Alcantaran Secrets

By Terry Compton

Star traders Ron Calvin, Tik Michi and Gus Ghaolh came to Fen Avholog to attend a wedding and make a few relaxing, profitable trades. Then the Nodac- Liujians and Hanami Federation enemies arrived. Ancient Alcantaran secrets, old enemies and a new danger threaten to overwhelm the space traders. Can they unwind these secrets and nullify their enemies before their lives are forfeited?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Compton
• Release date: Jun 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301572335

Terry Compton

Terry Compton has raced stock cars, rode horses across the Scapegoat Wilderness, fished and hunted most of his adult life while working at several different jobs. He is an Air Force veteran and served in the Air National Guard for several years. He is currently retired from being the owner, chief welder and installer for an ornamental iron business where he has made several award winning metal creations and is now turning this creativity to writing.Terry loves to read science fiction, westerns and mystery stories. Some of his favorite authors are Clive Cussler, Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Andre Norton, Poul Anderson, Robert Heinlein, Louie L'Amour, Zane Grey and Anne McCaffery. He is currently learning about 'indie' authors who are publishing e-books.Terry currently lives in Montana with his wife and a dog who thinks she is a short furry people.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Tik Michi sat at the pilot controls bringing the spaceship Galactic Antiquarian, or Auntie as they called her, into the Pancawarna galaxy. She checked to ensure that they would come out in the far reaches of Fen Avholog's solar system.

Minutes before she came out of hyperspace, she set the shields on and turned them to invisible mode. Too many instances of getting shot at or having people hunt them for the reward made her extra cautious.

Ever since she and her friends Ron Calvin and Gusissi 'Gus' Ugde Ghaolh had escaped off of the Bug mother ship, they'd had a big reward on their heads. Two space battles with the vermin had only increased the Bugs' hatred of them. They had increased the reward twice now.

Tik, Ron and Gus didn't care. All it had accomplished so far was to make the trio stomp on Bugs every chance they got. After a few bounty hunters lost their life and/or their spaceships, most of the others stayed away. The reward wasn't that big yet.

Tik turned to her co-pilot as she said, Gus, something seems strange.

He replied, And what would that be, little one?

We haven't heard a thing about the Bugs, the pirates or the Hanami Federation for the last eight months. What do you think they're up to?

No good, I'm sure. Have you got the shield set to invisible? Are you getting some kind of feeling?

No, I was just thinking. Yes, I do have the shield set. Auntie, we want to drop three or four remote detectors when we come out of hyperspace.

Auntie replied, I'll have them ready. Do you want me to place them for maximum coverage or do you want to set coordinates?

You go ahead. Tell the others we'll be coming out of hyperspace in four minutes.

Auntie dinged confirmation as she went about her duties. Tik knew Ron and Jill, his wife, were probably still asleep. Ron had been up late last night talking with some of the captains of their trading ships. He took reports and tried to make a guess at what goods they could shift around to increase profits on their trades. Tik kept telling him he needed a full time manager to be doing that but Ron wanted to keep his finger on the pulse of their trading empire.

Tik said, It's going to be great to see Zendo and Illy again. I'm glad they sent us an invitation to the wedding. I wonder what all has happened to make this a State affair. Zendo must have really been busy since we left.

Gus said, Yeah, we haven't heard much from them. They're both good kids though and deserve some happiness.

I agree. I hope we can take a month or six weeks to trade afterwards. It feels so wonderful not to have anyone to train or worry about. After the last big battle, getting summoned to the Charter Alliance and having to face all those nincompoops, I just want to relax and trade on our own.

Is that greed I hear talking, little one? You know we have more credits than we could ever spend and more pouring in every day.

I know. I just like the thrill of making a good trade. The Great One has been good to us.

You didn't think that when we were on the mother ship. Seems to me I heard a lot of grumbing.

Me grumble? You must have me confused with someone else.

Auntie came out of hyperspace just then. Tik and Gus both started checking readings and sensors. Auntie announced, First remote detector away. Others will follow in one hour.

