"His wife!" snapped Starfire.
"Her maiden name," concluded Erion. There on the screen were the words, 'wife, Orinne Blass'.
"You don't think…" said Raan.
"Check on it!" snapped Erion. Delta Ten glared briefly at the screens and the information appeared as if by magic while Starfire hastily filled the others in on Blass's double demise at Hal's hand.
"It is as we suspected," confirmed Delta Ten."Orinne Blass is the sister of the late Dolton Blass."
"He's walking straight into a trap."
"We have to warn him," said Starfire, rising to her feet.
"Easy there, Lieutenant," began Jed Cloud, catching her arm. Communication through the wormhole is difficult. We use the Little Rocks to take messages to the Cantina 'cos there's no way a signal will get through. We gotta wait for the message to be delivered and then wait for a Little Rock to bring the answer back. By the time we contact the Cantina, Hal might well be on his way. Ships are in and out of there all the time and he'll easy get a ride."
"Well, we must try," stated Starfire.
"It will be done," said Gant.
"What if we contact Kessel; leave a message with the port authorities," suggested Raan.
"Good idea, Captain," agreed Gant. "I will say I am Hal's brother with an urgent family message. That should tip him off, even if they won't allow me to speak with him."
"That's if they pass a message to him at all, My Lord," said Erion, her worry making her forget and address the man by his title.
"I will find out how Hal was contacted," said Thirty Seven. "It was probably the usual way, which is by coded computer message, but maybe there will be something we can use." Thirty Seven and Gant left the room and Starfire began to pace up and down.
"There must be something else we can do. Erion, how far is Kessel in real time."
"Two days at least. You can't make it in one jump from here."
"We'll go," stated Jed Cloud.
"We can't spare you, Jed," said Elkrist, "you have another mission tomorrow."
"But it's in that quadrant, Commander," Jed looked at her angrily. "We could easily nip over and get Hal back."
"Jed, you know how important your mission is. Besides, you are on their most wanted list in that sector. You wouldn't even get to land before they blasted you away."
"Damn it, Elkrist, he's my friend," spluttered Jed.
"He shouldn't have gone off half cocked," mused Cal, the thoughtful one of the Cloud family. "He should have checked his facts."
"He's worked for him before," pointed out Starfire. "How is he to know the man is married to Blass's sister?"
"The point is, no matter how it happened, he's in trouble," stated Erion. "Tranter, can you fuel up our ship. We'll have to owe you the cost."
"We could do a little freighting," suggested Raan eagerly, "I've never worked for a living before."
"Aren't you ever serious?" asked Jed.
"He has obviously not lost anything he loved," stated Elkrist. Three pairs of furious eyes turned in her direction, and Elkrist suddenly realised what Hal meant about them being a tight unit. Somehow, she had overstepped the mark and they had closed ranks against her. She spread her arms outward as a sign of surrender.
"The Alliance has funds of its own. We will cover the cost of your refuelling and arrange a cargo for you. We'll have to work out some sort of plan to get you in and out. This planet is in Gant's part of the galaxy. He should be able to help you out with some inside info. Somehow, I don't think his warning is going to reach Hal."
"Neither do I," mused Starfire. "Just you wait till I get my hands on that stupid Terry." Despite the situation, it raised a titter and Gant came back into the room to find them smiling. The look on his face stilled any levity.
"Kessel is under martial law. The Galactic Police are in control."
"We still have to get in there," said Erion.
"You dead set on going in the new ship?" asked Tranter. He received nods all round.
"Okay then. She'll have to have new identity papers." He motioned to Jed's brothers, lounging by the wall. "You guys can give me a hand. I need some strong backs and weak minds to paint the new name on her."
"Very funny, Tran," grinned Lon. "Just you remember who saved your ass on Zigel." They departed, still arguing and met Thirty seven on his way in. He informed them he had found out nothing of use. There was just a standard request through a trusted third party for Hal to contact Tamara regarding another contract.
"Right then," said Gant, sitting down, "I've been to Kessel. It is a strange place, but there is something that might work." He looked straight at Starfire, "It might be a little dangerous if you're still set on it."
