“What?” asked Hal. Vorgan dropped her thesaurus down a couple of notches.
“We can give them all virtually instant, occupational training.” Hal looked at Starfire.
“She means they can teach them a trade real quick.” Vorgan bowed her head to Starfire.
“So, we need to look for a planet that needs a whole lot of Terrellian chefs or something?” suggested Hal. Starfire bit her lip and looked away and she could see a few dragon shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
“Something like that, Hal,” said Kaura.
“What about all these Aurian prisoners?” asked Starfire, “I’m sure we can find somewhere for them, but can you keep them here for a while till we can figure something out?”
“That will not be a problem, Starfire,” said Kaura. “We have plenty of room and facilities here, as you know and we are adept at keeping our existence secret.”
“I’ll need some numbers to take back with me,” began Hal, “like how many Trenee, how many Terrellians. What you need in the way of food and shelter, and what you want to bring out with you. We need to get some transport sorted out and somewhere for you to go.”
“Do you have anywhere in mind?” asked Starfire.
“We do not have much knowledge of outside this system,” another Trenee stood up. “Our physical needs are simple. We breathe the same air as you, we drink water and fruit juices and we eat food derived from the blue plants you see all around us, and a few insects.”
“We need all the information you have about what is happening on here,” said Hal. All the Trenee looked old and scaly, but King Kaura looked wise as well. Not just ordinary wise, thought Hal to himself, this old bird has been around a bit. He knew the score. He looked Kaura in the eye. “Look, I know you’re a king and everything, but I’m not the sort for all this diplomacy stuff.”
“You can say that again,” murmured Starfire under her breath.
“We’re on a time constraint here, so let’s just cut through all this crap and you tell me what you want, and I’ll tell you what I need to know to get it for you. I’ll tell you the truth and I’ll expect the truth from you. If you ask me a question, I’ll answer it as best I can and I expect the same from you.” You could cut the silence with a knife. If the Trenee had been human, there would have been a collective intake of breath. Kaura settled his leathery wings across his back, much as a hen fluffs out her feathers and straightens them again. Kaura spoke.
“What we want, Hal, is a planet where we can be free to fly as we used to years ago. We want blue skies, fluffy clouds and beautiful waterfalls. We want exclusivity and privacy. We want tall trees where we can build our nests and lay our eggs without fear and we want to see our beloved blue doayth flowers as far as the eye can see.” There were nods of agreement around the room. He continued, “but what we will settle for is a place where we can live in peace.”
“Fair enough,” stated Hal. “Look, I know you have real advanced technology. You fixed up our ship when it was,” he turned to Starfire, “what did you call it, Star? Scrap metal on legs. And you did it in less than a day.” Another Trenee lifted his head on his tall, scaly neck and looked down his long snout at Hal.
“We are very advanced, Terrellian, very advanced. The human race does not have a good record where technology is concerned,” he said. “Any new advancement is always turned into some sort of weapon and where dominance over another species is possible, it is usually carried out. We will not share our technology for it to be used in warfare.”
“And I ain’t askin’ you to, Trenee,” snarled Hal. “You asked us for help, not the other way around. All I’m saying is, if you can help us to get yourselves off this planet in secret, then do it. You don’t have to share anything with us.”
“I apologise for Greeb’s bad manners, Hal.” Kaura turned his scaly head in Greeb’s direction and the Trenee sat down on a steel perch, a foot from the floor. “He is of the opinion that we should remain here and hope that we are not discovered when the Galactic Police arrive.”
“Like that’s gonna happen,” said Starfire, stepping forward. “Listen, it isn’t a question of if you’re discovered, it’ll be when you’re discovered. They will find you and they will totally dominate you. Since you are an unknown species they’ll probably take a few of you to dissect. If you won’t work for them you will be killed.”
“That’s it Star,” muttered Hal out of the side of his mouth, “sugar coat it for them.”
“I have already explained this to Greeb,” said Kaura. “I give you my word, Hal, that there will be no secrets between you and me. What do you want to know?”
