Smuggler's Return

by Frank Carey

  "Mistress?"

  "I want to know about everything within ten miles of these coordinates."

  "Yes, mistress."

  "Lucien, where did you get these?"

  "Chik gave them to me. He said Marta came into his tavern with a group of people dressed in black jumpsuits. They ordered a delivery to those coordinates. He said she looked a little loopy."

  "Aphrodite's Kiss?"

  "I think so."

  "Damnedest thing," the admiral noted. "Why Earth? Is this just a transfer of material?"

  The aid returned and whispered something to the President. "Thank you," she said. She typed commands into the keyboard in front of her, causing the room's view screen to activate. A map appeared before windowing and moving to a corner, several more windows appeared, each with a document in it.

  "ValiCorp?" Lucien said while he walked over to examine the paperwork. "Incorporated in Australia. Specializes in deep mining and unconventional well drilling. They have a special permit for a mantle piercing at those coordinates."

  "Yes, we hired them to do an exploratory hole to see if we could tap into the mantle for geothermal generation. We have dozens of operations like it operating around the globe at any given time.”

  "Nancy, did Losi send the specs for the weapons system?"

  "The Can Crusher? Yes, she did. Computer display Can Crusher specifications. Authorization Nettles alpha-one-three."

  They all looked at the view screen.

  "How much did they want to charge for this?"

  "Five billion credits," Lucien noted. "Let's see... Satellite laser bore, package delivery system, and package." He quickly read off how the package worked

  "Then we don't have a problem. Our patrols and satbots would pick up a laser drill satellite operating from orbit and destroy it. We have the specs for the package and its delivery system so the same would hold true the moment they were put into orbit."

  Lucien walked up to the screen and manipulated the document images. "I don't think they're planning on taking this thing anywhere or putting anything into orbit."

  Jewel walked up and looked at the screen. "Lucien, what do you see?"

  "This document details the bore hole they drilled and this document details the size of the bore hole the satellite would drill during weapons deployment. They're the same. I think they plan to blow up the Earth." He moved another document into place. "This is the bore schedule they filed a few days ago. If they are still following it, then we have twelve hours before they pierce the moho discontinuity."

  "Why is that important?" Jewel asked.

  "The system requires close proximity to the inner core for maximum effectiveness," Chief Downing explained. "The only way into the mantle is using a laser drill to chew through the moho. Once through, the package can easily deal with mantle material."

  "What this means is we have a minimum of twelve hours before launch.”

  President Nettles chewed her lip, then came to a decision. "Cassie, do we have enough for a search warrant?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Get on it. Wake up a judge and get me a paper. Debs, I want you to put together a team. Who's on scene at Darwin?"

  "Colonel Reese. He's top-notch, ma'am."

  "Make him and his team prime, it'll save time. Admiral, I want your forces on alert in case these people try to launch. And General?"

  "Yes, ma'am?"

  "I want your forces on alert just in case we need you. I know, I know, Cassie, EDF is for external threats, but I like to know they're there."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Madam President, we'd like... We need to be there,"

  "I agree. Debra, how long do you need to get a team in the air?"

  "I can have them in position in three hours."

  "Admiral?"

  "We'll be ready."

  "General?"

  "We'll be standing by."

  "Lucien? Get your people together. You have three hours. Colonel Reese will relay you the coordinates en route."

  "Copy that."

  "Lucien, be advised. Even though we know Marta's in there, we can't guarantee her safety."

  "I understand. The lives of seven billion people outweigh the life of the one. She knows this. I know this."

  "Good. Dismissed, all. Time to save a planet."

  Chapter 12 - Trip to Earth

  Alex sat at his desk and stared at the computer screen. He marveled at the amount of money sitting in the hundred or so bank accounts spread across the League. Tregga had fulfilled his part of the bargain; now, it was up to Alex and Adrestia to fulfill theirs.

  "Sir, this is the captain. The shipment has been loaded."

  "What about Hera and her group?"

