Darnel's Revenge

By Cecil Cory

Darnel Bergmann father was killed in a mysterious mining accident after discovering a deposit of Iridium and Platinum. Shortly after that, his mother sent him to his Uncles in the Twin Suns system to keep him safe. A few years later he heard that his mother had been killed in another accident. On Pachama he grew into manhood and was educated to become a mining engineer. He returned to his families claim to find that it had been taken over by the conglomerate he believed killed his parents. With the aid of his boyhood friend he set out to establish his claim to the surrounding land and to find out who murdered his mother and father.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312630581

Book preview

Darnel's Revenge

Darnel’s Revenge

By

Cecil Ian Cory

Copyright

Version 1.3

Copyright © 2014 Cecil I Cory / Lulu Press

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-312-63058-1

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 late Parents 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

Atlantis Conspiracy

Einhejar Warriors

Escape from Regales Two

Transfer Station 261

Assault on an Empress

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

The alcohol burning motorcycle slowed then stopped in front of the bar. It back in next to several other motorcycles then stopped. The man pushed the stand down with his black boot then stepped off the motorcycle. He pulled the black helmet off, shook his long hair, and then ran his fingers through it as he looked at the busy street out front. He set the helmet down on the bike, pulled the worn broad brim hat from the saddlebags, and put it on. A sheriff’s vehicle slowed as he brushed some of the dust off his duster. The man glanced towards the sheriff’s vehicle then walked into the bar. He made his way through the crowded bar to a table in the back, pulled the chair out and sat down with his back to the wall. A barmaid walked over to his table and stood there looking at him. His hat was pulled down covering his eyes. He raised his head up a little to look at the woman. Her hair was in multiple colors and she wore a short skirt and a tight blouse that left little to the imagination.

Beer. He said with his deep voice.

Draft or…

Draft. He said then looked at the top of the table.

He could see several names carved into the wooden top. None of which he recognized. A commotion started at the pool tables and a man slammed a pool cue over the head of another man he was playing. The man shook his head and picked the man up then body slammed him onto the pool table sending it along with the man crashing to the ground. Another man grabbed the man and spun him around then went to hit him in the face. The man grabbed his hand and stopped it in mid flight then shook his finger, still holding the hand, just before he hit him sending him flying across the room into another table. The men at the table jumped up hanging onto their beers and looked at the man lying there then looked at the man who sent him there. One of them made a comment at the one lying on shattered table then walked over to another table and sat down. The man standing at the broken pool table looked towards the man in corner then grabbed the Credits off the floor. He started towards the bar when the Sheriff’s Deputy walked into the bar.

Slim what are you doing? The Deputy asked.

They called me a cheat then tried to back out of the bet.

It’s not Slim’s fault. That asshole over there and his friend over there have been hustling my customers all day. Slim just beat him at his own game then he hit him over the head with the pool cue.

The Sheriff’s Deputy grabbed the unconscious man off the pool table looked at him. He dropped the man and looked towards the bar tender.

Do you want to press charges?

No. Slim replied.

Not you Slim. What about you, Don?

You’re damned right I do. Look at the damages. Who is going to pay for it?

Okay I’ll haul them down to the jail and let the Judge handle this in the morning. Just then, the Sheriff and another deputy walked in and looked at the two men lying there.

What the hell is going on in here? From the call, I thought there was a riot. Sheriff Pervice Camus said.

The man in the corner raised his head up just enough to look at the Sheriff then lowered it and looked at the beer on the table.

These two tried to hustle Slim. Then when they lost they tried to stiff him. The Deputy said.

Grab those two sides of beef and drag them out of here. Slim I will need a statement from you and you too Don.

Who is going to pay for the damages? Don asked.

The Sheriff looked at Slim. Slim pulled the credits out of his pocket he picked up off the floor and placed some on the bar.

That should cover my part. You can get the rest out of them.

Don pulled the credits over and looked at them. The Sheriff stopped the Deputy who was dragging the man off the pool table and patted the man’s pockets. He pulled out the wad of credits and put them on the bar. Then walked over to the other man and patted his pockets. He pulled out a small gun along with a switchblade knife. He put the gun and knife in his pocket then continued to pat the pockets. He found another wad of credits and pulled them out. He walked over to the bar and placed them on the bar.

Is that enough?

Don counted the credits and nodded his head.

Take that meat out of here and charge them with drunk and disorderly. The Sheriff said.

The two Deputies grabbed the men then drug them out the door. The Sheriff looked around the dimly lit room at the others. He saw the stranger sitting in the back by himself and walked towards him. He stopped next to the table and stood there.

Going to be here long? The Sheriff asked.

A few days. The man replied.

What is your business in Kelsey?

Just passing through. The man replied. He looked up at the Sheriff and the Sheriff could see the young face looking at him.

How long are you going to be here?

A couple of days.

Do I know you?

Not that I know of.

I never forget a face. It will come to me. The Sheriff said then walked away from the table. The man watched him until he was out of the bar, then he looked at the older man called Slim and could see him looking towards him. The man lifted up the beer and finished it then set the glass down. He sat back in the chair and watched the others in the bar as the bar keeper started picking up the broken table. He could hear him cussing as he dragged the pieces of the table out towards the back of the bar. When he looked back towards the bar Slim was walking towards him.