Tik said, Thanks, Auntie. How long to Fen Avholog?

Twenty-three hours eighteen minutes.

Gus asked, How long before planetary offices contact us?

It should be another three hours if you let them see us.

Tik stood up and stretched. She said, Auntie, call me just before we need to contact Fen Avholog. I'm going to the cargo bay to practice shooting. Gus, you want to come?

No, I'm going to see how Kikula is doing with Keila. He's going through a growth spurt and his joints have been hurting him.

Aw, the joys of a wife and new son. Maybe I can get Sim to pry his nose away from those relics long enough to give me some competition.

She started out the door of the flight deck when the alarm dinged. Both of them turned to the screen to see what it could be. The object rested next to a small planet with several moons or asteroids orbiting it. The planet was much too far from the star to have life.

Tik studied the signature sent from the detectors. She said, Auntie, can you match that to anything we've seen before?

Searching my databanks. There's a 99.99% probability that signature matches one seen in Earth's orbit just before the last space battle.

Is that the seventh ship we never could find? Didn't it send for the Hanami Federation battleships?

Auntie answered, It is the one and, yes, we suspect it of sending for the battleships.

Gus asked, Can you tell what it's doing there?

So far, from what I've detected, it's just lying there. I don't think Fen Avholog can see it.

Tik asked, Gus, what do you think? Do we get closer to it? Why would it be here? Fen Avholog is a backward planet without a lot of resource development. What could it possibly want here?

Auntie, let's slow down and watch them for a bit. Tik, I have no idea why they're here or what they could want. I think we better wake Ron and alert the others.

Tik said, I agree. Every time we've seen that thing, it's meant trouble.

Gus said, But we've only seen it one other time.

And wasn't it trouble?

Yes. Auntie, would you call Ron and alert the others, please.

Tik said, Tell them to meet in the situation room. There's not enough room in here.

They moved to the large room with all the monitors and consoles. Soon Ron, Jill, Kikula and Sim appeared. Ron asked, What have you got?

Tik explained about the hidden ship. As they watched, two more ships came out of hyperspace. They were much closer to Fen Avholog. Auntie checked their signatures but they didn't match anything in her database.

She said, Their signatures are similar to the Nodac-Liujia ships that threatened Europaische.

Gus said, I thought the Charter Alliance shut them down from space travel.

Ron said, No, they just dismantled their Navy. They still have a few traders.

Tik said, And bounty hunters. Those wart hogs are slow learners. I don't like this. I'm all ready to attend a wedding and then go trading. I don't want to fight bounty hunters or the Hanami Federation.

Gus said, Now, now. Don't jump to conclusions. Maybe they are just traders and it's a coincidence that they arrived just as we did.

Tik said, Yeah, right.

Sim said, Who are the Nodac-Liujia? Why are you so upset with them?

Ron answered, Right after we escaped from the mother ship, we went to Europaische. We needed food, air and water. That was the place we first learned the Bugs had put a bounty on us. The bounty hunters hit us the same time that their Navy decided to invade Europaische.

Tik said, That's one of the first places we started using sneaky, underhanded Earth tricks on bad guys.

Ron said, Well, it worked, didn't it? Three green novices with one old spaceship took out five battleships. Auntie can show you pictures later if you want.

Sim said, I would like that.

Ron said, Now, what do we do? What have you done so far?

Gus said, I slowed Auntie down and Tik had her deploy remote detectors. It'll take a while to get them into place.

Ron said, Then let's just wait. I'm hungry, so why don't we eat and see what develops in a few hours.

They trooped into the mess area where Dolores, their robot maid, cook and nurse, waited for them. She took orders for their food and soon had a meal on the table ready to eat. As they ate, they talked like a big family. Banter and jokes flew back and forth.

After the meal, they moved to the lower cargo bay to practice shooting. The thought of bounty hunters made it even more necessary. Kikula and Jill shot a few minutes before going to check on the baby. Another Dolores-model robot had been watching him.

