BJAllen
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Rule of Twelve, Book 1, Chapter 3
Double Take - Grounding
September 05, 2022
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1

 

The descent had been uneventful. They had made good time and didn’t see any further delays. Dukk had stayed in the cockpit for the slow and steady descent into Kuedia.

   As they came over the large continent in the northern hemisphere, Dukk reflected on his favourite approach, the track into Utopiam.

   The smallest of the five citadels was located in the eastern region of the massive island continent in the southern hemisphere. His fondness wasn't logical. Being smaller, it was less likely to produce the most lucrative business. The fondness wasn’t even the view that he enjoyed immensely as the rig tracked out of the upper atmosphere. This view included the vast western coastline with its crystal-clear blue water and bright white beaches. And the red dirt that stretched out from the coast. During certain descent paths, he would even get glimpses of the remains of a sprawling city that was long gone. Unlike the ruins in most other places, which were ugly and disturbing, here the vast coastal desert almost hid the destruction all together. He would look out and fantasize what life would have been like in the times before the war.

   No, the fondness was something else. Something he couldn’t quite put a finger on.

 

Dukk had the cockpit to himself for much of the descent.

   As advised, the passengers and observer had mostly stayed put in the passenger seating area. Whilst spread out over three hours, the return to full gravity and deceleration was unsettling to those who weren't familiar with it.

   Bazzer had been determined to do another session of pumping iron before the mandatory overnight stay away from the rig.

   Larinette kept busy in her cabin deciding on the outfit to wear for the evening’s celebration.

   Annee caught up with Rachelle. Dukk sensed something wasn’t right. Annee had been distracted during the post reentry checklist review. He guessed that she and Rachelle had some important things to work out.

   Being alone in the cockpit suited Dukk fine. The need to find a contract was weighing on him. He was keen to get started on his own terms. He didn’t want to get tied into some one-sided deal simply because he was the new kid on the block.

   When the rest of the crew returned to the cockpit, for the final approach and set down, Dukk still found it hard to engage in the chatter about the plans for the evening.

 

The customs clearance only took an hour.

   Rachelle had then given Dukk and Larinette the rest of the afternoon off to relax and get ready for the evening’s celebration. Rachelle felt she didn’t need their help to supervise Bazzer and Annee as they managed the disembarkment and unloading of her last payload.

   They would also use the afternoon to prepare the rig for tomorrow morning’s inspection, a necessary condition of the intergalactic transport game. The observers were suspicious and insisted on thoroughly inspecting all systems. They also used the inspection to apply upgrades and install any further monitoring equipment. When unloaded and with everyone off the rig, a Squad of sentinels would be stationed to watch the rig overnight until the observers got there in the morning.

 

After packing Dukk’s belongings into lockers, ready to move to the master cabin, Dukk and Larinette left the Dinatha and checked in to a h-pod. They found one that was a stone’s throw away from the restaurant booked for this evening’s celebration.

   After a little downtime they headed out into the narrow streets that surrounded the port.

“You have to wear something nice tonight, Dukk,” Larinette pleaded as they approached the nearest Hyperloop station.

   “My favourite red shirt and blue chinos will be fine,” Dukk replied.

   “That shirt was fine two years ago; it isn’t fine anymore!” came the retort.

   “Fine, if you see something that you think will suit me better, get it and I’ll pay you back! But I am not going shopping, I have work to do!” Dukk insisted.

   “Fine!” Larinette stated as she entered a carriage and left him standing on the platform.

   A slight smile touched his face as he watched the Hyperloop disappear around the corner. Dukk was quietly pleased with himself for standing up to her.

   Larinette was heading to the outer ring’s retail district. The retail district was adjacent to the larger h-pods. These were typically occupied by older and retired deprivileged, who had accumulated influence and means. The streets were wider and there was less evidence of any trouble with sentinels. This was unlike the port area, where the streets were narrow, and the buildings stacked on top of each other. Also, the buildings near the port were often cracked or blackened following trouble.

   Rachelle had her eye on a h-pod in the nicer area, which also had places to eat and socialise. Dukk found it odd that Rachelle had decided to stay within the port district for tonight’s celebration. Annee had said it was for old time’s sake. Dukk didn’t feel that fitted with what he knew of Rachelle.

 

2

Dukk made his way down to street level and then into the labyrinth of alleys and passageways that gave access to the many bars that flanked the port.

   He made his way to one of the bars Rachelle had mentioned. Dukk was aware that all jobs had to be listed on the public contract boards, however he also knew that was just a formality. The tendering process was just a cover. Deals were actually done across tables in dark and grotty pubs.