Do I know you boy? Your face is very familiar. Slim asked.

I do not think so. The man replied.

Was your dad’s name, Jacob by chance? The man did not answer him. I thought so. You look just like him. What are you doing here?

You must have the wrong man. The man said and stood up. Slim blocked his path to the door. I do not want any trouble. Slim stepped aside and the man walked past him. He continued out to his motorcycle and looked up then down the main street. He could see the remains of the old processing plant at the end of the city along with the old Mercantile Bank across and down the street. He looked on the front for the name and saw Mercantile Bank a member of the Kelsey Group across the front windows. He shook his head then pulled the wide brim hat off. He shoved it into the saddlebags then pulled the helmet over his head. He stepped over the motorcycle, started it, gunned the alcohol engine a few times then let the clutch out and the motorcycle pulled out of the lot into traffic.

The motorcycle raced up the dirt road then slowed and turned down an old abandoned road. It continued up the road until it reached a barbed wire fence across the old road next to a dried up stream. He stopped and put the stand down then stepped off the motorcycle and pulled the helmet off. He pulled the wide brim hat out of the saddlebag and put it on then pulled out the old 9mm and shoved it into a holster under his arm. He started towards the stream and stopped at the barbed wire fence. He looked at the sign nailed to the fence post.

No Trespassing. Property of Kelsey Group. Trespassers will be prosecuted to the limit of the law.

Whose law? He thought then kicked the post with the sign knocking it to the ground. He stepped over the barbed ware then continued up the faint road toward the flat area next to the tailings. He could see where the solar array once stood now covered by the tailings with only the crushed remains of the frame still sticking out. He stopped when he reached the flat area and walked over to where an old surplus space shelter once stood. He walked up the steps then around the collapsed shelter remembering what it once looked like. He could almost hear his mother and father as they danced around that day. He looked up the side of the mountain and could not see what remained of the old trail that led up the side of the mountain to their mine now blocked by the tailings. He continued across the tattered remains of the shelter until he reached the other end. He looked down and saw the faint trail that he made to his hiding place. He jumped down from the platform then continued up the faint trail. He had only gone a short distance when the trail was blocked by tailings. He continued across the tailings stopping occasionally to look at some of the rocks lying there. Once on the other side he found a trail and continued. The trail snaked its way up the side of the mountain until it reached a graded off plateau. He stopped and looked at the desolate area that once had been his spot. He turned and looked at the valley below and could just see where fields were once planted up the valley now brown and over grown with scrub brush. He looked at the graded area towards the old mine now carved deep into the side of the mountain. Mother would have never allowed that. He thought.

He stood there and remembered the last time he saw his mother as she stood there watching him climb into the old transport vehicle. Then remembered that day when his father rushed out of the mine to the shelter.

Jacob hurried down the well-trodden path that twisted down the mountainside past the solar arrays to the old shelter. He burst through the door into the living section of the shelter. Marline looked at him as he ran over to the table and pulled the rocks out of his pockets. She couldn’t understand his excitement as he piled them on the table. They looked just like the other rocks he had been bringing home for the last eight years. He looked at her as he picked up one of the rocks from the table.

We are rich. Look at it. We are rich. He exclaimed as he held out the rock to her. I told you that they were wrong. I told you that it was here and I found it.

Found what?

Iridium, it is almost pure Iridium with a trace amount of platinum.

You are kidding. Only trace amounts of Iridium are found in platinum or nickel ore and none have been found on this planet at all.

Check it yourself if you don’t believe me. Jacob said and handed her the rock he held.

Marline took the rock and walked over to the analyzer. She crushed some of the rock then placed it in the analyzer. She pushed the button to start the machine and watched as the graph was displayed. The spike for Iridium rose up on the screen, along with another at platinum then a smaller one at nickel. She pulled the sample out and grabbed another rock. She crushed it then placed a sample into the analyzer. Almost the same reading appeared on the screen. She looked at Jacob with look of wonder.

I told you. I hit the main vain and it runs back into that mountain for kilometers. That was from the edge of it. An asteroid must have hit here when this mountain formed and it is buried in there. We’re rich I tell you.

She walked over to her tablet and pulled up the going rate for Iridium, then Platinum. She looked at the figures displayed then at Jacob. She looked at the display again then looked at the price for Platinum. She calculated what the yield per ton of ore and smiled.

It is only twenty percent Iridium and less than two percent Platinum. Iridium is going for three hundred and fifty credits per troy ounce and Platinum is almost a thousand an ounce. She weighed the samples and ran the numbers. That is two million for the Iridium per tonne and another six hundred and forty-three thousand for the Platinum. We’re rich. She screamed then shut her mouth and looked at Jacob. What about the Guild?

What about them? They have no jurisdiction here. We are not part of the Federation. Our claim is filed legally and we own the land they cannot take it from us.

I saw some men in town the last time we were there that were trying to buy up some of the others claims. They had a bunch of thugs with them.

I know they tried to buy our claim. I told them that it was not for sale and made as if it was worthless.

It was then. She said looking at the ore again then looked at Jacob.

We had better not tell anybody until I get some of it out and we get it to the processers. They will want ten to twenty percent to process it.

No more living in a worn out shelter, freezing in the winter and cooking in the summer. We can have a new house in town.

