Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 13–16 (October 1997).
I know aliens. They’re my specialty. But even the best of us make mistakes, right?
I was tired too. We had been flying hard for seventy-two hours straight. Dtang gripped the ship’s one small steering wheel, his ebony knuckles showing the tension of his tight grasp. We were almost there, which was good, we had both missed two sleep periods as we neared our destination and the ‘energy pills’ were beginning to lose their effectiveness.
Kragon had chosen his booty planet well. A large loose asteroid field completely encircled the one lone planet and the star it orbited, and most of the asteroids were only a few dozen meters in size. Too small for any maps, but large enough to shatter your shields, and then maybe your hull. If there were any seeking mines, and knowing Kragon there were, we would have to fly through at top speed to avoid their scans. Which is always inadvisable in the middle of an uncharted asteroid field.
But there was the promise of treasure.
“I’m hungry.”
I looked over at the hulking form. Dtang was big even for a Hollith. In the dim glow of the lights from the console, his dark skin was barely discernible from the space that shined through the port side window next to his head and pointed snout.
“We’ll be in the middle of those asteroids in a few minutes. Can’t you wait?” No doubt my exasperation carried over into my voice.
The huge Hollith bared his fangs at me. So, I figured he couldn’t wait.
“How about a little specialty from Earth?” I asked tiredly, hoping he would decline.
A low growl rumbled from him as he used a huge hand, one of four, to scratch the side of his face.
“What this specialty?” He snarled questioningly.
“Peanut butter sandwich. Sticks to your ribs. Good protein actually.”
“Hmmmph! Never heard of this food!” His stomach growled momentarily. A sound like a low-level nuclear explosion.
“Yes, Dtang needs something to fill belly,” The large red eyes turned towards me. “Make me this Earth specialty. And,” he added with a pointed claw as I tiredly got up. “Dtang real hungry, want it really stick to ribs.”
Holliths were not known for their manners, but I needed him. Captain Kragon had just kissed this universe good-bye.
Dear old Kragon. That Pirate of pirates, Cutthroat of cutthroats, (well, you get the picture) had finally bought the farm. Probably a blaster to his back, knowing the multitude of enemies he had. Yeah, there wasn’t a Trader or Pirate that he hadn’t either cheated or robbed in this quadrant of the galaxy, not to mention the less savory organizations such as Planetary Governments, Royal Houses and Intergalactic Corporations. Actually, it was more surprising that he hadn’t been killed years ago.
However it happened, Kragon had spilled the beans on one of his major treasure hoards. Such a deal.
But that meant, I knew, a number of other ships filled with his former enemies were blasting their way to the same destination. Naturally, I was willing to share. It’s just that I couldn’t trust some of these other low-lifes who were heading for the same destination.
Now, I’m not a pirate, far from it. Besides, it wasn’t really stealing. It didn’t belong to anybody at the moment. I’m closer to an Independent Trader, though I don’t really fall into that category either. Let’s just say I’m a Galactic Opportunist. And goodness knows there are plenty of them, for someone who knows what he’s doing.
Which I do, most of the time.
Anyway, I wouldn’t take it all, just enough to see me through a few decades of easy living. Problem is, not everyone is as generous as I am.
So, I hired Dtang. He could handle himself pretty well, as long as the odds weren’t more than, say, eight to one.
I stumbled back to the small kitchen and had the computer make a sandwich up, the way I like ’em. See, I’m almost addicted to the stuff. I eat it every day. I crave it. So, I lay the stuff on thick. And because he was bigger than me, well, I instructed the computer to make it about three times the size of a normal sandwich.
But I had forgotten how Holliths eat. If you can call it that.
As I sat back down in the darkened forward section next to him, I handed the two pieces of bread stuffed with an inch of the thick brown specialty.
He took it with his lower right hand and stuffed the entire thing into his mouth!
My eyes opened fully as I watched in horrified fascination.
He started chewing, at first, with rapid, appreciative motions. Seconds later the muscles in his cheeks began to bulge as they began to work in ever slower motions as that sandwich began to adhere to his mouth’s interior. Strange noises began to come from somewhere deep inside his throat.
It was then that I remembered that Holliths don’t have noses, like normal aliens, they have to breathe through their mouths. And poor old tired Dtang was going to need a breath soon.
