The Colar Boys Volume Two

By Scott C. Anderson

Volume Two includes The Colar Boys adventures of The Four Prophets, Five Alive, and The Men from Palla. Continued from Volume One, Larrytam and Aron aid and rescue enslaved Colar and earth humans from the mining planet known as Habronsan. Myra Song, the Florek inter trader, once again enters the picture and works with the two free Colar, as Larrytam and Aron work to free their people.

Aron’s kidnapping in Five Alive results in a dangerous mission run by operatives working with the Colar government. Myra Song is a strong woman working with the support of honorable men. Life isn’t easy, it never is, but Myra has the ability to overcome obstacles.

This is story of struggle and hope. The Colar Boys, and the people they encounter, only try to better their situation when confronted with a challenge. These men and women may seem familiar, though the settings are new.
Written for all ages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387607792

Book preview

The Colar Boys Volume Two

The Colar Boys Volume Two

By Scott C. Anderson

This is a book of fiction. Characters, places, names, theories, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons, alive or dead, along with their events or locations is purely coincidental.

Disclaimer:  These stories are written in a conversational style.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

© 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 by Scott C. Anderson. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-387-60779-2

THE FOUR PROPHETS

A hard life…

Habronsan was a little-known rogue planet that currently orbited the FourFour system.  In a wide orbit through the galaxy, the rogue planet sat in the deepness of space, surrounded only by the soft glow of the never-ending starfield.  No one actually lived on this small dead rock in space as this singular body did not sit within a permanent solar system.  Everything on Habronsan had to be brought in; food, energy, air, administrators, and slave labor. 

The seven Ponas would be considered the only true residents.  Small and with a slight build, the large black eyes and soft grey skin of the Ponas gave the pod the look of an alien in an alien world.  They were the sole owners of the planet and required a labor colony to excavate the vast amount of raw materials. 

The Ponas currently owned 11 Colar, 4 earth humans, and 6 Dresden.  The original Colar purchase came to almost 106, but that was three years ago and now only 11 were left.  Of the original 6 earth humans from the Palla system, only 4 were known to the workforce to still be alive. 

Due to the decreasing rate of onsite labor, the Ponas began a system of asset retention.  This benefited both human races, as humans were of a measurable value. The original six Dresden arrived on station almost ten years ago and were still highly prized for their ability to seek out and discover valuable raw ore and materials.

The simple Ponas underground encasement field provided a level of safety as Habronsan had no natural atmosphere.  The dome ran in a radius of one hundred and seventeen miles through the underground, sealing all cracks and fissures, and effectively creating a breathable subterranean workspace.  All work and crew quarters radiated from a central core room. 

The Dresden were able to find treasure on the surface, but below was the safest place to be on this mining colony.  The planet’s thick surface area provided protection from the effects of wayward radiation and asteroid strikes. 

The Ponas provided nutrition to the resident population, as they lived off the Florek cracker.  Water was supplied in a frozen state and melted when needed.  Breathable air and all energy was produced with the help of the Dresden.  Next to the Ponas, the Dresden were the second in line for creature comforts.

Rohn, Striken, Caleb, and Ricket were the leaders of the Colar.  Big at over three hundred pounds each, no man was taller than five feet, eight inches.  Normally a Colar mine worker would reach a weight of three hundred and twenty, but it appeared that times were tough on Habronsan.  Work for the Colar was hard and specific, as the Colar were bred for labor.  The earth humans were more fragile and for longevity, operated the mining machinery.  The Colar hated the earthers and the earthers weren’t too fond of the Colar, but both hated the Ponas in common. 

The Colar hate and anger had little to do with the fact that the other human race on this planet originated from earth.  The Colar despised anything that was different, and spent the three years in captivity protecting their own.  The earth humans, known as the Palla, came to this colony almost a year ago.  Purchased from the Rullon, the Palla humans had the dexterity to operate the Ponas mining equipment and the temperament and skills to keep the equipment running. 

