Alpha'

The three of them stood near Jess's landing port watching the invited

Shuttle Craft's smooth landing. The Captain stepped down with a loud

greeting. Diane introduced him as "Gerald" ~ "One of the finest,

most talented Shuttle Drivers in the business."

~ ~ ~ ~

"You heard right", Caleb barked. "Ten million will be deposited to your

personal account ~ you'll never want for anything again ~ unless you do

something foolish. Better yet, I'll give you a voucher now but you can't

redeem it till after the mission."

"Sounds good so far ~ all I have to do is report the craft down for

emergency repair?" Gerald went on, "I'll do it but I'm going with you!"

Diane nodded her approval, Caleb and Jess both agreed with a hand

shake. "Glad to have a great Shuttle Jock with us," Caleb sang out.

Gerald whined, "what happens if something goes wrong and I'm blamed

for losing the shuttle?" Caleb growled, "If anything goes wrong you'll

be dead anyway." ~ Gerald grimaced, "OH."

~ ~ ~ ~

Gerald did a beautiful job hooking up to the old, abandoned freighter.

He slid the sleek little shuttle craft right into the port. Looked like he had

done it a thousand times before.

Caleb began giving the orders in rapid fire ~ "as long as we're inside the

shuttle we are protected from this strange type of radiation that the

formations emit ~ besides ~ it takes a long time for this type of radiation

to make you sick. Our scientists have worked on it for a couple of years

now. I know something about it." Caleb excitedly declared.

Gerald was taken by the beauty of this space coral. " I can see why you

put everything at risk to mine this stuff."

~ ~ ~ ~

The little space shuttle was capable of piggy-backing the old freighter but

had very little control. They would be orbiting the Gogean Moon in less

than a day's time.

So far the trip was very pleasant ~ even fun ~ Diane performed her

favorite ~ "To Him With Love." Caleb was dazzled with her

talent.

~ ~ ~ ~

Gerald yelled, "we've got company and it doesn't look good!"

Caleb recognized the ship, it was Ephysian Defense Patrol ~ he made

contact with the ship while calling Command Headquarters. They

patched him through to the President of Ephysia. Within 2 minutes the

ship was gone. Gerald laughed nervously, "you are one powerful Dude."

~ ~ ~ ~

The Gogean Moon was pretty to look at from space ~ brilliant colors.

Gerald made contact with Gog Control ~ he requested permission to

leave the crippled freighter in orbit while they dropped their passengers

off at the Visitor's Center. The visitors were identified as Jess Morris,

Planetary Merchant, Diane West, Entertainer and William Thad,

Federation Pilot.

Jess laughed, "I ain't worried bout none of'em recognizing Caleb, If

you're Gog and close enough to see Caleb ~ you're a dead Gog." Jess

went on, "He's killed every Gog Regular that's been close enough to

recognize him."

The Shuttle touched down, A Port Shuttle Bus dropped them at customs.

The fake I D's stood the test. In a few minutes they were on their way to

the hotel. Jess gave the driver 100 Sheks and told him there was a lot

more for the one who could put him in touch with the Gog Police who

were guarding the dignitaries from Ephysia. The driver pulled over and

stopped. "Guess that would be me, How much is it worth to you?" Jess

smiled, How's a hundred thousand more sound?" The driver barked

back, "double it and I'll have him there tonight!" "Then let's do it!" Jess

fired right back.

~ ~ ~ ~

They had joining rooms ~ Diane hugged Jess's neck,"I was shocked at

how quickly you made contact!" Caleb chimed in, "Pappy doesn't fool

around, when he's on the trail, he's locked in."

~ ~ ~ ~

Just after dark, there was a loud knock at the door ~ ~ ~

Jess opened the door, there were two uniformed policemen, one stayed

outside, the other came in and introduced himself as Ben Arsafat, the

head of Gogean Security. Caleb and Diane stayed in the adjoining room

to give them complete privacy. Caleb had his pistol drawn ~ just in case.

He winked at Diane as he announced, "Never pass up the opportunity

to snuff a Gog."

Several hours passed ~ ~ ~

The door closed and Jess called them in ~ "It's a done deal." I showed

him the sample of coral ~ he went nuts when I told him I had several tons

of the stuff to trade for those two Lilies. I told him I had the freighter

booby trapped and if they tried to double cross me, She'd blow!

I think it'll be OK cause this guy really wants the gem coral." Jess

continued, "I'd like to be around when they discover the radiation factor."

Caleb laughed, "I just hope we are around."

Caleb picked up his communicator, entered a number and voiced

a series of numbers. Diane asked, "what's he doing?" Jess smiled, "he's

callin' in Big Red 3 ~ just a little insurance." Diane was astonished, "you

mean he can operate that ship with just a communicator?" Jess, "Yeah!

He programmed her before we left, all the coordinates and instructions.

That's what this mission is all about ~ the technology used in Big Red 3

is worth a fortune. You know if the economy ever gets right again ~ We'll

have a fleet of those Bad Bertha's."

~ ~ ~ ~

Gerald had been in orbit ~ waiting ~ he touched down within the hour ~

They boarded the shuttle and as soon as they were back in orbit Caleb

explained to Gerald that they were going to intercept Big Red 3 in inter

planetary space. "who's flying her?' Gerald asked. Caleb grinned, "Me!"

Gerald shook his head, "Man! I've got a lot to learn, what a ship! You're

doing it all remote?" Caleb's pride was showing, "Yep, just like a trained

pig." Gerald asked, "mind if I ask why you're bringing your ship in?"

Caleb replied, "just a little insurance."

Here's the plan ~ ~ ~

"You drop Diane and me at Big Red 3, You and Jess make the trade

and I'll be laying low and ready if there's trouble or a double cross."

This is important for our entire planetary complex. Once I know where

those two Political Hacks are ~ and lock on them ~ I'll feel a lot better.

Oh, by the way, dead or alive is their status. I really don't care, they both

are enemy sympathizers." Jess explained, "Gerald, if you recall, they

were the two who were responsible for Spiritual Communication being

taken out of our school system. They serve Mesmerizer and our

ignorant people keep putting them in office because they keep promising

better benefits. Caleb and I agree that they are the enemy of our society

and they are as dangerous as the Gog Regulars."

~ ~ ~ ~

"There she is, your trained pig awaits you," Gerald smiled ~ ~ ~

Big Red 3 never looked better! Caleb loved his ship and didn't care

who knew it ~ ~ ~

Caleb had instructed Diane ~ she was ready for the spacewalk to Big Red.

Caleb gave the orders ~ He and Diane would wait out here in space ~

Gerald and Jess would make the trade at the old freighter. During the

entire transaction the mic's would be on and transmitting. Caleb would

monitor the transaction. At the first sign of trouble Gerald and Jess

were to put as much distance as possible between them and the enemy

ship because Caleb and Big Red 3 were going to dust them (Once they were

sure that the two captives were on board). It made no difference that they

would lose the coral ~ too much at stake here ~ Kill or save those two ~

Nothing short of that was acceptable. Caleb just hoped that the Federal

Bureau of Gog hadn't already learned too much.

~ ~ ~ ~