CHAPTER TWO

“Where are those figure you promised?” Charlie O’ Brian shouted as he slammed open the door to the small office where Wally was sitting at a small desk. He was used to Charlie’s rude entrances, so, without looking up, he made his reply.

“The saying of ‘Trying to find a needle in a haystack’, would be childs play, compared to this.”

Charlies face turned beet red.

“If you do not get me what I asked for, you will be childless. As a matter of fact, you will be childless, wifeless…and lifeless!”

“Threats are not going to make getting a lock on this phenomenon happen any quicker,” Wally responded in a calm voice.

“It is not a threat, my friend, it is a promise! Get me what I asked for or you will suffer the consequences!” Charlie shouted and left the office, slamming the door behind him.

Charlie now stomped into the large factory floor that was adjacent to Wally’s office. The floor was a flurry of activity.

“Larry, what is our status?” Charlie barked.

Larry, a very well-rounded man, put down his tablet, gave a few brief instructions to one of his foremen, and did an almost “duck waddle” walk over to Charlie.

“Mr. O’Brian, all of the T2T filters Are online. The satellite panels are in the final wiring stages, the control station will be completed by time the satellite panels are completed.”

Larry went on explaining a few other minor details because he had learned that Mr. O’Brian was not a short answer kind of guy. When he finished his report, Larry waited for a response. When there was none, and Charlie simply walked away, Larry took that as a good sign, and he “waddled” back over to pick up his tablet and return to work.

Charlie entered a large glass elevator,

“Master room,” Charlie stated, and the elevator began its accent.

When it stopped, the door opened into an office space that was nearly as big as the factory floor. Among other things found in this room was a collection of computers and other calculating devices from throughout the centuries. Directly across from the elevator, was a wall sized computer-generated projection screen.

Standing in front of this screen was a group of uniformed humanoid persons. These were the ones that had the responsibility of disguising and fly this highly advanced ship. Up till now everyone that Charlie had spoken to was of the Renaud species. An intelligent humanoid species from the Edgren system Renaud’s are well known as a “species for hire” and have no problem taking orders from anyone…for a price. Wally was the only one on board, that was forced against his will to take this job.

Only taking one step out of the elevator Charlie cleared his throat. The Captain and first mate turned towards him and did a respectful nod.

“Captain, I expect every to be on high alert. As soon as that little worm has the frequency of the type of energy, he is using this time, we will need to pounce on it.” Charlie stated, then stepped back into the elevator.

“Ma’am, should you not have informed him of our concern?” The first mate asked the Captain.

“And risk getting vaporized without having all the facts? No, our concerns, are not his concerns, until we are sure!”

“Yes Ma’am,” the first mate responded and returned to her duties.

The Captain, as well as all her officers were Sempre. This species was famous for its flying and navigation skills. They were also incredible ship designers and builders. This ship, “The Truth Seeker,” was its most advanced build to date.

Charlie took the elevator to the observation deck. Here Charlie looked out into the black void of space. Charlie O’Brian was a “Gatherer”. One of the most successful ones in the history of Glorython, a wealthy planet in the fantasa, system. Glorython is home to several different species. Charlie’s species of Banddon, a humanoid species is a minority species, and although one of the smartest, it is also used the least amount of violence to make its gathers, therefore by nature the Banddon tend to stay to themselves. Charlie is not, a typical Banddon, however he still did appreciate some time to be alone with his thoughts. Most of the time when he was in that kind of mood, the observation room was where he would retreat to.

He was just beginning to relax when he received a call from the Captain.

“Yes, what do you want? This better be important!” Charlie growled.

“Yes, indeed it is sir, or otherwise I would not have disturbed you,” the Captain replied.

“Well?”

“I do believe this is something you would want to view in person,” the Captain stated.

“Very well, but I warn you this better be good.”

Charlie finished a glass of Notch, then took the elevator to the Master room. He was greeted there by the Captain, the first mate and Wally.

 “I think it would be better if we discuss this in my staffing room,” the Captain suggested.

Reluctantly, Charlie followed the group into the staffing room.

Wally started the conversation.

“It appears we were given a bunch of mis-information on which I was basing all my calculations.”

Charlie’s face nearly exploded.

“EXPLAIN!” He shouted in a nuclear tone.

The Captain gave the first mate permission to speak. Rita, the first mat turn her screen to where all could see.

“Based on all the information provided to us by the informant, we have had our ship positioned the best position to intercept any and of anomalies that pass between the unknown region and earth.”

“Get to the point!” Charlie growled.

“Getting desperate for answers I started a logic T.U.G. program and found that we are not anywhere close to where we need to be to get a detection signal located.”

“A T.U.G. program? You have to be kidding.” Charlie said with a laugh.

“I think you will change your mind when you see this.”

Wally showed him a series of screen shots.

Charlie looked at the screen, then slammed his fist down on the table.

“What are our options?” Charlie said looking at the Captain.

“The ships computations concur with Wally’s. We need to adjust our position to bring us closer to Earth’s orbit,” The Captain recommended.

Charlie let out another growl and pounded twice on the Captain’s desk.

“Do it!” He said in a low tone, but then glared at Wally.

“You had better be right about this or more than just you and your family will suffer for this.”

Charlie turned to leave, but then turned back around.

“Captain, I would feel much better if you would please send Mr. Hawkins a large gift for selling me the wrong information. Better yet make it three large gifts, ones that will explode between each of his sets of eyes.”

After Charlie left the room, The Captain and first mate laid in the course that the ships computer and Wally had come up with.

“You know being that close to Earth, our cloaking shields are going to be pushed to the max if we have to stay there for any length of time.” Rita told Wally.

“If I don’t get Charlie what he is looking for soon after we are in position, I will be burned up, long before your shields,” he replied and left to go back down to his office.

The Captain looked at Rita.

“Contact Gordan and tell him that Mr. O’Brian would like to send his informant a “special thank you.’ She should be able to make that happen for us.”

Rita shuttered, but carry out the orders.

It would take Wally a minimum of six hours to recalculate his equipment. He was right in the middle of all that when Rita knocked on his door.

“I am extremely busy! He shouted.

Rita stepped inside and shut the door.

“I just wanted you to know that I adjusted our location to what you suggested, and this should greatly increase the chances for you to find what you are looking for.”

“Great, the odds just increased by .00002 percent.” Wally mumbled.

“You’re welcome!” Rita snorted and left slamming the door.

Charlie was also extremely busy. He had been carefully monitoring the message boards to see if his “present had arrived and disposed of his slime of an informant. When he saw the news come across that it had been carried out, he turned his attention to other matters.

“Well Mr. Chambers, it appears that we will finally have the show down that I have been planning for. We will see if your so-called magic will hold up against mine.”

Charlie wheeled around in his chair to pull up several computer screens all at once.

“Yes, my old friend, this has been a long time in coming. It will take more than a few “legendary heroes” to defeat what I have in store for you.”

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