PART ONE

In which three boys meet the girl of their dreams

All one could see of Fezyr Sphenglys were his big booted feet sticking out from under the land speeder he was working on. Occasionally a dirty, long-fingered hand would snake out and grab the appropriate tool from a mat placed next to where he was working. Fez was employed by Owali Knutz, an Aybaali civilian, who had worked years to get a business set up on Starstation SahnDahl.  Knutz was a good boss with a real soft spot for Fezyr, even though the kid was a bit of a trouble magnet. He was a top mechanic; it was in his Dyzaali DNA. They say a Dyzaali infant teethes on engine components. What this kid could do to an engine was beyond explanation. Even the Federation shop borrowed him occasionally and many times, all unsuccessful, tried to get him to sign up to academy.

Fez wasn’t having it. He wasn’t interested in the OmniGalactic Federation or in the life-style of being a Feddie, as he called them.  He bore the establishment no ill will, mind you. Fact was, quite a few of his close friends were Feddies. But he was too unpredictable, short-fused and free spirited to settle into being ‘owned’ by the military. No, eighteen-year-old Fez had his own plans. One day he was going to own some kind of ship and he was going to head for the wild black yonder. His heart was out in the stars, he just had to get the rest of himself out there as well.

He’d run away from home when he was twelve, right after his father’s death in a shoot-out. His mother long gone and no one left to care for him, he decided to care for himself and stowed away on a deep-space bound freighter. When he’d been discovered by the then Ship’s Second, instead of being dropped off at the nearest port, he was kept on and given work to pay for his passage.

The Second was one Culam Nere, who took a shine to this kid with his longing for space. Fezyr worked for them five years and learned quite a bit about piloting from Culam.

When they’d put into SahnDahl Starstation Culam left the freighter and went home to check on his little brother, Pockets. He took Fez along with thoughts to invest in his own ship and have the kid as part of his crew.  But things got in the way, money got frittered and that hadn’t happened yet. So Fezyr – loathe to return to Dyzaal and its pollution – got a job working as a mechanic in Knutz’s garage. Even though he was station bound, he did like the work. But it was only a means to an end.

He reached out for the micro welder and found his hand on a boot. “Whozat?”

“It’s me Fez,” Loxlie Volo said. “Come out from under there for a minute.”

Fez rolled out from under the speeder and looked up at his fellow Dyzaali. “Man, is this your weekly attempt to get me to go to academy? Cuz the answer’s still no. Hey, Marz. Phiz.”

Marz Struther, who’d accompanied Loxlie, held a finger up in greeting. Phizbyn, Marz’s knee high Froglodyte nodded. “Bez,” he said in his own manner. Froglodytes don’t have lips.

Fez stood up, towering over Volo and most certainly over the smaller Struther.

“No. I got some news for you,” Loxlie said. “Come with us.”

“Oli! Can I have five?”

“Sure. Go get something to eat, Kid. Take 30.” Owali called from the back.

“Hey, Okay!” Fez said. “Bonus!”

“Come on,” Loxlie said, “We’ll take you over to the Nose Dive and buy you lunch.”

“I thought only Fed pilots could go in there, I’m just a lowly civvy,” Fez said with a grin, wiping the grease off his hands.

“We can bring a date,” Lox laughed.

“OOooooo!” Fez said batting his dark lashes at his friend.

“Come on,” Volo said, “before I change my mind, ya jerk.”

*   *   *   *   *

Seated at a table near a window that overlooked the civilian docking bays, the three young men enjoyed their lunch. Fez’s urdaburger was gone in a blur, now he casually munched on his side of fried tangi roots and took the occasional sip of his large mongoberry shake.

“Did you even taste that?” Marz asked, amused.

Fez nodded, “I like the taste right enough, but I don’t like the wigglin’ urda. So I eat it fast.” His gaze finally left his plate and scanned out the window. That’s when he saw…her.

Loxlie and Marz looked at each other and shared a secret smile. “Whatcha looking at?” Lox asked.

“That beat up demi out there, what’s her story?”

“I heard some guy from another system bought her years ago and ran her into the ground. Now he’s brought her back to sell for scrap.” Loxlie explained. “The Admiral wants her moved. She’s been docked there for a week. Total eyesore.”

“Why don’t he just get rid of it?”  Fez asked.

“I think it’s a cash flow situation,” Loxlie said.

“I heard he’s getting up a game tonight to see if he can win enough to have her towed and demoed,” Marz told him.

“Huhn. She’s one a’those mini freighters you can only get on Bastaan,” Fez mused. “Late model.”

“Uh huh,” Loxlie said.

“Wish I could see inside her.” Fez hadn’t taken his eyes off the ship since he first saw her.

“Well, I happen to know Cagon Fu is on that gate for security. She’s a derelict…can’t see how there’d be a problem with you looking at her.”

“Cagon Fu?!” Fezyr laughed. “That little guy couldn’t guard the open end of a paper bag!”

“Like I said,” Lox shrugged. “She’s a derelict. Not much to guard. He’s probably just there to make sure nothing comes off the thing and floats into the flight lanes. Finish your fries and we can go take a look at her.”

“Color me done,” Fez said pushing his plate away and picking up his shake. “Let’s motivate.”

*   *   *   *   *

“What you doin’ here, you Dyzaali boys? You go way. Cagon security!” Cagon Fu cried. This being, a member of the Zegga race, was almost as small as Phizbyn but three times as wide and shaggy with one little undulating antenna on the top of his head.

“Take it easy Cagon, my friend here would like to have a look at the ship,” Loxlie said.

“No! You go now! Cagon security. “Cagon has job to do. Dyzaalis go now.”

