Blakes
7
The legend continues
It’s been many years now since we heard anything about the federation.
As you may recall in the last of the televised episodes of Blake’s 7, we left our
hero’s in what appeared to be a very nasty situation. Now after many
years documents have come into my hands so I can now reveal the truth of what
happened on Gouda Prime….
Villa sat up, rubbing his head
“Ouch, I feel worse
now than when I drank a crate of Dorian’s cheep wine.”
Looking around, he could see that he and his friends were in
a small room. A holding room, he thought to himself.
The room was sparse and
simple; it had a bench along one wall, with a table and two hard chairs on the
other. There was a window of reasonable
size for the room, and although it had no bars was liable to be strong armored
glass. He saw that Tarrent was sitting at the table.
“What happened?” Villa said with a slur. “A well planed and
organized trap,” replied Tarrent. “I don’t know if it’s good news or not but
they only hit us with stun bolts.” “But the blood…?” Villa said as he looked at
his shirt and Tarrent’s arm.
“The effects of
high powered stun bolts at close range, we were set up good and proper this
time.”
“Blake would never
have done anything like that. Set us up
I mean,” Villa said with a puzzled look on his face.
“On the other hand,
some people would if there was something in it for them.” Tarrant noticed
Villa’s gaze straight at Avon.
They both turned when Dyane groaned. She sat up rubbing her
eyes “They didn’t kill us then!” she said in a rough whisper.
“Not yet,” Tarrant
replied, “they obviously have orders to hold us.” Soolin and Avon were last to
recover. Avon, being his usual self, simply stood and gave a slight sigh. Apart
from the blood splattered on his tunic, no one would have guessed there had
been any trouble.
Unfortunately, Soolin was not so lucky. She tried to stand
but soon fell as she put weight on her right foot. Villa came over to help her
to a seat. Avon stood and walked over to the door. “Not much chance of getting
out of here,” he said, thumping the door violently with his fist. “If it wasn’t
for you we wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place,” Tarrant said snidely.
“You can hardly but
all the blame on me!” Avon snapped
“Blakes over
dramatic way of finding allies had a lot to do with it”.
“So you had to
murder him!” Villa growled. “Shut up Villa!” Avon said with a sneer. “Shut up
your self!” Villa said as he flew at Avon. Every one looked on in amazement;
was this really their mild mannered Villa?
Instantly Avon lashed out with two blows one in the gut and
one to the side of the jaw.
Villa thudded like a rag doll to the flaw.
“There was no need
for that!” Soolin yelled. “Reflex action” came the clod reply. “Now just hold
on” Tarrant put in “we had better work together on this to get out of here.
Then we can work out what to do and where to go after that”. Tarrant helped
Villa to his feet. “See what you make of the door” Tarrent said.
Villa stumbled over to the door as he rubbed a trickle of
blood from his lower lip. “If we ever do get of this useless rock I swear ill
kill you, Avon”. “You mean you’ll try,” sneered Avon.
“Just shut up,
Avon.” Dayna almost screamed.
Villa ran his hands around the edge of the door mumbling to
himself. Turning to face the others with a rather worried look on his face. “Under
normal circumstances, I could have this open I less than a minuet, but here and
now with no tools, impossible!”
“Quiet Dayna
warned. “I thought I heard something.”
“Probably Servalan
come to finish the job,” Soolin said.
“There it is
again,” Dayna said.
“I heard it that
time,” Tarrant replied “sounds like gunfire.”
The noise came closer and more furious. Explosions and the
screams of dying people could now be heard clearly through the door. “What’s going on,” Villa asked on one in
particular.
“Probably some
more of Blake’s friends come to counter attack the federation guards,” Avon
replied.
The door slid open to reveal two well-armed men. “Don’t even
breath!” came a rough voice from the tallest man.
“Search ‘em Joe,”
OK, just make sure
you keep ‘em covered, Mike.” Joe handed his large blaster to mike and drew his
side arm.
“You’re obviously
not federation.” Soolin said.
“What’s it to do
with you” Joe replied.
Moving cautiously through the five of them and searching
each in turn. “They’re clean.” He said
Replacing his sidearm and taking his blaster back.
“So who are you”
Mike asked them, making a jabbing motion with his gun.
Dayna looked over. “Isn’t it obvious? Were prisoners.”
Mikes reply was cut short by a volley of gunfire that rang
along the corridor; one of the blasts cut him down.
This distracted Joe long enough for Avon to make his move.