You can have anything you want. Jacob replied.

She ran over to him and he put his arms around her then they danced around the room in joy. The door burst open and Darnel ran into the room. They stopped and looked at their young son still holding each other. Darnel stopped in the entrance and looked at them.

Close the door. Marline said.

Father, there are some men up by the mine.

Who are they?

I do not know. I have never seen them before. One of them looks like one of the men we saw in town. Some of them have guns with them.

Jacob walked over to a cabinet and pulled out his shotgun along with a small 9mm. He handed the 9mm to Marline then grabbed another one and shoved it into his waist. Then he headed for the door.

Jacob, be careful. She said.

Darnel started out the door with his father.

Darnel, stay here with your mother. Jacob said and continued out of the shelter.

Jacob walked up the trail leading to the mine looking all around to see if he could see anybody up in the rocks. He looked at the entrance to the mine and did not see anybody. As he approached the mine entrance, a man stepped out of the tunnel followed by three others. Jacob could see the bulges under the men’s arms from the large blasters they carried. Jacob aimed the shotgun at the men and chambered a round. One of the men reached for the bulge under his arm. Jacob aimed the shotgun at the man and he stopped.

You are on private property. Jacob said as he stopped a few meters from them.

Mister Bergmann, there is no need for that. The man standing in front said holding a chunk of the ore.

Drop it and get the hell out of here. Jacob said.

The conglomerate that I represent wishes for me to make you an offer for your holdings.

It is not for sale, not now not ever. Now get off my land. One of the men who had reached for his weapon started to move off to one side and Jacob turned towards him then fired. The shotgun round slammed into the ground sending a shower of rocks flying toward the man. Jacob checked another round into the barrel then aimed at the man. The next one goes into your guts. Now get off my land.

You don’t seem to get it. The man Jacob fired at said.

I get exactly what he said. Now drop the rock and get out of here before this thing goes off again.

The man started towards him and the leader held up his hand to stop him. He tossed the rock down then smiled at Jacob.

Our offer is only good for a few more days then…

Then what? Are you going to push us off our land like you did the others whose claims you stole. I own this land and all of the rights to it.

No you don’t. The people I represent have bought your note. I am here to make you an offer before you are served with an eviction notice. If you don’t sell to us your interest in this land we will simply take it.

I have another ten years to pay off that note.

Yes if you were paid up. However, you are two months behind and we have every right to ask for payment in full at the end of the month. Look at the agreement you signed. You have fifteen days to pay the note in full or vacate the property. Remember Mister Bergmann, this planet is not part of the Federation therefore you do not have its protection and besides you are not citizens of the Federation.

Tell your boss that if I see you or anybody come near this land I will shoot first and…now get the fuck out of here. Jacob stepped off to the side and motioned for them to leave.

We made you a decent offer now you are forcing us to do something.

You did not offer me váótséva nó'kétse-asóme. Move or the next one will be in your guts. Jacob motioned with the barrel of the shotgun. The men slowly walked past him then down the trail towards the bottom. The one he had fired at was the last one to start down the path. Jacob could see Marline as she stood in the doorway of the shelter with an old M18 in her hands. She kept it on them as they passed the old shelter. The leader stopped and spoke to her and she replied then motioned with the M18 to keep going. The leader continued down the path to the small stream below. Jacob watched them until their vehicles pulled away then he walked into the mine and turned on the lights.

Marline watched the men as they continued down to the bottom of the hill. The men climbed into their vehicles and pulled away. She looked up towards the mine when the mountain shook and dirt flew out of the entrance. Not seeing Jacob she screamed for Darnel then ran for the mine. Darnel ran around from behind the shelter with another rifle in his hands and looked up towards the mine entrance. He ran up the path after his mother. Marline ran into the mine followed by Darnel. They were forced to stop and move back due to the amount of dirt and dust still belching from the entrance.

Go to Dirks and get some help. She yelled. Darnel looked at her and started back into the mine. Go get some help and hurry. She yelled as she grabbed his arm and stopped him.

Darnel looked at the mine then at her. He started down the path then ran as fast as he could. When he reached the bottom, he jumped on his motorcycle and raced up the valley. He crossed the stream then turned up another path towards Dirks ranch.

Dirk turned the tractor and started plowing another row. He watched the plows as they cut into the rich dark ground. When he turned and faced forwards, he could see a dust cloud racing towards his house along the dirt road. He watched as the motorcycle slid to a stop and the young man run up to the house. His wife opened the door and the boy franticly spoke to her his arms flaying all about. She pointed towards the fields that Dirk was plowing and the boy ran towards him. Dirk slowed the tractor as the boy ran up to it and looked down at Darnel.

You have to come quick my father has been buried in a cave-in.

What? Dirk asked.

My father has been buried in a cave-in. Come quick and help us.

Dirk jump down from the tractor and pulled out his Cellcom. He pushed in some numbers and spoke into it as he hurried back to the house. Floyd there has been a cave-in at Jacobs mine. Yeah tell the others I’m on my way. Dirk ran from the field over to an old vehicle and climbed into the cab. His wife ran out of the house carrying a large bag and climbed into the other side then they followed Darnel as he raced down the road until they reached the stream. The vehicle slid to a stop and Dirk and Meredith ran up the path after Darnel. The dust was still drifting out of the mineshaft as they approached. Dirk started shouting for Marline. A few seconds later, she walked out of the mine covered in dirt. More vehicles pulled up by the shelter and more men piled out then ran up the path towards the mine.