And wouldn’t you know it, right then, the scan alarm went off. We were on a collision course!
I noticed the first asteroids go by our view ports.
Dtang steered calmly around the first few. But his chewing motions got slower and slower as his eyes widened.
I didn’t start to get nervous until he stood up in his chair, his ebony face a little paler as he tried to chew and breathe. The look on his ebony face was enough to freeze my blood. But still those four muscular arms gripped the steering wheel.
With the alarm blaring in my ears I decided to take over the wheel.
I couldn’t even pull one of his fingers off the wheel with that death grip of his! I looked into his strangled face. I had no doubt he was going to suffocate before he could swallow, or we were going to smash into a million pieces.
I began to change my opinion of peanut butter.
* * *
“I have a ship approaching at maximum speed!”
Natalie Bronde walked over and peered down at the instrument in front of the young officer.
“They are traveling at a very high rate of speed. Easily beating us to the target,” the junior officer replied matter-of-factly.
“Put them on-screen,” she ordered.
The main screen came alive; in the center of the star field a ship came into view. The body of the ship emphasized how sleek and fast she really was. As the small crew watched, something amazing began to happen.
The ship veered drastically. And then it began to roll continuously, first in one direction, then another.
“He has inadvertently entered a thick portion of the asteroid field.”
The large reptilian Captain joined them with those words. His massive hands stroked the green scales of his chin.
“They’re flying a little hot to be in the middle of an asteroid field.”
Now the ship on the screen began to veer rapidly as it evaded the thick population of asteroids. Rolling, it flew up and over one asteroid, then breezed around another, and then flew precariously close under a third. The ship was still flying, rolling and swerving at a blinding speed as those watching began to grow dizzy.
“They are very courageous,” the junior officer said with unabashed awe.
“I have never seen such magnificent flying in all my years as a raider,” the deep voice of the captain said with admiration.
“Looks like he’s drunk,” Dran Rork said simply.
The First Officer was the same alien species as the captain. He looked at the newest crew member of the Impaler. “Natalie, do you have an ID on this ship that is trying to beat us to Kragon’s planet?”
Eyeing the alien pirate evenly, she paused before speaking.
“Hran,” she said to the young officer who had first alerted them. “Run a check.”
As first one name, and then three more identifying the ship came across the console, Natalie looked back on-screen with both contempt, and a rekindled hatred.
The ship on-screen righted its flight with a sudden jerk, and then headed straight for the Impaler.
“Helm! Hard over!” The Captain screamed.
Grabbing the corner of the equipment to keep from being thrown bodily across the small bridge, she looked over at the Captain.
“They can’t possibly know we’re here. We are still cloaked?” she asked.
As the turn neared completion, the ship they were viewing rolled upside down and then veered off in a direction opposite to its original direction.
“True. I think it was nothing more than coincidence.”
“Shall we go to red alert and destroy them ship to ship?” Dran asked with obvious enthusiasm.
All eyes returned to the view screen where the ship was rapidly growing smaller.
“We outgun them easily, though they definitely can outrun us,” the Captain thought out loud.
“I suggest we let them pass, let them get into orbit first, and then attack them on the planet. We’ll have surprise on our side,” Natalie added with emphasis.
“Yes, yes. I do not relish fighting a ship with such a spectacular pilot at its helm. If they can shoot half as well as they fly…they could be more of a match than we want.” Captain Sarec said with a nod.
Dran snorted angrily as he walked quickly away.
The ship on-screen finally pulled into a tight turn and returned to its original course. Only a slight rocking of the ship spoke of its not being on automatic pilot.
Natalie half-smiled/half-snarled with remembrance as the ship on the screen grew smaller.
* * *
Dtang was wheezing horribly through his pointed teeth. Brown peanut butter clung in gobs inside his cavernous mouth. I could tell, my face was inches away. And mine were one pair of hands out of three pairs grasping the wheel as we tried to right the ship again. I had decided that I had better help him steer, just in case he suffocated in the middle of one of his strangled maneuvers. But now we were through the worst of the asteroid fields, and Dtang had almost chewed his way through the thick muck.
Hollith breath mixed with peanut butter will never be bottled.
