Spacebus to Benton's Colony

When I read story offerings, I justify format them; set to Times New Roman 12 pitch, line spacing to 12pt before & 0pt after the line. All this to help my tired old eyes to read them better.

As I go through them I “edit or proof read” them to fix typing, grammatical & spelling errors that often occur because the author can get so caught up in the writing that they can miss words that the mind has put there, also wrong letters can be added by accident. I have done this.

All that being said; if you find a story with these problems don’t bitch about them, do something. But also read the story for what it is – the content. This why I do my proofing, not only for myself, but also for some writers who have asked for another set of eyes to pick up things. They can then adjust the story for themselves.

The Rev.

This is my take on this story for Vanessa's consideration.

Spacebus to Benton's Colony.

(c) 2012 Vanessa Ravencroft Updated 2019

Deep space is so vast; its true expanse cannot be truly understood. Even mathematical expressions do little to really put it into perspective.

The Milky Way Galaxy has a diameter of 100,000 light years and is a good 1000 light years thick on average. There are a little over 400 Billion Stars and many more planets and moons.

Yet all the stars and all the matter of the galaxy takes up less space than 1 percent of the entire space the Galaxy occupies. So one would think that this vast empty and completely worthless near vacuum would be free of borders, territories and boundaries; yet there are expanses of space tightly guarded, jealously defended, imaginary spheres defined by spacefaring societies.

The United Stars of the Galaxies claims most of the so called ‘Upward Sector’ of the Galaxy and physically occupies over 900,000 Planets and locations.

The United Stars, commonly known as the Union also added regions in the ‘Coreward Sector’, 'Spinward Sector the ‘Large Magellan Cloud’ and the ‘Andromeda Galaxy’ to the space this mega society claims.

Considering all this, one stands in awe about the size and power of the Union.

Yet it is insignificant in size and expansion compared to the 100 Billion Stars of the ‘Upward Sector’ alone.

Unlike the core regions of the Union where citizens have many travel choices and well established connections, a Space Bus is often the only means of travel on the untamed frontier regions of the Union. Braving many dangers, these coaches span, on schedule, vast distances of sparse populated space, teeming with privateers, Shiss Raiders, Kermac Sponsored Terror and the threat of the unknown.

Just recently, the announcement of the Gray Leader of the Nul; one of the fiercest enemies of the United Stars; that his people and the Union are no longer enemies and that the Nul are in the process of becoming Union Members shocked and surprised everyone, especially of course, the Shiss and the Kermac led Galactic Council.

It meant the end of the Freespace Treaty and of course the end of the Big Four, an arrangement that was seen by many as a guarantee of stability and peace.

The Shiss were afraid that this was the beginning of the end for their civilization.

At that time no name struck more terror along the frontier between Union and Shiss space, than the name of Hazzzock, Gray Throated cousin to the First Nestling who would rather die than submit to Union rule…

--""—

CHAPTER 01: Frontier Fort
Captain Sickles of the United Stars Army stood with his arms crossed behind his back looking outside the floor to ceiling view port, gazing into the endless darkness of space. He was talking more to himself than to the Lieutenant behind him.

“Two point five trillion cubic light years in this sector alone, Jarvis. There should be room for all of us. The Union, the Shiss, the Nul,” He threw up his arms and turned to face the others present in his office “and heck even all the species of the Galactic Council should find all the space they need out there and not ever bother each other.”

Lieutenant Jarvis Mentar, who always looked like a walking recruitment poster said, “Sir, I doubt I am qualified to answer your questions. Besides we do not have to worry about the Nul anymore.”

“Lieutenant Jarvis Mentar, for the blue Virgin’s sake, don’t take everything so seriously. There is no one, not the Immortals, not Nelson and I doubt even that mysterious Dark One that is supposed to exist, that knows why we always end up on a collision course with others.”

The Lieutenant pulled his dark green pseudo leather gloves off his hands with slow measured moves. “Sir, it might be a lot of space out there, but I am glad the Union decided to establish borders and border posts like this one. I don’t want Shiss or Kermac ships to roam freely between our star systems. They could bring long distance weapons to bear, establish secret bases, as I think they do anyway. It is them who have started every war and conflict.”

The two men watched as a space bus departed. Its ISAH pods slowly turning from a red to a white glow, and then the bus vanished into a streak of light. Right after the bus twenty Apache Army Gunships departed as well following the bus.

Captain Sickles was the Commandant of this Deep Space Fort. It was established here because it was where the spheres of influence of the Shiss, the Nul and the Union intersected. At least until very recently.

Besides the Lieutenant there was a Union Ranger and a Purple Nul giant in the room.

The huge massive Nul stood silent and looked like a menacing alien golem, making Captain Sickles feel small and secretly glad that the always predicted war against the Nul would never happen. He wondered what really happened that made them so suddenly change their minds.

The conversation and his thoughts were interrupted as the Fort Systems transmitted the 0600 bugle sound over all speakers announcing the official start of a new day.

The two United Stars Army Officers in the room faced the flag in the corner and saluted it.

The young Lieutenant, fresh out of West Point, gave the Ranger a disapproving look as he noticed the man not saluting the flag.

Lt. Mentar was certain that traveled looking Ranger would have never made it in the Army. The man obviously rejected good grooming habits as well as the dress code a Union representative should adhere to. He had long hair and a grizzled face. The Ranger wore a Shiss Leather jacket, Karthanian made pants and Terran All-Terrain boots. The handle of a knife showed from the rim of one boot and an actually quite illegal SII Mark 11 in a low slung holster, also not regulation and made of leather.

Mentar said after the last tone of the bugle faded. “You should look at yourself in the mirror, Ranger. You are representing the Union out there. Can you imagine what settlers and colonists say if they see a tramp like you?”

The Ranger’s bright blue eyes gazed at the young officer and the smile he had in his face tanned by a hundred suns. “I can imagine what they would say if you showed up…”

Captain Sickles put his hand on the Lieutenant’s shoulder. “He is a respected Ranger and we are glad for his service and Intel.”

The Captain then activated a three dimensional projection of the local region of space and the Ranger tipped his finger against five points of lights.

“These systems are full of Hazzzock’s raiders. They’ve attacked every colony in this region. I’ve seen eight settlements burning and completely destroyed!”

The Ranger then nodded to the impassive Nul standing there and said, “My friend here had a brush with them last night. Says they all had been Hazzzock’s lizards."

The report had a striking effect on Sickles and the young Lieutenant.

The Captain said. “So it is true, Hazzzock finally went over the edge. Reports of destroyed Colonies will stir up a Nest of Xunx at the Assembly.”

The Ranger said. “I have been patrolling these parts for the last thirty years, Captain. There are Union Colonies, Free Colonies and unregistered settlements, a few Nul planets here and there, and the entire region has been claimed by the Shiss for over 20,000 years. Hazzzock is neither a fool, nor a force to be trifled with.”

The huge Nul pointed at three other even closer systems. “We ran into very well armed Kashir Cruisers right here, eight of them. Hazzzock has the resources to buy the best Freespace markets offer.”

The Captain rubbed his chin and said “Eight Kashir you say, this close?”

The Lieutenant eyed the Nul with unveiled distrust and then leaned closer to the Captain, “How do we know he is not lying?”

The Ranger answered before the Captain could, “Shut him up, or I will!”

The Captain looked away from the projection and said to the Lieutenant. “He is Nul; they have hated the Shiss 30,000 years longer than us.”

Then he added, “Be careful Lieutenant, that ranger outranks both you and me.”

The Nul moved only a few inches and said with his growling voice. “Our wise leader has decreed that we are now working together.

I have known this ranger for many years, as my duty is somewhat similar. I trust and respect him and I do understand human innuendo very well. One more insult from you little Lieutenant and there will be an incident between our nations where I have to explain what happened to my wise Leader and your Captain will need a mop and a bucket to remove what’s left of you.”

Before anything else could be said an N.C.O. opened the door. “Sir, urgent message from Benton’s Colony.”

Sickles impatiently gestured towards the GalNet Terminal, “Connect us right away.”

The N.C.O sat down before the GalNet Terminal and keyed in the security code, “It is a High Priority Message, Sir.”

Sickles moved behind the N.C.O., “Well then put them on.”

The N.C.O. made a few futile verbal attempts and then pulled out the rarely if ever used manual input board from its hidden compartment and typed a message.

The Captain impatiently said, “By the time you are done, I could have walked to Benton’s Colony and got it in person.”

The Ranger said, “That’s the Problem with the Army, I would get my own messages and would be done by now.”

Mentar made big eyes, “What a ridiculous suggestion. He is the Commandant of the Fort and that N.C.O. is the Signalman.”

The N.C.O. turned to the Captain and said. “Benton’s Colony is not receiving or sending. It looks almost as if someone destroyed the Relay buoys in that region.”

Sickles drew in air sharply and said, “What did the caller say before you got disconnected?”

The N.C.O. answered, “Only two words, Sir: Hazzzock raiders.”

--""—

CHAPTER 2: RIGO
Rigo Colony, just twelve light years from the Union Deep Space Fort Three-Corners, was a dull bone dry dust ball, and its only redeemable feature was a marginally breathable Nitrogen Oxygen atmosphere. That it was classified a Garden world was a local joke.

Agatha Sprewell, president of the Rigo Colony Beautification Committee, of course took it very seriously. She and her eighteen member committee watered and groomed the Rigo Colony City Park. It featured a genuine Terran Oak and exactly 10 square meters of fenced in grass, also meticulously tended. The Water used had to be shipped in as well as the fertilizer.

The City of Rigo was as much a city as the little green square and one tree was a city park. It consisted of a main street centering on that park and a row of buildings, most of them Prefab colony-housing containers, extended with rock and mortar add-ons, duro-crete paved sidewalks and Dura-Plast awnings

Only a very few of the signs were holographic, the rest were simply stenciled on a length of Dura-Plast board.

A few rugged open bed cargo skimmers lined up before the local Silver Hawk Emporium Dry Goods Store, their owners were local Cactus Farmers or Nodule collectors. Several varieties of Nopal Cactus grew well on Rigo’s provided they received trickle irrigation, so the Cactus farmers eked out a living from the marginal profit between water prices and crop selling on the Xchange.

The collection of Manganese nodules was another source of income. Manganese was useful and widely traded but not exactly a rare metal.

The colony was a sleepy but a slowly and steadily growing place. Now that the Nul joined the Union, it was very likely that this quiet planet and the other six planets in the system would turn into hot real estate property by becoming a nexus traffic point into the Nul space.

The recent arrival of mysterious, well-dressed tourists asking questions about the place or staking and measuring things were a good indication that this was not so far off in the future.

Across from the Dry Goods Store, was one of the two local Taverns, the Dust Guzzler, and it represented fifty percent of Rigo’s Colony entertainment options.

K’tknnk, a Klack, stared with his almond shaped eyes towards the North End of the town, where a paved Duro-Crete Area and four containers stacked together to serve as a terminal represented the Rigo Colony Spaceport.

The Klack sipped from his sugar water and said to a Garbini, who was hanging from one of the support beams holding up the Plasti roof above the front-porch.

“I think Baldi is going to be late today.”

The Garbini uncoiled one of his tentacles, fished a bottle of Holstein Pils beer from an ice and water filled bucket right next to the broken vent-matic, while the tree polyp used another tentacle to swipe his credit strip across the reader of the Vending machine, as the reader was still working and paid for the beer.

Then he pointed the neck of the bottle towards the spaceport and the sky. “Would not surprise me if Baldi won’t show up at all. Not with Hazzzock’s raiders attacking anything and everything.”

A human joining them went through a similar ritual, paying for a bottle of Coke then took a sip of his soda. “Baldi will be here, I can hear the Arti’s whistle already.”

“What would I give for a set of human ears?” The Garbini sighed as they watched a small green dot of light grow bigger, descending from the otherwise bright featureless sky.

The Klack wiggled his antenna, “I’d trade in one of these.”

The human laughed, “How about one ear for those handy tentacles. A pair of those and I could get my tools and hands into the tightest spots.”

The Klack asked. “Do you think Hazzzock will come here?”

The Garbini also shifted so he could better see the human, while the human said.

“Hard to tell really. He’s been the craziest Shiss lord and the lower color Throats follow him out of conviction not force. But then the Fort isn’t far and the Army is watching for sure.”

The Garbini returned his attention to the landing D-60LR Space bus and said. “Army my non existing ass, what we need here is a fleet base with a Battleship or two and a wing of Wolfcrafts.”

The human finished his Coke and got another one, grinning as he noticed the billowing dust cloud of the landing bus rolling down Main Street, “I’ve got to agree with you on that one. Nothing makes them run faster than the sight of a Union Battleship.” He then added, “Looks like Mrs. Sprewell’s prized oak tree turned from green to dust brown again. She’s going to have a fit and poor Mr. Sprewell will have to pay someone to wash the leaves again.”

The Klack closed his mandibles in a menacing way, “Oh but there is one other thing that makes them run as if the host of hell is after them. If Shiss, Nul, Dai Pirates or whoever hear the Devi is on the way and our Eternal Warrior wants a word with them.”

All three raised their drinks and the Garbini said, “I’ll drink to that.”

The three beings watched as many people came out of the buildings to see the biggest weekly event there was in town and on the planet: the arrival of the Space bus.

It wasn’t one of the big new 3000 passenger deals they had running on the main lines, but an old, sturdy Leyland Alexander D-60 Long Range.

It was not operated by one of the big Corporations either. Shipmaster Baldor “Baldi” Rickabough, the pilot of the D-60 never bothered to land the Coach on the Duro-Crete pad of the spaceport but right in the street and before the offices of the Coreward Space Bus Company and next to the other half of Rico’s Colony entertainment and hospitality options, the Saresii Pleasures Tavern and Hotel.

Baldi landed here so his passengers did not have too far to go for refreshments and of course so he could more or less walk right into the Office of the CSBC. Then after business was taken care of, right into the Tavern.

The powder fine dust that was everywhere on this world, and the reason why most NiOx breathers chose to wear filter masks before their faces, still danced in billowing clouds around the now landed shuttle. Obscuring and engulfing the small crowd. The side air locks ramps and flight deck hatch opened at the same time.

Baldi, the pilot, and Emerson, his Engineer, gunner and flight deck attendant, stomped down the forward ramp and reached the ground just as the extending ramp did.

Baldi was sort of a local celebrity and some of the loungers and locals present were eager for recognition. Someone yelled. “How’s things in Charles Port, Baldi?”

Another voice called out. “Had a good trip?”

Baldi shook hands and smiled. “All still the same in Charles Port and trip’s been nice and quiet.”

He pulled a small pack out of one of his many pockets and handed it to a Holdian, “As promised, I picked up your chew leaves at Charles Port.”

The Holdian shrieked excitedly and then thanked Baldi.

Two armed guards shouldered their way through the crowd and one of them asked, “Did you bring the Credit Boxes?”

Emerson, a bulky Quadi-Ped, answered, “Yes it’s up there in the Pilot’s locker storage.”

While the armed guards stomped up the forward ramp, passengers emerged from the open side air locks. It was only a handful this time and they almost immediately dispersed, some went across the street to the Dust Guzzler, some went to the Saresii Pleasure Tavern.

The owner of the place thought that anything with the name Saresii would imminently be equated with beautiful women and sophistication, that the owner was actually from Tak and had never set foot on a Saresii world didn’t bother the locals much.

One of the passengers, an expensively dressed blue skinned woman, stepped out from the air lock and pressed her gloved hand before her mouth and nose, apparently unprepared for the dust and the dry air. She wore a long dark gray skirted dress, as was fashionable for Thauran nobles. Around her shoulders was a gorgeous shimmering black fur lined cape with a voluminous hood drawn up. She appears somewhat out of place as she stepped from the landing ramp onto the dust covered pavement.

One of the beefy looking Cargo Handlers noticed her, wrestled another crate of prickly pears on the loading conveyor, wiped his hands and said.

“Ma’am you might want to stretch your legs, the coach won’t leave for another six or eight hours.”

He got a better look at her face now and said, “I mean stretch your limbs, ma’am. We’ve gotta load the freight and service the engines.”

The Thauran woman, clutching the cloak she had drawn about her looked tired, yet there was an impression of strength and character in her clear face as she gave the loader a faint smile and said.

“Thank you.” She then asked, “Is there some place where I can have a cup of tea?”

The words tea or cup were not quite in the load handler’s dictionary and he looked at her puzzled for a moment, then he removed his dust mask, scratched his chin and said as politely as he could.

“Well, ma’am, you can get coffee right there in the Saresii Pleasure Palace. I think they serve that in the lobby.”

She thanked him as he pointed her into the right direction and then he said, “Are you alright ma’am? You ain’t looking very pert.”

She was already moving towards the Hotel, coughed and said. “It’s the dust. I’m alright.”

The Saresii Pleasure Palace was a two story building made mostly of local rock, mortar and Duro Crete with a large illuminated sign spelling out the name of the business, right next to the Space Bus Company.

Both businesses shared a plastic roof used mostly to provide shadow and relief from the glaring white light of the local sun.

A nice looking girl, standing next to a United Stars Army Captain, watched the cloaked woman approach. The girl shaded her own eyes with her hand and then smiled and said. “Why, if it isn’t Luna Lodyn,” then stepped down from the raised sidewalk to greet the Thauran woman.

Luna recognized the girl saying. “Nancy!” then belatedly noticed the Army Officer who also stepped closer to meet her. “How are you Captain Whiterspoon?”

Before the Officer had time to respond, his pretty young wife took Luna’s hands, “Lady Luna what are you doing here, so far from Royal?”

The blue skinned lady said, “I am joining Ronald at Benton’s Colony. He is there with his troops.”

The Captain said, “Ronald is much nearer than that Lady Luna. He’s been ordered to Cobalt Springs with his wing of Apaches.”

Nancy smiled and said, “You’ll be with your husband soon then, that’s the very next stop of the Bus.”

An immaculately dressed man, with the slightest blue complexion to his skin, passed them as he left the Hotel and bowed in the stylized old Thauran way.

Luna Lodyn, who was a genuine Thauran baroness smiled openly as she heard her husband was close and Lucy took her by the arm and the two women and the Army Captain walked through the air curtain inside the air conditioned lobby of the hotel.

Luna looked thankfully at a gurgling little water fountain and took a few deep breaths, “I never thought a place could be so dry!”

Lucy pointed at a little device right above her cleavage that at first looked like a piece of jewelry, “If you live here you need one of these little misters. It sprays a fine mist of water every time I take a breath and keeps a small force field before my face against the dust. They sell them at Silver-Hawks Emporium.”

The Army captain said, “She won’t need one at Cobalt Springs. There isn’t a dry spot on that world, good for the lungs they say.” Then he gestured towards a table and chairs beside the windows, “Why don’t you two lovelies sit here, while I get us some service. I think they do have Saresii tea.”

The Thauran lady sat down in a graceful manner gathering cloak and skirt with a much practiced move. Lucy took the seat across from Luna and said. “How long has it been since your Ronald and my Hector were in the Academy, is it six years?”

Luna nodded, “Yes six years, our sixth wedding anniversary is coming up and I decided to surprise him.”

Lucy nodded with a deep smile, “Aye, a surprise it will be. I can hardly believe seeing you here. What a shock these conditions must be for you, coming from Planet Royal and all.”

Luna looked away from Lucy and out the window, “Much has changed since Federal Police arrested the old Emperor. Succession wars, open and clandestine, with many of the old families at each other’s throats, make the Azure Worlds much less desirable places than they used to be.”

The Captain returned with an S-10 Service robot in tow. The machine carried a tray with fine china cups and started setting the table.

The Machine said, “Saresii Emporium is delighted to have a VIP guest of such stature and importance as a guest. Saresii tea was ordered for you and it is currently being prepared the traditional way. Please be patient as this preparation includes 3 minutes of infusing the flavors.”

Luna thanked the machine while Lucy patted Luna’s hand and said, “You must be exhausted from that long trip.”

Luna nodded, “It was quite bearable from Royal to Blue Moon as I booked passage on a Lux Cruiser but I found out that there are no other civilian travel providers, than space buses to these parts.”

The Captain smiled at his wife. “This isn’t Union Core for sure, but now that the Nul are part of the big family, I reckon these parts will have Space Train connections soon. Lucy and I have claimed a farm right here.”

Lucy returned the smile, “Hector is currently stationed at Fort Three Corners but he won’t extend after that but will take his leave and we both look forward to that.”

Luna nodded her head to show she was listening but she still gazed outside and then pointed to the well-dressed man who had greeted her outside, “Do you know who that Gentleman is?”

The Captain answered quietly while his wife looked indignant, “Hardly a gentleman, Lady Luna.”

Nancy added with a wrinkled nose, “His name is Valthim I believe and he is not a local. They say he is a notorious gambler and a vicious bounty hunter.”

Meanwhile, outside in the street from the office of the Space Bus company, three men and a woman in green coveralls appeared. The woman directing a robot dragging a sizeable hose over his metal shoulders unreeling it towards the fuel ports of the Space bus.

The men used an articulated cherry picker platform to reach the ISAH Pods in order to serve them. More hatches opened and freight and luggage was unloaded. Load handlers loaded crates and boxes with local produce on an extended conveyor belt that carried the outgoing freight inside the Leyland’s cargo hold.

The quiet character of the little settlement had changed into a busy organized chaos since the bus arrived. The two armed guards, with Enroe Security patches on their sleeves, re-appeared on top of the boarding ramp guiding a sturdy and heavy looking Ultronit reinforced box floating between them down the ramp.

Baldi had them sign his PDD and grinned, “It’s all yours. I am sure glad it’s off my hands.”

Emerson who, thanks to his size, could easily look over the heads of everyone present, pointed at some kids and yelled, “Keep them kids away from the Forwards, they are still hot like hell!”

Baldi was social but he wanted to finish the official part of the business and then grab a steak and a drink at the hotel, take a bath and snooze a few hours before he had to take on the next leg of his trip. So he pushed himself through the now slowly dispersing crowd and into the office of CSBC Inc.

The Coreward Space Bus Company was tiny compared to the big Bus Lines like Gray lines (owned by SII) but they had offices on 54 planets, 23 moons and 18 stations in the region. Except for the company’s headquarter on an Asteroid in the Blue Moon System the offices looked pretty much the same. A bleak passenger lobby with a few rows of Vari-Matic Chairs, Vent-Matics with a very basic selection of snacks and drinks, three public GalNet terminals and Change-a-Scene advertisement posters on the walls. Only three of the seven posters still changed their images.

There was a chest high counter and behind it the employee area.

Baldi pushed his employee ID badge across a reader eye, released the counter barrier and went straight for a big chrome coffee machine that produced occasional puffs of steam and was a true antique and the pride possession of this office. It produced, after one had completed a series of manual steps, a dark wonderful aromatic liquid called Espresso.

The local manager, a heavy set Pan Saran named Augustus, waited till Baldi had his coffee and said, “How was the trip?”

“Well … Sir, we had a whole bunch of Non Union signals on our long range sensors about four lights out of Charlie’s and from the size of them I think it was a Dai Clan.”

“Coming this way?”

“Hard to tell, they were on the very horizon of our scanners and I was glad it stayed that way.”

The Manager nodded and said, “I sure hope there won’t be any Dai trouble around these parts in addition to what is going on. Oh and before you go and have lunch, go to the Ranger Office. You’ll get a Federal escort this time flying along to Benton’s.”

Baldi sighed and said, “Mail Run again?”

The Manager shrugged his shoulders, “We are a Space Bus company and get federal subsidies and that also means we’ve got to carry the mail if they need us.”

Baldi sighed again, then emptied the cup of espresso and made his way to the Union Ranger’s Office.

The Union Ranger’s Office was in a one-storey converted shipping container, the front side had been blended with a facade of local rock masonry and a sign in the Window read, “United Stars Ranger Service”.

Baldi was in a hurry to get to his food so he almost stormed into the small office. The local Union Ranger sat behind a worn metal desk with several PDD devices littering its surface. Wilcox, a human ranger, had his feet propped up on the edge of the desk. Two Union deputy rangers were also present.

Baldi tipped his hand to his brow and said to the Deputies, “Hello, Mick. Howdy, Frank,” and then he said to the Ranger, “Well, Mr. Wilcox, I’m looking for my Federal Escort. Is he here?”

The Ranger said, “Oh right, you’re running Mail this week. No sorry your Escort is out trying to catch Hudson’s kid.”

Wilcox touched a sensor and a wanted poster flickered into existence above the desk, showing the image of a handsome looking human.

Baldi looked at it and said, “But that’s Hawk. I thought he was in the pen?”

Wilcox nodded, “He was.”

Baldi grinned broadly, “Well good for him. I knew the Pen couldn’t hold him for long.”