Ron and Gus went to the armory to get swords. When Tik and Sim saw what they were up to, they got theirs as well. They paired up, turned on shields to keep from getting injured and proceeded to have a good old-fashioned sword fight. Sim had the most experience, so he alternated between fighting and giving pointers.

When they had worked up a good sweat, Tik said, I think it's time to take a shower, then go see what the Bug lovers are up to. Maybe we should sneak up on them and take over their ship.

Ron said, That would be piracy if we don't have a reason to feel threatened. You want to get a name like Ashrafi Huazhuang?

Tik snapped, It would take a lot more than capturing one ship to get a name like him. He's up to something, too. I don't like it that we haven't heard anything about him for a long time.

Ron said, It's a big universe. Maybe he's expanding his empire away from us. We still have pirate ships looking for his headquarters. One of these days, they'll send a signal.

Gus said, If he hasn't had his people shoot them down. He has to know by now what we did.

Ron said, Good. That will make him jump every time a ship comes near. Is it a spy or is it safe?

Tik grinned at Sim, See, there's that sneaky, underhanded Earth logic at work.

They parted ways to go get cleaned up. Thirty minutes later, they met back in the situation room. The two Nodac-Liujia ships had moved closer to Fen Avholog but nothing else had changed.

Kikula asked, What if we just ignore that hidden ship and go ahead to the wedding?

Ron said, We could but I don't like the feel of this. I'd vote to sneak up on it and see if Tik and Sim can hack into its computer. Maybe that would tell us what's going on.

The others agreed so Ron went to the pilot's seat while Tik and Sim got ready. Ron eased Auntie around until the planet hid the other spaceship. He pushed her speed up to cut down the time to the other ship.

As he got to the dead-looking planet, the other ship shot away and soon reached jump speed. It vanished into hyperspace. Ron didn't bother chasing. If the aliens had any smarts, they would have two or three jumps already programmed and he could never hope to catch them.

He steered their course back to Fen Avholog and then walked back to the situation room. He said, What do you think? Did they spot us somehow or were they ready to take off anyway?

No one had a good answer. He said, Well, I guess we go to a wedding. We'll keep a close watch on the remote detectors. Everyone needs to be super careful while we're on the planet.

Auntie's speed allowed the two Nodac-Liujia spaceships to land long before they got into comm range. Auntie called Tik to tell her they should become visible. She said, We're getting close enough to heavily-traveled traffic lanes that we want other ships to see us.

Tik said, How can they have heavily-traveled traffic lanes here. They only get about three ships a year.

Auntie said, There has been more traffic than that recently. I don't see many spaceships on the ground near Spaceport City, but the residue from engines going and coming to the planet still lingers.

Go ahead and make us visible. Where are the remote detectors now?

The first one I dropped is already working and the next two should be on station in about two hours. The last one will take another half day to reach optimum search.

Tik and Sim went to the situation room to start searching the solar system. Before they had time to look much, ground control called to ask their names and destination. Tik told them who they were and they were coming to Spaceport City for Zendo's wedding.

A thought occurred to her, Is there another spaceport besides the one at Spaceport City?

No, honored guest. There is only one spaceport on our planet. The Brasilins won't allow any others.

Who are the Brasilins – Oh, never mind. I'll find out when I get there.

She cut the signal and asked, Auntie, look up Brasilins on Fen Avholog. I don't remember any creatures by that name when we were here before.

The only reference I have is from about ten thousand Earth years ago. The record says they had a very interesting metal that was highly desirable.

Tik looked at Sim and asked, What would make a metal very desirable?

Sim said, Ask the answer lady.

Auntie replied, The metal was used in the healing bracelets. The last entry indicates that the Alcantarans were interested in it for a new advancement in computers. There are no other details.

Sim asked, Are there pictures of this race?

Auntie displayed a 3-D image of them. Two of the beings were swimming in the water. Waves on the surface made Sim suspect this could be an ocean. As he watched, the two dove below the surface. Each had a large tail which flattened and spread to each side, much like a dolphin's tail.

