“B4, do you have access to the ship video surveillance?”
“Yes, I do,”
“Can you show video feed from below this deck?” Howard tried to plead.
“Your efforts to try to acquire the identity of my master are artful but futile. You will not see anything of what you want,”
“How long have you been out in space?”
“Seven years, six months, fourteen days and eighteen minutes. We have visited a total of twenty one planets and two moons. Why do you ask?” B4 relayed.
“I was trying to remember my history. I figured I could get the identity of Ax from calculating the exact year.”
“Well, whatever you are thinking, you are wrong. That’s only how long we have been in space. I never said anything else. You should be monitoring our slipstream course.”
“I don’t know how to do that. I’m used to the standard hyper-drive. This technology is way beyond my comprehension.”
“Do you admit then that you can’t place Ax’s age?”
“Yes…unfortunately.” Howard became quiet after his ideas were crushed. At that time Ax came up sporting a square shaped helmet with a black visor and a breathing apparatus attached where the mouth is. Her clothes were of a metallic black armor on her upper torso, reinforced so no one could tell she was a woman. Her pants were of bulky black cotton with military boots.
“Satisfied? Ax asked smartly. Her voice sounded even deeper than when she had her chrome helmet on.
“Yes, I suppose so.” Howard simply said. He sighed heavily and just turned in his chair. Ax walked past him and looked at B4D6.
“What’s with him?”
“What are the words…I believe I took the wind out of his sails as it were.” B4 tried to get the human expression correct.
“Ah, in other words he can’t figure out who I am and he has no idea how to work our technology. Wonderful, Howard don’t feel bad if all goes smoothly we should be able to disarm whatever biological weapon there is on Elis Prime. If not we won’t be around to blame.”
“That’s comforting.” Howard said sarcastically. An alarm rang through the ship.
“That’s it, prepare to drop out of slipstream, we’re here at Elis Prime. I’m sure we’ve already been detected. The Curious Maiden will make even a stir. B4 drop our shields so the planet can scan our ship.” Ax sat in the pilot seat adjusting the ship for entry to normal space. Suddenly the ship phased into normal space facing a giant green world below. It seemed to glow with life. Under her new helmet, Ax smiled. She could see how the terrorist appreciated this planet. The Eco Cleansers had chosen the perfect planet in the far reaches of this galaxy.
Within two minutes a short soft beeping sound echoed through the cockpit. Ax knew it was local planet defense. “Open a channel, B4. I’ll speak to them directly. This is Markis Cordly requesting dock at your space port. I have one passenger who needed transport and I would like to fulfill my contract. I only ask to refuel.” Ax waited for a reply.
“Markis, what kind of a name is that?” Howard asked.
“Shut your trap, are you negotiating? I don’t think so.” Ax snapped.
“Curious Maiden, we have approach vectors for you, do not deviate. Proceed directly to our space port for refueling and delivery.” The traffic control officer stated, having no personality at all.
“Proceeding on course.” Ax replied. She took over the steering and veered through the planet’s atmosphere. The planet was full of flora and fauna. Ax could see different varieties of birds soar through the air. A few of the species were the size of yachts or single fighters. She watched as a grey feathered Balis flew next to their ship and the giant bird seemed to want to race. Ax smiled and veered the ship even deeper into its decent.
To Be Continued...
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