Trouble on Yiffly 2 (Troubleshooters 43)

By Dr E J Yeaman

My name is Bea. Tony (my cousin) and I are agents of the Galactic Federation. We were sent by spaceship to investigate a possible emergency on the planet Yiffly 2. But Tony went down with flu, and the pilot didn’t want a ‘little girl’ to leave the ship on her own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr E J Yeaman
• Release date: Jul 29, 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 43

TROUBLE

ON

YIFFLY 2

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. A-CHOO!

2. IT’S JUST A COLD.

3. ALONE?

4. IS THIS A WEAPON?

5. WHY DID YOU...?

6. ARE YOU A WITCH-GIRL?

7. YOU BETRAYED ME!

8. A-CHOO!

9. TAKE THIS WARNING.

TROUBLESHOOTERS

INSIDE STORY

SIXY AND BB

MY STORY

TROUBLE ON YIFFLY 2

1

A-CHOO!

Tony and I hurried across the Enox 8 spaceport to the ship – like a flat-topped black box about the size of a cottage. The Pilot was lounging in the doorway. Hi, kids. Where d’you think you’re going?

Yiffly 2, said Tony. Ready?

What d’you mean? I been ordered to take two agents…. At last, he read our names on the chestbands of our uniforms. Hey! It’s you two! I expected two old stodgers. This is gonna be a slick trip.

I doubted that. He was human-like, but his skin had a blue tinge, showing he wasn’t from Earth. He looked about 15, only two or three years older than Tony and me. His uniform, like a grey tracksuit, had pale blue bands round the chest and cuffs, showing he was a Pilot. His name, on the chestband, was Slaz. Since he didn’t speak English, we were using wrist units.

Young Earth people can sense the feelings of people and animals from other planets. I sensed his feelings strongly – and I didn’t like his careless attitude.

We went through the ship’s entrance hall into the control room, where he flopped into the command chair, facing the terminal of Victor, the computer of the Galactic Federation. Right, Victor boy. Let’s go. I felt the twist in my tummy, showing we’d jumped into the fourth dimension for the trip.

Slaz leaned back in the chair and grinned at us. We’re on our way. Say, why the dark green bands on your uniforms? What kind of agents are you two?

Tony told him, We’re Troubleshooters. A new team.

Troubleshooters? Expecting trouble on Yiffly 2?

We don’t know. What have they told you about this trip?

Nothing. Gwin…. D’you know Gwin? She’s Commander of the base on Enox 8. Ordered me to report to the ship immediately for a trip to Yiffly 2. Said it was urgent. He laughed. I mighta guessed that. She wouldn’t send me if she could get any other pilot.

Tony said, We’ll tell you what we know. He turned to me. Bean, d’you want to do it?

No, I said. You go on.

Right. Tony sat on the settee to the left of the command chair. Yiffly 2 joined the Federation but asked for no visitors from other planets.

Yeah. I’ve heard of planets like that. Don’t know why they bother joining.

They can call for help in an emergency. Their leader presses a button which transmits an alarm signal to the nearest Federation base. A short time ago, Gwin got the emergency signal from Yiffly 2. She sent us to investigate.

Yeah. She had to send somebody but she didn’t care who.

Thanks!

You know what I mean. I reckon she thinks this trip is a waste of time. The guy on Yiffly 2 is probably panicking ’cause his wife shouted at him.

Tony frowned but he spoke calmly. Our job is to find out what’s wrong on Yiffly 2. We’ll help them if we can. If not, we’ll go back to Enox 8 and report. Gwin will arrange something.

What’s the planet like?

We didn’t have time to find out before we left. Victor, are the conditions at the landing site on…. A-Choo! He sneezed. …on Yiffly 2 suitable for a native of Sol 3?

The gravity and atmosphere will cause no discomfort to a native of Sol 3. The climate is warm.

"Let’s see…. A-Choo! Let’s see the