Fixer in Phase World
This story features a few of Marvel's villains and heroes, namely Nick Fury, Norbert Ebersol ("The Fixer") and Marvin Flumm ("Mentallo"), thinly disguised under other names and placed in Rifts: Phase World setting. Along with them are a few characters of my own devising, based on figures from the Norse, Greek and Irish mythology.
Garm -- a Space Wulfen and former Phase Mystic gone renegade. He was lured into a life of crime by other members of an interstellar crime cartel and is now Loptr's partner.
Loptr -- a Temporal Warrior and owner of the starship Farbauti. He involves himself to varying degrees in illicit activities of all types, namely kidnapping and gun-running.
Marvin Felum -- a natural psionic who's involved with Loptr. He later forms a bond with Norbert Emerson, who names him "Mentalus."
Norbert Emerson -- an ex-CAF scientist, gone rogue, interested in developing technology for himself. His aptitude with technology is amazing, as he can grasp disparate principles and understand them. For this he's known as the "Fixer."
Nick Furcas -- an Inspector in the Penta Federation Patrol (much like a policeman).
Kronos League -- a semi-oppressive pocket stellar empire based in the Hourglass Nebula of the Corkscrew Galaxy. They're imperialistic and predatory, sponsoring a large military and civilian warships issued Letters of Marque from a planet called Awn. Sometimes called the "Chronos" League.
Penta Federation -- basically a benign conglomeration of a dozen worlds near CCW borders, roughly 500 LYs from the Kronos League. Despite being allies with the CCW and the CAF, they're engaged in constant sparring with their opposites within the Kronos League.
Trade Worlds -- a score of neutral worlds filling in the space beteen the Federation and the Kronos League. Merchants from both sides exploit the Trades for their prosperity in hopes of making riches. Most worlds are slightly less technologically advanced than their neighbors (some even more so) and are subject to varying degrees of protection from each side. Most maintain Independent Defense Forces (IDFs) to protect themselves from Kronian privateers and mercenaries. The CAF and Federation naval vessels prowl these interstellar waters too, since their own citizens travel here quite often.
Red Branch Shipping -- is a multi-stellar cargo line based within the Federation, hauling merchant wares inside the Trades. While not the only such company, it is one of the biggest and best equipped, making Kronian marauders think twice about assaulting their ships.
Kular -- A captain in the Red Branch Knights, the mercenary arm of Red Branch Shipping. Kular is responsible for security and reports directly to the Ownership Council.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Biddus System, Tuesday 20:34 hrs, Year 683
Biddus is a Federation planet furthermost from the CCW and on the border of neutral space, some 50 LY from the neutral region known as the Trade Worlds. The planet is home of BTR (Biddus Technological Research), a company breaking new ground in the field of nanotechnology. Here, we find something happening late one night in one of the executive offices...
"Just as I thought," said Norbert Emerson, scrolling through the data on his boss' computer. "It seems Dr. Tobias has been playing his cards close to his vest." Emerson hit the page down key and viewed the next screen of information. The data revealed that Tobias had indeed made inroads with T'Zee scientists in the area of nanotech development.
"This item sounds very intriguing." Emerson produced a data-disk and inserted it into the computer, then downloaded all the information in the directory to it. While the computer performed its task he glanced at his chronograph.
The night guard would be making his rounds soon. He had precisely six minutes before he would be discovered.
Copying the data took two.
Nobert Emerson shutdown the computer and realigned Dr. Tobias' desk, then quietly exited the office.
* * * * *
Later that week we find Dr. Tobias engaged in conversation with BTRs Chief of Security over anomalies in the station's security logs...
"Where was I last Tuesday night?" a somewhat stunned Dr. Tobias looked at the Security Chief. "Why? What's this all about?"
"Please, just answer the question, doctor."
Tobias looked away momentarily, to think. "I was at the opening of that new musical, downtown. My wife sits on the presentation board."
"So several people saw you?"
"What's going on?" Tobias was upset. The Security Chief's look calmed him. "Of course. Yes, about a dozen people."
"Thank you doctor," said the chief. "I thought as much. You see I was correlating the entries in the security log against those in the building's security computer. That's the one that makes entries, each time a checkpoint is accessed. Last Tuesday I show an entry for your office, after hours, however the check-in log doesn't have a corresponding entry for you that night. In fact, I show you left at 6:32 PM."
Tobias was astounded, and slowly lowered himself into the chair opposite the chief's desk. He thought for a few moments, "Who was here that night?"
"According to the log, about a dozen people. So far each has been confirmed as having a valid reason for being there."
"So you don't know who was responsible for the trespass?" asked the doctor.