One sharp blow to the neck and Joe dropped unconscious to the floor. Tarrant
took Joe’s blaster, handed the sidearm to Dayna and picked up a shoulder bag
that Joe had been carrying.
While he was searching Joe and inspecting the bag, Avon
cautiously looked out the door. A plasma bolt slammed into the wall behind him.
Swiftly he dropped to the floor, grabbed Mike’s blaster, rolled and fired
several shots. A dying scream came from down the corridor. Dayna picked up
another bag Mike had been carrying,
“spare clips for the side arm, a pouch of tools and explosives.” She
said. Tossing the pouch to Villa “You might find these useful she said.”
Looking in the pouch, “very useful” he said, “whoever these guys were they had
some expensive toys”
“Well,” Tarrant
said, “at least now were armed. I’ve got more clips and explosives in this bag”
“So what do we do?”
Dayna asked “Were out numbered, we
don’t have a ship and where’s Orac?”
“We get out of here
first,” Avon said “then we collect Orac”.
“Great” Villa
commented. We spend the rest of our lives eating nut’s ‘n’ berries on this
useless rock.”
“You can always
stay here and see who comes,” Dayna said with a smile.
With the fighting now subsided they moved cautiously along
the corridor. Avon lead the way, followed by Tarrant and Dayna Villa came last,
supporting Soolin. Coming to a branch in the corridor they decided to take the
right turn, mainly because they could hear gunfire to the left.
Before long they found the exit, not exactly freedom but it
was a step closer to getting off the planet.
“Your move, Villa”
Avon said, “we need this door open yesterday.” Letting Soolin steady herself on
the wall, Villa foraged through the pouch Dayna had given him, taking out a
small probe he passed it around the edge of the door and over the locking
mechanism. Returning the probe to the pouch he took out another two devices.
The first of these was a small rectangular box with two lights on the top, one
red one green and on the side a single power switch. On activation the unit’s
red light pulsated steadily. He passed it over the lock control panel with a
slow sweeping motion.
The red light went out as the green came on, at the same
time the face of the panel popped open. The second of these tools was rather
more complex. It was about 5 inches square and two inches deep and had four
wires coming from it, with each of these having a clip on the end. The face of
this unit contained several dials, switches and lights.
Villa connected the leads with such ease that only years of
practice would offer.
“Right,” he said,
“once I open this door anyone monitoring a security panel in the control room
will know about it”
“Agreed,” said
Tarrant. “I doubt if the federation troops have established full control yet
but I still think the sooner we get out of here the better.” A second later the
door slid open allowing them to make a rush for the cover of the trees.
Not stopping to look back they just kept running. Villa and
Soolin were lagging behind somewhat but Villa was determined not to leave her
alone. Tarrant had offered to help but Villa had declined, “just carry these,”
he said tossing him the tool pouch.
When the others made it to the top of a small hill with good
dense bush cover, they decided that this was a good place to rest. Gasping for
breath they dropped to the ground, they must have covered about four miles in
thirty minutes.
At that moment the ground shook with the force of a massive
explosion, a cloud of smoke and a fireball came from the direction of the
complex they had left behind. Two landing pod’s were seen to rise from the
smoke one of these being caught in second fire ball “Well, the federation have
certainly learnt how to lay demolition charges,” Dayna commented. “That was no
demolition charge,” Avon replied. “Those explosions would have virtually
atomized the place. The federation only levels a place – not obliterates it.
That was more like self destruct charges.”
It was then that Villa and Soolin arrived, after easing her
down Villa dropped, gasping “we cut that a bit fine didn’t we” he said.
“OK so were
relatively safe now,” Dayna commented “but what about Orac?”
“Ive got it hidden
in a cave about half a mile from here,” Avon said as he stood up. “Come on
let’s go.”
“Hay, just hang in
a minuet” Soolin said, “at least give Villa a chance to catch his breath!”
“OK” Tarrant
replied before Avon could respond, “we’ll rest for a while”.
It wasn’t long before they arrived at the cave. After moving
some rocks, Avon slid Orac and his key out of a small hole.
Avon sat on a rock next to Orac and placed the key in its
slot.
Orac sprang into life with the usual hum, showing he was operational.
“Scan for any federation transmissions within ten miles of our current
location” Avon ordered. After a few seconds, Orac replied “there are no current
transmissions emanating from within the specified radius.” “Good, so noone
followed us,” Soolin said.
“There are
however,” Orac continued “transmissions emanating from two federation ships
currently in high orbit of the surface.” “What are the transmissions about?”
Avon asked.
