Cage

by Jessie Rose Case

  He stepped onto the Bridge and opened his neuro net. Report.

  78% Of the ships structural damage is repaired. The rest will be in 18 hours. Hard wiring will need much longer. We have teams working through the systems fault finding but its slow going. Power outages continue. The virus in the computer programme has been slowed. We are still unable to find the load point and remove it.

  Anything on long range scanners from our ship?

  Nothing so far.

  I’m going back to our ship. I’ve prisoners to talk too. I’m expecting visitors the minute that pirate ship is missed.

  Affirmative.

  He watched his men work for a while, while he ran through a mountain of reports on his optic. Then walked to the off-worlder now safely docked in the landing bay.

  ***

  Marlea woke and for a second disorientated with her alarm kicking off. She didn’t remember going to sleep. Or Cage leaving. Again. Sighing, determined to get things done with the worry of could happen next, she threw off the flow blanket and spotted the water by her bed. He’d left it there for her. Marlea smiled looking at it. Not only was he an attentive lover, he was also caring for her. No one had done that before….

  She pick it up. It was warm. He’d been gone a while. “Computer locate Commander Cage.”

  “Commander Cage is not on board. He has returned to his ship.”

  Well that hurt. He’d left. No message. Guess he had good reason to go….. She couldn’t afford to sit around moping. He was affecting her focus again. Marlea knocked back the water and hit the shower. In no time she was out, clean uniform on and out the door.

  “Computer update on repairs.”

  “Structural repairs are at 82%. Hardware repairs are at 57%. Computer systems are functioning at 83%. Miscellaneous male-functions due to foreign virus 42%.”

  Marlea stopped. Shit that was a lot going wrong….. Immediately feeling guilty for sleeping. “Give me the current order of repair on structural and hardware.” Her wrist data pad pinged. She opened the feed while she walked. It told her what Egar was working on and how much progress was being made. He was clearly doing his best with the teams he had. Not wanting to do it, she immediately made a decision. Everyone worked overtime until they were winning the battle. Marlea picked up the pace. “Status of the engines?”

  “Engines have been repaired. Functioning at 89%.”

  “Why is that not 100%?” she asked as she accessed the lift.

  The computers voice followed her in. “The magna drive is still offline.”

  Marlea held back her instinct to shout why the fuck are they not online! “Why is it offline?” she asked as calmly as she could muster.

  “It is being upgraded.”

  WTF….. Marlea stared at the speaker. “Who authorised an upgrade and where did it come from?”

  “The Empire supplied the equipment. Commander Cage authorised it.” Marlea’s mouth dropped open. He did not do that……

  The lift door opened and Marlea stepped out. “How…. did Commander Cage get authorising status on this ship!”

  “My systems have been upgraded to include his status.”

  Like fuck it had!.....

  Marlea marched off in search of Egar. All her good vibes were disappearing faster than…….. she couldn’t think what, but he’d gone too far. “Security, this is your Acting Captain. Commander Cage is to be prevented from re-boarding this ship. He is commanded to remain in his quarters until charges are brought against him for interfering with this ship. Should he try to access this ship, he is under arrest and will be confined to allocated quarters.”

  See how he likes those eggs…..!

  ***

  I’m what? His neuro net buzzed with the conversation between his men.

  You have been banned from this ship and are to be placed under arrest if you try to board her again. Bane told him. There was way too much pleasure in that voice.

  Do you know why? He asked dryly.

  I do.

  Care to share. Cage bit back his need to smash something.

  It seems you added authorisation changes to this ships data base and the current Action Captain see’s it as a breach of her security.

  Cage frown. That was expediency nothing more.

  He could sense Bane laughing. O I think she considers it more than….. expedient. More like surpassing her power. Undermining her position. Taking charge. Making decisions on someone else’s ship….

  Ok enough. He told him cutting him off.

  You get the picture?

  Cage snarled. Yes.

  Good she’s pissed and making working here difficult. Fix it.

  Are you ordering me Bane?

  If that’s what it takes. We’ll have incoming soon enough and can’t afford this kind of disruption. He cut the link.

  He’d just been reprimanded by his second. Cage wiped a hand down his face. The Cyborg wasn’t wrong. He’d acted rashly in trying to protect the female and her people. He’d have to apologise. If she’d take his call……. Shit…..

  ***

  They’d been working their asses off. After a three-hour break, she pulled everyone back on with apologies explaining they might not have a lot of time. Egar would get his 10, then they were both 3 hours on 3 hours off around the clock until all the work was done. Checking on the Cyborgs she’d come away impressed. Not only had they scanned the entire ship for fractures and failures, they were working with her people to systematically fix them. They were still chasing down the virus and every now and then systems failed until they could re-route something and get it working again. Not for the first time, she wondered if it was close to having to abandon ship. Then she dug deep and pushed that thought away.

  No one was taking her ship…..

