The Project

Chapter 25

The Project Chapter 25

Two cycles passed before they were summoned to the government office where Deev Mocon, along with two Golian government officials waited for them. Deev introduced the three travelers to Gluz Igaia, and Dulvi Iljex. As soon as Alex, Kelly and Bria sat down Gluz held up a 5.56 casing, along with a spent shotgun shell,

"Could someone tell me what these are?" Alex looked at him and shrugged,

"Well sir, that one is a rifle cartridge case, and the other is a twelve gage shotgun shell. I take it you don't have guns that shoot bullets in your galaxy?"

"Could you show me how they work? Asked Gluz. Alex then took the spent casings from the Government official, and did his best to explain how guns work. He even resorted to taking a piece of paper from his pocket and drawing the various stages of a gun firing a bullet. Finally, the two Golians seemed to have a basic grasp of firearms technology.

"When we spoke to Gruk Armier, and Kleg Juliff," said Dulvi, they both told us you told them that you had some weapon their readers wouldn't pick-up, now we can see why."

"So are we in trouble for that?" Asked Kelly.

Gluz looked at her and replied,

"For killing a murderer, and notorious raider? Ha! I think not. We were simply curious as to how you were able to get the drop on them, it's very few that are able to do that."

"Believe me sir," said Alex, "I've never killed anyone in my life, but I wasn't going to let them take us captive. When Gruk told me their readers wouldn't be able to pick up our weapons, I realized that maybe we might have a chance to ambush them."

"Well it would seem that your hunch was correct," added Gluz.

"Those weapons of yours certainly left a terrible mess," said Dulvi, I would have to say that in all the investigations Gluz and I have covered, we have never seen the kind of destruction that these weapons of yours did on those raiders."

"Well that was probably my shotgun that did all that," replied Alex.

"It won't mean a lot to you, but I was using three inch magnum's filled with double ought buckshot. I was just worried that my rifle bullets would go through the spacecraft hull and cause massive decompression." Both Golians chuckled,

"It would take quite a bit to penetrate a spacecraft hull," replied Gluz.

"Most hulls are made from triple laminated Trinium, traveling at the speeds they generally do, you need protection from meteorites, tiny asteroids, and space junk. One thing though, somebody, somewhere along the line might take a keen interest in these amazing weapons of yours and want to ask you further questions about them."

"Well as far as I know," said Alex, we were planning on traveling around this galaxy, or wherever the Oxynia Company has a presence."

"Speaking of which," added Dulvi, "Just how are you planning on doing all this traveling? Obviously not with Gruk Armier."

"Well no," replied Alex, "Right now Arna, she's our captain, and her friend Garmik are on Xindus with Zeb Kifire, and trade representatives from Deneva, and Doradus." Deev then spoke up,

"I'm fully aware of that situation Mr. Igaia, I've already spoken to young Alex here, and along with Zeb's report this Xindus might just be the answer to all our problems in regard to a proper manufacturing site in this sector. If you remember, that's the old Sibranthi home world, but apparently the cyborgs and androids are running things now."

"It's true," added Alex, "Kelly and I have been there, they just want peace, and an opportunity to work, that's all."

"Well technically your captain should have come here first and registered your ship," said Dulvi, however since the Oxynian trading company is handling this situation we'll let it pass, but when she shows up, you have her get her craft registered."

Alex then asked,

"Sir, maybe the Karla-Ann is already registered," he then briefly detailed Gideon and Arna arriving on earth from Z'ha'dum their back-story, and Gideon's death.

"I'm thinking that they may have already come through here and registered at some point." Dulvi looked at her partner with an irritated look,

"Well why didn't we think of that? Well let's just see shall we?"

"I know you mentioned their names what were they again?"

