King Of The Rim Chapter 7-The Trap By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! Synopsis:Prince John Carter learns about the crew and their attitude as well as the ship’s limitations as he leads them into reclaiming the Treasure Of Trillannii. However, in the quest for the treasure, Carter encounters distressed locals and dangerous traps.

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"Well Glory be!! It is ya! I've been wantin' to meet ya' for years. My mum would be turnin' ova' in her grave if she knew that I was meetin' tha' Prince," Piper said as she curtsied. ' And here I am, a speakin' ta him as if I'm royalty!'

John Carter touched her on the shoulder. "No need to curtsy to me Chief Engineer, I do not believe in pretentious displays of loyalty. Hell, Dad doesn’t either. He instilled the idea of meeting with the populace in the Court as equals as well as meeting them out in public to see how they live. That’s why we now have a republican government so that there are checks and balances to prevent the evil currently in the Empire. I have never seen myself as any better than anybody else."'And now the Trillannii People look to the Trillannii Throne instead of the Emperor for leadership. But how do I lead free people?'

Piper smiled at him. "Thank ya' Sir. Ya' must take afta' ya' daddy, tha' King. I've met him before an' he was jus' like you, every bit tha' offica' an' gentleman. Is it no wonder that I've given ma' loyalty ta' him and you?"

"Chief, I accept your loyalty, if you accept mine. Only a leader who listens to his friends can lead effectively."

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Are ya' caillin' me a friend, Johnny?"

"Well, you've been calling me by my given name all of this time, so either I call you my friend, or put you in the brig," he said with a smile.

Piper blushed. "Sorry abou' that, Suh. But I've always been a mite infahmal when it comes ta' tha' crew."

"That's quite alright, Chief. I prefer that to the 'pomp and circumstance' of the Imperium."

"Thank ya, Suh. Is thah' anything else?'

"Why would your mother be turning over in her grave? Was she an Imperial loyalist?" 'Need to find out.'

She blushed. "No Sir, ma' Mum was a Rimma'." 'Now why does he ask?'

"Because to do as you said that she'd do indicates that she's displeased with me."

Piper laughed. "Oh, Johnny Boy, Mum'd do it ta' see fa' ha'se'f."

"Then I take it that your family are Trillannii?"

"Most assuredly, Johnny Boy!"

"I guess that I'm 'Johnny Boy' to you, Piper," he said with an impish grin.

"Aye, if'n ya' don't mind."

Johnny looked deep into her soul and saw a fiery sword, quick to defend him. "No, I like it."

Piper was so astonished to hear him say that, she stood there, mouth agape.

Steele chuckled as he attempted to stir the pot. "I see that the Irish storm has been stalled. Does that mean that John can summon you whenever he sees fit?" 'I know that this little spitfire will now turn her ire towards me, but I can't help but goad her.'

She turned to Steele. "No doubt that ya' expec' me ta' attack ya', but I've learned about ya' ways. I'll not be gettin' mad ta' make ya' day for ya', ya' big galoot," she replied and giggled. 'That ol' man'll need ta' do more ta' get under ma' skin.'

Steele chortled merrily. "I see that you've learned from our encounters. You are so much like my sister Ruby that I couldn't help but treat you like I do her. Truce?" he asked as he held out his hand.

Piper smiled sweetly and took his hand and threw him over her shoulder and smiled. "Truce Steele, but remember this. I tend ta' get tha' last word." 'I jus' had ta' do it after all of his taunts.'

As Steele rose from the deck, he grinned. "I guess that I deserved that. It's nice to know that you can handle yourself." 'Ruby would have done the same thing. Could she be Ginger restored to life in a new body? Or is she simply her twin in some weird way?'

Piper helped Steele to his feet. "Don'cha worry ya' big galoot. that's tha' only time that I'll do that unless ya' make me mad agi'n." 'But knowin' him, it'll be none too soon unless I'm mistaken.'

Johnny cleared his throat. "Excuse me 'children', but this is not a playground. This is the Bridge of a ship. Now, why are you two acting this way?" 'Are they in Love?'

