“Was this the first time this had happened?
The Captain shook his head. “No. My employment has been littered with them.”
“Who ordered the cargo loaded and transported?”
“Pierce. I have a recording you’ll find it in my personal files under Kathy. Security ID Pandora.”
Marlea knew him to be a good man. “Why did you do it? If caught you’d lose everything.”
Cap smiled. “My daughters’ husband’s is a waster, gambles which is against his employment which includes the family home, but he does it anyway. Owes money, a debt the company picked up. If I didn’t comply, he’d go public with it and it would ruin them. My grandkids out on the streets. Couldn’t let that happen.”
Marlea frown. “Knowing that she wouldn’t leave him?”
Cap shook his head a coughing fit hitting him again. Marlea gave him a little more water. He was becoming exhausted. “I told her, showed her the debt he’d rung up but he made promises to change and she says she loves him and wouldn’t leave him. Scared I think and I’m not there to help her. But I’ve left her all I have and hope, one day she’ll leave him, have a better life for her and the kids.”
“Do you wish to add anything else Cap?” Marlea asked.
He coughed then caught his breath. “I’m not the only one blackmailed into helping the company with illegal activity. I have information on at least 8 other Captains who are in the same boat. The information is with my files. They’ve been at it for years. Once its out there, old Captains will start coming forward.”
She had no idea the company was this corrupt. “Ok Cap, take it easy and rest. I’ll deal with it.”
She got up to go. “You reported this lass, you’d better look out for your ass, they’ll be coming.” He told her with what looked like the last of his energy.
Marlea smiled. “Too late Cap, they’re already on their way.”
“Then fight girl. Don’t let them win.” His voice diminishing.
“They’re not winning this time.” She walked out the door and down a ways, needing some space. “Computer stop recording and store in…….” she didn’t want it in her own records. They were cleaning house…. “Cleaning requests and copy file to Commander Cage.”
“Affirmative.”
She was stressed and upset. He moved into her personal space and brushed his hand across her cheek. “He’s right. They wont like this.” Leaning down he brushed his lips over hers lightly then pulled back to see her eyes.
“Like I said,” she whispered wanting those lips back on hers. “We’ll fight.”
Chapter Five
“How long before they’re here?”
Marlea broke from his nearness and started walking again. She wanted nothing more than to stay with him and explore her feelings some more, but she didn’t have time for it. Now they faced two treats. The possible return of the pirates and the company trying to save its ass.
“3 Days maybe 4.”
“How many?”
“He didn’t say but it wouldn’t be more than two. Remember he doesn’t know your still here.”
“Crew size?”
“For the two, 500 tops.”
They reached the lift and it opened as she got there. How cool was that?..... She stepped in cautiously looking around hoping it didn’t go on the fitz while she was in it, the door closed. At least Cage was with her. “One of these days you are going to have to tell me how you do that.”
“You’d have to be Cyborg.”
Marlea glanced up at him as the door opened again. “There’s an idea,” she told him walking out heading for the Bridge. She could have asked Cage for an update but she wanted to be on the Bridge talking with their people and his. They had a right to know and to make their own decisions. The Bridge doors opened as she approached.
At least they were working….. her mind told her as she looked at the work going on. “Report.” She called out.
Both Cyborg and human crew gave her their updates. The ship was now sound, most of the damage completed. Engines were nearly upgraded too which made her remember she’d not had that out with Cage and turned to him. “I didn’t ask for those.”
Cage gave her a shrug. “Told you, you need them.”
“The company will just take them and benefit.”
“No. This ship has been confiscated by the Empire.”
WTF!.... He just kept going!.... “You didn’t mention that either!” He looked at her curiously. “Is this still my ship?” she demanded.
“Yes.”
“Then get the fuck off my Bridge before I have you arrested.” There were several sniggers around them. Marlea turned in their direction. “If you don’t have enough work to do I can supply more.” Following several groans and people got back to work. The Cyborgs ignored them completely and kept working. Marlea gritted her teeth, storming into the Captains office and wasn’t surprised to find Cage hot on her heels. She sat down as the doors closed on them. “You’ve got to stop doing that! I’m supposed to be in command here and you keep making decisions without consulting me first or asking for my thoughts on it or even my bloody permission!”
“It is what is best for this ship and you.”
Marlea threw her arms out in agitation. He didn’t get it!.... “You don’t get to decide that. It’s not your damn decision to make. Its mine.”
The female was in a rage worthy of the Admiral himself. It seemed it was difficult not to upset her. Logical responses to problems were not working. Everything he did to try and protect her, and the ship backfired. It only made her angry. He wondered how he was getting it so wrong. What his logic told him would help in this situation wasn’t helping at all.
“Look,” she told him. “I get that you are not used to being around human’s. I understand that you think you are doing the right thing by us but you have to know we like to make our own decisions. Like to be in charge of our own destiny and if you have a rank, be responsible for those under your command. Right or wrongly, to have the right to make that decision.”
“When humans make those decisions, people die. I am not trying to take over. Things are moving quickly. The Empire has filed a complaint with damages with the Intragalactic Courts, this vessel is the one at the centre of that litigation. The company’s assets will have been frozen. An investigation will take place and this ship along with any others the company owns will belong to the Empire. It is the logical outcome with the evidence provided.”
Marlea sat back in her seat and closed her eyes looking for some patience. She didn’t hear him move but felt the hand on her shoulder turning into it. She opened her eyes to find Cage leaning down towards her. “I am sorry female, but I will do what it takes to protect you.”
He had the undeniable need to feel those lips once more.
