Terlugians extract

Saga Kenate Number 16: “Professor Schulz”.
Science fiction tale written by Alfredo Juillet Frascara.
March 2017.

Date: Year 6180.
Place: Second Brana.

Characters:

Professor Schulz, Hans Barboto, Klaus Bribarten and Ilene his wife.
Crystal (a friend of Klaus).
Turion Marcel. Kina Nokul. Gulorfo Trifobaldion.
Gorifaldo, Major.
Lieutenant Lang. - Crewman Mariboldo.
Count Blurblo. Lord of Fijinor. Shivanka the sorceress, Professor Ellifia,
Miss Yehuda. Lord Buerne (Supreme coordinator in planet Loring 3).
Mr. Alfredonius and his woman Carmen.
Assistants to Mr. Alfredonius: Hernan, Laber, Curfol, Mossal.


Animals: Torosaurus, Lycorhinos, Brontosaurus, Adasaurus, Crocodile.


Synopsis.


Chapter 1.
01

Klaus Bribarten smiled, looking his desert, he was at the kitchen, with
nobody in sight; bananas in syrup was one of his preferred deserts.

"Hey! Are you going to eat it all by yourself? “Hans Barboto asked, peeking
by the door.
“And why not? With the food processor now at work, we can eat all what
we want! Or so professor Schulz said.” Klaus Bribarten commented.
Barboto moves into the kitchen; he was fat and somewhat lazy.
“Well, I think I will ask the same thing for me.” Barboto said, walking
towards the machine; he does not need to select anything as the machine still
have the bananas in syrup ready to be prepared, only a soft touch on the red
button was necessary, the fat finger pressed it and a quarter of a kilogram of
desert appears in a plastic tray.
“This trip is going to be short! The professor is in love with Miss Trewer.”
Klaus Bribarten said.
“I think not! Once in a trip, he forgot everything! Remember our last
voyage? He was eager to win that silly vacant seat at the University and then
he never spoke of it again!” Hans Barboto replied.
Turion Marcel, another crewmember, appeared by there and without
opinion, he serves himself a nice frozen desert; the two others were looking
at him, waiting for some news, and soon they were hearing Mr. Turion
saying:” The professor is working no a new coordinates: he is murmuring
about Brana.”
“Brana? What is that?” Bribarten asked.
“Some bags!” Barboto commented.
“What? Are we going to be at a farm or something?” Bribarten asked.
“I don´t know. But his last invention is all we needed for to have food and
drinks! Even cigars!” Turion said, lighting one of those after asking for it
using the appropriate keys.
A light blinked on a wall. Turion said: “The professor! He is calling us all.”
And walked out of the kitchen, followed by the rest.
At the main cabin, Professor Schulz said: Seat down, strap to your seats! We
will make a jump!”
And everyone knows what he means when talking like that, so they hastened
obeying that order.
The engines buzzed, and after a dizzy moment, the professor said: “3 are
there! I mean, here!”
“Of course.” Turion said, smiling to the others…
The assistants looked at the professor, trying to believe what he was saying:
the Brana´s matter was too abstruse for them.
“The moment I open the outphaser to the public knowledge, pandemonium
habemus!” Chuckled the professor; his chuckles were very similar to the
sound of ducks in a pond…
3.
When the door of the airlock was open, they saw a forest with many green
trees and a soft breeze to match.
“Good air! We are lucky!” Professor Schulz said, aspiring, inhaling and
exhaling as a real boy scout…
Klaus Bribarten walked around, looking at the ferns; Hans walked to the
trees, while Professor Schulz said to Turion Marcel:” A nice afternoon, a
million parsecs from our known planet! It’s this not a great success?”
“Yes, professor. You invented a marvelous engine. No doubt of that!”
Turion said. The professor takes some notes in a pad and returns to the
machine. Turion seats at a bolder, smiling while he lit a cigarette: the
selection of his choice of tobacco at the food processor was one of his
favorite pastimes. He puffed the blue smoke into the pure air.
He awake, several minutes later. He was hearing some cries, yelling… He
stands up and saw the other two crewmen, running ridiculously, jumping and
flipping their arms.
“What is happening?” He yelled to them.
“Is happening! A monster! Run to the ship, tell the professor!” Hans Barboto
said.
They run inside. The professor was looking at the controls, but when hearing
them, he went outside to see what was happening. He saw a Phylodon, and
laughed.
“Do not be afraid of this creature! He is perfectly harmless!” And to prove it
to his minions, walked very close to the animal, who only give a huffing
sound, not caring much about his presence.
“Do you see? An herbivore! He only eats vegetables, leaves, roots!” The
professor said, returning to the main cabin.
“He is very brave! That animal could maim a person, no matter if herbivore
or not.” Turion murmured. The Animal was large, strong and curious-he
approaches the vehicle, and smelled it for quite some time.
That night, after diner, the professor sets at the living room he have built to
talk about things while waiting digestion keeps underway before go to bed.
This time he was there, talking and puffing at his pipe, while his three
assistants nodded and also smoke, with sips at his glasses fill with the
mixture of chocolate and bourbon the head of the ship loves most- only one
glass was served, so drunkards they could not become to be. And that was
the plan of the professor: a nice company and nothing more.
The professor said: “I have heard tales of deep, unsurpassable swamps,
peopled by strange monster, immune to our weapons. Tales of
unconquerable native tribes, who use poison on the tip of their arrows…
white wizards, who bewitch everyone who opposes them!”
5
“But, how could you know they are here? First time in this planet, professor!
“Hans Barboto said, thinking that the professor was only babbling…
“Oh, yes! First time here, no? But wherever human’s grips a planet, they
start doing old wrongdoings all over again! Take in consideration those two
Brana we all know of!” The professor Schulz said, puffing at his pipe and
producing a blue cloud.
“Say, and where are we now?” Turion asked.
“Second Brana, as my instruments are telling me. The exact location, well,
that is a mystery! There are no records on locations, at least for the general
public and I am in that category.” Professor Schulz said, exhaling a new
cloud of blue smoke.
“They said there are monsters and bald people that cannot speak.” Turion
said, happy to know something to add to the conversation.
“Yes, well, they did speak and hear, but many people could not hear!
Sometimes we dismiss facts because only because our ignorance. It seems
that not one, but several Galactic Civilizations have traverse the Universe
making changes and leaving hints of their pass. Seeding plants and animals
all around! Where they find water, air and nutrients, they see. Now perhaps
they are looking on their work, or perhaps their mouths are full of the sands
of time- gone! But their work keeps on… perhaps in the eons to come,
others will keep on seeding.”
“But, professor! With al that seeding, the universe will become a very
crowded place!” Turion commented.
“Don´t you think so1 Humans have the bad quality of to fight each others!
Sooner or later they make war one another. That means …”
The professor was saying, when bump s and clatter were heard outside the
ship.
“Someone is outside.”
“Let’s see! Take your guns!” The professor Schulz ordered, and walked out
the ship; they saw several men, using swords, and with burning sticks to see
through the darkness of the night.
As the newcomers raise their swords to attack, that the professor fired: the
Assistants also used their guns. Two of the men fall to the ground; the flash
of the powder seems rays of light- things, together with the death of two of
the warriors…
7.
The warriors take the corpses and leave the plac3 in haste. The professor
Schulz said: “A pity. Our first encounter was the wrong one.”
“Happily we are alive.” Hans said, looking at the water by the other side…
They get inside and the professor said: “Now we will get no cooperation
from them! We killed!”
“Move the craft, professor! Perhaps at another site we will get a better
chance to meet fine people like ourselves!” Klaus Bribarten said.
“I will study the case, first. I must see the surroundings first. Now it is still
dark. Let’s wait until the morning.” Professor Schulz said.
“With that, they return to bed, while the professor waits at his studio while
smoking.
At breakfast, the professor said:” We will see if they build an Empire or just
fade away.”
