Craz

by Jessie Rose Case

  “Secure landing bay door.” He told his men. They moved into position. “Disembarkation.” The loading bay door started to descend. His men moved up behind him. The two taking point, moved down the door as it lowered to the ground. He followed behind them as they took up ramp guard duty. Around him the other ships were deploying their cargo coming towards him taking up platoon positions. Each troop leader coming towards him. “Any problems?” he asked. They each gave a shake of the head, holding their laser rifles. “Ok, lets get this show on the road. You have your mission parameters. I want regular feedback. Space them out. I want the fringes covered as well as the main towns. Platoon 3, take the town to the West. Platoon 4, the one to the East. Platoons 1 and 2 will stay here. I’ll take North. Watch and listen. Only intervene if life is threatened record everything. Accommodation and provisions have been provided, you have the data. Anything else?” They each gave him another sharp shake of the head. “Right, then I guess I’m going to go say hello and get this over with.” Several of Troop leaders including Taln smiled. They knew how much he hated this. CraZ turned and headed to the official waiting for him.

  CraZ approached and the lead male and his group waited on him. He stopped before them. They bowed and then stood again. They offered no hand to him. At least they had listened to the brief. “Captain welcome to our world. I am Mayor Heiicot. I am the voted principal of this world and these,” he turned around partially to indicate those standing behind him, “are my voted councillors. Each one represents a Town on this world.” He turned back. “We are most happy to have the opportunity of working with the Empire. Its most exciting and one we want. Anything I can do to make that happen, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  His optic displayed the percentage from his data told him that last bit was likely an offer of a bribe. CraZ chose to ignore it. It held no interest to him.

  “Thank you for the welcome. As you’ve been told, I’m Captain CraZ and this is my Platoon. We too look forward to trade if it can be negotiated successfully. However, a reminder that we are Cyborg not human. We do not work with bribes of any kind, only truth matters to us and the conditions that have been set clearly out for you. A reminder, that we have been billeted here for six weeks and our time will be spent living with the people. Investigating those elements of interest to us and we will report back to you before leaving. In that time, whilst amongst the people, we will be learning about this world. Please do not get in our way. That will only hinder our work and delay any decision making. Our terms of engagement are clear. While here, we will not intercede in this worlds business unless, we witness harm being done. At which point, we will inform the authorities to deal with the outcome.”

  The official looked eager. “Yes, we have read all that and are very happy for you to all be with us.” He pointed to a man in uniform. “This is the Order. They protect us here. Any problems direct it to the Marshal. My people will show you to your accommodations.”

  “One more thing,” he told them. “I have two troops who will be going to your two nearest towns. They leave today for them. Ensure they have the accommodations and provisions we requested.”

  “That was not requested before this.” The official looked worried.

  CraZ shrugged. “We need to know how this world ticks, not just this town.”

  The official waved his people forward. “Give them what they need.” He turned back to CraZ and handed him a card. “My card.“ He bowed slightly. “Should you need me those are my contact details. Let me know when you are ready to discuss moving on to contracts.” He bowed again and started to walk away.

  CraZ thought that had gone better than most. No speeches. His data told him he was glad about that. He called his Platoon leaders forward. “You know your orders. These are your guides. Head out when ready.” He moved back to allow the guides to come forward and indicate the direction of the towns Troops 3 and 4 would be taking. Seeing them move off, the other two guides came forward.

  Taln took one, the other was for his. “Lead on guide,” he told him. CraZ had a report to make to the Admiral. They’d arrived.

  ***

  Chris looked at the latest damage. Bastard! Cho had out done himself this time. She knew she should have listened to Racle and brought all the furniture in, but it seemed like a defeat to do so. Like his scare tactics were working. She refused to bow to it, and this was the result. Stupid! The whole of their outdoor space was now ruined. She doubted that one chair or table would be worth keeping. She’d called the Order for what good it would do and the press, making a big deal of asking what the Order was going to do about it. The press taking a lot of notice. The reporter poised to write what the Sergeant said.

  They told her they had no proof of anyone doing it. She pointed to the street cameras. Strangely he told them, it appeared they weren’t working. Big fucking surprise, her mind screamed. She knew Cho wasn’t stupid. Racle came to join her. She’d called her in early to see it too. They both stared at him and he seemed to wilt a bit under the strain. The reporter pushed forward. “Sergeant what are you going to do about this. Its not the first time this establishment had come under fire. It’s clearly a targeting attack. A grudge or worse.”

  “We don’t have any proof of that,” the Sergeant told them bitingly.

  The reported frowned at him and then laughed pointing to the damage. “O I think anyone with an ounce of brain can see what’s going on here. My readers will want to know what you are doing about it, to protect one of our better restaurants.”

  The Sergeant stepped forward. “We’re doing our best ok.”

  “That might not be good enough,” the reporter told him. He turned red. Then turned to Chris. “I’d like to do a full write up on all the problems you’ve been having and get some back ground. Is that ok?”

