by T. R. Harris
The pilot Kankus directed the trio to a gate leading to Ruszel’s current residence—one of the largest, if not the largest, residence in the entire subdivision. A camera attached to a long support extended out from the security wall next to the gate and scanned the transport from both the driver and passenger sides.
“Kankus, is that you?” came a disembodied voice from hidden, stereoscopic speakers.
“Yes, my friend. I have come to pay you a visit.”
“And who is that with you?”
“Fellow travelers who are intrigued by your tales of adventure; they may even wish to profile you in the Library.”
Kaylor wasn’t surprised by the effortlessness of the Tel’oran’s lie. Merchant traders and pilots were often quick with their tales, a necessary talent when negotiating entry—or exit—from difficult situations.
“Please enter, Kankus. I will welcome the diversion.”
The gate silently slipped to one side and Kaylor drove the transport up to the front portico of a fabulously ornate building. With such a variety of different habitats found throughout the galaxy, one being’s mansion could be another’s waste dump, yet even by Kaylor’s Belsonian standards, this structure was massive and impressive. How the Senior Pilot came to afford it was still a mystery to both he and Jym, their only clue being Kankus’ mention of his fortune and spaceship coming as the result of a single fare. That fare had to be Riyad Tarazi, Kaylor reasoned, and if the Human had been carrying a wealth in native currency on his mission—as were they—then the source of Ruszel’s newfound gains became obvious.
Kaylor had been very slow at learning how to use his ATD effectively, and the fact that he and Jym were on a separate starship from the rest of the team meant that they had to learn their lessons remotely. This hindered Kaylor’s progress even more. And yet the single-most important ability of the telepathy implant proved to be the detection of energy weapons, along with their subsequent disarming. This talent the two aliens—Kaylor included—had mastered, which gave the diminutive Jym his often reckless confidence in confronting overwhelming force.
Kaylor and Jym looked at each other, communicating the silent acknowledgement that there were multiple flash weapons located throughout the structure and grounds, with most gathered in a hidden circle around them. With Ruszel’s new wealth—and the questionable means in which he acquired it—Kaylor understood why the Tel’oran would be paranoid of visitors. Security was expected, and the former pilot had the means to afford the very best.
Ruszel greeted them at the wide double entrance to the home. He was a green-skinned creature of average build, with skin displaying knobby welts on his narrow face like other Tel’orans. His three guests exited the transport and walked the short distance up a series of steps to the landing outside the entrance.
Ruszel grasped the arms of Kankus and squeezed them vigorously. “My friend, I am delighted to see you,” he said with genuine emotion. “I find it surprising that I miss my old companions in the Pilot’s Guild, yet after a life of travel among the stars, even this fabulous habitat can appear staid at times.”
His pleasant demeanor changed abruptly as he turned his gaze to Kaylor and Jym. “And I see you have brought me two imposters, enemies whose intentions must now be discerned.”
Immediately, ten Tel’oran guards swarmed out of the house from behind Ruszel and from around the corners of the building. They each held MK-17’s leveled at the two aliens. The pilot stepped up to Kaylor, assuming the taller Belsonian to be the leader of the pair.
“Why have you come? I have scanned your images and you are of species located from within the Expansion. What business do you have with me?”
“They said it is about the spaceship you recently acquired,” Kankus offered, moving up to stand next to Ruszel.
The pilot nodded. “I was expecting this, and that is why I have spies located throughout the port area, including my old friend Kankus. He will be handsomely rewarded, which will encourage others to protect me as he has.”
“We are not your enemy, Senior Pilot Ruszel,” Kaylor said with confidence, knowing that even as he spoke, Jym had already disconnected the power packs from the rail systems of the flash weapons aimed at them. Kaylor and Jym carried flash weapons as well—now the only ones still operating within the compound—and the overly-confident Tel’orans had yet to take their weapons from them. “We are friends of Riyad Tarazi, and we are here seeking information of which you are exclusively the holder. You may wish to lower your weapons and have the three of us retire to another location for a more private conversation.”
