Starfire and The Planet Killer

by Christine Westhead

  "I'm just guessing here," he began, sardonically, "that this Planet Killer will be deep inside a Federation Base and very well guarded."

  "I have an idea about how we might get our hands on it," smiled Erion, wickedly. "If this plan works at all, it will only work the once and we'll need Commissioner Rimek's ship to carry it off."

  "You don't want much, do you?" asked Starfire.

  "We'll only need a copy, Lieutenant," began Erion, "and we'll need to keep Rimek busy for a while."

  "I have an idea how we might do that," said Raan. "We'll need Reamond's help though. Shall I get him in here?"

  "No point until we know if my idea is feasible," answered Erion. She caught sight of a yawning Starfire and continued. "We all need some rest; we've been up all night. Let's get some sleep and we can talk this out if Del gives us the okay." She turned towards the android, who was busy at a computer console. "Del, as soon as you know whether there is an moon or a large asteroid we can use that has this Trianite in it, contact Gant and Jeddoh Cloud. If you can't get through, you'll have to send a sub space message to Tranter's old station and wait for it to be picked up by a Little Rock. If my plan is going to work, we'll need Jed and the Rising Star. Ask Gant to send us any info the Alliance has found about this planet killer weapon. We'll need Thirty Seven as well, and a pretty good likeness of Rimek's ship and the Planet Killer."

  "Affirmative, Erion," Delta Ten turned to comply and was already at his task before the others had left the room.

  Delta Ten woke them seven hours later and they gathered in the small control room to hear what he had found out so far.

  "There are two small moons in this system that would be suitable for the task. I have contacted the Rising Star and Jeddoh Cloud is sending us all the new information he has about the weapon on a closed sub space channel. He will depart for Katraia as soon as he has re-fuelled and will bring Thirty Seven back with him, if he is agreeable. I think he has an idea of your plans as he seemed to find something extremely amusing at this point. He also said he was sure Thirty Seven would be a willing participant. Also, as far as he knows, the Alliance has full schematics of Rimek's ship. It is a standard Class Six hopper with specialised markings. He thinks Tranter can create a facsimile and it should fit into their cargo hold if they empty it of everything else."

  "Good," said Erion, placing her empty coffee mug back in the dispenser for recycling. "We'd better get Raemond in here and run this by him."

  "I can't see as they have any other choice," said Raan.

  "I wouldn't give them a choice," muttered Hal from his corner. He was still annoyed at having to shoot Starfire in the back, even though she assured him the whole thing had been her idea. Starfire shook her head and said,

  "You can't go round blowing up people's moons without their permission." Hal shrugged and blew a smoke ring into the air.

  "If we do nothing, the Feds will move in and you'll have a Passing Station and a Federation interest in this sector. That makes all the work we did on Castillon pointless and you'll condemn these people to slavery."

  "They have to be given the choice, Hal. There is every chance that it won't work and there could be untold damage to this planet."

  "What won't work?" asked Raemond as he walked into the room. He handed something to Starfire and she took it, smiling her thanks. It was her little diamond brooch, cleaned and straightened. "It was the least we could do," he said.

  "You'd better sit down, Raemond," said Raan. "Something tells me you ain't gonna like this."

  "Del, will you ask Rigondal in here as well, please," began Erion. "She might as well hear this too and it will save me repeating myself." Delta Ten left and returned almost immediately, accompanied by the Princess. She sat on the couch next to Raemond and looked tired and apprehensive as she looked up at them.

  "Right then, I'll start at the beginning," said Erion. "According to Del, there are two small moons in this sector that contain high elements of Trianite and other useful minerals for us. If we can explode one of them when it is near Katraia, we believe we can create a natural shield that should block long range communications." She raised her hand to stifle their objections unsaid. "Please, hear me out. The alternative is that the Galactic Police will build their replacement Information Retrieval Building here. Your people will be put into forced labour camps and made to construct the station, then you will be made to cater for the Passers that use it. Your planet will be stripped of its natural resources until it is just a bare shell. Life here will not be pleasant."

  "My father would never allow it," snapped Rigondal.

