by K R Sanford
Hector took a long sip from his drink. Marco turned down the corner of his lip and looked at the tray the boy was holding between them. The boy smiled but his eyes held no life, they were cold and detached.
“The steward is one of us,” said Hector.
Marco raised an eyebrow. He brought his drink to the side of his mouth and said in a low voice, “One of us?”
The steward put his shoulder into Marco's chest and pulled the drink tray to one side. Hector looked down to the side of the tray then back at Marco. Marco caught Hector's cue and likewise looked down. When he did, he saw the steward holding a large caliber military issue. Marco froze. The steward slid the tray back over the weapon, then turned and slipped away.
“We don't want you to be the hero, Marco,” said Hector.
Marco's heart was pounding like a bass drum. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He turned to see who might be watching. His eyes darted around the room. He noticed Stokes seated in the corner of the room. Stokes was in a conversation with an Earthman dressed in an iridescent business suit.
A hotel attendant was roping off a pathway leading to the adjacent room. Businessmen and women were talking. Laughter was echoing inside the room and down the hall. Grantham was pointing to some detail in the model to Devin.
Clorissa was staring straight at Marco. She cocked her head and squinted with a quizzical look. Marco turned away and searched for the boy in the white steward's uniform.
“Steady on, Marco,” said Hector.
Marco's mouth was getting dry. He raised his glass to his lips and saw the young steward passing in front of the white draped window. The boy stopped to serve Frank Bradley. Frank Bradley chomped down on his molars and gave a suggestive twist with his body. The steward smiled. Bradley poked his tongue through his fat blotchy lips and spoke an unutterable sound.
The steward held his smile and started to pass when he stopped short. He slipped the weapon from under the tray, stuck it between the folds under Bradley's neck. A loud bang paralyzed the room. Blood sprayed on the white drapes then dead silence.
Bradley's body stiffened. His head tried to fly away in panic. His body held it firm. He was giving no way of escape. His legs crumpled and his body fell flat. His rolled out like a bag of jelly and his head cracked hard against the marble floor. Men and women screamed. The room erupted in commotion. Seconds later, a pool of blood formed under Bradley's head four feet in diameter. The blood congealed into a dark red paste. It continued to thicken while the body lay lifeless and dead.
The steward was nowhere in sight. Marco was numb. He turned to Hector. He tried to speak but his mouth and eyes were finding no reaction to the public execution. Marco looked down at the floor. He reflected on Bradley's attack against the Boyer's. He remembered the frightened expression on his daughter's face. He thought of the somber ceremony of the Vallian funeral and the nine dead. Hector took the drink from Marco's hand and led him out into the hall. The guests got ushered into the hallway by the army officers. The Brigadier General guarded the doorway.
The officials arrived. They met in an empty room, leaving Frank Bradley's body with a group of men in business suits and the hotel security. The Brigadier and the two army Colonels stood in front of the roped off passage to the adjacent room. The door to the room was now closed. A tall man in an iridescent suit was making an inventory of the items found in Frank Bradley's pockets.
* * * *
Governor Grantham dug his webbed clawed feet into the blue ocean sands of the Luxor Hotel. “I keep thinking one day the universe will learn to solve its problems without violence.”
“That's an age-old dream,” said Clorissa. “It’s a nice idea but until that time comes we have to look ahead and let our troubles fall away. The universe is too young to do things any other way.”
Clorissa looked out to the surf pounding on the shore. “I don't know,” she continued. “What happens when the natural growth gets threatened by disease? We remove it, sometimes with brutal amputation. This is to save the rest of the body. I once watched a surgery on a dog. The leg was so infected the dog needed his leg removed. The dog was so grateful to be away from the pain of the infection that he didn't care he was missing his hind leg. And, as it turned out, he was such a strong dog that it didn't take him long to adjust to the loss of his leg.”
“That surgery was on Ryan's medical cubes, the record is on mistreated pets. Was he a black dog with white markings?”
