by E. R. Mason
“They’ll return with appropriate food and drink. If there’s anything in particular you’d like, simply ask. It’s our pleasure.”
I leaned over and gave instructions to Catherine in Sirenian. She nodded and spoke. “Perhaps we should take care of the incidental matters, Chancellor.” She looked at Patrick. He understood without being asked. He drew out the small cloth bag we had transferred the diamonds to and held it out for Catherine. She took them, stood, and bowed to Akai, handing him the bundle, smiling with practiced sincerity. “May this be a wonderful symbol of the benefits we may provide each other in the coming days, Chancellor.”
Akai’s eyes lit up. He looked up at Catherine and accepted the bag. He opened it briefly, seemed unable to conceal his joy, and tucked the bag inside his stiff dress jacket. “Of that I have no doubt, Areana.” He sat back and made himself comfortable. “You indicated a larger category of holding would most interest you.”
Catherine answered. “My master is hopeful it will make the selection process somewhat more expeditious, Chancellor.”
“Indeed it will, Areana. There are three large villas available, any one of which may suit your needs nicely. The largest of them just happened to become available very recently. Regretfully, its owner was lost in a tragic explosion aboard a spacecraft. The property is still technically in probate status, but that process can be hurried along as necessary. I believe you will find any of the three quite extraordinary, in any case.”
“Let us start with the largest of the three then, Chancellor, if you don’t mind,” suggested Catherine.
With that, a transparent screen rose from the table. Images of the requested estate began to appear, one after the other. A very smooth discourse of the property’s advantages was dispensed by Akai. When he had finished, he rose from his seat and went to the large globe. He pointed out the location and acclaimed its wonderfully stable climate and very desirable topography. He returned and sat.
“Of course, a personal tour is a must for this type of residence,” he said. “It will take most of the day, but you will find it a very comfortable experience.”
Through the glass wall near the entrance, we heard a faint whine and looked to see the Griffin lift off and disappear overhead.
The Chancellor seemed surprised. “Your majesty, you may use the landing pad as much as you deem necessary.”
Catherine answered, “Chancellor, after each leg of a trip, the crew is required to check and align each spacecraft system for the safety of our Lord. Those must be done on orbit. We greatly appreciate your hospitality and look forward to employing it.”
“Our tour vehicle is located just outside. We can depart for the site, if you are ready. Is there anything you need in the interim?”
There was not. Our tour vehicle was a light-blue, eight-seat golf cart floater with a tinted one-way domed canopy that hinged open wide. The body sagged slightly as we stepped up and in. In a wonderfully rare instance of role reversal, Catherine climbed up, stood, and helped me in. I sat alone in my most dignified posture.
The Chancellor typed in a few keys on a keyboard. The canopy swished closed and we were off at a brisk pace. The carriage floated close to the ground. The trip was a carefully laid out path showing the best parts of XiTau luxury. Flower gardens, glistening streams, and large sculptures lined the route. It was an exotically beautiful landscape, the best wealth and slavery could provide.
The estate was even more lavish. We cruised the grounds around the main mansion and were told of the many other buildings and facilities that were also a part of the spread. The main doors of the residence opened automatically as the carriage approached. Inside, it was not necessary to dismount. The halls were wide enough to accommodate two such vehicles, the rooms so expansive they too could be toured that way. The main elevators were no less accommodating. To our surprise, after a brisk tour of the upper floors and towers, we were taken to the subterranean facilities, equally lavishly decorated. The next surprise was the chamber of wide tunnels that led to other buildings. At each point of the tour, there were servants in militaristic uniforms tending to the estate. Akai explained it was only a skeleton crew. Catherine asked all the appropriate questions. Patrick also performed his character well, saying little, but constantly typing information and observations into his tablets.
Back at the reception building by late afternoon, we were whisked away to an adjoining chamber laid out with enough food for ten people. We sat and ate, exchanging our enthusiasm about the tour. As the servants began to pour after-dinner drinks, I leaned over and spoke in Sirenian to Catherine.
