Wedding Troubles

By Terry Compton

Tik Michi just wanted to get married, but someone forgot to tell the volatile Mis'stear about all the hoops she had to go through. Throw in some pushy parents, unreasonable in-laws, an invasion of Bug spaceships, a dipsy wedding planner and you have a perfect recipe for wedding troubles.
And that was just the start.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Compton
• Release date: Apr 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463542521

Terry Compton

Terry Compton has raced stock cars, rode horses across the Scapegoat Wilderness, fished and hunted most of his adult life while working at several different jobs. He is an Air Force veteran and served in the Air National Guard for several years. He is currently retired from being the owner, chief welder and installer for an ornamental iron business where he has made several award winning metal creations and is now turning this creativity to writing.Terry loves to read science fiction, westerns and mystery stories. Some of his favorite authors are Clive Cussler, Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Andre Norton, Poul Anderson, Robert Heinlein, Louie L'Amour, Zane Grey and Anne McCaffery. He is currently learning about 'indie' authors who are publishing e-books.Terry currently lives in Montana with his wife and a dog who thinks she is a short furry people.

Book preview

Wedding Troubles

Terry Compton

Published by Terry Compton at Smashwords

Copyright 2020 Terry Compton

Cover images courtesy of Ihar Balaikin|Savagerus| Dreamstime.com

Cover by Terry Compton

Tik Michi just wanted to get married, but someone forgot to tell the volatile Mis'stear about all the hoops she had to go through. Throw in some pushy parents, unreasonable in-laws, an invasion of Bug spaceships, a dipsy wedding planner and you have a perfect recipe for wedding troubles.

And that was just the start.

This is a work of fiction. All characters or incidents are a figment of the author's imagination and any resemblance to any incident or any person living or dead is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1

Ron Calvin sat in the galley in Auntie, their spaceship, sipping on a cold drink as his partner Gus Ghaolh paced around the room. Every other step saw him pounding a big fist into the palm of the other hand and growl under his breath. Ron said, Auntie, you need to bring up a couple of those repair bots and some metal.

What's the trouble, Ron?

There's a big Sandghost wearing holes in the deck and I'm afraid someone will fall through them.

Gus stopped pacing to glare at him, Har de har ha, very funny. You'd better be careful, I'm ready to punch someone and you just might be it if you keep up like that.

What's the matter with you anyway? You're not the one getting married and it's not even one of your kids.

Tik is driving me crazy. Keeps asking for this favor or that favor. We've been here for what, a couple of hours?

Ron nodded. She'll be calling anytime then. Just you wait and see…

He trailed off as Auntie said, Incoming comm from Tik.

Ron answered, Hi, Tik. What can Gus do for you – this time?

She groaned, then answered, That crazy wedding planner is going to get it. Why did Sim's parents insist on her? She doesn't listen to a thing I want and all her changing ideas cost more money.

Fire her and plan your own wedding, Gus said.

I can't. Sim's parents really want to use her.

What do you want us to do then, drop her off at another planet so it seems like she's just disappeared?

Ron said, Gus, we can't do that.

No, I don't need you to do anything like that, Tik protested. I just need you to go to the bureau of licensing to get a different permit for the wedding.

Again? They'll know us by first names if we go much more.

It's because we have to use a hanger for all you too big people. If it was only Mis'stears, we could use a normal building.

Oh, it's my fault now.

Gus grinned at Ron. Hmmmph, no, just please go get the permit. I'll send you details on your comm.

OK, little one, but it's going to cost you.

Here's the down payment. She gave him the raspberry.

Ron and Gus headed to the lower cargo bay to unload the SS vehicle. Ron set it to a nice convertible since the weather had been so pleasant. They had to fly because the roads just weren't big enough for their vehicle to fit.

Because of the number of aliens that visited Vesta IV, the license building had been built extra big. Gus didn't even have to duck as he walked in. They turned to the right and climbed a stair case to the second floor. Ron opened the door to the office and the two walked in. A clerk looked up to see them and groaned.

Gus muttered, Not first names yet, but we upset the natives by being here.

The clerk asked, What may I help you two with today?

Gus hit a couple of buttons on his comm as he said, The wedding planner wants a permit for this.

The clerk looked, then joked, This is going to be some wedding. Are there going to be any invitations for us common folk to get a glimpse of all the royalty that will be there?

Yeah, they are five thousand credits each. That's the cheap seats. That royalty you spoke of are paying way more. How do you think Tik is paying for this? Gus retorted back.