One of the federal deputies, who had been standing by the window until then, pushed himself off the sill and moved closer to the projection. “He’s a wild one alright and my guess is he’s aiming to get even with the Carpenter brothers.”

The other deputy, still sitting in a chair reading something on a PDD looked up, “It was their testimony that sent him to the penitentiary.”

Baldi shrugged, “Hawk is a nice boy really and all I can say is that he better keep away from Luke Carpenter. Gosh, Luke ran every friend of the Hudson’s out of Benton’s and most folks that know what really happened.”

Baldi halfway turned to go and finally have his lunch and rest, said. “Just last trip, I saw him hit a miner with that wicked Pick ax he carries everywhere. Laid him open like a butchered Nul.”

Wilcox, who had been looking very comfortable until then, dropped his legs to the floor. “You saw Luke Carpenter in Benton’s?”

Baldi shoving his ham fists into his coverall pockets and nodded, “Yes sirree.”

Wilcox made a thoughtful face and then got up, taking a TKU carabine off a gun rack nearby. The two federal deputies and Baldi looked at him curiously.

Wilcox was almost at the door before he turned. “You two take care of the office for a week or so. I am going to Benton’s colony with Baldi.”

Then to Baldi he said, “You got your Federal escort.”

Baldi, following the Ranger out the door, mumbled. “Oh paint me an Ult, when will I learn to keep my big mouth shut.”

--""--

The two armed guards, with the heavy Ultronit box floating between them, had reached the office of DeNoir Mining. The only purpose built structure of the settlement, made of dark gray Duro-Crete, aluminum and large glass windows. A real project a sign proclaimed this to be the regional office of DeNoir Resource Procurement, Rigo Colony.

The automatic doors admitted the two men. A pretty Saran girl, in a short dark skirt suit exposing her long shapely legs. Like most true Sarans, her helmet like beautiful hair was most likely a wig. She greeted them friendly and said. “Mr. Sprewell is expecting you.”

The guards smiled at her as they went past and into the office of the Branch Manager.

In a plush office, the most luxurious room on the entire planet, an important looking man dressed in an expensive Archa Silk business suit stood behind his desk. He was of Saresii-Venusian-Aryan descent, tall almost white blonde and a little overweight. Instead of greeting the men he said. “You took your sweet time getting here. The Bus landed almost 23 minutes ago.”

Neither of the guards responded directly to the comment, instead placing the box before the man on the floor. With the ArtiGrav lifters now turned off, it would have taken a Saturnian to pick it up. One of the guards said, “25 Million Credits in Cash transfer boxes as ordered.”

Sprewell had to move around the desk to sign the Delivery confirmation the Guard was holding. He said, “Ever since we’ve doing business with the Nul, we’ve need cash on hand. Most of them still don't hold bank accounts. Them brutes having accounts would make things much easier.”

The Guard checked the signature and the CITI data and then said, “The fact we are doing business with the Nul who were our enemies until very recently is still amazing to me.”

The other Agent opened the box with a special security key and started putting the small black cubes onto the Branch manager’s desk.

While Cash Strips, Cred Strips and Credit Chips were connected to a bank account and did not carry the actual money. Credit Boxes did carry the actual value and allowed the direct, and if necessary anonymous, transfer of funds.

Credit Boxes were the equivalent of cash. The ability to dispense and transfer cash without a bank or other entity having any influence or ability to control it was deemed essential for the freedoms of Union Citizens and was the core of the Cash and Funds Freedom act of 2235. So due to that fact, these Credit boxes could be stolen and used by anyone presented a genuine security risk and these measures were needed, especially for such a substantial amount.

The two security guards watched as the Branch manager put them into a wall safe. Then they took the now empty shipping box with them, without exchanging another word with the unpleasant, important acting man.

--""--

On the main street of Rigo, a group of stern faced women, three humans, two Saran, a Takkian and three Pan Saran, marched in almost military order behind a local policeman who escorted a young woman in a very tight pink dress towards the space bus.

The young woman pulled a small suit case behind her. Her chin was held high and yet anyone who chose to look closer would have seen she was close to tears. This strange procession of a policeman escorting the young woman, and the members of the Rigo Colony Beautification Committee right behind them, was stopped by an outcry and a portly man stumbling out from a door right before them.

The man appeared somewhat unsteady on his feet. He carried an old Union Fleet Overcoat over his left arm and holding a worn small case in his left hand.

The man, unaware that he just stopped the local police enforcing a new local ordinance, yelled into the open door, “Now my dear lady...”

In the open door a hard faced woman appeared and yelled at the man, “Don’t you ‘dear lady’ me, you old deadbeat! I’m keeping your things because you ain’t paid your rent.”

The unsteady intoxicated man balanced himself carefully, and lifted his hand jovially to the angry woman, “Is this the face that launched a thousand ships...” he burped and then continued, “...And burned the topless towers of Ilium?” In a comical gesture he blew the woman a kiss. “Farewell then, fair Helen.”

The young woman, still standing by the policeman, hurried forward and said to the man, “Doctor Boone, can they make me leave the planet and force me to go somewhere else?”

The policeman came forward and caught the girl’s arm. His voice was plaintive, “Now, Daphne don’t go make any fuss. You violated the new ordinance and I’ve got to enforce it.”

The women of the Rigo Colony Beautification Committee moved closer and Mrs. Sprewell, their leader, pointed her finger at the man. “You might as well get him on the bus too, Officer. She is a whore and he is a no good drunkard. We’re getting a Union Med Station and don’t need him anymore.”

The Policeman now actually pulled on the girl's arm. She yelped in pain and the man she called Doctor Boone said. “I might be a drunkard now, but I am still a Union Citizen and I will put you on report, Mister Officer. They can’t simply make up ordinances on the go.”

The policeman said, “I am afraid they can. Local laws and all that. Now Doc Boone you heard them. I suggest you get on that Bus as well.”

The young woman was now almost crying, “Don’t I have rights?”

Doc Boone offered her his arm and said, after she took it, “We are victims of prejudice and violation of Union rights. We’ll find no justice here, but there is a district court in Benton’s. We will get justice there.”

To the Policeman he said, “I’ll see Ms. Storm to the bus so there is no further need for your rudeness and manhandling of a young woman.”

The Policeman agreed with a nod, “Alright Doc. But you and her will be better off on the bus.”

“Not even the promise of untold riches would keep me here. We have an appointment with a Union Court Clerk.”

The Policeman waved angrily, “Just shut up and leave. You’re drunk.”

Doc Boone pointed at his wrist PDD, “Perhaps but not drunk enough to forget to collect evidence.”

The Cop wasn’t so self-assured anymore, “Go wait in the Hotel for the Bus to leave. I’ll get your tickets.”

Without giving the Policeman another reply, Doc Boone and Daphne walked across the street and entered the Hotel.

Doc Boone left his coat and bag on a chair and said to the young woman. “Just wait here while I say farewell to my friend the bartender.”

She gave him a sad, thankful and defeated smile, and sat down while he went over to the bar.

As he approached the bar, he noticed the barkeeper in conversation with another passenger that had arrived with the bus earlier. There was something gloomy and parsonical about that man’s appearance.

Doc Boone leaned against the bar a few meters away, the barkeeper, with a frown, interrupted his conversation and stared at the Doc.

Doc Boone smiled and said, “Jerry.”

“Yes Doc?”

“In the past, I will admit, as one man to another, that economically I haven’t been of much value to you. But...” Boone lowered his voice adding, “...you don’t suppose you could... ahem... put one on credit?”

The Bartender rolled his eyes and shook his head, “If talk was money, Doc, you’d be the best customer I’ve got.”

“I’m leaving with the bus, Jerry.”

“Honest?”

“Yes, my dear Jerry, and I thought you might, in memory of our many happy...”

The barkeep sighed and keyed a drink order into the Serv-Matic and pushed a glass filled with a golden liquid in front of the doctor. “All right, Doc, just this one.”

“Thank you, Jerry.”

Doc Boone took the glass and turned it as he regarded the liquor with fond anticipation.

Jerry the barkeep, leaning on the bar, used his chin to point at the man he had talked to before, “Here’s another fellow going with you on the bus, Doc. He came all the way from the Core, some place called Erth or something.”

The man, hearing this, turned and said, “Alfons Peacock is my name Sirs and I am from Earth, not Erth.”

Doc Boone lifted his glass to Peacock but his attention was on the glass rather than on the stranger, “To your health Reverend.”

The Earther corrected again, “I am not a clergyman. My name is Peacock.”

Jerry laughed, “He is a salesman for Thompson’s Bar Supplies. He sells Liquor.”

Doc Boone coughed out his drink and set down his glass, “What?”

Peacock still stood at the end of the bar with Doc Boone and the Bartender looking towards him, “Not just liquor. Thompsons offers a wide range of beers and non-alcoholic choices.”

The Barkeeper refilled the glass of Doc Boon, “They can get that over at Silver-hawks’, the people coming here want the hard stuff.”

Peacock pulled a sample bottle from his case, “This is genuine Old Overholt from Earth.”

Doc Boone edged closer, uninvited, took the small bottle and emptied most of it then smacked his lips, “Mr. Hancock this good Rye.”

“No, no it’s Peacock. My name is Peacock Sir.”

“You don’t need to tell me, sir. A familiar name, an honored name! I never forget the face of a friend.”

--""--

Six hours had passed since the bus had landed. All freight and luggage was stowed, engines serviced and fuel topped up. Baldi was walking up the forward ramp, wearing fresh coveralls. Wilcox, holding the TKU waited for him next to the flight deck air lock, “Ready?”

“Almost.”

The passengers had already lined up and Emerson was standing by the main ramp, ready to commence boarding.

The Pan Saran Manager of this Space Bus terminal activated the PA system and his amplified voice called, “All aboard for Cobalt Springs, Bumblebee, Shallow and Benton’s Colony. Final call, departure in 10 minutes. Boarding will begin now. Please hold your boarding passes ready.”

The call could be heard in the offices of DeNoir. Sprewell stood by the window and watched the passengers board as the automatic door opened and Agatha Sprewell came in, “Henry, it is not acceptable that this dreadful space bus keeps landing in the street. I need 5000 Credits to clean our beautiful tree.”

He reached into his pocket, pulled his credit strip and transferred the credits into hers.

She paid no attention and said, “Tomorrow you’re going to go over there and stop that. What good is it if you are the Mayor and can’t make them obey?”

“Yes Dear, I will do that first thing in the morning.”

“I have the ladies of the committee over so don’t expect any dinner tonight. Go and find something in town.” Without even waiting for a response she stormed out.

Mr. Sprewell stared at the door for a few moments before his face hardened in decision. He turned, opened the safe and piled the Credit boxes into a briefcase.

Out by the bus, Nancy and her husband accompanied Lady Luna to the bus. Doc Boone and Daphne Storm were already boarding under the watchful eye of the local policeman.

From the Hotel, Mr. Peacock hurried closer, pulling his big sample case behind him.

--""--

Inside the Dust Guzzler, at a corner table, sat Valthim playing cards with three others. He gave the Garbini a smile, “They should have never taught Garbini how to play poker, your kind has a hell of a poker face.”

A Klack who held his cards close to his almond shaped eyes agreed, “That and the fact that bluffing is a national past-time and part of their mating ritual, they are genetically programmed poker players.”

The Garbini snickered, “You humans invented a game where bluffing is part of the strategy, but poker has become the number one past time on all Garbini worlds. Despite all that, one can bluff only so much. With this hand you dealt me, I need a miracle not a bluff.”

The fourth player was human and he took a sip from his drink, “So are you in, tree-hanger or do you fold?”

The Garbini manipulated his controls and a taller stack of holographic chips appeared in the middle of the table, “I’m in Mr Befford, before I admit defeat I hope your hand is even worse than mine.”

The Klack noticed the pale Thauran staring out the window. The Bus announcement had been made and he said, “Mr Valthim you seem suddenly distracted, are you in?”

Valthim watched as Lady Luna boarded the bus and he said, “Like a flower in the desert.”

Befford shook his head, “What are you doing Mr Valthim, talking to yourself?”

Valthim raised his bet while still staring out the window, now seeing Lady Luna appear behind one of the buses larger panorama view ports near the front. He responded, “You would not understand Befford; it is a Thauran matter.”

Befford shrugged, “Well this is too rich for me,” and folded.

The Klack said, “Is it about the recent Thauran troubles?”

Valthim sighed, “Old families, old traditions and ancient troubles my six limbed friend,” then smiled coldly. His cultivated voice seemed to have a sad melancholic edge to it.

The space bus was almost ready to leave, passengers were all settled inside and Baldi was about to close the hatches, when Apache gunships descended on green glowing ArtiGrav cushions. The menacing looking gunships of the Army landed before and behind the bus and more touched down on the Duro-Crete surface of the space port. It was a whole regimental wing. Their landing action was an impeccable demonstration of precision and military proficiency.

The lead unit was painted dark green and red. A yellow shield shaped insignia with crossed sabers and a horse’s head on its fuselage identified it as part of the 42nd Space Cavalry Unit out of Fort Three Corners.

Baldi waited, suspecting nothing good, and watched as the canopy opened and a flight-suited man got up and removed his helmet. Baldi and many of the onlookers recognized Lt. Mentar. The Lieutenant climbed out with a few agile steps and jumped, with his suit augmented muscles, right onto the landing ramp before Baldi.

“I am sorry for delaying your departure, but Captain Sickles asked if you would deliver this dispatch to the regional Command at Benton Colony. The GalNet network in the entire region is down." The Army officer held out a sealed message pouch.

Baldi took the document pouch, while Wilcox reappeared and asked, “GalNet is down?”

The Army lieutenant answered “Yes Sir, entire region. We are flying escort for you as far as Cobalt Springs. The Cavalry Wing there will then take over and escort you all the way to Shallow. From there you will have another escort into Benton. You are designated a Post ship and you must go, but you must warn your passengers that they travel at their own risk.”

Baldi didn’t like the sound of that and asked, “At their own risk? Escorts, GalNet down. What’s the trouble Lieutenant?”

The Army Officer said. “Hazzzock is on the move.”

Baldi threw his hands in the air, “Dai between here and Charles Port and Hazzzock and his wild bunch between here and Benton’s. They don’t pay me enough to make that trip. We’ll stay right here till you and the fleet has cleared the situation.”

The Army Officer nodded, “Of course, the Army has no authority over you, but your employer will of course lose the Federal Endorsements and subsidies for refusing the contractually agreed Post ship clause.”

Baldi looked stung by those words and swallowed before saying, “This bus is going to Benton’s.”

The Lieutenant jumped back to his gun-ship and then climbed into its pilot seat.

Baldi entered the Bus and addressed the passengers and repeated what the Army officer had said and then he added, “Me, Emerson and Wilcox are taking this bus through to Benton’s Colony. We have Union Mail aboard and must make the trip. With or without passengers. So whoever wants to stay and wait things out is welcome to get a ticket for a later trip. Whenever that might be.”

Lady Luna was first to speak, “I’d like to remain aboard. My husband is at Cobalt Springs.”

Daphne Storm right after her looked out the view-port and said, “There are worse things than Shiss Raiders. I’d rather die than stay here another minute.”

The salesman, Mr. Peacock, got up, “Under the circumstances I am sure my customers will understand when I wait things out right here.”

Doc Boone smiled at him, “No one guarantees your safety here, you heard the Ship-master, there are Dai nearby and I’d rather face Shiss raiders than Dai-Than taking a colony apart.”

Peacock sighed, “Oh dear,” then sat down, “It appears I’ll remain aboard as well.”

Baldi said, “Well since there aren’t any other passengers. We are ready to leave.”

Just a moment before Emerson wanted to retract the landing ramp and close the main hatch, Valthim waved, “Room for one more?”

Emerson stopped the ramp and admitted the pale blue man selling him a ticket. Valthim carried only a small bag, but he had an expensive H&K Raketen Gewehr over his shoulder.

To Emerson he said, “I am fully licensed.”

The Quadiped raised his hands. “You would not have made it this far if I thought otherwise.”

Henry Sprewell, out of breath clambered up the ramp, “Just got a Message from our Office, important business in Benton. Luxury accommodations please.”

Emerson closed the hatch and touched a signal sensor to indicate to Baldi that the boarding was completed and the hatch closed. Only then did he turn to Sprewell.

“Sorry sir we have only one general flight deck and no special accommodations. Ticket to Benton, that will be 200 Credits.”

Up on the flight deck, Baldi checked his systems one more time and then flooded the ArtiGrav lifters with negative gravitons and the bus begun to rise. Out of pure mischief, and only to annoy that horrible Agatha Sprewell, he touched the levers of the main engines and tipped it just ever so lightly. The main engines roared to life and caused a little dust storm, completely engulfing the street and, of course, the oak tree.

Behind them twenty Apache Gunships rose into the air adding much substance to the dust cloud and Baldi giggled, “I think they’ll need shovels and wheelbarrows this time.”

Wilcox nodded but looked lost in thought.

Then the bus left the last traces of atmosphere behind and its two ISAH pods started to glow bright blue as they established the Isah field as the bus began to accelerate to Threshold speed.

--""--

GalNet – Pedia

Leyland Alexander D-60 LR

-Passenger Service Configuration-

The 62 meter Leyland Alexander can easily be identified by its boxy appearance and the four swivel mounted ISAH pods that also include the landing gear assembly.

Its triangular raised front contains the flight deck, where the ships control center, its sensors and the computronic modules are located.

The boxy middle section contains a passenger deck and a freight deck. The rest is dedicated to the ship’s engines, energy distribution, environmental systems and the fuel tanks. These D60 LR are often found in service for frontier region space bus services. They are dependable, rugged and easily serviceable.

The passenger deck consists of seat rows, washroom facilities and a small lounge.

--""--

Baldi punched in the way points for the acceleration path, checked the scanners one last time to make sure there was nothing solid in the way and then committed the engines.

He did all this a thousand times before but this part could never become routine. Most accidents happened in the acceleration phase and once the ship was committed there was nothing that could be done to prevent a collision with something else.

He glanced over to Wilcox who was talking to Emerson. The Quadiped complained. “If there’s anything I don’t like is taking my bus through Shiss space.”

Wilcox replied. “It’s what you are doing the last ten years. All this is or was once Shiss Space.”

Baldi checked the scanners and felt a little better seeing the twenty contacts of the Apache Gunships behind them.

Baldi adjusted the cruise speed and said to Emerson. “Once you’re done gossiping with our escort. Go and check on the coolant flow of the Main Fuel manifold. It runs a little hotter than I like it.”

The Quadiped grunted. “That you are in a bad mood doesn’t mean I have to be unfriendly to Wilcox...”

“Don’t tell me you like this better than I do and now do check on that Manifold. We might have to red line the engines before we reach Benton’s.”

The big Quadiped mumbled some more but made his way to the small engineering section in the back.

Wilcox turned to Baldi. “Sure funny, about Mr. Sprewell taking the bus.”

Baldi however was still ranting. “I took this job ten years ago so I could marry my girl Julieta. I’ve been working hard at it ever since.”

He then opened the intercom and said. “Emerson we are running over sixty degrees now.”

Emerson’s voice came back. “Don’t get all excited. I am not even there yet and we can handle 200 easy.”

Wilcox put his feet up on a console and leaned back. “You’re married, who knew.”

Baldi fiddled with the sensor controls and said. “Why, certainly; my wife’s got more relatives than you ever did see. I bet I am feeding half of Marlow town on Benton’s.”

Wilcox kept shaking his head. “Don’t it seem funny to you? About Sprewell?”

Baldi still didn’t really listen as he was in the middle of his rant. “And what do I get when I am home at Benton’s? Nothing but reconstituted Vat grown simple dinners. Cheap they are but after ten years I know all the ten flavors they sell.”

Down on the passenger’s deck, the travelers sat all in the small lounge. Sprewell the last to arrive immediately went to the Serv-Matic. “What a horrible selection.” he complained, then settled for a bottle of juice and sat down as well.

He looked over the other passengers and then he pointed at a large view screen that showed Rigo’s Colony shrinking to a dot of light and twenty Apache Gunships in tight formation right behind the bus. “Fine looking military hardware back there. It always gives me great pride in the Union when I see such fine machines flown by such fine young individuals. Anyone know where they’re going?”

Mr. Peacock, eying Doc Boone who in turn was examining his sample case answered. “Are you not aware what happened?”

Sprewell opened his juice and said. “I don’t follow you, Reverend.”

Doc Boone seemed to have figured out how the sample case worked and pressed a sensor, a small sample bottle of gin appeared. Peacock rolling his eyes, pushed his case away from Boone to the other side and said: “I am not a clergyman. My name is Peacock.”

Doc Boone looked pleased with himself as he opened the small bottle. “We are all going to be killed or sold as slaves of course, Mr Sprewell. Massacred or sold, that’s what the soldiers try to prevent from happening and that’s why they escort us.”

Sprewell tried to smile and looked to Lady Luna who for the first time turned her head away from the view port.

“That old drunk fool is joking of course.”

But it was Peacock who answered. “Oh no, he is not. Oh dear no. I wish he was joking, Sir.”

Doc Boone emptied the little bottle and then looked with a critical expression on the small label and said with a cheerful tone in his voice. “It is that old Shiss butcher...” he then handed the empty bottle to Peacock with a jovial nod and continued.”...Hazzzock that’s the name of our butcher. He pissed on the peace treaty his cousin the First Nestling signed and declared war on the Union all by himself. He and his raiders killing and destroying everything in sight.”

Sprewell pulled the brief case he was clutching closer to his chest. “Hazzzock made his move? Why weren’t the passengers notified? Why wasn’t I told?”

Peacock sighed. “We were.”

Doc Boone eying the sample case now out of his reach with a longing expression. “We were told Sprewell.”

Peacock nodded with unveiled fear in his eyes. “Yes, but with Dai Pirates between here and Charles Port, I was convinced by this thirsty gentleman that the Shiss were the lesser evil. Now I am not so sure anymore.”

Boone turned his attention to Sprewell. “Weren’t you told in that message you got from Benton’s?”

Sprewell looked agitated and said with a blustering tone. ”Oh yes, yes, yes, of course, of course, I forgot.”

Up at the flight deck, Baldi turned off the non-responsive GalNet Terminal, his eyes almost glued to the scanners. “Twenty Apaches are just not enough if Hazzzock shows up.”

Wilcox leaned over to look at the scanner screen too. “Apaches aren’t exactly impotent you know and these guys know how to use them.”

Baldi sighs. “I still would feel much safer if we had a wing of Wolfcrafts back there. My wife’s grandfather is coming all the way from New Algiers to live with us, if that wasn’t reasons enough for me not to go to Benton’s this time. Hazzzock terrorizing the region should be.”

The worried ship master then pointed at the dark GalNet terminal. “I wish we could call ahead and see what happened. We take these things for granted you know. Able to talk to anyone at any time.”

Wilcox agreed. “That’s what I can’t figure out.”

Baldi turned to look at the Ranger. “No one has figured out how SII does it. They have not shared their tech with any other company. The fleet uses GalCom but that’s the same thing basically.”

Wilcox shook his head. “I didn’t mean that. I can’t figure out how he got that message.”

Baldi calling up the engineering panel said. ”Who, my grandfather?"

Wilcox pointed his thumb over his shoulder indicating the passenger deck. “No, Sprewell.”

“What’s Sprewell got to do with all of this?”

“He is one of your passengers. Came aboard the last second and told Emerson he got an important message from Benton’s.”

Baldi was listening only with one ear as he looked over the engineering read out. “We’re still running hot. I don’t like that.”

Wilcox grunted. “Said he got a message from Benton’s”

Baldi’s fingers keyed in a diagnostic program for the Fuel decompressor. “What’s Emerson doing down there? We are at 96 degrees now.”

Wilcox pointed at the GalNet terminal. “GalNet is down in the entire region.”

Baldi simply nodded, but it is clear he really didn’t pay any attention to the Ranger and he called Emerson. “You know we are approaching 98 degrees?”

Emerson’s voice came over the intercom. “I know, we got a busted coolant line. The secondary line is working but we going to reach 150-160 before we reach Cobalt Springs. Can’t fix the thing while we’re in Quasi Space, unless you want to drop into real space and shut of the engines.”

Now Wilcox paid attention to Baldi. “Trouble?”

Baldi shruged. “Depends, as long as the secondary coolant pumps hold we should be alright.”

“I am no engineer. What exactly are we talking about?”

Baldi was glad he had something to talk about that took his mind of the scanner screens. “As you may know ISAH Engines need a lot of energy. Energy made by mixing Deuterium with Anti Matter Deuterium. The process is forced to go into Nucleo Synthesis and the production of energy saturated Photons in the trans-x ray spectrum...”

