“Sir, general Leyland is on the line. “
“Alright, let the call through. “ Marvel said sharing a private smile with the Mole as Hardwire sunk down dejectedly on an empty closed plyo-fibre crate.


“Marvel what’s the report on a safe passage through the Iron Belt Cluster? “ The general said immediately the call came through. “By the way I have received your gift wrapped package of Rabel, this showed me you were successful with that. For now, I’m keeping him locked up and hidden, so no one gets to know his whereabouts until we get through this problem. “


“We have been able to get the route from Rabel, though I can’t be sure of the validity of it. Which has led me to decide on taking a personal on the site assessment. I want to head down there, do a recon flight then provide you with a detailed and reliable Intel on that area. “
“That is an excellent idea Marvel. “ The general said, his eyes looking briefly at something off screen before turning to face him. “The idea is such a brilliant one that as I matter of fact I’d have to accompany you. “


“Accompany me? How will that be possible? “ Marvel asked a bit taken aback. He has known the general for years now and he is not someone who is overly given to levity on serious missions.
“As at this moment I’m in orbit around Nuterra, at the head of a task force team made up of a dreadnought class ship, four destroyers and six lancer class ships. I’m on a private and direct order of earth government president to see this thing through. “


Though Marvel was at first shocked at this, earth government hardly go this far in the quelling of possible insurrection. Nothing that is going on now actually warrant the use of this force on Nuterra or the colonies on the Proxima Centauri star system. If this is a show of force on the side of the earth government, it is way too excessive. Knowing general Leyland, he won’t normally allow himself to be coerced into doing something stupid, he will rather resign his commission. So what else is behind it? Marvel knows he won’t find out standing here.


“What’s going general? “
“ Can’t speak about it here and now. “ Taking a quick look around him to be sure no one is close by to hear him, he whispered into the audio pick up of the screen. “I can tell you this much though, we have a break on knowing what beta project is. Gather your team together, meet me in orbit and I’d fill you in on everything. I already have your orbital security clearance prepared. So come up here ASAP. “

Moving away from the rack holding the suit, with quick touch of other controls on his wrist, another part of the floor slid apart bringing out another rack, this one holding just two major guns that almost about two meters in length.


“These are the customize weapons the suit is meant to use. “ Hardwire pointed at one of them.” This is a high capacity blaster rifle, it’s custom made so I haven’t given it a serial number yet. Quad muzzles for both lazer bolts and solid projectiles., the other I call a TEC 10 RPG, for heavy rockets and mini missiles launching. With time though improvements can be made in upgrading its weapon use capabilities. Well I have to say that I made this not for the regularly fight but to give Marvel an edge when he goes one on one with those ADMECs and be able win. “
Moving away from the rack, he walked toward his audience with a beaming look. “Oh least I forget, this suit doesn’t mean if you go one on one with an ADMEC, you will win. It’s just to give you an edge when you go against it. On a head to head confrontation, the ADMEC will tear this suit apart. “


Marvel felt impressed, Hardwire has always shown his brilliance on intuition. Still he has to do something. “Really nice Hardwire but I will dock you a week’s pay. “
“Aw boss what did I do wrong? “ Hardwire wailed.
“You were hiding things from me. “
“C’mon boss, that was not how it happened. I wasn’t sure if the idea will work, had to take it to Dr. Guthrie and the cyborg. A lot of details had to be taken care off and constant modifications needed to be done. “


“Yes I understand all that that is why I’m not slashing you a month’s pay. “ With a grim smile, Marvel tapped the younger man’s shoulder gently. “You don’t get to screw with me and go unscathed. “
Hardwire turned to the others with a pained expression silently asking for help. The Mole shrugged in helplessness with a witty smile and his single eye glinting as it looked at Marvel. The cyborg stood silently and impassive while Dr. Guthrie threw his face away. Just then ADA’s holographic image appeared.

Touching some controls on his wrist comm unit, a side of the floor by his feet slid back and a rack lifted up from it. On it was something that looked like a full combat armor complete with helmet with dark visor, all on reflective black with slashes of red and yellow. Though on closer look, the make is much more bulkier than a combat armor. While standard combat armor are mostly made from super tensile plastic and hardened rubber with titanium iron mesh underneath, this appeared to be made of some form of metal.


“I call this Augmented Armored Suit. While you can wear it like a combat suit, it can give you the performance of the ADMECs. “ Coming close to the suit, he rapped on the frame lightly with his knuckle creating a dull low thud. “I took an idea from the armored material used on the ADMEC to create the material used in building it. I borrowed some of Dr. Guthrie’s super tensile titanium, compressing it tightly packed molecules further by holding them together by nano alloy adhesive. This makes it extremely strong, durable but relatively light. I stole an idea from the heat sink tech on your body armor, making this suit heat resistant to a heat that is up to 5000 degree Celsius.


“I have made it to be worn like a combat suit, it has a size adjustment mechanism that can make it fit most human sizes . I had to created a miniature power source for it because wearing it normally will prove too heavy for the user, hence the power source to serve as a support function. As for control, there’s a neuro-cybernetic interface in the helmet that automatically links to the overall function of the suit which the helmet directly interfaces with the wearer’s cerebral cortex. This suit doesn’t come with any attached weapons but it has the ability to carry heavy ordinances of the level carried by armored tanks. But the other good stuff about it is it enhances the users strength considerably and accelerates his speed and movement, though I have yet to test its top speed . “

Hardwire led them to the repair area which Marvel discovered have been made larger than it was. Most of the unused empty spaces there have their walls broken down and the floor paved with duracrete mixed with ferrocrete. The roof is about ten levels high which Marvel was sure could shoot out above the floor of the lake. He knows the extra space had to be created to make room for the newly built Max Neo, a more that fifty meter length slick body all painted matte black.


The mini cruiser was imposing on close real life inspection, its rounded angular edges kind of dented the dangerous predatory image it was supposed to exude. The Max Neo appearance is made to draw very little attention and to be under estimated. Well it was still large enough for Marvel to require it being registered as a space vehicle and log in all his flight plans and paths to the planetary space port control.


Well he will deal with that when the time comes. He had been able to take the Max 2 off planet because he had used a cargo ship to fly it off planet and close enough to the Tau Ceti star system too far out for Rabel ship’s scanner to pick up, then had gone in system with the Max 2 camouflaged. Looking up, he saw Hardwire tapping his feet impatiently waiting for him all the while he was standing admiring the Max Neo. He ignored the dazzling sight of the mini cruiser and headed Hardwire’s direction, curious to see what he has to show as the others where already therw before him.


