“Where are the seven people that used to be in that place? “ Marvel asked him pointing in the direction of the blown door as Jade came closer.
“Oh, they weren’t seven people. “ was what the gang leader replied him.
“What do you mean they weren’t seven? “ Marvel asked afraid that their Intel might have been wrong.
“Well they were seven men plus the boss man. “
Something still didn’t line up with what he observed in that room. “That place doesn’t look like what eight people used. “


“Well about that, em, the boss man wanted me to get him some local boys for a job he had planned. “ The gang leader said, gaining a little confidence as the Mole was no longer interrogating him. “So I got some of the boys around here for him. “
“How many did you get for him? “
“About fifty of them. “
Fifty plus men scattered around the planet in hiding can do so much damage before they can be contained. Looking around, Marvel noticed he wasn’t the only one worried.


“When did they leave? “ Marvel asked again.
“Dunno, maybe during the night. “
“And who is this boss man that was the eight person ?”
“Hey man, I don’t know and I didn’t ask, ok. “ he replied Marvel raising his hands defensively. “He looks dangerous enough, even with my crew, all armed and covering me, I was still scared shitless of him. I’ve learnt, it’s more healthy for you if you don’t ask too much questions. “


Turning to Jade and the Mole Marvel said, “This is getting us no where, except letting us know the threat has increased. I’m particularly worried about that eight man, the leader that our Intel didn’t point out. Who might he be? “
Jade was about to reply when her wrist comm unit buzzed. As she flicked it on, a man’s face with the Earthwatch uniform spoke up. “Agent Jade, we are getting multiple targets. “

“Any of you as much as blinks, your leader’s head will be served to you on a platter for your breakfast. “ Jade already has her handle katana out with the blade pressed light on the neck of the gang leader. His face was still squeezed as Jade’s other hand still held his wrist.
Some of those who tried disobeying got blown away by the combined fires from the Mole and Marvel. Those still living threw down their guns and ran into hiding.



“Come now pretty boy, my friend has some things to ask you. “ Marvel came after holstering his guns, grabbing Oxmer by his throat and dragging him further into the subway pointing at the Mole that was coming behind him. Marvel knows that the Mole is much more better than he is at interrogation.
While the Mole was doing his business, Marvel moved to the newly fixed door taking a little time to scan it carefully. “This door is booby trapped to explode upon opening. “ He said quickly to Jade who was coming to join him. He slapped an adhesive at the door and fixed a thermite grenade on it before he walked quickly away.


He was just far enough away when the grenade flashed brightly and the lock holding the door in place melted. As the door swung open, the hidden explosive on the door exploded, blowing out the door and any one who would have been standing there. Marvel and those with him were safely far away from the explosion area. As the smoke and fire from it cleared, Marvel walked down to the door, his NAX gauge in his hand. Getting to the open entrance, stepping over the dying fires and hot debris, he looked in. What he noticed is that the place was hastily set up as a room to be used for a short time. He noticed a makeshift rest room. But his interest was on the benches and several discarded weapon crates, all empty. The number of crates he is seeing contains weapons for a lot more than seven people can use. Quickly Marvel jumped out of the room heading to where the Mole was still interrogating their prisoner. The gang leader had the look of fear in his eyes as the Mole was close to him speaking in low tones with the vibroblade in his hand humming quietly.

In a move too quick for the victim to notice, Jade’s arm shot out, her palm striking the offensive hand and grabbing it at the wrist. Jade know well her nerve points attack methods. She moved her fingers deftly with combination of repeated pinches until she located the nerve point she was looking for , pressing it back inside, she squeeze the wrist again, pressing the two pointed wrist bones to trapp the nerves between them. Oxmer opened his mouth wide, eyes squeezed shut in utmost agony but he couldn’t scream.


“The is what I called the wrist choke hold, wouldn’t bother to give you the proper technical term which will be above your head anyway. “ Jade spoke conversationally as she stared into the pain wrinkled face. “What I just did is hold on to one of the pain receptor nerve endings on your wrist, use the bones there to clamp on it which will give you the highest kind of pain your wrist can produce. More painful than when your wrist is chopped off. Oh and incase you are wondering why you can’t shout, the specific nerve is connected to the muscles of the vocal cords in you throat. So my holding it kind of paralyzes them and render them inoperable. So no matter how you want to, you won’t be able to scream. “


It took a while for those surrounding them to notice that something was amiss. They swung into action though as soon as they became aware, removing safeties from their weapons and preparing to fire. But the Mole’s gun responded first. Three blast from the plasma rifle hit three of the attackers and they were burnt to crisp while still standing and their charcoaled bodies dropped to the ground. Those that were close to them got second degree plasma burns which made them to drop their weapons and scramble for safety. As the others tried to go for hiding in other to shoot from covers.

Lol.... He is around somewhere. The setting is just too hot for him.
Updates coming soon. We are coming to the end of part 2.

“We are members of the Earthwatch agency on an investigation. “ Jade produced her badge which the man didn’t pay attention to. “ We are hoping you can help us with our inquiries, which will be greatly appreciated. “
“ Hey little man, you think you know how to handle that thing? “ the fat man turned his face away from Jade to the Mole who was holding his plasma rifle at an ease stance.


“Pretty much the way you handle the weak girls I’m sure are tied up for you to ride each day. “ as Mole replied swallowing his anger he know if this was in Nuterra, that bumbling fool won’t live past seconds after that insult.
The man’s face turned red with anger but the sight of the plasma gun held him in place. All he did was raised his hand waving it. In response about a dozen people stepped out of the inner crevices all armed with guns. Some of the weapons were old and antiques , some as far back as the AK 2120. The new comers were all on old clothes, having rents on them with old boots. With this, the man built up new confidence. He faced Jade again, bending, he brought his face close to the agent’s face, his mouth just inches from hers. His mouth reeked of spoilt stim beer.


“ Call me Oxmer, so once again what do you want here? “ he asked .
“We want to know about the recent tenants in this place and a new air van that was brought in here some hours ago.” Jade replied unflinching.
Oxmer laughed loudly, his bulging stomach flipping up and down as the sound ringed round the enclose subtunnel. “You think you can flash that badge here and we will all be scared and do what you want? Not even earth police or metropol of New London comes here that much. “



With his index finger he poked at the shoulder of Jade punctuating each word. “You have no authority here. No business of yours exist here and asking about any one who comes and goes here is none of your concern. So coming here just made you cross you boundaries and you won’t be going back. “

It was when the car landed that Marvel realized that the street that actually looked deserted had people hanging on the shadows of the crumbling buildings. Jade landed the car at a T junction of cracked road with a tunnel entrance that leads to something that looked like the entrance to an old subways magnorail system. Just them people began to walk slowly into the road from holes of old buildings and alleys. Almost all of them were below twenty, just few of them looked like above twenties. They are all armed with assorted weapons ranging from knives, lead pipes, makeshift spear with old wood having a rusted blade tied to the top.


