Having no other ideas of his own, Richard went looking for the staff duty officer. He found him sitting at a desk piled high with old-fashioned paperwork. The staff duty officer looked stressed and haggard. Richard gathered it had been a rough night. When Richard reported to the staff duty officer, he handed Richard a holodisk.
“TAC Officer Myers left this for you,” said the staff duty officer. “He left with the last of your cohort’s troop shuttles about an hour ago.” The staff duty officer pointed to an empty office. “You can use the viewer in there.”
“The cohort’s already left, sir?” Richard said.
“That’s what I said, cadet,” snapped the staff duty officer. Then he seemed to catch himself. He added a little more sympathetically, “Sorry. It’s been a long night. I think today’s going to be even longer.”
With nothing to gain from further questioning, Richard went into the empty office and loaded the holodisk into the viewer. A hologram of a short, toad-faced man dressed in a black TAC officer’s uniform appeared. It was TAC Officer Myers.
“Cadet 832,” said the image in the hologram. “You’re to report to the tent-cantonment area and remain there until our return. The cohort’s DNA baselines are being done this morning. When I return, you’ll be transferred to the sophomore cohort. You’ll graduate with them as one of the new dragon scouts.”
The image of TAC Officer Myers took on a strange expression. “I’m doing you a favor, 832. ‘The One’ will chew you up and spit you out just like he has every other time-commando. Once ‘the One’ gets full control of someone, everyone they ever cared about gets hurt. Do yourself a favor and follow orders for once in your life. Anyone in his right mind can see you’re not equipped to be a wizard scout much less a time-commando. Your Power reserve is too small. You’ll just endanger everyone around you. As a regular dragon scout, you might stand a chance.”
A voice off screen said, “The last shuttle will be departing in five minutes, wizard scout.”
Richard noticed the clock on the wall in the hologram indicated zero two thirty hours.
“Roger that,” said TAC Officer Myers.
TAC Officer Myers’ image seemed to stare directly into Richard’s eyes. “The last shuttle’s leaving now. The Deloris Conglomerate has locked everything else down. Even the hover-tram has stopped running until the switch in security is completed. Don’t bother trying to hitch a ride to the spaceport. The cohort will be finished with their DNA baselines long before you can get there. And in case you’re wondering, the conglomerate is taking over the DNA Center as soon as we’re done. You’ll never be a wizard scout, 832. You can thank me later.”
The hologram disappeared.
Richard was speechless. He stared at the blank viewer for several seconds as he tried to assimilate the information from the hologram.
The DNA baselines aren’t supposed to happen for two more days, Richard thought. I don’t understand.
I don’t either, Rick, said Nickelo. All the other battle helmets are in the armory with me. Apparently, the security codes have been changed. Even the armorer can’t access the armory. The Deloris Conglomerate has taken over everything.
Maybe not everything, Richard said.
Richard rushed out of the office and went back to the staff duty officer. The officer verified TAC Officer Myers’ words. All transportation was shutdown. That included all flights, hover-trams, and even the airfield’s teleporter.
Richard wasted no more time with the staff duty officer. He rushed past the security checkpoints. The guards stared at Richard as he ran past, but they didn’t interfere. Apparently, their orders were to restrict access into the headquarters building. Since no one stopped him, Richard assumed their orders didn’t deal with people trying to leave.
Once outside, Richard took off at a run.
The tents are to your left, Rick, said Nickelo. Where are you going?
I’m going to find Sergeant Ron, Richard said. If anyone can find a way to get me to the spaceport, it’ll be him. Besides, Sergeant Ron owes me.
It was a fifteen minute run to hangar 1. Richard kept hoping some kind soul would pass by and give him a lift, but there was very little traffic. The few vehicles moving around the airfield were all emblazoned with Deloris Conglomerate insignias. None of them offered Richard a ride.
Nick, Richard said. How will the cohort be able to set up their shared spaces without their battle computers?
It can be done, said Nickelo. But it’ll be a lot trickier. Fortunately, we got a lot of the necessary prep work done yesterday.
