by T. R. Harris
“And that is why we have come to you, Quiss. We knew you could cut us the best deal in the galaxy.”
Chapter 6
The accommodations they were provided were subpar at best, meaning that what they’d find out in town would have been atrocious. They found themselves in a single room with an open grooming station and a large single bed. With most aliens being larger than Humans, beds typically were huge by comparison. Arieel fell back on the hard, smelly cushion and took in a deep breath, her more-than-ample breasts straining at her satin blue top like a pair of perfectly symmetrical mountain peaks.
“Don’t get too comfortable, Arieel,” Sherri said. “We aren’t staying.”
“We’re not?”
“No, we’re not. That was just a ploy to get us away from the salesman so we can get back to the ship. You didn’t think we were really going to place an order for two hundred power modules, did you?”
“Not at all. I am not that naïve, Sherri Valentine. Yet we are still behind the walls of the compound. Leaving may not be that easy.”
Riyad was at the window of the small room, looking out toward the main entrance. “It’s about two hundred meters to the front gate. I can see the cab still there, but he won’t wait much longer.”
“So do we all just waltz out of here?”
“Maybe, but one at a time. That way we won’t attract as much attention. Besides, someone has to hold the cab. You first, Sherri.” Riyad smiled. “If you’re stopped you have a much better chance of bullshitting your way out of a situation. Just don’t go shooting up the place. All that would do is get them slamming the doors shut.”
“Thanks for your vote of confidence…I think. Keep an eye out.”
Sherri slipped out through the doorway.
Riyad watched as she casually approached the security gate before being confronted. He saw her point to the cab, then the gate was opened.
“Okay, Arieel, your turn.”
“I understand the term bullshit, Riyad. It is something I learned long ago from Adam. I assure you, I am just as good at bullshit as is Sherri Valentine.”
“That’s good to know. Now go prove it. We don’t have much time.”
“I am just saying that I am just as good as Sherri—”
“Please, Arieel, another time. Now go!”
As was always the case, Arieel attracted even more attention than Sherri. It was the pheromones mostly that affected a variety of species. Watching a gaggle of male Defenders descend on the Formilian, Riyad wondered if he could figure a way to bottle Arieel’s essence. If he could, he’d make a fortune in the perfume business…
Eventually, Arieel was allowed to pass through the gates. She disappeared into the back of the cab.
It was Riyad’s turn. He walked briskly toward the guard station, and even before being questioned he was speaking: “My associates…I need to talk with them,” he said in a panic. “Quiss needs vital information to complete the order.”
“You…you cannot leave. We have been instructed to keep you within the compound.”
“I just have to go to the transport. It’s right there. I’ll be right back.”
“You—”
“Open the damn gate before I cancel the order. I do not appreciate being treated like a prisoner. I’m a customer!”
“Please return quickly…” The gate opened.
Riyad hurried to the cab. He opened the rear door and slipped inside. “Hurry, let’s go!”
The cab began to move, and that was when, in the dim interior, Riyad noticed a change in personnel. It was the same driver, yet both Defenders were gone. In the front seat was a different Defender, this one pointing an MK flash weapon at those in the back seat. And at the far end of the seat, next to Sherri…was a Juirean.
********
Riyad held his tongue as he surveyed the scene. The fact that Sherri was sitting quietly with a sour look on her face spoke volumes.
“It’s set on level-one,” the Juirean announced. “I understand that will kill a Human, especially at such close range. My Defender has also been instructed to aim for the head, and he does not require the targeting computer to fire. Please relinquish your own weapon, Mr. Tarazi, and then please relax and enjoy the journey. It will not take long.”
“Can I ask what this is all about? I wasn’t aware there were that many Juireans on Wokan?”
“There are not. I am an exception. My name is Benefis Na.”
“From the white hair, I assume that’s Overlord Benefis Na?”
“Just Benefis Na, no title.”
“That’s unusual, isn’t it?”
“It is, yet I must repeat, relax. I will answer your questions once we reach our destination.”
Riyad met Sherri’s eyes, and he glanced down at her right side. Getting the message about her embedded telepathy device—with its ability to sever contacts within flash weapons, rendering them inert—she made a slight shake of her head. They were leaving the neighborhood of O-Pell Energy, and there were a lot of questions that had to be answered as to the Juirean’s involvement in the mission. They would bide their time.
Then Sherri would come to their rescue.
********
As far as Riyad could tell, all the energy weapons in the cab were Marix-Kliis Model Number 17’s, otherwise known as the ubiquitous MK-17. The company produced a variety of models, including 47’s and even 64’s. Yet the ‘17 was the most popular hand flash weapon in the galaxy. The Xan-Fi Consortium produced the longer-barrel rifles, and over a thousand years ago the two companies had come to a gentleman’s agreement not to infringe on the specialties of the other. So handguns were the purview of Marix-Kliis while rifles belonged to Xan-Fi.
MK Weapon Systems had been taken over centuries ago by various governments entities and individuals, so it was now a massive corporation with yearly profits equal to the entire gross national product of the planet Earth. Xan-Fi was smaller, but still a behemoth. When you supplied a galaxy with their weapons, that was to be expected.