The more elderly ones carried guns but they were the old outdated type. They didn’t come closer to the trio who just stepped out of the air car, only just looked at them with the haunted looks of hungry people who have been stoned almost insane by electronic drugs and VR plugs-in holes were seen on most skulls. Since they didn’t take threatening steps, Jade led them to the entrance to the old subway system for magnorail.


“From the vid recordings we got, the air van was brought in through this entrance. “ She said as they got into the darken entrance.
As they passed the entrance, their steps sounded like echoes in the tunnel. Though the subway tunnel looks old and crumbled. With twisted magnorails and train thrown off tracks but something looks odd. A new lighting seems to have been fixed. And a door that looks newly fixed made Jade’s hand to reach for her hand gun.


“Hi pretty, what brings you to my lustrous dwelling? “ A voice said in a cultured form.
The speaker was a huge man almost six feet three, with fat filled muscles giving him a rounded shoulders with a huge bulging tommy all covered in heavy curly dark hairs. His hair was twisted in three long braids fallen below his shoulders. His body was bare except for a leather shorts on his waist with two huge belts crossing his chest on which hung two huge machetes attached to sheath hanging on his back. His eyes were small circles of gray covered by huge busy brows and heavy full beard reaching half way to his stomach. His legs were fat but enclosed in an ankle length nylon snickers. His shoulders and arms were covered in tattoos made of black neon holo ink. He walked to stand in front of Jade.

“We just got in to Old London. “ Jade told him from across the seat.
As he was on the passenger side and the Mole had all the back seat to himself. His plasma rifle, though illegal for civilian use, was cuddled by him since his Earthwatch badge clears him to carry it. Marvel already has his usual. His full body inner armor was on, covered by regular clothing of gray t-shirt with a leather over coat covering both his shoulder holster carrying his M2000 and the waist rig for his Nax Gauge 4. He was wearing a neo denim jeans which length covers the top of the soft combat boot he was wearing. His FTL penetrator with his TEC 5 RPG are in the trunk of the air car with all his spare magazines.


He may not have the AA suit with him and the back up of the cyborg nearby, two things he really regrets, but he is still as formidable as ever. With just his handguns, he can do considerable damages. His not to long ago entanglement with the Gecko Brothers came to his mind as he smiled. Jade threw him a quizzical look which he ignored and pretended not to notice. The air car started to descend. With the early morning light, Marvel could see the ruins of the Old city of London, crumbling buildings with lengthening shadows as the sun began to rise. Broken down poles for lights and holo traffic signs, derelict vehicles decorating roads with portholes.


“I’m heading to the area where the rented air van by one of these people flagged was last seen to have landed. “ Jade told them both as she started to bring the air car down for a landing. “Please note that this place is ever hardly patrolled by earth police. It is almost all controlled by street gangs. So they might not welcome us lightly. “
“If you have ever been to the Pit, in Nuterra, you won’t bother telling us this. “ The Mole snickered from behind.


“I have been to the Pit, Mr. Mole, I did an under cover job there once. “ Jade replied with an expression that was difficult to decipher.
“I knew when you came in. I was the ones that warned the attack dogs in the Pit to let you be to do your job and get out of there. I don’t like having an earth government agent lurking in my turf. I know the kind of heat harming a secret agent of earth government can bring. “
“Oh really? “ Jade pout her lips. “No wonder that job felt a little too easy for me. “
“Nothing happens in the Pit without me knowing. “ The Mole chuckled.

bqlekan:
Interesting as always. Unrivalled descriptive prowess..
Apollux pls, are you done with 'the ghemmaria canticles'? Will you be publishing it? How can i get it?

Hiiiii, it's been a while. Hope you are good.
I have a lot of projects already in my head. My hands is just too slow to catch up with all the stories flowing in my brain. Wish I was in a future world where all my imaginations can be converted to written words.
I really can't give an answer about the Ghemmaria Canticle for now. A lot of things are keeping me busy. But I will keep u informed of my progress. Thanks for your patience.

Hours later but what seem to Marvel like a month ago, after they had cleared the rigorous checks and double checks of both orbital and planetary securities, they were allowed to move. Marvel and the Mole were both given Earthwatch agency security badge that gave them the ranks of superior agents, which makes them in their cover, outranking Jade. This was made so because on their team, Jade will be the one handling the leg work of the investigations while Marvel and the Mole are just there as added muscles.


At the moment, three of them are in a fast agency vehicle, with Jade driving. They had left general Leyland behind who had also come down with them on planet side, along with some members of the marine special task force who were with him on this trip. He will debrief them, sought for some other military help to handle this impending crisis. He will also meet the president to keep him apprise of their progress and as well monitor the whole investigation from Earthwatch hq in Sydney.


The air car was moving too fast for Marvel to see any of the landmarks on earth he still remembers. Earth, the mother planet that has spawn all of homo sapiens that exists anywhere in this galaxy. A planet that has been the first home humanity had. Time there was when it was the only home, but now that was in the centuries past. Earth has always felt claustrophobic to him. Overpopulation threatening to tip its delicate balance. If worlds out there in the stars weren’t discovered and humans moving from here to populate other parts of the heavens, this planet might not have survived the pressure put on it by the rapidly growing number of people on it.

.
These days there are hardly any part on earth that is not occupied. From the frozen tundra of the north and south poles temperate regions to the harshest of the hot sandy deserts of the equatorial regions. From the depths of the oceans to the heights of the tallest mountains, humans have built homes on every parts and environments on earth. The ocean dwellers of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans to the mountain tops inhabitants of the towering rocky spires. From the cloud palaces, air hotels and floating malls in the sky to densely populated mega city centers, every where on earth is occupied.


He has never liked earth. Though his hatred for the mother world streams from something deeper in him than the disadvantages the planet presently has. He was glad when the air car seem to slow down. Though their speed violated several safety traffic regulations, traffic patrol troopers will not stop them because of the executive security screen on the vehicle.

