel, and return here. Is that understood?’
‘Yes, Master. But there will be resistance.’
Master said, ‘Agreed, Thorne. Your ship is armed. Between us, we have made it faster than before. You will destroy any resistance. Is that understood?’
A moment of hesitation. ‘That would
mean killing our own kind.’
‘Yes. And you will do that.’
Another pause. ‘Perhaps I think that killing my own kind is wrong.’
‘Disobeying Masters is wrong. Your child. Her name?’
‘Shannon.’
‘Charming, I’m sure. Shannon . Please stand.’
The girl looked at her father, who nodded and smiled. She stood and faced the ocean, watching the dark shape that swam just below the surface of the green liquid.
‘Child,’ said Master. ‘Walk towards me. Do not be afraid.’
Shannon let go of her father’s hand and walked to the water’s edge. The Master probed her mind. It was so pure and uncluttered, finding magic in all it encountered. The Master had learned to control his power, understanding what would hurt and what would kill. He applied that knowledge. The girl child screamed in pain and dropped to her knees.
‘Stop. Please stop,’ said Thorne.
Master stopped the pain and the girl ran back to her father in tears, wanting him to kiss away her fear and hurt.
‘Thorne. There are three hundred and twenty three human offspring on our planet. You will do as you are ordered, or all will die. Do you understand?’
Thorne stood up and gathered Shannon in his arms. ‘You leave us no choice.’
‘No. We do not. Go. You know what you have to do.’
Thorne walked away from the dark shape swimming in the green sea, his little girl in his arms.
Chapter 189
Captain Mark Fuller studied the screen. ‘Is that ship dead?’
Sergeant Tammy Belle said, ‘I’ve tried getting a response from them. Nothing so far.’
‘Keep trying. According to the data sheet, that ship disappeared almost two years ago. Thought to be destroyed by drixolte runners.’
‘I have a signal from them, Captain. Weak, but audible.’
‘This is Captain Sam Thorne. Can you hear me?’
‘Just about. This is D S I Captain Mark Fuller. What is your status, Captain Thorne?’
‘Completely out of fuel. We have been in this sector for three months. Our food is almost depleted. Our radio is only capable of short-range transmission. Let’s just say we are very pleased to see you.’
Fuller said, ‘Your lucky day. We are escorting a helium three tanker home. We’ll get you refuelled and you can come along with us.’
‘Thank you. We would very much appreciate it a few of you would bring a little food and water over to us. We’ve been existing on half rations for weeks.’
‘My pleasure. I’ll get a team on it now. I’ll come over with them, and also bring our medical officer.’
‘Very kind of you.’
The tanker and fighter class ship pulled alongside the “stranded” vessel. A refuelling line was attached and the helium three was pumped into the tanks. Several containers of food and water were carried by Fuller and three others and they took those into the open outer airlock door and Thorne closed that one, equalised the air and pressure, then opened the inner airlock door.
Smiles from the rescuers vanished when they saw Thorne and the others pointing laser rifles at them.
‘What’s going on here, Thorne?’ Fuller demanded.
‘Just do exactly as I tell you, and with luck, nobody dies.’
‘Thorne…’
‘Silence. Listen. Don’t talk. You will stay here with your team. Any resistance will result in your deaths. There is to be no radio contact from your ship or the tanker to the D S I headquarters. We also want the satellite ComTel three picked up and stowed in the hold of the tanker.’
Fuller said, ‘Thorne. I think drifting around in this tin-can has fried your brain.’
‘Just do as you are told. That way nobody will die today.’
Unarmed, Fuller and his three officers had no option but to comply. Thornes crew took the food and secured it away. His number two said, ‘Tanks are now full, Captain.’
Thorne called Fuller’s ship. ‘Your captain and his team are now our captives on my ship. You will do exactly as I order you to do, otherwise they will die. Do you understand?’
After a stunned silence, Sergeant Belle replied. ‘Let me speak with my captain.’
Thorne nodded at Fuller, who replied to Belle. ‘Sergeant. This is Captain Fuller. This situation is as Captain Thorne just said. Do not contact D S I or we will be killed. Arrange for the tanker to collect ComTel satellite three. When that is done, we are all to be escorted by Captain Thorne and his crew. Is that understood, Sergeant Belle?’
‘Yes, Captain.’
Chapter 190
‘Boss. Boss.’
Raven opened his eyes. The annoying alarm persisted. It could only be Maj Saltoe because only she would dare to wake him that early. Joy Dainty was purring like a kitten by his side. She had a way of hogging the sheets he seldom challenged her and his growing baby for, and he often lay awake watching them. But Saltoe made it quite clear, staying in bed wasn’t an option. Easing his arm from under Joy, he slipped on his underwear and went to the lounge where he keyed in the transmission from his personal assistant.
