“I understand, the investigation is continuing without progress, but we can try to find The Augur.”
“It seems to be the only way, although we could be chasing a ghost.”
“It’s worth investigating. Like I said before, I plan to pay double,” promised Yavar.
“We need to leave Bornew to one side, and focus on finding The Augur. The one who knows everything will know where to encounter your hijacker.”
“How do you plan on finding him?”
“What about the private inbox?” asked the assassin. “Is there anything new?”
“No, and we ought to assume that there won’t be. A long time has passed since the last message.”
“In that case, the only thing left to do is go to Autoro and follow the route of the girl who, supposedly, found The Augur. I know somebody who could help me.”
“Then you’ll accept? If you could find him, it would be of much use.”
“I will.”
“Perfect, search for The Augur then, and afterwards, we’ll talk about Bornew... I know this is not the type of work you usually accept; I appreciate you doing it.”
“I’m not interested in thanks. You’ll have to pay me well.”
“I’ll keep my word, whether you find him or not, I’ll pay double for the investigation you carry out in Autoro. Even if you don’t discover anything, there are opportunities for us to do so. After what happened with Bornew, preparations have begun to form a special agency that will be dedicated to this type of thing. The best investigators in The Union will be working on the case. I will keep you informed.”
“Is there anything else?” asked the assassin, keen to end the call.
“Only one last thing,” noted Yavar. “As you know, we’ve covered up the real story, but we’ll soon be announcing the truth about the station. We now have no other option than to say that it was a hijacking; it’s the only way of guaranteeing an exhaustive search, but nobody can know about the robot, or any other detail, so be discreet.”
“I always am.”
Dasslak ended the call, and immediately prepared to start with his new task. Some time had passed since he was last in any part of Autoro, and now it was time to return to that savage place. Of the known inhabited areas that did not form part of The Galactic Union, Autoro was the second biggest. It was an enormous place, composed of a large quantity of planetary systems. Pirates, hostile aliens; robberies and constant fighting; these were the norm in Autoro. It was not exactly a place that Dasslak held in high esteem, but he would have to go back there, if he wanted to find The Augur.
After analysing it, he knew immediately who to turn to. He would enter Autoro via a highly dangerous place. In amongst the information they had given him, Dasslak had recognised the name of the captain of the station S4-07, therefore he set course to the home of the most dangerous band of pirates in the galaxy, the Afkbars, Captain Val’s family.
It took him a couple of days. On his journey, he made several stops at a few systems in order to stock up, until he finally arrived at one of the final systems of The Union, on Border-C, a line of systems that separated The Union from Autoro. Space being such a large place, many systems formed the final delineation with Autoro. Those systems were the first defence against pirates and outlaws, and were constantly battling to dispel thieves and intruders.
The taverns were full of the most curious species in the galaxy. People who traded with Autoro’s systems, mercenaries and criminals. Upon arriving at those systems, the jump-gate stations that were controlled by The Union ended, and all ships entering them were warned that they were close to the limits of the law. From that point onwards, the ships would have a long journey ahead of them in order to be able to reach anywhere inhabited.
As his ship was of the latest generation, Dasslak travelled at impressive speeds, and after five days since his exit from the last system of Border-C, he finally arrived at a jump-gate station in Autoro. One of the many stations controlled by the Afkbar family.
It was enormous, much larger than the stations that normally circulated within The Union. Thousands of people were put up there; it was the only supply point for several parsecs.
As Dasslak increasingly advanced towards the station, he reduced his ship’s speed; he did not want to be mistaken for an enemy. When he was sufficiently close, an operator from the station made contact with him:
“Ship A103-B7A16, you are approaching a station controlled by the Afkbar family. If you wish to continue, you are requested to pay a fee for permission to cross. The amount is ten thousand Union credits, or its equivalent in the most popular currency in Autoro, five million Okanes. No other method of payment is accepted here. If you do not pay the fee, our ships will proceed to destroy you.”
Dasslak typed a few commands into his ship’s computer, and the payment was credited, allowing him to circulate freely through the area.
“Thank you for your cooperation,” came the operator’s voice through the communicator. “Do you wish to stay over at the station?”
“Not at all,” replied Dasslak. “I’m seeking to travel to Reta, the Afkbar planet. I must talk to Shar. I need you to authorise my crossing to that place.”
The operator was mute for a moment.
“Identify yourself immediately!”
“I’m Dasslak, the contract assassin.”
What he said was enough; his name was very well known. Primarily in Autoro, as well as in the whole galaxy.
“My, my, if it isn’t the very Executioner himself. What’s a legend like you doing in this forgotten place?” asked the man, in a mocking tone.
“I’ve already told you, I need to travel to Reta. I need to talk to the Red Pirate.”
“So the famous assassin wants to talk to the leader of the most powerful pirates in the galaxy? Are you joking or something? Why would I be about to let you travel to the bosses’ planet?”
“Why wouldn’t you be about to?”
“You’re a very dangerous person. Somebody could be paying you to kill the captain. Why should I let you through? What I ought to do is send somebody to destroy your ship.”
