The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 04 – Pastures New

 

The Crew of the Tempest Class Freighter, Tornado, unanimously decided to leave the Androsinian system after hearing the news that the agents of Prefector Collis of Ghambra, Maxil Weltz and Vint Reganus were still after them, bent on revenge.

The Scorpion, carrying their pursuers, was a fast ship but it wasn’t fast enough to outrun a Tempest so as long as they kept going they would continue to increase the distance between them.

So, on the morning after the decision was made everyone started the process of getting the ship ready for a lengthier voyage than had previously been planned.

First of all, Shiyne drove Bagg back into the city to increase the size of his orders several fold, including more cured meat canned fruit and vegetables, in fact a lot more provisions than they would normally stock.

Over a three-day period Pulsat and Vanzyl completed their maintenance routine and serviced the Stroller.

Merri and Malena meanwhile formulated a plan to work their way out of the Androsinian System and managed to secure enough cargo to keep them working for almost two months, culminating in them picking up three pods of Thermalium mineral ore for delivery to Eikon Major.

Everyone else prepped, checked and tested every system and circuit aboard until four days after they got the news about the Ghambran’s they departed Androsin Prime and set off for pastures new.

 

Merionwen Strong, owner and Captain of the Tempest Class Freighter, Tornado, sat in the pilot’s seat and her friend Malena Endia sat beside her as they circumnavigated the Ariadnean worm hole, which was equidistant between the Androsinian system which they had departed from four months earlier, and the populous Eikon system, which was at least a three months journey ahead of them.

It was a long boring journey but a necessary one, their destination was known as the Eikon Cluster, which was due to the high number of M class planets and moons in the Eikon solar system.

Because of that it was a busy and prosperous system and one which would keep them gainfully employed for some time to come.

They had to take the long path as there were no hyperspace routes through that part of the galaxy due to the worm hole, which was an inherently unstable phenomenon, so there was only one option and that was to take the long way around.

But as boring as the journey was, a few days later the crew would have embraced such boredom, rather than the unwelcome excitement and adventure that replaced it.

 

The day began much the same as every other day since they picked up the cargo of Thermalium with the crew going about their duties in the usual routine.

Merri and Malena had done the early watch and after being relieved by the Skeet brothers made their way hastily to the mess room for one of Bagg’s epic breakfasts.

 

They had just finished their satisfying repast as the Tornado was just passing the last planet in the system, Mangium.

Although it was capable of supporting life Mangium was an unpredictable world and because of its proximity to the worm hole it suffered from an unstable orbit and a lot of seismic disturbances, as a result the indigenous peoples had long since relocated to other worlds and the only people remaining on the surface were the outcasts, the lawless and the desperate.   

One of the other hazards crossing that part of space was space debris attracted by the pull of the Black Hole.

The area was also affected by a fluxing magnetic field which could affect communications and navigation so it was necessary to be extra vigilant when traversing that sector of space.

The debris field was a fairly predictable feature and was generally easy to avoid but every now and then a rogue piece of space rock would follow a different trajectory on its way to the same phenomenon.

It was one such random chunk of ancient space detritus that took them by surprise and struck the Tornado on the portside just below one of the jump engines, buckling the skin of the hull, and although the external integrity of the superstructure was maintained the impact caused some internal damage and ruptured a fuel cell which caused an explosion that blew out a bulkhead on the upper deck a few minutes after Merri and Malena had left the mess hall.

“Oh shit” Merri shouted as a tongue of flame ballooned down the corridor towards them.

“In here” Malena said, as the only way for them to escape the fire was to hide in an escape pod and the door closed behind them just in time as fire blackened the window.

“That was close” Merri said

“Very close” Malena agreed   

And then there was a muted explosion and the life pod was jettisoned into space

“That’s not good” Merri exclaimed

“I didn’t launch it” Malena said defensively

“The fire must have melted the control panel and shorted out the circuit” Merri said

“Is the transponder broadcasting?”

“Yes” she replied

“Ok make yourself comfortable, the boys will be here soon to scoop us up” Merri said reassuringly

“I do hope so” Malena[PC1]  said quietly

 

Merri’s reassurance might well have been true had the “boys” been aware that the life pod had launched, they were too busy trying to get the fire under control.

They were approaching the blaze from the flight deck end of the corridor while Pulsat and Vanzyl tackled it from the other.

The rest of the crew were trapped in the mess room and were unable to contribute anything to the firefighting effort.

 

It took an hour before the four of them finally put the fire out and when they had the corridor was full of noxious smoke.

“We need to open the valve to vent the corridor” Zerrad said and Vanzyl became very animated, rapidly clicking and whirling.

“What’s he saying?” Lyris asked and Pulsat turned to face him before he responded

“He say we must vent”

“I just said that” Zerrad said

“No “we” must vent” Pulsat emphasized

 “Oh ok” Lyris retorted

“Valve behind this panel” Pulsat said and pointed “I open”

“No don’t touch it” Lyris shouted “We need to cool it down first”

“I can do hot” he replied

“No, it’s superhot” Zerrad said

“Pulsat Rad can do superhot” he said, “I Prinsloo”

His reply was significant because the Prinsloovian’s were a reptilian race from a searingly hot and arid world so Pulsat opened a panel and reached inside and then turned the nob to open the valve and then there was a hissing sound as the as the noxious fumes were vented into space.

 

While the fire was being dealt with, Merri tried to raise the Tornado on the comms but to no avail.

