Zak Jahns

by Gregory Anderson

  Zak Jahns

  Galaxy Trader

  By Gregory David Anderson Copyright © 2019 Gregory David Anderson

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author.

  ISBN: 9781697870992

  First Edition

  DEDICATION

  For all who have not yet been corrupted by social media, who can still appreciate the joys of simple things. For parents who realize that it is with love that children grow up best.

  -1-

  “What the.......” Zak screamed as the ship jolted from repeated laser hits. The container ship had just boosted out of the atmosphere of Colisus Fifteen. The shields held as Zak performed evasive maneuvers while moving away from their attackers.

  “Damned pirates, how did they even know we were here.”

  Hart, the navigator replied.

  “Do you even know what we just picked up.”

  “Does not matter what we picked up no one should have known”

  All the while being slammed back and forth as the ship accelerated and shifted more aggressively than the dampers could compensate for.

  “They can't keep up with us so just relax and enjoy the ride”

  Hart grumbled and wondered how he put up with Zak sometimes. The ship was an old container ship, one of only a dozen still plying goods around the outer worlds and it was slowly falling apart. Hart had signed on at the beginning along with most of the crew but this time, the captain had gone too far and he may be obligated to report him. They had moved questionable cargo before and had their fair share of run-ins with pirates. This smelled like a set up and Zak should have known better. The four oversize main thrusters pushed the ship faster than just about anything in the known worlds. So running was the safest bet although she had canon and missiles if needed. This century old container ship had some impressive capabilities they named her after a mythical animal called a Panther. Zak called back to engineering.

  “Uhr, why don't we have forward long range scanners.”

  Uhr replied.

  “Because we do not have parts to repair that system. Perhaps when we stop for those parts we can pick up some shield emitters to replace what just got blown out. By the way, port shields are down to thirty percent.”

  On the bridge Pete sniggered but Zak was not amused. Pete was Panther's second and was just getting ready to relieve Zak.

  “Every day Uhr asks for parts and time to fix things but you just ignore him. We are all convinced that you are waiting till we are dead in space and then you will call mom for help.”

  This was a big dig at Zak who's mother was a highly placed Cyrillium official but like most things, it just bounced off him.

  “Set course for Colisus Four, second moon at best speed. Pete, you have the con.”

  Zak then left the bridge and went to the fore galley for some refreshment. Hart looked over at Pete.

  “Course set. He still won't say what we just picked up and that ship almost had us, I did not sign on for this kind of risk.”

  Pete just shook his head.

  “As long as I have known Zak he has never done something so risky without giving us the choice of opting out first. I will be sending a report keeping you out of it, you have a family. Zak is going to be real mad when he finds out.” And Zak was mad but not at the crew but with himself for having to keep this from them.

  Dropping the two mystery containers on Colisus Four moon was part of Zak's personal back-up plan. While there were few ships like Panther the same could not be said of the containers. Thousands upon thousands of the standard containers existed and many were still being used in space and on planets. Even a few space stations were built out of them. Zak had stashed more than a few around the galaxy, equipped and stocked for future use. These two they had just picked up were more important than most as they contained almost as much firepower as a destroyer. Zak had no specific plans to use them as there had been no real wars for over a century but, things were changing. The trip to Colisus Four was made via a circuitous route in case someone following. The crew had thought this was a little paranoid but they had gotten used to the captain's odd ways. After twelve days they were on final approach to Colisus Four second moon, Zak took the con. The second moon was a big, rough ball with two very deep crevasses running across the dark side, this was his destination. Hart looked a little alarmed.

  “Boss, you are not planning on that crevasse are you.”

  “You worry too much and I have been here before so just relax.”

  No one relaxed as Zak dropped the ship into the irregular crack in the moon. Moving forward and down everything became black and he was maneuvering on radar imaging which showed very little room around the ship. No one said a word as he carefully snaked the ship around another impossible corner where a large space opened up. Slowly he eased Panther down onto a smooth surface then turned on the exterior lighting. Pete had a sharp intake of breath.

  “My gosh, this is not natural at all, how did you find it.”

  Zak did not answer as he used the docking thrusters to move into position along side four other containers.

  “This location is not for anyone to know about so just forget we were here.”

  That is all the captain said about it as Panther arose and maneuvered back the way they came from. After making it clear of the moon the captain ordered.

  “Pete you have the con, set course for Colisus Two station and come in from the back side.”

  With that he left the bridge and went down to his quarters, another odd thing. The captains quarters were directly off the bridge but he never used it and told the crew it was off limits and he never explained why. There were many things the crew did not understand about the captain but he always paid fair and treated them all like family.

