Clinton sat with his back to the wall behind his bed and frowned. He tapped the screen a few times and slumped in frustration. He just wasn’t getting the answers he wanted.

  His little software bot was happily scouring the local FedNet on the HTI moon resort. He had discovered many interesting snippets of news. He had even broken through Scree’s HTI security firewalls and gained access to her emails and systems. That was less exciting or informative than he had hoped. But he couldn’t get any further. Scree was just a lowly HTI representative located on a little new hunter planet assignment.

  Clinton had whistled in appreciation when he saw her latest payslip and laughed at how she was spending her increased pay. Digital costumes for her HTI avatar were relatively inexpensive, but she was vain enough to purchase many ever changing costumes so that her image on corporate servers was the best she could present.

  Sighing, Clinton stood up and wandered to the common area, where he saw Harrick laughing at something on the screen in front of him. Hendon was on duty in the MTS with the A team and Harrick was alone.

  Smiling, Clinton asked, “Sir, what’s so funny?”

  Harrick looked up grinning broadly and turned the screen towards Clinton. He pressed the play button. A recording showed his wife Hettie lying face up on the ground as their four rapidly growing pups were using her as a diving platform. Every time one landed on her stomach Hettie tried to hold in a grunt while laughing. “Save me, dear husband!” she cried in mock terror, “I am being attacked by rogue pups that look disturbingly like you!” She then laughed and the recording ended.

  Harrick smiled as he laid down the tablet. He noticed that Clinton wanted to talk so turned off his tablet and gestured to the chair opposite.

  “We’re alone,” Harrick said, “Hendon and the A team are in the MTS and B team are conducting a ‘team building exercise’ at the eatery. Meanwhile, you have been holed up on your bed groaning in frustration.”

  “You noticed?” said Clinton, embarrassed.

  “It is a bit hard not to, when everyone else is gone,” answered Harrick, “How are you proceeding with your new ‘hobby’?”

  Clinton leaned in and spoke quietly, “I was able to break through the local HTI firewall. The security is very good, but Scree has her key password written backwards on the wall behind her monitor. Once I had control of the security cameras, which are under a different system, I had access to everything.”

  “Was it useful?” asked Harrick, leaning in conspiratorially.

  “Yes,” said Clinton and then frowned, “and no. I now know too much about Scree but very little about HTI and their plans for Dirt. I have been following up on our shared feeling that all this is leading towards momentous events and wanted to see if I could back up our feelings with some facts.”

  “And?” prompted Harrick.

  “And I need to be at a HTI corporate office to learn more. My software bot has learned its way through HTI security but we are not connected directly to HTI servers. We only connect via the Data Pods. The systems here are effectively ‘air gapped’ from the central systems. Sigh.”

  Harrick leaned back and pondered. The Emperor was due here in a month or so. He wanted to be on hand so that the Personal Imperial Guards had the information they needed to keep the Emperor safe. If history was any guide, the death of an Emperor, especially one with no next of kin, was a disaster. Even in the most peaceful of Federations.

  “Hmm,” Harrick said thoughtfully.

  Clinton leaned closer, “Does that ‘Hmmm’ mean something?”

  “Let me contact Patter,” said Harrick, “We may be able to solve a couple of issues in one go. Clinton, take a break. Go join the ‘team building exercise’ at the eatery. Although I do think it is more of a drinkery than an eatery. Now go!”

  Clinton smiled and stood upright. With a last look at Harrick he left to be part of building a team with the B Team.

  ****

  Patter thoughtfully rewatched Harrick’s message contained in the latest Data Pod from Dirt.

  Harrick sat in his chair in front of the monitor while making his request to Patter, “Sir. Thank you for your continuing support of the Hunter Safety Team. We have been successful in retrieving a great many errant hunters over the last year. My team and I are now the most experienced military unit with intimate knowledge of Dirt and the many quirks of the Dirtlings. I have considered the upcoming hunt by the Emperor, and discussed with my team leaders. As you know, hunting on Dirt can be quite dangerous, especially for the unwary.”

  Patter shook his head in agreement and commented, “Unwary, and stupid. Some of those hunters stories are crazy! Makes good ratings though”

  Harrick’s recording continued, “I would like to propose a way of reducing any risk to the Emperor. I would like to visit The Capital, accompanied by my adjutant Clinton, and liaise with the captain of the platoon of the Emperor’s Personal Imperial Guards who will be providing security. I am convinced that our experience can assist the PIGs with their preparations and make the hunt a lesser risk.”

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  Patter listened carefully. This proposal had merit.

  “This will need to be arranged very promptly as we need time to travel and share experience. Clinton and I can return with the security detail on the ‘Emperor 1’,” finished Harrick as he stopped the recording.

  Lord Gubbins and Patter had been discussing the best ways to minimise harm to the Emperor. Thirty Personal Imperial Guards and a personal energy shield were good, but Harrick’s proposal had merit. Patter may not completely trust Harrick, but Harrick was correct.

  The Hunter Safety Team initially began as a publicity ploy, but Harrick had turned it into something very effective. Insurance premiums and payouts were way down. Without the HST, Patter had the feeling that they would be under far more scrutiny from those that were sniffing around. As it was, the casualty rate was within acceptable limits allowing HTI to forestall questions about Dirt’s classification.