“We’re getting very close to Mangium” Malena said, “and I don’t think they’re going to get to us in time”

“I think you’re right” she said and began tapping on the control panel on the bulkhead and set the autopilot.

“I’ve set it to full auto, it’ll get us safely into the atmosphere and land us on the surface” Merri said a moment before the rockets fired.

“Here we go, Buckle up”

 

As soon as Pulsat had vented the corridor they turned their attention to the mess room door which locked and sealed when the fire broke out, and because of his tolerance to heat he opened easily.

“Friends ok?” Pulsat asked

“Is everyone alright?” Zerrad asked as he rushed past Pulsat 

“We’re fine” Bagg replied as Lyris followed his brother into the room

“Asti!” 

“I’m ok” she reassured him as she ran towards him and they hugged

“What happened?” Shiyne asked I couldn’t get a reading from anyone.

“We were hit by a large piece of rock” Lyris said “I think your inability to read is due to our proximity to Mangium the fluxing magnetic field is messing with our instruments which is why we didn’t see the rock coming”

While he was talking he looked around the room and then asked

“Where’s Malena and Merri?”

“We thought they were with you” Bagg replied

“No, we haven’t seen them” Zerrad replied “I’ll go and check their quarters”

“We fix mess” Pulsat said and he and Vanzyl went to fix the damage.

“I’ll help them” Parse offered wanting to keep himself occupied, in an effort to stop thinking the worst 

“Good idea” Lyris said just as his brother reappeared

“No sign of them” he panted

“Ok everyone get searching, they may be laying injured somewhere” Lyris said and everyone spread out, just leaving the engineers to their grimy task.

 

Half an hour later everyone was back in the mess room and as each searcher entered they shook their head

“Where the hell are they then?” Lyris asked

“Pod missing, pod missing” Pulsat shouted

“What?” the Skeets responded in unison

“Life pod gone” Pulsat replied

“Ok, that explains it, Shiyne, Asti, with me to the flight deck” Lyris said

“Doc, get to sick bay and get ready, Zerrad and Parse help Pulsat and Vanzyl”  

“What can I do?” Bagg asked

“Do what you do best, cook and pray” he replied

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 03 – Unwelcome News

 

For Shiyne and Terrell the time was passing by much too quickly at the cultural centre, amidst the museums and art galleries, enjoying the sculptures and antiquities and they doubted they would get to see all the places that they wanted to.

So, they decided to forgo lunch or refreshments, this was a tough call for Shiyne as she had an enormous appetite for such a small being.

But her appetite for culture and knowledge was even more voracious.

 

By forgoing lunch, they managed to view all the exhibits on their list without having to rush and they were just walking towards the main thoroughfare where they alighted the Hover Tram when they heard a voice

“Terrell is that you?”

And when they turned around a smiling human was facing them.

“It is you” he exclaimed and stepped forward to embrace Terrell

“My dear Zelen” he said, “it’s wonderful to see you again so soon”

The man was Zelen who Terrell considered to be a fellow journeyman and when they both found themselves on Alwi they became very good friends.

After a moment or two Terrell proudly introduced Shiyne to his friend and then there was more embracing before Zelen said

“Do you have time to share a glass?”

“I think we can make time” Terrell replied looking at Shiyne who nodded in agreement, but she was a little uneasy as she was certain that Zelen had something on his mind but she couldn’t quite grasp what it was.

This was not mere intuition on her part because Shiyne was a Vann and 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.

She was struggling with Zelen because although he looked like a human he was in fact from Kelissa and Kelissan’s were very closely related to humans but had some significant physiological differences.

One of those being that they had two brains, or perhaps more accurately their brains had two halves, much like a human brain, but in the case of Kelissan’s the two hemispheres were unconnected which was why she was unable to get the full picture.

 

The conversation stalled somewhat once they were seated in a crowded bar and it might well have continued to stall had Shiyne not said out of the blue

“Something is troubling you”

 “Yes, I was just wondering how to phrase it without causing offense” he said

“Speak freely we are not easily offended” Terrell said

“Ok then I will begin by saying that it is believed, and you need not confirm nor deny, but it is believed that when the Tornado left Alwi it carried a passenger of Royal blood” he began “bound for Delta 500 and once there the said Royal passenger or for arguments sake let’s say, Princess, took her leave of the Tornado and her crew and was promptly abducted by Ghambran agents”

“That all sounds very feasible” Terrell said while Shiyne continued to scan Zelens complex mind.

“Ok then now allow me to speak in hypothetical terms, firstly let’s say that persons unknown mounted a rescue of the Princess, with great success, and made their escape on a freighter after tricking the kidnappers into following the wrong ship into hyperspace”

“Well that all sounds very exciting” said Terrell “so is there to be a happy ending?”

“That is in… flux at the moment” Zelen said

“How so?”

