Kohr

By Cecil Cory

Mike Bergmann works for Astral Industries mining guild. He and his ships controller Roxanna head out for a simple mission to identify and classify a planet that was just discovered and to claim it for Astral Industries. As he enters the neutral zone between the Alpha and Bravo sectors, he finds a derelict ship transmitting a mayday. He rescues occupants who are on their way to a similar planet in the same sector of space. The derelict ship is operated by Atwater Mining Guild, one of his competitors. On board the ship are several people that work for the Federation and are looking for another expiation that was last seen on the planet. They combine forces to see if the planet is viable for its resources. Little do any of them know that the planet is already occupied and at war with another race, who are trying to claim the system for its minerals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781365964664

Book preview

Kohr

KOHR

By

Cecil Ian Cory

Copyright

Version 1.3

Copyright © 2017 Cecil I Cory / Lulu Press

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-365-96466-4

This work is licensed under the Creative

Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

License. To view a copy of this license, visit

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Acknowledgments

I wish to thank several people for their help and understanding.

First, to Eugene Fitzgerald for his help in proof reading this story for me. It has been a great help in completing it.

Next to my Mom and Dad for their support and belief that I could do almost anything I wanted to do.

Last, but not least to my wife Karen who has kept me going when I felt I could not go any longer.

Other Stories by Cecil I Cory

A Walk in the Sun

Escape from Regales Two

Transfer Station 261

Einhejar Warriors

Atlantis Conspiracy

Raid on Sector Delta 34

Assault on an Empress

Darnel’s Revenge

Pirates of the Auroa

Gagnon

Ark 33

Box Maker

Dead Oaks Flat

Stories in the Twin Suns series

The Twin Suns

In Search of the Twin suns

One Last Battle for the Twin Suns

To Walk in our Fathers Footsteps

A Meeting with the Federation

The New Worlds

Creators of the Towers

Professor La Forge’s Sabbatical

Chapter One

Mike Bergmann set his flight bag on the bed and opened it. He pulled out his clothes from the bureau and started placing them into it. He looked at the old flight suit hanging in the closet and grabbed it, folded it and stuffed it into the bag. He looked around his quarters to make sure he had all of his things, then closed the bag and set it by the front door with the other one. He looked one more time around his quarters then grabbed the two bags and stepped out into the hallway. The next door opened and Sam Sneed stepped out.

Where have they got, you going this time? Sam asked.

I don’t know some planet out in the Bravo quadrant. I’ll see yea in a few months.

Right.

Mike continued down the corridor to the exit. He stepped out into the bright sunlight and looked up at the hazy orange sky as he continued to the Robo Taxi that was waiting to transport him to the platform. He climbed into the back and sat down on the seat. The Robo Taxi pulled away from the building and pulled out into traffic. Mike looked out at the mining facilities as he rode past. He could see the foundry as it belched the orange smoked out of the stacks that filled the atmosphere with its filth. He watched the people as they moved about like zombies going about their meager lives.

The Robo Taxi pulled up to the base of the platform and stopped. Mike took a deep breath of the purified air inside of the vehicle then stepped out, grabbed his bags, and moved quickly from the Robo Taxi to inside of the building. He let out his breath as soon as he entered the platform and continued to the counter.

Man, it is bad out there today. He said as he walked up.

How can I help you? The woman asked from behind the counter.

I’m Mike Bergmann you should have a reservation for me to the top.

Yes, Mister Bergmann, a one way to platform twenty-three. Are you leaving us?

Just for a while, company business.

Have a safe journey. She replied and handed him his pass then smiled at him.

I certainly hope so. He replied and walked off to the waiting area.

The elevator doors opened and he stepped into the room. He set his bags into the storage area and found a seat. He sat there for 20 minutes waiting before another man stepped into the room. The man set his bags in the compartment and found a seat. The doors closed and they could feel the acceleration as the room started moving.

Mike pulled out his tablet and looked at the information again. There sure is not much here. He thought. It is just a small P4Rsp planet around a G2V sun with an oxygen and nitrogen atmosphere. I wonder why nobody has looked at it before. He continued to look at the data from the last expedition from that sector of space. Oh, so that is why. It is in the disputed zone between Alpha and Bravo. No wonder they want me to go. They think I have some pull with them. They are in for a rude awakening. Just because my grandmother was born in the Alpha sector, doesn’t mean I’m allowed to wonder around there. The Federation has declared that entire sector off limits to all Guild operations, especially the mining Guilds. I don’t know this one might be far enough out of their control to be looked at. What the hell, as long as they are paying me to head out there, I might as well see what it is.

The elevator stopped on level 23 and Mike along with the other man stood up. They grabbed their bags and walked out onto the platform. They both continued across the platform to the platforms airlocks. Mike watched the man as he walked up to the same airlock he was headed to and step into the waiting ship. Mike followed the man into the space taxi and sat down behind him. The man pulled out his Cellcom and pushed in a code then held it to his ear and began speaking in a low voice. The airlocks were closed as soon as Mike sat down and the space taxi soon moved away from the platform. The space taxi docked with the ship storage area and both men stood up and walked out of the taxi. Mike once again followed the man down the tubes until the man turned and walked over to a ramp leading down to the next level where the larger ships were stored. Mike continued down the corridor until he reached his ship. He put in his code for the hatch then stepped inside.

Hello Roxana. Mike said as he walked towards the cockpit. Roxana?

Hello Mike. The ship answered.

Have you been serviced yet?

Héehe'e Mike I have been completely serviced and provisioned. Where are, we going this time?