"No. I'd like you to look at the log and see if anything stands-out. But first," he paused, "Doctor, have you lost or misplaced your access key?"
The doctor reached for his keys. To his reliefl it was on the key ring. "No, but, I did misplace them one afternoon the week before..." his voice trailed off. "I found them a few hours later, in the lab."
"That's what I was afraid of doctor. It seems someone here has borrowed your key and duplicated it. That's how this intrusion was done." The chief handed the doctor the Tuesday night log. "Have a look at this and let's see if anyone in this list was near where you found your lost access key."
* * * * *
The Security Chief has made his analysis and has narrowed his list of suspects to a single man: Norbert Emerson, a brilliant but, egotistic researcher, who thinks himself above his peers. The Chief has informed Tobias, and the pair have laid a trap later that week...
Norbert Emerson waited patiently until the security guard had gone around the corner, then quickly made his way to the executive office wing. He pulled the clone key from his pocket and entered, then strolled down to Tobias' office.
It took a moment to locate the swivel hinge on the bookcase. He pressed it and out slid a shelf. On it was an electronic device, box-shaped but its front-end was rounded. He briefly examined the keyboard, then touched a particular sequence of keys and a whirring sound engaged, then a soft flash of light. Shortly thereafter a smoky mist appeared in the box's clear cover. Emerson sat in Tobias' chair and waited. After 3 minutes came a beep. Emerson looked, noticing that within the clear cover sat a futuristic, pistol-like weapon. He retrieved it for examination.
A noise in the outer hallway startled him. Norbert turned, hiding the weapon from view. The office door swung open.
"Emerson!" it was Dr. Tobias and the Security Chief, standing in the doorway. "I should've known. I should've listened to your peers. I guess their views of you weren't misplaced. They knew something..."
Emerson erupted in laughter.
"My peers!" Emerson shouted. "Calling that pack of jackals, my peers is indeed an amusing comparison, doctor."
The pair stepped inside, the security chief with his hand on his holster. Dr. Tobias' mouth dropped open when he noticed his secret box -- the Nanopak -- in the open, on the shelf.
His face flushed red with rage, "Your career is over Emerson," intoned Tobias, shocked that his secret project been discovered, "The NanoPak is classified technology. You'll never work again. Even after prison..."
Emerson aimed and fired the weapon. A bright, reddish beam struck the security chief flush in the chest, before bursting in a small explosion. The force of the blast thrust the security man back, against the doorframe, before he collapsed in a heap on the floor. The man's cloth armor offered little protection versus the weapon.
Tobias gaped in shock.
"You're wrong doctor," a smile spread across Emerson's face. He stepped over to the now white-faced man. "It's your career that's over. Mine's just beginning." He fired again, at point blank range, and watched as Tobias crumbled.
Emerson placed the weapon in his belt, retreived Tobias' Nanopak and left the office, carefully locking the door behind him.
* * * * *
Naturally, after committing such a crime, Norbert Emerson felt he should leave Biddus. His plan is to continue researching Tobias' Nanopak, since at heart he's a scientist. However he must leave quickly, via someone who can transport him with no questions. His planning discovered a mercenary group who travel within the Trade Worlds. At this point he's already contacted them and asks them to pick him up at a discreet safehouse...
"This is it," Marvin Felum thumbed his hand towards the building on his right.
"Garm, pull over," Loptr patted the huge, Wulfen on the shoulder.
The car eased to the curb next to a dingy, flea-bag hotel and the trio got out. The smell of sea water overtook them, since they were near the Wharf District of the city.
Garm growled then fished out a large, laser pistol he kept under the driver's seat. The monstrous creature loved combat. He checked it carefully then secreted it under his greatcoat. Loptr nodded and double-checked his Jackhammer heavy pistol.
"Who is this guy?" asked Loptr as the trio entered the hotel.
"He needs a starship crew that doesn't mind a little action," whispered Felum.
The trio filed past the sleeping desk clerk and climbed the stair. Felum stopped suddenly as they neared the second-story landing.
"I sense something," he whispered, tapping the side of his head twice, indicating it was psionic in nature.
"So, is this a good thing, or not?" asked Loptr.
"I don't know," Felum seemed distant, detached.
Loptr nodded to Garm and the monster produced his weapon and made a quick check of the floor. They could hear the wail of a baby and the sound of a loud television set from one of the other rooms, but nothing seemed strange.
Satisfied, Felum stepped over to room 206 and knocked.
A husky man answered. On his head was a strange helmet.
"You Felum?" he asked. Marvin nodded. The husky man held the door open.
"I'm Emerson, come in."
to be continued...
