Andromeda

by Glenn Jackson

56.222.13

  Edric and Kare had talked with everyone Melrick had mentioned, and to no avail. No one in Buzz Town would have anything to do with them. That left them the only choice of going to another planet. They left and arrived on Tromer, a greener looking planet with oceans, and stopped in their port city of Copper Ridge.

  “Well, at least our clothes help us fit in this time.”

  “Yes, but we still don’t have a source of jhetas.”

  “I know. Thank goodness we have enough provisions on the ship to get us through for a while longer.”

  “Yes, but when that runs out, then what?”

  “Well, selling all the beer we brought with us helped, but I am not sure what we can really do with a few hundred jhetas.”

  “We can at least grab a bite to eat and afford to pay. Let’s find a diner.”

  They walked for a short distance and came upon Louie’s Diner. They entered and again, found a booth by a window so they could watch people walking by.

  “What may I get you?”

  They were startled. They looked around and no one was there. Then it did it again. They noticed this time that it was coming from a speaker on the table, hidden behind condiments.

  “Oh, we would like coffee, with cream and sugar, and a conversation about traders.”

  “Coming right up.”

  They looked at each other and waited. It didn’t take long before a tall, blonde young woman walked over with their coffee.

  “Are you sure this is all you want?”

  “We would also like a conversation about defeating the Empire.”

  She laughed at them. “Oh, you and everyone else. No, if that is your goal you are dead before you start. Now, can I get you some food?”

  They ordered breakfast and sat glumly looking out the window.

  “Don’t look at me. If you want a serious conversation about the Empire, follow me when I leave.”

  They ate their meal and paid. Once completed, the stranger got up and left. They followed, staying a short distance behind him. They followed for several minutes, when he turned and entered an alleyway.

  “Edric, I have a bad feeling about this. We don’t know if he is legitimate or if we are entering a trap.”

  “I know.” He stopped and said loudly. “You there. We will not follow further without information.”

  The stranger stopped and turned around to look at them. He smiled and walked in their direction. “I was wondering how long you would go along with a perfect stranger. Okay, let’s at least stand here in this alleyway.”

  Once they were together, with Kare and Edric primed for a fighting move, he said, “My name is Cecil. I am a representative of several independent traders who sometimes come into conflict with the Empire. What is it you are seeking?”

  “We are seeking help in defending our lands against the Empire.”

  “Why would they want your lands?”

  “Our planets are covered in water.”

  “You mean you have planets of water?”

  “Yes, about forty of them.”

  He stared at them. “My God, no wonder you are concerned about the Empire. They will take that and shift it into the galactic center. You do know that water is the most precious and valuable item in many worlds today?”

  “What about this planet? It seems to have plenty of water.”

  “Yes, and they do sell some. But a planet of all water with no people to be concerned about, wow, that is incredible.”

  “Well, yes, it is. But we are trying to fight to keep it.”

  “Forget it. You will never find anyone who will help you. The Empire is far too powerful to fight against and if they decide they want your water, it would be foolish to get in their way. I would recommend you negotiate a good price, so you still come out very rich.”

  56.226.11

  The landing was uneventful, but she noticed as she was landing that there were too many guards to her liking in the port. She had prepared a backpack of the essential items she thought she would need and was ready for a quick exit. Not trusting the port authority, she exited out a rear hatch as soon as the ship touched down. She dropped to the ground and looked around the landing strut and saw twelve soldiers walking to the main ship’s door.

  She sprinted around another ship parked close by and did not stop running until she was a good mile away. She then slowed and walked through a security checkpoint, but since she was walking out and not in, no one stopped her.

  “Now what?” she said. Not knowing the port or the city, she first needed to find a map. There was nothing to be found, so she went to the transport area and realized, “I have no money.” She did have some valuable gemstones she had brought on an off chance. She waited for a transport, then once she climbed inside, she said, “I don’t have money. I can pay you with this gem to take me to your Imperial Palace.”

  The driver looked at it and realized it was worth far more than the jhetas he would charge for the trip and agreed.

  She marveled at the size of this city. Even on approach the size of the planet was ridiculous. “I’m sure we could fit all our planets into this one,” she thought. He dropped her off at the doors to the Imperial Palace. She truly didn’t have a plan, but thought, “What the heck, might as well see if the easy solution is the best.”

  With that thought she walked up to the doors to enter the palace. She was met by soldiers who asked her what her business was with the Empire.

  “I don’t have any,” she said, not wanting to give herself away too quickly.

  “Then you don’t have a need to enter the palace.”

  She walked away, not knowing where to go or what to do. She decided she would walk until she found a place to stay or a place to trade some gems for cash. She walked along the high wall that surrounded the palace. After walking for a few hours, she was tired and hungry. She walked down a short trail into a small grove of trees and a lovely garden, and found a bench, so sat down to rest.