  "They are boarding as we speak."

  "Good. Launch as soon as they are aboard."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Computer, initiate secure link with Simpson Desert Facility on Earth."

  "Working..."

  "Simpson."

  "This is Alex. Get me Monroe."

  "One moment, sir."

  "Alex?”

  “Monroe, where are you?"

  "About to launch. We have the equipment and the good General McMurphy. We should arrive on schedule."

  "I just went over the plan. You want to attach the package to the drill on the last run, correct?"

  "Yes. I want to deliver it to the mantle the moment the drill reaches breakthrough. Has the sentry arrived?"

  "Yes, it is parked outside the perimeter with its cloak running."

  "Good. Have the other operatives been briefed?"

  "Yes."

  "And the regular staff?"

  "Completely unaware of what is planned."

  "Good. Anything else?"

  "No. I'll keep you posted. Simpson out."

  "Computer, close connection, then get Hera in here."

  "Working... Ms. Hera has been informed."

  A knock on the door several minutes later announced the arrival of Hera. "Come."

  The tall, willowy assassin walked in and closed the door behind her. "Hey, Alex."

  "Hera. Have a seat. How did it go?"

  "Excellent. We have the General snoozing in her cell."

  "You need to get the codes from her immediately."

  "Why?"

  "We got word that the batch of Aphrodite's Kiss you used was botched. It has a real short half-life. I figure you need to get the codes before we arrive."

  "What if we don't?"

  "Then we're royally screwed. Speaking of screwed. Did you and your sewing circle go off-script?" Alex asked.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I have it on good authority that you and the girls played a trick on Prince Lucien and his children. Is this true?"

  "Maybe?"

  He felt the vibration of the ship taking off. The inertial dampeners and gravity generators were good, but he was better.

  "Let me be more specific. Did you leave a note for the Prince and have Marta visit the kids while dropping off a video?"

  "Yes."

  In a single breath, she found herself with a sword to her throat with a very angry Alex holding the handle. She had forgotten how dangerous Alex could be when provoked.

  "Never go off-script when working one of my jobs, understand?"

  "Sir, it will take them days to sort everything out, and by then, we will have met our objective."

  "Hera..." Alex put the sword down and leaned back against the desk. "Prince Lucien is a very dangerous elf. I was hoping to just have him search for his wife and not tie her to the package until it was too late. Your hatred of men may be our downfall."

  "I don't hate all..." She stopped when Alex held up an index finger.

  "I read your dossier. Every one of your marks were male. Every guy you ever dated has gone missing and is presumed dead. Pieces of your father have been found on five planets. You have been diagnosed with a deep-seated, almost pathological hatred of the opposite sex. You make black widow spiders look like cuddly
life-partners. Do I need to go on?"

  "Hey!"

  "Silence! Go and get the codes. Remember, no harm is to come to the General. Understand?"

  "Yes, sir," she hissed.

  "Go! Now! Codes!"

  She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Alex to ponder what else could go wrong.

  ###

  After the Southern Cross landed, Alex headed into his portable office inside one of the road trains to make a call to the Simpson Desert facility via sat phone. "This is Alex. What is our status? What? When? Is this confirmed? Dammit. Call me back when you have confirmation and details. Alex out." Alex glared at the commlink and growled, "Dammit, Hera. I don't know if I should get you help or throw you out an airlock."

  "Sir, this is the lead driver. Equipment and passengers are loaded."

  "Good, get us the hell out of here."

  "Yes, sir."

  Alex sat back as the giant semi headed south to the middle of the Simpson Desert. Once underway, Alex poured himself a drink before sitting back down and opening a folder.

  "Love the ride," Tregga said as he sat down on the other side of the desk.

  "Tregga, how nice to see you. Come here often?"

  "You amuse me, elf. I like that."

  "Good. I'm flattered," he said as he got the demon a glass of water. "So, what brings you to my humble truck?"

  "I was planning on meeting you at the facility, but a little bird told me about troubles your organization is having back on Ventos Prime. I thought your people had everything under control."

