Chapter 4 - The Best Laid Plans (2/2)
”How much is it worth then?” asked the merchant.
”At least double the present amount.”
”That is ridiculous. I am paying you an amount north of 10 million credits. You want to double it?”
”Yes, at least 20 million.”
”I will give you 15 million. Don't be so shameless. You don't want to be on the bad side of my employer.”
Ode signalled to the remaining to come to him. After a few minutes. ”Ok, we agree for 15 mil, but need to transfer 5 mil now and the remaining you can do it afterwards.”
”I already paid you 5 million. Another 5 million before hand is giving you the entire sum, we initially discussed without you doing anything. How can I be sure you wouldn't just take off after I pay you?”
”It is your call. This is the minimum. We can't go below this. Take the offer and hire someone else.”
He didn't have the authority or the permission to transfer such an amount to them. Frustrated and helpless, he informed Raymond of it.
”Just pay them, Rick. I will provide you the amount. We will take care of them after the mission. Just get them moving,” came a reply followed by the details for the credit transfer. He immediately transferred the amount.
”It is done, get moving.”
”We are ready to move. Just give me the co-ordinates of the ape forces. I hope they are also ready.”
”Start on the way to the moon now. The location will be sent to you in a few minutes. I will be leaving the ship in my shuttle now. Just don't be late and you need to convince the military that you are being pursued by the apes.”
A few moments later, a small shuttle left the ship and it soon it docked into another ship. This ship was headed directly to the planet PK-170. As Rick got out of his seat, he saw a hooded and masked petite figure waiting in his shuttle near the door. Shocked by the sudden appearance of an unknown person in his shuttle, he asked in a stutter.
”Who are you?”
”Not to worry, I am just additional security for your trip. Come on, the captain is waiting.” Came a soft voice
Rick was directed to a small cabin near the c.o.c.kpit. A red-eyed lanky man with a small moustache wearing a tight fitted black suit was waiting for him.
”So, how did it go?” asked the captain nonchalantly.
”It could have gone better” began Rick in a hurry. ”Keep you men ready. We need to …”
”Wasn't asking you.”
”Everything as told. The explosives are in place and the Ode and his crew have no clue,” replied the masked figure.
”Don't worry. The team is moving to the base now. The papers are ready. They will be there well before time. We plan to handle both Balthazar and Ode together. Let's get to PK-170 and meet up with Rowley.”
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PK-170, Military Base:
It has been more than a few hours since Ode started on his way to the moon and the games are scheduled to start in two hours. The moon base is lively and active. The streets are filled with people and many new stalls have been opened for the day. Various powers of the alliance set up stalls to advertise their new products and inventions and training centres offered several programs as their stalls.
The PK-170 base was lively and active. The personnel were all busy. Today, the games on moon base required various personnel to help the men on the moon base to continue the general operations and functions on the moon base. It was a busy time and several men were deployed temporarily onto the moon base for the event.
Balthazar was in his cabin on the base. He had Captain Jones take a leave for the day but secretly patrol the sector near the moon in stealth. He was talking to tall blond man with dark brown eyes, while waiting for Jane and Sophia in his office.
”As I have just told you, I might need to stay at the moon base for a few more hours after the inauguration and meet with a few delegates, especially from Rodrigo's group regarding some training programmes. So, I would like to you hold the fort in my absence,” requested Balthazar.
”Sure, it is no problem. You have applied for leave and I am going to be doing it anyway for a few days starting tonight. What is a few more hours.”
”That's good. Sophia will be assisting you with anything you require today. I am taking Jane to the base to assist me. She is better acquainted with few of these men than me and would be helpful.”
As Balthazar was discussing with Jacques, Jane and Sophia entered the cabin together. The four of them discussed the various organizations that would attend the games and the new tools and weapons that were being displayed in the base. In a few minutes, they made a shortlist of few prototype weapons and war frames from the exhibition in the base.
”I will be leaving to the moon base in a few minutes. I have a shuttle waiting for departure. I will be leaving Lt. Col. Jacques in charge of the happenings here. Jane could you please prepare for the meeting in the moon base. We will be leaving in 15 minutes. I will be waiting for you in the hangar. Meeting adjourned.”
After the Jane, Jacques and Sophia left his cabin, Balthazar immediately called Jones to find out, if he noticed any sh.i.p.s heading towards the moon base. Confirming that there are no unexpected visitors, he asked Jones to continue monitoring in stealth and inform him on any external forces presence without engaging them.
Being done with all the preparation he could do for the attack, he left for the hangar. As he was waiting in the hangar, Jane was extremely frightened. Balthazar suddenly decided to have Jane accompany him to the moon base which was extremely coincidental. This sudden change had her wondering if Balthazar had already known about the attack.