Steele blushed. "My apologies, Jonathan. We are dating each other. I know that it was childish of us, but seeing her here was a bit much for me."

Piper curtsied again. "I kinna' apologize enough, Johnny Boy. Steele, an' I of'en scrap in tha' hold when not on duty."

"It seems to be more than simply dating to me."

Steele nodded. "To me, it is."

"Oh?" said a perplexed Piper.

Steele turned to her. "Sparky, I grew up with a kid sister named Ginger, Ruby to her friends. She was small, and fiery, like you are. In fact, she believed herself to be of Scottish blood because of her red hair from her Great Granny Hildagarde. Unfortunately, she succumbed to the Red Heat Syndrome just before she hit puberty," he said as a tear came to his eye.

"Ma' Lord, mon! No wonda' ya' cryin'!'! Tha' Syndrome wiped out many a chile' befo' it was conquered!" exclaimed Piper as she hugged Steele.

He looked at her with a deep longing in his eyes. "That is why I treat you as I do. I see Ginger in you."

"And perhaps a lova'?"

"In time. First, I'd like to get to know you as Sparky instead of Ginger."

"I'd like tha', Adrian, but we need ta' tend ta tha' Queen first." She turned to John Carter. "And what abou' Johnny boy?" she asked impishly.

Then the lights dimmed and turned red as shields increased to maximum and the 'Red Alert' klaxon peeled.

"Very well, I cannot penalize you two since Captain Trent went easy on Jane and me, but there is a ship to land. Can the Queen land in that storm or shall we wait it out?" Carter asked. 'Looks like I have a couple of naughty kids to babysit now. Did daddy ever have this problem?'

"Sa', ma' Queen can take on tha' storm. Ya' jus' gotta batten down tha' hatches." 'Glad that tha' Prince cares enough ta' ask.'

"I should hope so, her being cared for by you. Any suggestions?" Johnny smiled.

"Ya' should restrict tha' shields ta' tha' skin field ta' keep from shartin' out tha generators and go in on tha' thrusters. If lightnin' strikes tha' drives, it could fry 'em."

Turning to the front, Johnny became all business. "Mutt, Jeff, close all intakes, transfer the shields’ power to the skin field and take us in on thrusters!"

"Aye, aye, Sir," they chorused as they set to work.

Turning to Piper, he smiled. "Well, Piper. I need to know what name to call you since you are so informal with me."

She scratched her head. "Why, Johnny boy?"

"Court etiquette demands that I ask this. The Trillanni Charter declares that I am a public servant sent by the Creator, not some tyrant who believes himself to be a god in the flesh as Emperor Pendragon does."

"Then why not call me Sparky as ya' said befa'?"

"Just getting your permission, Sparky," he said and grinned.

As Piper was leaving, she smiled at him. "I gotta go, Johnny boy an' make sha' tha' engines are secured." 'Nice of him ta' give me his name. He don't hold himsel' above others.'

The Captain chortled. "Well Johnny, now the only other crew to meet is our technician. I am sure that if you follow her that she'll introduce you." 'Seeing that spitfire get the better of Steele made my day.'

Johnny turned to the front. "Mutt and Jeff, increase the integrity field to maximum," he ordered as he exited the bridge. 'Need to check out engineering now.'

"Jonathan, where are you heading?" asked Steele as he led the Captain toward the Captain's Ready Room.

"Heading down to Engineering to see the last crew member. Don't worry, Steele, I won't spoil you're scrapping with Sparky for you," he said with a chuckle. 'I want to see them scrap more, but I seriously doubt that they'll be scrapping anytime soon.'

