It had two robotic arms with joints to serve as elbows which were made of metal rods. Likewise, it had two robotic legs also with joints that served as knees. ASOP’s four appendages were constantly adjusting the control panels of the cubicles it was assigned to.
Each ASOP was responsible for 78’ of the corridor which would include approximately twelve cubicles, six on each side of the corridor. The corridors of the Exoteric were over 1000 feet long. They were twelve feet wide and constructed of a stainless steel-like finish with a bluish hue. The ceilings were white and well lit.
ASOP’s had the capability of escorting prisoners as well as controlling them. By means of laser-tip appendages, similar to a finger, ASOP could zap anyone deemed as an offender. It did not have laser capabilities such as slicing metal, skin, or bone but the electrical pulses that emitted from ASOP’s two arm-like appendages could paralyze anyone.
ASOP’s would direct new prisoners to their cells, release prisoners who had served their time and remove the deceased. After one week of detention, Kwelling had given up the mocking he did toward ASOP-1243.
As ASOP-1243 hovered past Kwelling’s room again he pondered, “I know she’s coming. Or sending someone. Then I think I will change my priority. This vessel is going to burn. I’ll see to it!”
…
Jak and Nell, the queen’s two best soldiers, tracked the battle taking place above the planet Efferium from a great distance. They wanted to avoid the battle and the Sim-Sa Gale but also wanted to monitor everything. They decided to slowly and cautiously head toward the star system of Adjelon and keep watch for the Ambulas and the Sim-Sa Gale.
Janek and Rowe watched a cargo ship which they thought was the Night Star, disappear while pursuing it into dead space and the debris field. That was shocking enough for them. They scanned every nearby system - O'bipherion, Xeraxes, and Gorledeon and discovered the cargo ship had jumped to the Xeraxes system. They immediately headed toward the planet Efferium.
Then an even more amazing thing happened, the mighty Sim-Sa Gale appeared above Efferium. It was then Janek realized the potential of the device the pirate queen tried to conceal. Janek and Rowe were still going after Boone Nova, as hired by the queen then they decided stealing the Night Star’s device was paramount. Janek schemed as to accomplish both – catch Boone Nova and claim the teleportation device for himself. The queen could have the one aboard the Sim-Sa Gale but getting it would be her problem.
As they slowly trekked, as not to draw unwanted attention to their shuttle, they watched every move the Night Star made. Presently, it was slowly approaching the massive battlecruiser.
…
Co’Dak, Merrick’s best officer and fighter from years ago when the planetary wars were at its height, began to initiate Merrick’s plan of infiltration – the rescue of Kwelling, Luweena, and Ander. Co’Dak was in his late fifties and he was of average size and build. His face exhibited thin cracks and crevices from years of stress and many battles - battles he fought defending his home planet, Peridius, the fourth system. His frame was unintimidating but his guile, speed, and ability never diminished. That trait, along with Co’Dak’s experience made him deadly and well capable of posing as a maintenance worker.
Co'Dak hid his Class II Jay Hawk ship, the Jokey, inside an old broken-down hangar. Though the hangar appeared to be dilapidated and unused, it was far from that. He had high hopes he would soon return and find the Jokey right where he left it and untouched. He mounted the sleek fast blade-propelled ATV-like hovercraft the queen’s friends supplied him with and left for an unsuspecting victim.
Co’Dak watched and waited for a man from a distance. The man was late and should have left his home minutes ago to head to his workstation. Twenty yards in front of him, he gazed at a busy designated wide road-like path cut through the landscape – a hover-route they called the Roove. It was a speed corridor, a designated thoroughfare for hover crafts and one and two-manned flying crafts of all types and speeds.
The Roove consisted of three separate levels in which one could jet across the land and span long distances in a matter of minutes. The Roove was a straight path for the most part but winded its way from distant wildernesses and rural communities to the busy commerce of the megalopolises. It contained many small insignificant bends and turns, along with a few sharp ones.
