Deep Space Endeavor (38 page)

“My scientists have examined the remains of the bag you blew up on my shuttle, and they assure me that there were no actual artifacts in there. They say the maps were real, but the artifacts were not. Kudos to your forger, they were perfect matches except for the material used. I would never have known the difference, but, that’s why I have kidnapped scientists.”

“Well, now you know my secret. I still have all five of my artifacts.” Jesse replied.

“I believe that number to be seven. You see, now that I know how good your fakes were, I don’t believe you destroyed any actual artifacts in your little demonstration the other day. I would like the artifacts as we agreed.”

Jesse couldn’t stifle his laugh. “You want what? I only agreed conditionally to give you anything, and you broke every condition.”

“Come now, Captain Marcos, if you were so sure I would betray you when you made the deal, my betrayal can hardly be seen as breaking our agreement. You broke our agreement as well, by the way.”

“Wow,
I can certainly say I didn’t expect this from you, Garrinoras. Unfortunately for you, all of my artifacts would have worked. You would have the treasure right now if you didn’t try to kill me and blow up Enso. The only one who broke our agreement was you. I simply came prepared in case you did. I have to decline your offer. My artifacts stay with me.”

“Listen, Marcos,” Garrinoras warned. “I may respect you, but I will still kill you and everyone on your ship. The only way you can avoid my wrath is to give me what I want.” The conversation had suddenly lost its friendly tone.

“I appreciate the warning,” Jesse began. “But as soon as I find this treasure, my team and I are leaving to return to my galaxy, where I own my own fleet. Good luck finding us there.” He said that last statement with a smile, but he knew and he suspected Garrinoras knew as well that
Endeavor's
path home had not yet opened.

“Well, you will have to get past the
Retribution
first. I named my ship appropriately to deal with people like you,” Garrinoras replied. “You will die if you take this treasure from me, and Kaldor will suffer, too.” With that, the transmission ended, and Jesse sat on the bridge with a look of concern on his face.

“He’s not gonna give it up, Jess,” Josiah broke into his thoughts.

“I know, Jo, but there’s nothing we can really do. He’s going to try to kill us either way. Our best chance is to find the treasure and hope our new found wealth can buy us the opportunity to survive until we can go back home.” He looked very contemplative as he mentioned home, and Josiah knew he missed his sister and cousin.

Another transmission broke into the conversation. “On screen,” Jesse ordered.

A second later it was Mayor Valinor’s face lighting up the bridge.

“Hello, Governor, how’s the campaign going?” He asked, pleased to see his friend.

“Very well, thank you.” Tarrick replied. “How are you feeling? Sandstorm tells me you are recovering well from your injuries. He also told me about Topanar’s death yesterday, and how you were getting ready to leave to find the treasure.”

“We are. Enso will be recovered in another day or so, Josiah is well enough to lead the recovery team, and I’m feeling stronger every day. Although, I must admit, I’m probably at least a good week away from being useful in a fight.”

"I have someone here that wishes to greet you," he replied as Kiah's face lit up the screen.

"Hello Jesse, I'm happy you are feeling better."

"Me too, Little One, and now that I have seen you, I feel much better."

She smiled shyly as she waved goodbye, then the Mayor was back on.
“I was wondering if Agent Sandstorm might go along with you,” Tarrick asked.  “With Topanar gone, I have very few worries here, and the local law enforcement can handle it. I just think it might be better for you to have another capable member on your team for this one.”

“Agent Sandstor
m is always welcome on board
Endeavor,
Tarrick, as are you, Seeja and Kiah.” Jesse replied with a smile.

“Excellent,” Tarrick replied. “He’s on his way. He is a member of your crew until your mission is complete. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

"The feeling is most definitely mutual my friend." With that, the view screen winked out and Jesse was ready to finally get this treasure hunt over with.

Chapter twelve

______

Endeavor
lifted from Kaldor’s surface and shot up through the stratosphere into space around Kaldor. As soon as the ship was far enough from Kaldor’s gravity,
Endeavor
jumped into light space.
Endeavor
came out of light space about fifteen minutes later and immediately cloaked. Josiah checked the sensors to see if there were any other vessels or surveillance set up in the area before
Endeavor
made its calculations to Najiban. Jesse wanted to make sure
Endeavor
was not being followed. He was quite sure Garrinoras had not given up his quest for the treasure. Jesse, for the first time, actually began to think about what might be in the treasure. It supposedly contained riches beyond imagination. It also contained many items of as much historical significance as financial. He actually couldn't wait to get a look at it, and then a thought hit him, no matter how big the treasure turned out to be, Josiah finally had his epic quest. He smiled as he watched reality once again lose focus around him.

Suzy walked on to the bridge. He looked up from his thoughts and asked, “How’s Reece doing?” He knew she had released Reece from the medically-induced coma almost three hours earlier and that he had not yet regained consciousness.