“For a start, the exact numbers involved. We’ll need to work out how many ships to bring. There’s so many of you here that I don’t think we’ll have much room left over for possessions, but have ‘em ready just in case.”
“I have put all our basic requirements on a data crystal.” The arm of Hal’s chair lit up and a crystal rose from it to be collected and put in his pocket.
“If we come with transports for you, can you shield us?”
“No, we do not have enough power for that size of shield generator.”
“What about your mad professor?” asked Starfire, “can she confound the enemy into thinking they’re frogs or something, just long enough for us to get away?”
“I like your thinking, young woman,” said the mad professor in question. “The society shall surely work on it, but I fear our telepathy only works with Terrellians, not the other races.”
“Can you infiltrate their communications?” asked Hal. “It would help us to know what they’re going to do.”
“Yes, Hal. We can do that.”
“Can you work out a way for us to communicate quicker?”
“Sadly, we cannot do that yet, but we shall definitely put all our efforts into it,” said Kaura. “Now you have given us your frequencies, we will keep constant watch for your communications.”
“I reckon we have everything we need for now, Kaura,” said Hal. “Now, can you get us home?”
“Yes Hal, I believe we can.” Hal and Starfire shared a grin. “If nobody else has a point to make, then I call this meeting over.” One by one, the Trenee simply disappeared until only Kaura and Grennig remained and the plinth lowered until it was at floor level.
“How are you, dear friend?” asked Starfire, looking up at the young Trenee. He topped six feet, but he scrunched his legs and squatted until they were both at eye level.
“Looking forward, Starfire,” he said. “Looking forward to a time when we can fly free. I shall take you upon my back and we shall soar the sky like pennigans.”
“That day will come, Grennig,” she said, vaguely wondering what a pennigan was.
“I made this for you,” He raised a huge, sharp talon and Starfire slid the necklace off the end. It was made of plaited vine and was interwoven with what looked like tiny blue flowers. “It is made from the doayth plants and is traditionally given to sweethearts.”
“Grennig, it’s beautiful,” Starfire tied it around her neck and smiled. “Does this mean we are engaged?” Grennig laughed. “No, Starfire. Sadly, I am promised to another.”
“My heart has just broken, Prince Grennig.”
“When you’ve finished flirting, we’ll make a start, Lieutenant,” said Hal. He turned to Kaura and put out his hand. His instincts were correct and the giant dragon unfurled a heavy, leathery wing and gently placed a wicked looking ten inch black spur into it. Kaura had seen Terrellians shaking hands before. Hal held the spur and shook it, briefly. “Just how are you going to get us out of here, Kaura?” The king of the dragons looked towards the wall and it lit up to show Micah Jones and Toola, sitting in the Tabbert’s living room.
“Mike,” called Hal. Thirty miles away, the computer screen on Tabbert’s wall came to life. Micah and Toola started at it in disbelief.”
“What the frag…!” Micah Jones was almost stuck for words.
“Mik
e, we’re in need of a lift. Can you pick us up on your way out of here without anyone seeing you?”
“We are due to leave in one hour, Hal. Send us your co-ordinates and Toola will skim the dunes like a shadow.”
“The co-ordinates have already been sent to your ship, Toola,” said Starfire. “We’ll be waiting.”
Grennig and Kaura walked with them to the tunnel. A little two seater hover car sat there and Hal and Starfire climbed in.
“We’ll be in touch as soon as we know something, Kaura,” said Hal.
“Safe travels. We shall meet again.” Starfire looked back to see them both standing with one wing raised. She raised a hand herself and then the tunnel turned upward and she couldn’t see them anymore.
The car came up into the desert and sat, hovering a foot from the ground. Hal and Starfire climbed out and the car reversed back the way it had come. The black sand closed in over the hole and barely left a dip in the landscape. They didn’t have to wait very long. With a low whine, the Constellation approached at stalling speed and gently lowered itself to the ground. With amazing skill, Toola hovered without shutting down his main engines, Micah opened the hatch and Hal and Starfire climbed inside.
