Trouble for Vega (Troubleshooters 71)

By Dr E J Yeaman

Hi. I’m Tony, and I’m a young Troubleshooter of the Galactic Federation. I stopped a guy who tried to shoot Vega, the daughter of the Chief Minister of the planet Raffle 3. She insisted on helping me with the investigation, which led us to Lojpol 7 – where the planet’s computer was causing trouble.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr E J Yeaman
• Release date: Jun 6, 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 71

TROUBLE

FOR

VEGA

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

This is in three parts.

TROUBLE ON LOJPOL 7

1. A CRUEL MIND.

2. SEE YOU LATER.

3. I HOPE I CAN HELP YOU.

4. AN OFFICIAL INSPECTION.

5. OH, NO!

6. WELCOME TO LOJPOL 7.

7. BEHAVE!"

8. MIR CAN LIFFO.

9. YOU! SIT THERE!

10. BE PATIENT AND HOPE.

11. IT NEEDS THREE.

12. AREX’S DAD IS WORRIED.

13. WE’LL TRY FOR THE TRANSPORTER.

14. AREX!

15. SURRENDER NOW.

16. WE’RE CAUGHT.

17. TONY, VEGA, AREX, CSAM. OPEN

MORE TROUBLE ON LOJPOL 7

1. IT NEEDS FOUR.

2. OH, VERY NOBLE!

TROUBLE ON RAFFLE 3

1. I’M WORRIED ABOUT TONY.

2. VEGA, BEWARE!

3. DONE, CSAM!

4. TIGER, YOUR SHOULDER!

5. IN A WAY.

TROUBLESHOOTERS

INSIDE STORY

SIXY AND BB

MY STORY

TROUBLE ON LOJPOL 7

1

A CRUEL MIND.

I faced a metal door on the planet Snivel 3. Open. It slid aside, and I went into the transporter – like a lift. Close. Operate. Open. The door opened, and I went out on the planet Yband 4.

It was busy, with people of different shapes, sizes and colours hurrying past. Noisy too, with chatter in lots of languages.

I checked the time on my wrist unit – like a mobile with a strap. Yeah. I was in good time to meet Ed and Csam for tea.

A woman and two little girls came into the bay at the transporter door, so I moved out into the stream of people. I could....

What was that? A cruel mind, psyching itself up to do something desperate. The Galactic Federation likes young people from Sol 3 as agents because we can sense the feelings of people and animals of other planets. I was used to the babble of mind signals, so I didn’t usually notice them. But I couldn’t miss that one because it was so strong. I turned and strolled back.

Opposite each transporter is a bay with a seat across the back. The feeling was coming from a guy sitting at the end of one of those seats.

An old woman was leaning at the other end, looking and feeling hot and bothered, so I sat in the middle, giving the guy an innocent smile and trying to study him without making it obvious.

He looked like a white European with a tinge of blue. Not as old as my dad. Wearing dark brown Federation casual, like a tracksuit. With a brown gun on a clip at his waist. I daren’t stare, but it looked like a bullet-gun. I’d added annoyance to his mind, but hadn’t stopped the determination.

What could I do? As usual, my stun-gun was on its clip at my waist, but I couldn’t use it on the guy without evidence. I couldn’t even take it in my hand. Could I ask another agent for help? I watched the passing crowds, but no grey uniforms were among them. I could only....

The guy sat up, alert. The door of the transporter opposite was sliding open. A girl came out and waited for a gap in the flow of people.

The guy jumped to his feet, whipped the gun from its clip and raised it, ready to fire.

2

SEE YOU LATER.

I threw myself sideways, stretching across to push up the gun. It went off with a crack. As I fell on my side on the floor, the girl screamed, and the guy ran.

Then people were fussing around, helping the girl and me to the seat. She was the colour of milky coffee, and looked younger than me, maybe eleven or twelve. A woman was working on an orange patch – blood – on her left shoulder.

Paramedics dashed up. The girl and I said we could walk, but they didn’t believe us until they’d run grey gadgets all over us. Then they escorted us to the medical centre. I told them I wasn’t hurt, but I went with them so I could speak to the girl. Her mind signal was weak, mainly pain and fright.

Hi. I’m Tony. I’m an agent of the Galactic Federation. I pointed to my name on the dark green chestband of my uniform. D’you know why that man tried to shoot you?

Perhaps. I was going to visit the Commander of the Investigators.

May I see you later?

Why?

I’d like to help you. And I reckoned Wellington, the Commander of the Investigators, wouldn’t do much – although I admit he and I aren’t the best of mates.

Before I could say any more, a paramedic pushed between us. Don’t disturb the girl. She is hurt.

I just had time to give her a wave. See you later.

I persuaded the doctor I was undamaged, and rushed off to meet Ed and Csam, who had started their tea without me, and nearly finished it. I grabbed a few bites then we went to an interplanetary footy match.

After that, I left them and went to the medical centre. The doctor told me, The bullet tore a furrow from the outside of the girl’s shoulder. I advised her to rest, but she insisted on seeing the Investigator and you. The Investigator is still with her. If she becomes tired or upset, please leave.

Will do.

The girl was sitting up in the bunk, at the left of the usual Federation cabin. And, standing on the strip of floor, glowering down at her, was a tall, skinny boy who looked about fifteen, with a sour face. His name, on the pale green chestband of his Investigator’s uniform, was Tiger.

The girl shrieked, Get out of here! Get out, you horrible boy!

Tiger bawled, Keep calm. I cannot believe that story. Just tell me who might wish to harm you.

I tell you.... Oh, Tony! Thank you for coming. Tell this stupid person to leave me!

What did she expect me to do? Pick up Tiger and sling him out? But Tiger called, How do you expect me to help you if you don’t answer my questions? He glared down at me. Go, child. Can’t you see the girl is upset?

I can see who’s making her upset.

How dare you! Apologise at once!

I’m sorry. I shouldn’t’ve said that. That was true, but I didn’t say I hadn’t meant it.

If he noticed, he didn’t push it. He glared down at me for a while. Oh, get out of my way! He pushed past me and stormed out.

As the door slid shut, I looked down at the girl, who was leaning forward, crying into her hands.

At the transporter, I’d been too busy to notice, but I’d had the vague idea she was wearing a fancy party dress. Now I could only see the top – pink and sleeveless. She looked dark against the white bedclothes and bandage.

At last, she looked up at me with wet cheeks. I asked, How d’you feel?

That... that hateful Investigator!

D’you want me to go?

No! No! You told me you are an agent of the Galactic Federation.

That’s right. I’m a Troubleshooter. It’s my job to help people who are in trouble.

You? How old are you?

Thirteen. We were using our wrist units for translation, although hers was on her right wrist. They would convert my age to a time she could understand.

Will you listen to me? She liked me but thought I was too young to do anything useful.

I’ll be glad to. Er... my name’s Tony.

"Oh! I am sorry. I did not give you my name. It is Vega. And I did not thank