by Jeri Dion
“He likes you,” said Midge in teasing tone.
“Stop it Midge, what’s our next port of call?” Tayce enquired seriously changing the subject.
“Well, that distress call we received earlier was answered by another passing vessel, but do you remember your Father talking about a headquarters base called Questa, the Earthon 2 space link colony and General Jonathan Largon, well that’s our next port of call,” said Midge informatively.
“Why there in particular, do they need our help for some reason?” asked Tayce curious.
“No, it would appear the General, when he heard that your Father had built this cruiser and Traun was destroyed yearons ago, has been putting out a space wide communication to try and track us, I’ve just picked up that communication, and replied to it, and now he wants to see us,” replied Midge.
“Really, I remember General Largon, Father and him were the best of friends, always holding discussions on the troubles of the Universe, he came to Traun a couple of times,” recalled Tayce.
Tayce raised her eyebrows in surprise at the thought that General Largon had been seeking to meet her so long. Midge continued that a course for Questa had been set. Tayce strapped herself in. Amalthea One now known just as Amalthea, headed on to Questa Headquarters Base to meet an old family friend.
On the Earthon 2 link up Headquarters Base Questa, the General was studying the VDU portable screen in front of him about the message update that Midge had sent him on what had been happening in the last yearons since Trauns destruction. He was looking forward to meeting Darius Trauns now grown up daughter and putting what Darius had asked him into action in the event of his death. The Generals young male aide stood by like an obedient servant, ready to answer any questions he may have, over their proposed visitors.
“Tom Stavard, where does he fit into Tayces life?” asked Jonathan looking to his aide questioningly.
“Midge, Amaltheas computer informed me, he was someone that Colonel Traun rescued, from the aftermath of a pirate ambush,” replied the young slim tall dark haired aide.
Both men continued on in discussion over many of the points of the update type of message that had been sent in from Midge over Aircom. The General at his ornate mahoganex desk with his young aide by his side, continued to pick out points and discuss matters that needed to be addressed on arrival of his prospective guests.
Questa was 400.000 km from Earthon 2. It was situated on the surface and underground of the man made colony. Life was a living breathing environment of a population of 2,205 men, women and children. Children that had been born on Questa. The population varied, because of the many people that came and went to Earthon 2. Some worked on the colony, some lived full-time. It was a thriving community, massive in size almost covering half the planetary dimensions. There was a City Mall and Square, where children would play safely. To a Hospital Complex, that catered for every ailment or injury. A large Flight Travel Area that would fit six full sized football pitches on Earth One. A Crime Division Building for all aspects of crime, planetary or Universal. Plus many other facilities over it’s vast sized complex of Dome and Skyscraper type constructed existence.
General Jonathan Largon was overall leader of a Planetary Council, of which Darius Traun, Tayce’s Father was once a member. He had promised Darius that he would take care of Tayce, in the event of his untimely death. He stood now looking out of the sight pane, down on what was called, Questa Square, thinking about Tayce in general. He was a tall man in his late 50’s, early 60’s and of medium build. His hair, was short sleek, to the nape of the neck, in a silvery platinum shade. His features were the calm authoritative type, but pleasant. His eyes were a dark brown shade with a hint of Spanish about them. Jonathan fitted his uniform with perfect fit and pride. The uniform was navy in colour. Navy trousers in a tough wearing material. A navy jacket completed the suit, with a smart thin white trim running all the way down the sleeve of the jacket, then all the way down the trousers. The General turned, beckoning to his aide, he began towards the entrance. The young aide followed. Together they began on their way out through the opening doors, to the Space Port Lounge, to wait the arrival of Tayce and Tom.
On Amalthea Tom soon returned to Organisation Deck in a clean uniform. Upon entering the deck he saw the first sight of the impressive Questa Headquarters Base in all it’s glory. He crossed and sat in the seat beside Tayce. He found her and Midge going through final arrival procedures, with Questa Flight Control and could see they were about to go into final docking.
