Chairs Don't Just Float Around

We sent Tanbit to play Flak Florm and sniff out the traitor, but he got kidnapped instead.

“Now we know why they kept inviting Tanbit to play Flak Florm,” Alora said.

“It’s my fault,” Captain Cleeber said. “I gave them exactly what they needed.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” I said. “No one could have guessed what they had in mind.”

Cleeber pounded his fist on the table, “I should have. It’s my job to know.”

“No. It’s your job to respond. You can’t predict the future. So, how are we going to deal with the traitors and get Tanbit back?” I really hope he has a good plan, because I’m fresh out.

Cleeber sat with his eyebrow raised. A very good sign. He thinks best with a raised eyebrow. He only sat still for a moment before jumping to the computer.

“We can track Tanbit’s security card. Maybe it will give us a clue to the traitors' plans.”

He thumbed through holographic files, pulled one to the front, and skimmed through.

“They have weapons,” Cleeber said.

Only Captain Cleeber, his first officer, and Tanbit have security cards that can access the weapons vault. They planned on kidnapping Tanbit all along.

“A food replicator and a tool replicator.”

Needing food is obvious, and I suppose they thought it prudent to make tools if needed.

“They also took some dylanium,” Cleeber said with a puzzled look.

“Why would they take dylanium?” I asked.

“No idea,” Cleeber said. “Maybe they’re planning on making something that needs power.”

Cleeber slid the file away and reached for the weapons control application. He moved through several dials.

“Here we go.” Cleeber found a dial with five settings: Kill, Maim, Hurt, Make them wish they had listened, and Stun. He twisted his wrist and selected stun. “I bet they didn’t know about this.”

Alora studied the holograph for a split second. “Nice. A master override setting for all your weapons. Brilliant.”

“I can’t believe I need to use it.”

His men’s betrayal pained Cleeber, and it pained me to see him so pained.

“What do we know?” Alora asked.

“Not much more than we knew before.” Cleeber paced.

“Wait a minute,” I said. “They’re the ones who gave Targon the magnetic disruptor. If we find Targon, I bet we find them.”

Cleeber and Alora agreed. Unfortunately, Cleeber still refused to go down to the surface. He would not break the law, no matter what the situation.

“We thought you might say that,” Alora said. “We brought you a chameleon suit.” The Talmarians never developed chameleon suits, and Cleeber didn’t understand what Alora offered.

“No offense, but I’m fine with the clothes I have.”

“It works like a chameleon shield, except better. You’ll practically be invisible,” Alora said.

He tried it on, and it worked perfectly.

“Well then, let’s get those backstabbing pieces of broken glass,” Cleeber said with more vigor than I thought possible. “I’m sorry you had to hear that, Alora. I’m just really mad.”

“I understand,” Alora said to Cleeber. She turned to me and whispered, “Was that cussing?”

“I think so,” I whispered back.

I led the way down the ladder with Alora and Cleeber following in their activated chameleon suits. The priests guarding the ladder are very familiar with me going up and down, but they wouldn’t be so happy if they saw an entire party.

We found Targon where we left him, at his home. Except this time, the traitors accompanied him instead of his Elite Guard. Alora snuck up to the kitchen window, eavesdropping on their conversation.

She returned with disturbing news.

“Your men promised Targon advanced weapons in exchange for his help. That explains the tool replicator. And at this very moment, the Elite Guard are looking for something your men want very badly, but they haven’t said what it is,” Alora said.

“Whatever it is, it’s the key to their whole plan,” I said. “We’ve got to make sure they don’t get it.”

“How can we keep them from it if we don’t know what it is?” Cleeber asked.

“Well, we know they are looking for it and need it to do whatever it is they intend to do. We simply eliminate anything they’re not looking for, they don’t need, and won’t help them with their unknown plan.”

“You’re using words, but you need serious help,” Cleeber looked to Alora for support.

Alora shrugged, “Agree. But I’ve known that since the first day I met him. You get used to him.”

We voted to hide out until the Elite Guard returned, which turned out to be shorter than we thought. Two Elite Guardsmen entered the house. Alora quickly positioned herself outside the window again.

She returned after half an hour.

“They haven’t found it. But whatever it is, it’s somewhere outside the city.”

“That helps a little,” I said.

Alora and Cleeber stared at me in utter disbelief.

“How?” They asked.

“It eliminates the city.”

“Yeah, but it includes the entire planet,” Alora said.

“I see your point. I was just trying to be positive.”

Since we failed to discover the traitors' plans, we decided to at least attempt to rescue Tanbit. We discussed attacking, but thought better of it. Five guns against three felt like a losing gamble. Going back to the temple to enlist the Knock-Woks would take too long. We ended up going with Alora.

She noticed Tanbit tied to a chair near the window. Cleeber would make a distraction by throwing a vase we found outside Targon’s house through the living room window. When Targon and the traitors went to investigate, Alora would pull Tanbit out the window, chair and all.

Cleeber threw the vase. Alora waited until everyone left the kitchen, then grabbed Tanbit’s chair with him in it.

We ran through the streets to the temple, trying not to be seen. Unfortunately, we found out later that several ladies fainted when they saw a man running from a floating chair with a man tied to it. They told others the chair was trying to tie up another victim.

We made it to the temple and explained to Bob that there might be a few extra gods staying the night. He handled the news well enough and pointed to the guest quarters.

I would have loved to see the look on the traitors' faces when they returned to the kitchen to see their prisoner gone. But it’s a small victory. I wish Tanbit knew what they’re looking for, but they never mentioned it in his presence. There has to be a way to find out what it is, before they find it, and use it to carry out their plan. I just can’t see it.