They both laughed, then the clerk went to her desk to work on the computer. Finally, she came back to the counter to say, Your permit will be ready in two weeks. That will be fifty credits.

Can't you just take it out of the money you're going to pay me for the tickets you want?

Well, I won't have the money for a couple of weeks. I want ten of them, so I have to get a loan and collect from my friends, she snickered.

Gus did too and pulled out a fifty credit coin. The clerk spoke as she gave him a receipt, I'll have the money when you return for the permit.

Gus and Ron walked out of the office. Ron stopped just outside, Something's not right. Wait here, I'm going back in.

After a quick look around to make sure no one else would see, he used the voorwarp unit to raise a shield and set it to invisible. He moved to the door and phased through it. Silently he moved around the counter and closer to the clerk's desk.

She had her comm out and set to the privacy mode, so Ron had to edge closer until he was almost touching her. He couldn't make out who was on the comm or hear what they said, but he listened as she said, I can get you ten tickets, but they will cost you ten thousand credits each – in advance.

After listening for a few seconds, she said, I'll meet you there tonight at ten. Bring cash or precious metals. I'll have the invitations in two weeks.

As she hung up, Ron backed away to watch her for a few minutes. He quickly lost interest when she went back to her normal work. Going back to the door, he noticed the closing times and went to stand beside Gus.

The hallway now had people moving in both directions, so Ron contacted Gus telepathically, "I'm back. There are too many people here to become visible, so head for the vehicle. I'll follow."

Gus started to ask a question, but Ron just gave him a little shove. Once they reached the vehicle, Ron climbed in and became visible. Gus stared at him, What was that all about?

Didn't you think that clerk was a little too interested in invitations? When I went back in, I overheard her comm conversation. She just sold those invitations for ten grand a piece. She's meeting the buyer tonight at ten.

Where?

I don't know. We're going to have to be here by 5:30 to follow her home, then follow her to this meeting.

Gus rubbed his hands together, Oh, good. I get to pound someone. That sounds like great stress relief.

Just don't tell our wives or Tik. Tik doesn't need any more stress.

A frown of concentration came on Gus' face. He asked, Should we have Auntie send a remote sensor to keep track of her in case she leaves early?

Ron looked out at the building, Yeah, maybe four. I'm not sure where the exits are. While you're doing that, I'm going back in to get some pictures of our clerk for Auntie.

He flipped his shield to invisible and moved back into the office. Moving around, he took several pictures of the clerk and sent them to their spaceship. By the time he climbed back into the vehicle and became visible, Auntie had four sensors on the building.

Gus started the SS vehicle and headed back to the spaceport. He asked, Who would want invitations?

Could be the press or some glory hound looking to hob nob with royalty.

They didn't say any more about it, but one look at their faces told of the inner conflict both felt. Their wives met them at Auntie's airlock and they mostly forgot the incident at the license office.

At supper time, Ron, Gus, their families, Tik and Sim were sitting in the galley eating when Ron remembered the clerk. Stepping away for a moment, he asked Auntie about her. The ship replied, I never did get sight of her. She didn't come out of the building that the sensors could see.

Check to see if there is an underground way people could get out.

Gus had noticed him step away and a little later he cornered Ron. When Ron told him of not finding the clerk, Gus asked, What are we going to do? Do you think she really had someone that would pay her a hundred thousand credits for ten tickets?

I don't know, but now I want to be able to track whoever comes in. I'm going to check about imbedding some nanobots in the ink to let us know who has the genuine invites.

Tik saw them together and she came over to ask what they were doing. Ron just said, Planning a little fishing trip.

The next day, Ron worked with Auntie and found out the employees of the license building did indeed have a tunnel that led to a parking structure. Ron instructed Auntie to keep watch in the parking area and find out where the clerk lived.

He also had her help with printing the invitations and putting the nanobots in the ink so that each invitation would be unique. They carefully numbered them and made sure no one else had access to them.

Two weeks went by without any more requests from Tik and no word from the clerk. The next morning, Ron and Gus took the ten invitations to the license office. The same clerk came over to them to give them their permit. Then she quietly asked if they brought the invitations.

Gus nodded and the clerk turned to tell the others she was taking a break. She told Gus to meet her down by the main entrance. By the time Gus and Ron reached the area, they saw her coming down a back set of stairs. She held a small case in her hand.