“It’s impressive isn’t it?” said Tom studying the large planetary type colony, which almost looked like a city from the air, with it’s tall skyscrapers of stealex and glassene and Dome shaped covered areas with lights shinning from within.
“Wait until you see the rest, this colony, it’s just like my world, but we had an atmosphere and daylight/night rota,” informed Tayce thinking about it.
“Midge, keep on alert while we are over on Questa, we can’t take any chances now, considering Countess Vargons even more determined to take this cruiser, she could be waiting for the first chance we are away from here, to board,” said Tayce standing to her feet.
“Enjoy your time on Questa, I will contact you via Wristlink should you be needed in an emergency,” replied Midge.
“Let’s hope there isn’t one,” said Tom standing to join Tayce.
Both he and Tayce walked across the Organisation Deck on out through the entrance and off down to the Docking Bay doors on Level 2. Tayce shared her apprehension to leave the cruiser in Midges hands with Tom because of the growing threat from Countess Vargon to get her hands on their surroundings. He assured her that usually when a vessel was in port, criminals didn’t like to venture where they knew they could be caught easily, and a colony like Questa seemed the place that was pretty tight on security. Tayce felt a little easier, knowing this, but it would still hang in the back of her mind during this visit. Eventually they made it to the Docking Bay doors, on Level 2. They paused while Midge made sure that Amalthea was secured with Questa. Suddenly the doors drew apart in front of both of them. Tom gestured for her to go first, which she did. They began to walk down the walkway. Tayces high heeled replaced boots made an echoing sound each time they met the walkway surface. After walking along for a while they both walked out into the main Space Port Lounge. The General stood with Adam Carford his aide, patiently waiting. He smiled kindly, when he saw Tayce coming towards him. He knew that Darius would have been proud to see what she had become, a truly independent grown up young women.
“Tayce it’s good to see you, welcome to Questa, it’s good to know that your safe and sound after all this long time,” he said giving her a fatherly hug, as she came to a stop before him
“It’s good to see you too after all these yearons, I had no idea that you’ve been looking for us until Midge picked you up,” replied Tayce hugging Jonathan back.
“You must be Tom Stavard welcome to Questa,” said Jonathan releasing Tayce and turning his attentions to Tom.
“It’s an honour to be here Sir! May I say this place is impressive to say the least,” said Tom impressed glancing around.
“We take great pride in making Questa a good place to stay, at all times shall we proceed to my Officette?” gestured Jonathan then began walking off ahead.
They all walked off together in a small group heading to Jonathan’s Officette. Tom walked along talking with Adam, whilst Tayce talked with Jonathan, as they walked away from Amalthea towards a thirteen storey building in cream colour and shaped like a triangle. The square and walkways symbolized a busy colony. People came and went, some talking and carrying equipment etc. Children, ducked and dived, laughing as they went. It made Tayce think about happier times back on her world, it had been just the same environment then. She was somewhat saddened to know that she would never see it again. They soon came to a clear gla
ssene travelling lift, that was round in shape, and rose and fell at a gentle slow speed, with people on board. Some leaving, some boarding on different Levels. This thought Tom must be a means, to get to other Levels. The doors opened on a vacant one, on their approach. The four of them walked aboard. The doors gently slid shut and it began to ascend the required level. The lift was termed as a ‘Vacuum Lift’.
“As we go up Tom, you can see the rest of our base from here,” announced Jonathan, he knew Tayce wouldn’t be that interested, she’d seen it numerous times before when she’d visited with her Father.
Tom looked out. There was a grand panorama, buildings, fields, modern living habitats, as far as the eye could see. Vehicles flew through the air, hovering this way and that.
“That’s our Recreational Complex over there, it caters for all kinds of sports, you name it, it’s covered from the less strenuous, to the real competitive, we have our own team you know,” announced Jonathan pointed out to his left with pride that they had.
“What’s that over there?” asked Tom pointing to a burnt out two storey building on his right.
“That I’m afraid happened two monthons ago the cause of the fire is still under investigation by the council,” replied Jonathan sad in thought.
