Story description: In the Bermuda Triangle of space, things aren't always what they seem.

An archaeologist, a smuggler, and a model meet on a seemingly dead planet and become part of the resistance against the Galactic Federation. 

I think of this as Indiana Jones meets Han Solo

Dead Planet

"People are calling it the Bermuda Quadrangle."

"Like the Bermuda Triangle on Earth?" Petric asked.

Raphael — Rafe for short — nodded. It wasn't his real name. He'd changed it once he'd received the designation of Renaissance Analyst, a title that meant he had expertise in seven or more fields of analysis. That made him a key resource in the Galactic Federation's planning team, responsible for identifying promising or troubling trends.

Rafe preferred to offer puzzles instead of being straightforward in his communications. Fortunately, Petric liked puzzles. "The scientist in me is appalled at the superstition implied in the name. The archaeologist in me wonders if there are centuries of crash sites to explore."

"From the Galactic Federation perspective, I've categorized the Bermuda Quadrangle as insignificant. The number of ships impacted is relatively low. Only a handful of unmanned supply ships have crashed onto Dead Planet 451 in the last two years, and none of them carried anything vital. But it seemed like something that would interest you." His voice was nonchalant, but he cast a significant glance toward the green light on the communications box on his desk. This conversation was being recorded, and it seemed Rafe didn't trust the person who was listening.

In Petric's job, he traveled to whichever archaeological sites the Federation assigned to him, but his true area of interest was ancient alien ruins. Although the artifacts could bring a hefty price, money wasn't his motivation. He wanted to learn about those old alien civilizations, and he was happiest when the artifacts went to a museum. It was likely that Rafe had summoned him because of some kind of alien connection, and that it wasn't a connection they should mention aloud.

"Next time I'm in that sector, I'll check it out," Petric said.

"Given the reputation of the area, you'll want a good pilot." He held up his personal data device. "Based on my analysis, I can tell you the ones with the best reputation for the conditions you'll encounter."

Petric held out his own data device, and a beep indicated that the contact information for the recommended pilots had been transferred.

"Let me know what you discover, once you have a chance to visit the site," Rafe requested. "It would be good to confirm my analysis."

Petric looked at him in surprise. Renaissance Analysts were notorious for their arrogance, and Rafe had never lacked in confidence even before achieving that title. Among other things, Rafe was Petric's older brother. Petric couldn't help being concerned. "Don't tell me you have doubts," he said in what he hoped came across as a teasing tone to whoever was listening to them. "That would be a first."

Rafe held his brother's gaze with full solemnity as he answered, "A surprising number of Renaissance Analysts have been retired recently because they were deemed unreliable. If I'm faltering, I'd like advance warning."

It was a mind-boggling idea, and Petric made up his mind to visit Dead Planet 451 as soon as possible.

Back at his home, Petric wasn't surprised to see that Rafe had transferred more than just the pilot contact info he'd mentioned. The data on Petric's device included an analysis of the crashes in the Bermuda Quadrangle, with a hypothesis that the presence of ancient alien tech on Dead Planet 451 might have caused disruptions to the systems of cargo ships. It was a fascinating idea, and naturally Petric wanted to investigate it.

When he reviewed the list of pilots, a quick check showed that one guy had by far the best credentials. His reputation was unsavory, but Petric would have to look past that. It was obvious that this was the pilot Rafe wanted him to pick.

###

Five days later, Petric sent a notification that he was on his way to investigate the Bermuda Quadrangle. Rafe allowed himself a brief smile of satisfaction.

All of the Renaissance Analysts were coming to the same conclusion — that the Galactic Federation's days were numbered. The leadership and bureaucracy were on the verge of collapsing under their own greedy weight, and they refused to listen when the analysts suggested course corrections.

After a number of forced retirements following those unwelcome suggestions, the Renaissance Analysts adopted a different approach. They were bringing about changes in policy that would help the far-flung human settlements become independent of the Federation. Those settlements were making connections among their neighboring planets to trade the goods they needed to survive. The Federation viewed it as a cost-saving measure, and so far they had supported the changes.

With those measures largely completed, Rafe wanted to ensure his own independence. That's where his brother came in. Without realizing it, Petric would initiate a chain of events that should free Rafe from his role in the Federation.

