Murder Pose

By Marel Lenmen

The Xeres Corporation owns the trade permits and funds the university study. The corporation provides the intersystem ship to transport and support the university research team. The first to die is Dr. Robeson, the head of the research team. Captain Jameson of the Orion, the corporate spaceship, investigates and declares the death to be a suicide. A second investigation begins to throw doubt on the professor’s suicide.
The next to die is Captain Jameson. There is no question that this time it is murder. The body is glued to the wall as display with a spear penetrating his heart. Apparently, there was no struggle with the apartment clean and neatly arranged. Major Argent fears his soldiers will assume the natives are seeking revenge. He closes the base and implements measures to restrict the people who know about the murder. Soon he finds out the murderer is releasing the information and stirring the animosity of the soldiers.
Sergeant Cummings believes a native performed the murder. Major Argent believes a soldier or Xeres security performed the murder. Dr. Kelso suspects everyone who was on the base that afternoon. The natives distrust the offworlder and are reluctant to cooperate with the investigation. As the investigation progresses, it becomes more difficult to find a suspect with the motive and opportunity.
The murder has placed the trade agreements, the peace treaty and the establishment of a permanent spaceport in jeopardy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marel Lenmen
• Release date: Sep 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310057731

Book preview

Murder Pose

By Marel Lenmen

Copyright 2015 Marel Lenmen

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Prologue:

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Chapter 10:

Chapter 11:

Chapter 12:

Chapter 13:

Chapter 14:

Epilog:

Glossary:

Excerpt from Scheralt: Hostile Takeover

Prologue:

The Scheralt star system produces severe magnetic storms. The star charts marked it as a system to avoid even though it was along a highly traveled trade route in a densely populated section of space. For centuries, the severe magnetic storms deterred exploration. With new ship design and increased speed, the exploration became feasible.

The explorers found five planets in orbit around the star Scheralt. Four planets were frozen rocks or orbiting too close to the star. The fifth planet is inhabitable with a mild climate for most of the year and an indigenous population.

The initial exploration showed little of value and was limited by the short period where there were no magnetic storms. Since there was little of monetary value on the planet, it was ignored until an academic study by the University of Gannesmede. The initial observations show the natives living a primitive existence using animals for transportation and primitive weapons for protection. The ship leaves a small contingent on the planet during the storm season to study the city dwellers while the ship retreats beyond the destructive magnetic fields.

The Xeres Corporation owns the trade permits and funds the university study. The corporation provides the intersystem ship to transport and support the university research team. In return, the corporation receives the data, analysis, and mineral rights from the universities discoveries. Additional tax incentives are tied to the exploration benefiting the corporation.

The first to die is Dr. Robeson, the head of the research team. Captain Jameson of the Orion investigates and declares the death to be a suicide. A second investigation throws doubt on the professor committing suicide.

Chapter 1:

A loud pounding on the door reverberates through the room interrupting the serene quiet. Standing in the hall a uniformed soldier halts hammering his fist on the door to glance at the civilian standing behind him. Are you sure he is here?

Open the door. The locator shows him to be in there. I do not know why he is not answering. Inside the room, the door muffles the irate voice but dead silence permeates as the response.

Captain, we are coming in. A loud voice announces before a click indicates the latch unlocking. The soft shush of the door rubbing on plush carpeting further disturbs the quiet.

A soldier appears in the doorway and slowly steps across the door’s threshold. The civilian elbows the soldier out of his way. They both stop abruptly just inside the doorway.

Oh Shit! They stare at the body grotesquely displayed on the opposite wall. Captain Jameson stares out of glazed eyes blankly toward the entrance giving anyone who enters the impression that he is watching them. What appears to be a native spear penetrates Captain Jameson’s chest pinning him to the wall with a stain of blood trailing from the wound down an otherwise pristine white uniform to pool around his feet. His mouth is sagging open as if he is about to speak. The effect is disconcerting.