Catherine nodded and turned to the Chancellor. “Chancellor Akai, when could a contract for the sale be made ready?”
For a moment, I thought the Chancellor would choke on his food. He caught himself nicely, dabbed a napkin at his sideways mouth, and nodded as he spoke. “My friends, we have yet to discuss the realities of such a purchase.”
Catherine smiled, “My master expects that should the amounts indicated seem exceptionally extravagant, negotiations can be conducted to find mutual agreement. He does not expect a problem, however. In fact, would it be possible to evaluate staff support at this time, and perhaps have those contracts drawn up, as well?”
The Chancellor seemed to have forgotten his dessert completely. “My friend, Lord Mandarin, what would be involved for you to provide the necessary level of compensation indicated by an agreement of this magnitude?”
Catherine had become even more comfortable in her role. “Chancellor, in these cases, generally three separate shipments of gold are delivered by special courier from three different depositories. Our couriers are available on a continuous basis. Our financial institutions are equally at your disposal. Given XiTau’s location, we would expect the first of the deliveries in three days time, the last in five days or less.”
Akai swallowed. “Then perhaps staff evaluations would be a prudent measure at this time. Would you like to retire for the evening and begin in the morning, or continue?”
“Chancellor, my master wishes to assist us in beginning the selection process right away. We can then complete it in the morning. Would that be acceptable?”
“Most acceptable, Areana. We have a personnel resources center set up in the next room for the express purpose of reviewing potential staff selections. We do not allow scanners or other electronic transmission devices there due to the personal nature of the information that is provided. A security tablet is provided for your records and selections, which you return when you are finished listing your choices. If you have any disallowed electronic devices, they will be safe here on this table. We can then proceed into the personnel resources center and begin.”
Leaving our electronics on the table was disconcerting. But when showing someone the dossiers of kidnapped people, one cannot allow recording devices to be present. Of some comfort, I still had a sub-dermal transmitter behind my ear.
The resource library in the adjacent room was a large, circular station surrounded by transparent display screens, clear tables and well-cushioned black office chairs. There were small black tablets, on the table for slave-shoppers to use. Akai waved to someone in a nearby office, then brought us within the circle where we took seats and waited. An attractive red-haired female of some species I did not recognize joined us and took a seat at the controls. Her floor-length rainbow gown parted at the hip, revealing matching rainbow leggings. She turned and looked at us in search of the person who would operate the computer controls. In response, Catherine stood and bowed slightly. She called up a main menu as Akai stood over her, watching. From the main menu, she made a selection I could not make out. A few moments later, all of the screens around us displayed four female faces with details alongside.
I should have been prepared for the shock of it. I was not. They were human faces, carefully made-up to be sterile-clean and attractive. Their appearance was very well arranged by some talented cosmetic artist, but even that could not hide the sh
adow of despair behind the eyes. It made my stomach turn and I had to fight the urge to appear aghast.
The operator turned back to Catherine. “For additional information simply select any face you like. This button advances to the next screen. This button brings up the previous screens. This button will allow you to select any language you wish. There are twelve pages of language choices. If you do not see a subject you’d prefer, remember to advance to the next page.”
Akai butted in. “We have selected humans and human-like species. Often, variations from the fundamental human form can be very desirable. You may find potential staff that is even more to your liking in that group.”
Rainbow girl picked up a tablet from the counter. “You may record your selections on any of these. When you have finished, simply turn them over to us for creation of the contracts.”
Akai spoke once more. “You will find some of these candidates are listed as 'employed.' Those are cases where that individual is currently serving at an estate or government office but they are available for transfer.”
Catherine asked, “Chancellor, how long does it take to assemble our staff after execution of the contract?”