It was believed that two of the earth humans allowed their curiosity to get the best of them and were eaten by the Dresden.  The seven foot tall creatures looked too menacing to be of value, but their sensory ability to detect veins of ore, or valuable mineral deposits, increased their value.  Large, clumsy, and brilliant, the ugly Dresden would eat anything humanoid that got too close and unprotected.  After these rumors, the earth humans never approached a Dresden alone, and only chose to communicate with the Dresden in pairs or as a group.  The Ponas deplored the ingestion of humans, or any loss of assets, but needed the Dresden more than any of the human labor.

On the earth planet, Tyler Reed and five other mechanical engineers were flying from Florida to the Bahamas on a work and pleasure trip.  Their duties in the oil industry called for regular trips in this area.  The lone pilot flew the Cessna twin engine commuter plane through the clear skies over the Atlantic Ocean.  During their trip, the small plane encountered a large Rullon cargo bus.  The multi-story airbus lifted from the depths of the ocean and began it’s ascent through the atmosphere of earth.  The near collision was avoided as the Cessna was pulled, and then tractored inside the half-mile oval interstellar ship.

The Rullon were also a curious race and found the primitive flying machine too interesting to pass up.  While on the return flight to the Rullon homeworld, the captain of the cargo bus ran across a like-minded trader and was able to barter the Palla crew of seven for valuable goods.  During the exchange, the Rullon captain needed to vaporize one of the captives for failure to comply with orders.  This display of arrogance and individuality interested the alien broker, making the exchange just that much more valuable.   The human pilot disappeared within a particle beam to provide a good example of how the six should treat a new master.  Eventually sold to the Ponas, Tyler and the remaining engineers were biding their time on Habronsan and continued to search for an escape. 

Considered useful to their new owners, the Ponas found the small and nimble Palla humans easy to train.  The dexterity of the Palla outpaced the Colar or the clumsy Dresden.  The large Colar had their purposes, and now the Palla had their individual talents.  On occasion, Tyler Reed of the Palla would talk with Rohn of the Colar, but they could hardly be classified as friends. 

A new Song

On her blue-water planet in the FourFour System, Myra Song sat at her desk and scanned through her latest communication.  The brief supply delay was of great interest.  In all of the universe, Myra was able to request and fill any order to or from any location within a week.  One of her suppliers, the Ponas, were considered dependable, and on occasion even generous, but this communique intrigued her.

Her single story compound on her private blue-water planet could be considered luxurious by anyone’s standards.  Her staff of six Florek had been with her for at least ten years.  Myra’s long auburn hair needed a slight trim as she glanced in the mirror on her desk.  She was still young at thirty-six and considered herself an amazingly fortunate woman.  Originally from the blue-water planet in the Palla System known as earth, the inter trader had been raised and educated by a Florek family.  Her earthborn parents passed away when she was a young girl.  Educated on Florek, and with a loving foster family, nothing fazed Myra as she believed that she must have seen just about everything by now.

Normally Myra didn’t trade with the Ponas.  She didn’t have a definitive reason, but the Ponas could be counted on in a pinch.  If her regular trade contacts were dry, she could always count on the Ponas.  But in this case, her order would be delayed by one week.  That was unusual, but acceptable, and Myra keyed the communication with a positive response. 

Deep within Habronsan, in the dark silence of a maze of mine shafts, Patrik knew he was the cause; it had to be him.  Working in the shaft by himself, deep inside Habronsan, the big Colar cracked a mining head.  The Palla operator watched in horror as the mining head cracked, shattered, and then flew into four distinct pieces.  Jim Somers was operating the digger and saw the pressure crack form just before Patrik grabbed the mining head handle to push the head against the rock face.  The head blew a few seconds later.  As Patrik was the last to touch the equipment, he was fully responsible. 

Had the mining head splintered and cut the Colar to shreds, not only would a valuable piece of Ponas owned equipment have been lost, meaning the drill head, but a valuable piece of Ponas biological equipment would have been lost as well.  The single problem with the broken head caused a delay, which in turn caused a production problem.  The Ponas were notified and Patrik stood to one side of the shaft, waiting for his punishment.  As per procedure, Jim Somers kept his position in the digger and also waited.  The Ponas arrived.

At four feet, one inch, the slight Ponas wore a simple wraparound robe in a dark grey fabric.  Their grey skin tone and large black eyes enhanced the look of frailty.  Ponas BNA walked across the clean barren floor towards Patrik.  Both men knew what to expect.