“While being caught in the middle of the attack at the Trans Terra tower, seeing the ADMEC in action gave me some inspiration. I was able to salvage some parts of the damaged ones before they could be carried off into evidence by the CSC. “ Hardwire started saying as soon as Marvel got close enough to hear him. Then he turned to where the two doctors were standing, pointing at them he continued,


“I had to meet them first and explained my idea to them, Dr. Guthrie being an expert in cybernetics, was the one that showed me how my idea can work. Taking some plans from the creation of Dr. Bryant cybernetic make up and the available, though damaged chassis of the ADMEC, I was able to come up with something unique. Though I had to illegally hack into the design format of the Mobile Attack Space Marine combat armor. This is the result. “

Turning Marvel faced Hardwire who hasn’t said anything since he came in. “What’s been up with you? “
“Me? “ Hardwire made a face like he was in serious disbelief. “I don’t get what you mean boss. “
“Quit the bullshit Hardwire, I don’t won’t to have to go the hard way in finding out. “ Marvel said with a deadpan look on him. “I have given you enough space to have your fun at my expense. Enough of that, time to speak up or… “


“Alright alright, chill boss, some times you act like you have no sense of humor. “ Hardwire lifted his hands in form of surrender.
“Not when I’m been made the butt of a joke I know nothing about. “
“It’s really nothing serious, just something I’m working on. Needed to be fully sure of it before showing it to you. Couldn’t have continued to keep it hidden beyond today anyway. “


“What is it Hardwire? “
“It’s better I show you. “ with that Hardwire walked out the door of the control room, beckoning on Marvel to come with him.
Turning to look at others, the cyborg’s face was unreadable, Dr. Guthrie just shrugged and headed after Hardwire while the Mole hid a snicker behind a palm covering his mouth as he stood up to join the departing doctor. Marvel took the hint, joined them as the cyborg followed him behind with heavy pondering feet.

Spreading his hands over the large size holo image of the Max Neo, he continued. “The PNR are nano sized photo receptors mixed in with the alloy plating cover of it that absorbs light and radiation, then re-emitting the light toward the source by lowering it to blend with the ambient light around making it physically invisible.


"Then for heat signatures, especially those coming from its fusion thrusters behind, the nano particles will render the moving molecules of the heat inert, virtually causing them to freeze. Also the nano particles have self repair or healing abilities, to repair damages done to the Max Neo, using extra stored raw composite alloy kept within the walls of it. “


He paused for a while, did a little shrug with his shoulder as he said this. “Sorry Marvel, I know you wanted something small like the Max 2,that wouldn’t look too outstanding but we felt you needed something bigger. This Max Neo is not for regular use. It is far larger than a flyer or yacht, it’s closer to the size of a cruiser-a mini cruiser actually but with the teeth of a super cruiser.


" It comes equipped with the usual weapons on the Max 2 but and other additions , a mini energy ship cannon, ship buster missiles and torpedoes and super pulse lazer cannons. Then the usual sensors arrays, hyperspace communications equipment. The Max Neo is virtually a space ship on its own with cabin room enough for twenty people. What do you think, hope it meet your expectations? “


“I’m actually impressed. This just seems to come in at the right time. “ Marvel said coming close to observe the floating 3D image of the Max Neo. “So how much do I owe you for this? “
“Nothing much really, “ Dr. Guthrie said awkwardly with some measure of discomfort. “It was actually a side project of Dr. Bryant and I. “
“Being a cyborg is boring unless I get doing something. “ Dr. Bryant came in. “So many ideas and innovations running through my mind it almost driving me nuts, I have to put them down and bring them into reality in other to calm the logic part of me. “


“We also made do with some of the left over resources from building this place. “ Dr. Guthrie continued after the cyborg stopped. “The camouflage technology is something I have been secretly working on way back in my days when working under the mega corporations. Though it had experienced repeated failures but with the input of Dr. Bryant it has worked out perfectly. “

Walking to the control of the huge 3D display, putting it on, he came back to one of the data console in the room, touching some buttons, he called up some images which he then transferred to the 3D display. An image of a cruiser looking vehicle was floating from the 3D display. The cruiser like vehicle has a cylindrical shaped body tapered by its ends giving it a kind of flat shape with a concave appearance. The fore area is curved to a rounded edge with the view port above it. Its wings is at the aft of the cruiser, four stubby wings in X format surrounding four thrusters. It has a smooth surface.


“We have been working on this project as per your instructions, when you told us you needed a stand by replacement for the Max 2, so this is the result. Though as equally successful as the experiment of our camouflage make over on the Max 2. Your testimony shows the camouflage on the Max 2 was very effective in getting you close to apprehending Rabel without him knowing. “


Walking close to the 3D image, he pointed at different areas of the vehicle as he talked. “Though I’m forced to admit that one area of concern for this project was the camouflage fittings, that was why we needed a test run for it on the Max 2. Well this here is what I and Dr. Bryant have jointly agreed to call Max Neo. Unlike the Max 2 that is a modified and upgraded flyer, the Max Neo is much larger than that. We decided to make something bigger than the Max 2 because we felt there might be a need to have something that can go interstellar, having hyperspace fusion drive capabilities which is solely lacking on the Max 2.


“The Max Neo however is made from several pieces of cannibalize parts of different vehicles but we improved on everything. The body is composed of three layers, the outward and inner layers are made from super dense matrix composite alloy, a combination of tungsten, titanium and chromium. Sandwiched between them are hexagonal honeycombed carbon fiber and thermoplastic. Given it a slightly light weight but still with enough tensile strength and impact resistant to survive most attacks. Also they contain the Phototrophic Nano particle Receptors-PNR for short, this is the camouflage material that covers all area of the Max Neo. “

“Time to get me some answers. “ Marvel stood up, unplugged the data cube from the console as he heads out of his personal quarters. “Tell the others that I will be joining them and inform Hardwire to leave whatever he is doing and join me at the control room, tell him it is a direct order. “


“Yes sir “ then the hologram vanished.
“As far as I can see, we will have to go directly to the Iron Belt Cluster and verify the information we will be passing to the general. “ Marvel said as soon as he got to the control room.
The Mole slowly nodded with understanding while Dr. Guthrie sat on a chair going through some figures on a holo display from his wrist comm. The Cyborg was jacked in to the main data console in the room but Hardwire has still not appeared.