I swallowed queasily.
As Dtang managed a final, huge, gargantuan swallow, his gasping breaths returned to a semblance of normalcy. I fell back into my chair. It was then when I realized how badly my stomach had cramped. I needed the toilet desperately, but I waited for Dtang’s reaction before I made a move.
He was silent for only a few moments when he slowly turned those burning red eyes on me.
“WATER!”
I jumped up immediately and got him some. Right after my trip to the bathroom.
There’s nothing worse than an angry Hollith. He slugged it down with a single gulp, swishing it around his mouth to loosen up the last clumps of that Earth delicacy. He opened his mouth as he handed the empty glass back.
A healthy belch erupted. He smiled very strangely, as only a Hollith can.
“One more peanut butter and Dtang will be full. Get it!” I again jumped up. “Good Earth food” were his parting words.
Believe me, I had the computer make the next one with a little less peanut butter.
We found the small planet close into the star’s system, well inside the ring of asteroids. A quick scan showed we were the first. I had never doubted it, the Lightning’s Thunder Star engines are the fastest known in this part of the galaxy. This year, anyway.
The ship’s scanners soon found the faint trace of electronic equipment. No doubt these would be automated guarding devices to keep the treasure hoard safe while Kragon was away. Which he was now, permanently.
Dtang landed on a small plain near our target. We would more likely get by the main defenses on foot than by ship. My hand-held scanner began blinking rapidly as I put my hand up. This would be the most dangerous part.
Successful pirates like Kragon usually had several treasure caches hidden away, no need to put all your gold bars in one basket, so to speak. But each would be guarded by the most sophisticated weapons systems, and Kragon, with all that money flow, would keep them upgraded with the latest military-grade hardware available.
It was common knowledge that most never made it to an Andarian’s gold cache. But I am better than most.
We had almost made it to the clearing when I held my hand up for a stop. The clearing was the most obvious path to the cave the ship’s sensors had picked up. And being so obvious, the defenses should be easiest to pick out. Also it’s so much easier to miss things, such as automated weapons, in the thick of a jungle if we tried to make our way that route. Yes, the clearing would offer us our best chance at detecting Kragon’s hidden toys.
I pointed to the scattered bones amidst the tall weeds about two hundred feet away.
“Weapons?”
“Booby traps,” I whispered back.
Dtang looked confused, which was almost a natural state for Holliths.
“What is this Booby trap?”
I adjusted my scanner and frowned. There was some sort of interference, and it seemed to have natural sources. My heart rate increased as I worked its settings more. There were mines; that was obvious from wide dispersal of bones.
I easily picked up the gun emplacements in the thick vegetation around the clearing. They were too obvious and I quickly hacked into each of them ( they were older systems), not disabling them, they probably had a subroutine to detect such a blatant attack and override that. No, I just added a few things to their sensors so we could walk by. But an overconfident gold digger would now keep going, not looking further for the mines still hidden.
“It traps Boobies who stumble into it.”
“Oh,” Dtang nodded, and then looked away still confused. Holliths aren’t known for their brains. Just their strength.
But then I made out a pattern. I still couldn’t pinpoint the mines under the ground, but I did notice vaguely, through the planet’s internal interference points scattered throughout the clearing, spots that had just a twinge of denser interference. I picked up a large rock and handed it to Dtang.
“See that patch of wildflowers,” I said.
Dtang nodded.
“Throw it there.”
Dtang reached back and hurled. It landed squarely. And just nanoseconds later the ground erupted with an ear-shattering explosion.
“OK, walk closely behind me and we’ll make it through.”
We began our winding path through the clearing with confidence, and it was our quick progress that saved us. We were almost halfway across when the gut wrenching sound of an Andarian mortar lobbing into the sky came to our ears. But the explosion came too fast. Both of us looked over at the flaming overgrowth of vegetation.
“Jungle has grown over that emplacement,” I said, tuning my sensor to detect this “third” layer of defense.
I found it…rearming.
“MOVE!!!” I screamed.
With my eyes glued to the scanner we danced through the clearing like a couple of intoxicated and grounded hummingbirds. Within seconds the sound of approaching, massive death was on its way. Only twice did I jump madly sideways as we came too close to one of those “spots” in the interference. By then the whistling death approaching from above was almost deafening.