“They are referring
to several facts. The first of these is the explosion and consequent
destruction of a rebel base near this location. Secondly the loss of a squad of
troops sent to capture its leader. Finally they report only two survivors and
they are departing the system with their cargo.”
“Cargo they all
asked.”
“What could be of
any use to the federation on Gouda Prime?” Soolin asked.
Orac pondered for a moment. “Their orders are to return
Blake’s body to commissioner Slear at central command….”
A look of utter confusion swept across all faces, all looking at each other even Villa was lost for words. “Why” Dayna asked at last.
“I don’t know” Avon replied, “Orac” he said, “keep monitoring all frequencies and find out why”.
“If you are
referring to why Blake’s body was taken, be specific!”
“ORAC!” Avon
growled…
After a few seconds Orac responded, “that data is not
available at this time”.
The night was cold and wet
with a high wind. This coupled with Soolins ankle made the decision to stay
unanimous; even Avon agreed it would be wiser to stay till sunrise.
Villa made Soolin as comfortable as possible and settled
down beside her giving her a reassuring smile.
Her ankle was broken and they had no skeletal regenerator to
knit the break – not even a simple painkiller. Even though they knew no one
would sleep soundly that night, Orac was left on to continually monitor for any
indication of the approach of any unwelcome visitors.
Villa was not able to sleep too well for every time Soolin
moved she would wince as a shot of pain shot up her leg.
Villa gently stood up, pausing only to whisper something to
Orac, then went out side.
When he returned Dayna almost clubbed him with a fair sized
rock. “What the hell are you doing?” she demanded
“Been out to get these,”
he said showing her a handful of berries he had collected. “According to Orac
they will act as a pain killer for Soolin.”
“Just let someone know your going out next time.” She said as she turned
to lie down.
In the morning, Villa was quick to comment that they had not
eaten for almost 24 hours.
“Food is relatively easy to come by,” Dayna told him.
“Getting of this planet will be somewhat more difficult.”
“Maybe not,”
Tarrant began. “When I was talking to Blake he told me he was working on a ship
located near the base.”
“What kind of
ship?” Avon asked.
“Unfortunately, he
didn’t say much about it or its location, so well have a hard job finding it.”
“Maybe not.’ All
eyes turned to Orac as he spoke.
“Explain!” Tarrant
demanded.
“This planet has a
system of satellites, through which I can easily correlate data to locate
possible sites of a hidden ship.’
“OK, show off,”
sneered Villa, “if you can do it what makes you think the federation hasn’t
already done so?”
“Federation computers are not renowned for independently
cross referencing data from Topographical, Thermal and EM
Detection
satellites, and as the troops had no reason to believe there was a hidden ship,
they did not search.”
Tarrant was sure he heard Villa mumble “Every body loves a
smart ass.”
“Point taken,” Avon
remarked “so where is this it?”
“From the thermal
and radiation leakage data I have been able to extrapolate there are five
possible sites: two of these are outside of reasonable traveling distance from
the base to be classed as ‘close’ another is unlikely because of the
surrounding terrain.”
“Stop, that’s the
location.” Cried Avon.
“That is a highly
illogical,” Orac told him, sounding almost human in his expression. “Even I
would hesitate to navigate a ship through such deep caverns.”
‘That is exactly
why someone like Blake would choose that location,” Avon replied.
“If you can’t get a
ship in to search the you cant get one out, typical federation mentality.”
Tarrant said.
After getting the location, and protest from Orac on the
unfathomable nature of human logic, they set braced themselves for the long 12
mile walk ahead of them.
“How’s your ankle?”
villa asked Soolin as he helped her along, arms griping tightly around her
waist.
‘Still swollen, but
the pains not so bad, what were those berries anyway?”
“I’m not sure Orac
suggested them to me.” Soolin glanced at Orac carried in Avon’s arms. The
computer buzzed,
“They are a wild
berry, I believe closely resembling the Nightshade family found on Earth, in
small doses they act as a very efficient pain suppressant.”
The going was rough and slow for the most part, even worse
for Soolin, despite the pain killing aspect of the berries, their lethal nature
had slowed her body functions considerably. But somehow Villa had managed to
carry her for most part of the journey, not once complaining of the heavy going
or the lack of food.
It was well into the afternoon when Dayna spotted the cave
opening half way up a cliff face above them partially hidden by vines.
Half an hour later, Dayna helping Villa with Soolin, they
reached the cave entrance, just inside was a solid security door set into the
rocks.