“Don’t worry Hardwire is on his way, he seem to be engrossed in something he cannot just drop. “ The Mole said to Marvel as he saw his eyes roving around.
“He better have something worthwhile to tell me or else… “
“Ease Marvel, he is just preparing a surprise for you. “
“I never told him I wanted any surprise. “ Turning at the door’s direction when it open giving a cold stare at Hardwire as he came in walking stiffly with an awkward smile on his face. “Glad you can join us, I was about starting. “


Turning his attention to everyone in the room as Hardwire looked for a seat he continued. “With the camouflaged improvements on the Max 2, that will make it the it the perfect choice to navigate the Iron Belt Cluster both for its size and clandestine abilities. Though it doesn’t have enough fusion drive to carry us to that area on time. Then the size of it will not convey all the people I would want to accompany me there. Going solo on this mission is out of it. “


“I don’t think going with the Max 2 is a viable option… “
“That’s what I’m trying to get at doc. “ Marvel interrupted Dr. Guthrie before he could finish.
“You should listen to the doc Marvel, I think he has something to say. “ the Mole said.
“Ok doc, what do you suggest?”
“Just that I have a much better alternate solution. “ Dr. Guthrie deactivated his wrist comm as he addressed the bounty hunter. “Wanted to inform you that a project we have started a while back is completed. “

Recalling the first words ADA had told him the first time he gave her the data to analyze and bring out a successful auto plotted part from the one Rabel has given them, she has said that the successful path used by the ex pirate to cross the Iron Belt Cluster defies logic. And Marvel has to come up with something concrete to justify the huge sum paid to him by general Leyland.


But so far it’s just what Rabel has given them which Marvel was sure will not satisfy him. The general has to answer to the senate arms committee, the president and the top security council on earth. Though from the agreement, he will have to personally go to the Iron Belt Cluster, navigate it successfully before he can send a reliable report back. Seems he will have to go in there with an unreliable Intel and try to navigate a dangerous place depending only on the information given to him by a two faced pirate who probably hates his guts. But go, he will have to and complete this assignment.


“ADA where are the others? “ He asked.
“Dr. Guthrie and Dr. Bryant are with the Mole in the control room, awaiting you at your earliest convenience. “ the Artificial Defense Assistant responded, the holographic female image came to stand before Marvel. Its light image glowing blue, she appears in the image of a corporate secretary.
“And where is Hardwire? “
“In the storage area is where his heat signature is located. “
“What does that mean? “
“Hardware has manually disconnected all video and audio devices in the area he is in. “
“What the blazes is he doing that he is hiding? “ Marvel asked angry.
“I have no data on that sir. “ ADA’s electronic voice replied. “Hardwire have gone to great lengths to hide his activities from me. But Dr. Guthrie and Dr. Bryant appears to be aware of his clandestine activities.”

✴ ✴ ✴ ✴ ✴

Marvel sat before a holo screen watching the data as it scrolled across it. The data cube taken from the ex pirate he had connected to a data console, going through the route that has been plotted to pass safely through the Iron Belt Cluster. ADA had run several simulation on all available data on that cube and it all seem dicey, just a tiny bit of error will cause total failure in been able to successfully navigate the dense area of the Cluster.


“There are thousands of moving space debris around that sector, an auto set navigation route will doubtlessly fail. “ The calm cold voice of ADA said as her holographic figure came in. “To successfully cross the Iron Belt Cluster, it has to be with manual control to compensate for the sudden and numerous unpredictable movements of the debris. Thousands of auto navigation simulation I have ran with the available data all failed “


He was worried about this though he shouldn’t have been surprised. If the Iron Belt Cluster have been such an easy place to cross it wouldn’t have the status it presently enjoy. Marvel knows he is not a top notch pilot, neither is any of those with him. He kept wondering how Rabel has been able to cross the place in the first instance.


During interrogation, the ex pirate had admitted, he had several close calls. It was while he was trying to escape pursuit from a rival pirate group that he had cheated that the idea of dashing into the Cluster had come to him. He had lost his pursuers at the peripheral area of the Cluster. Those who were smart stayed back from plunging into the area but the determined ones have chased him with their ships.


They were stupid to have put their vessels on auto piloting, a mistake Rabel didn’t make. Those who came after him then all had their ship crashed and destroyed in the dense debris. Rabel didn’t go far when his ship got damaged. He stayed there for days till he did a partial repair and piloted his craft limping out of the Cluster and was rescued by a ship that responded to his SOS distress call. His other pursuers that didn’t get into the Cluster after him thought he was dead as they witnessed the destruction of several ships.


After repairing his ship, dealing decisively with them, he had come back to the Iron Belt Cluster to navigate it successfully because he had seen the usefulness of the place. The successful plotting of a navigable path through the gigantic space rocks was a slow work that took him all of two years with several failures and near death misses. But he had succeeded and that has made him the most respected pirate among those he worked with. This was his best kept secret.

“And the citizens of Nuterra bough all that? “ the voice from the screen seem to be smiling as he said this.
“Most of them did, I guess at least the greater percentage of them. “ Dalmar stood from his chair and walked around his private quarters. “Though there will still be the few people who will try to see through the holes of all the propaganda. Their numbers are inconsequential. “


“How have your long absence from Nuterra been handled? Isn’t that raising any eyebrows? “
“That has been well covered. The official story is I’m on a business security trip, which will involve me traveling to several star systems. “ Dalmar though wanted to concentrate fully on the discussion, a red light blinked on the monitor before him drawing his attention. “And I have already placed alibi on each of my official planned routes which will attest to my being there. I even have one that shows I touched down on a business colony on one of the moons on Saturn in the solar system. “


When the speaker on the screen said nothing more, Dalmar asked him. “How are things on earth?”
“Interesting. The appearance of a none existing terrorist organization, the Colonies Liberation Front, who is bent on destroying the senate, is having them scared. “ the speaker chuckled. “The senate arms committee are putting more pressure on General Leyland. So far the general has been secretive and lately had a private meeting with the president. So the details were not made public. It’s obvious that he has no idea what is going on. But presently the general seem to be off planet. “


“Any idea where he is headed? “
“No, Leyland has been uncharacteristically secretive. “ The voice from the screen said. “Though I was able to get to know he is leading a task force made up of one Capital ship, four Destroyers and six Lancers. Their destination was not made known but I suspect they are on the way to Nuterra as a show of force in response to the recent attack. “


Laughing lightly, Dalmar said. “Fortunately our activities is no longer on Nuterra, they are free to search everywhere there to their hearts’ content. Though we will still have to watch out for them. “
“But any other contingency plan to deal with this troubling bounty hunter? “
“Yes I do. “ Dalmar touch the red light going over the read-out on the monitor. “Actually I have two of them. Marvel is not a major threat but he will be dealt with fully. “
“What about the cyborg, don’t you think we still need to capture him. “
“Ummmmm. “ the screen took his attention for some seconds. “O yes certainly we do. And this good news I just got now will wrap this all up. “
“What is that? “
“Alpha project just had a hit. “ Dalmar said elated.