“He is almost healthy,” She began. “His lungs are working quite well, his ribcage has healed, and the pectoral muscle is coming along nicely. I’ve had electrodes stimulating activity in all of his major muscle groups just to keep him fit and ready when he wakes. It’s a little unusual for someone coming out of a medically-induced coma to take a few hours to regain consciousness, but not unheard of. Given his brain activity, though, I’m starting to worry a little. He’s not on life support, but he’s not awake, either. I guess only time will tell at this point.”

“I know you are doing your best, Suzy. I also know that if Reece doesn’t wake up, it’s not your fault. You have done everything you can. The rest is up to him.”

She was obviously frustrated as she looked to be searching for the words that would accurately convey what she had been feeling. “It’s just that his vitals are fine, and his breathing is fine. His wound is healing really well. I know he took a shot to the head, but many people have woken up from worse. I don’t understand why Reece isn’t.” He could tell that she wasn't only frustrated, but also concerned.

He looked at
the doctor and smiled, “The last thing Reece saw before the lights went out was the woman he loves shooting him. Maybe his mind is still trying to subconsciously work through that before it allows him the desire of fighting to regain consciousness.”

She looked a little confused, “How do you know about the psychology of coma patients?”

He just laughed as he said, “I’m the commanding officer. It’s my job to know everything.”

She looked at Jesse, trying to keep a straight face, and just laughed. “Fine, don’t tell me, keep your secrets, then.
" They both smiled as she turned to leave the bridge. As he watched her go, he was so thankful his crew had saved her from Topanar.

He looked out the viewport at the colors of light space streaking by and thought he could get lost in those colors
as he asked, “Collin, how much longer until we arrive at Najiban?”

“We’ll be in light space for
another fifty-one hours, Colonel,” he responded.

“Well then, it is not necessary for all of us to be on the bridge. Collin, you and Wennagal can take the first six hours. Cassie and I will take the next six. Josiah can take the next shift with either Suzy or Enso if he’s up to it. Then Kimi and Sandstorm will follow. Then we begin the rotation again.”

______

Fifty-one hours later,
Endeavor
dropped out of light space. Colin cloaked the ship immediately as
Endeavor
settled into orbit around Najiban. He immediately began searching for the landing coordinates. “Najiban has a large tribal population on one continent. Its other continent is largely uninhabited,” SAMMI recited as if reading a brochure.

“How large is the tribal population, and what exactly do you mean by largely uninhabited?” Jesse asked.

“The tribal population is approximately twelve point three million. Largely uninhabited means scattered sentient life. There may be a few hundred on the entire continent. There is also a rather large population of what sentient species would consider big game animals.” SAMMI replied.

“Thank you
, SAMMI. Collin, do we know which continent we are going to yet?” Jesse asked.

“We are going to the largely uninhabited continent,” Collin said with a smile.

“They are not likely to have reptapes, Collin,” Kimiko mocked, noticing his smile.

They are actually called the
Oppashafe,” Collin replied, “And we don’t know they won’t be down there.”

“What’s an
Oppashafe” Enso asked, a little confused.

“They are half reptile, half primate animals that we encountered on
Tuleah. Collin is obsessed with them,” Cassie replied with a laugh.

“They helped us,” Collin replied defensively to a little more laughter.

“I’m still having nightmares about their screeching,” Josiah added, holding his head. “Make it stop, make it stop!”

“Alright, everyone, that will be enough fun at Lieutenant Torrensede’s expense, for now. The
Oppashafe did in fact help us. Let’s just leave it at that,” Jesse remarked, ending the good-natured debate.

“SAMMI, was this continent always largely uninhabited?” Josiah queried.

“Yes, Lieutenant Jackson, it has never been settled by an organized culture, only scattered individuals.” SAMMI replied in an almost musical tone that threatened to open up a new round of laughter at Collins expense.

“Are there any structures large enough in the target area to hold a treasure of substantial size?” Josiah continued.

“Not above ground, Lieutenant Jackson. Sensors are picking up several underground structures that are quite large in the target area. They all seem to be part of the same underground complex,” SAMMI replied.

“Are they natural or manmade, SAMMI?” Jesse asked.

“Unknown, Colonel Marcos.”

“Ok
ay, Lieutenant Torrensede, put us down cloaked in the target zone. Let’s get the map, the artifacts and the key. Let’s also bring the large gold coins we found. I have a feeling that they might be part of the puzzle. We have four hoversleds ready to go, and the warriorbots are ready to help us load. I think we’re ready.” Jesse was really excited as he spoke, even though he was not going with his crew. He was ready for this hunt to be over so they could begin exploring the other three sectors of the Kalephi galaxy.

Endeavor
landed in the target zone. While the landing bay hatch was opening, Jesse noted that this was the first planet they were on that really reminded him of Earth. They had landed in an area that was a flat, rocky surface. To the north and west were trees. They were looking at a beautiful forest with trees that looked a lot like oak trees although the trees were substantially larger. They were spaced far enough apart that it appeared a speeder would be able to maneuver through. To the east was the base of a large mountain. Trees decorated the mountain, and about halfway up, you could see the color change from green to white. It was a picturesque view. To the south, the rocks went on for a few hundred kilometers before giving way to white, sandy beaches. Jesse couldn’t actually see that far. That just happened to be the course they followed on the way in. Forests, mountains and beaches; he would love to spend some time camping on this continent.