“Are you finished?” Dasslak asked calmly. “I don’t have time to waste with you. Call whomever you need to call, and get me that permission now. I’ll be waiting here.”
The operator hesitated for a few seconds. Not many were allowed to travel to the Reta System. He consulted with a few people, and explained the situation to them. After a few minutes, he resumed communication with Dasslak.
“You have permission,” said the man, somewhat irritated.
“I thought so.”
“However,” continued the operator, “this station doesn’t lead directly to the Reta System, we’re very far away. We’d have to open another wormhole for you to be able to go to a station that would direct you there. If you want to do that, you’ll have to pay for the extra energy we’ll use. It’s twenty thousand credits.”
“No problem.”
Dasslak made the payment, and the process began. The jump-gate station stopped its systems and the wormhole it was keeping open was closed. It moved to the indicated direction and opened a new wormhole. After they had everything ready, they gave the authorisation to Dasslak for him to cross it.
The assassin proceeded towards the portal, and an instant later, his ship came out the other side. He had arrived in an area even more guarded, filled with battle spaceships of all sizes, and several jump-gate stations dispersed around the place. He was asked to bring his ship into the hangar of one of them, and without complaint he landed in the indicated site; when he was asked, he handed over all his weapons.
“Follow me, sir,” said one of the men who received him. He immediately escorted him to another vessel that would take him to Reta.
Dasslak boarded the ship, which left the hangar towards a new wormhole, open via the station, and rapidly crossed through it. One moment later, and he was already in Reta, preparing to enter into the atmosphere of the planet A
fkbar, so named after the family that had taken it as their own.
It was a rocky planet, with very diverse climates in its different environments. Large desert zones, thick forests, and extensive glaciers. A highly valuable planet in a place like Autoro.
The main city, although not as big as the others in the galaxy, was a real luxury. It had been constructed in the equatorial part of the planet, where the temperature was fairly pleasant for the majority of the time. The buildings had nothing to envy of the more magnificent cities of The Union. In that exclusive place lived some of the most dangerous men in Autoro; people who worked for the Afkbars. Not just anybody could enter there; it was the capital of one of the powers in the area.
The ship that was transporting Dasslak entered into the main city, and landed in a space dedicated to ships within the dwelling of the Afkbars; an enormous palace where four armed pirates and Shar Afkbar were waiting for the assassin.
“Is that the Executioner?” said one of the pirates to the other, just as Dasslak was leaving the ship.
“Silence!” said Shar Afkbar to his men, annoyed.
Dasslak walked up to the Red Pirate, accompanied by one of the men who had escorted him from the station.
“Here is Dasslak, Captain Shar,” said the Pirate.
Shar was a tall and well-built man. His face was very similar to that of his brother Val. Age was now beginning to show on him, but he did not look any less powerful for it. On the contrary: his looks became more intimidating as the years went by. He had won a thousand battles, and witnessed indescribable horrors. Perhaps one of the few men in the galaxy who had more experience than the legendary assassin.
“Dasslak...” said Shar, with a threatening countenance. “What reason can you have for being here?”
The pirates were looking frightened; Dasslak, on the other hand, appeared very calm. Not even the leader of one of the most powerful criminal gangs appeared to intimidate him.
“Thank you for seeing me, Mr Shar.”
“I asked you a question; what are you doing here, Dasslak?”
“I see you haven’t changed much, sir,” said Dasslak, causing more concern amongst those present.
“It will be better if you started talking.”
“I’m looking for someone. A girl. I don’t have a lot of information about her, so I need you to locate her for me.”
“So now I work for you? Did you hear that, boys? It seems this man is our new captain.”
The pirates were alarmed; their boss was not a person well known for his peacefulness, and the Executioner had offended him. Dasslak, however, did not show himself to be worried in the slightest.
“It’s not a big deal, Mr Shar. I only need a favour. Are you going to help me or not?” asked Dasslak.
The look of one of the pirates said it all. They had never imagined that somebody would be capable of speaking with such insolence to their pirate captain.
“What did you say?” said the Red Pirate, and threateningly brought his face up to the assassin’s.
Dasslak stepped backwards to distance himself from Shar, and continued:
“I think you heard me, Mr Shar, I asked you for a favour.”
“Who the hell do you think you are, little boy? Three years I’ve spent without hearing anything from you... You demand to see me, and I open the doors of my house to you, just so you can insult me to my face. Do you have a death wish, or something?”
Dasslak, in contrast to the rest, looked very serene. The assassin looked at everyone, and finally noticed the nervous atmosphere that he had incited. He rarely noticed.
“Why are you all so nervous?” he asked the pirates. A vein in Shar’s forehead that was on the verge of bursting revealed that he had only managed to upset him even more.
“Then you do want to die,” said Shar.
“I haven’t wanted to offend you, Mr Shar. You know the same thing always happens to me... Now, please, stop beating about the bush... are you going to help me or not?”