Ruszel did not appear surprised by the mention of the Human’s name. His entire life had been altered by the brief five-day encounter with Riyad Tarazi; it was inevitable that others may either question his gains or seek more information about his encounter. And with the recent events sweeping the Nebula, the window for such a confrontation was narrowing rapidly.
“I will entertain your presence as long as you reciprocate with information of your own. I have nothing to hide; I have done nothing wrong in acquiring my gains.”
“We are not here to take anything from you, Ruszel Crin, yet this is not the proper venue for this conversation.”
“Agreed; enter my home, yet leave your weapons with my guards. And please be assured that you will be under constant scrutiny while we are together. Kankus, you are to remain with my guards; I will speak privately with these beings.”
Kaylor and Jym were led into the breathtaking great room of the home, with its soaring ceiling and vast wall of glass to the rear affording a magnificent view of the nearby snow-capped mountains. They sat on a semi-circle of cushy sofas; Ruszel offered them neither food nor drink.
“You have come under deceptive means. What is it you want?”
“We need more information about the location of our friend Riyad Tarazi, as well as the location of the planet Elision.” Kaylor watched Ruszel’s face for a reaction at his mention of the planet Elision, the hidden and near-mythical homeworld of the outlaw Kracori race. He detected no change in the Tel’oran’s countenance. Either he assumed Kaylor and Jym would know the truth, or something else was at play.
“The location of Elision is no longer a secret within the Nebula, yet you still appear to believe it be so. Perhaps your own information is out of date?”
“We have been traveling from the planet Formil. Are there new developments concerning the Kracori?”
“Indeed,” Ruszel said, appearing to revel in the questioning looks on the faces of his alien guests. “The Kracori have announced to the galaxy the location of their homeworld. They also know of the impending attack on the Nebula by the Human forces and have begun to solicit allies to repel such an attack.” He paused to let the impact of his statement to sink in. “What do you expect to do with what little additional information I may have regarding the Human Riyad Tarazi? You have traveled a long distance for very little gain.”
Kaylor considered which approach to take with his next statement. He was not sure whether the Tel’oran was friend or foe at this point. He couldn’t risk revealing too much until he knew for certain. He looked around at the fabulous room where he sat. “All you have here is a result of your interaction with Riyad; we can all agree on that?”
“Yes,” Ruszel replied quickly. “He rewarded me and Canos for our assistance. We did not take this from him.”
“We understand that, and Adam Cain is forever grateful for that assistance.” Kaylor saw a beacon of recognition at the mention of the name Adam Cain. This would add to Kaylor’s own claim of credibility. “We are aware that he was taken to Elision. How do you feel about that?”
“Feel? I am saddened,” Ruszel answered. “It was revealed to me and Canos that the Human was to experience intense suffering during his stay. Yet even in light of his impending demise, he sought to insulate us from the wrath of the Kracori.”
“So you can say you owe your life—as well as your fortune—to Riyad Tarazi?”
“I understand where you intend to take this conversation,” the Tel’oran said, a tight frown appearing on his knobby forehead. “We have debated among ourselves—between Canos and I—and have decided that it was Riyad’s own actions which placed us in such jeopardy. The fact that he subsequently sought to save us is a measure in his favor, yet it does not completely absolve him of responsibility.”
“That, too, I understand,” Kaylor said. “And yet it has all benefitted you to an extreme degree.”
“That is true. And yet now there is a terrifying time coming to the Nebula. My wealth will allow me to escape the brunt of it, yet not so for the rest of Nebula.”
“This conflict was coming anyway, Ruszel, and without the generosity of Riyad, you—as well as your bloodline—would have been caught up in it without recourse.”
“What do you want me to say, Belsonian?”
“We seek to know whether you are a friend or a foe of Riyad Tarazi?”
“It is hard to be friends with Humans, yet if I had to make a choice, I would say I am a friend. I hold no animosity towards him.”
