Last Stand on Talos Seven

by Rodney Hartman

  “It’s an extension pocket,” said Connor, stating the obvious. “They’ve been known to go down a hundred meters or more.” He glanced away from the opening to look at Anna. “I think your drill bit’s gone for good. We can just fess up in the morning and—”

  “No,” Anna said. “I’m not fessing up to anything. I was going to take enough ribbing as it was for losing one drill bit. I’m sure not going to admit I lost two.” She eyed the boy. “And you’d better keep your mouth shut too.”

  Connor stepped away from the hole and grinned. “Hey, my lips are sealed.” He pointed at the empty spot at the end of the drill’s extender arm. “But someone’s going to notice we’re short two creallium bits. You might as well—”

  “Just keep your mouth shut,” Anna said as she turned to the tool chest that was attached to the side of the drill’s cart. Lifting the lid, she pulled out a long length of rope and a seat harness. She tossed the end of the rope to the boy. “Tie this to the drill while I get ready.”

  The redheaded boy glanced at the end of the rope before looking back at Anna. “Ready for what?”

  Wrapping the canvas seat harness around her waist and legs, Anna snapped it into place before attaching the harness’s metal binders to the slack end of the rope. Anna looked at the boy. “I’m going down the hole to get my drill bits.”

  “Like hell you are?” said Connor. “I’m not going to stand here—”

  “No, you’re not. You’re going to tie the end of that rope to the drill, or I swear I’ll free climb down the hole if I have to. Now get it tied.”

  The boy remained standing where he was while holding the loose end of the rope in his hand.

  Anna sat down at the edge of the hole and slung her legs into the opening.

  The sound of scrambling feet came from the direction of the drill. “Hold on,” said Connor. “I’m tying it. Just give me a second.”

  Anna gave the boy more than a second. Free climbing down a hole of unknown depth wasn’t high on her list of fun things to do. Once she saw Connor tie a final half hitch to secure the knot around the drill, Anna nodded. “You can use the drill’s extender arm to pull me up if I get in trouble. Now feed me some slack as I go down. I don’t want the rope wrapping around my legs while I’m climbing.”

  Without waiting for Connor’s reply, Anna lowered herself into the hole and began climbing down. Within a few meters, the air pocket widened out enough that she could extend her arms in both directions without touching the sides of the hole.

  “Throw the rest of the rope down,” Anna shouted. “I’m going to have to rappel the rest of the way.”

  A tangle of rope dropped down the hole and hit Anna on the shoulder. She shrugged the rope off and shook it around to straighten it out. Pulling a headlamp out of her pocket, she attached the band around her head. After turning the light on, she looked down the hole. The powerful beam of light barely showed the bottom of the shaft. Two pieces of metal at the bottom of the hole glinted in the light. The light also glinted off several smaller items strewn about the bottom of the shaft. Raising her gaze to the part of the stone wall even with her head, Anna noticed other glints.

  What is that? she wondered. She tried swinging her legs to force the rope closer to the side of the shaft, but to no avail. Doesn’t matter, she finally decided. I need to get those drill bits before Connor gets worried and pulls me up.

  Touching the traversal-release on the seat harness, Anna lowered herself down the hole. It was a full fifty meters before her feet touched the bottom.

  “Is everything all right?” echoed Connor’s voice down the hole. “Do I need to pull you up?”

  “Everything’s fine,” Anna snapped. “Give me a minute. I’ll tell you when to pull me up. Keep your panties on.”

  Unhooking her seat harness from the rope, Anna walked over to where the two largest glints on the floor were located. Sure enough, they were the creallium bits. She dragged both bits to the center of the shaft and tied them to the end of the rope. Once they were secured, she shined her light on the floor. Several thumb-sized glints reflected the light back. Bending down, she picked up a piece of what appeared to be a metal nugget the size of her thumbnail. She held it up to her eyes.

  It’s definitely metal, she thought. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was raw titanium. She twisted the nugget around in her fingers. It must’ve broken off from the drill bit. Titanium ore only comes in minute flecks of dust. It has to be from one of the drill bits.

