The Tornado Sojourns (4) – Chapter 14 – Grounded

 

When they got back to the Tornado at the space port, after the successful rescue of Merri from the abductors at the Concord Hotel, Lyris, Zerrad, Ferro and Dwyn were waiting by the ramp and Shiyne drove straight in and Zerrad closed the ramp behind them.

As Merri decamped from the Stroller she was immediately smothered by Dwyn

“I’m so sorry”

“Don’t be silly” Merri said “it wasn’t your fault”

 

Parse carried Ambor into sickbay followed by Terrell, Merri, Dwyn and Ferro.

“Why does someone always get shot” Zerrad said

“Don’t worry she’s fine” Malena said and kissed him “And so am I”

Then she said

“Prepare for take-off, Lyris you’ve got the left seat, Zerrad co-pilot”

“We can’t” Lyris said

“Why not?” She asked

“We’ve been grounded for an inspection” Lyris said

“When?” Shiyne asked

“Within the hour” Zerrad replied

“Did they give a reason?” Mal asked

“They said they were looking for contraband” Lyris said

“Which means they’re looking for Dwynwen” Mal said

“Ok call the sickbay and get the ginger twins, the bodyguards and the Doc into pod 4, and let’s make sure we clean up any traces of them, in particular any green blood, or ginger hair”

“Terrell won’t be very happy” Shiyne said

“I’m sure you’ll be able to sooth him hon” Mal added

 

The Tornado wasn’t a huge ship as freighters go but pound for pound the Tempests had the highest freight to fuel ratio yield of their class.

The front section comprised of a sizable pressurized hold for large freight accessed via a front loading ramp, above which was the flight deck, living and sleeping quarters, mess facilities and bath rooms, at the rear was the main propulsion and amidships were the universal cargo pod bays, which allowed for a mixed cargo option, which facilitated quick inspection and loading, although sometimes pods were sealed which meant it was either very valuable or very illegal, either way Merri didn’t mind and transporting sealed cargo paid much much better.

 

But as they sat on the apron at the Rendon space port there was no cargo aboard and they were only carrying one pod.

The Tornado always flew with at least one pod but then that was because it was where they stowed their gear and where the hidden compartments could be found, or not, which was where they hid the contraband, or even fugitives when necessary. 

 

Under protest Terrell agreed to get in the pod where he tended to his patient in the cramped compartment, with Merri and Dwyn hugging each other, and Ferro holding Ambor’s hand.

 

When the ramp was lowered they were met by a small boarding party of 5 Port Prefects lead by an officious little man called Cluke and Malena and Shiyne were waiting to greet their visitor.

“Welcome aboard” Malena said offering her hand which he ignored

“We are here to search and inspect your vessel, Are you the Captain?” Cluke asked

“No, I’m the First Officer, Malena Endia” she said while Shiyne scanned him

“Where is the Captain?” 

“At the Galileo Hotel in Clarissoss, with some of the other crew” she said “We’re here on holiday”

“We have reason to believe you are carrying contraband concealed in your cargo” he said

“We’re not carrying any cargo” Mal said “We’re on holiday”

“Yet you lodged a flight plan with the Space Port Authority” he said “So where are you headed to with no cargo” 

“To Eirkos, to collect the rest of our crew who are staying in Montrose” Mal replied

“I see” he sneered, not believing a word she was saying

“Well I suggest you and your crew keep out of our way while the vessel is searched”  

 

When Cluke and the rest of his boarding party left the cargo bay Mal turned to Shiyne and said

“Well?”

“They’re definitely looking for Dwyn, and Cluke is very keen to get his hands on her as there is a large payoff at stake” Shiyne replied

“Well we had better ensure he leaves here disappointed” Malena said

 

Lyris, Zerrad, Asti and Parse had done a great job in removing any trace or either Merri, Dwynwen or Ambor Etra’s blood so the only thing they had to do was pray that they didn’t search Pod 4 too closely.

But they had a secret weapon to ensure that they didn’t in the form of Shiyne as she was a telepath.

All of the Vann were telepaths, by varying degrees, and many of them left their home world at some point to use their gifts to earn a wage.

Those at the zenith of their talents work as corporate negotiators or in the justice systems of the Legion. 

Shiyne was a Vann with mid-range capabilities and she could read most species to some extent, her skills were limited with the more sophisticated or complex brains, lesser minds were easier for her to explore.

In addition to reading minds she could also implant thoughts and the suggestions would stay in place longer with someone who was more intellectually challenged.

But she hadn’t detected anyone among the boarding party that would cause her too much of a contest.

So, she positioned herself in close proximity to Pod 4 as two of the Prefects opened the door.

Pod 4 was where they stowed all of the Tornado’s gear, and its interior was considerably shorter than a normal standard Pod because of the hidden compartment, where Merri and the others were concealed.

As the doors swung open the Vann telepath invaded the Prefects minds, simultaneously, not an easy feat, and if they had been even marginally more intelligent she would not have achieved it, but it took all of her concentration to manipulate what they were seeing into what she wanted them to see, and when they left the Pod and spoke into their comms

“All clear in the cargo pod, heading for the engine room”

Shiyne welcomed it with some relief.

 

Twenty minutes later she was back in the Cargo bay with Malena as a very angry and ungracious Cluke said

“Everything appears to be in order, that doesn’t mean I trust you or think you’re being honest with me, but for now you’re free to leave”

Then Mal and Shiyne watched them walk down the ramp and as soon as they were out of sight Mal said

“Get the ramp up before they change their minds”

“Aye Captain” Shiyne said and gave her a salute

 

When the ramp was up and sealed Shiyne asked

“Should I let them out now?”

“No let’s wait until we’ve cleared the atmosphere, just to be on the safe side, in case they come looking again, Clute didn’t seem the kind of man to give up”

“Good call” Shiyne said “But I’ll let you explain it to Merri”

 

“Flight deck!”

“Go ahead Mal” Lyris said

“We’ve got away with it” Malena said “Prepare for take-off, you’ve got the left seat, Zerrad co-pilot, you know where we’re headed”

“Ok Mal” he said and nodded to Zerrad

“Tower this is the Tempest Class Freighter Tornado requesting permission to depart” Zerrad said

“Stand by Tornado” a voice responded and then after what seemed like an age they added “You are cleared to go, please follow vector 90 to outer marker, good luck”

With the engines warmed up and clearance to depart, and with Lyris piloting and his brother Zerrad in the co-pilot seat and Asti Alegionaris looking on, the Tornado’s four vertical take-off jumper engines were engaged, and the Tempest class freighter lifted off.