  Her trip to the engine room held more surprises. A gleaming new particle injector stood shining at her. She hadn’t ordered it or authorised it but there it was. Being connected to her own engines. The Cyborgs were all over it. Not that she didn’t appreciate it but it grated, it really did and that part of her that was pissed wanted to scream, get it out! But the sensible leader knew a gift horse when she saw it. It might save all their lives.

  When she’d asked its capabilities, she’d been surprised. Triple what she had before. Triple? she’d asked thinking she’d heard wrong. The Cyborg gave her a slow sure nod. Triple it was.

  Marlea had turned away before she could swear and shout. The fucker! He’d done it again…… Given her something she couldn’t be angry about. Well fuck that, she thought. He needed a lesson on not sticking his ore in where it wasn’t wanted!.....

  She would not rescind the ‘arrest on sight’ order. No matter how much his help was needed or how good the sex was. It was the principal!.... she stormed back to Egar keeping her resolve fortified.

  She heard the ping on her wrist data pad as she reached Egar. Cage…. She ignored it. Realised you fucked up buddy?.....

  “Good job Egar. I’ve seen the reports. The teams are doing great but we need to push on. Can’t be caught with our pants down now.” Just saying the words made heat flood into her face.

  “They’re coming back?” he asked surprised bringing her back to reality.

  “It’s likely. The minute their ship fails to turn up on time. They are going to send someone to look and if we are still here…..”

  “Shit, sitting duck.” He answered looking around.

  Marlea touched his arm. “We’re making good time. Just keep at it. We’re all on 3 hours shifts now including you and me ok.”

  He nodded. “Yeah got it.”

  “Ok go take your 10 hours now then we’re at it.”

  “No. Don’t need 10, I’ll take the 3 and be back. This is more important than sleep.” He handed her the data pad before leaving.

  He was right…. If they didn’t get this right, they were likely all dead or worse anyway. Marlea did the rounds with her work teams. Supporting where they needed an extra pair of hands. Time flew. Before
she knew it, Egar was back taking over once more. After checking on the Captain, who was deteriorating even to her eyes, she made her way to his office and reported in. She should have done it sooner but it kinda felt like the final act of taking over and she’d put it off for as long as she could. It was going to be uncomfortable.

  She connected the relay and waited. It took a while then the vid screen connected. “Marlea, everything ok?”

  She looked at her companies XO. Smooth, slick, in what she was sure was a designer suit. Pure opulence and power in the decoration behind him. Even his chair and desk were to impress. He sat there not a hair out of place. Unlike hers. He oozed charm. She didn’t like him much, but she didn’t have to to do her job.

  “Pierce. Nice to see you. We got hit. Pirate ship out of nowhere. Four breaches in total. Held them off and undergoing repairs. The Captain and First Officer critical and dead. I’m Acting Captain.”

  “Fucking pirates. That cargo’s worth 100’s of millions of credits.”

  Marlea leaned forward. “I know that. The crew have injuries too, thanks for asking.”

  He looked at her and she didn’t back down. “How many injuries?”

  “Not enough to keep us from making port.”

  He nodded. “Thank the gods for that. You got it under control?”

  “Not really. They dumped a virus on us, and the ship is fighting it but on its own we’re dead. Luckily, we had help. Might not have made it without them.”

  Now he looked interested. “Who?”

  “Cyborg Empire.”

  Pierce appeared to pale. Marlea held back the smile she wanted to flash him. He had issues with that. That made her day. He’d always seemed an opportunistic slim ball to her. “Problem?” she asked innocently.

  He quickly recovered and shook his head. “No, no, none at all. Our cargo is private. They are not to go near it.”

  Suddenly Pierce didn’t look so calm. She could see the sweat beading on his brow across the vid screen. The Empire scared him. Marlea felt sure he was hiding something. He was too slick for her taste and always with an agenda.

  “Is there a problem with the cargo I need to know about?” She wasn’t about to put what was left of her crew and ship in more danger.

  “Nothing that need concern you. Keep them out of our business and back on track. Keep me posted.” The screen went blank.

  Marlea sat back in her chair. That had been more interesting than she wanted or needed. Credits, that’s all they cared about. It was no surprise but it grated all the same. The Empire had scared him. She could see it. Something about their cargo he wanted kept away from the Empire. Why was the question. Marlea tapped her finger on the desk. Then pulled up the cargo manifest slowly making her way through it.

  She came to the end, it appeared to be legit. Nothing but mechanical parts, robotics, farming equipment and some big machinery. Nothing that suggested Pierce had a problem with the Empire.

  Marlea continued to look at the vid screen. She didn’t like it. Something wasn’t adding up. If he’d stored something on board that shouldn’t be there….. “Computer connect me with Commander Cage.”

  “Affirmative.”

  Within moments Cage came on screen. “Thank you for returning my call.” She gave him a nod. “I apologise.” He told her. Marlea raised both eyebrows as if to say ‘derr’. He seemed to settle down in his chair. “I overreached in my authority. It was well meant. Seemed more efficient if I could lead my people through your systems but, I understand why you are pissed at me. I will have it removed.”

