Bounty XIV

Ax cut communications immediately. “Find that bomb, whatever resources we have, before they destroy the planet.  When you do, say ‘our engines are running hot.’ I’ll stall for time.”

            “What you’re saying is that you are working for the Eco-Cleansers.  You lured me here to disarm the main facility and you conned me into doing your work by sending a goon ahead of you.  Howard Joneson was nothing but that.  Oh and by the way I will be getting revenge for the havoc he caused me.  Tell your boss, He’s next.”

            “You put that together very well.  This planet isn’t worth keeping around.  It validates the idea that planets can live without technology.  I personally oppose the idea so we will purge it of its population and turn it into an industrial planet.” Nexus chuckled.

            “You worthless pile of Balis droppings, you’re going to pay for all you’ve done. I can tell you right now…”

            “The engines are running hot.” B4 interrupted.  He and Hal were pouring over the sensors until they found the source.

            “You found it? Great, fire!” Ax smiled.

            “What are you doing? Where are you?” Nexus panicked.

            “Bye Nexus, rot in your grave.” Ax cut the transmission.  Two unseen rockets fired from the Risk Taker, they veered far and wide until they found the correct target.  They flew until hitting the large starship to the center of the fleet.  With the two explosions, the ship erupted in fire and then a chain reaction occurred.   All ten ships were enveloped in the destructive power of the bomb.  The blockade was incinerated.  Ax breathed a sigh of relief, before all could celebrate though; they received a transmission from the planet itself.

            “Markis Cordly, you have saved this planet from destruction.  If you need a safe haven, come back anytime.  Thank you from the Galaxy Force.”

            “Thank you, I’ll take you up on that sometime.” Ax ended the conversation.  She took off her helmet and breathed even deeper. “Good work boys, how did you find the right ship?”

            “We found the chemical bio signal coming from the lead ship and pinpointed the target.” Hal replied.

            “Well good job.  You’ve just joined the team.  B4, how are we on supplies?” Ax asked.

            “We have enough for about five days, and then we’ll need to replenish our stock.”

            “That’s enough to get us to Larenchia.  Are there any bounties there?”

            “There are three in fact, Madam Ax.” Hal answered.  Ax pulled out a blaster and aimed it at Hal.

            “Don’t call me Madam ever again.  When we are in public call me Ax or Darnell, never Madam, understood? You can stay as long as you are useful.  If you can be used as a mechanic I would appreciate that.” Ax answered coolly.

            “I am skilled in that area, I’ll help in whatever way I can.” Hal answered simply.

            “I’m sorry to interrupt, but aren’t we going after Multar?” B4D6 asked.

            “We are indeed; we have a score to settle with Howard Joneson who almost killed me and Multar for setting us up.  Larenchia will have to wait.  Where has Multar been keeping himself lately anyway?”

            “Mostly on the dark moon of Naltoroy, considering there is only two other inhabited systems in that solar area we shouldn’t have too much trouble finding him.” B4 replied.

            “And how close to him are we?” Ax asked once more.

            “Four days if we push it, five in reality.” B4 stated the facts.

            “Alright we’ll stop at Clarnac II for supplies; it’s on the way to Naltoroy.  Set the course for Clarnac II.  Hal, you’ve just become the chief mechanic, the engine room is to the rear and down the elevator.  The struts are down there too.  Thanks again for the help back on Elis Prime. You were fantastic.” Ax got up and kissed Hal on the lips. “See you later.”

            Hal stood for a moment with a whimsical look on his face and then he turned and walked out.  Once he was gone, B4 turned to Ax. “Can we trust him?”

            “He checks out fine.  He was of great help at that factory.  Who knows, maybe he’s wanted somewhere too.  He’ll come in handy, if not I’ll take care of it.” Ax answered as she adjusted her seat.

            “You always do.  What do you want to use today?” B4 asked.

            “Hyper drive, it’ll get us to Clarnac II in good time.  Let’s do this and earn some extra cash in the process.” Ax smiled.

            “Initiating hyper drive.” B4 replied.  The Risk Taker slowed for a moment and then flew into the star field off on its next adventure.

                                                END

More Stories will come.  I have a lot of ideas yet to be posted so keep reading and I'll be sure to please the science fiction readers.

Bounty Part XIII

Hal breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought we were dead.  How did you do that?”

            “I always try to familiarize myself with the infrastructure of corporations.  It helps in tight situations, if you know what I mean.  Let’s get this finished and get out of here.  When I place these, we’ll have ten minutes to get out.” Ax walked slowly up to the large tanks.  She and Hal were between both tanks when Ax pulled out her singularity bombs.

            She placed each one inconspicuously on the side of each tank as if she were just inspecting the structure.  She then triggered them and held her wrist to her mouth.  “B4 come now.  We need our pickup out front.”  She and Hal continued on their way through the following doors, leaving the main floor of the factory.  They immediately started up the stairs, passing the office doors of the corporate offices. 

            A man in a business suit came out from one of the offices near the main entrance.  He looked directly at Hal and smiled.  “Hey Hal, I haven’t seen you in ages.  What are you doing here?” He came closer.

            “I moved up the corporate ladder, I’m doing building inspections now.  Maybe we can catch up sometime.  I have to go right now, but I’ll see you sometime.” Hal quickly spoke.

            The man waved and moved back to his office.  Ax kept her eyes off the cameras and mainly concealed her face with her fire red hair.  She walked faster as they reached the entrance.  Hal kept his pace with hers and they exited the building without being stopped again.  Once outside, Ax saw the exit ramp of the Risk Taker in among the many trees.  She pulled her helmet out from her back and fastened it securely onto her head.

            Hal followed her faithfully and as soon as they entered the ship the ramp closed, concealing them once again.