We are headed for the Alpha sector then out to the Bravo sector to look at a new system.

Do you want me to contact the Council for permission to enter their space?

See if you can get ahold of Mám Htovóo'ȯtse for me.

What do you want now Mike? Mám Htovóo'ȯtse replied.

Hay Mám Htovóo'ȯtse, how is it hanging?

I was doing all right until you called. What do you need this time?

I need to skip out to the Bravo sector. I was wondering if you could see it in your hearts to let me use the towers to get close.

Where are you going this time?

Oh, they want me to look at a little P4Rsp around a G2V sun.

The only ones I know out that way is in Alpha and the disputed zone.

By my calculations says that it is just outside of the zone in the Bravo sector. I will send you the location. Mike pushed in the coordinates and sent them.

So, they want to screw up that one next.

Hay all I am doing is looking to see what is out there. What they do with it is between the Guilds and the Federation. Have a heart man. If I have to go that way conventionally it is going to cost me plenty and take months.

So, they have lots of Credits.

They may have, but I am on a fixed price contract this time, besides there are others headed that way that work for Creston and Blodworth.

Creston! I thought they were under investigation for their illegal mining operations.

They are. That still isn’t stopping them from going out to look. Look, they have a week head start on me at least. If they get there first and find anything, you know they will try to encroach into your space and the Guild will not stop them. At least with the group I am working for I can…

Just like you did out on Pulveris?

Hay. that was not my fault. I turned in all of my findings and the Federation made the decision not me.

Let me talk to the High Warrior and see what she says. If she approves it then I will see what I can do.

Thanks man I owe you.

You have owed me for so many Long Lights, just when were you going to pay me back?

Someday soon I hope.

All right head out and turn it on and I will see what she says.

Roxana head us out to the lanes. Tower control this is November two six Alpha five requesting permission to disengage the tower and head for the transport lanes.

November two six Alpha five, permission granted to disengage tower. Proceed to outer marker and hold until traffic clears.

Roger tower control. Mike replied.

Mike could feel the ship disengage from the platform then start to move away down the tube. He could see another larger ship as it pulled in front of his and continued towards the exit. Once outside of the storage facilities he sat back and watched as the ships moved out to the shipping lanes then slowed when it reached the outer marker. He could see an old ship ahead of him with the name of Kilroy Was Here III painted on the side as it started to move and then it suddenly disappeared. I wonder who that was. I know I have seen that ship before somewhere. Mike thought as his ship moved up to the marker then it started to accelerate out away from the planet. He watched as the speed increased and the jump charge increased. The tails on the stars started to extend as his speed increased to .005 light.

Mike, are you still there? Mám Htovóo'ȯtse asked.

Yup.

The high warrior says that if you do what you did the last time in our space, she will have your hoohtsêstse áxâxévone hide nailed to her door, even if you are her sister’s son’s son.

Tell Aunt Sally that I promise to be good this time.

Like she is going to believe you. All right, turn the boxes on and I will turn you over to transportation.

Boxes coming on.

Mike pushed the button enabling the jump systems then sat back. He watched as the stars shifted as the small ship jumped between systems. After six jumps, the stars quit shifting and the planet with the towers flew by. He brought the ship around onto the next course, then put in the jump coordinates and pushed the lever forwards. The stars shifted again. He looked at the numbers and nodded his head.

Okay Roxana keep us on this course until we are fully charged again.

Héehe'e Mike. We will be fully charged in fifteen and a half hours.

Wake me in about ten hours. Mike replied and climbed out of the pilot’s seat. He made his way to the back of the old Áme'háóhtse Amó'enēō'o then crawled into the small bunk and closed his eyes.

Mike awoke to the beeping sound Roxana made when she wanted him. He opened his eyes and looked around the small room he used as his quarters. Roxana started beeping again.

What is it Roxana it hasn’t been ten hours yet.

I am sorry Mike, but I am receiving a distress call.

What kind of a distress call?

Some ship is requiring assistance.

Patch it through.

Mayday, mayday, mayday this is the Taya Balde Hotel niner six five Delta eight three, mayday, mayday, mayday.

Do you have a fix on them?

Héehe'e Mike.

What kind of a ship is it?

It is an Eldera survey ship.

What the hell is it doing why out here? We are still in the Alpha quadrant.

Do you wish for me to inquire?

No. Is there anybody closer?

There are no other ships in this sector at this time.

All right plot a course to it and let’s see what they need.

Héehe'e Mike.

Mike pulled on his old flight suit and walked back to the cockpit of the ship. He looked at the long-range monitors and could see the ship at the extent of their range. He sat down in the pilot’s seat and looked at the monitors showing the outside of his ship.

Roxana, scan out as far as you can and tell me if you see any EM out there besides the Taya Balde.

I see no radiation to the limits of our sensors. I have located the Taya Balde’s registration. It is registered to an Aniketos Giannopoulos out of Atlantis and is currently under contract to Atwater Mining Guild.

Atwater Mining? What are they doing in the Alpha quadrant? All right contact the Taya Balde and tell them that we receive them and inquire as to what assistance they need.

Yes Mike.

November two six Alpha five this is the Taya Balde Hotel niner six five Delta eight three, am I glad to hear you. Our main drives have failed and we are running on backup power. We have severe damage to our haul integrity and are venting atmosphere.

How many are onboard?

There are ten of us still alive.

I should be there in forty-five minutes.

We don’t have oxygen for that long.

Get into your escape modules and I will pick you up.

We don’t have any.

How about vacuum suits?

Yes, we have them.