*****

In another building, the base commander, Major Argent, and a professor from the Gannesmede University, Dr. Kelso, sit across from each other at the major’s desk. The office is utilitarian containing a desk and two chairs with the only amenity a portable bar. The two men are enjoying a few moments of relaxed conversation as they sip their drinks. Neither appears in a hurry to start the discussion that brought them together.

A hard knock on the office door interrupts their conversation. The major’s aide enters with a brisk walk and a serious expression. Major, I know that you do not want to be interrupted but we have a serious problem. I sent an urgent notice to your secure message center. I believe you will want to act on this one immediately and not delay until after your meeting with Dr. Kelso.

Hesitantly, the major apologizes to Dr. Kelso, Excuse me for a moment while I see what is so urgent. He scowls at the aide in disapproval. The major believes that reading messages when he is talking with someone is rude and disrespectful. He has reprimanded his officers for such behavior. As the Major reads, his expression changes from the relaxed demeanor to stiff and grave expression matching his aide.

Dr. Kelso you need to be made aware that Captain Jameson has been killed with a native spear.

Dr. Kelso stares at the major with disbelief as he slowly sets aside his drink.

The major looks up at his aide. Secure the site. Sequester all parties who are aware of the death. I do not want word of this getting out. Dr. Kelso, you will accompany me to view the scene. Without waiting for a reply, he briskly follows his aide out of the office with Dr. Kelso rushing to keep up with the long legged major.

Although the major barely acknowledges Dr. Kelso following, he hopes that Dr. Kelso will not object to his abrupt commands and termination of their meeting. The major has found civilians to be easily offended when the military issues orders to them. He must maintain good relations with Dr. Kelso since he will need all the assistance available to deal with the natives. With the support of Dr. Kelso who is the liaison officer to the natives and the expert on the natives, the major feels that he might be able to keep the incident from escalating. He slows his pace slightly so that he can talk to Dr. Kelso. This death could blow up into another war with the natives. The natives are not happy with the spaceport and military presence. They are barely tolerating the existence of the base. I do not need some hot head deciding to avenge a perceived attack by attacking the natives.

Thankfully, the natives avoid the base which limits the soldiers contact with the natives.

I plan to keep it that way. Right now I have three in confinement for planning a raid.

Why am I only now hearing of this? What did they think they could accomplish? Dr. Kelso is trying to smooth the relations between the military and the natives. Keeping the actions of the soldiers hidden is not helping him. The cooperation between the military and the natives is essential for successful negotiations to relocate the spaceport.

It is one of the reasons that I wanted this meeting. The common soldiers feel that we capitulated too easily after the natives captured the base. They want to prove by capturing a village that diplomacy sold them out and disregarded their capability.

How many more of the soldiers feel the same?

The major stiffens and reluctantly admits, Too many. The disgust in his reply reflects the major’s opinion of the soldiers’ behavior. He knows that the peace is tenuous and the soldier’s attitude is detrimental. I am trying to recruit the soldiers who defended and made friends with the natives. The problem is the soldiers do not want to separate from their unit for isolated duty on Scheralt. His fear that he must keep some soldiers who dislike the natives motivates him to push Dr. Kelso toward finalizing the proposed move. You must get that new location approved by the native’s council. It is the best solution that he can foresee to minimize conflict. We need the distance to separate the natives and the soldiers.

Carefully checking that no one can overhear their conversation, they continue the discussion as they walk to the VIP housing. The local natives are the most antagonistic towards us and the native’s council is aware of the threat that they represent. Next Dr. Kelso predicts, This is going to increase the distrust and fear. Most people will attach their own motivation to the natives. The soldiers know how they would respond to the destruction of Orath. I do not think they understand the natives giving the base back to us. This must be handled carefully leaving no doubt that all procedures are followed. Who do you have trained in investigations?

The spaceport is in shambles yet from the native’s over running it and dismantling it. I have a tenuous control of the spaceport with everyone working long hours just to get essential services operational. The command is not replacing the soldiers who died thus severely under manning the spaceport and base.