Below the busy air traffic of the Roove, pedestrians walked on pristine pathways to get to their desired locations while hovercraft and such prodded along just above them in three separate tiers. The lowest level, a mere twenty feet above pedestrians was designated for slower and leisurely air travel while the second level – nearly sixty feet above the ground, was designated for faster one and two-manned flying ships. Most of them were blade-propelled. The third and highest level – nearly a hundred feet above the ground consisted of much faster-moving crafts of various sizes.
Co’Dak, an expert in everything technological, knew how old hovercraft worked and failed. A bomb would not suffice as it would only draw attention but a mechanical malfunction in the maneuvering system of the speedy gliding aircraft would be more believable should one drift off course and crash into a building. His timing, though, would have to be precise. It was vital the man die accidently and without any suspicions whatsoever.
The Exoteric was the most secure place in the constellation and Co'Dak’s infiltration would require extreme caution and execution. Co’Dak thought since the man was running late, perhaps he would push the hovercraft higher into the air and much faster than it should. Such was the case.
The man launched out sitting upon his hovercraft and entered the Roove as an empty space for him came along. The man quickly accelerated and jetted up to the third level. Seconds later, Co'Dak immediately launched out after him, forcing others to adjust and make room for his spontaneous entrance.
As Co’Dak followed, he tried to catch up to him by dangerously passing others and forcing some to the lower levels just to get out of the way. Co'Dak kept a careful eye out for the High Guard flyers that policed and monitored the Roove. Co'Dak was planning on causing a certain crash but he saw the man make up for lost time and attempt a sharp turn to enter the busy commerce of the city. It was then his steering apparatus gave out and he crashed into several other smaller flying ships - flying ships that were not able to adjust in time. His demise was immediate.
Co’Dak assumed the adjustments he made on the man’s hovercraft were enough. He would not have to force a crash after all. He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. Now, because of the unexpected death, a maintenance shuttle that was headed to the detention ship, Exoteric, would be one man short. It would take a day or two to summon a maintenance worker qualified enough to take his place. Co’Dak was ready for the job. He hoped friends in high places were doing their part.
…
As the Night Star gently glided into docking bay 151, a man directed the Night Star to a designated landing spot. Boone also spied Mace’s Kori Dane land not far from him. Boone immediately spied the handful of guards that stood waiting for him. Kola, Goss, and Pryce were with them. He landed and Boone, Jona, Terra, Phia, and Lincoln walked down the cargo ramp toward Kola, Goss, and Pryce. Mace, Gunner, and Chopak arrived just after them. They all quickly greeted each other, hugging, shaking hands, and rejoicing because the Ambulas had left the system. They felt like heroes.
Pryce quickly studied Terra’s face, noticing how well many of the cuts and scars that once dotted her face had healed. She was following Dr. Weimar’s orders by continually washing and applying the healing cream. The hair on the left side of her scalp still had not grown back as it had only been four days since their mission began. The hairless scalp which also revealed a few neck burns looked freakish but she refused to shave her head completely. For Pryce, it didn’t matter. He also dare not ask her how her legs were feeling; she hated being coddled and at times even simple concern bothered her.
Pryce didn’t have time to chat with her either and he noticed a great deal of apprehension on
her face. He assumed it was because Boone had to face the commander and the High Guard.
Boone watched Jona and Lincoln walk toward another section of space dock. They were headed for an old confiscated space gunner. Jona was leaving without saying a word to anyone. Boone couldn’t let Jona go without informing Pryce and Mace.
“Pryce, Mace,” he muttered, knowing they would be mad. “Jona is leaving. He’s gonna try to find the queen’s base.”
“What!” Mace screamed. Everyone on space dock heard him. Jona and Lincoln turned around and looked at him.
Boone added, “It was my idea! Be mad at me, not him.”
Mace didn’t pay any attention to Boone as he ran after Jona. Pryce glared at Boone with a death stare.
“This was your idea? You didn’t think we should all talk about it?”
Boone didn’t answer. He only grimaced. Pryce caught up to Mace and Jona. Mace tried to talk Jona out of it but he finally convinced them by explaining how he hadn’t had enough fun and excitement. This little mission would be his ‘fix.’ Viel, Goss, Gunner, and Chopak approached them and they wished him well by half-hugging each other and patting him on his big brawny shoulders. They admired his gall and attitude.