“He’s not going to steal it, Cagon! He might offer to buy it from your bossman. That would be good for Cagon.  Very good for Cagon.”

The Zegga thought about this for many minutes.

“Look, Cagon, I’m on my lunch break, man. How bout you let me in that ship and I don’t bounce your round little hairy ass out the air lock?” Fez said.

With an alarmed expression, Cagon backed away. “You go in Dyzaali boy. You no touch things. You no push buttons.”

“You got it, short stuff,” Fez said and brushed past him. “Why don’t you come on in with me to watch me. See I don’t do nuthin’ wrong.”

“Cagon no trust Dyzaali boy. Cagon no want air lock.”

Fez stopped and turned to look down on the little alien. “I won’t put you out the airlock. I just said that to git your attention.” He knelt down and reached out to the Zegga, who took one step back. “Comere.” Fez said. “Fez won’t put Cagon in the air lock. What would the Starstation be without Cagon’s smarts?”

Cagon stood as tall as his stubby legs would allow and made a trilling sound. This was a Zegga happy sound.

“Come on, shorty, show me around,” Fez said, standing. He gave an amused look to Loxlie.

“Cagon show. Big Dyzaali follow Cagan.”

As they stepped into the ship, the first thing Fezyr noted was the relatively good condition of the control panels. Sure the seats were a little worn, easy fix. “I gotta open this hatch, Cagon. I gotta look at ‘er rods and coils.”

Cagon gestured with a chubby paw indicating his permission.

Fezyr opened the floor hatch and lowered himself into the maintenance compartment.  After studying the ship’s engine and power rods, he came out and looked at Marz and Loxlie. “She’d need some work, but I could do it. I could git Mook and Pockets to help me.” He shook his head, “But I got no coin. No savins’. Even if she’s a derelict, I ain’t got the money he’d get selling her for scrap.”

Loxlie looked at Marz. “We talked it over, we don’t have the funds to help you buy her, but we do have enough between us to get you a stake in that game tonight. What do you say?”

“I might lose it all,” Fez said. “But I’d pay ya back.”

“You’re good for the risk, Fez. You always pay your debts.” Marz told him.

“Well I appreciate that,” Fez said, tossing an errant lock of his shaggy red-black hair out of his eyes with a jerk of his head. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

“Cagon Fu is happy for big Dyzaali boy. Cagon will make gru to Paxis, god of good fortune, for big Dyzaali boy to win Mihn Behti.”

“Thanks Cagon,” Fez said. “I owe you one.” Fez blinked. “Wait, wut?’

“Ship is called Mihn Behti.”

“Yeah? Well if all goes like it should, it’ll Mine Behti.”

*   *   *   *   *

After work, but before the game, Fez sat with his friends Culam – whom he called Mook – after the Mookeh candy the Aybaali man loved so much and his little brother, Pockets. Likie his little brother, Mook’s skin was golden and his hair green.

“This is the first time I even have a chance at a ship,” Fez told them. “I gotta take it!”

“You’ll get no argument from me,” Mook said. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

“You’re gonna win ‘er, Fez,” Pockets said. “And when ya do, I’ll go over her computer for ya! And I’m signing on as crew.”

Mook laughed. “That’ll be both of us, Kid.”

“See now, I gotta win ‘er,” Fezyr said emphatically. “I got me a crew already!”

*   *   *   *   *

“So you got this kid all hyped up to gamble for the ship?” Fotadi asked.

“Yep. He fell for it.  All we had to do was show him the ship and his eyes lit up like the Lights of Romus,” Loxlie said. “We’re fronting him the stake. Of course you have to make it look good. I mean before you throw the game.”

“You know you’re going to get your boy saddled with a debt he’ll probably never be able to get out of, right? The cost to transport and demo that ship that size is extremely high. Not even worth selling for the scrap, wouldn’t even dent to bill to demo her.”

“I owe him one,” Loxlie told him.

“He must’ve pissed you off royally, airman, for you to do this to him.”

“I owe him one,” Loxlie repeated.

“Well consider it done; you’ll get your investment back. I’ll make sure the kid wins that piece of space garbage.”

Volo smiled, turned and strolled away.

Marz looked at him as they walked down the corridor. “You are so good at what you do.”

“I come by it honestly. My brother Possym always says ‘there’s a sucker born every two and a half seconds and if you’re smart, you can take ‘em. I owe Fez, and he’s finally gonna get what he deserves.”

Marz shook his head and followed his friend to the lift.

*   *   *   *   *

Fez stood outside the lounge and stared in at the well dressed guy sitting at the far table.  Pockets looked around his shoulder and swallowed, green eyes wide with concern. “You think you can take ‘im, Fez?”

“Dunno,” Fez whispered back. “I’m sure gonna try.”

“What’re they playing?” Mook asked from the other side of him. “I can’t see.”

“Looks like Prika.”

“If it’s prika, you got him, Kid. I never met anybody who could play that game better than you,” Mook patted his back.

“Fezyr!” Came a voice from behind.

Fez turned to see Lox and Marz standing by a bulkhead in the corridor. He walked out to them. Lox pulled out an envelope and handed it to his taller friend. “Now listen, he’s got two other guys palying,” Lox said. “I figure, the way you play, those guys are going to fold once it gets too rich for their blood.”

Fez nodded.

“If you play your disks right, you could come away with some serious cash AND a freighter.”

“I could lose, y’know,” Fez told him.

“Not going to happen,” Loxie shook his head. “You’re leaving here with the title to a ship, tonight.”

“How can ya be so sure?”

“We’ll talk more after the game, okay? Now get in there and win your ship.” Loxlie told him.