Wilcox raised his hands. “I flunked this part in Union School. Can you tell me what the problem is so I can understand it?”

Baldi sighed and said. “I’ll try. Our fuel is matter compacted. So we can take more fuel volume along. Before we can use it, it is conditioned and de-compacted in the so called Sakharov Process chamber where one half is turned into Anti Matter. That process needs to happen in a near zero environment and lots of heat must be displaced. Most of it we use for energy production, but some needs to be sent to the Exchangers, outside where it can radiate into space. These feeder lines cannot exceed an outside temperature of 200,000 degrees, they are cooled with mono directional energy siphon streams, and one of these cooling systems went out and we are running on the backup system.”

Wilcox sighed. “Still didn’t understand it, but something down there is hotter than it supposed to be and needs to be fixed. What happens if the second cooling system fails?”

Baldi pantomimed a big explosion and said. “The Shiss threat would become a moot point. We’ll all be roasted on a nuclear level.”

The Ranger sat up and stared concerned at the Bus pilot. “What can you do to prevent it?”

Baldi said, while counting on his fingers: “One, we can drop out of Quasi Space, shut the engines off and fix it. Two, we eject the Core Assembly and the Fuel and three, we hope it stays under 200 and we make it to Cobalt Springs and fix it there.”

--""--

=== Palace of the First Nestling ===

The Shiss were a mighty and an old civilization, controlling a huge region of space had almost reached Tech Level eight and they had been fighting the Nul to a stalemate for almost 20,000 years. This fact alone illustrated that they were not easily ignored, but truth to be told, no one in the known Galaxy wanted a war against the Union.

The Shiss learned that the hard way when the 32 Purple Throat Colonies joined the Union. It was a short and very costly war and unmasked the Terran Humans as the true monsters of this Galaxy. No civilization known were as warlike and brutal than these warm blooded primates.

The only civilization that could have gone toe to toe with the Union were the insectoids from the Klack empire. They had always been among the most powerful civilizations, but they too were part of the Union now for over 200 years.

When the Union and the Klack demanded an area of space they could use to connect their regions, the First Nestling conceded an area of space to the Union and it became known as the Union-Klack Corridor. In galactic terms it was a very narrow and small path between Upward Union Space and the Klack Hegemony in the Coreward Sector. It instantly created a buffer zone between the Shiss and the Nul and that in itself was not a bad thing, considering that the Nul had stepped up their war efforts and were slowly but steadily gaining ground.

That this area he had conceded had been under the control of the Gray Throats for almost as long as the Shiss traveled space was unfortunate, besides the First Nestling had not much choice in that matter. It was either that or war, the Union rarely took a no for an answer. Going against the Union and the Klack was not an option the Shiss wanted to consider.

--""--

Suzhz, the All White nestling, lounged in a traditional hammock strung between two pillars of black marble and shaded by a canopy made of tough Jutzurk leather on a balcony high above the rest of the palace.

The very first All Whites had used Hammocks like these long before the Shiss Lizards left the burning sands of the Naws-Sat desert behind forever. Only legends and stories remained of the time when Zazuhr, the first of all First Nestlings ruled the Shiss. But ever since then only the tents of the mightiest warriors of then nomadic Desert Shiss were made of Jutzurk leather.

The Naws-Sat Desert had long since then disappeared. In its place, sprawled the heart of the Shiss Empire, the mighty City of Naw.

Here at its very center above an ancient hill rose the eleven towers of the Palace of the Pale Dune. There were few sights in the Universe that could compare, at least not in the eyes of the Shiss. Now as the twin Suns were about to slip past the horizon, their color could be distinguished, Zazz, the big red star and Uzzz her bright blue companion mixed their light in a warm tone of deep orange that painted the entire city and the distant mountains into every shade of copper and gold.

The Twin Suns of Shiss-Ta could only be seen together like that every 110 years. Usually Uzzz was in front or behind the bigger Zazz.

To Suzhz, who had dwelt on the Pale Dune as the First Nestling for 87 years, wondered if there would be a First Nestling dwelling here in the Palace of the Pale Dune the next time this golden light bathed the city or if he was the last doing so.

Everything around him was so full and so rich of symbolism, ancient traditions. Every Shiss from the cursed Purple Shiss traitors to the White Nestling knew what they meant.

There was an order of things, these shamack aliens would never understand. Purple Throats came from the swamps and dwelled in mud and dirt and there were so many of them. It was only natural that they belonged at the bottom and existed only to serve.

How rare was a White Throat? How hard was it for them to tease out a living in the harsh desert? It was the will of the All-eating Snake Zazz and the All-powerful Invisible Lizard Uzzz and it was good and obeyed since times begun.

Warazz, an almost white and trusted adviser came onto the balcony, his body bent into the shape of obedience and his tail between his lower legs to signal he could not lash out with it.

Suzhz gestured with all four hands over the city that sprawled in all directions to the very horizon. “Unbend thyself my old friend and behold. Such magnificence will not be seen again for a long time.”

Warazz straightened himself and walked to the railing putting all four of his clawed hands on it. “Indeed, First Nestling, and it might as well be the last Zazz-Uzzz that Shiss will know.”

Suzhz did not mention that he had a similar thought just moments ago. “Do you really believe the Nul will join the Union?”

“They have done so already. I received very reliable reports that the Union is about to share the secret of their Translocator Cannons with the Nul. Now the four armed terrors of the past, the ones still remembered as the Y'All have been found and made Union members.”

Warazz turned. “We cannot stand against the Nul if they have Union shields and Translocators.”

The First Nestling did not look into the face of his adviser, “It will take many decades to integrate the brutish Nul and who knows what the Kermac think about the whole development.”

Warazz did not agree. “No one ever believed the Klack would join anything and when they did all our scholars agreed it would not last.”

Warazz pointed into the sky and with lot of imagination perhaps even into the direction of the Klack Hegemony. “Yet today no one questions or doubts that these crawling menaces are as Union as these filthy war monkeys from Earth. The Klack queen, a beloved icon far beyond Klack boundaries. Now there are reports that the All Leader of the Nul gives tours of the Nul palace to Union school classes and plays Grubbs and Eggs with the Saran queen."

He was not done speaking as he turned to face the first nestling. "Recently the Siucra dared to destroy a Union Explorer. The Queen herself sent her precious ancient battle moon to rescue a handful of humans. My liege, these moons are sacred and have not been moved since the Y’All came for the first time. It illustrates more than anything how wrong our scholars were. No one believed the Narth would ever partake in anything and yet they are Union members.

Now completely unexpected hidden and previously unknown passageways to other galaxies became active.

The Union is prepared, we are not. First Nestling, it will happen quick and all the Nul need is a little incident to step before their Assembly and cry foul and then they will declare war.”

“Then let us take steps to prevent that until we can devise a path for our people.”

Another Shiss came onto the balcony and only bowed briefly then he said. “The Incident the Union Assembly needed has been delivered by your Cousin, first Nestling! Hazzzock has destroyed every Union communication buoy and is attacking and destroying every colony on worlds that he deemed were once his.”

The Shiss entering was the Ambassador to the Union; the First Nestling had appointed the Ambassador himself. "Your cousin has returned, after he disappeared through one of these passages."

Warazz, the proud warrior dropped to his knees before the twin columns representing their highest Gods and lowered his head and retracted his spine comb. “All Eating Snake and Invisible Lizard, let this not be the last Zazz-Uzzz.”

The First Nestling got up and said. “Waste not time on superstition and stone effigies, call upon the Host of Shiss and let everyone able to carry arms prepare. We shall face this as Shiss and if we must perish we will die like Shiss.”

The Ambassador said: “Your highness reconsider. Reign in your Cousin and offer reparations.”

“Hazzzock is Hazzzock and nothing short of the All-eating Snake himself could reason with him now. He will not stop, not listen. He is old and he is proud. He prepared for this move for ages, to him one of these passages is not secret.

To stop him I would have to do it by force and I shall not. No, Ambassador your job has ended; words and treaties have lost their value. Let us answer any aggression of the Union against our kind with a response they will still remember in a million years.”

The Ambassador said. “So it shall be, First Nestling. I too will fight but I fear it is all that will remain of Shiss Ta will be filed reports in their archives.”

“Defeat is not certain. The Karthanians, the Dai, the shattered Kingdoms the Togar and most of all the Kermac have much to fear from a Union that now has added the Nul.”

"The Karthanian First Engineer has been woken, the bone faces for all their Xenophobia, considering Union membership. The Dai that remain unbound are a shadow of their former self. Cam Elf-Na has not been seen or spoken off and none you mentioned are our allies.” Said Warazz.

The Ambassador was still trying to prevent war and said. “First Nestling reconsider, even if they all fight side by side with us, we will only delay the inevitable. I do not fear the Klack or the Nul, but the Terrans as they will not stop until we are utterly gone!”

--""—

== CHAPTER 3: Cobalt Springs ==

Cobalt Springs was the second planet around an orange K spectrum sun in a system with eight planets, an asteroid belt and many moons. Cobalt Springs was a beautiful blue and green planet when seen from space. It had been colonized by Union settlers only about 60 years ago. The space around the system was deemed unclaimed by both the Nul and the Union, but once had been considered a Shiss system and part of Hazzzock’s realm.

Valthim cocked his head and put down the cards he was holding, playing a game of solitaire. “We just dropped out of Quasi Space. That means we are decelerating into Tangerine system.”

Lady Luna who had not spoken a single word sitting removed from the rest of the passengers looking pale and sickly said with wide eyes. “I thought the next stop we make would be Cobalt Springs?”

Daphne sat reclined and not very lady like in her seat and rolled her eyes.

“You haven’t traveled much have you? Tangerine is the name of the System, Cobalt Springs is the name of the second planet and also the name of the Colony there.”

Valthim gave Daphne a scolding glare. “Not everybody is compelled to move on every so often.”

Peacock opened his sample box and said to Boone. “Dr. Boone, for local information about this colony I would consider letting you sample another one of my whiskeys.”

Doc Boone who had dozed for most of the time straightened up in his seat. “My dear Hitchcock, you are a man of my heart.”

“Peacock, my name is Peacock.”

Boone rubbed his hand across his face and said. “Well, Cobalt Springs is environmentally pretty much the opposite of Rigo’s.

The planet is in the innermost life zone region and overgrown from pole to pole with the densest Jungles known to the Union, well perhaps not as dense as Green Hell and certainly not as dangerous. Even though it does have its life threatening challenges, I’ve been there a few times in my capacity as a physician.”

At Boone said that, Sprewell snickers. “You are as much a Physician as this bus is a Luxury liner. You couldn’t cure a hangnail.”

Boone straightened even more and looks offended and angry into Sprewell’s direction. “I happened to be the Chief Medical Officer aboard a Union Battleship. You could not begin to understand what training and skills I needed to get such a posting.”

Sprewell was now even more amused and Valthim too smiled with contempt and said. “You are nothing but a windbag. No Union Fleet Officer would ever sink so low and beg a stranger for liquor samples.”

Peacock however handed doc the little bottle. “Do go on, Mr. Boone, about Cobalt Springs I mean.” Everyone noticed that Peacock no longer addressed Boone with his medical title.

Boone took the bottle with a slight hesitation and it is clear that his desire for alcohol became stronger than his sense of self dignity and only Daphne noticed the sparkling tear that shimmered in Doc Boone’s eye. He cleared his throat and said to Peacock. “Cobalt Springs the settlement is built on pillars above a large swamp. The humidity almost always hovers around 100 percent and then it rains. Average temperature is around fifty degrees and visibility seldom exceeds 10 meters. While it has plenty of water it stinks, to standard Terrans it is almost unbearable.”

Peacock shuddered and then said. “There are bars, right?”

“Oh yes there are, four of them. The Thousand Molds Saloon is the biggest.”

“What is the industry there?”

Doc Boone unscrewed the little bottle and drained it in one swallow.

“Biggest company would be Blue Tree Oil Inc. They make an exotic food and cosmetic oils from a local tree nut. Then there is Nut farmers, Jungle Scavengers, Exotic Wood Cutters, Insect collectors and Wunka Hunters. Shaill love the place.”

Baldi had taken the bus down and as they passed the first clouds. Water currents were dripping in heavy streaks across the front viewport. The local sun looked like a pale orange and was barely penetrating the heavy fog.

Wilcox, shuddered. “I’ve been here three times and every time I hoped it would be the last.”

Baldi shrugged. “Thousand Molds has a very good menu. The guy that runs it is from Earth and what he calls Creole cookin’ is worth a trip all the way from Blue Moon, trust me.”

Through the fog the lights of the settlement became visible. Thousands of strong lights with huge soft halos peeled the shadowy outlines of buildings and structures from the soupy conditions as they descended further.

The local landing field, now right below the space bus was a hexagonal platform big enough to accommodate the Meteor class freighters that came once a month to collect the local wares. Unseen from above were the immense Duro Crete pillars keeping it about ten meters above the jungle canopy and hundred meters above the soaky swamp ground.

Along with the bus the twenty Apaches descend, looking almost like huge green glowing insects in the soupy mist.

Baldi released a huge sigh of relieve as he powered down the engines and said. “That was cutting it close, we were almost at a 190.”

Wilcox got up and smiled. “Well at least we did not run in any Shiss or Dai.”

Baldi gave him a smile and then opened the Inter ship Communicator. “Dear Passengers, we have arrived at Cobalt Springs. Due to necessary maintenance we will leave for Shallow not before 0500, that is in eight hours. For those who leave us here I like to thank you for choosing the Coreward Space Bus Company as your transportation provider.”

A flexible tunnel attached itself at the main hatch of the bus and seconds later the heavy airlock door moved aside. Lady Luna was the first, eager to leave the bus and find her husband. Valthim wordlessly took her bag. She acknowledged his service with the faintest nod and then paid no further attention to the man. Yet to the others it seemed as she had paid him a million credits. Valthim looked as if he just had been knighted.

A short slide belt ride through that transparent tunnel took the passengers to a large elevator at the edge of the platform. As they entered the elevator, Peacock tried carefully to remain in the middle of the big transparent elevator car, as it descended past the tree canopy towards the actual settlement

As the elevator doors opened the passengers got their first feel for the local conditions. The heat and the humidity was almost like a solid wall.

Baldi having been here many hundred times, lost no time and walked out to greet a huge spider like being. “Hi Frabbel, can you go up and check the Lines? We had some heat problems. Emerson is already taking it apart.”

Lady Luna recoiled in fear and a distressed shriek came from her lips, as she sees the spider.

Baldi turned annoyed. “No need to act like that, ma’am. This is Frabbel from Archa and he is our local engineer.”

Luna simply ignored him and rushed on across the metal graded walkway towards the buildings of the town.

Valthim behind her turning to Baldi. “I expect you to keep your monsters out of sight while she is around.”

Baldi stepped closer and pointed his finger at Valthim's nose. “She can take a bath in the swamp for all I care and you better watch your mouth or you can find other transportation."

Valthim swallowed whatever he wanted to say and made his way after the lady.

Even though it is was about midday in local time, there was virtually no day light down here. The light came from pole mounted flood lights and despite the strong lights everyone and everything looked like a ghostly shape after only a few meters. Beyond the chest high metal railings was the jungle but it appeared more or less like a black wall.

The atmosphere was so wet, Wilcox was soaked to the skin after only a few meters out of the Elevator.

Doc Boone had slipped on his Union fleet coat, as old as it was it still worked and repelled most of the moisture. “Come on Mr. Peabody. I’ll introduce you to Amos Sanders the owner of the Thousand Molds Saloon.”

“My name is Peacock, Mr Boons but I will take advantage of your offer.”

Peacock and Boone arrived at the saloon only to find most of the other passengers there as well. A man with slick black hair and a fine mustache walked past everyone and greeted Boone warmly. “Mon Ami, Doc Boone, how delightful to see you, but all my kids are fine and my dear wife is not expecting. How did you get here?”

“Why? with the bus of course.”

“We didn’t think the bus would come with the Old Gray Throat rising hell all around the region. Everyone who could has left.”

Sprewell interrupted. “Where are the troops of this station?”

Lady Luna standing somewhat lost in the guest room rushed over. “Yes where is Captain Lodyn? I was told he would be here.”

The Saloon owner spread his arms. “There are no soldiers here, except the ones that came with you.”

One of the locals sitting at a table of the Saloon turned. “Captain Lody was here. Got orders night before last to support the colonists at Bumblebee, repelling an attack there."

The Thauran noble lady looked very upset and disturbed, it seemed she was trying hard to be courageous as she turned away to sit down on an upholstered sofa by the door.

Just then a young human man entered the room. He was wearing a Bioseal suit along with Terran All Terrains and set of SII TKU 09's in a double hip holster and with a smile he approached the Ship master.” Hello Baldi?”

“Hawk, what a surprise. Figured you bein’ in Benton’s by now.”

“I would be, but I had a run in with a Shiss fighter, shot my ride to pieces. Barely made it here.”

Wilcox stepped into the light, his TKU leveled. “Hi Mr. Hudson.”

Hawk turned smoothly. “Hello Mr Wilcox.”

If the man was impressed by the TKU he didn’t show it. He smiled. “Didn’t expect you providing Federal Escort for the Bus, Mr Wilcox.”

“Figured I would run into you, somewhere along the way, Hawk. I take those Oh-Nines now.”

To everyone watching it seemed the stranger was contemplating drawing them instead, but at that moment the Army Captain and two of his troops in their augmented and armed flight battle suits came in.

The man, Baldi had called Hawk eyed them and then unclasped his gun belt from hips and legs and held it towards Wilcox with an unreadable expression.

Wilcox took the guns and said. “Mr. Hudson you are under arrest.”

The ranger then pulled a pair of plastic cuffs from his leg pocket and fastened them around the man’s wrists.

Now with his hands tied the man said. “You haven’t won yet. Mr. Wilcox. The truth will come out and I will kill the men who murdered my father and my brothers.” After a sight pause he added." And those who hide behind badges and sell it to the highest bidder.”

“Shut up Hawk, you going back to the pen and that’s the end of it.”

The Army Captain who paid little attention to the arrest, said to everyone. “The troops that were supposed to be here have been dispatched to Shallow. Since we cannot reach Headquarters, I must follow orders and return to Fort Three Corners.”

Baldi shrugged. “Well that means as soon as the Cooling lines are fixed we are going back as well.”

Sprewell stepped up and raised his voice, “I have important business in Benton’s. I purchased a fair and it is your duty to get us there. That’s why your company gets those outrages subsidies.”

Then the DeNoir manager turned to the Lieutenant. “And it’s your duty, my boy, to come along with us and give us protection.”

The Army Officer tried to remain polite but his tone was sharp. “It’s my duty, Mr. Sprewell, to obey orders. I’m sorry. We are the Army we are not here to protect any Will and Jones.”

Doc Boone raised his finger. ”Actually that is your only duty, my Son. I am a former Officer of the Fleet and all the Armed Forces exist for this very reason only...”

The Army Lieutenant got angry. “I am not discussing Army business and my orders with civilians and a drunk want-to-be Officer. I got my orders to escort you to Cobalt Springs and then return and that is what I do. What the civilians do is none of my business but the Bus is a designated Post ship and you carry a dispatch of the Army and you must go to Benton’s.”

Doc Boone muttered. “I might be a drunk but you have been an Officer the longest time when I make it to Benton’s. The folks in Rigo are right. What this region needs is a Fleet Base and what the Union needs is to get rid of this useless branch.”

The Captain snorted while looking down his nose at Boone. "The fleet is over rated and overfunded." Then turned on his heels and stomped out with his two men right behind him.

Baldi said. “The bus is going to Benton’s. The troops are at Bumblebee and maybe they give us escort to Shallow from there it isn’t far to Benton’s Colony, but we won’t go anywhere tonight. We leave at 0500 and anyone is welcome to come along at their own risk.”

Wilcox shoved his gun in Hawk's back. “We will be on it, he has an appointment with the Federal Police there, but till then I will lock him up with the local Sheriff.”

With a resolute shove, Wilcox shoved the cuffed man out the door.

Just then from a door marked private, a pretty black haired woman appeared and joined the Saloon owner looking almost like his sister. “Doc Boone, why did no one tell me you’re here. How have you been?”

Doc Boone putting his hand on Peacock’s shoulder. “Let me tell you over a bowl of your gumbo and then introduce you to my new friend, Mr. Pearson.”

Peacock smiled at the Saloon owner. “Peacock, my name is Peacock and I represent Thomspons Bar Supplies.”

Lady Luna still sitting on the bench looking forlorn when Valthim brought her a cup of tea. “Your excellency, why don’t you sit over there by the Air Conditioner it is much cooler there.”

She actually acknowledged him for the first time. “Do we know each other from somewhere?”

“I am Thauran my Lady and it is my sacred duty to see that the daughter of the Baron of Swandyr comes to no harm.”

“You do know me, know my family, my father.”

“I am but a humble servant.”

She asked no further questions, to her it was perfectly normal to have dedicates servants.

Daphne also looked a little forlorn but then made eye contact with one of the locals that were still around and smiled.

The human man grinned widely and waved her over and in no time they were talking and she was giggling.

--""--

Wilcox and Hawk dripped with water and sweat as they entered the office of the local law enforcement agent. A neon blue five pointed star and the illuminated word 'Sheriff' above the door showed them they found the right place.

Wilcox however was surprised to find a blackish giant slug behind the counter. The local sheriff was a Shaill.

Wilcox snarled. “Where is Melvin?”

The Shaill’s voice box was modulated to a pleasant low male tone and said. “And good afternoon to you, Ranger Wilcox. I am the duly elected Sheriff of Cobalt Spring. My predecessor Melvin Shuster was arrested for taking bribes among other quite unlawful activities.”

Wilcox sounded a little less harsh and gruff as he said. “I have arrested an escaped convict and want to place him into your jail until we can leave tomorrow.”

The Shaill wiggled his feeler stalks and said. “Of course Ranger Wilcox, this makes it an official affair and I will report that you arrested Mr. Hudson without incident and that he was in good health.”

Wilcox blinked and said. “What are you trying to say, Sheriff?”

“That I am a law abiding mollusk, Mr. Wilcox, I can’t be bribed. No amount of Carpenter’s credits can make me sell out and that I expect Mr. Hudson to arrive healthy and alive at Benton’s.”

Wilcox slammed his flat hand on the counter. “You be careful Mollusk. I am the Ranger in these parts and the judge at Benton’s has already convicted this man.”

“Then it may come as a surprise to you when I tell you there is a real District Court at Benton’s now, with a Federal Police precinct. You know the kind using Poly analyzers and such.”

Wilcox said. “Makes no difference to me. I got a clean nose and a long distinctive career. Now put that man behind force fields.”

“Of course right after you identified yourself properly and showed me your credentials. Then we fill out a report together and only then I will take temporary custody of Mr. Hudson.”

--""--

=== Leaving Cobalt Springs ===

GalNet 

The Union Army Apache Gunship manufactured by Enroe was an excellent Orbital assault support craft. It had six SII Long Range Plasma Cannons and could operate in almost any environment. Originally designed as fast gun platform to support ground troops during orbital assaults, its Plasma cannons could pour a lot of fire very fast into enemy ranks and fortifications. It was known as a superb battle walker and robot killer, but was never really designed to be a space fighter.

To adapt it to that role, it had been upgraded with four Sparrow ship to ship missiles, long range engines and bigger fuel-tanks; as well as beefed up ParaDim Shields.

Until the last Y’All Invasion over 500 years ago, the United Stars Army had only been used as a planetary defense force. After that war, the general public was eager to beef up military wherever possible and a clever Army General used that sentiment to get the Assembly broaden the Army’s scope and mission. It got a bigger budget and was charged to provide security not only to planets but frontier regions. It was the dawn of Deep Space Forts and ‘Cavalry patrols’.

By charter, the Army could not have Space ships as that would infringe on the fleet and no one could make a logical argument why “two” fleets were needed. It was hard enough for the traditionalists to redefine the role of the Army in the first place.

So they got around that by designating their space units boats and barges.

Translocator cannons, Loki torpedoes and similar weapons were deemed too big and too powerful for Planet surface fighting, and so the Army did have very limited faster than light weaponry and no Faster than light platforms with capital weapons.

Their space forts and planetary defense units did have TL batteries of course but Space forts were stationary and needed to be towed by Fleet tugs or barges to change location.

--“”--

Captain Lody always had been a proud Union Army officer and considered the Army the elite of all military. This was especially the case just yesterday when he left Bumblebee with forty Apache Long Range Gunships, his own troop and those of the Bumblebee Garrison. A civilian craft had made it to Bumblebee and reported Shiss attacking Shallow.