He is buried in there and I cannot get to him. Marline said.

Dirk looked at the tunnel as he walked towards it. The others soon walked up to the entrance and stopped to catch their breath. A tall lanky man continued up to the mine, stared down the darkened shaft then stopped when he could not see any further.

We are going to need some lights, picks, and shovels. Slim yelled towards the entrance.

I’ll get them. Darnel said and ran to the small wooden shack that was set back into the side of the mountain.

The men followed him over there and took the equipment as he handed it out the door. As soon as they reached the mine entrance, they turned on the lights on the helmets and started into the mine. They slowly moved the rocks and shattered shoring making their way deeper into the tunnel. Six hours passed as the men dug into the slide before they reached a small space that was protected by one of the large beams. They found Jacob lying there under some of the rocks and shoring.

Marline rushed over to him as the others pulled the shoring off him. She wiped his face with part of her dirty blouse then poured water over it. He opened his eyes and looked at her then smiled.

What happened? Dirk asked as they checked Jacob for injuries.

I don’t know. Some of those conglomerate boys were up here looking over the mine Jacob came up here and we ran them off our land. Marline said.

Let’s get him out of here down to the vehicles and to doc’s. Slim said. He grabbed Jacob’s shoulders as the other supported his back and legs. They carried him out of the mine then down the trail to the transport vehicles. Marline jumped up into the bed and held Jacob’s head as the tall man climbed into the cab.

Darnel, keep your eyes open for those men. If they return, shoot them. She said in Triskelion.

Yes Mother. He replied. He stood there watching as the transport vehicle moved towards the stream.

Dirk walked down the trail looking at an object in his hand. He stopped at the base of the trail as several of the men walked over to him. He handed one of them the item he was looking at.

Where did you find that? Floyd asked.

Where we were digging, do you know what it is? Dirk asked.

Baxter took the item and looked at it. It’s a military grade detonator.

I could smell cordite when I walked up to the mine. Rocky said.

Was your dad doing any blasting lately? Dirk asked.

No sir, he was still clearing out the rock from our last blast from a week ago.

I want to look closer at that cave-in. Dirk said and started up the trail again.

They walked into the mine and continued to the cave-in. Dirk looked at some of the splintered timbers and shoring.

Something is fishy here. I helped him install those timbers in that section. From what I can see, they didn’t just break. They looked like they were blown apart. They are too badly splintered and that shoring over there is from over there. Rocky said.

Somebody deliberately blew this tunnel. Dirk said and continued to look around. He found a wire leading back to the lights. Here it is. He said. "Someone hooked the explosives up to the lights.

The light switch is back there. Darnel said pointing back towards the entrance.

Probably a delayed fuse just long enough for someone to reach this point before it blew.

Those men were up here. Do you think they did this? Darnel asked.

Your dad didn’t have the shaft booby trapped did he? Floyd asked.

No, not that I know of. I have helped him in this tunnel since I was a little boy. He never told me about any types of traps in here.

Well if he had, this is where I would have placed it. Garvin said. Drop this section and close the shaft just enough to block someone from going any further.

Yeah, but you wouldn’t have tied it to the lights. Baxter said.

Sure, set it up so unless you knew how to disable it, it would blow as soon as you turned the lights on.

My father did not set up any booby traps like that in here. I have turned the lights on all by myself lots of times.

Rocky walked over with some light brown clay. He tossed it to Dirk.

C6 explosives. I have used it before. That is what I smelt outside when I walked up here.

Does your dad use this to blast with?

No we use ANFO-Briquette in sticks. I have never seen anything like that before.

I used to use it a lot when I was in the army to blow just about anything up. A wad about half that size would be all you needed to shatter the shoring. Rocky said

Where did you find this? Dirk asked.

Over there behind that beam. I guess the cap wasn’t any good. If it had gone off nobody would have lived through the explosion let alone the cave-in. Jacob was just lucky that whoever set this up didn’t know what they were doing. Rocky replied holding up the blasting cap.

Or didn’t have time to finish. Dirk replied. Why would the conglomerate want the mine? Jacob and Marline just squeak by on what they can pull out of it.

Probably because of this. Baxter said.

What is that? Dirk asked.

It’s platinum. It’s not real high-grade ore, but it is enough to eke out a living.

Father said that it was Iridium he was looking for.

There isn’t any Iridium on this planet. I know I have prospected all over these mountains. Rocky said.

Father says that an asteroid must have hit this mountain when it was forming. Father had taken a sample of some down to show mother. He was all excited about it.

Where is it now?

I don’t know. Darnel replied.

She has a spectral analyzer in their shack she does the assaying with. I have brought some of the stuff I have found for her to look at. Rocky said.

Dirk and the others made their way down the path to the old shelter. Once inside they found the analyzer still on showing the spikes for Iridium and Platinum. Rocky looked at the display then whistled. The others looked over his shoulder at the display.

What does it mean? Dirk asked.

The boy is right they found a pocket of Iridium. Rocky said.

Fairly rich by the looks. Baxter said.   