The major’s admission corresponds to what Dr. Kelso knows. Dr. Kelso adds, Then, there are probably little resources to handle this new crisis.

The major confirms the evaluation and lists his immediate concern. No senior officers. The native magistrate banned and ejected all of them from the planet. I have some very dedicated and talented noncoms, non-commissioned officers. I am afraid both of us are going to be deeply involved in the investigation in addition to all other duties.

Using the major’s admission as an opening to promote an idea, Dr. Kelso offers, I would like to volunteer the crew of the Serendipity to supplement your investigators.

The Serendipity is a battle cruiser disguised as an unarmed diplomatic courier and dispatched by the Gannesmede government. One planet of the Gannesmede system, Tecante, provided the crew who are all reserve military. Although he is not the captain, Dr. Kelso controls the actions of the ship. He used it to end the war and now worries how this death will affect that hard won treaty with the natives.

Interrupting Dr. Kelso’s musings, Major Argent complains, We are at a distinct disadvantage with the battle cruiser no longer in orbit. The major disapproved of the battle cruiser, Saratoga, leaving the Scheralt star system. He demanded that the cruiser return but his superiors gave him no response aside from the high command not ordering the battle cruiser to return.

Hearing the worry in the major’s voice, Dr. Kelso prays that he does not regret sending the battle cruiser away. The major does not know that the Serendipity forced the cruiser to leave. The Serendipity, a heavily armed ship, displayed the latest in armament and outgunned the battle cruiser. He tries to mollify the major by emphasizing the benefit. Sending the battle cruiser away was instrumental in getting a treaty with the natives. Since the Saratoga destroyed Orath, sending it away removed a major threat to the natives. It made them agreeable to sign a treaty.

Dr. Kelso recalls that the Xeres Corporation and the military opposed the action. Both lodged protests condemning his decision by emphasizing that it left them vulnerable. You are ignoring that the natives had control of the base and all senior officers. Continuing to use force to subdue the natives was only going to add to the bloodshed but not aid in establishing the spaceport. If the Corporation had their way, the spaceport by necessity would be an armed fortress with the military using armed force to subdue the natives. You would still be a prisoner of the natives. Sighing in frustration, Dr. Kelso finally admits to himself that he has not truly appreciated a diplomat’s job. In his previous occupation as a spy, he now feels he had it easy.

The major justifies his stand, If this death causes more fighting, we do not have the capability to evacuate everyone.

They curtail the discussion when they hear a disturbance at the VIP housing unit. Xeres supervisor, Jeff, and the two Gannesmede professors, Dr. Ximber and Dr. Claber, are crowded in a knot around the doors. They are angrily shouting at the soldiers guarding the entrance. The soldiers stand stoically blocking their entrance.

Let us pass. You can not arbitrarily stop us from entering our rooms. The civilians are trying to force their way past the guards and do not see the major behind them.

Major Argent takes one glance and shouts, What goes on here? This area is off limits to everyone. He sees a scene of chaos with two armed soldiers having to use their weapons to block the civilians from continuing into the VIP quarters. The soldiers are not threatening the civilians just placing themselves in the civilian’s path with their weapons held across their chests or as a bar pushing the civilians away from accessing the doors.

Dr. Ximber turns at the major’s shout and struts toward the major with Dr. Claber trailing behind him. These soldiers will not let us pass. They cannot make my room off limits. They cannot order us civilians. I demand that you order them to leave. He recognizes that the major has the authority to force the soldiers to comply with his wishes and assumes the major will agree with him. Dr. Ximber crosses his arms and smiles in anticipation of getting his demands met.

Ignoring Dr. Ximber, the major orders, Clear this area. Corporal, call for reinforcements. Anyone resisting is to be considered hostile and escorted to the holding cell where they will remain until I decide to release them.