“Now it’s my turn,”
Villa said as he proceeded to inspect the door, “Orac might have been able to
get us here, but I’ve yet to see that hunk o’ junk pick a lock.”
It wasn’t long before Villa had the door open, moving along
a rocky tunnel they soon found them in a chamber that housed a small ship.
“It’s only half the
size of Scorpio” Dayna commented.
“Maybe so” Avon
replied “but in our situation, a ship is a ship.”
Dayna’s frown was clearly visible, “but can we get it space
worthy? It even looks older than Scorpio!”
“According to Blake
it shouldn’t need too much work to get it operational,” Tarrant told her.
“Well you argue
about that, I’m getting Soolin to a medical kit,” Villa said. “How do we get
in?”
Tarrant and Dayna found the hatch and went to the flight
deck; Villa took Soolin to find some medical supplies.
Avon remained outside to check the exterior and structure of
the ship, aided by a scan probe he found in the storeroom.
It seemed to be in relatively good condition.
He noted several features that would not have been on the
original design, a plasma bolt launcher, placed on the nose of the ship and
laser cannons on each side. The interior although much smaller than Scorpio’s
was laid out in much the same fashion, and some areas still showing where Blake
had been working.
“Another Planet
Hopper,” Tarrant told Dayna “A Moon Shot class, came out about 6 years before
the Wanderer class.”
“As Avon said,” Dayna added, “a ship is a ship. Let’s check out
the rest of it.”
After they had checked out the ship and Villa had treated
Soolin’s ankle, they found some food and relaxed discussing what they should do
next.
“It’s had a few
modifications all over,” Avon indicated.
“Yes,” Tarrant said, “those weapons would explain what we found
inside. Both of the cargo holds had been knocked into one and a fusion reactor
was being constructed inside. Inoperative at this stage, but Power from this
could be diverted to boost the main drive or power the weapons systems.”
“So what speed can
it reach?” Avon asked.
“Can’t tell,” Tarrant told him, “but it won’t be a batch on Scorpio, even before we added the stardrive
and before anyone asks we can’t salvage it, it was totally destroyed in the
crash.”
“So how long will it take to get her up?” asked Soolin.
“If no major
problems crop up we should be out of here by tonight.” Tarrant told her.
“The only drawback
is,” he continued “the fusion reactor will take a lot more work, so we’ve only
got the ships standard power to use, and no weapons.”
The meal went down well, along with a glass of some beverage
that, to Villa’s disappointment wasn’t alcoholic.
Soon it was time to start work, and despite her protests
Soolin was told to stay off her feet for the rest of the afternoon.
Avon questioned Orac and was told that no federation ships
were within a 5000-parsec radius of them and none of these were on a course
that would bring them any closer. There was however a non-federation ship,
destination unknown but it was not approaching this location.
“Now if you have
quite finished,” Orac added, “I am engaged in some very stimulating
calculations.”
Avon was about to reply to Orac’s jibe when Tarrant said,
“leave him alone, Avon. He’ll alert us if anything happens.
“It’s not that,” Dayna smiled “Avon likes to have the last
word, even with a computer.”
Inside the ship, Villa and Tarrant found a closer survey of
the flight deck and drive chamber revealed the ship was indeed almost ready for
flight.
Although the work was soon finished they all decided to
leave the final testing till the next day.
Soolin was first to wake, standing carefully to test her
ankle she found that there was only the slightest tingle from damaged nerves.
She turned as Tarrant approached, stretching she proceeded to brew some coffee
for them all, forgetting the past.
The others awoke and after breakfast, it was time to run
tests on all systems.
With Orac’s help they had the ship fully fuel, and ready for
launch in two hours.
Orac reported that there was still no indication of any
Federation ships within the previously mentioned 5000-parsec radius, and the previously
mentioned ship was scanning an asteroid field.
“What are they
looking for?” Soolin asked no on in particular.
“Who cares,” Dayna
replied “as long as its not us.”
They took their places on the flight deck and commenced the
pre launch sequence.
A large opening slid aside in the roof of the chamber,
“All systems
responding,” Dayna called.
“Commence ignition
sequence,” Avon commanded.
“Launch in 20,”
Soolin replied.
The hum of power building up around them rose in pitch,
monitors on all stations showed green as the final countdown was given by the
computer: 5…4…3…2…1…
The ship rose slowly from the ground and edged forward
slowly, very slowly compared to what they were used to.
But it was giving them a chance.
Soon the computer reported them to be in free space and
standard orbit had been achieved.
“Where to now,”
Dayna asked.
