Redx Read online

  The question was, how had they not found the fault before they’d hit it. The mines were regularly scanned for such things. It was a question he knew the Commanders and Community would be looking at. Deliberately missed? Sabotage? He didn’t have enough data to go on to make that decision. But they soon would.

  Most of the humans on this world welcomed the Cyborgs. It had been a decision made by the people but not everyone liked it and that was to be expected. The fact that the world was dying, isolated and alone before the Cyborgs came, didn’t change everyone’s minds. Humans had the ability to see what they wanted to see, rather than what was true. In truth, they didn’t have much of a future being so isolated. The people had been dying before their arrival.

  Earth Corp hadn’t made an appearance in generations and the only people who had found them, took the ore for penny’s and refused to supply them with anything or tell others they were there. Logic told them that the humans who had made those decisions had done so for several reasons. They didn’t want the competition that telling others would have created. Or others they did not control coming to this world and if it died out of its natural population, it was ripe for takeover.

  That all changed with the arrival of the Cyborgs. Looking for new worlds to trade with, this one had been unexpected. Not on any data held in the Cyborg databanks. But whispers in other places had told of a world isolated on the fridges kept close by a few who were making a fortune from it. The business dealings weren’t the Empires first concern, but a world on the fringes unsupported and in danger, was. Finding them hadn’t been easy either. But once it was, opening it up for trade and commerce had.

  And the lives here were better for it. People came and went. New people arrived adding new blood to the mix. Business’s bloomed, the people were fed better and new medical equipment meant people didn’t die as easily.

  But still, some humans weren’t happy and that was their choice to make.

  The next Cyborg hobbled in. RedX indicated the table and he hopped on. Just with his optic he could see fractures in both hand’s and he had a broken foot. The myriad of cuts told him he’d been caught in a blast. Either the main one or those after to prevent more damage happening. Picking up the scanner his swiped it over his body. He’d been right. There was some internal bleeding too. The nano’s were working overtime to stop further damage, becoming exhausted. That was dangerous. If they fed on vital organs for the repairs, a Cyborg could shut down. RedX loaded an injector and gave the Cyborg more nano’s. The patients pain receptors were off so he was in little pain if anything. In time, the nano’s would fix the foot and both hands and deal with anything else.

  Take a rest bed next door. Put yourself into a healing sleep for 12 hours.

  The Cyborg gave him a nod and hobbled into the next room laying down. RedX would check on him later with another scan to ensure the nano’s were doing their job.

  Was he sad at seeing so many of his men injured? RedX would say he was, they were his brothers after all, but he couldn’t feel the emotion. Just like them, his emotions were turned off. His optic display flashed red on his emotional chip. That told him he was feeling it. But in this case, it was in a good cause. It had saved lives, not taken them.

  His logic asked the question. Would the explosion have happened had they not arrived? He didn’t have enough data to go on to answer that. The world might have been dead by now or taken over if they hadn’t. Every time they interacted with humans it had a ripple effect. Causation. Cause and effect. You couldn’t have one without the other. That was logic.

  The humans hadn’t lost anyone this time. A couple of broken bones and some scraps. Nothing major. They’d been lucky. His next patient came in. Cyborg, his leg was crushed. RedX felt sure that it wouldn’t be repairable in the med bed. Too damaged. Laying him on the exam table he scanned him. He’d been right. The leg would have to be removed at the knee and a new one regrown.

  Med bed. New leg below the knee required. They moved him over to an empty med bed and helped him in. RedX set the diagnostic to run and read the printout when completed. Set up the programme to run and started it. The lid came down and locked in place.

  31 Hours, come back then. The injured man’s Cyborg brothers moved out.

  Wiping down once more, he reviewed the patient list over his optic. They were all done. The rest could heal themselves with some time and nano’s.

  They’d been lucky this time. Next, might be different. He uploaded the injuries over his neuro net to the Commander with the time frames for healing for each Cyborg. He wouldn’t be happy. He also added his concern that the fault hadn’t been found in general scanning. Was that equipment or human?

  He didn’t need to say how bad it could have been. Every Cyborg could have got out of the way in plenty of time. But not the humans. If it was sabotage, was that they’re intended target? To hurt their own. There was no logic to that but humans were rarely logical in the pursuit of some ulterior motive. Plenty of questions and not enough answers. But there would be.

  He knew this worlds Commander very well. A birthing brother. He wouldn’t rest until he’d turned over every rock in this place looking for answers. Cyborgs were good at that. They were programmed with the ability to read body language, scent emotions. They were the best lie detectors ever invented. If someone had something to hide, they’d find it.

  ***

  Jamie stretched her neck. It had been a good night after all. They were having their usual night cap. Something they did each night once the last customer was gone and the place cleaned up. Jamie looked at him. “So tell me, how bad is it?”

  Kurt shrugged. “Not great. The tolls are killing us.”

  “We need to do something to pull in the punters Kurt.”

  Kurt knocked back his drink. “So you’ve said.”

