When Places Call Read online

When Places Call

  Kaylim

  Copyright 2014 Kaylim

  Discover other titles in this series:

  “This Crazy Infection”

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  Table of Contents

  Start of “When Places Call”

  Endnotes

  “When Places Call”

  when places call you from slumbering sleep

  a fiery awakening of passion built deep

  you pack the bag and do not weep

  for adventure finds only those who leap.

  when places call you from a distant tide

  an explorer's restless call cannot be denied

  you pack the bag and begin the long ride

  for adventure finds those who let freedom guide.

  when places call you from your love

  like a siren's song from stars above

  you pack the bag and only write of

  long lost love like a mourning dove.

  --Turobeck

  Ananke’s first flight was also her last.

  She would be but a small note in history: yet another ship gone missing in space, just another casualty in a long journey of exploration and colonization. Mourning for her would be brief; the space-faring community at large was unaware of the secrets that lay unexploited in her data banks. Only a few would feel true frustration over her loss. They’d spend years trying to chase down her whereabouts, but they would never succeed in finding her.

  Iguru was far too good for that.

  Ananke was safely ensconced in the belly of his large spacecraft The Naked Rose. His instructions had been to capture Ananke without damage to her propulsion systems or computer banks and have the crew disposed of. A tall order, but Iguru was known for his skill. That’s why he got the jobs he did.

  He prepared his ship for descent and a meeting with his employer. By general rule he kept them alive, something that made him rather approachable by future employers. Just because he didn’t kill them didn’t mean they extended the same courtesy to him, however. In that spirit he always kept his weapons systems online and made sure he had a few ‘surprises’ hidden on him…just in case.

  “Approaching,” his ship’s voice announced.

  On the screen a planet turned in the distance: a small, insignificant brown orb. The planet didn’t have a name besides its coordinates. Iguru supposed that a privately owned planet didn’t have to have a name, but it was certainly irregular. When he was almost near enough to achieve orbit he received a text transmission with landing coordinates. He began scanning for a multitude of ground launch weapons and military air vessels, but the continent beneath him was quiet.

  He flew over the only city on the planet and was surprised by the lack of motion. There were no vehicles in sight and no pedestrians scurried around like vulnerable ants. His flight path took him to the outskirts of the city, to a docking hoop hovering above a large hill. On top of that dusty hill, overlooking dunes and a scraggly forest, was a mansion.

  His ship entered the rusty hoop, which had clearly seen better days, and he was delivered to the ship yard. He immediately checked his scanners, but the hoop hadn’t done any damage. Iguru once again conducted a weapons scan, but picked up nothing active. He peered out the view screen; metal walls surrounded him. A text message appeared on the screen: Welcome to Safety, Iguru Halk.

  A door slid open and a single man, dressed sharply in a suit, waited for him on the landing pad. Before disembarking Iguru ensured that Ananke was secured. She could only be removed with his express command; any other attempts would simply destroy her.

  “Mr. Halk,” the man said, “welcome to Safety. My master would meet you in the dining room to discuss the ship.”

  Iguru hated the talky types; it was unfortunate that he had to humor them before he got paid.

  “Lead on, Mister Butler.”

  Lines of body guards were suspiciously absent as he climbed the long staircase, guided only by the butler, a man with no bend in his back and who didn’t seem to pant or sweat. Iguru wished he could say the same; living in his ship hadn’t provided him with the most adequate means for keeping up his strength. By the time they reached the first floor, Iguru had a pain in his side, but said nothing. The butler hadn’t spoken a single word since their ascent and Iguru didn’t like to break silences.

  He was brought to a wide room with large windows which were guarded by pale blue curtains. At the end of this room, in front of one of the windows, stood a tall and slender man. He was nearly eclipsed by the star behind him. The star was a large, suffocating presence on this world; it hovered near the planet, a bright milky yellow. It was weaker than Earth’s sun, but closer and needy.

  “Mr. Iguru Halk. A pleasure to finally meet you.”

  The man turned his head towards him and Iguru was affixed by a bright red eye. Iguru’s heart jumped and he struggled to keep his expression neutral. The robotic eye studied him, roving noiselessly in its socket. Iguru’s skin twitched. The red eye rested in the middle of a large, old scar. Iguru stared at the stretched, puckered skin and could not force himself to answer or look him in the eyes.

  “I have conducted preliminary scans on the ship, long-range considering that you’ve tied down Ananke quite well. It is exactly what I asked for.”

  Iguru didn’t reply. Kira told him what he knew already.

  “Per our contract, I will transfer your payment to your account. However, it has come to my attention that your ship – a very interesting mutt, isn’t it? – is in need of repairs.”

  “My mutt is very reliable. She is more than capable of getting me to a service station.”

  Kira shook his head, but it was only to shake the blond hair off his face. The gesture was easy and elegant and Iguru grit his teeth.

  “It must be difficult to find a respectable place to repair your ship, seeing as most of it is assembled from stolen material and technology. I was surprised to discover that it has an EIF base. Quite spectacular.”

  Kira stopped himself and a self-deprecating smile reached his lips, “My apologies. You’ll find I’m a bit of a ship fanatic. Now,” he snapped around, executing an almost militaristic turn, “I am offering you an extended stay on my planet. I have everything you need to repair your ship.”

  “I don’t let anyone touch my ship.”

  “Of course. I’m offering you parts, you see, and tools. Not manpower. You can tinker away to your heart’s content.”

  “And what do you wish for in return?”

  Kira blinked as if innocent, “Nothing but your cooperation.”

  “Cooperation with what?”

  “Unraveling the computer systems of that delightful little ship you just brought me,” Kira’s lips quirked into a sharp grin, “you may add the technology we uncover to your ship, if you so desire.”

  Iguru’s heart leapt with the announcement but he didn’t take the bait. His mind was screaming Android! at him and if the entire universe was between him and Kira it would not be enough.

  “Perhaps you need time to think it over,” Kira said diplomatically into his silence.

  With a clap of his hands the environment around them changed. The grey walls flickered, briefly, and reappeared as a peachy cream marble; a large dining table materialized and a chandelier flashed to life overhead. Something bumped Iguru’s knees and he whipped around, only to find a high-backed dining chair.

  He snarled at Kira, who stood serenely at the other end of the long table.

  “Simply stunning technology, isn’t it?” Kira asked.

  He sat down and glanced at Iguru as if expecting him to do the same. Iguru flexed his hands, contemplating the closed door behind him, but Kira’s voice stopped him from taking any action.

  “The door is not locked,” Kira said, “you’re free to leave if you wish. I’m not holding you here under duress, Mr. Halk.”

  The door looked safe enough but that meant nothing in a house such as this. If the owner could change an entire room by clapping, he could activate traps and weapons with nary a blink of an eye. Walking through the doorway could prove to be fatal.

  “The butler will of course escort you to your ship,” Kira announced, and then an odd hesitance entered his voice, “Few ever dare to stay.”

  Iguru snorted and plopped down in his seat.

  Kira’s face froze for an instant, going completely blank, but the moment quickly passed. Kira clapped his hands again and the butler entered, carrying two steaming plates to the table. Iguru didn’t recognize the food, couldn’t tell if he’d be allergic to it or if it was poisonous. Even watching Kira safely eat could not convince him.

  “If you do not like it, the butler can bring you something else. Perhaps food that is more familiar?”

  Kira signaled to the butler and he brought in something that looked suspiciously like Earth fare.

  “Cheese,” Iguru noted,