"I owe him my life," stated Starfire. "Twice."
"Right then," said Gant, "this is what we'll do…"
Chapter 17
Elkrist, Gant, Tranter and a gleaming Thirty Seven bid goodbye to the Grennig's crew and watched the Little Dragon lift off and follow Jed Cloud's Corvette, The Rising Star, away from the rebel base towards the wormhole gateway. Not aware that Delta Ten had memorised their route on the way in, Jed Cloud and his brothers, Buck, Callon and Lon, had offered to guide them back to the Cantina. They were headed out on another mission, but they had promised to go to the base nearest to Kessel and stir up as much trouble as they could as soon as it was over. Hopefully, they might draw some of the attention away from the Grennig and its crew.
Five hours later, Starfire, Raan, Delta Ten and Erion sat in the crew compartment of the Grennig, ready to put their plan into action. They had stopped off at the Cantina for dinner, mostly because they needed to refuel and take on cargo but also because Starfire and Raan insisted on taking a quick look the place while their ship was loaded up. Once their freight was secure, Starfire followed Little Rock forty three through the asteroid field and made the jump into hyperspace. Now all they had to do was wait. Starfire looked at the empty chair by the gunnery console.
"It doesn't feel right without him sitting there, being mean to everyone."
"I know," agreed Erion. "It must be the fascination of the horrible."
"I think it's more than that," said Starfire, slowly.
"What do you mean?" asked Raan.
"I think that when we're all together we're kind of luckier somehow." Starfire looked down to hide her reddening cheeks.
"You just fancy him, that's all," Raan leered at her.
"No, you idiot, it isn't that…." she tailed off.
"Starfire, I refuse to believe that a homicidal gunslinger is our lucky charm," said Erion, not looking up from her navigation screen.
"I just hope we're not too late," Raan put into words what they had all been thinking.
"Gant figures this Tamara is a bit of a sadist," said Starfire. "He won't kill Hal outright. Hopefully, he'll want him to stew for a bit."
"That doesn't make me feel any better. Let's just hope that's all he does." said Erion, quietly. She had been reading the full dossier on the man and had not liked what she found. His wife wasn't any nicer, but Erion kept her thoughts to herself.
"I wish we could have come up with a better plan," said Raan. "I don't like this one at all. There's too much that can go wrong."
"There wasn't the time to think of anything else, Captain," answered Erion.
"Look, I'm the one who's sticking her neck out," pointed out Starfire, "and I say, go ahead."
"You're as mad as she is," muttered Raan.
"Ah, Raan, honey," cooed Starfire, "I didn't know you cared."
"Cut it out," he snapped. "I don't think you two realise just what we might be getting into here. A couple of years ago, my unit was sent to a planet in the mining colonies. We stumbled on a slave trading business and shut it down. Starfire, it wasn't pretty. Inner planet Aurians don't rate the average Terrellian that much, but the Offworlders don't even bother raising contempt. Terrellians are rare, so they're expensive but if you give anyone any trouble on Kessel, they'll sell you off t
o one of the cheaper outfits that aren't so careful of their merchandise." He had reached out and had taken her hand in his. She squeezed it back, saying,
"Don't be such a mother hen, Raan. I know what it's going to be like but it's the only way we can get landing clearance on Kessel now it's on lockdown. This Tamara guy has a house full of Terrellian servants. He must want replacements now and then." She caught his eye and smiled. "Anyway, you said you wanted to work for living. There's good money in the slave trade."
"I don't know why I bother," he sighed, dipping into his flying jacket inside pocket and producing two cigars. "Thirty Seven put me on his list for supplies of these. There's a crate full in the hold. Have one on me."
"Thanks," she answered.
"Now does everyone know what they have to do?" asked Erion. "Starfire you're the luckless Terrellian beautician who unwittingly answered an advertisement for a job with us."
"That turned out to be more than I bargained for," she added.