   Just as he crossed the threshold, he was nearly knocked flat by a sentinel squad. They had been just behind him. He stumbled aside and watched as they spread out through the crowded bar.

   Everyone mostly ignored them, which whilst a behaviour Dukk had seen plenty, it was a behaviour that he was still not accustomed to. He found sentinels both frightening and fascinating.

   As well as being nearly seven foot tall, clad in black and heavily armed, they wore fully enclosed helmets. Instead of a face, one was confronted with a black mask. There was no hint of eyes, nose, or mouth. Just a black void. And they rarely spoke and when they did it was unemotional and harsh. Also, they were fast, strong, and deadly accurate with their weapons. And they would even blow themselves up if there was the slightest possibility of being overrun. Dukk wasn’t sure, but he felt they were mostly human.

 

Within minutes, and as expected by Dukk, a man in the corner of the bar screamed out and flung his hands over his ears. He bent over in complete agony. The hands over his ears were in vain as the noise was being produced by the man’s communications implant.

   Immediately, the sentinels closed in on the man. Two of them lifted him off the ground and made for the door. All the while, the man was still screaming in agony.

   The remaining sentinels followed them to the door.

   As the last member of the squad reached the door, it turned and spoke to the disinterested crowd, “Being in the possession of or using crypto in anyway is a punishable offence.”

   The sound bellowed through the bar like if amplified. The volume caused everyone to stop speaking, but they didn’t look around or even seem bothered. Dukk knew also, it wasn’t an infrequent occurrence.

   With the message delivered, the remaining sentinel disappeared through the door and into the alley. Immediately, the conversation returned as if nothing had happened.

Dukk approached the bar. Eventually the owner came over to take his order.

   “What can I get you?”

   “Information,” Dukk replied.

   “Like what?” the owner said dismissively.

   “I’m looking for a broker that needs a fine rig to fulfil their orders,” Dukk said with a little too much confidence that clearly showed it was a rehearsed line.

   The owner saw right through it.

   “Who are you?” he said.

   “The new Captain of the Dinatha,” Dukk replied.

   “What happened to Rachelle?”

   “Retired.”

   “Well new Captain of the fine rig called Dinatha, you need to find Thumpol!” said the owner.

   “Great!” thought Dukk, “That thug is the last person I want to talk to.”

   Dukk had known the short round man since his days learning the ropes after the test. Thumpol was a bully and a thug. Always had been. His greasy hair and beady eyes had helped with that. And he was lacking in decency of any kind. A trait that had helped him rise to the top of the black market that operated in the citadel. That had also given him some access to the privileged. Which opened the way for access to those doing trade deals. That gave him early visibility of hauling contracts. And he used that information to his advantage. Dukk felt he would make a natural EO and considered that his lack of height was the only attribute holding him back.

   “There must be other brokers working contracts around here?” Dukk suggested.

   “There are, but I am telling you that Thumpol is the only broker you want to be speaking with at this moment,” insisted the owner as he headed to the other side of the bar to take another order.

   “Odd,” thought Dukk as he headed for the door.

 

Dukk found another bar not far away that also had been mentioned by Rachelle as good for ad hoc contracts. Once more, he made his way to the bar. He took in the scene as he waited.

   The place was already filling up. The day shift was ending, and the night shift would have got underway. Dukk could tell from the tan lines, that the crowd included some keepers.

   Just as he was about to turn back to the bar to attract the owner’s attention, he noticed two men entering from the street. He recognised them at once.

   They were two of Thumpol’s goons. He’d known them since his days in the labour rotation. Dukk had also seen them about more recently when Rachelle took work from Thumpol’s clients.

   “It can’t be a coincidence. Not good!” thought Dukk.

   They spotted him before Dukk could hide his face. As they made a b-line in his direction, Dukk slid off his stool and used the crowd to mask his retreat and exit.

Dukk tried two further bars and got the same cold and unhelpful instruction from the owners. He also made a quick exit of two further joints when he noticed more of Thumpol’s goons milling around.

   “All roads appeared to be leading back to Thumpol’s clutches,” Dukk said to himself as he continued the search.

   The seventh place he tried, looked clear so he sat up at the bar and ordered a drink. He decided a different tact was needed. The drink tasted good, so Dukk relaxed a little and enjoyed the moment. That moment didn’t last long.

   As he was about to take a second drag of the drink, two men sat down at the bar. One on either side. On his left was one of Thumpol’s goons. On his right was Thumpol.

 

3

 

“One might get the impression that you are trying to avoid me, Dukk. It is almost as if you haven’t joined the dots,” Thumpol announced calmly.

   “What dots?” Dukk replied, willing to play the game for now.