The Red Pirate burst into raucous laughter. He could not believe that anybody could have such bravery; that was very likely the reason why he was such a famous man. The pirates, on the other hand, only became even more afraid.
“Can you believe this guy?” asked Shar, addressing one of his men. “He’s crazy.” Dasslak remained calm, he was not looking to offend Shar; he had simply become accustomed to treating people in this way. “I’ll tell you something, as I respect your bravery, I’m going to let you live.” He paused, and addressed the man who had escorted him. “Take him back to the station he came from.”
“Wait, Mr Shar,” said Dasslak, “don’t get rid of me yet. You know me well; you know I’m not good at the courtesy thing. At least let me explain why I’ve come.”
There was a silence whilst Shar decided whether to listen to the assassin or not. He could not hide his curiosity; perhaps it might be to do with something interesting.
“You have one minute, boy.”
“I’m looking for a woman. They say she’s found The Augur. I need to speak with her.”
“The Augur?” Dasslak had managed to awaken Shar’s curiosity. It wasn’t every day that somebody claimed to know the whereabouts of that mysterious subject. “The last time that anyone saw The Augur was on the planet Earth, twenty years ago... Do you have proof?”
“No. Just the testimony of a dead man.”
“A dead man?”
“Have you ever heard of any agent from The Galactic Union captured by pirates from Autoro who’s ever made it out alive?”
“You’re chasing a dream, Executioner. You’re wasting your time.”
“When I find that girl, I’ll know whether I’ve wasted my time or not.”
“The minute’s up. I’ll be seeing you,” said Shar, turning around.
“It’s to do with the jump-gate station... the station your brother Val captained.”
Shar stopped at that comment. Without turning back around, he asked:
“What about it?”
“I suppose you already know, The Union said that the station had strayed. But that isn’t true. What really happened was a guy hijacked it. After all this time, nobody has a clue where it could be. The Augur is the only way of finding it.”
Shar turned towards the assassin, completely caught by surprise. Indeed, he had heard of his brother’s disappearance. He never imagined it was to do with something more. He hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke:
“A hijacking? I don’t believe it. Your sources are mistaken.”
“My source is The Union, Mr Shar. It’s soon going to be made public.”
“Now you’re working for The Union?” asked the Red Pirate with disdain.
“Of course not. Somebody hired me to find the person behind the hijacking. It’s just another job, and the only way of finding him is with the help of The Augur.”
Shar was not convinced; it definitely did not seem like the type of job Dasslak usually accepted.
“Where have you been all this time?”
“Working.”
“This isn’t about my brother’s station or who hijacked it. It’s about The Augur... You’re still looking for Galo, aren’t you?”
Dasslak’s face became an expression of irritation; Shar’s affirmation had made him fairly uncomfortable. The assassin was not the type of person who shared his personal matters.
“After such a long time, somebody has finally seen The Augur. This could be my only opportunity to find him. I’m searching for the man who hijacked the station, and this is the only way to do it; if I get something more in the process, then all the better for me.”
“I know you well, the only thing you want is for The Augur to tell you where to find Galo.”
“I’ve been asked to find The Augur to get information on the guy who hijacked the station, and that is what I intend to do. That is all. I’m not interested in arguing with you, or convincing you of anything. I thought you would help me because your brother is invol
ved, but if I’m mistaken, then I have nothing more to do here.”
“Is that how you ask for a favour? You’re only a damn boy.”
“I’m not a boy, Mr Shar, I’m eighty-nine years old.”
“I forget sometimes. You look young,” said Shar, now more calm. “I’ve lived long enough for everyone to look like children to me. Your generation... your DNA is more advanced than mine. I’m already old.”
“How old are you, sir?”
“Two hundred and eighty. I’m already a veteran. I might have a hundred years of life left, but not many more. Humans of your generation will surely have to live five hundred years before your faces look as old as mine.”
“If that worries you, you could rejuvenate your cells.”
“No. I think I’ve already cheated more than I should. Before, people died at a hundred years old; I’ve already lived more than the bill. Technology has turned us into freaks.”
“It’s part of the advance, sir. I wouldn’t be here without technology.”
“It’s true... I heard it somewhere. Your legs were reconstructed... Robotic?”
“No. They’re organic.”
“I don’t think I could cheat destiny again. I will accept whatever comes.”
“So you’re going to settle with those hundred years you think you have left?”
“Perhaps not.” The Red Pirate let out a guffaw. “Life is good. I came with my family to this place two hundred years ago, and we formed an empire. I couldn’t give it up.”
“What about your brother? Are you going to give him up?”
“A long time has passed since his station was lost, my brother must already be dead...” Shar went back to being serious. He was definitely worried for his brother. “Poor Val, he served The Union his whole life. He was an idiot; he ended up being a simple station captain. He should have come with me. He would be a captain of the most feared pirates in the galaxy.”
“He could still be alive; help me to find him.”
Shar knew that Dasslak did not care about finding his brother. He even doubted that he would try to finish his assignment, in spite of the fact that he had always been so dedicated to his work.
Convergence: Genesis Page 10