This story features a few of Marvel's villains and heroes, namely Nick Fury, Norbert Ebersol ("The Fixer") and Marvin Flumm ("Mentallo"), thinly disguised under other names and placed in Rifts: Phase World setting. Along with them are a few characters of my own devising, based on figures from the Norse, Greek and Irish mythology.
Garm -- a Space Wulfen and former Phase Mystic gone renegade. He was lured into a life of crime by other members of an interstellar crime cartel and is now Loptr's partner.
Loptr -- a Temporal Warrior and owner of the starship Farbauti. He involves himself to varying degrees in illicit activities of all types, namely kidnapping and gun-running.
Marvin Felum -- a natural psionic who's involved with Loptr. He later forms a bond with Norbert Emerson, who names him "Mentalus."
Norbert Emerson -- an ex-CAF scientist, gone rogue, interested in developing technology for himself. His aptitude with technology is amazing, as he can grasp disparate principles and understand them. For this he's known as the "Fixer."
Nick Furcas -- an Inspector in the Penta Federation Patrol (much like a policeman).
Kronos League -- a semi-oppressive pocket stellar empire based in the Hourglass Nebula of the Corkscrew Galaxy. They're imperialistic and predatory, sponsoring a large military and civilian warships issued Letters of Marque from a planet called Awn. Sometimes called the "Chronos" League.
Penta Federation -- basically a benign conglomeration of a dozen worlds near CCW borders, roughly 500 LYs from the Kronos League. Despite being allies with the CCW and the CAF, they're engaged in constant sparring with their opposites within the Kronos League.
Trade Worlds -- a score of neutral worlds filling in the space beteen the Federation and the Kronos League. Merchants from both sides exploit the Trades for their prosperity in hopes of making riches. Most worlds are slightly less technologically advanced than their neighbors (some even more so) and are subject to varying degrees of protection from each side. Most maintain Independent Defense Forces (IDFs) to protect themselves from Kronian privateers and mercenaries. The CAF and Federation naval vessels prowl these interstellar waters too, since their own citizens travel here quite often.
Red Branch Shipping -- is a multi-stellar cargo line based within the Federation, hauling merchant wares inside the Trades. While not the only such company, it is one of the biggest and best equipped, making Kronian marauders think twice about assaulting their ships.
Kular -- A captain in the Red Branch Knights, the mercenary arm of Red Branch Shipping. Kular is responsible for security and reports directly to the Ownership Council.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Biddus System, Tuesday 20:34 hrs, Year 683
Biddus is a Federation planet furthermost from the CCW and on the border of neutral space, some 50 LY from the neutral region known as the Trade Worlds. The planet is home of BTR (Biddus Technological Research), a company breaking new ground in the field of nanotechnology. Here, we find something happening late one night in one of the executive offices...
"Just as I thought," said Norbert Emerson, scrolling through the data on his boss' computer. "It seems Dr. Tobias has been playing his cards close to his vest." Emerson hit the page down key and viewed the next screen of information. The data revealed that Tobias had indeed made inroads with T'Zee scientists in the area of nanotech development.
"This item sounds very intriguing." Emerson produced a data-disk and inserted it into the computer, then downloaded all the information in the directory to it. While the computer performed its task he glanced at his chronograph.
The night guard would be making his rounds soon. He had precisely six minutes before he would be discovered.
Copying the data took two.
Nobert Emerson shutdown the computer and realigned Dr. Tobias' desk, then quietly exited the office.
* * * * *
Later that week we find Dr. Tobias engaged in conversation with BTRs Chief of Security over anomalies in the station's security logs...
"Where was I last Tuesday night?" a somewhat stunned Dr. Tobias looked at the Security Chief. "Why? What's this all about?"
"Please, just answer the question, doctor."
Tobias looked away momentarily, to think. "I was at the opening of that new musical, downtown. My wife sits on the presentation board."
"So several people saw you?"
"What's going on?" Tobias was upset. The Security Chief's look calmed him. "Of course. Yes, about a dozen people."
"Thank you doctor," said the chief. "I thought as much. You see I was correlating the entries in the security log against those in the building's security computer. That's the one that makes entries, each time a checkpoint is accessed. Last Tuesday I show an entry for your office, after hours, however the check-in log doesn't have a corresponding entry for you that night. In fact, I show you left at 6:32 PM."
Tobias was astounded, and slowly lowered himself into the chair opposite the chief's desk. He thought for a few moments, "Who was here that night?"
"According to the log, about a dozen people. So far each has been confirmed as having a valid reason for being there."
"So you don't know who was responsible for the trespass?" asked the doctor.