“Well the loses encountered in taking down Marvel was the worst. He survived all traps I set for him. My men, the bounty hunters and a single ADMEC. Without the support of the cyborg. It almost looks supernatural. “
“Seems we really underestimated this Marvel. “ the voice from the screen said.
“So it would seem. Still he is just a man and we can deal with him. “


“Brilliant strategy you employed over the PR campaign on Nuterra over the attack on the Trans Terra tower. “
“Thanks for that, I suppose you approved. “ Dalmar said, his senses attuned to their highest sensitivity to pick up any negative undertones that statement might mean. Dealing with their benefactor inside the earth government is not easy, getting to understand him is harder. He is so sleight full it’s hard to predict him. “Well full credit will have to go to my underling, Cedric, he handled that aspect.


“He moved fast and took advantage of the situation before the CSC will come up with a plausible explanation. He arranged for the blame to fall on the CSC interference on Nuterra. Most of the media organizations on Nuterra are controlled by us and he used that control extensively. Getting people to come out openly to blame earth government unwelcome intrusion. That had the CSC and Earthwatch not taken over security control from Iris System Securities and the Mantis troops, that attack would have been stopped before it went too far.


"That Iris System Securities have every available resources to quell the attacks, that was obviously the work of the terrorist organization, Colonies Liberation Front. Had the Mantis troops been allowed to respond, the attack would have failed. Well I also did a live broadcast which was aired on the news channels on every 3D stations on the Proxima Centauri star system, repeated what has been said, laying emphasis on earth’s government interference, sending condolences to bereaved families and promising some kind of compensation to them. “
“And the citizens pf Nuterra bough all that? “ the voice from the screen seem to be smiling as he said this.

Chapter Eleven

Dalmar sat before his chair watching the screen going through its pre-call security clearance sequence. As soon as the multi color displays vanished it became replaced by the silhouette head and shoulders image made of black and white snowy static . The head of Iris System Securities sat up properly. Though he may not be able to see the image on the screen, the image can see him clearly. His hidden features is considered for the best as this is his benefactor hidden deep among the top echelon of the government on earth.


“ Mr. Dalmar, your method of handling the Trans Terra tower episode was a bit too load. “ the silhouette image on the screen said.
“Yes, but there was no better alternatives available given the time frame. The Earthwatch and CSC people were getting ever close to breaking through the security surrounding those sensitive data. And if they had retrieve any single thing from it, a lot of our plans will be affected. “


“Successful as your move is, not all your intention was achieved. “
“We actually expected a certain margin of error which we compensated for. “ Dalmar acted as if in deep thought. He knows the person at the other end is monitoring all his facial expressions and making his on conclusions on that. “When I authorized the use of the ADMEC, it was the proper place for a first time life-field test. I also anticipated the interference from the cyborg. Without the ADMECs, no way could we have succeeded. The lose of four ADMECs is a small price to pay for that success. “
“It was actually five you lost. “

“So you have to give us everything you gave them, won’t you honey? “ the Earthwatch spy asked again as she came close to his sitting form, bringing her face close to his again.
“Well if that’s all you want. “ Rabel touched a button on the control panel before the pilot chair. A small section pulled out. Digging his hand in, he pulled out a data cube handing it over to Jade. “Here is the secured route I plotted through the Iron Belt Cluster. Though it’s not full proof because the trajectory of those rocks are erratic. “


“At least this is a start. “ Marvel took the data cube from Jade.
“Yeah. But wondering what you need the information for. There’s nothing there, that place won’t make any meaning to you not unless you are a pirate planning to hide there from the authorities. Although there is something unique about that cluster. “


“And what is that? “
“Nothing too mysterious. “ Rabel seem to choke on his words a bit, Damn I need a drink, my throat is perched. This much talk ‘s making me thirsty, he thought sadly before continuing. “As dense as the rocks in the Iron Belt Cluster are, at the very center is a wide open area, that is like the Eye of a Storm. Hundreds of miles of open space, surrounded at all sides by dense rocky asteroids. “


“And does the data in this shows a navigable part to that area? “ Marvel pointed at the data cube.
“Yeah it does. Hey guys I have told you all you need to know, guess I’m free to be on my way. “
“And what makes you think you are free to go honey? “ Jade stood before him pressing both his shoulders back on the chair by gently placing her hands on them.


“Thought you said if I cooperate you will… “
“We said no such thing. “ Marvel kept the data cube into a tiny compartment on his belt. “Though I’m sure a Trade Task Force will be interested in these boxes hidden below deck of this cruiser. “
“Aw guys cut me some slacks. Had no means of livelihood after I stopped being an official pirate. A man’s gotta feed. “
“Yup, correct. You could have been a miner then. “
“Nobody will want to employ an ex convict like me. “


“So going back to prison won’t be such a bad idea. “
After whining, something crossed Rabel’s mind. “Hey Marvel, how the hell did you find me here and got to my vessel without me seeing a space ship around here. “
“Oh that’s quite simple. We used a camouflaged ship. “
“Camouflaged ship? That doesn’t exist. “ Rabel almost screamed.
“Well it does now. “

“To ensure your compliance. “ Marvel replied instead. “You just be a little cute good boy and I promise you the Mole here won’t bite. Trust me the shit you have heard about him isn’t even half of what he has done. You really don’t want him on your case. “
“Wh.. What the hell do you want me to say. “ Rabel mumbled. “I’m no longer a pirate. I served my sentence, came back and went straight. Ask everyone who knows me, I’m retired from active piracy. “


“Yeah we know that. Just the kinda bullshit story you want the public to believe. I’m sure you being a retired pirate has nothing to do with you smuggling and trafficking on stolen goods. “ Marvel came closer to him, having holstered his gun and pull out his vibro blade. He allowed Rabel to wince a bit as the humming noise of the blade sounded close to his ears. “I’d have love to cut you open right now for that shit stunt you just pulled but… “ here he turned pointing the blade to where the Mole was standing. “… my friend here will just call it a waste of perfect meat. You see he likes eating his victims alive. So you try that shit again and I’d just let the Mole have his fun with you. “


Rabel doesn’t get scared easily, he has seen a lot in his life time to know a bullshit when it’s staring him in the face. This is not one of them. And that Mole guy scares the shit out of him as each time his steals a glance at the diminutive black man, his bladder trembles threatening to spill out its contents.
“Ok, what do you guys want from me? “
“Very simple actually, nothing really planet shattering or dangerous. “ the female spy came close to him, as they are about the same height, her face was almost touching his. “Just tell us your secret of how you navigated the Iron Belt Cluster. “


“Why am I not too surprised. “ The pirate said after taking some time to calm his nerve when he was sure sudden death was out of his way for now. “You guys aren’t the first people to ask me of that. “
“So who was the other person that asked of that? “ Jade asked.
“Dunno, it was all hush hush. I was forced to agree to complete confidentiality. So the person I was made to deal with didn’t show his face but my guess is the person must be someone who is connected higher up on earth government. As part of the deal was my light sentence and release then I was forced to stop active piracy. “

“And what will that be bitch? “
“I forgot to tell you that I didn’t come here alone. “ Jade raised her chin at his direction, a place just beyond the pirate’s shoulder. “Allow me to introduce my friend Marvel. “
The pirate startled as the unmistakable low whine of a lazer gun being powered up sounded behind his ear .