But before anyone could answer her a slamming door caught
their attention, Villa was standing there with a sidearm he’d just got from a
locker, and he aimed it straight at Avon’s head.
“Right you
bastard!” he growled. “I said I’d kill you if we ever got out of that.”
Avon glaring at him, impassive. Villas finger tightening on
the trigger. “It’s about time someone did this, Any last words…,?.
The tension was high, beads of sweat formed on Avon’s brow, it was not the first time he had had a gun pointed at him.
Many times federation guards had confronted him, but they
were trained, under orders and wanted to capture him.
This made them very predictable.
But here, now it was different.
Villa had a personal grudge, he was untrained, and he was
scared, that made him dangerous, very dangerous.
Avon knew one wrong move; even a word could get him shot.
“Villa,” Dayna called, trying to sound as calm as possible,
“maybe this isn’t a good idea, I know he’s a pain, but
At times he can be useful.”
“She’s right.” Soolin said resting a reassuring hand on his
shoulder.
Villa looked around, Dayna and Soolin’s words going through
his mind, he returned Soolin’s warm smile.
“Maybe your right,” he said lowering his gun.
Avon let out a breath that he felt he held for ages. “I
suppose I should say thank-you.”
“Say what you like,” Tarrant said “But just remember we
might not be around to stop him next time.”
“Would we? Asked Dayna.
“One thing still puzzles me,” Soolin commented, “is why they want Blake’s body?”
“I still can’t figure that one out.” Tarrant replied.
Turning to Orac, he asked, “Has there been any indication of why Blake’s body
has been taken to central command?”
“No.” came an abrupt reply “Now will you kindly desist with
your interruptions!”
“Touchy isn’t he.” Villa commented.
“Maybe so,” Avon sighed, “but all that matters is it
functions properly. Orac, go to standard monitoring mode using our names and
Blake’s as key words. Oh and well you’re at it, have you been able to crack the
code that survey vessel is using?”
“I have been monitoring all their communications since
yesterday.”
“You could have told us.” Tarrant put in.
“You did not ask.” Orac sharply replied.
“Never mind that now,” Avon said, “can you tell us what
they’re looking for.”
“Of course I can.” Orac stated. “They call it Trymexomite. I
can display its molecular print on the secondary monitor.”
They all moved to observe what appeared to be a complex molecular
breakdown.
“I don’t care what they call it,” Tarrant commented “but
that structure looks familiar.”
“And so it should,” Orac told him “the caverns walls under
Scorpio base are extremely high in this substance, though I have no knowledge
of any other deposits and there is no record of it having any value.
Soolin looked at the multicolored rock in her pendant
Doorian had given her years ago.
“Any indication of why they want it?” Soolin asked.
“Virus,” Orac responded, “they are recovering from a war that
overthrew a tyrannical dictatorship, now the small amounts of Trymexomite found
in their sector is only enough to slow the effects of the virus, they need
large quantities for a complete cure.”
“Maybe we could trade.” Villa suggested.
“Trade for what?” Dayna queried a suspicious look on her
face.
“We don’t know what they have yet, or even who they are.”
Said Villa. “But we do know we can get an abundant supply of what they’re
searching for.
“Orac,” Avon said. ‘Can you open a narrow beam
communications link with that ship so no one else can listen in?”
“Ionic interference makes a visual link impossible, however
I can establish an audio link.”
“Do it then.” Avon ordered.
“Attention survey vessel at location 147-273-59.”
There was no reply, Avon repeated the message twice more and
still no reply came.
“Do you think they heard us?” Dayna asked.
“Who knows.” Avon told her.
“I have some information you may find interesting,” Orac
voiced “the ship is leaving the asteroid belt it was scanning, but it had not
fully scanned the area.”
“We’ve got their attention then.” Villa said.
“Evidently so Avon replied. He repeated his message and this
time there was a reply.
“Attention earth federation ship. We have no desire to communicate
with you and advise you we are capable of defending ourselves if you interfere
with us or invade our area of space.
They all looked at each other, puzzlement going through
their minds.
“Stuck up lot whoever they are.” Villa grumbled.
“They’re recovering from a war that nearly wiped them out,”
Dayna told him “I would guess that this lot were the ones who were on the
receiving end of the virus.”
Tarrant had Orac reopen communications.
He smiled at the others as he said, “ attention hostile ship
we are not federation.”
After a moments silence, a reply came.
“So it would appear.” Came the sharp reply “now will you
please leave us alone.”
“We might be able to help you.” Tarrant continued.