“The crash of civilizations?” Turion said, putting some marmalade on his
baked bread.
“Yes, and one of the factors, reasons, why a civilization crumbles, it’s
corruption of the elite. When the administrators rules for their own benefit
instead of for the people. Also the mixing of cultures erodes the valorous
heritage, making havoc with the pillars that supports the entire structure of
society, by inserting alien traditions into a sane body.” The professor Schulz
said.
They went out to see the surroundings; they find a lance and some clothes.
“Iron! They know how to work metals! Soon they will be having guns!”
“But first they must discover the gunpowder!” Klaus Bribarten said.
The professor takes samples and them, two hours past noon, a group of
persons appears, and commanded by a man in a black suit.
“Strangers! I am Gulorfo Trifobaldion! You are in the realm of king Nokul!”
“Glad to know you! I am Professor Schulz, and those over there are my
assistants.” The professor said, looking at the newcomers. They were using
wool woven clothes, except the Gulorfo, who uses leather shoes and clothes
of the same material.
“Professor! I wonder where your students… are but that matters not, right
now. Here I have the relatives of the man you slain! They request a ransom.
Thirty two feckless! In case you pay, the matter is resolved; you can proceed
with whatever you are doing here. But, if you don´t pay, I am sorry but you
must accompany us to the city, where I will resolve after studying some
applicable laws.” Gulorfo Trifobaldion said, in a hollow voice.
“Don´t go!” Hans recommended.
“What? If he don´t, the Imperial Guard will come to fetch him towards the
tribunal! And I assure you that in that case, they will not have leniency at
all.” Gulorfo exclaimed.
“What’s leniency?” Turion asked.
“Generosity.” Klaus said.
“Please, Mr. Gulorfo, be generous now and pardon our patron! We need him
to drive the vehicle.” Turion said.
“It’s that a vehicle?” Gulorfo asked.
“Certainly it’s not a potato!” Klaus retorted.
“Be serious!” Gulorfo asked of him.
9.
“Why? These guys attack us! We defend ourselves! And you know what,
Mr. Gulorfo? Nobody here knows who kill hat man! So, if you want to take
a culprit, take us all wherever your dungeons are!” Turion said.
A tense moment ensued, and Gulorfo said:” Well? Are you going or not?”
“No. I am a stranger and I don´t know your laws. I would be prosecuted,
charged with chains and in jail foe ever more, as I have not a single freckle.”
The professor Schulz exclaimed.
“No, professor. Here we only hang culprits. No jails in here.” Gulorfo
explained.
“Good. Take your leave now, sir. I will not follow you.” Professor Schulz
said, adamantly. Gulorfo went away with those persons, looking back
several times as he talks with his people.
“We better leave camp, professor! That guy will bring the cavalry.” Turion
recommended.
“Most certainly! Well, let’s go inside for the proceedings! Now we know
two things, and very important. They speak our language and they punish
crimes.” Professor Schulz said, nodding.
He worked making some calculus and moves the Sphere to the north of the
same planet. This time there was colder; notwithstanding that, the Assistants
went outside to take a look on the surroundings.
10.
A sea was near, and a big river was ending its course not 600 meters away.
The professor recollected samples from plants. The Assistants walked
around, sniffing and ends at the river, but as the banks had lots of mud, they
cannot wash their hands in the river.
“A mighty one! Wish we could go back to the vehicle soon.” Turion said.
“Yes, I am starving! Breakfast is overdue.” Hans said.
The professor approaches them, saying: “There we are! In a new world!
Where there is a river, there are towns. So, if we walk inland…”
“Don´t count on me! I have flat foot.” Turion said.
“We will use the craft! I will hover with it.” The professor said.
“Oh, that is another thing, professor!” Turion said, happily.
They return to the vehicle that soon was hovering at the side of that river,
while advancing inland. After two hours, they find a town net to the river;
the professor said: “It’s quite big! At least 500.000 citizens in there!”
“And they look human.” Turion said, looking at the city through a
telescope… the professor said: We will hit the square, to provoke the alarm!
We must be treated as lords of the Air! Not as simple explorers.”
And he landed on a square, in the mid of a small group of trees, that snapped
and went to the ground with the sudden weight of the vessel
People come running to see them; the professor Schulz said to them:”# come
from the stars! Bring me to your chief!”
A throng of people cheered, and everyone has something to say, so the din
was phenomenal and nobody could hear each other. This keeps on through a
good part of an hour; ultimately, a man, robbed in red and with a big hat
appeared, and indicates the craft, to speak insi3 it.
11.-
“Well, let me introduce myself! I am Gorifaldor, major. We are in the city of
camp two! Welcome.” The man said, seating at a table.
“Very good. We come from the sky. We come to reign in your city.”
Professor Schulz said, willing to impress the man from the very start.
“You from the sky? Good joke! Your ship… if we can calla a Sphere a ship,
seems not very airborne! Isn’t it?” Gorifaldor asked.
12.
“Have you airplanes?” Professor Schulz asked.
“Not many in here, but we are improving! A couple of flights each day to
our neighboring cities! Not much but enough for our needs.” Gorifaldor said.
“Oh, yes? Well, nice to be here. My men and I want to know the town, your
history, things like that.” The Professor Schulz said.
“Be my guest! I have a big house where you can stay.” Gorifaldor invites
them.
“But I need a place where I could leave my craft in storage. It’s very
delicate.” Professor Schulz said.
“Delicate? It seems an iron ball to me!”
“Yes, the interior has balls of wires and delicate instruments! As you could
remember, there are no propellers, no exhausts, and no rockets. The wiring
creates an extra gravity field and the ball slides on it.” Professor Schulz said.
“This must be known by the Aircraft Companies!” Gorifaldor said.
“Never! I will not yield it to that people. Let’s them stay on ´propellers and
retro impulse engines.” The Professor Schulz said, jealous of his invention.
13.
CURRENCY IN SOPES.
“Be as you want. Now let’s talk about money. Have you any sopes?”
“Sopes? What is that?”
“This is a sopes!” Gorifaldor said, showing them some coins.
“No, we have not coins! In our world we use credit cards, like this!” And
the professor Schulz shows a card.
“Oh, and how many of those you have?”
“No, this is a key to my money at a Bank.”
“We have Banks in here.”
“Yes, but my Bank is not here! I cannot draw money here.” Professor
Schulz said.
“Sorry, then! I cannot house you, guys! No money, no renting! Well, seems I
am wasting my valuable time here!” Gorifaldor said and stands up.
“All right! We can sleep in here. No need of a Hotel!” Barboto said.
“But could we visit your city?” The professor asked.
“Of course, but you will find it boring, using no money.” Gorifaldor stated.
“Very well, we will be visiting your city, the best we could. Don´t you lose
your sleep for us.” Professor Schulz commented.
“Seems nice; well, now I must depart. Have luck!” Mr. Gorifaldor said,
going away.
“Nice guy.” Klaus said, ironically.
14.
When alone, Professor Schulz said: “Very well, we have permission to visit
the city. Everything is new for us in here.”
“But without money, not even food we will get.” Hans said.
“We have food here! For eternity! Just a few flowers and we will get meaty
food. I will carry some objects to trade. I am sure they have never seen ball
pens.” Professor Schulz said.
“I will bring my wristwatch    collection! Seems they have no wristwatches.”
Hans said.
“Good. See what other things could be carried, if you want to buy things.
“The Professor Schulz said.
They went to the city after locking the out door gate of the Sphere craft.
The streets were covered with cobblestones; the walls were not painted and
show it s materials; ones were made of wood, others of stones and some
others using both materials: first the stone, then the wood at the second
floor.
They end up in a place where fruits and vegetables were being sold to lots of
women and bored husbands taking the products into bags.
“Typical! They buy, and the males take the burden!” Hans said, looking at
the scene with scorn.
15.
 They enter a tavern, where a waiter designed a table for them and ask what
they choose to eat; showing samples that ere in a stand. They choose meaty
dishes and also wine, that they find it especially good.