When Fez went back to the doorway, Marz looked up through his raven curls at Lox. “You know the more I think about it, the more I feel like we’re doing something very wrong.”

“Look, Marz,” Lox said. “The guy wants to get rid of the ship, right?”

“Yes.”

“He doesn’t care how, he just wants to be out from under the responsibility and expense to scrap her legally.”

“Right. So then why didn’t we tell Fezyr?”

“Cuz he’s just a kid and he’d be too cool if he knew he was going to win. This way he’s gonna sweat a little.”

“But I don’t understand, why scam the guy at all?”

“Fez isn’t going to scrap the ship. He’s going to put some good old Dyzaali elbow grease in her and make her space worthy again.”

“I know that.”

“Sure you do, but if that guy KNEW Fez could do that, he wouldn’t gamble the ship, he’d sell it to him for more than it’s worth and skin him. Worse he’d find someone else who could meet his price.” Lox looked at Marz’s dubious expression. “Look this is just a little hustle. In the end everybody gets what they want. Mr. Moneybags gets out from under the demo bill and Fez get’s his life’s dream. Even if he can’t get her going, he got her for free and his uncle Vilch will take her to his scrap yard for parts. Everybody’s happy. The end.”

“Doesn’t he know about Dyzaalis?” Marz asked.

“That’s the whole beauty of this plan,” Lox laughed. “He’s not from around here.”

“That is very devious, Loxlie Volo,” Marz wagged a finger at his friend.

“Why thank you,” Loxlie grinned.

*   *   *   *   *

Fez approached the table cautiously, hands in pockets.

“What do you want kid?” One of the gamblers asked.

“I want in,” Fezyr responded softly.

“What? Speak up, sweetheart, you can’t find your mamma?”

“I want in,” Fez repeated stronger.

“Son, this game’s too rich for you,” the second gambler said. “Go find the kiddy table.”

“How ‘bout I put you under this table?” Fezyr said his temperature rising.

The man stood slowly. He leveled his gaze attempting to chill the starch out of Fezyr.

Fezyr gave as good as he got, returning the even stare, unblinking. His dark garnet gaze was smoldering.

“Dyzaali f***, you’re not going to bloody make it to 30 if you cross swords with me.”

“Boys, Boys,” Fotadi said. “No trouble tonight. Agar if the kid wants to gamble, let him.”

The one called Agar, a big brute of a Britanian man with a square jaw and fists like iron clubs, slowly sat down, his eyes still locked with Fezyr’s. “Yeah Govner, as you say.”

“You have the buy in, boy?” Fotadi asked.

“Yeah,” Fezyr put his money on the table. “Am I in or what?”

“Have a seat…er…”

“Fezyr. Sphenglys.” Fez sat next to the Britanian. “Hey…Agar…why don’t you chill out and try and win my money.”

“It’d be my pleasure.”

Fezyr nodded to everyone at the table and took his jacket off. “Let’s rumble.”

*   *   *   *   *

In the next two hours, Mook watched closely as the game progressed.  Pockets had fallen asleep with his head on the table. At first Fez was loosing, softening them up. Then he began to win. And win. And win. Finally Agar threw his disks on the table and folded with a colorful expletive.

“Pleasure doing bizness with ya,” Fez said with a grin.

Agar growled at him and stomped off.

Moments later the other man, folded as well, but with a bit more grace. “Too rich for my blood, Fotadi.”

Now it was between Fezyr and Fotadi. They played furiously for another hour.

Finally Fez took his shot and went all in.

Fotadi leaned back. “I can’t cover that,” he said. “Let me make a call.”

“Sure.”

After a moment, Fotadi came back to the table and sat. “Links are down.”

“Hm…hate to see you fold, sir…don’t you have anything you can bring to the table?”

“Afraid not, boy.” Fotadi said, then he held up a hand. “Wait…I do have this…” He pulled out a paper and put it on the table.

“Wassat?”

“It’s the title to a ship I have docked here. I’m bringing it in to scrap it…would you consider letting me wager it?”

Fezyr rubbed his chin putting on a good show of being deep in thought. Finally he nodded. “Yeah…you can put that in. Whatcha got?”

Fotadi laid out his hand. “Read them and weep, boy.”

Fez looked at the disks and nodded, then laid his own hand out. “Need some tissues?”

Fotadi leaned back. “Well I really must say, you play a mean game of prika, son.”

“Sign it,” Fezyr said tapping the title with a long index finger.

“Of course,” Fotadi pulled out a light pen and signed the document. He turned it around, “Now you, boy.” He handed Fez his pen.

Fezyr made a show of looking at it, then signed his name in his almost unreadable scrawl.

Fotadi stood and shook his head. “Well. You’re now the proud owner of a worthless piece of crap.”

“One man’s crap is another man’s treasure,” Fezyr said, also standing. He signaled Mook to help him with the winnings, so his friend pulled his little brother’s cap off waking him.

“Is it over?” Pockets asked sleepily.

“We got us a ship,” Mook whispered. “Fez took them to the cleaners.” He went and gathered the winnings from the table and handed Fez the title.

“You’re looking at a pretty big bill for legal disposal of it,” Fotadi said. “I hope you know that, boy.”

“Well, as luck would have it, my uncle owns a scrap yard, so it wouldn’t cost me nothin’,” Fezyr said, “if I was gonna scrap her.”

“You can’t be thinking you can refurbish her!”

“Nope. I’m knowin’ I can,” Fezyr grinned. “Don’t you know nothin’ about Dyzaalis, sir?”

“Can’t say as I do.” Fotadi put his hat on his head. “I’ll bid you goodnight.”

