Trouble on Naxi 17 (Troubleshooters 19)

By Dr E J Yeaman

Hi. I’m Tony. Bea (my girl cousin) and I are agents – Troubleshooters – of the Galactic Federation. This mission started with a long, boring day on the planet Naxi 17, questioning the horrible natives, trying to find out who’d stolen their seesa nuts. I took a trip to Cooco 8, and hoped I’d solved the mystery, but everyone (except Bea) thought I’d taken the thieves to vandalise the planet. I was expelled from the Federation, and sent home to Earth in disgrace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr E J Yeaman
• Release date: Apr 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310004995

Dr E J Yeaman

I retired (early) and started a new career as a writer. I wrote short stories and articles. Some were published; some won prizes; some sank without trace.Having heard my stories, two friends suggested I should write for children. I’d never thought of that, although I’d spent my first career communicating with young people – as a Chemistry teacher, and running clubs for badminton, chess, table tennis and hillwalking.I tried writing for young people – and I loved it. It became my main occupation. I sent samples to publishers. One asked to see a complete story. In excitement, I sent it off. Then nothing. After four months, I rang, and was told the manuscript was being considered: I would be notified. Then more nothing. Now, after eight years, I no longer rush to the door when the letter box rattles.But I kept writing the stories because I enjoyed it so much. Until, in late 2013, I learned I could publish my stories and games as e-books. Since then, I’ve been polishing and issuing some of them. I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.Check out the series:C: Charades – party game – a new twist to the traditional game.D: Diagags – party game – gags written as plays for two people.M: My Story – novels – classical stories, told by the heroes.O: One-Offs – party game – guess the titles, not quite the classical ones.P: Pop Tales – short stories – inspired by 60s and 70s hit songs.Q: Quote-Outs – word games – can you deduce the missing words?S: Inside Story – novels – a boy’s adventures inside classical stories.T: Troubleshooters – novels – space adventures for young people.

Book preview

TROUBLESHOOTERS 19

TROUBLE

ON

NAXI 17

Published by EJY at Smashwords

Copyright 2019 Dr E J Yeaman

All characters in this publication are fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be resold, or given away, to other people. If you would like to share this e-book with other people, please buy additional copies. If you did not buy this e-book, or it was not bought for you, then please go to Smashwords.com and buy your own copy. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

CONTENTS

1. A FLASH OF PANIC.

2. I AM FIRST-BALLISTA.

3. COOCO 8?

4. ASKING QUESTIONS.

5. ASK YOUR QUESTIONS!

6. WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

7. GO! NOW!

8. I... I CANNOT HELP YOU.

9. CALL ME THURDSAY.

10. WELLINGTON IS ANGRY.

11. I WASN’T THERE!

12. THE EVIDENCE IS WRONG!

13. HOME.

14. WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

15. BEAN, MAY I HELP YOU?

16. KEEP TRYING.

17. STILL WORKING.

18. WHAT ARE MY CHANCES?

19. WASTING OUR TIME.

20. IF THEY WERE FACING ME....

21. THE DREAMWORLD.

22. ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT?

23. ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT.

24. GIVE A FULL REPORT.

25. TO THE DREAMWORLD.

26. TO NAXI 17?

27. I WAS RIGHT!

28. BEAN’S IN TROUBLE.

29. THE BEAN’S A GENIUS.

PS FOUR TOFFEE SUNDAES?

TROUBLESHOOTERS

INSIDE STORY

TROUBLE ON NAXI 17

1

A FLASH OF PANIC.

Bean! I grabbed her arm. D’you catch that?

Catch what? She looked blank.

A flash of panic. A girl’s mind. Come on!

She and I were on our way to report to our boss in the headquarters of the Galactic Federation on the planet Yband 4. We’re agents of the Federation because, like all young people from Earth, we can sense the feelings of people from other planets. As we threaded through the crowds in the travel centre, we sensed the minds all around us, but we were used to that, so we paid no attention. Until that blast of panic, loud above the others, came from the transporter corridor.

I pushed into that corridor, which is long and wide, with twenty-four bays on the right, containing the doors to transporters that can take you to other planets.

Opposite the third door, I found the reason – three men. They were human-like, tall and broad, but their skin was black with a blue shine, like a bluebottle. Their sleeveless tunics looked like black leather. They were big-headed and cruel – and one held an unconscious girl, like a baby in his arms.

I stood in front of him. What are you doing?

Without bothering to answer, he pushed past me, but I grabbed his tunic. Stop! Where are you going with that girl?

One of the others – he must’ve been their leader – stopped him with a sharp order, then frowned down at me and spoke into his wrist unit – like a watch with a computer screen. My wrist unit translated his harsh voice. Who are you?

I’m a Federation agent, and I want to know what you’ve done to that girl.

He looked around. Passers-by were staring at us, and some had stopped to watch. He said, She was taken ill.

Yeah! The girl was wearing a short-sleeved white tunic. A thin arm, almost as white as the tunic, was hanging down. I took her wrist, and was relieved to find a pulse. Where are you taking her?

That is no concern of yours.

If she’s not well, she should go to the hospital.

She does not need the hospital.

She doesn’t belong to your race. Take her to the hospital. I let my hand rest on my stun-gun, on its clip at my waist.

