Trouble with Spiders (Troubleshooters 48)

By Dr E J Yeaman

Hi. I’m Tony. Bea (my girl cousin) and I are agents – Troubleshooters – of the Galactic Federation. We were sent to investigate sabotage at a spider farm on the planet Memnon 2. You should’ve seen those spiders! But they weren’t as nasty as the guy who ran the farm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr E J Yeaman
• Release date: Oct 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370850174

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 48

TROUBLE

WITH

SPIDERS

Published by EJY at Smashwords

Copyright 2017 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 MESSY ACCIDENT.

2. A MYSTERIOUS PAPER.

3. ONE DAY!

4. NO ORDINARY SPIDERS.

5. SPARE THE SPIDERS.

6. THIS PLACE IS A DUMP.

7. COME HERE AND LOOK.

8. THE FIRST LIVE SPIDER.

9. JUST A FEW SPIDERS.

10. UP AND DOWN.

11. TAKE THIS GUN.

12. THE MYSTERIUOS MAUD.

13. WE CAN SEE WHAT HE SAYS.

14. RETURN THEM BRUTES?

15. DON’T LET IT ESCAPE!

16. REPORTING AS ORDERED.

17. IT WAS PERFECT.

18. I HAD TO CHANCE IT.

19. WISPINGI!

20. THAT’S AN IDEA!

21. COME ON, SNOWFLAKE.

22. 876.

23. WE CAN’T STOP IT.

24. READY?

25. GREEN SLIME.

26. REPORT.

TROUBLESHOOTERS

INSIDE STORY

TROUBLE WITH SPIDERS

1

A MESSY ACCIDENT.

This mission started by accident. It was a messy accident and, for once, it wasn’t my fault.

The planet Yband 4 has the headquarters of the Galactic Federation, so its communication centre is always busy with people of all shapes, sizes and colours rushing in all directions. As the Bean and I threaded through it, a little girl dived in front of us. The Bean tripped over her, and a man fell over the two of them. They made a heap on the floor with arms and legs sticking out everywhere.

While the other travellers hurried past, an animal squirmed from the bottom of the heap – a white fluffy animal about the size of a cat but the shape of a starfish. Its head was a bulge on the top with two bright black eyes.

It watched the little girl as she crawled out. She looked about eight with a round, honey-coloured face and straight, dark brown hair. She hugged the animal. Snowflake, are you all right?

I held out a hand to the Bean, but she stood without taking it. She straightened her uniform, looking down at the man, who sat up, gasping.

His skin and hair were the same as the girl’s, and so was his tracksuit – mottled green and brown like camouflage.

Young people from Earth, like the Bean and me, can sense the feelings of people and animals of most other planets in the Galaxy. I sensed no signal from this guy’s mind, but his face showed his anger. He shouted at the Bean, What do you think you are doing?

In a quiet voice, the Bean asked, What do you mean?

He stood and glared down at her. You know what I mean. You tripped me up. He was shouting so loud that other people stared at him but, seeing his face, looked away quickly.

The Bean started to speak, but I was louder. It wasn’t her fault, you… you big….

Tony! The Bean grabbed my arm. No! I’ll do it.

But… you heard him!

Yes, but shouting won’t help. Please!

I took a deep breath and tried to let the anger drain out. She was right – as usual.

She looked up at the guy. Can we discuss this quietly? You don’t understand.

Understand! I understand! You dived in front of me. I fell over you. Do you deny that?

No, but….

I might have been badly injured! Thanks to your fooling around. How old are you?

Eleven.

Eleven! Then why were you behaving like a five-year-old?

The little girl began, Father, it was….

Father shouted her down. Be quiet, Wispingi! I shall deal with this.

The Bean said, If no one is hurt, can’t we forget it?

My elbow is hurt! said Father. I shall report you. Isn’t that a Federation uniform you are wearing? I am on my way to visit a Federation leader. You will come with me so that I can report your stupid action to him, and let him deal with you.

The Bean began, Won’t you listen…?

I shall listen to no more from you. Your childish trick has made me late for my appointment. Come. He marched off with his head high. The little girl, Wispingi, glanced at the Bean then scooped the animal, Snowflake, into her arms and followed.

We’d been using wrist units to translate what we were saying, but I held mine behind my back. What do we do, Bean? Slide off when he’s not looking?

Certainly not, Tony, she said in the snippy voice she uses when she’s annoyed. We shall do as the gentleman orders.

I grinned. She was going to get her revenge by making the guy look stupid in front of the leader he’d come to see.

We left the comm centre and took the moving walkway through the middle of headquarters. The guy turned. Perhaps this could be settled by an apology.

Yes, said the Bean. If you would let me explain.

Explain! There is nothing to explain. When the Bean tried to speak, he shouted her down. Are you going to apologise?

No, said the Bean. I hoped you were going to apologise.

Looking furious, he turned back.

Beyond the crossroads of the walkways, he turned left into an ordinary corridor with the usual grey walls and floor, glowing ceiling, and four doors along each side.

Bean, I said. Guess where we’re going.

Wellington’s office is along here.

Wellington is a big man with a big mouth, which he often uses to shout at me. He’s Commander of the Investigators. The Bean and I are Troubleshooters, but he thinks he can give us missions too. I had a bust-up with him during our training. I was right, and he was wrong, so now he doesn’t like me.

Yeah: the guy stopped at Wellington’s door. Open.

As we followed him in, I said, This should be interesting.

2

A MYSTERIOUS PAPER.

In the office, the guy said to Wellington, Greetings. My name is Ngidado, and this is my daughter, Wispingi. I must apologise for being late. We were delayed because this child played a foolish and dangerous trick. He waved towards the Bean and me.

That child, said Wellington. I am not surprised. He is a menace.

He? said Ngidado. The boy has been cheeky, but it was the girl who caused the trouble.

The girl? said Wellington. She usually shows more intelligence than the boy – although that is not difficult. He glared at me. I gave him a happy smile. He turned to Ngidado. Please take a seat.

Like all Federation offices, Wellington’s has a U of seats facing the terminal of Victor the computer. Wellington was in the command chair at the bottom of the U. Ngidado sat on the settee at his left. Wispingi put Snowflake on that settee and climbed up beside them.

When the Bean and I headed for the other settee, Wellington demanded, Where are you going?

The Bean asked, Aren’t you going to ask him what he’s accusing me of?

Are you trying to tell me what to do in my own office? He waved towards the space behind the settee at the right. Stand at the wall. I shall deal with you later.

Without another word, the Bean went there. I stood beside her, trying not to grin. She was angry. When she had a chance to speak, she would ask a few questions in her snippy voice, and these two big-heads would look stupid. I was going to enjoy that.

Looking interested, Wellington asked Ngidado, What can I do for you?

Ngidado began, Perhaps you have heard of Memnon 2.

No. I do not know every planet in this sector.

Ngidado said, No, of course not. Then I must tell you that most of Memnon 2 is jungle, uninhabited. The planet does have a small base and communication centre. And, in a remote part of the jungle, a spider farm.

A spider farm? said Wellington, not looking so interested.

I asked, Why would anybody want to keep spiders?

Wellington glared at me. I do not want to hear from you.

But Ngidado answered, "The owner refuses to say why he keeps the spiders, He claims it is a business secret. He has a direct transporter link to the planet’s communication centre but he always leaves uniformed guards in his transporter room to prevent anyone from visiting the place. I suspect