   “The dots that join my influence with you securing what you needed to buy out Rachelle’s share of the Dinatha! You didn’t think the line of credit just appeared before you as if by magic!” Thumpol responded.

   Dukk stared ahead.

   “So, one might hope one would honour said favours in order to avoid any unpleasantness, of which I am not a huge fan,” Thumpol continued.

   Dukk turned and made a comical face at Thumpol.

   “Ok, point taken, however I am pretty sure you won’t share my appreciation from your perspective of the unpleasantness I have in mind for you!” Thumpol retorted.

   “What do you want, Thumpol?” Dukk demanded.

   “Simple, I want to support and help you as you get started as a rig Captain! It appears no one else is interested in passing any contracts in your direction,” Thumpol shared in glee.

   “I gather you had nothing to do with that,” Dukk replied sarcastically.

   Thumpol continued, “I am going to ignore that and put it down to long haul fatigue. Perhaps I have wronged you in the past. Let’s put that behind us. And since I am feeling particularly generous today, how about we put the favours behind us too?”

   “What’s the catch?” Dukk interjected.

   “No catch. I will even provide you with twelve months of contracts to get started?” Thumpol replied.

   “What are the terms?” Dukk asked.

   “The terms are simple! Twelve months’ worth of work for a fixed payment of seven hundred and fifty thousand EUs. That is on top of fuel, interest, fees, and sundries. Easy work and a fine offer some would say. I will even connect you with four of my finest people to make up your crew shortfall. And to top it off, I might even put in a good word with other brokers after the twelve months is up.”

   Dukk said nothing.

   “Not ready to decide? Take your time. I look forward to your decision tomorrow evening, when you officially take over as Captain,” Thumpol added.

   Without another word, he then rose and headed for the door. The goon followed.

 

Dukk was gobsmacked.

   His self-talk was racing, “Over twelve months, with five qualified crew to pay, the deal would make me less than I’d make in a few months as second in command. And I’d not be in any position to start clearing my debts. It would certainly increase my visibility and experience, but I’d risk being trapped taking Thumpol’s contracts for ever. Of which, the terms would certainly worsen once I had no other options. And what did he mean by ‘four of his finest’? My current crew shortfall is two, maybe three!”

   Dukk felt like he was between a rock and a hard place. He wasn’t ready to decide. Something wasn’t right. His gut told him to hold off for now.

Dukk had lost the taste for the rest of the drink. He paid his tab and made for the street. He decided he needed somewhere else to think. Somewhere that he didn’t now associate with Thumpol and his goons.

 

As Dukk made his way away from the bar, his comms sounded. It was Larinette. Dukk answered but didn’t even have the chance to say hello before she got started.

   “Dukk, you missed out. There were some great bargains to be had. I got a fab outfit for this evening and found you a new shirt. And that isn’t the best or biggest news. I am just of the comms with Kimseeti, the captain of the Plinthat. I’ve been offered second in command and the likelihood of captain within two years! Can you believe it, Dukk? My very own command in two years. I know you will miss me terribly and I will be hard to replace, but I would have to be crazy not to accept this offer! Look, we can talk more later, I’ve got to get ready for tonight. See you back at the h-pod. Bye.”

   “WTF,” thought Dukk.

No sooner had the comms gone quiet when it chirped again. This time it was Rachelle.

   “Hi Rachelle, what is wrong?” Dukk asked.

   “Wrong? No, nothing. Dukk, are you okay?” Rachelle replied.

   “Yeah, I’m fine, ignore me. Are you done?” Dukk said quickly as he caught his tone and corrected.

   “Yes, all unloaded and ready for the inspection tomorrow morning. But that isn’t why I am calling. As a parting gift, I decided to get those starboard heat shield locks fixed. I’ve organised for a crew to be on the Dinatha tomorrow afternoon. They will get them sorted after the observer’s inspection. Come five p.m. when the legal details are all in order, you will be captain of the Dinatha in the best shape it’s been in, for ages,” Rachelle shared.

   “Oh, thank you,” Dukk replied trying to hide his shock.

   “You are welcome. Time to get showered and into some finery for our little party. See you soon, Dukk,” Rachelle said as she disconnected.

   “That is totally out of character for Rachelle to be so generous! The world has gone nuts!” thought Dukk as he continued down the road in search of a place to think.

 

4

 

Dukk found a suitable spot easily. He went in, headed towards the far end of the bar, sat in a seat one in from the wall, and ordered a drink. He looked around whilst the drink was being poured.

   The place was busy. A few rowdy groups at tables and a few solos seated along the bar. He wanted thinking space, so he chose the end of the bar. It was a good distance from anyone else. He glanced around. No one was paying him any attention. That was good.

