TheTraveler - book 1

by Robin Marienus Miller

  “Is there anybody out there?”

  This time I had an idea, and I took a drink of my spice dew. It got me out there but not all the way and not for long, so I took a bigger drink, and found myself in front of black ship. I let my mind move inside and took a look around. Then I saw a short gray skinned man, that seem to know I was there, next I was pulled back to my body again. I was going to take a third drink when the ship was gone again. Well at least I have an idea of what was flying that ship, but how did he know I was there? Well anyway, he did not seem to be a threat. I wondered if his ship could hide as well in normal space?

  Just then my ship dropped back into normal space again, and I headed for the station. I found a spot at the far end of the dock that I could pull up to. The docking tube extended and made contact with my hatch.

  I went down to the hatch and checked the pressure, then open it to see a man in black with a six-foot metal pole, standing at the end of the dock. I undid my sash, and open my cloak, to show my gold and silver Elvin wear beneath.

  The man then walked up to me and said, "they call me Ranger."

  I said let's go, and he came aboard. I closed the hatch and hit the detach button so no one could follow.

  "This way," I said, as I led the way to the bridge.

  We moved swiftly, yet I still heard the tap of his staff as he walked.

  He stood by the observation windows, looking at the dock, as I got on the controls. Then I pulled us away from the station and toward the gate.

  I put in my information, just like before, include in my Guild number of 624, 792, 647, 012; and station E3 as my destination. I got nothing, so I did it again. Still nothing, not even a CMA to argue too about it.

  The Ranger said, "I don't think they want me to leave."

  I said, "do you know where the on switch is for the gate?"

  He pointed and said, "down there, why?"

  I said, "because I'm tired of being polite."

  I then pulled out my spice dew, took a large drink, and set my mind to the bottom of the gate. I quickly found the switch and pushed it to the open position. I was pulled back to my body just as we were sucked through the gate, and the ship had a good fix on the station three beacon.

  I then said, "if you don't want to talk to me that's okay too."

  He pulled his hood down, turned around and said, "how can you do that?"

  I pointed to the a seat next to me, and he came over as I said, "telekinesis’s."

  Ranger, "and he drink?"

  I said, "a telepathic enhancer, I need to see something in order to move it."

  Ranger, "well I guess there is no stopping you if you can open gates on your own."

  I said, "I would appreciate it if you don't spread that around."

  Ranger, "no problem, I'm quite good with secrets, there are even some things I will not tell myself."

  I said, "well I hope you can tell me who to sell my crystals to."

  Ranger, "sorry, can't help you there, promise not to tell."

  I said, "then why am I taking you to E3?"

  Ranger, "because I am going to show you the man, not tell you, and because I needed a ride. I was beginning to feel like I had worn out my welcome back there."

  I said, "for a man they didn't want around, they sure didn’t let you go easily."

  Ranger, "yeah well you know these CM types, they can never just go one way on anything."

  I said, "well at any rate I bet I pissed them off."

  Ranger, "I would say they will be more interested in how you did it, than that it was done. But don't worry about the lift, they expected me to get off the station, somehow I always do."

  I said, "it will be me and the ship they will want to stop by tomorrow anyway."

  Ranger, "planning something big are we?"

  I said, "freedom for all RATS and a ride to a new world."

  Ranger, "it's dangerous for you to talk like that, but to do it, this I would love to see."

  I said, "I'm starting with station three. When I turn around, I will let any dock worker that wants to leave come with me. And the same at station two and one."

  Ranger, "the CM considers me to be a nuisance, but you're a rebel. Do you truly think you can get away with it?"

  I said, "I have no doubt I can do it once. It's the coming back next month and freeing more I'm not sure about."

  Ranger, "coming back, are you mad? You won't even get past the first station before they send a ship after you."

  I said, "just one ship is easy, as long as I see it coming."

  Ranger, "easy he says, they will set a battleship to stop you."

  I said, "I only hope they think just one will be enough. If they send two or three I may need to hurt someone. By the way, do you know of a race of grays that fly Black ships?"

  Ranger, "you mean here, in hyperspace?"

  I said, "yes, I saw one -- twice. The second time I took a drink and went aboard."

  Ranger, "went aboard, you mean telepathically. Well the only thing I can tell you is that no one seems to know anything about them. It is largely considered bad luck to see one. It may be best if you keep the sighting to yourself. The people you're about to meet can be a bit superstitious. And considering what you are planning, you're not off to a good start."

  I said, "I like his ship, I could use a ship like that."