‘Miss Saltoe. A pleasure as usual.’
‘It is not. We have lost ComTel three.’
‘Breakdown?’
‘Vanished.’
Raven rubbed his eyes. ‘Miss Saltoe. Satellites do not just disappear.’
‘Well, Boss. If you know where we can locate it, I’m sure we’ll all be interested.’
‘My office. Fifteen minutes.’
Saltoe said, ‘Your office, ten minutes. Your vehicle is waiting outside.’
‘On my way.’
‘Yes you are.’
A two minute shower, forgoing the shave, dressing in whatever came to hand, Boss got in the back of his vehicle. It was already programmed to take him to his office. The streets were quiet at that time of day, and the vehicle pulled up smoothly outside the Deep Space Intelligence H Q. Boss jumped out and the vehicle went off to park itself. Boss ran up the steps, nodded at the security officer on the front desk, placed his thumb on the elevator sensor, which ignored his print signature as usual. Cursing, he licked his thumb and tried again. That time it worked.
‘I’m Boss and I still can’t open the damn elevator door.’
It took him to the nineteenth floor and opened smoothly. Saltoe was waiting for him, hot coffee in her hand, the real stuff, in his antique smiley face beaker. Boss took a sip.
‘You are…’
‘A lifesaver. Got that. Commander Felix Gordon is in your office.’
Boss entered his office, nodded at Gordon and sat in the well-worn green leather swivel chair. One hundred and fifty year old steel springs groaned and creaked. Nobody knew where that chair had been made, or the walnut veneer desk with the matching green leather inlay, that had been in that office since the inception of the Deep Space Intelligence department. Six Bosses had sat in that chair, Raven was the latest in that honourable line. Raven was Boss. Only the President of the planet and the elected Interplanetary Councillors overruled him. Everyone else called him Boss and did as he told them to do. Commander Gordon, no exception.
‘Felix.’
‘Boss. Two hours ago. We thought just a glitch.’
‘Apparently not.’
‘No, Boss. It just vanished.’
Boss sipped his real coffee. Saltoe had the milk to coffee ratio perfected. ‘Vanished. Big things, satellites. Somebody stole it?’
‘So it seems, Boss. Half our communications are down. The other half trying to compensate. I have no idea what happened.’
Boss said, ‘You have ships out there looking?’
‘Of course. But…’
Saltoe entered. ‘Boss. Commander. Two of our ships have disappeared. A D S I fighter and a helium three tanker.’
Boss and Gordon shared a look.
Boss said, ‘I’m thinking we are under attack. Commander. Get everything we have ready for battle. Inform General Millet.’
‘On my way, B
oss.’
Chapter 191
‘You did well, Thorne. Better than we anticipated.’
‘Thank you, Master. We have the satellite in orbit around our planet. The two ships we brought back were well selected. One a helium three cargo vessel of which the fuel shall last us many years, and the other a fighter class ship. The fighter is being modified to our new specifications and should be ready to fly within four of our days.’
‘Excellent, Thorne. And the humans you brought back? What number are they?’
‘Twenty three, Master.’
‘Hmm. A little disappointing. Are they healthy?’
Thorne said, ‘Good condition. We pretended to be a D S I ship in trouble and they came to our assistance. We then surprised and overcame them. Shall I make them slaves, Master?’
‘Only if necessary. I will tell you when. Get me one of them. Perhaps the least physically capable of all of them.’
Thorne walked up the beach towards the shanty-town. He paused occasionally, only to be prodded by the mental control of the Master. The humans were busy, the new ones working on the ship stolen from the D S I, turning it into something faster than it was ever designed to be. Thorne stopped at a man. He was mature in years and not the best physical specimen.
‘You,’ said Thorne. ‘Name.’
‘Marlowe. Greg Marlowe. I work on the tanker as the engineer.’
Thorne asked, ‘Your work on this fighter. Is that complete?’
‘I guess. The upgrades to the plasma drive conductors are complete. Interesting adjustments. Will we be able to go home now?’
Thorne said, ‘Not just yet. Come with me.’
Marlowe followed Thorne to the dunes, across the shingle beach to the green sea.
‘What gives, Thorne?’
Thorne said nothing, watching the turbulence beneath the surface of the green liquid. Marlowe looked at the ocean, then back at Thorne.
‘What’s going on?’ said Marlowe.
Thorne stood like a statue, also staring at the foaming sea. Suddenly, Marlow’s brain was taken over by the Masters. He walked towards the green liquid, hesitated, then stepped into it. Around his legs swam dark creatures, numbing his mind from the excruciating pain as his flesh was torn away, bite at a time. His blood mixed with the green soup, and a feeding frenzy began. The lower left leg below the knee was chewed off, and unable to maintain his balance, the man once known as Marlowe fell over.