Tar Read online

  Looking at the com he’d been issued, he saw it was time to head to the meeting if he wanted to be there early. After all, the early bird caught the worm. He’d be able to watch everyone as they arrived. Dropping his tray in the bin, he headed out the door.

  His plan had been good, but he wasn’t the earliest one there. The gorgeous female he thought was called Patty stood off to the side waiting for the others to arrive. Approaching her, he stopped right in front of her. “Hello, Beautiful.” He greeted with a grin.

  “Hello.” She said without a bit of welcome to her tone.

  This female wasn’t the most sociable one he’d met. Never had he had to try to catch a female’s attention. He didn’t know what to do. “Is this a good place to work?” He asked.

  “It’s fine for one such as you.” She replied.

  “What is one such as me?” He asked.

  “Someone looking for a place to hide while Earth falls. You’ll make good money, the work is easy, the food is the best, and you can ride out your contract easily.” She responded.

  “The work is easy? Does that mean I won’t have to hurt anyone? I don’t like to hurt patients especially children.” He replied.

  “You won’t be around the children. New guards protect the entries and exits and search incoming supplies and people.” She answered.

  He didn’t like the fact that she seemed to take a dislike to him and believe he was only capable of simple tasked. It sounded easy enough that a child could do it. There was also something about her that called to his inner Phoenix and that was a surprise. Others were now arriving and they didn’t talk anymore. He would get her alone again sometime and continue the conversation.

  Trevers arrived looking around to get a count. “Someone is missing. I expected it to be pretty boy, but it’s not.”

  The guy who was late was a knuckle dragging bone head. Maybe these were the kind of guys Trevers preferred, because he simply grunted pointing to a place in line and the guy fell in. No more was said.

  “Let’s get started. We’ll be taking a tour of the areas all guards have access to. Because of the sensitivity of certain areas and the value of the intellectual property, we won’t be going to the labs or the areas volunteers are staying. Follow me and Preston will bring up the end of the line.”

  Trevers began to walk through the station as he kept up a lecture on rules, expectations, and pointed out areas like showers and locker rooms for the guards. “Here’s the cafeteria and when we are done we’ll end up here in time for supper.” Trevers observed.

  They walked through the gym which was modern and well equipped. There was even a ring for boxing or wrestling. “Some weekends we have matches with prizes for the winners. There are also side bets for entertainment.” Trevers continued.

  Again he stopped before they exited the gym and he had them all line up. “Anyone have any questions?” Trevers asked.

  “How and when do we get paid?” Bonehead asked.

  “An important thing, getting paid. You get payed the first of every month and in your packets you have a paper you must turn in where you select direct deposit to a bank or card, a check, or cash. Carrying cash can be dangerous here so I suggest the other forms. If you have trouble with your packets, come see Preston and he’ll take good care of you.” Preston grinned, but he didn’t look helpful.

  “Now let’s finish the tour. Here is the back exit to the station. You’ll see there are scanners set up to find bombs or weapons. There is also a body scanner to show you if someone has illegal goods hidden inside them. Any issues you find, separate the person and take them to the room next to the scanner and lock them in. Call a supervisor to deal with them. Do not under any circumstances deal with them on your own. Every few people, the computer will pick one to search. Only those are searched upon exit. Now let’s go to the entrance.”

  Trevers led them back the way they had come. It seems their security wasn’t that good. Perhaps it was on purpose. “Now this is the entrance. Anyone without special approval or ambassadorial rights is searched coming in. I don’t care if it’s your mother, she gets searched. We have the same scanning devices here as at the back. Guards work in pairs. They take turns switching back and forth between watching the scanners and searching the people coming in. Any questions?” No one seemed to have any.

  “Good, now let’s head to the cafeteria where we can all get some food and sit down and relax.” Trevers got in line first and they all fell in as they were except for Preston who stepped up and slid in behind Trevers.

  Looking around, he realized Patty had disappeared at some point along the way. He wondered where she was all day. From what he’d heard she practically ran the place so she should have an office. The line moved quickly and he piled his plate full of Italian food. It was his favorite since they had it one night a week on the ship when they patrolled.

  He sat with some of the new guys at a big table while Trevers, Preston, and a couple guys he’d not seen before sat at a smaller table. The new guys were quiet for the most part. Trevers and Preston spoke quietly, but his supernatural hearing could pick out the words.

  “Who you gonna pick to fight this weekend?” Preston asked.

  “The pretty boy and the great ape that was late. It’ll be brains versus brawn. My money is on the ape.” Trevers said. “I won’t bet much just in case.”

  “I’m betting on pretty boy. I think he’s stronger than he looks.” Preston said. “No cheating, right?”

  “Who? Me? I’m offended you would suggest I’d do that. I save that for the big fights.” Trevers declared. “This is just two little fish.”

  “Sawyer bringing in some of that flat face tomorrow?” Preston asked.

  “Yup. A whole medical cooler full.” Trevers admitted.

  Damn. Flat face was the nickname for a new and expensive designer drug. If a person overdosed, it flattened the features on their face and they stayed that way in death. Made it hard to identify the victim. Things were just getting complicated.