But we both just managed to leap over the fallen carcass of a massive jungle tree on the other side of the clearing as the explosion ripped the clearing with its earth-shaking blow. Shrapnel cleared the green overgrowth all around us many feet on into the jungle. I looked over the tree trunk and found the side facing the clearing chewed almost beyond recognition from the tiny shards.
“The first one would have gotten us if that tree’s branches had not grown over its path,” I said simply.
Dtang’s rapid breathing was his only response.
“We should be fine until inside the cave; from there it gets nasty. I would expect at least one attack droid, and a number of other toys waiting for us. In the walls, the floor, and even the ceiling of the tunnel. And there will be charges over the cave entrance, it’s a given. To seal in any intruders, but it’s also the oldest trick in the book.” I winked.
“And then the treasure room?” Dtang huffed.
“We’ll cross that problem when we get there,” I grimaced. But I had come prepared as I patted my utility belt. I pulled out my favorite device, though it would not be needed this day.
“Ever see one of these?”
“What this is?”
Smiling, I rolled it in my hand like a baseball.
“These are hard to find, Dtang. Quite illegal, you know. I picked it up at the edge of the quadrant as my payment from one of the last government jobs I did.”
Dtang’s ebony face still showed doubt.
I put it back in its pocket. “I use it when fire-fights get too dangerous. It has the remarkable ability to drain off the charges of any type of blaster within a radius of fifty meters.”
Dtang smiled widely, baring his fangs. “Dtang like this thing.”
‘So did I,’ I thought silently as I started my scrambler. There were two more automated guns on each side of the cave entrance. One by one the lights on my scanner showed them going silent. ‘But the one drawback to my weapon’s Drainz device was that once it was used, it took it almost two hours before it would be ready for another use. So I could use it only once, in essence.’
Dtang and I scrambled forward. I chuckled out loud as we passed by one of the silent gun emplacements. But I pulled up short of the tangle of vines that draped the ground of the dark entrance. My scanner showed the expected charges above the cave entrance, except they were no longer functioning. This puzzled me but a moment, and then I just accepted this ‘gift’.
“It is safe?” Dtang asked.
“All clear.” I whispered confidently.
We pushed some of the vines away as we stepped among the tangled mesh. And then it felt like something was pulling my leg clean off. I didn’t even have time to scream.
I hung there upside down staring into the red eyes of Dtang. He was hanging upside down helplessly right beside me. And if his leg felt like mine, he was none too happy. Nor was I, at being caught by so low-tech a trap. Still, it was temporary.
“So,” he grunted. “Dtang thinks we must now be Boobies.”
“It’s all right, we’ll just cut our way out. Nothing major.” I said. Irritated, I reached for my blade.
But the surprises were just beginning.
Two surly looking Andarians appeared moments later with blasters set to kill. Not a good sign. Quickly they cut us down and led us into the dark interiors of the caves. And then in some deep dark orifice of the caverns, we came to him.
Kragon!
I started to have trouble breathing.
He looked bigger in real life, standing there almost as big and muscular as Dtang. Kragon was Andarian, so short, gray fur covered his mighty torso, except for his shoulder-length jet black hair.
“So, what have we here, Razon?” Kragon growled.
“I do not recognize them, sir. They are none of your known enemies.”
Kragon stepped right into my face.
“Who are you, human? And why did you come here to die?”
“Wrong turn?” I half answered.
He pulled out his blaster and ground it into my ribs. And then he smiled, which I didn’t like either.
“So, a petty thief. Wanting my treasure after hearing about my most unfortunate demise. Right, human!”
I looked at Dtang, who shrugged and rolled those red eyes.
“Well, I figured you wouldn’t be needing it anymore…” I grimaced against the blaster he pushed harder into me.
“Well, puny human. I have staged this little party to rid myself of a few of my enemies. I counted on their blind greed to bring them here after I leaked out this location. And if the mined asteroid belt didn’t get them, or some of my other devices, they would find me and my crew waiting here for them. You have ruined only some of it. For which you will pay.”
“Kragon!” His first officer growled, pointing to the tunnel.