  "And just how would he stop it?" asked Hal.

  "We will fight them," she glared up at him. "We will drive them from our lands." Hal threw his cigar but to the ground in disgust and made to walk from the room but as he passed the Princess, she rose from her seat and caught his arm. "You can teach us, Terrellian. I have seen you fight."

  "Do you think this is some sort of Holo adventure, Princess? You're a bunch of idiots and you're all gonna get killed," he said, grimly, "and I won't stay here and die to prove you wrong."

  "Coward!" she yelled at his departing back, her little fists clenched in anger.

  "Stop it!" snapped Raemond. Rigondal stared down at him, her mouth open in amazement.

  "How dare you speak to your Princess like this."

  "Rigondal, we don't have time for any of your hysterics," continued Raemond, wearily. "You are going to have to grow up very fast, my love, and one of the things you must learn is that to be a good leader, your people must want to follow you. You can't force people to follow you, you can only force them to obey you."

  "I don't have to listen to this," she made to follow Hal to the door but Raemond grasped her arm.

  "How dare you touch me!" she screamed. "I will have you whipped and thrown in the dungeons, where you will rot until you die." Raemond grasped her upper arms and shook her fiercely.

  "We don't have time for this, you spoilt little brat!" He seemed to stop himself and his tone softened, but he still held her. "We are going to fight, but we are going to do it their way," he said, nodding to Erion. "If you have another idea, Princess, let's hear it, and we'll consider it, but you have to learn that we only followed you out of respect for your father. Not the old fool who dodders around the castle muttering to himself, but the old King Lendus, before he lost his mind. The man who led us to victory against the Pirate hordes of Yann and united the planet after the Space Port wars." He let go of her and she rubbed her arms, too shocked to retaliate.

  "But.…" she began. Raemond continued as if she hadn't spoken.

  "I have just heard that you and your little band of idiots tried to blow up the banquet. I can't believe that you would have risked the life of your own father and our allies in a spiteful, childish attempt to kill Farrell."

  "It was only a little charge," she yelled, "It was only to frighten him away. I should be our ruler; not him!"

  "People could have been hurt," Raemond shouted back. "You must put a stop to these attacks on Farrell."

  "You hate him as much as I do!" spat Rigondal, "and we know now that he organised the attack on your father's Tavern."

  "You don't have to remind me," said Raemond, softly, "and when this is all over, I will have my revenge." His eyes hardened. "But we must set our personal feelings aside for the good of Katraia. You more than anyone." Rigondal drew herself up to her full height, which meant she was still looking up at the tall young man.

  "I would remind you that I am Princess Rigondal of the Royal House of Mur and I demand your respect and obedience."

  "You can't demand respect, Rigondal, you have to earn it." Raemond shook his head, sadly. "I give up." He turned to Erion. "Please continue, Major. Tell me everything you can and I'll put it to Council."

  "Don't take too long about making your mind up," warned Erion. "We have a lot to do and now we know the Federation is here."

  "Most of the Elders are already here. I sent ru
nners to fetch them in as soon as we realised who you really were. There is Royal Protocol to work around," he glared at the furious Princess, "but we will follow your orders."

  "You have to listen to me," cried Rigondal to their departing backs. "You have to do what I say." She picked up a computer pad and threw it against the wall, where it smashed and tinkled to the ground. Raemond walked towards her, tight lipped and angry, but before he could speak, she slapped his face and drew back her arm for another blow. Raemond grabbed her wrist in mid air, and slapped her back. "How dare you!" Rigondal rubbed her smarting face and looked around wildly for something else to throw.

  "I dare," gritted Raemond. "Now, you listen to me, Princess. This is happening with or without your blessing. Your people look up to you and they admire you, probably because they don't know you." He ducked as the Princess threw a punch and it sailed past his head. Raemond carried on talking. "You must grow up fast, little Princess and take command of your kingdom." He ducked again as an empty coffee mug flew past his face and smashed against the wall. Raemond grabbed both her wrists and she screamed an insult at him.

  "You pig! One word from me and you will be thrown into the dungeon for the rest of you life."