Can you find out what’s happening at the DNA Center? Richard said. Have they started already?
I don’t know, Rick, said Nickelo. The security codes to the tele-bots have been changed. Access to the tele-network is currently being denied to all Academy battle computers. Jonathan and I are trying to break the security algorithm, but it’s pretty advanced. It might take us another thirty minutes to an hour to break it.
The situation appeared hopeless. Richard saw all his efforts during the last five years going down in a burning starship.
I swear I’m going to get Myers someday, Richard thought. He’s been out to get me since my first day at the Academy.
When Richard finally arrived at hangar 1, it was approaching zero four hundred hours. The situation didn’t look good. Several dozen blue-suits were scattered around the hangars within Richard’s visual range. He sensed several hundred other lifeforms scattered around the airfield with his passive scan. A hover-tank and two cats with Deloris Conglomerate insignias were facing hangar 1. The main gun of the hover-tank was pointed at the closed bay door of the hangar. A lone man sat defiantly in a chair by the door. Richard recognized the frequency of the chair’s occupant. It was Sergeant Ron.
Richard slowed down to a walk. He headed for Sergeant Ron. Before he got close, an officer in a blue suit stopped him.
“What’re you doing here, cadet?” said the officer. “I thought all of you were under arrest at the spaceport.”
“Ah… I was on guard duty last night, sir,” Richard said keeping a respectful tone. He figured it would do no good to alienate the officer right off the bat.
I’m proud of you, Rick, said Nickelo. You’re finally starting to use your brain.
The officer looked Richard up and down. “Well, you’re lucky. The rest of your cohort was caught trying to gain unauthorized access to the DNA Center. The security response team had to be activated to keep them out.”
“Was anyone hurt, sir?” Richard said still trying to sound respectful. “They’re my friends.”
The officer didn’t answer for a few seconds. Then he shrugged his shoulders as if coming to a conclusion. “What’s it matter? It’ll be on the news anyway. No one has been hurt so far. But, that may not last. The new spaceport commander is not as lenient as I am. That Academy commandant is as crazy as that old fool over there.” The officer pointed at the hangar.
“You mean Sergeant Ron?” Richard said.
“You know him?” said the officer.
“Yes, sir,” Richard said. “We’ve had dealings in the past.”
The officer thought for a second before speaking. “Then do him and you a favor. Go over there and talk some sense into the old fool He’s threatening to blow up the hangars if we get too close. Do you think you can convince him to let us in?”
The officer stared hard into Richard’s eyes. “Look, cadet. I don’t want to see anyone killed. We’re on the same side after all. But, there are people coming here who won’t hesitate to use each and every means to control this airfield. That means the hangars as well. If you can talk your sergeant into opening the hangars, I’ll do all I can to see he remains unharmed.”
“I’ll do my best, sir,” Richard said. Of course, he had no intention of doing any such thing. But, he did need to talk to Sergeant Ron.
The officer nodded his head and motioned to the guards nearby. They lowered their weapons. Richard started walking in the di
rection of the hangar door.
It was still dark, but the hangar’s security lights lit up the surroundings well enough for Richard to see. As he got closer, he made out Sergeant Ron. The old maintenance chief was sitting in a chair with his feet propped up on some kind of portable refrigeration unit. Sergeant Ron had a small can in one hand. He held a box with a series of buttons in his lap. Something seemed strange about Sergeant Ron’s eyes. When Richard drew closer, he saw the reason. Sergeant Ron was wearing sunglasses.
I calculate a ninety-two percent chance he really is a little crazy, said Nickelo.
I’d say it’s closer to one hundred percent, Richard said with a shake of his head.
When Richard was within five steps of Sergeant Ron, the maintenance chief raised his right hand to his head and lifted his sunglasses to peek underneath. He let the sunglasses fall back in place.
“Cadet 832,” said Sergeant Ron as he took a sip of whatever liquid was in the can he held.
“What’re you doing, Sergeant Ron?” Richard said figuring he’d start out slow until he got a feel for the state of the sergeant’s mind.