“I will take that now. “ A voice said as a hand reached out quickly over his shoulder and took the gun from him .
Taking a while to look at the new comer his mind quickly came to a realization. “I know you. You’re that popular bounty hunter that has send a lot of my people in the slammer. “


“Fortunately for you we have never meet. “ Marvel said as he poked him with his NAX GAUGE gun moving him to a chair. “Of course no one ever thought you important enough to place a bounty on your shallow head, else I’d have paid you a visit. “
“Bah, in my pirate days, I was the most feared. People were too scared of me to try that . “


“Are you implying you are no longer a pirate? “ For the third time in as few minutes as possible, the pirate was startled again by a voice coming from his blind side. “Then how do you explain those boxes and crates you just loaded into this vessel? “
“Oh forgive my negligence, I forgot to tell you I came with another friend. I’m happy to introduce you to the Mole. “ Jade spoke with a face cherry and cold at the same time.


Turning again Rabel saw a little statured dark skinned man, holding a very big gun. His head is covered with a shiny dome metal and one of his eyes is a red glowing mechanical/electronic one. “I’m the Mole. “ the new comer simply said .
Several details ran through the mind of Rabel and when they settled on his brain, got him really scared. “You are the Mole? As in the Mole in Nuterra? The one who runs The Pit? “


“Yup, I’m one and the same. “ was the response he got from him.
“I know of you. You are a sadistic psychopath, unstable, a mentally deranged cannibal. I have heard of all your gruesome atrocities. “ the pirate trembled all over, his feet taking involuntary steps away from the Mole.
“I won’t take offense at the names calling, if that gets you docile. “
“Stay the hell away from me. “ Yelling he turned to Jade. “Why the hell did you bring this mad man here? “

“Hi, honey. It’s been a while, miss me? “ the speaker was a silhouette against the light spilling from the open door.
Rabel’s left hand went quickly to the holstered gun behind him as he jumped from the chair he was on, squinting his eyes to see clearer. He startled and took few steps backwards as if he was hit on the face. The shock of seeing someone on his cruiser packed in the middle of a less traverse side of space was bad enough, but the person who actually invaded it was a lot worse.


“Jude? “ the ex pirate almost screamed. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you find me here? How did you get into this place? “
“Oh don’t worry about that. “ Jade walked into the control area of the cockpit with a slither like swagger and a cold smile on her lips. “How is the jaw, Rabel? Hope my little love pat didn’t break it? Will a soft kiss mend that? “


Anger flared in him as he recalled what she was referring to. It was the night this spy bitch had betrayed him and lead an Earthwatch raid on his hide out. While he was trying to escape, she had appeared from no where and landed him a heavy punch on his jaw that took all the fight out of him. Till today, his jaw still tingle with a dull ache.


“Screw you, spy bitch, I got nothing to say to you, except blow you away. “ Rabel pulled out a bulky lazer hand gun and pointed it at the Earthwatch agent. “Now I get to see the satisfaction of paying you back for what you did to me. Though I get to sort out the mystery of how you got in here later after you have been dealt with.”
“Just one problem with that Rabel. “

The air shuttle rose above the thick atmosphere of the planet, the darkness of space was decorated with millions of twinkling stars and amidst that was the slim shape of a space cruiser. Rabel always felt a deep sense of satisfaction when ever he sees his ever reliable XN light cruiser, he has named Fortune Bitch.


This space vehicle is a speed demon, it has a modified super charged fusion thrusters that will give the fastest Lancer class pursue craft the Inter-galatic Trade Task Force has in its fleet a run for their money . It had pulled his ass safely out of tight spots several times. It may look old, battered and ungainly, yet its engine is kept at peak working performance.


And below it is a rigged cargo hold that can house his stuff and its walls are lined with radiation reflectors, that bounce back any signals from scanning machines customs and Trade patrols will use on his ship during a stop and search session. Added to that is a heavy duty turbo lazer cannon and two multi repeater chain guns, hidden on the hall of the ship. It might look like a harmless civilian ship, but it has claws that are carefully sheathed .


Getting close to the Fortune Bitch, Rabel deactivated the security lock down on the cruiser, though cases of ship jacking is rarely heard of, they do exist. Though the possibility of his ship being stolen or broken into in this remote part of space is unlikely, still Rabel was not one to take simple things for granted. Carefully bringing in the shuttle for a landing on the tight docking bay, he powered down the craft.


Working swiftly he activated the two extra pick up drones he had here to off load his wares into the false floor cargo hold of the cruiser. It is a delicate work that needed his full concentration which took him all of thirty minutes to complete. Thirty minutes that leaves him too exposed to discovery but he has to get these boxes properly hidden to fool Trade Patrol inspectors and get paid or else all his efforts in getting here will be a waste.


Getting all the boxes packed and secured, he locked the docking bay door heading afore ship to the control area on the cockpit passing by six locked doors of sleeping quarters. Though in his active buccaneering days he had a crew made up of twelve males and females. Although cramp then it was like a second home to them but a first home to Rabel. He knows every inch of this vessel like the back of his hand.


The engine room is amidst ship on the second level above the hidden floor and the docking bay. Directly above that is the sleeping quarters he just passed and above that the official store space which he usually carry his legitimate wares during port inspection. The top level is where the cockpit is and his personal sleeping cubicle. Getting to the cockpit , he sat on the pilot sit, ran a preflight diagnosis which was totally unnecessary as the ship was on stand by when he left it. Everything was still the same way he left it but as he stretched his hand to the power button area the hairs on his skin stood as if danger is imminent . Before he could react a voice that remotely sounded familiar came at him from his private room area.

Not far away from the shore are huge boxes made of none corrosive metal over laid with hit resistant alloy floating on the boiling water of the lake . They were the items Rabel has come to recover. They are just mostly stolen black market fusion fuel cells, some military grade light carbine Lazer rifles, illegal electronic drug and expensive electronic circuit boards stolen from a warehouse raid.


He already has a buyer for all these who is ready to pay premium credits for them. He got to work, activating a pick up drone which he controlled from a little remote on his hand. The drone flew over the boiling lake, picked up each box then arranged them behind the board attached to the scooter. Then Rabel ran a cable holding each box securely to the board .


