THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 1534 words) [4/18] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 04 2016	Views/Reads: 1836/1308	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 1 - CH 3

THREE 

Tyler extracted some more papers from his folder and consulted them.
“There are six prisoners in the group,” he said, glancing round the 
interested Councillors. “They have been chosen because each has a 
speciality, a particular talent and they're going to need all the skill 
they possess if they've any chance of succeeding on a mission like 
this. Apart from one, they're all mid-thirtyish and as you already 
know, they have a major common denominator – they're all serving life 
sentences for serious crimes committed against Earth or within the 
known Universe.” 

“They're all still alive?” the Judge asked. 

“Alive and well according to my latest information,” Tyler answered. 

“Will six be enough of a crew for the Ship?” asked the President. 

“More than enough, replied Tyler. “They'll be using a Falcon, which is
quarter the size of the Zenon. When I explain what they're capable of, 
you'll understand why six is sufficient.” He removed a film capsule 
from his pocket and held it up. “May I?” he asked, indicating the wall 
screens. 

The Judge nodded. 

“You'll probably recognise most of them,” Tyler said to him as he
strolled over to one of the screens and dropped in the capsule. 

“No doubt,” the Judge replied, smiling. 

Tyler turned out the lights and re-joined the others. He didn't need his
notes anymore – he knew all the faces coming up and their histories by 
heart. 

The wall screen flickered for a moment then settled. A hard but handsome
face slid into focus. The black hair was short. The blue eyes piercing. 
He had a thick moustache and a few days dark stubble. 

“Prisoner 1 – Frank Kane, from Earth,” Tyler said, looking at the
screen.  “Guilty of high treason against the Fleet. Before that he was 
the finest Ship's Captain I've met. I should know – we served five 
years in the Fleet together. He'll lead the group.” 

“An auspicious start,” remarked the Judge. “A traitor in command.” 

The picture flicked off and another face appeared. Weaker looking.
Unkempt brown hair. A scruffy beard. Grinning stupidly at the camera. 

“Prisoner 2 – Keith Miller, from Earth. Major inter-planetary drug
trafficker. Responsible for intercepting and stealing many of the 
consignments of Dreamtabs leaving Earth for almost two years until 
caught. Apart from being a first class drug trafficker he was also a 
first class Ship's Engineer. One of the best the Fleet's had.” 

“The Fleet are doing well so far,” the Judge said dryly. 

In the darkness, the Fleet Marshal shifted uncomfortably on his seat. 

The face on the screen flicked off to be replaced by a full length shot
this time. A slim figure wearing a blue and yellow striped prison 
uniform. An intelligent face. Bald. Amused eyes. One earring. 

“Prisoner 3 – Muslik Gra, from Cambyses. Human-mutant. Found guilty of
experimenting with humans. He was gradually trying to replace the human 
brain with miniature computerised parts, quite successfully too as some 
of you may possibly remember. It's for another reason that I've picked 
him for the team however – he's a telepath, two way.” 

The picture changed again. Another full length shot. A tall figure. Long
dark blue cloak with a high collar. Pale blue skin. Blue-grey hair. Sad 
eyes. 

Tyler hesitated before supplying the commentary. They weren't going to
like this one. Then he shrugged to himself in the darkness and went on. 


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