Sergeant Ron took another sip from his can. “Oh, I’m just enjoying the scenery and catching some rays.”
Richard looked up at the sky. Dawn was at least an hour away. The brightest light in the night sky was the double-star Omega Three located twelve light years away.
“Well,” Richard said trying to sound nonchalant. “I hope you have your sunscreen on. I’d hate for you to get sunburned.”
Sergeant Ron grinned at Richard. “You know, I like you, Rick. I have from the first time I met you.” Taking his feet off the refrigeration unit, Sergeant Ron said, “Have a beer? It’s imported from Strakos. I figured I might as well have the best tonight.”
“No, thanks, Sergeant Ron,” Richard said. “You know cadets aren’t allowed to drink except on pass.”
“Ah, yes,” said Sergeant Ron. “I remember. Did I ever tell you I could’ve been a cadet?”
Based upon his slight slurring of words, said Nickelo, I calculate Sergeant Ron is more than a little drunk.
Richard didn’t bother replying to his battle computer. He didn’t need a complicated algorithm to tell when someone had drunk a little too much.
“You might have mentioned it a time or two, Sergeant Ron,” Richard said with a grin of his own. Then he grew serious. “They’re going to kill you, Sergeant Ron.”
“I’ve had better men than those yahoos try,” said Sergeant Ron. “I’m still here kicking, and they’re counting rivets on the inside of their coffins.”
Sergeant Ron laughed as his own joke. Richard did not. He wasn’t sure the sergeant understood the seriousness of the situation.
“They think you’ve got the hangars booby-trapped, Sergeant Ron,” Richard said. “Eventually, they’re going to call your bluff.”
“Ha!” said Sergeant Ron with a wild laugh. “And I thought you knew me, Rick.” He stopped laughing and leaned forward in his chair. “I don’t bluff.”
Richard was shocked. How could Sergeant Ron get enough explosives to rig all the hangars? Richard wondered.
Beats me, Nickelo said. That’s what happens when you leave someone in the same position for decades. They learn how to work their way around the normal checks and balances.
“Sergeant Ron,” Richard said. “Do you mean to tell me–”
“I mean to tell you the first time one of these conglomerate goons tries an unauthorized entry into one of my hangars… boom!” said Sergeant Ron. He lifted the box off his lap. “And the firing mechanism is attuned to my brain frequency. So killing me will just activate the traps.”
“You’re crazy, Sergeant Ron,” Richard said after taking a moment to recover. He wasn’t sure what the maintenance chief hoped to accomplish with his ploy.
“So my wife tells me,” said Sergeant Ron. He gave Richard a wink. “Of course, it doesn’t hurt to be a little drunk either.”
Sergeant Ron got a quizzical look on his face. “What’re you doing here, Rick? You’re supposed to be at the DNA Center with the rest of your cohort.”
“Tell me about it,” Richard said. “Myers stuck me on guard duty last night. I didn’t hear anything about them moving out until a few minutes ago.”
“Hmm,” said Sergeant Ron. “That’s strange. The commandant found out last evening Councilwoman Deloris was reneging on her promise to let your cohort get their DNA baselines and graduate as wizard scouts. I guess the Deloris Conglomerate’s high muckity-mucks didn’t want to waste another year refining DNA gas before they got enough to do their own baselines. I’m assuming they decided to take the refined gas intended for your cohort. When the commandant heard about their plan, he opted to beat them to the punch. Chief Instructor Winslow and the commandant were going to get your cohort’s DNA baselines done this morning.”
“How’d the commandant arrange transportation?” Richard said. “I heard the conglomerate shut down all transportation systems at midnight.”
“Ha!” laughed Sergeant Ron. “The conglomerate couldn’t find their way out of their bed in the morning if someone didn’t pull back the covers to let them out.” He gave Rick another wink. “I helped with this one. Some of Commander Steven’s troop shuttles mysteriously had maintenance problems. They couldn’t leave until zero two thirty hours this morning. Coincidentally, the exact number of troop shuttles needed to transport the cohort was the same number that had maintenance problems.”
“Imagine that,” Richard grinned.
