The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 19 – The Spider Hawk Mission

It was the early hours of the morning after the crew of the Tornado discovered that Maxil Weltz and Vint Reganus, Ghambran agents in the employ of Prefector Collis, had arrived on Soman asking about the Tornado’s whereabouts.

They had a score to settle with them and the very reason that had made them move to the Eikon Cluster was to evade the Ghambran’s, but they were unanimous in their resolve not to move on again, they had found their Shangri-La and were not going to give it up without a fight and Merri had come up with a plan to rid them of their tormentors once and for all.

 

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.

 

It was fitting that the Spider Hawk Fighter that Lyris Skeet had acquired as the spoils of victory in a Legion sting against a ruthless villain, be used to deliver the stolen booty, which engineers Pulsat and Vanzyl had found hidden aboard, and the coup de grâce against the Ghambran agents.

 

Although on the outside it still looked the same as the Spider Hawk Fighters that Lyris flew against the Legion in the Shaxson rebellion it was a different story inside.

As it was no longer a war machine it was now very lightly armed so the pulsar rocket launcher which formally occupied a large proportion of the hold was now redundant so the cabin space had been extended so it could carry more than the two-man flight crew of its operational days.    

But it still meant they could only take a small party with them.

Lyris as pilot, Parse as he was the only real soldier among them, Shiyne for her telepathic skills, Malena the shapeshifter and Merri because she was the Captain and it was her plan.

 

Shortly before departure, Malena was in her quarters reassuring Zerrad that she would be perfectly safe

“I don’t like it” he said

“There’s nothing to worry about” she said

“I know Lyris remember” he pointed out “he’s reckless, that’s why I’m worried” 

“You also know Merri and she’s not reckless” Malena said

“And she got shot the last time you tangled with the Ghambran’s” he pointed out

“Well that’s not going to happen this time” she reassured him “Now give me a kiss”

So Zerrad complied with her demand and then watched her leave with a heavy heart.

 

There were two docking rings on the Tornado to facilitate transfers to and from the freighter while in space, one in the belly below the loading bay and the other was amidships above the cargo bays which was also the mooring point for shuttles or ancillary craft, and it was the latter where the Spider Hawk was moored.

 

Lyris Skeet was already in the corridor beneath the hatch, pacing up and down, as he was very anxious, which wasn’t normal for him, in fact it was not normal behaviour for him in any way shape or form.

His anxiety was on several levels, firstly it involved his piloting skills, it had been many years since his hot shot piloting days and he needed to be on the top of his game to land the Spider Hawk unnoticed, as close to the Scorpion as possible. 

His second concern revolved around the mission and more specifically the Gouveian Crown Jewels and a persistent nagging at the back of his mind that they may be just handing them over to the enemy.

But the crux of his apprehension was the fear that he would disappoint the beautiful, classy, well educated, feisty, funny and wicked smart, Princess Asti Alegionaris who he had fallen in love with and she with him.

So, the reformed smuggler paced up and down until his Princess appeared and strode towards him carrying the leather bundle that he knew contained the jewels.

“Don’t look so worried” she said and he instantly relaxed and felt at peace and Asti stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

“You’re my knight in shining armour remember”

When the kiss was over she handed the bundle him.

“I’ll make sure they get back to Gouveia” he said, kissed her forehead and then climbed up through the hatch and into the fighter. 

The moment Lyris disappeared through the hatch a tearful Princess Asti rushed down the corridor and out of sight a few seconds before the rest of the party arrived.

Merri was in the Vanguard, her penetrating green eyes looking straight ahead, with her head held high and the abundance of red hair trailing behind her like a mane, and immediately behind the striking figure of the proud Captain was the huge former Legionnaire Parse Sacrod, almost as broad as the corridor itself and standing 6 foot 8 high, brushing the curly burnished steel coloured hair off the ivory skin of his brow while his mercury coloured eyes could see only the figure of his Captain and lover.

Beyond them were Shiyne and Malena who were enjoying a final embrace with their respective partners, Sciberran Healer Terrell and Zerrad Skeet.

The small cerise skinned Vann telepath gave Vorton a final hug and he kissed the top of her bald head and when she turned away and headed towards the hatch her purple eyes had tears welling up in them. 

And finally, there was Malena, tall, slim, brunette hair, olive skin and hazel eyes, at least that was how she appeared but of course in reality, she was an Obgaron shape shifter, but Zerrad would have loved her in whatever form she adopted.

“I will be careful” she said, “I promise”

Then she kissed him one last time and joined the rest of the party in the Spider Hawk and closed the hatch behind her as Zerrad closed the one on the Tornado.