The Vacuum Lift soon stopped. The doors drew apart and the small party walked forth, the glassene doors drew shut behind them and the lift returned to a requested level. They walked up a corridor with shiny floor, towards doors in brown, that went from floor to almost ceiling in height. These drew inwards as Jonathan and Adam approached. Inside the Officette were first class furnishings in a mahoganex finish conveying a high ranked standard. A large desk with two mouldable Leatherex chairs before it. The command high back brown Leatherex chair belonging to Jonathan behind it. Pictures of various vessels and places lined the walls. Whilst trophy’s lined the chrome and mahoganex shelves. The floor was brown carpetron tiles. Lighting was natural through the large sight pane. Jonathan sat down at his desk. He enquired if anyone would like refreshment before they commenced business? Both declined.
“Right let’s get down to the reason I’ve been trying to trace you for the best part of three yearons, your Father Tayce had me make sure you came here when we managed to find you,” began Jonathan.
Tayce sat down first, then Tom followed. He listened wondering what was meant by Jonathan’s words. He stayed silent listening, he felt this was totally Tayces business. Jonathan continued on explaining she knew that her Father had great wealth and he was one of the main sitters on the Intergalactic Planetary Council for Intergalactic Matters. His seat was now sadly left vacant, as a mark of respect. Tayce thanked him and to pass on the appreciation to the other members for this. Jonathan reached across his loaded desk, and retrieved a Platex thin file.
“Your Father filed this with me in case anything untoward happened to him or your Mother and Traun,” said Jonathan in a gentle kind tone, as delicately as he could.
Tayce silently took the Platex black thin file. She fought back the sad feelings that were trying to engulf her, thoughts that her Father had been the last person to see her apart from Marc and hold what she had in her hands. She slowly opened it, asking Jonathan what was it? Jonathan then handed her a cream coloured Platex Wallet with the name in goldex across the middle ‘TAYCE AMANDA TRAUN’ in bold. Tayce accepted it. Setting the file down, she opened the Wallet, taking out the contents. A document which had a hand written letter by her Father. Tayce focused between the tears, that were surfacing. It felt like yesteron, that the terrible tragedy had befallen her and the people of her home world, she could still hear the screams. A letter was attached to a trust document. There was a list of things that had been suggested by her Father to attend to. She read it down, subject by subject, at the end there was a paragraph which Tayce felt amused by, even though she knew she shouldn’t. It read:
I know your a strong willed young woman, even though you are my loving daughter, now that I have gone, all I ask is that you remember your Mother and I with love and pride, that we made you who you are good luck for your future my darling, your Father
Commodore Darius Traun
Tayce couldn’t hold back the tears any longer, they went into full flow, uncontrollably. Tom reached over and took hold of her hand for a few minons, as she let the emotion go that had got the better of her. He soothed her softly. Jonathan felt her pain. He waited patiently for her to continue. He understood that it had been hard for her all alone in space, all those past yearons. She’d been a Commodores daughter and lead a life of doing what she wanted, when she wanted, to a certain degree. Then she was thrust into a dangerous Universe on her own, it couldn’t have been easy to get use to. Tayce managed to bring herself under control.
“General I had no idea, I don’t know what to say,” she began with tear stained eyes.
“Your Father maybe right, you maybe strong willed, but it was a good thing that you were, otherwise you wouldn’t have survived in our Universe as it is, he was very proud of you and often conveyed as much,” said Jonathan in a sincere way.
Darius Traun had left Tayce the sum of 66,000,000. In the matter of cencrons she’d gone from an average to a very rich young woman and Colonel. She handed the document to Tom. He nodded congratulating her saying how glad he was for her considering all that she’d gone through. In his eyes she was worthy of such a trust. Tayce stood up and walked over to the sight pane. She stood in thought for a minon. Both Jonathan and Tom glanced over silently. Tayce turned after a few cencrons.