###

The pilot — a miscreant who went by the name of Niall — told Petric to meet him at the Convergence Zone. It was a seedy bar that confirmed everything Petric had suspected about the guy.

"You'd better not behave like this when you fly," Petric grumbled. He'd prevented Niall from dragging him onto the dance floor thanks to two factors — first, that Petric was slightly larger than Niall, and second, that Niall was too clumsily drunk to outmaneuver anyone.

Petric's misgivings were serious enough that he considered canceling his plans. Sure, Rafe wanted him to hire this guy, but could Petric really put his life in the hands of a drunk? The next morning he met Niall at the space dock with every intention of breaking off their arrangement.

Niall rushed him into the ship, named High Flyer. "Listen," Petric said as Niall practically dragged him inside and sealed the door. "This was a bad idea. I'm going to find someone else."

"You can if that's what you want," Niall said, sounding completely nonchalant. "Just let me show you something, first." He turned toward his ship's controls. "You awake, gorgeous?"

The holographic computer interface switched on. Niall had the popular Gigi model, a gorgeous, leggy redhead in a diaphanous green gown and stiletto heels that made her even taller than Niall. "Of course," she purred. "What can I do for you?"

"So much," he said with a cocky grin. "But for now, show us the progression of crashes onto Dead Planet 451."

A 3-D holographic display charted a series of ships falling toward the planet. It looked like one per decade at first, and then several during the last two years. "What do these colors represent?" Petric asked, pointing to the lines that indicated ships' trajectories.

"It's the type of cargo on the ships. See these gray lines? Those are building supplies. Those all crashed last year. Then more recently, you get these green lines. Those are food and supplies for growing your own food. The blue lines are more intermittent. Those are clothing, entertainment, and luxury items. Things to keep you happy while you're building your base and settling in. Those are tapering off, which indicates they've installed replicators."

"Where did you get this data?" Petric demanded. It was disconcerting that Rafe hadn't shared this information. There was no doubt in Petric's mind that Rafe had the data, and that his brother had reached the same conclusion as Petric: Dead Planet 451 was the home of one of the rare, hidden, private bases that tried to stay off the radar of the Federation. They were using the Bermuda Quadrangle myths to mask their thefts of supplies.

"The pilots' guild keeps records. Some of us don't like depending on others to warn us of the dangers we'll encounter on our trips."

That indicated a distrust of the agency tasked with issuing warnings when pilots filed their flight plans. Petric had encountered the same attitude in others, but he usually shrugged it off. After all, his brother had access to the highest ranks of government. Rafe would warn him if the Federation couldn't be trusted, right?

Petric had a lot of questions, and he started with, "You weren't really drunk when we met, were you? You're not the least bit hungover now. Why the pretense last night?"

Niall smirked. "When people investigate our crash, we want witnesses to mention I was drinking heavily before we left. That way future clients will assume it was an aberration, and not a reflection on my skills or my ship."

That response only led to more questions. "We're going to crash?"

"You think no one's been tempted to investigate the Bermuda Quadrangle legends before now? Just because the government writes it off as insignificant, that doesn't mean everyone else does. Only unmanned craft get pulled down to the planet. Piloted ships are repelled when they try to get near. Our best chance of getting down there is to pretend we're in trouble."

"You think they'll take pity on us and let us land?" Petric asked.

"I'm open to pity or greed. My cargo list includes the kinds of items they've been interested in recently. If they aren't altruistic, maybe they'll take the chance we'll die in the crash, giving them access to what I'm hauling. That's where my skills come in. Let them assume we're having mechanical failure, but at the last minute I'll kick in the supposedly broken controls to soften our landing so we'll survive. That gets us on the planet to look around."

"What do you think they're using to pull and repel ships?"

Niall shrugged. "Not any kind of tech I've ever heard of. There are rumors of old alien devices that can do some amazing stuff. Given your profession, I assume that's what we want to find." With that he started the takeoff sequence.

Petric was impressed with Niall's perceptiveness, and Rafe's recommendation of him counted for a lot. So instead of protesting Niall's rash assumption that Petric was ready to trust him, he strapped in for the flight to Dead Planet 451.

###

"They say any landing you can walk away from is a good one," Niall joked as they clambered out of High Flyer onto Dead Planet 451.

