No words were spoken between the three figures dressed completely in black as they moved quickly down the Longshot maintenance corridor. None were needed, all three knew their job. Without a sound, the firstlifted a metal grill from the wall and climbed into it. Behind him, the other two figures removed the packs from their backs. They then began to hand high explosives to the saboteur in the wall. The explosives were in place in under a minute; the grille was replaced and the threefigures ran back the way they had come, through the maze of corridors to safety. Before leaving the corridor in which they had placed the explosives, the last figure turned, bent double with pain and fell to the floor.
"What is it?" said one of the other saboteurs.
"Can't breathe ... get this mask off, please. ."
Suddenly the corridor exploded, the noise nearly deafening them all. The explosives had done their work: metal squealed against metal as it twisted out of shape: parts of wall span out from the fireball with sickening thuds. Under their masks, the two saboteurs grinned, knowing that the destruction would wreck at least three important research labs.
"Help me ... moaned the third.
Quickly, the mask was removed, so the gasping figure could breathe.
"Better now," he said after a few minutes. Alarms started ringing down the corridor.
"Get your mask back on and let's go, or they might catch us here." Nodding, Zozo replaced the mask and hurried after his comrades into the maze of shafts and corridors that had never been rigged for surveillance.
Another successful bomb attack for their master ...
"I can't believe it, Commander. I see it, but I can't believe it."
"There's no other explanation I'm afraid, Zachery. One of the aliens we would have least suspected of being a spy has finally been flushed out."
On the wall of Commander Walsh's Longshot office, Zozo un-masked, started gasping for air for the tenth time that morning. His sudden attack following the explosion had been caught on film by a new rovingsecurity camera. Joseph Walsh and Zachery Foxx's Ranger squad stared at the recording in amazement. No-one said anything, no one knew WHAT to say. Zozo was an ambassador to the League of Planet's, a founder memberof the Galaxy Rangers. He was also their trusted friend, who had saved their lives on more than one occasion. How could he have become involved in the sabotage that had been destroying so many vital researchprojects over the last few months? It seemed impossible, but the evidence was right there on the wall in front of them.
Commander Walsh finally switched off the film. "Zozo is unable to account for his whereabouts at the time of the explosion. I've had no choice but to arrest him for an immediate trial on charges of treason."
"What will happen to him?" asked Doc.
"If he's found guilty, he will face immediate execution," Walsh replied. "I have no choice."
He turned away and stared through his office window.
"Zozo was one of the first aliens humanity encountered, and we have trusted him from that first meeting. If he is a traitor to the League of Planets, how many more could there be that we do not know half as well? Trust between humans and aliens is shaky at the best of times for many. I would have to have Zozo executed quickly before any adverse publicity came of the decision. If the trial and execution happen quickly, we may yet hold the League together."
"You talk as though he's already condemned," said Shane Gooseman sternly from the back of the room. "Supposing he isn't responsible? The wrong decision on this could cause even MORE damage to the League."
Walsh slammed a thickset fist onto his desk, a look of blazing anger on his face. "Do you think I don't know that! I'd do anything rather than see Zozo go to the Termination Cube. Find me the real culprits for this sabotage within twenty-four hours and you might yet save your friend. But I cannot wait any longer than that."
The Rangers saluted their commander and left him, discussing tactics.
"The first thing to do is check that corridor out," said Niko. "The Commander said the roving camera lost the saboteurs only minutes after it found them. Perhaps I can tell you why with my psi-powers." "Cameras don't spot everything," added Gooseman. "I might find something that will let us track those bombers back to wherever they're hiding."
"We'd better keep together though," warned Zachery. "Those corridors stretch for miles below Longshot. Some are dangerous, some have no air and others connect with some of the atmosphere vats a few of the alien scientists here breathe from. Doc, we'll need a pretty good map of the layout down there.. ."
"The Doctor will operate," grinned the Doc. He raced off to find a computer map of the corridors.
