The Lost Prince (5 page)

The officer saw the slack expression and drooping eyelids. He looked in the mind of the young man and saw the power of a mind that was empty. The young man simply sat and stared into empty space. The Officer realized that not all genetic experiments turned out well. This young man was a prime example of what a failure looked like. He stared at the young man and saw what his future could have been. He had been fortunate. The soldiers stared at the Officer waiting for him to tell them to kill the man and nurse. Instead, the Officer walked forward and put his hand on the young man’s cheek. He looked at the nurse and said, “I humbly apologize for disturbing his rest.” He turned to the nurse, “You will continue to care for him.”

The nurse stared at the Officer and said, “He is my son; I’ll never leave him.”

The Officer looked at her and then nodded. He turned and left the room. The soldiers looked at each other and followed him out. As they boarded the shuttle the Officer said, “Continue the search.” He couldn’t get the young man out of his mind and wondered where his own mother was. He had never known her. He thought about finding her but knew that it would weaken him. He arrived on his ship and went to his quarters.

I
an limped in to the outpost and had E allow the track to fall off before it made it to the service shed. A large tracked vehicle came out and pushed E into the shed and started making repairs. He exited, turned and looked at his vehicle, and shook his head. Many of the miners sitting in front of the supply store watched him and shook their heads. This miner just didn’t know how to treat a mining vehicle. Ian went to the teller’s office and the miners wondered how much repairing his vehicle was going to set him back.

The teller looked at Ian and said, “Here’s your receipt. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“By the way, that breakdown was brilliant. I’ve seen almost everything miners have done to hide their loads and that one takes first prize.”

Ian smiled, “How do you keep this to yourself?”

“I used to be a miner.”

Ian smiled, “That explains a lot.”

He left the teller’s office shaking his head and headed toward the restaurant. He went through the front door and saw every miner in the room had pulled up their chairs around his three partners. He saw Ribbons look at him and yell, “Hey newbie, you might as well join us. Pull up a chair.” Ian pulled up a chair and Ribbons said, “Who taught you how to drive?”

The room burst into laughter. Everyone had seen or heard about the vehicle that came in with five missing wheels and a broken track. Ian turned red and said, “I was heading east when I ran over the blade of a mining vehicle. I never saw it just below the surface.”

One of the miners whistled and said, “That would do it.”

A miner sitting at the outer edge of the group said, “Hey, Newbie, have you seen a group of five vehicles traveling together?”

Ian looked at the miner, scratched his head, and said, “Was one of them painted blue with a red undercarriage?”

“Yes it was.”

“Nope, haven’t seen them.”

The room erupted into laughter and after it quieted down a miner sitting to the right said, “I’ve seen them.”

The miner that asked the question said, “Where?”

“All five of them were blow into small pieces.” The room became quiet. The miner continued, “There was a Claim Jumper sign posted. I checked the tracks and it appears they had come over a rise and attacked a single miner that was moving soil.”

The questioner said, “How do you know that?”

“The tracks had been erased by the wind but the ground that was dug up was still there. There were blaster burns around the mined soil. They bit off more than they could chew. It was clear they attacked a single miner and lost the confrontation.”

Ian stared at the questioner as he said, “Well, they haven’t been around and I wondered what happened to them.”

The miner said, “There is no lower life than a claim jumper. They got what they deserved.”

There was a chorus of Amen. Ian looked at the center table and saw two things immediately. Porky was leaning against a young man and it was clear they were an item. Sitting to Porky’s right staring intently at him was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. It had to be Violet and he knew where she got her name as soon as he looked in her eyes. He broke eye contact and stood. Ribbons said, “Hey where ya going?”

“To buy a bowl of cereal; I can’t afford anything else after my little accident.”

The room howled their laughter and Violet said, “Come on, I’ll buy you a meal.”

Ian turned back and saw her stand up and walk through the crowd. She took his arm and said, “There’s a table over here.”

The crowd watched her go and Porky chuckled. Derek said, “What’s funny?”

“She just broke a hundred hearts when she left here.”

Derek looked and saw many of the miners were moving away from the gathering. Derek shook his head, “She does attract a crowd.”