Well, climb into them and plug into your ships system. Close off all vents to the rest of the ship and I will get there as soon as I can. Damn who is that guy? Didn’t he pay any attention to onboard ship drills? Mike looked at the monitors and could see the ship slowly approaching. He watched the object as he closed with it. Roxana, do you see any sign of anything else out there?

No Mike, there is nothing else out to my limits.

Let me know if anything shows up.

Mike could see the outline of the Taya Balde on his ships monitors. He could see where one of the main drives had exploded and ripped the aft section of apart. Man, what a rust bucket. He thought. I have seen better-looking ships in the bone yard out by Pluto.

The ship slowed as it approached the Taya Balde then came to a stop two hundred meters from it. He could see several bodies as they started for his ship pulling cases behind them. Then more people appeared and moved out of the Taya Balde airlock and started for his ship with more cases. Mike counted ten vacuum suits moving toward his ship. He slipped the ship in closer then stepped out of the pilot’s seat and moved towards the ships airlock. He grabbed his blaster from the chargers and shoved it into his pocket. As he approached the airlock, he could see the indicator change from red to green showing that there was atmosphere in the airlock. He walked up to the door, as it swung open. One person stepped out pulling a case behind him. Then the airlock closed. The light change from green to red then a few minutes later it changed back. The airlock hatch opened and the next person stepped out pulling a case behind him. The airlock and the lights changed color. This continued until all ten people along with their cases were onboard. Mike stood there and shook his head as they boarded one at a time.

One of them stepped out from the others and started to remove the helmet. The helmet pulled off over the head of a woman and she shook her hair out. She looked at Mike standing there holding the blaster in his hand.

I am Bridget Howland. This is Doctor Tomas and Doctor Franklin. They are in charge of the expedition. She said as she pointed to the two men behind her who were removing their helmets.

I am Mike Bergmann. What were you doing out in this sector of space?

We are headed for Cumberland.

Well you are way off course. Cumberland is in Charlie quadrant and you are in Alpha quadrant.

Alpha? That is not possible young man. Doctor Tomas replied. I distinctly remember telling the Captain where we wanted to go.

Where is your pilot? Mike asked. He could see them looking at each other.

I guess I am. Bridget replied. Who are you?

I’m Mike Bergmann.

Mike Bergmann, Mike Bergmann, that name is familiar. One of the others said. Did you go to school on…?

No. Mike replied. This is a small ship and I don’t have a lot of room for passengers. There are three cabins that one is mine. Back there you will find a small galley and a head. Stay out of my room and out of the cockpit.

Mike, I am picking up another ship headed in this direction. Roxana said in Triskelion.

Who is that? Bridget asked.

Who is it and where are they? Mike asked and headed for the cockpit.

They are at the edge of my sensors. They are not sending out any of the known identification codes.

Mike quickly moved back to the cockpit, slipped into the pilot’s seat and brought up the display. He could see the faint reflection of another ship at the edge of the scanner.

All right Roxana let’s get the hell out of here before they show up. Mike said he put in a jump coordinates and pushed the throttles forwards as he brought the ship around onto the new heading away from the other ship. He could feel the presents of someone else in the cockpit. He glanced back and saw Bridget standing there. I told you that the cockpit was off limits. Mike snapped at her.

Sorry, I was just trying to see who your copilot was. That was Triskelion she was speaking, wasn’t it?

That is right now if you don’t mind I have some things I have to take care. Oh, tell them to take it easy on the food. I only brought enough along for me and I have a long ways go yet. Close the hatch on your way out. Mike said and made a course correction. How long before we can jump Roxana?

One hour and ten minutes to full charge.

Show me the closest platforms in the area?

Outpost two and six is the closest at three point six parsecs.

No that will take us in the wrong direction. Find one that is close on this heading in the Bravo sector.

Transfer Station Seven is eight point three parsecs on a heading of two one six five, three two.

All right I’ll bring us to that heading and jump us as soon as we are charged.

We don’t want to go to Transfer Station Seven. Bridget said.

I thought I told you to leave and stay out of my cockpit. Mike said curtly as he made the course corrections. Roxana, have you plotted the jump yet?

Yes Mike. The coordinates are locked in and waiting for your command.

Mike pushed a button and the displays turned blue then they could feel the ship jump. Mike turned and looked at Bridget.

What kind of ship is this?

It is an Áme'háóhtse Amó'enēō'o

A what?

It translates to Flying Wagon. Go tell your friends that we will be at Transfer Station Seven in two to three hours.

You’re kidding.

No, now get out of the cockpit. Mike snapped.

All right I am going you don’t have to shout. She replied and walked out.

And close the hatch. Mike yelled after her. He could hear the hatch to the cockpit close.

Bridget walked out to where the rest stood.

He is taking us to Transfer Station Seven.

We don’t want to go there! Didn’t you explain to him that we need to get to Glendora before the others?

Look Doctor Franklin, he thinks we are going to Cumberland in Charlie quadrant not Glendora in this sector and I suggest you don’t tell him. Now this is his ship and he is the pilot, and I think the entire crew by the looks. We don’t have any say in where he is taking us. Be thankful that he is taking us there and not out to Triskelia space. If they found out where you were headed, they would not be as agreeable to letting you go there. He says that we should be at the Transfer Station in two to three hours.

What kind of ship is this? Doctor Tomas asked.

He called it a Flying Wagon. It has to be some sort of converted cargo ship.

It is not big enough to be much of a cargo ship.

