by T. R. Harris
I know; Uion/Ve told me. Do you know how many times I have fantasized about gaining access to a Juirean bank vault? When I was a pirate in the Fringe, that was the ultimate goal; however, we never figured out how. They’re buried deep underground and with vibration sensors if you try to tunnel. And then, multiple security measures will collapse the shaft to the vault should one try to access it from the surface. And then from what I understand, the vault is also welded shut, since seldom is access required. The Juireans can cut the welds, but that takes time. He looked at Adam with sad eyes. I’m afraid our experience today will be long and boring, and just so we can be witnesses to protect our friend. Sorry I dragged you into this, but Uion/Ve insisted.
That’s fine; it beats sitting behind a desk. Besides, this is all for show. I’m sure Uion/Ve had nothing to do with this. He’s just making sure he won’t be held responsible. I don’t blame him, especially since he has to work with Juireans. I’m sure it’s just a power outage, especially after what you just told me about the security measures they have in place.
Let us hope so, for Uion/Ve’s sake.
Chapter 7
Adam stood with Riyad near the two-foot thick elevator access door, waiting as technicians worked the controls that would send them on their journey deep into the volcanic bedrock below the bank. Besides his curiosity, Adam was also worried. He had all his money in the bank, as did most people in Balamar, even though in truth, it wasn’t that big a deal. The Expansion guarantees all funds, and if by chance something happens to the credits, replacements get shipped in from one of nine Depositories located across the galaxy. It may take a while to get your money, but it will happen eventually.
As he waited on the technicians, his thoughts resurrected another bone of contention. He’d come to Navarus and the quiet beach town of Balamar to retire, to run a low-key bar and restaurant away from the hustle and bustle of the galaxy. He was now the Top Cop for a hundred worlds and the go-to guy when it came to any galactic crisis this side of the Fringe. It was a radical departure from his original intent when moving to Navarus. Of course, most of this was his fault. Retirement seemed like a good idea at the time; reality was a lot more boring. But Adam couldn’t help himself. He wasn’t truly alive unless he was on some desperate mission to save the galaxy from an assortment of alien—and sometimes Human—nasties. And in a place as large as the Milky Way, there was never a shortage of bad guys causing problems. For twenty years, he’d traipsed across the galaxy from one crisis to another. Hell, his adventures had even taken him to the Andromeda Galaxy, as well as alternative dimensions. The thought boggled his mind. If he hadn’t lived it, he wouldn’t have believed any of it was possible. But he had the scars—both mental and physical—to prove it was real.
The techs suddenly stepped back from the elevator, and the door slid open. Adam and Riyad entered the smallish compartment and crowded in with Uion/Ve and the Overlord, along with a new pair of techs carrying tool cases. More security? Different techs for different jobs? It made sense.
The elevator was moving now, and it wasn’t hard to read the grim looks on the faces of the bank officials during the three-minute-long ride to the bottom. The buildings were designed specifically to be theft-proof; this was the Juirean’s solemn promise to the Expansion. An Expansion bank had never been robbed. Because of that, Adam was confident this was simply a glitch in the electronics somewhere. Even so, Adam tried to imagine the type of operation that could tunnel through hundreds of feet of solid rock to reach the vault. And then once there, cut through three feet of reinforced composite material—the most advanced in the galaxy—and all the while without setting off the vibration sensors and other detectors set in place. It had to be a glitch. What else could it be?
The door to the elevator slid open, and the six people exited into a surprisingly narrow and musty smelling corridor. It was cold down here, prompting Adam to don his Enforcer jacket. Riyad was already wearing his.
Two more sets of doors had to be accessed by the techs before the party reached the main vault. After that, it was an agonizingly long and tedious process of cutting off the welds and programming the security box to accept the emergency access codes Overlord Andon provided. It took thirty minutes after leaving the elevator before the entourage finally accessed the vault.
