by Jeri Dion
The Amalthean Quest team landed on the Genuslan 2 surface, bringing their Quest Shuttle/fighters down in a clearing, with easy walking distance to the entrance to Vargons hideout. Tayce ordered everyone to put the Quests into computer pilot mode, for easy retrieval. This would make the Quests go under a protection shield and leave the planet surface, for easy retrieval via Wristlink later. Everyone did as requested then took out their Slazers and began on behind Tayce, going through the thick green bushes and trees. The ground under foot was slippery and hard going. Tayce slipped, but was quickly steadied by Marc. Her Wristlink sounded it’s tone, she raised it pressing the Commun button, pausing under the shelter of some trees in case Vargons ground team were aware they had arrived on the surface and were tracing them. Jan Barnfords voice came through. He was on the surface and trying to locate her.
“Ideal settings, very secluded wouldn’t you agree?”
“Very! Far from ideal though, if your walking around here, humid, muddy under foot, need I say more?” replied Tayce in a sarcastic tone.
“We’re not far from you, to your right, about a couple of yardons,” replied Jan heading her way
“Be right with you,” replied Tayce walking in the direction he was coming.
Tayce and the team carefully walked in the direction of Jan and his men, trying with difficulty not to slip and break something vital. Marc or Duncan grabbed Tayce when she slipped. Lance saved Treketa a couple of times. Finally after slipping and sliding for more than half an houron, the team rendezvoused with the Security Patrol Team and Officer Barnford. They all began discussing the plan of action. Jan explained that Vargon and her brat of a daughter were confirmed as being on the surface, by one of his officers, who had run a scan in the last houron and were underground in a type of colony.
“I knew it was too good to think possibly she’d saved us the job of apprehending her and perished aboard that battle cruiser,” said Tayce in not to surprised tone.
“Officer Barnford, Sir, they are back on the surface, the Countess is ordering the men about ten to place more containers below ground,” said an officer, who was watching via a pair of Vision Viewing glassene’s.
Jan, Tayce and the teams on both sides walked into sheltered clearing, to watch the action in the enclosed area men were loading containers under the watchful eye of Vargon, ready to be taken below. Tayce wondered what was in them and was eager for a further look without further or thought, she began forward, but Jan grabbed her back in a rough manner, that made her glance up at him, shocked. She met his motionless grey eyes, that showed that he was not prepared to tolerate her foolish actions.
“You walk in there half in thought of what your doing and you’ll get yourself killed, plus you’ll blow our cover,” he said down at her angrily.
“You forget Officer Barnford, I’ve had dealings with Countess Vargon before, I can more than hold my own against her, remember she destroyed my home world and I’ve come face to face with her monthons ago, when she lost in finishing me of then,” retorted Tayce breaking free of Jan’s stern grip on her upper arm.
“Just think of your actions Lieutenant Commander, that’s all, I don’t want to report to Chief Traun that you’ve been killed,” he said to the point.
Tayce didn’t like his attitude, what did he think he was nursing, a child! She found him somewhat abrupt and rude. Why had her Mother sent this officer and his team, didn’t she think she could handle this Quest alone? She did not need this rule maker, breathing down her neck. He looked ahead ignoring her look of spite against him. He was sent there to do a job and that’s what he intended to do, whether she liked it or not.
Countess Vargon glanced roughly to the area where the Amalthean Quest team and Jan and his men were watching. She looked about in true evil suspicion, having some idea that the teams were present, but couldn’t prove it. Sallen glanced to her Mother, then in the direction that she was looking, spitefully. She wanted to head into the undergrowth with a team of men and flush the teams out her Mother suspected was in the vicinity, but her Mother had insisted she forget the idea, she did not want her shot, there was to much at stake and to be done to get the equipment in the containers below before nightfall.
“Hurry men, I want these containers below surface and in secure storage before nightfall,” ordered Vargon callously, almost barking at the men struggling with the heavy dark green containers.
“Mother do you think the Amaltheans are here?” asked Sallen quietly to her Mother.
