Heron and Byron were working at their desks in the alcove next to Chugalug’s apartment. Claiming space restrictions at the IES offices, Chugalug established a special sub section of the IES Explorations Team researching newly discovered planets. That allowed him to employ Heron and Byron and so long as they logged appropriate reports about newly discovered planets they could do additional research using systems independent of the IES corporate network to delve deeper.

  The more they delved the more anomalies they found. It seems as though any planets that could be diverted from Off Limits to NC had reports “corrected” or “adjusted” and not long later there was an auction. Not all planets were won by Hunting Tours Incorporated, but they did win all the more promising ones.

  “And there’s another one,” said Heron, pointing out his screen to Byron, “A planet locals call ‘Our Home’ according to the translators. A failing test. Yet when we contacted the discoverers and were able to see the original report, the same signs were there.”

  “What did the other discoverers do?” Byron asked.

  “They took the money and went back out to find more planets,” Heron answered, “They didn’t want to get involved. The credits were pretty good and although they didn’t mention it, they did seem nervous when I mentioned HTI involvement.”

  “Ah,” said Byron, “Have we heard back from X Bear?”

  Heron was interrupted by a knock at the door.

  “Why won’t he use the door alert button?” asked Byron as he got up and pressed the door opening panel, carefully looking for X Bear to make another secret dash.

  He was surprised to see a small feathered creature standing in the middle of the doorway looking up at him.

  “Coo!” said Kurt to Byron.

  “Um, Hi!” replied Byron.

  “Hey,” said Byron to Kurt, “Didn’t we see lots of you on Dirt?”

  Kurt nodded and walked in, stepping past Byron looking for snacks.

  “He is a pigeon from Earth,” said X Bear, standing next to the cooling cupboard, getting snacks for Kurt and himself.

  Byron and Heron quickly turned and looked at the food preparation area, and saw a smiling X Bear, eating some food and sharing biscuits with Kurt who had hopped on to the table.

  “He is so cool!” whispered Byron to Heron.

  “He’s a show-off,” whispered Heron.

  “We need to talk,” said X Bear, beckoning the lads over to him.

  “I have been investigating Earth - known as Dirt - since we last met. Your report and recommendations - the real one - were correct. It should be classified as Off Limits. Some parts are definitely NC, others are worth the Off Limits classification, but some …”

  X Bear paused, thinking of how the human reactions to the hunts varied so much, and some of the discussion he had discovered during his investigations of the planetary communications network - called “The Web” by the humans.

  “Some may even be worthy of membership.”

  Heron and Byron looked at each other in amazement.

  “No way!” said Byron.

  “Yes way,” said X Bear.

  “I think what Byron is most amazed about is not what you discovered, but that his initial thoughts about Dirt, sorry Earth, were correct!” said Heron.

  “Yeah!” said Byron, pumping two of his fists in the air, “ I was right! I was right!”

  Heron smiled, and looked back to X Bear, “What now?”

  “Now it is a matter of proof. I need to get back to my boss. However, I think we need something from you two. Do you have any of that ‘gift’ money left?” said X Bear.

  “Yeah, some,” answered Byron, “It was a lot of money to give away or use without getting too much benefits for ourselves. That would have felt wrong.”

  Heron added, “We used some of it to develop our off grid systems we are using for our supplemental studies.” He pointed out the rather fancy systems gear that was setup in half of the room. “But we have some money left. Why?”

  “How would you like to go on a little hunt?” X Bear said.

  *****

  Scrags stepped into the office of the Security Chief of the Imperial Defence Forces (IDF) and stood until he had the chief’s attention. Denton made a satisfied click to finish his latest report and looked up.

  “Yes, Scrags.”

  “X Bear has returned from Dirt, sir,” Scrags replied.

  “Bring him in,” beckoned Denton.

  “Actually, it’s called ‘Earth’,” said X Bear sitting on the lounge at the side of room.

  Scrags jumped and turned looking at X Bear and the door he was sure he had closed behind him.

  “Indeed,” replied Denton with no show of surprise. He knew X Bear was just showing off. Again. “How was your little visit to ‘Earth’?” he asked, emphasising the correct name for Dirt.

  ‘My report should arrive at your inbox in 3,2,..” And Denton looked at his screen as it pinged notifying receipt of a new report to his secure inbox.

  “Very good,” he said, “One moment. Please grab some refreshment. Oh, I see you already have. Very well.”