Ponas BNA looked at Patrik and mentally drove the Colar to one knee using telekinetic powers.  As a standard practice, the Colar refused to go down on both knees, which was preferred by the Ponas.  One knee was eventually taken by the Ponas as a sign of respect, so Patrik’s body driven to the ground on one knee satisfied his owner.

Jim Somers stepped from the digger and wanted to defend Patrik.  This was unusual for a Colar, but still one of Jim’s personal earth-human traits.  Ponas BNA saw Jim’s approach and drove the Palla fully to the ground.  Jim was bruised, hurt, but not injured too badly.  Once again Jim had learned a valuable lesson.

For the moment Jim kept his position on the ground and waited as Ponas BNA spoke with Patrik.  Jim could see the two talking as he was still unable to get up.  As Ponas BNA telepathically forced Jim to the ground, it gave him the feeling that a fat man was bouncing on a mattress on top of him.  When Jim finally got up, he was bruised just a little more, but no worse for wear. 

Patrik, on the other hand, followed Ponas BNA down the shaft and into a larger open area.  The core room radiated with large and small tunnels.  Patrik walked to a predestinated spot against a blank wall.  The other miners filtered into the core room and focused on Patrik.  The young man must have been in his late twenties.  Big and strong, Patrik had gained the respect as a good worker and a good hand. 

Ponas BNA waited until he had the full attention of his assets.  The frail humanoid pulled a small rod from his belt.  The rod extended but looked more like a radio antenna than a weapon.  Rohn stood the closest, so Patrik could see him clearly.  Ricket also moved next to Rohn.

The rod extended and Ponas BNA touched Patrik’s big chest.  All he had to do was touch Patrik, and pain radiated throughout the man’s torso.  Patrik didn’t cry out, as this practice stopped about two years ago.  The Colar would not give the Ponas the satisfaction of crying out in pain.  Patrik was hurt, it was too obvious to ignore, but Ponas BNA touched Patrik a total of three times.

The big boy couldn’t move during the ordeal and dropped to one knee when it was all over.  Ponas BNA glanced at Rohn and walked away, indicating that he now had control of his men.  Rohn rushed to Patrik, as the young man slowly stood unaided.  The Colar gathered around Patrik and said very little.  The act of proximity and silence had turned into a new Colar trait.  After a few moments, they struck off into their own workstations.

Jim Somers stood with Tyler Reed.  Both men had witnessed this demonstration before and marveled at the Colar resistance to pain.  The Palla were never treated with this weapon, as they were found to be too fragile.

As Rohn walked away, he turned and looked at Tyler for a brief and important moment.  A bond had been initiated.

Tell me?  Why am I traveling here again?  Myra sat in the main lounge of her century cruiser.

Stefan, Myra’s pilot and navigator, knew she was playing with him.  You’re going to visit the Ponas and receive your order.  They have nearly seventeen tons of material.  Most of it heading for the Taman.

Oh yes, the Taman.  And I’d do almost anything for the Taman.  Is that right?

Yes oh needy one.  You never want to disappoint one of your most valuable and influential customers.

I get so tired of being this important.

Yes your grace.  By the way, have you gained weight? 

What!  Myra snapped her head with a hurt look.  Do you think this dress makes me look huge?

Not really.  I thought it was your ego?  Stefan gave a brief smile as he passed her and headed to the small but luxurious bridge.  Habronsan was within view.

Who are these people?

The parking garage at Habronsan looked more like a large cave with a series of pressure-door airlocks.  Once inside, any ship or vehicle would be contained within Ponas control, or so they believed.  Stefan had no trouble navigating the eighteen hundred foot ship into and then parking on the garage floor.  There were a few small ships nearby, but nothing that could handle over six Ponas.

Myra traveled with Ritten, Torsh and Petar, her new Colar mine workers.  Her fourth Colar employee, Shon, stayed behind at the compound and completed an inventory.  She also never took her entire crew with her; an old habit that served her well.  Joliette, Myra’s personal assistant, would also stay behind as the Ponas were still a mystery and she wanted to limit her exposure. 