Still not enough to get rich off of. Rocky said then shut off the analyzer. Well I need to get back to my digs. Are you going to be all right here?

I can take care of myself. Darnel said.

You had better come home with us. Meredith said.

Mother said for me to stay here and guard the mine.

I’ll stick around and keep an eye on the place. Garvin said.

If those conglomerate boys show back up give us a call and well come a running. Rocky said. They have been snooping around my place some lately.

Darnel stood out by the barn looking at the cattle in the northern pasture. He heard the old vehicle as it made its way up the road towards the house. It stopped in front of the house and Slim stepped out. Meredith opened the door and walked down the steps towards the transport vehicle. Darnel watched as Dirk walked out of the barn and over to Slim. He could not hear what was being said, but from the looks, he knew something was wrong. Dirk yelled for him to come over as Slim walked towards him.

Darnel. Slim said.

Yes mister Cumberland. Darnel replied.

Boy you need to come with me. Your mother will need you.

What is the matter? How is my father?

Listen son, the doctors did all they could for him. The injuries were just too severe. They don’t think he is going live through the night. Your mom is going to need you to be strong.

I’ll find them and kill them. Darnel said and ran towards his motorcycle. Before Dirk could stop him, he was on it and racing down the road. Slim shook his head and walked back over to Dirk and Meredith.

He is like his dad. Slim said and looked at the dust as it blew away from the road.

Darnel stood next to the bed by his mother looking at his father’s pail face. Jacob breathed deep then there was a squeal from the monitors and a straight line showed across the screen. A Doctor along with several nurses hurried into the room. He checked Jacob for vital signs and looked at the straight line on the monitor. He reached up and shut off the monitor then looked at Meredith.

I’m sorry Misses Bergmann. Meredith burst into tears and clutched Darnel. The doctor could see the anger on Darnel’s face as he held his mother. The doctor placed his hand on her shoulder and she reached up for it. He squeezed her shoulder then walked out of the room.

Darnel walked out behind the cart filled with ore. He pushed the button stopping the cart at the small processor. His mother pulled the lever and the cart tipped and emptied into the hopper. She pushed the next button and the ore moved into the processor. The slag poured out one side and the ore flowed out the other side. She walked over to the small pile of ore and picked up some of it to look at it. Darnel walked over to her and looked at the ore.

It is not very much.

It is not as rich as your father thought. She replied in Triskelion. It will be enough to send you back to his Brother to finish your schooling.

Why can I not stay here? He asked.

He wanted this for you so that you would become someone. You are only twelve and need to go to school. You need a better education than I can give you and you can receive here. I have contacted your uncle Samuel and he has agreed to look after you while you are on Pachama.

I do not want to go there.

She looked at him scornfully. Your father and I both agreed that as soon as we had enough that you would go now that is the end of it.

I will run away.

Darnel that is enough. You are going to Pachama to go to school and that is that.

What about you? Who is going to look after you?

I will be fine. Just as soon as this pocket plays out, I will join you. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small leather pouch with intricate designs stitched on the outside. Your father wanted me to give this to you. She placed the strap around his neck and hung the pouch down his front. Darnel lifted the pouch up and looked at it.

What is it?

I do not know. Your father was from one of the islands that practiced the old ways. He said that this held his spirit guide along with his father’s farther’s spirit guide. He never showed me what was inside.

Darnel opened the pouch and dumped the contents out into his hand. Several large claws fell out along with some smaller ones. He picked up one of the larger ones and looked at it.

What are these from?

I do not know. You will have to ask your uncle Samuel when you get to Pachama. Come on we need to finish so that we can take this to the mill.

Darnel looked at the pouch all the way into the tunnel. They finished processing the ore late that night then moved the processed ore down the path to the old shelter. Marline placed several samples of the ore in the analyzer and looked at the readings. She calculated the amount of Platinum and Iridium in the sample then how many credits it was worth. She smiled to herself at the numbers. It gets richer with each load. Jacob you were right. We are rich. She thought to herself. Once I get Darnel safely on his way to Pachama then I will bring in a crew and start mining this site for real. When it starts to play out then I will sell the claim to the conglomerate and give them the shaft.

The next morning Slim pulled up in front of the shelter in the old transport vehicle. Marline and Darnel walked out carrying a large box between them. Slim jumped out of the transport and ran over to them. He took the handle that Marline was holding and continued to the transport. They set the box into the back then Darnel ran back to the house, Slim walked back to where Marline stood.

How are you doing? Slim asked.

I am maintaining. I’m only crying myself to sleep now and not all night.

Are you going to help? Darnel asked from the front door.

How many of those do you have?

Ten this time. We hit a small pocket. I think it will be enough to send him back to Pachama to finish his schooling.

How does he feel about it?

It does not matter. I have seen some conglomerate men snooping around. It will not be long before they try something again.

How much do you think you have?

Enough to pay off our note and to buy some heaver equipment.

Then you think he was right and there is more here.

She did not answer him just walked into the shelter. He followed her inside and looked at the ten cases stacked one on top of the other. Darnel was trying to lift one by himself as they walked inside. Slim walked over and lifted up the case then headed for the door. Marline and Darnel grabbed the next one and carried it out to the bed of the transport. They repeated this until they loaded all ten cases in the back of the transport. When they finished, Marline walked back into the shelter then returned with the M18. She checked the clip in the stock of the weapon then climbed up into the bed of the transport and sat down on one of the cases. Darnel ran out of the house with his father’s shotgun and started to get into the transport bed.  