“O, this is great.” The professor keeps on repeating. The desert was a lot of
rosy cheek fruits and the time to pay a5rrives.
“Money we have not b, but objects could be offered, instead.” The professor
offered.
“No objects! I work for money here, sir! – The waiter said.
“Well, you will need to wait, then! Here it is a lamp, a flashlight that will
never need a battery for a hundred years to come. Cost a fortune, but for
today, I will give it only for the cost of what we eaten.”
After a while, the busy attendant accepted the flashlight (battery for a
hundred hours straight) and said: “I don´t want to see you never again at my
place! You cheated me, o yes!” Don´t think you fooled me with this cheap
flashlight!”
16.-
At the street, Hans said:” We better barter whatever you have in mind,
professor! I don´t want me beaten or perhaps even in jail!”
A man who has been present during that entire incident said:” Allow me to
be of help, sirs! Sorry to eavesdrop on your conversation with the
bartender!”
“Well, sir, if you have some indications, we will be glad to hear your
propositions!” The professor Schulz said, looking on that person. He was
short of legs, and with a long straight heard to compensate.
“Very well, I know a person of means! I am the brother of a well known
Lord of this Kingdom. My name is Forloton.” -That almost dwarf sized man
announced.
“Yes, well, I have some items to barter for money.”
“Yes, flashlights! Not many people excited about those items! Have you not
some other things?” Forloton said.
“Food, professor! We can deliver food.” Hans indicated.
“Oh, yes. We can provide any kind of food you want.” Professor Schulz
said.
“Well, that is something more interesting! I will give you credit for that.
Let’s visit my brother right now!” Forloton said.
They follow him through the streets and soon they were in front of a big
mansion, surrounded by an iron fence, with a nice garden all around. A
guard allowed them the entrance.
“My brother! Lord Guino.” He announced when at the presence of a tall
bearded man in his sixties.
“Nice to meet you all. Brother! I will give you just ten minutes only! I must
attend a meeting almost right now at the Chancellery.” The Lord said.
“These gentlemen could provide food to our house and more for sell.”
Forloton commented. The Lord Guino stared at them and said:” Oh? Very
well! We are in need of a good purveyor! But first you should show us your
products for the test of them.”
“Of course. I will do that.” The professor Schulz said, thinking on the
several performances that the food processor could make.
Lord Guino looks at then and said:” do you need some money? Because I
see plainly you aren’t from this city but aliens! You should use common
plain clothes, are there are some sectors of our community very bellicose
against anything strange.”
Forloton said: “That’s why they need money to buy things, brother!”
“Who does not? “Lord Guino said, and gives the professor a pouch full of
coins.
“Thanks you, sir! I will made good use of these.” Professor Schulz said,
grabbing the money.
At the street, Mr. Forloton said.” Well, now you are close to the beginning! I
offer you home and shelter.”
“But if we accept, I will be using the Lord’s money! So I must refuse.”
Professor Schulz said.
“Not in the least! I will give you credit! You will pay me at the end of your
enterprise.” Mr. Forloton said.
“Good! Let’s see your abode.” Professor Schulz said, grinning.
Forloton leads the way, and not four blocks away, they enter an old house
with large patios and rooms around them. A beautiful lady appears coming
from a side corridor, and when seeing Mr. Forloton, she said: “Husband!
You promise me to be early at home so I could go shopping!”
“I was engaged in a business with my brother the Lord. Here I present you
some new renters! They will be home for a while.” Mr. Forloton said.
“Oh? Good afternoon, gentlemen… husband! You show them the rooms? I
will be getting ready to go shopping.” She said, returning from where she
comes.
19.
The rooms were acceptable; with a side view to the neighbor’s house not
much to see, in fact.
“We will bring there our future customers! We will have to pr9oduce
vegetables.” Professor Schulz said.
“We will buy samples, to reproduce with the food processor. “
“And the Lord could buy you lots of products, if all goes well.” Hans
commented.
“Yes, I hope so. I will stay here; you two go to the fruit market, to buy
samples.” The professor said, handling them some money.
“And we will eat something too, professor... Do you want some thing to
eat?” Klaus asked.
“Yes But don´t delay much. We don´t know how this town is by the night.”
Professor Schulz said.
“The Assistants leaves him occupied taking notes on a notebook and
departed.
“Professor Schulz will be waiting for us to eat! So, better we get hurry!”
Hans said.
The fruit market was there for them to see and enjoy... They bought several
kilos of the most promising looking vegetables and they eat a Tavern, where
the smell of roasted meat and spices were very strong.
The attendant was a very fine looking young woman, and Hans said to her:”
bring us the very best, beer and a bottle of your best wine.”
“Are you foreigners’ She asked.
“Yes, and get hurry. We are staring.” Hans said.
“You will be attended as fast as we could, sir. This is our tradition here.”
The woman said.
Others clients were there eating and talking animatedly.
“A nice town! I could be here for ever.”
“Professor Schulz, this is a far away place, and we must take precautions.”
Hans said, not too much at ease in there.
They also ask for more dishes when they eat the first row; Professor Schulz
eats when they bring hot plates to the hotel…
“In time and still steaming hot!” Hans told him, placing those dishes on the
table. Professor Schulz seats to eat, while asking: “And were the cheeps too
costly?”
21.
“Very cheap, professor! You will have to sell tons to make a profit
worthwhile of mentioning.” Turion said.
“Yes, but now lets put numbers to the weight.” The professor said, taking
his penholder.
Days later and at the Sphere, a hundred kilograms of the selected fruits and
vegetables were made for sell. Mr. Forloton arrives in a wagon to take it all.
“Don´t you worry about a thing! I will present these products to my brother,
and he will decide about a price.” He said.
“Yes, and hope he will buy.” Hans said.
“Not him! The Army.” Forloton corrected.
“Whatever.” Hans said, helping charging the wagon.
At the next day, Professor Schulz went to town, where Forloton said: “It’s
all on wheels, professor! My brother presents your products to the Central
Supply of the Army! Soon you will have news.”
“Good! “ Professor Schulz said, eager to begin making business…
The wife of Forloton was for ever going out perfumed and well dressed the
minute his husband departs out the door,
“This woman is cheating on his husband.” Hans said.
“It’s not our business! We just stay put.” Professor Schulz replied.
“All right! I was only stating a fact!” Hans said.
The professor waits two weeks and then he begins selling fruits and
vegetables at a stand; soon he was producing hundred of kilos per day,
every person in need to feed was choosing his products, because he was
selling cheap for fist class vegetables.
“Well, we cannot complain! We have more than 3 million sopes in cash!”
Professor Schulz said to his associates.
“Sir! We better buy objects, because when going away, your coins will be
dead metal!” Hans said.
“Going away? Who is going away right no2? Not me! This place is a good
place to settle.” The professor said, looking surprised.
Anyway he did as told and soon they were collecting artistic objects;
furniture and jewelry.
"These objects will be most appreciated at other societies of men! “ The
professor said, days later.
23.
Large files of clients waits patiently each day for them to deliver the goods.
Long files of trucks taking the lettuce, carrots, lemons, and many other
vegetables away.
Forloton finally appears saying:”Good news: my brother finally receives the
approval from the Ministry! Here are their requests!” And handled them a
long list.
“Fifty tons! And our prices are accepted. The deliverance will be made after
the reception of half the price of the whole requisition! “The professor said
this because he was duly informed about as bad a client was the Army
Forces.
Mr. Forloton, enraged instantly, and said:” The traits are as I am telling you,
sir! First the deliverance, and then the duly payment!”
“Tell the Army the way has changed, at least with my factory!” The
professor said.
Later, Klaus Bribarten heard about Mr. Forloton, saying his brother was
mad at the professor.
“We are in dire danger here! The officers of the Army are pointing at us as
rebels! The worst it’s we have no rights in here.”
“Nobody does! The law is blind and mute when the branches of the
Government its concerned! “Hans said, because he also has
 Heard people complaining of these things…
24.