“All right,” h
e began, sensing his crew’s excitement. “This is it, the end of a long journey. Josiah is in charge on this one. I’m going to be staying here with Suzy, and Shadow.  I’m still about three days away from being field-ready, and I don’t want to slow you down. Comm me when you have found the treasure. I will then send the bots with the hoversleds. Are there any questions?”

“What if we run into any of these big game animals SAMMI mentioned?” Collin asked.

“Set blasters to stun, we don’t want to kill any of them unless it’s an us-or-them type of situation,” he replied. “Good luck everyone, and remember, I’d rather you all come back without any treasure than to lose any of you, so be careful. Also, if you can close the treasure chamber after you have unloaded the treasure, do it. Bring the artifacts back with you if you can.”

______

Five hours later, Jesse was getting restless. Suzy just laughed as she watched him doing anything he could to further prepare what had already been prepared and prepared again. “Jesse,” she chided. “You’re making me dizzy. Come sit down or you’ll tire yourself out before you even begin the actual work.”

He came and sat down next to his lifelong friend, and with a smile, said, “It’s just really hard for me to not be out there, you know.”

“I know, Jesse, even when we were children, you could never sit still if you knew one of your friends was out doing something fun. Remember when you broke your leg?” She began.

“Oh, that just about killed me,” he laughed. “I had to watch everyone playing and running around while I was stuck on the porch. It nearly drove me nuts. I guess this is a little like that.
" He paused as he looked over at his friend and asked, "Hey, can I ask you a question?”

Suzy looked amused, “You know you can. I’ll even give you an answer if I have one.”

“My mind is messing with me, and I’m trying to figure out what it means,” He started.

“You’re upset that Kimi and Ogen have been getting along so well,” she finished his thought for him.

“Seriously,” he laughed. “How do you do that? I mean, I know I have no right to be upset. Especially since I’m with Cassie and I think things are going well. I’m pretty happy, so why am I feeling this way?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?” She asked.

“Yes, I really do. You know me better than anyone.”

Suzy hesitated before she began, “I think on some level you’ve been in love with Kimiko for a long time.” As Jesse began to protest, Suzy put her hands up and said, “Let me finish.” Jesse nodded and Suzy continued. “The problem is, Kimi is the fir
st woman you met after Rebecca died. You weren't ready to move on yet and somewhere in your mind, you have eliminated Kimi as a potential love interest. Because of this, you have failed to notice how in love with you Kimi is.”

“Kimi is not in love with me,” he laughed.

“Has been for years, since the night she tried to kill you. Maybe even before that.” Suzy added. “But I think now that it's been so long you are finally starting to notice Kimi.

“What do I do about it?” Jesse asked. “I’ve only ever
really been in love once, Suzy. You know I’m not the type of guy to go for two women at the same time, that’s just not who I am."

“I think Kimi’s already more than a little upset with you about Cassie, so it would probably be best if you didn’t say anything to her about it right now. I do know that she’s not interested in Ogen. I think she enjoys his company, but she’s not planning on being with him.”

He knew she was holding something back. “But?” He started as he motioned his hands for her to continue.

She paused as she was trying to find the right words to say. “I don’t think Cassie is in this relationship for the long haul, and I don’t like the way she snaps at you. I feel like she might just be using you to get what she wants, like her cousin, enough money from the treasure to get a new ship, that sort of stuff. I sometimes wonder if you might have been better off if we did leave her that first day on Kaldor.”

"I don't really know what to say to that." He stood sadly, “Thanks, Suzy, I guess I’ve got a lot to think about." As he walked away, he was upset. He knew Suzy had been truthful with him and that she would never purposely hurt him, but her words had stung. Was Cassie just using him, or was their relationship real? It would explain the nagging feeling he had been having.

She called to him as he walked away. “I’m sorry, Jesse, I’m just telling you how I feel. I really do hope I’m wrong.”
As she sat alone in the empty landing bay she wondered what he was thinking about and if she had indeed hurt him. She wished he had just opened his eyes a little sooner, then this whole awkward mess could have been avoided. How had he not known that Kimi had been in love with him? She had hoped he would end up with Kimi ever since she had forgiven her and befriended her, but now it looked like that wasn't likely to happen.

______

After hours of searching, Josiah was confident that the entrance to the treasure chamber was in the cavern they were currently searching. They had been searching through a maze of underground caverns, some manmade and others natural. It was easy to see why
Endeavor’s
sensors couldn’t tell if they were all natural. The team had been searching for several hours, and he didn’t want this to turn into a two-day expedition. As he was checking along the west wall of the cavern, he heard Kimi excitedly call out.