"Gideon Tate and Arna, no last name, just Arna, and the ship's name is the Karla-Ann." After a little computer work, Dulvi nodded,

"Ahh yes, here we are, Gideon Tate, origin…Z'ha'dum…race…human, it's curious that no one ever caught onto that," she added. "There is no ship's name listed or any record…No wait, here we are, yes I see it now, Arna, origin…Maltorret? That's odd, I've never heard of it."

"That's because you don't do your research like I do," said Deev. Maltorret was the name of Xindus a long time ago. Don't feel bad, it's an easy mistake to make, I almost didn't catch it either. The Sibranthi were one of the few races whose home world didn't carry the same name as their race. However I agree that it's odd that her place of origin isn't listed as Xindus." Alex then spoke up,

"Sir, how long do androids live?" The Golians chuckled,

"Well Alex," replied Deev,

"'Droids don't die as we living beings do, they either simply wear out, or just fail. However as long as either they, or whoever they work for properly maintains them, they can theoretically last for hundreds of yarns, what are you implying?"

"Well she certainly doesn't look it, but maybe Arna is older than she looks."

"He's got a point there," said Dulvi, "Well our records show her as having been on Ugar back on 114623/18/40 that was close to two yarns ago. This Tate fellow was also listed; however the record doesn't say what they were doing there. I see that they spent almost a full senth on Kix Plyzia, and a couple centons on Octaria, that's out in the Thovan system, raider territory, we are going to have to ask her about that," said Gluz, who then added.

"You mentioned something about this Tate fellow coming from the planet Z'ha'dum, and of the Neistraen's?" Alex nodded.

"From time to time we used to receive reports on the Neistra. There were always rumors floating around about them, but stealing a whole village from your planet, well that's a new one." Gluz then sighed,

"Well you won't have to worry about the Neistra any longer; they came out on the loosing side in a little fracas with the Ruddorians almost two yarns ago, about the time your friends were out in the Thovan system."

"Anything more you can tell us about these Neistraen's?" Asked Alex.

Gluz replied,

"Not a whole lot, they were a very secretive race, didn't trust anyone, they were always a part of the non-aligned worlds, pretty independent bunch that lot. You know, this business of stealing citizens off other planets needs to be looked into," said Dulvi.

"Yeah but that was over a hundred years ago when they came to earth and took all those people," said Alex "Gideon told me he was just about the last of them; everyone had pretty much died out."

"Oh it's more than just that," added Gluz, "We cannot access the records from this computer but things keep crossing my mind about this race, this Z'ha'dum is out in the Tryn-Isha system, and as I recall that area has always been flagged for scrutiny." Then he added,

"When this android shows up we would like to speak with her, get some things cleared up, you make sure she comes and sees us. Handing Alex what looked like a small metal card with some unfamiliar characters written on it, Gluz said,

"Give this to the new accounts agent over at the Oxynian trading company office they will set up your credit accounts."

"One more thing," asked Alex,

"What was Agrat doing in this part of your galaxy; I thought you didn't have much of a raider problem around here?" "Generally we don't," replied Gluz,

However it seems he and his friends managed to escape from Derto Eenn, which is a prison planet over in the Amm Krye sector. They stole a prison craft, then hijacked the ship they attacked you with killing the crew before hand. You did everyone a big favor young fellow, that's why the bounties were so high."

Well I just wanted to know, that's all replied Alex.

"Well when you get your credit and identification card settled, that money will be automatically credited to your account," added Gluz.

As they were leaving, Alex asked,

"Originally Arna, Kelly and I were just going to return to Z'ha'dum and see what was and who was still there," then glancing at Bria, he added,

"Then things changed, we got sidetracked, but I would like to go there."

"Well I would not recommend it young fellow, with the Neistra gone and the Ruddorians running things out there, it's not an area I would go to unless I had a naval escort. Eventually there will be a military presence out there, but that might take awhile. Don't forget, you have this Arna stop by when she gets here."

