Free Carinae Sector: 01 - Traders' Scourge - Part 3 - New Shores by David Buck Page A

his beared face and his own opinion.
    ‘Rebecca, I think that it is highly likely, but not yet proven beyond doubt. We should front the Maveen lead probe in the morning and spring the question on the probe. Maybe he will give a direct yes or no answer this time.’
    Polite laughter followed the Russian scientist’s comments as the obdurate nature of the Maveen that had been pointed out by the Traders was a source of frustration also for the humans. Steve shared a grin with Samantha and then steered the meeting towards his next concern as he spoke again.
    ‘I have concerns with keeping a lot of our knowledge to ourselves now that the Maveen intentions have become known and the Barus ship has fled again. Now we do not want to provide any information that will allow the other galactic races to locate Barede in the short term. Basically we need to avoid broadcasting any detailed shots of the night sky or information that would identify the star easily.’
    Ian Mitchin readily picked up on the concern Steve had identified and excitedly addressed Ian Ridge.
    ‘Sir, Steve is correct, as we do not know how well a photo or video of the Barede night sky could be used by the aliens to identify Barede. I think we also need to keep the spectral signature of the star to ourselves as well in case they start a search for it.’
    The prime minister calmly picked up his satellite phone and dialled one of his assistants that he had left in Perth, and outlaid his instructions that he wanted followed immediately as the mission team quietly listened. Ian confidently smiled around the mission team as he completed the call.
    ‘Now all taken care of as I speak, so what else should we be concerned about?’
    The team looked around at each other for a moment before Ian Mitchin spoke again.
     
                                                                ***
     
    Troy had stepped out of his house quietly in the pre dawn so as not wake his wife and children. At least the truck had not been broken into this time he evaluated, as he carefully tilted back the cab of the truck and by habit checked the oil and water.
    Troy left the cab tilted and began checking both the heavy chain holding the large excavator and the condition of his truck tires. He turned around as he recognised the work utility driving up the street and park across the road from his house, as his boss, Mike Ewers got out of the utility.
    ‘Morning Troy, good to see you are looking after my truck. I have cancelled all jobs today and the other blokes will be at our depot as soon as we can get there. There is something I need to ask all of you after what happened yesterday.’
    Troy stifled his innate optimism and looked a little nonplussed at Mike as he replied.
    ‘Well with the holidays coming up Mike we cannot afford to get too far behind. So what did you have in mind when we get to the depot?’
    Mike looked at his younger right hand man who had worked alongside him as a son he never had for over fifteen years.
    ‘Keep this to yourself until we get to work. But have you ever thought about giving the rat race the flick and starting over again somewhere were there is less hassle and potentially more rewards?’
    Troy tilted the cab back down and checked that it was secured as he replied.
    ‘All the time when I sit back in this mangy rental house of mine, and the crime rate around here has not improved either. We can get the excavators and scrapers to Sydney airport on the low loaders easily enough. Let me have a quiet think about what else we need to take with us as we drive in to work.’
    Troy got into the truck as Mick returned to the utility and drove off down the street. As he drove the truck quietly to work he considered Mike’s statement through the eyes of a practical man.
    ‘So what does a new colony need when you start from scratch?’
    Troy smiled as he thought about the amount of roads and buildings that would