by T. R. Harris
With the Pegasus now secure, Kaylor and Jym set out looking for the Senior Guild Pilot Ruszel Crin. They began their search in the Tel’or capital city of Saf’in, where the Trade Guild was headquartered. It was from here that pilots were dispatched to guide Outers and locals alike through the deadly and unforgiving region of space known by the natives as the Silvean Nebula, and on the star charts as the Juddle Nebula.
It had been a little over four months since Ruszel sent his message to the Formilian Speaker Arieel Bol, informing her of Riyad’s capture. Since then, there was no telling where Ruszel could be. Jym had efficiently tapped into the Guild computers using his ATD but found no mention of the pilot. Even the local residents’ directories came up blank. Their only remaining option was good old fashion boot-leather to find the elusive Tel’oran.
Having been a space-faring merchant for over forty standard years, Kaylor knew how spaceports operated, and he knew where to find ships’ crews when they were in port and off-duty. So after scouring a half-dozen of the most popular taverns outside the gates of the main landing field, they finally struck pay dirt.
“Ruszel! Of course I know of him, the impedium scumcup! He comes into an incredible amount of ruiens and then abruptly walks out without even a courtesy credit my way. We’ve flown together many times; you would think he would look out for his fellow pilots.” The green-skinned native was obviously intoxicated, and therefore free with this talk. His name was Kankus and he had to be over a hundred Tel’oran years old.
“So where did he go?” Kaylor asked, chugging on a strong intoxicant himself, while Jym suspiciously eyed every other patron in the bar. Between listening to the old pilot ramble on about what a rotten bastard Ruszel was—and watching Jym send teeth-baring snarls at anyone who looked at him for more than a second—Kaylor wasn’t sure how this night was going to play out. This old pilot was the first real lead they’d found in over seven days of searching, and Adam and the rest of the team were now only one day out. However it looked as if Jym’s new-found confidence and belligerence might interrupt the interview....
Kaylor was somewhat relieved to see that none of the Tel’oran natives reacted to Jym’s snarls, meaning they didn’t treat the baring of teeth as a life-challenge, as did most of the galaxy. Unfortunately, there were other races represented in the bar other than Tel’orans, and already Jym was causing some of them to stir.
The old pilot spoke: “He and Canos quit the Guild and have taken their bloodlines to The Lakes, along with his fancy new ship.”
“Where are The Lakes? We are new here.”
“Then why are you asking about Ruszel? He is no longer a pilot, and if you require one, I am available for private hire.”
Around the main spaceport, Kaylor had picked up rumors of another ship like the Pegasus that passed through a few months before. Could this be Riyad’s ship, the Ifrit? Kaylor wondered. If so, then how did Ruszel come to possess it?
‘We seek Ruszel in regard to the ship he now owns,” Kaylor improvised. “There is a title issue that we are seeking to resolve.”
“Scumcup!” the Tel’oran pilot spit out, spraying Kaylor with a partial mouthful of bitter intoxicant. Unconcerned, the alien continued. “I hope you yank that ship right from him. He was such a scumcup telling us all about what a superior ship he now possessed. So he could not own it in reality?”
Kaylor picked up on the line of thinking by the old pilot. “That is a possibility, yet we must confront him first. So where are The Lakes?”
“North of here, just at the base of the Esesian Mountains. It is an exclusive region most commonly reserved for Guild managers and directors and not for overly-fortunate pilots! Did he really receive that ship and the credits in return for a single fare? I know there are beings within the Expansion with credits to spare, yet this was beyond belief.”
“He may have stolen it,” Kaylor said, glad to see an even more animated response from the pilot.
“In that case, I will personally guide you to where I believe he is now residing!” Kankus said. “And if you allow me to see the look on his face when you confront him, I would be forever in your debt!”
“Our transaction with Pilot Ruszel will have to stay private, yet if you guide us to his location, we could pay you a thousand ruiens.”