  Denton concentrated on the fresh report from his agent while Scrags stood quietly waiting and X Bear helped himself to the hidden refreshments area behind the lounge.

  “You had my favourite beer,” he said in pleasure as he opened a bottle.

  “Mmmm,” murmured Denton, reading the report and showing no signs of pleasure or sadness.

  “They arrived yesterday,” said Scrags, pleased that X Bear was not as invisible as he thought.

  X Bear smiled. He had told no-one about his coming or going and used his very secure ship which he was sure couldn’t be tracked. Denton was very good at his job.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “So,” said Denton as he sat back in his chair, “Where is Kurt?”

  Surprised that this was the first question, X Bear replied, “I left him with Heron and Byron. Why?”

  “What will you do with him?”asked Denton.

  “I thought I would keep him with me, if he wants to. It’s not bad having someone with whom I can discuss a case and being able to fly and blend in to the local planet is very useful.”

  “Good. Scrags, record Kurt as X Bear’s official Partner.”

  Scrags noted it on his tablet, ready for more instructions.

  “I see that Heron and Byron have uncovered more evidence of corruption in the discovery process,” Denton continued, pointing at his screen.

  “Ah,” said X Bear, “Do you mean the reports they have compiled on their secure off grid systems?”

  Denton smiled, “Yes, those reports. Let Chugalug know that he needs to get the lads to prepare some better official reports. Some in the IES head office are getting curious.”

  X Bear nodded.

  “We need some trusted people to be part of the first public hunts. Many of our people will get uncovered and ones who remain unnoticed will betray themselves with their obvious military experience. Talk with Heron and Byron and see if they want to go on a little hunt.”

  X Bear said, “I have already told them. They have funds remaining from their ‘gift’ and have already purchased the tickets. They are due to go in a week or so.”

  Denton looked at his screen and swiped a few buttons, “Ah yes. I see they have. Good job.”

  X Bear smiled. “That’s one point each.”

  “I want you to go down there as well and keep a close tab on both of them. As you have reported to me, and confirmed by the casualties to Harrick’s assistants and forces, you may be required to provide some backup security.”

  “Access to secret HTI internal reports. That’s Denton two, X Bear one.” thought X Bear.

  “Hmmm, speaking of Harrick, Scrags, what is he doing at the moment?”

  X Bear stepped in before Scrags could answer, “He is taking some time off. I think the hunts on Earth have affected him. I was planning on having an accidental meeting with him tonight.”

  “Two all!” thought X Bear.

  “What are you grinning at X Bear?” said Denton.

  “Nothing Sir!” answered X Bear, “I’ll be off then.”

  “Yes, you do that,” said Denton to X Bear interrupting the bear’s trademark mysterious exit routine, “and one more thing.”

  X Bear paused, looking back to Denton.

  “Well done. I look forward to your next report.”

  X Bear smiled and was gone.

  “Now Scrags, we have work to do. These reports are proving very useful.”

  ****

  Harrick was sitting at his kitchen table feeling very glum. His wife Hettie was cooking some of his favourite treats and kept looking over at her husband, chewing her lower lip in concern.

  “Are you sure you’re okay, Harri?” she asked using her pet name for him.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” Harrick said in a monotone, obviously not at all fine.

  Hettie looked at the snack and decided they were close enough to ready and moved them from the food preparation device, poured the cracker-like pieces on to a plate and brought them to the table with his favourite drink.

  She put her hands on his cheeks and looked at him in the eyes, “Eat this,” she commanded gently and shoved one of the crackers in his mouth.

  Harrick spluttered a little in surprise as he crunched on the cracker, spraying a few crumbs onto the table.

  “And now have a drink of this,” she instructed handing him the bottle.

  She raised a finger too stop Harrick from saying anything as he finished the cracker and washed it down with a few more sips of the drink.

  “Right. Now I have got you to stop moping for a moment, can you finally tell me what’s wrong?” she said, putting her paw over his.

  Harrick sighed. They had been married for about ten years after a whirlwind relationship, but with all his combat tours and long distance work, they had not been able to have any children as their fertile cycles just hadn’t coincided. Yet, in the times that did have together they were very close.

  Hettie spoke first as Harrick still hesitated, “Harri, you haven’t said, but how was the new hunter planet? You haven’t been the same since you returned.”

  “Dirt,” he replied, “It’s called Dirt. But I think the translator may have been a bit literal. The locals seemed to have a much broader language base than just calling their home, Dirt. But then they called their star ’The sun’ and moon ‘the moon’. No points for originality …” he rambled on until Hettie stopped him.