  “A damn new engine? Really?” she asked him.

  He gave a little shrug of his shoulder. “I had it and you needed it. I can have it removed?”

  Marlea shook her head and sighed. “Leave it.”

  “What?”

  For a moment he looked confused. Marlea smiled this time. Cage confused was cute. She leant towards him. “I think we have another problem. I reported in. Didn’t do it before now seemed all to final if you know what I mean. Anyway, I told him how you pulled our asses out the fire and he looked a little sick. Asking about our cargo and limiting your access to it. Which wouldn’t have raised any flags normally but he’s a slick dick and looked flustered knowing the Empire was on board. That means something.”

  “You think there’s something wrong with the cargo?”

  She nodded. “I’ve checked the manifest, it’s all labelled as farming, robotics and heavy machinery. Nothing that would concern the Empire. Unless……”

  “Unless it was something else entirely.”

  She checked her index finger at him. “Bingo.” She sighed. “I’ll rescind the order to secure you on sight.” Did he just smile?....... Bastard…. “You and a team of your men, need to take a look,” she was resigned to the situation.

  He stood. “See you shortly.”

  She turned the screen off. Now she felt like an idiot. What had her XO got them into?.....

  Chapter Four

  She met them in the landing bay. Cage came with another contingency of his men and stopped infront of her. “Did you leave any on your ship?” she quipped eyeing up all that extra eye candy.

  “Eye’s up here beautiful and yes, I left plenty behind.” He looked around. “No security to hall my ass off?”

  “You have a reprieve.” She told him rolling her eyes. “This stink’s, I want it out in the open.”

  He gave her a nod and bent to nuzzle in at her neck breathing her in, while he’s troops stood guard around them. “You scent so fucking good,” he whispered, then placed a light kiss on her neck and straightened.

  “You’re not forgiven,” she told him making sure he wasn’t trying to work his mojo on her.

  “I’m aware.”

  “Good. Lets get this over with. We have enough problem to deal with.”

  She led them through the ship to the main storage area. “This could get you fired.” He told her.

  Marlea huffed. Her job had been everything up to now. She didn’t like subterfuge or lying or Pierce. Might be time for a change?.....

  “Depending on what we find, I might be suing them. Either way,” she told him going to the main access panel. “I’m not bothered. I’m good at what I do. I’ll get another ship.” The doors opened. She pulled the manifest up and sent it to him from her data pad. “That’s the listing. I’m happy to stand back and let you guys go to it. I don’t think standard scanners are going to tell you shit. They got on here using those.”

  Cage reached out and caressed her cheek with his hand. Feeling the silky strains of her hair. There was a chance he would lose her after this was done. “We have better equipment than that.”

  He held her gaze as his own glazed over then cleared. “Is that how you communicate?” she asked touching his hand. He gave her a nod. Then let her go turning to his men who were already climbing stacked boxes and scanning them. She felt the compulsion to make sure he knew she had nothing to do with, whatever this was. “I didn’t know about whatever this is,” she told him.

  “I know female. We will see and then depending on what it is, take action.”

  It took hours for them to work their way through all the boxes. Very few of the registered articles on the docket matched the items in the crates. As each new find was made, she struggled to hold onto her temper. They were way passed taking the piss. Marlea took it personal. She was head of security and her people saw in every crate using scanners as the protocol demanded. That meant the scanners they’d used were fixed. It made her look an idiot.

  “We have another one.” Cage told her his voice low.

  “Fuck. I don’t know why they bother having security if they are going to lie to us.”

  “They need you to make sure it gets to its destination.” Marlea huffed as her data pad pinged. She looked at the adjusted manifest. These parts were for laser riffles. Not farming tracks.

  She struck it off. “Another one they are going to lose.” Dealing in weapons even parts wer
e illegal.

  He glazed over and she waited wondering what now. “There appears to be a connecting doorway that is locked down behind the last row of crates.”

  She nodded, there was. “It’s a loading access into the next storage hold. Only used in special cases. It’s not being used on this trip.”

  “Can we get to it from anywhere else?”

  Marlea shook her head. “No. When we use it, what’s in there is loaded first. The doorway sealed, then in here cargo is packed against it moving forward. What’s in there comes off last once this is all gone but,” she looked at her manifest. “We’re not carrying anything on this trip.”

  “Did you see all the cargo come on?”

  She shook her head. “All this yes. Anything else the Captain sees to it before we get on board.”

  He glazed over. All his men went to work on moving the crates away from the wall and doorway. Once they had a corridor in and the doorway clear, they both stood with his men and looked at it. It was a large door. Cage wasn’t sure what was behind it, but he was sure they’d tried to hide it.

  “Can you open it?” he asked her.

  The female looked at her data pad and did several things, then the lock moved on the door and it started to slowly rise. It got halfway and the lights flickered and the door stopped.

  “Bloody virus!” she called out annoyed and tried to get it to move by starting the release procedure again, but it wouldn’t move. “Damn, that’s it, it’s not moving.”