This is an Áme'háóhtse Amó'enēō'o class cargo transport. It normally has a crew of five and it is plenty big for what I use it for. It has been slightly modified so that I can handle it alone if I want. Now if you don’t mind I am going back to bed so keep the noise down and stay out of the cockpit.

Who is flying? Doctor Tomas asked.

Roxana.

Héehe’e, Mike. Roxana replied in Triskelion.

Who is that? Doctor Tomas asked.

That is Roxana. Bridget said.

Roxana secure the cockpit and don’t let anybody in. Call me when we drop out of the second jump.

Héehe’e, Mike. They could hear a clunk from the cockpit hatch.

Like I said there are two other rooms you can use and the galley is back there. There are two bunks in each room. Whatever you use I expect that you will replace it when we dock with Transfer Station Seven. I have limited supplies. You are welcome to what I have. Mike said and opened the door to his quarters.

Bridget looked at the others.

It is not very big for a cargo ship. One of the others said as they looked around the small area.

Mike heard the beeping sound and opened his eyes.

Yes Roxana.

We are ready for the next jump.

All right I am on my way.

Mike sat up on the side of the cot and slid to the deck. He made his way to the door then out into the bay. He could see several of the others sitting on their cases talking as he crossed the bay to the cockpit.

Open it up Roxana. He said as he walked to the hatch. There was as click and he opened the hatch.

Mike slid into the pilot’s seat and looked at the coordinates on the display. He nodded and pushed the button again and the screens turned blue. He sat back and watched the screens.

Roxana plot intercepting course from Transfer Station Seven back to our original course.

Héehe'e Mike. Mike, I overheard them talking. They were not headed for Cumberland as they claim. They say that they were headed for a planet called Glendora. I have looked on all of the known charts and I do not find it listed. However, I was able to access their logs before we jumped and they were headed for the same planet we are.

What did I tell you about doing that?

I was very careful not to let my shields down. Their system was old and I was able to access the data without it knowing. I left no trace that I was there and did not distort the data.

Well remember what happened to you that one time.

Héehe'e Mike, I remember.

Have any of them tried to access you?

Héehe'e Mike.

What have you told them?

I have only given them the specification for the ship as authorized by Federation procedures.

That is good.

Two of them are trying to hack into my systems. I have allowed them access into the files you specified. They are attempting to gain access to my control functions.

All right I will see what I can do. Mike said and stepped out of the pilot’s seat. He walked back to the back and stood there. All right Roxana go ahead and run the program. Mike could see the two men as they looked at the screens on their tablets then try to stop what was happening. He walked over to them and grabbed the tablets from their hands then smashed them on the deck.

What the hell do you think you are doing? One of them exclaimed as he jumped up.

Stay out of my ships systems or I’ll toss you out of the airlock. Mike said and headed for the cockpit. Another one of them stood up and started for him. Mike pulled the blaster from his pocket and aimed it at him. The man stopped. Good idea. He saw Bridget standing by one of the cabin doors. Tell your people if they try to hack into my ship’s system again I will toss all of you off and let you hitchhike back to the Transfer Station. He continued into the cockpit.

Doctor Franklin walked out of the same cabin and looked at the men as they looked at their smashed tablets.

What is going on out here? He asked.

Your two boys tried to hack into the ships system and got caught. If they try it again, he is going to toss us out. It is a long ways to the next Transfer Station so tell them keep out of it.

She walked towards the cockpit and found the hatch closed but not secured. She knocked and waited for an answer.

What? Mike yelled.

May I come in and speak to you?

Alright come on in. Mike replied.

Bridget opened the hatch and walked in. She could see the displays showing the stars outside with their long tails stretching out.

How fast are we going?

I don’t know about point zero five I guess. I need to charge some before we reach the Transfer Station. I have a long ways to go to get where I am headed.

Point zero five! Where are you headed?

Back out there. Mike replied and pointed out into space.

I want to apologize for those two idiots out there. Doctor Franklin told them to keep out of the ship’s systems on the Taya Balde several times.

Were you the pilot of the Taya Balde?

No, he and the rest of the crew were killed while working on the drives when they exploded. I was a student pilot for a while and hold my certificate to fly some shuttles. We had an old shuttle on board and I was to fly them to the surface.

What kind of name is Taya Balde anyways? Mike asked.

It means Rust Bucket in Latin. Roxana replied.

She speaks English.

I speak over fifty thousand languages not including…

That is enough Roxana.

What is she?

She is an eighteen hundred with a personality pack and upgrades. Mike replied.

That is rather an old system.

Some crackling sounds started.

Roxana be good now.

Doctor Franklin and Doctor Tomas would like to know if you would be willing to contract with them and take them to their destination.

I am already on a contract.

They are willing to pay over the going rate.

It is a long ways to the Charlie sector from here. I don’t have the supplies or fuel to take you to there. I have a job that needs to be completed for the people I am working for. Once it is done, I might be able to swing by Seven and talk to you about it.

We are on a deadline and cannot wait long.

So am I, and taking you to seven, is making me late. So, where is this, Glendora that you want to go to? I know it is not in the Charlie sector.

How do you know about…?

Roxana, play it back for her.

Bridget could hear the conversation between her, Doctor Franklin and Doctor Tomas over the ships system. Mike sat there and watched her expression. He did not see it change.

You are spying on us.

"Roxana records everything that goes on, on my ship. When she feels, there is something that I need to know, she lets me know. So, where is this mysterious planet?

I am not at liberty to say at this time.

Well you can tell them to pack their things we will be at Transfer Station in about twenty minutes. Oh, tell your boss back there that he is going to have to pay the docking fee, unless he wants to go over in a vacuum suit.

