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King Of The Rim
7-The Trap

By Stanman63
Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading
with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration!


Synopsis:Prince John Carter learns about the crew and their attitude as well as the ships limitations as his leading them into reclaiming the the Treasure Of Trillannii, leads to them being trapped along with the Treasure as well as meeting with distressed locals.

King_medallion.jpg


"Well Glory be!! It IS YOU! I've been wantin' to meet ya' for years. My mum would be turnin' ova' In her grave if she knew that I was meetin' th' Prince." she said as she curtsied. [' And here I am, a speakin' ta him aas if I'm royalty!']

Then John Carter touched her on the shoulder, "No need to curtsy to me Chief Engineer, I do not believe in false shows of loyalty. Hell, Dad never did either. He instilled the idea of meeting with the populace in the Court as equals. I have never seen myself as any better than anybody else." ['And now the Trillannii People look to the Trillannii Throne instead of the Emperor for leadership. But how do I lead free people?']

Then she smiled at him, "Thank ya' Sir. Ya' must take afta' ya' daddy, tha' King. I've met him before an' he was jus' like you, every bit tha' offica' an' gentleman. Is it no wonder that I've given ma' loyalty ta' him and you?"

"Chief, I accept your loyalty, if you accept mine. Only a leader who listens to his friends can lead effectively."

She looked at him with tears in her eyes, "Are ya' caillin' me a friend, Johnny?"

"Well, you've been calling me by my given name all of this time, so either I call you my friend, or put you in the brig," he smiled.

She blushed, "Sorry abou' that, Suh. But I've always been a mite infahrmal when it comes ta' tha' crew."

Thats quite alright, Chief. I prefer that to the 'pomp and circumstance' of the Imperium."

"Thank ya, Suh. Is thah' anything else?'

"Why would your mother be turning over in her grave? Was she an Imperial loyalist?" ['Need to find out.']

She blushed, "No Sir, ma' Mum was a Rimma'." ['Now why does he ask?']

"Because to do as you said that she'd do indicates that she's displeased with me."

Piper laughed, "Oh, Johnny Boy, Mum'd do it ta' see fa' ha'se'f."

"Then I take it that your family are Trillannii?"

"Most assuredly, Johnny Boy!"

"I guess that I'm 'Johnny Boy' to you, Piper," he grinned.

"Aye, if'n ya' don't mind."

Johny looked deep into her soul and saw a fiery sword, quick to defend him, "No, I like it."

Piper was so astonished to here him say that, she stood there, mouth agape.

Then Steele chuckled, "I see that the Irish storm has been stalled. Does that mean that John call summon you whenever he sees fit?" ['I know that this little spitfire will now turn her ire towards me, but I can't help but to goad her.']

Then she turned to Steele, "No doubt that ya' expec' me ta' attack ya', but I've learned about ya' ways. I'll not be gettin' mad ta' make ya' day for ya', ya' big galoot," she giggled. ['That ol' man'll need ta' do more ta' get under ma' skin.']

Steele chortled merrily, "I see that you've learned from our encounters. You are so much like my sister Ruby that I couldn't help but treat you like I do her. Truce?" he asked as he held out his hand.

She smiled sweetly and took his hand and threw him over her shoulder and giggled, " Truce Steele, but remember this. I tend ta' get tha' last word." ['I jus' had ta' do it after all of his taunts.']

Steele grinned, "I guess that I deserved that. It's nice to know that you can handle yourself." ['Ruby would have done the same thing. Could she be Ruby restored to life in a new body? Or is she simply her twin in some weird way?']

Then she helped him up, "Don'cha worry ya' big galoot. that's tha' only time that I'll do that unless ya' make me mad agi'n." ['But knowin' him, it'll be none too soon unless I'm mistaken.']

Johnny cleared his throat, "Excuse me CHILDREN, but this is not a playground. This is the Bridge of a ship. Now, why are you two acting this way?" ['Are they in Love?']

Steele blushed, "My apologies, Jonathan. We are dating each other. I know that it was childish of us, but seeing her was a bit much for me."