“And a very good night to you, Mr. Fotadi. Come back again when you have more money you wanna let go of.”

Mook and Pockets watched the guy leave.

Fez held up the title. “Boys, we got us a ticket to the stars.”

Fez sat up on his cot and stretched. Today was his day off and he was eager to get into his ship.  He paused. His ship. His. It was like a dream come true.

Oli poked his head through the curtain. Fez’s accomodation was an old storage room in back of the garage bay. “Kid, Admiral Gardwyne wants to see you…”

“Admiral Gardwyne…why?”

“Something about your garbage? What did you go and do.”

“I won a demi class freighter last night, Oli.” Fezyr said, pulling his shirt on.

“Not that piece of crap parked on dock 22!”

“The very one.”

“What’re you going to do with it?”

“What do you think? I’m gonna bring her back to life.”

“Did you give any thought to where you were going to do that, boy?”

“Sure I did!  My uncle said I could dock her off his maintenance rig.”

“And how are you going to get it there?”

“Well a tow, I guess.”

“Do you know what a tow to Dyzaal would cost?!”

“No.” Fezyr pulled on his beat up work boots. “But I figure you’re gonna tell me.”

“Go see the Admiral, kid. We’ll talk later. You need to be sitting down for this.”

*   *   *   *   *

Fezyr stepped in to the Admiral’s office, cap in hand. “Admiral Gardwyne, you wanted to see me?”

“Fezyr, how are you, lad?”

“Uhm pretty good. Am I in trouble?”

“I hear you had an interesting night. Won yourself a freighter.”

“Yes sir.”

“Well now, congratulations. And when do you plan to move said freighter from its present mooring?”

“I’m lookin’ into that right now, Admiral. I’m anxious to start working on her. My Uncle, Vilch Sphenglys, has a maintenance vessel orbiting Dyzaal. I was plannin’ on gettin’ her over that way, but his orbit won’t swing close to this side of Dyzaal for another coupla days.”

“Mm.” The admiral lit his pipe. “Are you aware that we’ve had many complaints about your ship? A bit of an eye sore.”

“Well, she’s only been my ship for about 6 hours sir.”

“That may be, but the problem is still there. How do you propose to get the vehicle to your uncle?”

“Well I gotta work on that, sir. If I could just have a few days to git that all taken care of, I sure would be grateful.” Fez looked down, then up again with his most endearing smile. “Til then I guess I could put a few ribbons on ‘er to pretty ‘er up.”

The admiral chuckled. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll give you four days, then it must be moved.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll git her moved by then.” Fezyr stood.

“When are you going to come to the Federation, Fezyr?”

“With all due respect, sir, that’d be never.”

“Ah well, can’t blame an old soldier for trying, eh?” The admiral stood and held out his hand. “Good journey, then.”

Fezyr shook the offered hand. “Thank you for the extra time, sir.”

Gardwyne walked the young Dyzaali to the door. “And you really think you can get her flight worthy again, do you?”

“I sure intend to try sir.”

“Well best luck to you, lad. If anyone can do it, it will most certainly be you. Remember now, four days.”

“Four.” Fezyr nodded. “Four days.”

*   *   *   *   *

“And I only got four days to move her,” Phaser was saying as Loxlie walked up.

“That from Admiral Gardwyne?” Lox asked.

“Yeah. Oh hey, I got your money, man.”

“Nah.”

“No really, I got it!”

“Me and Marz want you to hold on to it and use it towards repairs. Pay us back when you start making a living with her.”

“You’re kiddin’!” Fez jumped up and pulled lox into a bearhug. “Thank you guys SO much!”

“All right, don’t go all touchy feely on me, Fez! You’re not my type.” Loxlie laughed patting his back.

From somewhere in the back of the lounge a voice called out. “Get a room!”

“Get a life!” Volo yelled back. He sat at Fezyr’s table. “So how’re you gonna get her moved, Fez.”

“I don’t know yet,” Fezyr sighed. “My uncle will lemme work on her at his barge, but he won’t come get her.”

“What about Oli?” Pockets asked.

“I can’t ask that of him. He’s done too much for me already.”

“When does the orbit bring the barge around?”

“In two or three days.”

“Huhn.” Loxlie said. “Let me look at the duty roster and see if a shuttle is heading to Dyzaal any time soon. Could be we could tractor her.”

“Admiral ain’t gonna let us use no military shuttle to move my civvy junker,” Fezyr said.

“Yeah, you just never know. The Gardwyne is unpredictable, but he’s a really good guy.”

“Well if you think he’d okay it, yeah look into it.”

Mook came up to the table and leaned in to the guys. “You know what that creep Fotadi did?”

“Wut?” Fezyr asked.

“He f***in’ skipped without paying the docking fee OR paying little Cagon.”

“He skipped on the docking fee?  What is that for a week?”

“More than we’ve got, that’s for sure.” Mook said.

“I got my winnins’ from last night and Lox told me to keep the loan til we’re up and running. Is that gonna burn up all our cash?”

“Don’t you pay that guy’s debt,” Loxlie said. “You start paying as of last night. Let ‘em put out a beacon for that b******.”

“I better go talk to the dock manager, where’s Cagon?”

“Little guy won’t leave his post. Believes Fotadi will come back.”

“Well, I’m gonna pay him then. Can’t be that much, he can be my gate security now.” Fezyr stood. “Guess I better go get this took care of.”

“I’ll go with you, Fez. You may need somebody to back you up.” Loxlie stood and followed his young friend.

*   *   *   *   *

“Look Haller, I won the ship last night. I’ll pay for that dockin’ space from last night til I move ‘er. I ain’t paying the other guys bill.”

