Belinea

by Andrew Mack

  Kaya responded, “No? After all this time? Why now?”

  Octavious turned to look at her sister and said, “I don’t know.”

  Kaya responded, “What are you going to do?”

  Octavious spoke, “We are going to do nothing. Let’s see how they address the issue first. A little added leverage could be beneficial. In the meantime, get fixed up. I have a meeting to prepare for.”

  Belinea 2.11

  Earth

  Northeast Japan

  DAG Director Kimakawa was sitting in the chair behind his desk. Vice Director Meyers walked into his office and said, “Director. We have confirmation of the ship Taz returned to.”

  Kimakawa asked, “Can we confirm where it was headed?”

  Meyers shook his head. “It could be any number of places. But the ship made a course adjustment while Taz was attacking SPE.”

  Kimakawa looked perplexed. “A course adjustment? That means someone was on his main ship.”

  Meyers stated, “Perhaps even a crew?”

  Kimakawa nodded. “Perhaps. We should get this information to Lord Malovex.”

  Kimakawa hit a couple of spots on his desk, and the robot assistant walked in. In a charming voice, the assistant said, “How may I help, Director?”

  Kimakawa said, “I need to get a message to Lord Malovex. Please have Vice Director Meyers give you the file and title it ‘Latest Intel’.”

  The Assistant said, “As you wish, Director. Please advise, Master Sergeant Sabrina Evans of the Odgins Military Academy has requested a meeting late tomorrow afternoon.”

  Kimakawa was slightly confused. “Master Sergeant Evans? Did she say why?”

  The Assistant responded, “She did not. Only that the meeting was important and needed to be conducted in person, privately.”

  Meyers looked perplexed as well. He said, “Has she ever requested a meeting before?”

  Kimakawa bit his lip. He said, “In all the years she has been teaching at the Academy, no.”

  Meyers added, “That’s quite some time. It must be important.”

  Kimakawa nodded. The Assistant then said, “May I remind the Director that you scheduled a meeting in Scotland tomorrow.”

  Kimakawa paused for a second. He then said, “Reschedule that meeting and confirm the meeting with the Master Sergeant.”

  Meyers said under his breath, “Someone is going to be pissed.”

  Kimakawa rolled his eyes and said, “She will get over it. Any word from Ambassador Bird’s transport?”

  Meyers responded, “No, sir. But they should be arriving in the Corvalis System soon. If they keep their manifest destination.”

  Kimakawa very slightly rolled his eyes and said, “I am not holding my breath.”

  Belinea 2.12

  Lord Malovex’s Ship

  Lord Malovex was in his common room. Alone, he was eating a steak and having a glass of wine with his meal. His sleek, all-black ship was in an advanced form of Hyper-EXtension, traveling even faster than the Battle Cruisers and Carriers of the AuFa. After finishing his glass, he got up to pour himself another. The cork was jammed as he said out loud, “Speaker, please read the message from Tempest.”

  A hologram of Tempest appeared on the table. She said, “Efforts with the Avolians have deteriorated. Father has sent Argo to negotiate on our behalf with the Valmay terrorist group. He is confident in a successful outcome…”

  Malovex whispered underneath his breath, talking to himself, “That is foolish enthusiasm…”

  The message from Tempest continued. “...We have still heard no word from you about the Taz attack on Earth and the current status of the situation. Please advise Father and me when you can. Finally, I saw Quillisar Prill…”

  Malovex rolled his eyes as he got the bottle of wine opened. The message from Tempest continued. “...He said to make sure you get to Temple this week for Offerings. Contact us when you can. Tempest out.”

  Argo poured himself another glass and went back to reading his tablet. As he was, a beeping sound went off on one of the sensors. Annoyed, he ignored it for a few seconds before it went off again. Putting the tablet down, he walked up to the front of the ship.

  He sat down in the pilot’s chair and hit a button to turn the beep off. He looked at the screen and saw a red blip. As the scope was circling around it, it seemed to be moving. Malovex, talking to himself, said, “There you are….”