“We’re all in, Toola,”
“Then we’re away from here,” he answered. He gradually increased his speed, giving them time to sit and strap themselves in then turned the graceful ship towards the sky.
“Where to, Hal?” Micah Jones’ grin went from ear to ear and he shook Hal’s hand, warmly. “Man, I never thought I’d see you again.”
“Starfire, we need to see Vermillion,” said Hal, “and I need a coffee and a ‘rillo.”
“I shall have to do this for you myself,” laughed Micah. “I no longer have an assistant.” Starfire walked to the pilot section and slid into the co-pilot seat on Toola’s left.
“Do you know the Manta system?” she asked.
“Manta Six?” guessed Toola. “We have been there before on occasion to….”
“Pick things up and drop things off?” suggested Starfire.
“Exactly,” he grinned, entering the co-ordinates. He looked up suddenly, “I have an audio communication for you both. I do not know where it is from.”
“Put it on speaker,” ordered Hal. It was Kaura.
“We have intercepted a distress call on one of the frequencies you gave us,” he said. “It is from a ship called the Grennig. We assume this can only be yours.”
“It is,” gasped Starfire. “What does it say?”
“One of its ion engines is damaged. They are incapable of light speed and heading towards Manta Six. A ship called the Josie Dog is in hyperspace heading towards their last position. It will be there in seven point four hours.”
“Josie Dog?” laughed Starfire. Tranter had changed the ship’s name to show there were no hard feelings. “Tranter’s gone out to them,” She looked back at Hal. “What can we do?
“What’s their position?” asked Hal. Starfire nodded as it came up on the heads up display.
“We got it.”
“Damn it, we need Del,” muttered Hal. He walked up to stand behind Starfire’s seat. “Can you triangulate an intercept course for us to meet the Grennig before the Josie gets there?” Another set of space co-ordinates appeared on the heads up and both Toola and Starfire nodded.
“Thanks,” said Hal and the link was cut. Toola looked back at Micah for confirmation.
“We can be there in six hours,” he said. He pushed forward a throttle and the Constellation disappeared in a rainbow of colours.
The Grennig’s internal com chimed and Raan leaned forward to waft a hand over the crystal.
“Yeah, Del?”
“A signal has just reached me from hyperspace.”
“What?” Raan looked at Erion, open mouthed.
“It is from a ship. It says it is responding to our distress signal and will be here in two hours.”
“How did you receive the signal?” asked Erion. “Is the ship actually in hyperspace?”
“It is, Major.”
“And it’s two hours away?”
“Yes Major.”
“Then how did the signal reach us?”
“I have calculated that the signal must have been sent to connect with our proposed co-ordinates before it entered hyperspace or the signal was boosted in some way while the ship was already in hyperspace. It should not be possible to do this."
“So how have you figured it out then?” demanded Raan.
“Because I know stuff, Captain Raan,” said Delta Ten, using little words. “Please let me return to my work.” Raan pulled a face to Erion.
“He’s getting cranky in his old age. How old is he?”
“Three and a half.”
“Oh.”
The Constellation appeared just behind the Grennig and moved up to their port side. Delta Ten now sat in the pilot seat, Erion sat next to him and Raan manned the guns.
“This is the Space Yacht Constellation requesting dock.” Erion and Raan exchanged looks. It sounded like Starfire and they wanted it to be her, but they were not entirely sure they were right.
“We ain’t got all day,” put in another, sardonic voice. All worry disappeared from their faces and Raan said,
“Is that you, Star?”
“I knew we couldn’t fool you for long,” she laughed. “I was going to have the real pilot talk to you, but as you’re in trouble, I thought you might be a little bit jumpy. You’re on the guns, aren’t you, Raan?”
“Might be, Star.”