“Let’s speak with the professor!” Turion said.
“He must know of the whereabouts.” Hans said.
“Of course. I will talk with him, in the morning!” Turion commented.
“You alone? Why not the three of us?” Klaus asked.
“I prefer to present just one voice only.” Turion replied.
At the next day, while the professor was already selling products, Turion
said: “There are evil rumors going around, professor. We better leave.”
Professor Schulz smiled and said: “I am not prone to hear rumors and run! I
am not breaking any rule, selling cheap.”
“It’s Lord Guino who could get revenge on us! Perhaps he was counting
with you selling cheap, so he could add some more on the price, and earn
money for his own!” Turion commented, smoking a cigar.
“Very possibly! All he must do is to pay half the amount in advance.” The
professor Schulz replied.
“Nobles have another view of things, professor.” Turion said, puffing some
smoke.
25.
“We will keep on as we go. Time will tell! I like being here.” Professor
Schulz said.
Turion didn’t insist anymore, and when asked by his companions, he said:
“He will wait for the axe! Hope we will be not here by that time.”
They keep on working as usual some more Assistants were hired, and
among them several women; Turion look on the prettiest of them, called
Irala; she understood his interest and when asked for a dinner, she said: “I
will accept on one condition.”
“What condition?” Turion asked.
“”That you raise my salary now! The wages your chief is paying are very
small.” And then she smiled. Seeing her amiably, he accepts.
“Yes, but I must ask him for this.” Turion said.
“Oh, I understand! You have no power by your own!” Irala said, smiling
scornfully and returns to her duties.
Burning with desire for her, Turion asks the professor about a rise on her
wages.
“Why this sudden interest?” He replied.
“I met a fellow assistant and she asks for a rise in order to accept an
invitation to dine with me.” Turion said. Professor Schulz stared at him and
said: “Your problems with that woman are just beginning. Later she will ask
for more and more! Give her from your own wages! Know you are earning
much more than her and really, I am selling and earning for my plans for the
future.”
“I see. So, it’s no?” Turion asked.
“”Yes, a negation! But you could rise from your own wages, get what you
want, and then fire her! See? A very simple equation.” Professor Schulz
decided.
Turion was very disappointed and said so. The professor pretends not to
hear.
Turion did as told, and she was very happy; she accepts him as a lover, but
soon realizes she have more than one lover, and possibly accepting more
lovers if they have the means to receive her favors…
Months later, a group of persons recently arrived to the city, offers good
jobs and no skills needed for it.
“Sort of a work at a mine somewhere! Too harsh for me, digging all day
long and going to bed half cut in half!” Hans said, after hearing the offers.
“Guess many people are poor and ill fed right now, so those patrons will get
a lot of workers in a trifle!” Klaus said, rubbing his hands.
Not three days later, an Inspector arrives to the plant, asking to be allowed
to revise methods of production. The professor Schulz explains his job and
shows him the packing plant, where 300 workers were busy.
27.
“See? I am giving jobs to your people, good salaries and good food, free of
any germ whatsoever. And now tell me, why are you visiting us? Any
complaints?” Professor Schulz asked.
“Not up to now, sir. It’s a standard procedure only.” The inspector said,
asking more questions to him.
Days later, a group of people, among them some policemen and the same
Inspector, appears and said: “We come to notify you of the new dispositions
our government have issued: no fruit or greengrocers could be sold if not
harvested from the ground!”
Professor Schulz hired a couple of lawyers, and he finds out that the Army
officers, and lord Guino, pressed the Ministry of Agriculture for this kind of
law. The regulation issued, there was no way to remedy the situation.
“I will be buying land and I will keep on selling fruits and groceries.”
Professor Schulz said to his three assistants.
The assistants were worried but not because of their master but because of
themselves and their wages…
They worked very hard and after several months, the professor was able to
sell without problems.
28.
Hans disobeying the law.

After a hard day’s work, Hans said:” Sells aren’t as before! The professor
cannot sell as cheap as using his machine.”
“He could mix both productions. And nobody will take notice of it!” Klaus
Bribarten said.
“You should tell him of your idea! Of course, it must be donned with
secrecy!” Turion Marcel said, with brilliant eyes.
But when told, Schulz denied.
“I am trying to obey the law here! And I will keep on working as everybody
else! No cheap tricks whatsoever!”
After the season was over, the earnings ere small, after taking on account
the expenses. Professor Schulz call his three most close assistants to his
office, and said: “Take a seat, take cigars! Smoke but listen to what I must
tell you!”
“We are all ears!” Turion said, grabbing a fat cigar.
“Sells and profits have decreased, and I guess you have noticed it. Earnings
are very squalid so I will be taking some amount from your salaries from
now on.”
“Bad news!”
“But necessary if I want to keep on in this business! Remember we are in a
strange land!” Professor Schulz said.
“I am earning 700000 sopes per month. How many I am going to be earning
after your cut?” Klaus Bribarten asked.
“A thirty per cent less! 490000 sopes! The same for the three of you! Sorry,
it’s necessary.” Schulz said, adamantly.
The Assistants said no more and the reunion was over. But at their room,
they speak about it.
“Uproariously! From riches to poor guys on the gutter! I was obtaining a
new car; with this I will be running a whole month with only 80000 sopes!”
Complained Mr. Klaus Bribarten.
“And I am buying a house! I will be left with only 130000 sopes a month!”
Hans Barboto said.
Turion laughed and said: “Of us three, I am the best positioned! I am buying
nothing at all! So I am in position to lend you some money, until things grew
better!”
The others applauded and give their thanks.
“But not so fast! You will be giving the money back with a nine per cent
interest!” Turion announced.
“We will be grateful of this.” Hans said.
“Monthly! If you don´t pay the monthly interest, it will be summed up with
the gross debt!” Turion said.
“Don´t worry! This is not for ever! We will get smart!”
“How?”
“We will produce on the side! We will sell from the food processor! You
will see!” Hans said, with a crooked smile.
31.
So, they start working with the food processor, and adding many tons to the
standard production; a small gift after a sell was the necessary hook
customer’s bait: the selling increased until the former income were reached.
“See? Who needs the old wages?” Hans Barboto asked.
“Nobody!” Turion laughed- all of this, at the back of Professor Schulz…
Days later, the professor Schulz said: “Good news, gentlemen! Default is
gone! Your wages will return to the desired level!”
They laughed and applauded, pretending to be honest and obedient
assistants…
32.
The three assistants went to celebrate to a well known bar; there they met
three good looking females.
“We invite you to drink! What is your preferred poison?”
“Bourbon.” The blonde woman said.
“Whisky!” The woman with the black hair said.
“Pisco!” The third one said, smiling gently.
“Do you come here very often?” One of the young women asked.
“No, but tonight we want to celebrate! And you are invited.” Hans said,
generously, looking at the beauties.
“Oh, and what are you celebrating, if I may ask?”
“A rise on our salaries.” Hans relied, and the same woman asked again:”
And where do you work?”
“Enough, Clotilde!” The blonde girl said to the black haired one, adding:”
We aren’t at work, here!”
“Oh, yes.” Clotilde said, laughing.
“Pardon her! But she is working in the Police department and seems he can’t
forget the mood.” The blonde girl said.
They keep talking and also drinking and dancing; Hans invited them to a
more secluded place, and they accepted.
“Oh, your house is beautiful!” Clotilde said to Hans, grabbing his arm not to
stumble.
33.
Hans romancing Miss Clotilde.

“Thanks! But seat and be comfortable! I will put some music and I will bring
some refreshments.” Hans said.
They seat on sofas and listening agreeable music; the drinks put enough heat
and soon, and in pairs, went to the bedrooms…
In there, Hans finds pleasure on Clotilde body and then she said: “Oh, it was
wonderful! And tomorrow back to work!”
“Thanks! And is your work a heavy one?” Hans asked, touching her smooth
leg.
