THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 983 words) [3/18] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 04 2016	Views/Reads: 1861/1369	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 1 - CH 2

TWO 

Tyler's footsteps echoed sharply off the marble floor as he strode
briskly along the corridor to the Inner Council Room. 

In his all black Fleet Commander's uniform, Erwin Tyler cut an elegant
yet menacing figure. He was in his early forties and was a handsome but 
arrogant man. He was young for a Fleet Commander but his arrogance 
demanded more and success in getting a Ship through the Corridor might 
just give him it. 

The Guards outside the door recognised him but he flicked out his pass
anyway. One of them pressed a button on the wall, the door slid open 
and he entered. The Fleet Marshal rose to meet him and they exchanged 
brief smiles. Tyler was re-introduced to the other Councillors and he 
nodded politely to each in turn. 

“Good of you to come at such short notice, Commander,” the Judge said. 

“I've been expecting the summons since we saw the films from the Zenon,”
Tyler told him. 

The Judge nodded and indicated a small table near the main one. Tyler
sat down at it and placed a slim folder on the polished oak surface. 

The formalities over, the Judge came straight to the point. “Outline
your plan to us, Commander,” he instructed. 

Tyler extracted some papers from his folder and consulted them. He
glanced round at the attentive faces. “Councillors,” he began, “the 
problem as I see it is relatively simple. There is a Corridor inside a 
Black Hole. Earth is determined to find out what is through the 
Corridor but all Ships and crew sent there either vanish without trace 
or are destroyed. Naturally, when word of the Zenon spreads round the 
Fleet no-one will want to go on any further missions, which is 
perfectly understandable – who wants to volunteer for anything which 
carries a guaranteed death penalty. In fact, Councillors, I can state 
with absolute certainty that if we try to force another crew to go to 
this area we will have nothing short of a Fleet mutiny on our hands.” 

“Admirably put,” said the Judge. “Your solution?” 

“As the problem lies with the personnel and not the Ship, we won't use
anyone from the Fleet,” Tyler explained. “My plan involves taking men 
who are already expendable and sending them on the mission. If they too 
disappear the loss of the Ship would be regretted,” he said and glanced 
at the Treasury Director, “but at least we won't have a Fleet mutiny on 
our hands.” 

“What men are expendable?” asked the President. 

“Men already serving life sentences on a penal colony,” replied Tyler.
“Men with nothing to live for and consequently nothing to lose. Men 
who'll jump at any chance so long as it gets them off the colony.” 

“Supposing we decide to use these prisoners,” said the Judge, “would
they agree to go, knowing what happened to the previous crews?” 

“They're so desperate to get off the colony that they'll agree to
anything,” Tyler assured him. “Besides,” he smiled at the Councillors, 
“after we remove them it'll be too late for them to change their minds 
– agreeing to go won't matter, they'll have to go. I'll explain more 
fully later if you approve the plan.” 

The Inner Council didn't look convinced. 

“What do you offer them in return, Commander?” the Treasury Director
asked. 

“The fact that they're getting off the colony will be enough,
Councillor, believe me it will,” Tyler replied. “However we can dangle 
a few other carrots in front of them, just to convince them of 
our...gratitude, shall we say?” 

“So they'll definitely go if we decide to use them?” the President


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