Somewhere in the long forgotten future. Kevin Colbran

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ Killa had said.

      “Yes, it seems that the local authorities are after information, rarely a good sign.” Humph said not needing to move his lips, “We had better keep the conversation to business in galbasic, or they may arrest us to find out what we are hiding.”

      Slipping back to Galbasic, Killa agreed, “Yes with business finished; I need to put my feet up and do the books.” So saying the walk back was uneventful and they arrived at the ship and boarded without any trouble.

      The next morning the labour gangs came to unload the cargo, with another series of teams to load the new cargo, before each was loaded Killa determined that each was safe and didn’t contain any contraband. “Well if we didn’t find anything neither will any official snoops,” Killa declared. The team completed their business; they decided to book the departure for the morning. Later that evening Loxz arrived accompanied by a young person, "This is Algertz, my child, who is keen to see Uncle Roxz and perhaps do some hands on training in his warehouse.”

      “You understand that we will be traversing wild space and perhaps have to dodge some official snoops,” Killa warned not overly keen to be saddled with a child.

      “Wow sounds fun, please allow me to come,” Algertz exclaimed not at all discouraged.

      “Up to Humph, he is the boss,” Killa said to shift the blame and responsibility.

      “I suppose I can accommodate a passenger as long as we have documents giving clearance for the trip,” Humph said, surprising the pair with his tiny voice which didn’t match his size.

      "That would be why you remained silent, I had heard that Droman were soft spoken but have never met one,” Loxz said, “Now Algertz; be prepared that this entity may converse with you from an assortment of bodies and sizes; right Mr Humph?”

      “True, apparently you are familiar with my people,” Humph replied.

      “Indeed, they helped my grandfather Algextz, when he had a crash landing on your planet,” Loxz stated glancing at the ship.

      "This is the ship I built from that wreck using the information that Algextz was kind enough to leave behind,” Humph admitted.

      “If I had known, your welcome would have been much friendlier. No matter on your next visit perhaps we can make amends,” Loxz smiled broadly. Then shook Humph's hand while turning to Algertz added, “Remember the stories that I told you when a small child, this man is the rescuer of grandfather and his crew.”

      At that revelation, the youth looked at Humph with wonderment written all over the face.

      “That settled, please be here first thing in the morning with your luggage and Killa will set you up in your cabin then teach you all that you will need to know as a supernumerary crew member,” Humph decided.

      “Perhaps if I explained that while good for business the primary purpose of this task is to transport my child to Kessel Sector,” Loxz said.

      “I suspected as much, why not use your ships since your people have travelled far and wide?” Humph asked.

      “Unfortunately, our ships are attracting too much attention at the moment. The authorities found a couple of the ships with shall we say, unauthorised cargo. We are now trying to establish our honest merchant status again,” Loxz explained, “In recent times the authorities have accorded Oxzen the reputation of Tinkers. As a result, all our ships are almost torn down to the last nut and bolt which takes a considerable chunk out of the profits let alone the delay in delivery of perishables.”

      “Solo and I at times have run into that problem, meaning it is better to avoid scrutiny to expedite delivery,” Humph admitted, “It only takes a rumour to attract the bright light of officialdom and slow things down. We operate on the principle that ‘see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil’ permits the wheels of commerce to rotate.”

      “Indeed, well then we should be doing business in the future, perhaps next time you visit your fishing hole?” Loxz said tapping his nose to show he now knew the meaning. So with passenger settled in the Yella Terra lifted off and ascended through the atmosphere with only the starfighters waiting to give an escort to the hyper jump point. Humph programmed a short jump before re-plotting the direction towards Killa’s sun. It was likely any following vessel would overshoot and lose the trace of the new direction.

      Humphs parked the Yella Terra at his base on the Moon, as he had some maintenance to do. "Why you young ones enjoy the fresh air while I fiddle with the ship?" Humph asked.

      "Sounds better than watching the paint dry here," Killa said.

      Algertz and Killa boarded the shuttle then spiralled down to the sea and crept up the creek valley to the national park adjacent to the farm. Using a car which was left parked at Humph's old haunt, they drove down to the farmhouse where Killa’s family lived. After reacquainting with the family and introducing Algertz then a grand tour was organised around the farm, the kids were delighted and impressing his parents despite them being aware of the job that young Mike was now doing. The novelty of having a real blue alien certainly was entertainment for the family; facilitating the conversation was Algertz learning English while in transit. However, they couldn't organise any off-farm tours because of the distinct difference.

      Bidding farewell to his family and re-joining the ship, he found that Humph had programmed the return journey into the computer; swinging the counter arc to bypass the Huy area to rim-ward.

      And back Again

      On the second emergence into 'Known Space', the bells rang to warn of challenge emissions coming from fighters zeroing in on the pulse generated by the re-entry from hyperspace. “Ah someone is waiting, use minimal deceleration, then we talk to them and convince them that we are harmless voyagers,” Humph suggested.

      The radio crackled into life with a data pulse from the lead fighter, “Identify ship and destination.”

      Humph transmitted back, “SW15724 Solterra ship Constant Moon, bound for Kessel sector.” One of Humph's alias used when on slightly less than legitimate freight duties.

      “Standby for inspection of cargo, slow to Ten percent for boarding,” The interceptor ordered.

      Off Radio Killa asked, “Give them the flick and shoot-through? I have the jump point lined up.”

      “They would be straight onto Sub-ether radio and have a tractor beam waiting to nail us,” Humph said.

      Then over the radio, “Will comply, decelerating, we have delicate cargo aboard.”

      An aside to Algertz, Killa bragged, “We can run rings around them but let’s not let the cat out of the bag; strap down in case things get nasty.”

      Humph pointed at the co-pilot's chair for Algertz then ambled off to his room to meld with the amoeboid mass where he could control all the armament and ship movements. His reaction times being computer fast in this mode.

      Then via intercom, “The sensors detect one Sun Destroyer, three corvettes, several ancillaries and six wings of fighters covering entry and exit points so let’s just talk our way through; probably an anti-smuggler blockade.”

      “Our documents should be Okay, and we have no contraband that we could detect, so this shouldn’t be a drama,” Killa agreed.

СКАЧАТЬ