“Not much of a heavy one! But very interesting. We try to find commercial
frauds. People selling defective merchandise, many investigations ends with
people paying huge fines.” Clotilde informed him.
“And if they don´t pay?”
“The fine could be paid with the belongings of the dishonest man! Jail to
him who have not enough belongings. This is the way our government uses
to keep people being honest as a leaf.” Clotilde said, kissing him. He kissed
back.
They take breakfast in the morning and Clotilde said:” Today I will be busy
visiting a dishonest farmer named Schulz. He is producing fruits made in a
machine of his invention, no matter our Service forbids it!”
Hans looked at his friends in fright.
“Professor Schulz?” Klaus asked in dismay.
“Do you know him?” Clotilde jumped up.
34.
“Of course! We worked for him!” Hans replied. The blonde girl laughed and
said: “Clotilde, your secret ceased to exist!”
After that, they went out except the males, and Hans said: “they will take
him instead of us! Pity for him!”
“He knows nothing of  our little enterprise.” Klaus said.
“He will be a very hard egg to crack, because he is utterly innocent.” Turion
said, adding: “The machine is cleansed and t the spaceship. Hope he don´t
mention where it is located, or they will want to take it apart.
"We better go now to work and are at his side when the evil group appears!”
Hans said, standing up from his chair.
They hurried up in that direction, and helped at the delivery of goods as
professor Schulz gets busy making invoices and attending clients.
“Hope they don´t find our little machine.” Hans said.
“We should tell him the truth.” Turion said.
“And lost his confidence on us? No way!” Klaus said, pushing a barge.
“Then, our solution is to take the ship away.” Turion said. The others stare
at him in doubt.
“Yes, I will take it away! There is still time! I see not our damsel around.”
Turion said, departing.
At 11.20 hours, Clotilde and a group of policemen and plain clothes men
arrives in two Vans, asking for the professor. She was wide eyed when
seeing Hans and Klaus working there.
“What are you doing here, guys?” Clotilde asked them.
“We told you we worked here!” Klaus said. She went pale, realizing it was
no joke the phrase heard from them the passed night. Her chief asked the
professor: “We are certain that you are manufacturing fruits and vegetables
with natural products. This time you will be fined.”
Naturally, the professor reacted very angry and said:” Impossible! The
machine is not in use!”
The inspector shows him two bags and in each of them was a sample of fruit
and a chemical exam- there the artificial components were defined and
declared as not natural. The professor paled and said: “If this is true, it must
be donned at my back!” And looking by the door, he called for his
Assistants.
Hans and Klaus comes into the office, when asked, they declare their
complete innocence. Then suspecting something odd, the professor Schulz
asked for Turion.
“He´s out, professor! He has a date with his dentist. He was with a terrible
pain!” Hans said, looking at Clotilde, ho was blushing all over…
Could you guide us to where your machine is located?” The Inspector asked
in an ominous way.
37
“What for? I already told you that I am not producing any artificial product .
the time your Agency told me not! “The professor said, realizing now that
the spaceship was in peril… to be confiscated…
“Do you refuse, sir?” The Inspector asked.
“Yes!” Schulz said, crossing his arms….
A man in the group of that Inspector said:” Don´t bother, Inspector Hevia! I
know where it is!”
“Where?” The Inspector asked.
“In an air machine! Follow me!” That man asked.
They walked to the hangar, with professor Schulz very disappointed and
saying: “I will call for a lawyer here! This is trespassing!”
“Call anyone you care for, sir! We are here doing our duty!” Inspector Hevia
replied.
But when at the hangar, the machine was nowhere in sight. Hans and Klaus
exchanged a look, and Clotilde realizing their move, but not wishing to ruin
her career remains silent.
Professor Schulz also keeps silent, and after being asked for the spaceship
where about, he shrugged his shoulders, saying: “Obviously, it was stolen!”
39.
Chapter
Inspector Hevia is baffled.

Inspector Hevia as really disappointed and said: “This is very serious!
Hiding the corpus delicti it’s a very bad thing for its perpetrator!”
“I cannot help you here, sir.” Professor Schulz said, looking at Hans, who
shows his most innocent grin.
“I will leave a couple of men in here! Surely it will come back!” The
Inspector Hevia said, furiously. This was a setback in his career….
“Leave whoever you want, sir, but first shoe me an order to do so! I am
looking that you are prone to jump on proceedings every step of the way!”
Professor Schulz said. The Inspector reddened and went away; not leaving
cops behind as he, in fact, and has no order to do so…
When they were out of sight, Professor Schulz looked at his two assistants,
and asked: “Well, I suppose you two know a lot more in this case than
nobody else!”
Hans said: “Last night we were at a party and met a woman who ends up
being a police agent, mentioning they have proofs of artificial groceries
being produced by you and adding that a procedure was going to happen
today, so we take measures!”
“And I assume Turion isn’t at the dentist?” The professor Schulz asked.
“Well, no.” Hans replied.
“And perhaps he is flying my spaceship with your knowledge?”
“Yes, he told us about the inquiry and how to protect the spaceship.”
“So you, the whole three of you, were using the food processor?]”
“Yes and we beg for your pardon.” Hans said.
“Really! You go above my head, disobey orders, put at risk my business and
perhaps all I have and then ask for a pardon?” the professor Schulz asked.
“If you realize our goal was to increase sells, increase clients in numbers…
and we succeeded! Pity the spies worked against us.”
“Or some competitors in the field give notice of it to the Ministry of
Agriculture!”
“Yes, I see there as a good point on your idea, but ignoring me. Your both
are fired! And when Turion arrives, I will fire him, too!” The professor said,
walking away.
They keep on looking at him until out of sight, and Hans said: "He will
pardon us, later.”
“I doubt it! He was very serious.” Klaus said.
That idea was confirmed at the next day, as when they were trying to enter
into the plant, the gate keeper refuses to let them in.
41/198.

“But, Joe! You know us! Let us come in! We still have things there that
belong to us!” Hans said. Joe thinks it over, and remembering old days, he
said: “Well, I mean no harm to you both! I will see that your belongings are
taken right here.”
“Yes, at least do that, Joe! We will appreciate it.” Klaus said.
“But please, go away for a couple of hours, not to be seen by the boss!” Joe
shoo them off.
They leave the place, and Hans said: “Let’s wait at the nearest pub! No need
to wander away!”
The pub, five blocks away, was empty at that hour of the day, so they
waited almost in the silence of a clam.
Two hours later, both friends arrive to Joe’s place at the farm, and when
giving them some bags with minutia, the car of Professor Schulz appears.
The man descends, asking: “What’s happening here? These people are not
in my payroll anymore!” and his face was pale with rage.
“They come for their things, sir. “ The gate keeper said.
“Their things’ Well, take your things and leave!” The Professor Schulz said.
42.
Both men take those bags and quietly went away. The professor appointed
another man at the Gate, firing Joe from his enterprise three days later…
At Hans home, a man rings the bell; Klaus opens the door and looking at the
man, he said:” Oh, it’s you! We were expecting you for days on end!”
Turion enters the house, saying:” Oh, boy! I have a real adventure before
coming back!”
“Hans! Turion is here!” Klaus calls for his companion.
“What? Turion? We were thinking you were lost for ever!” Hans said,
looking at the newcomer…
“Yes, but let me tell what happens after my departure!”
“Oh? Well, the professor Schulz fired us all, and awaits the return of his
spaceship!” Hans commented.
Turion rubbed his chin and said:” After my departure, I traveled west and
landed on the side of a mountain, I waited there for three hours and then I
take a nap. With the burden of the emotions I slept until midnight. I looked
outside the porthole and saw only darkness; I decided to remind there until
the next morning.”
43.
“Wait! I will prepare some sandwiches and a coffee cup.” Hans said and
while he was busy on that, Klaus said: “We must keep the spaceship in our
hands! The professor Schulz will not accept us in it, if we deliver the
machine into his hands.”