She walked over to a wall covered with pictures. Her eyes seemed to be studying it, but her tense body said otherwise. Gus walked up beside her to show her the invitations. The clerk struggled to hold the case as she opened it. Gus saw fifty rolls of ten credit coins. The outside of the wrappers said each one contained one thousand credits. The two exchanged the items.

Outside Gus carefully checked each roll, then said, They're genuine and all here. Now what is she up to?

Ron had Auntie add more sensors around the building and in the parking lot. They hurried back to the ship to watch the monitors. They saw the clerk come out of the tunnel shortly after 5:30 and watched her go to the fifth deck of the parking garage.

Along the way, she met no one nor even spoke to the other office workers headed to their vehicles. The clerk stopped at a grav cycle and put her things she had carried from the office in a hatch on the back. She climbed aboard and started down the ramp.

Before she reached the first switchback, a vehicle came up the ramp. It leaped to the right and smacked into the clerk so hard that she and her machine flew over the safety railing. Ron yelled for Auntie to keep tracking the vehicle who had hit her and to get another sensor to where they could see what happened to the clerk.

By the time the sensor came around the building, it picked up all the commotion on the ground. Transports and vehicles were stopped in both lanes as people rushed on the sidewalk to crowd around the smashed rider and cycle.

The vehicle that hit her stopped and the driver rushed to look over the safety railing. Ron directed Auntie to keep an eye on them and to bring another sensor to investigate where the vehicle had jumped to the side. All they could see was an empty parking spot.

Ron looked at Gus, then said, That's not press or glory hounds. Someone didn't want to be associated with her.

What's our next step?

We go back to the license office tomorrow under some pretense to see if we can find out anything.

Just as they finished supper that night, Auntie announced that they had company at the cargo airlock. Ron worked his way to the rear of the ship as Auntie told him they were the police. He invited them in, but the police detectives seemed nervous about doing that.

They asked Ron about his business with the clerk and he explained about the permits they had been working on for the last three weeks. He also told them about the wedding invitations and the clerk purchasing them. Ron asked the police if she had them on her person when she died.

The two policemen looked at each other and shook their heads no. Both looked even unhappier than before. Ron told them that the clerk had talked to someone at work and had sold the invitations for twice what she paid for them. He didn't tell them how he had gotten the information.

The detectives said they would look at comm records and trace the clerk's movements for the last few weeks. They thanked Ron and gave him a card to call if anything else turned up. Gus, Jill and Kikula stared at him as he came back into the galley.

Gus asked, Well, what did they want?

Ron looked at Gus, then at the wives. Gus frowned at him, so Ron said, The clerk who handled the permits was killed this evening.

Jill asked, How? Why did they contact you?

He hesitated a little too long and both wives stepped closer to him. Jill said, Spill. What have you two been doing besides getting permits?

Ron looked at the two, then slowly began the tale. When he reached the part about printing the invitations, both women berated him for such a stupid idea. He said, What else could I do? Whoever this is, they are going to be there. At least we'll have an idea when they present the invitation.

Kikula asked, What if they want you to spend all your time watching the ones with the invitation and they're really planning a different type of assault?

Ron and Gus looked at each other. Gus said, We didn't think about that. We need more security and ones who are ready to take care of a threat.

They both spoke at the same time, General Mike Nelson and some guardsmen.

Jill said, You'd better call him right now. He'll need time to set things up and bring everyone up to speed.

Before Ron could call, Auntie announced an incoming comm from Kita ao Te Kinobala, the ex-president of the Charter Alliance. One look at her face stopped all thought of joking with her. Ron said, It must be bad from the look of your face.

It is. The Bugs and our old nemesis Ashrafi Huazhuang are up to no good again. Ashrafi has over two hundred ships sitting around four planets and the Bugs are bringing in twelve to fifteen thousand crewmen to fill them.

When? Ron asked.

Soon. We have some coordinates for the Bugs and will get a time soon.

What about the ships and the crews already there?

Josh Gunn and his people are going to take care of them. They found Ashrafi Huazhuang's headquarters and are going to try to take him out. If they can't get him, at least they will take out his headquarters.

I'm going to have to meet him one of these days. You keep telling such interesting things about him. What do you need us to do?

Can you take care of the Bugs and their crews? Josh has his hands full with the other.

Ron grinned, I don't know. I have a grumpy Sandghost on my hands and he's been wanting to pound something. This might be like throwing a log into a chipper – things are going to fly everywhere.