  "We do. Hera went off-script a small amount, but analysis of her actions show little or no effect on the overall plan."

  Tregga looked at the elf over his glass. "You had better be right," the demon said. "Your life depends on it." He set his glass down and disappeared.

  "I hate when he does that," Alex said as he went back to reading his reports.

  ###

  Unlike the trains that traveled these roads in Earth's twentieth and twenty-first centuries, these trains made use of repulsor fields, shields, and fusion power plants to travel the well-groomed roads at speeds in excess of 300 kph. Thus, the three trucks made short work of the 2400 km distance, arriving at the facility in under eight hours.

  "Sir, we're here," the driver said over the intercom.

  "Good, begin unloading." He switched channels. "Hera, this is Alex. Get your tail in here, now!"

  "Yes, sir," she said before he cut the connection.

  "Good, she sounds worried."

  There was a knock at the door. "Come."

  She walked in, closing the door behind her. "You rang?"

  "I just got confirmation from our headquarters on Ventos Prime, which is being evacuated as we speak."

  "Evacuated?"

  "Yes. It seems you took a bat to a very large nest of mean, nasty, vindictive hornets. Now, we have R-Sec aware of our little club, which means OffSec and EarthSec are aware of it as well."

  "Sir, I had nothing..."

  "Do you think Security Chief Netalla is stupid? Marta and four coworkers going missing is one thing. Throw in a doctored vid and a Dear Mortimer note and you raise hackles. My plan hinged on the disappearance of both Marta and the System being discovered after Earth is destroyed. Your stunt led to someone doing a deep search. Now, they know about Adrestia and the operation."

  "You must be mistaken."

  He turned his monitor around so she could see what he was looking at. It was a room with a lot of bodies, bodies of people she knew. "This is from a Ventosian news feed. Authorities report a mass poisoning at Nico's. The mystery is why only the wait staff were affected. None of the non-elf staff, nor any of the patrons, were affected."

  Hera fell into a chair. "Emergency protocol?"

  He nodded. The details are sketchy, but I think it was in response to the arrest of Jericho."

  "Jericho? Is he..."

  He nodded again. "R-Sec somehow traced Marta's disappearance to Jericho. They arrested him and someone pushed the button. Hera, we have to face the possibility that Adrestia is compromised beyond the point of no return. At least the money is safe, and we're safe. The others back on Ventos are dealing with the situation the best they can."

  "What have I done?"

  Alex said nothing. Finally, he asked, "What of the codes?"

  She looked at him, shifting back to her normal, arrogant, psychotic self. "She gave them up readily. I've transmitted them to the drill control room."

  "At least we have that. Have General McMurphy transferred to a holding cell where she can sleep off the effects of the Kiss. I want the facility on alert and the corvette launched. I've got a bad feeling about this.”

  Chapter 13 - Grendel

  Nels held her in his arms, saying nothing as her shaking subsided. "Doesn't this bother you?" she asked as her tremors ended.

  "If they are innocents, then I grieve, otherwise, my only concern is your safety and preventing this from happening again. Whoever did this is evil and evil pisses me off."

  "Gren, how are you holding up?" Neta asked as she and Losira walked up.

  "I'm fine now that the shaking stopped. I apologize..."

  Neta took Grendel’s hand in hers and held it. "Don't apologize. You are seeing a part of the job that I had hoped to spare you from ever experiencing. How are you doing, Nels?"

  "I'm angry. Very, very, angry,” he said as his chest and eyes pulsed deep blue.

  "As we all are. I sent a preliminary report to the Prince via Earth Security, so he knows as much as we do. Gren, speaking of knowing, the techs need your help with the computers."

  "Yes, Auntie. Thanks Nels," she said as she kissed him on his cheek. He released her, and she headed off to join the techs.

  "Brother, your thoughts?" Losira asked.

  "Someone killed all these people remotely for fear they would talk. The very thought that someone could do this makes my skin crawl."

