Shadow Force 1: the Garden Planet (8 page)

“We’re ready.” Both Sara and Izzy replied.

“Alright we will set up an auction, and once we have Anwar in the room we will stun everyone there and place Anwar into a holding cell. The rest will have their memories erased by using the teacher and we will deposit them somewhere in Khomeini City. When they wake up they will have no memory of us or the auction. They will be confused but that is not our problem.”

“Good, then we’ll play the roles right from the start. Harrod will play an intricate part in this and as long as he does not know the truth he can't betray us. Even so I’m still uncomfortable with locking you girls in a cell.”

“Jon, we’re not dealing with amateurs here, if anything is even the least bit suspicious they will try to kill us.” Sara replied.

“I just don’t like the whole idea of locking you up.”

“Locking us up is only the beginning, it will get a lot nastier before it’s over.”

“You’re the expert. But still, remember what we agreed on.”

“What did you agree on?” Max asked.

“That no one would do anything dangerous without all of us discussing it first.” I replied, amending the deal I had made with Sara, now I would see if I could get away with it.

“Fine,” Max agreed “unless discussion is impossible or would jeopardize the mission.”

“You win.” I said. “Now we have about fifteen hours before we arrive so why don’t we get some rest and then we will work out the final details.”

I was lying on my bed trying to process the jumble of feelings I was having when the door buzzed.

“Come in.”

“Can we talk?” Sara asked as she entered my room.

“Of course, what’s up?” I asked.

“I was too nervous to sleep.”

“Sara, if you don’t want to go through with this, we can call it off.”

“Jon, please stop. You know I have to go through with this, and why. I believed you would understand after hearing my story.”

“I do, I think.” I replied.

“I’ve spent just about every waking minute since I was rescued from captivity hunting down slavers, and terrorists. Don’t you see that for every one I take out, there are literally hundreds of families and children that are spared the nightmare that I suffered? Jon this is a major slave ring, and I have the chance to not only save this mission but to gain the information to shut it down. You have to help me.”

“And help you I will.” I said while thinking that I was falling in love with a fanatic a fanatic just like me.

“There is something else that I have to get out before we start this odyssey.”

“What is it?”

“It’s hard to put into words, but I must, or go crazy trying to suppress what I have to say.”

“Just spit it out.”

“Okay, here goes. Ever since I was rescued, I’ve never been even slightly attracted to a man. It goes without saying that I have been totally celibate, and then you come along. I have been trying to hate you along with all men in general. Only I don’t hate you, as a matter of fact I think I’m falling in love with you.”

Sweeter words I couldn’t have imagined. Had she really just said that? My dreams were coming true. “I feel the same way.” I said finally then asked “why me?”

“It started the day at the beach. I purposely stripped and teased you, just so I could prove to myself that you were a pig just like all the other men I’ve been with.”

“Is that so?” I asked not sure where this was heading, as I had felt like a pig, staring at her that day.

“Yes, it is so. You looked at me as though you were looking at a beautiful painting. No derogatory remarks, you treated me with respect. That has never happened to me before.”

“Sara, everyone respects you.”

“Now people respect me, due to the professional that I have become. And I respect others for the professionals they are. Yet I’ve never stood naked in front of a man and felt respected, never.”

“Well, that must have been some enchanted beach.” I said.

“Why?”

“Because that’s where I first realized that I was falling in love with you.”

It took her until then to realize that I had said I was falling in love with her.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Sara asked looking deliciously vulnerable.

“Well, since the death of my wife I have seen dozens of women in many different situations naked. Yet I never felt anything. That is until you. That was completely different, I wanted you. More than that, I wanted all of you. Not just your body, but your mind and your heart. Still I was certain that you didn’t feel the same way. And you were right, I respected you. So not wanting to jeopardize our budding relationship I kept my feelings to myself.”

“Do you still want all of me?” Sara asked as she unfastened her jumpsuit.

“More than anything.” I replied and helped her.