  Chris nodded. “I’d love to this way.” She indicated the doorway to the restaurant. Racle followed them both in heading to the kitchen Chris guessed to make coda. A photographer stayed outside taking pictures of the damage. Chris indicated a table and they sat down.

  She held her hand out. “Patience Troudor, you may have read some of my stuff in the Gazette. Chris nodded. She had. “I’m all about exposing corruption. And this is not the first time I’ve heard you’ve been targeted.” She opened her datapad and had her stylist posed.

  Racle came back with coda for everyone. Chris thanked her. “I’ll going to do the school run.” She told her and left. Chris nodded.

  Then turned back to the reporter. “It’s not. Since we opened three years ago we’ve had periods of trouble. We do what we can and then it quietens down for a while and starts up again.”

  “Let’s take it from the beginning,” Patience told her.

  Chris did. She told her everything that had happened since she’d decided to leave Cho’s.

  Once she’d brought her up to date she sat back. Patience re-read what she’d written. “That’s quiet a story. Any proof of who it is?”

  Chris shook her head bringing the coda to her lips to drink. “None.”

  “But you think it’s Cho?”

  Chris smiled. “I think we all know.”

  Patience thought a moment. “I heard the Sergeant say the cameras are not working. That’s convenient and I don’t believe in co-incidences. They were deliberately taken out.”

  “That’s my guess too, we’ll put some more up but if he wants to take them out again, he will.” Chris told her.

  Patience smiled. “I agree, now, how do we catch him at it?”

  Chapter Three

  The billet was finer than many he’d been in. It wasn’t old army barracks. This world didn’t have an army. A group of housing had been hastily put up in preparation of their visit. It was basic but serviceable. The guide kept apologising for the conditions. CraZ couldn’t see why he bothered. The rooms were adequate. Cable, desks, chairs, beds, clothes hanging space, bathroom attached. They didn’t need more, and he told him so. With instructions to come back and show him around,
the man left. CraZ fired up his datapad to write his first report to the Admiral.

  What his reception committee did not know was that they had deployed several off-worlders to other towns on the planet. Those towns that belonged to the other counsellors. Before sending his report, he waited for each group to make contact and up date on their progress. As they came in, he checked the contents. So far so good. It wouldn’t take long for those towns to report in to their counsellors that they had guests. CraZ smiled. Now the real work started. Finishing his report to the Admiral, he stored his kit and checked on his men.

  His escort came back at the appointed time. Taln joined him. “Your name guide?”

  “Ben.”

  “Ok Ben. Show us where to eat, where to shop, where we can train.” The male nodded and indicated a direction. They both followed him.

  The world was typical of frontier towns he’d been to many times. People making a living from farming, mining or services. A government of sorts. It was basic and worked with varying degrees of success. And tended to be led from the top. If the Mayor was questionable, then so were the forces that kept the peace. He had no data on which to make a decision, but time would tell all. He already knew the Mayor appeared to be truthful in his dealings with them. Like all Cyborgs, he could taste a lie. Each of the guides showed no sign of deception either. His logic told him there was a high likelihood, that this world was on the up and up. His guide pointed out various land marks to them as they passed. They had a virtual library of Old Earth books and this worlds history. CraZ had already accessed their history. A medical centre, for which they hoped to trade for. They wanted the latest medical technology the Empire could offer. They passed a market place with several bars. It seemed rowdy but nothing concerning.

  Moving passed the market they came to a smaller square. It was quieter. Smarter. Several shops selling a variety of goods. As they walked on, he noticed a shop with smashed furniture outside. Their guide saw it too. “O no,” he murmured walking quickly to the shop front. Shocked at the damage. “Bloody Cho,” slipped passed his lips as he went to look inside the shop window.

  “Problem?” CraZ asked.

  “A dam good cook has this place. Someone doesn’t like that she’s doing so well and is going out of their way to give her grief. This, is the worst its been. All her furniture ruined.”

  “They will catch him, and he will pay.” CraZ told him.

  Their guide shook his head. “I doubt it. He’s very clever.” He pointed to the damaged cameras. “I expect they aren’t working now. She’s a good woman. Doesn’t deserve this. They both are.”

  A female came out of the building and spoke with a photographer. She didn’t look like security more official. Her conversation told him she was a reporter. A dark-haired woman came from around the corner further up and started to help clear the damage away. She was pretty. CraZ wondered if this was the woman the guide had talked about. She’d waved at Ben. She was angry and sad, he could sense that. Then…….. a blond female came out from the shop. The wind blew across her face and the hair lifted from it, she brushed it away. Her scent carrying on the breeze. CraZ’s body responded. Heat enthused him as his heart picked up and his cock hardened.

  A growl flowed up his throat. Mine! Roared out across his mind.

  He went to take a step forward and Taln’s arm stopped him. Calm brother, he told him over his neuro net. CraZ gave a nod. The guide was talking again. CraZ had missed what he’d told him. His focus completely on the female. She walked over to the photographer and female, shaking hands. He watched every step she took. Every action she made. “Who did this?” The words were harsh, harder than he’d intended. The guide looked worried glancing at him.