Stefan would stay with the century cruiser and be ready for a dust off at a minutes’ notice.  Myra wasn’t overcautious, just experienced.  She dealt with over a dozen races and had yet to be surprised by even one.

Ritten walked with Myra, Torsh and Petar.  The walk to the Habronsan administrative officers was only up one flight of stairs from the floor of the parking garage.  From the conference room windows, Myra could see the small Ponas heads bob as they strained to see her.  Myra’s clear green eyes and matching gown contrasted with her sleek auburn hair.  Stepping to the front door of the offices, Myra was now all business. 

The pressure door opened to a scaled down version of a conference room, including a large wooden table and office chairs with wheels.  Seven Ponas, all anxiously awaiting Myra’s arrival, were standing as they watched her enter the room. 

The young woman streamed language imagery that she, and she alone, was in charge.  The Ponas were compliant, as they rarely had company.  And, company of this caliber was even rarer.  Myra exuded luxury with her clothing, jewels, and her clear business attitude.  She knew all the rules of trade and practiced them with ease.

Ponas LLT led the group as he greeted Myra.  Knowing little about the Ponas, Myra left her Colar in the outside waiting room.  They were to observe, interact as little as possible, but concentrate on details.  Myra held a clutch purse, which was adorned with an array of clear and colored jewels.  Two big blue jewels began to glow and pulse, with a small yellow stone glowing enough for Myra to notice.  Everyone in the room took a seat.

We have your shipment, lovely Myra.  Ponas LLT oozed sincerity as he wanted to be a regular and more frequent supplier to Myra’s Tuoolon Trading Company on FourFour.

Ponas LLT, I can see no reason why I shouldn’t be trading with you more often.  This small delay can easily be overlooked if future shipments are on time.

Ponas CEJ stood for effect.  We can personally guarantee that there will be no more delays.  And as a token, we’d like to present you with this faceted gem.  Ponas CEJ reached for a box, almost one foot by one foot.  He opened the top and displayed a square cut diamond that must have weighed four pounds.

Wow!  You really know how to apologize.

The Ponas laughed softly and then all stood.  The meeting was over as Myra would now be taking possession of her material.  In trade, Myra brought two power generators that could supply electrical power for the next seven hundred years.  This wasn’t new technology, but its specifications were presently out of the reach of the Ponas.  She also brought several tons of ore and minerals that were common to her, but valuable for trade.

The Ponas walked with Myra as she followed them to a large storehouse.  The smooth walkway contrasted with the excavated rock walls.  They came to the storehouse with its massive pressure door that swung easily on its two-foot thick hinges.  The seventeen tons of specific material for her order was dwarfed by the sheer volume of gold, silver, platinum, pallaria, exotic woods, etc.  Myra wasn’t too jaded to be awed by the mass of material.

Glancing over her shoulder, Ritten, Torsh, and Petar all walked a respectable distance behind. She indicated the selected pallets as the three Colar walked towards the palletized load.

Out of the corner of one eye, Petar saw another Colar.  The sight of the Colar in this location was unusual, given the fact that there was no battleship parked outside.  Petar had never heard of the Colar working with or enslaved by the Ponas.  Petar lowered his left upper eyelid, just a bit; hardly enough to be noticed by anyone in the area.  The response was a single simple blink, a bad sign.  If Petar had received a similar slight gesture, then all things would be right with the Colar world.  But a blink was given as an unmistakable sign that this Colar was in trouble.

Petar said nothing, but Ritten and Torsh also witnessed the exchange.  They would definitely talk to Myra at a later, safer time.  For now, Myra gushed as she pandered to the Ponas.  The palletized material moved to the loading dock and sat out in the open.  Myra walked around the two large floating pallets. 

Seventeen tons eh?  Myra bent down and looked at the floating pallet and its calibrated weight scale readout.  All seemed in order and actually, the scale appeared to be brand new and factory sealed. 

We are honest in our dealings.  Ponas CEJ spoke respectfully.  Myra picked up the lack of deception in his language imagery.

Please excuse me.  I meant no disrespect.

