Dubois caught Hal's eye at this point and the gunman met his gaze without flinching. Hal could testify to the uselessness of rehabilitation. In his case it had the opposite effect and he burst forth on an unsuspecting galaxy like a rogue comet. The angry, streetwise teenager had stowed aboard Dubois' shuttle and the Captain, as he was then, had helped the young tearaway escape. The general took another puff of his foul smelling weed and continued.
"Modular buildings, equipment and solar generators were packed up with enough food and seeds for eighteen months. Then the whole kit and caboodle, along with the colonists, was taken to Serrell and left there.
"Bound to fail," grunted Raan. The General nodded.
"The candidates were chosen from such opposing factions that disaster was almost guaranteed, Captain," he continued. "Anyway, they lost contact so nobody quite knows what went wrong, but just over a year later, a massive nuclear explosion almost ripped Serrell apart."
"It's in our history books," broke in Starfire, looking across at Hal, who shrugged his agreement. "At the time, it caused chaos here. We were always told it was some sort of axial tilt in Serrell's orbit or something, certainly not a nuclear explosion."
"Yes, Lieutenant," said Dubois, "in a way, it served the Senate well, for if there had been any installations on the surface of Terrell at that time, they would have been totally destroyed all over again. It made their case for staying underground that much stronger and has kept them in power ever since." Raan poured out some more coffee and threw the Aurian woman a broad smile and a wink. She smiled sardonically back but offered no further encouragement. Starfire kicked him under the table as the General continued. "An Aurian Marine rescue team was sent to Serrell but they found complete devastation, heavy contamination and no sign of life. It was assumed everyone had perished and no other attempts were made to go there again."
"Until?" prompted Raan.
"Until six months ago when, through diplomatic channels, Serrell declared war on Terrell."
"So we weren't called in for pirate raids," exclaimed Starfire before she could stop herself.
"No Lieutenant, The Council of the Senate used the pirate story to stop widespread panic among the population. The attacks are real, as you can testify and they have almost choked off the shipping routes in this system. That is why we were allowed to set up a permanent base here a few months ago. Serrell is heavily screened and we cannot scan it to find out what is going on."
"Why don't you just send in the Marines?" asked Raan.
"Apart from an electro-magnetic shield that protects the whole planet, the Terrellian Senate will not allow us to do that." He took time out to re-light his cigar and take a few puffs. "They say that Serrell is under their jurisdiction and any attack upon it would constitute an act of war on Terrell also. They are treating this as an internal matter and they are trying to open diplomatic channels."
"With respect, that sucks, Sir," put in Raan.
"Something is far from right in the ruling council and that's a fact, Captain," began the General. "I have tried to find out more but I have drawn a blank. Important staff are being kept out of the loop, decisions are being made without going through the proper channels and the Terrellian Senate is being more difficult than usual."
"Impossible!" muttered Raan.
"You would think so, Captain, but some of the decisions they are making seem to make no sense whatsoever."
"Do you suspect a conspiracy, Sir?" asked Starfire, blushing furiously. Here she was, a lowly Lieutenant, asking a full General pertinent questions.
"The honest answer to that, Lieutenant, is that I don't know and I can't seem to find out." He took another puff of his foul smelling cigar. "And that annoys me." He looked at them all in turn, "What I want is a small strike team to land on Serrell and stop these attacks."
"Just like that?" murmured Hal.
"Just like that," confirmed Dubois. He took another sip of coffee, pulled a face as it had grown cold and passed his cup to the bored looking dancer, who re-filled it and handed it back to him. "The Serrellians must be getting outside help from somewhere. The weaponry they are using is extremely advanced."
"Why not just blast them from space?" asked Raan. "Once it's done and the war's over the Senate will have to agree with you."
"If only it was that simple, Captain," he answered. "As I have said, the planet is heavily shielded. We could not get near enough to send the bombers in even if we did have clearance from Terrell."
