Chapter Four
2030 – Arkansas2
150 – 2105
"You're kidding, right? Tell me you're kidding."
"I'm not kidding, Doc. I wish I were," answered the Series 5 Ranger Captain, Zachary Foxx. "The mayor is not in his office; he's not at home. He is attending a private party for a play opening tonight."
"We're in the middle of a planetary disaster, and the mayor is attending a play?" Ranger Hartford's incredulity rang through his words.
Zachary nodded with little emphasis. He too was having trouble making heads or tails of the mayor. Given the current state of affairs, he was expecting the man to be meeting with heads of security and science to get to the bottom of what was happening to the planet not for him to be attending a private entertainment function. "That's what his personal assistant finally told me."
Doc shook his head in disbelief again. "So, now what?"
"We head to camp. We need to recharge both literally and figuratively."
Doc looked around the deserted street. "I guess that means we hoof it, huh?"
"You guess correctly."
As Zachary and Doc walked toward base camp, Doc was immediately reminded of food from a small grumble in his stomach. It had been quite awhile since he had eaten, if quick energy field rations could be considered food. He spied the lights of a general store announcing the welcoming phrase "Open."
"So, um, Cap, what do you say we do a little reconnaissance?"
Zachary looked in the direction that Doc was indicating. "Reconnaissance? Or R & R?"
"Well, we have yet to come across anyone willing to talk to us about the quakes, at least with the miners, perhaps a store owner might be more forthcoming."
"Especially, if we are paying customers?"
"Ooh, Captain, it is like you are reading my mind."
"Not a place I really want to frequent, Doc." Zachary retorted good-naturedly and led the way up the one step into the establishment.
A small bell chimed cheerily announcing their presence. The shopkeeper, a woman as tall as she was rotund, looked up from a magazine she was reading. "Howdy, gents." She greeted them warmly. "You from the mining transport that arrived this morning?"
"Something like that." Captain Foxx agreed and walked to the counter while Doc started scouring the aisles for food sundries. "Quite a lot of excitement today, huh."
"Yep," replied the woman, folding the corner of the page of the magazine to keep her place and setting it next to her on the counter. "We've been having plenty of excitement lately."
"You mean all that shaking is a common thing around here?"
"Those mines need lots of dynamite to loosen the ore. Sometimes feels like the whole shop is going to up and tumble over."
Noting the magazine was of tabloid popularity, Zachary leaned in close to the woman and whispered conspiratorially. "I heard through the grapevine that not all of the rumbles come from the dynamite."
"That so?"
"Yeah. Some people think that there might be more going on in those mines then what they're telling folks."
"You know," the woman dropped her voice to match the captain's. "I seem to recall Reverend Lawrence saying that the mining establishment was doing the devil's work. He thought there might be something else going on too."
"Really, you don't say."
"Yep. Said that they'd best watch themselves. Ore that good ain't natural."
"You know, I'd like to talk to the good Reverend. Any idea where I might find him?"
"Oh, Lordy no!" The woman stood straighter and did some kind of cross around her body. "Reverend Lawrence was found deader than a doornail in the chapel less than a week ago."
Ranger Hartford returned to the counter laden with various foodstuffs. He had been eavesdropping the entire time that the captain had been conversing with the woman. "He's dead?"
"Oh, yes siree-bob. It was quite a surprise." The grocer continued as she started tabulating the bill. "Poor little Amanda, she's the youngest of the O'Brien girls. Walked in to go over some last minute wedding plans. Found him herself – she did. You could hear her screams all up and down the street."
"Sarah Jamison!" A voice full of outraged authority called out just as the bell to the store rang again.
Surprised, the storeowner looked up into the face of the local deputy. "Uh-oh," she whispered to her to confidantes. "That's the other half of the O'Brien wedding party."
"Why Deputy Reeves what brings you by on such a late night." She called out brightly to the newcomer.
"Doing my rounds as always," answered the deputy as he walked further into the store. "I see you've made the acquaintance of Captain Foxx of the Galaxy Rangers."
"Busted," Doc sighed to Zachary.
"Galaxy Rangers! You didn't say you were Galaxy Rangers. You said you were new miners from the ship that arrived today." The shopkeeper accused.