I will tell him. She replied curtly and walked out.

Mike watched her as she headed to the hatch.

She is not bad looking for an off worlder. Roxana said.

No not bad. However, she is not my type.

Héehe'e I have seen your type.

Mike looked up towards the ceiling. Contact Transfer Station Seven control and tell them that we are in their space. Inform them that we have survivors from the Taya Balde and its location.

Héehe'e Mike. Roxana replied.

Mike sat there and looked at the small speck off in the distance. He pulled the throttle back and the ship slowed. He moved to the docking ring and watched the display until it told him that they had a hard seal.

Roxana, create a copy of yourself on a new sector and only allow it to communicate and not to ships functions. Put a firewall up so that nobody can access ships sectors. Name it Susy. Tell me when it is ready.

It is ready. Roxana replied.

Susy.

Héehe'e Mikel. A voice answered in a low feminine voice.

Take it up an octave.

Is this better? Susy asked sounding a lot like Bridget.

It will do. Susy, I want you to go over the data that Roxana copied from the Taya Balde. Contact the Transfer Station and find out who the registered owner is for the Taya Balde along with the operator and its crew. Then find out what you can about our passengers. I want to know who they are and whom they work for. Let me know as soon as you find out.

Héehe'e Mikel. Susy replied.

Mike, I am detecting a drop in the power feeds to our main drives. I have isolated it to the power connection on generator two.

How bad?

I am seeing a drop in the efficiency of point two six five percent. The temperature of the connectors has risen by twenty percent.

All right I will go out and find out what is wrong.

Mike walked out of the cockpit and could see the others as they moved their cases out the air lock. He walked over to his quarters, pulled out his old armored vacuum suit and put it on then headed for a storage compartment. He grabbed a tool bag and then headed for the airlock. He walked out onto the platform then over to a service airlock. He turned on his magboots then stepped out of the air lock and onto the Transfer Station. He looked up towards the planet that the Transfer Station orbited then continued towards his ship. He stepped off the station onto the side of his ship and continued towards the back.

Roxana open hatch one and seven.

The hatch opened and lifted out. He walked to the hatch then grabbed the cover and dropped into the compartment. He could see the two 2-terawatt fusion generator secured to the deck as he made his way over to them.

Roxana secure generator two.

Generator two off. Roxana replied.

He watched as the lights went out on the generator. He grabbed the output cable and removed the connector from the side of the generator. Once it was free, he pulled it from the generator then shined his light on the connector blades and could see the corrosion. He grabbed a brass brush from the bag and started cleaning the blades. Once he finished he pulled a smaller brass brush and started cleaning the socket. As he was replacing the connector, Susy started to beep in his ear.

Yes Susy.

Mikel, I have located most of the information you requested.

Go ahead.

The Taya Balde is registered to an Aniketos Giannopoulos out of Atlantis. The ship’s Captain is Euripides Papadopoulos. It has a crew of eight. Their names are…

That is all right I don’t need their names at this time. Continue.

Its logs show that it left Atlantis in May under a contract with the Atwater Mining Guild. It arrived at Transfer Station two eighty-five then continued to Transfer Station one ninety-one. From there it went to Masayoshi. The manifest says that they picked up Doctor Tomas, Doctor Franklin along with eight more along the way.

What about Bridget Howland?

She boarded at Transfer Station two eighty-five along with six others.

Go on.

Doctor Tomas has a degree in Geothermal Engineering. Doctor Franklin has a degree in Applied Physics. His specialty is high-energy plasma. Bridget Chrysanthos Hagiapostoliti Howland holds a degree in geology. She also holds a valid license for space shuttles. Her home planet is Atlantis. She worked for Aniketos Giannopoulos shipping as a student pilot until three years ago. She now works for Atwater Mining Guild. She was married to a Chester Howland and they separated two years ago. No further information is available. Mark Cunningham, programmer, no degree.

That is enough. Save the data to a secure file. Keep monitoring the station for any other Mining Guild ships that have docked in the last two weeks.

Mike finished replacing the connectors to the second generator. Then he walked over to the distribution panel and removed the connector from it. The connections were almost black from corrosion.

Roxana, when was the last service done on the generators?

The generators were serviced sixteen days before we left Cosnos.

By who?

Critherison Brothers.

Well they did a shitty job. They did not clean any of the connectors to the generators or to the power distribution panel. Remind me not to use them again.

Héehe'e Mike.

Alright generator two is ready to turn back on.

Generator two coming on.

Mike watched the cables as they snaked across the deck to the power distribution panel.

Turn off Generator one.

Generator one going off.

The lights went out on the generator. Mike unfastened the connector and looked at the corroded connector. He used the brass brush on the blades then the smaller one on the socket.

Bridget walked out of the Transfer Station operations office. She continued across the open space to the elevator and up to the hotel level. She walked into the hotel then to the elevator. She pushed the button for the sixth level and watched as the doors closed. When they opened, she continued down the hallway to Doctor Tomas’s door. She stopped and knocked. Doctor Franklin opened the door and she stepped into the room. She could hear Doctor Tomas talking to Mark Cunningham.

I don’t know what he did. I was almost into the ship system when the whole thing came crashing down. Then he walked out and smashed the tablet and told us he would toss us out if we tried to get into the system again.

Were you able to recover anything?

No, I put the memory into my other system and it was totally erased. I mean there isn’t even any sign of the operating system nothing not even a ghost nothing. Teds is the same way. Both our systems are completely blank.

What the hell could do that? Doctor Franklin asked.