  "Confirmed. We found the activator in one of the offices next to a video monitoring system. We also found an explosives detonator nearby, but it was incorrectly wired."

  "Did they try to use it?"

  Losi nodded. "It would have dropped the entire building into the basement if it hadn't been a dud."

  Nels stood up, threw his hands in the air, and let loose a scream which would have frightened a banshee while his chest crystal strobed at some impossible frequency. Finally, just as Gren ran in and put her arms around him, he stopped, staring into the distance as if he were defiantly waiting for some deity to dare answer his challenge. "Forgive me for allowing my emotions to run amok."

  Gren hugged him.

  "Gren, did you find something?" Neta asked.

  "Sort of. The data banks are cooked beyond saving. It's as if someone melted them. I did find a cache of backup data cubes in a fire safe. I've forwarded them to cryptology for decryption.”

  "Well then, all we can do is wait," Neta said.

  "Look, we should get out of the way. Why don't we adjourn to the castle and have a hot meal. Chef is always on call. We can compare notes while we eat."

  "Works for me," Nels said.

  Gren nodded.

  "Good. Our conveyance is outside."

  ###

  "That was delicious," Gren said as she sat back in her seat. "What is it called again?"

  "Chicago style pizza with mushrooms and pepperoni," Losira explained. "Chef trained at several pizzerias on Earth and this dish is his favorite."

  "Gren's right, it is delicious. My compliments to the chef," Nels said.

  A flash of blue light interrupted their conversation. Nearby, Anne, Randy, Shenda, and Christa appeared. Shenda ran over to the table "We found something, My Queen."

  "I don't understand," Losira said.

  "Let me," Christa said as she ran over and placed her computer where Losi and Neta could see it. Gren joined them. "Chief Netalla, your techs called me when they had problems decrypting the drive. We were able to get at the d
ata where we found this," she said as she pressed a button. An image appeared on the screen.

  It was Tregga when he visited Nico's.

  "By the gods, is that the demon Cleth?"

  "No," Shenda said. "I killed Cleth and its other half, Hernog. This is a new demon."

  "Great," Nels said as the siblings grabbed slices of pizza. "I hate demons."

  Grendel looked at the picture and frowned. "Who's Cleth?"

  "A demon who once inhabited Shenda, Christa, and their brothers."

  "Aunt Losira!" Shenda exclaimed.

  "Actually, it inhabited Shenda," Christa reminded everyone. "The rest of us were just along for the ride."

  "Christa!" Shenda said with a scowl.

  "Agent Grendel Tavish, I would like you to meet my nieces, Shenda and Christa," Nels said. "Over on the couch, scarfing pizza, are my other siblings, Anne and Randy. Everyone, this is Grendel."

  "Hi," Grendel said.

  "Hi," the others replied.

  "So, are we talking about a demon like the devil?" Grendel asked.

  "No," Losira explained. "Our demon was an ancient non-corporeal life form that was split into two parts, Cleth and Hernog, each with greatly diminished powers. Their home planet exiled both of them to this part of space to spend eternity roaming a plateau on a planet not far from Earth. Josiah Muntz and his merry band captured one half--Cleth--and implanted him into Christa and her siblings."

  "Why?"

  "So we could control him," Shenda said, "and give Muntz a weapon."

  "Muntz sounds unpleasant."

  "He was," everyone in the room replied.

  "Gren, the six of us, and our absent siblings, were genetically engineered for a specific task by Muntz," Anne said between bites. "We all have a special place in our hearts for the ex-director."

  "A very dark place," Shenda added.

  "We just think you should know this shit if you're going to become part of the family," Randy explained.

  Nels choked explosively.

  Gren smiled as she ran over to render aid to the neo while Losira and Neta stood back and watched.

  "I think they make a cute couple," Neta noted as Losira's comm went off.

  "Excuse me," the Queen said as she stepped out of earshot to take the call. She returned a few minutes later. "Well, that was interesting."