Sacrifice

Chapter Ten

“Excuse me for interrupting, but my husband and I were assured that your company was the best in the field and that we could expect a fair deal.  Are you saying that we traveled all the way here to buy a nice interstellar spacecraft for our daughter and you won’t even let us come out and see what you have?” Maureen said to the warty-skinned blue alien staring at her on the communications screen.  Even though her voice seemed to drip honey, John could easily detect a cold edge.  He knew from the demeanor of the salesman that the alien could, too.  “I just suppose that we’ll have to go look at what Stellar Shipyards has to offer,” Maureen added. 

“Wait a minute, please.”  The Blandorian appeared a bit panic stricken, looking off screen and then turning back to Maureen.  John didn’t know if these aliens could sweat, but this one appeared ready to.  “Perhaps we can make an exception in this case, Mrs. Robinson.  It shouldn’t hurt for you and your husband to come by this afternoon, say about 1300?” the salesman asked in a low, gravely voice.  

“Why, how nice of you, Salesman Gevron.  That will be wonderful,” Maureen said brightly.  She leaned over and cut the connection.   John just stared at her for a moment, before he fully realized the implication of what she had just said.  She saw the look on his face.  “John, they are expecting the nur-Vandir to try and destroy the ships, but they aren’t expecting a humanoid husband and his wife to do that.  I know you didn’t want any of us to be involved, but sometimes that can’t be helped.” 

John looked down at the console and frowned before looking back up at her. “Well, as much as it galls me to admit it, you got further with them than I did,” he said.  “But I hate to think of you there when I blow those ships.  I realize the nur-Vandir have a Blandorian agent there, but it will still be dangerous.”  

“John, I have been doing a bit of thinking as well.  If we both were able to plant those devices, it would only take half as long and we would both be out sooner,” Maureen reasoned.  John looked a bit dubious, but said nothing.  

“John, I would feel better if you let me come along, too,” Don said. 

“No, on that I’m adamant.  I want you here to protect the rest of the family,” John insisted.  “And please remember, if someone you don’t know asks to come aboard, don’t let them.  I don’t care if they claim to be nur-Vandir or not to be Vandir at all.”  John turned to look at them all.  “Do you understand that, Smith?”

“Of course, Professor.  What do you take me for?” he asked, sounding insulted.

Don snickered.  John had a ready retort, but chose not to give it.  

At the appointed time, John called for a transport vehicle to take them to the shipyard.  Nervous, he paced the area in front of the ramp, glowering up at the sun periodically.  Maureen stood on the ramp, watching him, feeling for him.  “John, wait here with me in the shade.  And stop being so nervous, everything will be fine.  We’ll do what we have set out to do, and the Blandorian agent will do what he’s supposed to do and we’ll all be back here by nightfall,” she reassured him.

Taking in a deep breath, John sighed and looked up at his wife.  He wasn’t going to tell her about all the times when things hadn’t worked out smoothly.  Walking back to her, he put his arm around her waist and drew her close.  “I just don’t want anything happening to you, darling.”  He drew in air to simulate breathing as Dreel had taught him.  It still seemed strange to have to consciously breathe. 

As the transport drew up to the ramp, John opened the door for Maureen, but before he could get in after her, Judy whisked past him.  She slid in next to her mother with a bright smile on her face and a satchel in her hand.  “I just can’t wait to see the ships.  You are so sweet to get one for Don and I,” she warbled.  The driver looked back at Judy, looked at John and then turned back toward the front.

“Judy, this was supposed to be a surprise,” was the only thing he could think of to say as he tried to regain his composure. 

Judy just smiled sweetly and patted the seat next to her.  “You know you can’t keep secrets on a ship as small as the Jupiter II, Dad.” 

John felt no other recourse except to get in next to her.  He was wondering who was in charge of this operation.  It seemed to be spiraling out of anyone’s control, especially his own.  He also wondered what was on Judy’s mind.  Reaching over he touched her arm.  “Yes, I know,” he said meaningfully, hoping she would understand his hidden message.  Her eyes locked onto his and he saw resolve in them as well as fear and something else that he couldn’t quite figure out.  Drawing in breath for a sigh of resignation, he pulled his hand back and watched the landscape roll by as he thought of the possible ramifications of his wife and his daughter in harm’s way.  “Is Don aware of our little secret as well?” he asked meaningfully.

“Oh, I left a message for Will to give him.  He’ll be so surprised,” she said with a smile.

“I bet,” John said tersely. 