As Jona walked toward the dilapidated space gunner, he looked back at Boone. He waved his hand in thanks. Boone sighed a very stressful sigh and said a silent prayer. A tear started to develop. Everyone - Mace and Pryce, the three investigators, and Kola and his men returned to Boone. They all stared at Boone, expressionless at first. Some didn’t know what to think then some started to scowl.
For Mace, Pryce, and Terra, resentment started to manifest itself. They stood as a small crowd and watched Jona glide toward the static barrier that separated the wide flight deck from the vacuum of space and exit the bay. They saw the huge smile on his face as he waved goodbye. Everyone else worried for their friend while he pushed the old beat-up scrappy space gunner to its limit. It jetted away into the blackness of space.
Two intergalactic runners pursued and would play the role of enemy combatants and make sure Jona would leave Efferium unscathed. Everyone also glared at Boone, some despising what he had done. Boone noticed Mace’s, Pryce’s, and Terra’s tear-filled eyes. He felt compelled to say something.
“Look. The only way to stop her, now, is not the teleportation device, it’s finding her base of operations and…”
Kola interrupted, “Blowing the place apart.”
Boone added, “Jona will be alright! OK? And can you tell me who else in the universe is as good as Jona? I would gladly do it myself…”
“Just stop!” Pryce huffed. “We understand! Alright! Now, we just… we don’t want to talk about it.”
Mace was still angry at Boone. He said, “We’ll talk later. I can’t even talk to you right now.”
A guard spoke to Boone, “Mr. Nova. I’m to escort you to Debrief. All of you.”
Apprehension fell on the faces of Boone and his friends. Boone walked over to the Night Star and gently spoke into a voice-activated gadget mounted near the cargo ramp. The Night Star activated an electronic field and the cargo ramp slowly closed. His ship was now locked down.
Everyone followed the guardsmen as they were led across a wide and busy docking bay. Intergalactic runners were still coming and going, damaged ships were landing and seeking help, and people were busy with the attack taking place in orbit just below them.
On the bridge, a delighted Commander J'Dar enjoyed giving orders to High Guard ships as they pursued the queens’ space gunners. He gleamed with joy as he watched the battle rage on. Space gunners were exploding and falling toward the planet from low orbit, the forward mounted laser was effectively slicing ships apart as they attempted head-on engagements, and the excitement from the bridge crew incited him further into a child-like euphoria.
“Commander?” Captain Eisen asked as he tried to regain control of his bridge.
The commander had successfully taken over the bridge by shouting orders and dictating what ‘his’ wishes were. He was out of control and consumed with the battle fray.
“Commander!” he raised his voice. J’Dar scowled at him, knowing exactly what the captain desired.
“We have to debrief them. Now, Sir. If you don’t mind.”
J’Dar’s scowled turned into a frown then into a smirk. His fun was over, the battle was turned greatly in their favor, and the Ambulas became the main focus. He nodded to the captain.
Captain Eisen ordered, “XO,” whose name was Officer Somers but since the commander was aboard, Somers seldom had any opportunities to serve on the bridge in any capacity.
“Sir?” he answered, eagerly ready to take the command chair.
“We’re heading to Debrief. Recall the runners. I don’t want them chasing those gunners into any kind of ambush. And make sure Jona Kozak gets through all of those skirmishes out there. Understand?”
The XO nodded. “Understood, Sir.”
“Also, let’s keep all three NAV stations looking for the Ambulas. It could be off our port bow and we wouldn’t even know it.”
J’Dar shouted as he looked around at the bridge crew, “Really! Mial, you saw it tuck-tail and run!” He mocked, “Ruff! Ruff!”
The bridge crew shouted for joy and laughed at the commanders’ mocking - the Ambulas having to flee for its life.
Captain Eisen replied, “True, Commander but take a look at Nepa’pa.”