  He then hit a few more buttons to reveal some systems on the map. He looked at the maps and then back to the red dot that was flashing and moving. He said to himself, “But where are you going?”

  Belinea 2.13

  Braccus

  Both Tunsall and Trujillo were in the front pilot seats of the C-62T. Commanders Willits and Jones were directly behind them. The ship came out of Hyper-EXtension and was closing in on Braccus. Not going into orbit, Willits quickly scanned the planet. He then saw it and pointed.

  Willits said, “Trujillo, take us over there, to the third moon.”

  Trujillo, after looking at where Willits was pointing, responded, “Copy that.”

  Tunsall added, “Engage Auxiliary Engines, copy course 2-7-0.”

  The engines came back to life, and quickly, the C-62T was moving towards the moon. After a moment, Trujillo asked, “Why the moon Commander? Why not just go straight to Braccus?”

  Both Trujillo and Tunsall did not turn around, keeping their eyes forward. Willits answered, “Will you two just fly the damn ship?”

  Jones half smiled and let Willits’ answer linger for a second. Jones then said, “Noone knows we are coming here, we are trying to keep it that way.”

  The ship banked hard as it came to the entry lights of the moon. Trujillo asked, “Where to, sir?”

  Willits and Jones kept peering out the front window. Finally, after a few seconds, Jones saw it. Pointing, he said, “Trujillo, there. The landing pad on the left.”

  Tunsall was skeptical. “Is that an AuFa Port, sir?”

  Jones smiled and said, “No, my two cadets, that is Vandabri.”

  Trujillo asked “Vanda-what?”

  Willits smiled and said, “Vandabri.”

  Tunsall said, “Isn’t Vandabri a trader’s port? With casinos, gambling, prostitution, and such?”

  Jones sarcastically answered, “So you’ve heard of it?”

  Trujillo asked, “Why are we going here?”

  Jones replied, “Because Braccus is very much under Belinean Security and AuFa control. These outer moons offer a bit more scandalous affair, yes. But, more importantly, they are very loosely policed. The AuFa simply doesn’t have the manpower to patrol it.”

  Tunsall was suspicious. He asked, “Is this really a safe place for the Ambassador?”

  Jones looked at Willits. “Until we get on board that Battle Cruiser, we are on our own. This is the last place anyone would be looking for the Ambassador.”

  Trujillo kept flying the craft. They came upon the Port of Vandabri, a sprawling web of landing pads branching out from above-ground tunnels. The facility had lights everywhere, including giant rotating spotlights that lit up the stars above. Trujillo pulled up and softly landed on the empty pad Jones pointed at. Trujillo shut the engines down, and everyone unbuckled. All four men got up and walked out of the cockpit area. They reached the landing doors where Alexis met them. She asked, “Everything ok? Did we just land?”

  Willits grabbed a mask and a bag of coins on the upper shelf. Looking at her, he said, “Everything is fine, Miss Devanoe. You can inform the Ambassador we are almost at Braccus.”

  Alexis did not seem convinced. “He is sleeping.”

  Jones responded, “Good, no need to wake him.“

  Jones began putting on a mask. Willits pointed at Trujillo’s sidearm pistol and said, “If anyone other than us comes back, shoot them. And immed
iately take off and take the Ambassador to the AuFa Base on Braccus. Understand?”

  Trujillo responded. “Where are you going?”

  Willits smiled. Before he put on the mask, he said, “To make sure no one knows we are here.”

  Willits and Jones walked out the landing doors, with their ventilation masks on. Once they were outside, Alexis asked, “Do you trust those two?”

  Trujillo and Tunsall just looked at each other and said nothing. They were all now a bit curious about this unorthodox protocol.

  Willits and Jones walked across the landing pad towards the dock doors. Walking in, they took their masks off and hung them up. They proceeded to walk through another set of doors where they were greeted by a fascinating man with green skin and horns coming out of his head. Behind him were two armed security guards. He said, “Gentlemen, welcome to Vandabri. My name is Kovo. I am the Dock Manager.”

