Jason King: Agent to the Stars 1: The Enclaves of Sylox (12 page)

“How can you reach such a conclusion, Krimious?” The Velosian was apoplectic.

“Please, Mon Crick, I understand the release of Mr. King will not be popular with the Velosians, but I have no choice.” Krimious looked at me with desperate, alien eyes. “Mr. King, is there a possibility you could help us locate this Human female? You apparently know her on a personal level, and she does belong to your species.”

“I’ll do what I can,” I said. My mind was racing, trying to think of a way I could negotiate some kind of finder’s fee from the Enforcers, too. After a second, I dismissed the idea. I didn’t want to press my luck. Instead, I said: “I know it’s in all our best interests for her to be found, and as soon as possible, so do I have your permission to follow up on whatever leads I come across?”

“And why would you not simply reveal these leads to us as they appear?”

“Like you said, she is one of us. Also, my fellow Humans will trust me more than they’d trust you.”

“You cannot possibly be entertaining the idea of officially enlisting the assistance of this Human, Krimious?”

“Mon King is a prominent figure on Sylox, as evidenced by his association with
your
Council Member, Mon Crick. I will release him, yet I will allow him only eight days to locate the female and recover the statue.”

Krimious then turned back to me, his face stern. “After that time, I believe it will be necessary to offer you as a placeholder for this Miranda Moore, as a way to appease the forces that are demanding action.”

“But my client is innocent!” Kevin protested.

“Unfortunately, Advocate, by that time innocence will not be a major concern. If a responsible party is not offered up by then, there will be war, and I believe the Velosians fully intend to involve the Humans in the conflict, whether that is right or wrong.”

Kevin and I looked at the Velosian. He met our gazes with a smug, almost evil look of his own. I knew that even if I was able to serve Miranda Moore up on a platter, this alien would do all he could to tie me to her. So any evidence I come across to link Miranda – and only Miranda – to the theft would have to be beyond reproach. It would be the only way I could save my hide, as well as keep the Earth from falling victim of a vindictive alien race with the means of smashing the entire planet into stardust.

No pressure, Jason,
I thought.
Nothing riding on this … except possibly the survival of the entire Human race.

Chapter 16

Kevin and I left the Enforcer Command building the way we came in, through Receiving – and immediately ran into a pair of news crews, one Zorphin, the other a mixed race crew, but both from the most popular stations in the Capital.

“Mon King, is it true you used your association with Council Member Orn to execute the theft of the Unity Stone?”

“Why have you been released? Did you post security so as to make arrangements for your incarnation?”

“Why would the Humans wish a war between the Simoreans and the Velosians? Such a conflict could destroy the Union.”

We hurried to Kevin’s transport, as my attorney kept repeating, “My client is innocent. That is why he is free today. It has all been a terrible misunderstanding.”

Kevin’s statement didn’t register an iota with the broadcast reporters, who kept repeating the same lame questions, as if asking them enough times would make them true.

We pulled out of the parking lot with a huge, brightly painted news van right behind us.

“I can’t go home; they’ll be there already.”

“They’ll know where I live, too, if not now then in a couple of minutes.”

“Take me to the office. Quint and I made a few modifications – leftover habits from our prior occupation. I’ll be able to get out unseen.”

“Let me know where you go,” Kevin said as he entered the ribbon – and then made a quick, unexpected exit at the next ramp. The new van was caught off guard and missed the exit. They would have to circle back around.

Kevin spun the car back around in the opposite direction and reentered the freeway. We saw the news crew get off at the Juirean Street exit. They didn’t appear to notice us as we sped past on the ribbon going in the opposite direction.

Rookies, I observed, even though my mind was now a conglomeration of sickening thoughts that went far beyond our shaking of the news van. There goes the business! Publicity like this would be almost impossible to come back from, even if I showed up with Miranda and Unity Stone hanging from one of the many advertising dirigibles that filled the sky of Sylox City.

And Quint would be pissed. He had absolutely nothing to do with any of this, yet if the business went under, he’d be royally screwed, as well. But right now I needed answers and information. And there was only one reliable source for both.