"Actually, ma'am, you're the one who said we were miners." Captain Foxx answered diplomatically. "We are Galaxy Rangers from BETA Mountain. I'm Captain Zachary Foxx, and this is Ranger Walter Hartford."
"Pleasure." Doc returned giving his most charming smile.
Sarah returned a forced smile. "Uh, likewise." She handed him a slip of paper and began to bag his purchases. "Here's your bill."
"Deputy Reeves." Captain Foxx greeted the man whom he had met a few days earlier.
"Foxx. What brings you to one of our fine establishments so late?"
Zachary looked at the man and not for the first time wondered if he were legitimate or in someone else's pocket. "Just a little run for supplies."
"I told you that we could handle the law enforcement of our fair city. We don't need no outsiders butting in."
Zachary raised his hands in a gesture of 'take it easy' and turned to help Doc with one of the bags. "Like I said, Deputy, just getting a few supplies. Ms. Jamison, thanks for your help and hospitality. Have a good night."
"G'night, Captain, Ranger Hartford." Sarah replied and turned back to the deputy. "So what can I do for you?"
Once they had made there way a few blocks from the general store, Doc asked, "So, what do you think about the preacher?"
"Well, certainly seemed peculiar that he died after saying something was up at the mine. I wish that we had gotten more details though. Was it natural causes or murder?"
"Think we'll have a chance to go back and ask Sarah?"
Zachary looked back in the direction of the store. "I have a feeling that when Deputy Reeves is finished with Ms. Jamison, we won't find her nearly so helpful or friendly."
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Reclining with his feet up on an opposite chair, Shane Gooseman rested facing the only entrance of the little shack the rangers had dubbed their base of operations. Hearing footsteps outside, he opened one eye and nonchalantly gathered his gun into his right hand.
Ranger Hartford was the first to enter the building and wasn't surprised to find Gooseman lowering his pistol. "Gooseman!" he greeted cheerily.
Shane raised a finger to his lips in warning, but it was already too late. A sleeping Niko raised her head from the table and blinked at the returning rangers. "Captain, Doc." She greeted stifling a yawn behind the back of her hand and slowly stretching.
Doc Hartford reached into the bag he was carrying and tossed a wrapped package to Niko. "Sorry 'bout the wakeup call, but I come bearing gifts."
Niko deftly caught the package and looked at it hopefully. "Is this what I think it is?" She asked eagerly as she tore open the foil.
"Indeed it is!" smiled Doc.
"Doc, I could kiss you!"
"Please do!"
At a small grumble from Gooseman, Doc tossed him a package as well. "Don't worry Goose, I didn't forget you."
The pleasant aroma that greeted Shane's nose caused him to grin as well. "Doc," he grinned, "I could just kiss you."
Doc made a face. "Please do not!" He moved closer to the super trooper. "Is it my imagination, my Gooseman, or do you look more lupine than usual?"
Niko snickered around a mouthful of Kirwin's version of a chocolate bar. "Quiet, Violet." Gooseman warned.
A knowing smile broke across Doc's face. "Ah ha! You've recharged," he chuckled.
Gooseman grunted noncommittally and went over to the stove to start a strong brew of coffee from the fresh ground beans that Doc had bought.
"Someone want to tell me what is going on here?" Captain Foxx asked as he watched the exchange among the rangers.
Niko regained her composure first and answered the captain. "The recharger that Q-Ball created is still experimental and has a few minor glitches." She ignored the incredulous snort issued from the stove area and continued. "Upon recharging, some lingering effects occur."
Foxx sat down at the table ignoring his own bag of provisions. "What kind of effects exactly?"
"Well, um, my eyes change color."
"They do?"
"Yeah, a sort of purple actually."
"Well, that doesn't sound so bad."
"It's not, but…" Niko's attempt to remain poised was slowly unraveling. "But, everyone appears to have different things happen."
"Different?" The captain waited for a response, but Niko just shook her head.
"Gooseman?" he asked.
Shane glared at Doc who was still chuckling next to him and then to Niko who was trying to keep her amusement contained. "Apparently, I resembled a wolf." he admitted.
"A wolf?"
"Yes." Gooseman refused to explain further.
Zachary looked up to Niko. "Wolf? As in canine, fur, pointy ears?"
"And, don't forget the tail," chimed in Doc. He had already spied a used needle and thread lying next to a pair of Gooseman's uniform pants. "There must have been a tail. Am I right?"