  Willits and Jones walked towards Kovo to size him up. Kovo was tall, a height that exceeded Jones. After looking at him for a moment, Willits said, “We are looking for Madam Rouselle.”

  Kovo gave the appearance of confusion. “I am sorry, I do not recall anyone here in the Port of Vandabri by the name. Perhaps you are mistaken?”

  Jones responded, “I don’t think we are.”

  Kovo looked at the gentlemen for a brief moment before looking out the window and seeing the ship. Kovo said, “Gentlemen, unless I am mistaken, that is an Ambassador transport ship outside. That leads me to believe that you have either stolen a rather expensive ship or that you could possibly have BRG security onboard, which would be rather unfortunate.”

  Willits smiled and said, “Neither my friend.”

  Willits held out the small sack of coins and gave them to Kovo to inspect. Willits continued. “Those are Belinean Qusar coins. Sort of the preferred payment for my client instead of Council Credit. Those are for Madam Rouselle if she can still provide some discreet, special attention my client is looking for. Subtract your fee, of course.”

  Kovo looked at both of them before looking back inside the bag of coins. He smiled and said, “Gentlemen, perhaps we got off on the wrong foot? Right this way.”

  Willits and Jones followed Kovo. They proceeded to get on a private carrier with one of the security guards now driving. As they scurried off, they noticed how busy the Port was. They rapidly navigated the street tunnels that were crawling with pedestrians and echoing with conversation, music, and a cacophony of other noises. The establishments had neon signs and dark windows, bars, and exotic merchandise in the shops. In and out, quick turns, a couple of near collisions before Kovo yelled over his shoulder. “My apologies, gentlemen, Madam Rouselle has gotten more discreet these days. AuFa security has begun stretching their tentacles where they are not wanted.”

  Jones yelled, “No problem, but does your driver have to go so fast?”

  Kovo smiled. He yelled back, “He can go a lot faster than this.”

  They were on the private carrier for two more minutes before it stopped in front of a very dark alley situated between two shady buildings. The only light came from the glare of the neon signs. They all got off, and Kovo said, “Gentlemen this way.”

  Back on the ship, Trujillo, Tunsall, and Alexis were still standing at the doorway. Alexis spoke, “They have been gone a while, should we go after them?”

  Both gave her a look of ‘are you crazy.’

  Trujillo responded, “We are following orders and staying right here.”

  Alexis than said, “Well, he didn’t give me any orders.”

  Trujillo and Tunsall looked at each other. Alexis put a mask on and walked outside. Tunsall and Trujillo just stared at her as she walked off towards the doors. Once inside, she took her mask off and continued through the entrance of the tunnels. Walking along the dark enclosed streets, she could see aliens of all origins, as the steam helped mask the bars and shops. Alexis continued a bit before ducking into a bar, which was extremely dark and half-busy.

  Walking up to the bar, she sat on a stool. The bartender came over and glanced at her before saying, “What will you have?”

  Alexis responded, “Any Torsalli wine?”

  The bartender just smirked. “Lady, what kind of place do you think this is? I got some Belinean Zollarian red wine.”

  Alexis smiled and said, “That will do.”

  The bartender returned and placed it in front of her. She said, “Thanks. Do you know where I can find a Communications Center?”

  The bartender replied, “Make a left out of this place and go about fifty meters. On your left will be the Invicto Trading Guild Outpost. They can help you.”

  Willits and Jones were walking behind Kovo and the security guard down a dark alley. They walked up to a door with no signage other than a hazy yellow light three meters above. A security guard stood out front. Kovo put his palm print on a box to open the door. Inside was a dark lobby area, a few chairs, and a doorway with beads. Kovo walked through the beaded doorway and said, “Wait here, gentlemen.”

  After a minute, Madam Rouselle walked out with the bag of coins Willits had given Kovo. Madam Rouselle looked at Willits and Jones. She said, “Avery, I don’t know why you keep hanging out with this guy?”