Kita returned the grin when she heard Gus in the background, Better them, than you.

Jill asked, What about this invitation mess?

At Kita's look, Ron had to explain about the invitations and the clerk getting killed. Kita said, I know someone who is very good at finding out about things like this. I'll have him get on it.

This wouldn't be someone we know. Like Elevin Shi, would it?

She smiled and nodded. That's his business. He needs something to do to keep from getting bored.

Ron said, It's most likely nothing.

Yeah, like you haven't ticked anyone off in the last two years. Do the Bugs still have that bounty on you? How about the Nodac-Liujia? You did take several of their ships away from them and stop their conquest on Europaische. What about all the ships you took from the Hanami Federation? Or even from Ashrafi Huazhuang? You were responsible for him losing his position in the Alliance.

Yeah, whatever. When you put it like that, it sounds like half the universe would like a piece of us.

They all laughed. Kita asked, How soon can you go check out the coordinates and see what they are doing there? If you have to take action, how long before you would be ready?

As far as checking goes, if Elevin Shi gets here quickly, we can leave tomorrow. Taking action will depend upon what we're facing. Is it just a few ships or another armada like before? I'll let you know when we find out something.

They chatted a little more then hung up. Gus said, We're going to need a computer expert. I'll call Sim to see if he can go. Tik is too busy with this wedding and she needs to ride herd on that planner.

His wife put a hand on his chest and glared at him. NO YOU DON'T. JUST STOP RIGHT THERE. Sim is NOT going anywhere with you two.

Chapter 2

Gus blinked in surprise. Jill stood in front of her husband and added the same command. You two will leave them here together – alone.

Ron asked, Then what will we do for a computer expert?

Kikula firmly stated, I will get in touch with Sim. No need to stress Tik any more than she already is. He can recommend someone. Now, since you are going somewhere dangerous tomorrow, we need some alone time ourselves.

Jill nodded her agreement and grabbed Ron's hand. The four walked to their quarters and closed their doors.

***

The next morning, Ron and Gus took extra-long with their target practice while Jill and Kikula got in touch with Sim. After they hit the last target, they headed to the galley to get some breakfast.

Kikula met them at the door. Good news. Sim has a cousin who is a computer geek. Here's her name and address at work. He's going to call her so you can go on over to meet her.

Gus looked suspiciously at his wife. How come a cousin? Just how good is she with computers? Can she infiltrate Bug ships with us?

Sim just said she's good. Meet her and make up your own minds. Keep in mind that neither Sim nor Tik are going with you.

Ron asked, How old is this cousin?

Don't know. Eat and go see for yourself. If you don't like her, go without a computer expert or find one yourself.

We don't have much time to mess around. We need to scout those coordinates and make a plan to take care of the Bugs, Gus stated.

As they ate, Ron and Gus made a list of supplies they needed. They asked Dolores to order them, as well as any food supplies she would need. Once they were satisfied that the supplies would be delivered before they got back, the two headed out in the SS vehicle.

Gus said, Ron, something doesn't smell right with this.

I thought the same thing. What do we do though? We really need a computer expert.

A look of horror ran across their faces when they pulled up to the address. A small building sat in an otherwise empty lot. Signs across the front told people to go away in no uncertain terms. No soliciting, no selling and every other type of no were posted all across the front.

Ron looked at Gus, then said, Someone likes their privacy. Maybe you'd better wait here by the vehicle. You're so much bigger than the Mis'stear it may upset her.

Yeah, all those warnings might have some high tech way of helping visitors on their way.

Ron set his shield just in case. As he tried the door, he found it locked. His eyes searched and finally found something that looked like a communicator. He pushed the button and waited. After a few moments with no answer, he pressed it again.

A deep gruff voice said, Can't you read the signs? Do you need some physical incentive not to be here?

No, I can read. I'm Ron Calvin and Sim sent me here.

He could hear the sigh over the device. It took almost five minutes before he heard locks on the inside being worked. Finally, the door opened just a crack to let the same voice echo out. Just leave your computer problem there and I'll get it.

The problem isn't here. We need you to go with us to the problem.

Sim didn't say that. I can't leave here.

Just then Ron heard a comm inside the door. A very small meek voice said, Sim, why are you calling? I'm talking to your friend.