“Well the Princess was by all accounts betrothed to Prefector Collis of Ghambra” he said

“Was?” retorted Terrell

“Yes, it appears that the Prefector is a very impatient man and although he was very taken with the young Princess, he was not prepared to wait indefinitely and has wed another” he explained

“So, there is to be a happy ending then” Terrell said brightly

“Possibly” Zelen said ominously

“Why?” Terrell asked with suspicion

“It seems that even if the Prefector has moved on his agents have not, and although they no longer seek the Princess, they are hell bent on revenge for the humiliation they endured” he said

“That’s not so good” Terrell said

“Not at all my friend”

“It would be prudent then to keep some distance between the fox and the hounds” Terrell added

“Yes, and if I were the fox I would want to put as much distance between me and them as possible” Zelen said

“It would be useful to know where the hounds are” Terrell said

“Alas I am unable to enlighten you on that matter” he responded and then added

“Well I’m afraid I must take my leave of you”

He and Terrell stood up and embraced

“Take care my friend”

“I will, it’s a big Universe”

“Be safe in it” Zelen added “And look after this beautiful you woman”

“I will” he replied and then Zelen and Shiyne hugged

“Thank you Zelen” she said

 

“So, what do you think?” Terrell asked her once they were outside in the street again

“I think we need to get back to the Stroller”

 

When they got back to the Stroller the others were already aboard Shiyne and Terrell joined them inside and then they gave an almost word for word account of the conversation that past between them.

“That’s not good” Zerrad said

“Not good at all” Malena agreed “let’s gets back to the Tornado and update the others”

“Ok back to the ship it is then” Shiyne said

 

When the Stroller got back to the ship Shiyne reported to Merri and the Captain immediately called a crew meeting in the mess room.

“So good news and bad news” Merri said, “I had hoped we might be ok for a bit longer but apparently not”

“Its great news that they aren’t interested in Asti anymore at least” Lyris said “But it would have been useful to know where the Ghambran’s are exactly”

“Zelen didn’t know that” Terrell said

“He didn’t exactly say that the Ghambran’s had lost interest in me” Asti pointed out “He just said that the Prefector had found another wife”

“But you have no value to them now” Lyris said

“They could still take me back to Gouveia so my grandfather can offer me to someone else in marriage” Asti said

“It won’t come to that” Merri said

“It sounds as if they aren’t going to give up looking for us though” Zerrad added

“What do you think Bagg?” Merri asked

“I have no problem in believing the Maxil Weltz and Vint Reganus would feel sufficiently humiliated to want to hunt us all down” he replied, “However I have two doubts, the first one is that Prefector Collis will give them unlimited time to indulge their revenge, and second that they are close enough to us to pose anywhere near an immediate threat”

“But you don’t think we are safe?” Shiyne said already knowing his answer 

“Not entirely” he replied, “So I think it would be prudent to move on to pastures new and maintain the distance between us until they are finally recalled to Ghambra”

There was silence for a few minutes before Malena broke it

“So where do we go?”

But there was only silence in response until clicks and whirls began to emanate from Vanzyl which were clearly directed at Pulsat

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

“I telling, I telling” Pulsat retorted and to the assemble group he explained

“Vanzyl say Eikon cluster”

Then more clicks

“He say, plenty planets, plenty people, plenty ships, plenty cargo”

“Eikon cluster” Parse mused

“That’s not a bad shout” Merri said

“Hiding in plain sight” Bagg added

“Well done Vanzyl”

“Yes, well done” Merri said and Vanzyl uttered a soft whistle like a plaintive flute, then he looked at his friend and whistled again

“Head very big now” Pulsat said and snorted

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 02 – Shore Leave

 

Those going ashore to enjoy the delights of Candoran would travel into the city in the Stroller but not everyone was leaving the ship because unfortunately there was a large Legion Garrison outside the City and as Parse was still technically a Legionnaire of the Royal Guard of Gouveia, and he knew that there was a large detachment of Gouveian troops in that sector, some of whom might recognize him and inadvertently give away the Tornado’s location, so he had to stay aboard, and as they were a couple Merri chose to stay with him, in the hope that they might actually get a bit of “alone” time. 

Similarly, the diminutive Princess Asti was confined to the ship as she was still a fugitive from her betrothed and with her short platinum hair, ivory skin and silver eyes, she was too easily recognised.

As Asti was grounded she was not about to let her six-foot-tall, broad and muscular, black haired, dark eyed boyfriend ashore on his own to be preyed upon by wanton women in the City’s fleshpots, not that she had any personal experience of fleshpots, but she had an imagination and that was quite enough for her.

But they weren’t the only ones remaining behind, although engineers Pulsat Rad and Vanzyl where not remaining for fear of being recognised or for reason of love, they had no significant others and their only love was the ships engines and all things mechanical, and it was the engineers who were the first to emerge onto the apron when the ramp was lowered.

The short heavy set Prinsloovian, Pulsat, was first down the ramp, he had a rough bony skull which raised up like a crown and then receded to give way to a Mahogany scaled brow, cheekbones and jawline which framed an ivory coloured face, and he had yellow eyes and his entire countenance betrayed his reptilian ancestry.

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 also owed his origins to reptilian DNA but his slender and sleek form,

scaly countenance and silver scaled skin, large opaque eyes, pursed lips, and gills clearly indicated that his kind evolved from fish.

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 spoke Shiyne drove the Stroller down the front ramp and everyone followed in a group in her wake.

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

The moment it came to a halt the remainder of the group climbed aboard, Zerrad, Malena and Bagg in the back and the Healer Terrell Vorton got in the passenger seat beside his lover Shiyne.

And as they departed Pulsat and Vanzyl were already engrossed in the job in hand which was to take advantage of the engines being offline to do some routine maintenance, while Merri and Parse and Asti and Lyris found other ways to pass the time.

 

Shiyne parked the Stroller as close to the City Centre as she could possible get, which still left them someway short of their destination, so after they decamped they walked towards the sound of chattering commerce and then got on the first Hover Tram that came along.

