Lost on Kyni 9 (Troubleshooters 4)

By Dr E J Yeaman

Hi. I’m Tony. While Bea (my girl cousin) and I were training as agents of the Galactic Federation, we had to go with Augustus, a fussy old Negotiator, to the planet Kyni 9, where they wanted to buy ten thousand fenceposts. Ten thousand? I was suspicious, but I was well warned not to go looking for trouble. But trouble came looking for me.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr E J Yeaman
• Release date: May 12, 2020

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

1

BOO!

Boo! Kit shouted in Jade’s ear.

Ooh! Jade shrank back.

We’d finished our basic training as agents of the Galactic Federation, and were waiting for Blackett, our teacher, to give us our first work experience mission. He’d ordered us to wait in this unused office, and he was super-strict, so we’d arrived in good time.

There were six of us – me, the Bean, Jade, Kit, Falcon and Cirrus. At first, we all chatted at the same time but, as we waited, I got too nervous to talk. The others must’ve felt the same: we went quiet.

Until Kit started. Typical Kit. He couldn’t just sit quiet. He had to annoy somebody. Jade was often his target because she was so timid.

I said, Give it a rest, Kit. He really bugged me.

Mind your own business, Freak. The Federation likes young people from Earth as agents because we can sense the feelings of people and animals from other planets. During the training, we’d found out I was better than the others at that. Since then, Kit had called me, Freak.

Freak yourself, Fatso. To be honest, he’s not really fat, but chubbier than the average fourteen-year-old.

You gonna make me?

Any time.

How about now? He stood up and grinned down at me. That surprised me and, I admit, worried me a bit. Although I’m more than a year younger than him, he hadn’t been keen to argue with me. Until now.

The Bean put her hand on my arm. Ignore him, Tony.

I certainly wasn’t going to back down. I shook her hand off and jumped up to face Kit. Suits me.

He hadn’t left room for me to stand between him and the seat. As soon as I was up, he jerked his belly forward, pushing me down again.

I wasn’t taking that. I jumped up at him. I got in a couple of punches before….

Tony!

Blackett was standing in the doorway.

2

TEN THOUSAND FENCEPOSTS

I spun round to face Blackett. He wasn’t much taller than me, with a thin face and slicked-back hair. He didn’t tell me off. In his usual dry voice, he said, Jade, Bea, Tony. Come with me, please.

He led us along the corridor to his office, with the usual grey walls and floor, and glowing ceiling. He took the command chair, the bottom of the U of seats facing the terminal of Victor, the Federation computer. I sat on the settee at his left, with the Bean and Jade beyond me.

He frowned at me. Tony.

I stared at his name on the chestband of his uniform, wondering if mine was tidy. A Federation uniform is like a pale grey tracksuit with coloured bands round the chest and cuffs. Blackett’s bands were purple, showing he was an Administrator. Our trainee agents’ uniforms had plain bands outlined with thin black lines.

The uniform top and bottoms are supposed to join neatly at the waist. I had a horrible feeling mine had come loose when I went for Kit. My eyes wanted to look down to check. My hands wanted to tidy it but, with Blackett staring at me, I daren’t move.

He broke the long silence. Tony, you are exceptionally gifted at mind-sensing.

Nothing about trainee agents who fight. Nothing about trainee agents whose uniforms are untidy. I looked modestly down. My uniform was only slightly twisted.

Blackett asked, Bea, did you know that?

Yes.

Jade, did you?

Y… yes.

That is most unfortunate. Tony, I have reported your abilities to Obsidian, the Commander of all the agents in this sector. He may wish to test you and assign you special duties but, in the meantime, you will continue your training. I suspect he will wish to keep your abilities secret. The three of you will therefore not mention mind-sensing, including your own, to anyone. To anyone. Do you understand?

We nodded. Yes.

Good. I shall speak to the other members of your class. He focused on me again. Tony, you could become an excellent agent. You are bright. You are enthusiastic.

In surprise, I looked at his face. It didn’t look bright – or enthusiastic. I wasn’t tempted to smile. Dad had spoken to me like this before. I knew a but was coming.

But you act without thinking. You did so in that office just now. You did so several times during your training.

He was right. Dad would sigh. Tony, you have a brain. Can’t you learn to use it? I’d promised him I’d think before acting but, by the time I remembered the promise, I’d acted before thinking. I mumbled, I know.

I hope the arrangements I have made will help you to improve. For the first mission, the class is divided into threes. I have placed you with the two girls because they are quiet and sensible. I hope you will try to follow their example. I observe that Bea’s rank is higher than yours. You must accept her leadership.

Before we’d started training, the Bean and I had done two missions, and Victor had given the Bean a rank of 360 and me 337. I couldn’t argue with them. She’d been sensible. I’d been thoughtless. And Federation rules say agents should always obey those with higher ranks.

