THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 1507 words) [2/18] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 04 2016	Views/Reads: 1959/1411	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 1 - CH 1

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them in turn. “So if we could perhaps come to a decision,” he glanced 
at each of them again, “preferably before the campaigns start.” 

The others remained thoughtfully silent as his words sank in. Then the
President refastened his shirt and replaced the Presidential Cross at 
the collar. The Fleet Marshal brushed at his uniform and sat up stiffly 
in his chair. The Treasury Director gathered his papers together, 
shuffled them into a neat pile and replaced them in a folder. 

The Judge beamed at them. “Excellent Councillors, excellent. It's
amazing what a reminder of elections can achieve, isn't it?” 

The others exchanged wry looks but remained silent. 

“So if we could proceed in a more civilised manner, Councillors,” he
went on. “Allow me to summarise the problem....For the last two years, 
Earth has been trying to discover what lies through the other side of a 
Corridor inside a Black Hole. To date we have lost...,” he glanced at a 
sheet of paper lying on the table in front of him but the Treasury 
Director supplied the facts for him. 

“...four Ships and five hundred crew.” 

“Thank you. Four Ships and five hundred personnel at a cost of?” he
glanced at the Treasury Director. 

“Five billion UniCredits.” 

“A high sum,” said the President. 

“Too high,” agreed the Treasury Director. “The Treasury is unhappy about
the outlay on this project. They wish to make it clear, through me, 
that they don't advise any further financial allocations on this 
affair.” 

“The Treasury don't have any votes though, do they?” the Judge remarked
before the bickering could start up again. “The people who do have the 
votes are the very ones putting us under pressure to continue this 
exploration.” He looked round at them. “I don't have to spell out to 
you how advantageous it is for all of us to remain as members of The 
Inner Council, do I?” 

There was silence in the room for a while as each considered the immense
benefits of his position and how fragile that current position was. 
Inner Councils had folded before because of lesser affairs than this. 

“Apart from that,” the Judge said, beaming again, “think how fantastic
it's going to look during the campaigns if we can announce we've 
discovered what's through the Corridor.” 

The President and the Treasury Director considered this point and were
just beginning to smile at him when the Fleet Marshal wiped their 
smiles away. 

“I'm afraid the problem's more serious than either finances or
elections,” he announced. 

The Judge leaned back in his chair and studied him. ‘So I was correct –
there is something bothering you,' he thought. ‘The Fleet, no doubt?' 

“What the hell is it?” the President barked. “What's more serious than
elections?” 

The Fleet Marshal hesitated. The film of sweat was back on his forehead
again. “It's the Fleet,” he said eventually. “It was extremely 
difficult mustering a crew for this mission, in view of the fate of the 
others. When word spreads that there's been another disappearance it's 
going to be impossible to get anybody to go. If we try to force them we 
could have a mutiny on our hands and that's the last thing we want, 
considering how stretched we are on the planets Varga and Baltok at the 
moment.” 

“Couldn't we keep this mission quiet?” asked the President. 

The Fleet Marshal shook his head. “Impossible. How can we persuade
another crew to go when we can't contact the previous one?” 

“Lie to them,” said the President. “Tell them we are in contact with the
last crew who made it into the Corridor then had to turn back because 
of a serious problem with the Ship.” 

“They'll want proof.” 

“Give them it. Make up a voice capsule.” 

The Fleet Marshal shook his head again. “The Corridor in the Black Hole
is the chief topic of conversation in the Fleet. Everybody knows who 
went on the last mission. If we try to fake anything it'll be spotted 
by someone.” 

“We're beaten then,” said the President, voicing what the others feared.


The Marshal cleared his throat and the others glanced at him hopefully.
“Not quite,” he announced. “There may be a solution. An idea has been 
put to me by the Fleet Commander. You all know him – Commander Erwin 
Tyler.” 

They nodded. 

“It's rather desperate,” went on the Marshal, “but then so is our
situation and since we aren't exactly bogged down by alternatives it 
looks as though we may have to use it.” 

“Outline it to us,” requested the Judge. 

“It's fairly complex,” the Marshal told him, “and...,” he hesitated. 

“And?” prompted the Treasury Director. 

“It involves some prisoners. Lifers to be exact.” 

“Lifers!?” exploded the President. “How the hell can we use lifers!?” 

Before further arguments started, the Judge cut in. “Election in six
months, Councillors. Shall we hear Commander Tyler's plan or does 
anybody have any alternatives?” 

There was silence in the room. 

“Any alternatives?” the Judge asked the President. 

The President shook his head as did the Treasury Director. 

“Where is the Commander?” the Judge asked, looking at the Fleet Marshal.


“Fleet Head Quarters.” 

“The plan's already prepared? All details worked out?” 

The Marshal nodded. 

“Summon him!” ordered the Judge. 


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