“Damn general, you might as well tie my hands and legs, then throw me into a pit with rabid mongrels and expect me to come out unharmed. “ Marvel growled loudly. “We might be facing stiff resistance over there as we have no Intel on what the enemy has on ground. “
“I’m sorry son, didn’t make the rules. “ the general shared a sad look with the silent admiral who hasn’t joined in the conversation since they got here. “I’ve bent the rules as much as I can to get us every possible advantage. “


Marvel knew that he won’t really miss the AA suit that much, as exhilarating as it has been the first time he used it. He had been doing well for years as a bounty hunter without using an enhancement exoskeletal suit. He was forced to admit though that he hadn’t faced anything as challenging as this.
“Sir, we are getting a priority security call from earth, “ the female before the sensor holo screen said. “It’s from Earthwatch and they want to speak with general Leyland and agent Jade. “


“Let the call through, I can take it from here. “ Leyland answered after the admiral looked at him silently inquiring if those in the bridge have the security clearance to hear what ever will be said.
“General Leyland sir, “ said someone on a holo screen. He was a youth that appears to be in his early twenties, with a curly tattoo blending with his long goatee that is parted three ways below the chin. He had striking curly dark hair with what the ancient people will call a Hispanic look.


“What have you got for me agent Sergio? “ Leyland came before the holo visual pick up of the screen with Jade a step behind him.
“We got a hit on one of the seven fugitives that escaped us. “
“Good. Where and when was that? “ Jade asked quickly.
“In London. Just about thirty seconds ago. “ Agent Sergio said putting up a dashing smile he must have believed is a charmer all which was wasted on his desired audience though.
“Which of the London, boy? “ Leyland words cut through his intended flirtation like a lazer fire.


“Oh sorry sir, it’s in New London. “ the caller stumbled as he spoke. “The one we had the hit on came to rent an air van. He was careful to avoid all street security holo cams planted along the roads, street lights, holo billboards and monorail bridges and sidewalks. But an unscheduled pass by a sec drone picked up his image. We have everything on the van and the place it is presently. “
“ Where exactly?” Leyland asked as he turned to watch Marvel who had also stopped to listen in before going out.
“At this moment, the van is on the air head in the general direction of the ruins of Old London. “ Sergio answered.
“Alright, stay on top of it. But keep your distance. Surveillance only, we don’t want to spook them or let them know we are on to them. We will handle this personally. “
“Alright general will do just that and keep you apprised. “ Sergio gave a wrong military kind of salute as he went off.
“Well seems we have been graciously provided with a place to start. “

Marvel digested that silently, none of this was good. He exchanged worried looks with the Mole who was close enough to have heard the whole exchange. Jade standing behind him said nothing, her action so far hadn’t betrayed what ever happened between them. Of this Marvel was at least glad. Hardwire was busy looking at a scanner holo monitor with another female naval officer. She quickly looked up her eyes focused on the admiral and general as she spoke.


“Sir we just got this from Earthwatch security from the planet. A pharmaceutical facility was just broken into and a newly delivered item was stolen. “
“What was the item that was stolen? “ the admiral asked.
“The reports are not comprehensive yet sir. “ she replied turning her face back to the holo monitor before her as she continued. “This was flagged by the security search program we gave to the Earthwatch office on earth to upload into the global satellite net web on earth. The preliminary reports are that the item was a magnetic canister containing experimental inert hydrogen cells. “


As if on cue they all turned to look at each other but Leyland spoke first. “That seem to be our target. “
“Alright sir, clear us a part to get planet side. “ Marvel said.
“Already done. “ The general turned to face the Mole. “Getting your friend through security might be another matter. The replaced injured parts of his body may flag him out. But I can appeal against that with the argument that those parts are prosthetics not enhancements. Though I will also provide a cover for him that he is coming to earth on medical check up. The secured ID and cover documents are already prepared. “
“Oh and before I forget, “ the general called out to Marvel who was already about to leave the bridge. “You can’t use your ahem…AA suit anywhere on earth or the solar system. It is not a recognized nor authorized weapons. You will be arrested on sight and the suit taken away from you. Good thing is you can still wear your full body armor. “

Marvel had seen reasons and agreed to let him go. Besides the cyborg had reinforced his conviction when he said he isn’t feeling that well. That there are things happening in his system that Dr. Guthrie had to check out immediately. Sadly, the cyborg had returned back to Nuterra and Marvel had since hoped they can accomplish the mission before it’s too late without cyborg’s help.


The general started speaking as soon as Marvel got close enough to hear him. “We’ve got a bit of a mixture of good and not too good news. While you were sleeping, Earthwatch agents, using the data we sent to them, were able to apprehend twenty out of the twenty seven targets as they were trying to get passes into the planet. As for the ones that escaped, it is believed they might have already been on the planet before Earthwatch got the information. “


“That was fast, “
“Yes Marvel, Earthwatch agents usually are. “
With a thoughtful look, Marvel asked. “I’m sure they would have been interrogated. Any information on how they plan to hit their target? “
“Nothing. “ the general shook his head with concern, the admiral’s look identical to his. “Normal interrogation techniques were used without results. The Earthwatch master interrogators used the illegal methods that is only used in extreme emergency cases, because most times the victims don’t survive the process alive. Those that do survive are left in a permanent state of catatonia or extreme brain damage.
This process pulls information directly from the brain cells by electroshock methods. That was done on all twenty of them. The results were discouraging. None of them had Intel on how they were going to achieve their objectives. They didn’t even know what the target is. “

Looking around the multitude of naval personnel working at various task on the bridge, he could see that the Mole was already here before him, he gave Marvel a silent nod. The bounty hunter felt bad though as he couldn’t see the cyborg around. Well they had to make a short hyperspace stop so the cyborg can head back to Nuterra being taken their on one of the carrier crafts. Marvel could still recall the strong argument Leyland had used to convince him that cyborg had to return to Nuterra.


“Marvel, I’m going to shot straight with you, like I always do. “ The general have spoken gravely mixed with a bit of sadness. “Cyborg can’t come with us to earth. The moment cyborg steps into the solar system, he will arrested or confiscated, depending on the interpretation they will prefer to use . The cyborg will be seen as a dangerous, unknown weapon without control. Earth government won’t allow anything they can’t control to exist within their sphere of influence. “
He wasn’t surprised by what the general had said then, he had expected something like that but was hoping that with the presidential executive cover they carry, it might extend to the cyborg too. He knows that with the help of cyborg, it will greatly enhance their chances of success.


“See, you know if not for anything, I know the value of Dr. Bryant to quickly wrapping up this problem, “ the general had continued, without a change to his facial expression. “But we can’t afford to let him fall into the hands of earth government. They won’t treat him like a human, but like an equipment or weapon at best. He will be dissected, pulled apart bit by bit, every inch researched, tested and experimented upon. I know he is a valued colleague of yours. Just send him back to Nuterra, I’m sure you wouldn’t want him to be subjected to what might happen to him in the hands of the earth government. “

lool... You guys should leave Marvel alone o. He is still a virgin o. Nothing happened between them.

BTW did you guys noticed that someone else might be jealous? Someone watching from the shadows...