Petric wasn't as cheerful. Hurtling uncontrollably toward the planet had been so disorienting he'd nearly lost his lunch, and the "landing" was a jarring experience he didn't ever want to repeat. "Barely able to walk away," he complained. He leaned heavily against Niall while hobbling on a twisted ankle.

They were wearing full spacesuits even though the planet had breathable air. The suits were Niall's idea. "We're pretending a massive systems failure," he'd explained. "That means we can't scan the surroundings, so we have to take full precautions."

The bulky suits were annoying, but Petric had worked archaeological sites in the gear. The boots provided welcome support for his ankle.

"Hey, gorgeous!" Niall called out.

Petric looked up to see the Gigi holograph projected several yards in front of them and his first response was, "What the hell?" Typically people only used audio communications with their ships when they were outside. This was not going to sell the idea that their systems were nonfunctional.

Oddly, her attire had changed. Her slinky gown had transformed into a more casual dress, with boots that hugged her calves. Her hand rested lightly on the head of a large, lizard-like creature with seven eyes. Petric couldn't tell if the lizard was part of the holographic image, or if a real animal just happened to be standing in her shadow.

"What are you doing here?" asked Gigi in an annoyed tone Petric wasn't used to hearing from holographic interfaces. She strode toward them, her boots leaving footprints in the dusty ground.

Suddenly Petric wondered if he'd suffered a concussion in the crash, because what he was seeing was impossible. Holographs didn't make footprints or cast shadows.

###

Gigi had been surprised to see a ship crash onto the planet. After all, Hedy had decided they didn't need to cause more crashes. They were supposed to lie low and avoid bringing attention to themselves for a while.

She was flabbergasted when she recognized the ship. High Flyer belonged to a hotshot pilot she'd met when she left the planet for a series of business meetings. Niall had been fun, and she'd hoped to run into him again, but she hadn't told him where she lived.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"Your holograph is yelling at us," said the other man, sounding bemused.

"Not a holograph," she corrected. "I'm the original. The human model."

He gawked at her. "But you're dressed like... I mean that's not..."

"I was modeling this attire option for the next release of the holograph, and I decided to take a break to walk Luna." She gestured toward her pet, a native of the planet that looked like a lizard, acted like a dog, and had a truly extraordinary digestive system. "It's not like it's cold or treacherous out here."

Niall took off his helmet. "You're sure a sight for sore eyes. Why didn't you return my messages? You just disappeared after I gave you a lift to the holograph publisher."

Gigi bit her lip. She'd wanted to return those messages, but it hadn't been safe. "How did you find me?"

He grinned. "Pure luck. My passenger here is an archaeologist looking for alien relics, and he thought that might be what's causing the wrecks here in the Bermuda Quadrangle."

The passenger removed his helmet, too. Niall was more Gigi's type; she'd always had a soft spot for silver-tongued rascals, but this new guy had the rugged good looks that she knew others preferred. And he was right about the alien relics, so he was smart. Maybe too smart?

What were they going to do now that someone had found them? She hoped they wouldn't have to hurt these guys, but Hedy could be ruthless when it came to protecting the base. "You better come with me," Gigi said.

###

In the past, when Petric heard reports of people building bases to go off the Federation grid, the isolationists were always portrayed as ridiculous crackpots. He'd never suspected a base like this existed. It was an engineering marvel.

Built into a crater, camouflaged by rock formations, it was extremely well-hidden. The design was practical, livable, and self-sustaining now that it was complete.

Adding on to the surprises of the day, he learned that Gigi wasn't the only model for holographic assistants at the base. There was Elith — a petite brunette who had been his preference for scientific expeditions. Petric also met Terry, the model for the most popular masculine holographic assistant. And the base's leader was Hedy, a blonde bombshell who was the model for the most famous feminine holographic assistant for the last ten years.

They explained that they all had skills beyond modeling, but they were treated as beautiful objects instead of real people. So they had done the holographic modeling work to finance their dreams. Gigi was the business expert, negotiating the contracts that made them wealthy. Hedy was an engineering genius who'd designed the base.

Petric spent a fascinating couple of hours learning about them and their plans. They seriously believed the Galactic Federation would collapse within the next decade, and that people needed to have options for self-sufficiency. They had created this base to prove out their designs, and they expected to replicate it on other worlds after five years of testing here.