  “The newbies won’t be messing it up will they?” Preston asked.

  “No, we are putting each new guy with an experienced guard. They all know medical coolers are checked out by supervisors only. It’ll be alright. It’s coming in on Night Wing. Don’t you have a thing with the captain?” Trevers asked.

  “Soon Ing is hot, but a bit too violent for my taste. I’ll be hiding out with a bottle of whiskey and a softer female.” Preston observed.

  “I’d give her a try, but Deloris would unman me.” Trevers admitted.

  “You letting her keep a leash on you?” Preston asked.

  “Not at all. She said she’ll let me go if I ever want it, but don’t be dipping my wick elsewhere until then. She’s sweet as hell in bed, and mean as shit everywhere else.” Trevers admitted.

  “The one I’d like to stick it to is Patty, but that stuck up bitch don’t like males. I believe her and Ladonna are shagging each other.” Preston suggested.

  “I’d pay to watch that. They are both hot as hell.” Trevers said.

  “What about Deloris?” Preston asked with a chuckle.

  “She said I can’t bang anyone, not that I can’t watch them bang each other.” Trevers pointed out.

  “There’d be a line around the block to watch that.” Preston concluded before the two men began to eat their food.

  There was no more talking, but they’d said enough. He would call in the tip about drugs on the Night Wing. That way they’d never make it here. Teran hurried to finish his eating. Once he was done he dropped his tray then headed to his room. He scanned it before he pulled out his com.

  “Hello? Tar, is that you?” Justice asked. He was temporarily in the office helping out since Cash was off.

  “Yes. I have a tip. The ship, Night Wing is carrying a medical cooler full of flat face. It is expected to arrive tomorrow, but must be stopped before it is near here.”

  “I will take care of it. Be careful, if they are dealing that they are
more dangerous than we thought.”

  “I will be careful. I had better go.”

  He felt better now that he’d done his part. Justice would take care of the rest. It wasn’t that he knew him well, but what he knew of him was good. The male was reliable and capable. With nothing else to do, he checked his envelope seeing he was scheduled in the morning for entrance duty.

  Setting his alarm, he showered in his closet sized bathroom and went to bed. Although he tossed and turned for a while, eventually he got into a deep sleep. In his dreams he chased Patty, but some unknown female caught her instead and took her away. That was when his alarm went off.

  Jumping up, he hurriedly dressed and got his gear on. Once he left his room he went to the cafeteria. He was eating before the other recruits showed up. They looked tired and not quite ready for work. Looking at them made him glad he’d gone to bed early.

  Trevers showed up with Preston to take stock of the men. “Once you’re done eating, we will escort you to your assignments.” Trevers said before he got his food and ate quickly. Teran figured Trevers could eat whenever he wanted to. That was part of being in charge.

  Once they were all done, they lined up and Trevers lead with Preston at the end. Only a third of the men were present. Some would work nights and others would fill in on other days. They all worked five twelve hour shifts a week. Even though two guards covered the entrance and two the exit, there were other points covered by other pairs of guards.

  Extra guards were used in the warehouse and other areas for loading and unloading. There was a heavy turnover so they wouldn’t have extra for long. Trevers took them to the entrance first. “Doss, this is Teran. He’s your responsibility to train so do it right.”

  After that they left and it was Doss who would fill him in on all he needed to know. “Let’s start you on the scanning equipment. You watch it while I do the searching and explain what you need to know. Okay?” Doss asked.

  Chapter 3

  Drugs and Thugs

  Teran worked hard switching back and forth with Doss learning the job of working the main entrance. Trevers and Preston walked by talking and hands moving about. “Looks like the bosses are upset.” Doss observed.

  Teran was certain it was about the flat face drugs. Hopefully Justice had dealt with the ship and drugs aboard. Unfortunately that would cause the bosses here to be difficult. At least the drugs had been taken before they arrived.

  Lunch arrived and someone came to take their place. Doss led the way to the cafeteria. They filled their plates sitting at the end of a table. Preston and Trevers sat nearby. “One of her crew must have talked. There is no other way for them to find the drugs.” Trevers observed.

  “She bailed herself out and heads our way. Soon Ing blames us although I told her we informed none of our men. There is no way she was snitched on by anyone here.” Preston said.

  “Soon had best be checking out her own guys.” Trevers replied.

  Teran was pleased it had gone off so well. The only shame was their supervisors were angry now. These were dangerous men on a good day. Today was not a good day. “Ready to go back?” Doss asked.

  “Anytime you are.” Dropping their trays, they headed back.

  He liked the job well enough. Had he been here for real he would have worked his way up until he eventually ran the place. Trevers position probably paid well. Even Preston’s wouldn’t be too bad. They had a normal life, but didn’t appreciate it.

  It was nearly the end of his shift when a female with black hair and slanted dark eyes walked up to their entrance. She started to walk in without being checked. Doss stopped her. “Everyone must be searched.”

  “Do you know who I am?” She asked.

  “Soon Ing, the lady captain.”

  “That’s right. Trevers will give me admittance without being searched.”