He affixed a detachable anti-gravity ring on the bottom of the flat board so it can help reduce the weight of the boxes on the board. It also will reduce the effect on the engine of the scooter whose engine has less power. This was necessary so that the scooter and its heavy cargo can float at least above three meters over the uneven ground of the place .


Just then the pick up drone sputtered, thick smoke spewing from it as it crashed to the ground then exploded. Rabel actually expected this as he was sure the delicate circuitry in the drone will not long survive the intense heat of this atmosphere. At least it completed its job before crashing. Climbing back to the scooter, he drove it heading back to his shuttle.


At the shuttle, he moved the scooter with the boxes into the cargo hold, locked the bay door then pulling up the ramp he also locked the access door. In seconds the shuttle climbed the air and headed off planet. Time to make some money he thought, happy at how easy it has been to fool everyone. Well all he needs to do is dock on his space craft in orbit and he will be on his merry way.

After serving the time, coming back, he was nothing. He couldn’t go back into pirating again, because he has been blown too wide open. So he had made it a big deal to every one that cares to watch that he is retired from pirating. And that image has been maintain for years and in that he has fooled everyone. For before all eyes, both fellow pirates and the public he has resigned from buccaneering. He had made it such a big deal that anyone can tell where he is and there are witnesses to every place he goes to.


But that had hidden a big secret, that he never really stopped pirating, only that he changed his modus operandi. In his active pirating days he has located good places to hide stolen goods and one of those places was the planet LT515. A planet of no interest to any one, with very inhospitable surface that is conducive with little or nothing of interest to attract any one. So this has been the place for him.


Now he steals from cargo ships with his features well hidden, takes his loot away in his fast ship, dumps it here and later comes for it after the heat has blown over to retrieve it and then sell it as an anonymous pirate. So far it has been working well and it’s yielding good profits. And in all, the best is he got every one fooled.


The shuttle landed on its metal struts, a door open ing as a ramp slowly came down from it to touch the bare floor. Rabel came out of the ship putting on heavy protective clothing completely sealed with helmet and a face plate. The faceplate immediately got covered with steam as soon as he came out of the ship but an evaporator attached to the helmet was activated and the helmet faceplate was cleared. The evaporator will continue to wipe the faceplate every second.


His movement on the uneven hot surface of the planet was awkward and slow because of the heavy modified A.V.O (All Vacuum & Orbital) space suit he was wearing. It has to be padded with heat deflector and have a much stronger temperature control imbedded in it than usual. He walked to the back of the shuttle and opened the cargo bay door, went in and drove out a flat air scooter attached behind it is a flat metal board with four huge anti-gravity rings under it.


With a noise that disturbed the few creatures around there, causing them to flutter out of the surrounding trees under strange colored bodies and wings, flying into the air with stranger noises that was a cross between the croaking of a toad and baying of a donkey. The scooter headed toward the inland lake of the crescent shaped island. The water of the lake was in a constant boiling state as heavy steam raised into the air. At the shore of the lake, Rabel stopped the scooter, checked the thermometer fixed to his wrist, he shook his head in the helmet as he saw the number blazing at 220° Celsius.

The locator built into the shuttle led Rabel to a small crescent shaped island with an inland lake in the middle. The vegetation on that place is sparse, that made it the most ideal place to hide what he has come for. At least tall trees wouldn’t play hockey with his locator sensors. Coming in closer for a landing he aimed for a clearing that was large enough to accommodate his shuttle and close enough to his target.


This planet has come to him in one of his brainstorming session when his activities as a foremost pirate was becoming too hazardous for his health. Though he pulls his weight among the conclave of space pirates, being among one of the most successful in their midst, his self confidence and pride had soared only to come crashing down heavily after one too many run ins with both System Trade Patrol, around earth’s solar system and Inter-galatic Trade Task Force around colony space lanes.


He had fall afoul of them and as quick as he is at escaping, he wasn’t always fortunate. Luck has ran out on him on some occasions, either the authority chasing him has faster and better ships or his trusty space vehicle had refused to kick off on time or they had pounced on him while on the job, invariably catching him red handed as it were. After prison terms on earth and other super max prisons, Rabel Fisher had had enough. His reputation as one of the sneakiest and sleaziest space pirate was dwindling rapidly with the speed of a gravity ball.


In other to salvage his rep and build up again, he planned one of the biggest and most daring pirate heist ever. He selected the best crew available choosing new hands in a way following an old pirate superstation that too many old hands spoils the raid. So laying off his old crew and employing new ones, he went for it. Alas that was his undoing. Among his crew was a clever Earthwatch under cover agent. A female spy that fooled them all, even his old eyes fell for her machinations. She had led a secret investigation that combined the Earthwatch agency, CSC and Inter-galatic Trade Task Force successfully and he was the big meat. That was the worst defeat he had ever had.

Jackossky:
Apollux, you are a science student right?
Wonders how you are able to know the scientific details you are depicting.

Anyway, I'm here.

Not really. I just love science fiction stuff

The planet called LT 515 is a dwarf planet with a giant single moon orbiting it. The size and mass of the planet is close to its moon that early space astronaut explorers mistakenly thought it to be a dual planetary system. But later searches with more intense investigations, concluded that one was a dwarf planet and the other a giant moon.


The gravity of these bodies interacts with each other in such a way that while the atmosphere of he moon is virtually empty and contains no gas that of LT 515 is dense with thick cloudy formations really reducing visibility. It orbits the star Tau Ceti in the constellation Cetus about 3.7 parsecs from earth.


It is a heavy dense planet, the fourth of five planets orbiting the star, heaving just two large continents, with thousands of scattered smaller islands. Its gravity is 2.0 that of earth, a tropical planet with humid atmosphere filled with dense lush forest and swampy marshlands. Giant tall tree towers over the land from heights of hundreds of meters. It has extreme surface temperature reaching 180°-200° Celsius, hot enough to cook anyone stepping into its surface without protective covering.


There are very few fauna, as the high temperature discourages the proliferation of life. The few animals that manages to subsist in the harsh environment are heavily armored and are not very active during its day light hours. Since the planet has very little in the way of mineable minerals it has never been colonized or plundered by man. This makes it the perfect sport for Rabel’s activity.


The sky shuttle came out of the dense cloud and a hazy green canopy seem to spread underneath the vehicle as he watched through the forward view port and the monitor screen showing what is under the craft as it flew. While most other planets have blue background for their skies, that of LT 515 has gray ash color and the clouds appeared in forms of amber and saffron.