"Very well Jonathan, you just take care and listen to her. This ship is a bit different from the Aztec," advised the Captain as he and Steele entered his Ready Room.
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Synthoids are artificial constructs using organic polymers to replace all body parts. All synthoid bodies are immune to cancer, chemical attacks, and disease, doubling the life span, but leaving the patient subject to periodic maintenance of the synthoid body's organic interface. If a person is given a synthoid organ or limb, the body accepts the replacement and the synthoid part slowly converts the body into a synthoid body. Common to all synthoids is a lack of emotional response due to the needed computer interface that governs the body.
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Common to all ships, Engineering, located above the Brig, on the lower deck, was a four cell suite each containing a transition coil and monitored by a dedicated computer interlinked to the master engineering computer with an airlock dead center leading to the main reactor assembly. Each cell was monitored to prevent overload, if needed. The Engineering Office was the only access to Engineering with the Engineering Officer seated behind a desk with a transparent plas-steel wall and door in front, equipment on display behind the desk on the rear bulkhead with access to the cells through an airlock on the starboard side, opposite the desk. The ship's fuel and cargo were next to Engineering with cargo in front alongside the Cargo Transporter/Loading Bays.
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Johnny entered Engineering and stood in awe of the sight of the main reactor. It was a globe of multi-colored flame connected to the transition engines on either side with an upper lead connecting the cooler vanes up top. As he looked at the display of power, he noticed Jane making an adjustment to the skull of a stranger wearing a Queen's uniform. "Jane, what are you doing to his head?" 'I've never seen such a strange sight.'

She looked over to him and smiled. "I am tending to my patient. He is a synthoid with a human brain. Every now and again, I need to check on his spinal fluid to make sure that his brain is okay," she explained as she closed the back of his head. 'I know that Johnny has seen synthoids before, but I doubt that he's seen one being tended to.'

Sparky came from behind the reactor. "I see that ya' have decided ta' pay ma' domain a visit Johnny boy. What'cha think abou' ma' place?" 'I can see tha' he is smitten with love for Jane.'

"Impressive. Your engines seem to be as powerful as those of the Aztec. But what about your assistant? I've never worked with a synthoid before." 'Too bad the Navy never sanctioned their employ, but like the Empire, they looked down on anything not strictly human.'

After Jane had closed the back of his head, Sparky's assistant turned towards Johnny and saluted. "I am Ship's Technician, Techie, at your service." 'I wonder who this stranger is. Is he the Prince?'"Good, because once this modification has been made to the ships, they'll easily handle the modifieds and their coil link lasers will take out even a modified," he declared.

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Interlude: M.I.B.D. Base
=================

"Oh? How is that, your Majesty?"

"Agent Moondragon, all Trillannii ships are Avatars with specially modified medallions in the coils, generators, and positronic computer. That increases the energy output tenfold."

Moondragon looked at the screen. "Your Majesty?"

"Yes?"

"Can this avatar technology be added to our computer's positronic systems?"

"Easily enough. Why?"

"We are using a refurbished supercomputer from Ancient Earth that was used by the military. J.O.S.H.U.A. was salvaged by us, years ago. We were able to transfer his programming into a new positronic brain and keep his base personality matrix."

"How did you save the matrix? It was hardwired into the system, was it not?"

"That's what we thought. But when a diagnostic computer was attached, J.O.S.H.U.A. was able to separate the module interfacing with him and download himself into it."

"J.O.S.H.U.A. must have some sort of fail-safe survival program then, and here I thought that only our avatar systems had them," Reginald mused.

Mary pointed to an icon on the J.O.S.H.U.A. readout screen. "According to this icon, J.O.S.H.U.A. was a very basic avatar type program lacking the skills to fully function until Diana and Artemis built the new system currently housing J.O.S.H.U.A."

"Diana and Artemis Hunter?"

"Yes, my Liege. Why do you ask?"

"On Trillannii, the stories of their lives are well known as well as those of your Agency, Moondragon."

"And how did you gain such access to our sealed records?" asked Mary as she reached for her tickler.

Reginald smiled. "Mary, there's no need to worry about any security breach because there wasn't one."

"Then how did you acquire the information?"

"Simple, Diana's son, Ulysses Odysseus brought the records when he came to Trillannii. He was Trillannii's first chancellor, ancestor of Chancellor Merlin."

"Oh, then how much do you know about us, King Reginald," inquired Mary getting formal in response to the revelation.