  Jamie leaned forward. “Look, why don’t I put out some feelers. See what’s possible. No one is giving anything away for free. If we have something that brings um out and they stay, it will make a big difference. You know they can drink. Hell, they could drink for Goddo in a tornado. It doesn’t have to be much, a weekly thing and it doesn’t have to be just that either. Different nights for different things for those that want it. Open up that side room, clear out the crap, put in some comfy chairs and tables, display the news on vid screens and have it as a quiet salon. Those who still want to come just to drink or have some peace still get it and the rest can do what they like.”

  She could see the wheels ticking over. “There’s money in gambling. You know they like a game of chance. Get in some water tables, some roulette, an aces table. If its honest it will get a reputation for it and they will come. Put on a show, a bloody kitchen out back and get someone who can cook, and you have it.”

  Kurt rubbed his chin. “That will take money. I’m not going to the consortium for a loan. They’d have me good and proper.”

  Jamie shook her head. “I’m not suggesting that. If this place had a lick of paint along with the changes, we’d be in business.”

  Kurt gave her a considered nod. “Maybe but we’d need the money.”

  Jamie smiled. “Make me a partner and I’ll sort it out.”

  Kurt stared at her. “You got that kind of money?

  Jamie grinned. “I’ve got enough more importantly I’ve got those kinds of contacts.” She winked at him.

  It didn’t take much after that and she didn’t let him down. She’d told him she’d prove it and did. Wasting no time in getting someone in to clear out the side room, keeping and painting what was serviceable, she made it bigger by knocking out some old cupboards and added a substantial entrance from the main room all while, keeping the pub open. They told everyone of the changes. Encouraging them to come and check it out when finished. Going around personally to all the second hand furniture places, she got her hands on nearly new sofas, chairs and coffee tables, some vid screens and set about getting the paint to revamp it all. Over the following week, they cleared out the old bar each
night, put in a stage area in the back area taking out more storage that wasn’t being used, added dressing rooms, cleaned up the bathrooms and started the re-paint. During the days she talked to the women who’d be the star of their shows. Holding auditions in the quiet room that was finished.

  Jamie knew exactly what she was looking for. Women who were good at singing and dancing. She was going to put on a show three nights a week. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The women had to be clean, no sex trade. More than 50 applied once word got out and she narrowed it down to 12. If 4 were off sick, 8 would still work. The numbers were good. They would work for a percentage of the take each night paid in arrears. The better they were, the more the men would drink and stay. At the end of the night, they would go around with a tip jar. That money was theirs.

  She picked the music. They would do 45 minutes, have a 20 minute break and a further 45 minute with a big dance finale that would have the men on their feet.

  Then she turned her attention to the men and women who’d be waiting tables. Each one vetted for their honesty. Then the Croupiers. They would run the gaming. One woman to each table, one on rotation for breaks. Jamie thought about uniforms to identify with the bar and came across some old fabric that was just the right colours. Finding an old seamstress, she had her make up waistcoats to go over white tops and black trousers. Couldn’t be easier.

  It took two full weeks while she put up posters advertising an evening not to be missed. The gaming equipment arrived, and they sectioned off the main room. Gaming tables near the bar, tables and chairs for the entertainment nearer the stage.

  Then came the first full dress rehearsal. The bar was closed for the next two nights to ensure the surprise was complete. The women arrived mid-afternoon, then dressed in their new work clothes. The dancers in their costumes, the croupiers in their uniforms. They added two new bar staff to help with the orders and a gaming boss.

  As they all took their positions Jamie told them how it would go. Kurt stood back and watched. When she gave him the nod, she told all the tables to act like they had a full crowd and run with it. Kurt circulated and checked the tables all worked property the staff knowing what to do. Jamie started the show. They ran it all like it was a first night.

  By the end of it, they had tweaked a few things and would run it again the next day before opening the night after that. It had gone better than expected.

  Before she knew it, it was opening night. She stood in her best outfit with Kurt with her at the doors. They could hear the crowd beyond. Kurt gave her a smile. “No matter what, you did a good job here Jamie.”

  “Thanks, you ready?”

  He gave her a nod. “Computer, start music sequence.” Music filtered out into the main room. She turned to her staff and address the floor. “Right, no fuck ups ladies. Any problems signal immediately.” They all nodded, and she turned back to Kurt taking the door handle nearest her. He took the one on his side. “Ok, lets get this show on the road.” They both pulled and the doors opened.

  Kurt stepped into the middle to a chorus of cheers. “Gentleman. I remind you the ladies are off limits. Do not let me have to ban you that would be unfortunate, and you’d miss out.” There was good humoured jostling and cheering. “If you are hear for a quiet drink, our new salon is at your disposal. If you want to gamble, we have that covered for you, and if you want to see the entertainment, take a seat. Jamie’s,” he turned to look at her. He’d not told her he’d changed the name. A tear came to her eye. “Is open,” he shouted, stepping out of the way as they came rushing in.