Well one of the major cause of the high temperature on the planet is because, it is heavily volcanic. Both continents were formed from several volcanic eruption. Even presently, there are more active clouds, ash and magma spewing volcanoes than there are plain lands. This also causes the water on the planet to be almost always being in a boiling state, releasing think steams into the atmosphere, a major cause of the poor visibility. The multiple of places blowing out volcanic ash into the air is responsible for the different color of the sky and clouds .

Leyland’s sudden burst of laugh seem to dowse the palpable tension in the room. “These are arguments I have heard from Marvel several times though, still it doesn’t make him less of a good solder.”
Turning to Marvel he said with a crooked grin. “Someone listening to you speaking might accuse you of treason to the earth government. But I know better. True freedom is to be able to have your own opinion and hold to it. “


“To more important matter, how do we get this pirate and convince him to give up his secret. “ Marvel tried bringing the discussion back on track.
“Leave that to me, “ Jade cut in quickly," he and I have a history. “


✴ ✴ ✴ ✴ ✴
Rabel Fisher taxied the sky shuttle carefully through the dense atmosphere of planet LT 515, constantly looking at the red blinking light on the tac screen before him on the control studying the coordinates which he had laid over a rough map of the land below he had drawn. Though he constantly peered over the see-through transparisteel canopy of the shuttle, he know there is no way he can really see any sort of land mark over the murky atmosphere, nothing below can be visible to the naked eyes above 1000 meters.


Though the sky shuttle has seen long service of years longer than the combine ages of its last three owners, yet it is still in excellent working condition, Rabel makes sure of that with constant maintenance. Despite the armored plating covering the shuttle, still, he piloted it delicately because the density of this planet’s atmosphere is strong enough to rip the armored plating off the shuttle if it comes in too fast on planetary entry.


The blinking light on the tac screen continued to lead him to his direction as there is no other way to pinpoint it with any degree of accuracy. Not even an advance compass can be helpful as no man made satellite exist on this world, even if they did, it won’t do much good as the dense atmosphere heavily disrupt electronic signals.

So who do you guys think is right between Marvel and Jade on this argument?
Is the earth government right in giving the colonies a limited autonomy, not allowing them to posses military weapons and own personal armies for fear of interstellar wars between colonies and planets? (Note that as a result of this method there haven't been open wars in space between colonies. Though there have been minor conflicts, nothing near to full blown space wars). This is Jade’s position.


Or is the earth government wrong in restricting the colonies autonomy. Is the right to the colonies self determination more important than the imaginary fear of open war among the colonies(which may never really happen). Can the earth government really claim to be democratic when open referendum on the colonies right to bear arms are not allowed. Like we see in the story, when the Earth Global Senate silenced the Colonial Confederation Parliament when the bill was passed in the Earth Global Senate . This is Marvel’s position.
So who is right between the two of them? Share your opinion on this hot political divide that is at the bedrock of most events/conflicts in Marvel’s universe.

“That’s not really how things are Marvel. “ Jade’s voice sounded almost pleading. “It was for the kind of fears you entertained that the colonies were given full autonomy except for the right of possessing military arms. The colonies protection act was drawn to ensure their freedom. Their rights is guaranteed in the earth supreme constitution. They are even allowed a full representation in the earth global senate. “


With a laugh that sounded more like a snort, Marvel said. “Telling a man he is free while pointing the gun at him. Yea sounds real sincere."
“Marvel even a total sceptic of the earth government and their policies will be forced to admit there has never been any open war between the different colonies, or between them and earth. Reverse would have been the case had all colonies allowed to possess military grade weapons. "


“So if the way the earth government run things is so perfect, why are there conflicts? Why the dissatisfaction with the earth leaders by the mega corporations and the colonies? “
“You should know Marvel that conflicts among groups of people is inevitable. Diverse interests will always clash. “ Jade’s voice dropped a bit as if the effort of arguing these issues was weighing heavily on her as general Leyland watched the exchange silently. “You have to admit, this is the best way to run things in other to guarantee peace, stability and progress. “


With a hiss Marvel turned his back to the call display on the screen. “So says your earth government propaganda messages. “
“What propaganda is there? “ The Earthwatch spy asked shocked and surprised. “I am not a brainwashed tool of any one, I really believe in… “
“Spare me you hypothetical theatrics spy. “ Marvel threw up a restraining hand over his shoulder.


A sigh of defeat escaped her lips. “Why do you hate the earth government so much? It’s some of the mega corporations that are the enemies here. They are the ones stirring up the discontent you see in the colonies. Most citizens of the colonies are really okay with the status quote. “


Marvel turned back suddenly to face the screen almost yelling. “Have you ever considered the real feelings of the people in the colonies? Did it ever cross yours and earth government’s mind that the colonies might actually want total independence from the earth government. If they had wanted to remain under the corrupt bureaucracy, why did they leave earth in the first place? That they want to be left alone? Do you even know that the presence of Earthwatch agents and CSC operatives existing in all colony states, spying and reporting to earth, are seen as symbols of occupational forces? You are all damn self righteous and hypocritical. “


Silence followed Marvel’s outburst, which was broken after a minute or so by Jade. “If you hate earth government so much, why agree to work for us? “
“It’s just for the money babe. I have no single loyalty neither for the earth government nor the colonies or mega corporations. I look out for number one. “

“Marvel, the earth government are is perfect but they are the best option for now. “ Jade’s voice said as her face showed up taking over the half part of the display of the general’s.
“I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you before now that I linked her in to my call. “ Leyland said as he saw the sudden change on Marvel’s face.


“The best option in what way ? “ Marvel’s bitter tone seems directed at the Earthwatch spy.
“In maintaining the peace and keeping stability in all of human occupied space. “
“The skirmishes we have all gone through doesn’t look like peace to me. “
“But that is far better than open war Marvel. “ the face of Jade said with show of empathy and deep conviction.


“You call that better, when the earth government collects huge taxes and levies from the mega corporations and colonies but gives them nothing in return but rules and restrictions on their self determination and right to bear arms for their defense. “
“Marvel you know history and how the earth suffered from ceaseless warfare centuries ago when different autonomous nations states ruled the earth. Each war fought in the pretext of the defense of their territorial integrity or the more truthful ones, for expansion of their territories or annexation of resources of others. We out grew that when the whole earth came under a single central government.


“When men started spreading to the stars and building colonies on new worlds and establishing dominions, the earth leaders envisaged the return to the constant conflicts that plagued us in the past when nations were independent. So decisions where made. “
“Decisions that ended up only benefiting the earth government, giving them total power over the colonies, so they can take what they want from them and the colonies won’t be able to say no since they are not allowed to own weapons higher than that of the police. “ Marvel’s anger flashed across his face fully bared.