“I’ve no doubt they are and probably watching us right now, but whatever they are thinking of planning, they had better beware that I am more than a match for them,” retorted Vargon, almost with a wicked smile.
“Do you think they’ll play into our hands, I hope they do, I’m looking forward to putting an end to that bitch Stavard,” said Sallen evilly excited at the prospect.
“Enough talk girl, come, let’s go below, men continue what your doing, remember I want this lot stored within the next houron,” said Vargon guiding her daughter roughly by the upper arm across the courtyard of dry mud, towards the entrance to underground.
Two tall strong looking humanoids in, brown leatherex uniform, stood on guard each side of the entrance as they approached, brandishing powerful looking hand cannon type weapons. The kind that looked like they could blow whoever, to the next realm, with one single shot. But this kind of weapon would be no surprise to Tayce, or the two teams, they knew that most of the weapons Vargon came by, were stolen. Sallen and the Countess were soon gone from the surface, leaving the entrance guarded and wide open for what the two teams in the nearby area had hoped would be easy access, to apprehend the Vargons by storming the entrance swiftly and quietly.
Tayce even though this was her Quest, realised that Jan Barnford as sharp as he was, was right in what he had done to stop her earlier, if she had stormed in to the enclosed area, it most certainly would have been the last thing she would have done and he was only protecting her interests. Jan glanced at her in a more mellow way, than when he stopped her abruptly earlier. He then looked back to the entrance of the underground hideout. All the men loading the containers onto a hover cart finished loading and began on the way below to store what was inside. The entrance was soon closed, by two heavy looking dark green doors sliding shut, but not before the two officers that had stood on guard had gone inside. Jan ordered his officer who was constantly scanning the area through the Vision Viewing glassenes, to check out the area for any infra red trip beams and scan in ground cams (cameras). The young dark haired officer flicked a small button on the Vision Viewing glassenes, then re-checked the whole of the surrounding area. Tayce looked to Jan in a questioning way.
“I’m not taking any chances Lieutenant Commander Traun,” he said not looking down at her.
“You won’t find me arguing with that knowing Vargon she no doubt has some kind of sophisticated protection to intruders like us,” replied Tayce in total agreement.
Jan was somewhat amused even though he was trying to keep decorum at Tayces agreeing to his procedure. He glanced away, trying to breath through the moment of amusement, thinking this Tayce Traun was learning fast, that he was there to stop her getting killed, even if she did think he was mean. Jan’s viewing officer confirmed after the scan, that there was a cross section of infra red trip beam alarms, in the area leading up to the entrance. He pointed and explained, how they ran around the outside fence area, also in a cross grid to the entrance. Jan gave an exasperated sigh. God when did this bitch Vargon ever give in. Another of Jan’s skilled officers announced they could distort the signal enough to make it easy to cross and look as if an animal on the surface was causing the interference. Jan nodded in total agreement. A blonde well built officer stood to his feet, taking with him another officer, they both took distortion devices to interfere with the cross beam signal, setting them as they went. They were small devices,
in the shape of square boxes, no bigger than what could be used as small trinket boxes, used in the twentieth century Earth times. Jan ordered for the hundred that had been brought to be used and placed where it would be most beneficial, then let him know when it was safe to move in. The young blonde officer gave an acknowledgement with his hand, heading away. Jan turned to Tayce and Marc, he began explaining what his two men would do, then they could get going. Tayce nodded as did Marc. Everyone waited silently. Without warning it started to rain, something that would put the whole Quest into dangerous mode, especially under foot. Jan gave an exasperated look, this was something they could do without. They all moved further in under the trees, to shelter until it was over.
Sallen Vargon below the surface laughed with evil delight, as one of her Mother’s operatives had announced that the rain had arrived earlier than had been first stated and would not be going for the next few hourons. The Countess raised an eye in surprise at her daughter, she couldn’t understand why she should find rain so funny.
“That should put a damper on the Amalthean team and Tayce Traun, should they be outside, but she and Treketa deserve it, it couldn’t be falling heavier for me, I’d like to throw in some powerful lightening, it would save me the job of having to finish them off,” said Sallen with hatred in her voice.