  Doss called Trevers who said to wave her by. They did as instructed. Not long after she passed through, they were off work and he was done. They went to the cafeteria for supper. Teran liked Doss and he didn’t believe he was involved in anything improper.

  “You did a good job today. You’ll be working with me for the rest of the week. Once we get through the week, you’ll come back to work and I’ll be off on vacation. My first one in over a year. I’m glad we finally got some new recruits.” Doss grinned.

  “I hope you’ll have a great vacation.”

  “It’s all planned and it’ll be wonderful. I got me a mail order bride with the money I’ve saved.” Doss admitted. He didn’t say he wouldn’t be back, but Teran suspected it.

  “Will I be trained on the other jobs?”

  “Already tired of this one? Once you’re here a while, they’ll rotate you guys around. This is the hardest position for a general guard. Some of the jobs inside the labs are tougher. You’d have to be here a long time to work there.”

  “Just curious. This job is just fine for me for now. It’s not too easy, not too hard.”

  Doss chuckled. “Never heard the not too easy part before.”

  “Makes it less likely to be boring.”

  “Around here boring is good. Too much excitement kills.” Doss explained.

  “Gotcha. Boring good, exciting bad.” He grinned at Doss.

  “You’re a quick learner. That’s a good thing with Soon on the station. Trouble follows that gal especially when she’s worked up.” Doss observed.

  “How can you tell she’s worked up?”

  “Watch her next time you see her. She has a long earring hangs past her shoulder. When she’s upset she twirls it around.” Doss described. “I may be an older feller, but I’m an observant one. Stick with me and I’ll tell you all about these people.”

  “I would appreciate that.”

  “You’ve got awful good manners for a guard.” Doss observed.

  “My mother was raised as a lady. She raised me to mind my manners like a gentleman. Dad reinforced it with discipline.”

  “Good to know. I’ll try to watch my manners best I can.” Doss promised.

  “What’s this place really like?”

  “They do some things I don’t like. Patty and Ladonna, they’d like to go, but they stay for the kids.” Doss explained.

  “What kids?”

  Doss looked around carefully. “They grow ‘em here in the lab. They hafta because no one decent will give up their kids for experiments. Would you?” Teran shook his head. “Their numbers are down because they got a bad donor. They’ve also had a few escapes. Some of their testing is legit, don’t get me wrong. Some of it is bad, maybe illegal. Who knows?” Doss continued.

  Teran knew, they’d hidden what they did, but growing kids for experimentation was illegal. There was no way to do it legally. It was banned in every part of the galaxy. The law, such as it was, would shut this place down if they knew. Now he had information, but still no proof. His lens, the one in his right eye recorded everything sending it on via a small satellite drifting near the station. Buried in his ear, he had a recorder that did the same.

  He had to get into the area kids were to get the proof he needed. Apparently, they weren’t going to let him in there any time soon. Glancing up, the vents caught his attention, but he was too big to make some of the turns.

  “Be careful about asking questions around here. People who do disappear and I kinda like you. You’re alright for a young’un.” Doss observed.

  “Thanks, old timer.”

  Doss chuckled. “That’s okay, but take my warning. You gotta be careful around here.”

  “Where you come from originally, Doss?”

  “Meta five. It was an iron ore mine. The folks there come from around Tennessee and surrounding area. You gonna tell me I talk funny?” Doss asked.

  “No, Sir. I was just wondering.”

  Doss laughed. “Keep telling me that. You’ve got good manners. The others always say I talk funny.”

  They finished their meal and went their separate ways. Doss said he was turning in f
or the night. Teran went on the prowl checking out all the accessible areas to see how they connected to the places he needed to go. He also kept his eyes open for the area Patty and her friend hung out in, but it appeared to be in the off limits areas of the station.

  As near as he estimated, over half the area of the station was restricted. That was a large area to set aside for secret needs. One lab and one of the areas regular experiments were run was not in the restricted area. That told him what was going on in the other areas must be prohibited. He’d been around labs and areas were things were done that intellectual property and none of them hid their work like this. Many had windows looking in so employees could be observed but the work itself not seen.

  Maybe that was oversimplifying things, but if they were growing and using children, it certainly explained the need for isolation of those areas. Maybe he needed to speak to Patty. If she was trying to help the children, maybe they could work together. The problem was it was clearly impossible to find her unless she came out to the public areas.

  He made his way back to his room where he searched for devices that didn’t belong and found none. Next he made a call. “Tar? You can’t have found something already?” Justice asked.

  “No proof, but I was told they are growing and experimenting on children here. I also was told Patty was forced to stay because of threats made against the children. They say she was made and raised here.”

  “We heard that too. That’s why we sent you in. We were also told there was a self-destruct in the children’s section. We just don’t have the proof we need to support a raid.”

  “Damn. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “We needed you to go in without having judgements already made. Patty may be the key, but we can’t come in until the bomb is deactivated.” Justice admitted.

  “This just keeps getting worse.”

  “All I can suggest is get some sleep and hit it hard tomorrow.”

  “Thanks for nothing.”

  Justice chuckled. “Undercover work is hell.”