"Yeah," began Raan. "They're hardly going to let a strike team through the front door like they're coming to tea either." Dubois threw Raan a dark look.
"If you will let me continue, Captain, our logic computers have come up with a way to penetrate their defences. I will tell you about it in more detail, and then I will ask you to volunteer." They paused at this point for the dancer to pour more coffee and he continued. "Now, as our esteemed Captain," he motioned with his cigar, "Raan has pointed out, the enemy will not welcome Marines with open arms. They just might fall over themselves with gratitude if a party of outlaws from Terrell ask for asylum." Starfire and Hal exchanged looks. So that was why their Terrellian presence was so important. "We have shielded this planet now, and put it on full alert so the enemy cannot know what is going on here. They must have many allies and spies here of course, and we are banking on the fact that they will contact their leaders on Serrell to let them know of your defection. However, I doubt very much if they have penetrated the very top of the Aurian High Command on Terrell. We have been very careful to ensure that all our military plans have been protected by our most trusted officers. You will be their only source of recent military information and hopefully this fact will keep you safe. But I must warn you," began Dubois, "that if you accept this mission, there will be no chance of any help from us at all. In fact, only I and the High Commander of the Fleet, Admiral Nooran, will know your true purpose. Your personnel files will be altered to confirm facts about your new pasts should you agree to go." He turned to the striking Aurian in the white dress uniform. Neither he nor Erion had spoken during the meal and General Dubois had not made any attempt to explain their presence. The woman had steadfastly refused to accede to Raan's charm and the man had stared intently at the General throughout the meal, as if waiting for this signal.
"This is where Del and Erion will play their parts." The woman stood up and ignored another cheeky wink from Raan. She smiled at the General, who gazed at her with pride. "I did not mention earlier that Erion is my daughter and a Major in the Aurian Space Marines." Raan's mouth dropped open and Starfire, who had guessed that there was far more to the woman than met the eye, said nothing but looked down to hide her smile. Hal's face showed blank indifference as usual.
"Del here will masquerade as my son. Everyone has been expecting the Major to be a man, so they won't be disappointed. My daughter arrived on the freighter as an ordinary civilian passenger. Her identicard lists her as a dancer called Erion Dune. For the past three months she has been plying her trade in the taverns and bars of the mining planets in the western sector and she has managed to build up quite a reputation for herself. She wished to stay in costume, as it were, to test her disguise at close quarters." The General looked down to hide his smile and then raised his head to look at Raan. "I think we can safely assume that she passed muster, Captain?" Raan nodded his head vigorously and Dubois continued. "Del was sent to one of these planets in the guise of my son and allowed himself to be wooed and won by Erion. I have let it be known that I have pulled strings to get my son posted here to save him from her clutches."
All eyes studied Erion in a new light. She must have been made of pretty stern stuff to carry off something like that even though she looked the part. Starfire at least, realised what it must have been like for her and Erion rose up a notch in her estimation.
"Now," said the General, "Erion is going to have a violent quarrel with my 'son' and shoot him dead. That will make her wanted for murder. Captain Raan, as of
now, you are an old flame of Erion's and when she asks you for help, you will not refuse. Just in case any checks are made, and I'm sure there will be, your personnel files will be altered to confirm this. Your altered backgrounds have already been prepared."
"So much for volunteering," whispered Raan to Starfire out of the side of his mouth.
"Captain Raan," barked Dubois, "It was not until after a lot of thought that I had to agree with the combat computers about their choice for co pilot on this mission. I thought you far too unpredictable and immature for the mission. I would have preferred a steadier man, but it would not have looked believable for a good officer to desert his post. However, if you do not wish to join us, please say so now and I will ask my second choice to join the team." Raan shook his head and the General turned his attention to Starfire.
"Lieutenant," his voice softened, "You are the only Terrellian in the Marines and you can also fly the freighter we have chosen for your escape. That is why I could not risk you in combat this morning. We must try to make this look as believable as possible for you all to stand any chance of success. The more Terrellians there are along, the better it will look."