Although Petric wasn't introduced to everyone residing on the base, he got the sense that they shared a common story: for one reason or another they felt overlooked, outcast, or discounted by those in power, and they were determined to prove they were as worthy and capable of success as anyone else.

It was a compelling, if somewhat utopian, vision. Petric wished them success, but he worried that they weren't going to let him leave, at least, not alive. They did not want word to get out about their base yet, and his connection to a Renaissance Analyst had only increased their fears of discovery.

When they left him alone with Niall, Petric asked, "Just how badly damaged is your ship? Any chance we could take off if we need to escape the base?"

"High Flyer is sturdy. I can get her into orbit, but now that they've seen what she can do, escaping their alien tech would be iffy. Why do you want to leave?"

"I know you're having fun getting reacquainted with Gigi, but I get the impression Hedy would be fine with killing us to make sure this base stays a secret from the Federation."

"So stay here. They confirmed they chose this location because of the alien tech, and that Elith figured out how to use some of it to pull or repel passing ships. And you heard there's more they haven't had time to dig up yet. You could probably spend years here doing your archaeologist thing. If you combine your efforts with Elith's to discover the uses of the relics, you'll enhance the community. That seems to be important to them."

Hedy had indeed used the term "enhance the community" multiple times.

"What about you?" Petric asked. "Why should they keep you alive?"

Niall grinned. "Besides my ability to make Gigi deliriously happy, I have a fast ship and a reputation for eluding the authorities. It's one thing to be self-sufficient, but they need to keep communications and trade going with like-minded groups so they'll have a receptive audience when they're ready to expand. When they want to visit other worlds, they'll need someone like me."

He was probably right. As much as it annoyed Petric to admit it, Niall wasn't just a rogue getting by on charm and luck. He was a skilled pilot, and he had a good brain. Petric had always been one to follow the rules, and it had troubled him to engage the services of someone who was clearly a criminal, but today he'd gotten an education on why people would want to question the authority of the Federation. Niall's activities were about more than the money; he was helping people. And if helping people was illegal, maybe Petric needed to reconsider his unquestioning obedience to the laws.

"Quite a coincidence," Petric said, "us ending up on the planet where your girlfriend lives."

Niall scoffed. "I'm not buying that it's a coincidence. Who sent you in my direction?"

"Someone who knew a lot more than he let on," Petric admitted. "It was the same person who convinced me that this planet had alien relics." He paused as Luna the lizard-creature licked his hand.

"Give her one of these," Niall said, tossing Petric a rock.

"They eat rocks?"

"That's nothing. Wait till you see what they excrete." He waved a hand toward the creature's litter box.

Petric walked over to see glittering orbs. "Gold?"

"Their digestive systems break down the rocks into their component elements. You've got pure gold, silver, iron, and more. It's like a living mining operation, without all of the damage to the planet."

"If these creatures can thrive on other worlds..."

"Yeah," Niall agreed. "There would be a lot of demand. Of course, Gigi wouldn't hear of it unless she can be certain her pets won't be mistreated."

Petric nodded. "Speaking of Gigi and her friends, where are they?"

"They had some kind of business meeting," Niall said.

"I'm worried they're talking about what to do with us."

"Naturally. Gigi's probably bragging about my skills and exactly what I can do for her."

Petric rolled his eyes. "I hope she makes a convincing case for our usefulness, because I still think Hedy wants to kill us."

###

Gigi, Hedy, and Elith were in the spa. Their fingernails were freshly painted, and the spa bots were currently massaging their feet.

"Those are the highlights of the new contract," Gigi said. "I recommend we continue the hologram modeling gig for another six months while I continue liquidating our assets. After that, I'll keep an account open for the residuals we'll collect for continuing to license the existing records of our images and voices, but I don't see a need to continue making new recordings."

Elith sipped her martini and said, "The bonus they'll pay if we're willing to do nude recordings is generous, but I'm not interested."

"I'll do it," Hedy said.

Gigi wasn't surprised. Hedy was the most adventurous of the three of them, and last year she'd recorded new images throughout her pregnancy. A pregnant holograph had proven very popular with new and expectant parents.

"Are you okay with ending the modeling?" Hedy asked them.