A surprising intake of air rushed into the compartment, literally sucking Uion/Ve into the room. The alien grasped metal components using one of his four arms to steady himself. The only light in the vault came from the corridor until the techs and Overlord activated powerful hand-held flashlights. What the beams revealed was a large room with a variety of conveyors, shelves, and robotic arms, all facing a large central open area free of equipment. Adam found it odd there was so much wasted space in the center of the room. The void appeared to serve no purpose.
That’s when Adam saw Uion/Ve nearly collapse to the floor. Only a solitary arm held him up, as his round head surveyed the interior, a look of utter shock on his face. Something wasn’t right, but since Adam had no idea what was normal, he didn’t know how to react.
He looked to the Overlord and techs for guidance. The workers hesitated only a moment before moving into the vault, having removed sensing wands from their tool chest. They began sweeping the interior, leading to the huge open area in the middle. For his part, Overlord Andon wore a look of suppressed anger. Adam had enough experience with Juireans to read their subtle emotions. This one was fighting mad. But he wasn’t shocked, not like Uion/Ve.
Riyad crowded past Adam and entered the vault, following Andon and the techs. Uion/Ve still clutched a metal support, his face frozen, his once purple skin now a light shade of pink. Adam followed next.
It only took a moment for Adam to realize what the fuss was about. The void in the center of the room was in the indisputable shape of a sphere. Adam then noticed how the gentle arc continued into the base and ceiling of the vault, cutting out perfectly smooth concave bowls, slicing through the thick composite walls, and into the basalt bedrock. He didn’t have to be familiar with what the vault should have looked like to understand what had everyone so upset.
Something had removed nearly eighty percent of the volume while leaving behind a forty-foot-in-diameter void.
Instinctively, Adam knew what happened. The bowls in the floor and ceiling were identical to what was left after the miniature blackhole consumed Wolfgang Stimmel. But how could a blackhole form in a room five hundred feet below ground?
Then another idea popped into his mind, but before he could articulate it, Riyad was tugging on his jacket sleeve.
“Lerpiniere fields,” Riyad whispered intensely.
Adam frowned and shook his head. “Lerpiniere fields didn’t do this.”
“I know. This place was hit by a teleportation field, like the ones service modules use. It’s the only explanation.”
Adam nodded. That was his second conclusion. “Yeah, I can see that. But how? And what do L-fields have to do with it?”
Riyad flashed is trademark white smile. “It means every damn bank in the galaxy is going to need L-fields to protect their assets against teleportation theft. And that, my friend, is going to make us rich, richer than we’ve ever imagined.”
“But we don’t know how to make Lerpiniere fields.”
“I know … but we know people who do.”
Chapter 8
What followed was a circus of activity, as workers from topside began shuttling down through the elevator, bringing with them tools and parts. They pushed past Adam and Riyad and set to work with quiet efficiency repairing the equipment in the vault. Their movements were smooth and practiced. They’d done this before.
Uion/Ve was speechless, wallowing in disbelief in a corner the vault until Andon told him it was time to leave. The technicians had work to do, and the observers were in the way.
The ride to the surface was made in silence, but by the time they reached the top and moved back into Uion/Ve’s office, the bank manager had found
his voice.
“I do not understand what has happened,” he squealed. “We have been robbed of nearly our entire inventory, and by some mysterious means. The scandal of this will destroy us all. What are we to do? How was this even possible?”
The Overlord was surprisingly silent and stoic. Adam studied him.
“He knows,” Adam stated, still looking at the Juirean.
“He knows what?” Uion/Ve stammered.
“He knows what happened. And this isn’t the first time, is it?”
Uion/Ve gasped. “That is impossible, Adam Cain. No Expansion bank has ever been robbed. If so, I would have known.”
“Tell him, Andon.”
The Juirean glared at Adam, but then reluctantly shrugged. “It is true.”
The statement hit Uion/Ve like a brick. “True? Other banks have suffered the same fate?”
