Star Raiders and the Lost Expidition (7 page)

The guards came in, unhooked Xman, and took him back into the prison center deep inside the ship.

Moments later in another part of the galaxy, the
Golden Condor
finally landed on Cian after waiting hours for clearance. They found a landing pad in the city of Phlan. Phlan was small city, about ten thousand inhabitance work and play here. Mike remembered when he was kid, playing Spaceball with Justin in the same streets. He missed those times, but now the streets were cover with soldiers of all kinds.

Mike and Justin found out where Digan was working from one of the fighter pilots. They entered a very tall spiraling like building to find their old friend Digan. They arrived on the 10th floor and walked down the hall to the offices of the Colonial Personnel Dept. Digan was a humanoid from the planet Cian. Like most humanoids, Digan did posses a unique gift, the power to see in dark places, not as if he was nocturnal, he still can see well in the daylight. He was older than the Mike or Justin about ten years older. They knew that he colonials redrafted Digan as a paper pusher about a month ago while he was managing his bar back on Sadr. Before that, he was best space pilot during the assault on Earth until he crashed landed his ship on a nearby station breaking his leg and several rib bones. He then considered himself retired.

“
Hey Digan,” Mike said entering his little office, “What’s happening?”

Digan looked up and smiled as he recognized his old friends. “Hey, Mike Justin, long time,” He replied as he got up. He shook both of their hands and sat back behind his desk, “What can I do for you my old friends.”

“
Listen we need a job that will pay fifty thousand Galatical dollars and fast.” Mike replied as he and Justin sat down across from Digan.

“
Fifty thousand?” Digan laughed thinking that was joke, “Jeez, you got to knock over a bank for that kind of money.”

“
Yeah we know that, but I got pay off a couple debts.” Mike replied.

Digan then said, “Mama’Halb eh,” Mike nodded, “Listen, things here are a bit tight with the war and all. I can’t promise you any big jobs like I did back in the day. I’ve been up to my armpits with this trade route problem the Colonials have, so don’t expect anything anytime soon. So here my suggestion, you guys just hang around here, and if something comes up I'll give you a call all right? You still got that old
Condor
ship of yours?” They nodded sadly. “Good. Hey, don't worry something bound to come up. Just hang in there.”

“
Thanks buddy,” said Mike.

Digan smiled and replied, “No problem. Now if you excuse me I gotta get back to work.”

Digan felt sorry for them and wished that he could give them the money now. He knows how Mama’Halb can be when she doesn’t get what she wanted. Digan greeted them out and he went back to his work. Mike and Justin sighed, not knowing what to do. They knew it would not be any time soon that Mama’Halb would find them with another bounty hunter on their scent, and they could not stay there too long. What they needed was a miracle.

Meanwhile in another area, Tygla was waiting in line wearing cargo pants an old T-shirt and a brown leather jacket. She did not want anyone to know who she was, as it might prove dangerous. Unfortunately, Tygla had everyone staring at her immense beauty, but that day she was not looking for a mate. She was angry at the war that was going on and even worse, somebody reported that her brother has been missing in action. She had nowhere else to turn too. She hoped that the Colonials could give her some answers or better yet, some help to find him. The man behind the desk called to her and explained her story to him. The clerk did not seem interested though.

“
Listen,” she exclaimed, “My brother has been kidnapped by the Empire and all you can say is that you can’t do a damn thing about it?”

“
I’m sorry, but we don't have any solders to spare with the war going on,” the clerk replied, “My best bet for you young lady is to hire a bounty hunter or something. Next.”

She growled at the clerk touchily, “Do you know who you are talking to?”

The clerk look at her, “Yes an irritating cat, now please, I have other customers to tend to. Next!”

She did not want to deal with the low paying clerk as she might tear him a new mouth. She just stormed out of there trying to hold back her tears and anger. She then looked at Mike and Justin, and wondered if they were someone she might use.

“
So what do we do know? We need money and fast,” said Justin informed his friend.

Just then Mike was tapped from behind they turned around and it was the Felinis. Mike mouth dropped to as he thought he died and went to heaven as he laid his eyes on her slim athletic body. She had short orange wavy hair that burned with passion, and her dark brownish stripes wrapping around her exposed body. Mike immediately fell for this striking creature.

“
Excuse me,” she said in a calm voice, “I couldn’t help over hearing, but uh, my name is Tygla and I heard you need a job?”

“
Y-yeah,” Mike replied admiring her lovely yellow cat eyes, “You got one for us?”

“
Well yes,” she said politely, “How much you need?”

“
About fifty thousand,” Justin replied.

Tygla then said, “Fifty thousand? Well, that should not be a problem.”

“
Great,” Mike said as he and his friend smiled. He did not believe it. Some miracle he thought. “My name’s Mike Tippin and this is my friend Justin Jobbs.”

“
Hi,” Justin said friendly.

Mike continued, “So, what’s the job?”

“
A rescue operation,” she replied, “My brother Xman has been kidnapped by the Empire and I need you to help me get him back.”

“
Whoa, hold it sister,” Mike said stopping her with his hands, “The Empire is way out of our league. The last thing we need is entanglements with the Xatu. Couldn’t the Colonial army help you?”

“
No,” Tygla replied sadly, “They said that their militia was low and could not spare anyone.”

Mike felt sorry for her. Something inside him told him that this was woman was unusual. After he dumped Julia, he vowed not to be taken by another woman again, but he thought that Tygla could be different. He looked upon her sad face and frowned a bit, but then this could be another deception. He glanced to his friend and he knew as well as Justin knew that they need the money badly, but go against the Empire, he would not take the risk with his friend. He had heard stories from Digan about the Empire, kidnapping humans and turning them to mindless slaves.