 

When the Tram arrived at the great market place Bagg said his farewells and got off and then entered the market and went in search of the herbs, spices and dried and desiccated fruits that he needed to replenish his depleted stocks.

He loved markets, even if he didn’t need provisions he would never give up an opportunity to stroll around among the abundance of food stuffs on offer and allow him to indulge his passion for the exotic foods, and his vocation in one fell swoop.

He was in his element as he wandered market, as the ships cook it was in his remit to get the best ingredients and as the Visitor his job was to go among the people, so what better way to achieve both, than at a market.

 

After Bagg left the Tram, the remaining four crew members continued aboard the Hover Tram, although both couples had very different plans for the day.

Zerrad and Malena were looking for food, drink and atmosphere, and intended to spend the day together at one of the many lakeshore café’s overlooking the calm still waters of Lake Candice.

But the other pair had different fish to fry as Terrell and Shiyne were headed for the cultural centre, where museums, art galleries, sculptures and antiquities would keep them enthralled, an activity to be made all the more enjoyable as they were doing it with each other.

“It’s a shame Merri and Lyris had to stay on the Tornado” Shiyne said

“I know” Malena agreed

“Well I’m quite relieved myself” Zerrad said

“Why?” Malena exclaimed

Lyris and Zerrad had flown Spider Hawk Fighters against the Legion in the Shaxson rebellion and although he had managed to compartmentalise his war time experiences, his brother hadn’t always managed to do the same, so as the city was crawling with off duty Legionnaires from the Garrison he thought it was best that Lyris stayed away.

Physically Zerrad and his brother were very similar only blonde hair and grey eyes distinguished Zerrad from his older dark-haired brother, and their temperaments, he was measured, quiet and thoughtful whereas Lyris was impulsive with a very short fuse.

“Too many Legionnaires about” he replied

“Do you mean his short fuse?” Malena asked

“Yes, there’s no way he would have been able to resist picking a fight with one of these soldier boys” he replied

“He’s been much better of late” Shiyne pointed out

“He has” Lyris agreed “I think that has a lot to do with Merri”

“Who’d have thought that the feisty redhead would have had such a calming influence” Malena said and they all laughed.

 

Shiyne and Terrell were getting off at the next stop

“This is us” Shiyne said excitedly and Terrell smiled

“We’ll meet back at the Stroller in four hours” he said

“Ok” Malena responded as they stood by the doors “Have fun”

As Malena watched them walk away hand in hand she thought love was a funny thing, but wonderful too.

They were both the same height but that was the only thing they had in common, he was older than her by 6 years and was stoutly built while she was slim, his skin was of chalk white and hers was cerise, his eyes were violet, Shiyne’s were purple and Terrell’s hair was midnight blue and she was bald.

The other difference was that he was very quiet and she would often chatter incessantly but Malena thought there was no doubt at all that they were in love, and she smiled at that thought.

She was still smiling when she turned to look at Zerrad and she found that he was looking at her and smiling too.

After reaching Lake Candice they disembarked from the Tram and walked for about 20 minutes until they found a suitable venue to meet there needs.

 

Bagg had a very fruitful expedition and found everything he was looking for plus a few things that he wasn’t.

There were far too many things for him to carry himself so he paid for them and took a chit in return and then after all his purchases were made he took his chits to the market office and arranged delivery, it was then up to them to collect everything he had purchased from the vendors and deliver it all to the ship in one consignment.

When his business was concluded he found he had more than an hour before the arranged meeting time by the Stroller so he had a quick look at his surroundings and after a minute or two he smiled to himself as he had spotted, looming high above the rooftops of the surrounding buildings, the spire of a Visitor church.  

Visitors were a Christian sect who took to the stars with the first migrants to visit new worlds, spreading the word while seeking enlightenment, and they had established Visitor enclaves in every corner of the known universe, they even thrived in Mehreen space and they were the least spiritual beings to ever draw breath.

The difference between Visitors and the established Christian Church on earth was its spontaneity, they didn’t wait until Sunday to worship, they did it wherever and whenever it was desired and it didn’t need to happen in a church, Visitors worshipped everywhere, but that didn’t mean that they didn’t have churches.

 

For Shiyne and Terrell the time was passing by much too quickly and they doubted they would get to see all the places that they wanted to.

So, they decided to forgo lunch or refreshments, this was a tough call for Shiyne as she had an enormous appetite for such a small being.

But her appetite for culture and knowledge was even more voracious.

 

By skipping lunch, they managed to view all the exhibits on their list without having to rush and they were just walking towards the main thoroughfare where they alighted the Hover Tram when they heard a voice

“Terrell is that you?”

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 01 – Androsin Prime

 

It had been more the 12 months since the Tempest Class Freighter Tornado left Delta 500 with a full complement aboard, full cargo pods, some funds in the coffers and work lined up for several months ahead.

They had left the space port in something of a hurry after rescuing

Asti Alegionaris, a member of the Gouveian Royal family, from the clutches of a Ghambran snatch squad, and tricking the kidnappers aboard their Scorpion Cruiser, into following the wrong freighter through the stargate and into hyperspace.

Asti was now one of the crew, although at the time of her abduction she was the Tornados only passenger, and 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.

 

Merionwen Strong was 29 years old and was best described as statuesque, she was tall, straight backed, and proud.

And was blessed with an abundance of red hair that trailed behind her like a mane and penetrating green eyes, and overall you would call her striking and then along with her striking appearance went her forthright, volatile and feisty personality.