Do you understand?

Y...yes.

Bea, did you hear that? You will watch Tony. If he behaves foolishly, you will stop him. If necessary, give him a direct order. Do you understand?

Yes. She glanced at me, looking worried. She’s my cousin, about 1½ years younger than me. When we were together, I’d always taken the lead.

I rely on you to do so. Jade, if you see Tony doing anything foolish, you too will rebuke him. Is that clear?

Y...y...yes. Jade! Telling me off! Jade’s fourteen but she’s not much taller than the Bean; she comes from London although her parents are Indian; and she seems too frightened to live.

Good. For the next part of your training, you are required to accompany a Negotiator on a trade mission. You will meet Augustus in the travel centre of Farhoy 12 at 34%. He is going to Kyni 9 because the people there have applied to import ten thousand fenceposts in exchange for a mineral called luminite. Is that clear?

We nodded and chorused, Yes. In my case, it wasn’t an enthusiastic yes. I’d like to see Kyni 9 but....

I asked, Why do they need ten thousand fenceposts?

Presumably they intend to build a fence. He didn’t smile. He didn’t mean it as a joke.

But – why ten thousand?

It will be a long fence, I assume. Now, if no one has any sensible questions….

The Bean said, Er... may I take my pet?

Hmm. Blackett had met the Bean’s pet – Cuddles, a baby frong from the planet Xavu 6. He looked like a pea-green dragon about the size of a cat. On our first mission, the Bean had rescued him from a huge bird that killed his mother.

Blackett frowned, but the Bean quickly went on, I’ve been ordered to keep him with me. If we’re separated, he refuses to eat.

Blackett didn’t switch off the frown. Very well. He told us, You may go. Remember what I have said.

He didn’t say, Enjoy yourselves on Kyni 9. Maybe he was remembering the fenceposts.

3

I AM AUGUSTUS.

We reached the Farhoy 12 travel centre before 32%, giving me time to speak to the girls. Blackett told me to think before acting, then said the people of Kyni 9 want ten thousand fenceposts. Thinking about that, it’s a huge number. D’you think Blackett’s suspicious? Was he hinting I should watch for anything unusual?

The Bean shook her head. I don’t think so.

He did say the Federation might use me for special duties. Could this be one of them?

No. I think he was telling you not to do anything stupid.

What d’you think, Jade?

I… I don’t know.

I turned back to the Bean. You have to admit – ten thousand is a suspiciously large number of fenceposts.

Yes, but if they’re not using them to build a fence, what else can they use them for?

I don’t know – but let’s watch for anything suspicious. I checked my wrist unit. It’s 34% Where’s that Augustus guy?

We’d better wait for him. Let’s go to that quiet corner.

A few agents were walking past but they showed no interest in us. The only one who was looking at us was an old guy, almost bald, wearing a navy blue blazer and trousers, white shirt and shiny black shoes. He was standing in the middle of the waiting room with a kit trolley – a big metal box on wheels, used to hold equipment for expeditions.

People walked between, but the guy stared at us through every gap. Remembering Blackett’s order, I ignored him, but he kept doing it until I lost patience. I stared back.

The Bean asked, Tony, what are you doing?

See that old guy with the kit trolley, standing in the middle of the room, getting in everybody’s way? He was staring at us. So I’m staring back. Oh, oh! He’s coming over.

He barged the trolley through the crowds to us. How dare you stare at me like that! Don’t you know it’s rude to stare? He used his wrist unit but he spoke English, so our wrist units made it a chorus.

I was too amazed to answer, which is probably just as well.

He moaned on. "Why are you hanging around here anyway?

The Bean answered, We’re waiting for an agent called Augustus.

I am Augustus. Were you not ordered to report to me?

I said, We didn’t think you were an agent. I mean – you’re not wearing a uniform.

A uniform! I wish to be smartly dressed to meet the leader of a planet. And kindly do not address me in that way. I am in command of this mission. Remember that. If you must speak to me, address me as ‘sir’. Is that clear?

Yes, I said then, getting a glare that would have melted a block of concrete, added, Sir.

I did not wish to be burdened with children on an important mission such as this. If you are to accompany me, I insist on discipline in…. His eyes and mouth opened wide. What is that?

Cuddles had poked his head round the Bean’s ankles. He looked up at Augustus in cheerful innocence while Augustus looked down at him in speechless horror.

He’s my pet… sir, answered the Bean.

I will not take that creature on my mission. Get rid of it!

I said, He’s to stay with her all the time, sir. Federation instructions, sir.

He shifted his glare from Cuddles to me. I have already warned you about speaking out of turn. Kindly remain quiet unless I address you. I refuse to take that animal out on Kyni 9. It must remain in the ship. This is a trade mission, not a circus. You! Bring my kit trolley. He marched off, across the travel centre.

