TABLE OF CONTENTS:
CHAPTER I – PIZZA PALACE
CHAPTER II – SPACECRUISER RHINOCEROS
Xalluna was a cold planet. The geography was nearly all tundras and mountains. There was a frozen ocean, amounting for a small fraction of the entire surface area of the world. The weather was harsh everywhere, except within the city. There was nothing out there in the wasteland except for some tough animals, able to exist with sparse vegetation. Species that adapted to the crushing hostility of the environment; thick-coated birds and beasts.
Ockgate was the lone capital epicenter of the entire planet, simultaneously ancient and technologically advanced. The old quarter had temples that were built centuries before to worship the original gods. A mysterious apocalypse must have happened along the way. The epoch ended, catapulting the evolution of the species on a path of long-winding reset into the future. Ruins of an advanced civilization with archaic technology were preserved. There were new gods now.
The planet had a relatively small temperate zone. Scientists couldn’t explain why. The reality of its existence was more important than the reason. A foundation had been set up there long ago and grown into a metropolis over centuries. In present time, skyscrapers and fortresses were rife and spreading, making up the majority of the city.
Xalluna was located at a crossroads between larger planets with more desireable ecosystems, attractive to travelers and good for commerce. Ockgate served as a convenient spaceport for outsiders, enabling it to slowly grow into a wealthy, state-of-the-art urban triumph.
In their long seclusion on the home planet, before space travel could reach Xalluna, or anyone could leave, the Ochot had diligently advanced in the realm of transportation, primarily a network of hyperlink tubes that ran a vein-like structure through every section of the city. A passport supplied by the government was needed in order to use it, which many civilians subscribed to. Once inside, the passenger would be swept away, riding a platform along the route at a comfortable speed, able to step out into a new sector at any exit point.
The Ochot had been under threat of attack for a long time, thus becoming resilient and vicious against overwhelming opposition. The barrier ring of defense ships above Ockgate was doing an examplary job since its implementation. A strict filtration of visitors by the guard ships rejected or captured any with illegal or ill-intentions, keeping the city in order and generally unthreatened by serious outside mischief.
Despite being native to a winter planet, the Ochot rarely wore much clothing. Within the city or the ships, the temperature was carefully moderated. It was a show of pride and strength against nature to bear skin against the elements. Traditionally, they wore only enough clothing to cover the sex organs. That was socially acceptable.
The Spacecruiser Rhinoceros hovered in orbit outside the planet. Inside the ship, Delt Kangis was in his seat, gazing at the expanse of space outside the window of his chambers. He was a lanky creature, wearing a black speedo, leather gauntlets and boots. His face was plain, nose and mouth hidden beneath a layer of wrinkled skin, with gaping red eyes.
The ship was sleek built and relatively compact, with a skeleton crew of ten. Its main purpose was facilitating an interstellar superweapon, the Axial Ordinance. The nuclear laser could wreak incredible carnage, but the microchip with the codes needed to launch it had been stolen. The bandit was thought to be the rogue known as Voltaz.
Attempts had been made by bounty hunters to kill him and recover the chip, but Voltaz had thwarted them all.
The Rhinoceros was the only Ochot vessel to be equipped with a weapon as potentially devastating as the Axial Ordinance. The government had spent considerable sums on its development and subsequent implementation into a spacecruiser. It had been tested in the past on derelict planets, wreaking nuclear havoc. There was a sole key, the microchip which contained the codes to engage the weapon. Without the chip the Axial Ordinance was useless. It couldn’t be remade, on purpose. The original creator stressed the importance of extremely restricted access, so it couldn’t be misused. No one else knew the secrets to how it worked. Now, no one did at all. The famed scientist, Dr. Klebold Kundruum, who had spent a period of his life’s work building it, passed away suddenly under dubious circumstances. Some surmised he was murdered with poison, but the official cause of death was unknown and never investigated.
Delt Kangis had risen far in the ranks of favored government agents and space captains. It had come with a good amount of hate and jealousy from his peers, who became rivals. Now he was assigned to the position of being the guardian of the most powerful weapon which couldn’t be used. That made Voltaz one of the most sought after fugitives in the universe. Informers had reported he managed to escape to earth.
Delt Kangis wasn’t a bounty hunter. He didn’t have arcane knowlege. He was a spacecruiser captain. His place was on the ship. There were other responsibilities. So he delegated.
“Halfbag” Silvertooth was on the vidscreen. Delt Kangis paced up to meet him.
“Captain Kangis, I heard you were interested in my services,” Halfbag said. He was pale. Thin, long hair like a recently deceased corpse. His eyes shone like a demon was behind them.
“Mr. Silvertooth, greetings. Your reputation preceeds you. I’m told you’re skilled in the arts of reconaissance, and a warrior of great courage and ability,” Kangis said.
Silvertooth said, “I take it there’s a job you’re interested in my services for?”
“A man by the name of Voltaz has stolen an item very precious to the Ochot government. Multiple attempts have been made to recover it. All have failed. We are prepared to pay you handsomely for the safe return of the Axial Microchip to the Rhinocerous.”
“A tempting undertaking. Who is Voltaz?” Silvertooth said.
“I won’t lie to you, Halfbag. He’s somewhat of a little weasel. Conniving, slippery, and most of all dangerous. To a frustrating degree. Not to be underestimated. He’s shown significant prowess in the arcane and he knows martial arts,” Kangis said.
“That doesn’t intimidate me,” Silvertooth said.
“You are saying what I like to hear. Superb. The target has fled to Earth. We can provide you with the necessary information to get started, that is, all we know about the situation. Upon safe return of the microchip, you will be paid. Eliminating Voltaz is not required, but recommended. The universe would be a better place without him.”
“Sounds like a worthy challenge. Send me the info and I’ll start as soon as I finish up what I’m doing, which will be soon. One last thing. I’ll need to receive half the payment now.”
“What if you fail? Then we will have wasted the money.”
“I never have before. Half now, half when I bring back the microchip. I’m not stupid enough to abandon the mission and try to disappear with the cash. I know what would happen.”
“There’s a first time for everything, Halfbag. You drive a hard bargain. I’ll have to discuss it with my superiors in Ockgate, but that can most likely be arranged.”
“Good. Then you’ve got yourself a deal. When I receive the first payment, I’ll start.”
