by John Walker
“Uh huh.” Walsh glared at him suspiciously. “I don’t really buy it but okay.”
“Anyway,” Clea said, “the four of us will go. The rest of you stay here and keep the ship prepped. Again, we’ll probably want to get out in a hurry.”
“We’ll hold the fort down,” Rudy said. “Good luck guys.”
“I hope we won’t need it,” Jenks muttered, taking the lead. “See you when we get back.”
***
Clea and Jessy led the way, stepping down the ramp in the back of the ship. A man met them at the end of the landing pad, dressed in greasy clothes which were covered in dust and sand. He smiled, revealing many missing teeth and his breath was rank even from thirty feet away.
“Do you need a resupply?”
“No, thank you,” Clea said. “We’re here to trade but we’re fine on supplies.”
“Maintenance? Refuel?”
Clea tried to walk by him but he moved in front of her. She scowled. “No, we’re fine. Thank you.”
“Anything at all? Women? Slaves? Contraband alliance vids?”
Clea sighed. “I’m about to lose my patience, sir and when I do,” she gestured to Jenks, “he does something about it.”
Jenks stepped forward, adopting a menacing expression. The man audibly gulped and nodded. “Understood, understood. But I like to offer right away. New blood might be a little desperate.”
“I assure you we are not.” Clea turned to Jessy. “Shall we?”
Jessy stood grinning at the scene and forced his expression to turn placid. He nodded quickly. “Absolutely. This way.”
The entire base was built around what amounted to a lake. Palm trees towered over the buildings but had been cut back on the various landing pads surrounding the space. They stepped through a threshold which was little more than two metal planks held up by other, heavier objects. This offered some distinction between the area people congregated in and the space where ships were tended.
They passed by a number of storage containers of all sizes before seeing any people. A large crowd mingled about and the scent of cooking food filled the air. Jessy took the lead, plunging into the crowd like a diver might the sea. Clea followed in the small gap he left behind with the others remaining close behind.
“Keep your hands on your goods,” Jessy said over his shoulder. “There’re vultures in the food court.”
“I’m sure,” Clea muttered, placing a hand on her weapon to hold it in place. Her other objects were all well secured to her person and beneath her jacket. That might not matter to a particularly proficient thief though and paranoia began to tickle her neck. Just as she started to wonder whether she should start hugging herself to prevent losing something, they left the crowd and entered a clearing.
“Okay, shops are up ahead,” Jessy said. “The most legit ones at least. There are a few less reputable ones but they rarely have the kind of exchange to buy what you’re after. Those storage units can go for a decent amount.”
“What do people do with them?” Walsh asked. “Delete them?”
“Yeah, clean ‘em up and put them in their own ship typically.”
Clea’s heart throbbed in her chest. I hope they didn’t do that with ours. Lord, the data they might’ve casually wasted…
A fist fight broke out not twenty feet from them. Two men began brawling, both at least a foot taller than Clea. The first slammed the other in the face and picked up a food tray. He began beating his victim over the back with it. Walsh took a step forward but Clea stopped him. The guy getting hit rallied and lunged forward, tackling his abuser to the ground.
They rolled around, exchanging blows over and over again. Blood splattered the ground, and one of the two went limp. No one attempted to break it up, not even when the victor casually reached down and snapped his opponent’s neck. Clea stiffened as she witnessed the murder.
“That’s seriously…” Walsh tensed beside her.
“It’s not our fight,” Clea warned. “Am I correct, Jessy?”
“Yeah, you don’t want any. If you jump in now, then it’ll look like some kind of event. Some other jerk will step up afterward and it’ll just keep going.”
“Where’s security?” Jenks asked.
“Here? Ha! You two are our security. And anyone who has any sense brought their own too.” Jessy shook his head. “You types…hilarious. Let’s keep moving. Before someone notices your wide eyes and shock.”
Clea hoped they might have two or three large junk dealers at the most. She felt her heart sink when they entered a massive bazaar with dozens of little shops lining the streets. Shouts called out wares and people desperately tried to attract customers, waving wares about like flags.
“How are we going to find what I’m looking for?” Clea asked Jessy. “This…could take forever.”
“There are only a few dealers who would take on what you’re talking about,” Jessy replied. “I know which ones. Most of these types don’t trade so much as sell. The guys I’m thinking of…they’ll barter for goods. They’ve been doing this for a long time.”
They continued along, looking over what amounted to the largest collection of stolen items Clea had ever seen. Clothes, luxury items, trinkets and more lined various stands, most of which were guarded by large men with guns. Clea wondered how often people tried to steal from these places, especially with ‘personal security’ keeping a close watch.
Jessy stopped in front of a stall, attracting the seller’s attention. He came close and they spoke quietly for a moment. “You sure?” Jessy asked louder.
“I don’t get that kind of techy stuff usually. It’s too rare.”
Jessy nodded. “Thanks.” He gestured for them to move on.
Their next stop involved a man literally screaming at them to grab their attention. Jessy held up his hands as he approached. “Relax! We’re coming.”