"I'll go, Sir," she answered, realising there would be nowhere to call home for her after this; she would be branded a traitor from all sides.
"Well done, Starfire," said Dubois. "You will allow yourself to be persuaded to take Raan and Erion off the planet." He turned to Hal and smiled warmly. Raan thought he must see something in the steely eyed Terrellian that they had all missed. "We go back a long way, Hal, and I don't know of another man in the galaxy who has such a mastery of weapons. I know you have no political views, and I would not call upon you to repay the debt you think you owe me, so I will pay your fee myself." He leaned forward to whisper, although the room was thoroughly checked for listening devices. "High Commander Nooran and I managed to get the Trade Conference dates changed so we knew you would be here with Dolton Blass. We didn't know if you would agree to go along so the computers haven't come up with anything for your escape. Now, how are we going to get you off this planet in dubious circumstances? I know you are not a wanted man in this sector."
"I think I am now, sir." Starfire eyes opened wide, for Hal spoke with a deference that she suspected was reserved for very few people. He rose from his seat and walked over to the vidcom planted flush in the wall. The General nodded his assent and Hal turned it on, flicking through the channels until he found the one he wanted. The screen filled to show a pretty girl shuffling papers behind a desk. A large clock and a stylised map of Steel City were on a screen lit up behind her and these vanished to show the lobby of the Galaxy Hotel. Police were holding back the crowds and as they watched, two men carried out a large, blanket covered shape on a stretcher to a waiting private ambulance. The woman had a pleasant speaking voice and Hal turned up the volume so they could appreciate it to the fullest.
"….. at the Galaxy Hotel this afternoon when the body of the famous Aurian tycoon Dolton Blass was found under a pile of Valasian gold pieces amounting to exactly fifty thousand credits. The family of Mr Blass is offering this sum as a reward to anyone who can supply information leading to the arrest of a Terrellian gunman and outlaw known as Hal. There are no pictures available of this man, but police have issued a comp-fit likeness." A picture flashed across the screen which looked nothing like Hal. He grinned and switched off the machine.
"Yeah, that answers that," stated Raan dryly. "What a motley little crew we'll all make."
"Have you any questions?" asked Dubois. Erion obviously knew the plan and remained silent. Starfire and Raan began speaking at once. "One at a time, please. Starfire?"
"How are you going to arrange for the death of this man," she pointed to Del, "without arousing suspicion? I mean, you're going to have to make it look good."
"It will be, Lieutenant." The General stood up. "I'll prove it to you." He pulled a sonic pistol from his pocket and handed it to Hal to check.
"Got a blank load," he verified. The General aimed it straight at Del and pulled the trigger. A muffled report filled the room and the Aurian stiffened, his hands going to a gaping hole in his chest. Blood seeped through his fingers as he slowly slid to the floor to lie pale and unmoving on the oatmeal carpet. Starfire and Raan were there in an instant.
"He's dead!" she gasped. "You killed him!"
"Well that was the intention," said the General.
"Sir, he's really dead," put in Raan, his fingers checking for a non existent pulse. Dubois and Erion exchanged smiles and Starfire looked wildly round at Hal for a more experienced opinion, but he remained outwardly calm. She could see though, that his right hand rested gently on the butt of his gun.
"Don't worry Lieutenant," smiled Dubois. He made a sign and the blood soaked Aurian stood up, colour returning to his face.
"How…" began Raan.
"Did you do that?" finished Starfire, amazed.
"It is logical when you understand," answered the corpse. "It is impossible to kill something that does not live in the first place."
"Eh?" asked Raan, puzzled.
"He must be a robot," supplied Hal.
"You are correct," answered Del.
"A robot?" began Starfire, "but they're all grey and shiny. This one looks like a real person." She walked round him now and studied him in more detail. "He's almost flawless."
"Thank you," said Del.
"You're welcome," she answered, lifting his hand to move his fingers.