“Yes,” replied Clorissa. “It was a two-year old with a real nice temperament.”
“Yes, that's the one,” said Grantham. “I saw that.” Grantham smiled and bowed his head. Clorissa reached over and put her hand in his. They walked across the sands to the water's edge. As Clorissa's steps sunk deeper in the fine blue sand. Her female form accentuated next to Grantham’s steady steps. Grantham did not sink for his webbed clawed feet. He remained upright as he walked.
The silhouette of the alien couple against the red skies and the misty surf made a futurist image. They were an iconic image of power and beauty above the blue. They strolled along the sand to the white foam boiling up on shore. They stopped to feel the warm waters beneath their feet. Grantham slipped his arm around Clorissa's waist. They felt the slow hot wind against their bodies as they embraced.
C H A P T E R 14
_________________________________________
The Island Planet
Captain Marco W. Miller walked down the corridor of the Starship Exodus. He stopped where two military guards stood at either side of a doorway. He limped inside.
The room was a bright white gypsum alcove. The urn of the Amedan High Console was in the center. This was the chambers of Ambassador Gaff. He took a seat beside the Ambassador. There, he relayed all he could of his journey.
Together they spoke of the attack of Frank Bradley. They talked of the journey through the wormhole. They discussed the Emperor Lord Legion's temple. Marco described his fall down the stairwell. And most important, he shared the starlight vision of the beautiful city in the clouds.
The Ambassador glowed soft yellow. He spoke. “The Amedan High Counsel is busy with all known governments in the galaxy. This is a great achievement for our race. We do not condone violent sanctions against the enemies of a free universe. Still, death counts in the cycle of evolution.”
The Ambassador paused; his color changed to soft neon blue. “It was at the request of the Emperor that the termination of Frank Bradley get debated. Captain Clairy had a plan that satisfied the High Counsel of Ameda. Hector's representatives in the Interstellar Forces complied for the most part. The Emperor's request carried out his will to polarize the mistreatment of life.
That, my dear Marco, was the direction of a strong leader and the revolution of your people. Without the diligence of leaders like you, free civilizations would not exist. There may come a time when your involvement requires you to make a choice. You will get asked to join us in this work. Or, go into private life and take care of your personal responsibilities. I say this as your friend. I wish you well, Marco.”
“I don't have a family,” said Marco.
“You have a young daughter,” replied the Ambassador. “And I understand she remains a homeless victim of the attack.”
“I'm no one to raise a young girl,” said Marco. “Who do I have to help me with the needs of a child? No, I'm afraid it’s out of the question.”
“Being there is a start. You show her what value to recognize,” said the Ambassador. “You'll have help. There are families here that you admire. Seek them out and let them help you.
I've known you for quite some time, Marco. It has been painful to watch you over the years. You have suffered at the hands of your own people. Go back to Ameda. Find a home for your daughter. Get her started with each step.
Enough of my lecture, I do hope you take the time to enjoy the island paradise. The outer islands have so much to offer for a tranquil getaway.”
Marco smiled. “Okay, Ambassador, I'
ll see if the Vallians want to take in the sights. Thank you for all you have done. I will see you soon.” Marco turned to leave but stopped short, “Do you think the stars will ever return?”
The Ambassador’s core increased intensity, his bolts raced with excitement. “They are closer than you might imagine, Marco.”
Marco raised an eyebrow then turned and walked into the hallway. He started back to the bridge to meet with Captain Clairy. He stepped into the ship's magnavator and touched the sensor tile.
As the door hissed, the young man he recognized as the boy in the white steward's uniform walked past. He dressed as an army officer. Marco tapped the sensor and the door sprang open in time to see the adjacent magnavator door seal shut. Marco slapped his hand against the bulkhead and limped back inside.
The magnavator moved quickly. He leaned against the bulkhead and the magnavator stopped to the calm of a bridge on liberty. Marco blinked. He saw the young man in the officer's uniform greeting Captain Clairy. He straightened himself and took a breath. He waited for his anxiety to pass then stepped out of the magnavator and onto the bridge.