  "No, Rigondal," Raemond still held her wrists. "Nobody is going to follow you. You are a nasty little brat and if you don't pack it in, I will throw you in the cells here myself." Rigondal let out a scream of fury and wrenched her wrists free. She grabbed hold of the end of the sofa and pushed it over. Erion caught Raan's eye and motioned with her head to the door. They gathered Starfire along the way, who pulled a bemused Delta Ten outside with her. Ignoring the sounds of screaming and smashing furniture, they stepped out into the harsh glare of the lights. The first person they saw was Hal, leaning against a rocky pillar. He raised an eyebrow in question and Starfire said,

  "Rigondal's having a little tantrum." Hal looked skyward in amazement, loosened the big gun in his holster and made to walk into the building. Raan lifted an arm to bar his way.

  "You can't kill her, man. Wouldn't go down well." Several men approached them and a small, grey haired distinguished looking man wearing heavy silk robes stepped forward, his hand held palm up in the Aurian sign of welcome. Erion smiled warmly and reciprocated the gesture.

  "My Lord Fabidon, we meet again." The old man bowed low.

  "I am leader of the King's Council and I speak for Lendus in his stead. Tell me, can you help us rid our planet of this evil?"

  "I believe there may be a small chance, sir," answered Erion. "If there is somewhere we can go and speak, I will tell you what we hope to do." Fabidon led the small party towards the base of another red pillar where a room was hewn from the soft, red rock. Hal and Starfire placed themselves just inside the room, on either side of the hole that served as a doorway while all the others went inside. The room was bare of furnishings and it was almost pitch black inside until Delta Ten appeared with a portable light and set it up in one corner.

  "I have scanned the room for listening devices," he said. "I shall scale the rock face to ensure that this is not another natural sound chamber."

  "Thank you Del." Erion faced the men, composed herself and was about to speak when Raemond entered with Rigondal on his arm. Her eyes were red and her lips trembled, but she held her head high. The men bowed in her direction and she curtsied and bowed her head very low, much to their amazement.

  "Right," said Erion, gaining everyone's attention. "As you must all be aware, the Galactic Police are here under the command of Commissioner Rimek and with the full approval of Prince Farrell. We have learned that they wish to build an Information Retrieval Station here to replace one that was destroyed on Castillon." There were mutterings and gasps from the assembled men, who looked at each other in alarm.

  "Do you have armies that we can use to fight these Galactic Police?" asked Fabidon. Erion shook her head.

  "They are too powerful. We shall have to use intrigue to defeat them." Fabidon's eyes narrowed. He was on more familiar ground here.

  "We have also learned that the Federation has a prototype weapon which is capable of destroying a small moon. We are going to steal this and bring it here to destroy one of your natural satellites. I believe you call it Lumis. If we do it correctly, the resulting debris should surround Katraia with a signal damping field that would render a passing station unable to function."

  "I see," answered Fabidon slowly. "Do you think you can accomplish this feat?"

  "We'll have to, sir," answered Raan, stepping forward. "There is nothing else you can do except fight a guerrilla war which will only postpone the inevitable."

  "And what chance of success?"

  "If we can get the planet killer, we figure sixty percent," said Raan.

  "And your chances of obtaining this weapon?"

  "Thirty percent."

  One of the other men stepped forward.

  "Even if you succeed in this daring plan, there is still a chance that the Federation could destroy us in an act of revenge."

  "Not if we're sneaky, sir," said Raan. "If everything goes to plan, it's going to look like a tragic accident. As long as Rimek isn't harmed, there shouldn't be any reprisals."

  "Very well, Captain," said Fabidon. "Please tell us what we must do."

  " Hal and Starfire must leave Katraia," began Erion. "We have another ship coming here to pick them up but it is vital to our plans that Rimek believes we are all still here. Raan, please?" Erion motioned him forward and he cleared his throat.

  "What I'd like for you to do is see if you can find someone who could pass for Starfire. She doesn't have to be a twin, just be her basic size so that she could be taken for her at a distance. Erion and I will stay here on Katraia and try and get our ship back. With the fake Starfire along and a couple of guys dressed like Del and Hal, the feds should be convinced we are all still here. While all this is going on, they'll slip away. Rimek must believe we are all still on this planet for our plan to work. If he realises Hal and Starfire are gone, he might put two and two together." He stepped back and Erion nodded her thanks to him.