Piper curtsied again, "I kinna' apologize enough, Johnny Boy. Steele, an' I of'en scrap in tha' hold when not on duty."

"It seems to be more than simply dating to me."

Steele sighed, "To me, it is."

"Oh?" said a perplexed Piper.

Steele turned to her, "Sparky, I grew up with a kid sister named Ginger. She was small, and fiery, like you are. In fact, she believed herself to be of Scottish blood because of her red hair from her Great Granny Hildagarde. Unfortunately, Ginger succumb to the Red Heat Syndrome just before she hit puberty," he wept.

"MA' LORD, MON! NO WONDA' YA' CRYIN'! THA' SYNDROME WIPED OUT MANY A CHILD BEFO' IT WAS CONQUERED!" exclaimed Piper as she hugged Steele.

He looked at her with a deep longing in his eyes, "That is why I treat you as I do. I see Ginger in you."

"And perhaps a lova'?"

"In time. First, I'd like to get to know you as Sparky, instead of Ginger."

"I'd like tha', Adrian, but we need ta' tend ta tha' Queen first. And what abou' Johnny boy?' she asked impishly.

Then the lights dimmed and turned red as shields increased to maximum and the 'RED ALERT' claxon peeled.

"Very well, I can not penalize you two since Captain Trent went easy on Jane and me, but there is a ship to land. Can the Queen land in that storm or shall we wait it out?" he chuckled. ['Looks like I have a couple of naughty kids to babysit now. Did daddy ever have THIS problem?']

"Sir, ma' Queen can take on tha' storm. Ya' jus' gotta batten down tha' hatches." ['Glad that tha' Prince cares enough ta' ask.']

"I should hope so, her being cared for by you. Any suggestions?" Johnny smiled.

"Ya' should restrict tha' shields ta' tha' skin field ta' keep from shartin' out tha generators and go in on tha' thrusters. If lightnin' strikes tha' drives, it could fry 'em."

Turning to the front, Johnny became all business, "Mutt, Jeff, close all intakes, transfer the shields power to the skin field and take us in on thrusters!"

"Aye, aye, Sir," they chorused as they set to work.

Turning to Piper, he smiled, "Well, Piper. I need to know what name to call you since you are so informal with me."

She scratched her head, "Why, Johnny boy?"

"Court etiquette demands that I ask this. The Trillanni Charter declares that I am a public servant sent by the Creator, NOT some tyrant who believes himself to be a god in the flesh as Emperor Pendragon does."

"Then why not call me Sparky? as ya' said befa'?"

"Just getting your permission, Sparky." he grinned.

Then as she was leaving, she smiled at him, "I gotta go, Johnny boy and make sure tha' engines are secured." ['Nice of him ta' give me his name. He don't hold himsel' above others.']

Then the Captain chortled, "Well Johnny, now the only other crew to meet is our technician. I am sure that if you follow her that she'll introduce you." ['Seeing that spitfire get the better of Steele made my day.']

Then Johnny turned to the front, "Mutt and Jeff, increase the integrity field to maximum," he ordered as he exited the bridge. ['Need to check out engineering now.']

"Jonathan, where are you heading?" asked Steele as he led the Captain out and into the Captain's Ready Room.

"Heading down to engineering to see the last crewmember. Don't worry, Steele, I won't spoil you're scrapping with Sparky for you," he chuckled. ['I want to see them scrap more, but I seriously doubt that they'll be scrapping anytime soon.']

"Very well Johnathan, you just take care and listen to her. This ship is a bit different from the Aztec," admonished the Captain as he and Steele entered his Ready Room.

* * *

Synthoids are artificial constructs using organic polymers to replace all body parts. All synthoid bodies are immune to cancer, chemical attacks, and disease, doubling the life span, but leaving the patient subject periodic maintenance of the synthoid body's organic interface.

If a person is given a synthoid organ or limb, the body accepts the replacement and the synthoid part slowly converts the body into a synthoid body.

* * *

Then Johny entered engineering and was awed by the sight of the main reactor. It was a globe of multi-colored flame connected to the transition engines on either side with an upper lead connecting the cooler vanes up top.

