Galaxy Spies

  **********

  Tom Parkinson was shown into the Police chief`s office to meet the new Police Chief of New Terra, Gregory Marlin. Marlin had been elected six months ago by the locals against the man running for the criminal element of the planet, and in spite of the violence that was used by the same people as they sought to push their own man into the important post. He had a face that showed a man who had led a life of excitement during his sixty years existence, lined and with a long scar over his right eyebrow that showed that his life had also known danger. But it was still alert and he also wore a smile that lit up his entire face, Tom Parkinson`s blue eyes took in the man opposite him and found that he liked the man already. Tom had been previously informed that this man was fighting a one-man crusade against the endemic corrupt stratum that made up the leaders and many of the employees of New Terra. Police Chief Marlin enjoyed the support of some of the planets council and the majority of the general population of the planet. However, this was not enough to defeat the criminals; he also needed aid from Earth, and he hoped that the Director of the Interstellar Intelligence Bureau could help him secure this, or at least point the way to someone who could. As the two men shook hands, the Chief of Police launched the first broadside of his attempt to get this aid.

  “I am really glad to meet you Director, for I live with one hope in life; that of taming the criminal tendencies of many of our so called leading citizens, and at the moment that hope revolves around enlisting your help in my personal crusade.”

  “Greg, if I may call you by your first name; if you help me to locate my missing agent then I will help you clear out your Augean stables to your satisfaction.”

  “That is a deal Tom, and if we are to become firm friends then it can only be on a first name basis.”

  “Agreed Greg, and maybe you can fill me in on the state of play here on New Terra.”

  “The state of play as you call it is that the criminal element is led by two gangland bosses, Karl Terrier and Richard Coonan. Assisting them are half of the planetary council, many of my law enforcement officers and of course many of the officials who enforce the local regulations.”

  “So Greg first we have to cut off the heads of the Hydra and then prevent any more from taking their place. We can do this by ensuring that your courts of law are manned by law abiding citizens who are not terrorised into releasing the criminals that they are sitting in judgement of.”

  “That sounds so easy Tom the way you say it, but to do all that within our own laws sounds a little more difficult.”

  “We will have to deal with the two gangland bosses first, and also their lieutenants, without the terror spread by them the good citizens of New Terra will soon rise and take care of the rest. You initiate the search for my agent while I mull over your problem.”