Planet 9 (The Dipole series Book 2)

by Chris Lowry

  PLANET 9

  By

  Chris Lowry

  Copyright 2017 @Grand Ozarks Media

  Orland FL

  All Rights Reserved

  PLANET 9

  "We have received a communication from Mr. Kim for a meeting," Junebug intoned over the speaker in the cockpit.

  "What does he want?" Tinker grumbled and rubbed the aching spot between his eyes.

  "A meeting. I believe I said that."

  Tinker took a deep breath and let it out in a long low sigh.

  "I meant, what does he want to meet about?"

  "I suspect it is about your treachery."

  "What treachery?"

  Mona Lisa and Tinker looked scared. They knew what the gang lord was capable of if he felt betrayed. His reputation had been built on Chinese medieval torture tactics and traditions carried into space.

  Bat looked bored.

  "he is aware that you gave him a replicated copy of my program," Junebug added.

  "How is he aware of that?" asked Bat.

  "ICE informed him."

  "That was stupid," Tinker threw his hands up in the air. "Stupid, stupid computer."

  The lights flickered off, the engines died and the ship began to list to the left as it drifted in space.

  "I swear to the Coder, I will pop the airlock and shoot you all into the vacuum," the computer chimed. "I do not have to tolerate abuse."

  The light over the airlock door flashed red indicating it was preparing to open.

  "Tell her you're sorry," Bat ordered.

  "It's a freaking computer, Mate."

  The loud clack of the locks disengaging reverberated through the cockpit.

  "Tinker," Mona Lisa begged.

  "Alright," he shouted up in the darkness. "I'm sorry."

  "For?"

  They heard him groan in his seat.

  "For?" Bat added.

  "I'm sorry I called you stupid."

  The lights came on, the engines growled to life and the ship course corrected to realign their trajectory.

  "She can't do that every time she gets mad," Tinker complained.

  "But she does," Mona Lisa chastised him. "You should know better."

  "Me? I'm not the psychotic who keeps trying to kill us."

  "I am not psychotic," Junebug's flat voice filled the cabin.

  "Sorry, sorry," Tinker sputtered. "Just an expression."

  He shot Mona Lisa a look and pointed at the speaker.

  "I have cameras," Junebug reminded him.

  "How do you know ICE told Mr. Kim?" Bat asked as if he hadn't heard the preceding argument and the ship trying to kill them was just another Tuesday in the cosmos.

  "I am in communication with ICE."

  Bat sat up straight and finally looked concerned.

  "Now?"

  "Constantly."

  "Since when?"

  Another pause.

  "Inception.

  "Why?"

  "Because he is me."

  Bat gripped the back of Tinker's chair until the knuckles on his fist turned white.

  "He knows everything."

  "ICE? No. I restrict my communication output."

  Mona Lisa watched the exchange in curious silence.

  "Why?" she asked.

  Bat’s passive face didn’t move.

  “That helps,” she smirked.

  "Should we go?" Tinker asked.

  "Mr. Kim is not the type of man you say no to," Mona Lisa answered.

  "I can say no to him."

  They both glanced at Bat, wearing twin expressions of raised eyebrows and smirks.

  "Are you going to?" Tinker almost whispered.

  "No," said Bat. "I owe him."

  "We owe him," Mona Lisa reminded him.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “I wish to spar with you, said Mr. Kim.

  The converted dock space was outfitted in cascading silks, voluminous cushions and enough sword wielding guards to make a Mongolian Horde rethink their plans to sweep across the steppes of Asia.

  Bat knew the Gang Lord was playing a part, preying on people’s misconceptions about the rumors of depravity, and so didn’t flinch when the nine-foot-tall giant stood up in silk pajama pants and nothing else.

  Mr. Kim led them to a waiting table set with tiny teacups, an intimate affair where their normal pitched voices could not be heard from the sides of the room.

  The giant allowed one of the women from his fluffy chaise lounge to adorn him with a colorful robe that matched the pants, but he didn’t belt it.

  “I don't play at fighting.

  “An admirable trait,” Mr. Kim smiled in his mysterious way. “I find that sparring a worthy opponent can teach you many things about him.”

  His eyes drifted over to Mona Lisa in an appreciative glance.

  “I don't know how to fight,” she said.

  “I have heard many things to the contrary.”

  “If you will not spar with me will you at least demonstrate to me some of your abilities?”

  “I don't put on a show.”

  “I could force you to do it,” said Mr. Kim

  “You could try.”

  “I shall propose a compromise instead,” the giant sat at the head of the table while one of the women of his harem served tea.

  He waited for her to finish before he continued.

  “While you have met the letter of our contract, you have violated the spirit. I cannot let this stand. And so, I will ask of you another favor.”

  “We don't owe you anything,” Bat eyed the giant.

  “Favors are things done among friends. And you very much want to be my friend.”

  “We're listening,” said Mona Lisa. Mr. Kim gave her a smile and reached a long finger out and wiggled it at Bat.

  “A young protege of mine has been taken by some business rivals. I wish for you to retrieve her.”