As he looked at the display of power, he noticed Jane making an adjustment upon the skull of a stranger wearing a Queen's uniform," Jane, what are you doing to his head?" ['I've never seen such a strange sight.']

Then she looked over to him and smiled, "I am tending to my patient. He is a synthoid with a human brain. Every now and again, I need to check on his spinal fluid to make sure that his brain is OK," she explained as she closed the back of his head. ['I know that Johnny has seen synthoids before, but I doubt that he's seen one being tended to.']

Then Sparky came from behind the reactor, "I see that ya' have decided ta' pay ma' domain a visit Johnny boy. What'cha think abou' ma' place?" ['I can see tha' he is smitten with love for Jane.']

"Impressive. Your engines seem to be as powerful as those of the Aztec. But what about your assistant? I've never worked with a synthoid before." ['Too bad the Navy never sanctioned their employ, but like the Empire, they looked down on anything not strictly human.']

Then after Jane had closed the back of his head, Sparky's assistant turned towards Johnny and saluted, "I am Ship's Technician Techie, at your service." ['I wonder who this stranger is. Is he the Prince?']

Johnny returned the salute, "I am Jonathan Carter, Prince Of Trillannii. Please, call me Johnny."

Techie looked at him, "Why Johnny?'

"Since the Captain say that you know my pedigree and are loyal, why use my Title? Besides, Sparky here doesn't use my tile, nor rank, why should you?"

Techie smiles, "So, you're our new Executive Officer. It is an honor to meet you, Johnny." ['I am the first synthoid to meet the Prince.']

Jane smiled at Johny, "That's why you're the Prince, Johnny. Accepting everybody."

"No, not everybody, Jane."

Techie spoke out, "Oh? Just who do you NOT accept?"

"Those Imperials that are like the Emperor."

"Oh, Is there anything that you want to ask this synthoid?"

"May I ask how a synthoid became a Knight of Trillannii?" ['I am sure that his story will be as interesting as he is.']

"Well, it's all because of the Empire."

"What did they do?"

"The Grand Admiral had me shot in the neck with a corrupted laser. If not for Jane's quick thinking in placing my entire body into a Synthoid Clone Cylinder, I would have died." ['Thank God that the process blanked out any memory of the event or I'd be having nightmares.']

"When was this, and why?"

Techie went white with terror as Jane pressed a hidden switch that placed him in a healing nap, "Johnny, even now, he can't safely recall the event. When we get a proper module, I'll be able to place the memory into deep storage, away from instant recall. Until then, any accessing that memory causes him to freeze in a night terror," she sighed.

"Is it safe for you to tell me?"

"Yes, now that Techie is resting."

"Johnny boy, [sniff,sniff] Techie and I are friends from way back.[sniff] Tha' Queen wa' visitin' tha' Imperial Sector Capitol of Genosha ta' transpart a load o' refugees ta' tha' Imperial Colony Mabulla. [sob] Techie here, [sniff,sniff] prevented the Grand Admiral in charge o' tha' colony from takin' me as a bed partna'. [sob] At tha' cost of his body.[sob] If not for Jane's quick help, 'sniff,sniff] Techie would'a died," Sparky wept.

Jane hugged her, "Now, don't you start crying, Red. Techie is now safe from that bastard's evil."

"Yeah, bu' he's ma' frien'."

Johnny smiled, "Jane is right. Grand Admiral Weems was sent to the the Penal Planet after Jolleck replaced him with one of the new automated governors and closed that palace."

Piper looked at them in wonder, "Ya' mean ta' say tha' heathen did somethin' good?"

Jane smiled, "Yes, although his reason for getting rid of Weems was somewhat poetic."

"Oh? Why is tha'?"

"He was found guilty of sexual relations with a Trans-Woman," Johnny replied.

Sparky frowned,"Bu' why tha'?"

"That was the ONLY charge that Weems couldn't fight. Even if cleared, He'd have that charge dangling over him," replied Johnny.

"I am surprised that he did it," mused Techie.

Sparky looked into his eye, "Jolleck wa' securin' his pasition as tha' Ampara's Anvoy an. Grand Admiral. Ya' jus' benafitted from it," she sighed.