  Madam Rouselle, a large and very big breasted woman, came over and hugged Avery. He said, “I only get his money if he gets killed in action or by accident. I’m still waiting.”

  Madam Rouselle let go, looked up at Jones, and said, “I got a guy that can take care of that for you.”

  Willits gave a confused look on his face and said, “When did I become the bad guy?”

  Madam Rouselle looked at Willits and said, “When you left a tranny with a drunk Vi.”

  Willits looked incredulous. He said, “I tipped them plenty to cover that…”

  Madam Rouselle walked over to Willits and looked him in the eye. She said, “Ain’t enough money in the universe to cover that shitshow.”

  Willits tilted his head and softly said, “It was funny…”

  Madam Rouselle just kept staring before whispering, “For you….”

  She waited a few more seconds before opening her arms and allowing Willits to hug her. She said, “Nolan, you look like shit.”

  Willits smiled before replying, “But you look great.”

  She let go of him and said, “No, I don’t. I am just getting bigger everywhere.”

  Willits held up both of his hands to imply breasts. He quickly countered, “Boobs might be bigger…”

  Madam Rouselle put both hands on her round belly and said, “And this…”

  Madam Rouselle turned around and began walking back through the doorway with beads. Jones and Willits followed her. Jones said, “Ass looks great.”

  Madam Rouselle said, “That’s getting bigger too.”

  Willits asked, “Who is this Kovo guy?”

  Madam Rouselle just shrugged and kept walking. She said, “New Dock Commander. Old one got killed a few weeks back. What can I do for the two of you?”

  Willits smiled and said, “I’m gonna make it up to you. I have a client on board that needs some entertainment. Two specifically, for a few hours.”

  Madam Rouselle was all business now. “Two girls? Any kinky stuff? Bondage? Roll play?”

  Jones responded, “No, none of that. I just need two discreet professionals, ones that know how to keep their mouths shut.”

  Madam Rouselle, still holding the bag, began walking down a flight of stairs. Willits and Jones still followed. She said, “This more than covers that, you sure you don’t need anything else?”

  Willits smiled again before answering, “I have an Ambassador Transport ship out there that I don’t want people asking questions about. How much do you trust Kovo?”

  Madam Rouselle smiled back. “The coins buy his discretion. I have a lot of Ambassador clients. I will
give Kovo a little extra to hide it in one of the private hangars.”

  Willits smiled. “Tell him to charge me double, and other than towing it into the hanger, not to touch it.”

  Madam Rouselle responded, “Got it.”

  The three then got to the bottom of the stairs, where they went through a doorway. Madam Rouselle said, “Now, let’s go pick out a couple of ladies.”

  The three walked inside into another huge room. It was a lounge setting, very dark, with a bar in the middle and music playing. There were many cozy booths against the walls, with lots of women and men socializing. In the corners were elevated stages with women dancing with little or no clothes on. Some were performing sex acts on stage with each. Some were performing sex with their male clientele in the booths. Some women were watching men perform sex on each other. As they looked around, two beautiful female entertainers grabbed Willits and Jones by the arms. Madam Rouselle looked at both of them and said, “Two ladies right here from Braccus?”

  Willits smiled. He knew he had to make it look like he was being specific, even if what he really needed was two mutes. Willits said, “Not quite….”

  They began walking around, with Madam Rouselle now following them. They saw one girl on a table, her legs spread without assistance, and then pinning them behind her head. Jones said, “Now that is talent…”

  As they passed a more enclosed booth, a woman was pleasuring herself with her hand down her pants while watching a transgender person, tits out, penetrate a man from behind. They had made their way across the room, Madam Rouselle still trailing behind. Through the beads of one room, on a large sofa, they could see a sex act going on.

  A woman was in a swing, legs up. A man was penetrating her while standing up. A second woman, scantily dressed, was standing behind him. One hand was draped under his armpit, across the man’s chest, grinding her nails across his skin. She was hitting the man from behind across the back of his calf with a small whip. She was whispering in the man’s ear, “Are you gonna fuck that?”