THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 2309 words) [4/15] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 07 2016	Views/Reads: 1670/1224	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 2 - CH 4

FOUR 

A reception squad of laser rifle toting Guards was waiting for them
after they touched down. The Exit Bay door on the Falcon slid open and 
Kane and the others strolled out. 

The Guards formed a small circle round them and they began walking to
Kol's mansion which they could see a short distance away. 

As they strolled along, Muslik glanced over his shoulder then looked at
Kane. “At least we know why Kol didn't believe your story about us 
being a Fleet Ship,” he said to him. 

“Why not?” 

“Take a look,” Muslik said, jerking his thumb backwards. 

Kane glanced back then stopped dead. There were no Fleet markings on the
Ship. There was nothing at all, only the dark blue metallic sheen of 
the hull reflecting in the glare of the powerful landing lights. 

“Tyler!” Kane said, spitting out the name. 

“My guess too,” Muslik said conversationally. “The markings were
probably timed to come off some time after we left Earth. Very clever. 
Now we're just an unmarked Ship travelling through space. No blame can 
be attached to Earth regardless of what we do.” 

“Bastard!” spat Sinto. 

“Makes you wonder what other surprises he's got planned for us,” Corthan
remarked. 

The Guards prodded them with their laser rifles and they all turned and
continued strolling to Kol's mansion. As they passed under an arched 
gateway, the mansion lay ahead of them across some lawns and a narrow 
river. It was a large, sprawling building, several floors high, topped 
with spires and turrets. 

As they entered the grounds they could hear a lot of noise coming from
it – loud music blared from open windows and people were drinking and 
yelling and laughing. Groups of them hung around doorways and others 
lounged about on the lawns. 

Miller grinned. “Looks like a pretty good party!” he said. 

“No drugs,” Kane warned him. “We have to stay sharp.” 

Reluctantly Miller nodded agreement. 

As they crossed an ornamental bridge over the narrow river, a body
floated by on the slow current. It was face down in the water and a 
silver arrow with short black feathers protruded from its back. 

When they'd crossed the bridge they heard a high-pitched scream coming
from the mansion and they saw a woman running from one of the doors. 
She didn't get far. A silver arrow flashed through the night from an 
upstairs window and thudded into her back. She screamed and fell, 
writhing about on the lawn and clawing at the grass then she was still. 


“Who's the marksman?” Kane asked. 

“Sark Davros,” one of the Guards replied, grinning. “Kol's younger
brother.” When they reached the mansion, a path was cleared for them 
into the main entrance, the Guards using their electrostiks to move any 
of the partiers who were too slow to get out of the way. When they 
entered the main hall it was like stepping into a madhouse. 

It was a huge hall and was packed with gaudily dressed partiers who were
drinking, yelling to each other and dancing to loud music. Directly in 
front of them a juggler was moving around tossing several lighted 
stakes high above the crowd. Until a silver arrow flashed through the 
air piercing one of the stakes and bringing the rest crashing down on 
his head. The man screamed as his hair burst into flames. 


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