Suddenly, the two beings leaped completely out of the water. Sim asked, How large are they?

Auntie said, The ones you see here are about seven feet long. The record indicates that is the average size.

The two approached a tree-covered island. They rode a wave in and beached themselves. After a few minutes, their tails seemed to split and spindly legs came out. Both stood up and walked out of sight.

Sim said, I've never seen anything like this. Have you, Tik?

No, they look like they belong in the sea but they can walk on land. Auntie, are there still some of these creatures on Fen Avholog?

I don't know. Like I said, the last record is from ten thousand years ago.

Tik asked, Auntie, could you get Pete Collins on the comm unit? Maybe they have something on the Key that will give us a little more information. They should look at this metal for the computers. I wonder how it improves or changes them.

While she waited for Auntie to get the comm signal established, Tik called Ron, Ron, you should come to the situation to see this. Auntie has something from ten thousand years ago. They might be right here on Fen Avholog.

I'll be right there.

As soon as he hung up, Tik called Gus. Soon all of them were in the situation room looking at the 3-D video. Tik told both of them how she found out about this race. Ron asked, The ground controller said the Brasilins won't let any other spaceports be built?

Yep. I don't know if that's a carryover from long ago or they still have that much say on the planet.

Gus said, And there's no clue about the metal? Have you tried to call the twins?

No, I'm trying to call Pete. Auntie's working on it now. What do you think your sons would be up to?

Probably up to their elbows in an engine or a spaceship. Doing this job is their true calling in life.

Ron said, And they're good at it. Look at the improvements they put in Auntie when they overhauled her. Those Nodac-Liujia better be simple traders. With the new engines and improved weaponry, they could get a very nasty surprise.

Sim asked, Do you think ten thousand year old technology could be better than what we've got right now?

Tik said, I don't know. Auntie has things we still don't know about. You, Ham, Cheng and Von should know that better than anyone. What if they had plans but didn't get the new improvements made? Maybe these new things will make our computers look like a Chinese abacus.

Sim said, Just so it doesn't do something like the Hanami Federation computers. I refuse to work with someone's brain.

The flicker of the comm view screen lighting halted further conversation. A harried looking human said, Just some of the people I'd like to get my hands on today. Do you realize some of the crazy demands these scientists and engineers are making? I don't know why I let you talk me into this job.

Ron grinned, Now, now, Pete. Where else can you find secrets that will make Earth a leader among all the civilized galaxies?

We might be a leader but I'll be crazy by that time…

Tik said, Get an assistant. Let them handle the crazies.

I have an assistant.

Tik replied, Get two more then. You don't have to do all of this by yourself. Call Kita and ask her for suggestions. She'll know how to vet them. Dar Es Salaam assistants might know more about what your people are talking about than Humans.

That's an idea. Now, what can I do for you guys?

Tik explained about the metal. She asked him to have Ham and some of the others look up any references to the Brasilins or the healing bracelets. She suggested he have someone look up computer improvements from ten thousand years ago.

Pete said, Ten thousand years ago! Do you think that design would still have any use?

Ron said, Well, does communications in hyperspace prove useful? How about shields that absorb energy and pour it back into power storage instead of trying to repel it?

I see your point. I may get some squawks but I'll get someone on it right away.

Gus asked, Any word on Bugs or pirates? Have either been active lately?

I haven't heard a thing and I talk to Kita or Elevin Shi about every other day. Have you guys stepped into a hornets' nest to be bringing all this up?

Gus replied, No, no news makes us nervous. We keep wondering what they're up to.

Pete said, I'll check on that, too. I'll call you back as soon as I find something. I've got to get back to soothing the crazies before they start attacking one another.

The four on Auntie grinned and bid him good-day. After they hung up, Ron said, We've got to talk to Zendo. We need to find out how to get in touch with these Brasilins, if there are any left.

The other three agreed. They all studied what information Auntie had on the race. Each of them tried researching a different line to see if anything came up about the metal and how it worked.