She was silent for several moments, then said, But I can't go out there. He's big and has an even bigger friend. What if they step on my tail or my leg or…

Ron could hear something, but couldn't make out the words. Sim spoke at some length. Finally, the voice inside answered so low that Ron could barely hear. OK, please just don't take my computers and put me in that place. I'll take my meds, Sim, just don't…

At this Ron looked at Gus. He telepathically sent a message, "Maybe we'd better just try to find someone else. Obviously, she doesn't want to go."

"Do we have anyone else? How long will it take? Kita said this Bug thing is all set to blow up and cause lots of problems not only for her friend, but it might spill over to here and Earth."

Ron grimaced and turned back to the door to wait. A short time later, it eased open a little more and a small Mis'stear stepped out. Ron couldn't keep himself from staring. The small being had jet black fur all over that poofed out like she had been standing near a source of static electricity. But the thing that surprised him the most was her face when she shyly looked up at him.

Her entire body was black except for a wide ring of white around the eyes and her mouth which gave her a perpetually frightened look. Her ears lay against her skull and her tail tucked between her legs. Ron caught himself staring and held out his hand as he said, I'm Ron. I've known…

He stopped as she backed away from him. Dropping his hand, he asked, Are you Nisha?

She dropped her gaze to the sidewalk and gave a slight nod of her head. Nisha, we need someone who is good with computers of all sorts. We might need you to hack into an alien computer. Can you do something like that?

As he watched, she shivered and seemed to tense. I'd like to do that – but you said you can't bring it here, right?

No, this computer is on a Bug spaceship. We want to capture it.

You mean like go into space?

Ron couldn't help but grin. Her voice had taken on a new note of excitement, but she still didn't lift her head. He said, Yes, you'd have to fly in our ship Galactic Antiquarian or Auntie as we call her.

Do you have a lot of crew?

No, we'll have just a couple more besides my partner, Gus, over there.

She glanced sideways at Gus and flinched away. Ron almost sighed, but controlled himself. He said, We have to know right away if you could go with us. We need to be leaving within the next four hours. Would you consider going with us? We'll pay you for your time and if we capture any ships, you get a crew percentage of the value.

Her head now bounced up, How much would that be?

If our information is true, several thousand credits. If you're not sure about going though, I'll understand and won't force you.

Oh, but I have to go. Sim said Father found me and is going to put me in that awful place again. He might even make me marry that yukky male. He also said that you would protect me.

Since her eyes still looked at her feet, Ron did roll his eyes this time. He said, You really don't have to go. You could just move and stay hidden, but if you do go with us, we will protect you.

No, I spent all my money getting this building and fixing it up. If you are going to pay me several thousand credits, I can stay right here. My Father won't be able to touch me.

A frown crossed Ron's face, Nisha, how old are you? Can you sign legal contracts?

Oh, yes, I'm twenty-three. When did you say you wanted to leave?

Four hours or less. How long would it take you to get ready? Would you like us to send someone to pick you and your things up?

She turned her head slightly and glanced at the SS. No, I can be ready in about twenty minutes. Your machine should be big enough to haul what I'll need.

With that, she dashed back into the door and slammed it shut. He heard the bolts locking on the inside. A big sigh escaped as he walked back to Gus. Our wives knew about this. Do you think she can even make it aboard Auntie?

The big Sandghost just shrugged. What choice do we have? I just hope that Sim hasn't led us on about her abilities. If he did… Gus pounded one fist into the other hand.

Twenty-five minutes later, as the two partners started to get restless, they heard the bolts being unlocked. A small hand set a small suitcase out on the steps. Gus said, At least she knows how to travel light…

His voice trailed off as the door opened wider and a grav sled piled high with computers, electronic gear and test equipment floated out the door in front of the small Mis'stear. Ron muttered, We may have to make this thing into a semi to have enough room for her stuff and leave us a place to sit.

The two started loading the gear in the back of the SS and as the last piece went in, Nisha went back inside. A few minutes later, she came back out with a smaller load of gear. Ron said, We have equipment on board and Auntie is an AI.

Oh, but I don't know what I'll need so I'm taking the bare minimum to get by.

Both of the males now rolled their eyes and began loading. Nisha pushed the grav sled back inside the door and took out a remote control as she pulled the door shut. They could hear the locks snapping in place, but she still tested the door to make sure it was secure.

Her ears and tail were a little perkier as she turned to look at the SS to see where she would ride. Gus had saved a small space right behind the driver. While she found her spot to sit, Ron slid into the driver's