“We Ishbantis have perfect knowledge of how the Tarvians work and behave,” Erboun said.
“Man, we need to get those things off of my planet, Erboun. How do we accomplish it?” Richard asked.
“It is easy, Richard. All we have to do is to agree on the payment terms. Once that is settled, I can deploy my men to your planet within 12 hours,” Erboun said.
“Payment shouldn’t be a problem, Erboun,” Richard said. “This is a work-for-hire position and considering your expertise, I don’t think the engagement will be on a long-term basis. From what you have just explained to me, I will be comfortable paying you on a per-hour basis. How much will you charge to be employed on a per-hour basis?”
“Did you say per hour?” Erboun asked.
“Yes. Per-hour basis multiplied by the number of hours that your superb commandoes can get the job done,” Richard said.
“I am sorry, Richard. But we Ishbantis do not work on a work-per-hire or per-hour basis. We always prefer bulk settlements for our services,” Erboun said.
“Bulk settlement? Well, if you mean settlement on a single invoice, I think that is workable. But I will need to have an idea of your fees. I am sure you have a standard chart of fees for your services, especially as I can see that you are highly patronized,” Richard said.
“Of course, Richard. We have a fixed standard for the payments to be made for our services,” Erboun said. “It is always 50 percent.”
“Fifty percent?” Richard repeated. “I don’t understand. Fifty percent of what?”
“Fifty percent of the planet that we are going to work on,” Erboun said.
Richard’s eyes widened in bewilderment. “You mean that you will collect half of the planet just because you came and took care of the threats that were there?”
“Not just taking out the threats, Richard. Exterminating and eradicating them completely. Yes. We always take at least 50 percent of the client’s planet,” Erboun said.
“At least 50 percent?” Richard repeated.
“Yes. In some cases we might decide to bid for more, like 60 or 75 percent. It really depends on what the planet has that might be of value to us,” Erboun replied.
“Please, Erboun. That will be just too much for me to agree to. I appreciate all your expertise and dedication, but I really cannot agree to your demands. If I did, then I would not be left with much after all this ordeal. Would you mind reconsidering your terms please?” Richard asked.
“Well, you can think whatever you want to think, Richard. But that is the way we operate. I know it might really not be your problem, but just take a good look around you. You can see very clearly that we Ishbantis are living underground. We have had to dwell here for several thousands of years because our world above was destroyed by pluro-atomic warfare which we engaged in with some neighboring planets. After the devastation of the surface, we had no option but to seek another place to dwell in. As you can imagine, running a planet successfully underground is not that simple. A lot of things have to be done to ensure that our race can continue to survive and thrive in this kind of environment. And this requires a constant flow of resources from our clients’ planets. This is why we do not accept payments of any kind outside of a claim to a part of our clients’ planet. It is the only way that we can ensure that our planet Ishbant continues to survive,” Erboun said.
Richard shook his head. “I am sorry, Erboun. I really would like to work with you on this. Unfortunately, such an arrangement will not be favorable to me and my company.”
“Well, like I stated before, you are free to think whatever you wish, Richard. But that is how we work. For us, the survival of Ishbant is our primary goal. We don’t have any natural resources with which we can make exchanges with other planets. So we have to depend on those planets which we have been paid with to supply us their resources, and thereby sustain our existence here,” Erboun said.
“It’s an expensive arrangement. And people actually sign up for this?” Richard asked.
Erboun nodded enthusiastically. “Of course they do. In fact, sometimes we are overbooked, and can have a waiting list which could be several months long. You don’t seem to be under any serious immediate threat, Richard. Because if you were, you wouldn’t be standing here arguing about my planet’s business practices. Rather, you would be pleading with me to consider putting you on our service list as soon as possible.”
“I might be under threat from the Tarvians, Erboun. But I am not going to get under any kind of illusion. I cannot sign up for such an arrangement,” Richard replied.
“Very well then, Richard. It has been nice talking with you. I hope that when you do come back there will not be a long waiting period for you. Because right now, we are not engaged and can easily deploy to your planet within 12 hours. It would be a shame if you were to come back and get told that you need to wait for another 12 weeks before we can attend to you. Just imagine the level of damage that those Tarvians could cause to a planet within a period of 12 weeks!” Erboun said.
“I am sorry, Erboun. But whatever damage they might cause within 12 weeks cannot be compared to the loss a planet will suffer from being pillaged by your race over the course of several lifetimes,” Richard said.
“Suit yourself, Richard. Good luck with dealing with the Tarvians,” Erboun said, and walked away.
The crew members climbed the conveyor belt and two of the Ishbantis escorted them back to where their shuttle was parked.
“One of our escort ships will follow you back to the surface and guide you to the best spot from where you can navigate to your destination,” one of the Ishbantis said.
“Thank you,” Richard said before he joined his crew members in their shuttle.
“Too bad it didn’t work out well with these people,” Andrews said.
