Prologue: Science fiction is one of the best forms of writing ever. It takes more than just writing ability to write true sci-fi. Many of the greats like Isaac Asimov, Larry Niven, and others have their degrees in physics and such, not as much in writing. Writers like L. Ron Hubbard have written what they call science fiction, but it's not really the pure form. Pure science fiction is filled with theories. Theories that aren't necessarally proven, but the story uses these theories to make assumptions, and many stories make theories of their own. I'm going to attempt to write a series of science fiction short stories. It's about an adventurous space pilot that always ends up in situations because of his poor luck. I hope the readers like the stories, and any ideas for future ones should be sent to me or The Daredevil (who will relay them to me) on any major bbs. Thanks... ------------ Anarchy Inc. Presents... ------------ Deep Space: Story one by: Lord Omega "If we aren't able to mine thurlite, the companies that build space ship hulls will probably crash." said Ivan. "Without thurlite, no hull can be built tough enough to survive for decades, while being light enough to leave a planet without using tons of fuel. And that means that Stimm Shipping will probably go out of business." "And what do you suggest?" asked Paul. "Well, first of all we gotta find out why those damn farmers won't let us dig up the thurlite on their planet. They've got enough to last hundreds of years, and the mining won't upset their precious crops. I'm going to send a pilot of ours to investigate this. There's gotta be something behind this whole goddamned mess." "But who's going to volunteer to go to Jaglan? That's one hell of a backwards planet." "Uh, I wasn't thinking of volunteers. I was planning on sending you." "Me? No way. You can't make me do that." "You're pretty low on funds lately... I wouldn't want you to lose your job." "Fuck you boss." Three days later Paul Sherman was en route to Jaglan. He was the number one pilot that Ivan Simms had, and he didn't deserve to be sent off like this. Some day... The trip out of the Sol system, and into hyperspace were normal, he'd done it all hundreds of times before. Hyperspace was a way of going faster than the speed of light, simply because it wasn't completely in normal space. The inventor of it was given more prizes, awards, and such than any other inventor in history. It was truly one of the most important. To be able to do a light year in only a day dropped travel time incredibly. Interstellar travel was possible, and interstellar colonies were soon formed. Jaglan was founded not more than ten years before Paul was born, and it's always been a farming planet. Two years ago a mining ship found that Jaglan had the greatest supply of thurlite than any other planet ever discovered. The only problem was in the Charter of Independence for Jaglan gave the planet full rights to all minerals on it. The government seemed cooperative enough to sell mining rights, but anytime miners landed on the planet, they were killed. Very odd... "Interstellar ship C6D983732A, permission granted to land on pad number 27." the voice said over the comunicator. The ship's real name was Silver Hornet, and if you ever saw it, you would understand why. It was streamlined in order to enter atmosphere, with the hyperdrive down the middle of the ship and the standard thrusters circling the the center of it. it was the prize cruiser of Simms Shipping, and it was usually flown by Paul. After landing, the ship was given a hanger, and Paul departed to the government offices. This would be the most logical place to start. The government on this planet didn't control much, they gave most the rights to land owners. "I don't know." puzzled the Mayor. "I've given good offers to Earth for mining rights, but i've never seen any miners show up." "We've sent miners. I was of the opinion that they were killed in order to keep us away. But if someone kept us away, it would destroy interstellar trade, which would cause your government to collapse. I don't see any reason that you would kill anyone." "I thank you for your trust." the Mayor said dryly. "But I don't have much power on this planet. There may be special interests that want the government to collapse. Nearly every major land owner has a private security force, and these guys aren't second rate cops. They're trained soldiers. This planet is actually quite lawless." "Well, I see that you haven't done much to establish any laws. I'll talk to you later." He left the office of the mayor in a storm. A large man in a marine uniform brushed by him, grunting an apology. Paul entered the street to hail a taxi. He pushed the button attached to the call pole, and not more than 30 seconds later a bright red skycar dropped down. "Where to sir?" said the driver as Paul stepped in. "Uh, take me to the