She was owner and Captain of the Tornado, and spent much of the quite hours of the night watches thinking about the events of the previous 18 months and the remarkable change in their fortunes.

From their lowest ebb, in the Cammaratian System, when they were stranded on the surface of Alwi, the fourth moon of the seventh planet Aragon, for three months with engine trouble and virtually no crew, to where they were now, a happy ship with a good crew, a plentiful larder, a good cook, friendship, a liberal quantity of love, and the occasional adventure.

Merionwen’s love interest was Parse Sacrod, whom she called Beefy, a former Legionnaire of the Royal Guard of Gouveia who she met after the abduction at the space port.

He was huge in stature, standing 6 feet 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.

 

After leaving Delta 500 the Tornado had a return load to Alwi, and then a second drop on Lazarion, and a further one after that to Androsin Prime in the Androsinian system and they spent many months ferrying people and goods around the modest collection of planets and moons.

And they might well have stayed for many months more were it not for a chance meeting in a market place while on a visit to Candoran the capital city of Androsin Prime.

 

When Merri landed the Tornado on Alwi 18 months earlier to make repairs she expected a two or three week stay at most, but weeks quickly turned to months as they discovered the extent of the damage and after half her original crew grew restless and signed on with other vessels, it left her shorthanded and desperate and in danger of losing her ship. 

Technically the ship belonged to the Garangon mining company, but as they went out of business when they inadvertently destroyed the moon they were mining, Merionwen’s father Ben kept the Tornado in lieu of payment and it passed to her on his death, but after only three years at the helm, losing it had become a very real possibility. 

Fortunately, she still had the loyalty of her remaining crew, co-pilot and navigator Malena Endia and Shiyne, the latter being that rare commodity in any crew, someone who could and would perform any task required of them without question, but her real strength was in the role of negotiator and as an eternal optimist.

 

The Plasma Turbine Pyroclast Engines were what kept the ship grounded and although Merri was a good enough engineer to keep something limping along she didn’t possess the skillset for fixing something that had stopped limping altogether.

This problem was further exacerbated by the fact that she was the best engineer left among the crew and the ship was sitting on the outskirts of a mining town on the surface of Alwi, in the Cammaratian System, which was the sort of place that aspired to be the back end of beyond but couldn’t even manage that.

But things suddenly turned around for Merri and her friends with the arrival of Visitor Parham, a Christian minister who brought with him two first rate engineers, Pulsat and Vanzyl, who were magicians with all things mechanical and the next day they lifted off and went for a spin among the stars.

It was during that test flight that they had to go to the rescue of the Skeet brothers whose ship, the Phoenix, was attacked by Skav Raiders, and the attack was so severe that they had to eject in a life pod which nearly cost them their lives anyway, but they were saved in the nick of time and when they recovered from their injuries they joined the crew.

And it was the Skeets injuries that brought Sciberran Healer Terrell Vorton aboard the Tornado where two significant happened, firstly he saved Zerrad Skeet’s life, which was crucial in reconciling the unresolved love between him and Malena, and secondly it brought him into the close orbit of Shiyne where they fell for each other.

When the Tornado left Alwi bound for Delta 500 with everyone aboard including Visitor Parham who tended to their spiritual needs and his alter ego Bagg fortified them with his culinary prowess.

So, Merri and her best friends, Malena and Shiyne had all found love.

Also, aboard on the journey to Delta 500 was passenger Princess Asti Alegionaris, youngest granddaughter of the Regent of Gouveia but by the time they departed the space dock after her rescue she and Lyris Skeet were in each other's pockets for good and all. 

So, all concerned had the thing they wanted more than anything in the universe, someone to share their life among the stars they all loved so much, so everything for the Tempest Class Freighter Tornado was set fare.

 

In the Androsinian system they had just completed their 5th run in 6 days so they were looking forward to a couple of days of down time in Candoran, the capital city of Androsin Prime where they could eat, drink and be merry.

 

After delivering their cargo they landed on the commerce port apron on the outskirts of the city with Merri piloting and Lyris in the co-pilot seat and she engaged the Tornado’s four vertical take-off jumper engines and the Tempest class freighter landed softly on the apron.

It 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 pod bays, which allowed for a mixed cargo option, which allowed for 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 this time there was no cargo so they landed with only one pod aboard.

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. 

 

Those going ashore to enjoy the delights of Candoran would travel into the city in the Stroller but not everyone was leaving the ship because unfortunately there was a large Legion Garrison outside the City and as Parse was still technically a Legionnaire of the Royal Guard of Gouveia, and he knew that there was a large detachment of Gouveian troops in that sector, some of whom might recognize him and inadvertently give away the Tornado’s location, so he had to stay aboard, and as they were a couple Merri chose to stay with him, in the hope that they might actually get a bit of “alone” time. 

Similarly, the diminutive Princess Asti was confined to the ship as she was still a fugitive from her betrothed and with her short platinum hair, ivory skin and silver eyes, she was too easily recognised.

As Asti was grounded she was not about to let her six-foot-tall, broad and muscular, black haired, dark eyed boyfriend ashore on his own to be preyed upon by wanton women in the City’s fleshpots, not that she had any personal experience of fleshpots, but she had an imagination and that was quite enough for her.

The Tornado Sojourns – Chapter 16 – Scenting the Hounds

 

When they got back to the Tornado after the successful rescue of Asti from the Ghambran ship, Pulsat and Vanzyl were waiting by the ramp and Shiyne drove straight in and Pulsat closed the ramp behind them.