Kevin slipped his transport into the underground parking garage at my office, and as expected, two more news crews where at the building waiting. Luckily they couldn’t access the garage, but as Kevin let me out, I spotted a bird-size drone hovering near the ceiling by the elevators.

I had no idea if the aliens would grasp the meaning of my prominently displayed middle finger aimed at the drone, but it did make me feel better.

By this time Quint had sent all the employees home and shut the office. This was all part of our SOP – standard operating procedure – in case one of us got into trouble. It wouldn’t do for a bunch of people to witness my return to the office.

There was a secondary entrance to the office, which was accessible from the floor above our suite, so I was able to enter the locked office without being seen. I’m sure the reporters were more than a little upset when the elevator coming up from the garage continued past my floor and stopped at the one above. They would be scrambling for the stairs or the next elevator. By then I was gone.

Call it paranoia or just being careful, but Quint and I had always retained an extra, unregistered transport in a utility garage off the main building, just in case we needed to get out unseen. In the five years we’d had this office, neither of us had ever had to use the transport, and I wasn’t even sure if the battery was still charged. But seeing that the vehicle was electric-powered, that turned out to be a non-issue.

After grabbing some supplies from the office, I raced to the utility garage and I was out the building and headed for the Zanzibar Enclave in only six minutes from the time Kevin had dropped me off. However, I also had to contend with the drones. They were everywhere, and I couldn’t guarantee anything with them hovering around. But so far, it looked good.

I knew I couldn’t go home. Even though the Enclave was located behind secure gates, I had no false illusions that the news people couldn’t finagle their way in somehow and be at my door waiting. And with each passing minute, more and more of them would be joining the feeding frenzy.

This was big news. Prominent Human land agent Jason King involved not only in the theft of the most influential artifact in the galaxy, but also the betrayal of trust with his highest-ranking client, none other than Council Member Morgus Orn of Velosia. Hell, if I were a reporter, I’d be all over the story myself.

I had to find a base of operations to get my act together. I knew that I’d have to get to the spaceport soon and off the planet in my Noreen if I expected to catch up with Miranda – that was if she
really
was headed for Hyben. And if she is, then why didn’t her handlers – the ones she’d obviously double-crossed – just phone ahead and have an army waiting there to greet her? That I did not know.

I only had eight days to complete my mission and most of one of them was already gone. But before I ran blindly off across the galaxy, I need more intel. And who better to get intel from than the head spook on Sylox.

I used the untraceable phone Quint and I had stashed in the escape vehicle years ago and made a call.

**********

When Cyrus answered, his tone was understandably icy. I told him about my arrest and got the distinct impression that he knew more of the details than even I did. Even though the phone was untraceable from my end, it wasn’t from his, so we talked briefly and generically about the arrest, with him telling me not to worry, and that it will all work out. And then we ended the conversation with an innocuous mention of the next softball game, scheduled for eight tonight at the Sterling Bridge South softball field.

I looked at my watch. The next game was actually scheduled for two days from now, and at the Newport Dunes field. That meant I had an hour to kill before the meeting with Cyrus at the Sterling Bridge South ball field….

Chapter 17

The field was only five minutes away, so I decided to kill some time by swinging by Bill’s house. He, of all people, wouldn’t turn me away.

Besides, I had decided to use him to help get me into the spaceport – another place that would surely be infested with news crews by now. After all, public records were a bitch, because if one wanted to, they could learn so much about a person – like where one parked their private starship.

I just had to get my ass into space. After that, it would be virtually impossible to follow me, especially in the Noreen. Only Class-3 military vessels could travel faster, and as far as I knew, Channel Three News didn’t have one of those – not yet.

Bill’s house had a side-entry garage, so I entered the driveway and swung the car parallel to the front entrance. I then scooted to my right and exited out the passenger side, crouching in the shadows until I was at the front door.

Bill didn’t seem surprised to see me.

“I know you are innocent, my Captain. You surely would not have done this thing.”

“Thanks, Bill. It’s good to know I still have friends left. Needless to say, my day has turned into a real bitch.”

Bill frowned. “I have noticed that when upset you have a tendency to lapse into fits of heavy Human slang; however, I do believe I understand your sentiment.”