nearest city market place." "Ok. That'll be Central. Hold on." The taxi went up, and forward with a jerk. It took just under a minute and a half to travel the 12 kilometers across town to Central Market. "That'l be 15 sir." Paul handed the driver a twenty credit bill, and entered the market. There were people milling everywhere, selling this for that, making trades, the typical things you'd expect in a backwater planet, Paul thought. He could tell the main land holders by the number of guards walking near them. Not as many as he expected from the mayor's comments, but the man was probably just raving because of his impotence to control this planet. Paul put his hands in his jacket pockets, and found a note that he didn't put there. He looked around to see anyone who might have put it there, but couldn't see anyone suspicious. He opened the note. "Meet me at the Grand Hotel. Room 211. Urgent. " He pondered over the note. Well, it might be important. You can't find anything out in this place by not trusting people. Even if there were damn few people to trust. He walked up to one of the land holders, and stopped in front of him. "I need to talk. Can you stop a minute?" "Who the hell are you?" the landowner yelled. Two of his security men walked to either side of Paul, hands on their blasters. "Survey. I want to know what you think about the idea of mining this planet for thurlite." "This planet has no real mine2R rX The last government report said so. There's nothng here but good cropland. Now get lost." Paul turned away puzzled. He'd seen some of the shipments of thurlite that were brought from here before the miners were killed. What could... Then he stopped. It all clicked into place. One last thing to check on... He went off to check some land regrestration, and when he found out what he already believed true, he called a taxi, and went to the Grand Hotel. Room 211. He knocked on the door and waited. Heavy footsteps were heard inside, and the door opened. The face was a familiar one. "Hello. I need to talk to you about the miners." the man stated. "I know what happened to them." "So do I." And Paul told his story. "Very good. I've been trying to get someone important enough to listen to me, but i've never seen much. You are from earth, and proabaly can carry lots of influence. I think you'll do fine. Get to earth and report your findings." "Ok. It's late now. I'm going to my ship to rest for the night. Then i'll be off." "Good luck." Paul left the hotel. Another taxi was called, and he took it to his ship. Upon entering his ship, he was suprised by another man inside with a gun. "Well, I can't let you just go and tell your findings can I?" And he fired. Paul woke up hours later. He was tied to a chair, and the mayor was watching him. "Ahh, you've woken up. I suppose that you've found out about the miners by now. I can't let you live." the mayor said. "Oh, it was a good scheme of yours. Everyone took pity on the mayor of this little mudball planet because he had no power in government. But there was one way that he could have power. I figured out that more than likely the mayor was one of the major landholders. I checked it out, and it was true. Also, who else would be able to doctor the mineral reports of this planet as easily as you? You've done all this in hopes of isolating this planet and taking over full power, haven't you?" "Bravo... I didn't expect that you'd figure out that much. But there's quite a bit more. If i'm in full control of this planet, then I can control it's industry. I'll have that thurlite mined, build a spaceship fleet, and nothing will be able to stop us. It may take thirty years before the galaxy ships start decaying, and no more will be built except for here. Then I can crush any opposion, and establish the Imperial dynasty that is my right." "But you first have to remove me, eh?" "Quite true. I hope you understand." The mayor smirked. "Major Williams!" he then yelled. The burly marine walked in the room. "Give me your blaster!" the mayor said. With one shot, it was all over. The marine was holding his blaster, the mayor was on the ground with nothing where his head used to be, and Paul was busy untying himself. "Damn, i'm glad that you were here." Paul said to Williams. "I'm also glad that the mayor didn't find out about our chat at the Grand hotel." "Well, the man was a bit disturbed. He had no real powers here, and he always felt that it was his right to. I didn't want to be in his regime, and now it's all over. The new mayor should allow the miners to come, and the galaxy will have all the thurlite it needs. One little problem, It seems that I'm out of a job." "Well, if you like adventure, you could always join me." Paul said as he stood up. "I thought you'd never ask." They left to board the Silver Hornet, knowing that there was more, much more in store for them in the future. The End (for now)