“And just how could you do that?” the voice from the other
ship did not sound so hostile now.
“The ore deposits you are looking for, we know where there
is an abundant…
“Wanna trade?” Villa interrupted with a smile.
“Can it’ Villa!” Tarrant hissed. But before he could
continue a reply came, “Trade for what?”
With the situation advancing quicker than anticipated,
Tarrant could only ask, “what do you have to trade?”
“I will have to communicate with our superiors before and
decision can be made.” The com link went dead.
“Well,” Dayna said “What now, do we just sit here and wait?”
“Got another plan?” Avon asked. It was almost an hour when
Orac informed them that the other ship was now moving on an approach course and
was sending a communication request.
“Any chance of visual yet?” Tarrant asked.
“According to these
readings the interference should be clearing soon.” Soolin told him.
“OK Orac,” Tarrant
said, “lets talk to them.” The com speaker crackled into life, “you are
requested by our superiors to accompany us to our base for negotiations. We
will be at your location shortly to escort you.”
Tarrant closed the link and a smile crept to his face.
“And you accuse me
of taking chances.” Avon voiced.
“Good news,” Soolin
said “the interference is starting to clear, I’m starting to get a visual on
that ship. It’s big, very big. Putting it on the main screen now”. The flight deck went silent, “Oh Shit!”
Villa whispered.
“I think I’ll second
that.” Avon added.
“I take it that’s
the crowd you told me about.” Dayna asked.
“You got that right,” Villa told her “and in this crate were dead meat,
even Scorpio with the Star Drive would find it hard to out run that”
“Now hold on,”
Tarrant said to Villa “I haven’t met
them like you and Avon, but we can supply what they need, surly that makes a
difference.” “I hope your right,” Avon
said “they’ll be here in 2 minutes and as Villa said we cant out run them.”
As the other ship approached a tractor beam was activated to
guide them into a cargo bay. Once the atmosphere had been equalized they were
met by three of the crew. One apparently the captain greeted them and led them
to a spacious room where he offered them refreshments. He told them that his
superiors were eager to meet and arrange an amicable trade, if what they had
was indeed Trymexomite. Soolin lent forward and handed him her pendant.
“Try this.” She
said. “It’s a small stone from one of the formations we have.”
Several hours later the captain returned to tell them they
were nearly home, and the crystal Soolin had given him was almost 98% pure; excellent
quality. Once they arrived the captain took them to meet with his superior.
Entering the room they were met with a voice of authority,
“So you have returned, it appears fortunate for us that you escaped from here.”
The commander swung his chair around to face them. “Let me first say that you
are quite safe here. we, the Altas, that is have changed a lot over the years,
when you were here before you rekindled the feelings and efforts of our
resistance against the System. We now
operate under a democracy and obviously have no desire to associate with your
federation. It is only now under these extreme circumstances that we are now
meeting. But first tell me, there are only two of you that match our old
records.”
“It’s a long story,” Avon replied but I don’t think you have
the time or I the desire to explain.”
“Very well, now if we can verify the Trymexomite deposits
you mention…”
“Not so fast,” Avon interrupted “why should we trust you?”
“It does seem a problem,” the commander replied. “And I
am sure
you know we could force the information from you, but we will not do that.”
“Our last war has been fought. It removed the dictatorial
system that ran us. Unfortunately when system seen they were loosing they
released a devastating virus. It killed over 8 million before we found a way to
control it. The ore we have is only enough to hold the spread of the virus
but if you have as much as you claim, we can cure it completely.”
“We will make the gesture of trust,” he added “what do you propose as a trade, and for how
much ore.”
“A ship” Avon replied, “one of your DSV class, for all of
it.”
“That is a big request, but then we have an even greater
need.”
“I will put your proposal to the council, and you shall have
an answer shortly.” Their host left the room.
He shortly returned with the news. “Your request will be
granted under the condition you never return to this sector of space.”
“Agreed Avon responded.”
“Very well,” they were told, “if you follow the captain he
will escort you to your ship, as agreed it is the same class of ship.”
“Excellent,” replied Avon, handing him a data pad “and
here’s our end of the deal, the coordinates of Xenon base and all the ore you
want.” Within half an hour they were in flight, Villa gave Soolin a quick tour
of the ship and then joined the others on the spacious flight deck. Orders were
given to Zen to take the ship out of sector 12.
“Orac” Avon said, “
have all ships systems been isolated from external influences?”
“Yes” Orac responded, “and if you’re interested I have more
data on Blake.”