“Too bad or thank goodness, Professor. Those aliens are simply carnivorous savages. Can you imagine what they are asking for? Fifty percent of Dan-X34! No, I am sorry. Wait until they do their assessment and discover that Dan-X34 is flowing with an overabundance of resources, they might request 75, or maybe 90 percent of the entire planet. What kind of arrangement is that, for goodness sake?” Richard asked.
“Well, this is just more evidence that weird races and weird practices exist in the universe, Mr. Daniels,” Andrews said.
“Really weird indeed, Professor. Just look at their heads. I used to think that scientifically a bigger head translated to higher levels of intelligence and wisdom. Now I know better,” Richard said.
“Well, actually their bigger heads is what has helped them to become so highly advanced and highly sought for,” Andrews said.
“And highly immoral and unreasonable as well,” Richard added. “Please, Katrina, just take us out of here. I am so disgusted by the thought of dealing with such people.”
“We will soon be on our way, Mr. Daniels. We are still waiting for the escort saucer to lead the way so that we can sync with their ship as well,” Katrina replied.
The shuttle was soon airborne and flying through the city. In time, they were flying out of an opening which brought them back to the surface.
A couple of minutes after they were airborne, the tablet beeped and a message was displayed on its screen.
…incoming message from Ishbant escort ship…
…translating incoming message…
…relaying incoming message through shuttle’s transmission systems…
“People of Earth, we will now be leaving you to continue on your journey. If you maintain the same altitude and speed, in exactly two minutes and 17 seconds from now, you will be at the boundary of our planet, from there you can continue to your final destination. Thank you for visiting us, and safe journey,” the voice said.
Richard looked outside the window. “Even after they hosted us not too long ago, they still have to camouflage themselves from us when we are above ground.”
“Maybe that is the way their saucers are designed,” Andrews said.
“You mean
they might be programmed to turn invisible whenever they are above ground and shed the cloak of invisibility once they are underground?” Michael asked.
“Yes, Michael. Something like that,” Andrews said.
“That must be some advanced shield and stealth technology that they are using,” Michael added.
“It is such a shame that with all their high level of advancement in technology, they are still living in the Stone Age when it comes to business practices,” Richard said.
“Point of correction, Mr. Daniels. It has been proven that the people in the Stone Age had developed sophisticated business practices. Remember trade by barter?” Andrews asked.
“You are right, Professor. My annoyance with those people must have really upset me to the point of forgetting this fact. Then in that case, they are just plain crude and uncivilized,” Richard said.
“What an irony, Mr. Daniels,” Andrews said.
“What irony?” Richard asked.
“Can an uncivilized race become technologically advanced at the same time?” Andrews asked.
“You are the scientist, Professor. Why don’t you tell me,” Richard said.
“It is something I will want to explore further, Mr. Daniels. Maybe once we get back I will contact some of my colleagues in institutions around the world and get them to ponder about this. And while they are busy pondering, I will be busy trying to coordinate projects that will mirror some of the technologies that we have seen being used on our trip,” Andrews said.
“The tablet has located the boundary, sir,” Katrina said. “It has now engaged the shuttle into supersonic mode in order to connect with the next planet.”
“What planet is next?” Richard asked.
“It is Tendroa, sir. After that we have Mendetl,” Katrina said.
“Tendroa and then Mendetl,” Richard repeated. “I hope they will offer us something better than what we have seen on Vernia and Ishbant.”
“We can only hope and pray that they do, sir,” Katrina said as the shuttle continued to fly.
***
The tablet’s screen was completely black and empty. A light suddenly blinked on its edge and the screen came on like a being which was coming awake from a deep slumber.
A message was being scribbled on the screen. …proximity to Tendroa in view…
…shuttle engines being reconfigured from supersonic speed to
cruise speed…
…hyper travel thrusters disengaged…
…ultra-power brakes being applied…
…engines and systems being recalibrated for cruise speed… …autopilot still in progress…
…stealth shield and evasive maneuver mode still engaged… …review of other systems in progress…
…review of other systems successful…
…conclusion of review of systems: perfect working order… …cruise control engaged…
…proximity to Tendroa in view…
At that moment, Katrina stirred and woke up. She
stretched and looked around. By her side, Michael was still fast asleep, while behind her, Richard, her CEO, and Andrews, her immediate boss, were also deep asleep.
She tapped Michael’s arm. He stirred, blinked his eyes, and then woke up with a loud yawn.
“Careful there, Michael. Do you want to swallow all of us?” Katrina asked.
“I’m sorry, Katrina. I couldn’t help it. That was some nice rest. How long were we out?” Michael asked.
“From the timer on the dashboard, we have been asleep for over four hours now,” Katrina said. “Four hours and seventeen minutes, to be precise.”
“You mean we were in supersonic speed for over four hours?” Michael asked.
Katrina nodded. “Maybe the distance between Ishbant and Tendroa is quite wide.”
“Are we talking of distance in measurable miles or light speeds?” Michael asked.
“Maybe it’s a completely different dimension,” Katrina said. “The tablet is indicating that Tendroa is in view. However, I still cannot see anything out there.”