  CraZ checked his diagnostic. His emotions were off, but he was raging. The data was clear. The unexpected vision of the female ticking all his boxes, had turned towards him. She looked over at the three of them curiously and smiled at Ben. Others that had been there when they’re arrived had dispersed. She gave a slight wave to the guide. CraZ had a sense of loss. He wanted that attention directed at him. Ben walked over to her.

  “You ok?”

  She nodded. “Yeah just out here luckily.”

  “Cho?”

  The female shrugged. “Can’t think it would be anyone else. He took the cameras out too.”

  Ben nodded. “I noticed, he’s not stupid.”

  She gave the male a waning smile. CraZ could see the female was hurting. “No his not.” Then she moved to the broken furniture and started to help her dark haired friend clear the damage.

  Ben came back to them. CraZ could see the guide torn between doing his duty and wanting to help the women. CraZ wasn’t going anywhere. Linking his neuro net with Taln, he called in half his Troop on clean up. “We will help,” he told the guide. “Where will this mess go?”

  Ben answered. “Carts will have been called for. Once they are loaded, they will be taken out of the city.”

  “Who will come to the females aid?” CraZ asked.

  Our Troops are nearly here. Taln told him over his neuro net.

  The guide shrugged. “Friends maybe.”

  He wasn’t about to leave that to chance. He turned to the blond- and dark-haired females. “We wish to help. I have called my men.” They appeared around the corner as he spoke. The guide looked both relieved and uneasy.

  “I do not have permission for this,” he told him cautiously whispering.

  “We are offering our services free of charge. I require you to introduce me to the females only.”

  Chris tried to ignore the men standing beyond the damage, she’d heard the bigger of the two say they wanted to help. It was embarrassing that new customers should see this. She’d nodded to the city guide Ben on seeing him. He was nice enough and came in the restaurant once a week. It was the others he was with that bothered her. Cyborgs. Not the first she’d seen nor the last from the conversations that had been going on for weeks around the restaurant. Her world wanted a trading contract with the Empire. That came with conditions and people were both eager for it and a little cautious at the same time.

  Over the past ten years, she’d seen a number of Cyborgs. They’d come to their world on and off looking around, buying a bit of this or that. In recent years, that had turned to talk of trade. Contracts with the Empire. Plenty of them had eaten at Cho’s and she’d happily served them. She felt no treat from them. They were never anything more than polite and cautious around her, careful even. They moved so quietly, she’d often not realised one was standing behind her or had come in. It was a little unnerving, but they never bothered her.

  She looked up and caught the eye of the taller, lighter male. He was staring at her intensely. Chris glanced down quickly grabbing some more damaged wood. She didn’t need the to be bothered by him. Didn’t want it. She had enough on her plate thank you very much!

  Ben made his way around the damage and came towards Racle. She looked up from her own pile of damage. “Hi Racle, Chris, our friends here would like to offer hands to clear the damage. I’m real sorry to see this.”

  Racle looked across at her and straightened, giving her a wide-eyed look. Chris could see she was eager to take the offer. It would be gone quicker, she rationalised. She had meals to prepare and this, was only going to delay things. Feeling she had little choice, she wiped her hands on her apron and looked passed Ben to the two men she’d seen with him. Not men, Cyborgs. An entire company appeared to be with them now. It was little intimidating. Chris tried to smile. It was nervous at best. Two carts came around the other corner, she knew they were for her damage. The Mayor didn’t like a mess or rubbish on the streets. She nodded and came towards the Cyborgs. Sooner done the better. Looking up as she approached. They were both very tall and broad. Bigger than the men on her world. They were hard to miss. Poor Ben looked like a child standing beside them, not the man he was. The taller, lighter one who’d been staring at her, looked intense. Chris touched eyes with both of them.r />
  “Hello, this is a poor welcome and thank you for the offer of help,” then looked from one to the other as she got no response. She tried again. “I’d like to take it, if it’s still on offer. I can offer a drink when you are finished or now. You are welcome to come inside. There’s no damage there.” She turned to their guide. “Ben, thank you this is most helpful.” He seemed to swell under her gazed.

  He opened his neuro net to his men. Clear the area and make good. Damage goes in the carts.

  Affirmative.

  CraZ didn’t like the way the male was responding to the female. She turned and walked away, the dark haired one joining her as his men got to work filling the large containers on wheels. “Not your mate,” CraZ bit out.

  ‘Ben’s eyebrows lifted as one and he swallowed shaking his head. “No, not my mate. My friend.”

  CraZ glanced to the females as they walked inside. Good. He’d scented no male, but Mac had been right. He’d never experienced the pull to the other female like this. That was a shadow of what was inside him now. Full blow need swamped him.

  Your control is slipping, Taln told him over his neuro net.

  Yes. The blond female. She’s a possible mate.

  Congratulations my friend. The Universe smiles on you a second time. Slow your breathing and pull back on your emotions.

  My emotions continue to be turned off. I am not sure I can. He gripped his fists. This feeling is difficult to control.