Kragon turned to another Andarian who had just stepped into the circle of light.
He raised the clenched fist salute before his bowed face.
“Our sensors report that several ships have just ended a battle above the planet. Two ships were destroyed.”
Kragon grinned. “Two less of my enemies.”
The guard continued. “One has landed. It is the Impaler, and the crew is even now coming. It is expected more ships will arrive soon afterward.”
Kragon returned his blaster to his holster.
“Take these two and chain them. They are small game. We’ll deal with them afterwards.”
The guards removed the blaster from my right hip and the assault blaster from its holster on my back. I held my breath, but they took my utility belt anyway. I could have spit.
We were led deeper into the mountain. The two guards finally stopped near a pile of shackles and chains. Holding out his four burly arms, they prudently chained Dtang first.
I stood there in the dim light, my mind working furiously on some kind of plan. But for once, nothing came to me. A few minutes later the sounds of blasters told me that a fire-fight was under way. It lasted only a few minutes. And, I figured, we didn’t know if we would have any better treatment if somebody did beat Kragon. Still, I hoped for the newcomers.
Dtang and I remained silent between the two Andarians. I knew Dtang was waiting for an opening, and I hoped that I could make one for us. But the timing had to be right.
And then we heard the sounds of footsteps coming our way.
Part 2
I had another surprise.
They led the blonde woman right up to me. A human, too!
I tried to keep a straight face, but I guess my mouth falling open like that gave it away. Humans are rare in this part of the galaxy; still, I never expected her.
“You do know her then?” The Andarian barked as he led her up to us.
“Yes,” I said.
“No,” she said simultaneously.
We stared at each other. She hadn’t gotten any friendlier than the last time we met.
“Who is he!?” Her guard prompted angrily.
She looked me up and down with those big, blue eyes.
“My ex-husband,” she said simply, with just a hint of malice.
Nightmares do come true.
“His name is Chase Broughton. But he’s no pirate. Not enough loyalty in him to be one.” She said icily.
“Thanks,” I smiled surreptitiously.
She gave me that look I had tried so hard to forget. The only thing left now was for Kragon to kill me, but at least that would be quick. Unfortunately, Natalie could go on… forever.
“He’s not worth the effort to kill…”
I smiled…
“… but his ship. Now that is worth taking!” She finished.
I eyed her tiredly. “It’s almost good to see you again, except for your mouth!”
If looks could kill. But as the silence lingered, my eyes casually took her in. Her sharp words had reminded me why I left her, but now my eyes reminded me why I had married her in the first place. There’s something to be said for tight uniforms on feminine curves
“But then again, killing him might make sense!” She said, catching me by surprise.
I was beginning to get annoyed, as usual.
“Listen…” I began, but was not allowed to finish. As usual.
“Yeah, I should have figured you were somewhere around, Chase Broughton. Everything going wrong almost from the beginning. A deal too good to be true, that was always your style. When I recognized your ship, I should have recommended we pull out then. But we all know how strong the pull of gold is.” She smiled, dangerously, as only she could. “You know, I didn’t know if I was hoping you’d miss those asteroids back there… or slam into one and go out in a million pieces.” Her icy smile widened. “But you always did make for good entertainment value, though you always screwed up in the end!”
A man can only take so much. Pirates, assassins, automated attack droids and all. But an ex-wife with a smart mouth is just too much. The guards began chuckling at us.
“Ah yes, those long, agonizing months being married to you are coming back, and now with just five minutes of your mouth flapping in the breeze I also remember how badly I wanted to be anywhere other than with you. Even in the bowels of some dark cavern waiting to be executed by Kragon himself, than to be married to you again!!!”
I don’t believe I’ve ever been slapped that hard before.
The two guards began bellowing with laughter.
It wasn’t bad enough to be chained, waiting to die, and missing out on all that treasure. Now, my personal affairs were being ridiculed.
And then Dtang began to chuckle with them.
“Shut up!” The guard next to Dtang growled.
And then Natalie reminded me of her value in a tight spot. The guard covering her had turned slightly toward Dtang and the other guard. She quickly twisted and kicked him hard to the groin. He bent over in sudden pain.
She always knew just how to hurt a man.