  Zak did not have to work, his mother was on the Cyrillium high council and his father was an industrialist. There was no need for money yet he was out on the fringes in places that were not always friendly. Zak paid well beyond what other small traders did but they understood that it was just a front for clandestine spying of the far reaching systems. Panther as well as a few other Cyrillium ships were the eyes and ears for the high council. Often they were able to avert problems before they escalated beyond containment. This was true of Uhr and Dihr who reported to the grax home worlds and Hart who reported to the hegmon command. The rest of the crew maybe aware but just did their jobs and kept quiet.

  The Cyrillium were the peacekeepers of the sixty two known worlds and part of that was people like Zak. People behind the scenes, putting out fires, dispelling or starting rumors, all part of a huge network that kept the worlds in check. There was nothing like the Cyrillium space force either with the largest, most modern fleet with the most powerful weapons. Always ready to step in if things got too hot. To be sure the worlds were not all idyllic, far from it but most got along without stepping on each others toes too much. It was a given that all out war was counterproductive anyway. There were entire wasted planets created from the greed or morals of people too smart to realize they were stupid. The lost souls of billions were testament to that.

  The Colisus worlds that Panther was now traveling through, out on the end of the Perseus arm of the galaxy were just one example. Each world had it's own government and the space between was patrolled by a group of thugs called Federated. Sure, things could be relatively peaceful but violence was common and Federated would just as likely pirate your cargo or ship as well as protect it, depending how well you paid. Zak did not believe in paying and t
his bothered Hallbrook, the leader of Federated, to distraction at times. Compound this with Zak's natural charm capturing the attention of the ladies. One was Hallbrook's trusted assistants, MayBell. All this made for interesting times when Panther was around. Hallbrook's frigate spent most of it's time at Colisus Two station, the ship was also his office. The Colisus worlds paid Federated a fee for protection of the space lanes and planets as well as lending 'enforcers' planet-side on occasion. Federated's fleet consisted of a growing number of oddball ships that were well armed and shielded. Nothing got by the vicious captains when they set there minds to something and as such, most of the time, things remained peaceful.

  Colisus Two was Panthers next destination to pick up two containers of mining equipment destined for a remote colony. Or so they thought.

  “The containers are not ready”

  Said Pete.

  “A freighter was delayed in bringing some drilling equipment, we may not see it for days.”

  Hart shook his head in reply.

  “That means Zak will be seeing MayBell and that could be trouble.”

  Not only MayBell but station two itself with it's varied entertainments available to the crew. More than once there had been fights and the exorbitant fees that resulted in Zak paying way too much to get crew members back. The animosity between Zak and Hallbrook always made things worse, if only he would

  leave MayBell alone it may not be so bad. To be sure MayBell was a looker of that there was no denying and she and Zak made a striking couple who both had a tendency to overindulge. Hallbrook called MayBell to his office.

  “Panther will be on station soon so you need to find out what is going on with that mining colony on Edahni for me.”

  MayBell replied.

  “It's a small mining colony, nothing new, what difference does it make anyway. Zak is just about the only trader that stops there and little is coming out of the mine anyway.”

  “I have a hunch, and you will find out, is that clear. I delayed a freighter just so you could meet your lover so it's the least you can do for me.”

  It was true, Hallbrook had the freighter delayed because he could, Federated was rarely challenged in this part of the galaxy. Why Hallbrook had any interest in the little mining colony was a puzzle. Edahni was a barely habitable planet with no significant qualities and very few mineral or metal deposits, nothing worth even mentioning. The colony made just enough to pay for foodstuffs that they needed and little more. Coupled with the harsh environment it was a wonder that anyone would want to settle on Edahni for any reason. But the colony on Edahni was not interested in comfort as much as being able to live life on their own terms.

  “Just make sure that you stay in touch with the ship, Uhr and Dihr will remain aboard. As soon as we can we will get underway and make for Edahni. It is the summer season there so we can take a much need break there. For now, just try to stay out of trouble.”

  This was Zak's address to the crew just before docking at the station. Hart chittered back.

  “You make sure you stay out of trouble as well. Last time we were here MayBell got you arrested and the crew refuses to pay to get you out again.”

  “That was just a big misunderstanding, how was I supposed to know what that other woman was after.”

  Zak, being Cyrillium was a target of sorts in many places in the galaxy where kidnapping and extortion were still prevalent. Most Cyrillium stayed on there own worlds where life was comfortable and stress free. The Cyrillium high council arbitrated many of the conflicts around the sixty known worlds and as Zak was the eyes and ears, they did not want to lose him.

  MayBell was a big distraction for Zak and this time was no different.

  “Zak, I have missed you. Why can't you take me with you, you know I hate it here.”

  “You know you would never be happy in space, besides, it's your boss that you hate and not where you are.

  They were sitting in a quaint little restaurant enjoying a good meal.

  “Why do you have to go to Edahni, it seems like such a waste of time.

