Trouble on Gyit 22 (Troubleshooters 27)

By Dr E J Yeaman

Hi. I’m Tony. Bea (my girl cousin) and I are agents of the Galactic Federation – Troubleshooters. On our way to meet friends on the planet Didia, we had a dispute with a group of men from Gyit 22. When we finally reached Didia, our friends had disappeared. I was certain the Gyitans had kidnapped them. We went to report to our boss. Who was with him? His friends, the Gyitans. When I accused them, they claimed I was looking for revenge after our earlier quarrel. Our boss believed them. We were determined to rescue our friends, but, with our boss on the Gyitans’ side, we had to take risks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr E J Yeaman
• Release date: Oct 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310319976

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 27

TROUBLE

ON

GYIT 22

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. WE’VE BEEN WAITING.

2. HE HAD AN IDEA.

3. WHERE ARE THEY?

4. WELLINGTON?

5. IT’S WORSE THAN THAT.

6. I MIGHT VISIT 006.

7. NOT HAPPY.

8. STORY?

9. HE’LL KIDNAP ME.

10. AN OBSTACLE?

11. CHANGE INTO THESE.

12. TELL WELLINGTON.

13. ARE YOU GOING NOW?

14. BEACONS DETECTED.

15. SOMEONE WAS UP THERE.

16. DULL.

17. CHAIN UP THE GIRL.

18. YOUR NEW HOME.

19. TUNNELS.

20. I HAVE AN IDEA.

21. T.

22. T FOR TONY.

23. WELLINGTON, LOOK OUT!

24. GO!

25. HE’LL COME BACK AT 35%.

26. PRECIOUS LIQUID.

27. LET ME TRY.

28. THE RATTLE OF FOOTSTEPS.

29. LASHING, LASHING.

TROUBLESHOOTERS

INSIDE STORY

TROUBLE ON GYIT 22

1

WE’VE BEEN WAITING.

The men made me nervous. Six of them – human-like but grey, the colour of an elephant. Their uniforms were like darker grey tracksuits. Two were pushing kit trolleys – big metal boxes on wheels.

They were just behind the Bean and me as we turned into the shuttle station of the planet Farhoy 12. Like all shuttle stations, this one was a long corridor with bays containing the doors of the shuttles that could take you to other planets.

This one was busy, with people of all shapes, sizes and colours streaming in both directions. The first five shuttles were being used, but the sixth was free. When we went into its bay, the grey men followed.

Ignoring them, I called, Open. The door slid aside, showing the shuttle – like a little room with two bunks, one above the other, across the back.

The leader, a guy with a red stripe down the outside of his sleeves and trousers, tried to push past me.

I resisted, putting my wrist unit to my mouth. Hey! We’re using this shuttle. The translation came through his wrist unit.

He put it to his mouth, and mine gave the translation in his loud voice. After us.

No! We were here before you. He was making me mad.

The Bean looked worried. It doesn’t matter, Tony.

Yeah, it does. We were here first.

The guy demanded, And who do you think you are?

We’re agents of the Galactic Federation. Troubleshooters. I spread my arms to show my uniform – like a grey tracksuit with the dark green bands round the chest and cuffs. We have an important appointment on Didia.

The guy put on a babyish voice. An important appointment on Didia! Back to his own harsh one. Going to visit your little friends?

We’re meeting the President’s son and daughter for… for a ceremony. And we’re using this shuttle. I went into it.

The guy came in beside me. Move aside, child. We are using this shuttle.

After we’re done with it.

He put a hand on my shoulder and smiled down at me. Young people from Earth can sense the minds of people from other planets. I’d already sensed this guy was cruel and bossy, but now I noticed something else – he had an idea he really liked. He said, A young Federation agent should be polite, and let a planet’s leader use the shuttle first. Thank you!

As he spoke, he hooked me out of the shuttle. I sprawled on my back. Pain surged through me, knocking me unconscious.

2

HE HAD AN IDEA.

When I wakened, the Bean was kneeling beside me with a reanimator. I sat up quickly. I was in the place where I’d fallen. A young woman walked round us, frowning down at me as she came out of the shuttle.

I wobbled to the seat in the bay opposite the shuttle entrance. The Bean sat beside me. Tony, are you all right?

Sore all over. One of them used a nerve-gun on me. Didn’t you see?

No. I was watching you.

And… and that guy was planning something.

Was he? I sensed their cruelty, but that was all.

He looked straight at me, so I sensed his mind clearly. He had an idea. Knowing him, I bet it’s crooked. I’m going to report it.