But I knew he would recover quickly, Andarians are tough as they come. Within milliseconds the other guard started to bring his weapon to bear on us, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dark four-armed form close with him. Even with his hands tied, Holliths are pound for pound the strongest beings in all the known quadrants. Still I quickly shuffled as his blaster went off between my feet.
Blows came thick and fast. A few of Natalie’s blows even missed and connected with me, almost knocking me off the Andarian.
I couldn’t see it, but I heard Dtang’s shackles clanking with movement as more reports from the other guard’s blaster ricocheted off of the cavern walls. The guard I was wrestling with grunted as one blast finally struck him in his leg. Dtang was real good. At least I hope he was that good.
The guard went limp with pain for a second, but it was enough.
I rolled away with his hand blaster clutched in my two shackled hands. Keeping the barrel on him as he glared back at me, I took a quick look to see how Dtang was faring as the sounds of their own titanic struggles became more furious.
An extra pair of arms sure seems to help in hand-to-hand combat.
Two of Dtang’s hands were clenched with the Andarian’s hands, while his other pair were wrapping his chain around the Andarian’s neck. It was over real quick as the Andarian’s struggles stopped.
“Here.”
I pulled out the old-fashioned keys and threw them at Dtang. He unchained his shackles and then put them on his unconscious opponent. Then he came over and freed me as we chained up the wounded guard while he stared daggers at us.
Putting the blaster on stun setting, I put out his lights as well. I was tired of him anyway.
“Now we leave?” Dtang asked.
“It’s a good thing you’re still so sensitive.” She said sarcastically. “Or my little plan wouldn’t have worked.”
I ignored her.
The sound of increasing blaster fire came from the dark tunnel from beyond where we had entered. It sounded like Kragon was getting more than he had bargained for. But I had something to do before we cut and ran from this botched adventure. Actually two things, if I got my utility belt back.
“No, we go this way, deeper into the mountain. There may still be some of Kragon’s cache here.” I said.
“Now what makes you think that, mister gold nose? Remember, this was all just an ambush.”
I hate it when she sneers.
“Yeah, he turned one of his treasure caches into a good ambush. All those traps, and automated defenses, have been in place for quite a while. If you studied your sensors carefully, you’d have noticed not just the location and placement of them, but how the vegetation had had years to grow up around them and camouflage them to the point where it even got in the way.
Dtang smiled.
“And we are well past most of the cave’s defenses. Kragon saved them for your crew.” I added.
“OK,” she nodded. “Let’s go see if we can find some gold.”
I love it when I’m right.
“But carefully, let me tune this Andarian sensor so I can read it, just in case, and then we’ll hurry along. And Dtang, leave it on stun. We’re not pirates, remember.”
Dtang shrugged dejectedly.
We found the gold.
Shiny and valuable. Unfortunately, we could only take as much as we could carry, seeing we still had Kragon and company to get by. Still, it was better than nothing.
We hurried back, cautiously, down the tunnel, toward the intensifying sound of blaster fire. I was panting under the weight of the small chest I carried under one arm while I kept my eyes on the scanner in the other hand.
We came to the large cavernous room that led to the tunnel and freedom. The sound of blasters reverberated off its walls.
That must be it, I thought. And then I saw movement from off the wall to our right.
A red blaster tracer streaked by me as I dropped down. Dtang fired a dozen quick rounds, stilling the Andarian.
I crawled forward, almost to the room of battle. And then I saw it, my utility belt lying beside the stunned form of the Andarian. I was becoming my old self again.
“Dtang,” I whispered as he drew his large form up to me. He heard my quick instructions, growling disbelief only once at my ad-hoc plan.
And then he began to like it.
He hurried away back in the direction from which we had come, carrying the two hand blasters as well as an ammo belt and two holstered assault blasters. I counted off three minutes as I crawled real carefully to the edge of the floor.
I was above the main floor of the large lighted room. As I tried to judge how big it was I noticed that here and there were pockets of aliens doing battle from behind and under boulders and anything else that would provide a measure of protection from the thick flying tracers of blasters. I could also make out the many still forms of the fallen.
