The Star Cross by Weil Raymond L

Author:Weil, Raymond L.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Raymond L. Weil Publications LLC
Published: 2015-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Captain Nathan Aldrich’s anger grew as the Profiteer shuttle lifted off and headed back into space. He had just made another gold “tribute” delivery, and the Profiteers had casually informed him that, from now on, the amount of gold necessary to protect Earth cities had doubled. They had sneered when Aldrich protested, indicating that the next payment had better not be missed.

“The president won’t like this,” commented Corporal Lasher, as he raised his assault rifle and followed the vanishing shuttle. “I wish I could shoot down that shuttle.” He lowered his rifle and looked over at Nathan.

“It’s not our call,” Nathan answered, as he climbed back into the now empty truck. They had delivered eighty gold bars as this month’s payment.

Lasher climbed in next to him and nodded. “I guess what worries me is just how much gold we have stockpiled. I heard that some of the Profiteers are now going door to door, demanding that everyone turn over their jewelry. They even cut off one man’s finger for refusing to give up his wedding ring.”

“The situation’s getting worse,” admitted Nathan, as he started the truck and drove off the airport runway. “It’s only a matter of time before things get out of hand. Some civilian will shoot one of the Profiteers, and then all hell will break lose.”

Lasher patted his rifle. “I’m ready,” he said. “My rifle and I are itching to kick some Profiteer butt.”

“If they don’t kick yours first,” replied Nathan, as he shifted gears.

They were in a difficult situation. Any attempt at resistance would result in bombardment from the orbiting spaceships. It had already happened a few times, such as the incident in Youngstown. Each time the Profiteers had retaliated by blasting the offending city with energy beams. Nathan greatly feared that, before this was over, a lot of people would die.

-

High Profiteer Creed watched the viewscreen in the Command Center of his battlecruiser the Ascendant Destruction. The returning shuttle was prominently displayed.

“More gold tribute,” gloated Second Profiteer Lantz. “Eighty gold bars to add to what we’ve already collected.”

“Yes,” muttered Creed, although not pleased with the way things had been going. “We’re not finding near enough gold and other valuables on Earth as we did before.”

“You think they’ve hidden it?”

“Some of it,” answered Creed, gesturing toward the returning shuttle. “Where else would they be getting the gold they’re paying for tribute?”

“It’s true that our raiding parties aren’t finding as much as we had expected,” admitted Lantz. “We could send down even more Profiteers. We’ve found a surprising amount of gold and jewels among the civilian population.”

“I have considered that. However, there is another answer,” Creed said, pointing to the tactical screen, showing the two escorts that had recently arrived. “According to Second Profiteer Trilt, the humans have set up a compound on Kubitz and have been spending large quantities of credits. The credits had to have come from the sale of gold.”

“Gold they took from Earth,” Lantz said in dawning realization. “Our gold! What did

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