"No. I'd like you to look at the log and see if anything stands-out. But first," he paused, "Doctor, have you lost or misplaced your access key?"
The doctor reached for his keys. To his reliefl it was on the key ring. "No, but, I did misplace them one afternoon the week before..." his voice trailed off. "I found them a few hours later, in the lab."
"That's what I was afraid of doctor. It seems someone here has borrowed your key and duplicated it. That's how this intrusion was done." The chief handed the doctor the Tuesday night log. "Have a look at this and let's see if anyone in this list was near where you found your lost access key."
* * * * *
The Security Chief has made his analysis and has narrowed his list of suspects to a single man: Norbert Emerson, a brilliant but, egotistic researcher, who thinks himself above his peers. The Chief has informed Tobias, and the pair have laid a trap later that week...
Norbert Emerson waited patiently until the security guard had gone around the corner, then quickly made his way to the executive office wing. He pulled the clone key from his pocket and entered, then strolled down to Tobias' office.
It took a moment to locate the swivel hinge on the bookcase. He pressed it and out slid a shelf. On it was an electronic device, box-shaped but its front-end was rounded. He briefly examined the keyboard, then touched a particular sequence of keys and a whirring sound engaged, then a soft flash of light. Shortly thereafter a smoky mist appeared in the box's clear cover. Emerson sat in Tobias' chair and waited. After 3 minutes came a beep. Emerson looked, noticing that within the clear cover sat a futuristic, pistol-like weapon. He retrieved it for examination.
A noise in the outer hallway startled him. Norbert turned, hiding the weapon from view. The office door swung open.
"Emerson!" it was Dr. Tobias and the Security Chief, standing in the doorway. "I should've known. I should've listened to your peers. I guess their views of you weren't misplaced. They knew something..."
Emerson erupted in laughter.
"My peers!" Emerson shouted. "Calling that pack of jackals, my peers is indeed an amusing comparison, doctor."
The pair stepped inside, the security chief with his hand on his holster. Dr. Tobias' mouth dropped open when he noticed his secret box -- the Nanopak -- in the open, on the shelf.
His face flushed red with rage, "Your career is over Emerson," intoned Tobias, shocked that his secret project been discovered, "The NanoPak is classified technology. You'll never work again. Even after prison..."
Emerson aimed and fired the weapon. A bright, reddish beam struck the security chief flush in the chest, before bursting in a small explosion. The force of the blast thrust the security man back, against the doorframe, before he collapsed in a heap on the floor. The man's cloth armor offered little protection versus the weapon.
Tobias gaped in shock.
"You're wrong doctor," a smile spread across Emerson's face. He stepped over to the now white-faced man. "It's your career that's over. Mine's just beginning." He fired again, at point blank range, and watched as Tobias crumbled.
Emerson placed the weapon in his belt, retreived Tobias' Nanopak and left the office, carefully locking the door behind him.
* * * * *
Naturally, after committing such a crime, Norbert Emerson felt he should leave Biddus. His plan is to continue researching Tobias' Nanopak, since at heart he's a scientist. However he must leave quickly, via someone who can transport him with no questions. His planning discovered a mercenary group who travel within the Trade Worlds. At this point he's already contacted them and asks them to pick him up at a discreet safehouse...
"This is it," Marvin Felum thumbed his hand towards the building on his right.
"Garm, pull over," Loptr patted the huge, Wulfen on the shoulder.
The car eased to the curb next to a dingy, flea-bag hotel and the trio got out. The smell of sea water overtook them, since they were near the Wharf District of the city.
Garm growled then fished out a large, laser pistol he kept under the driver's seat. The monstrous creature loved combat. He checked it carefully then secreted it under his greatcoat. Loptr nodded and double-checked his Jackhammer heavy pistol.
"Who is this guy?" asked Loptr as the trio entered the hotel.
"He needs a starship crew that doesn't mind a little action," whispered Felum.
The trio filed past the sleeping desk clerk and climbed the stair. Felum stopped suddenly as they neared the second-story landing.
"I sense something," he whispered, tapping the side of his head twice, indicating it was psionic in nature.
"So, is this a good thing, or not?" asked Loptr.
"I don't know," Felum seemed distant, detached.
Loptr nodded to Garm and the monster produced his weapon and made a quick check of the floor. They could hear the wail of a baby and the sound of a loud television set from one of the other rooms, but nothing seemed strange.
Satisfied, Felum stepped over to room 206 and knocked.
A husky man answered. On his head was a strange helmet.
"You Felum?" he asked. Marvin nodded. The husky man held the door open.
"I'm Emerson, come in."
to be continued...