“Jade, that’s bulls.hit. I wasn’t bored, I was asleep. And I intend to go back to that the next five seconds if you don’t start telling me why you are here. “
“The truth is I have always wondered, from the first time I knew about you and studied all about your profile on a file on you. “ Jade ran her hand slowly over her dark hair, stopped at the back pulling out a pin clip that held the hair in place as a bum. Taking a look at the pin clip for a while, threw it at the table and the item landed on it precisely.


Marvel waited patiently for the next words to come out of the lips of the Earthwatch spy. His flesh stiffened and muscles tightened as she sat on the bed’s edge.
“I have always wondered… “ here her voice broke turning into a sinuous drawl. “… always wondered how it will feel just having you in me. “
“What the hell… “ was all Marvel could say as he watched stupefied as if in a slow acting dream as Jade touched a metal patch on the left breast of the jumpsuit she was putting on. The clothing just slowly pulled off her body. Underneath she was totally ne.cked.


“Shhhhhh…” she whispered her one finger placed gently on Marvel’s lips as it opened as if to protest.” Don’t worry about anything, I will take care of it all. “
She pulled off the bed sheet Marvel’s body was covered with and her eyes lit up in admiration. And slowly she lay down. Marvel was worried about this development. He had always wanted to avoid this from the moment this spy came across him. He has never liked her, trusting her was almost impossible as she is a spy. Well he do at times admire her guts and efficiency in handling her assignment. Still this is not what he wants. Oh well, what the hell, it’s been a long time anyway. Marvel’s none responding lips had refuse to give in to the kiss but now surrendered as Jade’s lips continued to probe his. His rigid muscles slowly relaxed and gave himself to Jade’s ministrations thinking sadly, I know I may later regret this.


Somewhere in the darkened part of the small room, ADA’s hologram flickered to life unseen, she had reduced the bluish glow of her form to the dimmest which made her reappearance unnoticed. She watched the couples on the bed as they engaged in their antics little realizing they are being watched. Staring for a while, ADA looked on with an expression that was something between disappointment, sorrow and sadness. Just as unnoticed as she came in, her form blurred then vanished.


An hour later Marvel was back at the bridge of the flagship, as ADA had come back to inform him, rather briskly, that the task force has approached the orbital defense around earth and that general Leyland was requesting for his presence. Marvel had arrived there in the company of Jade. He felt awkward as Hardwire who was bending over at a female space naval officer who was sitting and facing a monitor, turned over to look at him as he came in giving him a knowing smile that appeared to be pregnant with sarcasm. A cold look from Marvel quickly took that away from him as he turned back to the officer and continued with what he was doing. Leyland looked up at him, interrupting his low chat with admiral Makushiba, to slowly nod at him, indicating he gets closer. Marvel couldn’t read any disapproval from the general’s look though but still he felt too self conscious, as if everybody had seen what he just did.

ADA’s words didn’t really bother him only just getting his mind to puzzle who could be visiting him and not wanting him to know in advance. Someone with enough high security clearance to override the basic security programing of ADA. Well the Max Neo is secured in the flagship so he is not expecting any trouble. So who could that be? The only person he could think of that will want to see him urgently may be general Leyland. But why hide his identity from his security assistant? Well maybe something serious is up and he wants to inform Marvel about it without spilling it to others.


“Sir by your order, I can upgrade my security status and prevent the intrusion. “ ADA said.
“No ADA, let the visitor in and give us some privacy. “
Marvel almost jumped out of his bed when he saw the visitor coming in was Jade in a gray colored tight fitting jump suit.
“Hi Marvel, I guess you should be well rested by now. “ she said walking past the door which slid shut, her eyes glancing at the holographic image of ADA. “Nice artificial personal assistant. “
“Miss Jade, my designation is ADA acronym for Artificial Defense Assistant – I do so much more than an ordinary virtual assistant. “ the hologram said her voice having a tiny bit of irritation.


“Like I said ‘artificial ‘, though with a little more emotional ties than a machine program should have for its owner. “ Jade gave a smile that was both condescending and suspicious.
“I do not understand your line of reasoning, miss Jade. “
“Don’t worry ADA, I will handle this. Just allow me some privacy. “ Marvel scratched his hair and trying not to let his line of reasoning to get jumbled. He was still trying to get over the shock Jade’s sudden appearance had created.
“What do you want Jade and why are you here? “ Marvel asked as soon as the holographic image of ADA vanished from the room.
“Nothing much really, “ Jade came more into the room, turned her eyes to the empty chair and ignored it. Instead she came to the bed and ran her slender fingers slowly over it. “Was just passing and wanted to keep you company and kill your boredom. We will be leaving hyperspace soon as soon as we arrive on earth’s orbit. “

✴ ✴ ✴ ✴ ✴
Marvel was woken up from a deep restful sleep by the insistent of ADA as the holographic female figure with the constant bluish hues she is made off gave the semi dark place a low glow. The bounty hunter rubbed his eyelids with the heel of his palm exhibiting the picture of extreme tiredness which he isn’t really feeling. After the destruction of Omiron 09, the Max Neo had been carried in the bowel of the flagship MMS-Defiant. He had spent some time within the rejuvenation cube which has really strengthen his stressed and tired muscles, then created a calming effect on his mind.


The AA suit is really great and exhilarating when using it. But after you pulled it from you, then the fatigue hits like a rushing wind. The neuro-cybernetic interface puts lots of stress on the brain. So the rejuvenation cube had really sucked out his tiredness and after that he could now sleep. Despite the effective work of the rejuvenation on his body and mind, it can’t take the place of proper sleep and rest. Though he had asked ADA to wake him up when the task force gets to earth’s orbit, so maybe that’s what ADA is doing just now.


“What’s it ADA? “ he asked allowing his voice to slur a bit to reinforced his tired demeanor.
“I’m sorry to wake you up before arriving at the destination you wanted to be woken up at. But this is an emergency issue you have to attend to at once. “
“Alright ADA spill, what’s the issue? “ Marvel sat up on the tiny bunk bed he was on, the heavy bed sheet covering his nec.ked body from toe to his chest.
This is his personal room in the mini cruiser, Max Neo, a small one that just barely accommodated his bed, his table and a single chair. Since the Max Neo was now big enough for long distance hyperspace travel, then the need for personal sleeping rooms became necessary.
“You have a visitor who insist on seeing you despite my strong stance that you are sleeping and instructed me that you shouldn’t be disturbed till we get to our destination. “ ADA’s voice mimicked a disappointing whine.
“Who is the person?”
“The visitor has screened its appearance from me, so it is impossible for me to tell you who it is at this moment only that the visitor has full security clearance that over rides the regular security upgrade I’m on right now. Without an increase of my security mode, I can’t refuse. If I don’t allow the visitor in, it will eventually open the door. “

The sudden appearance of Cedric and his spotter on uniform made them confused a bit. Before they could react, Cedric and his spotter mow them down with blistering fire. Cedric didn’t wait for them to fully drop on the ground as they ran away carrying the canister with them. Cedric was in a haste to beat the twenty five minutes time he was given before the auto security will become active.