  As she was sitting, she began to cry as the loneliness and helplessness she felt began to hit her. She didn’t notice Stephanie walk out of the trees. Stephanie was dressed in a completely non-revealing outfit, with even a cloth covering for her face, revealing only her eyes. She appeared momentarily surprised at the presence of someone sitting on the bench, her favorite place to sit and think, but then noticed she was crying. She walked over to Helen, and said, “Hi. Please excuse me for intruding. Is everything alright?”

  Helen looked up at her, and with tears in her eyes, said, “I am just so lonely and scared.”

  She didn’t know why, but her heart was touched by this young woman’s pain. She sat beside her and reached out to hold her hand, when Helen leaned over and cried with her head on her shoulder. They stayed this way for several minutes.

  Finally, Helen sat up and said, “I am so sorry. I just need to try and figure out what to do.”

  “No worry, I think you just needed a shoulder for a moment. So, what are you trying to do?”

  “I am new here. I caught a ride from one of the outer planets. I don’t have a place to stay, I don’t have any money, just a few gemstones, and I just don’t know where to start.”

  “Well, you need money to pay for a place to stay and food, so I think the first thing to do is to find a job.”

  Helen smiled, “I am sure you are right, but who will hire someone dressed like this and without any skill, except fighting?”

  “Oh, you can fight?”

  “Well, I am very good with a sword and hand to hand combat, but today everyone has these new weapons I know nothing about.”

  Stephanie had an idea. “I think we should introduce ourselves. My name is Donna, and you are?”

  “Oh, I am sorry, Donna, my name is Helen.”

  “Hello, Helen. Look, I know someone who is looking for a personal trainer. Woul
d you be interested in this type of work?”

  “Yes, of course, although I am not sure what a personal trainer is or what I would teach.”

  “We can work on that. Tell you what, you continue down this path and stop at the fourth door on the right. When you knock on the door, tell the person that answers that you are there to apply for the personal trainer position. They will take you to see Maria and she will take it from there.”

  “How can I thank you for this?”

  “Don’t give up hope. You will be fine.”

  “Thank you, I at least have some hope now.”

  She said goodbye and started walking along the wall.

  Stephanie quickly re-entered the trees to get to her secret door she used to escape the palace whenever she needed a break. As she made her way through the hallways, she called Maria.

  “Yes, Your Majesty?”

  “Maria, I need a “Donna” favor.”

  “Oh?”

  She laughed, “Yes, oh. A woman dressed in terrible clothes will be knocking on the garden gate in a few minutes. She is going to tell the guard that she is here to apply for the personal trainer position. I want you to bring her in and tell her you will interview her for the job but ask her to wait in the Rose Garden.”

  “Anything else I need to know?”

  “No, she just tugged at my heart and I want to find out what her story is.”

  “Okay, I will see to it.”

  Stephanie went to the Rose Garden and began working on some of the flowers, a pastime she had picked up from Jeffrey, who loved gardening food plants. This was surprisingly relaxing.

  Helen went to the door and knocked. The guard asked her what she wanted and then took her to see Maria.

  “Hello, my name is Maria, I am one of the many helpers here in the Imperial Palace. I understand you are looking for a position as a personal trainer?”

  “Hello, Maria, I’m Helen. Yes, I met a lady called Donna, although I am not sure what she looks like, and she said to ask you for an interview for a job as a personal trainer?”

  Maria chuckled, “Yes, Donna almost always covers herself completely when she goes out. She did call me though, so I was expecting you. It will be a few minutes before I am ready for the interview, would you mind waiting in the Rose Garden? I can take you there and will come get you when I am ready.”

  “Of course, that would be fine.”

  Maria walked her through a couple of alleys to a door, which she opened. As Helen entered, she was amazed at the size of the garden, and the smell!

  “Okay, enjoy, I will be back soon.”

  “Oh, take your time, this is wonderful.”

  Maria laughed and closed the door.

  Helen strolled the path leading deeper into the garden. As she turned a corner, she met someone there.

  “Hello!”

  Stephanie turned to her, saying, “Hello to you. How may I help you?”

  “Maria said I was to wait here for a job interview?”

  Stephanie smiled, saying, “Yes, well, this is a very good waiting area.”

  Helen asked, “Do I know you? Your voice seems to be familiar.”

  “Imagine me with my face covered.”

  “Donna?”

  She laughed, “Yes, Donna. And yes, Helen, you are in the right place.”

  “You work in the palace?”

  “Yes, I am one of the people who live and work here. Should you get that position you are interviewing for you would be able to live here as well.”

  Her eyes got big, “You mean I could live in the Imperial Palace? Oh, My God!”

  “But you have to get the job first.”

  “I wonder who it is a trainer for? I mean I know a lot, but maybe the person wants training on skills I do not have.”

  “Well, let’s find out. Please follow me.”

  They walked through the garden to a door on the far side, then down another alleyway, and through another door. This one led to a fully equipped gymnasium.