"Our files are current, up to just before I came here, thanks to the ability to track your Agents' movements and Agency buildings. But that's all. We do not know about any missions beyond those from Ancient Earth."

Mary relaxed visibly. "That's a relief! For a moment I thought that we had a mole."

"Are our Agents tagged in any way, Sir?"

"No, Moondragon. My Agents simply track yours and help when needed."
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A message crystal is a diamond, emerald, ruby, or sapphire, micro dot crystal encased within a plas-steel casing that houses the interface and protects the crystal from power surges. Any one crystal has the memory capacity of a supercomputer.
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The Rim Queen parted the green mists of the nebulae and approached the planet wreathed in a global storm.

Over the intercom came the announcement. "All hands alert! Ship entering atmosphere."

As the Rim Queen battered her way through the hurricane force winds, a strange mournful moan reverberated from the outer hull as the storm tried to conquer the ship's integrity. Lightning strikes were harmlessly absorbed as its power was channeled into the shields and batteries. As the moaning abated, a strange thrumming assaulted their ears until it was silenced, then the lights dimmed and the main control board lit up with red lights.

"Damn it! Tha' main engine intakes covers ha' been fused shut by a lightnin' strike!" exclaimed Piper as the ship shuddered from the storm.
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As the Queen pierced the clouds, satellites that looked like small, white stars appeared and launched lightning bolts that skipped harmlessly off the hull. Nearing the surface, ground based stars connected with the Queen, causing damage until an automated response launched missiles that destroyed the stars, revealing scanner towers over launch silos.
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Interlude: Imperial Throne Room
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The Grand Admiral stalked into the Imperial Throne Room without any of the usual pomp and circumstance associated with being granted an audience with the Emperor. He was one of the very few people granted such a luxury by the Emperor and Grand Admiral Jolleck took full advantage of it. When the Courtiers tried to dissuade him from entering unannounced, he simply touched them with his Grand Admiral's Staff, causing them great pain as their nervous system was overloaded with bio-electricity.

"Okay Arthur, why in the hell have you summoned me back here when you know good and well that I was leaving on a tour of the blasted Rim?" 'He knows that I love calling him Arthur, reminding him of Camelot.'

"Thrawn, you know how much I hate and detest it whenever you use that name," Leopold responded with attitude. 'He hates that nickname because it reminds him that he was thrown off of sky cycle during training.'

Jolleck bent to one knee. "My apologies Your Majesty, I am simply wondering why the change in plans." 'Okay Arthur, now that you know that you have made me mad, I can dispense with the name calling.'

"I accept your apologies, Jolleck. Please be seated." 'Now that that's out of the way, we can get down to the business at hand, namely why I recalled him.'

Jolleck went and sat in the Grand Admiral's Throne that rose up upon his entrance. "Well, because of your summons, I've had to scrap the ship to return here A.S.A.P. Now all that it's good for is as a lifeboat with the engines and reactors now melted away from the heat stress." 'If it wasn't for advancements in safety systems, the entire ship would have vaporized, but he doesn't know that.'

"What?"

"Don't you ever read any of the science journals?" 'Forget that, I know that he never does if he can help it.'

"No, I don't. What's the best thing to do about the Throne Ship?"

"First, Leopold, why were you so insistent on my immediate return? If allowed a slower return, the Throne ship would still be flying."

"Then I take responsibility for its damage. But I have a very good reason for my Order."

"Very well. Me, I'd give it over to the Imperial Engineering University for those lads to play with, and launch another one." 'Knowing those Merlins, they will have a ball going over that scrap heap and reinvent the wheel again.'

"Now onto why I recalled you as I did. And I know that you will like this you lecherous old fool." 'He has a history of seducing and ruining young, impressionable girls, but I still need him, so I dare not do anything about it and he knows it too.'

Thrawn visibly brightened. "Oh? Does that mean you're talking about the Princess?" 'I've wanted to seduce that trollop ever since she was old enough to go to preparatory school.'