 

A few minutes later Lyris released the mooring clamps and the Spider Hawk and the Tornado parted company.

“We have separation” Lyris said

“Let’s get it done then” Merri said  

 

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.

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The Isaac Asimov story spans two centuries, and Andrew learns the intricacies of humanity.

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Even if you are averse to the Sci-Fi genre, I recommend `Bicentennial Man', because even if it may not what you are looking for, you will be pleasantly surprised.

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 17 – Return to Montrose

 

The Tornado lifted off the planet Achrem after assisting Legion Commander Salmin with an operation to capture a fugitive named Kurla Babic, with Merionwen Strong and Lyris Skeet at the controls as everyone else was otherwise engaged.

Zerrad Skeet was tucked up in his quarters with shape shifter Malena Endia, Cerise skinned Telepath, Shiyne, was in the sickbay with Sciberran Healer Terrell Vorton doing some practical biology and engineers Pulsat Rad and Vanzyl and Visitor Parham were playing cards in the mess.

So Merionwen and Lyris were the only two working, Merionwen Strong was a striking figure, statuesque, tall, straight backed and proud and blessed with an abundance of red hair that would trail behind her like a mane and penetrating green eyes, and she was a forthright, volatile and feisty personality.

She was owner and Captain of the Tornado, and the reason she was sitting in the left seat during the early hours of the night watch was because her love interest, Parse Sacrod, whom she called Beefy, a former Legionnaire of the Royal Guard of Gouveia was secreted away in Montrose on the planet of Eirkos.

He was huge in stature, standing 6 foot 8 high and he was broad and powerfully built, his hair was short, curly and the colour of burnished steel, and with the characteristic ivory skin of the Gouveian race and with his mercury coloured eyes he was an altogether arresting figure and he and Merri had become almost inseparable under normal circumstances, but the separation was forced upon them on this occasion as he could have been recognised by one of the many Legionnaires taking part in the operation on Achrem.

Similarly, fellow Gouveian Asti Alegionaris was also confined to Montrose and she was even more noticeable as she was a 

Princess, and was the youngest granddaughter of the Regent of Gouveia

She was also the twenty-three years old girlfriend of Lyris Skeet.

The reason they wanted to minimise the Gouveian exposure was because they once had to rescue Asti after she was abducted by a Ghambran snatch squad from where she was being held on their Scorpion Cruiser.

The reason she was snatched by agents of the Ghambran state was that she was unwillingly betrothed to Prefector Collis of Ghambra and when she ran away from her home world to escape her fate he wasn’t prepared to take no for an answer.

They then tricked the kidnappers, into following the wrong freighter through a Stargate and into hyperspace.

In the intervening time Prefector Collis of Ghambra had proved to be a very impatient man and although he was very taken with the young Princess, he was not prepared to wait indefinitely so he married a different Princess.

But his agents, Maxil Weltz and Vint Reganus were still after them, bent on revenge, which was why they moved to the Eikon Cluster.

 

The Tornados first stop after leaving Achrem was to the agrarian planet of Eirkos to recover their crewmates.

After arriving at the port on Eirkos, the unloading didn’t take long and then Lyris parked the Tornado on the apron and then everyone got ready to depart.

The short heavy set Prinsloovian, Pulsat, was first down the ramp, holding his rough bony head proudly high.

On reaching the apron proper he turned stiffly to address his companion Vanzyl, who was uttering a string of whirls whistles and clicks.

“I know it, I know 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.

Pulsat was the only one of the crew who could understand every tone and toot Vanzyl uttered, as if it were in his own tongue, but that was common place for his species, there were very few races he had met on his travels that he couldn’t understand, although he couldn’t speak to them in their language, but he nonetheless understood every word that they spoke.

While they stood to one side of the ramp in conversation, Shiyne drove the stroller down the front ramp and the rest of the crew followed in a group in her wake, with Visitor Parham (Bagg), bringing up the rear wearing his more formal attire of a full length pale blue robe tied at the waist with a royal blue cord, which was beneath a full length dark blue leather jerkin, and he carried a simple roughhewn staff which was undecorated but for a carved cruciform relief a few inches from the top.

He always dressed formally for the journey to Montrose but always adopted more casual attire once he was there.

  

The Tornado’s APMTV, (All Purpose Multi Terrain Vehicle) was ironically nicknamed the “Stroller” but when Shiyne or Merri were behind the wheel it did anything but stroll.

The moment it came to a halt the group climbed aboard.