            “B4 take off right now!” Ax yelled from the back.

            “Alright, starting flight, would you like to assist me?” B4 asked calmly.

            “Yes, I’m on my way.  Come on, Hal, you’ve just become part of our crew.” Ax turned behind her to Hal.  He just nodded after being out of breath.  Ax entered the cockpit and padded B4D6 on the head.  “What was that for?” B4 asked.

            “I missed you.  Transfer controls to me, we have to make a quick get away.” Ax sat and took control.  She increased their speed and the Risk Taker shot further into the sky gaining even more speed toward the atmosphere.

            “How long?” B4 asked.

            “Thirty seconds to detonation.” Ax straightened.  She peered through the viewport and saw something she didn’t expect.  Ten heavily armed Multar starships sat blocking their escape. “B4 do they see us?” Ax was shocked to see such a display.

            “According to our instruments, they have not detected us at all.  I don’t know what they expect to accomplish.” B4 replied.  Instantly the facility imploded in on itself, sucking the entire facility into a singularity, leaving the forest unharmed.

            “That went well, even the Eco-Cleansers should be proud.” Hal commented.

            “Great, now B4 is there an escape vector for us?  I mean do we have a course to set into warp, slipstream or even hyper drive?” Ax gripped the steering column tighter.

            “Ax we are receiving an incoming transmission.  Do we reply?” B4D6 asked.

            “Would we be detected if we replied?” Ax asked.

            “No, as long as it’s only audio.”

            “Punch it up.” Ax cleared her throat ready to talk.

            “Ax Darnell, surrender and you will not be fired upon.  If you resist we will find you and destroy your ship.  High commander Nexus has spoken.”

            “Nexus, I didn’t think you did clean up work anymore.  You know I won’t surrender; besides you can’t track my ship.  I did you a favor; I destroyed the Eco-Cleansers facility that was creating a bomb.” Ax answered coolly.

            “Funny story, that same bomb is aboard my ship aimed at the planet.  We changed the target.” Nexus responded.

To Be Continued in the Explosive Conclusion!

Bounty Part XII

“Do you have anything to detect laser grids?” Hal asked.  “Something is different, I think they increased security.”

            Ax grabbed her handy white spray used for infiltrating secret facilities.  She sprayed it gently in front of the opening to the hallway.  It revealed twenty to thirty lasers crisscrossing the length of the hallway. “Well, there’s certainly something down here to protect.  Let’s see if we can get it shut off.”  Since the light was dim, Ax pulled out a pair of night goggles and surveyed down the hallway.  At the end was a single panel next to the door.  Ax disconnected the goggles and pulled out a thin rod from the center; it became a scope.  She attached her blaster to the scope and pulled out a coil of twine from her pant pocket.

            “That won’t do, it’ll get sliced through instantly.” Hal remarked quietly.

            “Not this twine, its extra strength spider twine, diamond filament blend.  It should suffice, now quiet.” Ax whispered.  She uncoiled the twine and attached a small putty tip to the rod.

            She aimed the blaster carefully and shot the twine through the laser grid straight to the small panel.  It stuck to the panel and Ax pulled out a detonator.  She pressed the button and the panel exploded causing the laser grid to disappear.

            “That was impressive.” Hal whispered.

            Ax turned to him, “I have my moments.  Let’s go.”  The two hurried down the long hallway, ignoring the turning hallways leading into the main.  They soon were at the far door.  Ax pulled out a lock pick and started working on it. “After all this time and people still resort to normal lock mechanisms.”

            “This is a very old facility; I don’t think they get the supplies they actually need.  When we get in there it could be a trap.  Do you have a plan?” Hal watched Ax work her magic.

            “Hal, one thing you will learn is that I always have a plan.  You’re going first.” She thrust the mussel of the blaster at his back.  “The sooner we’re out of here the better.  Just trust me.”

            “Alright.” Hal gulped.  He opened the door and the two entered the factory floor.  There were several conveyor belts moving vats of toxic chemicals to the two large tanks at the far end of the room.  There were several aliens and humans on catwalks.  They were wearing lab coats while they worked with the machinery.  Many of them were disfigured and some were looking as if they would die. “We have to end this. Grab those coats; we’ll make our way to the tanks.” Ax whispered into Hal’s ear.

            “You may attract less attention without your helmet.” Hal whispered back.  Ax quickly removed the helmet and attached it to her back, neatly folded.  She ruffled her fire red hair and the two grabbed lab coats and walked down the way toward the large tanks.  No one seemed to notice them as they continued on their way.  When nearing the large tanks of toxic eco-cleanser bio-weapons, two large men came walking toward the two.

            “Crap, we’re boned.” Ax muttered under her breath.

            “What are you doing here?  No one is authorized to be down here with the conveyors.  It’s unsafe.” The one guard boomed.

            “You don’t know who we are, do you?” Ax answered smartly.

            “Uh, no.” The guard stuttered.

            “We come from the top, we’re here to inspect your facility and part of that is inspecting the tanks!  You will return to your post and let us do our job.  I don’t want to have to remember your name.  Our superiors would be disappointed if our work here was hindered.  Do you understand me?” Ax boomed her voice at the two guards.

            “I never got any word that we would get an inspection.” The one guard replied.

            “You wouldn’t, these inspections are to see true conditions.  If you were prepared, how would we be able to conduct an objective analysis of your facility?  Now leave us so we can continue our evaluation.” Ax continued unimpeded.

            “Very well, Ma’am.  If you need anything at all, we’ll be through those doors to the right.  If you have further need of staff walk through the doors behind us.  They lead you to the offices as well as our main exit.” The guard said before walking away to the other doors.

To Be Continued...