  “Did Hallbrook put you up to this line of questioning.”

  “He thinks they are hiding some big secret out there.”

  “You can tell Hallbrook that the only secret on Edahni is a bunch of happy people living simple lives.”

  But the colony on Edahni was a bit unusual as it was half human and half hegmon. They all shared the same values and only allowed other like minded to immigrate. To listen to them talk together was confusing at best for most peoples as hegmon could not speak human languages. Conversely humans could not speak hegmon but with practice the two could understand each other. Just as everyone on Panther could understand Hart, people of Edahni talked together like there was no barrier at all. Zak was direct and wanted to get past this quiz they did with each other every time he and MayBell met.

  “Did Hallbrook delay that freighter that was supposed to meet us.”

  “He might have, ah, tried to delay things a bit but what does it mater, we get to spend some time together at least.”

  Out near Colisus Three a freighter had just been released from 'inspection' by a Federated enforcer ship. The captain knew that had they resisted much more of the cargo could have been confiscated and the loss much greater. The equipment slated for Edahni was nothing out of the ordinary, just mining drill parts. What was confiscated was high end electronics destined for a manufacturer on Colisus Two. They would file a complaint with the government. Meanwhile Hallbrook was still convinced that something was going on with Edahni. Zak Jahns, trader and son of a Cyrillium high council member was showing way too much interest in Edahni for it to be nothing. As far as complaints about Federated's heavy handed policing of the space lanes Hallbrook would just point out what the alternatives could be.

  On Edahni they were getting a little concerned about the delay. Not so much was critical although they were looking forward to the fresh fruits and produce. Mainly, they liked all the crew of Panther and enjoyed their visits immensely. Even Uhr and Dihr felt comfortable among the humans and hegmon of Edahni. Uhr and his wife Dihr were grax, the third intelligent specie that inhabited the sixty two known worlds. Grax were ugly by most standards, the cat like features and hairless bodies repulsed many, many people. Despite being the best engineers in the galaxy they were universally shunned wherever they went. Even the hegmon were more like humans despite being covered with fur and not able to speak human languages. Grax could speak human languages although their scratchy voices made them hard to understand at times. Edahni was the furthest explored on the Perseus arm. Beyond was a great gray nebula, no one had ever explored further.

  On Colisus Two station Panther's crew had been enjoying themselves. Since they were all from different worlds the ability to find home cooking was a treat for most. It was not until Hart went to inquire about electronic parts for the ship that things started to go off kilter. Somehow the shield emitters that he was assured were in stock became unavailable. When Pete looked further the problems went directly to Hallbrook. The last encounter with pirates had left several damaged spots on Panther's hull and emitters needed replacing before they could move on. Pete did not want to cause trouble and he also did not want to get Zak involved if at all possible.

  “Listen, I don't care who said what, we need the parts and you will deliver them now.”

  Pete could be quite intimidating when he wanted to be but with the clerk before him it did not seem to be working.

  “The only way you will get those parts is by force because if I do give them to you I am dead, I like living. So get out I have work to do.”

  The clerk turned and left the counter while leaving a small card on the counter. Pete discretely grabbed the card on his way out, it contained door codes. Pete smiled, not many liked Hallbrook's heavy handed ways. It was three days later that crew finally had the two containers secured, filled and ready to go. Pete had one last crate to pick up before they left and Zak was still holed up with May
Bell. Pete sent a crewman to get him as he was no answering his comm. Uhr looked shocked when station alarms started going off.

  “Pete what did you do.”

  He had just finished loading a big crate.

  “You said you needed parts, I got your parts.”

  “Tell me you purchased those parts.”

  “No one would sell us parts so what was I supposed to do. You said the parts were essential, we need to depart real soon.”

  Zak burst through the docking tube.

  “Seal it up, lets go before they start shooting. Curse you Pete what did you do this time.”

  As always the crew had placed small charges on the docking clamps in case the station did not want them to leave. Hart called for departure from the station but got no response at all. It seemed that the station master did not want to be between Panther and Federated. The docking clamps released and Panther made way when station control commed.

  “You are not authorized to depart, stand down and be prepared for boarding and inspection.”

  At the same time Zak noted two Federated ships were pulling out of the station.

  “Pete, you have to quit stealing things, we are not pirates.”

  “We did not steal anything, we left plenty of credits to cover our purchases. It's just that we used the wrong door when we left and the shop was closed, just a small technicality.”

  In point of fact they had left plenty of credits to pay for the parts that had been already crated with an invoice tacked on the side. This was more about Federated trying to establish more dominance in this part of the galaxy. Perhaps Hallbrook was sincere about being a legitimate business but so far it did not look that way. Zak was just stepping onto the bridge as the hard acceleration tried to push him back.

  “Hart where are we going.”