The Key Read online

  Chapter 2

  The air felt cool against her skin as she waited for the scanners to finish their cycle. She knew, of course that the scans were necessary, just a simple precaution against weapons and diseases being brought to Olcai from elsewhere in the galaxy. Kamira fidgeted a little as she watched the indicator lights slowly change from red to green. When the green light finally became a steady glow, the airlock opened, and Kamira Nor stepped into the sunshine.

  The blue and green jewels that lined the subtle ridges along the crest of her ears and along the ridges of her nose sparkled brilliantly in the sunshine. It had been a long time since she had not heard the low whine of air purifiers and starship engines, and the comparative silence of the port almost overwhelmed her as she walked through the customs terminal. It felt odd to her to be going through Customs, masquerading as a tourist, especially when she had a job to do. There was nothing relaxing about her visit to the tourist planet, but the Olcai had made their position clear. There was to be no military presence on their planet what so ever. With that in mind, her mission was going to be just that much harder.

  "Welcome to Olcai, the vacation Capitol of the known universe." a bored looking Olcai said as Kamira handed over her identification. The Olcai looked over her papers and quietly passed them back. "Enjoy your stay Ms. Nor."

  Kamira quickly collected her passport, and left the customs station to gather her bags. She smiled and shook her head as she walked. The customs agent had not asked the age old question of 'Business or pleasure?', and that nagged at Kamira, deep in the back of her mind. She decided that everyone who came to Olcai was here for pleasure, so why ask in the first place.

  The baggage claim and terminals seemed sparse for a planet known for tourism and luxury. It was simple and clean. White walls and floors showed no sign of the thousands of people that passed through every day. Only a few holograms adorned the walls, and most of them were simply signs telling people what to do, or where to go. Kamira quickly found her bags, picked them up, and left for her hotel.

  People of all races crowded the massive open air walkways that ran in every direction away from the port. Towering cityscape covered the horizon, giving no sign of the giant ocean that was Olcai. A few small taxis hovered near the port, but far enough away that they didn't hinder the pedestrians.

  Kamira walked over to a small, blue taxi that reminded her of a large flying insect. She placed her bags in the cargo bed that was nestled behind two comfortable looking cloth seats, and climbed in. The straps rose out of the seat as the cushions formed to her thin body, and tightly embraced her.

  "Destination please." the computerized voice came from a tiny speaker in the center of the contoured dash board.

  "The Hotel Pantheon please." Kamira replied as she settled back against the seat, and the taxi rose into the air. As she rose above the buildings, Kamira could see past the city, to the endless ocean. It had a deep blue color that reminded her of the sky over Bakesh. The ocean stretched to the horizon without being touched by anything but the sky. Kamira closed her eyes and thought of her husband and the quirky smile that he had used when last she had seen him. 'This is going to work.' he had assured her, but the look in his eyes begged her to hurry. She closed her eyes and thought about the things that she needed to do. First she would check in at the hotel and have some lunch, and then she would find the ones that she needed to talk to. Hopefully they would listen.

  "Please be advised that we will be landing momentarily at the Hotel Pantheon. Thank you for using Air Cab Services, and have a wonderful stay." the computer interrupted her thoughts. She opened her eyes as the taxi landed. The hotel was enormous. It stretched high enough into the sky, that Kamira thought that it might block the sun. Only after looking for the end of the giant building, did she realize that the Hotel Pantheon wrapped around the courtyard that she had landed in. Green grass and trees decorated the expansive courtyard, trying and failing to provide a natural feel in an artificial place.

  Kamira stepped out of the taxi and collected her bags. As soon as she stepped away the taxi sped into the air, leaving her in the courtyard.

  "Welcome to the Hotel Pantheon. How may I be of service?" a uniformed Olcai called from behind her. It blinked its large, round eyes as it waited for Kamira's answer.

  "I have a reservation here." Kamira said, turning to find who the voice belonged to. She looked down at the diminutive alien and smiled. Its onyx black skin glistened in the sunlight, lending the Olcai a perpetually wet appearance.

  "Excellent. Please place your thumb on the screen, and I will be happy to escort you to your suite, or I can arrange to have your bags taken to your suite and you will be free to come and go as you choose." It held out a small black pad with a blue screen on the top.

  Kamira placed her thumb on the screen. "I think I'll have you take my bags, and I'm going to get some lunch. I'm starving." she smiled.

  "Thank you for your cooperation Ms. Nor. Your suite is number 2347." the Olcai put the pad away. "There is a food court near here that serves excellent cuisine. Have a pleasant stay." the Olcai pointed her in the right direction, and then took her bags to her suite. Kamira turned toward the gilded doors that dominated the courtyard, and went in search of a decent restaurant.

  She walked quickly through the doors, already thinking, planning her agenda. First she would eat, and then she would find the city center and look for a representative that she could actually talk to. She moved quickly but her instincts told her that this was going to take some time. Time was a luxury that Kamira feared she did not have.

  Potted trees and marble statues from Olcai's finest artists lined the halls of the hotel. The streets were filled with people of all races. Massive, silver skinned Malgars lumbered along, deceptively agile for their size. A few humans walked here and there, darting between a myriad of shops and eateries, while dark skinned Caldonians strolled down the walkways, and the Olcai tried desperately to serve them all.

  Kamira eased herself into the throng of people. The pace was quick, and it did not take long before she found what she had been looking for. Dozens of restaurants ringed the open expanse of tables. The number of choices for food was staggering. Here in one place, you could have anything from across the galaxy.

  The intoxicating aromas of exotic spices, mixed with fruits and meat wafted into the air. Small tables dotted the open expanse of the courtyard. A few of the tables on the other side were empty, but most had patrons either savoring a delicious meal, or engaged in an unknown conversation. Kamira picked her way through the maze, toward an open table when something caught her eye.

  A single familiar face rose to the surface in a sea of strangers. Sitting alone at a table was a woman that she had not seen in a long time.