“You are right, Katrina. It is only stars all around,” Michael said.
“What stars around where?” Richard asked from behind.
“Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Daniels,” Katrina said.
“No, it is all right. I did not know that supersonic travel could get us all to fall asleep,” Richard said. “What were you saying about stars?”
“We were just observing the environment around us, Mr. Daniels. The tablet has informed us that we are in close proximity to Planet Tendroa. But we cannot see anything anywhere around except stars,” Michael said.
“Maybe we are not yet really there,” Richard said.
“Or maybe the planet in question is under disguise, like a chameleon, mirroring and deflecting the reflection of the environment around, which consists mainly of stars,” Andrews said.
“Professor? You are also awake,” Richard said.
“I wouldn’t have been asleep when such a scientific discussion was in progress,” Andrews said.
“So, what do you really think it is?” Katrina asked.
“We were on supersonic speed for a long period of time, right?” Andrews asked.
Katrina nodded. “Exactly, Professor. Over four hours.”
“And the tablet indicates that we are in close proximity to Tendroa?” Andrews asked.
“Yes, Professor. In fact, the tablet has already reduced our speed to a cruise, which means that we must be very close, perhaps close enough for landing to be initiated,” Michael replied.
“Then Tendroa is either acting like a chameleon or else it is a mirror planet,” Andrews said.
“A mirror planet?” Richard asked.
“Yes, you know. A planet which mirrors what is around it such that you will never really know that it is there while it is right there before your eyes,” Andrews said.
“Can such a phenomenon really exist? I mean, considering the size of an average planet. How would the technology be enhanced to cover an entire planet?” Richard asked.
“Must the entire planet be covered by the technology, Mr. Daniels? Take, for instance, Earth. It is not all parts of Earth that get exposed to the sun at the same time. So, in the case of a mirror planet, it does not have to be the entire planet that will be affected by the technology,” Andrews said.
“Or maybe it could be, Professor. This is outer space, remember? And we are dealing with technologies which seem to rubbish even the most advanced knowledge that we have,” Michael said.
Andrews nodded. “You are right about that, Michael. Perhaps we should save our theories until we do eventually arrive on the planet.”
The tablet beeped.
…approaching point of debarkation on Tendroa…
…debarkation imminent…
Katrina turned to look at her other crew members. They glanced at each other in surprise as well.
“Maybe the tablet is malfunctioning,” Michael said.
“A device given to us by the aliens cannot malfunction,” Richard said.
“But it is a mechanical device, Mr. Daniels. Maybe it is malfunctioning,” Andrews said.
“Maybe it is actually right about Tendroa, sirs. Look outside, at the left,” Katrina said, pointing out of the windscreen.
Outside, not too far away, was a huge rock, which was the size of a football pitch. The shuttle got to the rock and landed directly on it.
Richard glanced at Katrina. “What are we doing here? This is just a piece of rock that might have been spinning aimlessly through space.”
“I’m sorry, sir. But the tablet was the one that directed us to it. This is the spot for debarkation,” Katrina said.
Richard looked outside. He could not see anything else beyond the rock on which they were parked. “Are you sure about this, Katrina? Check that tablet again, please.”
“I have, Mr. Daniels. It is still indicating that we have arrived on Tendroa,” Katrina replied.
“Sir, I t
hink that rather than us debating, we should disembark and find out things for ourselves,” Andrews said.
“Okay. Let us disembark and go outside,” Richard agreed.
Outside, they looked around the dark environment.
There were stars in the distant skies above, while the ground underneath them had some vegetation. The edge of the rock was ragged and when they all peered over it, they discovered that they could not see anything.
Just then they heard a loud noise and the leaves on the ground started to fly around as a gust of wind was blowing through.
The entire crew members looked around.
“Something or someone is coming,” Andrews said.
“I wonder what or who they are. They must have known that we were arriving. How come they did not bother to send any welcome party or escorts?” Michael asked.
“Maybe they are not too hospitable,” Katrina said.
“Don’t say that. The alien businessmen promised me that all the planets we would visit would be accommodating and not hostile. Besides, wouldn’t it be bad for business if a mercenary was hostile to its prospective clients?” Richard asked.
“Who is being hostile to anyone?” a very clear voice asked.
Richard and the other crew members looked around at each other.
“Who said that?” Michael asked.
“I did,” the same voice replied.
“And who are you?” Richard asked boldly.
“I am a client representative working here on Tendroa,” replied the same voice.
“Excuse me?” Richard asked. “How come we cannot see you?”
“That is simply because you did not look ahead of you. Right here. No, in front of you,” the voice said.
Richard and the others turned to their front and kept on looking ahead.
Initially, the environment around them was pitchblack. The skies were dark as well and there was not a single star shining up above. Just then, a huge floodlight came on. It was located at the top of a mountain. And then another floodlight was turned on. In the process, the entire environment around them became illuminated.
The crew members looked up in the direction from where the lights had come. As they did so, they were all immediately frightened and gasped involuntarily.
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