Ian looked at Violet, “Why are you doing this?”

“It’s the only way to get away from all the stalkers. Most of them are afraid of you now. Everyone in that room knew those five vehicles were going after you. Now they’re afraid of crossing you. You’re the only one in the room that I could leave with and not be followed by the mob.”

Ian looked back and saw the gathering breaking up, “You must get this a lot.”

“I do. It gets old after a while. I understand that you are going to make me wealthy.”

Ian tilted his head to the left and smiled. She looked at him, “That’s good. I like the ones that don’t need to try and impress me.”

“I would expect most men to not even try.”

“Why?”

“It would take an exaggerated ego to think they’re in your league.”

“Maybe; are you in my league?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why not?”

““Your beauty is off the scale but I don’t know who you are. The question I have to have answered is whether or not you think you’re beautiful.”

Violet stopped and looked at Ian. He stopped with her and she said, “How could I not know I’m beautiful?”

“That wasn’t the question. The question was whether or not you think you’re beautiful?”

Violet stared at him and said, “I’m not sure I’m following you.”

Ian looked Violet in her beautiful eyes and said, “I’ve known many beautiful women who knew they were beautiful and used it to take advantage of those around them. Those women knew they were not really beautiful. Their beauty faded once someone got to know them and they knew it. The beautiful woman that becomes even more beautiful after you get to know them is a rare thing indeed.”

Violet stared at Ian and saw he was not intimidated by her. She took his arm again and said, “Then the answer to your question must be answered by others. Let me know what you see.”

Ian laughed and said, “Can you afford a steak?”

“No, but you can.”

Ian smiled and pulled out Violet’s chair for her.

Ribbons watched the two leave and sit at a table. He felt sorry for Nosey. He was setting himself up to be Violet’s next victim. He looked away and saw Glenda coming through the front door. He smiled and wondered if she would quit her job and come mining with him. Perhaps tonight would be a good time to ask her. Glenda came forward and sat down in his lap. Ribbons said, “I’m glad you could come.”

Glenda smiled, “I wouldn’t miss it.”

• • •

Two days later, the six mining vehicles were moving over the next deposit. The deposit was a really valuable metal. Iron was next to impossible to find and the prices for good iron ore was higher than gold. The six were fully loaded and Ribbons said, “If we go back in to Heavenly, the gig will be up.”

“What’s wrong with Harmony?”

“Why do you say that, Violet?”

“That outpost is still active but very few miners still use it. It’s primarily for locals to restock.”

“It’ll add three hours one way.”

Jefie said, “But it would prevent our being followed and attacked.”

Porky chimed in, “It’s not like we’re going to miss the additional time. We’re in good enough shape to not let it bother us.”

Ribbons said, “Nosey, what do you think?”

“I think we move in and convert the vehicles to larger reservoirs. That way our trips will not be so frequent. It will also mask just how much we’re actually moving.”

“That might give us a lot more downtime than we need.”

“No, there won’t be any downtime.”

“Why is that?”

“Because the five of you are going to Switzer and transfer ninety percent of your funds to an unlisted account.”

Violet said, “Why would we do that?”

“I think Jefie said it well. The only safe place on this planet is out on the plains. You are going to want to enjoy what you’ve made someday and every planet here and in the Union recognize a Switzer Card.”

“How are we going to get there?”

“Hire a shuttle at the outpost. You can make the trip while your vehicles are being upgraded and once the account is active, all you have to do is have the teller make the transfer directly to your account.”

Ribbons thought about it and said, “Why do all five of us have to go?”

“Switzer will only open an account for someone who is present. You have to make the first trip.”

Violet said, “I haven’t made anything yet.”

“This load will give you more than you want to spend. Go and open the account and add to it.”

Porky said, “Derek and I are going to combine our accounts.”

Ian said, “That wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Aside from the fact that you have had past disagreements, it’s better to have two stashes instead of one. If you want to share, give each other the account number and code. I just believe in having more than one basket to keep your eggs.”

