“Life is pretty darn good out here. You ought to try leaving
the comforts of Earth behind every now and again.” Hans laughed. He had
forgotten how much he enjoyed talking to Alfie. It had really been a long time
since they had spoken to each other. “I can’t say much about the women, but
that’s always been your department.”
“Not for the last few months. I’ve been a woman kind of man.
I may have actually met my match.” Alfie said his grin getting impossibly
wider.
“No shit? Someone has actually managed to keep you? She must
be a hell of a woman to manage that. I’d love to meet her sometime.” Hans was
impatient to get to the reason why he was calling, but he knew that he had to
go through the motions in case anyone else was listening.
“Ah, she is incredible.” Alfie sighed and leaned back. “But
I’m sure you didn’t call me just to make small talk about my love life or
yours. What can I do you for buddy?”
“You know me too well.” Hans had almost forgotten how well
Alfonzo knew him. They had been inseparable friends when they were in academy
together, but they had gone separate directions after graduation. Still though,
it was good to have someone he could still count on like Alfie.
“Well, spit it out already. I’ll help you anyway I can.”
Alfie leaned in closer to the video pick up on his end as the smile faded from
his face. “Not in trouble are you?”
“Not exactly, but I was wondering if you were still working
under Admiral Falun?” Hans asked.
“Of course, I love E&E. Couldn’t imagine me spending my
days anywhere else. In fact, we just found a new planet that we’re considering
opening up to –” Alfie cut himself off. “But you aren’t calling about that.
Sorry, it’s always exciting when a potentially habitable planet comes up.”
“No worries, I get that.” Hans smiled. “What I actually
wanted to ask you was where Admiral Falun was hiding these days.”
“The Admiral, eh?” Alfie raised his eyebrows. “Thinking of
returning to the service or should I not be asking?”
“Something like that.” Hans said.
“Hmm, I see. Not my business really, but he’s on Earth for
some meetings. Big stuff going on here, but I might be able to pull some
strings and get a message to him for you. He’s been busy though and I can’t
guarantee anything.” Alfie glanced at something off screen and frowned. “Hold
on a second.”
Hans waited as the screen went fuzzy for a moment and then
cleared up again. Whatever had just happened, Alfonzo was looking distinctly
worried now. He looked back into the video pick up and kept his voice low.
“That frequency was being monitored. I blocked it, but we only have a few
minutes before they find this signal and unscramble it. What the hell are you
into man?”
“It’s complicated, but I need to get in to see the Admiral.
I have a feeling I can trust him with what I have to say. I know I’m being
monitored, but this is of the upmost importance.” Hans spoke as fast as he
could.
“You’re coming to Earth?” Alfonzo didn’t bother to hide his
surprise.
“Yeah, but we need to get there under the radar. Any ideas?”
Hans asked.
“One or two, but it’s risky. Are you sure you want to do
this?” Alfonzo frowned. “And when I say risky, I mean almost impossible.”
“If that’s where the Admiral is, then that’s where we’re
going. I need –” Hans stopped talking at the moment Alfie held up his finger.
“So, do you think you could get me a few of those Earth luxuries out here? As
much as I love the frontier it really is lacking in a few things.”
Alfie faked a laugh and grinned. “I’ll send a few things
your way. I’ll even send it express ‘cause I like you so much.”
“Thanks Alfie. And I promise, I’ll stay in touch better in
the future.” Hans smiled. He had to admire how great his friend was at subterfuge.
“Ciao.” Alfonzo said and the screen went black. Hans leaned back in his chair and stared up at
the ceiling. He had been hoping that he would be able to count on an old
friendship and the risk had paid off better than he had imagined. Not only did he
have the information he needed, but they now had an inside man.
Hans had no idea what Alfie’s was plan was, but he was sure
it would be better than anything he could come up with on his own. Hans grinned
as he remembered back to the old days when they had been in the academy
together. Alfie had always been up to something. It was because of him that
Hans had learned to become such a good planner and liar.
Of course, this was more than just getting into and out of a
little bit of trouble, this was defying an entire branch of the government. He
had no idea what sort of clearance Alfie had since they had never really talked
about work even when they were both in the service. Hans was pretty sure that
he played more of a roll in the government than he had let on. For now, though,
all he could do was wait to see what Alfie had sent him.
It was the next day at work when Hans called Duke and Honora
into his office to tell them the news about his conversation with Alfonzo
although he was careful not to mention his friend by name. It was bad enough
that Alfie was risking his job for them and Hans didn’t need to make it worse
for him. Plausible deniability was the keyword in this.
“Are you sure we can trust him?” Duke asked, once again
being the one to bring up the negative.
“I’m pretty sure I can trust him more than you.” Hans said.
“He may be high up in the Armed Forces, even I’m not sure exactly what he does
or how much clearance he has, but he is completely trustworthy. Plus, he has
very strong inclination towards anti-establishmentarianism.”
“Anti-establishment-what?” Duke looked at Hans as if he had
suddenly sprouted an extra head.
“It is the word that my friend uses to describe his
political beliefs. What is really important is that he believes that the best
way to bring down a corrupt government is from the inside.” Hans suppressed a chuckle as he thought back to
his time in the academy. “Let’s just say, if we don’t trust the government or
Armed Forces then this is the guy we want to be on our side.”
“But you have no idea what this plan of his is?” Honora
asked.
“We never had time to discuss it. Whatever he did only gave
us a few seconds of, hopefully, unmonitored conversation. I’m pretty sure we’ll
find out soon enough.” Hans mentally calculated the fastest a package could get
from Earth to Cantun. Even if he had sent it within the hour it would take days
to arrive, if not longer.
“Do you think whoever is watching is going to intercept the
package first?” Hans frowned at the thought that he had just voiced, but it was
a very real possibility.
“I’m counting on it and I’m sure my friend is going to be
expecting them to do so as well. I have no doubt that whatever he is sending is
going to be very well concealed.” Once again Hans was reminded of something
from back when they were in the academy together. “In fact, I think I know
exactly how he would have concealed it.”
“Let’s just hope that this friend of yours is half as clever
as you seem to think he is.” Duke stood up to leave as he spoke. “Cause it’s
not just your life or his that’s on the line here – it’s me and Honey as well.
Not to mention that alien of yours.”
“He’s not my alien.” Hans rolled his eyes and turned his attention
back to work. “I’ll let you know when the package has arrived. Until then there
really isn’t much we can do. Getting to Earth is the hardest part of our plan.
Once we’re there, I have a feeling that everything will fall in to place fairly
quickly. Call me an optimist.”
“I’d call you an idiot.” Duke grumbled only just loud enough
for Hans to hear him as he walked out. Hans chose not to respond to that
comment. He knew that Duke was more than likely right, but he was not willing
to give up the hope that it would be okay.
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