Where do you think you are going? Marline asked.

With you to protect the ore.

You are staying right here.

Mother!

Do as your mom says. Somebody needs to stay here to make sure nobody sabotages the shaft again. Slim said.

Darnel glared at him and jumped down from the back of the transport.

We should be back before it gets dark. I will get you something from Brimboms. What would you like?

I want to come too.

Maybe the next time. She said.

Darnel scuffed his feet as he walked back towards the shelter.

Keep your eyes open boy. Slim said from the cab. He started the transport and put it into gear. The transport slowly moved down the dirt road towards the stream. Darnel watched as the transport crossed the stream then he headed up the mountain towards his special spot.

The transport pulled up in front of the processor and stopped. Slim climbed out of the transport with an M18 in his hands and stopped at the back of the transport. He could see two men from the conglomerate watching them as Marline jumped down from the bed then head for the office. 

Morning Dwight.

Marline, we were so sorry to hear about the accident.

It was no accident. I have some ore to process.

What kind?

About three hundred kilos of Iridium and forty or so kilos of Platinum.

Hit a strike?

No just a small pocket.

Three hundred kilos is not a small pocket.

We had to process over twenty tonns of material to find that much.

I will have to assay it and see what it is worth.

That is fine.

Where is it?

In the back of Bruce’s transport.

I’ll send out some of the boys to unload it.

Marline stood there holding her M18 so that everyone could see it as the men carried the ten cases into the processing facilities. She followed the last man into the receiving areas and watched as the cases were emptied into a transport. Once the last case was emptied, the transport was marked with her mines number and moved out of the receiving area. A man handed her a chip with the weight from the cases. She grabbed two of the empty cases and started out of the room. As she stepped out a man dressed in a suit walked towards her.

Misses Bergmann. He said.

"What do you want? She replied and continued towards the transport. She tossed the empty cases into the back then looked at the man standing there in a black suit.

I represent the Kelsey Group that holds your note. I am here to serve you with an eviction notice for lack of payment.

Our note is held by the Mercantile Bank not your conglomerate. She replied and turned towards the office.

No the Kelsey Group bought your note over six months ago. You are four months behind on your payments therefore in default on the note and we… He grabbed her arm and she brought the M18 around and pointed it at the man.

Our note is held by the Mercantile Bank and we were only two months behind. I intend to pay the lone off in full today. Now get out of here before I lose my temper and blow a hole through you and that worthless paper you hold.

The man stopped and looked at the barrel of the weapon pointed at his chest. He backed away. Our lawyers will be in contact with you.

If you or any of your friends set one foot on our land, I will blow their heads off. And believe me I have had a lot of practice with this. She replied moving the M18 out further towards him. The man turned and quickly walked away. She watched him until he reached the big black vehicle he was riding in. He quickly climbed into the back seat and as soon as the door closed, the vehicle moved away.

They have bought up over half of the town so far. Dwight said from the door to his office. She turned and saw the rifle he was holding. They even tried to buy my place. I told them where they could shove their offer. I have the total in the office. Not bad for just a pocket. He walked back into the office. I’ll transfer the funds to the bank. Sign here. Dwight said and slid the tablet across the desk to her.

She picked up the tablet and looked at the numbers, nodded her head in agreement then placed her hand on the tablet. A red line moved across her hand and a picture of it appeared at the bottom. She slid the tablet back to him and Dwight placed his hand on the reader. The red line moved across his hand then appeared at the bottom of the document next to his name. He pulled a chip out and handed it to her.

There you go. When you get another load bring it in.

I will Dwight. She replied and walked out of the office. Slim stood outside looking at the building across the way watching several of the conglomerate’s men standing there. Let us go to the bank. She walked up to the side door and climbed into the transport. Slim slug the M18 he carried over his shoulder and walked to the driver’s door. He climbed in behind the wheel, started it then moved out of the processing facility towards the town. Marline watched the men as they passed. She could see them as they walked across the street then towards the processing plant.

The transport pulled up in front of the Mercantile Bank and Marline stepped out with the M18. She started for the front door and Slim yelled at her.

Don’t you think that you should leave that here?

Not today not until I get the lone paid off and the rest of my business done. She replied and nodded towards the conglomerate’s office across the street. Slim looked towards the building and could see the man in the suit looking out the front window towards them.

Nothing is going to happen in the bank. If you go in there with that, they are going to call the Sheriff. I’ll be right here until you come out.

She walked back to the transport and handed him the M18 then walked towards the bank. She walked across the entrance to the loan officer’s desk. The man looked up at her as she walked up.

How can I help you?

Where is Betancourt?

Mister Betancourt is no longer employed here. I’m Kimby how can I be of assistance.

I have come to pay off my note. My name is Marline Bergmann. The note is in my husbands and my name.

Just one minute and let me see what the outstanding balance is. Kimby said and tapped on the top of the desk. He looked at the display in his glasses as he looked at Marline. I do not see any loans under the name of Bergmann listed. Are you sure you have a loan with this bank?

