Trouble on Uoquo 2 (Troubleshooters 50)

By Dr E J Yeaman

Hi. I’m Tony. Bea (my girl cousin) and I are agents of the Galactic Federation – Troubleshooters. This job sounded simple. Whoibus-child-of-Gepair said his new gun would subdue all animals. We were sent to test it on the fierce ones in the jungle of the planet Uoquo 2. But we soon learned that those animals were the least of our worries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr E J Yeaman
• Release date: Dec 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310613722

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 50

TROUBLE

ON

UOQUO 2

Published by EJY at Smashwords

Copyright 2015 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. THE WOLF’S CRYSTAL.

2. WHERE ARE WE GOING?

3. WE MUST GO TO UOQUO 2.

4. PEGGIES.

5. LAIMON-CHILD-OF-WHOIBUS.

6. GRIGGOTS.

7. WHERE ARE THE ANIMALS?

8. WE’VE DONE ENOUGH.

9. LET’S SEE THIS JUNGLE.

10. A KANGORILLA.

11. WHERE IS THE GUN?

12. I SEE IT!

13. THIS HAS NO TRIGGER.

14. TRACK BEACON 1.

15. HEY! UGLY!

16. TONY, YOU GO FIRST.

17. TONY, YOU TELL THEM.

18. WHOIBUS WAS GRATEFUL.

FROM DOC YEAMAN

TROUBLESHOOTERS

INSIDE STORY

TROUBLE ON UOQUO 2

1

THE WOLF’S CRYSTAL.

The Bean and I hurried through the headquarters of the Galactic Federation on the planet Yband 4. I said (not for the first time), I wonder what Obsidian wants.

The Bean said, He’s called us himself, so it must be important. The Bean and I are agents – Troubleshooters – of the Federation. Martin, our leader, usually gives us missions. Obsidian is commander of all the agents in our sector.

And urgent, I said. Obsidian had ordered us to report immediately and to wear our expedition suits, which are light but tough for protection in places like jungles. Our helmets, stun-guns and knives were on clips at our waists.

No doubt he’ll…. Ow! Somebody charged out of a corridor we were passing, and barged into her.

Most people are human-like, but not this guy. His body was about the same height as mine, but triangular: if you cut a slice across him, it would be a triangle with rounded corners. On each of his three bottom corners was a short, thick leg, and on each top corner was a long bendy arm ending in two thick fingers. His maroon tunic covered his body, the tops of his legs, and his arms to the wrists. He didn’t have a waist, but a belt round the bottom of his body held a stun-gun.

The Bean staggered against me, but the guy didn’t say sorry. He didn’t even stop. As he rushed on, I called after him, Hey!

He swung one of his arms to bring a wrist unit to his mouth in the top of his body. Where is Obsidian’s office? The translation came through our wrist units.

I spoke into mine. Can’t you watch where you’re going? Then I realised – he didn’t have eyes. He must sense his surroundings like a bat, by ultrasonic waves.

He waved an arm towards us. Bah! I have no time to waste on foolish children. He bustled away, along the next corridor.

I asked, Bean, you OK?

Y…yes. He stood on my foot. She put it gently on the floor and limped around. It’s sore, but I’ll live. Let’s see what Obsidian wants. I wonder why that man was looking for him.

I hope it’s nothing to do with our mission.

The Bean was walking OK by the time we reached Obsidian’s office. As soon as we sat down, he said, Bea, Tony, thank you for coming so promptly. I have a mission for you.

Sky-high! I said. Where?

A planet called Uoquo 2. A Scientist, Whoibus-child-of-Gepair, has asked me to send the two agents who were on the rescue mission to Xavu 6.

Xavu 6, I said. That was our first mission, before our training. Why does this Whoibus guy want to see us?

Obsidian smiled but said, Take care, Tony. Whoibus-child-of-Gepair is a native of Rabbli 3, and the Rabblians are fussy about names. He’ll be offended if you don’t use his full name – Whoibus-child-of-Gepair. He wants to see you about the confidential part of your Xavu 6 report.

The Bean frowned. We were ordered never to mention that part of the report to anyone. Didn’t that order come from you?

It did, but Whoibus-child-of-Gepair is sending his assistant, Davic-child-of-Gepair, to see you. You may discuss it with him.

The Bean said, We met someone in the corridor. He said he was coming here. What does Davic-child-of-Gepair look like?

He’s a Rabblian too. I haven’t had….

The office door slid open, and there was the guy who’d barged into us in the corridor. He demanded, Is this Obsidian’s office?

It is, said Obsidian.

I am Davic-child-of-Gepair. I was ordered to meet two agents here.

Obsidian said, These are the two agents. They will take you to a spare office. He told us, Number 5 in this corridor is free at present. Would you report to me when you return?

Sure, I said. I mean yes. I like Obsidian. He’s a good leader – fair and friendly if you do your best. He never shouts – but I wouldn’t like to face him if I’d done something he didn’t like.

Number 5 was a typical Federation office, with a U of seats facing the terminal of Victor, the Federation computer. No windows: the ceiling glows. Without asking, Davic-child-of-Gepair jumped on the command chair, the bottom of the U. We took the settee at his left.

He demanded, Tell me your names.

I said, You barged into us in the corridor, and stood on Bea’s foot.

The Bean said, Forget it, Tony. Obsidian’s given us a job. She squeezed my arm. That’s