After being excused, they headed for the Oxynian office where Alex and Kelly spent over an hour getting their credit/identification cards issued. The bounties for Agrat and Kreed filled his account but dropped considerably after he shifted funds to Gruk and Kleg's accounts, and paid back Bria, as well as giving Kelly a share as well. Still, he had well over ten thousand credits in his account, although Alex wasn't quite sure how a credit compared to a U.S. dollar.

Back in their room Alex asked,

"So gang, what do we do now?"

"Well I don't know what you're going to do, but Bria and I are going to the spa, after all we've been through, we deserve it."

"A spa! They have a friggen spa on this rock?" He asked. Both Bria and Kelly giggled,

"While you were talking to the Oxynian agent we watched a commercial advertising all the places they have here, no guys allowed, so we'll see you later."

With that, both females disappeared out the door. With nothing else to do, Alex headed for the scrap disposal dock where the raider ship was sitting. Showing her the release certificate Gluz had given him, Sung'Rir allowed him to take one last swing through the craft, to claim any small or personal items before she declared it officially hers. Wandering through the ship Alex almost threw up over the dried blood still covering the floor, and the stench of death permeating the ship. Everything loose or considered a weapon had been removed by the authorities,

However Alex made a careful search of every compartment he was aware of, as well as places he suspected of containing "loot." Sure enough, he discovered that the pilot's seat bottom opened up to reveal a secret compartment containing what appeared to be some sort of device worn on the head. It was sealed in a clear plastic-like pouch. Thinking it might be a translator, Alex stuck it into one of his cargo pockets. He also found a small plazor pistol which he stuffed in the other pocket. There were also three data devices identical to the one Deev had given him.

When he returned to Sung'Rir, and announced that he was done going through the raider ship, she made some calculations on her computer then said,

I've already looked it over, there's really not a lot wrong with it other than it's now classed as a raider ship. The engines are current, and in much demand, along with many salvageable parts, I will allow twenty thousand credits for everything." Certain that he was being "taken," Alex really had no choice, not knowing what a ship like that was worth as scrap value.

"You've got a deal," she replied. He was required to look into a device that according to Sung'Rir, recorded a retinal scan as a "signature." Once he was finished with the scrap dealer, Alex wandered around until he found a shop that by the looks of the merchandise displayed sold translators, and other small electronic devices. Not being able to read the printing on the plastic pouch he asked the proprietor, obviously a member of the Diyari race, with his light blue/grey skin, black pupil's bony brow, a series of ridges on the bridge of his nose.

"What you've got here is a model 23448 psypyx translator; do you wish to sell it? I can give you a very food price, they are in high demand." Now that he realized he had a translator, as well as one in demand, Alex replied,

"What's so special about it?"

"Well remove it from the bag and I'll show you," said the Diyarian. After he had taken it from the bag, the proprietor demonstrated how it fit over his ear. As Alex placed it over his ear, he wondered how it would stay on. There was a fold out eye-piece, as well as a flip out mic as well. The moment he placed the device over his right ear, it felt like there was something crawling inside. Quickly yanking it off, Alex inspected it for bugs.

"That headset is a living organism," said the shop keeper, Alex stared at the earpiece as the Diyarian explained.

"All you need to do is place the device over your ear and it will immediately conform to every contour of your ear. It will remain fixed to your head but will come off with a gentle pull."

Alex placed the headset back on and felt it move but he waited, and the movement stopped. He barely felt its presence, but he could clearly understand the Diyarian now, it certainly was an improvement. Then asking about the eyepiece, he was told,

"Just flip it over your eye when you want to see something in the dark or in emergency battle lighting. However it's mainly used by pilots to study details on a scanner screen with better clarity without leaving your seat." Regardless, Alex thought it looked cool, the translator seemed to work better than the one he had. The Diyarian made him another offer for the translator, but he refused, instead he traded his old translator for an upgraded model for Kelly getting a small discount.

On his way back to his room, Alex stopped by the bar to see if Gruk and Kleg were there. They were, and sitting with female companionship as well. This time he walked up to their table, and sat down.