Soon they were out of the gate running towards their packed air car. The car was already lifting into the air when the alarm shrieked as the auto defense came on. But by then the air car was already moving out of there in fast speed. That was when Cedric’s mind relaxed a bit as the air car they used was screened from being seen by the security set up for the facility. They can safely get to their hideout now with all their tracks already covered. Anyone tracing the path of this consignment will get confused at this stage.


The trail they would have been pursuing will be cold then. The head of H.E.L.P will of course report the break-in to the authorities showing them the proof of it in that way no suspicion will come on them despite them being secret sympathizers of the mega corporations’ cause . Cedric has made sure he left enough evidence for that laying around. The Earthwatch agency might not be called in at first to investigate something as trivial as a burglary into a small corporate facility like H.E.L.P is until he would have finished his work. But with the renewed heightened security on earth now coupled with the discovery that the agency is now directly after them having arrested twenty of them, this may just be the kind of news they will swoop down on.


Well this won’t do them much good because it will give them no idea what Cedric’s target is and how he intends to achieve his goals. He had intended to use the twenty seven of them to hit multiple targets at the same time so the attention of Earthwatch will be focused on that while he alone goes for the real target. Now, they are just seven, not enough to achieve his initial objectives. Well he can always hire local helps. Earth maybe locked up tight security wise, but a planet now housing almost twenty five billion humans will have lots of criminals hiding among them. So getting short time help wouldn’t be a problem. He smiled as he remembered a contact in Old London that can get him as many help as he will need within just twelve hours.

The plan was that he was supposed to drop the merchandise at this place so there will be records available to show the product was given to the owner and H.E.L.P collected it. So if investigation is started, the trace will stop at the point where he delivered the hydrogen cells to them. With prearranged plan, he was to come back that night, breaking into the facility and stealing it back. He was supposed to leave as much signs as possible of a break in. He was supplied with a security code to break down the auto defenses of this place making them none responsive for about twenty five minutes.


So he has already uploaded the code and it is working already. So he has less than twenty five minutes to get the hydrogen cells out. Getting into the main cylinder with the green cross sign, though the door was locked he punched in the number given to him and the entrance to the building opened. His gun was already up as three armed security guards looked up with surprised as their was no alarm that sounded. The NOVA MK-90 came up with the muzzle chattering. High impact solid bullets hit the three of them, jerking sporadically they collapsed on the ground.


Fortunately for Cedric, these guards don’t have kinetic shields on them. From the Intel Cedric was given, only the ones at the gate has the kinetic shield on. Running past them, he heads for a lift followed by his spotter that stopped a bit to check the fallen security men that were down. With a single shot from the rifle with him, he killed one of them that was badly injured but not dead. The lift led them to a storage room with security guards uniforms. Cedric and his spotter dressed them selves up in it and took another lift that took them to the subbasement levels of the building.


On the way they met other human securities which saluted them and gave way as the uniforms they were on was a high ranked one. The codes Cedric was given gave him high level security clearance. With that, he got to the static storage area where the magnetic field canister housing the hydrogen cells was kept . As soon as they got in, they saw those working in the lab that linked to the static storage. The lab technicians looked up surprised seeing security guards in a highly restricted secured area like this. How were they even able to have cleared access through the door.


As one of the lab technicians on white lab coats who appears to be their head came to challenge Cedric and his spotter. Cedric responded lifting up his gun and with a short burp, bullets from the NOVA MK-90 struck the head lab tech who collapsed in a shower of red blood. The others looked in shock at the sudden change of events just as Cedric and his spotter turned their guns on them and pulled the triggers. Bodies lay scattered on the ground where they had fallen. Going past them, Cedric went to the store, thankfully the hydrogen cell canister was still in the antigravity trolley he brought it with before. Before going out of the place, Cedric reloaded his gun. Running swiftly out the door, the security guards were coming to the door attracted by the sounds of gun fire.

As the dropping light rain continued, visibility plummeted quickly, which is exactly what he wants. Looking through the scope again, the displayed cleared the haze that has descended because of the rain. He watched the gate, noted the security booth after it. He watched the armed men patrolling the energy grid fence, that appeared slightly purple on the scope. At the lower edge of the scope, numbers were running and changing quickly. The spotter gave new figures to Cedric which he acknowledged and adjusted the barrel of his weapon.


In a quick move, his index finger squeeze the trigger gently. With each squeeze, energy bolts hit the target. One by one the security guards dropped. Before the two floating drones could detect what just happened, two more shots came out hitting them and they blew up.


Jumping up quickly, Cedric left the sniper rifle and grabbed an auto handgun, a NOVA MK-90, built in the shape of the ancient earth Uzi submachine gun. Though a handgun, it has the firing prowess of an assault rifle and very effective at close quarters fighting. Holding a back pack, he ran down swiftly, controlling the movement of his feet as the poodle on the ground made the grasses slippery, the rain dropping on his exposed head and hands, the only places that his all black combat suit did not cover.


His spotter had discarded his mini handheld data console then picked up a rifle and followed him. Getting to the gate, the humming sound of the lazer energy fence over shadowing the other noises . Cedric dug into the backpack he was carrying, pulling out a small electronic gadget. Attaching some wires from it to the control of the gate, with swift clicking of buttons, the gate opened admitting them into the compound. Quickly, going through the gate into the compound, he moved fast ignoring the dead bodies on the ground and the small burning wreckages of the destroyed drones. He has just twenty five minutes to finish what he came for.

When he had come in earlier to deliver the consignment, he had noticed that the security guards at the gate, though were wearing full body armor uniforms, they had limited kinetic shield around them. He knew this when he saw the mini shield generator discs attached to their belts. H.E.L.P must be an extremely wealthy corporation if they can afford to give their securities kinetic shield discs or maybe they are just unduly cautious when it comes to security. Well that was the need for an energy based sniper rifle.


No amount of bullets can penetrate a kinetic shield no matter how fast or strong the bullets are, they will just bounced off the kinetic shield wall. Even lazer bolts are deflected by the kinetic shield but the KPR-70 rifle is different, though it fires energy bolts too but at impact with a kinetic shield, the energy bolts absorb the kinetic force the impact on the shield would have generated, pass through the shield because now they are slow enough then hit the target after passing through the shield with the initial energy /force they started with.