Humans still preferred ballistic weapons, which only displayed their primitive nature to others throughout the galaxy. But whereas a power pack for an MK could supply five to 15 shots per charge, depending on the setting, magazines of twenty to two hundred rounds were common with Earth-manufactured weapons, and the range was considerable longer, since flash bolts had a nasty habit of dissipating over distance. Slowly, other species within the galaxy were beginning to buy into the superiority of the ballistic weapons—if they could handle the recoil. That was the primary drawback to such weapons. That plus the weight. Only certain creatures could accommodate both without shattering bone and cartilage.
But the one thing MK’s and Xan-Fi’s had in common was they all used fire control circuits designed and manufactured by the Formilians. As the undisputed wizards of electronics in the Milky Way galaxy, Arieel’s people not only ran the galactic internet in the form of the Library, but also the language database that filtered down to the translation bugs worn by every integrated species in the galaxy, and the control modules used in automatic doors, computers, navigation systems—just about everything.
Sherri’s embedded interface device was tuned to her brain waves. With a thought she could communicate with the unit, which could then link with any compatible electronic device in the area. She could command doors to open and close, lights to come on or off…and since the power packs for these weapons also contained control boards, she could command them to begin recycling, even with their discharge lines severed. As the charge built up with nowhere to go, the compact power modules would turn into miniature grenades. Riyad had noticed that many of the Defenders wore upwards of twenty such power packs on their bodies, which would create quite a mess if Sherri decided to go for broke…
Riyad had come to this point in his thoughts when the transport began to slow. He looked out the window as they approached a dilapidated building with a wide opening and about ten Defenders milling around outside. The cab entered; the
sunlight cut off as a large metal door slid shut. They were inside a warehouse of some kind, along with a cadre of six more Defenders—at least those many were visible. Although these creatures weren’t wearing bandoliers, they still wore belts of MK power packs around their thick waists.
If the Juirean was curious why his captives weren’t displaying any trepidation—except for Arieel, whose eyes continually shifted from one threat to the next—he didn’t let on. He appeared calm and in complete control of the situation.
Riyad and Sherri knew better.
The doors to the cab were opened from the outside and the trio exited, along with the Juirean and his Defender. The cabbie remained in the transport, until a brilliant flash filled the interior. The prisoners looked sharply at the Juirean.
“He could talk, and that I couldn’t allow.” His tone and steely gaze conveyed a secondary message: The same could happen to you, too.
But then he grinned. “Let us convene in a more comfortable setting. There is much to talk about.”
They were led into a musty-smelling living area with four huge broken and stained couches. The Juirean fell back into a couch and gestured to a large leather chair with tape across the torn arms. “Please sit. I have many questions for you.”
“As we have for you.”
“Then let us agree to share information. I assure you that at this point I am not your enemy.”
“Then what exactly are you?” Riyad asked. “You don’t look or act like any Juirean I’ve ever met before.”
“Because I am not.” Drinks were brought in and offered, even without the benefit of a blood sampling box. The Humans hesitated, while Arieel gleeful accepted hers and began to drink. “They are safe. I have your chemistry on file,” said the Juirean.
He drained his own glass before nodding to the attendant for another. “As I was saying, I am not like other Juireans. Yes, I was born by conventional methods and then raised in a surrogate unit. I was tested and then advanced to Overlord training. My hair was genetically altered and I even graduated with my rank. Yet I always felt different, not part of the family, if you will. I was more curious—or rebellious—as they called it. I eventually left the service and struck out on my own.” He took the second glass of intoxicant, but this time began to sip at it. “Since Juireans are not that welcome in your Union, and the Expansion frowns on deserters, I found sanctuary here in the Frontier. I now deal in, well, anything and everything that can turn me a profit.”
“So what do you want from us? We’re just passing through,” Sherri asked.
“That is what I intend to find out, Sherri Valentine.”
“I suppose the fact that you know our names should be a tip-off.”
“It should. However, even without receipt of my latest data stream, I would still know the three of you. You Humans are well known within the Juirean community—you and Adam Cain. Your race once ruled the Expansion from Juir, and it was Cain who made the now famous galaxy-wide announcement that you were relinquishing control and returning to the Far Arm. As his closest associates, you also shared in that moment, as well as the notoriety.”
Benefis looked at Arieel and his grin grew even wider. “And Arieel Bol, the infamous ex-Speaker of Formil. I have seen vids of you and heard the rumors. Speaking as an off-species, I must say even now I can sense the allure of you within the room. It is quite an incredible power you have, and naturally occurring from what I understand.”
Riyad was getting impatient. He had a ship being guarded by questionable individuals, plus a new lead to Panur that had to be followed.
“So why take us captive?” he asked to move the conversation along. “Are you looking for our autographs or what?”