  He eventually came to her side as she said hello to many of their regulars. “You didn’t say you were changing the name?” she whispered.

  Kurt shook his head. “Nope, only seemed right. You made this happen.”

  Jamie couldn’t get passed the lump in her throat. She’d never expected that.

  “Thanks.”

  He slapped her on the shoulder looking round. Men were taking up the tables with ease and finding seats, ordering at the bar and checking out the new side room as well as sitting at the gambling tables, money already coming out. “You earnt it. Now, lets make some money.”

  Chapter Two

  Another new world. This one found in the achieves of Earth Corp. Why they had seeded so many wasn’t logical but it explained why their greed finally bankrupted them. The how, finally bringing their lies to light. No one knew exactly how many worlds they’d started. Or the other Corporations. Records were kept need to know in those businesses. Many off books. How you could build and supply a ship for interplanetary space without someone keeping count, was anyone’s business. Cyborgs wouldn’t have been able to let that slide.

  The only explanation seemed to be too many fingers in too many pies, along with too many back handers and avoidance of any oversight. They cut corners and people died. Then there was the Cyborg project. Their project. No one wanted to admit they were involved in that once the shit hit the fan. When the people of Old Earth found out it wasn’t good for Earth Corp or their shareholders.

  Unsurprising, no two worlds ever looked exactly the same. He would know, he’d seen plenty over the long years since his birthing. Sent to fight in the Corporation wars over resources on planets in their own solar system and after, when those were exhausted, as part of the Galactic Wars over other worlds.

  But those years were a long time ago now.

  They now all worked for the Cyborg Empire. A species all their own. With their own people both human and Cyborg running Space Stations and new Worlds under the ethos of harmony and good will. They protected the humans were once, they were ordered to be their destruction.

  He boarded the off-worlder. He had his mission. Working undercover as the medic he was, he was to find out what if anything, was amiss on this world. As part of the official first contact team, he always went down and offered to assess their medical capabilities and what the Empire could provide in trade or commerce. It was a good cover. Their Commander would negotiate trade if it was wanted or needed. Security if they wanted that too. A Cyborg base of protection on land or just in the territorial space around their planet. Or not. It was the worlds decision to make. Or they could stand apart from the Empire and just trade. As long as they were fair to their people, corruption and death were not a part of everyday life, the Empire was interested. If not, nothing would make the Empire work with them. Unless they changed. Or the people themselves asked for help to make that change happen.

  It was a simple equation. Touch down and the new world routine took off. Given the order to disembark, the Cyborgs lined up in order of designation and job and exited the off-worlder. He stood behind the Commander. Second in command. They walked down the off ramp, the Commander went through the motions with the representatives sent to meet with them. RedX noted the red glow from their orbiting sun. Even though he already knew it, his sensors told him this land was mainly arid. The air lacked surface water but it had underground reservoirs. Water wasn’t in short supply once you had access to it. A casual glance around told him this was a large Space Port. They’d been several ships in orbit around it. This world had trade already. They would want to know with who. His Cyborg ships systems would be infiltrating those ships for information at this moment. Checking on their origins, cargo and their trade routes. Anything in their data banks of value would be stored on the Cyborg ship for later use.

  RedX waited his turn until all the fanfare was out of the way. As he was introduced to the leader of the people and those with him, a leading Doctor on this world was mentioned and came forward for the introduction. RedX inclined his head to him and asked to get started by taking a look at their facilities. Doctor Regan Shen appeared genuinely happy to see him. RedX could tell that by looking at him. Every facial feature telling its own story, while he told him how glad he was to see him and showed him the way.

  RedX strode off with him, throwing his kit bag over his shoulder. He’d be staying with the medical team on this world for the dura
tion of his stay. Blending into the background, seeing patients and talking with them, checking hospital records and looking into treatments and practices. How true the welcome was or not, time would tell. They’d be staying for as long as it took to assess this world. There was no rush, no quick decision to make. It took time to know all there was to know and the Admiral, would want to know it all.

  ***

  She couldn’t believe they’d been open for two months since the referb. That first night, even with a few hic-cups had been amazing. The take at the end of the day had been through the roof. Kurt couldn’t believe it and nor could she. It was beyond what she’d hoped. No one wanted to leave and in the end at 4am, she’d called time to a lot of moaning. She told um to come back tomorrow and do it all over again. Hell, they did too.

  Kurt ordered the new exchanger, stocked up on high quality booze, re-filled the bottled stuff and they were hitting the high notes.

  She made sure the tables were kept fair, the girls didn’t get hassled, the bar staff were on their toes and honest. At the end of each night, she and Kurt would lock up and tally up in the back room. Each member of staff including both of them took a percentage bonus based on takings of the night before. And each night they opened, as word spread and more came in.

  She had so many requests for jobs that she hated to say no. Kurt was more business like telling her to start with two cleaners to clean up each morning and a potman to keep the bar stocked during the night. What she thought they needed was security. Success had come at a price. People enjoyed themselves but sooner or later, someone got out of hand and thing’s got testy.