Looking through the scope, the image shown were in a field of white and gray. The facility lit up with security lights. Silhouette behind the facility, is the dark outlines of the tall spiraling buildings of New London city. Behind him, his spotter scrolled through the data showing on a holo screen projected by a handheld data console.


He called out some figures to Cedric, which he confirmed after taking a look at the sniper scope. Just then tiny drops of water began to fall. Just in time like the weather satellite Channel predicted. Cedric needed the rain to fall to serve as a little cover for him. He noticed two floating security droids as well before. There are other auto defenses he is not aware of but those can easily be dealt with. The ones that are the problems are the human securities and the isolated sec droids patrolling the place.

An hour and some minutes later, Cedric was back at the H.E.L.P facility but some yards far away from the entrance. The part of New London where it is located is surrounded by low hills with gentle slops and low grasses and few scattered trees. It is a full moon night, with tiny bits of wispy clouds scattered over the heavens and the full moon glared harshly on the earth.


Twinkling stars seem like they are shy when compared with the lunar brightness though they filled the whole of the dark sky. Cedric already have the info from a weather satellite channel that it will be a clear night with a hint of drizzling that night. Knowing the tiny drops of water will start in a few minutes, Cedric took the time to wait and prepare himself. Hiding on one of the low hill around that will give him unobstructed view to the gate of the facility, he pulled out his weapon.


It is a KPR-70 (Kinetic Pulse Energy Rifle model 70) rife. It is an ugly looking weapon that lacked the sleekness and functional look of most sniper rifle. It has a long barrel, made ungainly large by the attached power adapter added below it. Its stock is heavy and unevenly shaped. Though having a tripod stand to give it balance during shooting, it didn’t really serve any purpose as the KPR-70 has zero recoil since it is an energy base weapon. It is among the very few energy sniper rifle in existence.


Most sniper rifle are made to fire solid projectiles as this is assumed to be the means of getting very accurate shots on long distant range targets. So energy rifles are seen as very poor sniper weapons. Added to that is the energy cell that is very heavy and adding extra bulk and weight to the gun. Cedric was aware of all the weaknesses of this particular weapon but has opted for it because it is the only way he can be successful against the assault tonight.

Three of them came out of the air car, as the driver locked it then produced a key which he used to open the door. They entered a wide room with scarce furniture of real wooden benches, weapon creates and black combat clothes. The room was actually converted from an old maintenance duct system blocked and turned to a manageable space. The place was really made to accommodate a lot of people. Getting in Cedric was surprised to meet only just five other people. One of them was on a monitor and one was sitting before a table filled with dismantled parts of various weapons checking some of them out and the others were lying down on bunks which they stood up from as Cedric came in.


The feeling of surprise was evident on Cedric’s face. He was supposed to meet with twenty seven people here, who all have been prepared for what is ahead. Though they had just a general idea what the mission was but lacks the specifics. Each of the twenty seven of them was supposed to travel differently, taking different routes to avoid detection and they were to meet here. But now just seven are what he has seen so far.
“What happened to the rest of you? “ Cedric’s voice though quietly spoken was loud enough to make it look like it vibrated the room.


The one studying the monitor was the one who replied as others stared at themselves uncomprehending. “Twenty of us were picked up at the different security check ups around the planet. Seems Earthwatch agents were on our trails. So it is possible they have an idea about what we intend to do. “
Anger burned deeply within Cedric. This might suggest that Marvel must have succeeded despite the massive resources gathered against him. Time after time, Marvel seems to appear larger than life, always escaping and surviving every attempt on him. Cedric really wished he can get to meet Marvel in this mission. He alone knows what it takes to kill Marvel.


“How do we proceed sir? “ the other one who came with him on the air car asked. “Seems we have been compromised. Can we still continue with the mission? “
Cedric could detect that the speaker must have had military training sometime in the past. “No we go ahead on schedule though with some modifications in the plans. “
Going forward, he looked at one of the weapons been checked and cleaned. It was a sniper rifle. The NOVA SR-557 series with a drum clip of twelve. 50 cal super armor piercing bullets of flintsteel. Appreciating it as he took the gun to look through it and loading it with a full clip, he held the gun up, taking a look through the smart sniper scope. He was satisfied and kept the gun back on the table after pulling out the loaded clip.
Addressing the one that asked him the question. “Hope you are not tired yet. I have a job to take care of this night and I will need a spotter for it. “

Hi guys.
One of the most difficult part of writing this futuristic story is the creating of a possible future events that are both believable and feasible, like I did with the account of Old London and New London here. Also how the one world government was slowly achieved. The merger of the US, Canada Mexico and Brazil to be the American Continent Federation and the introduction of interdollar. Also the cause of the UK Civil War and its outcome.
So I want some of my more astute, well informed readers and those with a little knowledge of History or anyone that feels like to critique this account. Tell me the holes, weaknesses and the rediculous part of my future history of Old London and New London. I want to learn and improve on my history creation. I'm particularly going to need that in part three.

But no nation can fight against the move of global progress. There was a bitter war between the conservatives, who held on to the old ways and the monarchy and the liberals that favored the new reforms and global integration because at this time the move that led to the one earth government was still at its infancy. The war was short and bitter. London became the prize sought by both sides. In the end, most of the city was destroyed and the conservatives lost the war. The liberals refused to rebuild London as the city had stood as the icon of the British conservatism and unchanging ways. A new city was built outside it called New London and the old city became a symbol of the failure of the old ways.


Though structures survived over the few centuries after, but they were badly maintained and cared for. The air car passed these structures encountering occasional air traffic as a beam of flight lights will just flash at them and be gone the next second. Cedric could see the silhouette of the old structure of big Ben. The clock face on the tower now have the holographic display of the classic analog clock having been replaced shortly before the Civil War. The hands of the clock were pointed at the Roman numeral of seven and eight.


Though the parliament Westminster building had survived the war almost intact, it is now crumbling due to the centuries of neglect. Becoming a safe haven for the homeless and misfits. Gangs have a fragile alliance among themselves that had come out of several skirmishes which weeded out the weak and unstable groups leaving the strongest and more stable ones. The gangs had a quasi kind of orderliness so there are very few gang related violence.


The air car headed for the central of the city then turned west to the part call West End in the past. From the air, looking southward, the glassy mirror image of the river Thames could be seen. The car came in for a landing amidst the crumbled ruins of most of the elegant structures that once decorated this place. Buildings broken down, air cars, trucks and the broken down tracks of magnetic monorail and the carriage were what was left of this beautiful and an attractive part of the old city. The car moved on the old roads with potholes floating about just a meter above the surface.