They had reached Shallow and saw two Shiss ship flee the system as they came. Lody and everyone else believed the Shiss were fleeing because the Army had arrived. So he landed his troops and prepared for a possible Orbital Attack. Repelling landing troops was exactly what the Army was good at and trained for.

If the Shiss had taken the fight to the planet surface, things would have been different indeed, but Hazzzock came into the system with eighteen Kashir cruisers, the latest frigate sized Shiss warship designed to go against Nul and Union war ships. They bombarded the Army base and the colony from space and forced the surviving Army Gunships to take off and engage the Shiss in space.

The Sparrow Missiles were fast and most of them did strike their intended targets, but it took six hitting simultaneous to weaken the shields so the Plasma cannons could be brought to bear. Eight Apaches flown in precise unison could technically engage a Kashir with the hope to damage it, but it also put the Apaches well inside the range of the Shiss PEPA (Pulse Energy package) batteries. The Army was hopelessly out gunned and he had to admit outclassed.

No one would have survived, if not for the six Nul fighter that showed up giving Lody and the last three out of ammunition and damaged Apaches; a chance to disengage and retreat. There was no one left alive on the surface of Shallow.

The glowing pieces of Army hardware floating now in orbit were testimony to the savage, merciless attack of the Shiss. They did not come to take prisoners or slaves. They came to destroy and kill.

He saw the last Nul fighter destroyed on his rear facing scanners. Their former enemies had fought like Banshees and destroyed four of the Kashir, giving hope there was a change, but then nine more Kashir dropped into the system banishing all hope.

To retreat and leave the field where his troops had died hurt him more than anything, but there was nothing he could do. The cursed GalNet network was still down and he could only reach his men. He did have the chance to learn the names of the six Nul that died fighting with them and he would make sure their names would not be forgotten, along with the names of his troops and the settlers that perished.

He hoped his engines held and he would make it to Benton’s Colony.

Captain Lody was no longer proud and he prayed to the Blue Virgin so she may speed up the repair of the GalNet network. The sooner it came back on he planned to call for back up and help, but not to Army Headquarters. The recent events had ripped all his delusional Army confidence to shreds, this was a job for the Fleet.

--""--

Shallow was a beautiful world with one large shallow ocean, filled with fish like serpents, no longer than a human’s arm.

These fish serpents, when grilled or cooked tasted delicious and were sold, battered, deep frozen, fresh and deep fried as “Silver Curlers” at the local Xchange with increasing success.

The growing 170,000 colonist town directly at the shore with Fish processing plants, ware houses, businesses and dwellings no longer existed.

The valley and shore now looked like the cratered waste land of a lifeless moon. Only a few smoldering ruins remained of Silver Curls as the town once was called.

Every outlying farm and ranch had been bombed and razed. After the Army fled, the Shiss did land and Hazzzock's warriors stormed the few remaining structures, used scanners to locate survivors and dragged them out, ripping them apart with their claws. Torturing women and children in the cruelest fashion and hissing and chanting in delight over the screams of pain and sorrow.

On a shallow hill outside of town overlooking the destruction stood an especially tall and muscular Shiss, flanked by three similar looking specimen, clearly sub-servant to the one in the middle.

His spine comb was fully erected, showing agitation and pride. Even though four of the nine sharp spines had been missing for a long time, lost in the many fights and battles this Shiss had fought. His throat folds shaded in subtle shades of gray, only a few shades darker than the holy all white. His left two arms held Terran rocket launchers, his lower right clasped a Union Marine Chain-sword. Only his upper right hand was free.

He gestured over the burning valley. “Yazzathir is cleansed of that Union filth. This world sacred to the All Eating Snake and her children in the oceans is Shiss once more. No longer shall we hide in a distant star isle, but retake what is Shiss, what is mine."

Two of his warriors dragged a wounded strong looking human between them up the hill and threw the bleeding and charred man before the feet of Hazzzock the Gray, and one of them said. “There are still a few survivors. This one dared to fight and killed three of us.”

Hazzzock placed his clawed foot on the man’s head and slowly increased pressure. “Scream my name, beg for mercy union filth and I will kill you quick. Do it not and you shall die slowly watching as I string your entrails around your own neck.”

The human made a laughing sound and then said with a labored voice. “Bask in your moment, scumbag you can’t do more than kill me. Yet you killed your species.”

“I have seen your defenses little human. We have been afraid for too long for nothing. We wiped your soldiers out of the sky and made the feeble rest run like Wulmizzzz.”

The man coughed and then said suppressing the pain as much as he could. “You have seen nothing. The Eternal Warrior will come and he will not stop until the last Shiss world is turned to atomic ashes.”

“You pin your hopes on a myth that doesn’t exist?”

“No Shiss, I die with the satisfaction that Admiral Stahl will avenge our deaths.”

Hazzzock growled in anger and crushed the man’s skull with a savage stomp. “Why can’t you Terran humans die like the rest? Humble, begging for your lives instead of repeating this tiresome litany of a mythical warrior and fantasy ship. It is nothing but clever propaganda that kept the Shiss from attacking you.”

There was a sharp crack and one of the Shiss warriors heads exploded in a shower of brains and blood. Followed by another crack splitting the head of the second like an overripe Kulzzz.

Hazzzock’s armor activated the shields not a heartbeat to soon as a third projectile impacted right before his eyes. The shields held but the kinetic energy ripped him off his feet.

He screamed in anger. “Triangulate on that Energy signature and kill these Benglozz!”

One of his entourage said. “There is no signature. The weapon appears of chemical mechanical nature.”

“Then drop a Thnhzz, by the All Eating Snake! I want them all dead.”

Before an orbital bomb obliterated the other hillside, the unseen Sniper had killed four more Shiss.

Juzzzahk the oldest Nestling of the nest of Hazzzock, stood not far from his glorious father and they all were almost drunk on power and success.

They only knew of the Purple Throat revolt and the resulting war with the Union from whispered stories. It was forbidden to talk about it, so all facts had been lost and all that remained were insubstantial tales of a human warrior that supposed to be immortal and command a ship so big and so mighty all the galaxy could not fight it. Except for a few Shiss raiders no war or battle had been fought against the Union.

The Shiss had not taken part in the 4th Intergalactic War as they were already committed fighting the Nul. Juzzzahk and the other younger warriors fanatically followed the Old Gray throat. They followed him as he retreated mad and angry into another galaxy. After the First Nestling succumbed to Union and Klack requests. Hazzzock did no longer really consider the All White his supreme, but secretly desired to change the order of things, with a Grey Throat occupying the sacred mound at Shiss-Taa.

Just as he was thinking about all that, a small fast Shiss courier craft landed. The Seal of the First nestling emblazoned on the hull.

A lowly Red Throat wearing the Armor of the Pale Dune guard, identifying the Red Throat as an elite warrior in the employ of the All-White.

The guard rushed as fast as he could up to him and threw himself before the feet of Hazzzock. “I bear message from the All White.”

Hazzzock did not turn to face the messenger but growled. “So reveal it then and pray to the Invisible Lizard that I will like it.”

“The All White has called for ZUHM!”

Juzzzahk standing close felt strong pride and rage swell in him.

“The All War has been called. Every Shiss from this day on will do nothing else but fight or support the war until the Shiss alone are masters!”

The Red Shiss added. "The All-White declares you to be the War-Master. Hazzzock, the Gray. You are the Grzz-Taa-Zuhm."

-“”-

The air felt heavy with moisture and was pregnant with strong musky scents. Most of these smells percolating from the jungle swamps below were anything but pleasant. Two robots used high pressure hoses washed down the landing platform.

It was almost 0500 in the morning, the light conditions had not changed since the space bus landed, it remained dark, beyond the glowing halo spheres of the flood lights.

The bus had looked dull and dirty when it landed on Rico’s and now it looked wet and gleamed like a moist creature that had just climbed out of the water.

Baldi had slept only a little and was up early to check on the repair progress. The Archa engineer Frabbel was a genius in Baldi’s opinion. That friendly Spider being from the distant planet Archa could have worked for SII Gray Lines as Chief Engineer, yet the spider worked for Coreward Bus and stayed at Cobalt Springs.

Of course, Archa’s were known to be utterly dedicated to their friends and no amount of money could ever entice them to abandon friends to advance their own career. Frabbel was friends with many locals.

The arachnid raised his first pair of legs in a defeated manner. “I did the best I could but I can’t make a net without silk. The unit needs to be replaced plain and simple. Problem is, I don't have one.”

Baldi looked at the quite beautiful looking maze of stainless steel lines, field projector heads and platinum tipped line holders, that Frabbel and Emerson had exposed by removing panels and secondary insulation segments. “So will it hold to Benton?”

The Spider said. “If you keep your engines below red line you could make it to Archa and back. If you need to run, don’t run for long or those who pursue you will be treated to a pretty energy cloud.”

Baldi sighed. “I can’t shake the feeling we will need to get everything out of these engines before I can sit down and tell all this to my grandchildren.”

Frabbel said. “That is why I go along for this run.”

Baldi could not heard much better news this morning and said. “When are we ready?”

“Emerson and I are done with the repairs. All we need to do is put the panels back on.”

-“”-

Wilcox shoved the cuffed Hawk before him onto the Slide belt and said. “Time to get you back to the Pen.”

A mellow voice behind him said. “I have great respect for the Union ranger Service, but in your case it is diminishing every moment.”

The Shaill Sheriff was right behind the two and guided its hover sled onto the slide belt as well. “I decided to go accompany you all to Benton. Since we still have no GalNet, I think I too need to see the Judge.”

Wilcox shrugs, “Suit yourself, it ain’t none of my business what a blind Mollusk does.”

“Not being able to perceive reflected photons as you do does not allow me to see as you do, but I am far from blind.”

Wilcox turned and stabbed his finger at the slug. “I don’t know what you keep trying to say with all that innuendo. I too know that there is much more to that story between that boy and the Carpenters, but I am not the Judge. I enforce the law just like you. He was convicted and sentenced. He jumped the pen and he makes no secret out of what he’s going to do. It is my job to prevent that.”

The Mollusk raised ever so slightly on his sled. “Enforcing the law is only part of the job. Making sure it is the same for everyone so justice can prevail is the other part. There is a wonderful Human saying. “All it takes for Evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing about it.”

-“”-

Baldi himself stood by the ramp and was overseeing the boarding of the passengers.

Daphne looked a little disheveled as she came up the ramp. The strong moisture glued her tight dress even tighter to her body, revealing that she was not wearing anything else underneath; despite the transparent pink plastic coat and hood she was now wearing.

Right behind her were Hawk, Wilcox and the Shaill.

Daphne looked worried and asked Baldi. “Will we make it?”

Baldi shrugged. “I can’t say Ms Storm, you’re welcome to stay if you like.”

Hawk behind her said. “I think we can get through all right. Once we are out of the system space is mighty big and chances for us to slip past the Shiss are not so bad.”

Wilcox grunts. “Get in the bus, any moment longer in this hell hole and I start growing molds behind my ears.”

Baldi let them in and sold the Shaill a ticket.

The Shaill Sheriff said. “The molds of this world are particularly tasty and I can’t wait to get back.”

Sprewell also soaking wet, complained “We should not be forced to share this ride with a convicted felon.”

Baldi pointed at the settlement. “No one does Mr. Sprewell.”

The DeNoir manager grunted something unfriendly clutched his briefcase and walked past the Airlock inside the bus.

Mr. Peacock arrived with a satisfied face pulling his sample case. “Oh I wish I could call in that order. This Mr. Boone turned out to be an asset after all.”

Boone too arrived but he was not alone.

He was accompanied by at least thirty kids of several races, all ages and several women.

The black haired wife of the Saloon owner came up the ramp with Boone right behind her.

Baldi said alarmed. “Ma’am we are making a dangerous trip and I don’t want to take kids along.”

“We know. ” She said, “but staying here could be even more dangerous. The soldiers are only one stop away. The parents here feel it is safer for the children to go to Benton than to remain here.”

He could not really argue against that.

Valthim and the Thauran Lady were the last and Baldi prepared for lift off.

–“”-

Emerson helped the passengers get accommodated.” We have the kids bedded down on the passenger deck. So they can sleep and their mothers can care for them. This is why I am asking you to remain here in the lounge. We only got two bathroom facilities so be kind to each other and make the best you can out of the situation.”

-“”-

Baldi gunned the main engines while still in the upper atmosphere and turned off the ArtiGrav lifters. It was against company policy but he simply wanted to get this trip over with.

Wilcox taking the co-pilot’s seat again, just like he had during the first leg of the trip. It was technically Emerson’s seat but the Quadi-ped was with the Archa down in the small engineering section, just in case.

Baldi checked his scanners and didn’t see anything artificial within range and programmed the acceleration phase. Only after he committed the engines and he could see all indicators climbing exactly as they should, he relaxed a little and said to the Ranger. “Leaving your prisoner down there all by himself?”

Wilcox said. “He isn’t armed and his wrists are tied. Besides there is a Sheriff down there. Not that I think Hawk will do anything before we reach Benton’s.”

Baldi relaxed even a little more as the Bus finally slipped into Quasi Space and left the star system behind. “Hawk is a good man, maybe a little rough around the edges.”

-“”-

Sprewell stared at the cuffed man, who sat down on the floor as the seats of the lounge were taken. “So you’re the notorious Hudson Boy.”

Hawk looked straight at Sprewell, his voice casual. My friends just call me Hawk, nickname my grandpa gave me, my name’s Henry.”

Doc Boone scratched his beard stubble. “Seems to me I knew your family, Henry.” He rummaged through the pockets of his coat and found a flat bottle filled with a greenish liquid. Still talking to Hawk he continued. “Didn’t I mend your broken arm when you were, o...” Boone held his hand about knee high above the floor. “...that big?”

Hawk looked at him, sizing him up with keen eyes. Then he grinned. “You’re Doc Boone?”

“I certainly am.”

Boone took a long drink from the bottle and then offered it to Peacock. “That’s liquor they make from a fermented moss back at Cobalt Springs.”

Peacock sniffed at the bottle, then produced a tiny little plastic cup from his sample case and transferred no more than a few drops into it. “Thank you, Mr. Boone.”

Peacock sipped and coughs. “No wonder I was able to sell them such a quantity of our wares. This is quite strong and perhaps a tad too aromatic.” Then he takes another little sip. “But I could imagine the Golden and the Blue would like this taste. It presents a potential sales avenue worthy of further consideration.”

Boone smiled, taking another draw and then went back talking to Hawk. “Let’s see I’d just been honorably discharged from the Union Fleet after serving forty five years and after the war against the Bisok had ended, nasty little conflict that was.”

Valthim turned to Boone. “Are you spinning tails of things you dreamt about? I never heard of such a war.”

Surprisingly Sprewell came to the Docs defense. “The Union fought the Bisok in the Andromeda Galaxy. A society able to stand against the Blue and the Pertharians. Their tech as advanced as the Union. It lasted about five years as I understand but it was quite intense, according to the Company memos I read.”

It was clear to anyone seeing Valthim’s face that he didn’t like to be corrected so he simply added to the insults. “I still don’t think that our fleet would allow such a tramp among its hallowed ranks.”

Sprewell agreed with a nod and a smile. “I do agree with my wife on that, Doc Boone is nothing but a shameful human wreck.” Sprewell looked at the smudgy looking Boone. “Maybe there is some sort of clinic at Benton’s.”

Hawk abruptly turned his head. “It is easy to insult a man when he’s down.”

Boone ignored Sprewell and continued. “After I was discharged and returned to Rico. One of my first patients was a small boy with a broken arm out from the Hudson farm.”

Hawk, still looked at Doc Boone with sharp interest. “That was my kid brother, he broke his arm. You did a good job on that, as I recall he was laughing and playing the same afternoon.”

“Thank you, son. Professional compliments are always pleasing.”

Peacock sitting right next to Boone nods. “Yes, they are.”

Boone placed the bottle back into his coat pocket and said. “What became of the boy whose arm I fixed? He should be a grown man by now as well, right?”

There was pause and the smile vanished from Hawk’s face, his voice had become quiet as he looked straight ahead. “He had no chance to grow up, He was murdered.”

Peacock and Doc Boone looked down, obviously moved and Peacock offered Hawk a small bottle. “Why don’t you try this Mr Hudson. It is our finest Kentucky bourbon.”

Hawk still stared at the floor, then sighed and took the bottle with his cuffed hands. He placed it in his shirt pocket. “Very kind of you Mr Peashooter. I drink it after I am done in Benton’s.”

Almost giving up Peacock sighs. “It is Peacock, my name is Peacock.”

-“”—

Lady Luna once again had removed herself as much as possible from the other passengers leaned against her padded headrest and stared out into the endless night of deep space.

Even though the Environmental systems working at full capacity the slowly drying clothing of the passengers made the air smell unpleasant.

Daphne didn’t really help as she used a small atomizer to create a cloud of strong smelling perfume around her.

The Shaill who appeared to be asleep on his hover sled moved his feeler stalks. “Ah the desire of the female humans to increase their attractiveness with scents has made many Shaill very wealthy.”

Daphne waved her hand before her nose. “It didn’t smell very pleasant in here.”

Valthim glared at her. "And now it stinks even worse, not all of us need to smell like the cheap trick you are. There is a real lady among us and you all should act accordingly!”

Daphne already down, not knowing what her future held; the sudden eviction and the less than perfect conditions of the trip, buried her face in her hands and said with a suffocating voice. “I am sorry.”

Doc Boone leaned forward and put his beefy hand on her knees, “Everything will turn out just fine. There are those who act so high and mighty and yet just three weeks ago I repaired the shredded back of a man, who was closer to death than life when he got on my table. He was shot in the back with a rocket coming from the Gewehr of such a Noble person.”

Valthim’s eyes blazed as he stared at Boone, half-rising in anger.. “Do you mean to insinuate...”

Hawk got up and turned to Valthim his voice was calm but full of feel-able authority and thinly veiled warning. “Sit down, mister.”

Valthim sat down. His face rather put out.

Hawk cocked a one sided grin at the pale Thauran. “Doc Boon didn’t mean no harm and I personally despise cowards shooting others in the back. So let this be a warning.”

The Shaill Sheriff interrupted. “I suggest you all reduce production of your Epinephrine neuro transmitter hormones and calm down.”

Peacock padded his forehead with a napkin. “What is it he wants us to reduce?”

Doc Boone smiled and said. “Adrenaline, my dear friend. A Hormone of the human body. Our Shaill friend wants us all to cool our emotions and relax.”

The Shaill slowly declined his head and said. “You may call me He, Mr Woodcock but we Shaill are hermaphrodite and have no distinctive cultural distinction of sexes so the proper word would be ‘It’”

Hawk also tried to calm the situation asked. “Don’t be offended none, sheriff but I always wondered how a species without arms or eyes could even develop a civilization let alone a star faring one.”

“I am not offended by your curiosity, and you voiced the perhaps most common asked question about us Shaill.”

The Mollusk turned his hover sled a little to better face the group and said. “Our home world is very much like Cobalt Springs. It presents itself to humans as a dark, brooding hot and moist world. To us Shaill about as perfect as conditions can be.

We have no hands, no body weapons, no eyes and without these hover sleds we are slow as well as slow as snails.”

That actually made a few of the passengers smile. The monstrosity of a man sized naked wet shimmering slug slowly dissipated by the beings melodic voice and its sense of humor.

“You asked how we can have a civilization? Much like the Nublus of Thenta 8 or the Non Corps of Bright Star, we can do so in our minds alone.

Unlike the living clouds of Nublus who are able to see and have the ability to speak and hear and unlike the Non Corps who can manipulate any form of energy and thus find conversation very easy; we can talk to each other only by actually touching our feelers. The voice you hear is generated via an implant and a small computronic. It is sadly not my real voice, as I don’t have one. The same technology allows me to hear and extend the range of our feelers so we can feel our surroundings in an approximation of sight. Evolution or whatever power decides those things, made us grow and become big, bigger than most of our natural predators and with larger neural centers we made the step to sentience and that is all we were. Very aware that we had no real way to manipulate our surroundings and thus become a real civilization. We could not share our ideas with larger groups at once, everything had to be transmitted Shaill to Shaill. This prevented any form of centralized leadership, of course it also prevented us from ever developing anything like wars.”

It had become very quiet in the little lounge. Everyone, even the pale Thauran lady was listening to what the Shaill was telling.

The Shaill had made only a minute break in its tale and continued. “It took us millennia to finally develop a way of communication, our sense of smell developed far beyond that of any other known species. Our olfactory senses are millions times more sensitive than the famous noses of Terran Bloodhounds. You can differentiate millions of color shades. We can distinguish billions of scents, different to another by a single molecule. We learned to identify each other by smell.”

Daphne burst out. “That must be fantastic and this is how you got a civilization?”

“No sadly not. Scents travel not very far and how can you gather a crowd when it takes them weeks to cross a distance of a mere mile?” Besides smelling is not producing. In order to use scent as a language you must be able to produce certain smells that mean the same to everyone on command.”

But eventually our bodies developed glands that could produce any scent we wanted. Scents are biochemical compounds and some were very poisonous and had other effects than mere communication meanings. Millions of years passed and we became living Bio Chemical laboratories.

Our home world is not all that far from here but it is at the outer gap of what the Humans call the Orion Spur. It is the outer Arm in the Upward Sector, far removed from any other space faring civilization. Our suns next solar neighbor is over 120 light years away.

Then about 8,000 standard years ago the Shiss discovered us and loved the taste and they did not care about our obvious sentience and intelligence. The Shiss enslaved us and breed us for food.

It was a Yellow throat Shiss, a scientist who begun to experiment. He introduced a new gene sequence allowing some of us to see and improve their eyesight.”

Peacock said. “I have friends who are Purple Throats so I can’t say I hate all Shiss, but the more I hear about them the harder it gets not to get very strong feelings against these scaled menaces.”

Hawk said. “I care none about how someone looks or what they are, but I don’t like it none when freedom and liberty is denied to one group for the benefits of another.”

Daphne said. “Please Sheriff Glombh finish your story, it doesn’t end there does it?” She was the first who actually said the Shaill’s name indicating that she knew it from somewhere.

The Shaill said. “No it does not, because as impossible as it seems one of these enhanced Shaill managed to escape and due to the fact that we are hermaphrodite it was able to spread the genetic improvement over a large group. We then built our civilization with every bit of information we could steal from the Shiss. We even managed to steal a few of their robots and use them for hands.

The Shaill that could see developed a sign language and we revolted by poisoning every Shiss on our world and eventually became a separate sub species, known to you as the Shail.

Then, a Union explorer entered our system only a few revolutions after that poison attack. We did not trust the newcomers and used Shiss weapons to severely damage the Explorer ship and kill many members of its crew. The Commanding officer had to emergency land an escape pot with the survivors of his ship on our world.

First hunted by the Shail, the Union crew prevented the returning Shiss from retaliating and punishing us. His name was Captain Dirk Percy, he was able to contact Fleet command to get help.

Both the Shail and the Shaill received much aid from the Union, including hover-sled boards and mechanical arm attachments allowing us to move faster and manipulate our environment.”

Daphne blinked. "There are two kinds of Shaill then, the difference is a single letter?"

"A single sound in vocal terms yes, a complex meaning in our way of expressing things."

-“”-

Up on the flight deck, Baldi usually had the computronic take over and catch a little sleep when he was between Cobalt Springs and Bumblebee. This time he was wide awake and divided his attention between the engineering read outs and the scanners. They had barely spoken a word since they had left the wet Jungle planet behind.

Baldi cleared his throat, inviting conversation, but Wilcox paid him no heed. Finally Baldi couldn’t stand the silence and turned as if Wilcox had spoken. “What’d you say?”

Wilcox looked at Baldi as if he was crazy, “Nothin’.”

“Oh, excuse me. Well, why don’t you say somethin’? A man gets nervous sittin’ here like a stuffed Ult and thinking about the Shiss.”

Wilcox, rasped in a grumpy tone. “You say somethin’. You been talkin’ all day without makin’ any sense.”

Belligerently Baldi responded. “All right, here’s somethin’ that makes sense. If I was you I’d let ’em shoot it out.”

Wilcox returned the seat in a more upright position and asked. “Let who, do what?”

“Hawk and Luke Plummer of course.”

Instead of answering Wilcox simply stared at the Scanner screen.

Baldi determined to get an answer said. “There be a lot more peace in this Fringe Space of ours if that Luke Plummer be blasted to atomic ashes. He thinks he can bully anyone with his money.”

The Union Ranger said. “I ain’t sayin’ I don’t share your sentiments, Baldi, but you’re a born fool. First place, Luke would kill Hawk in a fight, because Hawk fights fair and Luke doesn’t. Second place if Luke did get killed he’s got two brothers just as ornery and rich as he is, and if Ike Plummer didn’t kill the Kid then Hank Plummer would, or they hire someone who can. It all escalates in a lot of violence. Nope, safest place for Hawk is in the pen and I aim to get him there all in one piece. Time he gets out Luke Plummer will of picked a fight with the wrong man and it’ll all blow over.”