I have a copy of the loan agreement with me. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the chip. She handed the chip to him and he slid it into the reader.

Yes I see. I’m sorry but we are no longer holders of this loan. It was bought by Kelsey group about two months ago.

Who the hell are they?

They are located in the building across the street. Kimby said. They are the financial arm of the Kelsey conglomerate. You will have to take up any problems regarding the note with them.

Where is Biggalow? She asked then stepped away from Kimby’s desk. John, John where the hell are you? She shouted.

Marline what is the problem? John Biggalow asked walking out of his office.

John what is this bullshit about my note being sold to the conglomerate? She asked.

Come into my office and I will try to explain it. Marline followed him into his office. Sit down Marline. We were all sorry to hear about the accident.

It was not an accident. Marline said. Now what is this váótséva nó'kétse-asóme about you selling our loan to the conglomerate?

I didn’t have any choice. They came in here with papers showing that they had bought the banks outstanding debts. In fact, they bought the entire bank just to get them. They said that they were going to handle all of them out of their office. We had no idea that they were doing this.

What happened to Betancourt?

They let him go and saddled me with Kimby. He hasn’t a clue about what he is doing. I have had to finish everything he has done since he showed up.

Can you still transfer the credits over from my account to pay off the loan?

Yes. John pulled up her account and looked at the amount that was in the account. You don’t have enough in here to pay off the note. In fact you don’t have enough to even make the last months payment.

What do you mean? Dwight just set over the credits for the ore he is processing for us.

There is no sign of any deposit from him for over three months. That is strange I know when Jacob was in here last month with your ore it was deposited in your account and that is not showing up either. John pushed a button on the desk then spoke. Mark, I want a complete scan of our system. Yeah it looks like someone has been moving accounts around. Just run the check and let me worry about what they want. John looked at Marline again. Do you have the chip showing how much he transferred to your account?

Yes right here. She pulled out the chip and handed it to him. He held it up looking at it.

I am going to make three copies of this before I look at it. I want you to hide the original one someplace where they can’t find it. John pulled out a duplicating device then shoved the chip into the side. A few seconds later, three copies dropped out of the side of the duplicator onto the desk. He pulled the original out and handed it back to her. I would suggest that you put that someplace where it is safe. He picked up the other ones and handed two of them to her. Each of these has been certified to be copies of the original. I want you to look at each one and make sure that it is the same as the original.

Why?

I don’t want you coming back here claiming that I changed your document. Trust me it is for your own good.

Trust a banker. That is a switch. She said and shoved the first one into her tablet. She brought up the document and read it until she reached the bottom. Instead of two handprints, there were three. There are three prints at the bottom now other than that I don’t see any difference.

That is my print saying that it is a certified copy. Check out the other two and when you are finished we will take care of the loan. He said then stared off. Yes Mark. I thought so. I want Dwight’s processing plant restored first then the Bergmann account. Yes all of it. I want them done first before you do anybody else’s. I don’t care if they are flagged or not just fix them.

What is the problem? Marline asked as she finished the last chip.

Ever since they bought us out we have been having problems with the system. Funds are being moved around and put into the wrong accounts. Accounts are closed and new ones appear. I have had to bring in a security adviser just to keep it under control.

Can you trust him?

He is my son and no I don’t trust him or anybody who has access to the system. Yes, Mark. Yes, I have a copy of the last transaction. Okay. John picked up one of the copies and shoved it into another reader. He brought up the image on his glasses. It is loaded. Good. All right your account has been reactivate and updated with the deposit. That was a lot of ore you deposited. Let’s see two hundred and fifty kilos of Iridium and thirty-seven kilos of Platinum. On today’s market Platinum is going for thirty-two thousand one hundred and fifty a kilo at thirty-seven kilos that comes to one million one hundred and eighty-nine thousand five hundred and sixty-eight credits just for the platinum. Iridium is going for, oh that much, thirteen thousand five hundred and forty-eight a kilo. Times two hundred and fifty kilos that comes to three million three hundred and eighty-seven thousand, for a total of four million five hundred seventy-six thousand five hundred sixty-eight credits. You must have hit a big one.

Just a pocket. I want to keep this on the quite until it plays out. Can you transfer the credits over to cover the note? Then transfer four million to my Federation account.

Yes I can. It is probably a good  idea to keep most of it in that other account until we find the problem here. John said and started to type on the desk. He hummed a tune as he typed in the information. Mark. I want you to transfer this amount into the banks account as of today at this time. I told you I wanted their account finished first. Yes, it is important. Just get it done in the next two minutes. That boy is going to be the death of me yet. He has no since of urgency, There was a commotion out in the lobby of the bank and John stood up. Excuse me for a minute. John walked over to his closed door just as several Sheriff Officers burst through. They pushed him to the floor then grabbed Marline and shoved her to the floor. They searched her and pulled the 9mm out of her waistband.

Gun. The man yelled and shoved her face into the floor.

What the hell is going on? John asked while another Sheriff Officer pulled his arms up around his shoulders.

Get off him. An older Sheriff Officer said as he walked into the room.

Sorry Mister Biggalow. The Deputy Sheriff said as he let go of his arms.

The other Deputy Sheriff put restraints on Marline’s arms and stood up holding up his hand as if he had just finished tying up a cow in a rodeo. He looked at the others then quickly dropped them.