“Good! That is what we need to know,” Kaylor said with emotion.
Jym jumped to his feet suddenly and blurted out: “We are here to rescue him!” Kaylor recoiled and sent a stern glare at his companion. “I am sorry Kaylor, but we are wasting time.”
“Rescue ... from Elision? That would be suicide.” Ruszel said, a smile crossing his face. “How do you propose to do this?” He seemed almost amused at the absurdity of the concept.
Kaylor gathered his thoughts before speaking again. “We are the vanguard of a team—a team of Humans and Formilians—with the mission to rescue Riyad before the Human attack.” Kaylor knew that the Juireans would arrive at Elision before the Humans, yet he also knew that this information was highly classified. He would let Ruszel go on believing that it was the Humans that the Juddle Nebula had to fear most, and not the Juireans. “What we are seeking from you is your assistance in our endeavors.”
“Assistance ... by what means?”
“You have been to the Dysion Void and to the very region around Elision. We need you to do what you did for Riyad, serve as our guide and pilot—”
“Ridiculous!” Ruszel shouted. “You expect me to guide a team of Humans and other beings into the very heart of Kracori space, and at a time when the entire Nebula is beginning to align with them against the Human threat? I now have the means to comfortably avoid the coming conflict ... and you expect me to risk it all? Thanks to your Riyad Tarazi, you do not have enough ruiens available to make me even consider such an undertaking. I will draw you charts and provide other insights, yet I will not be accompanying you on your journey. Is that understood?”
Jym snorted loudly. Kaylor and Ruszel watched for a moment as the tiny bear began to pace the room. When he said nothing, they turned back to one another.
“You owe everything you now have to Riyad Tarazi, even your life. How can you let him suffer in a Kracori prison when you have the opportunity to join a team that can save him?”
“As I have stated, I am saddened by his circumstance, yet even if I had the willingness to join your quest, I have grave doubts as to its possibility of success.”
“You mentioned that the Kracori are now in the process of soliciting allies in their war with the Humans,” Kaylor said. “Is Tel’or among the supporters?”
Kaylor noticed the pilot hesitate before answering. “It has not been decided, yet the possibility is growing stronger with each passing day. I do not know how much experience you have had dealing with the Humans, but from my brief experience with Riyad, I can say they are a savage and dangerous race who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. I truly believe that the entire Nebula is now at risk, as do many of my fellow Tel’orans. Yet either way, I will be unaffected. I will simply leave the Nebula until the conflict is concluded.”
Kaylor attempted a smile. “Yes, Ruszel, I too, have had experience with the Humans, and far more than you. They are often misunderstood and frequently underestimated. Yet I have found that they often do the things they do because they have been forced to, not because they want to.”
“In the end, that does not matter—”
“We are wasting time, Kaylor!” Jym suddenly shouted, while lifting a heavy metal lamp and holding it threateningly in Ruszel’s direction. “Let us just take him!”
Stunned only momentarily, Ruszel stretched out a wide grin. “Put that down,” he ordered. “You are now threatening me within my own residence.” His expression turned more serious as he looked back to Kaylor and withdrew the MK-17 flash weapon from its holster around his waist. “In light of your companion’s rude behavior, I believe I will rescind my offer of charts and other assistance and insist that you both leave immediately. I will have my guards escort you off my property.”
Kaylor remained seated, with a calm unconcerned expression on his face. He slowly nodded. “I agree,” he said, rising to his feet. Ruszel stood as well, a smug look on his face with the weapon still aimed squarely at Kaylor’s chest. “I agree,” he repeated. “We must take him now; we have no more time to waste.”
The comment caught Ruszel off guard. “The two of you are crazy; I will call my guards and be within my rights to shoot you down where you stand.”
“Take your weapon, Jym, and stand by the door. I’ll release the lock when you are ready.”
Ruszel’s mouth fell open as his eyes grew wide. He watched in horror as Kaylor turned his back on him and went to stand at the end of the long sofa where Ruszel had been sitting. “Call your guards now.” Kaylor commanded.