"He's a Delta Ten experimental prototype," supplied Erion, "a humaniform android with a positronic learning brain. We're very proud of him."
"I can see why," said Starfire, twirling the unabashed robot round for a back view.
"Heck of a lot of work, just to blow up," muttered Raan. "What happened to the other nine?" Dubois looked skyward and it was left to Erion to answer.
"Once Del has been pronounced dead by a neutral, qualified doctor, my father will put his body aboard our private launch for burial at home. They will rendezvous with us in space and Del will join us."
"When is all this scheduled to happen?" asked Hal.
"A ship is already standing by in launch bay Two, pad Six," answered Dubois. "Don't be put off by its looks, it's equipped with the latest technology and weapons. Delta Ten will be shot in the same bay, so I'd like all of you in the area before 11:00. I have arranged for most of the flight to be on patrol in the eastern sector, so you should be able to get away with the minimum commotion. The fuel gauge has been altered to give a false reading. You will not have enough fuel to get into hyper space. If checks are made of your ship, it will explain why you chose to go to Serrell instead of leaving this sector. This is as far as the combat computers could predict so we have made no plans as such for your escape."
"Great," mumbled Raan, who secretly enjoyed a good fight. "We stand a good chance of being blown away before we leave the ground."
"Your escape must not look planned," began the General, "or you will never be allowed to land on Serrell."
"We still might not," put in Starfire.
"Then you must find another way," said Dubois simply. They all turned to look at Hal, who stood up, placed his empty cup on the table, bowed to his host and walked towards the door.
"See you tomorrow," called Starfire. Hal froze for a second, then carried on without a backward glance. Although the door slid shut silently, he managed to convey the impression it had been slammed.
"Oh, don't mind Hal," began the General. "He'll be there tomorrow; you can be sure of that."
"We'll I'm going to turn in," said Starfire. "Something tells me tomorrow is going to be a very long day."
"Or a very short one," put in Raan, taking her arm. "May I escort you to your quarters, Lieutenant? I thought we might stop by the officer's lounge for a drink. Maybe talk about Nik."
"Yes Captain," she agreed quietly. "I'd like that." They said their goodbyes and left.
"Well my dear," smiled Dubois to his daughter, "W
hat do you think of them?" She shook her head slowly.
"What a bunch of misfits, father. A hired killer, a Terry pilot with a chip on her shoulder and feckless Captain Cliché. We're doomed!"
"It isn't like you to be swayed by first impressions, Erion," the General chided his daughter, gently. "Do you have any idea what it was like for Lieutenant Starfire in the Academy?"
"Well, no, father."
"She was ostracised, bullied and passed over for promotion at every turn, despite being the best pilot in her year. She refused to give up and graduated with the highest honours ever achieved by a pilot in the Marines. Anyone else would have been given the 'Academy Honours' medal, but it was awarded to another, less successful student. It doesn't matter where she goes, what she does, how she excels, she will always be a Terrellian first, as will Hal. I think she has the right to have a little chip on her shoulder, don't you?" Erion looked down to hide her embarrassment. Her father was right, of course. A little bit of Terrellian prejudice had surfaced and the General had noticed. He looked up suddenly.
"Do you recall the battle to retake the Vesporus Mining Colony, my dear?"
"Isn't that where there was an uprising?" Erion frowned in concentration. "Yes! I have it now. The Marines went in unprepared and the commanding officer was killed in the first assault. Over half of the platoon was wiped out in the first charge and they were all trapped in the tunnels, weren't they? If it wasn't for the Captain taking command, there would have been wholesale slaughter. Didn't he get the Aurian Star for bravery?"
"I was never really happy with that version of events, Erion," the General said, quietly. "I have known Captain Lanna for many years and his actions on Vesporus were totally out of character. Yes, he was awarded the Star and received a generous promotion at the time. His military career stagnated after that and he went into politics, praised as a hero. He's done very well at it, I hear."
Starfire at Traitors Gate Page 4