As they decamped from the Stroller Pulsat said

“We go soon”

“We go very soon” Merri said “Prepare for take-off, Lyris you’ve got the left seat, Shiyne co-pilot”

 

Parse carried Merri into sickbay followed by Terrell, Malena and Asti

“Oh God, I knew someone would get shot” Zerrad said

“Don’t worry I’m fine” Malena said and rushed over to kiss him as Terrell started on Merri’s thigh

“Leave that” Merri said “Get the tracker out of Asti first”

“What tracker?” Asti asked

“The one in your neck” Malena said 

“Is that how they found me?” she asked

“Yes, so we need to get it out” Merri said

“Ok” she agreed

 

It took Terrell less than a minute to locate and remove the tracker and once it was out he rinsed the blood off of it and gave it to Malena and then he turned his attention to the Captains wound.

“Ok Malena you know what to do” Merri said

“I’ll go with her” Parse said

“Oh no you don’t Beefy” she said “You stay here with me in case I need to be carried again”

“Oh ok” he complied “If you think that’s best”

“I do” she purred “I definitely do”

 

Asti got the distinct impression that her presence was no longer required in the sickbay and made her way up to the cockpit just at the moment Lyris was landing the Tornado at the cargo hub adjacent to the Monsoon.

“Nicely done Cowboy” Asti said

“Well thank you Princess” he said

“I’m not a Princess anymore, I’m just Asti” she retorted

“That will do for me” Lyris said and Shiyne just smiled, not because of what they were saying, her smiles were due to what they were both thinking.

 

While the Tornado picked up the cargo pods Malena transformed into one of the Monsoon’s crew, a tall and rotund cargo handler called Florin, who was being fed freshly made pancakes by Bagg in the Tornado’s mess room and while he was stuffing his face Malena wandered up the cargo ramp of the Monsoon and secreted the tracker behind a panel in the loading bay, then she smiled and went back down the ramp and re-boarded the Tornado and became the 27 year old brunette again and walked straight into the mess room and nodded to Bagg who said

“Well Florin dear lad as much as we’ve enjoyed your company I’m afraid it’s time for us to depart”

“What so soon?” he said

“I’m afraid so” he confirmed

“Shame” he said “Those were the best pancakes I ever tasted”

“I’m glad you enjoyed them, and so many” Bagg said amiably

“If you ever fancy a change there’s a place for you on the Monsoon” he said

“I will bear that in mind” Bagg said as he walked him to the door and then Malena saw him down the ramp and once he was clear she closed it.

Malena then opened comms to the engine room as she sealed the airlock

“Pulsat, stand by for departure”

“We ready” He replied then she spoke to the flight deck

“Mission accomplished Lyris, ready when you are”

“Ok we’re cleared to go” he responded

Malena then walked down to sickbay and just as she entered Merri was trying to get out of bed.

She looked over to Zerrad’s bed and he was sleeping so she turned her full attention on Merri who was saying

“Come on Beefy help me up to the flight deck”

“That’s not a good idea Captain” Terrell stated

“Nonsense” she retorted “I’m fine”

“Stay right where you are” Malena said firmly

“Lyris is quite capable of getting the Tornado airborne without your supervision”

“But…” she protested

“But nothing, get back into bed and Parse you make sure she stays there, understood”

“Yes” the pair said

 

After kissing the sleeping Zerrad on the forehead she left the sickbay and went upstairs to the flight deck where she found Lyris in the left seat with the diminutive figure of Asti stood behind him with a hand on each shoulder and Shiyne was in the co-pilots chair.

She moved to vacate the seat when she saw Malena who was the Tornado’s second in command but the latter gestured for her to stay where she was and looked out through the glass at the pilot vessel.

Lyris was following and after a few minutes they got the signal to proceed and the pilot returned to port and Malena scanned the scene.

“Moor us on the other side of the Leviathan tanker, but give us a view of the port” she said

“Ok skipper” Lyris said and steered around the tanker.

The Tornado had an hour head start on the Monsoon and a further hour on the Scorpion so they just sat and waited.

“I’m going to get some breakfast” Malena said “Call me when the Monsoon appears”

“Will do” Lyris responded “Come on Shiyne, Bagg’s cooking pancakes”

Shiyne smiled because she knew even without her telepathic skills that Malena didn’t want her to go just to enjoy the pancakes, she was playing cupid and wanted Lyris and Asti to have some time alone.

 

Malena and Shiyne sat at the mess table while Bagg fed them his excellent pancakes and they spoke about the excitement of the early hours and the roles they all played and Bagg deft use of his staff to brain one of the Ghambran’s, which led onto a discussion regarding the Cowboy and the Princess and the fact that Merri had apparently claimed the man mountain, Parse, as her own.

 

As they laughed and joked the call came from the flight deck 

“There on the move” Lyris said

“Ok so are we” Malena responded and she and Shiyne stood up

“Sorry Bagg we have to go”

“But we’ll be back” Shiyne said and shovelled the last forkful of pancake into her mouth.

 

When they got upstairs they found Asti with her arm around Lyris and they both smiled which caused Asti to blush violently which made them smile even more.

“The Monsoon’s heading full speed towards the Star gate” Lyris said

“Good, we just have to wait for the Scorpion to appear” Malena said taking the vacant number two seat

“Is the tracker still broadcasting?”  