Chapter Seven

Sara and I were sitting in the room that in less than two hours would become her cell.

“Sara I don’t know if I can let you go through with this.” I stated my stomach in knots.

“Why, Jon?”

“I just can’t bear the thought of you doing with another man what you just did with me.”

“Listen, I could never do what I just did with you, with another. Don’t you realize what last night meant to me? I just gave my virginity to you. Maybe not physically but mentally, yes. This was the first time I’ve ever made love in the true sense of the word with my mind, not just my body. So no matter what happens, no matter what I have to do, nothing can change what we have accomplished together. The joining of two minds two spirits into one.”

“You make it sound so simple.” I responded.

“It is. I will do what has to be done, so will you. Then when this is over we can finally put our pasts where they belong, in the past. We will be able to live for the future.”

Max and Izzy came in before I could reply, effectively ending my argument.

“Are you alright Sara?” Izzy asked.

“As alright as I can be given the circumstances.” She replied.

“Listen, why don’t you guys leave Sara and me alone for a while so we can get ready?” Izzy asked.

“What’s to get ready?” I asked.

“Just trust me, okay?”

Boy, I hate it when someone says that to me. It invariably means that I am not going to like the result. Still in this situation, what choice did I have? “Okay.” I said.

Max and I went up to the bridge to prepare for landing.

“What exactly are you planning Max?” I asked.

“Well, once we land we will contact Harrod and have him come out to the ship where we will make our pitch to sell the girls. We will explain how we acquired them and...”

“How did we acquire them?” I interrupted.

“Well, we did a very dangerous job for an illegal mining station. When it was time to pay they didn’t have enough credits to cover our fee. So, when threatened with the destruction of their station, they offered us two highly trained rest and recreation girls that had just recently been delivered, not yet having been placed in circulation. So after seeing and trying the merchandise we accepted the offer knowing that we could easily sell them for double what was owed.”

“Okay, how do we handle the Carliteume delivery?”

“I’m assuming that Harrod will have arranged for transport of that cargo; a transport he’ll accompany to Anwar’s headquarters to ensure delivery. Then that job done, he’ll see if he can stir up some interest in a couple of beautiful and well trained slave girls. After that we will play it by ear.”

Two hours after landing we welcomed Harrod on board. He was a nondescript Arab of medium height and build, probably about forty years old.

“The merchandise? It is secure?” Harrod opened the conversation.

“Of course, if you care to follow us to the cargo bay you can see for yourself.” I said.

“That would be fine.” He replied.

“Follow us then.” I said and led the way out of the airlock and down to the bowels of the ship. After inspecting the canisters we returned to the main deck and the lounge to try and interest Harrod in our deal.

“The cargo has checked out perfectly. It is good to do business with honorable thieves.” Harrod said.

“We are not necessarily thieves.” Max said, “We are mercenaries, we don’t steal unless we are paid to.”

“Even better.” Harrod replied.

“We have some other merchandise you might be interested in.” Max said.

“Really, and what would that be?”

“Perhaps it would be best to show you.” I said.

“Please do, you have my interest piqued.” Harrod replied.

We led Harrod down to the row of holding cells, specifically cell three. I entered the code that would open the door. As it slid aside I had a hard time covering my surprise at the scene that greeted us. Sara and Izzy were seated on the lounge wearing very sexy and see through negligees.

“Oooh someone new to play with.” Izzy said as she walked over to Harrod and began running her hands over his body.

“Not now.” Max said. “This is business.”

“Oh pooh.” Izzy said as she backed off a few paces.

“Harrod, these two are fully trained rest and recreation specialists that we acquired as payment for a job. Now we hear that some parties on this planet will pay well for merchandise such as this.”

“They’re exquisite.” Harrod said. “I must see more!”

This was already getting out of hand. I felt like strangling Max for getting us into this. Still, there was nothing I could do but play along.

“Girls,” Max said.

