Tarn was looking through the window of the shuttle as he, Tobaz and three others made their way back to Zonar’s flagship, which was leading the fleet to a planet that was growing bigger.
“Didn’t we past that planet before?” asked Tobaz
“I don’t remember,” said the pilot “besides they all look the same to me.”
“Tarn?” asked Tobaz
“My cell doesn’t have a window.” replied Tarn
“I was just wondering if this planet is familiar to you.” said Tobaz
“It is not.” said Tarn.
Tarn looked around the shuttle, he wondered if he could over power the others in the shuttle and escape Zonar’s grasp. He may have been old compared to the others but he could have done it. It wouldn’t have been easy but it was possible to do. However there where the other starships in the fleet that could give him chase and then those starships had fighters, hundreds of them for each starship and to make matters worse he didn’t know where he was. Now wasn’t the time to act but it was the time to do something else.
“So why does Zonar summons me?” asked Tarn
“Remember old man it is Lord Zonar” corrected Tobaz.
“We encountered a device that has some markings of the Dicon Galactic Empire and it is broadcasting in the trade standard language on a tachyon pulse.” said Tobaz
“What is it saying?” asked Tarn
“We don’t know.” replied Tobaz
“What does the markings on the device say?” asked Tarn
“Nine” replied Tobaz, “there are more markings but that’s all it was deciphered so far.”
“Who deciphered them?” asked Tarn
“A group of fighter crews who brought it on board.” replied Tobaz
“Where was the device found?” asked Tarn
“It was in the fleet’s way after we crossed the orbital path of the third planet in this system.” said Tobaz “Kind of strange though, that third planet had a ring around it.”
“You mean like that one over there?” said Tarn while pointing to the planet that is getting bigger.”
“It does look familiar.” said Tobaz
What does Zonar, I mean Lord Zonar wants me to do with the device?” asked Tarn.
“Find out what it is saying and who it belongs to.” replied Tobaz
“Can’t your followers figure it out?” asked Tarn
“They tried to and they were unsuccessful.” said Tobaz
“They can try again.” suggested Tarn
“They can not.” said Tobaz
“Why?” asked Tarn
“Lord Zonar had them executed for their failure and incompetence in this matter, and it will be your fate too if you do not complete the assignment.” replied Tobaz.
“I will see what I can do.” said Tarn. He also noticed something else about the fleet as they were traveling to Zonar’s flagship. Some of the ships were towing others that seem dark like they were not working. He was wondering if should inquire about those ships but felt like now was not the time to ask about those ships.
Posted by Helen at November 10, 2002 9:23 PM