There is never a reason to question a comprehensive inspection Myra.  We appreciate and ask for your involvement.  To be honest, Ponas CEJ was putting on a good show. 

Myra felt more comfortable as the trade finally came to a close.  It did surprise her that two of the earth humans walked by and the Ponas stopped them to talk to Myra.  Ed Lewis and Wayne Ally stopped and waited for the Ponas.

Ponas CEJ said, These two are also of your human kind.

Not expecting much, Myra casually said, Where are you from?  She expected to hear a system name and planet designation.

Both looked tired, but Ed Lewis replied, Florida.

Wayne Ally said, Florida also, but originally I’m from California.

Myra froze for a split second.  She recognized the familiar language used by her mother, but hadn’t heard it since her passing.  She picked up from their language imagery that they believed her to be just another human-looking merchant traveling with her Colar slaves.  The two men gave away nothing as both walked on in response to Ponas CEJ’s nod.

Cautious and careful, Myra changed her thought images.  She didn’t want to give anything away, and luckily the Ponas took this as part of her negotiation ploy.  She focused on the material and the movement to her ship.  Myra did notice that her men were a little more agitated than usual.  Opening her clutch, she glanced down and made a small adjustment.  The Ponas didn’t seem to notice.

As Ritten used the handheld to guide the pallets of material into the ship, he stopped as the cargo-hold door slowly opened.  Using the handheld, Ritten turned off the pallet fields, allowing both floating platforms to lower to the floor.  Petar had already entered the century cruiser and began his import scans.

The first load of material lifted several inches off of the pallet platform.  Held within a field, the Ponas pallet moved out of the way and away from the ship.  Petar continued to scan.  The inventory and scan for foreign objects or offensive devices began as multi-colored beams swept through the material.

Satisfied with the results of the first shipment, the load continued up and into the century cruiser cargo hold.  The second pallet began its inventory and scan.

Myra stood with the Ponas and kept her mind on her work.  She once again opened her clutch purse and glanced at its contents.  Making a small adjustment, she closed the purse and faced her clients.

The Ponas have been good to me this day.  Myra was honest.

Ponas LLT handed Myra a printed List of Materials.  Myra Song we are once again in your favor.  Please call on us again, as we…

Ponas LLT.  Myra quickly interrupted.  I will need a single shipment of gold and raw diamonds.  About four tons each.  In about two weeks.  Do you have availability?

Ponas CEJ carried a slim pad with a display, about the size of a standard piece of paper.  We will have availability in nine of your days.  Would that timeframe suit your needs?

Excellent.  Myra flashed her smile and swung her auburn hair from one shoulder to the next.  May I arrange a shipment date now, or would you like to call me?

The Ponas stood en mass.  Silent and unsure, Ponas LLT shakily said, Eleven days from now, at this timeframe, if it suits you.

Myra looked at her diamond encrusted watch.  Eleven days from…now.  That would be excellent. 

The buyers and sellers amiably walked to the stairs that led to the awaiting century cruiser.  Ritten was standing outside and waiting for Myra.  The big man would not enter the ship without her.  Myra stepped closer, surrounded by Ponas, as Ritten took a deep breath.  Myra offered Ritten the one-quarter wink.  He returned the all clear signal, as Myra continued to say goodbye to the Ponas.

Really, who are these people?

Did you see them?  Myra sat with the three Colar in a semicircle. 

Torsh, usually the quietest, spoke first.  There are eleven.  Eleven Colar and four earth humans.

Petar waited for Torsh to finish.  I caught one of them and got the danger sign.  How did you find out so much?

Not afraid to reveal his source, Torsh talked with Hoosan, one of the eleven Colar.  I talked to one of our guys.  He said they were attacked in space, but were able to save the ship.  As they were limping home, they were attacked again.  After the second attack they were taken and sold to the Ponas.

Who sold them?  Myra desperately wanted the name.

The Petites.  Torsh could see that Myra wanted to say something, and anticipated her question.  The Ponas and Petites trade several times a year.  Hoosan didn’t have details, but he was aware when the Petites were on station.