What the hell is this all about Billy-Ray? John asked as he stood up.

We received a call that someone was holding you hostage with a gun. Billy-Ray replied.

That is Marline Bergmann and she is one of our largest depositors.

I have a permit to carry that. Marline said.

We’ll see about that. The deputy who cuffed her said.

She just brought a load of ore to the processors. I was going over her accounts when your stooges burst in here. John said.

A complaint has been filed against her. She threatened a Mister Sinclair with a gun not more than an hour ago. The deputy who cuffed her said.

You tell that prick if he comes on my land again, I will blow his head off too. Marline said.

Shut up Pervice, you and Luther get out of here.

I’m sorry Mister Biggalow if I hurt you. Luther said and walked out of the office.

Pervice that is an order now get out of here.

He looked at Billy-Ray then down at Marline on the floor. He stepped over her then out the door. Billy-Ray walked over to Marline and helped her up then set the chair on it legs and set her down in it.

What the hell is going on, Billy-Ray? I have every right to protect myself from those murders.

There is no proof that they had anything to do with the accident out at your place.

Military explosives and detonators are proof enough for me. Marline replied.

Why did you threaten Mister Sinclair?

Who is Sinclair? Marline asked.

He is the manager of the Kelsey Group.

You mean that ná'so'eéstsé ho'e who approached Bruce’s transport while we were unloading it. I would have done the same thing to you if you had walked up to me then.

You should have called and told me you were bringing in a load. I would have had one of my Deputies ride in with you.

I did not want everybody to know we were transporting the ore. There have been too many accidents lately. Marline said. Get these damned things off me.

In a minute, I have a few things to ask first.

Get these damned things off they are cutting off the circulation in my hands.

Not until you answer some questions.

Okay, ask them then and hurry up. I left Darnel by himself at home.

Once again why did you pull the gun on Sinclair?

Like I said he walked up to me while we were unloading. He said that he represented the conglomerate and they held the note to our property. He held up a piece of paper and told me it was an eviction notice.

Eviction notice? They have no call to evict you yet you are only two month behind. John said.

I told him that our note was held by the Mercantile Bank. He said that they bought the note over six months ago and we were four months behind. When he grabbed me is when I aimed my riffle at him.

Riffle?

That is right I had my M18 I use to guard the ore. I told him again that our loan was held by the bank and I was going to pay it off today. I shook free of his grasp then told him to get away and warned him about trespassing on our land.

The complaint says that you threatened him with a gun.

The only other weapon I had was that 9mm and I never pulled it.

Did you threaten him in any way?

I told him to get out of there before I lost my temper and blew a hole through the worthless paper he held.

Did you aim the riffle at him?

I pointed it in his direction when he grabbed me. Dwight saw the whole thing ask him what he saw.

I will as soon as he is out of surgery. There was an accident at the processing plant and he was injured.

Just another mysterious accident right, to go along with all of the others? Marline asked.

You are going to have to come with me to the station.

For how long?

Until the judge can see the case.

I came in here to pay off my loan. I need to finish before the bank closes. You know that is a bogus charge.

Are you working for the Kelsey Group now too? John asked.

You know I’m not. I have to follow the law. A complaint has been filed and I have to take care of it.

Then I want to file a complaint against that Sinclair guy for trespassing on my property. I want him arrested for threatening Jacob and me at our home. His men were in our mine and were armed.

I will look into it.

Just like you are looking into how Dwight was hurt or how they blew up our shaft and murdered Jacob.

Do you have any proof that they did anything to your mine?

We do not use military grade explosives or hardware.

Like I said do you have any proof?

Yes we have.

Where is it?

Out at my place where it is safe.

Come on Marline. Billy-Ray said and reached for her arm.

Hold on Billy-Ray. John said. My attorney wants to talk to you. John handed Billy-Ray his Cellcom.

Yes this is Sheriff Billy-Ray Kooker. That is right she threaten Mister Sinclair with a gun. He is, for what? Hmm, yes I will hold on. Yes Judge Carpenter this is Sheriff Kooker. I see, yes I can do that. Thank you Judge Carpenter. Billy-Ray handed the Cellcom back to John then released the restraints from Marline arms. The judge has placed your bail at ten credits. He says for you to get back to your place and make sure you don’t cause any more trouble.

I will be leaving just as soon as I finish with my business in town. We need supplies to live on. Marline said. I want the charges against that Sinclair filed.

I will look into it. Billy-Ray said and walked out of the office. You can stop by the station and pay the bail on the way out of town.

"I will be there in a few hours.

She watched as Billy-Ray walked towards the front of the bank and could see Slim handcuffed and being held against his transport by the Deputy. She hurried out of the office then toward the front of the bank after Billy-Ray. As soon as she was outside, she could see their two riffles lying on the front of the transport along with Deputy Pervice holding his blaster to Slim’s head. As soon as she walked out, she could hear Bill-Ray yelling at Pervice.

What the hell do you think you are doing?

He was out here with those waiting for her.

Remove the restraints and get back to the station. I will deal with you there. Billy-Ray said and stood there fuming. As soon as the restraints were removed, Slim turned towards the Deputy.

You need to keep your dogs under control. Slim said. The Deputy stepped towards him.

"Get out of here and