“Then the ship must be moved today. Now. Or I shall take it in forfeit for the bill.”

“Look here, I got my title, ain’t his name and company on there? She was one a’his freighters.”

“Of course it is; it’s right in front of your eyes.”

“And now it’s right in front a’yours,” Fezyr said. “You can go after him for the bill.”

“Such transactions between systems are very difficult and expensive. Why should I pursue him when I have you, here and now?”

Fez’s temperature was beginning to rise, Loxlie could see it. “Look,” he interceded. “I can appreciate your position but it’s just wrong for you to hold Mr. Sphenglys responsible for Mr. Fotadi’s expenses. Fezyr has offered to pay for yesterday, even though yesterday was almost over by the time the ship was his. And he’s offering you cash in advance for the next few days. If I were you I’d sure take that.”

“Well, you’re not me, young man,” Haller said.

“Okay…I guess I’ll have to take this to Uncle Cyril, then,” Loxlie shrugged.

“Un…you’re the Dyzaali nephew of Admiral Cyril Gardwyne.”

“Yep Jazyn Gardwyne is my cousin and so’s Fezyr.”

“Well that does put a different slant on things. All right. Give me your payment, boy and let me get Fotadi’s information from your title. I’m sorry we had a misunderstanding. I hope you won’t mention this trouble to your uncle, the Admiral.”

“What trouble?” Fezyr said sweetly, batting his lashes.

After the deal was done, Loxlie and Fezyr quit the office and headed down the corridor. When they were a good distance away, Fezyr cleared his throat. “Y’know, if the Admiral gets wind a’what we just said in there, our asses are cooked.”

“Yep,” Loxlie agreed.

They looked at each other with ‘uh-oh’ face, then both broke into gales of laughter.

*   *   *   *   *

“Bossman Fotadi is gone for good? No pay for Cagon Fu?” The hairy little Zegga asked, his expression fretful.

“Yep Bossman Fotadi is gone for good. BUT there is pay for Cagon, cuz Fezyr’s gonna pay Cagon,” Sphenglys patted the little creature’s head, careful not to hit the antenna.

The Zegga trilled happily.

“Would Cagon work for Fezyr? Watch the Mihn Behti while she’s docked here, for Fezyr?” The tall Dyzaali asked.

“Dyzaali Fezyr would be Bossman Fezyr?

“Yep.”

“No airlock for Cagon Fu?”

“No airlock, not ever. Cagon Fu would be Bossman Fezyr’s head of security fer now.”

“Cagon Fu accepts new job as head of security for Bossman.”

Fezyr pulled out his cash. “How much did Fotadi owe ya?”

*   *   *   *   *

Fezyr sat sprawled on the wait room couch in the Admiral’s office, his long legs crossed at the ankles. He looked up as Loxlie walked in. Loxlie stopped in his tracks and looked at his friend, then at the Admiral’s closed office door. “Uhoh,” they said simultaneously.

“Why are you here?” Lox asked.

“I was summoned,” Fez said a little wide-eyed. “You?”

“Same.”

“Uhoh,” they chorused again.

The Admiral’s Yoeman came to the door, “The Admiral will see you now.”

“Both of us?” Loxlie asked.

“Both of you.”

“At the same time?” Fez looked nervous.

“At the same time.”

“We are in IT!” Loxlie said under his breath as they went in.

“Ah. Gentlemen, have a seat, won’t you?”

The two Dyzaali sat in the chairs that had been placed in front of the desk especially for this occation.

“Would you like a sweet?” Gardwyne held a box of candies forward.

“No…no thank you, Admiral, sir.” Loxlie said.

Gardwyne moved the box in front of Fezyr who mutely shook his head negatively. “No?  How about a brandy?” Putting down the box, he tapped the lid of a decanter.

“Sir?!” Loxlie’s voice cracked.

“Oh hey, yeah, a brandy sounds real good!” Fez held his hand out.

Loxlie slapped it down.

Gardwyne stood and Slowly walked around behind the boys. “Well what can I offer such…” he put a hand on a shoulder of each young man and leaned in between them. “…such lovely nephews.”

            “We can explain…”

“It was all my fault…” Fezyr said.

“He cheated the Zegga, he ran out on the docking bill…” Loxlie blurted.

“Was gonna charge me for Fotadi’s bill and…

“Was going to make Fez pay Fotadi’s debt or take his ship!”

“…we didn’t mean nothin’ by it…”

Gardwyne strolled around to his desk and sat in his chair. He took out his pipe and cleaned the bowl. He then took out his pouch and filled it. Tamping it down, he put the stem in his mouth to test the draw. The boys rattled on both talking at the same time.  Both stopped at the same time looking wide eyed at the older man. He raised his eyebrows and lit his pipe.

Having gotten their 2^nd wind, they both started up again. “Wasn’t right what he was trying to do…” Loxlie said.

“It woulda took all my money…”

“We HAD to…sir” Loxlie pleaded.

“Please don’t kill us,” Fezyr finished lamely.

The Admiral had to turn his chair on them momentarily lest he break up with laughter. His back to them, he said, “Now let me see if I understood what you both just told me.  Mr. Sphenglys, you heard that Mr. Fotadi had left the Station, walking out on his debts to Mr. Haller and the Zeggan freelancer, Cagon Fu. Lt. Volo, you decided to accompany Mr. Sphenglys to Mr. Haller’s office to attest to when the ship became his.” He swiveled his chair back around. “There you proceeded to fabricate the story that you two were my nephews to dissuade Haller from charging  Mr. Sphenglys the moneys owed by Mr. Fotadi.”

“Yes, sir.” They both said miserably.