Derek said, “I think he’s right, Porky. At least it feels like a good suggestion.” Porky stared at Derek and he said, “I not going anywhere, love. I’ve learned my lesson.”

Porky smiled, “Alright, let’s do this.”

The six mining vehicles turned east and headed toward the Harmony Outpost. They arrived a day later and found they were the only miners there. The Shuttle was chartered and three days later it returned with the five and found Ian waiting on them. Violet exited the ship and walked up to Ian, “The bankers explained to us how safe our money is on Switzer. I want to thank you for taking care of our future.” She put her arms around Ian’s neck and kissed him. She broke the kiss and went to her vehicle. Ribbons, Porky, Jefie, and Derek stared at Ian as she walked away. He looked at them and said, “What?”

Porky said, “I’ve never seen her kiss anybody. This is a first.”

Ian looked at Ribbons and he nodded.

Ian watched Violet enter her Vehicle and smiled, “Well, that is flattering.”

Ribbons shook his head, “You have no idea.”

The six left Harmony and returned six more times over the next thirty days. There were no miners present at Harmony and they made their offloads in peace. Thirty days after that, the five started talking about whether or not they wanted to continue the operation. In the middle of the discussion, E linked with Ian and said, “Nebula Warships are entering the Wilderness.”

Ian looked at the group and said, “I think it’s time for you to leave for Switzer.”

The group was talking among themselves and they suddenly became silent. Porky said, “Why?”

“The Nebula is sending warships into the Wilderness and it’s just a matter of time before they show up here. The Wilderness is about to become much more dangerous.”

Ribbons looked at Ian and said, “How do you know this?”

“I know. I don’t want to say how.”

Porky said, “I’m not afraid of the Nebula.”

Ian shook his head, “You should be.”

Violet said, “They’re looking for you.”

Ian looked at her and found her staring him in the eyes. He sighed and said, “They are and the last person that helped me had their head burned off. You can’t stay here.”

Ribbons stared at Ian and said, “How do you suggest we get there without them seeing us?”

“I’ll provide transportation.”

“YOU WILL NOT!”

Ian said where the group could hear, “You know I’ve left a residue here. We’ve got to move them and do it now. You’ll be safe to do it if I’m not on board.”

“I will not leave you.”

The five heard Ian say, “E this is not an option. I told you I would not allow that to happen again. You will do this.”

Ribbons said, “You’re serious.”

Ian looked at him, “You will all die if you stay here.”

The five looked at each other and Porky shrugged and said, “Well, when do we leave?”

Jefie said, “How do you know we’ll be safe on Switzer?”

Ian smiled, “No one will ever attack Switzer. Not even the Nebula.”

“Why not?”

“Because Switzer has its own defense system. They’re a member of the Union, but they do not depend on the Union for defense. It’s the safest place in the Galaxy at this moment. If the Nebula was to attack Switzer, all of their operating funds would disappear and they know it.”

Porky said, “When do we leave?”

Ian said, “Now.”

The five watched as Ian’s mining vehicle suddenly started changing shape and in less than ten seconds a small sleek ship was in front of them. Ian said, “Now get on board and get out of here.”

The five looked at Ian and Violet said, “Our lives mean nothing compared to yours. You should be leaving.”

They heard the ship say, “At least one of you has a brain.”

Derek started laughing and said, “Hey, the sooner we go, the sooner you can get back.”

The three men shook Ian’s hand and Porky hugged his neck. Violet came up and said, “I knew you were special.” She kissed him again and this time she put some effort into it. She turned and boarded the ship while Ian collected his senses. E shot up into the atmosphere and disappeared. Ian took Ribbon’s vehicle out into the desert and managed to run up an embankment and turn it upside down. He went into the cab and removed one of the seats and put it on the vehicle’s ceiling. He closed his eyes and entered sensory deprivation. He set a small part of his mind to only respond to E’s presence. Ten hours later a scan ship appeared overhead and entered orbit. It began its orbit and scanned the planet all the way down to ten feet below the surface. It completed the orbit and waited above the planet. E was ten thousand miles away and knew Ian had made another mistake. Nebula Military Forces had to be on their way. “Wait!”