“Sorry.”

“So what is it you wish of me? I will do what I can, but I regret to inform that my support can only be limited and private. I am a Zorphin government official. I cannot publicly advocate for you.”

“I understand that, and I do appreciate the risk you’re taking. But I’m meeting with Cyrus in a few minutes, and then after that I need to get off the planet.”

“In your new Noreen II? That is such a magnificent vessel. I hope to someday be invited aboard.”

“Of course, just not this trip.”

“Where are you going?”

“I think it best if I keep that to myself. With all the drones flying around, our meeting here may eventually come out, and I wouldn’t want you to feel you have to hide anything from the Enforcers.”

“Perfectly acceptable.”

“But I’d like you to get me into the spaceport, maybe in the back of your official transport, through the VIP entrance.”

“That would appear to be a very active participation on my part. I would suggest that you take my official vehicle yourself. That will get you through the gates without question. And if asked I can state that you illegally acquired the transport without my knowledge.”

“That sounds even better.”

“So do you know who did this?”

“Pretty sure it was Miranda Moore.”

“The cousin?”

“That’s right.”

I saw an expression of excitement light up Bill’s face. “I have met her! So I know the perpetrator of this fantastic crime! This is exhilarating!”

“I’m glad you think so. But she set me up to take the blame. Now I only have eight days to find her and return the statue.”

“Then you must know where she may be!”

“I have an idea. Once I meet with Cyrus I’ll have a better feel for things.”

“Is she affiliated with Mr. Cyrus? It is common knowledge that he is in the Human intelligence gathering business.”

“Nope; she’s just a freelancer – she’s independent – although I know for a fact that she’s had help from others here in the Capital.”

Bill frowned and his tone dropped an octave. “Who would that be?”

“I don’t know, just a few thugs trying to act tough so far. But I got the distinct impression that she screwed them – betrayed them.”

“So
screwed
means to betray? I was under the impression it meant something entirely different in the Human language.”

“It has many meanings, my friend. But now, I will take you up on your offer to appropriate your official vehicle. I have to get going.”

“Best of luck, my Captain.” Bill said, as he awkwardly attempted to shake my hand. He still didn’t have that gesture down all the way. “Take care at the spaceport. I know there are forces that would welcome a war between Velosia and Simore. Keeping the Unity Stone lost would make that happen, so there may be those out to stop you from accomplishing your mission.”

“No shit?”

“No shit, my Captain. Politics is a very disgraceful profession, even to those of us within it.”

**********

It was the normal gray shade of night when I arrived at the softball field, having used all my skills to make sure I wasn’t followed from Bill’s house. I knew it was probably all for naught, since drones and other distance-oriented devices could track me without me ever knowing. I hated those little bastards, which had been so prevalent back on Earth before I left.

But regardless of the risk, I had to meet Cyrus. If anyone had the answers about what the hell was going on, it would be him. Besides, I didn’t have much time to work up a more elaborate plan.

I found Cyrus – along with an alien – in the upper seats of the bleachers, under an aluminum awning. There were four lunchbox-sized electronic devices set around the area, obviously some kind of dampening field to keep our conversation private. Cyrus looked concerned.

“Looks like you’ve got yourself in some real shit this time, Jason, and just meeting you here could really screw up my career.”

That was a hell of a way to start a conversation.

“I appreciate the risk you’re taking, but I hope you know I had nothing to do with this?”

“Unfortunately, reality has little to do with the situation. You’re being set up to take a major fall, and I don’t know what I can do about it.”

“So what
is
going on, and why are they doing this to
me
?”

“It’s not just you, Jason It’s the entire Human race. Already information has been leaked to the alien media about Miranda Moore’s supposed affiliation with the Human intelligence services. They even have a partial of the report
you
turned over to me just this morning. And of course your name is plastered everywhere.”

“Why would anyone believe we’d want to start a galactic war?”

Cyrus turned to the alien. He was a X’ilon, a Humanoid/Prime with light pink skin and a set of furry antennae which could detect changes in air pressure around him. They made good covert agents – as well as exceptional lookouts.