“It’s my fault, Admiral, Sir.” Loxlie said. “When he said Fez would have to move the ship right then and there or he’d take it as payment, I HAD to do something!”

“Not all his fault, he did it for me, sir.”

“Now Mr. Sphenglys, I understand you paid the docking fees for the next four days.”

“Yes sir.”

“And then you paid Mr. Cagon Fu the moneys owed him by Mr. Fotadi and hired him to be your gate security.”

“Yes sir.”

“Well there’s no precident set for impersonating a nephew…” The admiral leaned back and blew a smoke ring. “What am I to do with you two?”

“You could…forgive us,” Loxlie offered. “Special circumstanced and all, Admiral Sir.”

Fez nodded. “Temporary insanity…”

“Well…the first thing I’m going to do is ban Mr. Fotadi from the station. I do not take kindly to people cheating my station personnel or the workers who perform a service and expect to be paid for it.”

“Lt. Volo, you are assigned to the maintenance bay for the next two weeks, where you will operate one of the big haulers, and you’re banned from the Nosedive for that period, do you understand?”

“Yes, sir. I understand, sir.”

“Mr. Sphenglys, you and that derelict are becoming rather a thorn in my side. Because of this, you will remove that ship tomorrow. Lt. Volo, you will use one of the large haulers to tractor Mr. Sphenglys’ ship to his Uncle’s barge. I will see that Mr. Haller refunds the balance of the dock fee.”

“Uh…no…no sir, he can go on and keep that money. Make that loss he had a bit lighter. The money’s paid out, I’m good with it.”

“Very honorable, young man. I will make sure Haller appreciates your generosity. Now, both of you, get out of my office.”

Loxlie stood and saluted his Admiral. Fezyr nodded to him. “Thank you Admiral.”

When they were out of his office, the Admiral sat back and laughed mightily.

CHAPTER FOUR

Fezyr sat in Admiral Gardwyne’s waiting room, seemed like this was becoming a regular thing these days. The Admiral’s office door opened, and he looked into the room, “Fezyr won’t you come in?”

Fez pulled himself up and walked in behind the Admiral. “I didn’t do it,” he said.

“Do what?”

“Whatever you called me in here for.”

“Actually this is about the body you found in your ship, boy.”

“I KNOW I didn’t do THAT.” Fez told him.

“Yes and we know you didn’t either, sit down and relax. You’re not in trouble…for a change.”

“That’s different,” Fez said. He took a seat across from the Admiral.

“Indeed.” The Admiral sat across from him. “Tell me again how it went when you found the body.”

“Well, we was workin’ on the Mihn, Mook found a panel door and opened it and we found the shuttle. Just figured it was a replacement for the original, so we wanted to check her out. We no sooner got the hatch open when the smell came out of it. So Mook, figurin’ it was the food locker opened it and out drops the dead guy!” Fez started laughing. “Mook screams like a girl.”

“Then what?”

“Well then I got Uncle Vilch and we called you guys. We didn’t wanna touch the guy cuz he was…well kinda juicy…” Fez grimaced. “I sure hope I can get that smell outa my shuttle!”  He stopped and looked at the Admiral. “It is MY shuttle, ain’t it?”

“Normally the answer to that might be no. However, its serial numbers were removed, therefore it is untraceable. It was within the ship that you have a title for and that title states the ship comes with a shuttle.  So yes. It is your shuttle.”

“I am relieved,” Fezyr said. “I like I can get between here and there and not have to bother anybody for a ride.”

“Fezyr?”

“Yes, sir?”

“You didn’t scrape the ID number off that shuttle did you?”

“No, sir. Honestly it was in my mind to since the specs didn’t match what was on the title…but when I went to look them up they weren’t there. So no, sir, I did not.”

“And is there anything else you’d like to tell me?”

“No, sir, there isn’t,” Fezyr said. “But there sure is something I’d like to ask ya.”

“What is that lad?”

“Do you think Fotadi is gonna come after us, cuz we found that guy?  Cuz we called you?”

“At this point I can tell you that Mr. Fotadi is being sought for questioning regarding this. Unless the man is completely devoid of intelligence, I have to believe he didn’t know that body was on the freighter. Why would he leave it so ill protected with such incriminating evidence on board.”

“Maybe…and yet, when he found out I wasn’t scrappin’ her, he up and disappeared. Real fast. That’s kinda weird ain’t it?”

“Mmm, you may have a point,” Admiral Gardwyne nodded.

“Ever find out who the dead guy was?” Fezyr asked.

“Not as yet.  It’s a large galaxy, boy. He’s not of any race inhabiting the Sahn/Dahl system.”

“Are you done with me sir? I hate to leave Oli hangin’, he gives me so much time to work on my ship…”

“Yes, you’re excused. Thank you for your input, Fezyr.”

“No problem what-so-ever, Admiral. Happy to help.” Fez got up and walked to the door.

“Fezyr.”

“Yes, sir?” Fez stopped, his back to the admiral.

“You are telling me everything, aren’t you?”

Fez bit his lip, then turned around. “Well I did go through his pockets and all trying to find some ID…weren’t nuthin’ in ‘em. I thought that was kinda odd, cuz his suit looked real nice. Boots looked real nice. But he wasn’t carryin’ a wallet or wearin’ any jewelry…seemed off to me. You know how he died? We didn’t see no marks on him.”

“His brain was comparable to mush.”

Fez frowned. “What would do that?”

“We’re working on it.”

“Anything else Sir?”

“No. You’re excused.”

Fezyr walked out of the office and then onto the concourse.  He hated lying to the Admiral. But he needed that money he found to get his ship up and running. The dead guy didn’t need it any more. Probably stole it anyway.