Almost last to board was Obgaron shape shifter, Malena Endia, who in her own natural Mercurial form of liquid silver glass looked very different to the slender brunette form that she was more often seen as, a form she first took 20 years earlier when she first entered Legion space, that of a 27-year-old human whom she met on a remote mining colony.

Having paused before boarding as she remotely closed the ramp and then she joined her human boyfriend Zerrad in the back and finally the Sciberran Healer Terrell Vorton, small and stout, though nonetheless striking in appearance with his chalk white skin, short hair of midnight blue and violet eyes, got in the passenger seat beside the bald and diminutive young Vann who was his equally strikingly beautiful lover Shiyne and a smile spread across her cerise coloured face and when her mesmerizing purple eyes looked at him they were full of love.

“Let’s get this show on the road” Merri commanded from the back seat, as she was eager to see her own love interest Parse.

 

The farm in the village of Montrose was owned by Bagg’s brother Trebreh, who was also a Visitor, and his wife Xandra and her brother Ale who was Bagg’s boyhood friend.

The crew of the Tornado were always made very welcome, but none more than the reptilian engineers Pulsat and Vanzyl, who were monopolized by the village children, to the delight of both, and that occasion was no difference.

While the excited children lead the engineers away young Princess Asti Alegionaris behaved in a very unprincess like way and sprinted across the courtyard and leapt into Lyris’s arms and wrapped herself around him like a Koala on a tree.

The huge figure of Parse Sacrod was not far behind her and scooped up the tall redhead Captain like she was a rag doll.

“Steady Beefy” she protested and then kissed him.

 

With the crew of the Tornado reunited they settled down to a relaxing two day stay.

Every moment spent in the peaceful setting of Montrose was precious to them and this one was all the more so because it was to be the last time for a few months.

 

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 16 – Breaching

 

Having spotted their target in the Blue Horizon, Lyris and Zerrad ordered another drink, while the latter sent an electronic signal to the Commander, and then they waited while Kurla got comfortable and during the next half hour the Skeets witnesses an array of wrong doing among the clientele, where a variety of contraband changed hands.

The undercover Legionnaire’s Chuto and Plimmy were both in sight, the former was sitting at the Bar and the latter was playing a gambling machine.

As it appeared that the entire criminal fraternity were present in the bar and the card games were well under way, with a lot of cash on the tables, so Lyris felt there was no reason to wait any longer so he nudged Zerrad and nodded to Chuto and Plimmy in turn and they made their way into the pre-arranged positions as Zerrad sent the go signal.

Zerrad was by the bar and would jump over the counter and prevent anyone from exiting through the door to the staff area and Plimmy would secure the exit via the kitchen and Chuto would zero in on Kurla.

The moment Zerrad sent the go signal Lyris walked towards the main entrance and the second he opened it to leave, the first squad of Legionnaire’s flooded in through the double doors.

The instant the first soldier appeared Chuto ran up the steps gun in hand and Zerrad slipped over the bar and blocked the doorway leading into the staff area.

“Nobody move” Chuto yelled and two of the card players leapt from the table and headed out the door to the garden only to reappear seconds later followed by twelve black clad Legionnaire’s.

Chuto headed back towards the bar just in time to see the “tattooed lady” climb over the bar but Zerrad shoved him back the way he came.

AaHannaa ran headlong for the kitchen door but Plimmy barred his way at the last moment and he ended up on his back on the floor.

Plimmy held his ground until Lt Nulak, tapped him on the shoulder, and the undercover Legionnaire shaped to throw a punch but pulled it at the last second.

“Sorry Sir!”

“That’s ok, thank you for not hitting me Plimmy”

 

While the Legion soldiers were securing the bar Lyris left the commotion in his wake and quickly made his way to the landing field, accompanied by two Legionnaires, to secure Kurla’s Spider Hawk Fighter to prevent him from beating a hasty retreat in the unlikely event that he slipped through the Legions net.

Lyris thought it unlikely that he would, but he went along with the plan because he wanted the opportunity to fly a Spider Hawk again.

When they got to the area of the field where the smaller craft were parked they soon found the one they were searching for but they also discovered that there were two men guarding it.

Lyris checked his run and was about to give his two escorts the command to deal with them when they both opened fire hitting the guards in the chest with a stun blast.

“Excellent” he said, “Now drag them clear so I don’t cremate them when I take off”

“Yes sir” they chorused

“Then conceal yourselves in case the owner comes looking for his “Bird”” Lyris said as he climbed aboard.

