by Adair Hart
Szaris blinked rapidly. “You insult my intelligence. One, you do not smell like a Fredorian. Two, you do not act like any Fredorian I have ever seen, and I have been to Fredoria. Three, perhaps the most important of all, the credentials you carry were flagged as false.”
Dr. Snowden glanced at Emily and then sighed. “Okay, okay, we’re not Fredorian. We should have had at least three days, though, before it would be an issue. Why is it flagged false now?”
Szaris smiled. “I’m not sure where you got that three-day number from, but someone reported your credentials as false. The other exhibits you visited probably never heard of Fredoria or, if they did, didn’t trust the credentials system enough to check. We do here at our embassy for obvious security reasons, given our history. Now, back to my original question, what species are you?”
Dr. Snowden looked down, then glanced at Emily. Emily dipped her head and looked at Szaris. “We’re human, from Earth.”
Szaris placed his scaly hands together in front of him as if in contemplation. He then accessed a table console, pecking at it as his eyes narrowed. A hologram of the galactic map appeared before them. “Fredorians call themselves humans, but they are not from what you call Earth. I am not familiar with that planet. Do you have its coordinates?”
“They are from Earth from what I know,” said Dr. Snowden.
“Do you have Earth’s coordinates?”
V faced Szaris. “I can enter the coordinates.”
Szaris gestured toward a table console in front of V. “Go ahead.”
V interacted with the console, and the map changed to the solar system Earth was in. Earth was highlighted in green. The words Protected Planet PP176S appeared above it. There were several other lines of text next to Earth.
Dr. Snowden inspected the hologram. “That’s it. It’s called Earth, though, not Protected Planet PP176S.”
Szaris leaned back into his chair with a smug smile. “Ahh, very interesting. I have heard of this planet. Well, before I explain, let me say this. You are not in any trouble here, so don’t look worried. I know of your Earth only because it has ties to Fredoria. I know it as PP176S, though.”
“Why’s it showing as that?” asked Emily.
Szaris tapped at the table console, and the solar map zoomed out, showing the solar system as one dot among others. Several colored regions appeared. Earth was in a massive blue region. “The blue region is the Kreagan Star Empire. If you notice, your system is on the edge of that and several other colored regions. Those other regions are home to various unstable groups. As Earth is low-tech, it cannot join the Kreagan Star Empire, but the Kreagans believe Earth has future potential. That is why they protect your planet.”
“We know humans were abducted from Earth for various reasons, then the Kreagans outlawed it,” said Dr. Snowden.
Szaris grimaced. “Yes, but it is a little more complex than that. Before Earth became a protected planet, it was routinely raided by said unstable groups. Nothing major, but enough for a burgeoning trade of humans on the black market both inside and outside Kreagan space. A group on Earth calling themselves the Helians was finally able to stop it. The Kreagans took notice and agreed to a deal with them. Their tech was sufficiently advanced, but as the planet was not, the best they could do was form a protection treaty. As slavery was deemed illegal around that time in the Kreagan Star Empire, they relocated any human within their borders that had been taken against their will to Fredoria.”
“Who are these Helians?” asked Dr. Snowden.
Szaris tilted his head. “You don’t know of them? They are a highly advanced group that spoke on behalf of your planet. They said they protected it against alien incursions. They don’t look quite human, though. They are winged and have glowing eyes. Your planet had some strange … characteristics among your species. There were reports of unusual humans being captured, some able to overpower their captors. Regardless, the Kreagan Star Empire decided to work with the Helians. They haven’t always been fair to your kind. From what I have heard, they still allow the black market to continue under the radar in return for technology.”
Dr. Snowden shook his head. They sounded like angels to him. He could see how with advanced tech and their appearance, they could probably infiltrate and do what they wanted. He swallowed hard as he thought about the humans taken on the black market. It did not seem right.
Emily shifted in her seat. “Why didn’t the Kreagans just take the slaves back to Earth?”