  Anna bent down and picked up another nugget, then another. She stood and shined the beam of her headlamp onto the wall of the shaft. Light glinted back from dozens of places in the stone. One long length of the stone reflected back a near continuous light. Walking over to the spot, she ran her hand down a vein of metal the width of her hand. The vein disappeared into the floor. Raising her head, she followed the vein up. It disappeared into the darkness overhead. Anna’s hands began shaking.

  It can’t be titanium, she thought. It’s never been found in concentrated form. It’s got to be something else. She inspected the vein closer. But I swear it’s...

  Pulling a rock hammer off the side of her seat harness, Anna pounded into the stone around the vein. After four swings, a piece of stone broke off with part of the vein attached. She shoved the piece into her pocket along with half a dozen pieces she picked up from the floor of the shaft.

  “Hey, what’s going on down there?” shouted Connor sounding a little panicked.

  “Nothing,” Anna shouted back as she hooked the rope to her seat harness. “I’ll show you when I get up. Now pull me out of here. I’ve got to talk to your uncle.”

  Chapter 15 – Shared Secret

  _____________________________________

  The potbellied man raised the night-vision camera to his eye and set the zoom to max. He spotted the second of the two kids, the girl, coming out of the hole they’d dug in the side of the cliff face. At four hundred meters, it was hard to make out the kids’ features with the camera’s zoom feature. Even so, the girl looked excited to the potbellied man.

  I had a feeling if I watched them long enough they’d lead me to their cache. There’s no way they got wizard scouts to come here for a lousy hundred thousand credits. I don’t care what they said. I knew they had more processed titanium stashed away. They’ve problem got millions hidden down there in that hole. If I can get my hands on enough of their processed ore, I can bribe the pirates to take my family and me off this lousy planet. We can make a new home in one of the decent systems in the galaxy.

  The potbellied man continued to watch the kids while using the camera as a poor man’s set of night-vision binoculars. Why they’d chosen to hide their titanium at the mine confused him. Even more confusing was why they’d had to use heavy equipment to get to it.

  Doesn’t matter, he decided. They’re covering the hole up with that tarp and getting on the boy’s hover-cycle. That means they must’ve left their processed ore in the hole. All I have to do is wait until they leave and then go get it.

  The potbellied man didn’t think to wonder why the children had bothered uncovering their treasure if they were just going to leave it there. He chose not to think about a lot of things.

  All I know is that those kids and their wizard scout friends are going to get all of us killed. I would’ve taken to the hills with my family and let the townies fend for themselves, but that plan went out the window when the townspeople decided to fight. Once those wizard scouts fire the first shot, the pirates will nuke every hiding place on Talos to show other planets how useless it is to resist.

  The man watched the boy guide his hover-cycle up the side of the cliff face to the place where the girl had left her cycle. Once there, she mounted her bike, and both the girl and boy took off in the direction of town. The man waited a full fifteen minutes in his hiding spot before returning to his truck. It was still in the ravine where he’d left it after he’d followed the boy. Starting the engine, he guided the tru
ck along the dirt path that snaked around the side of the pit mine.

  The man smiled as he thought of the hidden wealth that would soon be his.

  They’re bound to have a couple of hundred million in processed ore down there. Those wizard scouts wouldn’t work for any less. All I need is a few million. That’ll be enough to bribe the pirates. I would’ve told the pirates already that the townspeople had hired wizard scouts to protect them, but that wouldn’t have saved my family and me. They’d have just nuked everything, us included. I need credits to keep my family safe, and now I’m going to get them. The man grinned. I knew the kids would lead me to it sooner or later. I just knew it.

  Reaching the bottom of the pit mine, the potbellied man drove to the spot with the tarp. He jumped out of the cab and ran over to the piece of canvas, dragging it away from the opening. A meter-wide gap in the stone was clearly visible in the cliff face. He stuck his head into the opening and looked down. Even looking through the night-vision camera, he failed to see the bottom of the hole.

  Not fair, he thought. There’s no way I can climb down there.