“All of these candidates reside on XiTau. Therefore, procurement of these individuals can be performed immediately. If you do not find everything you need, we are able to procure other off-planet individuals, which generally takes a few days.”
“How wonderful,” said Catherine, with a smile. “What a perfectly exceptional example of a well-designed organization.”
“We have been very successful for quite some time,” replied Akai. “If there is nothing else, we know you would prefer privacy in these matters. I will be in the next office, if you need me. Xana will wait in the lounge area over there, if you need further assistance with the display.”
Akai waited for any questions, then bowed slightly and departed. Xana, our keypad instructor, followed along. We were left to scroll through the devastation of kidnapped souls forced into slavery. We had to look as though we were enjoying ourselves. We exchanged a quick look of disbelief and Catherine began the search with Patrick dutifully holding up a tablet, periodically entering names as though we approved of certain selections.
One hour later, a new realization set in and I once more began to feel sick to my stomach. I was certain the others felt the same way. Only fifty percent of the candidates were human, but in that hour we had perused seventy-eight faces. As Catherine called for the next page of the lost, I sat back and wiped my blue face with one hand. I tilted my head down and rubbed my bald crown, and when I looked back up Patrick’s face was locked in a cold, silent, sheer terror.
There, at the top of the screen, was Emma.
Chapter 25
Catherine recognized the danger immediately. Patrick was set to explode. We were just out of sight of Akai in his office, but our female computer guide across the room was occasionally glancing our way.
As Patrick’s dead stare began to change into one of fury, Catherine spun in her seat and placed a hand on his leg, shaking her head with a pleading expression. As he opened his mouth to scream in protest, I had no choice but to lurch up and clamp one hand over it, using my body to block the attendant’s view. I tilted his head back and gave the I’ll-kill-you-if-you-yell stare. He sat captured and wide-eyed, his eyes bloodshot from anger. Finally, there was the fluttering of the eyelids as composure began to return. He nodded that he understood. As I withdrew and sat, the silent tears began to escape.
Computer girl looked up, possibly having caught some of the movement out of the corner of her alien eye. Patrick’s back was to her. Catherine was already smiling and twisting back and forth in her seat. I sat and resumed my improvised aloofness. Patrick remained still, staring at the two of us, the tears rolling down his face. There was a whole lot of telepathic communication. After a few deep breaths, he wiped away the tear lines as inconspicuously as possible. Composure finally regained, he stared down at a tablet and pretended to make entries, wiping new tears away with cautious, casual gestures. Computer girl went back to her display screen.
“It says she’s employed,” said Catherine in a low tone.
“Does it say where?” I asked.
“The Bureau of Labor Relations and Receiving, the department of Bio-Refuse Management.”
“What the hell is that?”
“I don’t know, but I sure don’t like the sound of it.”
“Is she expensive?”
“Unfortunately, no. It would make our fussiness about servants suspect. Apparently she has not done well here. She has a low performance rating.”
“I will kill these bastards,” said Patrick in a low but controlled tone.
“You get your act together, Patrick, or we’ll all be on this list. You hear me?”
“Patrick dear, we have found her. A needle in a cosmic haystack. Be happy. We have a chance,” added Catherine.
Patrick bit his tongue.
“Remember this page number. We’ll go on a few pages and then ask to return in the morning to finish,” I said.
“But we know where she is,” complained Patrick in a barely controlled whisper. “Why come back here? Let’s go get her.”
“It won’t be that easy, Patrick. Trust me. We have at least another day before our identities may begin to be questioned. The more intel we have, the better our chances. Besides, I want everything from this computer.”
Patrick looked confused. “Why?”
“Because there’s a lot of other sons and daughters here, Patrick. Not just yours. Earth needs to know about this place. People need to know why their loved ones disappeared.”
Catherine joined in. “I agree, Adrian. But how will you get any data out of here? It’s like Fort Knox.”
“I have an idea. Step to the next page, Cath. We don’t want to linger on Emma’s too long. Patrick, do not list her on our tablet.”