"I'll go and get some tracking gear that might be useful," said Gooseman.
"Get some weapons, too," shouted Zachery as the young Super Trooper trotted off to his quarters. "There's no telling what we might find down there."
"Zachery, do you think Zozo is guilty?" asked Niko.
"Niko, I work by the book. In the long run that usually seems to work."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that at the moment we have a chance to prove Zozo's innocence. But the evidence is against him, and whatever Commander Walsh decides, I have to obey it, no matter what my heart tells me."
"We could be condemning an innocent person to death, Zachery!"
Zachery could not ignore the film he had been watching all morning, but "I haven't condemned him yet Niko." he replied. "Let's see what's in thosetunnels."
"Well, this is the scene of the latest explosion," said Doc, surveying the wreckage of a bio-engineering laboratory through the hole in the corridor wall. "The camera picked up Zozo and his friends about twohundred meters north of here."
"That leads to the deepest levels, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, the perfect place to pull a disappearing act. Don't forget Longshot's been here for over one hundred years. There's enough tunnels down there to hide an army, and we're looking for three bombers!"
"Well, let's not stand around talking," urged Zachery. "Shane, start your track from here."
"Right." Gooseman moved away from the main explosion and began to examine the corridor walls for any clues. Doc activated his Searchlight Program, and a holo-map of the corridors, and linking tunnels appeared in front of him.
"Okay. Let's move it."
Gooseman and Doc led the way, with Zachery keeping a careful eye out for anything they might have missed. Niko was concentrating on her psi-powers, hoping to pick up some image of the bombers and the route they had taken.
"I talked to Zozo before we came down here," she said. "He says he was working at home this morning but he was on his own - no witnesses."
Niko paused, then said, "Zachery, what do you think will happen if Zozo is executed?"
"Well, we know a lot of his race don't think Earthmendeserve the honor of a Kiwi liaison officer. If he's executed, even with the indisputable proof that film seems to indicate, the Kiwi will probably break off all relations with us and make our position in the League of Planets very difficult."
"What amazes me is that if that isn't Zozo on the film, how did the impostor duplicate his unique eye patterns?"
"That's the real kick in the teeth for Zozo, isn't it?"
"Hold on, I think Shane's got something." Zachery and Niko moved up to their friends. Gooseman was examining the natural rock floor of one of the older connecting tunnels that ran down into the earth. "Threetracks. Look humanoid, too."
"Looking at the map," said Doc, "I'd guess that the bombers were heading for the original Longshot base, built in the nineteen eighties. Apart from this map, all I know about that time was the music of Michael Prince, or somebody."
"Better be prepared for anything, then." Zachery unbuckled his holster and the other Rangers did the same. Then they continued on down into the darkness, using only the light of Doc's holomap to guide them.
Two hours later, the tunnels still did not look like ending and Zachery began to feel they were on the wrong track. "Or tunnel," joked Doc, grinning. No-one grinned back.
"Wait," said Niko. "I'm getting something - three forms - don't recognize the species - moving this way!"
Zachery pointed to a side tunnel and the Rangers dived into it, guns drawn, waiting. Soon, they heard a low murmuring of voices and a horrible tittering from one of the figures coming their way.
"Here's a good one for the end of this raid," it said. More tittering.
"Waldo's a bit obvious though, isn't he? Most of the aliens won't be allowed anywhere near the maintenance corridors by now."
"How about this one, then? The master would love it!"
Zachery almost gave a cry of alarm as his own figure walked past the tunnel! "Shape-changers! That's how they did it!" he hissed.
The fake Zachery must have had incredible hearing, because he turned tail and ran back the way he had come. Gooseman dived out of the corridor and fired off his guns. "Got one!" he shouted.
The other Rangers followed him out. "Get after the rest!" Zachery shouted.
Doc and Gooseman hurried off, while Niko knelt down beside the still-breathing body of the shape-changing alien. "This is a Gwanzulum," she said with a start. "One of the new alien scientists. I thought they couldn't breathe Earth atmosphere."