I have no idea. My firewall was tight nothing could get through it.

Alright this is not getting us any closer to where we need to be. Do you have your backups? Doctor Tomas asked.

Yeah I backed it up just before we left the Taya Balde.

Were you able to find us another ship? Doctor Tomas asked Bridget.

There is nothing on this station that is capable of landing on the planet. I found two large cargo ships that will be here in three days. However, we would have to go out to the Taya Balde and get the shuttle if it hasn’t already been taken by scavengers.

We can’t wait for three days.

Were you able to find out anything about our benefactor? Doctor Franklin asked.

Not that much. The ship is registered to the Twin Suns systems. Nobody knows much more about it than that. The Stations shows that it was made in the Twin Suns system and that it is listed as a preproduction prototype. The current registered owner is Mikel Bergmann. I ran a search on him and came back with nothing. There are no records of him in the Federation files. I was able to find out by talking to him that the ship has an old eighteen hundred controller onboard with a personality pack. He says that it has been modified.

I would say. Mark replied.

As close as I can tell he and it are the only ones onboard that ship, which is in violation of Space Fleet regulations.

Were you able to find out where it was out of and where it is going? Doctor Tomas asked.

It says that it left Cosnos two days ago.

That is not possible. That is over two hundred light years from here. Doctor Franklin replied.

Well that is what the station says his ship says.

Did he happen to tell you where he was headed? Doctor Tomas asked.

No, he just said that he had a contract and bringing us here was making him late. From the supplies, he had onboard, I would say he was headed to this sector someplace or was going to meet up with another supply ship someplace.

A raider? Doctor Franklin asked

I don’t think so. When I was in the cockpit, I saw his long-range sensors and they showed another ship out at its limits. From what the ship said, it could not identify the ship. From the look on his face, he did and I would say it was something he did not want to come in contact with.

What was it? Doctor Franklin asked.

I don’t know, but it was headed for us out of the Alpha quadrant.

It doesn’t matter. We need to reach Glendora before the others get there. Do you think you can convince him to take us or not?

Why me?

Isn’t it obvious? One of the others said.

Fuck you Chester.

That is enough out of the two of you.

His ship doesn’t have enough room for all of us. There is only room for four so some of us will have to stay behind, Chester.

Enough! Doctor Tomas exclaimed. Not one more word out of either of you or I will leave both of you behind. Bridget, I want you to contact Mister Bergmann…

Now I remember where I heard that name before. A Mike Bergmann works for Astral Industries out of Cosnos. He is supposed to have some connections with the Twin Suns system. He is the guy who got Astral Industries the rights to Pulveris. Ted Darlington said.

Yeah I remember him. He got into it with some of their people about it and the Federation had to step in. I thought they told him to stay out of their space. Mark replied.

Bridget, I want you to convince him to take us to Glendora.

Just how am I supposed to do that?

I’ll do it. It is my expedition not yours and I am the one who says who stays behind not you Tomas. My dad only agreed to let you and Franklin along because of the Federation Security promised him that they would cover the cost.

I would keep my mouth shut if you don’t want to find yourself stuffed in a locker. Another man said.

It is all right Cleves, he is correct. It is his father’s operation. All right Mister Howland you go talk to Mister Bergmann and you convince him. Doctor Tomas said.

Piece of cake. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Chester said and walked out of the room.

They watched him walk out of the room before saying anything.

We should have left that snot nosed brat on Masayoshi. Cleves said. No offence meant to you Bridget.

None taken. I tried to leave him on Oxalate two years ago. If his dad hadn’t of bought Atwater Mining I would not be around him now. She replied.

When he gets done pissing off Mike Bergmann I want you to go and talk to him. Offer him anything just convince him to take us to Glendora.

Just what did you have in mind for me to offer him? I am nobody’s whore.

I never meant that. Just be nice and convince him. He is the only way we are going to be there first. As close as I can tell the other ships should be here any day now. He must have a price. The Federation is willing to pay his cost plus a reasonable fee. Doctor Tomas said.

All right I will talk to him if he hasn’t already left. I won’t guarantee that I can convince him.

Just give it your best shot. Doctor Franklin said.

Mike was cleaning the last connector when Roxana contacted him.

Mike there is one of them onboard.

Who?

He says his name is Chester Howland and he wants to talk to you.

Alright patch him through. Mike could hear someone saying hello. What do you want?

Ah is this Bergmann?

Yeah, what do you want?

I want to hire you and your ship.

Who are you?

I’m Chester Howland.

It is not for hire.

I understand that you work for Astral Industries and that…

I told you that the ship is not for hire. Get in there, you son of a bitch. Mike said as he shoved the last connector into the socket.

My dad owns Atwater Mining and has some high connections. All it will take is for me to make one call and I can force you to take my expedition. You see it is against Space Fleet regulation for a ship to have only one man onboard when it is…

Security breach Roxana.

A loud piercing noise sounded throughout the ship. Chester placed his hands over his ears and ran for the airlock. He stopped when he reached the outside of the ship and the sound stopped as soon as he exited. He faced the airlock.

Bergmann, you haven’t heard the last of me. I will call my dad and he will contact Space Fleet and have your permit pulled. He yelled towards the ship. He turned and saw Bridget as she walked towards the airlock. What are you doing here?

I am wondering the same thing myself. I thought I left you two years ago with that bimbo on Oxalate.

She put out better than you ever did.

Yeah she was right down there in the gutter with you. If it hadn’t been for your dad butting into the divorce, I would be free of you.

As far as I am concerned you can get fucked. Chester said and walked away.