"Yes indeed, you are to escort her through the Rim and prevent her from meeting with anybody but those loyal to the Throne."

"Sounds exciting! Now, when do I meet Princess Priscilla?"

"As soon as she returns here from packing. And why Priscilla?"

"Because she can be so prissy when she throws a temper tantrum."
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"Like hell that was a lightning strike, that was a pair of concussion torpedoes that hit us!' exclaimed Johnny as the ship bucked from the assault and storm. ' Looks like the Imperials have mined this planet.'

"And jus' how da' ya' know tha' ?" asked Sparky as she adjusted a few controls while Techie activated auxiliary systems. 'Do I need ta' larn abou' tha' Imperial's technology?'

Johnny brought up a graphic upon the main view screen. "By the thrumming of the torpedoes impact. That thrumming is their sonic concussion assault," explained Johnny as he pointed out the unique sonic vibrations.

Looking at the display, "Well, wha' da' ya' know? Those sneaky Imperials sure ha' gotten one ova' me." ' I ca' design a counter fo' tha' attack now tha' I ca' see it.'

"Do you have any replacements?" 'Doubtful since the intakes are seldom wrecked.'

Then Techie spoke up, "No, but we can rebuild the original intakes once we are down."

"Well, it had best be soon or the engines will overheat!"

Hunter adjusted a few controls. "We won't, now that the cooler vanes are active."

"What about radiation? Should I prep for poisoning?" asked Jane.

"No, as long as precautions are taken, there should be no need, but have them ready just in case," replied Johnny. ' I hope that they have the proper equipment.'

The Rim Queen battled her way through the global storm that threatened to crash the mighty vessel against the mountains. Yet the Rim Queen refused to concede to the raging storm and finally landed upon the landing pad that sent out a landing signal. As the mighty ship finally touched ground, the storm dissolved as if under the control of a god.

As the ship settled on the tarmac and the engines shut down, there was an announcement that broke the silence. "Johnny, we have landed, time for you to meet the reception party," announced the Captain. Time for him to start learning about his duties if he is to become the King.'

Johnny quickly headed for the gangway. "I'm on my way, Captain. Is there anything I need to know?" 'I hope that being an Executive here is like it was on the Aztec.'

"No, just meet them and have the ship repaired." 'That, of course, the crew will do without him ordering it done.'

Then Piper tapped Johnny on the arm. "Johnny, if ya' would, please ask 'em if they have any diamond dust." 'I know tha' he'll ask why.'

"Why do you need diamond dust?" 'This is a first for me.'

"With tha' diamond dust and our supply o' decatanium dust I ca' make an alloy coatin' that'll make tha' intakes stronga' than they were." ' Don'tcha worry Queen, Johnny will do wha' he ca' fo' ya','

"Okay, Piper, but what about if they want a trade off?"

"Tell them tha' we ca' make even swap o' our dust fo' theirs."

"I'll do what I can for you."

John Carter headed for the gangway where he met up with Steele. "Why are you here?" 'Does the Captain think that I can't handle this after all?'

"I am here to make sure that there are no Imperials. They probably caused the concussion torpedoes to strike the ship. Too bad the Trillannii do not employ such a system, perhaps we can take these from the Empire."

"Good idea, Steele. We'll look into the possibility after we have dealt with the duty at hand," Johnny replied as he scanned the gangway entrance. Then seeing that there was a man waiting, he signaled the opening of the gangway.

Steele looked over the committee. "Looks like only locals here. That means that the Imperial systems here are automated." 'No Imperial would be caught dead wearing such rags.'

The man wore patched and faded clothing of very poor quality and showed the effects of poor diet. "Greetings Rim Queen, I am Vincent Riker, Governor of this colony. Welcome to our humble abode. I wish that we had something better, but the Imperials have stripped us of anything of value."

Johnny held out his hand. "Thank you Vincent, I am Commander John Carter, Executive Officer of the Rim Queen. You may call me Johnny." 'Time to show them friendship and hope, poor devils. The Imperials will pay for this.'