Chapter 2

Tik landed Auntie in the designated spot. She looked over the four other ships there. The two from Nodac-Liujia made her shudder. Dents, scratches and peeling paint dominated the ships' surfaces. The bottom of the sides had streaks of hydraulic fluid or some other nasty liquid forming disgusting patterns.

She said, I'd hate to be an inspector having to go inside there. I bet you have to carry a stingerray just to survive. If you had to clean one of those things, you'd need live steam or a flame-thrower.

Ron asked, What are you talking about?

Those two Nodac-Liujia spaceships.

He said, Yeah. I remember having to get on one of them back on Europaische. Made your skin crawl just to be in there. I'm certainly glad the Dar Es Salaam people knew how to clean them up to be useable again.

What are we going to do about those two? What do you have planned for today?

We aren't going to do anything with them. Auntie can watch them and if anybody from either ship comes creeping about, she can zap them or something. As for today, we need to take care of landing fees and permits. I'm going to get Gus ready. I seem to recall the bureaucrats in here.

Can we all go to watch?

I'll take Jill with me. If the rest of you want to watch, you'll need to be invisible.

Oh, this sounds like fun. I'll tell the others.

You better tell them to put on our company uniforms. We need to be impressive and ready to go see Zendo. He did say he had an important new job.

Ron and Jill led the way into the spaceport terminal. The others followed with shields set to invisible.

Looking around at the changes, Ron saw everything around the spaceport seemed cleaner and better kept. Grass had been neatly clipped and bushes trimmed. The outside of the building even looked like it had been worked on.

As he stepped in the door, the smell of fresh paint struck him. The walls inside were much brighter and the huge ugly posters of the ruler were missing. A new ramp next to the counter allowed visitors to pick the height that would be comfortable to them.

Ron quietly commented to Jill, This is much different than the last time we were here. I wonder what the clerks are like. Earlier, they were some of the most rude, obnoxious beings we encountered.

Worse than the Bugs or those Nodac-Liujia?

Well, no. Not worse than them. Those two are in a class all by themselves. Here we go. We're about to find out if customer service has improved.

Ron walked up to the counter. He glanced up at the wall to see if he could see the spot where Gus had hung the bullying supervisor. A rough patch job covered by fresh paint brought a grin.

A clerk noticed him and hurried over. May I help you, citizen?

We need to settle up on our landing fees and I want to see about trading permits.

Very good. How long will you be with us? Do you know where you want to trade? Would you like a guide to help you?

We'll be here a month or more. I know exactly where I want to trade and, no, I won't need a guide. We have one here already. He helped us the last time we were here.

Very good, sir. Please fill out this form. What is your guide's name?

Zendo…

The reaction of the clerk stopped all activity behind the counter. All eyes snapped their attention to Ron and Jill. The clerk swallowed noisily, then asked, Zendo, like in the one who controls spiders? Are you the space traders…

The clerk couldn't even finish his sentence. His eyes widened and bugged out. The papers he held shook like a leaf in a high breeze. The others shook and prepared to run.

Ron said, That's the one. He also rescues fair maidens and takes on the Guardians bare handed.

The clerk gulped again before he asked in a shaky whisper, You are the ones who control the Ghosts. Are they with you now?

Yeah, they seem to go wherever we do. As polite as you've been though, you don't have to worry. They just hate stupid, arrogant bureaucrats. You've been most helpful. By the way, we want to take our flyer. Will we need any other permits?

No, sir. I have to call my supervisor. Ah – um…

He hurried to a comm unit and spoke quietly for a few seconds. He hung up and returned to the counter. We'll have all your permits filled out in just a few minutes, sir. There will be no charge for anything.

What's going on here? Why don't we have to pay?

My supervisor will explain everything. There he is now.

An older native slowed to a walk as he came around the corner. His panting breath betrayed the fact he had run all the way from his office. He took a deep breath before he said, Welcome, sir. We're glad you are here.

Ron mentally broadcast to Tik, Gus and the others, Something's up! Be very cautious.