Baldi was looking at Wilcox with a puzzled look. “Well, I’ll be blasted. I done you an injury, Wilcox. I thought you were bought by the Carpenters.”

The Ranger snorted and snarled with a reproachful tone in his voice. “The darn Shaill seems to think that too. Why, Hawks old man and me were friends. “I can’t worry about Hawk who has a temper to shoot things up in Benton’s when I try to find evidence Luke killed Hawk’s brother and was responsible for that mine accident that killed Peter Hudson, the Kids old man.”

“But you let him be arrested.” He didn’t do nothing and everyone knows the story of Luke was poppycock.”

“Hawk is no angel. He is as rough and tumble as they get and he is awful quick with his double TKUs. It would only be a matter of time he killed someone for real and then neither you or me could save that stubborn fool from a Federal Executioner. No, I figured he cools off in the Pen, gives us a chance to get Luke. Why do you think we had two Federal Deputies in town, they aren’t after Hawk.”

-“”-

The story of the Shaill had managed to keep them silent and content only for a little while. Sprewell getting himself another drink was addressing everyone and no one in particular. “I can’t get over the impertinence of that young lieutenant! I’ll make it warm for that shave-tail!”

Doc Boone appeared to be the only one really listening drained the last of his green liquor. Sprewell not even noticing that he didn’t really had an audience continued in his blustering fashion. ” I’ll report him to the Assembly. We pay taxes to the government and what do we get? Not even protection from the Army! I don’t know what the government’s coming to. Instead of protecting businessmen, it’s poking its nose into business. Claims they want filed, mine workers conditions checked. Why, they’re talking now about having safety inspectors even out here in the fringes and what does our Corporate HQ do? Send out memos for us to comply.” He snorted. “...as if I didn’t know how to run our mining business.”

In all his self-important bluster he finally noticed that no one really paid attention to him so he huffed and stared at the main view screen.

Peacock comfortably resting however noticed Doc Boon’s longing stare at the sample case. Using his foot he pushed the Arti Grav assisted case around and nods. “Go ahead Mr. Boone. Select 56 and it should please you.”

Boone is all smiles as he rubs his hands, “Fifty Six, don’t mind if I do.”

The smudgy unshaven Boone made a sound of joy as a full size bottle of the Rye he had tasted first, dropped into his hands.

Peacock watched as Boone taking a sizable drink.

“You claim to be a physician and a Union Fleet Medical officer on top of that and yet you are obviously an alcoholic, a mental chemical addiction that is so rare nowadays. I only know of it because selling alcohol is my business. Should you not be able to see those symptoms and take steps to cure yourself?”

It was Daphne not Boone who answers. “He really was a Union Fleet MD, Mr Peacock. While he was serving the fleet in another Galaxy, his young wife and four kids on their way to Rico’s Colony fell victim to a pirate attack, all hands lost.”

Peacock suddenly looked quite guilty and whispered, but why Rico?”

Boone said. “It might be a fringe world to you, Mr Peabody but I was born there and I wanted to have my practice there after I was discharged.” Boone looks at the Bottle. “To bear life and not commit suicide, I chose alcohol as numbing agent. The alternative is Psycho surgery and I do not want to erase the last thing that is left of my family, my memories of them.”

--"--

Wilcox leaned over and looked at the Navigation read out. “Say Baldi, this isn’t the regular course to Bumblebee.”

Baldi grinned. “Everyone knows the bus comes down the same course at the same time. I am using my head. I made a little detour over to 56454, that is a planet-less white star. No planets means no one cares and no one’s there.

I’ll be coming into the target system from the Z plane and not the outmost orbit of the Y plane.”

Wilcox nods. “Good thinking but 56454 is a Main Sequence star and one of the real big ones. The stellar matter will tax our shields,”

“I can reset shields after a solar flare, I can’t reset shields in a Shiss attack. If they are waiting for us along the way, they wait forever.”

--""--

Sprewell sat in his seat, with an unpleasant frown on his face clutching his brief case close to his chest as the hours dragged on.

Daphne just came back from the bathroom where she had changed and freshened up. Her blonde hair nicely done with some fresh make up in her face, she looked kindly at the pale Thauran woman. “It is surprising just how good it does to freshen up a little. Would you like to borrow my Channel Box, you look very tired.”

Lady Luna pulled herself together and her cool tone rebuffed Daphne... “No, thank you.”

Daphne shrunk back into her seat, flushing.

Valthim leaned forward. “You should ask for permission first to address a lady of such stature and her beauty does not need gaudy clown paint unlike you do.”

Hawk looked up. “You insult that girl one more time and they have a real reason for locking me up.”

Doc Boone also leaned forward. “This isn’t the Thauran Kingdom. We give a hoot about Nobles and the self-righteous high born.”

Even meek Mr. Peacock had something to say. “Didn’t Federal Police arrest the last Thauran Emperor and a group of his advisors for conspiring against the Union by doing business with the Worm and oppressing their own kind? From what I read it didn’t sound all that noble to me and if I understand the commoners on Thauran worlds were quite pleased when he finally got strung up”

Valthim’s hand flashed to the handle of a small Walther Laser he carried in a shoulder holster. The Shaill Sheriff said. “Pull the weapon, Sir and I will arrest and restrain you.”

Valthim glared with unveiled hatred at the Mollusk, but sat back down.

Lady Luna however fought hard to keep her composure and not burst into tears, because the words of the drunken doctor and the liquor sales man hit close. They could not know that her own father was one of the Nobles implicated in the criminal activities. Activities she despised but had known about herself.

From the passenger deck a crying child could be heard. Valthim got up and closed the access door that separated the lounge from the short staircase that led up to the actual passenger deck. Then he walked bored as he was over to the public GalNet terminal.

He was still angry and brooding about the insults, but then he noticed the green blinking light and with an excited, for him a totally uncharacteristic scream he pressed the activation control and the terminal came on. All the passengers, as if electrified got up and stared in his direction as he activated the field screen. A voice came on repeating the message that was flashing over the screen in Standard Union. “GalNet services for the Upward / Coreward region five remain interrupted due to external vandalism. SII GalNet and SII Security are dispatched and work as fast as possible to restore full service. GalNet has increased broadcast energy to all unaffected transponder stations and basic broadcast channels can be received. Currently no two way communication or enhanced data services will be possible. We like to ensure our customers that everything is done to ensure fast restoration of all GalNet services.”

Lady Luna who had also risen from her seat said. “Are there any news of the Army? Please call for Captain Lodyn.”

Valthim said. “I am afraid this is not possible, GalNet is able to broadcast but no one in this region can send messages, but I am sure it is only a matter of time now.”

Valthim switched to Union One, the official Government News Channel. The terminal informed him that visual or Avatar services were still not available, but audio was. “Here is GalNet Channel 1, the voice of the Union. A State of War has officially been declared between the United Stars of the Galaxies and the Shiss Empire. Civilian Traffic to the Coreward sector is rerouted through the space of our new member society, the Nul.

All communication to the Big Corridor area has been lost, as all GalNet Communication extender have been destroyed by Shiss forces. Army Units in the region are assumed to defend the affected settlements in the region. The Assembly Security Council is currently being addressed by Admiral McElligott in a closed session. We will bring updates as soon as more information becomes available.”

Boone’s eyes sparkled. “Finally the Fleet is in charge.”

-“”—

The Shiss 

Gbuzzzh served the Nest of Hazzzock for all his life and his family did for centuries. He was now in charge of seven Kashirs and he himself managed to get a Zhum-Kashir from the First Nestling Shipyards at Shiss-Ta. Even the 400 meter Kashir, appeared small compared to this Capital Battleship, the finest and biggest ship class ever built by the Shiss. Only 200 existed and he was in command. The power and might, the destruction he could unleash and the horror he instill. It had been built to answer the increasing threat of the Nul.

His current mission was to destroy the communication buoys in the region. The Kermac had supplied them with a detailed map showing all the locations of these mostly automated stations. Some were occupied but then destroying them was even more rewarding.

He had just destroyed the very last one, not very far from a Union Colony, called Charlie’s Port according to Kermac intelligence.

Officially the Kermac remained neutral, but they had an inherent animosity for anything Union. The white psi-wizards, claiming to be the true masters of the Universe for millennia.

The Kermac had secretly sent envoys and thousands of powerful Line blast cannons. One such Kermac envoy who was detached to his command.

Gbuzzzh was lying belly down on his raised Command roost and looked at the back of the small framed body of the Kermac and said in the old language. “You served us well Kermac, but Zhum has been called and the Galactic Council is next, and you won’t leave this ship alive. Your psionic abilities are useless against the Shiss.”

The Kermac turned his entire body and said. “You speak in a tongue I do not understand Nestling of Command, did you address me?”

Gbuzzzh snickered. “Oh yes, I just told my fellow command Shiss how pleased we are with your information and told them about the reward you about to receive.”

That caused the rest of the Shiss that were also on the bridge to laugh. The Kermac simply laughed too and said. “Your victories are payment enough.”

Neither the Shiss aboard the ship nor the Kermac remembered that this behavior of the Shiss, betraying their allies was the real reason for the war against the Nul, that lasted so long.

The Shiss and the Nul once were allies and the trust of the Nul was used to lure them into a trap and a bloody massacre where Shiss killed millions of Nul; it appeared that the Kermac would face a similar fate.

His Scanner operator said. “I am getting energy emissions consistent with these Communication buoys only two xaahz from our current position. It is not on the map and just came on.”

Gbuzzzh laughed excited. “They are putting up a new one. So this time we will not only destroy the tool but the Union scum littering space with this junk.”

The Scanner operator added. “I am getting mass readings and it looks to be a very big station.”

Right after the Scanner operator had said that a voice came from the Tachyon Radio station. “This is SII Security. You are identified as non-Union hostiles responsible for the destruction of company equipment and causing lethal injury to Company employees. Please stand down and prepare to be taken into custody. This is your one and only warning.”

Gbuzzzh rose from his command roost and snarled at the Shiss who among other things operated the communications equipment. “I did not authorize you to replay alien transmissions.”

The Yellow throat ducked in anticipation of physical punishment.

“My liege, the equipment came on all by itself. We currently are investigating a foreign program component that invaded our systems just now.”

Gbuzzzh lashed his tail across the face of the Yellow Throat and paid little attention to whatever that meant. He had never heard of a species called SII, but most likely one of the many Union species that supposed to exist. They too would…”

The Kermac however knew and interrupted his thoughts with alarm in his voice. “We should vacate these coordinates very fast.”

“We are not cowards, like you Kermac. Fearing a giant that turned out to be hollow and weak. We command the finest Shiss technology and there is nothing that could stand against us now.”

Whatever else he wanted to say did not pass his teeth; there was complete silence as everyone stared on the main viewer.

A spherical space ship appeared on the scanners and came closer very fast. It was engulfed in a shimmering purple bubble. SII Security spelled across its graphite shaded hull. Dome shaped turrets appeared all over the gigantic alien ship.

-“”—

Bumblebee, as the Union settlers had called the third planet in the Minkor System had been a pleasant garden world with five large continents and deep oceans. Seemingly endless Tundras covered most of the biggest continent and with some imagination it was shaped like a Terran insect called a bumblebee. When the local fall season came around; the shoulder high grass that covered the ocean sized prairies turned to a bright orange. Huge herbivores called Puffies, almost like big combines gorging themselves on the protein rich orange seed pods. Leaving the wide strips of dark, almost black stalks behind, furthering the symbolic visual analogy with that Terran insect.

Both the grass and the animals had commercial value.

The orange grain not only made colorful bread and cakes, it had a nutty flavor many humans liked and had the potential to make Bumblebee a very rich world. The first harvests where snatched up by produce dealers. Three of the Giga Corps: Enroe, SII Agra and Tyson Food had set up test farms and the local business development cooperation received a substantial grant from the Union Colony development fund, used to upgrade the local Space Port to Class C, complete with Long distance scanners and defense batteries.

Baldi opened the Intercom and said. “Passengers it looks like we made another leg of our journey. We are approaching Bumblebee and all looks peaceful.”

As the passengers walked down the boarding ramp an hour later and onto the clean Duro-Crete of the landing area, sun drenched with a mild breeze tugging on their clothing they felt as if walking out of a nightmare. The air was fresh, but not cold. There was a faint hint of fresh hay in the air and the sky was clear and baby blue.

However the space bus was the only space ship there.

From the distant space port terminal, a ground skimmer was coming their way.

Lady Luna once again clutching her cape said with a failing voice. “I don’t see any Army Apaches.”

Valthim said. “This is a civilian port, they have their own garrison field for sure and this place looks as if they have underground hangars as well.”

This seemed to console her somewhat.

The skimmer was a large passenger transporter and many of the passengers recoiled as they saw a Shiss behind the controls. Baldi tried to calm them. “Relax, this is Crhizzz, he is a Purple Throat and our company’s local manager.

The tall muscular four armed Shiss jumped to the ground and Wilcox fingered his rifle more out of instinct than anything else.

The Shiss said. “Forgive me, but the Port facilities are closed since the crisis started and we did not even expect a bus coming through.

Baldi embraced the much taller Shiss. “Twenty nine hours from Cobalt Springs with a detour over 56454 that should be a new record. At least in Space bus terms.”

The Shiss agrees. “Yes you crazy human, that is fast, but why risk it?”

“They made us Post Ship again.”

The Shiss understood and gestured towards the landing field. “They didn’t offer you an escort? Where’s your escort?”

“They left us at Cobalt Springs, but you have plenty soldiers here?”

“None of the Army kind. They left yesterday to engage the Shiss at Shallow, They haven’t returned since.”

Lady Luna pressed her gloved fist before her mouth and with trembling almost screaming voice. “Is this monstrosity saying there are no soldiers here either? I demand to know where Captain Lody is.”

The Shiss hissed but it is more like a sigh. “I know I look like them, but I am Purple throat and we are Union citizens for over 1900 years. I am a Civilian; I do not know the names of the soldiers or their exact plans.”

Baldi sticking his finger directly under the nose of the Thauran lady. “I had about enough of you; you can find transportation somewhere else. You keep insulting my friends; you act like your something better. This ain’t Thauran, Sister and you can stick all your noble nonsense up your light blue behind. On a more personal note, if you are Military you should know soldiers receive orders and go where they told. Chasing after some Army captain during war time in a space bus is about the dumbest thing I ever heard.”

Lady Luna started crying and Valthim actually pulled his gun, but only halfway. Hawk had, despite his cuffed hands grabbed the wrist of Valthim and said calmly. “I can break your wrists right here and now Mister.”

Valthim howled more out of rage than pain. “This insolent bastard, this peasant dared to insult a Lady of highest birth.”

The Shaill Sheriff said. “He is the Shipmaster and has by charter of his company and by Union law the right to refuse transportation to anyone. He is entitled to an opinion and by the second article of our constitution can express it. Ms. Lody may file law suits or complains and do all the thing civilized Union Citizens do. So Mr. Valthim do you want to act upon your impulses then do so and I will revoke any weapon license you hold by grounds of emotional instability and confiscate your hardware for starters.”

Wilcox stepped behind the Shaill. “I back him up on that one too!”

Valthim pressed his lips together and nodded, only then Hawk released his grip.

The Shiss said. “I bet all your nerves are raw and on the edge. Coreward Space Bus Company will pay for accommodations at the local Holiday Inn.”

The Shiss gestured to the Skimmer. “I bet all those kids are tired and bored.”

The Passengers, the kids, Wilcox and Baldi also climbed aboard, only Emerson and the Archa remained behind. The Archa said to the Shiss. “Any chance we got a Primary Cooler Unit in stock?”

“The Shop is open but our personnel are gone, evacuated with most of the town folks.”

The Archa raised his upper legs and said. “Come then Emerson; let us see what we can find.”

The Shiss piloted the open skimmer towards town and Wilcox asked. “If everyone left, why are you still here?”

“Not everyone left. SII and Enroe personnel are still here and so are all the beings of the Bumblebee Defense Militia.” The Shiss pointed at a black and yellow sleeve patch. “I am one of them,”

Sprewell did not even try to veil his mistrust, as Wilcox did and said. “Why haven’t the Shiss been here?”

Crhizzz pointed at two massive towers like structures in the distance behind the Spaceport. “We have them on our long range scanners alright, but ENROE just installed these as part of the Port defense.”

Sprewell looked. “I fail to understand.”

Boone grinned deeply. “Because the Shiss who tried found out why LOKI torpedoes have such a terrible reputation. Those are Loki Torpedo launch towers.”

Crhizzz steering the flyer off the Space port and towards town. “We only got 2 torpedoes left but they don’t know that, and the first eight we launched blasted eight of their Kashir to bits.”

-“”-

About an hour later most of the passengers sat on tables in the Hotel’s dining room and a human and a Shiss female serving dinner.

Lady Luna appeared from the elevators and walked toward the reception. Her steps were stiff and unsteady.

Just as she reached the reception counter, the hotel door opened and a wounded, sod covered man stumbled in.

Doc Boone much more agile than anyone would have thought rushed to the man, gone was the drunken jolly man and in his place a man in charge. “Crhizzz get over here and help me get this man over there to the sofa. “Hawk get me my bag I left at the table.”

Doc Boone removed the blood soaked clothing and revealed terrible bite marks, and gory wounds. “Son, this will take a while but I think we can get you through.”

The man coughing and groaning. “I am Ulf Banner, I am from Shallow, and the Shiss came. I managed to crawl away and escape in my old Poodle.”

Luna stalked closer. “But the Soldiers there protected you.”

The man coughed again. “No mam, the Soldiers were slaughtered. I doubt any of them made it. The Shiss killed everyone.”

Lady Luna whispered. “Killed everyone? My husband...” Luna stepped back, turned halfway to the counter and then with a sigh collapsed onto the floor.

Valthim yelled. “Quick, Wilcox, Doctor. Leave that wounded fool, the lady she is ill.”

Doc Boone didn't turn his head. “I still try to save this man’s life. Isn’t there a Med station with med bots in town?”

The Nul said. “It hasn’t been delivered yet.”

Doc Boone with both hands bloody suturing and clamping said. “Daphne get help and get the Thauran woman to a room. Check her pulse and get her undressed. I’ll be there in a moment.”

-“”—

The Shiss 

Lyrrzzzh had joined Hazzzock only recently and by direct command of his Nest leader, another Gray Throat. His lead nestling was as enamored and excited about Hazzzock’s successes and his brash, strong actions against the Union as the rest of the Shiss nation was.

Lyrrzzzh was only a Yellow Throat, socially just a caste beneath the Grays but in the Shiss society it was a huge gap that could never be bridged no matter what.

Lyrrzzzh however was known to be a brilliant ship commander and so Hazzzock gave him the task to prepare Helzzzhi for cleansing. To the Gray Throat Shiss it was a sacred place and used to bury fallen warriors, to the Union Colonists it was just a planet, they called Bumblebee.

Unlike most Shiss, especially the Shiss under Hazzzock, his Nestlings area was close to the Union border in the Upward Sector and he had seen some of the power and might of the Union. Many of his friends had been Raiders and very few ever came back. Those who did survive raids into Union space told about the mighty Union Fleet and the incredible Union weapons.

Of course Hazzzock did not want to hear about it and believed most of it was exaggerated propaganda. Hazzzock, who had spent decades in another galaxy, was now more than ever convinced the Union was nothing but a bumbling giant, ready to be conquered.

Neither did his warriors, but those who were with him had changed their mind.

They approached the planet wanting to orbital bombard it to prepare for a landing. Eight out of his ten Kashir cruisers were destroyed by some sort of missile. He had watched in horror, as these missiles weapons faster than anything the Shiss could make, utterly destroyed fully shielded Kashir. The weapon appeared to be highly intelligent and countered the feeble evasive actions some of the cruiser commanders tried. The Point defense weapons that were quite effective against Nul mines and Gravo bombs had no effect on the purple colored energy shields.

Bumblebee Colony was not a helpless victim at all. It had planetary defenses capable of blowing Kashirs out of the sky

Lyrrzzzh had retreated to the outmost fringes of the system and sent a courier with a report to Hazzzock.

Hazzzock, he knew was just in the next system.

One of his officers escorted the courier back and with him came ten new Kashirs and even a Battleship.

The courier did not throw himself at the feet of Lyrrzzzh as he knew the Yellow throat didn’t request these archaic forms of obedience in his bridge. The Red Throat said. “Hazzzock sent you these ships and warriors and expects you to cleanse the Union infestation. Do not return or contact him unless you report the cleansing has been completed. He is taking his force to attack the world the Union knows as Benton’s Colony.”

“Did you show him the recordings of the Union weapon?”

“He did not want to see it and dismissed it as you being incapable of evading some expected ground defenses”

Lyrrzzzh cursed the arrogance of the High Castes and their inability to see beyond their own tails. He climbed on the command roost that was shaped like a desert rock and was a symbol of prehistoric times when Shiss lizards sat on Rocks to get warmed by the Sun.” Signal the group. We attack and won’t retreat”

-“”—

The almost white Shiss and close advisor to the All-White was a legendary warrior and commander in the eyes of the Shiss but the truth was, that Warazz never really commanded such a huge force, all he did before was engage Nul units in the fringe regions.

Being in charge of so many ships gave him a feeling of tremendous power and invincibility. To know that these 25,000 Combat Units were filled with eager Shiss warriors who would do whatever he said. Considering his commands to be a direct extension of the Will of the All White, could not really be described. But he also was well educated and he had seen the reports and the visuals from the war the Shiss fought against the Union 1950 years ago. He had seen the reports the Raiders and the Diplomats had brought back and he knew about the reports of the Intelligence branch. He had been concerned, but what did reports and visuals mean, when he looked on the scanners and saw the power of the Shiss Empire so real and so immense. The First Nestling was right, Hazzzock was right; the Shiss stood to long in the shadow of the others. This tremendous fleet had been in the makings for a long time. Meant to finally turn the war and end the existence of the Nul.

The most amazing thing in his opinion was that this was only half of the Shiss Strike force. The other, just as numerous was moving towards the Klack Hegemony and would not stop until Klackt was destroyed.

His first target was a Union System the enemy called Balmung.

-“”—

The City of Bumble was eerily silent and dark, most residents had left, businesses and stores were shuttered up.

All the passengers of the space bus were in the hotel.

Boone had disappeared and so had Daphne. The wounded man from Shallow had been transferred to a room where he rested in the Stasis field of a Space suit.

Sprewell sat at the bar of the lobby.

Valthim stood by a window gazing outside.

Wilcox was dozing in a reclining chair. Baldi and the Shaill played a game while Hawk was glued to a GalNet terminal and listened to the news.

Peacock had been talking to the Shiss female who appeared to be the manager of the hotel at the other end of the bar.

Sprewell nursed a drink and then said angrily to anyone and no one in particular. “That’s all we needed. A sick woman, a gaggle of kids and a wounded man.”

Hawk turned his attention from the terminal, looked towards Sprewell with a disapproving expression, but then turned his back once more, not saying what was on his lips.

Sprewell talked himself into a rage. “We’re in a fine fix, my friends. That damn bus won’t go on and we are stuck here. The Army has no right to leave a public place like this undefended.”

Hawk turned again. “Looks to me like the Army’s got its hands pretty full, mister.”

Just as Hawk spoke, Daphne came out of the elevator and rushed to the Bar, getting the attention of the female Shiss. Daphne has a rushed color in her cheeks. “Is there a store in town?” The female lizard much smaller than the male Shiss said, “Yes there is, the owners left but they kept the door open for the locals that remained.”

“Can you show me how to get there?”

Wilcox raised his head. “What is the matter Ms. Storm?”

“Doc Boone needs a few things for the Lady.” Daphne hurried out the door after she got instructions from the Hotel manager how to find the store leaving the men standing.

Doc Boone arrived in the lobby a few moments later walking straight to the bar.

Valthim looked over at him with a kind of suppressed fury. “You are a fine member of the medical profession.” Valthim spits on the floor and hissed. “Drunkard. There is a woman needing your help and you are down here indulging yourself.”

Boone not taking any notice of Valthim spoke to the Shiss woman in a dry changed voice. “Can I have a mug of coffee please?”

Valthim walked over. “You drunken swine. You are the only doctor here.”

Boone taking his coffee then turned on the barstool he just sat down on, to face the man. “Mr. Valthim I am as sober as you are. I am not in the numb cloud I am usually are. The entire trip you belittled me and questioned my profession. Now you call on it and insult me further. Mr. Valthim I am a peaceful man but if you open your mouth one more time to insult me, I will personally stuff it.”