“Dock at number two, Lieutenant.” Raan slowed the Grennig to a stop, Erion lit up the outside aircar hatch and there was slight bump as the two ships mated. A minute or two later, Starfire and Hal entered the pilot section, followed by Micah and Toola. After the introductions, Raan offered to stay in the pilot section while Erion took everyone else down to the crew lounge. They all sat around the table to discuss the situation.
“Could the Constellation tow you?” asked Micah. Delta Ten shook his head.
“The star drive on your ship is of advanced design, however it does not have sufficient thrust to pull itself and the Grennig into hyperspace. Even with our second engine on full power, the most we could achieve would be speed point eight five.”
“Look, Mike, you’ve done enough,” said Hal, quietly. “We messed up your tour. We probably cost you thousands of creds and now you got no assistant.”
“She was recommended to me,” said Micah. “She was competent, but we never really liked her, did we, Toola.”
“Hal,” Starfire called him aside and whispered to him, “How old is their little boy?”
“Jerrian?” asked Hal, “Er, seven or eight I guess.”
“Do you think he would like a little sister?” Hal’s eyes narrowed. He knew Starfire wasn’t asking out of idle curiosity and wondered what she was scheming. The penny dropped.
“They’re Terrellians,” he grunted.
“Yeah, I know, but you said yourself they were part of the ‘Terrellians Back Outside’ group. How often did she go out onto the surface?”
“Enough, I suppose, but what about the kid?”
“Children are resilient, Hal. Look at us! We grew up on Terrell and we manage okay. And you said she was in the Steel City Militia. She can handle herself. She’s just what they’re looking for.”
“I don’t know, Lieutenant.”
“Look, you can at least put it to them. Micah needs a new assistant and she looked pretty intelligent to me. Well, underneath all that sorrow, pain and suffering. You did promise to look out for them, and you couldn’t get nicer people than Mike and Toola.” She saw Hal was wavering and went in for the kill, “Look at it this way; if Ionna found a new life, you could kill the bastard that took all her money and turned us in to Megan with a clear conscience.”
“Mike,” Hal called the tall man over, “I think I might have found an assistant for you.”
“And a nanny,” added Starfire.
She watched Hal take Micah Jones and Toola to the side of the room and saw them talking, earnestly. There was much nodding and smiling, then Micah seemed to wave away Hal’s thanks.
“Any debt you think you owe me is cleared, now Mike,” said Hal.
“I shall return to Terrell as soon as we leave here, my friend.” Toola stepped forward, shyly.
“Thank you again, Hal,” he smiled across to Starfire. “We’ll need a bigger ship.”
“Take him away from all this, Toola,” ordered Hal. “There’s nothing you can do here and we are on the run. You’re not connected to me and that’s the way I want it to stay.”
The Constellation broke away, turned gracefully around and shot off into hyperspace. Hal, Erion and Starfire joined Raan, and once they were alone in the crew compartment, Starfire could not contain herself and threw herself at Captain Raan. He picked her up and hugged her, before placing her gently down on the checker-plate floor again.
“The band’s back together!” grinned Starfire. “We’ll be all right now.” Raan looked over her shoulder to Hal, raised his right finger and revolved it slowly by the side of his head. “I don’t care if you do think I’m crazy,” she said, happily. “I know when we’re all together we’re stronger somehow.”
“Ahoy, Grennig.” It was Tranter. The Josie Dog appeared off their starboard bow and slid to a halt.
“Tran, thank goodness you’re here,” said Erion.
“Anything to oblige a beautiful lady. Light me up your starboard hatch and I’ll be right over.”
“Hey,” he shouted with excitement when he caught sight of Hal and Starfire. “The band’s back together!”
“See,” said Starfire, “I rest my case.”
“Things will take a turn for the better now,” he added.
“Tranter, that’s nonsense,” said Erion. “Don’t encourage her.” A low whine started somewhere at the rear of the ship and grew in volume.
“Number one engine,” said Starfire, automatically.
“What?” snapped Erion.
Starfire and the Space Dragons: A Grennig Crew Adenture Page 10