Jill moved closer to him and turned her shield on. Ron felt the others move into the middle of the room, ready for action. He said, Why don't we have to pay for anything? Why are you rushing our permits?

The supervisor said, You are honored guests. I have heard many stories about you and your friends. Are they here with you?

What do you mean, you've heard many stories about us? Are you friends with Zendo?

Oh, my no. I'm just an humble civil servant trying to improve the spaceport here. Every story Zendo tells makes the rounds. They are so interesting and inspiring.

We're here to attend Zendo and Illy's wedding. We'd like to do some trading after it's over.

Excellent. Here's your paperwork. I hope you enjoy your stay here. If there's anything we can do, don't hesitate to ask.

The supervisor and clerks all stood looking at Ron and Jill to see what they would do. Ron turned to go back to Auntie. He mentally said, Tik, Sim, stay here and watch what they do. I don't like this. The rest of you, let's get back to Auntie.

As Ron and Jill walked out, Gus and Kikula walked right behind them through the open door. Tik and Sim stood waiting for the locals to move. The supervisor and clerks stayed like statues for several moments after the door had closed.

Then pandemonium broke out. The clerk who had waited on Ron said, Can you believe it? I waited on the most famous star trader alive. He didn't even call the Ghosts.

A babble of voices trying to talk all at the same time made it difficult for Tik and Sim to keep up. When the supervisor started to leave, Tik mentally said, Stay here and watch them. They appear to be harmless. I'll stay with that one.

Tik followed him around the corner to his office. The man rushed to his desk and punched some numbers into his comm unit. Tik strode to a position where she could see the image on the comm screen.

A severe-looking woman answered, Yes.

They're here. I saw two of them with my own eyes. They're big.

That's what Zendo said. Did one of them look like a being carved from sandstone?

No. I'm pretty sure one of them was a male and the other female.

Then how do you know they are the ones?

They said they were.

OK. We'll take it from here. Good job.

The supervisor broke the connection and picked up some papers. He studied them for a bit then signed them. He went to the next batch. Tik watched for a few more minutes before she phased through the door.

She mentally asked Sim, Did your bunch do anything suspicious?

Nope, they just keep chattering about seeing the great star trader. What did you guys do to them the last time you were here?

You've heard all the stories. Let's head back to Auntie.

When they reached the safety of Auntie's cargo bay, they switched off their shields. Ron, Jill, Gus and Kikula stood waiting for them, concern written on each face. Ron and Gus nervously touched their weapons.

Ron said, What did you find out?

Tik said, The clerks didn't do anything except talk. The supervisor however called someone. They didn't say who they were and nothing on the screen gave a clue. The gist of the conversation was that we were expected. The other party said they would take care of us.

Gus asked, Do you think we walked into a trap? With those pieces of junk out there…

Ron said, Let's not jump to conclusions. Auntie, scan those two Nodac-Liujia ships. We need to know how many people they have on board. Get sensors out to see if you spot any movement coming toward the spaceport.

Auntie replied, I already have two out. I'll launch five more so I can monitor all directions. I'll move two of them about two miles away.

Jill asked, Ron, what are we going to do? Will we leave?

Not until we make sure Zendo and Illy are safe. I don't know if someone has offered the dictator here a large reward for us or if he's thought this up on his own. If I think the Bugs or pirates are working with him, he'll no longer be a dictator. He won't have an army to back him.

Tik growled, I agree. If we can find where the Bugs or pirates are, I'm in favor of wiping them out, too.

Gus said, We'll need transportation, no matter what happens. I'll get a fliter ready.

Ron said, Better get one of the SS vehicles ready instead. We can transform it to carry Zendo and Illy if need be.

I'll put a few more weapons on it, too.

He headed to the cargo bay with the vehicles as Kikula followed him asking about what they would do. Ron and the others went to the situation room to look at images being sent by the sensors.

The sensor images didn't show a thing out of the ordinary. Even the ones located two miles away only displayed normal city traffic. Tik made adjustments to look at all corners of the spaceport. Two beings walking from one of the non-Nodac-Liujia spaceships proved to be the only movement.