Whatever Valthim or anyone else said was drowned by a tremendous thundering sound.

Everyone rushed to the windows and saw the Defense towers launch missiles and torpedoes into the sky.”

The Loki torpedo tower fell silent after the last torpedo had been fired, but the SII installed towers on the other side still launched HAVOC Anti-Ship missiles.

The Shiss manager who had spoken into a local comm system said. “I think Hazzzock is here.”

-“”—

SHISS
He had to watch in horror as the surface weapons decimated his attack force, only two Kashir made it close to the planet. Then a barrage of several enemy projectiles reduced the other one to glowing debris.

His ship was the last one, and it had not survived the last volley undamaged. One of the missiles had shredded much of their drive section, however he was certain the Union defenders could not fire again, the weapons they used were too powerful to be used that close to the planet. His ship was filled with 800 battle hungry Shiss warriors and he would give them a fight on the ground.

-“”—

Hawk, he was standing at the window said. “At least one of the Shiss ships made it through. Something landed!”

Wilcox pulled his knife and turned to Hawk. “I can’t leave you bound if we need to fight. Will you give me your word?”

“You got my word till Benton’s.”

The knife sliced through the tough plastic material and then the Ranger went to his bags and retrieved Hawks blasters. “Your word is good enough for me. Here you might need these and let’s hope we all make it to Benton.”

Hawk took the guns and rushed to the door. “I go and get Daphne.”

Sprewell still at the bar looked very scared. “We all going to die.”

Doc Boone very relaxed sipped at his coffee and smiled. “We all die sooner or later, Mr. Sprewell, all that matters is how we meet death. I actually prefer it like this than dying in bed alone somewhere.”

The Shiss woman pulled a massive Pulse Gatling from a hidden compartment behind the bar. Peacock recoiled and wiped his forehead. “Oh dear lord she’s going to kill us all.”

Boone patted Peacock’s shoulder. “She and her kind will face worse than we do. She is a Purple Throat.”

She looks at Boone. “I got more weapons here, do you need one?”

“Yes.”

She hands him a military grade modern Pulse rifle and makes a gesture to Peacock. “Do you want to go down fighting or being slaughtered?”

Peacock shook his head. “I never held a weapon!”

Sprewell however took one of the offered weapons.

Hawk returned dragging Daphne behind him. “They landed alright. I could hear blaster fire.”

Wilcox sighed as they all looked at him for leadership and he said. “From what direction did you hear that?”

“Hard to judge but I say about a kilometer or two from the other side of town, opposite the Space port.”

“All right then get the Lady and the wounded man and the we all take the flyer and make it to the port. Let’s hope we can fight them of long enough so Baldi can lift off with the children and the women.”

Surprisingly no one objected.

-“”—

SHISS
Lyrrzzzh took stock. His ship made it down in one piece and so did escape pods of at least two other Kashirs. He got signals from over a 1000 fully equipped red throats. 200 Battle Riders and 50 Hytzzzy Fire Support Robots.

The light of battle rage was gleaming in Lyrrzzzh eyes as he screamed into the transmitter. “Raze the Union City, killed the Union Filth and gorge yourself on their flesh! Let no one escape, let none survive. These grounds hold the bones and hides of high heroes past. Make their spirits proud!”

The Shiss poured into the Union town. Fire and smoke belched out the first buildings.

A Shiss dragged a woman by her hair out of a basement. Another Shiss angry that he had not found something to kill grabbed the screaming woman’s arm. The two Shiss shredded the woman to a non-recognizable glob of blood and flesh.

The slow moving Hytzzzy towering over the low buildings fired streams of plasma fire into the buildings, systematically destroying everything in their wake.

-“”-

The Missile towers started to glow red hot and almost like candle wax they melted into puddles of glowing liquid metals.

Valthim and Peacock carried the bed in which the pale Thauran lady was; covered with a blanket up to her chin. She seemed dazed, not asleep but not reacting to anything much. Wilcox and the Shiss lady carried the wounded man who was still in stasis. Baldi and three humans of the hotel personnel had herded the kids and their mothers into the open flyer.

Sprewell more than accidently aimed his blaster rifle at the Shiss lady. “Where is the male Shiss? The one who got us here?”

She said. “My nest partner was in one of those towers.”

Wilcox said. “I swear to God, Sprewell if you don’t shut up and pull your weight I shoot you myself.”

The last one coming out of the now empty hotel was the Shiss Sheriff. His sled suddenly sported two snub nosed swivel mounted guns and he said “Go ahead I can keep up easy with the bus and provide rear guard.”

Hawk had climbed onto the rear luggage and freight platform of the transporter and his TKUs roared. The bright light of the super-heated plasma pulses revealed half a dozen Shiss far down the street, in the center of his fire had been two more.

Wilcox more or less threw the wounded man onto the bus, offered his arm to the Shiss lady and yelled to Baldi at the controls. “Gun it.”

The large ground effect skimmer was filled to capacity and was not build for speed. A badly aimed energy bolt melted a piece of the luggage railing right next to Hawk; two more peppered the flyers rear end. Sparks showered Hawk and Valthim, but both men ignored them.

The Flyer slowly gained speed. More and more Shiss came into sight; Shiss normally walked upright on their hind legs and had two pairs of strong arms. A leathery membrane indicating that some of the Shiss could fly at one time in their long history spanning from the upper pair to the body. However they could also drop and use their lower pair as a second set of legs and run very fast, These Shiss were not naked but wore ability enhancing battle armors and the Shiss were running and gaining on the Skimmer. Using their upper hands to fire their weapons.

Valthim’s Raketen Gewehr made a fast high pitched rushing sound as miniature Seeker missiles accelerated fast and each triple series ripped a Shiss to shreds.

The Shiss lady held the Bolter Gatling and poured a blistering storm of fire into the beserking Shiss.

Hawk and Wilcox reduced the attackers, but only Hawks TKUs could penetrate the Shielded Shiss with the first hit

Smoke poured out of the left pusher turbine, Baldi proved what an excellent pilot he was even with a ground skimmer and compensated with ArtiGrav lifters as much as he could.

Wilcox had a blistering burn mark over his left eye where a drop of molten metal almost blinded him as he noticed Doc Boone no longer shooting; he was kneeling next to Daphne Summer who had a black blaster burn mark in her chest and a waxen pale face.

The Shaill Sheriff had flown next to the bus and fired his pulse guns at the pursuers, his sled protecting him with a shimmering shield bubble, but the Shiss fire biting into the energy barrier was overwhelming, The Shiss sled fell and spilled the wounded Shaill right in front of the raging Shiss attackers that did not seem to decrease in numbers. Despite the many killed by the skimmer riders.

The Space port gate came in sight, but even if they made it to the Space Bus, they had no time to board it with the Shiss so close behind them.

As they passed the gate, an Octo bot cargo handling machine rose from its underground storage. A towering autonomous machine with twenty memory metal tentacle arms, usually meant to load freighters. It begun to throw flyer sized chunks of Duro Crete into the ranks of the Shiss. Not far from the robot they saw the large Spider engineer holding a robot control unit and three TKU rifles simultaneously. While waving at them, he directed the huge cargo bot and fired his weapons. The Octo bot was surprisingly effective as the Shiss shields could not displace that much Duro-Crete raining on them like an artillery barrage.

But then several Shiss blaster shots hit the unshielded machine and ended its existence.

The break they needed however came from the automated Space port defense systems, designed to prevent looters and cargo theft. Nothing military but solid SII technology. A high energy fence shot up and stopped the Shiss cold at least for now.

The non-lethal paralysator projectors did little to hurt the Shiss but it was a hurdle they had to overcome.

Wilcox actually grinned as he heard the friendly voice of the Security System warning the Shiss.

Baldi made it to the Bus, a crowd of men waited there already. Among them the Purple throat Shiss.

Baldi did not argue or even lose time on a single word as he stormed up the forward ramp to get the preflight procedures going.

Valthim and Hawk herded the kids inside while the Shiss woman carried the wounded man. Peacock and Sprewell struggled with the bed but got help from the hotel personnel.

Wilcox said to Boone. “Ms. Storm is gone?”

“No she is alive. A glob of molten metal not a bolt, she will be alright.”

The Purple throat Shiss said. “The Force field will not hold them much longer; we stay behind so you can lift off. We destroyed the Weapon turrets so they can’t get the tech.”

One of the men with the Crhizzz wore a SII employee uniform sighed. “We all die here and yet we could cleanse the Shiss off this planet easily.”

Wilcox actually found time to say. “How?”

“There are 500 Cerberus Robots in the SII Warehouse over there, Fleet delivery that never got transferred, but only a Fleet Officer can activate them.”

Boone dropped his bag. “Get me there, quick!”

-“”-

SHISS
The Shiss poured blaster fire into the energy curtain and even brought portable cannon to bear. That finally made the barrier flicker and collapse. A throaty victory scream went through the roughly six hundred Shiss that made it that far. Lyrrzzzh wanted to make them pay for what they did to his ships. There was virtually no defense down here, the wonder weapons that destroyed his ships self-destructed and the only survivors running towards something like a big shuttle. They would not leave.

Through his helmet visor enhanced vision he noticed movement at one of the warehouses, so he zoomed in. “Robots were marching out on the landing field. There was no doubt what purpose these robots had, these were battle robots and never did he see a more dangerous and menacing looking machine.

-“”-

Boone said to the robot that took lead. “Hostile Shiss are invading. Eradicate no prisoners!”

The 350 cm tall Cerberus XI snarled. “Command Authority accepted Commander Boone. Order understood.”

Several Cerberus formed a Cordon around the space bus while most marched with machine speed towards the Shiss. A whole regiment of 100 robots took to the sky.

There wasn’t a dry eye among them. The Robots tore into the Shiss, with unstoppable force, their purple ParaDim Shields easily deflecting Shiss fire. There was no defense against their Nano Load TL cannons, a nano gram of antimatter, reacting with matter and at the time of explosion transferred right into the bodies of the Shiss, past their shields and armor.

The Shiss stopped their advance, as warriors in their ranks suddenly and violently exploded.

Other Cerberus used their Nanite sprayers; deploying millions of aggressive nano dissemblers, swarming over the Shiss like gray carpets of dot sized swarming machines,

The so confident Shiss now tried to flee as warriors left and right shrunk to skeletons and then to dust in mere moments and with agonizing screams.

Cerberus robots were highly intelligent and immediately infiltrated the Communications network of the Shiss. Identifying not only the location of every Shiss but also their Command center.

Lyrrzzzh realized the stories were true, it had taken the full force of all his Ships cannon to destroy six maybe seven of the Union robots, before they swarmed aboard. The whole ship was disintegrating around him.

In blank horror he fired his side arm into the shimmering shields of a machine that just ripped through six kaptzzh of armored bulk head as if it was paper.

The Machine did not kill him. Snake like, thin metal tentacles coiled from the fingers of the robots hand ensnared him and made it impossible to move.

“You are identified as hostile sentient life form, Species Shiss, Non Union Citizen. You are to be terminated.”

The tip of one of the finger thick tentacles hovered directly before his eyes and it split open and a wriggling coil of even smaller tentacles engulfed his head. Lyrrzzzh could feel them penetrate his nostrils and into the small ear holes on the side of his head, more pried past his mouth and teeth. He wanted to scream but he could not. A loud voice boomed into his mind, “Biological Command Unit identified, downloading biochemical data. Brain link established.”

There was no greater horror as he was no longer able to control his own thoughts. Memories, command codes, orders rushed in an ever increasing feel able speed from his inner mind.”

All sense of time was gone; he felt nothing but utter impotence, violated to the very core of his being. The Shiss commander drooled and said with a feeble tone. “Have Mercy.”

The Cerberus had none and killed the Shiss. Then robot filed the Information and moved on to complete his orders.”

-“”-

The Space bus was loaded to capacity. Baldi had taken the craft into orbit and after his scanners confirmed there was only debris and no Shiss or other hostile contact. He keyed Internal Communications and said. “Since it looks like there is nothing at Shallow we go straight to Benton’s. Thirty two hours more and we make it.”

Wilcox took his seat next to Baldi and watched the Shipmaster taking the ship to threshold speed. “How are we on fuel?”

“Since we could not refuel at Bumblebee, and we can’t hope to get any fuel at Shallow. We will be 5 kilos short going into Benton’s. Or about a 5.3 light years.”

Wilcox said. “That isn’t so much isn’t it?”

“Not with working ISAH Pods. Without it we can accelerate to near light speed and arrive at Benton’s in about 6 years, but we will meet our Great-Grandchildren there. Without ISAH Field there is Time dilatation.”

“Well gives them plenty of time to fix GalNet.” Wilcox joked with a serious face and said. “Serious?”

“We can use the Water of Life support but it is not compacted and not refined it might come down to you peeing in the Tanks.”

“You are joking.”

“No I am not.”

--""--

The small lounge was even more crowded now. Daphne, the wounded man from Shallow and the sick Thauran lady had been placed in the cargo hold. The good natured spider engineer and Emerson had shoved the pallets of Prickly pear through the airlock to make room.

Doc Boone came out of the makeshift sick bay even though he was still unshaven, his smudgy outfit had disappeared. He wore the board service uniform of a Union Field surgeon. He had carried it along more out of sentimental reasons but now he needed it as it was self-cleaning, antiseptic and had diagnostic subsystems woven into the material, supporting his natural senses to superhuman levels. The gloves of the outfit could enhance his touch sensitivity, project field scalpels, suturing and cutting lasers and project ultra sound and other scanning beams. This board uniform as nice as it looked was much more a tool than a garment and many features were simply there and used by the physician wearing it without thinking on a purely intuitive level.

The Uniform did so much more; it monitored the environment, his own health and status. The Uniform had cleansed his body of the poisoning alcohol in moments, diagnosed severe liver problems and synthesized an army of Medical Nanites that invaded his body repairing cells, weaving tissue and eliminating built ups.

Neither Valthim nor Sprewell even dared to belittle him now. The friendly, jovial drunk was gone. Doc Boone was gone. In his place was Commander Jeremiah Boone, MD Union Fleet and Ship Surgeon.

Valthim looked at him with hopeful eyes as Boone went to the Serve matic for another coffee. Peacock smiled a shy smile. “Everything alright, Dr. Boone?”

Dr. Boone gave him a confident nod. “Everything is alright, Mr. Peabody.”

The somber mood of the passengers sitting there and brooding was suddenly interrupted by a soft singing voice and soft alien music that soothed the weary minds.

Sprewell was the first who parted the curtain to the passenger deck and stopped cold. Peacock and Hawk right behind him, also come to see.

The monstrous female Shiss cradled a human child in one of her arms while more were sitting on and around her. She was singing in an eerie soft way, a melody both soft and sad.

The kids that had been crying and moaning ever since the skimmer ride were now quiet and some of them already asleep watched over by their mothers who had thankful expressions on their faces.

-“”-

Baldi pointed at the scanner. “We got contacts, Non Union.”

Wilcox clutching his TKU. “Many?”

Baldi pushing the speed band a little closer to the Red mark. “Yes.”

“Shiss?”

“I think its Dai, the big contact could be a Dai Mother. I don’t think the Shiss have something that big.”

“Well maybe they will scare the Shiss away.”

Wilcox tapped on the scanner screen and pointed to a mass of contacts on the other side of the spherical representation of the space around the bus, representing the range of their scanners. “I don’t think it’s working I am sure these are Shiss.”

-“”-

Valthim was leaning against the bulkhead next to the small passage leading to the cargo area said. “Aren’t all the kids up on the flight deck?”

Sprewell muttered. “Of course they are, that is why we are penned up here like sardines instead of using the seats we paid for.”

Valthim points to the Cargo hold door. “I swear I can hear a baby cry in there.”

Just then the door to the cargo hold door was opening and Daphne appeared. Her torn and burned dress replaced by one of Lady Luna’s fine gowns. There was something small, cradling it in her arms, something wrapped in the fur cape of the Lady. The way she was holding it left little doubt of what it was.

Slowly they all became aware of her. The last trace of hardness had vanished from Daphne as she looked down on an infant in her arms, and there was an expression of tender wonder in her face, an expression as old as humankind itself.

The men now all got up surrounding her.

Hawk, Valthim, and Peacock even Sprewell were trying to see what Daphne was holding.

They all smiled tenderly and in delight. Hawk was putting out a finger to touch the new-born child, carefully, as if he weren’t sure it was real.

Wilcox who had left the flight deck to get a drink of water saw them all standing in a close circle walked over and shouldered his way past Peacock, completely overcome; he looked up and with amazement said. “It’s a baby.”

Daphne’s voice sounded as proud as if the child was her own and her smile was tender and of a maternal way only women could smile when looking at a newborn. “It is a little girl.”

Wilcox shook his head. “A little girl? Well I’ll be doggoned." He then complained. ”Where did that baby come from? We had a pregnant woman among the ones we evacuated?”

Valthim, the only one of the group who had not smiling; his eyes intense with anxiety. “How is Lady Luna?”

Daphne answered. "The Doctor is still with her but she is going to be alright, Mr. Valthim. This is her girl, the lady was pregnant.”

Wilcox still grinning at the baby. “That explains a few things, of course I will never understand why a woman would even want to travel in this condition. Well I’ll be doggoned.”

To Peacock he said. “Mr. Peabody did you know about this?”

Peacock looked up and was about to say something, then changed his mind and looked down at the baby again, grinning.

Wilcox wiggled his finger across his lips, making funny gurgling noises, but Peacock stopped him with a fatherly sternly voice. “Don’t do that. You’ll scare the child.”

There was so much authority in little Mr. Peacocks voice that Wilcox stopped and looked rather put out.

Daphne left the men and hurried back with the baby passing Doc Boone who came through the door into the lounge. As he came forward the men all surrounded him admiringly; even Valthim’s eyes showed a newfound respect. But Doc Boone oblivious of the excitement and enthusiasm, headed single-mindedly past the men to the Serv Matic.

Peacock waylaid him, moving in his path, and grabbed his hand, pumping it. “Doctor Boone.” He seemed about to say something else, but obviously words failed him.

Peacock then retrieved a bottle of 100 year old Single Malt and placed it before the Doctor.

Doc Boone smiled from ear to the other. “I doctored a man near death, fixed Wilcox' eye and repaired the severe damage to Daphne’s chest, and yet you celebrate me like a Virtu Celeb for assisting in something that occurred that way, a million years before man ever stepped off Earth. Something where Lady Luna had much bigger part than I did."

He poured himself a drink with great anticipation. “But I must admit there is no greater joy for a doctor to be present in such a moment. In all this destruction and violent nature, life prevails and an innocent new life oblivious to its surrounding is born.”

---

The Purple throat Shiss came out the only other bathroom and stopped as she sees Hawk and she said to him in a low voice. “I know why you go to Benton’s, Hawk. I like you. I knew your poppa. He was a good friend of us. If you know who’s in Benton’s you stay away.”

Hawk looked up into the frightening face of the Shiss. “You mean Luke Carpenter?”

“Luke... Ike... Hank... all of them there together. I saw them. I know you are good and can kill maybe one, but not all three.”

As the Shiss mentioned the names of all three Carpenters a wild shine came into Hawk’s eyes and he grabbed her upper right arm. “You sure of that, Crhizzaa?”

The Shiss female was unable to nod in the way humans did but she approximated the gesture by bending her flexible neck. “Yes I am sure, that no good Hank was in Bumblebee a week ago and wanted to muscle in on the Yellow Corn business. He used the usual Carpenter methods. Only trouble was SII and ENROE were there as well and they are the real big boys and weren’t impressed by Hank or the Carpenters hired muscle.”

Hawk’s eyes gleamed.” Thank you Crhizzaa, that is all I needed to know.”

“Hawk, three or more against one aren’t good odds. I come with you!”

“No Crhizzaa, you got a Nest partner who might still be alive and a fine business on Bumblebee. The Shiss won’t last against the Union and you have little Nestlings.”

“Your father helped us to get the franchise and never seen ‘traitorous Shiss’ in us but friends. We owe him.”

“You owe him to stay alive and out of trouble. I will hear no more of it.”

Hawk walked off and saw Daphne standing by a small view port next to the bath rooms staring into space. The experience of the last days had taken the last traces of rebellious teenager out of her face and replaced it with softened beauty. She noticed him without turning and said in an almost whispering voice. “Space is so beautiful, so vast and empty it seems so unbelievable that there isn’t room for all of us.”

Thoughts of what she has been and how her life turned out seemed to be crowding into her heart as she stared off into the endless distance.

Hawk moved next to her also staring out the view port. “You visiting in Benton’s?”

¨No, I... I have friends there,” She turned towards him, “and maybe I can find work.” She turned away, staring out the viewport once again. “Why don’t you escape, Hawk? Why don’t you escape, you could run right when we land at Benton's”

With a low voice he smiled at her. “I aim to, Miss Storm... in Benton’s, after things are settled.”

“Why Benton’s?”

“My father and brother was shot down by the Carpenters and they managed to blame it on me. I guess you don’t know how it feels to lose your own folks like that.”

Her eyes started to glitter with emotions as her voice turned dull and flat.

“I lost mine when I was a kid. There was a Shiss massacre on the Freespirits colony not far from Rigo’s. This isn’t Hazzzock’s first time, you know. That Shiss butcher earned that reputation the old fashioned way by killing.“

He looked at her in surprise, while she was looking back at her own dismal childhood. He then said. “That’s tough, especially on a girl. Coming from that independent place with all them no good Drifters.”

She nodded. “It isn’t a Union Colony so no one cared. Somehow you have to live, no matter what happens.”

“Yeah, that’s it. Somehow you got to live. Even if it is for vengeance.”

They both stared into space, each deep in their own thoughts.

Hawk was trying to muster courage to express what he felt. Finally he turned to her, with his voice, at first awkward and halting then growing in emotion.

”Look, Miss Daphne...you got no folks... neither have I. Maybe I’m taking a lot for granted... but I watched you with that baby... that other woman’s baby... and you looked...”he grinned “..well... I still got a nice Brown Walkers ranch on the southern continent of Nabtor planet, a nice place... a real nice place... trees... grass... water... a Union Colonist Container with all the basics. Nabtor is only an orbit distance of Benton’s.”

He took her by the shoulders and kept on talking. “..a man could live there... and a woman.”

Daphne’s eyes were brimming with tears, as she looked up at Hawk.

Hawk was looking directly into her eyes “Would you go?”

Daphne looked at him as if she could not believe her own ears. “You don’t know me. You don’t know who I am.”

“I know all I want to know. You’re... the kind of girl a man wants to marry.”

They stared at each other for a few moments, then Daphne turned away. “Oh, don’t talk like that.”

She was overcome by the rush of feelings that possessed her, gathered up the long skirt of the nice travel dress of the Thauran Lady and dashed off.

-“”-

Doc Boone, after a few hours nap, yawned, stretched and then cursed in a muttering tone his efficient Fleet Board Uniform. “An entire bottle of the finest Single Malt I have ever tasted and this blasted suit kept me sober, what a waste.”

Then he got up and went into his make shift sick bay.

Lady Luna was propped up on pillows and Daphne sitting by her side braiding the ladies hair.

Doc Boone moved to the end of the bed looking down at Lady Luna. “You’re looking chipper today.”

She looked at the doctor. “I know you saved my life and the one of my child.”

“Complicated births are my specialty, that placental abruption was serious. Traveling and hiding your condition was not the smartest thing to do, I must say and I suggest you visit a Med Center as soon as possible. I am somewhat limited with what I can do at the moment.”

“You did more than anyone expected. Dr. Boone.”

Boone turned his attention to Daphne. “You should be lying down yourself. You are far from healed and back to normal, young lady!”

Lady Luna answered for her. “She didn’t go to bed doctor. She was up all night watching over me and the baby, while I slept.”

Daphne smiled. “Well, it was nice to stay awake and hold the baby.”

Doc Boone walked around the bed where the baby was sleeping right next to Lady Luna. Then he used his gloved hands to examine the infant and noded slowly and satisfied. “She is quite healthy. Nothing wrong at all, but hungry again soon and you are still not lactating.”

Luna nodded with pressed lips.

He smiled. “Not a big problem actually, but I don’t have the medications and facilities to treat the condition.”

Daphne held up a bag. “I managed to get the things you sent me for at Bumblebee. I got New born food and diapers.”

Lady Luna looks amazed and somewhat ashamed. “You did all this for me? Then she cried. “Conditions at home were less than ideal, I wanted to be with Ronald, away from all the federal probing and questioning. He is my husband and I hoped to surprise him with our little girl. He has been gone for almost ten month and doesn’t know that he is a father.” She sobbed more and cried. “Now he is dead and I don’t know...”