Kankus nearly fell off his seat. “Of course—a thousand—that would be acceptable.” And then he paused. “Half in advance?” he said with a question mark. “I have a tavern debt to clear before we leave.”
Kaylor grinned. He had been in the same situation many times before and could relate. He doled out the credits to the Tel’oran and then turned to see if Jym had started a fight—yet. Even though two sets of foreign creatures were visibly agitated at Jym’s challenges, none had acted on their anger, which only served to infuriate the tiny bear even more. Kaylor nudged his partner toward the door, with the old Tel’oran pilot bringing up the rear. It seemed that Jym wasn’t enough of a challenge to the aliens for them to bother, something that would do little for his small friend’s self-esteem. Kaylor knew it was only going to get worse from here on out.
Kaylor had secured a transport large enough for the three of them to make the two-hour journey to The Lakes in relative comfort, even though most of the trip was spent with the windows down to relieve the cockpit of the rank odor of Kankus’ intoxicant-laced breath.
As it was with most societies of advanced beings, wealth had its privileges, and The Lakes was everything you would expect from a conclave of the planet’s elites. The roads throughout the sprawling complex were extremely wide, bordered by manicured landscaping of lush green grass and tailored trees, now ablaze with the vibrant colors of springtime on Tel’or. All the homes were separated by several acres, many with tall security walls and iron gates through which were revealed extremely long driveways leading to massive, low-slung domiciles. Tel’oran homes were constructed with outwardly sloping exterior walls, providing a sheltered area around the perimeter under expansive rooflines that soared high to a zenith above the central point of the home. Inside would be a voluminous great room with a ceiling easily a hundred feet high.
The pilot Kankus directed the trio to a gate leading to Ruszel’s current residence—one of the largest, if not the largest, residence in the entire subdivision. A camera attached to a long support extended out from the security wall next to the gate and scanned the transport from both the driver and passenger sides.
“Kankus, is that you?” came a disembodied voice from hidden, stereoscopic speakers.
“Yes, my friend. I have come to pay you a visit.”
“And who is that with you?”
“Fellow travelers who are intrigued by your tales of adventure; they may even wish to profile you in the Library.”
Kaylor wasn’t surprised by the effortlessness of the Tel’oran’s lie. Merchant traders and pilots were often quick with their tales, a necessary talent when negotiating entry—or exit—from difficult situations.
“Please enter, Kankus. I will welcome the diversion.”
The gate silently slipped to one side and Kaylor drove the transport up to the front portico of a fabulously ornate building. With such a variety of different habitats found throughout the galaxy, one being’s mansion could be another’s waste dump, yet even by Kaylor’s Belsonian standards, this structure was massive and impressive. How the Senior Pilot came to afford it was still a mystery to both he and Jym, their only clue being Kankus’ mention of his fortune and spaceship coming as the result of a single fare. That fare had to be Riyad Tarazi, Kaylor reasoned, and if the Human had been carrying a wealth in native currency on his mission—as were they—then the source of Ruszel’s new-found gains became obvious.
Kaylor had been very slow at learning how to use his ATD effectively, and the fact that he and Jym were on a separate starship from the rest of the team meant that they had to learn their lessons remotely. This hindered Kaylor’s progress even more. And yet the single-most important ability of th
e telepathy implant proved to be the detection of energy weapons, along with their subsequent disarming. This talent the two aliens—Kaylor included—had mastered, which gave the diminutive Jym his often reckless confidence in confronting overwhelming force.
Kaylor and Jym looked at each other, communicating the silent acknowledgement that there were multiple flash weapons located throughout the structure and grounds, with most gathered in a hidden circle around them. With Ruszel’s new wealth—and the questionable means in which he acquired it—Kaylor understood why the Tel’oran would be paranoid of visitors. Security was expected, and the former pilot had the means to afford the very best.
Ruszel greeted them at the wide double entrance to the home. He was a green-skinned creature of average build, with skin displaying knobby welts on his narrow face like other Tel’orans. His three guests exited the transport and walked the short distance up a series of steps to the landing outside the entrance.
