Mana Pool Snippets - The Job

Part 3

"There are twenty known Red Flagged planets in this galaxy. Why should this one be saved?" I asked.

"How do you know that number?" Benali asked.

"Academy graduate. You can never forget that number."

"Right. I understand," Benali nodded. "But are you interested?"

"I did not say that. Tell me the planet's name or I'm gone."

He did not say it out loud, only a fool would have caused that kind of ruckus.

He pulled out his touchpad from his robes. With three key commands, a paper printed out from the touchpad's top. Since when did the financial district use paper?

He held it up and said, "A copy of the contract, as requested."

I snatched it from his hands. What he said was true, the asteroid's coordinates were unfamiliar, but there was no question, the Red Flagged planet's name in bold was a massive eye opener. It was a highly known species, and the most violent. I felt rage boil inside me as my body froze and shook.

I went dali shit and pushed the table aside, grabbed Benali by the shoulders, and pinned him against the wall. The sound was loud enough to have alerted others outside.

"Terra Firma! Are you Goddess damn croging kidding me!?" I exclaimed so hard my neck felt like steel.

"Put me down, Mr. Teal!"

"No! Those humans are the top tier feared species in the galaxy. You better spill the truth why you want them to live or so help me I will beat the truth out of you!"

"Stop this or else!" He punched my arms but it was useless.

"Not until you tell me!"

Remember when I said that Gnogal's are magical? Yeah, I'm the idiot of my own joke.

I assaulted a magical being, one big fat mistake in the galaxy. I remember light flashing in my face and my body slamming against a wall. I think my chest became someone's punching bag before I was knocked out.

I forgot why I was taking notes while Jaruka recounted his meeting.

"My...goodness," I said. "But...was he alright?"

"Fine, I think, but I should've punched him first," Jaruka said. "I was lucky enough to pocket the paper."

I paused to check my notes. I had plenty of key points and theories, and I double checked for connection I had not seen initially. Jaruka's story was an interesting one indeed.

My room felt stuffy for that first hour, and my joints were feeling quite stiff. I asked if we could bring the interview outside and Jaruka agreed. I understood that Ketho was furious at my request, but Tigap constructed a kinetic shield across the patio. The guards were on the other side patrolling the area keeping unwanted humans and terrans from seeing us, careful not to disturb any customers at the winery.

I restarted the recordings after being seated at a table.

"So what happened after the fight at The Starlight?" I asked.

"I'll get to that." Jaruka took a drink of the Walsh family's signature wine, it was the only thing that he drank. He did not sample the cheeses and fruits that we were offered, and luckily my nanites allowed me to. However, I wanted to finish the interview before eating.

"I will ask this," Jaruka started and I prepared to write. "Did Denverbay tell you about Benali?"

"I thought we agreed I ask the questions?"