Once inside he was hit with a rush of nostalgia as memories flooded back to his consciousness.

“Hello baby” he said and sat himself at the controls and when he lifted off and hit the thrusters he let out a triumphant yell.

 

Back at the blue Horizon the whole operation lasted less than ten minutes and there were only a few minor injuries on both sides, it took four Soldiers to subdue Kurla Babic and it was only after he was hit with a pulse disruptor that he was finally overcome and arrested.

Of the Blue Horizon’s ninety-eight patrons present at the time of the raid twenty-seven were arrested for crimes committed in Legion territory and a further three who were wanted by the Mehreen Empire.

Among those arrested were “Lydia” and AaHannaa, “Lydia” for resisting arrest and AaHannaa for offences committed in six separate systems.

 

One miscreant caught in the raid, Chane Ritzian, was found in possession of several stolen items and some counterfeit currency.

When the various transports on the field were searched Ritzians was an Aladdin’s cave of contraband, so on the strength of the goods found in his cruiser the Legion searched every rathole and hovel in the system that he was known to frequent and they seized more currency, stolen property and weapons, they also found documents, which would lead them to search property’s all over Legion Space.

 

When Lyris landed the Spider Hawk next to the Tornado after going for a lengthy joyride he found Zerrad and the Commander in conversation next to the cargo ramp.

“Great work tonight Mr Skeet” the commander said slapping him on the back.

“Thanks, did you get Kurla?

“Yes, it all went like clockwork.” He answered rather enthusiastically. 

“Any objections to me keeping the Spider Hawk then?” he asked

“I think that might be arranged” the commander replied smiling wryly “Once it has been searched of course”

 

Lyris slapped his brother on the back, he never thought he had a hope in hell of keeping the fighter in fact he was half joking when he said it, and then Zerrad ran up the ramp and into the arms of a very relieved Malena.

Lyris then went to his quarters and contacted Asti Alegionaris via the Vidlink to reassure her that he was safe.

 

The Spider Hawk was duly searched but a thorough examination produced no significant finds.

Overall the Commander was very pleased with the operation in Odekka, however the most significant prize of that evening’s work had eluded him and his men.

They had Kurla Babic, who was highly prized by the Legion obviously, and AaHannaa who had been a thorn in their side for several years, but they hadn’t recovered what Kurla and his associates had stolen, part of the priceless and irreplaceable Gouveian Crown Jewels.  

 

WORK IT OUT WITH A PENCIL

 

NASA spent millions of U.S. dollars

Developing a ballpoint to write in space

But the Russians saved their money

And used an ordinary pencil in its place

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 15 – Into the Lion’s Den

 

The plan for the Legion to capture Kurla Babic was a simple one.

As the Tornado was a regular visitor to Odekka no one would raise an eyebrow when they landed with a Legionnaire strike force on board, nor would they be alarmed when the Stroller drove down the ramp and crossed the field to drive up to the Blue Horizon with a small group of Legionnaires concealed in the back.

Once inside the bar Lyris and Zerrad would establish that Kurla was present and then the two brothers would leave the bar, which would be the Commanders signal to send his men in.

However, these plans were changed slightly, as it was deemed necessary for the Legion to have more eyes in the bar than just the Skeets.

Also, the signal for the go would be given by Zerrad a few moments before Lyris left the bar, and the latter’s action in opening the door to exit would instead ease the strike force entry.

Zerrad’s job was then to stay in the bar and block one of the exits while outside Lyris was tasked, accompanied by two Legionnaires, to secure Kurla’s Spider Hawk Fighter to prevent him from beating a hasty retreat in the unlikely event that he slipped through the Legions net.

 

On the big night Lyris parked the Stroller in the wooded corner of the carpark where the Legionnaire’s could slip out the back doors unnoticed and take up their appointed positions, either to guard the exits, deal with the look outs or cut off any means of escape.

And by the time Lyris and Zerrad reached the front doors of the Blue Horizon the guards had all been subdued and all the Legionnaires were in position.

While their main force was crossing the field on foot under the cover of darkness, securing the landing field on their way to support the primary strike team outside the bar.

Lyris paused to look at his brother and then he took a deep breath and they both walked inside.

 

Lyris and Zerrad walked through the double doors into the large open bar area.

Directly ahead of them was a large horseshoe shaped bar, and surrounding it was the main seating area.

As they walked further into the bar they could see a raised area, to the left, which was surrounded by a chest high ornate panelled wall and the area within was divided into cubicle like booths, which was the eating area.