Sergeant Ron fairly beamed with pride at his handiwork.
“When did the commandant come up with this plan, Sergeant Ron?”
“Early yesterday evening, Rick,” said Sergeant Ron. “Which is why I’m confused you’re still here. TAC Officer Myers should’ve pulled you off guard duty. In fact, you should never have been put on it. Cadets are supposed to be exempt from extra duty the week of DNA baselines in order to make sure they’re rested.”
Richard’s dislike of TAC Officer Myers increased another notch. His TAC Officer had known what he was doing.
“Sergeant Ron,” Richard said. “I have to get to the spaceport. Can you get me a ride? Anything would do.”
“Sorry, Rick,” said Sergeant Ron. “I wish I could help, but the Deloris Conglomerate has everything locked down tighter than a rivet on a U.H.A.A.V. prepped for annual inspection. Besides, it wouldn’t do you any good.”
“What do you mean?” Richard said.
“Your cohort along with your TAC officers and the commandant are under armed guard outside the DNA Center,” said Sergeant Ron. “At least they were last time I heard. All local communications are being jammed now by the conglomerate.”
Richard worked through his mind trying to think of a way to get to the spaceport, but he could think of nothing. The situation looked hopeless.
Nick, Richard said hopefully. Any ideas?
Sorry, Rick, said Nickelo. I’ve got nothing. We’re still working on breaking the communications system’s new security program.
“You there!” came a shout from behind Richard. He recognized the voice of the conglomerate officer. “What’s he say? Will he stand down and let us in the hangars?”
“Sergeant Ron,” Richard said. “What’re you going to do?” He was worried about the old sergeant.
“Do?” grinned Sergeant Ron. “I’m going to follow my orders. The commandant told me to hold the hangars, and that’s what I’m going to do. The conglomerate’s got the upper hand now. But if your cohort somehow gets their DNA baselines, the balance of Power will tip in favor of the commandant. Even without their battle suits and weapons, a hundred plus wizard scouts are a force to be reckoned with.”
“Then what’s the commandant waiting for?” Richard asked. “The cohort’s already fully trained. They’re already dangerous.”
“What’s he waiting for?” said Sergeant Ron. “If you have to ask, then you don’t know the commandant very well, Rick. He wouldn’t risk
the lives of your cohort. Without their DNA baselines, they can die as easily as any other soldiers. The conglomerate’s massed firepower would make mincemeat out of them. The commandant would never take the risk.”
Richard mulled it over. Sergeant Ron was right. The commandant was too good of a leader to risk his soldiers’ lives needlessly.
Seeing no help from Sergeant Ron, Richard wished him well and headed back to the security officer.
“Sorry, sir,” Richard said. “No luck.”
“Well,” the officer said, “I doubted it would work. But it was with a try. I hate to kill needlessly.”
The officer eyed Richard. Then he motioned to one of his soldiers.
“Sergeant,” said the officer, “take a squad of your soldiers and escort this cadet to the brig.”
“A squad, sir?” said the sergeant.
“Yes, a squad, sergeant,” said the officer. “He’s a fully-trained wizard scout. Keep your weapons trained on him until he’s safely behind the brig’s security field.
“Yes, sir,” said the sergeant as he pointed his rifle at Richard. Another dozen soldiers mimicked their sergeant.
Richard knew he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Chapter 44 – Escape
_____________________________________
His room in the brig was clean but Spartan with only a bed, sink, and a self-contained toilet. The shimmer of a security field blocked the only entrance. Richard’s passive scan indicated the security shield was embedded inside the walls, floor, and ceiling.
Nick, are you there? Richard said.
There was no reply. Richard had lost contact with his battle computer the moment he’d entered the brig’s cell.
Hey, you, ‘the One’! Richard mentally shouted. I won’t do you any good if I’m dead. So, teleport me out of here, jerk!
There was no response.
Great, Richard thought. He doesn’t mind teleporting me halfway across the galaxy or between dimensions, but he won’t teleport me two hundred kilometers to the spaceport.
Wizard Scout (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 3) Page 43