Ruszel grasped the arms of Kankus and squeezed them vigorously. “My friend, I am delighted to see you,” he said with genuine emotion. “I find it surprising that I miss my old companions in the Pilot’s Guild, yet after a life of travel among the stars, even this fabulous habitat can appear staid at times.”
His pleasant demeanor changed abruptly as he turned his gaze to Kaylor and Jym. “And I see you have brought me two imposters, enemies whose intentions must now be discerned.”
Immediately, ten Tel’oran guards swarmed out of the house from behind Ruszel and from around the corners of the building. They each held MK-17’s leveled at the two aliens. The pilot stepped up to Kaylor, assuming the taller Belsonian to be the leader of the pair.
“Why have you come? I have scanned your images and you are of species located from within the Expansion. What business do you have with me?”
“They said it is about the spaceship you recently acquired,” Kankus offered, moving up to stand next to Ruszel.
The pilot nodded. “I was expecting this, and that is why I have spies located throughout the port area, including my old friend Kankus. He will be handsomely rewarded, which will encourage others to protect me as he has.”
“We are not your enemy, Senior Pilot Ruszel,” Kaylor said with confidence, knowing that even as he spoke, Jym had already disconnected the power packs from the rail systems of the flash weapons aimed at them. Kaylor and Jym carried flash weapons as well—now the only ones still operating within the compound—and the overly-confident Tel’orans had yet to take their weapons from them. “We are friends of Riyad Tarazi, and we are here seeking information of which you are exclusively the holder. You may wish to lower your weapons and have the three of us retire to another location for a more private conversation.”
Ruszel did not appear surprised by the mention of the Human’s name. His entire life had been altered by the brief five-day encounter with Riyad Tarazi; it was inevitable that others may either question his gains or seek more information about his encounter. And with the recent events sweeping the Nebula, the window for such a confrontation was narrowing rapidly.
“I will entertain your presence as long as you reciprocate with information of your own. I have nothing to hide; I have done nothing wrong in acquiring my gains.”
“We are not here to take anything from you, Ruszel Crin, yet this is not the proper venue for this conversation.”
“Agreed; enter my home yet leave your weapons with my guards. And please be assured that you will be under constant scrutiny while we are together. Kankus, you are to remain with my guards; I will speak privately with these beings.”
Kaylor and Jym were led into the breathtaking great room of the home, with its soaring ceiling and vast wall of glass to the rear affording a magnificent view of the nearby snow-capped mountains. They sat on a semi-circle of cushy sofas; Ruszel offered them neither food nor drink.
“You have come under deceptive means. What is it you want?”
“We need more information about the location of our friend Riyad Tarazi, as well as the location of the planet Elision.” Kaylor watched Ruszel’s face for a reaction at his mention of the planet Elision, the hidden and near-mythical homeworld of the outlaw Kracori race. He detected no change in the Tel’oran’s countenance. Either he assumed Kaylor and Jym would know the truth, or something else was at play.
“The location of Elision is no longer a secret within the Nebula, yet you still appear to believe it be so. Perhaps your own information is out of date?”
“We have been traveling from the planet Formil. Are there new developments concerning the Kracori?”
“Indeed,” Ruszel said, appearing to revel in the questioning looks on the faces of his alien guests. “The Kracori have announced to the galaxy the location of their homeworld. They also know of the impending attack on the Nebula by the Human forces and have begun to solicit allies to repel such an attack.” He paused to let the impact of his statement to sink in. “What do you expect to do with what little additional information I may have regarding the Human Riyad Tarazi? You have traveled a long distance for very little gain.”
Kaylor considered which approach to take with his next statement. He was not sure whether the Tel’oran was friend or foe at this point. He couldn’t risk revealing too much until he knew for certain. He looked around at the fabulous room where he sat. “All you have here is a result of your interaction with Riyad; we can all agree on that?”
“Yes,” Ruszel replied quickly. “He rewarded me and Canos for our assistance. We did not take this from him.”