===================
Interlude: M.I.B.D.
===================

Then, a red alert claxon wailed as an ominous 'RED ALERT' icon appeared upon Mary's desk screen. But she was strangely calm and NOT issuing any orders, worrying King Reginald, "Mary, shouldn't you be doing something about the alert?"

"Reginald, THAT alert is about incoming news. The base is NOT under attack," she assured.

Reggie visibly relaxed, "That's good to know, but now there's the worry about the news."

Mary flipped a toggle and a plate of assorted sliced fruits appeared, "Relax, and enjoy some fruit as we await the news."

He picked a slice of mango, "Very well, Mary. You are my host," he grinned.

Then Moondragon appeared at the doorway, "Mary, I have a report on the recent news communique."

"Report, please."

"The new Imperial Throne Ship is clone of a Trillannii Merchant Freighter."

King Reginald shouted, "WHAT?!"

"Moondragon, has this been confirmed?"

"Affirmative! in fact, there is even a blueprint of the vessel."

"Miss, please bring me the copy. Only I can assess just how dangerous this ship is," he sighed.

"At once, your Majesty," she replied as she glided across the office and inserted the message crystal.

"Thank you, Moondragon. How do I access the crystal?"

She pressed a green flashing button, Then a screen on the wall lit up with icons o the ship with a cursor shaped like throwing star,"There you are, your Majesty. Just use the mouse to access the menu."

King Reginald quickly read the crystal's information and sat back, in defeat, "They've finally done it," he sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"Mary, the new Imperial Throne Ship's cargo space has been allocated for missiles, torpedoes, and batteries and generators for shields, and blasters. It has the equivalent of FOUR Imperial Patrol Cruisers to use.

"But the Queen can handle that without cracking, can't she? Frm what I know of even an Imp ship, they can face off against that many if need be."

"Yes, Moondragon. but the Throne Ship's lasers are channeled through its transition coil governors. THAT gives the lasers the ability to fire tachyons which will overcome any ships hyper field," he explained.

"But won't the beams need to phase with the shields to pierce them? Aren't missiles and torpedoes used to overwhelm shields?" asked Mary.

"Yes, missiles and torpedoes can overwhelm shields and inflict damage before shields are restored, but these lasers can overload the shields with raw power without phasing. And if phasing occurs, the target is destroyed all the quicker," Reginald sighed.

Moondragon looked thoughtfully at the screen, "Your Majesty, if this ship is so equipped, how soon can your ships be modified the same way?"

Reginald smiled at her, "Not long at all, once this information is sent. Has it been sent to my People, yet"

Moondragon looked at Mary and nodded, "Yes, Moondragon just confirmed it."

"Good, because once THIS modification has been made to the ships, they'll easily handle the modifieds and their coil link lasers will take out even a modified," he declared.

"Oh? How is that, your Majesty?"

"Agent Moondragon, ALL Trillannii ships are AVATARS with specially modified medallions in the coils, generators, and positronic computer. THAT increases the energy output tenfold."

Moondragon looked at the screen, "Your Majesty?"

"Yes?"

"Can this avatar technology be added to our computer's positronic systems?"

"Easily enough. Why?"

"We are using a refurbished supercomputer from Ancient Earth that was used by the military. J.O.S.H.U.A. was salvaged by us, years ago. We were able to transfer his programming into a new positronic brain and keep his base personality matrix."

"How did you save the matrix? It was hardwired into the system, was it not?"

"That's what we thought. But when a diagnostic computer was attached, J.O.S.H.U.A. was able to separate the module interfacing with him and download himself into it."

"J.O.S.H.U.A. must have some sort of fail safe survival program then, and here I thought that only our avatar systems had them," Reginald mused.

Mary pointed to an icon on the J.O.S.H.U.A. readout screen, "According to this icon, J.O.S.H.U.A. was a very basic avatar type program lacking the skills to fully function until Diana and Artemis built the new system currently housing J.O.S.H.U.A.."

"Diana and Artemis Hunter?"

"Yes, my Liege. Why do you ask?"

"On Trillannii, the stories of their lives are well known as well as those of your Agency, Moondragon."