Turion Marcel said: “Now we are separated for good. He wasn’t leaving this
place, at least not in many years to come. Certainly we will take better care
of it! And tomorrow I will return to it.”
“Where is it?” Klaus asked.
“At a ravine! Very out of the way, but giving time somebody will stumble on
it. So that’s why I will return there. I come here just to know the news!”
Turion commented.
Hans arrives with cups and sandwiches and eating on them, they heard the
rest of Turion´s account.
“In the morning, all of what we did there at the farm fall on me, realizing we
were like a group of teenagers, following the first idea some of us could
have got. The consequences were hitting on Professor Schulz, who was
totally innocent. I decided to return to the farm and accept whatever he
could decide, as punishment by our tampering on products!” Turion
explained.
“But you don´t accomplish that idea?” Hans asked, sipping on his coffee.
“No, because when starting engines, I mistakenly energize the Translator
Temporis, jumping back 3600 years in the past.”
44.
“And what do you see there?”
“The same mountains! Realizing that perhaps the indicator was not accurate,
I fly back here, not finding any signs of a city!” Turion commented.
“3600 years ago, and no city. Tell us more.” Hans asks of him, not sure to
believe the story.
“As I said, nobody at the place; I landed and walked around, whistling and
feeling a freedom I was forgotten! Nobody is sight, period!” Turion said,
finishing his cup of coffee.
“Must have been quite an experience.” Hans said.
“Animals everywhere! Strange animals! Seems civilization wipes them out!
Birds by the hundreds! “Turion said pensiv3ly. The others wait for him to
keep on, and Turion finally said: “Two days I fiddled with the controls! Else
I appear too short of this era and time, or too far!”
“So you did see the future?” Hans said, amazed, and because the common
saying was that the future is not already happens.
“Strange the future is! Much fog, not a clear picture. Like a foggy day. You
see clearly in one direction and the fog all around... but indeed exists! I
walked on it!” Turion said, for lack of words to describe the bizarre…
45.
”Nice tale. But what are we going to do now? A thing is certain: the
spaceship is ours!” Klaus said, not expecting, but fearing, a rebuke.
“It’s clear! But we better move away from this city. In another place we
could begin making business! Where no regulations are made and pretending
it all comes from the ground!”
Turion said.
“Obvious! But I will need to sell this superb house. A pity!” Hans
commented.
“Well, hurry up! And if we want to preserve some furniture and objects,
now it’s the time to select them and be carried to the ship.” Turion said.
“Very well! Let’s begin!” Hans said, ending the conversation.
In two days, Hans sold his property with a minimum lost of money. He takes
some furniture to the spaceship and some appliances from the house.
“I love this bathtub! I will not leave it here!” He said, looking how a team of
three workers takes it upon the rented truck. It was plenty of space room at
the spaceship, so everything was all right.
They bought clothes and some groceries for the trip- to be replicated later
and departs to the west.
500 kilometers away, and at the coast line, they encounter a major city and
plenty of ships.
46.
They landed in a wood and before dusk Turion and Hans arrived to the city;
they lodged at a nice hotel, and talked with people at Bars and Restaurants,
getting information of the whereabouts, kind of government, names of
important people and other valuable data
The sopes keeps on being the currency, but the coins they have were
deprecated a fifty per cent, and it was so because the imprints on them
makes a big difference. The money exchange clerk said: “These coins aren’t
in use here, but sometimes merchants need them, to buy goods from Camp
Two.”
“And what kind of a city it is? A military one?” Turion asked.
“This is Camp One. There are people who want to change that name, but we
are traditionalists, and the name will stick for ever!” The man said, giving
the normal currency on that society.
They spent three more days talking with merchants and passing –by farmers,
and then they return to the spaceship to talk with Klaus.
“The economic situation here it’s very similar to camp number Two; the
regulations aren’t so imposing. Bribes it’s the norm.” Turion said.
“So we could start making money?” Klaus asked.
47.
Starting in business at Camp One.

“By all means! But money it’s a problem. Here, farms are very costly, the
good lands are scarce; too many stones. And hills everywhere.” Hans
commented.
“But we almost don´t need a farm!” Klaus replied.
“But we must pretend to be farmers!” Hans said, adding: “I will change my
currency in here, but I tell you both: if by any means you want to leave the
place in the future, you must allow me time to recover my investment!”
They looked at each other and Turion said: “It’s a deal! I want to be rich
b7urying and selling at heart’s content! That is one thing that gives a
meaning to life.”
They bought a far forlorn camp forty-five kilometers from the last city street,
and there they worked the land until summer. Then they begin to carry
artificial fruits and groceries to town, telling the buyers that they have a farm
out of town.
Two of them appears, later, at the farm, looking at trees and plantations, and
went back to town, convinced of the truth of it all. Those merchants spread
the word, and soon everyone was buying fruits and vegetables to Turion and
his friends. They sweated all day delivering goods, not willing to hire
anyone, so to stay with their secret totally safe of knowing.
Four years later, they were millionaires and in good health thanks of their
daily work.
“Its time to buy another bigger farm, friends! Now we could hire people to
till the land and carry goods to town! We will keep on making artificial food,
increasing the production tenfold, and using machines to do the packing!
Machines will work for us from now one!” Turion said, smiling from a cigar.
“This time, near the coast line! In that way, we could send the products by
sea ships! It will cost less than using trucks every month.” Hans proposed.
They prepare the voyage, and in two fine trucks with drivers included,
depart to the coast; the road has small traffic as it ends in a small far away
cove.
“I already asked about those places: the government is not the owner! We
could build there, live our lives, and nobody will come here to ask
questions!” Hans commented.
“We must search a cove, build a docking place, and the buildings must be
near it all!” Turion said.
After three hours they did find a suitable place.
“Well, seems here it will stand our new plant!” Turion said, descending from
the truck.
49.
They study the terrain and doing so, they approach the sea; when at some
rocks, they saw what an airship coming towards the coast appears.
“Look! Seems they want to land!!” Turion said, pointing to the craft. The
others watched and then the ship stayed at 200 meters from the beach, from
it a boat come ashore, and Turion was there to speak to them.
“Hi, gentlemen! Nice ship you have there.” He said, looking at the group of
men.
“Hi! Are you one of the new volunteers?” A man asked looking at him, with
his very black eyes.
“No. Just tourists.” Turion replied.
“Well, good to see you.” The man said, and walked away with the rest.
Later, they saw that group standing on the road, apparently waiting for
whoever must to show up.
“They are very mysterious! Who, do you think, are the “volunteers” they are
waiting for?” Hans asked to Turion.
“I am dam if I know!” Turion replied. One of the truck drivers, Olafo, said:”
I guess these guys are the ones giving ell paid work to people at the city!”
“And what are they doing way out here?” Hans laughed.
“They were banned by the politicians! They sent the police after their trucks!
Now this is underground news.” The driver said.
50.
“So, they are here in something the government is finding illegal?” Hans
asked.
“They were abandoning jobs by the dozen and going with these
contractors!” The driver explains.
They were returning to the trucks, when those men approaches, blandishing
firearms.
“Halt! Wait or we will fire!” The same man that spoke before was
commanding now.
As nobody at Turion´s group has any weapon, they obeyed.
“As no volunteers are coming you will be replacing them.” The man said.
“Why us? We have a major enterprise in town! We aren’t mere workers!””
Klaus said.
“Our bosses could get real angry unto us if we went back empty handed! So,
good or bad luck for you, this is the beginning of a new life for you all.” The
chief of the gang said.
A fight ensued, and the major more numerous groups’ wins; Turion and his
friends and workers were set into the boat, heaved up unto the ship. Soon
they were out of sight, leaving two valuable trucks behind…
At a dark room, Turion said: “Kidnapped! What’s next?”
51.
One of the two drivers said:” As the saying goes, these people pays a lot for
a man’s work! They said you just tell them your income, and they will pay
you double!”
“No way!” Hans commented.