  Looking around, the potbellied man spotted the tool chest strapped to the side of the drill’s cart. Running over, he opened the lid. A long rope lay on top of an assortment of tools. Pulling out the rope, he tied his camera to the end of the rope and ran back to the hole. After switching on the camera’s white light, he lowered the camera down the hole using the rope. As he got closer to the end of the rope, he began to worry. Just before panic set in, the rope slackened.

  Good. I’ve hit bottom. All I’ve got to do now is raise it up a little and spin it around. The camera should pick up how much treasure they’ve got hidden down there. I’ll figure a way to get it out before the kids come back.

  Pulling the rope up a meter, the potbellied man twisted the rope in an effort to get the camera to spin at the bottom of the hole. Whether it did or not, he didn’t know, but after a minute of twisting he began pulling the rope back. The camera was light, but even so he was panting with the effort by the time the camera came into view. Once it was in his hands he untied the rope and threw it to the side. He opened up the camera’s view screen and pressed the replay icon. He watched the screen with increasing interest as the camera’s path down the hole shown up on the screen.

  Before the camera hit the bottom of the hole, the man’s hands began to shake. He clicked the rewind icon and made sure he was seeing what he thought he’d seen. Then he watched the video all the way to the end.

  I’ve got to have more than a video to make the pirates believe. I’ve got to get actual proof.

  The potbellied man eyed the hole and the rope. A shiver ran down his back.

  No. I’d never make it, but I know someone who can. Once I get a sample, I’ll contact the pirates. I’ll trade them what I know for safe passage for my family off this stinking planet.

  The man glanced at the timer on his wrist band.

  There’s still time, but I’ve got to hurry. Everything will work out. I know it will. It’s got too.

  With that, the potbellied man replaced the rope in the tool chest before covering the hole back up with the tarp. Climbing into the cab of his truck, he glanced at his wrist-timer again. He shoved the truck’s accelerator all the way forward and headed for the one place where he knew he could find someone to help that he could trust. He headed home.

  Chapter 16 – Hope

  ____________________

  Trinity sat at the long table in the mayor’s house listening as Anna and Connor gave their report. Wizard scouts Trevor and Yardis were both scanning the ore samples located on the center of the table with handheld electronic ore testers. Wizard Scout Mikala, a short-haired woman with obvious oriental lineage, sat to Trinity’s left. Wizard Scout Peeta, the team’s healer, was in the chair across from Trinity. He reminded Trinity of her friend Telsa a little. While Peeta was taller than Telsa and a male, he had the same bubbling personality.

  “It’s Cadet Telsa now,” said Jennifer in Trinity’s shared space. “She’s in the same Academy cohort as Jerad. They’re real wizard scout cadets in training. Their days in the pre-Academy are over.”

  “Don’t you think I know that?” Trinity thought back. “Now stop distracting me and get that nanosecond brain of yours working on analyzing those titanium ore samples.”

  “Humph. What do you think I’ve been doing for the last ten minutes? We battle computers had it analyzed and cataloged two seconds after this meeting started. I’ve taken the liberty of reporting our findings to the central computer. Uh...I assumed you’d approve.”

  Trinity mentally snorted. “Thanks for including me in the decision making process. I’m the wizard scout, or have you forgotten?”

  “Is something wrong?” asked Wizard Scout Yardis. The smile on the big, blond-headed, Viking of a man told the other wizard scouts at the table that he knew full well Trinity was engaged in conversation with her battle computer. They’d all seen the blank look on each other’s faces far too often not to recognize the signs.

  “Not a thing,” Trinity said doing her best not to be baited. She glanced at the end of the table where the mayor and the two teens sat. “I think Wizard Scout Trevor and I should go back with Anna and Connor to verify the ore vein.”

  Anna’s face grew a little red. “We’re telling the truth. Do you think we’d lie about something like that?”

  “I’m not suggesting you’re lying,” Trinity said. “It’s just that Wizard Scout Trevor’s a diviner. She can make a full analysis of the vein and send the information directly back to the Imperial High Council.” She pointed at the pieces ore. “If the vein you found is composed of the same concentration of titanium as these samples, it could be the saving grace for Talos.”