Clairy turned and smiled. The cool expression of the Captain’s face complimented his perfect row of white teeth.
Marco stepped forward and studied the young man’s uniform then stepped back. “What’s going on?”
“Captain Miller, I want you to meet a friend, Major Marty Stiller.”
Marco tilted his head and smiled. Major Stiller put out his hand and Marco took it.
“That was one gutsy mission you completed, Major,” said Marco. “You had to infiltrate Bradley’s ship then befriend him long enough to penetrate his security. You had to finish your assignment and escape without capture. I’m very impressed.”
“Thank you, Captain.” Major Stiller’s voice was soft and soothing. His face held small tight pores like white porcelain. His large saucer eyes were blue. His hair was fine and dark brown. A full wave fashioned over his forehead. “I thought one of my calls might have gotten decoded,” he said. “But that Marillian doctor was so rude; security had to keep tabs on him. They didn’t have time to finish decoding the outside calls.”
“There are a lot of calls coming in and out of a big ship like that,” replied Marco. “You had me worried when you showed up with that antique revolver. I didn’t know what to think.”
“That was Hector’s idea. He wanted to show you what’s going to happen and not get involved. I’m sorry, sir, but when Hector is in charge we know it’s going to get rough. He wants you to retire.”
Marco looked straight at Clairy. He raised a questioning eye.
“It’s a new kind of military with new kinds of troops,” said Clairy. “Let it go, Marco. We are quite capable of handling our adversaries. You’ve sacrificed enough. At the same time, you taught me how to be Captain of this ship. So, the fight continues.”
Clairy reached out a hand with a firm grip and said, “Thank you, Marco, with all my respects. I hope you find a better fight, one that will take you home.”
“That’s very kind of you. And, thank you for all your help. So, where do you go from here?”
Clairy replied, “The Exodus has its home port at Saddle Star Base. She will travel between here and the Corsi Star System. This is for as long as the Ambassador keeps his office with the ministry. Again, if you need anything, you know how to reach us.”
“I see,” replied Marco. “Then, I will be seeing you fellows soon. Good job, men.”
Marco walked to the magnavator. He hit the sensor tile. When the door hissed shut, he leaned back against the bulkhead and closed his eyes. One part of him he felt as if he had his final sendoff. But, in another, he thought life is not always cut and dry as the young officers perceived. In his gut was the feeling he would see these young men sooner than later. He shook his head hoping his feeling was one of those mixed up things.
Marco was back on the Island Planet basking on the beach of the Luxor Hotel. Birds were chirping. The warm ocean breeze rustled through the palm fronds along the white sands beach. The squawking sounds of blue macaws fighting in the background gave Marco reason to laugh.
He opened his eyes and watched a large wave curl into a tube. A native girl got swallowed up inside. The wave gasped and the tube blew spray over the break. The surfer reappeared in time to kick out through the clear blue crest. He watched as the girl glided back down into the yawn of the incoming swell.
Lady Lucia's mouth fell open. “Wow,” she said. “When Elsy sees this, she will absolutely insist we bring one of those surfers back to Ameda. They can show our people how to stand on the waves and surf. She will absolutely insist.”
Marco laughed at Lucia's imitation of the Queen then asked, “Do you have waves on Ameda like this?”
“I don't know if they're exactly like these,” said Lucia. “But yes, we have beaches that make waves for miles. I know one beach like that over the hills of Woodland Forest. They're not as big but they go much farther.”
“Really?” said Marco.
He looked at the dark skinned natives displaying their bright colored hover boards. He stood from the patio chair then turned to Lucia, “Come on, Lucia, let's take in the sights.”
He took her by the hand they strolled along the crowded boulevard. They meandered past the hotels. They strolled under the vine covered entrance to the Intergalactic Market Place. They ducked inside to escape the intense tropical sun.