Myra looked at each Colar.  Each man had the same look of anger and disgust.  It was hard to get a Colar to show emotion.  It wasn’t that they didn’t have any; they were simply a proud people and only showed emotion to an equal.  They were open to Myra, as each man loved her for the way she treated them, and the way she paid them.  To Myra, the Colar were valuable men and employees, paid employees.  She treated each man with the same respect she treated her Florek staff.

Do you have any plans?  Ritten spoke cautiously as he was still aware of his brutal Colar past.

We are going back in eleven days.  But we won’t be leaving alone.  Myra’s slight smile meant that she was still in her planning stage and didn’t have a complete answer yet.

Petar was the biggest and yet the most innocent.  You mean you don’t need the extra gold and raw diamonds?

Petar.  I love you.  And I don’t ever want you to change.  Myra started to laugh softly, along with Ritten and Torsh.

Not knowing the joke, everyone broke out laughing when Petar said, What?

Old friends…

Rollio Surlatan and his Florek Merchant Ship 11V3, the big green whale-shaped freighter, blew through the known trade routes as he hurried to meet a deadline.  Rarely in the position to rush, Rollio’s delay on Geel was due to too many friends and too much conversation.  Rollio didn’t need to feel pressured, as his First Officer, Spillman Colabra, determined that they would reach the Taman moon with time to spare.  But, this was a good time to test the freighter, as the pull and push propulsion system hadn’t been exercised this well in months.

Sitting in his stateroom, Aron thumbed through a physical magazine, looking at nothing in particular.  He read an article here and there, simply to pass the time.  The knock on the door was from Larrytam.

You about ready?  Larrytam was a big man.  At thirty-six years he stood five foot eight and weighed three hundred and thirty-eight pounds of solid muscle.  He was the standard size and weight for a Colar shipworker.

Ready as I’ll ever be.  Aron was twenty-four and about the same height.  Though he weighed in at only three twenty, Aron was considered strong for his young age.

Larrytam filled the doorway.  The captain said we’ll be at the Taman moon in, he paused as he felt the extremely slight vibration of slowing down, about now.

Hey, I felt it too.  Guess I’m getting used to this ship.  Aron put the magazine down and practically jumped off the bed.

Rollio slowed as he approached the farthest planet in the Taman Solar System.  The Taman homeworld was one of the few planets off limits to alien orbits or landings.  Taman-Pier, a moon similar in size to the one orbiting earth, contained an atmosphere and resident population, and the offworld trade exchange.

As they navigated around the asteroid belts in the Taman Solar System, Spillman coordinated with Sinjin, the apprentice navigator.  For eons the Taman were subject to regular asteroid strikes, with several big enough to end all life on the planet.  The extensive use of a yellow/gold protective curtain solved the problem of asteroid strikes, as the shielding would guard both the planet and moon. 

Rollio spoke with Larrytam and Aron.  The three stood towards the back of the bridge and watched Sinjin’s navigation prowess.  This was a well-known approach and Sinjin knew how to keep the freighter safe and on track.  Preliminary communications started as they approached the outskirts of the system.  As the freighter closed in on the moon, communications would confirm the identity of the freighter and provide landing coordinates. 

Aron was still fascinated as he watched the viewscreens for each and every detail.  Larrytam jostled Aron’s short blonde hair as they both stared at the screens.  Aron didn’t move as he didn’t want to miss anything.

A spacial call came through the communication system and Rollio glanced at the designation; it was Myra.  Rollio picked up a headset and tapped the keys that would allow the call to come through, but only to him.

It’s good to hear from you.  Rollio purposely left her name out.

You handsome man.  It’s good to hear your voice again.  Myra also left out identification details.  I need your help again.  Are your two boys available?

Are you sure you want them?  They’re pretty small.  Rollio knew the possibility of being monitored.  Even with encrypting the call, he also knew the latest methods to break any encryption.

Yes, you know who I’m talking about.  Myra also knew someone might be listening.  She rarely scrambled her calls, since she also had the latest methods for breaking encryptions.  Where are you headed? 

To my Indian friends near Florek.  Rollio meant the race on the Heras homeworld.

Can I meet you there?  I’d love to see Paqeen.  She understood Heras and gave a simple confirmation.

Rollio heard the confirmation.  Yes, yes, is this timeframe in six days acceptable?  He meant three.