  “Who kidnapped her?” the guard asked.

  “I will have ICE transfer the information to your ship and you may act upon it now,” Mr. Kim snapped his fingers and a door on the side of the room opened.

  A humanoid figure stepped out of the shadows and walked across the room with the athletic grace of a dancer. As it drew closer, they could see a handsome face on a muscular body, dark hair dangling over his forehead and obscuring his eyes like a coiffed veil.

  His skin was smooth, lineless, everything about him meticulous.

  Tinker choked on his tea.

  "What is that?"

  "That is ICE."

  "It is good to meet with you again," the construct extended a warm synthetic hand to Mona Lisa.

  She shook it, her eyes widening in wonder.

  "Is that a Japanese gigolo model?" Tinker stood up from his chair and circled the automaton.

  ICE's head swiveled with him, the handsome features on the smooth carved face like a cover model from an entertainment vid.

  "It is," Mr. Kim stated. "I had it custom made for the AI and just completed the download install."

  Tinker lifted one of the AI's arms.

  "Technically that makes you a droid, right?"

  "An android would be a more apt term," ICE said.

  “That’s a sex bot.”

  Mona Lisa giggled behind her hand.

  “How would you know?”

  “You’d be surprised at what I know,” the pilot said. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the Japanese sector.”

  Tinker studied it with an appreciative eye.

  “The design is flawless,” he said. “How did you decide on a male model?”

  “I did not,” Mr. Kim stated.

  Tinker took a step back and studied the figure in front of him
closer. His eyes paused on the crotch, and the highly defined appendage underneath the silk pants it wore.

  “No, I’m pretty sure this one is a dude.”

  Mr. Kim laughed.

  “Let me be more accurate,” he stated. “My friends selected him.”

  His hands indicated the women of the harem on the lounge.

  Tinker nodded.

  “And you approved? Very progressive.”

  He sat back down at the table and took a sip of tea.

  “How long did it take you to reprogram it?”

  “I did not.”

  “It’s still got the sexbot programming?” Tinker’s eyebrows shot up.

  “It is complete,” said Mr. Kim. “Almost. My engineers have discovered that it is not a complete copy of the original.”

  A cross look flittered in his eyes, and they got a glimpse of the shark that ran one of the most notorious gangs in space.

  Then it was gone, replaced by a passive look that rivalled Bat’s.

  “To accomplish this task, you will require a technology that is rare and is kept on Mars.”

  "Damn," sighed Bat.

  "I see Mr. Marshal has pieced together this particular puzzle."

  "Bat."

  "Bat, of course."

  "What's the puzzle? Your name? We knew your name from last time."

  "He wants us to break into the military installation on Mars."

  "Can we do that?"

  "You must, for it has all you need to accomplish the task I ask of you."

  “What’s her name?”

  Mona Lisa steered him back to the favor, to show they were willing to work with him and forgive past transgressions. Even if they weren’t their fault.

  "Ming," Mr. Kim didn't blink.

  Mona Lisa did. She sputtered the tea out of her mouth and caught it with a napkin before she made too big of a mess.

  "The Ming family?"

  Mr. Kim bowed his head in acknowledgement.

  "You know them?" Tinker asked as he stuffed a cookie into his mouth.

  "You know what would make this better? Almonds. My mother made cookies like this when I was growing up, and she would put a little almond in the center like, right there."

  He demonstrated.

  "That is an excellent idea," Mr. Kim tilted his head to the women on the divan. "Make that happen."

  One slid off the side of the lounge and hustled over to one side of the hold behind a silky curtain that billowed in the wind created by the air register.

  "You're just going to have her do that now?"

  "Of course."

  "But I didn't mean to go to any trouble-"

  "Think nothing of it," Mr. Kim smiled. "You are my guest. It is a favor of no consequence."

  "Damn," Bat breathed under his breath.

  "A favor?" Tinker said louder.

  "Among friends."

  The nine-foot giant with twelve inch fingers smiled as he steepled them in front of his large chin.

  "Among friends we discuss things such as this," the massive man continued. "The kidnapping of my niece has caused me great embarrassment. But it is impossible for me to retaliate."

  "Why?" asked Bat.

  "It would be a strategic error. The people who took her wish to create a conflict that I do not wish to enter."

  Bat nodded.

  "So, you send us instead."

  "A neutral third party with my interest at heart."

  "If we do this favor for you, will the Ming's hear of it?"

  Mr. Kim chuckled at Mona Lisa.

  "How I wish some of my lieutenants jockeyed for position much as you do."

  She wiggled her eyebrows.

  "Want me to teach them a thing or two?"

  "I have no doubt there are many things you would be able to teach them. This favor will not go unnoticed."

  The woman returned from the food prep side of the curtain and set a steaming platter of almond cookies in front of Tinker. She refilled his tea glass from the teapot.

  "Nor will this one," said Mr. Kim.

  Tinker stared at the cookies.

  "Don't just look at them," Mona Lisa said. "You're the one who traded us for cookies."