"Raan, you and I are a couple of High Borns down on their luck that have just turned to the slave trade to make a bit of quick cash. That should explain us being a bit raw at this. Del, you are the registered owner of the Grennig. I filed your papers through the Federation computers this morning. Since you are the only one of us without a criminal record, you'll have to do. Now if you're asked, you agreed to bring us here on condition that we pay you when they pay us."
"Erion do you really think they're gonna believe all this crap?" asked Raan, drawing the cigar smoke deep into his lungs and expelling it at her like a dragon.
"I've found that the more unlikely the story, the easier people seem to believe it," she answered, waving away the aromatic smoke with a delicate hand. "One of Gant's contacts on Kessel has tipped the authorities the wink about us. He's confident that we'll get clearance to land."
"We'll find out soon enough anyway," began Starfire. She yawned and stretched. "I'm going to get some sleep. We have eight hours to kill."
Starfire's personal alarm woke her after six hours and she rose from her bunk for a quick shower. She emerged from the shower and fluffed out her newly dyed, blond hair. She dressed, pulled a silly face in the mirror then composed herself before walking out of her cabin for a last meal with Erion and Raan. They met in the crew rec room, just below the pilot section and sat around the table after their meal, drinking coffee and discussing their plan once again. A warning chime sounded and Erion patted her lips with a disposable napkin.
"We'll be coming out of hyper space soon," she stated. "Let's get up there." They walked up the spiral staircase to the next level pilot section, Starfire carrying a pair of high heeled shoes. Delta Ten sat at Starfire's station and swivelled the seat around, stood up gracefully and offered Starfire her seat. She smiled and took her place, slipping on the high heels and swivelling round to face her console.
"We are in normal space," she said.
"They'll have us on their scopes now," said Erion. "Del, let's see if we can get permission to land." The android nodded and turned to his console.
"This is commercial freighter Grennig requesting permission to land. Do you copy?"
"We copy, Grennig. This is Kessel Central Port Authority. What is your cargo?"
"I am carrying food supplies, fuel and three passengers," answered Delta Ten.
"Permission to land granted. Be aware that Kessel is now under martial law. Please dock at number fifteen silo and remain in your ship until a car collects you and your passengers."
"Understood, Central," answered Del, cutting the link.
"So far, so good," said Erion, brightly. She and Raan were dressed in expensive robes that had been carefully weathered to look as though they had seen better days. Starfire wore a short, powder blue skirt with a matching, waist length jacket. A large identity badge that had the name 'Lindi' on it in red stylised writing was pinned to the left lapel. Erion had put up Starfire's hair in a little bun and decorated it with red feathers and fake, pale blue flowers.
"Nice legs," complimented Raan, "and I love that hair!"
"I look like a Bimbo," grumbled Starfire. She looked strangely out of place as she sat in the sturdy, steel pilot's chair, trying in vain to press small crystal buttons on the pilot's console. "How the hell can people work with these?" she snapped, holding up her hands to show her long fingernails. Delta Ten had used the mediheal to grow and extend her nails and Erion had painted them pale blue to match her outfit.
"Let me help you, Sugar," smirked Raan as he leaned over to help. She batted his hand away and mouthed an insult at him so that Erion couldn't hear. She landed the big craft in the designated silo, cut the engines and allowed the ship to sink down slightly on its hydraulic legs. She glared at the grinning Raan, stood up and walked towards the hatch, saying,
"Right then, let's get this show on the road." She started to walk gracefully towards the hatch, then went over on one high heel. She recovered herself without breaking her stride, muttering, "For frag's sake, how am I supposed to walk in these things?"
"You look just fine to me, precious," Raan leered at her and winked.
"It isn't funny, Raan; I'm a Marine, godammit!" said Starfire as she tottered towards the hatch. "What if I can't fool 'em."
"Gant told us this Tamara is crazy about Terrellians. He won't be able to resist you."
"Happens to me everywhere I go," sighed Starfire, wistfully, blowing on her long nails and polishing them on her skimpy jacket. They took the aircar to the rear hold and watched as the cargo hatch started to rise. Eight, shiny, black jackboots came into view. Eight black clad legs were next and, as the door rose higher, the silver and red insignia of the Galactic Police could be seen on four huge chests.