"And how did you gain such access to our sealed records?" asked Mary as she reached for her tickler.

He smiled, "Mary, there's no need to worry about any security breach because there wasn't one."

"Then how did you ACQUIRE the information?"

"Simple, Diana's son, Ulysses Odysseus brought the records when he came to Trillannii. He was Trillannii's first chancellor, ancestor of Chancellor Merlin."

"Oh, Then how much do you know about us, King Reginald," inquired Mary getting formal in response to the revelation.

"Our files are current, up to just before I came here, thanks to ability to track your agent's movements, and Agency buildings. But that's all. We do not know about any missions beyond those from Ancient Earth," he replied.

Mary visibly relaxed, "THAT'S a relief! for a moment I thought that we had a mole," she sighed.

"Are our Agents tagged in any way, Sir?"

"No, Moondragon. my agents simply track your and help when needed."
* * *

A message crystal is a diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire, micro dot crystal encased within a plas-steel casing that houses the interface and protects the crystal from power surges. any one crystal has the memory capacity of a supercomputer.

* * *

The Rim Queen parted the green mists of the nebulae and approached the planet wreathed in a global storm.

* * *

Over the intercom came the announcement, "ALL HANDS ALERT! SHIP ENTERING ATMOSPHERE."

As the Rim Queen battered her way through the hurricane force winds, a strange mournful moan reverberated from the outer hull as the storm tried to conquer the ship's integrity. Lightning strikes were harmlessly absorbed as its power was channeled into the shields and batteries. Then as the moaning abated, a strange thrumming assaulted their ears until it was silenced, then the lights dimmed and the main control board lit up with red lights.

"DAMN IT ALL!! THA' MAIN ENGINE INTAKE COVERS HAVE BEEN FUSED SHUT BY A LIGHTNING STRIKE!" exclaimed Piper as the ship shuddered from the storm.

* * *

As the Queen pierces the clouds, small, white stars appear and launch lightning bolts that skip harmlessly off of the hull. Nearing the surface, ground based stars connect with the Queen, causing damage until an automated response launches missiles that destroy the stars, revealing scanner towers over launch silos.

* * *'

================================
Interlude- Imperial Throne Room
================================

The Grand Admiral stalked into the Imperial Throne Room without any of the usual pomp and circumstance associated with being granted an audience with the Emperor. He was one of the very few people granted such a luxury by the Emperor and Grand Admiral Jolleck took full advantage of it.

When the Courtiers tried to dissuade him from entering unannounced, he simply touched them with his Grand Admiral's Staff, causing them great pain as their nervous system was overloaded with bio-electricity.

"OK ARTHUR!! WHY IN THE HELL HAVE YOU SUMMONED ME BACK HERE WHEN YOU KNOW GOOD AND WELL THAT I WAS LEAVING UPON A TOUR OF THE BLASTED RIM!?" he demanded. ['He knows that I love calling him Arthur, reminding him of Camelot.']

"Thrawn, you KNOW how much I hate and detest it whenever you use that name," Leopold responded with attitude. ['He hates that nick name because that's reminds him that he was thrown off of sky cycle during training.']

Jolleck bent to one knee, "My apologies Your Majesty, I am simply wondering why the change in plans." ['OK Arthur, now that you know that you have made me mad, I can dispense with the name calling.']

"I accept your apologies, Jolleck. Please be seated." ['Now that that's out of the way, we can get down to the business at hand, namely why I recalled him.']

Then he went and sat in the Grand Admiral's Throne that rose up upon his entrance, "Well, because of your summons, I've had to scrap the ship to return here A.S.A.P. NOW all that it's good for is as a lifeboat with the engines and reactors now melted away from the heat stress." ['If it wasn't for advancements in safety systems, the entire ship would have vaporized, but he doesn't know that.']

"What?"

"Don't you ever read any of the science journals?" ['Forget that, I know that he never does if he can help it.']

"No, I don't. What's the best thing to do about the Throne Ship?"

"First, Leopold, why were you so insistent on my immediate return? If allowed a slower return, the Throne ship would still be flying."