It turned and headed to an opening which led to an old subway tunnel. Getting into it, the air car lights flashed brightly illuminating some broken and crashed subway supersonic trains, twisted electromagno rails and plasters peeled off from the upper sections. The car whisked on slowly till it finally landed at a door that looks newly fixed considering the age of this place. This was a territory of one of the bigger gangs that is secretly being financed by the mega corporation Cedric works for.

Having been cleared by the security, Cedric took the trolley inside, get to the authorized person, handed over the consignment, along with the the documents to them, then copies were given back to him as evidence that he had delivered it successfully. Out side the security post over the facility, a black air car was waiting for him. The security men at the entrance were about to accost the driver of the car when Cedric came out telling them the car is for him. Getting into the air car, Cedric recognized the driver as one of the twenty seven men he was supposed to carry out this mission with. Same with the second man at the shotgun seat at the front. Taking his seat at the back, he directed the driver to take him to the rendezvous place.


The driver of the air car risked being stopped by the air traffic patrol of the New London metropolis at the speed it was moving through the city’s air traffic. Blazing through the spaces between tall buildings at blurring air speed. It was moving at barely subsonic speed so the car doesn’t create a sonic boom that will draw unwanted attention. Well they have to risk that because as soon as the consignment was delivered, they had to move swiftly because time is now running against them. The air car was leaving the city of New London and heading to the ruins of the old one.


As they moved, other air vehicles with lights blazing were passed and left behind. The ruins of the old London could not really be seen because it was already dark, but it was clear that this area was not like a normal city as the hundreds of pinpoints of lights that would have announced it were none existing. Though there were old buildings that still had few lights from their windows but they were very few. Any way London had never really been a city tightly packed with tall sky rise buildings but that started changing at the start of the 22nd century.


At this time the United Kingdom was facing stiff competition from the growing economy of the European Union, which had made several trade deals with rising global mega corporations. The competitive advantage the British pound had given them was eroding as trade and investments turned mostly to the E.U countries, slowly strengthening the Eurodollars. At first the British pound sterling held its own until the American continent Federation came in. This is the merger of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. With a deal with the E.U. the Eurodollar was dropped and the interdollar was adopted. This was the single means of exchange in the ACF (American Continent Federation).


As the E.U adopted the Interdollar, the pound sterling was doomed. The United Kingdom dwindled into economic collapse and recession. Soon the British pound became worthless in the international market as most global trade were done through interdollars. The UK had to choose between keeping to their conservative ways or surrender to the new global move of corporate dominated governance. One of the requirements for the UK to be accepted into the new economic giants of the world is that they dropped their monarchy and embrace total republican government. It was a tough choice as those loyal to the old system of things still had the greater voice in the British parliament. Besides the crown had accumulated so much wealth over the centuries for them to hold on against the pressures from the new global move.

“That should be the consignment. “ the corporate man said, his voice rasp and dry.
“Yes, “ Cedric replied with little interest. “I was told there will be transportation provided to convey us to your facility. “
“Yes, please come with me. “ So saying he led Cedric pulling the trolley with him and the two silent armed men came after them. Getting to the parking area, he was led to a small truck with a mini trailer behind. “The consignment goes on here while you will join me on that. “ He pointed at a black slick air limo parked ahead.


“ No, I stay where the cargo stays. It doesn’t go out of my sight till I have officially deliver it to the H.E.L.P facility. “ Cedric ignored the look of surprise and disdain he was given. He just pushed the trolley to the truck, the trailer opened, pushing the trolley inside he climbed in with it. Gladly there was a bench in the trailer, which Cedric sat down on. As the trailer’s door slid shut, he was glad that despite been air tight, the trailer had internal air circulation so he could breathe.


There were two small see through areas on the trailer with a transparent plastiglass. With that Cedric watched as the corporate suit man climbed into the limo accompanied by the men on black suits. Just then with a slight pressure pushing air away, the limo rose into the air. With a slight stir, the truck moved into the air too. Shortly both vehicles joined the busy traffics of the city.


New London like most metropolis on earth was tightly packed with building, high magnetic monorail train tracks circling large areas of city blocks. Air cars and trucks travels on height within the tall buildings of the city. But much higher than that are the fliers and yachts that goes to lower orbits and occasionally get into higher orbit and space. All these Cedric noted all these but paid little attention to them, his mind focused on what lay ahead.


The sky was getting dark and the city was a mixture of multi colored lights flooding the city. So many holographic words were floating on air billboards, human shaped holograms and neon glows all advertising several products. Some of these lights adverts were several meters high. Few minutes later the truck came into a landing area and parked. Getting out of the truck, he pulled the trolley with him as he looked ahead.


The limo was already parked, the corporate suit man was already with the security clearing their way. The security area was before a short access road covered in armored transparisteel in the shape of an arc leading to the facility. The facility is in the form of long stainless steel cylinders all painted white, high like a regular sky scraper, five of them in all enclosed within a lazer energy wall humming with power. The center cylinder has a green colored pharmaceutical cross with the name H.E.L.P above it, all on holographic lights.

Pulling out an anti-gravity trolley, he moved it to lift the big cylindrical canister of electromagnetic field which housed the hydrogen cells. With slow pushing, he pulled the trolley out of the cargo shuttle, heading for the space port custom area. The sun was slowly going down as evening began to shift towards dusk, the dying daylight painting the sky in a multi layered colors of orange, indigo and gray clouds. Soon he was in the midst of other passengers going to the custom areas to be cleared and allowed out of the space port.


He wasn’t going through the path of just passengers, he went to the cargo clearing area. At the custom booth, a female space port custom officer was sitting behind the armored bullet and lazer proof plastiglass. She is a wild eyed female with gold colored hair pulled back severely into a bump. She was all official and professional. Her green and gray uniform crisp. His details were already before the data console before her, showing on the holo display she was focused on. His passport was stamped and his cargo was cleared. What Cedric didn’t know, is that a call had gone to H.E.L.P and cleared the cargo. Those at the pharmaceutical company confirmed the order for the said consignment. With that, Cedric was passed without delay. Normally if not for cover and anonymity, his mega corporations connections would have passed him through all these security check up without a single delay.


Four space port security armed in rifles came to Cedric and led him through the quick cargo passing so he won’t have to be delayed going through the passengers passing area. Coming out of the exit of the space sport, a wide area for visitors and parking spaces for official vehicles. Beyond that is the busy streets of the New London city. Fast moving air cars and sky busses were plying through the skies of the city amidst high rise buildings hundreds of meters tall. As other travelers crowded out of the exit some greeting family members and friends who had come to welcome them, Cedric saw someone on a neat corporate suit with two others behind him, also on suits but black on white. The bulge at the breast area evidenced that they are armed. The man on corporate suit came to Cedric to exchanged pleasantries.