Vincent gratefully shook Johnny's hand. "Thank you Johnny. It has been a long time since anybody has even tried to befriend us."

"And why is that?"

"The Imperials have turned this mining colony into a prison for us unlucky ones that have earned the Imperial wrath," he said gravely. 'Will they be stranded here too, or will they beat the Imperials at their game?'

Steele cleared his throat. "Not to worry Vincent, the Queen will help you to defeat the Imperials."

Johnny nodded. "Tell me, has the planet been subjected to such violent storms in the past?"

He sat upon a bench in a nearby rest stop adjoining the landing pad. "No, the storms started after the last colonist arrived a year ago. Why?" 'What could that possibly matter? Could they actually be able to stop the storms?'

"Well, Vincent, we were hit with concussion torpedoes that fused our intakes. If done on launching, we would have vaporized. There must be a weather control system in orbit with the torpedoes," announced Johnny.

Then Vincent stood up. "What!"

"This surprises you?" asked Steele.

He visibly calmed down after Jane sprayed him with a golden colored mist. "Yes!! How do you know that the storms are fake?"

"In a normal storm, the ship would have no trouble landing," began Steele. "But we experienced several lightning strikes that would have vaporized the ship if not for our skin field's strength. Then we were hit by missiles that damaged the ship."

"No wonder there are no Imperials here!"

"Not to worry, as soon as the intakes are repaired, we will deal with the situation," affirmed Steele as Johnny nodded in approval.

"Do you need anything from us?"

"Well, our Chief Engineer Piper wants some diamond dust if you have any."

"You mean to tell me that Irish storm is your Engineer?"

"Yes, she is. Was she a spitfire when you knew her?" asked Steele.

"Indeed she was. She was my best student at the university."

"And you were sent here because of your radical views," Johnny stated.

"Aye, and I made sure that Hunter got away from the Imperials."

"Hunter?"

"Well, she got the name because she can hunt down any problem. She rebuilt an escape pod that she equipped with a transition coil. She wanted me to escape, but I made her go, instead."

Jonathan clasped Vincent's shoulder in friendship. "Thank you, your sacrifice has enriched our lives. Now what about the dust?"

"I alerted my people to gather the barrels and deliver the dust," he replied while lifting up a mini-phone on his wrist.

Vincent asked a few probing questions about concussion torpedoes. As Johnny described the signature thrumming, he wondered about the price the Rim Queen would have to pay for securing the diamond dust.

Steele looked up from his com-unit in his hand. "Piper says that the dust has arrived and she is commencing with repairs."

Johnny smiled. "That's good." Turning to Vincent, he said, "That's mighty fast."

"Only diamond dust can shield against the storm's lightning strikes, so I knew that you'd need it. I just now confirmed the barrels arrival."

"Are there any other ships here?" asked Johnny.

"Yes, but they can't run the blockade."

Hunter arrived and hugged Vincent. "Don'cha worry Vinnie, once ma' Queen is repaired, she'll take care o' tha' blockade."

Steele cleared his throat. "Piper, is it not the Captain's choice?" he asked and chortled.

"Tha' Cap'n gave tha' go ahead jus' now. Why else da' ya' think I came out here ta' meet ma' friend when I got a ship ta tend?"

Johnny looked at her hard. "Then don't you think that you should get to tending the Rim Queen?"

"Well Johnny, Techie is handling everythin' and as I understand it you ha' an idea abou' tha' torpedoes an' weather."

"We do, but we need the Queen up and running first," admonished Steele

"Not if Vinnie here has any sky hoppers."

"Piper, you mean that you want to take on the torpedoes and weather control with a sky hopper?" asked Vincent.

"Don' be daft Vinnie, we jus' need ta' track them and find their command frequency. Then tha' Queen ca' work her magic."

"Very well then, Piper, do you have a pilot's permit?"

"Aye Johnny, why ya' ask?"

"In that case, you'll take the sky hopper out!" ordered Johnny.

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End Of King Of The Chapter 7-The Trap

To Be Continued In King Of The Chapter 8-Freedom