Tik asked, Are we being too paranoid?

Ron said, We're still alive and trading, aren't we? I'd say we need to stay paranoid until every Bug and pirate is wiped out.

Sim said, Not much chance of that happening.

Ron said, So we stay paranoid.

Auntie spoke, There are five beings in each of the Nodac-Liujia spaceships. They all appear to be the same race. That spaceship to our right has three crewmen. All appear to be different races. The outermost one to the right has seven and again it's a mixed-race crew.

Ron said, We still don't know if they're traders or bounty hunters. Auntie, keep them under observation. Let us know their every move.

Tik pointed to one of the screens. A military style truck had pulled up to the front of the spaceport terminal. The truck had been polished to a high sheen and the doors carried a picture of two giant orange spiders.

As they watched, an officer climbed out of the passenger side. The back opened and fifteen soldiers jumped down. Jill said, Look at how neat all their uniforms are. I thought you said the soldiers here were very slovenly.

Ron said, They used to be. This looks like an elite unit.

The soldiers formed up and marched through the terminal. They were out of sight inside for several minutes before they appeared on the spaceport side. The troop marched right up to the rear of Auntie and stopped.

The troop stood for several minutes in stiff formation. Finally, the officer stepped a little closer and yelled, Ron Calvin, Tik Michi or Gus Ghaolh. We have a request for your presence at the Grand Pooh Bah's palace. We have been sent as a special honor guard.

Ron and Tik looked at each other. Ron said, Grand Pooh Bah? That sounds something like the name that Zendo said was his new title. I've never heard of it. Have you?

Tik said, Nope. Auntie, do you have anything like this in your records?

One of my very old records indicates this was a title for the ruler of a planet several centuries ago.

Here on this planet?

No. It was across the universe in another galaxy.

Tik said, Well, what do we do? You want me to go out and run them little froggie looking people off?

Ron said, No, tell them I'll be there in a few minutes. I want to see these soldiers face to face. They might not be coming to harm us.

Tik had Auntie open an outside speaker and relayed Ron's message while he hurried to the back.

As Ron stepped outside the airlock, the officer called his men to attention. The officer said, I'm Colonel Dinga of the personal guard for the Grand Pooh Bah. He personally sent me to request your presence at the palace. If you need a ride, we can furnish one. Do you need our assistance?

No, Colonel. We have our own vehicle. Who does the Grand Pooh Bah want to see?

A Ron Calvin, Tik Michi and Gus Ghaolh. Sir, who might you be?

I'm Ron Calvin. When does your boss want to see us?

At your convenience, sir.

Give us another ten minutes. My partner is just finishing unpacking our transportation.

Very good, sir.

Ron stepped back inside Auntie and hurried to Gus. He mentally sent a call to Tik. Sim and Jill followed her as she rushed back to the cargo area. As they met, Ron asked, Gus, are you ready? Is everything loaded?

I've got enough weapons in here to start a small war. Those little people out there won't even know what hit them.

Tik asked, What's the plan?

Ron said, We go meet this Grand Pooh Bah. If we don't like what we hear, we take him and go find Zendo and Illy. We'll let them decide what they want to do. We can drop them back at Binhu's village or find a place for them on one of our trading ships.

Jill asked, What do you want us to do?

You, Kikula and Sim sit in the cockpit. If we need help, come running. From what I saw before though, I don't think they have a chance against just our hand weapons.

Ron looked around at the others, took a deep breath then said, Ready?

Tik and Gus nodded yes. The others nodded and rushed toward the front. The trio climbed into the SS vehicle. Gus drove and Tik called for Auntie to open the cargo door. She opened it just enough to get the SS out.

Gus flew out and landed next to the soldiers. He asked, Colonel, we're ready. Do you want to ride with us to show the way?

The Colonel seemed surprised at the offer. Nodding his assent, he turned to one of his men to give orders for a sergeant to take over. He told him to get the men back to the palace.

The four foot frog-like Colonel climbed in next to a seven foot tall Gus. The radical difference in