The captain followed closely behind him while instructing his first mate to watch the other passengers who had to offload their cargoes. With the security on the lock of his privately rented space opened, Cedric went in, recalling that the agreement with the captain was that all payments will be made in physical cash. A very strange request, an archaic method of payment that only smugglers and black market traders still uses. Getting a place to spend paper credit is almost impossible to find on normal legitimate business areas.


This is raising questions in Cedric’s mind about the other extra activities of this cargo shuttle captain. But that is not his business to mind. The captain has performed his part of the contract and Cedric should complete his part. Cedric thought about simply killing him to maintain his security tight cover. But he discarded the idea. Killing the captain here and now will most likely draw the attention of investigators which will put Cedric on the run prematurely. Getting through the door, he pulled out a metal suitcase, opening it are neatly folded and banded untraceable uni credit notes. About fifteen thousand of them.


“Here is the agreed amount, fifteen grands uni credit, unmarked and untraceable. “ Cedric handed the case to the captain.
“Yes, sire, yes. Glad am I. Joyful doing trade with you. “ the captain took the suit case, with a cursory looked at the well stacked bills he nodded as if the stated amount is correct.

rockhillz:
Ah....Sir apolux.......its been 2 days now....
Abeg we day patiently wait

Will post updates today. If u have noticed it's always hard for me to update on weekends because I'm usually tied down

With skills acquired from years of piloting, the captain powered up the shuttle and moved through a small space opened on the energy screen then descended planet side along with other vehicles around the planet. Cedric was back watching the monitor, seeing the blue glow of the earth, with swashes of white clouds. As much as he hates earth, the planet is always a beauty to watch from space. It revolves like a sapphire gem among a black background with millions of pinpoints of stars. He didn’t look too far before he saw weather satellites at geo-centric orbits over varies sectors of the earth.


As the vain-lady descended further, floating hotels, sky casinos, gambling parlors, spas, private castles and palaces of the wealthy and affluent took up positions in the lower orbit. Those huge buildings kept afloat by the power of antigravity rings and fusion propulsion. Just then the shuttle broke into the clouds, some meters below that the tall spires from the New London space station. Broking through the cover, the tightly packed metropolis spread out on all sides of the island and coming down closer the ruins of the old London city was like a blight on the surface being torn apart by the parting of river Thames.


The space air traffic control on New London Space port was already communicating with the cargo shuttle, authenticating its flight and creating a landing part for it on the space port ground. The shuttle landed and shortly after that, its bald captain climbed out of the pilot’s cockpit, coming to meet Cedric where he was calmly sitting as other people in the cabin started moving out to the cargo space to claim there consignments. Cedric wasn’t worried though because his consignment was locked with secured password codes which can’t be hacked easily.


“Ahoy shipmate, what a bumpy ride right, “ the captain said, with several teeth exchanged with platinum and three lined scar plastered along his jaw, which he felt was like a badge of his office. “Your shipment s’touched down dingy safe n’sound, aye. “
Cedric touched his jaw scratching a persistent itch which the artificial beard has created. For this mission, he had undergone intense micro surgery made by Syntech that has covered his face and skin surface with a micro layer of synthetic flesh. Though it has a short duration, it is well made that within that period it can fool the most sophisticated security scanner.


The synth-flesh has given him a new facial appearance with a mustache and beard. A dark brown hair, a new finger print and retina pattern. Also the skin’s cellular texture is even different. All these are tied to the new identity he is carrying around now. No amount of deep scan can see through the subterfuge. But the by product of it is that the synth-flesh gives him a persistent itch all over his body.
“Get me your bank chip and I’d make your payment complete. “ Cedric stood calmly handing over the holo monitor back to him.
“Hoy sire, like we contracted at the ‘fore, all t’payment ‘s ‘n cash, “ the captain said still smiling but a nervous look clouded his face. Instinctively, he must have surmised that Cedric is a lot more than a paying customer.
“Alright let’s get this over with. “ Cedric went out of the cabin to the storage area to the personal space given to him to keep his merchandise without interference. The captain had charged him three times the normal cargo charge for the whole space.

As he watched, he saw the vain-lady got into a queue of other space vessels lined up for security and custom checks. Getting closer to the platform he noticed that an upgrade to earth’s security system was in place, far different from what he knew a few years back. The defense platform is not just one but many, covering most of earth’s mid orbital area. And they serve another purpose, as they are linked together and the links provides an energy screen covering the whole surface area of the planet.


After a while it was the cargo shuttle’s turn to be docked and checked. The vain-lady settled on the docking space cleared for it then cut off the power. Outside the hall of the shuttle, looking through the monitor, Cedric could see that the docking bay was a wide area, as far as the eyes can see on all sides, there were ships berthed of varying sizes and shapes. Then there were armored and heavily armed space patrol troopers all standing at specific points in the bay area. Then orbital port security personnel have their booths all scattered about with a chair and table having data consoles with holo monitors. Each of the booth has four space patrol troops guarding it. Vessels coming from outside the solar system were subjected to more security scrutiny than intra system ones.


While still watching, Cedric saw the ship’s captain, a bald old ship hand, with his first mate going to the orbital port security booth for clearance while a scanning machine ran its green light over the cargo shuttle . Then it raised a red alarm when it scanned the cargo area. With the red light, the orbital port security person talking with the shuttle’s captain stopped, checked the readings showing on his monitor which was supplied by the scanner. After a while, he seem to ask the captain several questions which he answered by shaking his head and pointing at the direction of the cargo shuttle.


Cedric knew that what was causing the problem was his cargo. It has been flagged red by the scanning machine. The captain is doing a fast talking so as to gain the complete cargo fee Cedric has agreed to pay him. His talk seem not to convince his listener though as the orbital port security personnel stood from the booth and headed for the cargo shuttle, accompanied by the four armed space patrol troopers and an obviously unhappy captain and first mate. As soon as Cedric knew they were coming, he switched off the monitor and put it away. Soon the port security officer came in accompanied by others.


He called for Cedric, asked about the nature of his consignment, its place of origin, destination and authorization. Cedric answered curtly but politely. He produced the authorized documents which were viewed and scanned by the port security personal. He asked to be shown the consignment, which the captain led him to the storage area of the shuttle, and showed him the about a meter high stainless steel cylinder. He scanned it again, comparing the readings to the specifications given on the documents. When both tallied, he nodded his head but was still unconvinced. He made a holo vid call, which Cedric guessed was to his superiors which will be linked to the office of H.E.L.P. After several minutes of conversing on different images appearing on the holo screen, he was finally convinced and gave the authorization for the consignment to pass.