Admiral Gardwyne puffed on his pipe deep in thought. His office door slid open and his brother, the Station’s Chief of Medical, stepped in. “Cyril, wasn’t that young Sphenglys?”

“The same.”

“Did he have anything to say?”

“Quite a bit actually. Gave me a bit to think about. What about you? You have anything new to add?”

“Well, aside from that odd bit of skin missing from his back, I’ve found something very interesting in his clothing.”

“And that is?”

“Apparently, shortly before his death, he encountered a very concentrated amount of Dust.”

“A drug dealer then?”

“Very possibly.”

“Mmm the plot thickens.”

*   *   *   *   *

Fezyr had just gotten to the lift when his wristcom went off. “Mook? What’s up?”

“Fez, we got trouble.”

“Ohhhh, what kinda trouble, now?” Fez said rubbing his head.

“Pockets took the seat pads outa the Shuttle to clean ‘em and he accidently tore one.”

“That’s no big deal, I kinda wanted to cover them anyhow…they’re uglier than s***.”

“That’s not the problem,” Mook said. “It’s what was in the pads.”

“I don’t gitcha. Say again?”

“The pads are filled with Dust.”

“Well just clean ‘em!”

“Fez. Dust as in drugs.”

“Oh s***! THAT Dust…okay hang in there, I’m going back to the Admiral and report it. Is Pockets okay?”

“Yeah I hosed him down, that stuff is insidious.”

“Okay I’ll call ya when I’m done with Gardwyne.” Fez turned on his booted heel and hurried back to Admiral’s office.

He spotted the senior officer walking down the hall past his office. “Admiral!  Admiral Gardwyne!”

Gardwyne turned. “Yes?”

Fezyr caught up to him and then just stared at him.

“What is it, Sphenglys, I’m on my way to a meeting.”

“Sir, my partner just called and well…you know Pockets? The kid?”

“Yes, I believe I’ve met the boy. Aybaali isn’t he?”

“Yes sir. He took the seat pads off the shuttle to clean ‘em and he accidently damaged one of them.”

“Is this going somewhere?”

“Them pads is fulla Dust, sir. Drugs.”

“Is the boy all right?”

“Yessir.  Mook hosed him down. But I wanted to let you know, we don’t want nothin’ to do with that kinda stuff.  I’d be obliged if you’d send somebody to take them pads, sir.”

“Good lad. I’ll send some FP’s.” Admiral Gardwyne put his hand on Fez’s shoulder. “I’m extremely proud of you, boy.”

Fez winced and looked down ashamed. He made a huge sigh. “Sir…”

“Fezyr. Anything else is no longer of importance. Do you understand me? You’ve done well. That will be an end to your involvement.”

“But sir… there’s…”

“…No more to be said. Go on now, call your men and let them know I’m sending FP’s to relieve them of those drugs. Tell them not to touch the pads anymore. Dangerous substance, Dust. Do we understand one another?”

“Yessir. I guess we do…and thank you.”

Fezyr watched the Admiral disappear around the corner of the concourse. He had to admire the man. Lox was right, the Admiral was a good guy.

He turned and went back to the lift, calling Mook as he did.

“Admiral said he’s sending a coupla Feddie cops to get the goods. Don’t touch it any more. Too dangerous.”

“You got it, when you comin’ over?”

“After work. Got some things to do for Oli, then I’ll be there.”

“Gotcha.”

Fez hopped in the lift and smiled at a uniformed lady leaning against the wall.

*   *   *   *   *

Once his work day was over, Fez went to his shuttle and took off for the Barge. The Admiral had let him know that the pick up was made and all was good.  He still couldn’t get over the man, who obviously knew about the money belt, closing that issue without taking it away from him. He reasoned it was probably considered a reward for turning in the drugs.

Sure he could have held on to the drugs and sold them but he never had been and never intended to be a drug dealer.  That was just no way to make a living.  He promised himself and he would promise his crew that also included drug running. No way. There was too much else out there to transport.

He pulled into B Bay hanger and the closed the bay doors. He got out of the shuttle and hurried to Mook. “You guys okay?”

“Yeah, it was an easy transaction. They know we had nothin’ to do with it.”

“You okay Pockets?”

“I got a little dizzy for a while, but I’m okay now.”

“I done made up my mind. We will never run drugs. You got that?”

“I’m down with that,” Mook said.

“Me too,” Pockets said.

“Good, then that’s a done deal.”

“You gonna go see Sheela tonight?” Mook asked.

“I was thinkin’ about it.” Fez grinned. “Once we get space worthy, ladies gonna be few and far between.”

“She’s sweet on you, Fez.” Pockets said poking him.

“Naw. It’s her job.”

“No, she’s sweet on you. I’m tellin’ you.”

“Your fulla beans, kid.”

“Hey you boys, I got something came in today you might be interested in,” Vilch said as he came in the bay.

“Oh yeah? Wazzat?” Fez asked.

“Come take a look.”

Fez, with Mook and Pockets in tow, followed his uncle into the receiving area.

As they rounded the wall of the area, Fez stopped. There before them was a new model small star yacht, her hull crumpled beyond repair. “Oh man, that is a shame.”

“Yeah, maiden trip. Got slammed in the ass by a megafreighter. At least nobody was killed. But she’s toast. The insurance is getting the owners a new one.”

“Is this what your wanted us to see, Uncle Vilch?”

“It is.”

“Uh…why?”

“Well just so happens her souped up engine could be compatible with your freigthter with a few tweeks and adapters here and there.”

“No s***? A brand new engine? What shape’s it in?”

“Not a scratch. All her damage is in her rear.”

“You paid em for the scrap?”

“Yep.”