Who to? Wellington? The Galactic Federation doesn’t have police, but it does have Investigators, and Wellington is their Commander.

You’re joking! Since I proved Wellington fouled up our Agla 5 mission, he doesn’t like me – and I don’t like him. Martin? Martin’s our boss, the leader of the Troubleshooters.

The Bean glanced at her wrist unit. Is it important? If we make a report, we’ll be late on Didia.

OK. I’ll let it go. I stood. But I hope we meet that bunch again.

She shuddered. I hope we don’t.

3

WHERE ARE THEY?

The shuttle on Didia opens into the back of a big square room, cut out of a cliff of black rock. I expected it to be bright with candles and full of people, waiting to welcome us. The candles were there, but the people weren’t.

I asked, Where’s everybody? Is this the right time?

The Bean checked her wrist unit. We’re almost exactly on time.

I thought they’d be waiting for us.

So did I. They must be outside.

We walked out into the bright sunshine of Didia. The crowd had left a small space round the entrance, but they were packed round it, with the kids at the front. When we appeared, they gave a roar of welcome and waved coloured flags. I smiled and waved, and the noise grew even louder.

I don’t like these occasions but I’ve tried to get used to them because Federation agents sometimes have to appear in public. The Bean must’ve been wishing she could sneak back into the shuttle.

Gusti, the President of Didia, stepped forward to greet us. He lightly touched the tips of the fingers of his right hand to his own forehead then mine. Mind to mind. He touched his own chest then mine. Heart to heart. That was the Didian greeting. I did it to him, and the crowd cheered again.

He did the same with the Bean, then asked, Where are Thirti and Forti? Thirti and Forti are his daughter and son, twins about the same age as me. We’d become mates with them during our last visit.

I asked, What d’you mean?

He ran into the shuttle station and looked around. Where are they?

I followed him in. They’re not here.

But… but… they must be here. They begged to be the first to greet you. They came in here to wait for you.

That’s what we expected. But they weren’t here.

We looked around but we couldn’t’ve made a mistake. The shuttle station was empty. Thirti and Forti were gone.

4

WELLINGTON?

Thirti and Forti couldn’t have left, said Gusti. Everyone on Didia was watching the entrance.

The Bean said, They must have used the shuttle.

They wouldn’t do that! They were eager to greet you. I agreed that they could wait for you here alone.

I said, Then where...? That bunch we met on Farhoy 12! They came here and snatched Thirti and Forti. I knew that guy was planning something.

The Bean asked, But… why?

Don’t ask me! But I bet that’s where Thirti and Forti went.

The Bean said, Someone must have taken them away. Gusti, we’ll investigate. Will you explain to your people and ask if they saw anything?

Leaving Gusti gobsmacked, the Bean and I took the shuttle to the planet Yband 4, which has the local headquarters of the Galactic Federation. We ran to Martin’s office, but he was out.

I said, We have to start some action. Every lost minute will make it harder to find Thirti and Forti.

Wellington? she asked, not looking keen.

You know Wellington. I said. He won’t listen to us. What can we do? Obsidian! He’ll listen. Obsidian is Commander of all the agents in our sector.

I’m not sure, Tony. Obsidian would expect us to see Wellington first.

Bean, that’d be wasting time. You know Wellington as well as I do.

I agree with you, but, if we go to Obsidian, he’ll ask if we’ve been to Wellington.

He knows Wellington.

Perhaps he does but he has to support him. Come on, Tony. I agree we’re wasting time going to Wellington, but we must do it first. The sooner he fails to listen, the sooner we can find someone who will.

We shouldn’t have to do this. But I let her lead me along the corridors to Wellington’s office. I stood at the door. Let’s get it done. I took a deep breath. Open.

The door slid aside. Wellington was there, in his command chair, the bottom of the U of seats that face the terminal of Victor, the Federation computer.

But he wasn’t alone. Lounging on the settees were two of the bullies we’d seen on Farhoy 12.

5

IT’S WORSE THAN THAT.

The two crooks! With Wellington! The Bean tugged my sleeve. Tony, let’s go.

I pulled myself free and said, Wellington, sir. I’m sorry to bother you. It’s an emergency, and we can’t find Martin. May I speak to you for a moment? I glanced at the grey men. In private.

Wellington beamed. Ah, Tony. Tell me what is troubling you. I’ll be happy to advise you. He was acting the big man in front of the other two.

I pushed down my annoyance. "Thank you, sir. But this is Federation business. I’d rather speak to