  “Were they intelligent?” she asked, surprised, “How can that be? Aren’t they NC?”

  Harrick sighed. “Ah, that’s it in a nutshell.”

  “Isn’t it just,” a voice said from the kitchen door.

  Harrick leapt to his feet and stepped in front of Hettie, putting himself between the intruder and his wife.

  X Bear waved with a friendly smile, “Now, now. Let’s all stay calm. I just came for a little friendly chat.”

  Staring at X Bear, Harrick didn’t move or calm down and braced himself for a flying tackle at this little hairy creature wearing a stupid hat and coat. Hettie poked her head around Harrick and looked at the intruder.

  “Hello Hettie,” said X Bear, “Those crackers look good.”

  Hettie ducked her head back behind Harrick and put her paws into her mouth. Who was this creature?

  Harrick stammered, “What? Who are you? How do you know my wife? How long have you been here?”

  X Bear held out his open paws while continuing to smile and stare directly into Harrick’s dangerous eyes.

  “That’s a lot of questions. Can we sit down and discuss them over those crackers? They do smell great. Look, I’m unarmed,” said X Bear as he slowly turned around, quickly turning his head so he did not lose his gaze.

  “Hmmm,” said Harrick, realising that if the strange creature wanted to cause them harm he would already have done so. He stepped back and guided Hettie to the seat next to him and they both sat down.

  X Bear smiled and carefully sat down on the chair opposite. He then slowly stood up so he could see over the edge of the table. Being short sometimes had its disadvantages.

  “May I,” he said, looking at Harrick and then Hettie, reaching for the crackers.

  Harrick nodded showing no sign of relaxing his extreme caution.

  “Wow!” said X Bear, smacking his lips and reaching for a second cracker, “These are good. You should have another one.” He figured being obnoxiously friendly might help to ease the understandable barrier caused by sneaking in to a hardened veteran’s kitchen. Perhaps he should have knocked?

  “You haven’t answered my questions,” Harrick said as he took a cracker, and then looking at X Bear holding another cracker, moved the plate closer to his side of the table.

  X Bear saw the move and smiled, “Let’s see. Your questions in order. What. Let’s do that last. Who? I’m X Bear. Glad to meet you Harrick, the honourable veteran warrior and Hettie, his loving and supportive wife. How? I’m in the security forces and have ways of finding out things. How long? Just after you returned home all grumpy.”

  Harrick didn’t move or react other than raising an eyebrow when X Bar revealed how long he had been in the apartment.

  “I see,” said X Bear, returning the stare with a solemn smile, “What I am doing here? We want to help you by helping us and the Federation.”

  X Bear then explained what had happened and how we was on Earth during all of the VIP hunts and saw what happened. He also revealed he knew or surmised all that had happened between Harrick and Patter at HTI.

  X Bear leaned in with his paws on the table and stared at Harrick with glances towards Hettie, “The Federation needs to stop the hunts. Allowing for the hunting and killing of innocent beings is very damaging to the underlying framework of the foundations of the Federation. If it is OK to kill anyone deemed Non Compatible with civilization, it means everyone is only a ruling away from being hunted itself. Now, we have seen your recordings and watched you in action. You have shown that you hold the underlying fundamentals of the Federation in high regard which is why this whole Dirt thing is causing you great grief.”

  Hettie lightly punched Harrick on his shoulder, “Harri, why didn’t you tell me? You know I love you.”

  Harrick rubbed his shoulder easing the impact from the light punch and looked at her, “I didn’t want to burden you.” He stopped talking when he saw the look in Hattie’s eyes, “Yeah, I should’ve known better.”

  “Hey,” said X Bear smiling, “ I see you have that married telepathy thing going too.”

  Harrick looked at X Bear and shrugged in acknowledgement.

  “Now what?”

  “Ah, that’s the crux of the matter,” said X Bear, “Do you want to help restore the Federation? It has great risk and before it is over, you will have lost friends, family and access to certain careers if you stick to the ideals I know you espouse. You know all this, which is why you have been so worried.”

  Harrick had to admit X Bear was right. He looked at Hettie who stared right back at him, reminding him why he had married her ten years ago. She had told him with that look that she would stand by him whatever happened. That wasn’t telepathy, that was just knowing your spouse. Stupid X Bear.

  “OK. Let’s make this better.”