“What you wantin’ for that engine, Unk?”

“I was thinkin’ 2000, you got that? Need to make it in payments? I’d be sellin’ it for 4000 to anyone else.”

“That’s a decent price!  I got it. Got a loan from a coupla friends.” It wasn’t a lie. He did get a loan from Lox and Marz. But that wouldn’t be the money he’d be using.

“Good then it’s all yours. You can use my engine hauler. Happy to help. You boys took on a mighty big job with this refurbish. I’m damned proud of ya.”

After inspecting the engine to see what adapters might be needed, Fezyr clapped Mook on the back. “That is one sweet piece of machinery! Holy Starfire, we got us a hot engine that’ll make our gal pretty fast!”

“My mamma would say this is meant to be. Too much is fallin’ our way for it not to happen.”

“Come and look what I did, Fez

 “All right, all right, don’t get yer panties in a twist!” Fez laughed. He followed the excited Aybaali boy back to B Bay. “Okay, show me.”

“Go around the other side of her!”

Fez walked around the other side of the Mihn Behti. “Whatcha got?”

Pockets hit the lights. This entire side of the freighter shined down to the metal.

“Wow! You did a really fine job, Pockets. She’s ready to paint on this side!”

“What’re you gonna choose for her, Fez?”

“I was thinking black with a starfield on her back,” Fez said.

“Ohhhh camouflage!” Mook said. “That’s inspired.”

“I dunno. That might kinda tip our hand as to what we plan to use her for.”

“Yeah…” Mook agreed. “But it’d look awesome.”

“Maybe black with red flames.” Fez mused. He walked all around the freighter looking at her.  As much as I’d like a flashy paint job, she’s gonna be a workin’ vessel.  She shouldn’t stand out too much. Too easy to spot.”

“I think she should be kinda gold colored like brass,” Pockets offered. “With maybe bronze colored fixins’.”

“You know that wouldn’t look half bad!” Fez said.

“Dude, it’s your ship, what do YOU want?”

“It’s our ship, Mook. All of us. It’s gonna be our home. We’re gonna be space nomads.”

“Space Nomads!” Mook said. “I like that. You gonna change her name?”

“I should…don’t want her associated with that creep Fotadi anymore,” Fez said. “I’ll think on it, you guys too.”

*   *   *   *   *

Sheela sat with her foot on Fezyr’s stomach as he painted her toenails. “Fezyr…”

“Yeah?”

“Does it bother you that I sleep with others?”

“Pretty, that’s your job, ain’t it?”

“Yes. But does it bother you?”

“Naw.  Well, maybe a little, but it’s your livin’. I wouldn’t stand it the way of your makin’ a livin’ no more’n you would me.”

“No I think it is exciting that you are a ship captain.”

“I got no papers.”

“You are a captain in your heart, Fezyr. Paper does not make you a captain.”

“You got that right, but you need ‘em to get into star ports.”

Sheela thought about that for a long moment. “Fezyr?”

“Hm?”

“I have a customer who makes such papers.”

“You do? What’s he, a port authority guy?”

“No…he is a forger.”

Fezyr laughed. “Well now that’s just what I need. When you see him next?”

Just finished reading the third chapter, Cajun! It is really a NICspiring and brilliant piece of art! And, I love this story! Keep up the NICxellent work! I can only agree with Lula! Nic would surely be touched, if he would read that story!

If Nic read Phaser I would hope he would laugh his ass off. If he did, then the story would have acheived the goal. To make people laugh with this one. Alessio from RELEVANCE is my fairly grounded serious man...but even he has what I hope is a disarming funny side.

I'm very much enjoying writing Phaser. He's both laid back AND hyper...how he acheives that I will never understand. But one thing's for sure, he has an extremely short fuse.

I do...what is it you're looking for?  You don't detract from the story at all, Lula. I've said before I am an artist first. Writing came along later in my life. I am very much enjoying the writing right now. I love Nic, he's a pleasure to draw.  I plan to do inside illustrations for Phaser's story.

Talk to me.

Alrighty then. I hope you like what's here so far. There are 5 parts. Each part has 4 chapters. All of Part 1 is here now.

I'll be posting the whole thing here, Lady Roxie. I'm about to put up Part 2, Chapter 5. So happy you're enjoying it.

Okay, here's where the old lady displays her ignorance, Lady Roxie....what are LOW and GISS?  Andromeda...is that one of the Star Trek incarnations? Chapter 6 tomorrow

Wait...LOW Lord of War?  GISS Gone in Sixty Seconds?  I had to look at my movie list LOL. Wow...BEEG compliment. It's funny too because I haven't watched any NICfilms to write this.  To get into the right frame of mind, I watched Galaxy Quest, Last Starfighter, Star Wars, Babylon 5 and Classic Battle Star Galactica.  Cuz this is considered Space Opera...

To give you an idea of how long I've had this Universe, I created Valkaraan, the first planet in the Sahn Dahl system, in 1964. The next planet I created in that system was Elvrakaan in 1979. The rest were created in 1990. 

Thank you again. I'm so happy that you're enjoying the story.

 Yes, that`s correct! LOW = Lord of War and GISS = Gone in sixty seconds! Apologies! I got so used to write the abbreviations of them, since I`m here on the forum, that I forgot to deliver the meaning of them as well! Andromeda is from the same creator: Gene Roddenberry, but has nothing to do with Star Trek itself! And,  while reading, some parts of this chapter, it reminded me to some similar scenes of those movies!^^

LOL! Well, some good things just need more time to grow and reveal themself! We really appreciate, that you grant us the honor to post your fantastNIC creatNIC stories here, for us to read and enjoy!