“Did you not hear me? I said I could kill you myself … and I would be within my rights.”
Kaylor turned and took a step closer to the pilot. Ruszel raised the flash weapon, pointing it directly at Kaylor’s face. “Go ahead then, kill me,” Kaylor said calmly.
Anger flared up in Ruszel. He squeezed the grip of the handgun even tighter, yet he did not pull the trigger.
“Do it!” Kaylor yelled, taking another step closer.
Finally, Ruszel fingered the trigger, and as Kaylor was expecting, nothing happened.
A look of utter shock crossed Ruszel’s face. He began to finger the trigger even more until he pulled the weapon back and checked the battery level. It was full.
Kaylor had had enough. He stepped forward and pulled the MK-17 from Ruszel’s now weakened grip. He expertly twisted the weapon around in his hand until he held it firmly. Next he pointed it at a faraway wall and pulled the trigger.
The now fully-operational flash weapon discharged a bright ball of blue-white electricity, illuminating the room and slashing against the target wall with a sharp crack. He then turned the MK back on the pilot.
There was banging on the main door to the great room, a door that Kaylor had locked with the help of his ATD as soon as they had entered. A faint click was now heard as Kaylor released the lock with a command of his mind.
A flood of Tel’oran guards poured into the room. These were skilled operatives, and not simply armed starship pilots. They acquired targets for their weapons almost immediately—and suffered the same shock and confusion as Ruszel had when their MK’s failed to launch.
Jym swung the heavy metal lamp down on the arm of the nearest guard, dislodging his weapon. He then scooped up the gun and pointed it at the handful of guards approaching him. They didn’t hesitate, fully convinced that their weapons were inert—for some strange reason. Jym pointed the gun upwards and launched a bolt into the ceiling. The guards stopped in their tracks.
Having seen Jym’s weapon discharge, most of the guards now resumed the futile triggering of their own weapons once again. Finally, realizing that Kaylor and Jym had the only two working MK’s in the room, the guards dejectedly lowered their weapons and stood waiting for commands from the two intruders.
Kaylor turned to Ruszel. “Most structures like these have some sort of secure room, where valuables are
stored, or as safe place against intruders.”
“Are you really here to rob me?”
“No, of course not,” Kaylor said. “It is just that we need to have a safe place to lock away your guards so we can get away. Otherwise we will have to kill them all.”
A nervous murmur spread through the ranks of the guards, along with the old pilot Kankus.
“I would prefer not to have to do that.”
“I say kill them, kill them all so they won’t talk or follow us!” little Jym said while pointing his weapon up at the head of the nearest guard. The towering Tel’oran backed away in fear; Kaylor saw the look of unbridled satisfaction cross Jym’s face. He was finally having his moment....
“I have such a room,” Ruszel said in a panic. “In fact, I have many such rooms in this large estate. Please do not kill my guards.” He then locked his eyes on Kankus, who was cowering towards the back of the crowd of bodyguards. “Kankus you can kill ... for bringing the two of you into my home. I would feel no regret about that!”
“We’re not going to kill anyone,” Kaylor said, beginning to grow annoyed that the situation had come down to talk of mass murder, “. . . unless we have to. Now Ruszel, please lead us to these rooms, rooms large enough to accommodate all your bodyguards—and Kankus.”
********
Half an hour later, after locking the guards away in a large room with food and water to last for three days, Kaylor, Ruszel, as well as an immensely pleased-with-himself Jym, were back in the transport and heading for the spaceport two hours away.
“You know you cannot force me to help you,” Ruszel said.
Kaylor smiled. “You are right. We cannot force you, but I’m sure Adam Cain will.”
“Adam Cain? He is the one the message I relayed was intended for. It is he who is leading the rescue effort?”
“That is correct. And you would be wise not to anger that particular Human. He almost single-handily brought down the entire Juirean Expansion and now has the Kracori race—as well as your Nebula—fearing for its very survival.”