"Here we go," whispered Erion. Delta Ten joined them and they stepped out onto the sloping passenger ramp before it reached the ground. The cold, outside air rushed into the ship, along with the familiar odour of damp concrete, dirty oil and aviation fuel of a Starport bay. They walked cautiously downward to meet the black and red clad officers of the Galactic Police. One of them saluted in an insolent fashion and motioned them to follow. Two officers stood guard on their ship while they walked quickly between the remaining two guards. There were no cheery smiles of greeting, no one said 'Welcome to Kessel' and there was no small talk. In fact there was no talk at all. Not a single word was spoken as they marched through the cold, damp bay area, looking at the other ships. Raan noted that the majority of them were fighters, with a troop carrier and a heavily armoured corvette like theirs. There was only one merchant ship that he could see, probably the one that brought Hal, and that was guarded at both ramps by hard faced Galactic Police.
They walked quickly on, Raan holding tightly to Starfire's upper arm and pulling her when she tried to hang back. Twice he saved her from tripping up in the dreaded high heels but neither of them acknowledged the fact. They were watched closely by the guards, who kept them in between the white lines marked on the silo floor. A ground car was waiting for them at the silo exit and they all sat in it; one beefy female guard at the front with Delta Ten and Erion, and the other, a tall sneering type, at the rear with Raan and Starfire.
"Please…" she gasped, "I shouldn't be here: they kidnapped me." The guard glared at them and answered Starfire by shoving his blaster towards her face.
"Shut up and sit down!" he snarled, pushing her back into her seat. Starfire sat down, snivelling in the corner for a moment, before wiping the back of her hand across her nose and quieting down as if she realised the crying wasn't doing her any good. The hover car was driver-less and set off at the female guard's command, weaving in and out of the port traffic and along a large, circular glass tunnel towards the steel and glass domed Starport up ahead. The tunnel was wide enough for four lanes of traffic and offered a clear view of the surrounding countryside. They could see a similar glass tube to their left, which carried a couple of Police vehicles going the other way.
Kessel looked like a nice enough place, with gree
n pastureland and white roads leading to a large city a mile away on the horizon. The tunnel wasn't very long and they slowed at the Starport entrance to be waved to a parking spot by two more guards. It wasn't any different to the many Starports scattered across the galaxy and the car pulled up near the wide opening. Starfire and Raan shared a quick glance. The car park was vast but there were hardly any vehicles in it. Normally a Starport like this would be full of vehicles and people would be driving around looking for vacant spots. They climbed out of the car and it hummed quietly away to wait with several others at a nearby taxi rank.
Their guards nodded to two more of their kind, stationed at the entrance and they were scanned and logged in before being ushered quickly inside. They were not asked for their cards or given temporary passes, so they would have to be accompanied if they wished to use any of the facilities. It meant the guards knew they would not be staying around.
Starports had once been used purely as a place to wait for paperwork whilst arriving or leaving a planet, but their purpose had been expanded to such a degree, that checking in and out was now a tiny percentage of their function. Wherever a large body of people are stuck waiting for something to happen, there are always those who can see a way of profiting from their boredom and confinement. Cafes and gift shops gave way to smart hotels and theatres. Local people started to bring their wares to sell on stalls and then opened up little shops of their own. Over the years, Starports mutated from check-in buildings to centres of trading and entertainment. They would usually be full of noise, thriving with people shopping, browsing or visiting the many cafes as they waited for departures or arrivals.
What struck Erion as she gazed at the empty shops and cafes on either side of the long, brightly lit main entrance tunnel, was the quiet. All the little establishments were closed, which was odd, considering their prime location. Even the Queue Booth at the front was empty. Every successful Starport had a Queue Booth, where you could pay people who would take your place in the queue and com you when they reached the front. If a couple of large passenger ships landed at the same time, the queues could extend down the tunnel and most people would rather browse in a shop or sit in a café than wait in line if all it cost was a few credits.
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