Sara rose off the couch and slowly, sexily, removed her negligee. Then, walking over to Izzy she slipped the flimsy garment off of her, letting her hand linger on Izzy’s naked body. They then went over and started caressing Harrod. After a short time Harrod stepped back.

“Enough.” He said “How much must one pay to enjoy these beautiful creatures?”

“Sorry, Harrod. They're not for rent, only for sale.” I said.

“The price?” He asked his voice cracking.

“We will start the bidding at one million credits.” Max said. “Each.”

“That is extremely high, even for such as these.” Harrod stated.

“But worth every credit.” I said. “They have been trained in all the disciplines of pleasure. One could lie with either for years and never have the same experience twice.” I started, drawing on what Sara had told me earlier.

“No man will pay that price without experiencing the merchandise first.” Harrod said.

“A bidder need only deliver a fifty thousand credit, nonrefundable deposit to enjoy the experience.” Max stated, using his hand to gesture to the two girls who were reclined on the couch, still naked and engaged in a passionate kiss.

“I will see what can be done surely there will be a few interested bidders. But I want a cut.” Harrod said.

“Were you not ordered to assist us in anyway?” I asked pointedly.

“Yes, but I hardly think helping you with your personal finances comes under that heading. I could check with Mohammed if you like.”

“That will not be necessary, what did you have in mind?”

“The night before the auction I want to spend with your two angels.” Harrod stated.

“Done.” Max told him.

Done! I felt like shouting. No it’s not done! Who the hell did Max think he was to make that decision for us? I was sure to kill him over this.

“It’s settled then.” Harrod said. “Now I must leave and deliver the cargo you brought and make some inquiries as to your private sale.”

When we returned from seeing Harrod out we found the girls now dressed in their flight suits on the bridge.

“Max! How could you make such a deal?” I asked angrily.

“Calm down, it won’t come to that, I’m sure.” He replied.

‘Why?” I asked, not for a minute believing Max.

“I anticipate that Anwar will come to see the girls for himself before the auction, and when he does we’re gone. The charade will be over, mission accomplished.”

“It better happen that way!”

“Relax Ryder, you worry too much.” Max said to me. I didn’t think it was funny, but let it go.

“Jon.” Sara piped in. “We went over all this. You knew what would happen, and why. Now just back off, this is hard enough for Izzy and me, without you adding to our troubles. Do you think this is any easier for Max? Izzy is his wife for God’s sake, not just a new girlfriend.”

With that said Sara broke down in tears. I walked her back to my cabin where for the next forty five minutes I couldn’t get a word out of her.

“Here Sara drink this.” I said and handed her a glass of wine.

“I’m sorry for crying.” she said while still sniffling. “It’s just that I can’t believe how easily I fell back into character.”

“Into character?” I asked confused.

“Back to what I was before.”

“Sara you aren’t back there, you’re here with me, and you’re fine.” I said as reassuringly as I could.

“This time maybe, but what about the next time what if I lose myself in the role, like I did before?”

“You didn’t have me before, and I won’t let anything happen to you now.”

“Thank you, I just hope you’re right.” she replied with the start of a smile.

“I am baby, I promise.” And that was a promise that I would die trying to keep if necessary.

Harrod called late the next day. He reported that he had two interested parties already, and was meeting with a third the next morning. He also said that a higher up in the black market was also interested, just not at that price. I told him we would stick to the auction, and if that didn’t fetch the right price we would entertain offers from the black market. Of course we had originally planned to start there. Only the auction seemed the best bet at luring Anwar to us. Nothing is ever written in stone in this business.

He called back the following afternoon to tell us that his morning meeting had gone well, also that the client wanted a private viewing.

“Who is this client?” I asked.

“His name is Anwar. He is undoubtedly the richest man on this planet.”

Finally I thought something was going right, with any luck we would be off this planet and safely in space soon. “When can we set up the appointment?” I asked.

“Eight tonight, has been suggested.”

“That will be fine. Please see to the details, and we will see you then.”