Doc Boone took a seat next to her and simply pulled her to his chest. “You need to be a mother first now and everything else is second. Maybe they have news for you at Benton’s. We are less than ten hours away now.”

Then the Doc checked on the vitals of the wounded man, who also was in the cargo hold.

Daphne followed him. “Doc...Hawk asked me to marry him.”

She wiped tears out of her eyes. “Is it wrong, for a girl like me? If a man and woman are in love, it’s all right, ain’t it, Doc?

Doc Boone frowned. “You’re going to get hurt, child, worse than you’ve ever been hurt. Don’t you know that boy’s headed back to prison or worse he get killed by the Carpenters. Besides, if you two go into Benton’s...”

Daphne listened worriedly.

Doc Boone continued. “...together, he’s going to find out all about you.”

She stared at him. “All I want is for you to tell me it’s all right.”

Doc Boone looked at her with a depth of understanding. There was something regretful in his eyes as he knew Daphne. “Who am I to tell you what’s right or wrong, child? I am a drunk at the end of my road. If you can find a way to make a new life... All right, go ahead.”

She hugged him. “Thanks, Doc.” Then she said. “You are not an old drunk, everyone in there seen what I knew all along. You saved my life.”

-“”-

Baldi’s eyes were glued to the scanners and the Trans light Accelerator band was now right at the Red Mark.

Wilcox opened his eyes realizing he had found some sleep after all. “How are you doing Baldi? You haven’t slept a wink.”

“Normally I take turns with Emerson, but he is busy down there helping Frabbel keeping their jury rigged cooling assembly together, besides one look at the scanners and all tiredness leaves me.”

“I guess that is some sort of answer. They have noticed us?”

“Their scanners are most likely better than ours and the Dai have scanners not far behind the finest Saresii equipment, they know we are here for sure.”

He pointed at the two concentrations of signals. Here are the Shiss and that mass over here could be the Dai, I have no idea why we are still alive but so far they have not decreased their distance.”

Wilcox keyed in a few commands on his console and called up a sector map. “Nine more hours to Benton’s. How we are on fuel?”

The Shiss lady drained her Blaster magazine into our tanks, after Frabbel jury rigged a save transfer method. We might make it sucking on vapors, and we are prepared to dump the Environmental water into the tanks as well, but you’re not of the hook.”

“We all will do whatever it takes, Baldi.”

-“”-

In the lounge, the men were gathered in a tense group. Valthim leaned against the tiny bar with his back to the others; Sprewell stood at the end of the bar drinking. Hawk was sitting by the GalNet Terminal when Doc Boone reappeared from the cargo bay and tapped Hawk on the shoulder. “Hawk I wanted to talk to you.”

Valthim turned and interrupted him. “How is the lady and the child, Dr. Boone?”

“Both doing fine. She’s a fine woman, that young lady.

Boone approached to the small bar and keyed himself another cup of coffee.

Sprewell. “Without that woman we would be in Benton’s by now.”

Valthim turned to Sprewell. “I wish you were ten years younger, Sprewell.”

Sprewell yelled back. “Don’t let my white hair stop you. All we ever got from the Thaurans is trouble, traitors and crooks. If you ask me we should simply kick them out of the Union. The New Siamese Kingdom would take care of you blue skinned bastards once and for all.”

Emerson quite small for a Quadiped was still an impressive sight, came through the door to the freight bay. “Settle down you two or I shove you both out the airlock.”

Valthim again tried to calm himself down and hissed. “In Benton, Sprewell, in Benton you will pay for this.”

Emerson said. “I am afraid the Serv-matic here needs to be shut down, and one of the bathrooms too. We need every drop of water we can spare. There is an independent Serv-Matic in our crew-quarter and I gave Ms. Storm the access code. She is preparing coffee and drinks.”

Doc Boone elbowed Hawk. “In that case you better make yourself useful, my boy. There’s a young woman out in the galley. She’s making coffee. She needs help."

Hawk smiled. “Thanks, Doc.”

Boone grabbed him by the arm as Hawk started to move. “Say, Kid, how old were you when you went to the pen?"

“Oh well, I was going on eighteen.”

“Completed Union School?”

“Yes Doc.” He shook off Boone’s hand with an impatient move, leaving Doc Boone looking after him.

-“”-

Hawk found Daphne in the tiny galley; he didn’t even knew existed, using the Serv Matic there. She turned and explained. “Emerson gave me the door code. He said the coffee here is better and it doesn’t charge credits.”

Hawk nodded. “He told us all.”

He waited there awkwardly for a moment and then spoke, self-consciously polite. “I laid awake most the night wondering what you’d said. Guess you’ve been up too with the kid and that sick lady and all. You didn’t answer what I asked you last night.”

Daphne kept fiddling with the Serv Matic. Finally she stopped what she was doing and dropped her hands. Her voice grew urgent as the words poured out. ”Look, Hawk why don’t you escape? There will be so much confusion at Benton’s. Wilcox won’t go after you... he can’t leave the passengers until all is sorted.”

“Won’t you go to my ranch and wait for me?”

“Wait for a dead man? She turned away. “You haven’t got a chance.”

Daphne went back to punch orders into the serve-matic, leaving Hawk standing awkwardly behind her.

She said. “It was three against one when the Carpenters swore you killed their foreman and got you sent up. It’ll be three against one in Benton’s”

With a hard expression in his face he said. “There’s some things a man just can’t run away from.”

Hawk now all the way into the tiny galley sat down next to a small food preparation table.

Daphne was still not facing him. “How can you talk about your life and my life when you’re throwing ‘em away? Yes, mine too! That’s what you’re throwin’ away if you... ”

Hawk was looking at her.

She said much less intensive. “Just go, go to Benton’s and face the Carpenter’s. Just go and get killed!”

Hawk spread his arm. “What do you want me to do?”

Daphne leaned forward and pushed herself away from the serve-matic. “Would it make us any happier if Luke Carpenter was dead? One of his brothers would be after you with a gun or they send Assassins. We’d never be safe. I don’t want that kind of a life, Hawk. ”

“I don’t see what else I can do.”

She spoke with a pleading tone. “Get away... forget Benton’s... forget the Carpenters. Make for your planet and I’ll come to you.”

“You mean that?”

“I do, I do!”

“Then why not come with me right away?”

“I can’t leave Lady Luna and her baby. With her husband killed and all. I’ll come to you from Benton’s. I swear it.”

-“”-

Sprewell pressed the button of the Intercom system. “Can’t you not fly any faster, Thickheaded cretin. We’ve got to make it to Benton’s” His tone sounded demanding but had a defeated bitter ring to it.

“A man works all his life to get hold of some money so he can enjoy life and then runs into a trap like this.”

Peacock leaned forward. “A trap? You mean the Shiss?”

“Yes, yes of course I mean the Shiss.”

Wilcox responded to the Intercom call. “A little more than seven hours and we can’t go any faster unless you want us to run out of fuel before we ever make it.”

-“”-

There was a sense of relief in the entire bus. Even though the air was getting thicker with smells and the conditions were less than perfect, the passengers started to chat excited because Baldi had just told them it was less than four hours now.

-“”-

SHISS 

Hazzzock stood before his command perch. “Are you sure these are Dai?”

His scanner operator turned. “Yes my Liege. The signatures are Dai-Than. At least three Clans.”

Hazzzock was well aware of their reputation but he had never fought the Dai. “What are they doing?”

“My best guess is they are waiting to pick the defeated colonies clean. They are hunted by the Union!”

They are afraid of the Union? Probably held at bay by the same myths and propaganda stories we had to endure all these centuries. They are in Shiss space, they are in Hazzzock’s Space. They are to obey my will or perish too.”

His eyes fell on the scanner screen. “What is this?”

The Scanner operator said. “It appears to be a Union Space Bus, my Liege.”

Hazzzock eyes closed to slits. “Where did it come from?”

“Directionality suggests they left from Helzzzhi. Perhaps some Union filth escaping mighty Lyrrzzzh.”

Hazzzock was not pleased. “This incompetent Parazz. Not one of these cowardly, weak human maggots was to escape punishment for defiling Helzzzhi.”

He turned to his Signal Officer. “I want Commander Aartthzzz to bring me the heads of these Union maggots.”

The Order was transmitted via Tachyon Radio.

-“”-

Wilcox was sweating like he was back on Cobalt Springs. The fuel gauge read out showed empty tanks. The Emergency reserve was gone to 98 percent. Benton’s was already the most prominent star in front of them and only 120 minutes to deceleration and system entry.

Baldi felt the same way, as he noticed the 100 contacts detach of the big cloud of Shiss hostiles, and accelerating with the clear intent to pursue them.

He pushed the speed band past the red indicator and watched the fuel vaporize even faster and the heat indicator climb to 140.

-“”-

Even Sprewell made an attempt at cheerfulness as he too could feel the end of their ordeal at hand.

He looked at his expensive PDD. “Just ninety more minutes. Well, we’ll soon be in Benton’s. Sorry I flew off the handle, Valthim. Just nervous, you know how it is.”

Valthim eyed him sardonically and said nothing.

Sprewell still trying to make good weather, “No hard feelings, I hope.”

Peacock looked rather proud of himself. “Well, all in all, it’s been an exciting...”, coughing “...but very interesting trip, now hasn’t it?”

Doc Boone looked up at him from his place at the tiny bar before the now defunct Serv Matic. “Well, now that the danger’s past, Mister...”

Peacock looked at the Doctor with a sigh. “Er, Peacock. Alfons Tobias Peacock, My friends call me Alf.”

Doc Boone holding up his empty glass. “It’s most unlikely that we’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting again socially, I’d like to propose a toast. He looked looks at each of them in turn. “Valthim, Mr Sprewell, Hawk and all the ones not present. “To all our health.”

Valthim actually nodded his head in a gallant fashion and said. “Thank you, sir.”

A tremendous jolt rocked the bus, the lights went out and there was the high whistle of escaping Air.”

Red Emergency lights came on a heartbeat later, there was a round melted fist sized hole in the bulk head. Boone the only one with emergency training acted before he even had a chance to think. He had ripped an emergency container of Yellow Nanite Foam from a holder and sealed the gaping hole with the fast expanding foam. Environmental systems were whining in overdrive replacing the lost air.

Peacock stared in amazement at his missing arm. The energy blast had burned much of his seat and his right arm, then he collapsed to the floor with a gurgling sound.”

Doc Boone not losing a second rushed forward and begun treating the little man. “Hang on Alf, just hang on so I can keep you alive!”

-“”-

Wilcox had raised the seat into the Space bus only gun turret and his sensor enhanced view screens showed at least a hundred Shiss Kashir cruisers in direct pursuit.

The Class III FTL forced energy projector was nothing more than a peashooter and would do them no good.

Baldi yelled into the Intercom. “Emerson, Frabbel. I need everything! Hold her together!”

The heat indicator climbed to 190 as he pushed the speed band to maximum.

The Kashir are still at a distance and now only gain slowly. The ISAH Pods of the old bus were pumping at maximum were almost as fast as the Kashirs.

Another long shot peppered the aft off the Bus, but only melting a deep gauge into the metal.

More Shiss Kashirs come from the side. The entire force of the Shiss was now in motion, their target Benton’s Colony.

-“”-

Another jolt had hit the bus, making even the Emergency lights flicker. From the passenger deck sounded the frightful wailing and crying of kids and the voices of their mothers.

Suddenly Sprewell was getting up as if hit and screamed.” Let me out of here. Stop this bus.”

He stomped over Peacock who was helped by Boone.

Boone as calm as could be said. “Hawk please be so kind and cut his lights.”

Hawk got up to the hysterical man and punched him hard across the chin. Sprewell rolled his eyes and sank to the ground. In all this Valthim was suddenly glad he didn’t pick a fight with Hawk.”

-“”-

The Shiss now almost within range for their main batteries.

Wilcox fired, hitting the closed Shiss, head on, holding the pulse long enough to weaken the frontal shields to get a bolt past the shields, but it did little to the tough ceramic armor.

The Space Bus was hit again. Some of its energy penetrated the Turret armor. While the emergency systems retract the seat faster than any human being could, Wilcox was still showered with molten debris and severely wounded.

Baldi was also hit by bits of glowing metal. He ignored the pain and the fires now burning on his bridge and kept an eye on the temperature gauge, it was reading 200"

The Purple throat Shiss woman came through the smoke and started fighting the fires.”

-“”-

Lady Luna clutched her baby stumbled into the lounge. “There is a fire in the Hold.”

Hawk taking a fire extinguisher ran inside.

Even though they all had been brave, they all knew this was the end. They could not last much longer.

-“”- The passengers had no water left, everything liquid had been poured into the tanks. The Shiss ships were literally seconds away from firing range and took long range pot shots at the bus.

The air was filled with the putrid smell of smoke from the fires, Hawk and the big Shiss had put out.

Doc Boone just came down from the flight deck where he was fighting to keep Wilcox alive. “Hawk I need you...”

The Bus jolted again and Lady Luna said with hope ringing in her voice ,clutching her baby close. “Can’t you hear that? The GalNet Terminal.”

Doc Boone virtually flew across the room and hammered his palm on the CITI reader. “Commander Boone, Union Fleet. Priority Contact GalCom. System verify.”

“Authorization verified. You are connected to the Union Fleet GalCom network.”

The screen display switched from the GalNet logo to the Union Fleet emblem and Doc Boone spoke as fast as he could. “NELSON II, Emergency assist request. We are in a civilian space bus and in distress. Large hostile force in pursuit coming into Benton’s Colony. Situation critical, do you understand.”

“Here is NELSON II, Commander Boone. Your Emergency assistance request has been received and rerouted to the nearest United Stars naval Asset. Please stand by...”

Sprewell shouted. “Whoever you are we won’t stand by anymore. We are citizens and have rights.”

The Union fleet emblem was replaced by the face of a man.

He had very short hair, styled in a high and tight buzz cut, there was a scar under his right eye. The chin of the man in the all black uniform appeared as if chiseled out of a piece of granite. The man’s eyes were ice gray and had an eerie quality. Most of the passengers recognized the face right away, Hawk sank to his knees as if seeing a god. Boone straightened into parade ground stand without even knowing it and Sprewell suddenly felt fear, even more than before and he hoped the man on the screen would ignore his outburst.

Peacock raised his remaining hand and a deep smile curled his lips.

Only Valthim didn’t recognize the man but even he could not deny the incredible authority that radiated from this simple projection.

Peacock whispered. “It’s him. The Eternal Warrior!”

The man spoke. “I am Admiral Richard Stahl, I am here with the USS Devastator to assist..”

-“”-

SHISS
Commander Aartthzzz, felt a little cheated. All he was pursuing was a tiny Shuttle, hardly worth the attention of his entire force, while Hazzzock and the others would go on and conquer another star system. This one would be the first real conquest as it had never been a Shiss system.

Less than two Flickzz then he would be in range for the main batteries and blow this bug out of existence.

There was no warning, it was just simply and suddenly there. His Scanner operator hissed in anger as the mass detectors of his equipment burned out, detecting something so massive so suddenly. Whatever technology allowed to cloak a ship of that size was beyond any understanding of the Shiss. The Ship that was there now, had more mass, than all the Shiss fleet combined. The Energies detected surpassed the energy production of a Main sequence star.

Aartthzzz saw the cannon turrets in the magnified view swivel directly towards them.

Several Shiss cruisers too close to react collided with the shields of the behemoth, three Kashir Destroyers, the pride of Shiss power and might fizzled into nothingness as they were displaced by the ParaDim shields in less than a second.

Other Shiss cruisers opened fire draining their batteries as almost point blank range, a child using a water spray gun trying to destroy a mountain was the only analogy Aartthzzz could think off.

“We are being hailed Commander Aartthzzz.”

Before he even could give permission, a voice thundered into every Shiss ship. “This is Admiral Richard Stahl of the United Stars of the Galaxies. My government wants me to give you a chance to surrender. I am giving you this chance if you do so instantly."

The voice was silent for a mere second at most." Time is up!”

-“”-

Hazzzock saw the giant ship on his screens as well and he too heard the voice.

And now he remembered the words of the human he had stomped to death. The name of Hazzzock would not be remembered as the great enabler but as the one responsible for his own kind’s demise.

No! He refused to give up. “Attack that thing. It is just a trick, some sort of projection.”

Someone behind him said. “You are the fool the old ones said you were and we didn’t listen.”

-“”- The USS Devastator opened up. Exo Load Translocator cannons firing and, each shot created a new temporary star, swallowing dozens of Kashirs at once.

Every Wolfcraft fighter of this tremendous ship launched in mere moments. The agile fighters tore into Hazzzock’s fleet decimating it. A full Union battle fleet arrived moments later.

Hazzzock was shaking and had to hold onto a rail.

His ships exploded with full shields. He yelled at one of his knowledge advisers. “What is happening?”

“They call it Translocator, Mighty One. The Union’s mightiest weapon, not even the Kermac have yet found a way to counteract it. It somehow transfers antimatter at the moment of explosion at a spatial coordinate. No shield or armor we know can stop it.”

All his arrogance and bluster had left him as he saw his mighty fleet first reduced to insignificance and then to atomic dust. This was the reason the First Nestling conceded and wanted to avoid war with the Union. He understood now. “Retreat towards the Dai. They are enemies of the Union.”

-“”-

Warazz and his 25,000 ships has crossed into Union Space and was less than an hour away from Balmung. Not knowing that this was COWACOM HQ and a major Union Fleet Base.

He too was hailed by the Union, but ignored their calls. “Let them beg for mercy when I am about to crush them.”

He too changed his mind moments later as he faced Admiral Bill Strother and twenty Union Fleets. Strother did not mess around and launched swarms of Loki torpedoes and then opened up with TL Sniper cannons.

The USS Hammerhead commanded by Wild Bill was plowing deep into the Shiss formation. Her turrets releasing broad side after broad side.

From behind came the USS Shetland, the Union Flag Ship had arrived. McElligott standing behind Captain McKenzie while deep in her bowels the bomb loader crew was working frantically wiping and pushing red casing after red casing into the TL cannon breeches.

Two completely smooth 1000 meter spheres without any visible propulsion appeared deep in the Shiss ranks. Union Letters spelled the words ‘USS NARTH 1’ and ‘USS NARTH 2’ across the smooth hulls. Shiss ships in their wakes exploded in the most peculiar way, not in violent fiery energy clouds but disassembled into their smallest components. The Shiss within instantly exposed to the vacuum of space had no chance. Proving to the Universe, Narth could kill and they did it in a ruthless, utmost efficient way.

Waraz did not have much time to contemplate the fate of his race as a full kilo of antimatter reacted with positive matter transported past armor and shields right where he was standing.

No boarding action, no calls to the enemy to surrender and no Shiss unit was permitted to retreat or flee. Not a single survivor, not one ship escaped.

The Battle became later known as the Balmung Eradication Engagement and space junk scavengers had rich pickings for years to come.

The Army eager to wipe the stain of shame of their record and with full blessing of the Assembly assaulted the first Shiss worlds with unprecedented intensity.

The entire War machine of the mighty Union was turning now and there was nothing in the known Galaxy that could stop it now. Union Space Force bunkers released swarms of the most advanced robot bombs.

Planet destroyers dropped out of Quasi space approaching Shiss worlds.

-“”-

Hazzzock could not believe he actually managed to escape.

His Battleship and twelve Kashir reached threshold speed and leave without apparent pursuers. The rear facing scanners confirmed that nothing else escaped.

The Dai on his Scanner horizon were on the move. If they kept the course they would reach Hazzzock’s Home. The ancestral home of the Gray throats, his palace and his family was there and everything he held sacred.

Like the Space bus before, he urged his engineers to get everything out of the engines. He needed to go home, evacuate his family and try to flee back into the distant galaxy and find a place to hide. The Dai were known to be the enemies of the Union and it was known that they fought alongside the Shiss before. The scanner signals were numerous and one appeared almost as big as the Union Nightmare.

Moments later they dropped into real space and close to the Dai Units. “Hail them”

After communications were established he said. “This is Hazzzock the gray of the Shiss, I am hailing the mighty Dai-Than. Join us in our cause and destroy Union filth.”

The Answer came right away. “I am Tar-Ka Hi, we are Citizens of the United Stars and part of what you called filth. We know who you are, we are on our way to visit your system. We will do so the way Dai visit the systems of our enemies. Now we avenge your trespass.”

Hazzzock sank to the ground taking on the position of devotion, something he hadn’t done since he was a young nestling.

“Not the sacred worlds, we will negotiate, we are willing to sign and adhere to any conditions of peace you demand.”

One of his advisors snarled. "Dai do not negotiate!"

Juzzzahk, seeing his idol the mighty Hazzzock curled up like a Purple throat awaiting punishment from a superior master felt empty and suddenly robbed of all the promised glory.

A tachyon radio message could be heard blearing across the bridge. “Hazzzock come home, our defenses are breached. Union Marines and Dai troops have landed. They defiled the holy mound and toppled the holy pillars. We can’t hold out...”

The transmissions stopped.

Juzzzahk screamed in agony. “Was this your plan all along? What tribe am I supposed to lead?”

Alarm signals blared. “We are being boarded.”

The young Shiss watched as Union Marines in heavy destroyer suits crawled like insects all over the hulls of the remaining Shiss ships. They appeared on every visual sensor inside and outside. It took them less than ten minutes to neutralize the last resistance and march onto the command bridge.

A Union solider in a deep purple destroyer suit stomped forward. A Shiss face behind the helmet, Juzzzahk could see the upper part of the throat folds.

The being was a Purple Throat of all beings, a Purple Throat towering above a kneeling Gray Throat. To Juzzzahk there was nothing that underlined the situation more clearly than that.

The purple throat said. “I am Captain Zezazz and you have no idea how long we waited or that day. The 32nd Colony will be avenged today.”

The Union Captain ripped Juzzzahk to pieces then placed his armored lower foot onto the back of Hazzzock. “This is where your reign of terror ends, Gray Throat. Crushed to death under the heel of a Purple Throat. Take that along when you wake in the nether lands of the dead. With a powerful stomp he broke the spine of Hazzzock, the butcher, then slowly broke every bone, and finally the skull.”

Captain Zezazz opened his GalCom Unit and reported. “The Hazzzock threat has been terminated.”

-“”-

A Union Bison had taken the damaged Space bus in tow and deposited it at the Space bus terminal of the small Class D Space Port on Benton’s Colony. Four Wolfcraft fighters had flown escort.

The Space port was busy. A gigantic battle ship was sitting on its struts like a man made mountain; dozens of Octo-bots rolling back and forth servicing it.

Next to the battered damaged little Leyland Alexander, a new shinny looking 5000 Passenger Space bus of Gray Lines, preparing to go the distance to Coronado an then to Klackt.

A regiment of Marines stomped to a rhythmic cadence towards a waiting Drop Ship, singing loud and proud. The tiny port was busy beyond capacity with military and freighters. To all this came the fact that it was Saturday night and the town was full of soldiers, ranchers and miners, marines and businessmen. Four planets were colonized around Benton Star and everyone with some free time on their hands went to Benton’s Colony to relax, listen to news about the war and party.

Not far from the space bus terminal a flight of Apache Gunships, parked right at the regional US Army post.

Army personnel was rushing up to the bus, alongside emergency personnel.

Only the main landing ramp extended as the one leading to the flight deck was stuck and melted into the hull. The main airlock opened, emergency personnel and Med Robots rushed in.

First to emerge was Lady Luna on a field stretcher, carried by a Med robot.

An Army captain surrounded by Army troops stopped the robot.

“Lady Luna, we received message that you were on board this substandard conveyance. Your family and half or Royal was worried about your safety! Thank the Blue Virgin you are safe!”

Luna turned her head to the Captain “Where’s Ronald?”

The Captain said. “He is in a Regen-Tank and is expected to fully recover in a few days. You can see him as soon as you have been checked out.”

Two fine dressed Thauran ladies pushed their way past the Captain and one of them said. “Lord Ronald is recuperating and knows you are here. He asked us to take care of you. “Where is the baby, dear?”

Lady Luna propped herself up and tried to look up the ramp. Daphne was right behind her holding the baby still wrapped in the fur cloak.

The second Thauran Lady waved at a waiting uniformed Child Service nurse. The Nurse rushed up and took the baby in almost rude fashion. “I’ll take the baby.”

The Nurse and one of the Thauran ladies turning to a waiting Luxury limousine with the crest of a Thauran Noble house on the side.

Before the Med Robot could carry the Lady away as well, she reached out for Daphne and took her hand. She looked up at Daphne. “If there’s ever anything I can do for...” She faltered, lowered her eyes and looked away.

Daphne stared down at Lady Luna sympathetically. “I know ..after all this you still can’t accept the fact that there are people on the other side of the social fence.”