It seemed Kragon had placed his men around three main points on the main floor below, giving them a deadly crossfire from anyone who entered from the lone entrance off to my right. I looked along the lip that I lay on. It encircled the room from above and some of Kragon’s men were firing down from two points as well. He had them pinned down, but it seemed there was a group just inside the entrance firing up, as well as those trapped in various points inside the room.
And then he saw me, a warrior on the upper level with me.
Quickly I enabled my special toy. Rock burst apart in front of my face from his blaster fire as I threw the device up into the very middle of the great room. Time seemed to slow as I watched it arc slowly up. I turned to look at that blaster leveled at me thirty meters away.
He smiled as he went to close the contact and kill me.
There was a bright, blinding light. Raising my hands, I tried to shield my eyes.
There must have been a LOT of blasters in that room.
A Drainz is rare enough. I had only used mine twice before. Only when I have to. As I said, they’re highly illegal, and very rare.
But this was quite impressive. Everywhere aliens dropped their weapons or pulled them out of their holsters as if they were on fire. Which, in essence, they were, as my neat little device drained their power into its complex circuitry. I tried to look at that falling sphere, but it was too bright for my eye to look upon at the moment. I was going to have to go down there and get close enough to turn on its retrieve mode, too.
It only took a few seconds for everyone to realize what had happened. And then the real fun began.
It looked to me that there were portions of at least three different pirate crews rushing towards Kragon’s positions. Kragon was now very outnumbered, but as his men rose to meet this frontal assault, I could tell from the size of his warriors that it was going to be one humdinger of a fight.
Well, I suddenly thought, Kragon seemed to have a thing for low tech traps and all. A good old fashioned fist fight would probably be something he would like.
I heard footsteps. Dtang threw me our weapons. I quickly strapped on my holsters and my belt as he buckled his own. There was a certain eagerness on his face as he watched the hand-to-hand combat below. I knew there had been a good reason why I had hired him on for this trip.
“Dtang,” I leaned next to him. “I need to retrieve my little device over there, and then I need you to go clear a way out while I pay our parting respects to Kragon, got it!”
Dtang smiled wolfishly.
Natalie was facing another guard who was reloading a new charge into his now useless weapon. I stopped short and pulled my assault blaster out of its holster and stunned him down.
She even seemed happy to see me.
“Well, you can do something right after all.”
I ignored that.
She looked down at the melee on the main floor which was now going full tilt. Bodies were even being thrown through the air.
“By the way, what was that little toy you threw out there?”
“Something I picked up. Handy, isn’t it?”
We both ducked as something flew over our heads from below.
She smiled. “Sure gets things hopping, anyway.”
I handed her my blaster pistol.
“It’s set to stun.”
She looked at me as if I was crazy. I ignored that too.
“Dtang and I are going to pay our respects to Kragon before we blow this party. The Lightning is primed to go.” I looked at her questioningly. “You gonna fly out with us?”
She took a deep breath. “Well, the crew I came in with is shot to pieces. I guess you’ll have to do.”
“Don’t let me force you.”
Fierce shouting turned our attention to the raging fisticuffs below. A group of Kragon’s personal warriors had gathered around him while another group of mixed angry alien fighters pressed from all sides.
I looked at Dtang. “Time to crash this party.”
Raising his arms above his head, Dtang roared a challenge. The fighting below slowed as some of the combatants looked around. Some a little fearfully. And then with only a hand blaster in one hand, he clenched his other three fists, took two quick steps and leapt into the air. I think my mouth fell open again.
He landed on several fighters, bringing them to the ground. He pounded a few heads as some of them struggled to get up. And then he was off, three huge ebony fists flying in all directions. He seemed to be saving the blaster for some reason.
“Here. This way is a bit safer,” Natalie motioned.
We found a rope ladder that led down. I covered her from the top while she scrambled down. I stunned a few folks from this vantage point as the tide of battle flowed. I took out some from each side just to keep it interesting. And confused.
After a few minutes we had made our way close to the pocket of fighting clustered around the flowing mane of Kragon. As I pulled out my sensor to get a good look at his right hand, he picked up a small reptilian alien and was about to throw him down when he spotted me.
If looks could kill.
While holding the limp form in his left hand, he raised his right clenched with rage at me. I worked my sensor quickly. I only had time to notice the two rings and the large tattoo. But I went ahead and scanned all the way up to his elbow for good measure. I might not get this close… and live next time.
