Chapter 4
"I apologize for you not being escorted to my office," the Chancellor said. "My guards were just eager to report back in to their commanding officer."
"I understand completely," Dylan said. "I see that you are not unguarded though, which is what I was concerned about."
"I appreciate your concern, Captain Hunt. Please, sit down." They sat, except for Rommie, who opted to stand by Dylan. "Now please explain to me about this New Commonwealth that you are an ambassador of," said Rycar. "How will it benefit my people?"
"Well, with the New Commonwealth, we are aligned with one another in all aspects. This includes both trade and war. The other worlds in the Commonwealth will help fighting enemies of those not in the Commonwealth, and will try to keep tension low between all worlds."
"Well, Captain Hunt, this sounds all very well and good. Although our economy needs no help, we at sometime may need your military assistance."
"I saw very little merchants or shops while we were traveling through the city," Rommie said. "What is your economy based on?"
"Much of our income comes in through using our Academy. You see, people contract our services and then we perform them. Those that have been trained in the Academy are found very useful in almost all worlds."
"So, your economy is based off of bounty hunting?"
"No, not exactly. We prefer to think of it as mercenary work."
"And that's it? No farming, no agricultural work, not even manufacturing?" Dylan asked.
"Oh, well…of course yes. The 'typical' citizen is the one that works in the farm fields, or in a factory. They are important to maintaining our world, but are not a large base for residual income for us. Our gifted citizens however are taken into the Academy and learn the disciplines of militaristic training."
"Your style of economy really doesn't fit in with the Commonwealth. Perhaps we can find a new source of income for you as so that you can also help the greater good of the people. Why don't we return to our ship and investigate this further. We'll contact you if we find anything."
"I'm quite sorry, Captain Hunt, I can't let you do that." Rycar said, waving his hands. Guards moved to the doorways.
"But I will return to your ship, to take it!"
Rommie looked at Dylan, "Is this what you meant by this isn't going to be easy?"
When the smoke cleared, Harper threw open the hatch and all three stumbled out of the smoking ruin.
"Remind me never to fly Harper Spacelines again," Beka said, coughing.
"Hey, at least we're still alive and relatively healthy," Harper retorted.
"Will you two shut up and help me?" Trance said, looking around. "I'm trying to figure out where we are."
Beka and Trance looked around some, while Harper studied a datapad.
"Forests," Beka said softly, "why did it have to be forests?"
"It looks as if north is…that way," Harper said, pointing. "And there's a city about four kilometers that way." He pointed southeast. "We'd better start moving, so as to make it by nightfall.
"Excellent," Trance said. "I had wanted to come here too, but, as with you two, Dylan forbade me to. But I hadn't dreamed of doing anything this grandiose about it. You," Trance pointed at Harper," are nothing but trouble."
"What can I say, I'm just that good," Harper said.
"Shut your trap and start walking," Beka barked.
They traveled on for about three or four hours, until they stopped for a drink.
"You know, if you had just been doing your job, instead of traipsing about the ship, I wouldn't have been in this predicament," Beka suddenly spat.
"Hey, I am allowed to visit the command deck every now and again. I am the ship's engineer," Harper responded.
"Alright that does it. I am not playing mother the rest of this trip! If you two can't talk civil to each other, then don't open your mouths!" Trance stated, her face turning red. "I'm so sick of…"
"What was that?" Harper asked suddenly.
"What?" Beka and Trance said at the same time
The bushes next to them rustled softly.
"Who's there?" Beka called out, pulling her gun.
No reply
"Ah, it's nothing," Harper said, turning.
He began to walk away, when he ran into something. Stumbling back, he looked to see what he had hit.
And standing there, was a six-foot black clad figure, toting a very nasty-looking rifle.
"Do not move," the figure said.
"Alright, listen pal, I really don't want to have to kill you, so how about you just step aside?" Beka said
The figure motioned with his rifle, then said, "I don't think so, girly. Look around you."
They all looked around, and there were five more black figures surrounding them.
"I was right, Harper," Trance said. "You are trouble."
"Boy, when I'm hot, I'm sizzling," Harper said nervously.