Vwinzu 9
"I'm going to ask this once, how did Doc break his leg?" Walsh, still damp from the sprinklers, looked at Zach.
"It's a barely there fracture, he just needs to have it in a brace, and honestly, I'm not sure. I was taking cover when the vending machines started firing at each other and Buzzwang got reprogrammed again." Zach sighed. "Having half of my body as Bionic is probably a good thing. The slab that fell on me only hit that part."
"I'm amazed Q-ball wasn't a part of this." Cain commented. "He seems to be a leading cause of damage around here."
"Well, this works out a little . . . Ambassador Waldo requested to go with you, seems the governor of the planet is a relative, or former relative, anyway."
"If they're having communication problems, we'll still need Doc. He doesn't need to walk to shoot or tamper with a computer."
"Alright, but you'd better get going."
"Of course, I try to fix a software glitch, and of course, a vending machine hits me in the leg. This is just going to make my life that much more difficult."
"At least you can walk. Walsh was ready to bench you from the mission." Zach looked at his moaning friend. "Ambassdor, what can you tell us about the planet?"
"Small, handful of settlers . . . they make a fortune in exporting alcoholic beverages and furniture. The trees on that planet grow up rather fast and large, one tree equaling about twenty pieces of furniture. The town is in a natural clearing, and they use the well water for beverages . . . it's actually very good."
"And the governor?"
"Cousin, four times removed, or is it seven? He and his wife fight, divorce, and get back together so often."
"What about things that gangs would want?"
"No star stones, if that's what you're asking. They did have a mine for diamonds awhile back, but they mostly use them for carpentry."
"Not worth much?"
"No, they're rainbow colored. Green Diamonds, blue diamonds, purple, yellow, orange, even a few black, brown, and red. A few even have mutltiple colors." Waldo removed a ring from a pouch, showing a blue and yellow stone. "We've had several experts test them, they're diamonds, through and through."
"What happened to the mine?"
"People began to go missing. Several cave ins, and a few natural shafts flooded. They pulled people out, and closed the mine."
"Ever find the missing people?"
"A few dead bodies. A natural shaft they found had toxic air . . . they didn't make it out."
"We're going to have to stop for fuel. It's really that far out in the middle of nowhere." Doc noted.
"Yes, yet another reason they're not paid much attention."
The refueling station was surprisingly busy. While Zach paid, Doc watched a Kirwin family go past, followed by a couple of Androids, both arguing. A band of Leonoids were playing music. There were a couple Bastui and he thought he saw a couple of Gherkins as well.
"Wonder where else these people are going?"
"Oh, Irwin 3 and planet Disney are a few days travel from here. They're offering a traveler's special."
"Mm. Ready to go, Captain?"
"We're all fueled up." Zach glanced over his shoulder.
"Something wrong?"
"No, just have a feeling I'm being watched."
"Then I suggest we get going."
Vwinzu 9 itself was rather plain. But Doc and Zach could see scorch marks from laser fire, and a few buildings were being rebuilt. Another spaceship was landing.
"Well, this is a rather nice place . . . mountains, streams and trees as far as the eye can see."
"Welcome to Vwinzu 9. I'm J. Housou. Governor Winslow's driver." A young woman with brown hair, red jacket and a black cowboy hat met them.
"Thank you, I am Ambassador Waldo, this is Captain Zachery Foxx and Walter Hartford."
"Doc to my friends. What's J stand for?" Doc looked at her, about to turn on the charm.
"Honestly, I don't know." She gave a wry smile. "His place is on the opposite end of town, would you like to go in the jeep or do you have horses?"
"I'd prefer the jeep."
"We'll go with you as well." Zach nodded. Doc took shotgun.
"Ms. Housou, may I ask how the local climate is?"
"Pretty normal for us, mid 70's on the farhenheit scale, with a light breeze. Not much humidity." She waved at an elderly woman talking to an elderly alien that looked like a human mixed with pink marshmallow. "We've found another large clearing on our side of the mountain, Govenor Winslow is planning on trying to raise Andorian sheep and earth cattle. We've got a ranch built up there, and we're working on moving the livestock now."
"Andorian sheep? Aren't those the sheep that have small heads and cat like bodies under a few pounds of wool?" Doc blinked.
"And teeth?" The woman grinned, showing hers. "Yes. They're rather docile, though."
"Says the woman who's never been attacked by them."
"How would you know?" She raised an eyebrow, before turning to a rather stately ranch house. She pulled up with a wave to two humans on horses. "Meet the law enforcement, Sheriff Wolfe and Deputy Hunter Stearns. We've got others, but these are the only two constantly on duty."
"Hello." The blonde man grinned. "Pleased to meet you." Hunter tilted his hat, and then looked at Housou.
"We're going up to the ranch, set up shop for the night."
"Have fun." Hunter grabbed her arm. "What?"
"Stay away from him while I'm gone, your leg's bad enough without you getting into trouble."
"Have it your way. Be careful." The two nodded, and rode off. "C'mon. I'll show you to your rooms, dinner's at eight, and that's the only time Gov. Winslow gets some time off."
"Who was Hunter talking about?"
"No one you have to worry about."
"Well, what do you think?" Zach looked at Doc with a raised eyebrow.
"Think about what, Doc?"
"The colony."
"Peaceful, quiet, nothing out of the ordinary and just a dull place to live."
"How about Ms. Housou?"
"What about her?"
"Think I have a chance?"
"Doc . . . We're just here to check on the town, make sure everyone's alright, and keep going. And she carries a couple knives."
"What?" Doc blinked.
"One's at her hip, there are two in her boots, and there might be more." A gong sounded, and the two met Waldo at the top of the stairs.
"Winslow definitly hasn't been holding back on things he has made for himself." He pointed at the ornately carved stairs and railing.
"Is that a problem?"
"He's a good business man, even with the slight flair for wealth."
"Waldo, good to see you." The elderly Andorian nodded from where he was sitting. "Do excuse me for not standing, I broke both legs recently."
"How?"
"Crown Raiders. They haven't done much recently, but a few weeks ago they attacked. My legs were caught under some rubble."
"Why haven't you contacted anyone?"
"I have . . . The one manning the complaint bureau and emergency communications hasn't even called to say what the delay on getting urgent messages out. He just tells me to call back later and that's all I get."
"I'll have to look into that." Waldo sighed. "We're going to try and fix your communications while we're here- Why are you frowning?"
"Crown Raider's destroyed our communication satellite. We've been getting messages out with Housou and the Zodiac's help."
"Pilot as well as driver?"
"One of the best, even with only a partial memory."
"Partial memory?"
"Girl had amnesia, she's been pulling bits and pieces together, but she really doesn't know much about her past. Loves to keep busy, just like her companions-" Electric guitar noise sounded from the village. "When they're not being public nusancies. Bludd's at it again."
"Oh, let him play." A female andorian swept into the room. "Gives the town a bit more of a lived in feel at night."
"Allow me to introduce my wife, Angora."
"Related?"
"Only because their parent's were vagabonds and never bothered registering their children. With any government. Right now they've been written as Andorian citizens, a rough age approximation, and that's how I'll keep it. They're good people."
"If a little rough around the edges." Angora agreed. "Jay has an excuse, with her lack of complete memory . . . though I think the boys do it so she doesn't feel bad."
Dinner proceeded with talk about the town and it's in habitants.
Took me long enough. Chapter had a few false starts, but we're moving on.