A Turn of Events
by Lisa Eccles
The shopkeeper turned from Keira as he gulped the last drops of his Majorian Jolt.
"Perfect!" Keira thought. "His eyes are turned away."
Keira drew her type three phasor out of her clip and faced him with a look of intent. As he turned and wiped his mouth, shock caused him to freeze with his hand on his lips.
His laughs echoed into the darkeness that lay around the bar and seemed to travel down an endless hallway. The shopkeeper's shoulders shook as he laughed even more.
"HA!" He let out before he could speak."A type three phaser? That blast will set off every sensor on the planet. Governments as far away as Planet Phxatormeir will know. Don't be silly, Keira. I'm here to help you."
Keira stared at him blankly. How could she be so stupid to forget the sensors. And her...a top ranking spy! Keira put the phasor away and went to the bar, glad to get into the light, even if it was just a dim blue lightbar on the counter.
"How do you know my name?" Keira said as she sat on an old fashioned stool from the twentieth century.
"You see, Keira, I'm on a secret mission. Just like yourself, I was sent by the government. My job, though, is to stop you from meeting your contact."
"What? I don't understand. The whole mission lies on that contact." Keira said, now really confused.
"Yes, but you yourself even knew that that man approaching you just wasn't 'right'," the shopkeeper pointed out. "Here's what happened right after your tram left for Sallaeda Star Port, Ark Exavier got news from Earth that the Fandens had not only infiltrated Earth's heavy resource stations, but the Totalitarian Ark of Fanden had sent his top spys to the CIA Intergalactic Station on Rouby 39. He found out about your mission, Keira, and I was sent to save you."
Dumbfounded, Keira slumped into her stool. How could this happen? She now had to save Earth and get herself out alive. A task near impossible in her book, but definitely worth a try. "So, what now? You've found me. I'm safe. The fate of our precious Earth now lies in both of our hands. I'm not sure if I trust you yet. I'm not sure if I'm even fit for this job. I just gotta think a minute." Keira resolved herself now to sitting with her head in her hands. She could easily make a dash for the hallway. That story could be made up...but, it was very strange how he knew her name. He might be a spy, or he could be her only hope. Someone had to stop the Fandens, Keira just didn't know if that person was her...
Keira decides to...