  Patter sat up, straightened his jacket and flamboyant cravat, turned on the recorder and composed his reply.

  “Harrick!” he began with a magnanimous smile, “Thank you for your latest message. You and your Hunter Safety Team have been doing great work. The public love it! There is even a very enthusiastic following of your adventures on the FedNet channels. Top ratings, Harrick! Top ratings.

  That fame provides many openings. I am sure we can arrange for you and your adjutant Clinton to be special consultants. We will arrange for your temporary attachment to the Emperor’s Personal Imperial Guard. The PIGs are a stubborn lot and not well known for their acceptance of others, but we think it is worth the attempt. Even if they only let you tag along, HTI can only be commended for our diligence. The famous Hunter Safety Team as advisors is a very good public relations move.

  As soon as you get this message, use the HTI express shuttle to return to The Capital. Time is running short.

  I am greatly looking forward to meeting both of you in person.”

  “Trotter!” he called as he stopped the recording. He needn’t have yelled as Trotter had already stepped into the room mid recording.

  “Ah, there you are, Trotter,” said Patter, “Send this recording on a red Data Pod back to Dirt immediately. Then we need to convince those stubborn guards to accept the Hunter Safety Team as advisors.”

  ****

  Denton, the Security Chief of the Federation Security Force, sat quietly at his desk while X Bear sat in the chair opposite. Although Denton had received all of X Bear’s reports, as well as additional reports provided by his assistant Scrags corroborating the situation, he still liked to discuss these things in person. He had found out long ago that communication was of greater effectiveness personally.

  He looked at X Bear who had been waiting impatiently to talk, and waved at him to begin.

  “Sir,” said X Bear in a rush, “Heron and Byron and their mates are safely in Sanctuary on Dirt. We have ample evidence showing that the classification was based on falsified data.”

  “I understand that is the case,” said Denton slowly.

  “Well the falsification is based on Nelson’s actions,” said X Bear, “HTI believe that Nelson is one of theirs after accepting the ‘incentive’ payment and working for them at the HTI resort at Dirt. Nelson is actually doing a very good job.”

  “That’s good then, isn’t it?” prompted Denton.

  “Yes, but once we make the case for a Section 8 reclassification, they will know a key point of the application is the falsification of the reports,’ said X Bear.

  “And that is Nelson,” finished Denton drily.

  “He has no idea of the danger looming,” said X Bear, “We need to get him out, probably joining Heron and Byron.”

  “Would he do that?” asked Denton, looking at one of his reports, “If he is doing so well at his job, and I see getting some good bonuses too, why would he just leave on your say so?”

  “I would like to convince his promised mate, Noslen, to help. From my contacts, she is missing her two hatch mates who are now with Heron and Byron, and worried how they just disappeared in the middle of the night. With her help and a message I can get from Heron and Byron, I am sure we can convince him,” said X Bear, confidently.

  Denton looked at Kurt, the pigeon from London that had joined X Bear as a companion, perched quietly on the back of X Bear’s chair. “What do you think, Kurt?”

  “What are you asking me for?” said Kurt, bending his head to one side in typical pigeon fashion.

  “Wrong answer,” whispered X Bear.

  Kurt quickly added, “But I am glad you did ask! Sir! Heron and Byron are not angry at Nelson. Disappointed with him, yes, but they want him safe. Whenever anyone asks who changed the discovery report, they never mention his name.”

  Denton looked at Scrags, “And your thoughts, Scrags?”

  “HTI security and their ‘cleanup crew’ are very thorough,” said Scrags, “A number of contacts and minor witnesses have already disappeared or stopped talking to us. Any working for HTI have been reassigned or dismissed and we haven’t found where they now reside. Nelson is certainly in danger. Even if he doesn’t know it.”

  “We will not be pressing the case yet,” said Denton, “The Emperor’s hunt is happening shortly. That is taking priority and once it is over, there will be no space for any action for a while afterwards.”

  “Does the Emperor know what he is getting into on Dirt?” asked X Bear.

  “No,” said Denton firmly. “He has no idea. But Lords Gubbins and De’Ath do. They are doing their best to minimise the risk. Harrick and Clinton are going to join the Emperor’s expedition as consultants.”

  X Bear did not ask how Denton knew of the visit of the Hunter Safety Team and the preparations. Denton knowing many things was part of his mystery and the threat of revealed secrets he silently held.

  “I seem to need you at two places at once,” said Denton to X Bear.

  “If we are not going to proceed with publicly initiating Section 8 yet, let me be at The Capital when Harrick and Clinton arrive. We can co-ordinate with them and get first hand news of the situation on Dirt,” said X Bear.

  “Their shuttle is arriving here in a few day’s time. Contact them,” instructed Denton, then turning to Scrags said, “See if you can find out if Nelson is under the HTI clean up crew’s notice. That will let us know how urgent it is to relocate him.”

  X Bear and Kurt left Denton’s office to their scout ship.

  Denton said to Scrags, “The situation is getting interesting. We can’t stop the Emperor’s hunt. Hopefully the precautions will be sufficient.”