The first time they visited the Blue Horizon they met one of the locals, a huge monster of a man who the Skeets referred to as “Outhouse” because he was built like one, and he told them, not to stick around there too late because of the rough crowd, and they never had on the visits that had followed as they were normally long gone by then but on that occasion, they were there at the optimum time and they realised that he wasn’t kidding.

Although neither of them recognised anyone amongst the crowd they recognised the type, small fry and petty criminals mainly.

They made their way to the bar and saw the same barman they’d seen last time, he was of medium height and muscular build and he was of rough and un-welcoming appearance, he was heavily tattooed and shaven headed with multiple piercings and the kind of face you would never tire of slapping, and judging by the scars he wore it looked like it had been.

Because of his tattoos the brothers referred to him as “Lydia” in remembrance of their grandfather who used to sing a song about “Lydia the Tattooed Lady”.

However, before he could stir himself to serve them a slutty looking barmaid served them instead.

She was almost wearing a tight low cut cropped top which exposed almost as much of her breasts as it did her stomach.

As Lyris watched her pour their drinks he realized why she was there and it had more to do with selling drinks than serving them.

As it was late into the evening there was a full house and they both thought to themselves that there would be a lot of money changing hands that night.

 

Commander Salmin was very keen to gather up as many miscreants as possible as long as he got his quarry.

So, although Lyris and Zerrad would give the “go” there were two undercover Legionnaire’s, Chuto and Plimmy, already in the bar when the Skeets arrived.

Outside the bar there were three squads, one unit would secure the exit into the beer garden and a second unit would enter the pub through the main entrance. The third was held in reserve to cover the escape routes.

Each squad comprised of twelve Legionnaire’s, including two Lieutenants, Commander Salmin attached himself to the breaching squad.

The remainder of his force held a picket line encircling the whole area, which would advance inwards closing the envelope once the operation commenced. 

Commander Salmin could, and perhaps should, have put one of his Lieutenants in overall charge of the strike, but he felt that as it was Lyris Skeets plan he would let him run with it and it would be his decision when and if the strike was a go.  

 

“Oy, Lydia!” Lyris shouted. “When you’re ready.”

He looked around and walked slowly to where the Skeets were standing.

“What do you want?”

“Refills, Ale” Lyris said and held up two fingers “two” and Lydia begrudgingly obliged.

“Twelve Dinaris” The barman said banging the Ales down on the counter so hard it slopped over the sides just as he did on their first visit.

“It was only nine last time” Lyris said

“Well today it’s twelve” Lydia grunted

Lyris glared at him and dropped a handful of coins above the counter but the muscular barman reached out both hands quickly and caught the coins before they rolled in every direction.

“Well done?” Lyris said “You can keep the change for that.”

He and Zerrad picked up their glasses and both took a mouthful.

They were just about to go and seat themselves at one of the few vacant table’s when Lyris felt a hand on his shoulder, so he put down his drink and when he turned around he expected to find “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” wanting a fight.

What he found instead was the friendly face of “Outhouse” the man-mountain labourer.

“Bloody hell! you frightened the crap out of me” Lyris said and the big man laughed.

The Skeets weren’t small men but they both had to look up at the man who was built like a brick out house.

“I thought you didn’t get in here this late, because of the rough crowd” Zerrad gestured with a sweeping movement of his arm.

“I’m just leaving” Outhouse replied. “I’m running late”

“Do you want another drink before you go” Zerrad asked “I can get you one” 

“No thanks” he said draining his glass “I’m off to work, night shift remember?”

“Oh well maybe next time” Lyris said

 

Zerrad and Lyris had almost finished their second drink and were looking around the bar and as there was no sign of their target they were contemplating whether to have another or not.

And then they spotted the Lakmean trader, AaHannaa, stood by the steps up to the restaurant area, and then a few moments later a man with the familiar Ivory complexion of a Gouveian appeared, it was Kurla Babic.

Having spotted their target Lyris and Zerrad ordered another drink, while the latter sent an electronic signal to the Commander, and then they waited while Kurla got comfortable and during the next half hour the Skeets witnesses an array of wrong doing among the clientele, where a variety of contraband changed hands.

The undercover Legionnaire’s Chuto and Plimmy were both in sight, the former was sitting at the Bar and the latter was playing a gambling machine.

As it appeared that the entire criminal fraternity were present in the bar and the card games were well under way, with a lot of cash on the tables, so Lyris felt there was no reason to wait any longer so he nudged Zerrad and nodded to Chuto and Plimmy in turn and they made their way into the pre-arranged positions as Zerrad sent the go signal.