THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 1547 words) [12/15] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 09 2016	Views/Reads: 1646/1131	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 2 - CH 12

TWELVE 

“We had to leave Miller on Chameleon,” a grim faced Kane told Tyler. 

Muslik had repaired the damaged Earth Monitor, rigging up a spare and
reconnecting it. 

“And then there were five,” Tyler remarked dryly. 

“Four,” corrected Kane. “Android's don't count.” 

Tyler smiled. “Alright four. What the hell were you doing on Chameleon?
You were warned to steer well clear of the place.” 

“We had no choice,” Kane told him. “We took some laser damage on Modas
and the Hydrogen Converter malfunctioned. It was the nearest available 
planet or we weren't going any further. Miller went out to do the 
repair. A lizard crawled into a pocket he'd opened on his space-suit. 
When he put his hand into it later it bit him.” 

Tyler shook his head. “Now that is a pity.” 

“Don't tell me I detect some sympathy?” Kane asked in surprise. 

“For Miller? Don't be ridiculous. I was merely concerned about who's
going to carry out any future repairs on the Ship.” 

“That shouldn't be a problem. There's only half a million space miles to
go and the Ship's running fine.” 

“Only half a million? So when will you arrive at the Hole?” “We'll be
there in a couple of days.” 

Tyler nodded. “Call me again as soon as your scanner picks up the Hole.
Remember, the Android's the only one who knows the co-ordinates.” 

“One favour before you go,” Kane said. 

“Well?” 

“Take out Miller's clone and kill it.” 

“Which would mean Miller would die quickly on Chameleon. Hmm, okay
granted,” Tyler said and flicked off his Monitor. He leaned back in his 
seat in the small secret room in Fleet HQ and lit one of his thin, 
black cigars. ‘All in good time,' he thought, jetting some smoke into 
the air. ‘Miller's clone will be disposed of with the others....after 
the mission's completed.' 

***** 

Despite his terror, Miller suddenly remembered what had caused all this
in the first place – the Dreamtab. 

He ripped the space-suit off and tossed it aside then slid a hand into
his black jumpsuit pocket. He found the Dreamtab and brought it out. He 
gazed at it and wondered....maybe if he hadn't reached down for it 
earlier.... 

He giggled insanely and popped the tablet into his mouth. It dissolved
slowly on his tongue and he tasted the familiar sweetness. He 
swallowed, sat down and leaned back against a tree. 

He gazed up at the canopy of leaves overhead. The wind moved through
them gently setting up a soft rustling sound. Little patches of the sky 
were visible where the leaves crisscrossed, sapphire blue against the 
rich green. Shafts of sunlight fell to the forest floor and he could 
see dust motes climbing up them. 

He sighed as he felt the familiar drowsiness coming on. His body felt
light, his mind dreamy. He began to float away. Away from Chameleon and 
back to the good times. 

‘The good times,' he muttered and his eyelids fluttered down. 



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