He glared at me. We shall deal with her.

I had my own flash of panic. I couldn’t let them take the girl away. But they could overpower me before I could use my stun-gun on all three of them. Could the Bean…? Looking wildly around, I spotted a face I knew in the passing crowd. Columbus!

Columbus is a big man – tall and plump. He was wearing typical Federation gear – like a tracksuit – but his was in a dazzling zigzag pattern of red and yellow, and he had a matching cloak on top.

He pushed to the front of the crowd, beaming. Tony! My friend!

Friend? Columbus is a brilliant scientist and inventor. We knew he was a crook – we’d caught him cheating natives – but he’d slimed out. He was so cheeky I kinda liked him, and I was glad when he looked at the black men and asked me now, Could you use a little help?

These three knocked out the girl. They’re trying to take her away.

The leader of the three began, We didn’t….

Now, now, said Columbus. Not loud, but it made the guy stop. Tony, what do you want to do?

Take the girl to hospital.

That seems an excellent idea. Columbus beamed at the three.

The leader growled, We don’t know where to find the hospital.

We’ll show you, I said. Bean, would you lead?

With a nod, she moved off. The leader hesitated, staring at Columbus. Then he waved the others to follow the Bean. I said, Thanks, Columbus.

He bowed. I am always happy to help keen young agents in their duties.

I kept my stun-gun in my hand as I followed the others through the corridors. The leader turned once to glare at me, but he didn’t speak.

At the hospital, the doctor ordered, Put her on that trolley, under the light. What’s wrong with her?

I answered, These three frightened her. I think they knocked her out.

The leader said, She collapsed.

The doctor frowned at him. Hmm. All of you, go to the waiting room. I’ll examine her, then see you there.

As we left the room, the leader spoke to his mates without using his wrist unit. They didn’t come into the waiting room with us.

As we sat down, the Bean said, I’m glad they’ve gone. They’re horrible.

Yeah, I said. I hope the girl will tell us what they were up to.

If she recovers. She glanced at her wrist unit. We’re due to report to Martin in about 1%. (That’s about a quarter of an hour.)

I said, I’d rather wait. I faced the terminal of the Federation computer. Wake, Victor. Tony here. I request direct talk with Martin in his office.

In a few seconds, Martin’s voice came through. Hi, Tony. Where are you?

The Bean and I are at the hospital. We rescued a girl from three men, and brought her here. She’s unconscious. The doctor’s with her now. Can we wait and speak to her when she revives?

That should be OK. I thought I had a job for you. Theft, on a planet called Naxi 17. Their ruler was due to see me about half an hour ago, but he hasn’t appeared. Come through when you can.

Thanks. Victor, stop direct talk.

The Bean and I chatted for about fifteen minutes before the doctor appeared in the doorway. Where are your friends?

They didn’t wait, I said. How’s the girl?

She was knocked out by a blow to the back of the head. When she revives, she’ll have a sore head, but that’s all.

Can you use a reanimator on her? We’d like to ask her who did it.

How urgent is it?

Important, but not desperate.

He frowned. I’d rather let her recover naturally. Can you wait for 8%?

No problem, I said. We’ll report to our boss, and come back.

Ten minutes took us to Martin’s office. Like all Federation offices, it has a U of seats facing Victor’s terminal. Martin was in his command chair, the bottom of the U. And, sitting on the settee at his right, was the leader of the bluebottle men.

2

I AM FIRST-BALLISTA.

You! The guy jumped to his feet. The light gleamed off the hairless dome of his head.

I said, Martin, this is the leader of the men we met.

Martin asked me, What do you want to do?

Let’s hear what he has to say.

What he said (to Martin) was, Who are these?

These are the agents who will be doing your job.

What! Do you insult us by sending children?

Are you trying to tell me what to do? Martin’s voice was sharp. If you are not happy with their work, you can complain to Obsidian. Obsidian is commander of all the local agents.

The guy stared at Martin for a while, then sank back on his settee. My father sent me to order you to make an important investigation. If these children bungle it, you will be sorry.

We sat across from him. His black eyes glared at me, making it easier for me to sense his mind, although it only gave a weak signal. Still big-headed and cruel. Now angry as well.

The Bean said to him, Greetings. I’m Bea.

I’m Tony. I smiled to him – ’cause I hoped that would annoy him.

He didn’t show his anger. I am First-Ballista.

First-Ballista? A suspicion flashed into my mind. I asked, How old are you, First-Ballista?

I am fifteen. The wrist unit translated his age into Earth years. Two years older than me – and he was taller and broader than Martin.

Where are your friends?

They have business elsewhere. Did I sense a hint of guilt? No doubt they were up to mischief.

Martin asked, How can we help you, First-Ballista?

My father is ruler of the most important town of Naxi 17 – the one at the transporter. A few days ago, all the seesa nuts were stolen from our store.

How do you know the thieves didn’t come from your own planet?

They used weapons which made our guards fall unconscious. My people don’t have such weapons.

Stun-guns, said Martin. Are these seesa nuts valuable?

They are very valuable.

The Bean asked, How do you use them?

They are essential food for my people.

When…? began Martin.

I interrupted, What do you mean by ‘essential food’?

That should be obvious, even to someone of feeble intelligence. If my people do not eat seesa nuts, we become weak and die.