THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 2858 words) [18/18] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 05 2016	Views/Reads: 1528/1157	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 1 - LAST CHAPTER

SEVENTEEN 

They were all in the briefing room again the following day for the final
session. The now fully recovered Blaze was back among them. Tyler, 
still inside his force-field, was standing behind the desk as usual, 
with Talis sitting near him. 

He smiled round at them. “Well gentlemen, this is our last session and
I'll keep it brief.” 

Sinto applauded. Miller sniggered. 

“Your Ship is being powered up now and will lift tomorrow at mid-day,”
Tyler told them. “This will be you last afternoon and evening with your 
various diversions. They will all be removed from your rooms at 
midnight.” 

“Does that mean Blaze can have more booze?” Miller asked and they all
laughed. 

Tyler looked at Blaze. “Well, would you like another bottle?” he asked. 

Blaze pulled a face and shook his head. “Not for a long time,” he
replied. 

Corthan grinned at him. 

“Right gentlemen, to recap your mission,” Tyler went on. “You will be
travelling in a Fleet Falcon, complete with Fleet markings and you all 
know your various roles.” 

“Have all the Fleet Ships that are out been warned about us?” Kane
asked. 

“There's no need,” Tyler replied. “If you run into any of the Fleet
you'll have the Ship-to-Ship codes so you can talk to them. If anybody 
gets curious, you're on a top secret mission on behalf of Fleet 
Commander Tyler.” 

“That should get us into hell,” Muslik said, grinning. 

Tyler nodded. “Hell is where you're going, gentlemen,” he reminded them.


They glanced at each other as his words sank in. 

Tyler smiled round at them all. “Think of the glory if you succeed,” he
said. 

“Fuck the glory!” retorted Sinto and Miller grunted agreement. 

Tyler ignored them. “Just think, you could be the first people to travel
through a Corridor inside a Black Hole,” he went on. “Almost makes me 
wish I was going with you.” 

“Take my place then!” Sinto generously offered. 

Tyler paused as he considered the offer. “On second thoughts, no
thanks,” he said. 

“Now there's a surprise,” said Sinto. 

Abruptly, Tyler's mood changed. “Just remember these facts,” he said,
his voice hardening. “You are all cloned. You have had ample 
demonstrations of clone-pain and clone-death.” 

Sinto and Miller glanced at each other. 

“I won't hesitate to use it if necessary,” Tyler went on. “And remember
– I'll be watching from the hidden cameras on the Falcon.” He paused. 
“And of course, Pilot Officer Talis here will be reporting to me on a 
daily basis.” 

Tyler smiled at her while the others glared at her. She ignored them. 



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