   When he turned back to the bar, a man was sitting in the seat next to him against the wall. He had a jacket on the bar between them.

   “So much for finding my own thinking space,” thought Dukk.

   “Hello,” Dukk said as he smiled at the man.

   The man ignored him and ordered a drink.

   When the man’s drink arrived, he looked around briefly, then reached into a pocket of the jacket and pulled out a bracelet. It looked like a typical supplement bracelet. The kind of bracelet they all wear from time to time. Most of the ones Dukk had worn were used to put proteins and nutrients into the body. They’d help with the challenges of diet and balance resulting from lots of galactic travel.

   The man put the bracelet in front of him and held his hand over it. After a moment there was a slight green glow coming from inside of the bracelet. It was only just noticeable. That had Dukk’s interest.

   “Supplement bracelets don’t do that. Perhaps it was some sort of fashion accessory?” Dukk thought to himself.

   Then, while still looking blankly across the bar, the man held his drink near his mouth and said, “We only have a moment. Just listen and don't say anything. Don't look at me. Look around slowly, as if you are people watching. You must do exactly what I say, or you'll be dead within a week. Look away. Enjoy your drink, look about but say nothing until I tell you to.”

   As Dukk looked away, he noticed the bracelets stop glowing green. Dukk was wary but interested. The man looked harmless. Dukk figured he could take him if needed. Besides, he was intrigued as to what was going on and the day couldn’t get any weirder, so he complied. Dukk sat in the chair, sipped his drink, and looked about.

   After about five minutes the man spoke again. As the man started to speak, Dukk risked a quick glance over. He noticed the man’s hand over the bracelet, and it was glowing green once more. And as the man spoke, the drink was back up near his mouth.

 

Meanwhile, in the depths of the citadel, an alarm went off on a console.

   The operator pulled up the alarm. The algorithm had flagged an anomaly in a small pub in one of the dirtiest and poorest areas of the citadel. The operator saw that the algorithm was complaining about somebody blocking their mouth repeatedly over the course of several minutes. The algorithm was not able to lip read what was being said.

   The two people in question had been identified. One was a nobody. A general labourer. The other was only just short of a nobody. A crew member on a galactic freighter.

   The operator checked the pub’s security footage. The sound was unusable owing to the background noise. And the video wasn’t great. The lenses were smudged, and the three angles showed little more than the heads and shoulders of the two people. The pictures were also further obscured by other people and furnishings.

   The operator didn’t even have a clear view of one of the people’s hands owing to a jacket resting on the bar.

   Whilst the operator reviewed the pub footage, the system was connecting to the implants in the heads of these two people. It now had connection. The operator listened in. Then the operator reviewed the recordings.

   There wasn’t much on any of it. Just the same background noise as picked up by the pub cameras. No conversation. Just drinking.

   The operator concluded it was just two wasters sitting at a bar, drinking, and looking about. It appeared they didn’t even know each other. It didn’t look like anything out of the ordinary. So, the operator cleared the flag and instructed the algorithm to ignore that scene for the rest of the evening.

 

Back in the pub, the man sitting next to Dukk said, “My name doesn’t matter. Don’t ask for it. In fact, don’t ask anything. Try not to speak, but if you need to speak, hold your drink near your mouth. I have a contract offer for you. Three loads of beef. Destination is a local system. Must be sequential. Seven hundred and fifty thousand EUs on top of costs. That’s the same Thumpol promised you for an entire year. It will go a long way to clearing your debts. And it will save your life.”

   Dukk was gobsmacked for the second time in less than an hour.

   The amount was off the scales. A local system run meant he could turn around a load in just under three weeks.

   “But” he thought. “How does this man know what Thumpol is offering, and why does he keep saying my life is at risk.”

   Before Dukk could respond, the man continued, “When I leave, look up the contracts job board. Search for urgent high value beef contracts. Locate the contract offered by Wallace in Utopiam. Get the meeting details off the notice. Tonight, go to dinner with your crew, have fun, enjoy yourself. Tell them you are exploring a contract and leave in time to get the midnight VG to Utopiam. Make the most of the five hours of rest during the flight. You’ll be on the ground at seven p.m. local time. Go to the meeting place at nine p.m. Meet with Wallace. Make the deal. He will even sort out your crew shortage challenges. Eat. Be Merry. Get the midnight return. You’ll be back here at three p.m. tomorrow. That will give you two hours to refreshen up ahead of the handover at five p.m. You’ll hardly be missed.”

