THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 1179 words) [3/15] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 07 2016	Views/Reads: 1880/1344	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 2 - CH 3

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

“You don't have to worry about that,” Tyler told them. “There are no
other Ships in your area just now. You're too far away from Earth.” 

Automatically Kane didn't believe him. 

“You're approaching Modas,” Tyler went on. “When do start you're course
curve to stay well clear?” 

“Two hours,” Kane told him. 

Tyler nodded. “Until next time then,” he said curtly and flicked off the
Monitor. 

Kane turned to Muslik and was about to say something when the dull thump
of an explosion deep in the Ship interrupted him. 

Muslik closed his eyes and concentrated. “It's in the Docking Bay,” he
said. Seconds later Blaze materialized with his arms round Miller. Kane 
and Muslik rushed over and grabbed him and helped him to the couch. 

“What the hell happened?” asked Kane. 

Miller sat up groggily. “Dunno,” he said. “We were working near the door
when there was a flash then an explosion. Looked like a laser flash to 
me.” 

“You alright?” 

“Yeah. It just knocked me out for a few seconds.” He frowned. “So how
did I get back to the Bridge?” 

“Blaze brought you,” Kane told him. 

“That means you can dematerialize and carry people, not just objects,”
Muslik said to him. “Well done!” 

Blaze grinned. 

“What about Sinto?” Corthan asked. 

Just then the Bridge door opened and Sinto half staggered in. “I'm
okay,” he grunted as Kane moved towards him. He flopped down on the 
Bridge couch beside Miller. 

Kane immediately glanced at the Observation Screen but there was only
blue-black space and the usual stars and distant planets. 

“Any information?” he asked the Computer. 

Before it had a chance to reply the Screen flickered and when it cleared
there was a totally different picture on it. 

“Greetings, travellers!” a voice said. “Allow me to explain what
happened!” 

Blaze's eyes widened and he moved forward to get a closer look. On the
observation screen an elegantly dressed youngish man with long, bushy, 
hair was lying on a large black leather couch. Several half-naked women 
lay beside him or sprawled at his feet. Similar half-dressed couples 
lounged about behind him or were dancing to background music. 

“Wow!” said Blaze, staring at the women. 

Talis glared at him. 

“Greetings, Captain Frank Kane and crew!” the youngish man said, raising
his glass to them. “Welcome to Modas! You are in communication with Kol 
Davros, ruler and supreme being on the planet!” 

Kane frowned. “Modas? We're nowhere near Modas,” he said. 

Kol Davros grinned. “You will be soon!” he responded. “Your Ship is in
one of our lobster pots!” 

“What the hell's a lobster pot?” growled Sinto. 

“A huge invisible laser net,” Kol told him. “They're about twenty space
miles wide and twenty deep. We put them out now and then to see if we 
catch anything worth playing with.” 

“Why didn't any of the scanners pick it up?” Kane asked Talis. 

“Everything was being channelled into recharging the Cloaker and the
weapons,” she told him. “There wasn't sufficient power for them to 
function.” 

Kane cursed and looked back at the Screen. “I would strongly advise you
to release us from your laser net,” he warned Kol. “We're an official 
Fleet Ship travelling on Earth business. Fleet Control won't be too 
happy when they hear about this.” 

“Nice try, Captain!” Kol said, laughing. “Your Ship has no markings and
your Computer has no records of any Fleet or Earth business. Our Master 
Computer has been through yours.” 

“I feel as if I've been interfered with,” complained the Computer. 

Kane glared at it. “You will be if we get out of this,” he said. 

“Well Captain, would you care to venture on to Modas and join our
party?” Kol asked. 

“Do we have any choice?” 

“Of course you do. Come and join the party or else we blow you out of
the fucking sky!” 

The women sitting on the couch beside Kol shrieked with laughter. So did
Blaze until Corthan clipped the back of his head. 

“Do we have to wear funny hats for the party?” Sinto growled. 

Kol laughed. “I like you, Mr Tattoo Face!” he said to him. “In fact I've
just picked you to take part in our first game.” He looked at Kane. 
“Steer your Ship to the north-east corner of the lobster pot, Captain,” 
he ordered. “We'll light up the net for you. By the way, there will be 
three heavily armed Ships waiting so don't try anything. See you soon!” 



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