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Big Game HuntingbyJosé J. Amador
1
“I’ve called this meeting of the board at the behest of our president and CEO RutherfordJones. I'm sorry we’ve had to disturb all of you at such an early hour.”To no ones surprise it was obvious Clive James was not sorry. He looked around theroom and noticed all the board members were in attendance. They were looking at each otherwondering what was going to happen next. James bit his lip to hold back a smile.One of the board members groused, “Alright James, what the hell is so important that youmake us come in at this ungodly time...and where the hell is Jones.”“As you’ll recall,” replied James, “Mr. Jones is on a trip to the Orient. He is meetingwith potential investors on our Japan program scheduled to begin next year.” Everyone noddedin agreement as they remembered.The same board member groused again, “Fine, then what are we hear to discuss?” Herolls his eyes exasperated sitting back in his chair.James could not contain himself. A greasy smile stretched across his face, the boardmembers noticed and began to groan.“Oh no, not again,” said a different board member. “What crazy idea does Jones haveplanned now? And why did he have to call a meeting at this time to discuss it? Couldn’t it havewaited till later today?”“My, My, sir,” teased James, “aren’t we full of questions? Please, everyone sit back. I’llbrief you on Mr. Jones’s plan.”After neatly reaching for the remote control on the table, he pressed a button and said,“Mr. Jones has funded a group he personally put together to capture, alive, and bring back toEarth...the
 Afflicto
.”
 
Big Game HuntingbyJosé J. Amador
2
The room went into an uproar.Statements such as ‘He’s nuts,’ and ‘Is he out of his mind?’ were heard all over the room.James allowed the board members’ shock to settle before continuing to speak.“Gentlemen, please, I assure you Mr. Jones is
not 
crazy. He has chosen to perform agreat service to increase mankind’s knowledge of one of the galaxies more feared and littleknown creatures.” After an intentional pause, he pressed another button on the remote. Beforeeach board member the holograph projection system turned on.“As I said earlier, Mr. Jones has assembled a team of experts. This team will land on theplanet the creatures are indigenous to, capture one, and bring it back for study. Simple, really.”He then added, “I would like you to meet the team right now.”James pressed another button and then a door at the far end of the room opened. Fourpeople walked in, three men and one woman dressed in jumpsuits. Each of them took an openseat at the far end of the conference table.“This is the group Mr. Jones calls the ‘Afflicto Capture Team,’ or Capture Team forshort,” said James. “I’ll first introduce each team member, then we will have a holographicpresentation for the benefit of the board members, and finally we’ll have a question and answersession. Anything before I continue?” James noticed there were none and began, “I’ll firstintroduce Mac Maynard. Some of you probably already know him. Mr. Maynard is the famousintergalactic game hunter from Australia. Mr. Maynard has extensive experience in tracking andcapturing creatures all over the known galaxy. He’s tracked and captured animals from lions to
kor 
hounds.”
 
Big Game HuntingbyJosé J. Amador
3
Maynard sat there with a wide, sarcastic smile on his face. A man in his mid-forties, hedidn’t look it. Well tanned and nicely groomed, his smile gave him a cocky look that exposedhis true attitude.“Next we have Mashaka, a South African native and Mr. Maynard’s assistant on allhunts. He has worked with Mr. Maynard since the last days of the lions.”Mashaka sat stoically and nodded to the board members. Although only in his mid-thirties, he showed the wear and tear of previous hunts with lines etched on his weather-wornface.“Next is the esteemed Dr. David Hayley,” continued James. “Dr. Hayley is currentlytenured at the University of Ares Vallis on Mars. His research with electro-magnetics andelectro-statics is considered the most ground-breaking in his field.”Dr. Hayley was a young man, in his early-thirties. Although tall, he had walked inwithout the awkward lankiness that most people with height usually do. His eyes looked acrossthe room as James introduced him. He wanted to notice who knew about him and who didn’t.He was no stranger to the board and was bracing himself for an icy reception.“Finally, I introduce to you Ms. Kara Larson. She is an alien zoologist and doctoralcandidate at Harvard University, and is performing her dissertation work on the Afflicto at theTitan Alien Life Research Facility. Ms. Larson is considered by many to have the most accuratetheories on the creature. I almost forgot to mention, Ms. Larson is also an accomplishedspacecraft pilot, consequently, she will be the team’s pilot and navigator.”James looked at her with elevator eyes and smiled. Ms. Larson looked back at himunimpressed.
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