“Pity is that nobody has returned to tell if that is the truth!” Driver Olafo
said.
“This gives me the chills!” Hans said, remembering his properties and the
spaceship…
“Life is a pond full of surprises.” Olafo said.
A hissing sound comes from a wall. Olafo yelled. “They are spraying us
with gas!”
Everyone tries not to breathe that poisonous gas but in the end they did and
fall unconscious…
The ship chugged its way, ignoring human troubles…
They awake, and realized that now they were at a big room, where walls
were shinning.
“Chrome plated.” Olafo commented.
“Where are we?” Hans asked.
“Seems we are still in the hands of the kidnappers!” Olafo said.
“I sense a humming of engines.” Hans informed.
A door opens and they focused their eyes on that strange thing that was
approaching; a cube of crystal on wheels. Inside, a big octopus in bluish
water was moving. The eyes of that mollusk were fixed on them. From a
loudspeaker, probably inserted on the bottoms of the aquarium, a voice said:
“Welcome to your new job!”
They all gasped, not expecting such a marvelous situation: a talking octopus!
52.
“You have been qualified to work for us.” The octopus sapiens said.
“Sir, we are here by a product of an error! We aren’t volunteers! We were at
that beach only to see the place for a new site to our plant! We have money,
we have a Corporation and we don´t need to be here! So please, stop this
kidnapping and return us to where your men take us against our will.”
Turion heatedly said.
“We Ghamcounins are a powerful society. We have large amounts of money
to pay you three times what you earn. “# expects a good performance from
you. If your performance in a given place lacks enthusiasm, we will give you
another place and another until you fulfill your duties in an acceptable way.”
The octopus said.
“Seems you haven’t understood my friend here, sir. We need to want back
to where we belong. WE don’t perform duties we don’t want.” Klaus said,
reddening.
“Very well. In a few hours we will reach our destiny Hope you will enjoy
this job.”” The octopus said, the aquarium wheeled around and went out the
door.
52
“Seems to me we are prisoners!” Turion said, very worried, thinking in their
enterprise at Station One city.
“Kidnapped! Those monsters are the bosses around here! What a ridiculous
situation!” Hans said, looking around for a way out.
“I guess the Octopus cannot build a thing, being without hands.” Turion
said.
“We shouts try to escape! I see no guards!” Hans said.
In fact, they weren’t spied and walked to the corridor without problems;
soon they saw portholes, but outside the ship all was a black void.
“It’s night time! Turion commented and they saw several doors down the
corridor- all of them were locked.
They return to their cabin, and seating on the floor Turion said: Guess we
will have to wait until landing! But I am totally decided to escape!”
“I will follow you! It’s a disgrace to be here instead at our firm! Bad idea
was to visit lonely beaches with no weapons at all!” Klaus said.
“Let’s rest! We must be prepared in case an option to run away presents!
“Hans said, closing his eyes.
The hours begin to pass and then a couple of men appear. One of them was
the chief of the kidnappers group…
54.
“Guess our boss already told you what to expect from you, eh?” The man
asked, arms akimbo.
“Yes, but he is totally wrong! We are here against our will! We are
merchants and farmers, we don´t need that… octopus money!” Hans replied.
The chief darkened and said:” Next time you say we kidnapped you, I will
be punishing you in a way you will regret to have been born.”
“And when are you sending us back?” Turion asked.
“You are not really at the camp and now you want to leave! Socialize, men,
or you will become very sick before you know it!” The man said.
They follow the Chief out of the cell, and at the corridor were three other
warriors, these ones with menacing swords very scary to look upon…
They went down a ramp- looking backwards, they notice that what they first
thought to he a sea ship, was indeed a spaceship, bit as a transatlantic vessel
with the form or figure of an egg that was suspended in the air not two
meters from the ground.
“Wow! High technology! No wonder the pilot is an alien octopus!” Turion
said.
They were now close to several edifices and some group of soldiers was
making drills on the camp.
“A military facility! Where’s the war?” Hans said, glancing around.
Seems like we are the new recruits!” Klaus said, and one of his guards
laughed…
They approach one of those groups and a guard addressed what appears to
be a sergeant, saying:” Sir, here you have five more volunteers!” And left.
The sergeant looks on them with a hawk’s eye and then said: Filthy
scumbags! Always sending me things from a sewer! You! Run to that post
over there and back!” And he was addressing Hans, who said:” Sir! I am not
a volunteer! I was kidnapped without my consent!”
“Kidnapped without your consent?” The sergeant asked, and somebody
from the group he was training produced a laugh. Like aspic, the sergeant
turns to him, saying:”Private Johnson! Help our kidnapped friend here to go
to the post and come back on the double!”
That soldier grabs Hans by an arm and makes him run. A return, Hans was
panting. “A total disaster! All of you are a total disaster! I will be having a
hard work making you decent soldiers, no matter if I work day and night
training you!”
56.
The rest of that day was used running and jumping until dusk. At that time of
the day, the sergeant sent them to get clothes and new shoes, fit to be used
on the training.
“This is insane! Me, on the Army at my forty-five years old!” Hans said.
“We will wait of a chance to return to our Space and time.” Turion said.
“Oh, our machine! It will be rotten on that hangar!” Hans said.
“Return is in the hands of our captors! No way could we return there
without a flying vehicle.” Klaus commented.
In the next thirty days, they learn to run in an indefatigable way, climb cords
to a height of 83 meters and down, to get awake for 36 hours and to fasten
when required… that was often.
That night, when everyone at their beds trying to sleep with tired bones,
Hans said: “Seems we are fit to battle!”
“Who says that?” Turion asked.
“Sergeant Gorgone! “ Hans replied, farthing.
“Stinky pig! That man lies half of the time! I guess it’s another of his lies!”
Klaus commented.
57.
But at the next day, Sergeant Gorgone said to the team:” Well, boys, this is
the end! Your preparation for war, phase one, is finished! Sorry I am short
on Diplomas.” and laughed.
“What’s next, sergeant?” Hans asked. The fiery eye of sergeant Gorgone
looks on him and said:” How many times I must to teach you, bums, to keep
silent in my presence? 80 push-ups for you, scumbag!”
And while Hans puffed his way to those almost impossible 80 push-ups, the
sergeant indulges himself on a little more explanation:” An airplane will take
you to facility number two; there they will teach you some more stuff!”
“He´s lying!” Hans said, from the floor.
“80 more!” Growled the sergeant, but that has to wait, s an airship landed
and a lieutenant approaches, followed by seven soldiers.
“Sergeant! Where at those good for noting I am going to brainwash?”
“Lieutenant Corremail! Good to see you again! Here is my best cooked pie,
ready for you to serve with! My compliments.” Sergeant Gorgone said, with
an ugly faggot smile.
“Don´t try to sell me that, sergeant! Know when the product it’s rotten!
People! Follow me!” the lieutenant said, returning to the airship with them in
wake while sergeant Gorgone laughed his guts out.
57.
The lieutenant waits until everyone was seated and while the airplane takes
off, he used a microphone and a loudspeaker to say: “Now, instructions for
you! Completed your physical training, you are about to be trained in exo
skeletons, computerized weapons, man vehicles and codes! Lessons starting
at seven o clock, lunch at 12 hours, training on the field from thirteen hours
to 18 hours, every day until I see you are fit for action. Nobody quits,
nobody flunk this step, nobody complains. You will be feed, train and
housed properly. Any questions?”
“Where are we going after your training period, sir?” Hans asked mildly,
while on flight.
“I will leave that as a surprise for you and the rest of this lame group.” The
lieutenant Corremail said.
Three hours later, they landed at a very deserted and desolate place, more
like a desert than nothing else, where three big buildings towering to a
height of a hundred meters on the air were to be seen. They descended from
the craft and walked inside the nearest tower.
“This is big.” Hans murmured, looking the tiled floor. The halls and many
people working there on machines.
