The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 18 – The Hounds Return

 

After leaving Eirkos they returned to base on Soman and prepared for a prolonged run around the system although it turned out they had a three day wait before departure.

And as there wasn’t too much in the way of leisure activities they got to work on some basic maintenance, cleaning and restocking.

Pulsat and Vanzyl kept the mechanical and engineering side in top shape as a matter of course so they decided to use their time on servicing the Spider Hawk Fighter that Lyris had acquired after the Achrem mission, and they soon made a startling discovery.

They had just removed the main access panel beneath the flight controls and tucked in the corner was a leather bundle that looked like it might be a tool roll and Vanzyl uttered a string of whirls whistles and clicks.

“I not know” Pulsat replied to his Kesslerian friend as he picked up the bundle.

On retrieving it he turned stiffly to address his companion, who was uttering another string of whirls whistles and clicks.

“I do it, I do it” Pulsat said to his Kesslerian friend, who was a more slender and sleek form, and he had the hint of a smile about his pursed lips and Vanzyl whistled and clicked again and Pulsat snorted.

He untied the tapes that held the bundle together and then unrolled it and when its contents were revealed Vanzyl uttered a soft whistle like a plaintive flute, then he looked at his friend and whistled again.

“We show Captain” Pulsat said and rerolled the bundle before putting it inside his jacket.

 

When the engineers got back aboard the Tornado they reported straight to Merri and after seeing the contents of the bundle the Captain immediately called a crew meeting in the mess room.

“So, some interesting news” Merri said “Pulsat and Vanzyl were working on Lyris’s new toy when they found something”

“Found what?” Lyris asked

“Go on Pulsat show everyone what you’ve found” the Captain said and Pulsat untied the tapes that held the bundle together and then unrolled it and there were audible gasps on seeing the array of jewels.

“My God” Zerrad said “Where did they come from?”

“Who knows” Merri said

“I do” Asti interjected

“You do?” Lyris asked

“Yes, they’re from Gouveia” Asti explained

“They can’t be” Parse said, “We would have heard, wouldn’t we?”

“You’d have heard what?” Bagg asked

“That the Gouveian Crown Jewels had been stolen” Asti said

“The Crown Jewels?” Merri exclaimed

“So that was what the Commander was so desperate to find, that’s why he was searching for Kurla, because he must have perpetrated the theft” Shiyne said

“But why?” Terrell asked, “He couldn’t possibly hope to sell them”

“Maybe that wasn’t the intention” Malena mused

“Oh God we must return them immediately” Asti said, “Before they are missed”

“What do you mean, before they are missed?” Merri asked

“The Jewels go on public display for one month every 10 years   starting on the anniversary of Legion Foundation Day” Parse said, “That’s in three months’ time”

“But there must be copies” Bagg suggested

“There are” Asti said, “But Millions of people queue up to view the Jewels, if it becomes known that the real jewels are not there it could cause a scandal that might bring down the house of Alegionaris” 

“He must have been acting on behalf of a rival House then” Shiyne suggested

“That seems the most likely answer” Asti agreed

“I’m no fan of the Legion” Lyris said “but we have no choice but to get them to Commander Salmin as soon as possible”

“Agreed” Merri said, “Does everyone agree?”

“Agreed” the crew echoed

“Ok then, Shiyne stash the jewels in the Priest Hole, Malena set course for Eikon Minor” Merri said “Pulsat, Vanzyl get the Spider Hawk ready to fly we leave within the hour”

 

So, with everything hurriedly stowed away the Tornado lifted off for the two-day round trip to the small Legion Garrison on Eikon Minor where they would meet with the Commander and hopefully make his day.

 

However, they only got half way when the Tornado had a communication from their employer on Soman.

“Oshwin Lemik calling Captain Strong”

“Strong here, what can I do for you boss” Merri responded

“Hi Merri, I thought you might like to know someone has been asking questions about you” Oshwin said “And they’re spending money while they do it”Soman calling Captain Strong on the Tornado

 

“Who’s asking?” Merri asked

“A couple of Ghambran’s” he replied, “Are they friends of yours?”

“Did they arrive in a Scorpion?” she asked

“Yes, they did”

“Then no they are most definitely not friends” she said

“OK, so I assume you won’t be looking for a reunion” Oshwin surmised

“That’s for sure” she replied

“What would you like me to do?” He asked

“Just give them the run around for now” Merri said

“Will do”

“Thanks boss” she said, “I’ll be in touch”

 

As soon as she signed off Merri immediately called another crew meeting in the mess room.

“I’m afraid I have some bad news” Merri said “the Ghambran’s are back”

“So soon?” Lyris asked

“I’m afraid so, they’re on Soman now” the Captain said

“So, what do we do?” Malena asked

“Good question” Lyris asked “Do we Move on or tackle the threat?”

“The Ghambran’s have arrived in the system much sooner than we anticipated so we have another choice to make” Merri said.

They went around the room in turn and everyone expressed a different reason for staying in the Eikon cluster, nobody wanted to leave and then Vanzyl began to click and whirl which were clearly directed at Pulsat

“Ok I speak” he said and more clicks and whirls followed

“I tell, I tell” Pulsat retorted and then explained

“We very much like Montrose”

Then more whistles and clicks

“We very much like small humans” Pulsat said “We stay”

“Well if we want to stay here then we need to get rid of the Ghambran’s once and for all?” Merri said

“Do you mean kill them?” Bagg asked

“No of course not” she replied

“Good because I couldn’t be a party to that” the Visitor said

“Don’t worry Brother what I have in mind for them is far worse than death” Merri said enigmatically

“So, what’s the plan?” Lyris asked

“Subtlety as usual” Merri said, “With a liberal helping of cunning”

“Let’s hear it then” Malena said

“We use the Legion to get rid of the Ghambran’s for us, once and for all” Merri said and when she had their undivided attention she gave them her plan in detail.

The plan was a simple one, which involved using the recently acquired Spider Hawk Fighter, in which Merri, Lyris, Parse, Shiyne and Malena would fly to Soman and land a safe distance away from the Ghambran’s Scorpion Cruiser, the Ghambran’s wouldn’t think twice if they saw the Spider Hawk, so once on Soman they would stealthily board the target vessel and secrete the stolen Gouveian Crown Jewels aboard the Scorpion, then they would depart with equal stealth and take off again.

Once they were back in space they would signal the Tornado and they in turn would contact, first Commander Salmin of the Legion Aeronautica informing him that they knew the whereabouts of the jewels and secondly Oshwin Lemik on Soman so that he could inform the Ghambran’s of the Tornados position, then acting as the bait the Tornado would lead the Scorpion into the warm embrace of the Legion.