OMEGA Guardian Read Online Free Page A

of the chain to the container lid before walking around to unsnap the latches that held it in place. As he pulled on the chain, the heavy lid lifted off the two-meter-high steel shipping box.
    As we looked inside, the captain spoke. "Wow, looks like the Governor is living pretty good."
    I replied as I looked over the opulent furnishings contained within, "I would bet our taxes paid for it. Go ahead and drop the lid back on; let’s see what we have in bay two."
    The captain reattached the lid, and we walked to the second bay. The steel containers it held were of a slightly smaller size. Once they were open, the contents were revealed. There were statues, vases, and various other works of art. All were heavily adorned with ornate jewels and precious metals.
    The captain stepped back. "I know what this is!"
    I looked at him as I replied, "You sound sure. What are we looking at?"
    The captain reached into the container, running his fingers across the top of a gold picture frame. "A few months ago, the high museum on Falco was robbed. The place was nearly cleaned out. There was a big investigation with thousands of police scouring the planet. They found nothing. I picked this cargo up in Agar City on Falco two days ago. Governor Marcos must be behind the theft."
    The captain then turned toward me with a worried look in his eye. "Please, Mr. Beutcher. I didn’t know anything about this. I just make runs when I am asked."
    I shook my head. "As the captain of this vessel, you are responsible for its cargo. The law is very clear on that. However, I believe we might be able to work up an agreement on this. I am going to fill out a complete report. I will then make sure the report will be released if something untimely were to happen to me, just to insure my own safety. You will now become part of an open investigation into the Governor and his corruption. You have officially become an operative of the security service."
    The captain gave an anguished look. "So, you are blackmailing me?"
    I replied, "As inspection detectives, we are given discretion when it comes to writing citations or conducting a full arrest. That discretion allows us to overlook a transgression, if it furthers an investigation. I have a complete video and audio record of today’s inspection. If you cooperate, I can make that recording go away. And if you are worried that I might make you do something that is in violation of the law, you need not worry. I seek information only. If you provide that information in a complete and timely manner, there will not be any further issue for you."
    The captain looked away in thought and turned back. "OK, Mr. Beutcher. I guess I don’t have much of a choice. I suppose you want me to spill my guts on the Governor? I can tell you everything I know in fifteen minutes."
    I returned to the bridge with the captain. He dismissed the other two crew members that were in the room. They each left to attend to other trivial maintenance matters that were on the captain’s list. The captain told all he knew.
    The Governor was indeed in thick with the slavers. He didn’t run slaves himself, but he made sure that everyone under his authority turned a blind eye. The Governor himself enjoyed trafficking in stolen goods and not in stolen lives, as the captain had called them. The slavers made sure the Governor was kept in a steady supply of thieved contraband.
    As I climbed back aboard the Mabel , Go was waiting. "Well, what happened? What was he carrying?"
    I replied, "He was carrying containers for the Governor."
    Go frowned. "That’s it? Nothing more? I was sure we would find something."
    I replied, "Sometimes the information you gather is far more valuable than nailing someone for contraband. I picked up valuable insight into the Governor. I will refrain from enlightening you until I have had the time to piece together a more complete picture."
    Go half smiled. "I guess I shouldn’t complain. I have already seen and done more with you