The dormitory was a long room but very narrow. The lieutenant indicated
them where to sleep, where to put their spare clothes and then said: Dinner
at 20 hours at the mess hall, and a sergeant will come to instruct you more
on your duties.” And leaves the dormitory.
Hans went to his bed and lay here, saying: I could sleep a week I here!
Seems no more drills for us are coming!”
I hope not!” Klaus said, resting on this bed.
One hour later, a soldier come in, saying: “On your feet, maggots! What is
this: a vacation in a resort hotel?”
They stand up and the sergeant appears and grumbled: “I never saw such a
group of guys good for nothing, bumps like you are the scum of the cities!
But my duty is to train you and I am sure I will end making of you killer
machines! That, or to finish you all with training! Names!”
“Hans Barboto.” Hans said, and the others said: “Klaus Bribarten!”
“Turion Marvel!”
“Olafo Birigoin!” And this was the driver of a truck.
“ Bergoin Lumel!” And this ws another driver.
“My name is Sergeant Krugel Kurso! Now follow me, ladies!! And he
stomped out of that room.
“We better follow the ogre.” Hans said, following the man…
But the sergeant carried them to the mess hall, teaching them how to use the
expending machine to choose the menu.
“You just stare at the monitor and ask one of the items on the many that is
shown in the monitor. As you see, there is a list, with numbers and names.
You only need to tell the number.
“030?”
“030 are selected.” A voice sprouts from the machine, and in fifteen seconds
a tray appears with the item selected: fried p9otatoes and a piece of
chicken’s meat- steaming hot.
“The cutlery you get at the side tray.” The sergeant shows them; he selected
another dish, and the rest follows suit.
After dinner, they all went to sleep, happy to get food and shelter; instead of
liberty…
At the next day, lessons begin each two hours there was a break of fifteen
minutes.
In the afternoon they were shown with some machines, and begin learning
their use and how to make the best of them.
Sergeant Krugel become more than a good friend that the ogre Hans thought
he was, so they learn fat and with enthusiasm, the more so after being told
that if they comply with orders, their term of service will be shortened.
59
Five months later, they were prepared for work. Lieutenant Corremail
appears from his den, saying to the group:” Sergeant Krugel has donned a
good work; as well the one Sergeant Gorgone did before him. Now we will
earn our food here! We are going to battle.”
“Against whom, sir?” Hans asked. After a furious glance in his direction,
Lieutenant Corremail said: “Our patrons, the Ores, are in a war against the
Terlugians. The war is a lot of years old. Our patrons are using machines to
fight the enemy but they need more soldiers- there is where we enter in the
picture.”
60.
How many humans are at war?”
“Several millions! We are seeing as very efficient to destroy enemy pilots
and able to sand in place even when we are in disadvantage! We have a
tradition to maintain! Never surrender ever goes back!” Lieutenant
Corremail said.
A day later, they were inside a spaceship named “The Power!, captain
Sufirk, first officer Seadork Jones (female); Second officer Evenol Johnson,
Science officer Hill Cornelio (female), Doctor (medic) Inail Pizarro (female)
and many others.
Lieutenant Corremail and Sergeant Krugel also arrives, later, together with
many other soldiers, many of them of old age but fit to combat things and
enemies thanks to the exo skeletons and advanced weapons.
The Lieutenant calls them to a hold a said: “Captain Sufirk will soon carry
us to the front lines: planet Gobucho. It’s located a very important
crossroad, next to a worm Hole, so to retain the planet in our hands… or in
the tentacles of our bosses, it is imperative.”
“We will do our duty, sir.” Hans said.
“I hope we succeed. As you know there is no alternative. Failure means
certain death.2 The Lieutenant said
They seat on a land vehicle capable of to glide to the surface but not to fly
by its own, it was the next thing to a glider. That you could imagine. A solid
rocket will maneuver but, as all rockets, the engine stops and the vehicle lost
impulse: from then on, it was only the pilot’s skills that could make it land
successfully.
60.
They traveled for six hours; Hans slept that period as well as Klaus; Turion
waits patiently sensing the small tremors of the machine. Suddenly, a ring
announces the end of that trip.
“All right, gents! Take up your gear! And follow me! “Lieutenant Corremail
orders.
They went out the spaceship with weapons and some of them using exo
weapons. The group soon encounters resistance, while the space ship went
away before some missile could be sent towards it. Now it was the turn of
the soldiers.
“Look the size of those explosions! We are going to be killed!” Hans said to
his companions, while the rest were taking positions. The place was on the
outskirts of a city; the enemy was coming from open country.
Flashes of light crossed the air, and each time one of those touch a tree, it
went in flames; rocks changes color and soon people were in flames too.
“What a battle!” Hans said, using his Laser rifle against the enemy.
61
Their rifles also cracked but no visible beam was to be seen: the effects
indeed were effective because it shattered rocks, branches, trees. And
perhaps enemies, that lie flat unto the ground not to be had.
The old timers advanced protected by their exo skeletons, and when
receiving laser hits, the force field shines as the rising sun. At their time,
they also almost reached the enemy infant4ry, but a surprise occurs as the
Terlugians appears on bigger machines that spew strong double laser beams
charring old timers in scant two minutes and advancing towards Turion and
the rest of terrified soldiers.
Some of them flee, but also some others just surrender, kneeling for mercy.
Turion followed the ones running towards the city, but at some rocky
formations the lieutenant Corremail makes them stand behind boulders and
begin firing- MASER rifles and also grenades; he sent two of those against
tan incoming mechanical biped that lost a leg and stumbled to the ground.
“Hurrah by the lieutenant!” Hans said, running and firing the MASR rifle,
with such a fortune that it blast a leg of another Walker, that begin to limp,
losing perfect aim. Other Walker fires at him that sneaked through rocks like
rat.
62.
His example was followed by others, but with scant luck.
Turion and Klaus follows him among rocks, and then Hans said: “Wow! Do
you see that? I maimed the machine!”
“Yes! And it almost fries your buttocks!” Turion said.
The enemy infantry was advancing and no more talk could be had. The
group gathered near them and fired until the rifles become worthless; then
they run to the city.
A dozen tanks appeared at full throttle, and the enemy was rejected.
Some trucks appears and Lieutenant Corremail and his men takes injured
men and also dead into them; they stayed there with new rifles and some
Nebelwerfers, soon the battle begin and the LASER damaged the tanks,
other Walkers stumble to the ground under the explosions. More tanks
appeared, and rejected the enemies for 30 kilometers away, the soldier’s
remains on the field, and by night they were attacked again by Walkers and
Infantry. Now Turion and friends knows first hand the quality and figure of
their enemies! A meter and a half tall, with much weaponry on their backs,
and the trumpets hanging from their heads.
GOD WITH US, NEVER FEAR.
“Ugly beasts!” Hans keep repeating, while firing with his rifle: some
airplanes passed in low flight and release bombs, that thinned the enemy
lines and the Infantry attacks- but the Terlugians organized a line,
impenetrably by the time being.
Lieutenant Corremail counts his men, finding half of them out of fight or out
of sight.
“Very well! Too rest! The enemy is as exhausted as we!” He said.
The three friends stumbled to the ground, and went asleep.
But they could not rest for much tine; bombardment took place, the bombs
produce shocks of sound and debris that soon makes everyone half deaf.
The cannons begin to reply; lieutenant Corremail gives some new orders and
artillery becomes positioned and everyone was now helping, carrying
bombs. Sweat was running down their clothes; a bedlam of shootings and
yelling were everywhere, because wounded soldiers become numerous.
“God is with us! Never fear!” Turion kept repeating each time a bomb
explodes in their vicinity- he wasn’t a churchgoer, but now he was deciding
to have been one…
The night passes and at sawn the enemy infantry appears at a run- many
combatants ends with their inners sprayed on the ground. The elephant-like
people have strong epidermis- hides, but that was no problem for a MASER
gun or a sharpened knife.
Turion and friends defends their cannon and when possible, they also shoot
bombs with it, maiming or killing many a Terlugians; from the city some big