Szaris blinked at Emily. “With all the knowledge and technology they had seen? If it was one or two, maybe. Several hundred thousand, not so much.”
“Several hundred thousand? How is that even possible?” said Dr. Snowden as he sat on the edge of his seat. He had thought at worst it would be a few hundred a year.
Szaris touched the table console. The map changed to a digital document. Szaris looked up at it, then swiped his hand across the console. The document flipped through several pages. On one of the pages was a date showing 1534. “According to these logs, the Helians stated that roughly two hundred thousand humans had been abducted prior to signing the protection treaty.”
“Makes you wonder how they know that number,” said Dr. Snowden.
“Yes, they seem deceptive to me, as most humans do. Fredoria still takes in humans, and their society has grown considerably. They are what Earth would be if it had similar technology. I am surprised you are here, though. Protected planet natives are rare unless they have been abducted, and even then, they would not be on this planet. How did you get here?” asked Szaris.
Dr. Snowden took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead. Emily ran her hands along the sides of her face.
V glanced at them both, then spoke. “They are traveling as guests of our host. He is away doing business at the moment. They are here of their own free will.”
Szaris nodded, leaning forward on the table. “Well then, I would suggest asking the Fredorian ambassador to reset your status. If you go back to Earth with a revoked status, you will be put on a bounty list. You would then be pursued by Kreagan hunters. Speaking of which, the Fredorian ambassador is outside. Her name is Andia Kiggs.”
Dr. Snowden’s heartbeat increased as he gripped the edge of the table. “What?”
“They know you are here, and I have confirmed that for them.”
“I thought you didn’t like Fredorians,” said Dr. Snowden.
“I don’t. However, with every species, there is a wide variety of subcultures and personalities. I have worked with Andia before in negotiations. She can be trusted. She is not typical for a Fredorian. Oddly enough, you share her mannerisms. She could have just sent her guard to arrest you, but she didn’t. I suspect she is curious and wants to see for herself. My advice is to be honest with her. As for your host, I would suggest you contact him and make him aware of the situation,” said Szaris.
“That’s a good idea,” said Dr. Snowden as he opened his PSD and tapped at the communications icon. It opened a screen showing icons for Emily and Evaran. He pressed on Evaran. “Hmm, says he is not available. V?”
V paused, then faced Dr. Snowden. “He is busy at the moment. He did not want to disrupt your visit here, so he left a message for me to relay that he would be out of contact for a bit.”
“For his sake, I hope that is all it is. Others may not be as understanding as me about this. I have enjoyed our conversation. It is rare I talk to anyone from a protected planet,” said Szaris as he stood up. He walked to the entrance of the room and opened the door. He gestured for them to go through. “Andia awaits you at the entrance.”
They got up and walked to the entrance. Dr. Snowden extended a hand to Szaris. “Sorry for the deception, and thanks for keeping it on the down low.”
Szaris eyed Dr. Snowden’s hand and tilted his head. “Down low?”
Emily chuckled. “He means thanks for not making it publicly known. Also, we shake hands as a courtesy when leaving on Earth.”
Szaris nodde
d and shook Dr. Snowden’s hand. He then shook Emily’s hand. “Strange custom. On our world, extending a hand is a challenge to fight. Shaking it is an acceptance. Fredorians don’t shake hands as a courtesy, they slap their fists to their chest.”
Dr. Snowden’s eyes widened. “Yeah, this is just saying good-bye, no fighting required here. I’m not trying to live up to the Fredorian stereotype. Hopefully we can talk again sometime.”
Szaris nodded. Dr. Snowden and Emily proceeded to the entrance.
Dr. Snowden thought about their encounter. These Drodalians seemed to be okay. It made him think maybe the Fredorians were the aggressors with them. Of course, it could also be that Szaris framed it that way. He guessed he would find out the other side when talking with this Andia Kiggs person.
They reached the entrance and walked outside. A medium-sized humanoid woman with piled-up brunette hair and a stern look on her face approached them. She wore a loose fitting white-and-gold outfit with blue lines on it, segmenting it. To her sides were two advanced-looking armored guards.