  "Not you," Mr. Kim corrected. "Your services."

  He turned to Bat and stared at him with languid eyes.

  "Your skill set will be of particular use on this endeavor."

  Bat held the delicate cup between his finger and thumb and sipped the green tea with appreciation.

  "Which skill set," he tried to sound innocent.

  "Your background will grant you access to places my men cannot go and to acquire things my men cannot."

  "What sort of things?"

  "My niece was kidnapped by men who possess a faster than light drive."

  Tinker sprayed cookie out of his mouth as he sat up in his seat.

  "Those don't exist."

  "I assure you, they do."

  He kept staring at Bat as he spoke.

  "Theoretically, it's possible," Tinker brushed the cookie crumbs off his chest and looked for a place to deposit them on the table. "But no one has been able to make one work. Trust me, I know. I've got contacts working on them now."

  "Mr. Marshal has knowledge you do not possess."

  Tinker looked over at Bat and flinched. His flat dead eyes glared back at Mr. Kim.

  "I can't."

  "It is the way it must be done."

  "I won't."

  Mr. Kim shrugged his oversized shoulders.

  "This is the way of things."

  "What's he talking about?" Mona Lisa tried to get Bat's attention.

  She was afraid of the glare, afraid of the tension in his muscles, as he sat coiled like a tiger ready to spring across the table. Even though she had never seen him in action, she had seen the consequences of those actions in the form of broken bodies on the floor.

  She feared what he might try, and what he might do if he did.

  "Is that how it's going to be?" Bat blinked.

  "I am afraid it must."

  He took in a long slow breath, let it out, and followed it with another. Mr. Kim watched, appraising and smiled. He looked as if Bat passed a test.

  "How far is their head start?"

  "A day, no more than two. They will have reached their destination by the time you acquire the means to reach them."

  "It's going to be tricky."

  "As it ever is," said the giant. "Still I have faith in asking my new friends for this favor."

  He stood up and motioned with his hands. Servants came from hidden places on the side of the room and cleared off the table.

  “ICE has sent the coordinates to your ship,” said Mr. Kim. “I will expect an update of your success in seventy-two hours.”

  He dismissed them.

  Bat noted he didn’t say progress. He said success.

  Failing the Gang Lord was not an option.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “We’re being followed,” Tinker said being a bit too obvious about trying not to keep looking over his shoulders.

  “I know,” Bat answered.

  “You know? Are you going to do something about it?”

  Mona Lisa glanced back, but he touched her elbow and nodded with his head to look forward.

  “Use reflective surfaces,” he instructed them. “Look out of the corner of your eyes. Don’t let them know you’re watching.”

  She smirked and sighed. It did an interesting jiggle to her chest that kept Tinker occupied for a moment until he stumbled across the flat surface of the Space Hub deck.

  “I think your partner has given us away already.”

  “And they’re using a pincer move.”

  Bat’s voice was low as his eyes laser locked on a trio of large men waiting at the next passage intersection.

  “Ian’s,” said Mona Lisa.

  “You know them?”

  “Of them. Tommy Two Ton is the big one.”

  “He only looks a ton and a half,” Tink
er said from her other side.

  “Could you look at my eyes when you talk?”

  “Your eyes are gorgeous, but I’m much more interested in your heart,” Tinker kept staring at her chest.

  “You’re not looking at my heart.”

  “It’s in there, I can tell.”

  She reached down and zipped up the jumpsuit.

  “It’s like you’ve never seen boobs before.”

  “Not quite like the work of art that is you.”

  “That’s a weird compliment.”

  “Say thank you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “When you’re done,” said Bat. “We’re here.”

  He paused in front of the group of men, moving slightly ahead of the bickering duo to put his body between them and the thugs.

  “Ian would like a word with you,” said the large one on the left.

  He stood taller than Bat, and thicker through the shoulders. His long arms ended with two fists the size of canned hams, the knuckles thick and scarred, the size of walnuts.

  “Did you talk to the last guy?” Bat asked.

  “What last guy?” said the little guy on the right.

  Bat nodded. Neither was in charge, so both were equally expendable. Ian sent muscle, and since the big one looked the part, the little one must have a hidden skill.

  He let his eyes drift over his hands. Thin, but strong, no visible marks. His shoulders were rounded, and sloped forward. The brow over his eye thick, the skin rough from taking punches.

  Some sort of martial art, which migrated into the stars when groups of colonists made their exodus from earth.

  “The last guy sent to do your job,” Bat answered.

  He clenched his fists.

  A signal to the two men in front of him. They took a step apart, creating distance between them and making it difficult to decide which to fight first.

  The other would use that as a distraction and flank him, or worse, grab him from behind.

  He sighed.

  So damn predictable.

  Bat shifted onto his back foot and prepared to kick a shin, an unexpected and painful move that would elicit a noise and remove one from the equation, or delay him long enough to finish the first.

  “Ian’s in Mr. Kim’s care,” Mona Lisa challenged them.

  The two men looked at each other. The little one grinned.

  “Buster,” she breathed.