Mike stepped out of the service airlock and watched the exchange between Bridget and Chester. He could see Bridge shaking in anger as he closed the airlock hatch. She turned and faced him as he walked towards the ship. His helmet folded back and disappeared into the armored vacuum suit he was wearing.

Bridget heard the hatch close and turned to face the man standing there carrying the tool kit in his armor. His helmet folded back over his head and disappeared into the armor. She did her best to regain her composure then started for the ship. She stopped at the entrance to the airlock.

Mister Bergmann, can I come aboard? She shouted.

There was no reply, so she started through the airlock into the ship. The high pitch nose started again and she covered her ears then ran outside. As soon as she was outside of the ship, it stopped. She stood there looking at the airlock.

Shut down the breach security, Roxana. Mike said as he walked over to her from the airlock. What can I do for you Misses Howland?

Please do not call me that. My name is Bridget Hagiapostoliti.

I take it that was your husband I saw you talking to?

Soon to be my ex-husband. It was his father’s idea for us to come out here. He thought we could get back together. However, that is not why I am here.

Step inside. Mike said and finished removing the armored vacuumed suit. Just why are you here? I have already told you that I have another contract that I have to complete before I can do anything else.

That is what I want to talk to you about. You work for Astral Industries and I believe you are headed for the same place we are.

And what place is that?

Glendora and you know that, as well as I do.

I am not saying that I am or not. I understand that you work for Atwater Mining. They are a competitor to Astral Industries.

Yes, they are and I did work for them up to four months ago. I work for Doctor Franklin and Doctor Tomas now.

Just what does a Doctor in high-energy plasma physics have to do with a P4Rsp around a G2V sun? I can see you being a geologist and Doctor Tomas in Geothermal Engineering I just can’t see Doctor Franklin.

I can’t tell you.

Then there is nothing I can do for you. I have no love for Atwater Mining Guild or anybody connected with it.

We do not work for Atwater Mining or any other mining guild.

Then who do you work for?

I cannot tell you that ether. However, Doctor Tomas has instructed me to tell you that the people we work for are willing to pay your cost plus a reasonable fee.

Two million Credits.

That is not a reasonable fee. We only paid Aniketos Giannopoulos shipping five hundred thousand to take us from Masayoshi to Glendora.

Look at what you got for that. The Taya Balde the rust bucket, it was aptly named. I have seen better-looking ships in the bone yard out by Pluto. Until you are willing to tell me who it is that you work for it is still two million Credits.

I will need to speak to Doctor Tomas first.

Susy contact… where are they staying?

Susy?

Héehe'e. Susy answered.

Bridget looked at Mike then at the ship.

Susy, contact Doctor Tomas.

There was a buzzing sound then.

Doctor Tomas’s room. Mark answered. They could hear Chester arguing with Doctor Tomas in the background.

Mark put Doctor Tomas’s on the line.

Doc it is for you.

Hello. Go ahead and call your dad tell him that you stranded us here. Now get out of my room.

You haven’t heard the last of me. Chester said.

Hello.

Doctor Tomas I am with Mike Bergmann and he says he will take us for a fee.

How much?

Two million Credits.

That is ridicules.

Yes, sir that is what I told him.

Doctor Tomas, I don’t see why I should give a competitor any help in claiming that planet. As you know I work for Astral Industries and Atwater Mining is one of our competitors.

Bridget, you did not tell him who we work for then.

No sir I did not. Sir this is not a secure line. We are talking through a ships interface.

It is about as secure as you will find on this Transfer Station. Susy interjected curtly in Bridget’s voice.

Mister Bergmann I am willing to pay you your expenses and a hundred and fifty thousand Credits.

Two hundred thousand and expenses, and I want to know who I am working for.

Deal. Bridget, tell him what he needs to know.

One other thing. If that Chester fellow is coming along then you can find some other way to get there.

He will not be coming with us.

Alright as soon as she tells me what I think I need to know then we will go. I want to be out of here in the next five hours, so you had better get what supplies you need loaded. Susy break connection. Roxana contact control and tell them we need to hook up with a cargo ramp. Now Misses Howland care to tell me what you know.

Chapter Two

Kohr finished the last of the cabinets in his new home then stepped back and looked at the glistening wood that covered the walls. He nodded his head in approval then walked to the entrance and stepped outside then gazed out over the land he was granted. The land rolled away from the hillside home that he had dug into the bank of the mountain. The newly planted fields were just starting to appear through the soil, He turned and faced his new home. The cliff face rose up almost to the dome overhead. The arched windows, which were carved into the cliff face, looked like eyes staring out towards the fields. The arched door separated the eight windows and reminded him of an open mouth that was yawning. He chuckled to himself as he looked towards the forests.

The others had decided to build their homes in amongst the large trees. His land only had a few trees and they had been removed so that the road could pass in front of his home. All that was left of them was several stumps along the far edge of the road. He could see some of the homes as they finished their construction, adding their own special touches to their homes. He looked at his home once again and it looked so plain compared to the others. He felt that it needed something that said that it belonged to him. The path from the road to his home was paved with the stone from the interior of the house and laid in a path to the stone fence that ran beside the road. He envisioned a flowerbed along the path filled with flowers and grass up to the stone fence. Right now, it was stone dust and rocks with patches of weeds.

His ears turned when he heard someone walking along the path that passed in front of his fence and turned to see who it was. The young woman from the next farm was walking past on his portion of the stone road. She glanced towards him and saw that he was watching her pass.

Aren’t you finished yet? Talta asked.

I just finished the kitchen, do you want to come in and see it?