When they arrived, Gevron met them.  He hesitated slightly as he saw three individuals getting out of the transport instead of the two he had been expecting.  “I thought there would only be the two of you, Professor Robinson,” the Blandorian said.

“This is my daughter, Judy.  She found out about our ‘little surprise’ and came along to help us make our selection,” John explained.  The alien looked visibly relieved and invited them into his office. 

“I would really prefer to see what you have available on the show room floor.  We’re on a timetable for the wedding and must be elsewhere in a week.  So we only have this afternoon to make our selection and finalize the deal,” John explained.  “I’m sorry for the rush, but it couldn’t be helped.”  He fingered the pouch of gemstones that Dreel had provided him.  Unconsciously, his left hand reached toward his pocket, but he stopped himself.  That pocket contained the explosives, explosives that were exact duplicates of the real gems.  John kept expecting an alarm to sound, a hand to grab him by the shoulder, someone to say something to him.  It seemed too much to believe that these miniscule objects in his left pocket could be so well disguised as to remain undetected.  At the very least, they made him as nervous as a cat. 

He glanced over at Maureen.  She favored him with a reassuring smile then pulled him toward her, kissing him briefly.   “Settle down, dear.  No father ever died from marrying off his oldest child,” she murmured cryptically, kissing him again.  Her eyes showed calm and resolve, and trust.  Despite the anxiety he had about this mission, fears for her and Judy’s safety, he felt himself settling down.      

“That is quite all right.  Shall we look at the ships?” Gevron asked, bringing him back to the present. 

For an hour the trio looked through various ships from two person scout ships to luxurious space yachts.  John had to admit that Judy played the part well.  She oohed and aahed in each ship, but she also asked questions that eliminated every one they looked at.  Getting a hint of what she was doing, John queried the salesman.  “Do you have something that has a bit more weaponry?  Where we are going isn’t exactly the safest place in the galaxy, and I want my family protected.”

Gevron looked at him steadily for a moment and then turned toward yet another hangar.  “Where is it you are going, Professor?” 

“Earth,” John ventured, hoping his home planet was as unknown to the Blandorians as it seemed to be to most of the other races they had met recently. 

“Never heard of it.  It’s that dangerous?” 

“Can be,” he said glibly.

“Oh, Daddy, look.  Those look so secure, so sleek and fast.  Don would love something like that,” Judy gushed, pointing at a row of very efficient-looking space ships.  In size, they appeared to be a little larger than the Jupiter II.  “Mr. Gevron, may we look on board one of those ships?”

“Those are already sold,” the Blandorian said quickly.  His bluish-hued skin turned a slightly lighter shade, which told John they had found the right ships.  

“But if it’s what we’re looking for, we can pay you the full price in advance to build one like them.  Plus, I’d add a comfortable commission and the shipping fee before we leave today,” John added, pulling out one of the explosive devices.  Its faceted surface sparkled and shimmered in the artificial light, bringing out a fiery red luster that was almost blinding when held a certain way.  And John held it in such a way that the reddish glow shined directly into the Blandorian’s eyes.  “We brought extra Trillarian gemstones just for that purpose,” John said, sweetening the pot.  Gevron peered at the jewel closely, then back at the ship for a few minutes.  With a small shake of his head, he took the bait and proceeded to lead them on board one of the ships.  Carefully John replaced the device and winked at Maureen.  

Showing keen interest in every part of the ship they were shown, all three of them asked questions and made exclamations of admiration.  While they were looking around, John slipped several of the devices into Maureen’s hand.  “Salesman Gevron, are all of these ships the same design?  They appear to be from the outside.”

“Yes, they are all identical.  If you like this one, there is no need to look at the others,” the alien told him. 

John nodded and went on with his inspection.  Within minutes, he had his devices planted.  Looking at Maureen, he saw her nod imperceptibly.  “I’m satisfied.  Are you sure, Judy?” he asked, his voice inflecting slightly so that she would know that he wanted her affirmation. 

“Oh, yes.  It’s perfect.  And Don will just adore it,” she said, picking up his cue.           

“Well, let’s go to my office, then,” Gevron warbled.  As they were walking down the ramp, a Vandir walked up.  He didn’t look pleased.  There was something about him that told John that this was a Vandir-ent. 

“Salesman, what business do you have showing my ship to others?” the vampire hissed, staring at the Robinsons before turning back to the Blandorian.  His stare lingered on John for a moment longer than it had the others, and he finally turned away with a slightly puzzled look on his face.

“They are contracting with us to have an identical ship built for them,” Gevron said hastily. 