“Four others,” the Overlord stated. “This is the fifth. It is why I was already en route to Navarus when you reported the abnormality.”
“And why you already had the equipment stacked up outside to repair the vault when you got here,” Adam added.
Riyad was shaking his head. “Are you saying you knew the bank would be robbed? Why didn’t you do something to stop it?”
“Because we still do not know how the thefts have been accomplished. You are thinking it yourself: What technology could withdraw a volume of material from far below the surface. Even knowing what was to happen would not have prevented it.”
“That may be true,” Riyad said. “but how did you know the Balamar bank was next?”
“A pattern developed, reinforced by past evidence. Signs were detected. This facility is also the largest to be attacked. I sent repair equipment ahead on the chance I was correct. Even so, I only arrived this morning for the inspection, four days after the event.”
The Juirean then stepped closer to the pair of Humans, leaning over them in the intimidating way of their race. It didn’t affect Adam or Riyad.
“You must be sworn to secrecy as to the event. Knowledge of the others has already been suppressed; it will be the same here. News of this cannot be revealed. This is Expansion business, and should others learn of the vulnerability to the credit system, it would cause catastrophic disruption.”
“I understand,” Adam said. “You’re making good on the funds, I’m sure.”
“I came with replacement funds already. The vault will be operational in two days, and the credits replaced. It will be as before.”
“Except someone knows how to access your vaults remotely,” Riyad threw in. “And as you say, they’re getting bolder, attacking the larger banks. Your Depositories may be next. If that happens, it will be impossible to keep a lid on things.”
“A lid? Ah … yes, a lid. I trust you will assist with that, Mr. Tarazi. I saw you and Cain conversing in the vault. Do you have an insight into this event?”
“Probably not more than you,” Riyad began. “I’m sure you’re familiar with teleportation—”
“Yes, on a scale such as used by the Aris service modules. But that is of limited range and self-contained. Do you know of other applications?”
Riyad shook his head. “No, I don’t. This is something new. But we know people who might be able to shed some light on what’s happening. We have access to the mutants, Panur and Lila Bol. They’re here on Navarus. They might know how this was done.”
“I am aware they are here, as well as your relationship with them. Will you seek their expertise on my behalf?”
“We’ll seek the information on our behalf, and then let you know what we find out.”
As with all senior Juireans, Andon wasn’t used to being treated with disrespect, especially by a Human. He bristled but maintained his composure. “Very well. Any assistance … will be appreciated.”
Adam suppressed a grin, knowing what a struggle it was for the alien to ask for help from the Humans.
“In the meantime,” Adam said, “is there anything we can do to help with your investigation at the bank? I have forensic teams, along with some of the best laboratory equipment money can buy, thanks to the Expansion and the Union.”
“That will not be necessary. I have my own. A simple inquiry with the mutants will suffice.”
“You say you’ve been following these events for some time?” Riyad continued. “Any idea who’s behind it?”
It was the Juirean’s turn to exude confidence. “Yes, we do have a party under suspicion.”
Adam was surprised to hear it. “You do? Who? Maybe we can help with that part. I have sixty thousand deputies under my command.”
“The Authority has that aspect of the investigation under control, Mr. Cain. The Credit System is not without resources.”
“You can track the credits, can’t you?” Adam said with a sly grin. “I always thought you could.”
Adam knew that Juirean credits were made using some of the most secure processes in the galaxy. They may look like thin credit cards, but each chip held a myriad of encrypted data. He wouldn’t be surprised if every transaction in the galaxy was being tracked by the aliens.
“The process is much more complicated than you suspect, Adam Cain. But I can say all credits placed within the System are scanned and recorded, with that data then transferred to the Regional Depositories. Prior to these thefts, there have been accidents within the vaults that have caused credits to be damaged or destroyed. When this happens, replacement chips with the same coding are printed and sent out. There can only be one original chip, making counterfeiting impossible. But I also have the answer to your unspoken question. We do not know of every transaction that takes place. That would be impossible to track since nearly all transpire outside our scanning system. Only when a credit chip is deposited within our banking system are we able to record its location and movement.”