They sauntered past the merchant booths. They stepped into a small cafe where they took a seat and waited for the native girl to return with a cool drink.
“How is it you never remarried?” asked Lucia. Marco looked into Lucia's green eyes.
Lucia continued. “You have a successful transport business and you have very influential friends.”
Marco shrugged. “I wish I could answer that,” he sighed. “I've been working on my ship. I haven't made time for anything, except for a short time with Shanna's mother. Women, need than that.”
“Sure,” replied Lucia. “Some need more, but not all. Isn't there someone back home?”
“If you're referring to Earth,” Marco shook his head, “I was there for five years and never found an interest.”
“What are you interested in?” asked Lucia.
Marco laughed. “I'll know when I see it.”
“It?' she said, “Marco, may I make an observation?”
Their drinks arrived and Lucia sat back in her chair and smiled. She took note of Marco soaking in the brown voluptuous figure of the native girl.
Marco paid for the drinks and thanked the girl. He smiled at Lucia and said, “You were going to make an observation.”
She waited for the waitress to finish recording the sale on his account. But, seeing Marco distracted with the native girl, she started to get up from her chair. She thought for a moment then sat back down. She reached for her drink.
“What were you saying?” asked Marco.
“Oh, it wasn't important,” replied Lucia with a hint of anger. She bit her tongue. It was important. She wasn't the one to tell him there was more to life than chasing back and forth across the galaxy.
She put her drink on the table and let her mind drift into the festive ambiance of the marketplace.
They sat listening to musicians lull the guests into an ancient tribal image. The drumming of hollow logs told the story of the young man and his beautiful bride. They were paddling to the other side of the island in a canoe to start the cycle of life. Only first, they must journey to the top of the mountain to appease the volcano god. In turn the god will show them favor all the days of their life, if they are faithful to each other.
“How long do you plan on being here in the Middle Corridor,” asked Lucia.
“Once we make the arrangements with the agents our payments will get recorded. Then we can take on passengers,” replied Marco.
“That sounds exciting,” said Lucia.
“It is fun,” said Marco. “But it does get to be routine
like anything else.”
“That right there, Marco.” Lucia held up her index finger and caught Marco's attention.
“I beg your pardon?” he said.
“I couldn't help notice,” replied Lucia. “Is there something other than transporting you might like to do? There must be something that doesn't get routine.”
“There is,” replied Marco. “But younger men are at the head of the line. No institution will grant me the kind of resources I need to travel the stars and locate new systems. I enjoy discovering new resources and new cultures.
Space is full of people working on their credentials. Many explorers hold facility positions. There are a lot of ships out there exploring with no corporate or government funding at all. They're traveling through the galaxy dreaming.
Most discover a mineral belt or an environment that will sustain a livable outpost. It's kind of crazy but exciting if you have the backing. I don't, and it's not likely I will with so much competition.
Then there's my damaged reputation.” Marco sighed and stared across the tropical garden to the center of the cafe.
“I’m sorry,” said Lucia. “I didn't mean to be discouraging.”
Marco shifted in his chair irritated. “Oh, it's not you. I'm forced into face facts by people who want to do my thinking for me. That's what gets me the most. Captain Clairy thinks I'm behind the times. He and his friend look at me like a relic. Hector, my lifelong friend, wants me to retire.”
“Hector told you that?” asked Lucia.
“Not in direct terms,” replied Marco. “But it's been coming.”
They sat in quiet. They watched alien tourists from every part of the galaxy. Finally Lucia turned to Marco. “It's too bad you couldn't get the Amedans to move the Sea of Glass for you,” she said. “Then you could explore the universe without leaving Shrine Lake Village.”
Marco thought. Looking at Lucia he said, “You may have something there. Chief Spierd discovers new things every day and doesn't even use the table. As a matter of fact, he's so attached to the Shrine he won't leave the planet.” Marco sipped his drink. “What do you say we take a look around?”