“Well, they can wait.  I have need of your services,” the Vandir-ent said tersely.  Gevron looked around helplessly and then his eyes lit on another Blandorian salesman.  “Giroll, please start a prepaid order contract for these fine folks, while I help Commander Mortan.”  The other salesman motioned for them to follow him. 

When they were alone, Giroll leaned toward John and said softly.  “Marriage is a fine thing.”

“Yes, but very hard on the pocketbook,” John countered, relieved to have finally found his Blandorian contact.  “Thanks for coming to our rescue.  But where have you been.”

“I had to deal with a Vandir-ent buyer and couldn’t get to you sooner.  The explosives are set?” the alien asked. 

“Yes, let’s go into an office for a few minutes before we leave.  If anyone is watching, we will at least give the impression of consummating a deal,” John said softly. 

In the office, Giroll looked at them steadily.  “It is secure in here,” he said hastily and then added.  “I was told that I would be helping just you, Professor Robinson.”  

“I wouldn’t have been able to get near the ships if my wife and daughter hadn’t come with me,” he said.  “But personally I would have preferred to come alone.”

“I will lay a sales contract here.  It already has the basic information on it.  I will leave my signature seal with it, which hopefully should throw off anyone looking for you, at least for a moment or two, should the explosives not work,” Giroll said.  “But, knowing the thoroughness of the coalition, I do not think that is something we need to worry about.  Come.  I doubt there is much time left before the explosion.”

The small group quickly made their way through the facility, encountering no one until they reached the transport hangar.  John almost groaned when he saw two Vandir-ent standing near a vehicle.  “Excuse me, but you are blocking the doorway of our transport,” he said smoothly, hoping to get Judy and Maureen out safely, without incident.  In his heart, he knew that was not likely. 

“No, nur-Vandir, we were waiting for you and your kin.  We were told there was a nur-Vandir changeling looking at the ships, so we know you are working for the Vandir government, spying on our activities.  You will never leave here,” one of the vampires hissed.  And then they charged.  John pushed Maureen and Judy out of the way as the foremost vampire closed on him. 

John threw a punch to his foe’s midsection that sent him to the ground.  Pivoting, he saw Maureen struggling with the second Vandir-ent, who suddenly hit her savagely, causing her to fall limp in his arms.  Fear, anger and loathing fought for ascendancy.  Anger, followed closely by fear for his wife, won, and with a sudden cry, John leaped for the vampire, catching him by surprise.  Dropping Maureen, the Vandir tried to get a grip on his throat, but John’s arms caught his opponent in a half Nelson.  He threw himself toward the alien, smashing him against the vehicle, all the while tightening his hold on the Vandir-ent’s neck and head. A loud snap finally ended the fight and John let the body fall to the ground. 

The Vandir-ent’s cold, vicious eyes stared at him.  “You will not win, nur-Vandir.”  It was disconcerting seeing the Vandir still conscious and talking, but John realized that for the moment, that was all the alien could do, not having control of the rest of his body.  Turning quickly, John saw the other Vandir-ent on the ground, a slender rod-like metal stake protruding from his chest.  Before he could say anything, Gilroll pointed a pistol and shot a stake into the injured Vandir’s heart.

John shuddered as he turned to Maureen.  Judy was already at her mother’s side. She started at his touch, swinging her arm around, a knife clutched in her hand.  She relaxed slightly and put it in her satchel.  “Sorry, Dad.  I wasn’t sure who it was,” she said, turning back to her mother. 

Suddenly the floor shook, a loud booming noise roared down the hall and the lights flickered and then went out.  By touch, John examined Maureen.  Her heart was beating steadily, but the lump above her ear testified to a possible concussion. 

“Professor, I think we should get out of here.”  Using a small flashlight, Giroll examined the transport.  “It is as I feared.  With the explosion, it’s controls locked down.  I can only leave in my personal transport.”  Looking up, he appeared solemn.  “And it will only hold one passenger.”

“Take my wife back to the spaceport.  Would my daughter be able to squeeze in with you?” John asked desperately as he followed Giroll, his unconscious wife in his arms. 

“No, I’m afraid that you and your daughter must flee on foot toward the Trenthil Mountains,” he said pointing vaguely to the north. “I can send help to pick you up after dark,” the Blandorian explained.  As John loaded Maureen into the passenger side of the mini-transport, Giroll looked up at him in alarm.  “You are nur-Vandir.  There are still several hours of sunlight left.  I don’t know what to do, Professor.”

“You will take my wife to my ship as I have instructed, Giroll.  I will do the best I can,” John told him.  “Let’s get out of here,” he told Judy.

End chapter 10