No, She replied curtly, I have to go to Erdiko Kupula to see if I have received any orders yet. She continued past his place towards the tube station.

Orders? What orders? We haven’t seen or heard any more about the arrotz in several urte. He watched her until she turned the bend at the edge of his place. He shook his head and walked back into his home. As he stepped into the entry, he could see the two hallways leading off from each side. He walked to the intersection and looked one way into his still unfinished bedchamber. He started for it then stopped. No that can wait. He thought. He turned the other way and continued into the small living area then walked into the dining room kitchen. He looked around at the finished kitchen and the almost empty dining area. This looks so beautiful and the outside looks so drab. I will have to go to supply and see if I can talk them out of some more wood. He thought. He headed for the front door and closed it behind it.

Kohr walked into the temporary building that was being used for supply. He looked around and found what he thought would work to make the planter boxes he had imagined. He picked up several of the thin long pieces of wood and started for the exit.

Where do you think you are going with those? You have all of the lumber you asked for.

I only need a few more pieces and the place will be complete

You should have ordered more then. Put them back.

Kohr turned around and headed back to the place where he had found the wood and tossed them on the pile. The pile shifted and crashed to the ground. He stood there and watched helpless to stop it. He looked all around to see if anybody had seen him. Then he headed for the exit as quickly as he could. He hurried away from supply and continued past the other temporary buildings. Fotbek stepped out of the one and yelled to him. He stopped and looked at Fotbek.

Kohr come here, I want to speak with you.

Kohr walked over to where Fotbek stood.

What do you want?

Do you remember that stone you gave me with the blue green streaks through it

Yeah why?

I would like some more of it if you have any more. One of the high Liderra wants some to put in has place. He asked me where I got it and if I could get some more.

How much more do you want?

He thinks about fifty cubic kana should do.

Fifty cubic Kana? My whole place is only a hundred fifty cubic kana. I would have to remove all of the supports I have to come up with that much.

He wants it in one kana by two kana by one fiftieth kana thick.

And just where am I supposed to find that? The inspector is supposed to look at my place in a few eguns. If I started cutting another hole some place, he would tell me that it did not meet the requirements that I laid down when they gave me the land. Besides I can’t do anything more to the place. They won’t let me have any more lumber to shore it up or even make any minor improvements.

I might be able to come up with an equal amount of lumber for more of the rock.

I’ll need some beams to shore it up, big beams at least four no six kana long by one fifth square and more planks three kana long by one half wide by one fortieth thick. I’ll need at least ten of the beams and the rest in planks. Kohr mumbled to himself.

How about some metal beam?

Where are we going to get any metal? They save that for those places in Erdiko Kupula.

I think I can lay my hands on some. They won’t be six kana long.

How big? They need to be at least five kana long by one eighth or they won’t hold up the load. If you can find them I might be able to come up with more rock.

All right when can I get the rock?

Not until it is inspected and I don’t know when he is coming over to look.

I hear they are coming out this way sometime today to look at some of the forest places. I might be able to persuade them to look at your place for a consideration.

What kind of consideration?

Let’s say another ten-cubic kana the same as the other.

Only after it has been inspected.

Deal. I expect to see the first ten cubic kana in seven eguns.

Only after my place has been inspected. I need the wood and metal on delivery of the first ten cubic kana.

I will have it waiting here for you.

Kohr sat in the only chair in the living room looking at the stone fireplace thinking about how he was going to make the planter boxes for the front of his home. He had them almost designed in his head when there was a rapping at the front door. He quickly stood up and headed for the door. When he opened it, four Azeria stood there, with two more walking around the front of his house looking at the way the windows were secured.

Are you Kohr?

Yes.

We are from the Housing Authority. We understand you are ready for our inspection.

Yes come in. Kohr replied, opened the door, and motioned for them to enter.

The four of them walked in and started looking around. The two that were looking at the windows walked up and stopped then looked at the way the front door was made and fastened to the rock. They made several comments on the tablets they carried then entered the house.

Your plans do not show this type of stone for the floors. One of the inspectors said.

Yes, I know. When I excavated, I found that the natural rock looked better than the rock that was purposed. I sent in the correction to the housing committee and received a reply saying that I could us this stone instead.

Do you have the documentation for it?

Yes, I do right here.

Kohr walked over to his small office and picked a stack of paper with all of the documentation for the house. He searched through it until he located the correspondence then pulled it from the stack. He handed the document to the person and stood back as he looked at it. He made several notes to his tablet then handed the document back to Kohr.

The inspectors continued to look at the house one of them opened the faucet and nothing happened. He looked at Kohr.

Why doesn’t this work?

I cannot turn on the water until the waist system is inspected. It was checked for leeks when it was installed.

Do you have a copy of the test?

Yes.

Let me see it.

Kohr walked over to his small office and picked a stack of paper with all of the documentation for the house. He searched through it until he located the test for the water then pulled it from the stack. He handed the document to the person and stood back as he looked at it. He made several notes to his tablet then handed the document back to Kohr.

Another walked over to him and asked for the test for the power. Kohr searched through the documents until he located the ones pertaining to the power and handed the documents to the person. He looked through the stack of papers and made several notes to his tablet then handed the documents back to Kohr.

Kohr kept going between each person and locating the documents that were required as they continued to inspect the house. One woman walked into his bedroom and looked around. She walked over to the closet and opened the wooden doors. She looked at the stone wall behind it then walked to the bedroom door.

Your plains state that the closet was to be lined in wood. I do not see any wood in the closet.

"Oh, the paneling is right here. I had