“This is Yorf; he’s our resident expert on intergalactic relations and historical references. Since Humans are so new on the scene, we rely a lot on other species to fill in the gaps in our understanding. He’s been doing some good research on Earth’s involvement with the Union – both past and present – and has found some very interesting data. Go ahead, Yorf.”

“Yes, Mr. Cyrus. Although your planet has only been a member of the Union for fourteen years, it was first proposed for membership two-hundred fourteen years ago.”

“That long ago, why? Does it have something to do with the S’morean Crisis?”

“Simorean, Mr. King, not S’morean,” Yorf corrected. “So you have heard of it?”

“Just in passing. A few weeks ago Jonk Limbor mentioned it.”

I saw the alien and Cyrus pass a look between themselves. It seems I’d touched a nerve.

“So why were we being considered for the Union back then when we didn’t even have cars, planes or any real advanced technology to speak of?” I asked. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Agreed, yet it was no less than the Amelians themselves who sponsored your membership. And when the Amelians brought an action before the Council, it was taken very seriously. However, the Simoreans took a most-adamant stand in opposition, which caused a rift that nearly destroyed the newly-reorganized Galactic Union.

“This was a formative time for the Union. The Amelians had backed away from total control of the organization, allowing other races a more active role. It was also just after the Capital was moved from Amelia – where it had been for seven hundred years – to a more neutral location here on Sylox. The Simorean Disposition, as it’s officially known, was the first major crisis to occur since the transition, and the other races – led by the Simoreans – were determined to make their authority known.

“Curiously, it also seems the Amelians tried two other times after the crisis – unsuccessfully – to make Earth a member. You were only allowed in this time through a thin coalition of smaller races who voted in your favor – once again sponsored by the Amelians.”

“So how does all this relate to my situation? Sorry to be impatient, but I don’t have a lot of time.”

“Quite understandable, Mr. King,” said Yorf. “It is now being circulated that the Humans are seeking revenge against the Simoreans for their opposition to Earth’s membership, by instigating a war between them and the Velosians.”

“That’s crazy,” I said.

“With a war between Velosia and Simore, both of those races would suffer in power and influence. You Humans have made remarkable strides in the short time you’ve been members, mainly through your building prowess, and as a result, your financial position is growing faster than any before you. A diminishing of the influence of the two aforementioned races would elevate the Humans to a higher level – if the Union survives the war.”

“The revenge angle is absurd on its face,” Cyrus said. “An all-out war does no one any good, and why would we seek revenge for an act we weren’t even aware of until now? There’s more to this.”

“There always is,” I said with a snort. “So you think it might be financial – all about the money? Someone doesn’t like all the business we’re taking from them, including my old friend Jonk Limbor and his building contractors.”

“Ain’t that always the case, Jason? But don’t underestimate Limbor. He’s in a group called the Linorean Foundation.”

“That’s a new one,” I said.

“They’re kind of like the Freemasons-on-steroids, only about a billion times more powerful. They’re made up of dozens of different races and have their tentacles in just about every industry in the galaxy. Yet their main activity has to do with construction, and not just of housing communities and hospitals, but of entire planets – or the things that go on them.”

I nodded my head. “Yeah, I’ve worked with more than my fair share of building contractors back home, and I know them to be the most ruthless S.O.B.s around. I can imagine what a galaxy-wide group of them would be like. So they want to shut us down, and the best way to do that is to have the Earth destroyed.”

“Or expelled from the Union,” said Yorf. “That would be the simplest solution.”

“And taking this big-ass diamond statue could make all that happen?”

“It could, if whoever is behind this allows it to go that far,” Yorf said. “Yet with even how pragmatic the Linoreans may be, I seriously doubt they wish a war to ravage the Union.”

“So returning the statue will stop the war, right?”

“If done in time. The two parties have always carried a tremendous amount of hatred for one another, and the disappearance of the Unity Stone is only an excuse to do what they have both sought for several hundred years – a final resolution to their conflict. Once forces are put in motion, it may be impossible to stop the momentum towards all-out war.”

“Can’t we go to someone with this information and lay it all out, just like we’ve done here?”

“Unfortunately, those who wish the plan to be carried to fruition are integrated into nearly every level of the Union government and military.”