"And, sharp teeth." Gooseman added in what sounded more like a feral growl than a statement.
"I see that my groceries were a success," Doc said changing topics before Goose did more than snarl at him.
"Indeed." Foxx agreed as he pulled out a few cans and some jerky. His last quick ration energy bar had been less than satisfying. "We've got enough if you all would like seconds."
Niko popped the last piece of her candy bar into her mouth and shook her head. "None for me, Captain. But, I'd be more than happy to get things started here if you and Doc want to get the recharging out of the way."
"Given your and Goose's stories, I can hardly wait." Zachary grimaced but left the food with her. "Coming, Doc?"
Doc's face fell at the mention of recharging. "Uh oh. Uh, Zack, I'm not so sure that is such a great idea."
"That wasn't a question, Doc. It was an order."
"Yes sir." Ranger Hartford replied with no enthusiasm and followed his captain into the other room where the generator and recharger were stationed.
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"I'm going to kill Q-Ball!" Zachary announced for the fifth time in less than two minutes.
"What?" yelled Doc.
"I said, 'I'm going to kill Q-Ball.'"
"Not if I get to him first." Shane Gooseman contended from his perch on the kitchen table.
"What?" Doc yelled again.
"Nevermind." Niko yelled back to him. "Doc, you're going to have to move to the other room. We can't hear a thing."
"Fine. Just keep me posted." Doc yelled again as he left the room with his programs circling him.
Just as Niko and Goose had had to endure enhanced side effects of Q-Ball's recharging unit, Zachary and Doc were dealing with their own versions. Unfortunately for all of them, Doc's consequences seemed to affect them all. As soon as he had finished re-energizing, his CDU and all programs had activated simultaneously. Immediately all the programs started an impromptu chorus of "It's a Small World after All." The resulting cacophony of the song sung over and over again in a round robin format made it impossible for anyone to accomplish anything.
"Well, that's a little better." Zachary agreed looking back at the other two rangers. "Where was I?"
"You were just telling us about the contact you made with the grocer." Niko supplied. Even though Doc had left with his concert, she was having a hard time concentrating on Zachary's words. She kept finding herself mesmerized by the eerie glow that his bionics were casting through his skin and clothing since he had recharged. The glow would mellow, pulse, grow brilliant and fade only to start all over again. It was almost hypnotic.
"So," Gooseman drew Niko back into the conversation. "The deputy walked in and that was that?"
"Oh, yes. Deputy Reeves definitely shut down that line of inquiry."
"So, what's our next step?" asked Niko.
"Can I come back in now?" Doc called from the doorway. "The programs are all shut down properly."
"Join the party." Goose invited and dragged a chair out for him.
"Thanks." Doc replied and sat down heavily. "Sorry 'bout that."
"Nothing to apologize for, "soothed Niko. "None of us have any control over the quirks that the recharger throws at us. At least, it wasn't the Ode to the Mothmoose again."
Doc buried his head in his hands. "Don't remind me."
"Next step?" Goose reminded everyone.
"Right," answered the captain. "Given the circumstances and the dire predictions on the dome's infrastructure, we need to act. At first light, we'll go to the mayor's office. We need to have him on board. He needs to understand that a planetary evacuation may be eminent. We also need access to the Science Board. I want to see what data they've been looking at and collecting the past week. Finally, I want more information on the activities of the mine. If the reverend was correct about other things going on – I want to know about it. His speculations may have caused a need to silence him."
"What was it that Sarah said about the preacher's reference to the mining activity. 'Ore that good ain't natural.' What if he was right? What if the ore that is being mined isn't natural at all?"
"What are you suggesting, Doc?" asked Zachary.
"Well, I'm guessing one of two things. Either the ore that is being mined is coming from the planet, perhaps even the core given the seismic activity. Or…"
"The ore isn't being mined at all. It's being made." Niko finished for him.
"Bingo."
"Well, either of those hypotheses could generate public silence." Goose continued the vein of conversation.
"True," Zachary agreed. "The League outlawed core mining several years ago. Whie initially profitable, the mining wreaked havoc with the planet's climate or worse. But, what would they be making that could cause such instability on such a large scale?"
Realization hit all the rangers at the same time. "Starstones," they said in unison.