by G. E. Stills
“There isn’t. I’m hitching a ride on a freighter headed there. The ship’s captain is a friend of a friend of my dad’s.” Tylee grinned. “I begged and he agreed.”
Rho’naa laughed. “Did you get on your knees and clasp your hands?”
“Almost.” Tylee grinned back. “Oh, Rho’naa, I going to so miss getting drunk with you, but this is a rare opportunity for me.”
“I know. Tell you what, I’ll plan on drinking enough for both of us. I may even make out with one of those hot guys we’ve talked about.” Rho’naa winked. “Maybe more than one.”
Tylee giggled. “Well think of me while you’re kissing at least one of them.” She stood. “I better go. You have to rest up to face your Grandmother’s tortures tomorrow and I need to finish getting ready to leave.”
The two girls shared a tearful embrace and Tylee left.
****
Maneuvering jets edged the striker class Excelsior closer to the drifting Men-gar ship. Slowly the distance decreased and yet the Men-gar ship showed no activity.
“Talk to me, signals,” Captain Maggie Martin ordered.
“There is little to report, ma’am,” the signals officer responded. “The ship is not generating any type of protective field. No life forms detected and there is no hint of any electrical activity.”
“None? Not even trace amounts?”
“None. Even the self powered emergency responder appears to have failed.”
Captain Martin glanced at her XO. “Some type of trick?”
“I doubt it, Captain. Why would they try to trick us? We’re the only human ship in this system and the Men-gar ship is four times our size. We’re massively outgunned.”
Maggie thought about the past several days. The Excelsior entered this solar system and after scanning for a day, spotted the Men-gar ship at the far reaches of the system. She had crossed the millions of kilometers cautiously bringing her ship closer, while remaining ready to flee at the first sign they had been spotted by the enemy ship.
The Captain turned to another of the bridge crew. “Maneuvering, hold this distance, put Excelsior on a parallel course, and match velocity.”
The maneuvering tech repeated the order and pressed several buttons on the panel in front of him. For twenty-four hours the Excelsior cruised alongside the Men-gar ship and scanned it, adding to the initial data.
The Captain turned to her XO. “You’re conclusions?”
“I don’t know, ma’am. According to the writing on the hull, the ship is named Moan’ack. It appears to be drifting derelict through space. We have detected no indication of life. It’s as if she were overwhelmed in battle and yet there are no external signs of having been in one recently. If she was abandoned, we’ve found no reason why that would have taken place.”
“I concur with your findings. I need more answers and fewer questions.” Captain Martin triggered the figurine on her lapel. Right away, a man answered over her electronic ear bug insert.
****
“Lieutenant Jacobi, assemble a boarding party and stand by,” the captain ordered.
“Yes, Captain.”
Following the Captain’s order, Lieutenant Jacobi hustled his ten-man team on board one of the shuttles. After launch, they quickly closed with the Moan’ack. Their shuttle did careful close up scans of the ship from bow to stern and from above and below, sending data back to the Excelsior.
“We did find one thing, Captain. In one spot, the hull of the Moan’ack has been breached. It’s a circular hole about ten meters in diameter. If you so order, my unit can easily use it to enter the ship.”
“You are so ordered. Ascertain the ship is abandoned and report back to me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
****
After forty-eight hours of searching, Jacobi and his men found no evidence of life in the nearly half kilometer long vessel. They did find evidence of bloody skirmishes, but no bodies. Captain Martin ordered them back to the Excelsior. She sent a dispatch torpedo with a copy of the data acquired to Teelan and waited to hear back from them.
Captain Martin knew that given the distance between Excelsior’s location and Teelan it would be at least a month before she could expect a reply. In the meantime, she would have to make the decisions and since this situation had never occurred before, there was little to go by in the procedures manual. She was certain of one thing, capturing an intact Men-gar war vessel was a rare occurrence. The scientists and other investigators would want to pour over the Maon’ack with a fine toothcomb. She knew they needed to leave this system before other Men-gar ships showed up. The Excelsior attached tractor beams, slowly the two ships changed course and started the long journey to Teelan.
CHAPTER TWO
Rho’naa stood at stiff attention in her black and silver dress uniform with the other two graduates on each side of her. Her chest swelled with pride when Kyra pinned the unit insignia on her collar.
Kyra finished pinning each of them and stepped back. She relaxed to parade rest and ordered them to do the same. “Congratulations,” she said. “Over the past years you have met and passed all the challenges presented to you. You have one more hurtle to scale before each of you is given a duty assignment. In the two week survival and retrieval course, you will be using everything you have learned these past years in a practical situation.”
Rho’naa swallowed and recalled what she had been told about the survival course. The training area was located on the planet Euganta, which was similar to Earth. The area encompassed five-hundred thousand square miles with topography that ranged from rugged, bitterly cold mountains to arid deserts and steamy jungles. Each cadet was placed alone, unarmed, and tasked with surviving the terrain while completing a rescue. Robots in the form of Men-gar peopled the area. The captive they rescued was another lifelike robot in human form.