“General, I know my Father has given me a list of ideas to undertake, but there’s something I would like to put forth as an idea,” she began.
“Go ahead I’m listening,” said Jonathan giving her his full attention, as did Adam nearby.
“I with Tom here have been considering the idea of forming a crime fighting team to combat some of the criminals there are out in the Universe, I would head it, Tom would be my first member, others would join the team along the way?” explained Tayce carefully.
“I think it’s a very excellent idea, we’ll give you any assistance you need, and I would be pleased, if you could call Questa your new home and carry our emblem on the outside of your cruiser, also on your hoped team uniforms,” agreed Jonathan with total enthusiasm.
“When you say use Questa as my home, what way?” asked Tayce curious she didn’t want to be on the base full time. Amalthea had and always would be considered her only home.
“You just use this base as your headquarters, also take on our crime assignments as they materialise, plus other assignments as they arise,” explained Jonathan hoping she would agree.
“Yes I would be honoured,” said Tayce proudly.
“That goes for you too Mr Stavard, we’d like to offer you the same,” said Jonathan.
“Whatever Tayce decides, is fine by me, I think it’s a good idea,” replied Tom.
“Your Father would be proud Tayce to know you have come up with such a good idea, welcome officially to Questa,” said Jonathan standing up, outstretching his hand, to shake both Tom’s and Tayces.
Both shook hands making it official. The General turned to Tayce, requesting she remain on Questa for a couple of hourons at least, so this would allow the sign techs to affix the Questa emblem to Amalthea One. Tayce agreed. Tom suggested that they go for refreshment, take in a bit of their new headquarters base. Jonathan agreed, exclaiming it was a good idea. Adam suggested he call them on Wristlink when everything was finalised. Tayce nodded, with this, both she and Tom turned leaving the documents, that had been given to her earlier with Jonathan, until they returned later. General Largon began immediately getting in touch with the Graphics Complex, he knew that if he ordered the job on Amalthea One to be done there and then, it would be done, at that moment without further word. Adam suggested he get on preparing the official documentation for Tom and Tayce to
both sign later. Jonathan nodded. Adam walked on out of the Officette to take care of the request straight away.
A while later, Tom found the Refreshments Hall. It was occupied by travellers and workers from Questa. It was quite busy. A celebration of some kind was taking place in one area whilst in another there were, others sitting quietly, reflecting on the dayons events that occupied their lives. Tom had found a quiet table in a corner slot, near a sight pane, that looked out on the passing people, in the square. The atmosphere was filled with vocal loudness at times especially from the ongoing celebration. Some kind of strange music played in the background. Out of the dark area of the hall, he walked towards Tom and Tayces table. Tall of medium build, and good looks. His dark brown short curly hair, shone in the reflection of the overhead lights. He didn’t look at any other table, or person in the hall other than where Tayce and Tom were seated, he just headed with hoped anticipation that who he was seeing, was, who he thought it was. He squinted to make out Tayces features, if this was who he thought it was, she had grown into a beautiful young woman. Yet, she looked somewhat tired. Her hair was as he remembered it, long and blonde about her shoulders in a bob. He paused nervously hoping he hadn’t got the wrong person, and that this woman was not a twin of who he thought it was.
“Excuse me ma’am, Tayce!” said the male softly and politely.
“Yes!” said Tayce turning at the sound of this males voice.
“Is it really you?” he said overwhelmed with relief and joyousness.
“Marc Dayatso! I can’t believe it, your alive!” said Tayce standing, ecstatic at the thought he was present and very much alive ignoring Tom’s wonderment of who this dark haired stranger was.
“Yes Taycey! How about a hug?” he said affectionately, giving her a warm affectionate hug.
Tayce stayed in his warm embrace for a few minons, it felt good to know she was now no longer the only Traunian alive. Marc released her, seeing the male over her shoulder looking concerned, wondering who this Marc Dayatso was. Tayce studied him, he was just as she remembered him warm, friendly, a big protector, good looking and above all else a good friend. He was just three yearons older that was all.