"Of course, no-one would suspect a creature that wasn't supposed to be able to breathe Earth air! The whole thing with Zozo was a clever frame-up!"
"And it almost worked!"
Gooseman and Doc came running back up the corridor. "We lost them," said Gooseman, "but Doc's got a pretty good idea where they're headed. You'd better follow us - it's pretty dark down there."
Zachery handcuffed the wounded alien and propped it against the wall of the tunnel. "Lead on. Better switch on your flashlight again, Doc..."
"Oh yeah, I forgot." Doc pulled the flashlight from his belt and strode off. Zachery and Niko exchanged glances, then followed, with Gooseman taking up the rear.
"Where the Tortuna did Niko and Zachery go too?" said Doc, nearly falling over the body of the captured alien.
"Beats me," said Shane. "But we'd better find them, fast. With shape-changers around, there's no telling what could have happened!"
As soon as "Doc" had turned on a flashlight instead of using his Searchlight holomap, Zachery and Niko both knew the aliens were trying to trap the two Rangers; but they weren't going to tell the aliens they knew. With any luck, they would be taken back to the bombers' base, and they could find out who was behind the destruction they had caused.
Down through a dozen tunnels they went, with both Zachery and Niko doing their best to leave marks in the dust with their feet for the real Doc and Gooseman to find and follow. It was a long walk, but hours later,the tunnels suddenly got lighter ahead and the four Rangers emerged into a brightly-lit cavern.
It was full of computer equipment, television and holo-monitors, laboratory supplies and weapons, including plenty of explosives. "Wait here," said the fake Gooseman to Niko and Zachery. "I think I see thecreatures by that tank thing there."
"I'll come with you," said ..Doc". The two aliens moved off quickly.
"What's the plan, Zachery?" hissed Niko.
"We wait for their Master to show up, of course. Then we arrest the lot of them."
From over by the tank, which appeared to be a strange sort of breathing apparatus, the two Rangers heard the sound of heated argument. "Here? You brought the Galaxy Rangers here? You fools! They have tricked you!"
From behind the tank a human with one artificial eye emerged with the two Gwanzulums, no longer disguised as Doc and Gooseman.
"Lazarus Slade!" gasped Zachery Foxx. "Here, in Longshot itself!"
"Who else could have come up with such a clever plan to wreck the League of Planets?" replied Lazarus.
"Please put up your weapons, my dear Rangers. Or had you forgotten my Solar Eye?" Lazarus gave a brief demonstration by turning on the Gwanzulum next to him. His bionic eye glowed and a blaze of energy took the Gwanzulum to the next world. The other alien cowered in fear. "The fitting penalty for fools," rasped Lazarus, turning back to the Rangers before they could move.
"What's your plan here, Slade?" demanded Zachery.
"Playing for time while your friends get here, Zachery? They will never find you. Still, I will tell you my plan. There is no escape for you, and it amuses me to think that you will die knowing that the Leagueof Planets will die with you and the wretched Zozo of Kirwane."
So that's been your idea all along, has it? The death of the League?" Niko could not believe anyone could be so cruel, but she knew that anything was possible with the master criminal Lazarus Slade.
"Yes my dear. I knew that sooner or later some security guard or hidden camera would spot the little charade my Gwanzulum servants have been acting out after every bombing. Zozo's death by Earth's hand will be the first act in the destruction of the League. Soon, in other places, my Gwanzulum shape changers will act out similar charades and games to confuse League members, cause friendships to end, treaties to be broken. Ah, the look on your faces! The anarchy and hatred of itall appalls you. I find it all quite delightful."
Zachery shouted in rage and dived for Lazarus, hoping his cybernetic frame would protect him from most of the villain's Solar Eye blast. It flared again, catching the Ranger full in its wicked beam. With a cry of pain, Zachery fell to the ground, badly wounded.