“Loud and clear” Asti replied

“Ok we just have to wait and see” she said as Shiyne sat in the Navigator’s chair and began plotting a course for Alwi.

They didn’t have to wait long as the Scorpion appeared twenty minutes sooner than expected and took off after the Monsoon without hesitation.

“So far so good” Malena said “I go and inform the Captain, she’ll be going insane wondering what’s going on”

The flight deck rang with the sound of laughter as Malena left it and made her way to the sickbay.

 

After briefing Merri on the situation Malena went and sat by Zerrad’s bed and held his hand while he slept and waited.

It was just over an hour when the comms buzzer sounded and she got up and picked up the handset.

“Yes”

“Good”

“Ok” 

“Keep me posted”

Then she hung up and sat back down

“Well” Merri barked “What’s happening?”

“The Monsoon has gone through the gate” Malena replied

“And what about the Scorpion?” Parse asked

“It’s still on the same course”

 

It was another hour before the comms buzzed again, and Malena got up once more and picked up the handset

“Yes”

“Good”

“Ok, then you have command, I’m going to sleep for a couple of hours” she said “Oh Lyris! Try not to hit anything”

She hung up the comms and turned towards the others

“They took the bait hook line and sinker” Malena said and smiled, then she let go of Zerrad’s hand and climbed onto the bed and lay down beside him and Terrell dimmed the lights.

“Well I need to go and find a beautiful little cerise coloured Navigator”

 

“So do you think we’re in the clear?” Parse asked when Terrell had gone

“What I think is that it’s a big universe, and we’ll be at opposite ends of it” Merri replied

“What if they come for her again?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it” Merri replied and winced “now go and find Bagg and he’ll show to your quarters”

“I’d rather stay here with you” he replied

“I’d rather you did too” she said and smiled then she closed her eyes

About an hour later she woke again and she looked across at Malena and Zerrad as they slept, he had his arm around her and she had her head on his chest, and she thought how nice it was for her friend to find love at last, then she looked at the huge Gouveian soldier sat at her bedside and thought.

“I think I might have found some for myself”

 

Merionwen spent much of the next two hours thinking about the past couple of weeks and the remarkable change in their fortunes.

She was at a very low ebb when the Tornado was stranded on the surface of Alwi for three months with engine trouble and virtually no crew.

Now they had a full complement aboard, full cargo pods, some funds in the coffers and work lined up for several months ahead.

Her best friends, Malena and Shiyne had both found love, engineers Pulsat and Vanzyl were magicians with all things mechanical, they had a Healer aboard, Terrell, for the first time ever, Visitor Parham tended their spiritual needs and his alter ego Bagg fortified them with his culinary prowess, they also counted a member of the Gouveian Royal family among their number, and she had herself a hunky Legionnaire.

And the thing Merri wanted more than anything in the universe was someone to share with her the life she loved so much.

So everything for the Tempest Class Freighter Tornado was set fare, plus she knew that apart from a good crew, good food and a liberal quantity of love she knew that on the Tornado’s Sojourns they were bound to have adventure.

The Tornado Sojourns – Chapter 15 – On a Mission

 

In the early hours of the morning after Asti was abducted Malena was in the sickbay 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 the Doc is coming too and he is the epitome of cautious good sense, ok? Now give me a kiss”

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

 

Already outside, pacing up and down, was Lyris Skeet, who didn’t normally get involved in other people’s problems but since Merion and her crew had put themselves in danger to save him and his brother he had changed his philosophy, so he would have helped Asti even if he hadn’t fancied the pants off her.

It was not normal behaviour for him to become infatuated in such a short space of time and based on only a handful of very short meetings, but he had done with her.

Not that he stood a chance because she was beautiful, classy, well educated, feisty, funny and wicked smart.

He was after all little more than a reformed smuggler, and she was a Princess, so he would never have made an advance towards her in fear of being shot down in flames but now he had a chance to be her knight in shining armour.

 

All though it was 3am there were still as many people milling around as there had been earlier in the day, in space, with no night and day, the conventional clock didn’t really mean much in terms of waking and sleeping hours.

With the exception of Zerrad, who was still confined to his sick bed, and Pulsat and Vanzyl who were preparing the ship for departure everyone gathered on the deck beside the Stroller and Merri addressed Bagg

“We won’t be needing the services of a Visitor this morning”

“There is always a need for man of God” he retorted

“We’re not looking for convert’s Brother” she said

“Nonetheless I’m coming” he insisted

“Alright” Merri said “But don’t get in the way”

So they boarded the stroller and drove to hanger 34 and parked up as close to the Ghambran’s Scorpion as they could without drawing attention to themselves.

“Right does everyone know what they have to do?” Merri asked and they all murmured a response

“I want no gun play unless absolutely necessary” she added looking directly at Lyris

“Why are you looking at me?” he retorted

“I wonder, Cowboy” she said “And Beefy, no attracting unwanted attention”

Before Parse had chance to object she added

“Ok let’s go”

Once outside they stayed in the shadows and Merri whispered to Shiyne

“Is she still aboard?”

Shiyne closed her eyes and tuned her mind in and scanned the ship and after a few moments she smiled.

“Well?” Lyris asked

“Yes she’s there and she’s as mad as a hornet” she replied and they all laughed

“Ok settle down now” Merri said as she looked over at the ship.

