Brynin 3 by Thadd Evans Read Free Book Online Page B

entered it.
    After putting her suitcase down, I kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’m going to look for Dr. Xio and Doctor Ara, and ask if they’re interested in buying tickets.”
    Ieeb grinned. “See you soon. The door won’t be locked. You don’t have to knock. Please stay with me tonight.”
    I smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”
    Ieeb winked.
     

Chapter Sixteen
     
     
    I entered an office. An Aito man, a stranger with a narrow chin and slit-like eyes, kept staring at me, a puzzled expression on his countenance.
    “Are you Dr. Xio?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m Jason. Would you like to buy a ticket?”
    He frowned. “Yes. I want to return to Icir as soon as possible. A few days ago, Obno paid me. About a week ago, I watched as Oiins stung four guards. All of them died. According to my database, a small archive, the insect’s stingers were full of neurotoxins and hemotoxins. However, because there aren’t any toxicologists on Danig—professionals who could create a better database—the results of my search could be wrong. Anyway, if I don’t leave soon, I’ll eventually get stung and die.”
    “Understood.”
    Dr. Xio scowled. “I hate this place.”
    I said, curious, “By the way, I thought you were going to Nooa.”
    “I’ve made enough money so I can return to Icir. Despite the fact that they’d pay me a lot more to go to Nooa, I’d probably die there. The entire planet’s atmosphere is full of deadly streptococcus and staphylococcus.
    “On top of that, every lake, river and stream is filled with lethal viroids. Even if doctors inoculate you, the odds are eighty percent that you’ll come down with something.”
    “Can I see your ID?” I cut in. “It’s standard protocol.”
    “Don’t you trust me?”
    “Sorry, but I do this for everyone. In the past, I’ve had troubles with violent passengers.”
    “Okay.” He removed a tablet from his pocket. His portrait appeared. He had received his PhD. from Bri University. The information was authentic.
    I nodded. “It’s fine.” We completed the transaction.
    “I want to leave in four days.”
    “I have to speak to the others, but I’d like to leave soon as well.”
    He rubbed his hands together, nervous.
    I paused. “Is Dr. Ara returning to Icir?”
    Just then a five foot, eight-inch tall Aito man with a beard and a long nose entered the room.
    Dr. Xio glanced over his shoulder. “That’s him.”
    “I heard that. Jason, I’ve going back to Icir. Forget Nooa. It’s too dangerous.”
    I mentioned my recent conversation with Dr. Xio. Dr. Ara listened, his face tight. “Leaving in four days is a good idea.”
    I talked about the ticket buying procedure. They agreed, and we completed it.
    Dr. Ara sighed. “I miss Icir.”
    I nodded. “See you at the hangar. Now it’s time to search for Fi and Baaax.” I left the room and spotted Boma. “Can you drive me to the Trec mine?”
    “Yes. Let’s meet at the front door in a couple of minutes.”
     

Chapter Seventeen
     
     
    I walked outside while peeking over my shoulder. Behind me, Boma and four male security guards left the building.
    Hearing an ominous buzzing sound, I stared straight ahead while breaking out in a cold sweat.
    Above a nearby hill, a huge swarm of Oiins rose, flying this way.
    I announced, “Trouble,” then yanked the compressed flamethrower off my sleeve. The device unfolded. I aimed it at the swarm.
    Boma cursed, “Shit. I hope my suit is thick enough. Those stingers are huge.”
    Boma and all the other guards aimed their W-9’s.
    One guard fired a two-foot long weapon, a device with a six-inch diameter barrel, equipment I hadn’t seen before. Chak!
    Everyone flinched.
    Several yards above the bushes, a grenade went off. The Oiins immediately dispersed, making an ear piercing sound, one resembling screeching brakes. Soon they went over a distant hill.
    I pointed at the two-foot long weapon. “What’s that?”
    Boma frowned. “It’s an