  Ranger, "yes, nice ships, very stealthily. By the way, this is a nice big ship. I have never seen anyone run a ship this size by themselves."

  I said, "it’s very automated and belongs to a friend of mine. But I will soon own it, I just need to do a favor for him."

  Ranger, "a favor, must be a big favor for such a ship."

  I said, "yes it is. He wants me to teach his world to read and write."

  Ranger, "oh is that all, just teach a whole planet to read and write. You don't do things in a small way now do you?"

  I said, "well after 50 years or so of living, I find the small things tend to take care of themselves; if you keep your eye on the big picture."

  Ranger, "so I guess if you think of the freedom and equal rights of the dock workers to be the big picture, then the monthly freedom ship is just one of those small details you're talking about."

  I said, "that's one way of putting it. I know this ship will be marked, and I dare not use it again if I don't want to draw attention; they will also have an eye out for me. These are some of the small things I just take for granted. Like you, and the way you knew they did not want you to leave the station. We all have things like that to over come in our lives, no matter what our goals are."

  Ranger, "this is all true, and it's good to have some help from other from time to time. And if you're going to make the plans you have in mind work, you will need a lot of help. These kinds of operations will take many credits. There are not as many freedom fighters, like us, as I would like to have for this kind of cause."

  I said, "some of the dock workers can become freedom fighters but it's the ships I need, that's the hard part. I am not without wealth but I have my limits."

  Ranger, "credits can buy a lot of things, even loyalty. The CM pays their spies well, and yet you don't seem to be worried about telling me all your plans."

  I said, "you're a Ranger, and that's not just a name. Your people have a code you live and die by."

  Ranger, "what do you know about my people?"

  I said, "I know they are the eyes and ears of a home world that has sent its people through the universe, with a code of conduct to help the oppressed whenever they can."

  Ranger, "you make us so much grander than we really are. But you're right that I will help you, from time to time, if I can."

  I said, "I'm glad to hear it. Would you like some juice? Fresh squeezed yesterday."

  Ranger, "why yes? I'll try some."

  I poured him a mug, he took a sip, then a drink and said, "this is rather good, what is it?"

  I said, "it's a juice from the planet, "Lor re et." My translator calls it sweet t
art, would you like some rum?"

  Ranger, "no thank you. We don't drink anything that has alcohol or drugs in it that may impair our thinking."

  I said, "well I hope my smoke does not bother you."

  Ranger, "it's a large room and your ventilation system seems to be working well."

  I said, "well I’m glad I brought the juice. Help yourself, the keg is full and I have plenty more back home."

  Ranger, "thank you, you're very kind."

  I said, "would you like something to eat?"

  Ranger, "well now that you mention it, I am a bit hungry."

  I said follow me and we went to the mess hall. On the way, I asked him if he knew anyone that may have a copying device. He asked me what I wanted to copy.

  I said, "paper with words on it. Right now we are copying by hand with quill and ink, but this is very slow."

  Ranger, "I understand what you need but most of the races I know just use a view screen."

  I said, "yes it is a problem. If I can't find one I will need to find someone to make one for me. Do you know of any talented engineers, looking for part-time work, willing to go to "Lo re et?"

  Ranger, "I can look around and let you know."

  When we got to the mess hall I showed Ranger a selection and told him not to worry about the picking out something he may not like as we can just recycle it. He asked if the food was made from living things. I told him no, that this was just your standard replicator.

  Ranger, "well in that case I'll try the fish sandwich, it looks good. I would just never hurt one myself without great need."

  I said, "I hope you don't mind others that killed to eat."

  Ranger, "not at all, it’s just a personal thing to try to do no harm."

  I said, "good, because I have a cargo container of fish for the dock workers at each station."

  Ranger, "I'm sure they will be grateful."

  I chose a sweet nut pie to eat, and we both sat down to enjoy our food. I had the replicator make me a large bowl of nuts to snack on, then we went back to the bridge, and I asked the Ranger if he knew where I could find someone selling land to air speeders.

  Ranger, "not on the station, but there are a number of planets out there that have things like that for sale, you're in the market for one are you?"

  I said, "yes. I park this big ship a long ways from my home and I'm looking for personal transport, something not too big."

  Ranger, "well I’ll certainly keep my eyes open for one."

  I popped a few nuts in my mouth and said, "thank you, I don't think I'll be doing any of world shopping myself for a long time."

  Ranger, "yes, sometimes while given others their freedom we need to give up some of our own. It's a burden I understand well."

  I said, "and how is it that the CM has a problem with you? What have you been doing that they don't like?"