Yes you great big handsome man.  Oh sorry, she might be listening to this.

She probably is.  See you in six.

Rollio removed the headset and saw that all eyes were on him.  I never turn down a job.  Especially a good paying job.  Everyone smiled and the room returned to the activity of landing at an alien supply station. 

Sinjin turned the freighter on a dime as he began to circle the moon.  Taman-Pier was more a resort than an offworld supply station.  The resort design carried over to the allport, which contained a hotel complex and lavish swimming pools.  Sinjin found the landing pad and Spillman looked to Rollio for confirmation.  Rollio’s simple nod spoke for the captain as he quietly calculated.

Larrytam knew his captain well and recognized the look of planning and calculation.  The captain was thinking about something, and would tell him when he was good and ready.  Aron also saw the look, but brushed it off as Rollio had no trouble telling either of them information that would keep his ship safe.

For the next four hours Captain Rollio Surlatan went through the motions of offloading and loading shipments, bags of grains, and pallets of raw material.  Larrytam followed orders and performed his job, but could see that Rollio appeared distracted from time to time.  The captain was a sharp man, subject to direct and specific orders, but Larrytam knew his captain to the point that he could see the brief flash of thought and design.

Later, Rollio shared that they would make the drop off to the Lan Protectorate, and then head for the Heras homeworld.  Larrytam could always depend on his captain to clue him in on their next destination.  Rollio did ask to see Larrytam, Aron, and Spillman later in the conference room.  Later, as the evening meal was over and the night crew was in place for their shift, Rollio found his anxious crew in the small conference room.

We’ve been asked to assist with a rescue on Habronsan.  Rollio allowed a few moments for the name to sink in. 

Habronsan?  Spillman knew the rogue planet and the Ponas, but didn’t believe the captain would have anything to do with them.

I know.  It’s not going to be easy.  Rollio looked at the three faces.

Larrytam hadn’t heard of the planet.  Sorry captain, but I’m missing something.  Where is Habronsan?  Aron also gave a blank look.

Habronsan is a rogue planet near the FourFour system.  Heads began to nod in recognition of the name.  The FourFour system was a part of space with endless amounts of asteroid debris, nebula interference, and a lack of populated worlds.  There was no reason to go there, except to Habronsan.

Aron spoke up, simply because he felt comfortable doing so.  Who is it and how many captain?

This will involve you two.  Rollio reached or an info screen.  There are eleven Colar and four other humans under the ownership of the Ponas.

Oh my.  Spillman shook his head.

Aron knew the least in the room, but had enough courage for all.  If Myra Song wants them off the planet.  Why doesn’t she just buy them from the Ponas?

Larrytam had heard of the ways of the Ponas, but Rollio enjoyed his role as the all-knowing freighter captain.  Rollio said, The Ponas will buy and sell almost anything and everything.  But they won’t sell biological assets.  If the Ponas own a person and bring them to Habronsan, then they’ll die on Habronsan.

Spillman asked, What do we do with them once they’re off the planet?

Myra wants them.  I don’t know why she’s so interested, but she wants these people.  And, she found that they purchased the Colar from the Petites.  Rollio ended with the obvious implication.

At the end of Rollio’s last sentence, Larrytam and Aron both stood and each took a deep breath.  A standing Colar full of power and preparing to fight wasn’t someone you wanted in a confined space.  Spillman looked to Rollio, who gave a facial sign that said, Give it a minute.

After three deep breaths, Aron and Larrytam sat and relaxed.  Larrytam understood the gut instincts of the basic Colar.  Through the years he helped prepare Aron for any type of confrontational news.  The Petites were a subject to cause hostility, especially when they were involved with the Colar.  Spillman took the physical restraint as a sign of strength and power.  With a simple look, Rollio confirmed that he felt the same way.

Heras…

The people of the Hera Solar System appeared to be living in the pre-steam age.  Appearances can be deceiving, as the Heras were an ancient people, comfortable with their simple beneficial ways.  Myra and Rollio would long debate whether the Heras originated from the Palla system, or if the Native Americans on Palla originated from Hera. 