The Robot was urged on by the Army Captain. “Get her into the clinic at once.”

Daphne backed away as the robot established a protective bubble around the patient and flew away.

Daphne paused for a moment looking after the disappearing robot then she walked to the now extending cargo conveyor ducked underneath it and blended into the crowd, making her way into town.

Knowing that no one was waiting for her. The dreams she had ended, as the bus landed. Hawk was not supposed to know what she really was.

An Octo-bot was forcing open the upper air lock that led to the flight deck; then moments later Wilcox was also carried off the bus by a Med Bot lying heavily bandaged.”

After he had reached the bottom of the ramp he told the robot to stop and handed the waiting Army Officers the dispatch pouch and said with deep emotions as he watched the Octo-bot taking a covered body from the flight deck. “He was the best damn Ship-master ever and you forced him to deliver a meaningless dispatch.”

The Captain taking it and said. “I am sorry but he is not the only man who died during this ordeal. How did he die?”

“Burning Metal, burned a hole right through him yet he held on saying nothing until he knew we were all safe.”

The Ranger pointed his finger at the Captain’s nose. “You and your boys better go packing and return to defend planets. With a Fleet base none of this would have been necessary.”

The Army Officer turned and walked off without responding.

Wilcox shook his fist. “Go ahead walk off you prick. I am a Union ranger and you better believe I will take this all the way to the Assembly.”

The Medic next to him said. “Sir, you are severely wounded and we need to get you checked in at the clinic.”

More Robots and Med personnel guided the kids and their mothers of the bus.

Among the crowd watching the arrival of the Space bus were two seedy-looking characters leaning against a guard rail, one of them pointed at Hawk who now stood in the open door of the flight deck with Emerson next to him saluting the covered body of Baldi as it was lowered onto a cargo sled.

The two men watched in amazement.

One of them was thin with a drooping mustache, a real Terran cigar clamped between his teeth; the other, a short, fat little man whose eyebrows raised in childish astonishment and he said with a wheezy gasp. “Hey look isn’t that Hawk Hudson?”

Then the fat man turned and rushed away, pushing through the crowd behind him, hastily followed by the thin man.

-“”-

Past the small spaceport in the bustling growing Town of Benton were many bars, hotels and saloons.

From the Golden Terra Tavern that was only a few hundred meters from the spaceport entrance; music blared from field speakers out in the open. Lights and project-a-signs promised cold beer, Klack sugar water and a new looking sign advertised Nul-Milq and live entertainment. It was only one of several such places drawing guests and travelers at a Saturday night. The town was crowded with refugees from several colonies; the knowledge of a raging war just beyond their orbit made the crowds even hungrier for entertainment.

Luke Carpenter was sitting at a table in the Golden Terra Tavern playing poker, surrounded by other players. A scantily dressed voluptuous woman leaned against his shoulder on one side. The last chip had been thrown into the pot.

Luke was a tall human dressed like the successful businessman he was, in an expensive Archa Silk suit. He somewhat looked out of place, but the ‘Mass assist miners Pick Ax’ he was wearing in a custom rig across his back confirmed his true origin. This tool, normally used to split rock and scratch the hardest minerals in mines and pits, was customized with an iridium inlaid handle and two needle sharp ends instead of one.

He said with a triumphant voice, “Aces and eights.”

A Klack playing the game watched as Luke reached for the pot. “Isn’t there an old name for a hand like this?”

Another human player nodded. “Yes. K’tggsx they call it the Dead man’s hand, don’t ask me why they call it that way.”

The two rabbity men who had seen Hawk came into the tavern and rushed up to the player’s table, the fat one coming round beside Luke and said. “Luke, Hudson’s Kid’s is in town.”

The thin man nodded. “Yes for real, Luke he came in with the Space bus from Rico’s.”

Luke looked up, his face was hard, unpleasant and everyone felt the dangerous flair he had about him. He said to the fat guy. “Go get my brothers, quick”

Luke got up and stared at his cards. “Dead man’s hand indeed. It looks like someone came all the way to Benton’s to die.”

He pointed at the chips and barked at the dealer. “Cash me in; I am done for the night.”

Then he walked over to the bar, the woman sidling after him. He put his right arm on the bar.

Wordlessly the Bartender, placed a bottle of liquor in front of Luke and pulled out the stopper. Then placed a glass next to the now open bottle. Luke poured himself a slug of whiskey and tossed the strong liquor back in one gulp.

The other patrons at the bar all looked round uneasily and gradually started to move. Despite the busy night, the Golden Terra Tavern soon was deserted, only a handful of tough and rumble beings remained.

Luke looked from side to side with a vicious expression on his face, but it is obvious to everyone in the room that he was scared and tried to hide it under this show of meanness.

He had spent many years building a reputation of being a ruthless mean man who killed and got away with it, because he has the local police and the judge in his pocket.

That this was no longer the case as a Regional Union court had made a local Judge obsolete and everyone with a grievance did not go to the local police but to the also recently established Federal Police precinct, had eroded much of his local power. The recent fiasco at Shallow where he lost two of his best hired muscle was something he tried to forget.

He thought, despite all this. One man should not be a problem. He needed to kill that boy anyhow, before Hawk could be heard by a Federal Judge.

-“”-

Daphne had reached the other side of the spaceport and stepped onto the busy road. She stopped a moment and turned around. From a distance as she noticed the open freight flier with Baldi’s body on it and wiped a tear from her eye. Only now she realized wounded Peacock had followed her. Almost reluctant she approached Peacock who held out his left arm and hand. “Goodbye Ms. Storm If you ever come to Earth, you must come to see us, my wife and me. We will be delighted to have you.”

She smiled a shy, sad smile. “Oh, thanks, Mister... er...”

“Peacock.”

Now Med Personnel caught up with Peacock, scolded him for moving away and gently helped him on a gurney and one of them said. “Dr. Boone kept you alive and we’ll grow you a new arm in no time. No worries.”

Without giving them another moment the gurney and the med techs buzzed away.

Daphne sighed, shouldered her bag and turned walking down the paved busy road as a fine drizzle of cold rain started to fall.

““-””

Frabbel, Emerson and Hawk made it to the ground were greeted by the local manager of the space bus company, a beautiful Saresii. She took Hawks hand. “Thank you for piloting the bus after our man died. Coreward Space Bus Company owes you.”

Hawk with a stern and sad face said. “Baldi was the true hero.”

A Union Marshall followed by two deputies presses through the crowd and said to Hawk. “Did you get our man through all right?” Holding up a set of high tech handcuffs.

Emerson scratched his head and said. “What are you talking about?”

Just then Sprewell came down the ramp and pointed at Hawk.” If you don’t want to lose your prisoner, Marshall you’d better take him yourself. He is right there.”

The Marshall was puzzled by having the apparent pilot of the space bus pointed out to him, turns and looks at Sprewell. “What’s your name, mister?”

“My name is Sprewell. Henry Sprewell.”

The Marshall laughed. “Sprewell. You didn’t think they’d have GalNet fixed, by now did you?”

The Marshall and the Deputies instantly grabbed Sprewell, who started to struggle violently as the Marshall tried to get the handcuffs on him. “You are under arrest for embezzlement and theft.”

Sprewell was hustled away, followed by a crowd of delighted bystanders. Apparently they had forgotten about Hawk.

Doc Boone was among the last who came out of the damaged bus and he took a deep breath of the now cool and moist air. Then he turned to Hawk. “I guess nothing I can say will stop you now, right?”

Hawk put his hand on Boone's shoulder. “If you see Daphne get her to my ranch. This place isn’t right for a nice girl like her.”

Boone nodded with a sad face. “Alright Hawk.”

All the answers Boone needed were written in Hawk’s face.

“The Shiss paid for what they did; now it’s the Carpenters turn.”

Hawk checked the charges of his blasters. “This time I am not a helpless sixteen year old.” With these words he rammed the blasters into the holsters and walked away.

--“”--

Hawk managed to leave the space port without anyone noticing. He had been here before and he knew it would not take long to find the Carpenters.

But there on the sidewalk he noticed Daphne still standing forlorn on the sidewalk.

She had now seen him as well. He walked straight up and they looked at each other for a long moment, neither of them really knowing what to say. Hawk had taken her by the hand said. “Come on”

Wordlessly she starts walking, both of them passed loud bars and taverns. Trying not to look in each other’s faces.

--""--

In the Golden Terra Tavern Luke Carpenter dropped his glass and whipped out his Thompson E Blaster as the doors opened and two tough looking men came in, his brothers, Ike and Hank Carpenter.

They both walked straight up to Luke, who was putting away his blaster and nodded towards the door, where a group of bystanders was crowding around looking in.

His youngest brother Ike, wearing a hat, looked in the direction of Luke’s gaze; at the same time, he grabbed the whiskey bottle and reached nervously for a glass. He too appeared to be spooked about the news of Hawk’s arrival.

He looked openly scared at Luke and poured himself a drink spilling some of it on the counter. Luke grabbed the bottle. “He isn’t tough enough for the three of us.”

Ike downed the drink and checked his Springfield Thermo Bolter. “Yeah but he just might be tough enough for one of us.”

Hank swallowed dryly and he too poured himself a drink, saying nothing.

A few beings at the other end of the bar looked on nervously and as tough as they wanted to be, another one of them peeled away and rushed towards the back door.

Despite all the hustle and activity, the town was not all that big. Everyone local knew about the Carpenters and many had heard the Hudson Story.

Hawk’s father had staked himself a ranch like everyone on a new colony when real estate was free and up for grabs. Only difference was. Hudson found a rich Barite deposit there on his land. Even though a quite common metal it was of great value as it was a needed base material to Artigrav lifters and super conductors.

Since the metal was among the most important industrial metals there was always great demand and thus demanded a good price.

The colony being inside the corridor where much of Union commercial traffic went from and to the Klack Hegemony made this Barite mine it even more lucrative as logistics were no problem at all. The Carpenters so rumors said, simply killed the Old Hudson and one of his sons. Officially it was classified as a mining accident by the local judge.

Hawk the oldest son went out of his mind and killed the mining foreman. All three Carpenter brothers and two of their employees swore they saw Hawk do it. Hawk was sent to the Pen at Charles’s Colony.

Now, the word was slowly spreading, Hawk was in town.

All three of the Carpenters whipped around drawing their guns as they heard the door opening again.

Doc Boone wandered in and walked up to the end of the bar. Then he pointed at the whiskey bottle. “Can I have that?”

Luke Carpenter not really knowing Boone, holstered his weapon once more and then gave the whiskey bottle a push sliding it along the counter.

With a practiced move Boone caught the bottle, looking quizzically up at Luke, then reached for a glass and poured himself a slug, then raised the empty glass, his eyes still on Luke.

The Carpenters still nervous, relax slightly as it appears the new comer was no danger to them and ignored Boone.

Luke Carpenter turned to the barkeeper. “Do you still have that Mossberg Shrap gun behind the counter?”

The Bartender raised his arms. “Luke, the old days are over, we got Federal Police...”

Luke slammed his hand hard on the counter. “Give me that Shrap gun.”

The Bartender did not move. Luke puts a hand on his own blaster and said, this time even louder “Sharp gun.”

The Bartender produced the illegal, military grade gun from beneath the counter and handed it nervously and with silent protest to Luke, who grabbed it compulsively, smashing several glasses on the counter as he did.

The Bartender snapped his fingers at his assistant who was down at the other end and both moved to leave. “Have it your way Luke but we are out of here,”

Doc Boone and Luke kept on eying each other across the bar. The scantily woman sized Luke’s arm and said. “Please don’t.”

Luke thrusted her away savagely, the woman stumbled into a table, recovered herself and rushed with a crying shriek to the backdoor.

-“”-

Hawk and Daphne were still walking down main street, slowly and with no apparent destination. Neither looked at the other. Neither said anything. Her feet seemed to drag as she walked, as if she never wanted to come to her destination.

This was the sleaziest part of town, right here near the space port. The bright Project-A-Signs above made it quite obvious what services the almost naked women, men and other beings were offering standing near doorways with colorful blinking lights.

One sign above them read “Cat House”, shrill music and drunken laughter could be heard by the two as they walked past. While Hawk was not exactly a travelled man, he doubted the pelt covered women were real Togar.

Suddenly Daphne took a few fast steps ahead and stopped before a pink glowing slideway tunnel that was leading to an establishment with a sign spelling the words 'Human Girls Galore' above the entrance.

With all hope gone from her voice she said. “Well, Hawk, I...” she paused and looked down the walkway “...I told you not to follow me.”

She started to walk away but stopped as Hawk called her. “Daphne!”

She did not turn as Hawk came down the slideway after her, too bewildered to say anything she tried looking away from him.

Hawk said. “I asked you to marry me, didn’t I?”

She finally turned towards Hawk with tears in her eyes. “I’ll never forget you asked me. That’s something...

Hawk held out his wrists and with a calm voice he said. “See them scars? Handcuffs... Scars wear off, Daphne.”

He then rested his hands on her shaking shoulders. “I ain’t gonna give you a chance to forget me. You wait right here.”

He then turned and strode off against the slowly moving slide way with much purpose in his gait.

Daphne turned to watch him go, looking after him as if she could not believe what she had heard.

-“”-

It was deadly silent in the Golden Terra Tavern. While there was life and music spilling out the other bars and saloons; here even the GalNet screens had been turned down.

All three Carpenters still stood at the bar, their tenseness could almost be seen. Only six men and two Klack had remained.

As the front door suddenly opened everybody dove down, their hands and similar extremities over their heads, while the Carpenter brothers whipped around for the third time this evening and once more, their guns out. To their surprise and not without little horror a muscular Purple throat female appeared holding a Bolter Gatling with blinking ready lights, nonchalantly over her shoulder.

She slowly waves the clawed fingers of her upper left hand at them. “Hawk said he would be passing this way in six or seven minutes.”

The Shiss grinned in the terrifying way of her kind exposing the many rows of sharp teeth and then left out the door as fast as she had appeared.

Luke Carpenter was at the end of his nerves. Cold sweat dropped from his nose.

Luke swung the dangerous Shrap-gun into the crook of his arm and jerked his head to his brothers. “I can’t stand it any longer. You make sure your boys are ready outside.”

Ike pulled his PDD and said into the device. “Don’t hesitate boys. Kill the bastard on sight.”

Luke strode towards the door but Boone stepped into his way, wearing his Union Fleet Uniform holding his own PDD in one hand. Then the Navy physician said with an amiable but firm voice full of authority. ”I’ll take that Shrap Gun, Luke.”

Luke lowered the dangerous gun. “You’ll take it in the belly, if you don’t get out of my way.”

Doc Boone Stood firm and seemed unimpressed. “If it can stand the kind of whiskey they sell here, it should be able to survive the accelerated shrapnel.” He held up the PDD “You shoot me or go out that door with that illegal gun and this PDD will send everything down to Fleet Headquarters.” Ike became even paler as he is. “Luke do what he said. He is a Fleet Officer, killing him brings the PSI Corps in."

One of the Klacks in the background snickered. “Forget the PSI Corps, the Devi is in the system and that means Stahl.”

Luke stared hard at Doc Boone for a moment, then tossed the gun on the bar with a clatter. “Well, I’ll tend to you later.”

He then thrusted Doc Boone brutally aside and strode out the door followed by his brothers.

Doc Boone came forward to the bar grinning; he moped his brow with his wrist and took the whiskey bottle the Klack was sliding towards him. Only now seeing the Insectoid wearing Union Fleet black over his rigid thorax and the logo of an Engineering specialist.

Boone nodded thankfully and poured a slug, drank it fast, then put the glass down with a sigh. He gasped to the Klack. “Don’t ever let me do that again.”

The Klack moved his antennae sympathetically.

-“”-

In the street outside Luke looked up as Ike pointed out the four men crouched down on the roofs of four buildings, aiming scoped weapons into the street below. Now Luke felt much better and was confident they could overcome just one man.

The word of the impeding confrontation had now spread outside and beyond the Golden Terra, the street was empty.

As the three brothers slowly moved down the street, they did not look up otherwise they might have seen a terrifying eight legged shadow of a huge spider scurrying up to the roofs.

A dog sized Braton Bumper, a local non sentient scavenger that learned to find food in the trash on the streets came running across in front of them. Hank drew his gun and fired at the almost man sized life form.

The bright bolt of energy burned a fist sized glowing puddle into the Duro-Crete pavement of the street.

The Braton Bumper scared but otherwise unharmed scuttled away round a corner.

Ike gave a high-pitched laugh. “Hank missed that critter by at least a meter.”

-“”-

At the next street corner, people scattered. A man pushed his wife into a flier and cursed. “They are going too far these cursed Carpenters. Acting as if they own the town.”

She responded as he gunned the flier into the air. “Luke owns half of it.”

--""--

Through the open door of a local GalNet radio station light shone on the street, the local radio host, an old looking Holdian was sitting on a tiny chair right on top of an ancient Radiorola GalNet transmitter station reading the latest news of the war against the Shiss into a field microphone.

Out here in the fringes and far away Union core many colonists and settlers only had acoustic GalNet receivers, not able to afford the more expensive Visual or even Avatar enabled GalNet terminals GalNet Radio was often the only means out here of receiving news.

Next to the open door the window lettered with bright glowing words advertised the Benton’s GalNet Radio Voice.

The owner of the radio station was rushing in stopping the broadcast. “Hey, Sarto! Sarto! Kill that story about the fleet action near Balmung.” He activated another field microphone. “Breaking news! Hawk Hudson was killed on Main Street in Benton’s tonight...”

He slapped his hand on the music transmitter and pointed his finger at the surprised Holdian “...and among the additional dead were...” we report this as soon as we can get a statement of the authorities.”

The Station Owner, cut his mike and went back to the door to peak outside. The Holdian hopped down to the floor and scurried to the door as well looking between the legs of his employer outside. “I didn’t hear no shooting, Ed.”

" You will, Sarto, you will.”

-“”-

It was eerie to see the street empty so close to the port and with all the beings in town, but now as the three Carpenter brothers, spread out, stalked warily down the street, no one wanted to be caught by a stray bolt.

Then from the other direction Hawk appeared stepping into the middle of the street.

The Carpenters expecting their hidden gunmen to do the dirty deed for them waited a moment too long.

All four hidden shooters found themselves unable to move as much as a toe, tightly wrapped up to their noses in Archa spider silk. Frabbel whispering. “You should thank me; you never again wear so much expensive Archa silk.”

The Carpenters drew their guns

Hawk diving forward, face first towards the pavement and while doing that, drew both his TKUs. Three bolts singe the air and some of Hawk’s hair as he hit the ground. His Thermo Kinetic Units roared loud enough to be heard down at the Federal office and the Army Outpost, and the bright flashes illuminated the dark street to brightest daylight levels.

-“”-

Daphne was still standing at the walkway where Hawk had left her as she heard the thundering rapport of superheated air pushed away by the TKU bolts, echoed by a chorus of screams of distant voices. Silence followed.

Daphne hurried anxiously back down to the street level calling Hawk’s name as she went. “Hawk... Hawk... Hawk!”

She stopped as she reached the main street level, looked weary off to the right and left. Her shoulders drooped and she sank her head despairingly down.

-“”-

The door of the Golden Terra Tavern slammed open and Luke Carpenter came in, surrounded by a halo of smoke, a fist sized still burning hole where his stomach should have been. Whatever held him up no one could say, then the dead man toppled like a felled tree on to the floor. Behind him on the street all that is left of his brothers was Ike’s burning boots and Hank’s left arm.

-“”-

Daphne believing Hawk was dead stood there, dejected and beaten, at the entrance to the slideway tunnel leading to the Cat House she knew would hire her. She was crying

But then the sound of footsteps made her slowly raise her head.

It was Hawk who was walking towards her, with singed hair but otherwise unharmed. She rushed towards him, and fell in his arms. Hawk saying nothing embracing the sobbing woman and holding her close.

Daphne was crying in earnest now, her throat too full of feeling for a word to pass. They stood there locked in each other’s arms as the Union Marshal approached.

Next to the Marshall walked Ranger Wilcox and the big Archa spider.

Hawk sighed holding out his wrists, but Wilcox smiled and shook his head. “The Judge has received a GalNet report of a certain Shaill. Our mollusk friend back on Bumblebee is badly wounded but expected to pull through. The report was showing evidence the Carpenters had paid the local Judge sending you up river. Legal Central has agreed to drop all charges of your escape.”

Hank stared in disbelieve. “I am free?”

“Not entirely, discharging two TKUs...”

Hank’s face fell. “The Carpenters..”

Now it was the Marshall. “We have a PDD recording this Archa made, you acted in self-defense. And fired after they fired at you, but your TKU bolts damaged the Post office behind them. That is technically a federal offense.”

Daphne looked at Wilcox. “How long does he have to go?”

Wilcox said. “There is a Poodle III at the end of the Space port. Go and take your girl to your place and stay out of trouble.”

The Spider said. “Coreward Spacebus Corporation will pay for the damages, no one got injured and the Marshall thinks it was not a deliberate act of Union Property destruction. Just go!”

Hank thanked them with a giant smile as he simply swooped Daphne of her feet and ran toward the Space port.

Wilcox still wearing a Derma patch bandage over his left eye stood in the middle of the street as the news of the Carpenters demise spread all over town and music once more spilled out in the streets. He said to the Marshall. “You took your sweet time to get out.”

The Marshall also turned his gaze towards the spaceport. “After I knew Frabbel took care of the hiding cowards I had urgent business to check on some licenses half across the continent.

I am only one Union Marshall for four planets. You are a Ranger, you know how it is.”

“So his father was a friend of yours too then?”

“Yes, old Hudson was as good and decent as they come. Sometimes justice needs to be personal.”

“I’ve seen Doc Boone at the Golden Terra, care for a drink?”

“Well I guess I have been on duty long enough...”

They watched as an ugly little Poodle III took off and climbed into the night sky.

THE END
Suzhz the All White Nestling paced up and down the hand rail of his favorite balcony. Eagerly awaiting news of his Advisers.

The former ambassador was late but Suzhz ignored this fact for the moment. “What news do you bear? Don’t tell me the news is true?”

“What can I tell you then? You mocked Warazz as he prayed to the Gods. You refused to reign in your impertinent Cousin and now you want me to fix what your arrogance caused?”

“How dare you speak to the All-White. I’ll have you skinned.”

“Do as you wish, your sentence will only precede your doom and that of all Shiss.”

Suzhz turned spreading all his four arms. “Warazz is gone, Hazzzock fell. Not a single ship returned from the Assault on Klackt. Every hour someone bears message of another of our worlds lost. I need your diplomatic skills. Go to that Assembly and beg for peace.”

The Ambassador said. “It is too late for that, First Nestling.”

“Why?”

The Shiss Diplomat pointed at an enormous shadow that darkened the sky. “Because Stahl is here!”

Together they watched as Orbital bombardment commenced.

-“”-

On a world far distant, deep on the space of the Galactic Council, the Great Wizard of the Ministry of Control addressed the other Wizards and of course the Grand Wizard of the Kermac sitting in the center of the Hall of the most Exalted. “Our sources confirm that the fire that has started by the Gray Throat Hazzzock has spread all across the Shiss Empire and their First Nestling has called for All War.”

The new Grand Wizard of them all, who had replaced his raving mad predecessor said. “So you want us to mobilize and join them?”

The Wizard of the MOC spread his arms. “Consider the opportunity. The Union weakened by the Shiss attack!”

The new Grand Wizard however came from the ranks of the Ministry of Information and said. “All our last attempts and plans to gain the upper hand against the Union had been initiated by the Ministry of Control. My esteemed but somewhat misguided predecessor ignored the MOI and consented to whatever you recommended. Let us hear from the Wizard of Military what he thinks before I tell you what I know.”

The Wizard who was in command of all the military might of the Kermac said. “You did hear that the Nul are soon Union? You heard that the Golden have joined? You do know that the Blue won’t negotiate for us and most of all you know that the Crucible has been destroyed? The Call has failed, there will be no Y’All coming to cause havoc. Those who survived the destruction, joined the Union.

The Shiss will perish, they have woken a monster that won’t sleep until the Shiss Empire is utterly and completely eradicated. The Union won’t be weakened by the Shiss. Most of the Union will not even notice that there was a war. ”

The Wizard of the Military concluded. “We attack or provoke them now and cursed Stahl will have his wish fulfilled, our extermination!”

The MOC Wizard snorted. “Our Military is impotent and cowardly. We are the Kermac.”

The New Grand Wizard said. “And I intend to keep it that way, by maintaining the Status Quo. The Union never attacks first, so let us learn from the doomed Shiss and keep to ourselves. There is so much space neither the Union nor anyone else claims, let us expand there.”