Gigi shrugged. "I've enjoyed the latest fashions they provided for us to wear, but the rest is getting old. I can make a new career out of studying what Luna can do, while I work out the business model for using her talents in a safe and sustainable way on other worlds."

"I'm ready to retire from modeling," Elith said. "I want more time to investigate the alien relics."

"Running this base and being a mom will keep me busy," Hedy said. "Sounds like we're on the same page. Next order of business is —"

"Sorry to interrupt," Terry said as he rushed into the room, "but we have a ship spiraling toward the planet!"

"Another one?" said Hedy. "I told you we should have shot down the first one."

"This one's a Viper," Terry said. "It's the Federation's most advanced ship. I'd like to use the relic to soften its landing, so we can salvage the parts and reverse-engineer the tech."

"Is there a pilot?" Gigi asked.

"Looks like there's one person onboard," Terry confirmed, bringing up a display on the wall.

###

"It's doing the same thing we did?" Petric asked.

"Exactly the same," Niall said, watching from a display in the communications center they'd found when the alarm sounded. "It's like someone recorded my maneuvers and is exactly copying them."

"What kind of ship is that? I've never seen one like it."

"A Viper." Niall sounded nearly as lustful talking about the ship as he did when the topic was Gigi. "What I wouldn't give to get my hands on it."

"Even better than your ship?"

"Impossible," Niall declared. "Nothing beats High Flyer, but I wouldn't mind procuring some of the components for my ship."

"Procure," Petric said. "Somehow when you say it, it sounds more like steal."

###

The ship hit the ground with an impressive explosion, but it was all show. The ship somehow rolled away while a lot of dirt was kicked up and something like an impact crater formed where it had initially landed.

"Slick," said Hedy. "Someone wants the Feds to believe the ship and its pilot are goners. They won't bother with a rescue mission, not even to collect the parts of that fancy ship."

"The pilot faked his death?" Elith asked. "Why?"

"Let's find out," Hedy said.

###

Petric introduced them to Rafe, his older brother, also known as the Renaissance Analyst Raphael.

"What's this all about?" Petric asked before anyone else could demand answers.

First, Rafe explained his doubts about the Federation. "When I realized they are unwilling to make course corrections, I looked into my options for getting out. I concluded that the base being constructed here will be among the most viable when the Federation collapses. The alien relics are a valuable resource, and they will provide my brother with a livelihood someplace safe."

"Couldn't you just tell me?" Petric insisted. "Why all of the secrecy?"

"I didn't think you were ready to believe how bad things are for the Federation. Besides that, I could be charged with treason for being open about the situation. Subterfuge was my only resort."

"And my role?" Niall asked.

"I needed a skilled pilot, someone who could get Petric here safely, while also helping him see another perspective on the Federation. And in the long term, your ship and your skills are an asset to this base. Your ties to one of the base leaders means you're even more inclined to stay on our side."

"Told you it wasn't a coincidence," Niall said to Petric. And to Rafe he added, "You copied my trajectory when you 'crashed' on the planet."

"Indeed. I needed it to look convincing, both to the people here, and to the Federation. As far as they're concerned, I went out of my mind with guilt when my brother crashed, because I'd been the one to pique his interest in this planet. I used my privileged position to take one of our most advanced ships to come to his rescue. But as my piloting skills aren't as good as yours, of course I couldn't land safely where you couldn't. Instead I crashed spectacularly, in what will be considered a lesson to my peers."

"What kind of lesson will it really be?" Hedy asked.

"That escape is possible," Rafe said.

###

"To a successful partnership!" Hedy said, as they raised their champagne flutes.

After the toasts, Gigi leaned against Niall and murmured, "Did you notice Rafe flirting with Terry?"

"No," Niall said. "I was too busy watching Terry flirt with Rafe."

"I suppose that was part of Rafe's grand plan, too. Why not end an epic escape with an epic romance?"

"I thought you'd never ask," Niall said.

Gigi turned around to face him. "Do you want an epic romance?"

"Only if it's with you." He pulled her close. "I would have found you, even without Rafe's involvement. I was getting close to tracking you down."

"I know." She smiled smugly.

"You do?"

"Well, I was leaving clues for you, and that wasn't easy since I didn't want anyone else to find the base."

"Clever girl."

"Don't you forget it."