Myra stated, and Rollio agreed, that the Heras made the galaxy and universe a better place.  They also agreed that in the long run, it really didn’t really matter where they originated.  Myra would ask someone to look into the debate, but for now she would leave the origins as a mystery that would probably be solved by someone much more intelligent than her.

The Heras were in direct communication with the Taman, so protection on a planetary scale was guaranteed.  With the ability to live their lives steeped in tradition and honor, the Heras were an easy customer and supplier for trade.  Sinjin notified his captain that they were approaching the blue-water planet.

Rollio scanned for Myra’s century cruiser, but the luxury yacht was nowhere to be found.  Myra enjoyed being secretive and mysterious, which was part of the fun of trading with her.  As expected, Myra decloaked for one full minute.  Spillman found the sleek and slender yacht as Rollio, Larrytam and Aron looked on.

There are so few things you can count on.  Rollio wasn’t talking to anyone in particular.

Aron had that wide-eyed innocence.  She’s a beautiful ship.  No one disagreed.

Rollio held a brief and informative call with Myra before entering the Hera system.  They agreed that Myra would conclude her trade meeting first.  Rollio would then wait in orbit until the century cruiser lifted from the planet’s surface.  Then he took the big green freighter to the same landing site.

The best way to describe the Heras was that they were an advanced, primitive people.  Choosing to live simply allowed the planetary civilization to cherish the old ways of living with purpose, using the time-honored laws of nature.  The people were happy and satisfied, and yet enjoyed the benefits of medical advancements in times of emergency.  The Heras also believed in walking and the care and training of horses and animals.  There were a few negative gravity vehicles, which were used for special projects or emergencies, but advanced technologies were kept to a minimum.  As a way of life, no one owned anything on Heras, and the population held true to their cherished beliefs.

What the Heras did need were various raw materials and the few power generation units for medical and communication purposes.  Myra supplied two small generators for a village to the north, and Rollio brought a supply of gold, platinum, and a variety of elements in small quantities.  He also brought two passengers returning from a medical conference.  Rollio concluded his business and lifted from the surface to meet with Myra.

The slender century cruiser pulled alongside the whale-shaped freighter.  The upper passenger-deck airlock was the most accessible point, and Stefan guided the Florek designed yacht to the airlock door.  The flexible causeway extended and sealed.  Rollio opened his side of the airlock and saw Myra open her pressure door.

Rollio always enjoyed visiting Myra aboard her yacht and was able to pick out new details with each visit.  The exotic woods and chrome gave the yacht a modern, luxurious feel.  Rollio only wished he could afford one of the yachts from Paranjpe Flight and Instrument, the builders of this ship.

Better to be looked over, than overlooked.  Myra was all smiles.

Myra, you always bring me treasure and excitement.

Two of my best assets.  She indicated a couch.

Now what is this all about?  Rollio made himself comfortable for a nice long talk.

Plan A

Safely within her century cruiser, Rollio talked easily with his old friend.  Myra did not practice deception and would not use dishonesty now.  That being said, she did have a problem with races or clients that used deceptive practices with her.  The Ponas were known to possess a form of telepathy that could influence or physically hurt many biological lifeforms.  The Colar, earth humans, and Dresden were just a few of the encountered lifeforms that could easily come under Ponas control. 

Within the confines of Myra’s travels, she talked and traded with a great many people.  Also inquisitive, Myra wanted to know as much as she could about any race.  She wasn’t interested in exploitation, but she did want to know the defense necessities of working with so many different offworld traders and clients. 

During her first visit with the Ponas, Myra carried a telepathic analyzer within her jeweled clutch purse.  Each of her Colar employees was fitted with a recorder and blocking device that was controlled by her analyzer.  The blocking device was small, round and flat, and sat on the chest under the shirt of each of her workmen.  During her trade meeting with Ponas CEJ and Ponas LLT, Myra found that she and her three Colar were subjected to a slight telepathic negotiation control by the Ponas.

She was actually glad to see that they attempted a form of telepathic influence and, when they found the attempt unsuccessful, they scaled back on their telepathic intrusion.  The Ponas could have tried to push and overtake the humans, but Myra’s language imagery picked up that their interest