Trouble at Ikutiki (Troubleshooters 58)

By Dr E J Yeaman

Hi. I’m Tony and I’m a young agent of the Galactic Federation. Earth people are not supposed to visit the Federation, but I got permission to let my dad have a quick trip to Federation headquarters – if he stayed with me. When a prospector’s ship crashed on the planet Ikutiki 6, I was sent on an emergency mission, and Dad saw a lot more of the Federation than we expected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr E J Yeaman
• Release date: Jun 4, 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

TROUBLESHOOTERS 58

TROUBLE

AT

IKUTIKI

Published by EJY at Smashwords

Copyright 2020 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. THERE’S WELLINGTON!"

2. THE NAME’S GRENVILLE.

3. HE WON’T ANSWER.

4. YOU’RE NOT A PILOT!

5. THE BUBBLE

6. IT WAS INTEESTING.

TROUBLESHOOTERS

INSIDE STORY

SIXY AND BB

MY STORY

TROUBLE AT IKUTIKI

1

THERE’S WELLINGTON!

I said, Dad, this is Martin, my boss. Martin, this is my dad. I watched them anxiously. Dad is the adult I like best at home on Earth. Martin is the adult I like best in my job as Troubleshooter for the Galactic Federation. I was sure they would like each other, but….

They smiled and shook hands. Martin said, Pleased to meet you, Mr Trent.

Call me Alec, said Dad. Pleased to meet you too.

What do you think of Yband 4?

I’d imagined it more... alien. This might almost be a busy railway station on Earth if it wasn’t for the people. We were in a quiet corner of the travel centre of the planet Yband 4, with people of all shapes, sizes and colours hurrying past.

Martin said, I hope you think it’s a suitable place for Tony to work.

I hadn’t expected it to be so busy.

The sector headquarters are here. We support over eight thousand planets.

With all those people, I’m surprised you’re so keen for Tony to work here. I mean – he’s just an ordinary thirteen-year-old.

I grinned to him. What do you mean – ordinary?

He grinned back as Martin said, Young people from Earth are not ordinary. They can sense the feelings of the people and animals of other planets. That makes them valuable agents.

That’s what Tony told his mother and me when he was trying to persuade us to let him work for you.

Did he tell you he’s the best mind-senser we have? We’d be sorry to lose him.

There’s no danger of that. Margaret and I have always trusted Tony to make his own decisions. He has no doubt of his future career: he is keen to work here. But, as his father, I didn’t like being refused permission to see the place.

I’m sorry. It’s a Federation rule.

Dad laughed. I know. Tony’s told me a hundred times: people from non-Federation planets, like Earth, are not allowed to visit the Federation.

I said, I had to get special permission for you from Obsidian, the Commander of the whole sector.

I understand why you have the rule, but that doesn’t make me like it.

Martin