“What can I sell you?” The man must’ve stood no taller than five foot two, his bald head covered in sweat. He looked about frantically, as if a sale might be the only way he survived the next half hour. “Circuit boards? Relays? Conduit cable? I’ve got it all, son. Just tell me what you need and I’ll make it happen!”
“We’re looking for alliance storage units,” Jessy replied. “Just took a ship and need a few repairs.”
The man’s face dropped into such a state of depression, Clea wondered if he might commit suicide on the spot. He didn’t look up for a time, finally letting out a massive sigh. It caused his jowls to tremble and when he met Jessy’s eyes he shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t have any of those. But there are other…”
“That’s all we need, bud.” Jessy moved away. “Good luck.”
“Wait!” The shrill cry made Clea look back at him. “Please! I’ve got other things to sell!”
Jenks leaned close to Walsh but Clea still overheard him say, “whack job alert.”
“Seriously.”
Only one left, Clea thought. This does not bode well. Maybe there are other dealers Jessy doesn’t know about. We’ll have to scour these places if this doesn’t work out.
Their last planned stop took nearly thirty minutes to get to through all the crowds. When they arrived, they found a well appointed building that might’ve been a cargo bay at one time. Inside, a man sat behind a counter tinkering with a communication device. Clea looked around for the security guard but didn’t see one. A sign said Crandy’s Shop.
The place seemed much better off than any of the other stalls. Equipment hung from racks, neat and shining as if it were brand new. Crates of circuits and other small parts occupied the floor here and there. He even seemed to sell weapons, alliance military, which was probably the most illegal part of his operation.
No wonder my people want to find this place so badly.
“What can I do for you?” The man didn’t look up from his tinkering. He just kept on working.
“You Crandy?” Jessy asked.
“I am.”
“Nice to meet
ya,” Jessy said. “We’re looking for storage units. Alliance make.”
Crandy shook his head. “Sold out.”
Clea stepped forward. “So you had some?”
“Yeah, sure did. Some crazy bastard actually figured out how to dislodge them without a wipe. Nice work and no idea how he did it considering he had no idea how to actually read them.” Crandy shrugged. “Apparently, he didn’t care anyway. Just wanted some money so he could fuel up and get back out there.”
“But you sold them,” Clea said. “To another spacer?”
“Most spacers can’t afford a storage unit, not from me.” Crandy looked up, squinting. “You don’t seem like you need repairs.”
“I’m looking for a specific set of them,” Clea replied. “This place looks very organized. You don’t happen to keep records of your items, do you?”
“If I did, it wouldn’t matter to you.” Crandy put his communicator down and rounded the corner. “Who are you people? What do you really want?”
“We need to find the storage devices you sold,” Clea said. “It’s vitally important.”
“Treasure,” Jessy interrupted. “Some alliance survey of a planet full of minerals just waiting for the taking. It’s on their registry but we happen to know they haven’t tapped it out yet. We’re going for the retirement score.”
“Oh, you are, huh?”
“You telling us you didn’t look at the data?” Jessy asked.
“No, I didn’t bother. Some of that stuff gets a guy killed just for knowing it.”
“Please,” Clea implored. “If you have information of where they might be, we need to know.”
“What makes you think the owner hasn’t already dug up the precious planet you’re talking about?”
Jessy shook his head. “We don’t necessarily. But the alliance lost the data before they could do anything about it and frankly, there’ll be enough to share.”
“With me?” Crandy smiled.
“Why not?” Jessy asked.
“You paint an intriguing picture but I think you’re full of it. Even if you went out there and found this place, you ain’t coming back to give it to me.” Crandy shook his head. “I see no incentive for this deal.”
Jenks stepped forward. “How about we don’t hurt you?”
Crandy tapped a button and the door slammed shut. Turrets popped down from the corners and aimed in their direction. “You were saying?”
“Just a…hypothetical question…” Jenks held his hands up and stepped back. Walsh whacked him on the arm.
“Anyway,” Clea moved over to him. “What will it take to convince you to help us, Crandy? We’ve got a ship full of scrap. You give us the information and it’s yours. Everything we took in exchange for a lead on where to go next.”
“How much do you have?”
Clea brought out her computer and showed him the sum. His eyes widened but only for a moment. Still, he gave away a tell. He wanted what they had. That was a good sign. She could work with that. She hoped.
“I don’t know.” Crandy scratched his head. “This sounds pretty dangerous for me. I mean, you guys are a pretty rough looking crew, coming in and threatening a shop keep like myself. If I send you out there and something happens, it might screw up business for me. And I’m doing fine without your scrap.”
An alarm went off overhead.
“What’s that?” Jenks asked. “I stood down, man!”
“It’s not you, idiot.” Crandy rushed around his counter and stared at a screen. “Oh my God…it’s alliance! An alliance battleship just hopped into the sector!”
***
Gray read the standard reports from the bridge of the Behemoth, waiting as patiently as possible to get word from the folks on the planet. They were still well out of the range of the early warning technology and didn’t intend to get involved unless they absolutely had to. He settled into a routine for over an hour before Olly shouted, making him jump.
“Captain! We’ve got a problem!”
“Jesus, Olly,” Redding grumbled. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Two alliance warships just jumped into the sector! They’re launching fighters!”