  Ranger, "there was a sick dockworker that needed off station medical care. They would not let him go until I pressed the issue with a medical ship that took him to a planet for treatment. As soon as he could walk again he went AWOL, and no one is saying where he is. That was a week ago and the CM spread the word I was no longer allowed to use the Star gate."

  I said, "well it's a good thing it was me that picked you up. So how long will it take to get to the station?"

  Ranger, "not long in this ship, we should get there soon."

  I said, "is there anything you can tell me about the man I will be meeting?"

  Ranger, "he has been movement crystals long before the CM bought up all the mines in the area, and started trying to control or stop traders like him from selling shipments that were not mined by the CM."

  I said, "the only one’s strong enough to stand up to the corporate mining company is the Mining Guild. The CM may own the mines, ships and the gates, but the Guild takes care of the miners. The only problem is that they wash each other's hands because they need one another. The Guild will stand up for the rights of their members but that is as far as they will go. They are not interested in forming an alliance with the dock workers, and all efforts to start a dock workers union have been crushed at the first whisper of such a thing."

  Ranger, "yes, well there are a great many things wrong with this galaxy, and if there were not then who would know the difference? There is no good without evil, no right without wrong, no light without darkness and life is not precious without death."

  I said, "and we do not win every just cause, but we have the right to choose the way we live. When that right is taken away from us something must be done. The cry, "live free or die," has been heard throughout the universe. Its voice cannot be silenced and it’s battle cry shall not be ignored. Until their last dying breath men will say, "give me freedom or give me death!"

  I then took a sip of my drink and a puff on my pipe before saying, in a low voice, "I am not a great warrior, I am not some great leader of men just waiting to be heard. However, I have maybe one chance to do something good before I slip into a life without risk. Before home and family are all that is on my mind."

  I took another sip of my drink and went silent as I looked out the windows into hyperspace.

  Then a great black image passed by the front of the ship.

  And I said, "Ranger, do you see what I see?"

  And the large black ship went past us again like a shimmer in the dark.

  Ranger, "indeed, I do see something."

  Then we were out of hyperspace and coming up on the station.

  I said, "it didn’t come out with us."

  Ranger, "no it didn't, and I'm not sure but I think I'm relieved."

  I said, "that's the third time during this trip I have seen it."

  Ranger, "I think we've both may be lucky to be alive, let's not talk about it."

  As I was pulling up to the station I didn't see a place I could dock such a large ship. Then the Ranger pulled out a hand-held transmitter and said something. A moment later the ship on the end moved out, and the Ranger pointed and said, "there, dock there."

  So I pulled in and locked to the dock.

  Ranger, "we need to get our business over with before you start freeing dockworkers. Save the gift of fish until just before you leave, it will be a good distraction. I will talk to the workers and send the ones that are ready to leave to your ship."

  I said, "I have water to sell to the station, 2500 units at 200 per."

  Ranger, "that's a good price and I'm sure they can use it all. I'll make the deal for you well you are with my man, but you must come with me now."

  I said, "okay, but I'm giving this fruit to the workers know." He nodded approvingly.

  We went to my docking hatch, but the seal was not secure. The Ranger got on his communicator to dock control and they sent a worker, in a pressures suit, to fix the problem right away. As soon as the pressure stabilized I was able to open the hatch.

  The worker took off his helmet and said, "sorry about that, they stick a little bit from time to time."

  I said, "thank you," and gave him a piece of fruit.

  He was very happy and said, "thank you very much sir. If there is anything I can do for you while you are here just let me know."

  So I put the bag down and said, "fine, pass theses out to all the dockworkers and no hoarding."

  The man said, "sure thing, it would be my pleasure sir."

  Then the Ranger and I headed toward the docks.

  I said to the Ranger, "do you think he would do it?"

  Ranger, "they are a tight group of workers here, I'm sure he will pass them out."

  I said, "here is one for you and another for the man you are going to introduce me to. Hand it to him when we meet so I know I am talking to the right person."

  Ranger, "of course I will, and thank you."

  He led me to a small diner and we stopped just outside the door as he said, "the man I'm going to introduce you to is inside, don't trust anyone else." This he said as he held the piece of fruit in one hand.

  We walk
ed through the door and a few steps later a large reptile like fellow walked in between us and said to me, "anything that is sold on this station goes through me, understand?"

  The Ranger just shook his head no and took a few more steps toward the back of the diner.

  So I said, "well in that case I need to tell you I smelled a fart in the hallway. I think someone is trying to pass gas without you knowing about it. Maybe you should go check it out."