"Then I take responsibility for its damage. But I have a very good reason for my Order."

"Very well. Me, I'd give it over to the Imperial Engineering University for those lads to play with, and launch another one." ['Knowing those Merlins, they will have a ball going over that scrap heap and reinvent the wheel again.']

"NOW onto why I recalled you as I did. And I know that you will like this you lecherous old fool." ['He has a history of seducing and ruining young, impressionable girls, but I still need him, so I dare not do anything about it and he knows it to.']

Thrawn visibly brightened, "Oh? Does that mean you're talking about the Princess?" ['I've wanted to seduce that trollop ever since she was old enough to go to school.']

"Yes indeed, you are to escort her through the Rim and prevent her from meeting with anybody but those loyal to the Throne."

"Sounds exciting! Now, when do I meet Princess Priscilla?"

"As soon as she returns here from packing. And why Priscilla?"

"Because she can be so prissy when she throws a temper tantrum."

* * *

"Like hell that was a lightning strike, that was a pair of concussion torpedoes that hit us!' exclaimed Johnny as the ship bucked from the assault and storm. [' Looks like the Imperials have mined this planet.']

"And jus' how da' ya' know tha' ?" asked Sparky as she adjusted a few controls while Techie activated auxillary systems. [' Do I need ta' larn abou' tha' Imperial's technology?']

Johnny brought up a graphic upon the main view screen, "By the thrumming of the torpedoes impact. That thrumming is their sonic concussion assault," explained Johny as he pointed out the unique sonic vibrations.

Looking at the display, "Well, wha' da' ya' know? Those sneaky Imperials sure ha' gotten one ova' me." [' I ca' design a counter fo' tha' attack now tha' I ca' see it.']

"Do you have any replacements?" ['Doubtful since the intakes are seldom wrecked.']

Then Techie spoke up, No, but we can rebuild the original intakes once we are down."

"Well it had best be soon or the engines will overheat!"

Then Hunter adjusted a few controls, "NOW we won't, now that the cooler vanes are active."

"What about radiation? Should I prep for poisoning?" asked Jane.

"No, as long as precautions are taken, there should be no need, but have them ready just in case," replied Johnny. [' I hope that they have the proper equipment.']

The Rim Queen battled her way through the global storm that threatened to crash the mighty vessel upon the mountains. Yet the Rim Queen refused to concede to the raging storm and finally landed upon the landing pad that sent out a landing signal. As the mighty ship finally touched ground, the storm dissolved as if under the control of a god.

Then as the ship settles upon the tarmac and the engines shut down, there is an announcement that breaks the silence, "Johnny, we have landed, time for you to meet the reception party," announced the Captain. [' Time for him to start learning about his duties if he is to become the King.']

Johnny quickly headed for the gangway, "I'm on my way, Captain, is there anything I need to know?" ['I hope that being an Executive here is like it was on the Aztec.']

"No, just meet them and have the ship repaired." ['That of course, the crew will do without him ordering it done.']

Then Hunter tapped Johnny on the arm, "Johnny, if ya' would, please ask 'em if they have any diamond dust." ['I know tha' he'l ask why.']

"Why do you need diamond dust?" ['This is a first for me.']

"With tha' diamond dust and our supply o' decatanium dust I ca' make an alloy coatin' that'll make tha' intakes stronga' than they were." [' Don'tcha worry Queen, Johnny will do wha' he ca' fo' ya',']

"OK, Piper, but what about if they want a trade off?"

"Tell them tha' we ca' make even swap o' our dust fo' theirs."

"OK, I'll do what I can for you."

Then he headed for the gangway where he met up with Steele, "Why are you here?" ['Does the Captain think that I can't handle this after all?']

"I am here to make sure that there are no Imperials. They probably caused the concussion torpedoes to strike the ship. Too bad the Trillannii do not employ such a system, perhaps we can take these from the Empire."

"Good idea, Steele. We'll look into the possibility after we have dealt with the duty at hand," Johnny replied as he scanned the gangway entrance. Then seeing that there was a committee waiting, he signaled the opening of the gangway.