Rho’naa grimaced. Grandmother Kyra had told her about the long argument that had taken place between her and Aunt Kat over that. By Kat’s decision all robots were programmed to be non-aggressive, that is, all except these. Unlike the robots that worked with them daily here on Teelan, these had been programmed to be aggressive to humans. They were even capable of killing. On the positive side, the robots could be destroyed as easily as a flesh and blood Men-gar.
“I know all of you have been told what to expect on Euganta.” Kyra interrupted her thoughts. “This is the final test. Your mission is simple. Survive, rescue the captive, and avoid being maimed or killed. You have two weeks to accomplish this. You will be monitored and when you have completed your mission a shuttle will pick you up.”
Or if you are injured so bad you can’t continue. Or even worse, if you are killed, Rho’naa mentally supplied the words Kyra did not say.
Of the seven people that had graduated ahead of them, two had sustained injuries that prevented them from completing the task. The injuries were permanent. These two would spend the rest of their lives at desk jobs. One of their unit had been killed.
“You have the next four days to spend with your families and friends or do anything else you wish before you will report here to start your final training task. Your family and friends are waiting outside. Dismissed.” Kyra spun on her heel and marched away.
The other two cadets rushed out to meet the people waiting for them. Rho’naa raced to catch up with Kyra. “General Krya,” she called out.
Kyra turned to face her.
“Grandma,” Rho’naa said when she was close enough that others wouldn’t hear. “I’m afraid.”
“Of?”
“Not of what I will face on Euganta. I will accomplish my task or die trying. I’m afraid that I will fail to make my family and especially you proud of me.”
Kyra glanced around to be certain they were alone. Reaching out she cupped Rho’naa’s cheeks. “Granddaughter, you have no idea how proud I am of you. There
is very little you could do that would lower the pride I feel. Even though your parents do not like what I’ve molded you into, they too are proud.”
“Thank you, Grandma.”
“Now I’m going to tell you something that I will deny saying if you tell your parents. Spend time with your family, but reserve some time for you. Let your hair down, get drunk, get laid and enjoy yourself. When I was your age and we were first developing Teelan that is what I did.” Kyra leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “Now scoot. Your parents and sister are waiting.”
With a smile on her face and her grandmother’s words comforting her, Rho’naa rushed to the exit.
****
Just as she stepped out of the building that housed the dimension transmitter a man greeted her.
“You must be Rho’naa,” he said.
She studied him intently, but couldn’t put the face with a name. “Do I know you?”
The man laughed. “No, but you fit Kyra’s description well.”
“Ah. Then you know Grandmother.”
“I’ve spoken to her on the phone, but never met the old lady in person. And you know I say old lady with deep respect.” He stuck out his hand. “Name’s Earl. I’ll be flying you to Vegas. That is where you’re going isn’t it?”
Rho’na smiled. “Yes, but I can take a commercial flight.”
Earl grinned. “I don’t know what all you’ve been augmented with, but I do know this, you’ll never get through airport security with the hardware you have inside you. That’s why we keep a private jet here. I fly people like you all over the world.”
“Okay.”
“You’ll get there faster with me taking you and you won’t be asked a lot of awkward questions you can’t answer.”
“Point taken. Lead on, Earl.”
“They gave you an id card and a debit card when you arrived here on Earth, didn’t they?”
Rho’naa tapped the small clutch purse hanging on her shoulder. “Yep. Got it right here.”
“You’re all set then. Follow me.”
During the drive to the airport, Earl pointed to items of interest along the way. On the flight, he called attention to sights on the ground. You’re a regular tour guide, Earl. She gave a mental chuckle. They landed in Las Vegas and he taxied up to a private airport entrance.
“Have you ever been here before?” he asked while he held the entrance door for her.
“Nope. In fact it’s been years since I was on Earth. I’m here for two days shopping and partying. Kyra made reservations for me. I’m staying in a suite called the skyview at the Palmson.”
Earl whistled. “I guess you do have ample budget.”
“Why? Is the skyview suite pretty nice?”
They walked out from the other side of the building into the cab area.
“Yeah, you could say that. It’s eight grand a night nice.”
“Holy shit.” She clamped her hand over her mouth, but people still looked at them after her outburst.
Earl held the door while she seated herself in the back of a cab and gave the driver instructions. Rho’naa watched the strip absentmindedly still trying to digest the huge amount her room had cost.
She left the cab at the front door and proceeded to the check-in area. When she mentioned her name, the clerk abruptly became all smiles.
“Welcome, Ms. Sutton.” He snapped his fingers and a bellhop rushed forward. “William will show you to your rooms.” The clerk glanced around. “Will your luggage be arriving at a later time?” He raised one eyebrow.
“I’m afraid I don’t have any luggage. I’ve arrived here with nothing more than the clothes I’m wearing. I plan to go shopping later to remedy that.” She grinned.
“Very well. We have taken the liberty of furnishing the things we thought you might need and if there is something we have missed, please do not hesitate to let us know. As to the shopping, I’m certain you will find whatever you desire in our fair city.” He turned to the bellhop. “William, please escort Ms. Sutton to her rooms.”