“Sallen do control yourself, your enjoying this a bit to much, when the time comes, if your not careful your over zealous attitude will be your downfall,” said Vargon in a reprimanding way.
“You never allow me to have amusing thoughts, why?” shouted Sallen at the Countess.
“Enough! Sallen, I am in no mood for your pathetic behaviour, it’s been a tough dayon,” said the Countess turning on her daughter in a spiteful way.
Sallen looked away angry at her Mother, she was so bored. She wanted to take on the likes of Treketa Stavard and get the confrontation over and done with. Somehow right at that moment her Mother’s offer, to join forces at the beginning was making her wish she hadn’t accepted and she’d gone it alone. She wished she could just leave her Mother and head on outside, but she’d know that she’d left the hideout and would know doubt send a team to fetch her back and punish her, before she reached the surface. Looking back at her Mother the only comfort she had at that moment in time, was to know the likes of Treketa Stavard who she hoped was outside was suffering in the now treacherous weather condition, that was growing more powerful by the minon.
Outside Jan’s men soon gave the all clear to proceed. The weather conditions were becoming horrendous, high winds, strong lashing rain which was making it near impossible to hear and see. Tayce began to wonder if Vargon somehow knew that they were on the surface and had conjured up the difficult conditions, just to be spiteful. The Amalthean team set their weapons on Jan’s word, to the setting of kill/disintegrate. Tayce turned to the others and quickly advised them not to take any chances at all, when dealing with Vargon and Sallen.
“You shoot anything that’s not the Countess and Sallen, we want to take them alive, but if you absolutely have to shoot one or the other, then you have permission to stun them, Treketa I know you have a vendetta against Sallen, but I want you to stun her, not kill her understand?” said Tayce in tone of command.
“Have you heard of these outlaws, Vargons currently running with, other than blowing their battle cruiser to oblivion,” asked Jan watching his men.
“No nothing, only that Sallen was rescued by them and the Countess offered to have them join forces with her for this secretive project, that she seems eager to keep under wraps,” replied Tayce.
Both found that the frosty atmosphere between the two of them had thawed and they were now working as leaders in unison with one thought in mind, to bring Vargon and her daughter to an abrupt stop. Jan was finding this Tayce Traun, daughter of the new chief of Questa, was something more than just a stickler for the rule book, which he had been lead to believe. Someone said she was like the ice maiden, but he considered her to be fair minded, but who didn’t suffer fools gladly. He for one could see she was a damn fine leader and a very attractive one too. Which he liked. In time he could see them becoming good friends. Tayce was doing her own studying of this Jan Barnford without him realising it and could surmise that under the tough military leader appearance, was probably someone off duty who was a really nice man, who picked his friends with caution and quality, anyone that was lucky to be classed as his friend, would probably have a friend for life.
“Officer Barnford have you ever encountered the Countess before?” asked Tayce casually.
“No, but I’ve heard she blew your home world to hell and evaded being brought to justice, but she sounds like numerous greedy criminals I’ve encountered before, why do you ask?” he asked glancing to her.
“Be warned, she’ll pull anything to avoid being apprehended, she’s a powerful woman you could almost say she could be classed as a witch, whatever you do, don’t fall foul of her coy acts,” warned Tayce seriously.
“Thanks for the warning, I have heard rumours about her and was wondering if they were true or not, but you’ve just confirmed as much,” he replied managing a slight appreciative smile.
“Your welcome, I just thought you should have some idea of what Vargon can do,” replied Tayce.