There was one guard by the ramp but they knew there were others on board

“Go and do your thing Shiyne”

The Vann telepath invaded the guards mind and when she had control of him she stealthily crossed the open ground and stood to one side of the ramp, then under her control he stepped towards her.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Parse asked

“No just stay here and pretend to be a soldier” Merri retorted

“I am a soldier” he pointed out

“Good you can guard Brother Bagg, Ok Doc we’re on” Merri said and she Malena, Terrell and Lyris quickly joined Shiyne by the ramp, but out of sight of the door

Once they were concealed Shiyne quietly said to the guard

“There is a problem with the port engine, call you friend, then go to the engine”

Without showing any emotion he turned and called up the ramp in his native tongue and then walked slowly towards the engine but after three paces Terrell dispatched him with an injection to the neck and he crumpled to the floor.

A minute later the other guard emerged onto the ramp and Shiyne immediate took control of his mind and lead him to the same fate as his compatriot.

With the two guards safely unconscious Merri withdrew her sidearm and gestured for them to follow and Parse and Bagg watched as they disappeared from view.

 

Once inside the Scorpion they proceed quietly into the bowels of the vessel.

“Where is she?” Merri asked

“Beyond the main cabin, in a sleeping berth, she’s bound and gagged” Shiyne replied

As they pressed forward they suddenly heard footsteps above their heads which then proceeded down the stairs and the owner of those footfalls was Vint Reganus the smaller of the two abductors and the moment he set foot on the deck Malena put a gun in his face and gestured with her finger for silence.

“Where’s the other one?” Merri asked adding her own gun to his already nervous field of vision and he nodded in the direction of the main cabin.

Shiyne nodded her agreement so Merri gestured to Terrell who struck with his needle again.

But before Vint hit the floor Malena touched his arm and she instantly transformed into the Ghambran and she was an exact copy down to every blemish and flaw, pulled thread and tarnished button.

As an Obgaronian shape shifter she could transform at will but she could only shift into a being she had touched.

Only the briefest moment was required and then it was in her memory banks and could be recalled when required.

She could also manipulate that memory and add or subtract from it for example in her everyday life she chose to take the form of a 27 year old human whom she met on a remote mining colony when she first entered Legion space, but she chose to be the human girl and wear clothes on that form but it wasn’t necessary and that night for the rescue mission she chose to simulate her clothes in case she needed to shift, it would have looked very odd indeed if Vint Reganus was wearing girls clothes.

The necessity for her to shape shift was so she could get into the main cabin without raising the alarm and distract Maxil just long enough for Shiyne to paralyze him.

He was cut from different cloth to Vint and wouldn’t be so susceptible to suggestion so she was going to paralyze his voice box and the nerve endings in his neck so he couldn’t move.

But she had to be in close proximity to the target for that to work hence the need for Malena to shape shift.

Malena opened the door and stepped inside without speaking and took two steps forward before Shiyne stepped out from her shadow and although Maxil opened his mouth to speak, no sound came out, and then Lyris, Merri and Terrell rushed in behind them.

“Where now?” Merri asked

“This way” Shiyne said and lead the way

“Terrell, if he makes a move stick him with the needle” Merri said

“Pleasure” he retorted

Shiyne opened the cabin door and as she foretold, Asti was lying on the bed with her hands tied behind her back and a gag in her mouth, then Lyris pushed past her and took out his knife.

“Let’s get these bonds off” he said gently as the blade severed the ropes, then he sheathed the knife and untied her gag.

“Are you ok?” he asked as she sat up and rubbed her wrists

“I am now” she replied and wrapped her arms around his neck

“Ok cowboy put her down and let’s get out of here” Merri said

 

First they returned to the main cabin where Terrell was still standing with a needle to Maxil’s neck under the watchful gaze of Malena who had shifted back to her former self.

Merri lead the way back the way they entered, followed by Malena and then Asti who suddenly stopped and yelled

“You bastard” and spun round and delivered a roundhouse kick to Maxil’s head and rendered him unconscious

“Sweet” Lyris said “Now let’s get out of here”

 

Outside on the deck Parse and Bagg were waiting anxiously for the raiding party to return when another Ghambran guard approached and when he saw his two countrymen lying unconscious beside the ship he drew his weapon and started up the ramp.

“Shit” Parse exclaimed “Start praying Brother Bagg”

For a huge man Parse was incredibly light on his feet and he closed the distance between himself and the Ghambran very quickly but not before he had opened fire on the boarding party. 

But the moment he reached him he knocked the gun from his hand and grabbed him around the neck and in a matter of moments he had the man by the throat and was holding him two feet off the floor, but what he couldn’t see was a fourth guard who was approaching him on his blind side with a large curved knife in his hand which he was going to thrust it in Parse’s back until Bagg hit him soundly on the head with his staff rendering him unconscious and bloody.

“Way to go Bagg” Merri said as Malena helped her down the ramp”

“You can put him down now Beefy, and pick me up instead”

She had a Pulsar strike on the thigh and couldn’t support her own weight

“Ok” he said and dropped the guard unceremoniously on the desk “And scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the Stroller and Bagg and Asti followed in their wake while Lyris, Malena and Terrell dragged the unconscious bodies inside the Scorpion.

 

When everyone was aboard the stroller Terrell began attending to the wound on Merri’s thigh.

“Ok let’s move it” she said through gritted teeth and held Parse’s hand and winced with pain as Terrell cut the fabric away.

“How is it?” Malena asked

“Not good” Terrell said “So straight to sickbay when we get aboard”