Steele looked over the committee, "Looks like only locals here. That means that the Imperial systems here are automated." ['No Imperial would be caught dead wearing such rags.']

The committee were all wearing patched and faded clothing of very poor quality and showed the effects of poor diet, "Greetings Rim Queen, I am Vincent Riker, Governor of this colony. Welcome to our humble abode." ['I wish that we had something better, but the Imperials have stripped us of anything of value.']

Then Johnny held out his hand, "Thank you Vincent, I am Commander John Carter: Executive Officer Officer of the Rim Queen. You may call me Johnny." ['Time to show them friendship and hope, poor devils. The Imperials will pay for this.']

Vincent gratefully shook Johnny's hand, "Thank you Johnny. It has been a long time since anybody has even tried to befriend us."

"And why is that?"

"The Imperials have turned this mining colony into prison for us unlucky ones that have earned the Imperial wrath," he sighed. ['Will they be stranded here too, or will they beat the Imperials at their game?']

Then Steele cleared his throat, Not to worry Vincent, the Queen will help you to defeat the Imperials."

Johny nodded, "Tell me, has the planet been subjected to such violent storms in the past?"

He sat upon a bench in a nearby rest stop adjoining the landing pad, "No, the storms started after the last colonist arrived a year ago, Why?" ['What could THAT possibly matter? Could they actually be able to stop the storms?']

"Well, Vincent, we were hit with concussion torpedoes that fused our intakes. If done on launching, we would have vaporised. There must be a weather control system in orbit with the torpedoes," announced Johnny.

Then Vincent stood up, "WHAT!!! YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT THE STORMS ARE FAKE?! NO WONDER THERE ARE NO IMPERIALS HERE!"

"Not to worry, as soon as the intakes are repaired, we will deal with the situation," affirmed Steele as Johnny nodded in approval.

"Do you need anything from us?"

"Well, our Chief Engineer Piper wants some diamond dust if you have any."

"You mean to tell me that Irish storm is your Engineer?"

"Yes she is, Was she a spitfire when you knew her?" asked Steele.

"Indeed she was, she was my best student at the university."

"And you were sent here because of your radical views." Johnny stated.

"Aye, and I made sure that Hunter got away from the Imperials."

"Hunter?"

"Well, she got the name because she can hunt down any problem. She rebuilt an escape pod that she equipped with a transition coil. She wanted me to escape, but I made her go, instead."

Then Jonathan clasped Vincent's shoulder in friendship, "Thank you, your sacrifice has enriched our lives. Now what about the dust?"

"I told my people to gather the barrels and deliver the dust," he replied while lifting up a mini-phone on his wrist.

Then Steele looked up from his com-unit in his hand, "Piper says that the dust has arrived and she is commencing with repairs."

"That's good,"Turning to Vincent, "That's mighty fast

"Only diamond dust can shield against the storm's lightning strikes, so I knew that you'd need it, I just now confirmed the barrels arrival."

"Are there any ships, here?" asked Johnny.

"Yes, but they can't run the blockade."

Then Hunter arrived and hugged Vincent, "Don'cha worry Vinnie, Once ma' Queen is repaired, she'll take care o' tha' blockade."

Steele cleared his throat, "Piper, is it not the Captain's choice?" he chortled.

"Tha' Cap'n gave tha' go ahead jus' now. Why else da' ya' think I came out here ta' meet ma' friend when I got a ship ta tend?"

Then Johnny looked at her hard, "Then don't you think that you should get to tending the Rim Queen?"

"Well Johnny, Techie is handling everythin' and as I understand it you ha' an idea abou' tha' torpedoes an' weather."

"We do, but we need the Queen up and running first," admonished Steele.

"Not if Vinnie here has any sky hoppers."

"Piper, you mean that you want to take on the torpedoes and weather control with a sky hopper?" asked Vincent.

"Don' be daft Vinnie, we jus' need ta' track them and find their command frequency. Then tha' Queen ca' work her magic."

"Very well then, Piper, do you have a pilot's permit?"

Aye Johnny, why ya' ask?"

"In that case, you'll take the sky hopper out!" ordered Johnny."

* * *

King_medallion.jpg


 

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