In a daze, Rho’naa followed the man to a private elevator. She remained silent on the ride up, trying to absorb being treated as what she thought of as royalty. The elevator doors opened, across the small anteroom were large double doors. Her escort crossed the small room, placed a key card in a slot and swung one door open. He stood aside letting her enter the room. William strode across the floor and picked up a remote control unit.
“This unit controls the room’s features. Dimming and changing the color of the lighting.” As he spoke he pressed buttons and slides demonstrating. “There is a selection of music ranging from mild to wild.” Soft music from hidden speakers filled the suite. “It of course controls all of the televisions too. He picked up a small pamphlet from the table beside the entrance doors. “All of its functions are described in here. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask anytime during your stay.” He handed her the remote and key. “Enjoy your stay, Ms.” William backed out of the double doors and left.
As Rho’naa toured the suite, her eyes grew ever wider and she gulped several times. The suite was a study of splendor. The furnishings were made of the finest white leather and teakwood. The round bed was huge with a sky-blue coverlet and silk sheets. Thick soft pillows were stacked in one section. She chuckled when she glanced up at the mirrored ceiling above the bed. Gazing around she saw there were a lot of mirrors on the walls. Plush snow-white carpeting and gleaming tiles covered the floors. She crossed the room to the built in bar and discovered it to be fully stocked. A bowl of fresh strawberries sat on the counter. Next to them was a rich chocolate dip.
“Damn. Such opulence. I’m going to have a great time staying here.”
One wall of the bedroom area was composed entirely of glass with large glass doors in the center. Following William’s instructions, she moved a slide on the remote. She gasped when the glass transitioned from opaque to translucent. The view of the city from her location twenty stories up was breathtaking and so was the fantastic swimming pool located on the balcony on the other side of the wall. The opposite edge of the pool was made of glass and afforded a stupendous view of the city.
“Oh yes I’m going to have so much fun staying here. The only thing missing is a sexual partner to share this experience with.” She chuckled and recalled her few sexual adventures when she had gone home on her monthly visits. She had given up her virginity in the back seat of a car. Once she and Tylee had gone to a lake with two dates. She snuck off into the woods with her date and the end result was a bad case of poison oak rash on her legs, butt and back. My best experience was with a guy whose parents were away for the weekend. That time was very enjoyable.
Rho’naa gazed around the suite. “With this decadent setting, I’m certain getting laid will be no problem.”
Rho’naa spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening shopping. That night she readied herself to go bar hopping in search of a partner. The short lime green dress she wore set off her red hair and pale skin. It also left much of her thighs on display. The deep V of the dress and its cut lifted and pushed in on her breasts to form a deep well of defined cleavage. Satisfied with her appearance, Rho’naa rode down in the private elevator to start her evening. She drifted from one of the many hotel bars to another drinking and dancing, all the while searching for that special someone.
Late that night, she settled into a booth located in a dark corner of the Midnight Encounters bar. Multicolored strobes flashed on the dance floor while dim light barely dispelled the darkness in the remainder of the bar.
Drago increase vision acuity please.
Her pupils dilated and adapted. Soon she gazed around a bar that appeared bright as day.
Her attention shifted when a man approached and asked her to dance. He stood tall and slender, but not skinny. He had short blond hair and his eyes were icy-b
lue. After several fast and slow dances with Gerik, he escorted her back to her seat. She followed him with her gaze and watched him join another man at a table. Even sitting she could tell his partner was shorter and bulkier. The man had curly black hair and deep brown eyes.
Should I? She thought at the absent Tylee. Oh yes, I should just for us. She summoned the cocktail waitress. The woman followed her point and listened to her instructions. “I want a round for those two men, but you will bring them here to my table. Then go tell them the drinks are here, but they can only have them if they join me.”
The waitress smiled. “I don’t think they’ll argue with that suggestion at all, Ms.” She sauntered off the get the drinks and deliver the message. Gerik glanced over at her when the bar waitress delivered the message. He turned to his partner and said something. The two men crossed the room and slid into the booth on both sides of her.
“Rho’naa this is my friend Owen.” He made introductions. She shook Owen’s offered hand. “Usually the man buys the lady drinks,” Gerik said and chuckled.
“I’m different then the normal type of woman you encounter.” Rho’naa tilted her glass and sipped her drink before she continued. “If the two of you play your cards right you’ll find out just how different.”
“Meaning?” Gerik asked.
She ignored him and turned to Owen. “I’ve already danced with Gerik, but I haven’t with you. Would you like to?”
In answer, Owen slid from his seat and offered her his hand. “I would be honored.”
She turned to Gerik. “Keep our seats warm. We’ll be back in a little.”
As the evening progressed, she drank two drinks to each one they drank. Her speech became slightly slurred and a light giddiness tumbled through her.
“You’re getting a bit tipsy,” Owen said as she stumbled back into her seat.
“Maybe. but it has built up enough courage in me to make this proposal. I have a room upstairs. I propose to go up there and have a wild raunchy party all night with a lot of sex involved.” She hiccupped and smiled.