The grin diminished slightly on the Juirean’s face. “No, I do not seek souvenirs of our encounter. Rather, since I am a Juirean, I still possess certain information channels, and recently I received a very interesting communication. It came from a command ship that was leaving the Formilian system.” Benefis looked at Arieel. “The communication was directed at any and all Juirean units within the Frontier. They have been ordered to be vigilant of your arrival in the Kidis Frontier, claiming that the main ship and accompanying fleet would be unable to maintain contact with your experimental vessel.”
“They knew we were coming here?” Riyad asked.
“Yes. They even knew your arrival time, and later the destination.”
“Dammit, we have a tracker on board!” Sherri yelled out.
“Apparently.”
“That could only have been placed aboard back on Earth,” Riyad added.
“The communication also called for the assistance of any Human units in the area as well, although there are none that I’m aware of.”
Sherri’s mouth went slack. “They’re working together?”
“So what are these assisting units supposed to do with us?” Riyad asked.
“Simply track and observe. Codes were sent that will allow local units to access your tracking device. So why are you being tracked?”
“Hell if I know,” Riyad said.
Benefis stared hard at Riyad. “Please do not insult my intelligence, Tarazi. I am not your typical naïve creature. I am a Juirean, a former Overlord. No one goes through this much trouble without cause. I acquired you so I could learn if there is anything in your activities that could benefit me. So what is your mission?”
“It’s none of your fuc—”
“Trouble, Riyad!” Sherri announced as she stood up. The Defender stationed along the wall drew his weapon.
“What is happening?” Benefis asked, also standing.
“I’m picking up more MK’s approaching the building from all sides.”
“How…”
An explosion came from all around them and the building literally rocked from dozens of flash bolts being unleashed on the guards outside. Sensing danger to his employer, the Defender in the room aimed his weapon at Sherri. She looked back at him and smirked, shaking her head. He triggered the weapon. When nothing happened, he panicked and tried it again…and again...and again.
When he turned his attention from his defective handgun and looked up, Sherri was standing two feet away. She had to literally jump up for her right hand to connect with the left side of the seven-foot tall alien’s head, sending him spinning around several times before collapsing to the floor. Sherri bent down and picked up the MK.
She aimed it at Benefis, who had discovered by now that his own weapon was just as useless as that of his Defender. “This one will work,” she said, and as a demonstration fired a flash bolt zipping over the Juirean’s left shoulder.
“I do not understand.”
“Understand this,” Sherri said. “Your building is under attack and we need to find a way out. Either you help us or it ends here.”
“I can help! I have several emergency exits available to me.”
“Lead on, my friend,” Sherri said with a smile, waving the MK.
The Juirean rushed to the service counter in the room where the food and beverage processors were located. He reached behind the right side of the counter and activated a latch. Then he pulled the counter away, revealing an opening behind. He ducked inside.
Sherri nodded to Riyad, indicating that she sensed no flash weapons inside the hidden room. Arieel and Riyad disappeared into the opening, followed by Sherri.
Benefis reach past them and pulled the counter back against the wall. Instantly, a string of lights attached to the ceiling came on. “Follow me. This will lead to an underground garage with transportation.”
“Who’s doing the attacking?” Riyad asked the Juirean as they rushed down the dimly-lit hallway. “I thought your units were told just to track and observe.”
“Communication security is virtually non-existent in Kidis. This may be another faction looking to either capitalize on the goal of your mission, or to offer you up for ransom. It is how things are done here.”
“We have to get to the spaceport.”
“I followed you from there, so I know the location—as will others.” He skidded to a stop. “Let me try something.” He pulled out a small communication device, similar to a cell phone. Sherri placed the barrel of the MK against his chest.
“Don’t do anything foolish.”
The Juirean grinned. “I am not like others of my kind. I value my individual life. I am attempting to clear us a pathway to your ship.”
When the connection was made, the alien said, “This is Benefis Na. There are hostiles attempting to confiscate a vessel I have at the Zou Spaceport, pad forty-one. I need a force of Defenders to clear the area of everyone nearby. The hostiles may be posing as Defenders. I will pay a bonus for their elimination.”
There was a response from the other end. “That is very high,” the Juirean protested, until Sherri pressed the MK at little harder against his body. “But it is agreed. Proceed immediately. I will be there in approximately twenty minutes, if not sooner. I will be in a brown Unii. The lights will be flashing. Be sure to alert your forces.”
He broke the connection.
Sherri smiled. “Very impressive, Benefis. I like your style.”
“Save the compliments until we are safe. Now, again, follow me.”
********
Benefis was able to take his Unii transport vehicle out through a long tunnel that emptied onto a deserted street several blocks from where the battle was taking place. He sped along, eventually joining up with roads with more traffic, before using what was essentially a very fast mini-tank as a battering ram on any car or truck that got in his way. After leaving a wake of destruction behind them, they reached the spaceport a mere fourteen minutes later. Benefis flashed the lights.
A pitched battle was taking place in front of them, all centered around Riyad’s ship. The five Defenders who had stayed to guard the ship were being fired on by no less than a dozen similarly-dressed Defenders. One by one, they were falling, even as they sought shelter behind huge power boxes embedded along the side of the landing pad.