“Alright doctors, you have succeeded beyond my expectations. At least now I have enough things to present to command and the Senate Arms Committee. “ General Leyland made fists from his hands and pressed them on each other. “With this I can make requisition for all I need to pursue these to the end. As for the corrupt officials list, I won’t be able to handle that my self, won't say anything about it to the Senate Arms Committee but I will be presenting it to the president directly and alone. He can do whatever he wants with it.


“From all I can see, the most pressing need now is to find a way to locate the so-called Omiron 09 and do an on-site investigation and assessment. “
Since every other person in the room were quietly observing him he continued. “Marvel I will want you to help me with getting the best possible way to locating and getting to Omiron 09. Your colleague already mentioned a possible angle you can pursue. “


“Yes that will be possible. “ Marvel said, giving the general a deadpan face. “As always it won’t be for free, it’s gonna set you back some credits. “
“I wouldn’t worry about that, as far as the money isn’t coming out pf my pocket. “ With a wide grin the general concluded. “Honest working tax payers like yourself ends up bearing the brunt of the payments. “
“I continue to see reasons why my leaving earth and disdain for the earth government ways of doing things is justified. “ Marvel said with a lot more venom in his voice than he would normally have allowed.

“There are lots here that the Colonial Tax Bureau will be interested in. Figures of huge unremitted taxes, under the books funding for illegal projects and undeclared substantial assets acquisition which were done but records for them doesn’t exist on any official records. “ Shaking his head with disbelief, he continued. “Names of public government officials under their payroll, yearly payments for bribes and the list for the beneficiaries. Then there is something called Alpha, Beta and Gamma projects. “


“What are those? “ Marvel beat the general to asking the question first.
“Gamma project, seem to be the genetic experimentation, which failed and the creation of the machines, which are called ADMEC, Advance Defense Machine, according to what we could garner from the recovered data. That is all we could decipher from what we now have. “ Dr. Guthrie touched more controls which brought up a new menu on the monitor, with files crossed red with glowing words also in red which says “CORRUPTED”.


“As for Alpha and Beta projects, we know next to nothing because the files outlining them were among the most secured and most fragile, and were already damaged during the recovery. But I can make some presupposition. I think the Beta project involves massive building of something that might be weapons but will require huge amounts of fusion fuel, that getting it will draw unwanted attention from CSC to them. But seem they have discovered a way to do that without eye brows being raised.


"They may have completed part of that project. But what it really is, I can’t tell. Then for the Alpha project, it has to do with a radio signal sent to a particular part of unexplored region of space, which really is stupid any way. And Dr. Bryant name came up as part of the Alpha project. But what it is, I cannot tell. But please remember all I just said are just guesses. “

“From our deduction we believe the Omiron 09 is somewhere within the Iron Belt Cluster. “ Dr. Guthrie picked up the narration as the cyborg remained silent. “Either the mega corporations we are after have found a way to safely navigate the Iron Belt Cluster, and set up a secret facility there or this may be a misleading information. “
“I doubt that doctor, so far all other data recovered has proven accurate, besides they went to a great length just to keep these from outsiders. “ After a while the general faced the Mole. “Any possible way this single space pirate that has survived going into the Cluster can be the one that the mega corporations had used to successfully cross that area ? “


“If that was the case then Rabel would have disappeared. “ The Mole replied after some thoughtful moments. “But the last I heard of him was that he is still very much in view of everyone, openly making it a point that all should know he is retired from active buccaneering. “
“Clearly this is the only existing possibility of been able to locate that place successfully. We might need to seek his assistance. “


“Well general, that may not be so simple. “
“Why think so, Mr. Mole? “
“Because, Rabel even suspects someone in authority is looking at his direction, he will disappear underground and may never be found again. He is that good. “ Taking a hard look at Marvel with a smile that Marvel failed to return as his eyes were on Hardwire with a queer look on his face. “He should anyway if he had thrived as a successful pirate in the past. “


“Your speech seem to indicate you might know how to get to him before he disappears for good. “
“Maybe general but I’m not saying this with any hint of certainty, so I’m promising nothing. “
“That’s all I ask for. “ Turning once more to Dr. Guthrie, he asked. “Any other surprises from the data? “

From the other side, general Leyland punched in the name to the data base available to him. He shook his head sadly after a while. “That name doesn’t exist. I have just accessed all known official, none official, clandestine and underground data systems, that place doesn’t come up. “
“It’s not a name I’m familiar with. Even with my close relationship with pirates and the information gathered from them, that name has never come up once. “ the Mole said, his face a show of deep concentration. “If anyone can know of this place, it will be a space pirate. “


“There is a familiar name tied to that place, Iron Bed Cluster.” The cyborg said again.
“Now that is a familiar name, and one that is never a good news in any of the telling. “ The Mole said shaking his head in disbelief. “That area is far away from any star system colonized or space lanes. There is nothing in that place. It’s just an area in space of densely packed rocks that is believed to have been a massive planetary body that broke apart millions of years ago. The gravity field within that area is strong enough to hold the rocks in place around each other. Initially, it was a place space pirates had thought they can hide from pursuit by the authorities.


"But the Iron Belt Cluster have proven to be a place that cannot be navigated. Thousands of kilometers of tightly packed stones and space rocks. Almost all the pirates that have sought to hide within the cluster had perished. None has ever survived except one. A retired pirate called Rabel Fisher. “

“Any idea how many of these machines exists? “ Marvel asked taking some interest on the figures showing on the monitor. “
“Ten were made. Though there was an initial prototype, but I don’t think it was successfully completed. “ Dr. Guthrie folded his arms on his chest as he replied. “But if they had created any after that ten, is unlikely, because their use here was maybe the first real life testing. Though I can’t say if the information here are reliable on that due to time lapse and lots of it were not recovered. “


“One was destroyed during my work on planet Puerta del Cielo. “ Marvel said.
“From my count at the site of the attack, another four were destroyed. “ Hardwire spoke throwing another knowing glance at the two doctors’ direction.
“So just five of them to still deal with. Seems like a formidable odd. “ Leyland said with a kind of dismissive air. “Anything on how and where these things were created? “


“Nothing concrete came up. While I was still working for the corporations on their special projects, they have lots of secret spots, hidden from the watchful eyes of earth government were illegal activities go on. So there isn’t really any specific place I can point out, but… “ at this Guthrie turned to the cyborg.
“I was able to pull out a highly secured data that took several cross references before it could become legible. “ the cyborg took up the narration as he moved his arm close to the console and delicate cables snaked away from it and connected to one of the port on the console. “There is a secret facility owned by all the corporations concerned jointly. It is code named Omiron 09, that is where these weapons were constructed.”