The woman put her right fist over her chest with her arm at a forty-five degree angle. “I am Andia Kiggs, prime ambassador of Fredoria. We have a lot to talk about.”
Seeros placed his hands behind him as he wondered where his second in command, Andrax, was.
Andrax burst into the room. His light-green skin stood out against the typical tan-and-white garb that was the Seeros Industries theme. He carried with him a tablet device along with a headpiece that had a translucent arced visor across his big black eyes and bald, thin head. He rushed up to the large command desk between him and Seeros. “Preparations for the meeting are almost done.”
Seeros turned his head to the side without turning around. “Andrax, how long have we known each other?”
“Sir?”
“How long have we known each other?”
Andrax tilted his head at Seeros. “Since Seeros Industries was founded, a very long time ago.”
Seeros sighed. He turned around and put both hands together with his fingers touching at the fingertips. “You will be handling these negotiations. I have a personal matter to attend to.”
Andrax paused, then blinked rapidly. “But, sir, they expect you, not me. I don’t have the gravitas that you bring to negotiations.”
Seeros’s eyes flashed. “What did you bring me just now, on your tablet?”
Andrax looked at his tablet. “All the points for the meeting and how we need to position ourselves.”
Seeros smiled. “So you have to prep me for the meeting. It would be easier for you to do it. I trust that you can. They will accept you, and I will communicate it to them here shortly.”
Andrax looked at the ground as if in contemplation, then looked back at Seeros. “May I ask what this personal matter is that is more important than this meeting? This negotiation is a big milestone for the company. It’s rare to find a species that will advance as quickly as the Hydralians are projected to.”
Seeros nodded and sat in his large executive chair. “Because you have known me for so long, you deserve an explanation. Please, sit.” Seeros gestured at one of the chairs in front of his desk. He liked Andrax and had handpicked him to be his right-hand man. Andrax’s race was Ildoran, a race known for its ability to remember and recall information with a high level of detail. Their home planet fell prey to slavers, and for those who did escape, they were scattered and found work wherever they could in the Kreagan Star Empire. He had met Andrax at an entertainment center, where Andrax served drinks. His ability to work without requiring any type of device amazed Seeros. The only reason they would use one is to give to others who needed information and did not possess their memory abilities. Seeros offered Andrax employment, and any other Ildoran who wanted work was welcome to come. He also liberated their planet. The Ildoran worshiped him as a hero.
Andrax placed the tablet-like device he was carrying on the desk and sat down.
Seeros ran a hand through his hair. “I got a report earlier today from the Bounty Hunters Guild. Someone I have been looking for has arrived on Kreagus. It has been a long time, but he has shown up.”
Andrax tilted his head. “How do they know it is this person you are looking for?”
“I have given devices to various groups over this quadrant of the galaxy to detect a certain pattern. They have detected it and are actively trying to procure the target, but they will not succeed.”
Andrax smirked. “I’d be surprised if they caught whoever it is you’re looking for. We could send a squad of Covendrin mercenaries to get whoever this person is. They can deliver.”
Seeros laced his fingers and eased back into his chair. “Actually, I will need you to reach out to them and arrange a meeting.”
Andrax drew his lips flat. “So you’re going to handle this yourself, then?”
“Yes.”
Andrax sighed. “Can I at least ask who this person is that can draw you away at a moment’s notice? Why is this person so important to you?”
Seeros paused as he clenched his jaw. An image of his wife and children faded in and out of his mind. “What I am about to tell you does not leave this room. Understood?”
Andrax nodded as he sat on the edge of his chair. “Of course.”
Seeros smiled, and his eyes softened. “You’re one of the few I count as a friend. You are also efficient at what you do. There is a chance I may not come back from this. If that is the case, I am entrusting the company to you. I will make the necessary legal arrangements before I go.”
Andrax swallowed hard. “I am honored that you trust me enough to run the company and appreciate you consider me a friend. Every Ildoran under your employ is honored to work for you. I hope you’re planning on coming back.”