“And some of the missing credits have been showing up in your other banks?” Riyad asked. “Is that how you’ve tracked the thefts?”
Andon looked at Riyad with suspicion. “You are either very deductive, or you think like a criminal, Mr. Tarazi. That is precisely how we determined the target facilities. However, even with that knowledge, we were not able to prevent this theft. But we are getting closer. Mr. Cain, be assured, your assistance in tracking the culprits is not required. The perpetrators of these crimes will be apprehended, and soon. What we seek from the mutants is information on how widespread is this technology, and can it be duplicated? If so, then we must take steps to improve security surrounding the vaults. The mutants may be able to help in that regard, as well. Your access to the mutants is all that is required of you … and your regional security patrol.”
“We’re called Enforcers,” Adam corrected with pride. “And we’re much more than a regional security patrol. We’re a friggin’ army.”
“I do not fully grasp the terminology used nor the emphasis placed upon it, but I assure you, Adam Cain, your Enforcers will never be considered an army, not by Juirean standards. Now leave us. I have bank business to conduct with the manager.”
Chapter 9
Adam and Riyad left the bank and drove to the Enforcer base. Panur and Lila had a laboratory there, but not the one before the expansion began. Now they occupied a fortified complex near the center of the base, complete with its a security force and multiple underground facilities. This is where they kept the completed Formation, the ancient device that billions of years ago made advanced life in the galaxy possible. For the past two years, the mutants spent nearly every waking hour studying the device, along with all the wonders they were learning of the ancient Aris.
The facility had become the galaxy’s foremost repository of Aris documents and artifacts, with the Union and the Expansion helping with the acquisition of the items. Through their police powers, possession of Aris artifacts became illegal, and confiscations—with minimal reimbursement—were happening across the galaxy. The empires understood the dangers these ancient remains could hold, from the Dark Mat
ter Collectors to the Formation itself. They didn’t want to take the chance of another unknown device popping up and catching them off guard. They trusted the mutants to warn them of any such threat and to take action to head it off. Only Panur and Lila were capable of fully comprehending what the Aris had achieved.
The mutants were always in their lab. They never ate nor slept, and the only company they needed was each other. As always, Adam was stunned by the beauty and grace of his daughter, Lila. She was half Human and half Formilian, and luckily had taken after her mother in the looks department. Her immortal, mutant genius traits didn’t come from either of them. Instead, that was the product of three billion years of Aris manipulation of DNA. Adam didn’t like the Aris much, but he did acknowledge that when it came to Lila, they’d done a pretty good job.
He and Lila embraced warmly. Adam hadn’t been to the lab in a couple of months and was glad to see his daughter again. Even Panur was decked out in his macho TeraDon Fief body, chisel-jawed and dashing. Lila preferred this iteration of her paramour more than the bland, grey master for which he was better known. Adam preferred the grey version. As TeraDon, Panur wasn’t only immortal and a genius, he was also drop-dead gorgeous. That combination would intimidate even the most secure male.
“Any progress on tracking down the DMCs?” Panur asked.
“None so far, but I’m pretty sure John Graham is still in the Zone,” Adam said to the mutants. He and Riyad gathered around one of the ubiquitous worktables in an equally ubiquitous workroom. “And so far, no demands.”
“Does that worry you?” Panur asked.
“Not really. It just means he doesn’t know how to use them as a weapon. Otherwise, he’d be holding the threat of dark matter bombs over our heads until a deal was worked out.”
“You mean he’d make us an offer we can’t refuse?”
Adam grinned. Although he and Panur had had their differences throughout the years, the mutant was one of only a handful of aliens who fully embraced Human slang, mannerisms and pop-culture. It had something to do with his genius, as he was able to learn everything about a race and have it handy for instant recall.