Suddenly, the bridge became quiet as they gazed at the many holograms. Some displaying gunners running for cover with High Guard intergalactic runners in pursuit and some holograms were still monitoring the burning carnage in the capital city of Efferium.
“XO, you have your orders. Find the Ambulas. Recall the runners. Monitor that Jona guy. We’ll be in Debrief if needed.”
“Aye, Sir,” Somers replied.
The captain and the commander slowly left the bridge and headed for Debrief. Commander J'Dar checked his personal COM device to check the progress of his trusted OPS officer. Zayne was making plans.
Somers came and stood behind the Gale’s trusted NAV officer, Ms. Ellswood. “Ms. Ellswood, where is our infiltrator?”
“Sir, I will be monitoring him,” another bridge officer spoke from a station on the right side of the large bridge. Her name was Officer Pittman. Somers stepped over to her station.
“He is trying to break free from our two runners, Sir. They are firing upon him and he is trying to evade. Sir, he seems to be desperate. Should I advise?”
“No,” he answered and smiled. “This will be fun to watch. Investigator Lincoln said he is an expert flyer. If he wants to escape, he will have to do it all by himself.”
Somers glanced at the young woman officer. She was concerned. He placed his hand on her shoulder and said, “Not to worry, Ms. Pittman. They know what they’re doing. He’ll be fine.”
Ms. Ellswood added, “Sir, they also must make his escape seem very real. I’m sure that is what they are doing.”
“Sir,” Ms. Pittman exclaimed with joy. “He is slowly evading them! I can see what he is doing.”
“Yes,” the XO replied. “I see what you’re talking about. That is amazing!”
Jona had successfully put more distance between himself and the two runners. The two runners decided they were venturing out too far and turned back. Jona continued to escape the planet Efferium. Jak and Nell were watching the entire ordeal.
Chapter 3
“Ha!” the royal guardsman mocked. “The only place you’re going is back to where you came from! Now!” he added as he pulled his phase pistol from its holster. The three guards standing behind him did the same.
But, the kind short man with jet black hair which he had shaped into several twirling spikes, didn’t move. Instead, he smiled. Behind him, his robot hovered three feet off the ground. It too was unique as most robots were square, round, rectangular or appeared as a human-like metal figure walking slowly and awkwardly.
‘Idal’ was nothing l
ike other robots – it looked completely human, made of a smooth sturdy colorful material yet without legs. It hovered above the ground. It was a light shade of purple as Jeody thought the color would help it fit in with the palace décor. Idal’s normal color was black with light green striping. Idal had a human torso from the waist up. Its arms were made of thick rods, it could spin 360° in any direction, and speak flawlessly. Its head was also human-shaped with normal looking eyes that blinked, a small mouth opening that had no motion, and it didn’t have a nose or ears but had a few tiny wire appendages springing out around its neck.
Idal hovered silently and surprised the guards when she gasped a loud exhale. The guards looked at it.
“You! You… you legless metal human… Robot! One move and I’ll blast you to pieces!”
Idal chuckled. Then in a soft kind feminine voice she very quickly rattled off an explanation that would take an average person three minutes to say – she replied her message to them in half that time.
She hovered around her master and noted the guardsman’s name on his uniform and spoke very quickly, explaining, “Guardsman Triek, you cannot in any way fire your handheld weapon at the gates of the royal city of Karkavon and not be held liable as the High Guard directives for engaging citizens within their cities are clear in that you must, one - carefully and cautiously ask for intent and explain your intent – you – Officer Triek have only threatened in a display of disgust which you will answer for once were are inside, two - you exercise the request my associate has kindly asked to you… Officer Triek, I am recording… and you have made no inquiry as to why we were the ones summoned here and you, Officer TIEKY, I will see to it that you are assigned to protect the dredging machines on Taramora on the planet of Proto Plaxis in the star system of Axeon which we will kindly insist upon once we have spoken the prime’s daughter, Ms. Lorin Ta’mian and…”
“Idal,” Jeody replied. “I ‘can’ handle this. I did not ask you to intervene. Please return.”
Idal gasped an even louder gasp as before and quietly hovered behind him.
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