Seeros sighed and tilted his head. “I do, but who I seek is powerful. He is not like you or me. He is a mass murderer on a scale that is unfathomable. He has tools at his disposal that are unconventional, and his murderous ways are what caused me to come to this region of the galaxy. He makes what the slavers did to Ildora pale in comparison.”
Andrax gulped.
Seeros gestured with his right hand. “I will need you to prepare my ship and coordinate my meeting with the Covendrin mercs. I will make the arrangements I mentioned for the Hydralis meeting and conditional company transfer.”
Andrax nodded. “It will be done. Is there anything else you require of me?”
Seeros shook his head. “No. Time is of the essence, however.”
Andrax stood up and walked toward the room exit. He paused and then turned around. “If I might ask, what is the name of this being you seek?”
Seeros’s blood churned as he exhaled sharply through his nose with down-turned lips. He glanced at his desk, then slowly raised his head. He bore a gaze through Andrax. “Evaran.”
Evaran meandered toward one of the busy food courts. When he arrived, he scanned the crowd. He narrowed his eyes at a bench near an alleyway, then walked over to it and sat.
After ten minutes, a voice echoed out from the alleyway. “Psst. Hey, Evaran, is that you?”
Evaran stood up and walked to the entrance of the alleyway. After surveying it, he proceeded down it. At the end, a small device sat on the ground. He picked it up and flipped it around in his hand.
A gravelly voice rang out from behind him. “Don’t turn around. I have a Tyralian wide-beam phaser pointed at you. Keep walking, and take the first door on the right.”
“I assure you, this is not necessary. I just wish to talk,” said Evaran.
“Talk? Pfft. You’re my payday. Not sure why everyone thought you were so hard to catch. Pretty simple to me. Now shut up and keep going,” said the voice behind him.
Evaran walked to the end of the alleyway, where a dull orange door stood out on his right.
“Walk past the door, then turn around,” said the voice behind him.
Evaran walked slightly past the door and turned around.
A male humanoid wea
ring black clothing underneath a patchwork of light armor stood before Evaran. The scratched armor pieces had silver and orange borders on them. A brown bandoleer with various pouches crossed the chest, and a dark-gray metallic helmet covered the face. The man opened the door and waved Evaran in. Evaran proceeded through the door and into a large storage room. Storage racks lined the sides, and the center of the room was empty, with a chair in the back part of the room.
“Don’t move,” said the man as he yanked Evaran’s utility handle off. “Not sure what this is, but it’s mine now.”
The man instructed Evaran to sit in the chair while he placed some equipment on one of the storage rack shelves. Evaran sighed and walked over to the chair and sat down. The man put the utility handle into one of the pouches on his bandoleer. He then walked to the halfway point of the room while eying Evaran cautiously and laid a device at the base of the left and right walls. The devices lit up a reddish transparent field between them that segmented the room into two areas. He then took two square devices and tossed one to each side of him up near the ceiling.
The man took off his helmet and turned to face Evaran. The face had multiple hues of green scales. He had small, beady eyes, a thin neck, and several gills on the side of his face. “You have been captured by the infamous Kreol Juul, and you’re in a safe house that’s been soundproofed, so don’t get any ideas about shouting. The field in front of you is a motion sensor. You cross it and you get zapped. You really should be thankful that it was me and not one of those other filthy bounty hunters. If it was one of them, you would probably be dead.”
Evaran eyed Kreol. “I see. Why did you spare me?”
Kreol cocked his head. “Because I’m efficient and not stupid. A dead bounty means no pay. The bounty issuer wants visual proof it is you before being sent in, and you must be alive to respond to them. I don’t understand why this step is needed.”
Evaran nodded. “Not sure why you need to do visual proof either. May I ask a few harmless questions?”
Kreol laughed as he fiddled with the equipment he had put on the storage shelf earlier. “Sure, why not, since you asked all polite like. You will be talking to the bounty issuer yourself here in a few anyways.”