For it was said in dark circles, The Right Hand of Kragon keeps the secret of his greatest treasure planet. I didn’t know if it was true, but though there had been a sizable cache of treasure here ( which would probably be gone next visit ), it obviously was not the main hoard.
Kragon threw him down and then headed for me, his eyes filled with hatred.
I stunned two of his men, which allowed two more of the reptilian pirates to pounce on his back.
“Let’s go!” I skirted past Natalie who had been watching my back. She followed, keeping a sharp eye to our rear. I punched my sensor again and my toy began flying back towards me. I one handed it and put it safely away.
Ahead of us Dtang had fought his way up to five pirates just in front of the tunnel that led outside. With two of his mighty arms he easily picked up two opponents while he stunned down a third. Wielding his only free fist, first he bashed one pirate, and then with a quick backward motion he bashed the other struggling one. They both went limp in his grip.
The last two had just closed with him, their fists pounding Dtang. He tossed the unconscious pirates on top of them, sending all four down. I closed my eyes momentarily as Dtang delivered a few swift kicks.
They were all down for the count as we stepped beside his huge form.
“Well, it’s been fun, Dtang. But we mustn’t overstay our welcome.”
Dtang looked positively sad.
We all rushed down the tunnel. Fortunately, we didn’t run into any stragglers, only dead ones. The sound of fighting at the melee behind us began to die down as we exited.
* * *
Kragon stood among the fallen, his great chest rising and falling from his exertions. Only a dozen of his men joined him as he surveyed the carnage all around him.
“Razon! Signal my ships to prepare to lift and do battle with any fools still in orbit.”
Razon bowed his head to his clenched right fist in salute as he stepped away.
“Hraag! Get weapons and kill all those left alive.”
The Andarian looked around furtively. “What about our wounded?”
Kragon stepped up to him and glared into his face.
“Only the strong fly with Kragon! Kill all that cannot stand!”
And then everyone crouched with fear as sonic booms rumbled throughout the cavern, sending loose rocks falling like rain from the ceiling. Only Kragon stood tall, staring up as if he could see right through the mountain. He raised his fist heavenward.
“I have defeated my enemies today in spite of you, human!!” His growling hatred mixed with the sonic roaring. “And know this,” he whispered savagely to himself, “Today, Chase Broughton, you are an enemy of KRAGON!!!”
* * *
I had jumped into the pilot’s seat and jammed the power on full. It was time to redline those ThunderStar engines.
I could barely move as the G forces smashed me back into the seat. My sensors showed three ships in orbit so I quickly banked in the opposite direction as we cleared the atmosphere. I heard all kinds of equipment that wasn’t latched down falling around behind me as those big engines began to scream!
I didn’t pull back on them until we had cleared the asteroids. I even impressed myself as we swept around them and the mines. It was then that I called back for Dtang to take over.
I was totally exhausted now. All I could think of was my soft bunk and sleep. And about how I was going to spend my chest of gold. No, it wasn’t a total loss.
I hadn’t even taken two steps.
“The Impaler was chasing us back there. I want you to drop me off at the first registered planet in this sector.”
I didn’t even bother to turn.
“My first stop is Ramaas, Planet of Adventure…” I paused.
A strange look crossed her face, like complete disbelief . It threw me off a second, and then I remembered who I was dealing with.
I started again for my bunk. “And Dtang, disarm her.”
Dtang moved too enthusiastically.
“Let me reword that. Take her weapons.”
I did turn then.
She was in the copilot’s seat next to his hulking, ebony frame. She gritted her teeth and handed it over with the barest of pauses. She was getting smarter.
But as Dtang took the small blaster he growled one final command at me before I could retire to my sleepy bliss.
“Dtang hungry! Make another peanut butter speeecialty!”
So I did.
I tried not to think about the rest of the treasure we had left; one has to learn to be content. Or how close to death I had been. Again. I closed my eyes.
Tomorrow would be another day in the great, wide galaxy.
And another adventure. *
Story copyright ©1997-98 by Tony Chandler
Illustrations copyright ©1997-98 by Andrew G. McCann
except “The Whole Gang,” which is by Romeo Esparrago