You! was me. Giving the girls a grin, I followed him, pushing his kit trolley. He crossed to the end of the travel centre and out to the spaceport.

I asked, Sir, doesn’t Kyni 9 have a transporter? If Kyni 9 was a member of the Federation, I would’ve expected it to have a transporter – like a lift, which could take us there in a second. The ship might take hours.

Augustus didn’t answer: he strode out to a ship – a flat-topped black box about the size of a cottage.

Open. The door slid aside. What is this? The entrance hall of the ship was crammed with stuff – three kit trolleys and a pile of metal sheets.

Augustus ordered, Leave that trolley here. I must find out about this. He headed for the passage up the left of the ship to the control room.

I put my shoulder to the nearest trolley, pushing it in, making room for Augustus’s, so the ship’s door would shut. Then we hurried after Augustus.

In the ship’s control room, a young guy was lounging in the command chair. He was human-like but blue-skinned, with long arms and short legs like an ape. His uniform had the pale blue bands of a Pilot, with his name, Bavavo, and rank, 407, in Federation symbols.

Hands on hips, Augustus faced him. What is all that material in the entrance hall?

Bavavo wasn’t annoyed. That belongs to two engineers. They’re going to repair the transporter on Kyni 9. The natives overloaded it. Blew the 5D drive. Are you the Negotiator?

I am indeed.

And these?

These children are trainee agents, imposed upon me for this mission.

Bavavo smiled to us. Hi, Bea, Jade, Tony and... is that a trainee agent?

The Bean went red. He’s my pet. He mopes and won’t eat if he’s not with me.

What’s his name?

Cuddles.

Hi, Cuddles! Bavavo waved. Cuddles grinned: he knew we were talking about him.

Hrm! Augustus loudly cleared his throat.

Bavavo wasn’t worried. Ready to go? He turned to the terminal. Victor, close outer door. Set off for the landing site on Kyni 9. I felt the twist inside, showing we’d taken off into the fourth dimension for the trip.

Bavavo told us, The flight will take about 12½ hours, and we will land in the early morning on Kyni 9. I suggest you have a meal, a short evening, then a sleep, rising in time for breakfast before you leave. You can share Cabins 3 and 4.

Alarm burst into my mind as Augustus demanded, What do you mean?

Bavavo was amused but he didn’t show it. I am using Cabin 1, and the engineers are sharing Cabin 2. The four of you can share Cabins 3 and 4. You can order down the spare bunks.

What! I refuse to let that child enter my cabin!

The ship has only four cabins. What else do you suggest?

I do not care. But I will not... not... NOT have that boy in my cabin!

Tony, what do you think?

I don’t want to share with Augustus. Can I sleep on the settee here?

If you would prefer that.

Augustus said, I should hope so. He turned to us. You will report to me in the entrance hall half an hour before we leave the ship. Until that time, I do not wish to see or hear anything of you. He stalked out.

When his cabin door had hummed shut behind him, Bavavo said, You have a kind-hearted commander there. The engineers are in the dining room at present. I suggest you go for your meal after them – say in 3%. (That’d be about three quarters of an hour.)

We chatted with him until the engineers appeared – like barrels with four stumpy legs round the bottom and four long, bendy arms round the top. Their uniforms had the white bands of Scientists.

We had a quick chat with them before they went to their cabin, and we headed for the dining room. It was at the end of the store, opposite the door of the control room. As usual, the table stuck out from the back wall, with a little door and a screen above it, and bench seats for two along each side.

Bavavo asked, May I join you? I don’t often have company as I eat, and your commander doesn’t seem very friendly.

We had a good meal with him. Since he always piloted that ship, its food dispenser had a lot of dishes from his planet, Etke 12. He suggested belgowans – like sausages with a weird taste – pork mixed with mincemeat, like you get in Christmas pies. Good, but not brilliant. After that, we suggested toffee sundae, and he said he liked that.

Luckily the dispenser had broccoli, Cuddles’s favourite. After two big platefuls, the Bean said he’d had enough, but he stood on the seat, looking eagerly at the door. Bavavo urged the Bean to give him more but, after he’d gobbled that, he stood on the seat, looking eagerly at the door. Then Bavavo agreed he’d had enough.

We were halfway through the sundaes when I happened to say, I suppose good old Augie will be along soon, wanting his supper.

The Bean kinda coughed and, when I looked at her, she said, I read a story once. It had a character called Augustus. His friends called him Gussie.

I burst out laughing. Gussie!

We were still laughing when the man himself appeared in the doorway with a face like thunder. Had he heard? Would he report me for cheek?

He put his hands on his hips. I wish to eat now.

Bavavo said, Come on, folks. We’ll leave Augustus to have his meal in peace.

We took our sundae glasses through to the control room. When we finished, Bavavo said,