“What?” Adam stood up and stared at the screen. “Whoa…that’s…intense. I thought they gave us more time.”
“They did.” Gray scowled. “I guess they’re early. Agatha, get them on the line.”
“On screen, sir.”
A kielan appeared with blond-white hair and jade green eyes. She looked impassively at Gray, allowing him to make the greeting.
“This is Captain Atwell of the Behemoth,” Gray said. “We spoke to your command. What’s the meaning of this? We were told we had more time before you arrived.”
“I’m Captain In’Wa of the White Light. Plans change, I’m afraid. We were battle ready and did not want to allow these vermin to escape again.”
“But we’re looking for something vitally important down there,” Gray replied. “We needed more time.”
“Anything you need will be confiscated and you can go through it yourselves if you’d like. However, we’re going to take this planet today and hold it. I do expect you to help, as members of the alliance.”
“Well, hold on a second. You might want to know about a special weapon they have.” Gray scowled. “They hit us with it and nearly took our shields out. That was one pirate. If they have more of those, you’ll want to be cautious.”
“Understood, Behemoth. Thank you for the warning.”
“She cut the line, sir,” Agatha announced, “but their com officer is setting up lines to our various departments to coordinate the attack.”
Gray sighed. “Well, we don’t have to be sneaky about informing our folks now…”
“I’m sure they know already,” Adam said. “What do you think they’re going to do?”
“Hopefully stay alive,” Gray said. “Redding, microjump us into the action. Olly, get the readings up from the time we were hit with that laser. I’d like a little warning this time before they unleash it. Let’s engage these pirates and help our new allies. Wouldn’t want to start off on the wrong foot.”
***
“What’re we going to do?” Jessy turned to Clea. “This is going to get bad fast.”
Jenks and Walsh took a position by the closed door, their weapons drawn. Clea turned to Crandy. “I assume you have a contingency plan for this.”
“Not really,” Crandy grunted. “But this situation…I’m kind of ruined. Are you jerks genuine about this planet?”
Jessy nodded. “Of course we are, man! We want to retire.”
“I can get us to the ships and show you the most likely place to find your device but I have a price.” Crandy scowled. “You have to get me out of here and share the wealth.”
“Really?” Jessy rolled his eyes. “You have no other way off this rock?”
“We thought we were safe here. I can blow this place up to prevent real jail time but I can’t make a living on ashes. And that’s assuming I don’t get shot before capture.” Crandy turned to Clea again. “You seem like the one in charge so get me out of here. I’ll make it worth your while.”
Clea considered his request for only a moment before making her decision. They needed his knowledge. “Okay, what do we do?”
“Go out the back to avoid the real panic. It still won’t be easy an easy path but I can get us to the landing pads. I hope your ship’s big enough for everyone.” Crandy rushed over to a computer terminal and tapped away. He hit a button and a countdown started. A door in the back opened and he snatched a duffel bag. “Okay, we’ve got fifteen seconds to get out of here.”
“What’ll happen?” Jenks asked as they hurried out the back. “Did you blow it up?”
“Kind of. It’s locked down and I’ve got the code to open it back up but if someone tampers…everything inside gets blown.” Crandy shrugged. “At least there’ll be a chance they leave it alone and I can get my stuff back.”
Clea s
ighed. I have to report that as soon as possible. “Just lead the way,” she said aloud. “Everyone keep your head’s down. I don’t want injuries.”
Outside the sounds of panic were nearly deafening. People in the market were rioting. Guns went off and screams erupted here and there. Ships launched, ready to do battle with the invaders. Clea’s com went off and it was Rudy contacting her with an urgent request. She clicked it on as they moved. “Clea here.”
“Ma’am, the landing pads are going insane with the arrival of the alliance,” Rudy said. “We’re locking down the ship and kicking on the weapons just in case.”
“Keep the ship safe,” Clea said. “We’re making our way back but it might take some time. Things are crazy out here. We’ll keep in touch.”
Jenks and Walsh took point, their weapons raised. Clea drew her own, watching their back the best she could. They departed from the shop and headed toward the landing pads but had to go around several of the shops, moving along the rear. Others came pouring out, running for their lives.
“Contact!” Jenks shouted, aiming his weapon and firing. An armed man dropped to the ground, blood oozing from a wound on his head.
“He’s got company!” Walsh gestured for the others to take cover and fired, moving toward a building. Another person went down, their weapon thumping in the sand. Someone returned fire, bullets clanking against the walls of shops behind them. Clea crouched, peering around the corner at their opponents.
It seemed a crew of six decided to engage them. “What is the point of this?” She asked Jessy. “What’re they doing?”
“Trying to earn a little extra on their way off the planet, I guess,” Jessy said. “These kind of opportunistic bastards just love taking what doesn’t belong to them, even if it means risking their own lives in the process.”
Jenks fired again, hitting one of the guys in the leg. Walsh finished him off and laid down some suppressive fire. “Reloading,” Jenks spoke calmly as he replaced his magazine. “We have to move!”
“Any other way to the landing pad?” Walsh asked Crandy. “Or do we have to finish these guys off?”