  “Oh my, this is wonderful. But I truly don’t know how to use a lot of these machines, they are things I have never seen.”

  “Really? Where do you come from?”

  “I come from a small island, called Shirfalla. It is one of only a few islands on the planet Pelapatia, in the Outer Sea system. I grew up with sailing ships on the ocean, horsemen, knights in armor, castles, and a very hard existence. It’s why I can use a sword and am pretty good at hand to hand fighting.”

  Donna walked over to a wall and pulled out two training swords. She tossed one to Helen, saying, “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  “Really? Just like that?”

  “Yes, just like that. Now, on guard.”

  Stephanie lunged at Helen, who easily parried her move, then counter-attacked, taking Stephanie by surprise. She also countered Helen’s move. They continued in this manner, sword to sword, feints, attacks, counter-moves. They had been at it for several minutes when Helen suddenly feigned a lunge, getting Stephanie to commit to a parry, only to switch blades in the movement to her other hand and get inside her defense. She stopped as the tip of the blade touched Stephanie’s chest.

  Stephanie laughed, and said, “You’re hired.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, that was a masterful move. I have a feeling you were simply playing me along for a while there until you found a repetitive move you could get through, correct?”

  “Yes. You tend to be repetitive. I learned that survival depends on effective defense while reading your opponent, then a sudden switch up that takes advantage of their habits. Muscles move in certain ways, and a repetitive use of muscles leads to establishment of habits. Once established, it is hard to break free.”

  “Interesting. I will inform Maria you have the job, she will be here soon to take you to your new quarters, which are in the corridor between the garden and this gym. I would like to work out every morning at four, if that works for your schedule.”

  She laughed, “Thank you, and as you know, my schedule is very open.”

  “Okay then, I have to go now, but I will send Maria here soon. Have a wonderful evening, Helen.”

  “Thanks, you too, Donna.”

  56.230.11

  They continued their search but were finding that no one would take up their cause. They decided to contact Solon.

  “Solon, it is so good to hear your voice.”

  “Yes, sister, you as well. Tell me, what of your quest? Have you found anyone who will help us?”

  “No. We have not found anyone who will go up against the Empire. They all say the same thing, give up, negotiate a fair price, but don’t fight.”

  “It is not what I hoped, but sadly, it is what I expected.”

  “Have you had any further contact with the Empire?”

  “No, it has been twelve days since their Vice-Admiral departed. The last thing he said was that the Imperial Fleet along with a lot of tankers would arrive and begin taking our water.”

  “I’m sorry, Solon.”

  “Oh no, it isn’t your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault, it’s just the way it’s worked out.”

  “What will you do if they show up suddenly to take the water? You truly can’t fight them.”

  “I don’t know. It just seems so unfair that they would do this without even a slight deference to our people or our claim to these planets.”

  “Just don’t fight them, Solon. From what we hear no one ever wins in a fight with the Empire.”

  “I can’t promise we won’t at least put on a good show, but we will see.”

  “Any word from Helen?”

  “No, we’ve had no contact with her since she departed. I believe she was scheduled to arrive at Meladeran today. I just hope she finds a way to get through.”

  “If anyone
can, she can. Where would she have landed?”

  “Port Bastion is their main port.” He paused, then said, “Kare, Edric, I want you to keep trying. Don’t give up, keep working it. There has to be someone out there who will help us against the Empire.”

  “We will. Let us know if your status changes.”

  “Will do. Kare, be safe, I love you.”

  “I love you.”

  56.235.14

  Edric and Kare continued their mission and talked with more traders from several different places, but no one they found would support their cause.

  “Edric, we have been to four planets and talked with ten different traders, and no one is interested in having anything to do with going up against the Empire.”

  “I know. I guess we have to finally give this up and realize this is not an option.”

  “So, what do we do? We can’t just abandon our people.”

  “No, and we won’t. However, I think our best chance may be to go to Meladeran and see if Helen needs any help.”

  “I think you’re right. The only hope we have is to cause a change in the palace, and that’s a very long shot.”

  “I agree, but it seems our only option. Let’s not tell Solon what we are doing, as he has enough concern on his plate.”

  “I agree.”

  “You know, Helen didn’t have money when she went to Meladeran. Maybe we should try and sell our starship and then pay for a ride there, so we have cash reserves we can use to bribe our way into the palace, if it becomes necessary.”

  “Good idea, but I am not sure who would want to purchase a very old ship like ours.”

  “Let’s advertise it at the port and see what we get?”

  They walked through the port information offices and found a place where starships were advertised for sale. Looking at the prices, they knew their old ship wouldn’t generate very much.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t list a price, just the specifics of the ship.”

  “Okay, but the most significant aspect of this ship is it is nearly nine hundred years old.”

  “Yes, it’s an antique.”

  Edric said, “That’s it! We advertise it as a very valuable antique!”