   With that the man finished his drink and stood up. Before leaving he said, “oh, don’t mention this conversation to anyone and take this bracelet with you. Wear it at all times. Wallace will explain.”

   He then turned, pushed the bracelet in Dukk’s direction, collected his jacket and left.

 

5

 

Dukk stared at the wall behind the bar and let the barely touched drink go warm.

   “What in the world is going on?” he thought.

   His self-reflection was interrupted by an incoming alert on his comms. It was Annee.

   “Ann, what is going on?” Dukk answered in a daze.

   “Are you alright?” Annee asked.

   That woke Dukk up.

   “Sure. You?”

   “Yes, all done here. Rachelle has taken all her stuff from the master cabin. Bazzer and I gave it a once over and moved your lockers in there.”

   “Thanks, Annee.”

   “So, I was thinking I could move into your old cabin? I already checked with Bazzer, and Larinette is hardly in hers, so she shouldn’t care?”

   “Wait, what? You are staying? What about you and Rachelle,” Dukk asked calmly. He was starting to get used to the idea of the unexpected by this stage of the afternoon.

   “All good things come to an end, Dukk. Besides, I have years of potential left in me. I am not ready to settle down or be grounded just yet!” Annee replied awkwardly.

   “That is brilliant news!” Dukk replied gleefully without thinking.

   “Actually, I will miss her,” Annee added.

   “Oh, of course, I mean, I am sorry for you and Rachelle, but I am delighted you are staying with the Dinatha, you are one in a million. And, definitely, take my old cabin.”

   “Thanks, Dukk, see you at dinner,” Annee added and ended the call abruptly.

   That suited Dukk fine as he felt it was getting a little uncomfortable. He was struggling with his emotions and was in no state to help Annee with hers.

 

Dukk used the heightened awareness following the call with Annee, to get his thoughts together. He used his heads-up display to access the contracts board.

   He searched for urgent high value beef contracts. There was only one. It had just been posted.

   “Odd! And as suggested by the mystery man, the contact went by the name of ‘Wallace’,” reflected Dukk.

   The listing gave the details of the load and destination. It all looked legitimate. The listing also gave the place where Wallace would be tomorrow at nine p.m., local time. He saved the details. Paid the tab, left yet another drink barely touched, and headed for the door.

 

As Dukk made his way back to the h-pod to shower for dinner, he did his best to disconnect from the day’s events. He did his best to quieten his mind. Which wasn’t easy. His curiosity streak was strong. It had been pivotal in his decision to follow the mystery man’s orders. And now it was working overtime on what this might all be about.

   Before entering the h-pod, he stood for a moment. Undecided.

   “Should I check-in on the Dinatha, before getting ready for dinner?” he thought to himself.

   “No,” he concluded, “The sentinels will keep it secure. Besides, I must clear my head and be present and engaged at dinner. I will need to be alert so that I can pick the right moment to take my leave and get to the VG station on time.”

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Rule of Twelve books to be narrated with the help of A.I.

I am investing in A.I. driven narration to bring the Rule of Twelve books to life.

It will be more than just narration in the traditional audio book sense. The A.I. will enable me to bring dialogue to life with character specific voices. This will create a rich and engaging narration.

Over the coming months I will be in catch-up mode, building the narration for already published material. Eventually, the aim will be to concurrently release chapters in both written and rich narrative form.

The narration will eventually make it to audiobook form for platforms like Audible and Spotify. However, to get it sooner, you will need a Locals subscription. The Locals App works just like your favourite audiobook app. So, you can listen on the go. Becoming a subscriber also helps keep this whole show on the road.

I look forward to sharing the journey with you.

BJ.

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1

 

Dukk opened his eyes. It was dark.

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1

 

“What in the world is going on?” Craig demanded as the doors to the south banqueting hall, closed behind them.

   Dukk, Marr and Emeelie stood before him. Beyond was the atrium bathed in orange light from the setting sun.

   On the opposite side of the atrium the doors to the north banqueting hall were open. Music and chatter could be heard from within.

   The noise from the others disguised the deathly silence that engulfed the four.

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1

 

“I am going to need a shower and change of clothes,” Marr announced as she put her helmet and goggles back on the rack in the garage.

   “Yes, the dust gets in everywhere,” Emeelie replied. “There are showers near the pool. Change of clothes too if you don’t want to go back to your suite all dusty.”

   “That is a good idea.”

   “Have you seen the pools below sea level yet?” Craig asked.

   “Nope.”

   “I was going to shower and change down there. Then use the sauna and take a swim. The pool up here can get quite hot in the afternoons.”

   “That sounds like a great idea,” Dukk said.

   “Absolutely, lead the way,” Marr added.

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