The two soldiers break into broad grins as one speaks into his communications unit. Dr. Ximber and Dr. Claber had gravitated toward the major expecting his conceding to their demands. Their faces reflect shock and then turn red in outrage at the major’s orders.

Before they can voice their refusals, the major brushes past them. I have not lifted martial law. This is a military facility and I AM IN COMMAND. All civilians will follow my orders. He glares at the civilians as he tells the soldiers, You have your orders. The major dismisses the problem as solved and continues his march through the doors.

Dr. Kelso hears renewed protests as he follows Major Argent. An affronted Dr. Ximber complains, Why is he allowed? He points at Dr. Kelso. He does not have rooms here. Dr. Kelso is not military.

Major Argent glances at Dr. Kelso with one eyebrow lifted. You do not have a set of rooms here?

No. I stayed in Orath until the battle cruiser, the Saratoga, destroyed it. For now, I have a cot in my office or I am staying with the natives in a wetu, their housing.

Major Argent and Dr. Kelso proceed down the corridor at a fast pace leaving the irate civilians with the soldiers to handle. As they approach an intersecting hall, they hear more shouts and arguments.

Do you know who I am? Release me, you stupid ignorant grunt. If you had any brains, you would not be in the military! You are so dumb, you need someone to tell you when and where to eat, sleep, and bathe. I insist that you release me. The demand echoes through the corridor.

Contrasting to the angry diatribe, he hears a calm reply, My orders are to detain you until Major Argent arrives.

That strutting moron of a tin soldier matches you and your incompetence. If he had any skill, he would have gotten a position in one of the corporations. He is a freeloading low life like all of you soldiers.

Dr. Kelso watches the major’s stride falter slightly before he stiffens from hearing the insulting comment. The major quickens his pace leaving Dr. Kelso lagging behind as he turns the corner.

When Dr. Kelso catches up to the major, he observes two soldiers restraining an irate Xeres Corporation Manager, Greg. Even after having worked with the professors and the Xeres Corporation officials, he finds it hard to believe their continued blindness to others outside their select group. Xeres employees discount other positions or authority and believe that everyone is to comply only with their demands.

You can not hold me. I am a civilian. I will have you demoted and in the brig on bread and water. I will have your mind wiped and you made obedient to your betters. Release me. Greg struggles with the soldiers holding him trying to break free of their grasp on his arms.

Major Argent stops in front of the group. Why is he restrained? His calm manner belies his fury at another confrontation.

He demands to...

Greg interrupts, Major, order them to release me. He again twists his shoulders trying to dislodge the soldiers grasp.

Quiet. I asked the sergeant a question not you. The major sneers at Greg as he waits for the sergeant to respond. He enjoys watching Greg’s jaw dropping in shock.

Sir, our orders are to secure the area and allow no one to leave. He refused to wait.

Sporting a malicious grin the major informs him, Obviously he has something to hide. Strip search him and bring everything on him to be tested. The soldiers immediately drag Greg away.

The major is tired of the continuous opposition to his orders from the civilian segment on the base. Wary of censure from civilians, the major observes Dr. Kelso’s reaction. Seeing no censure just curiosity, the major explains, The humiliation will discourage further resistance from Greg. If not, then there are other means of making him more uncomfortable with the added advantage of making an example of him. It will discourage the others from being obnoxious to my soldiers or at the very least curb their comments.

Dr. Kelso smiles at the major. I must remember not to get on your bad side. Even he finds it hard to believe Greg’s arrogance. After insulting the soldiers and denigrating the major’s ability, Greg has the audacity to believe the major will listen to him, let alone release him. A little bit of humility and respect would have accomplished his release. Instead, he has insulted the major by belittling his abilities and position thus earning Greg an unpleasant experience.

The major explains his attitude toward Greg. This is my last command. Thanks to the complaints filed by the Xeres Corporation, I can forget any future promotions. There is no reason to be nice to them.

As they step in front of the only guarded door, the soldier opens it for them.