When the time was right, we withdrew from our research station and met Akai at his office door. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched computer girl take our station, clear the info, and shut it down. Then another timely break befell us. She left the station and went to a metallic door next to Akai’s office and placed her hand on a palm reader on the wall. The door slid open just long enough for her to enter, and just long enough for us to catch a glimpse of two mainframe computer stacks in the center of the room.
Chancellor Akai was most gracious. He still had our diamonds. Yes, of course we could return in the morning to complete staff selection. Were we certain we did not need to visit any of the other prospective properties? Yes, he would transmit an approximate total amount for property, service, and staff so that we could begin having the necessary gold currency shipped to XiTau. Yes, he could provide a list of government services on XiTau and would transmit that up to us, as needed. Yes, he had enjoyed our visit, as well.
With our com units and scanners returned, we called for the Griffin and thirty minutes later were back on orbit, the spacecraft abuzz with excitement. R.J. and Wilson managed to isolate the Bio-Waste Management Building in less than an hour. They intercepted several communications streams from it. The most interesting, air conditioning had to be cut off to the building’s servant quarters in the basement until the system could be recharged. Overall, the facility itself was a moderate risk target near higher risk buildings. It looked like a late-night job for Wilson and me.
The best way is to remain invisible. Loot the bank, never be seen, leave no evidence except counterfeit money to replace what you’ve taken so that the misdeed will not be uncovered until long after you are gone. Leave them wondering how it could have been done.
That’s the best way. In our case: make off with the hostage, leave clues that the hostage had run away somewhere, or was just AWOL having a good time, then be a trillion light years away before they even suspect the truth. With detailed planning and a flow chart for alternatives, it can almost always be done.
If everything goes as planned.
<
br /> We needed an interior scan of the building so that Wilson and I could lie in our beds and mentally learn every floor, every office, every closet, and every elevator and stairwell. It sounded like a bureaucratic kind of office building, one less likely to have scan detectors built into its security system. A single three-second sweep would give us a detailed 3-D interior view. Even if there were detectors, a healthy, momentary solar flare could set off the same radiation footprint. We would launch a probe, wait until we were on the opposite side of the planet, remotely pulse-scan the building, then immediately drive the probe out into space and have an orbital alibi that left nothing to be found overhead. It wasn’t absolutely foolproof, but it was very, very good.
The drop would be more difficult. We could absorb, delay, and then reflect back their radars, essentially giving us an electronic cloak, but this planet had advanced systems, not so easily fooled. But there was one very big irony. The Griffin had been designed so that it could fly in the atmosphere with wings. Blackwell had planned to shut down the ship’s drive systems and glide in to pick up abducted slaves, leaving no descent engine signatures to be tracked by authorities. In a complete reversal of that scheme, we would glide down to XiTau, recover a kidnapped individual, and escape to Earth. They might eventually find our momentary ascent engine signatures, but those would be so brief that was unlikely.
The plan was still risky. The quicker the drop the better, and there was no one in the galaxy better at that than Danica. She would have to power down the OMS and Stellar drive engines along with the gravity repulse system, then glide down to one thousand feet, power up the gravity repulse system for a vertical descent to the drop-off point, then blast out of there. The ride up would be quick. Catherine and Patrick would be learning what nine Gs felt like.
The most disconcerting part would be the weapons Wilson and I would need to carry. I did not cherish the thought of shooting anyone else. I’d had my fill of violence. We could only program two settings on the big guns; heavy stun and kill, and when someone is trying to burn holes in you, you cannot take the time to search for the right setting. Wilson had brought along one wonderful addition to the armory. Chameleon camouflage. Combat clothing that automatically changed color and design to match the surroundings. Comes with a hood that can be pulled over the face and is see-through one way. Clear armament belts support the illusion. You could stand with your back against the wall and become the wall, then leap behind brush and be part of the foliage.