He thought his feelings over and finally said, “Look, I’m sorry, but the Empire isn’t our thing. We could get killed. If your brother was kidnapped by a greedy Slugton maybe you got a shot.”

“
Mike,” Justin said, “Can I speak with you for a minute?” Justin pulling his ear brining him to a conclusive spot where they can speak to each other, “What the hell are you doing? We can pay off Mama’Halb for this one job and you said yourself that in this business there’s going to be life threatening risks and great rewards, well fifty thousand is a great reward, and facing the Empire for that money? Heck, I’ll do it.”

“
I know, I know,” Mike replied, “Look,” he paused for a minute glancing over to Tygla. She was thinking that this was going nowhere and frowned even more. He did not like her frowning and could sense that she was about to cry. Mike then said, “Alright let’s do it.”

They turned back to Tygla and Mike said, “Ok we’ve discussed it and we’ll take the job.”

“
Great,” she said gracefully, “Thank you very much.”

“
No problem,” Mike smiled.

Tygla smiled back to him, “I have to get my stuff and tell you everything what happened. Oh by the way, where should I meet you?”

“
Port 23,” Mike replied.

Tygla said, “Thanks again.” She shook their hands and a glimpse of hope rekindled in her heart.

“
Again, no problem, oh except for one thing,” Mike said, “You will be paying us in full after the job, right?”

“
Of course,” she replied, “Why wouldn’t I?”

“
Well, we had a lot of cheating clients in the past,” Mike replied looking in her eyes again, “But I think we can trust you.”

Tygla smiled, turned and left to get her things while Mike examined her slim attractive body. He was hypnotized the way her long tail slithered like a snake. He did not know if he was still alive or died and went to heaven. Was Mike in love with this beautiful creature?

“
Don’t even think about it,” Justin said breaking Mike’s thought as he was looking to his friend then to Tygla, “She a Felinis.”

“
So?” Mike questioned.

Justin replied, “Do you know what Felinis do to humans when they fall in love with them? I heard stories that they kill them in their sleep.”

Mike retorted turning to him. “Na, that just an old wives tale, come on, she can be all that bad.”

“
You’re walking on thin ice Mike,” Justin warned.

“
Now you can’t tell me that she didn’t turn you on?” Justin just looked at him as Mike sighed in defeat of the argument “Let’s get back to the ship.”

Justin was a bit concerned with his friend. He knew Tygla was beautiful, even if she was human, she still could be dangerous.

Chapter 3

Promise for a Tyger

Standing in the transmission room on the
Hades
, Drax and Hiss, Drax’s Jungle green-scaled snake Serpian stood before a giant seventy-two inch screen that showed a live video feed of King Rymu.

“
You know I have your son,” Drax stated, “Now know this, the people of Felinis will work for the Xatu Empire in the mines of Jupiter or your son will share the same fate as your wife.”

Rymu was furious and replied, “You will release him immediately you traitor!”

“
Now, now your majesty, you are lucky that I haven’t kidnapped your daughter, but that could be a matter of time. So I wouldn’t make that same mistake twice.” Drax saw Rymu sighed in defeat.

Rymu knew he was right, but he did not want to answer too harshly as he knew that there had to be another way. He closed his eyes remembering why he had become king. He had the people to protect, even if it meant to sacrifice his own son. Besides, he knew his son is more resourceful, his only hope was that Xman could escape that ship on his own.

He opened his eyes to meet Drax’s and replied, “No. My people will fight for their freedom. And as for my son, you better pray that he does not break free from your grasp Drax.”

Drax frowned at that answer.

“
A pity, you will soon learn the fate of those who do not cooperate with the Xatu Empire.” Drax said as he switched the vidcom off. He turned to Hiss and commanded, “Bring Xman to me.”

“
Yesss my lord right away,” Hiss replies as his slithered out the door.

Hiss has become very obeying to Drax and the empire during his service with them. His race was easily persuasive to join the Xatu as the Serpitans loved power and money. Hiss however, wanted to follow Drax in hoping he too could once lead an entire Xatu fleet to victory.

Moments later Hiss and a few guards brought Xman back in Drax’s office once more. Drax smiled upon him as Xman looked up to Drax’s red eyes in disgust.

“
Congratulations, you father decided to have me terminate your life,” Drax started. Xman’s eyes surprisingly widened. “It seems that he does not care for you anymore.”

“
My father would rather save my people than have you control them,” Xman said proudly.

“
Well I am not a barbaric man Xman,” Drax said, “so I will give you a fighting chance. Do you remember what you did to me on Jorda two years ago?”

Just then, his mind created a vision. Jorda was a fueling station in the Hyder System. Xman remembered that his father assigned him there by to guard it, but the Empire invaded the planet. Xman then knew what has happened next.

“
Yeah I remember,” Xman replied, “I also remembered that you invaded that planet.”

Then Drax said, “Isn’t it interesting, I was a corporal and you were a captain. Well, it looks like the tides have turned around. Now I am the higher rank officer. Funny, that vat of chemicals you threw me in gave a new lease on life.” He held up his hand and suddenly it morphed into a sharp wielding weapon. Xman’s eyes widened in astonishment then to resentment. “Now, with this new power I have, I can do much about anything, including terminating you. Maybe you can tell me if you remember why we attacked that chemical plant in the first place.” Xman looked at him, confused. Drax smiled back at him and reminded him, “My primary orders were to locate information about a great energy source that was rumored to be somewhere in this galaxy. We had information that someone there knew of this. Perhaps you?”