  "Is there anyone on the surface of Lumis? Our scans detected no atmosphere."

  "It's a dead rock," answered Raemond. "It comes close to us every 10 years or so. It is at its nearest point now."

  "Good," answered Erion. "If all goes well, Hal, Starfire and Delta Ten should be back here in a week or so. They'll be bringing some of the enemy with them and we hope to provoke a fire fight near to this moon. That should give you the excuse to get all your people under cover. The boffins back at Alliance Control will be working with the information they have about this weapon, but you mustn't forget that, even if everything goes according to plan, there will be considerable damage to the surface of Katraia."

  "We will worry about that when the time comes," said Fabidon, gravely. "Our people would rather die in battle than live as slaves."

  "I would like to take Starfire's place," said Rigondal, stepping forward. Raemond made to object, but she raised her hand to stop the words unsaid. "You said yourself that I should be prepared to take on responsibility of my position. With my father living inside his own little world inside his head and my brother a willing porn of the Galactic Police, who is there left to lead our people?"

  "If I might make so bold, Your Highness?" Fabidon bowed slightly, "I think I may have a solution to both problems."

  Chapter 13

  "Time to go, Lieutenant," Delta Ten walked up to Starfire, who stood at the computer console."

  "Thank you, Del. I've just spoken with Jed on a closed channel. He's in this system and he'll soon be in stationary orbit on the dark side of the third moon, Trianon, so he'll be out of contact. He should be there at oh three hundred."

  "Your Highness," Delta Ten bowed low in mock deference and raised his arm for her to take." Starfire placed her hand upon his and walked out on his arm. Hal, Raan and Erion were already outside, standing by their Robo Grazers, borrowed from Fabidon and his council. />
  "Not bad," Raan raised his eyebrows in appreciation.

  "What do you think?" Starfire gave them a quick twirl. She was wearing dark makeup, Rigondal's silk blouse, a long, embroidered waistcoat and matching trousers, and sported a plain headband, from which flowed long, copper hair.

  "You'd pass for her at a distance, that's for sure," admitted Erion."Where'd you get the hair?"

  "From me," answered a firm voice from another doorway. Princess Rigondal stepped out into the bright lights at Raemond's side. She wore a loose fitting tunic, trousers, boots and gunbelt, and she had cut her waist length hair and dyed it to match Starfire's bobbed style. Standing by her side, it was clear that she was shorter than Starfire but that didn't matter. If seen with Erion, Raan and Raemond, who was wearing a copy of Hal's dark clothes, gunbelt and blaster, the power of suggestion would do the rest.

  "Welcome to the crew," smiled Erion.

  "I feel as light as a feather," the Princess returned her smile and mounted her Robo Grazer. "I think I may keep this style of hair. I shall start a new trend."

  "Good luck, Your Highness." Fabidon raised a hand in salute as she took the reins from him.

  "All will be well, Milord Fabidon. Look after Father for me." She started the robot moving and rode out of the camp, acknowledging the bows and curtsies of the other rebels as she passed by with a new found humility. She caught up with Raemond, who was almost at the tunnel entrance and they left the clearing together.

  "Hey, this is great!" called Raan to Starfire, kicking his robograzer into a trot as he passed her. Starfire threw him a dark look and squirmed in her seat. She glanced to her right, where Hal lounged in the saddle with easy grace and tried to copy his relaxed riding style. Delta Ten caught her as she slipped gently sideways.

  "Try to become at one with the machine," he suggested as he pushed her back into the saddle.

  "Easy for you to say," she gritted. "You're a machine as well. Anyway, I think mine is broken."

  "I do not think so, Lieutenant," Delta Ten inspected her Robograzer intently. They thinned out into single file as they walked through the maze of tunnels and they soon reached the hidden entrance behind the trees and bushes. It was late at night and a few wispy grey clouds drifted across the three bright moons.