"Do not bother to get up, I will kill you where you lie!" Lazarus squealed. His concentration on Zachery gave Niko all the opportunity she needed to reach for her Ranger star. With a burst of power the BETA implant boosted her psi-powers and she used them to hurl crates of explosives and weapons down on Lazarus.
"Curse you!" cried Lazarus, blasting at the weapons. Smoke and debris separated him from Niko, and she could not see the criminal to catch him with more objects. The Gwanzulum picked up an undamaged gun and began to fire wildly at her.
"No you don't," gasped Zachery, and he pressed his badge, boosting his strength to make a leap for the alien. It collapsed under his weight and did not move again. But the effort to save Niko was too much for Zachery, and he fell unconscious. Lazarus leaptforward and towered over the fallen Ranger Captain, roaring in triumphant laughter, "At last! At Last! You are MINE!"
Gooseman seemed to spring from nowhere, a blur of Ranger uniform and boot, catching Lazarus with a perfectly-placed blow to the head. The villain squealed and fell to the floor. Doc grabbed Niko, his searchlight holo-map still glowing in the air beside him.
"Easy my girl, Shane'll get him!"
"I'm all right! Look after Zachery!"
While Doc ran to Zachery with Niko and helped her with her medi-kit, Gooseman was involved in a fight to the death with the evil Lazarus. They embraced each other in a tight hug, Shane dodging furious eye blasts with skilled ease. Then he tripped the villain over and pushed his head to one side, so the eye-blaster was useless, pinning him to the ground.
Slowly he drew his gun. "You're under arrest!" he gasped, tired but pleased.
"I think not, Ranger!" grinned Lazarus. Shane gave a yelp of pain as "Lazarus" suddenly turned white-hot. The super trooper leapt clear just in time as Lazarus became a figure of white-hot metal, gears and slag, a robot version of the master criminal.
"I might have guessed," muttered Gooseman.
"More disguises and tricks," said Doc.
"How did you find us?" asked Niko, checking Zachery over once more.
"Bit puzzled by four sets of human prints at first," replied Gooseman, sifting through the remainder of the Lazarus robot, "but we followed them just the same."
"Then you started using your BETA powers, my holo-map lit up like a Christmas tree!" added Doc.
"Well, we'd better get Zach to Sick Bay for attention, and fast. Then we have to stop Zozo from going on trial."
"Shouldn't be any problem at all after we tell them about this little hideaway. Pity about Lazarus though.
"Well, we got this Gwanzulum. Maybe it will tell us something. The murder of the other one will be added to Slade's list of crimes for when we do get him to trial."
"Hey, what happened to the third alien?"
"Tortuna! He's still back in the tunnels."
"We'll have to send in a clean-up squad to find him. Zach and Zozo come first now."
The Rangers found their way back to Longshot Base with little difficulty, keeping a firm eye on the last Gwanzuium in case it tried to pull any shape-changing tricks again. With their report, Zozo was released, bubbling as ever, into the Rangers care. Zachery wentstraight into Medical for immediate surgery. With his strength, he recovered quickly and was soon moaning about being kept in bed. But all threats to discharge himself from hospital were silenced when, one day,Niko came to see Zachery.
"Seems you've been giving these hard-working nurses a hard time, Zach," she said. "Well I suppose a little hard work won't kill you."
"Great!" cried the Rangers' leader, preparing to leap from bed and grab his uniform.
"Ah, ah," said Niko, waving a finger at him. "You're staying in bed!" Then she turned and called to the shadowy figure standing at the doorway of Zachery's ward. Zozo appeared, carrying a huge, stacked pile ofpaperwork.
"Complements of Commander Walsh. I'm to tell you that he needs a full report on the Gwanzulum incident in forty-eight hours."
Zachery's curses continued to echo down the corridors of Longshot Medical long after the giggling Niko and Zozo had left to continue their duties ...
THE END
Back to the Previous story.
Back to the Cover Page.