As the team neared the fence, where the infra red distortion box’s had been placed. Jan’s men carefully guided the team on through into a clear area and on to the next box. Minon by minon both, the Amalthean Quest team and Jan’s team, were gaining in reaching the entrance to the tunnel to below surface. Jan stayed with Tayce and Marc, whilst the rest of his men mingled in with the Quest team. No sooner had they reached the entrance and had managed to bypass Vargons entrance locking system. They began in as the doors drew apart. Inside the cavernous interior, everyone kept on alert on the look out for any sign of Vargons guards. The lighting was somewhat poor, it was hard to make out the journey ahead. Tayce held her Slazer poised ready to use if she had to. After walking stealthily for a while, they rounded a corner cautiously. Jan tapped Tayce lightly on the shoulder. She looked back at him, questioningly. He pointed to the first of the obvious outlaws that Vargon had teamed up with, he was lazily moving the supplies that had been brought down from the surface, to be secured under lock, when finished.
“So much for Vargons new outlaws, if your ready to go in, let’s go,” said Jan in a whisper.
“Ready,” came back Tayce.
As both teams continued on into the central part of the new hideout, they were suddenly caught off guard by the onslaught of Vargons guards advancing, if by some magic. Tayce, Jan and Marc plus both teams quickly manoeuvred into position and began returning fire in full retaliation of the onslaught of weapon fire coming from Vargons side, suddenly what had become a quiet arrival, had blown into a full scale first wave of attack. Jan’s men quickly began taking the outlaws out one by one, working with the Amalthean Quest team. Three of Vargons outlaws disintegrated on impact, at close range of weapon fire from Jan’s officer, working along side Treketa. As more guards came forth, so Jan and his men, Tayce and her team fired on them taking them out, no sooner they made their appearance. Slowly the teams advanced into the central point of the hideout. The exchange of weapon fire was noisy and immense on both sides. Treketa and Lance ran behind some crates, with one of Jan’s officers, to get a better aim at the advancing guards, advancing in their direction. Jan wondered how many more were coming, as there had been roughly forty or so already and he and his men had taken out a few of them. As Treketa figured the coast was safe enough to move in closer to back up Tayce, Jan and Marc, she moved out and realised that the move was one she shouldn’t have made, as she ended up right in the path of a rather huge outlaw, that seemed to bear down on her and he was not the kind to be argued with. Treketa was almost frozen to the spot with shock. Duncan saw what was happening he wanted to help, but found he was once again pinned down by g
un fire, as was Lance. The guard grabbed Treketa around the throat roughly and lifted her up off the ground. She struggled, raised her Slazer and fired right into the centre of his torso, making it count. He stared at her with dark alarm, then disintegrated, Treketa dropped back onto the concretex floor, landing on her rear, with a thud. She crawled to what she thought was safety, to gather her immediate thoughts together and found she was looking at a pair of black shiny boots. Abruptly she stopped, she had just crawled in the wrong direction, yet again. She felt a hand grab her hair and haul her up on her feet. Struggling she came face to face with none other than Sallen Vargon, who looked coldly and full of evil intent at her.
“Hello Stavard, nice to see you, I’m glad you’ve made it through the enemy barrier, it’s a shame you’ve done so well, now it’s time to face your destiny with my assistance and I’m going to enjoy this immensely,” said Sallen in shear hateful anger, but softly spoken sarcasm.
“You bitch!” retaliated Treketa, lashing out in Sallen’s hold.
“I wouldn’t think of trying to fight me Stavard, you are no match for me, you know that, remember our encounter at College Colony, as I remember you were begging for mercy then and you will now,” said Sallen finding Treketas actions no more than feeble.
Sallen held Treketa fast, as she was trying to attack her, with all her might. She raised her small hand held yet power gun and pointed it in Treketas face. Treketa knew that this was not the time to finish what was started at College Colony, she would bide her time, she would play along, because like Tayce had said, she wanted to take Sallen alive. Duncan and Lance tried with all their might to finish off taking out the latest onslaught of Vargons guards with a view to helping Treketa, but found it near impossible to try, as they had hoped. As Lance came out round a crate, he wondered what the equipment or whatever was concealed inside was going to be used for. In no time at all Lance, Duncan and Jans officer had surrounded Sallen, but they couldn’t do anything because the way in which she had played it, she was using Treketa for a shield and as Tayce had firmly ordered them, she wanted Sallen taken alive, they had to play along. So they followed her waiting for her to make the wrong move, then they could stun her.