  “What do you mean?” asked the mayor.

  Ryan and Janet were seated at the opposite end of the table from the mayor and the teens. After glancing at the special operations officer, Ryan stood and pointed at the ore samples.

  “What I think Trinity’s trying to say is that the Empire, or any of the other federations for that matter, would be keenly interested in obtaining the mining rights on Talos. That is, assuming the vein is what we think it is. If Wizard Scout Trevor can confirm the purity of the vein, it would be the richest titanium strike ever discovered. I’d bet my last credit that the Empire would send a fleet of warships to protect Talos if you made a deal with them.” He grinned. “I can tell you one thing for sure. We wouldn’t have to worry about pirates ever again.”

  “Are you saying we’re saved?” asked Anna. Hope began to blossom in her chest, but she’d been disappointed too often in the past to think things were going to be that easy.

  “Not yet,” Trinity said in an attempt to throw a damper on the rising enthusiasm at the table. “First we’ve got to verify the vein. Then we’ll have to convince the Empire that the vein is large enough to warrant a full-scale mining operation. That’ll take some time. Meanwhile, we need to keep your find a secret. The last thing we need is for the pirates to get word of the strike before you Talosians can make a deal with the Empire or whoever else you choose to deal with.” Eyeing the two teens, Trinity said, “Are you sure you didn’t tell anyone else? Not even your friends?”

  Connor shook his head. “No. We went straight to my un... err, the mayor. He called you right after we showed him the ore.”

  “Did anyone see you at the mine?” asked Trinity.

  Anna and Connor glanced at each other.

  Anna looked back at Trinity and shrugged. “Not that we know of. It was two in the morning. Why would anyone else be at the mine?”

  “Why indeed?” asked Yardis. “The pirates’ scout ship isn’t due to make another pass for two more days. You’re starting to sound a little paranoid, Trinity. Why?”

  Trinity wasn’t sure herself. “I don’t know. Call it a hunch, but something doesn’t feel right. All I know is that I think we should get that vein analyzed and the results sent to the central c
omputer as fast as possible.” She looked at Wizard Scout Trevor. “We’ll take one of the light tanks and get to the mine.” She turned her gaze on Anna and Connor. “It’ll be a little cramped in the tank for four of us, but we’ll manage. Once we’re done with the analysis, Trevor and I will have our battle computers expedite the information to the Imperial High Council.” She glanced at the mayor. “Uh, with your permission of course. It’s your planet and your titanium after all. If you want to make arrangements with someone other than the Empire, that’s your call.”

  Connor’s uncle rose from the table. “At this point, I don’t think we have time to be choosy.” He glanced down at his nephew and Anna. “I wasn’t exactly looking forward to putting our people in harm’s way against the pirates.” He looked back at Trinity. “Assuming we can make a deal with the Empire, how long do you think it would take for them to send us some protection?”

  Janet didn’t give Trinity a chance to answer. “If we can get the assay results to the right people in the Empire, they could probably have a warship or two here in a couple of weeks.” She smiled. “I mean, it’s not like the Empire’s in a major war or anything. Just a few skirmishes.” Her grin grew even wider as she pointed at Trinity. “Let’s face it. The only reason the Imperial High Command allowed Trinity and me to come here is because half of the Empire’s military is sitting on their butts doing nothing while the other half’s wasting time on boring patrols along relatively peaceful borders.”

  “Actually,” Trinity said, “the high command didn’t approve us coming here. I mean they know now, but it wasn’t their intent.” She nodded at the mayor. “Janet’s got a point though. We’re lucky things are somewhat peaceful in the galaxy at the moment. If more than a minor skirmish were to flare up on one of the Empire’s borders, the high command would have Janet and me out of here quicker than a red-lined hyper-drive.”

  Wizard Scout Trevor rose from her seat. “Then we’d better hope things remain peaceful long enough to deal with the pirates and get Talos some real protection.” She looked at the mayor. “Once we do our analysis and send your results to the Imperial High Command, we’ll send a duplicate copy to the commandant.”