“We understand that, and Adam Cain is forever grateful for that assistance.” Kaylor saw a beacon of recognition at the mention of the name Adam Cain. This would add to Kaylor’s own claim of credibility. “We are aware that he was taken to Elision. How do you feel about that?”
“Feel? I am saddened,” Ruszel answered. “It was revealed to me and Canos that the Human was to experience intense suffering during his stay. Yet even in light of his impending demise, he sought to insulate us from the wrath of the Kracori.”
“So you can say you owe your life—as well as your fortune—to Riyad Tarazi?”
“I understand where you intend to take this conversation,” the Tel’oran said, a tight frown appearing on his knobby forehead. “We have debated among ourselves—between Canos and I—and have decided that it was Riyad’s own actions which placed us in such jeopardy. The fact that he subsequently sought to save us is a measure in his favor, yet it does not completely absolve him of responsibility.”
“That, too, I understand,” Kaylor said. “And yet it has all benefitted you to an extreme degree.”
“That is true. And yet now there is a terrifying time coming to the Nebula. My wealth will allow me to escape the brunt of it, yet not so for the rest of Nebula.”
“This conflict was coming anyway, Ruszel, and without the generosity of Riyad, you—as well as your bloodline—would have been caught up in it without recourse.”
“What do you want me to say, Belsonian?”
“We seek to know whether you are a friend or a foe of Riyad Tarazi?”
“It is hard to be friends with Humans, yet if I had to make a choice, I would say I am a friend. I hold no animosity towards him.”
“Good! That is what we need to know,” Kaylor said with emotion.
Jym jumped to his feet suddenly and blurted out: “We are here to rescue him!” Kaylor recoiled and sent a stern glare at his companion. “I am sorry Kaylor, but we are wasting time.”
“Rescue ... from Elision? That would be suicide.” Ruszel said, a smile crossing his face. “How do you propose to do this?” He seemed almost amused at the absurdity of the concept.
Kaylor gathered his thoughts before speaking again. “We are the vanguard of a team—a team of Humans and Formilians—with the mission to rescue Riyad before the Human attack.” Kaylor knew that the Juireans would arrive at Elision before the Humans, yet he also knew that this information was highly classified. He would let Ruszel
go on believing that it was the Humans that the Juddle Nebula had to fear most, and not the Juireans. “What we are seeking from you is your assistance in our endeavors.”
“Assistance ... by what means?”
“You have been to the Dysion Void and to the very region around Elision. We need you to do what you did for Riyad, serve as our guide and pilot—”
“Ridiculous!” Ruszel shouted. “You expect me to guide a team of Humans and other beings into the very heart of Kracori space, and at a time when the entire Nebula is beginning to align with them against the Human threat? I now have the means to comfortably avoid the coming conflict ... and you expect me to risk it all? Thanks to your Riyad Tarazi, you do not have enough ruiens available to make me even consider such an undertaking. I will draw you charts and provide other insights, yet I will not be accompanying you on your journey. Is that understood?”
Jym snorted loudly. Kaylor and Ruszel watched for a moment as the tiny bear began to pace the room. When he said nothing, they turned back to one another.
“You owe everything you now have to Riyad Tarazi, even your life. How can you let him suffer in a Kracori prison when you have the opportunity to join a team that can save him?”
“As I have stated, I am saddened by his circumstance, yet even if I had the willingness to join your quest, I have grave doubts as to its possibility of success.”
“You mentioned that the Kracori are now in the process of soliciting allies in their war with the Humans,” Kaylor said. “Is Tel’or among the supporters?”
Kaylor noticed the pilot hesitate before answering. “It has not been decided, yet the possibility is growing stronger with each passing day. I do not know how much experience you have had dealing with the Humans, but from my brief experience with Riyad, I can say they are a savage and dangerous race who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. I truly believe that the entire Nebula is now at risk, as do many of my fellow Tel’orans. Yet either way, I will be unaffected. I will simply leave the Nebula until the conflict is concluded.”