She sighed and nodded. His lips brushed hers before he stood up again. “I will try harder to speak with you first.”
Marlea held back a snort. She doubted that but really didn’t think he was doing it deliberately. “How close are we to sorting out this virus?” There was no point having a healthy ship if they couldn’t control the computer.
He’s eyes glazed over for a moment. “We’re chasing it down, stopping it spreading.” His eyes cleared. “I do not know how long it will take. Its aggressive, evolves but we have narrowed it down.”
Marlea looked around the office that really wasn’t hers at all. “And if they are not done in time?”
“Then we will defend until the Empire gets here no matter the enemy.” She shook her head. There was no point asking if they could defeat them. It would depend on how many were coming. Resolved settled in her. This was her battle, but he was staying with her and so were his men. She suddenly felt very tired and wanted this over.
“We will win this.” He told her.
She looked up. There was certainty in his eyes. They held everything she needed to be sure they would. It would be so easy to be lost in those eyes….
***
It had taken much to leave her in her office and go back to his ship. Her anxiety had been high. He could scent it and taste it in the air around her. She was worried and had a right to be. He couldn’t give her the reassurance that she so badly needed. The Empire would arrive, and he had a time frame for that. But would it be soon enough before either the pirates came looking or her own people, he didn’t know. He had no control over actions and time.
Going straight to interrogation he wanted to see them in person. The reports had been as expected. They were trawling the trade routes in hope of a catch. Spread out across several galaxies. Looking for new bases, new opportunities and a chance to score. Cage didn’t like the sound of any of that.
He walked into the brig and connected his neuro net to the Cyborg on duty.
Report.
He could see the prisoners through the one-way glass. They’d put them in groups of threes so they would talk to each other. Then one by one, they were brought out, interrogated and put back. Cyborg’s were living lie detectors. They could scent when someone was lying or truthful. Their body language changed, their temperature and their sweat seeping through their skin told them their emotions. Few humans could hide all those elements. Either one or all gave them away quickly enough.
The last round was interesting. We have some co-ordinates to check out.
Nothing on when they were expected back?
No.
They all knew how this worked. Give a little, take a lot. They asking for anything?
Food mainly, can’t seem to get enough and drink.
Cage looked at the men in the different cages in front of him and pushed away his own memories. Closing down the neuro link. He didn’t want to remind his brother. They would not be experiencing the pain and suffering he and his brothers had….
Assessing each man something nagged at him. They didn’t look well…. Immediately his protective instincts for the female kicked in. He opened his neuro net once more.
Have they been checked by the medic?
Negative.
Get him down here. I want full scans of each male.
Affirmative.
Cage took at seat, waited and watched. From his position he could see into all twenty holding cells. Each was part of a crescent moon right in front of him. They were designed to give the guard on duty full view of each caged slice. Solid walls, ceiling and floor with a laser entrance. Get too near it and you will fry. In the back of each cell a small area with an open toilet and shower. New replicated clothing was delivered daily by robot under the lowest 5 inch laser beam along with their meals. They were told to shower daily or loose the privilege.
The reports started flowing over his optic. There were more than a few surprises. Sexual diseases, illnesses and all of them had signs of poor nutrition. They were not eating properly?....
It made no sense. They had replicators like everyone else and access to food sources they pillaged or stole. Connecting his neuro net to the computer he ordered the crew documenting the pirate ship to check on the replicators, food provisions and how often they restocked on food. Almost immediately he had a report sent to him. He opened it across his optic. Replicators barely functioning. No new nutrient tubes on board. No fresh food and only 22% frozen. They were storing fresh water and supplies were low. He pulled up the engineering report and searched it. He found what he was looking for. Recycling plant no longer viable. They had exhausted their food supplies and equipment was faulty.
They were starving, ill and their ship was failing but still they came out to raid…..
Logic told him exactly what was going on. They were desperate.
He opened his neuro net to the officer in charge while more health reports came in.
Give them food every two hours. Plenty of fresh water. Made sure they get the medication they need. If there was more to tell, full bellies and a hope went along way.
Affirmative.
Cage went to his office. The Admiral needed to know this information. This was the first time they’d seen signs that the pirates were being affected by their intervention. It was information they could use. He sent the same reports to his interrogators with one simple message. Use it to know what is going on…. They were good at their jobs and you got more with honey and carrots.
***
With repairs nearly completed things started getting back to normal. Training started back up. Shifts went back to normal. Crews carried on as before. The only blot had been the passing of the Captain. She’d been notified he’d taken a turn for the worse and made sure to be there. She’d held his hand and he’d asked her to check on his daughter. She’d held back her tears as she’d promised she would, and he slipped away.
Marlea stood in the landing bay with all the replicated coffins laid out. All the people they had lost in the attack. They’d waited so the Captain would lead his men one last time into the horizon. It seemed fitting.
She turned to Egar and nodded as the cargo bay doors opened and the security field held. “Attention!” He shouted, as one by one on the zero grabs, pull bearers pushed the coffins out into space the Captains leading the way. She couldn’t find it in her heart to blame him. The Company on the other hand, she had no problem with. Music of the last post sounded over the public address system. It seemed fitting. The Cap was an old-fashioned man who held onto old fashioned traditions. It felt right.
***
“You think their dying?” The Admiral asked. He sat at the head of the Empires counsel table with every seat taken. He’s report had been re-routed to this meeting. The majority of Empires Counselman sat around it. Those that were close enough to join the meeting at the Space Station had. Cage nodded. He’d been giving his report in person for a while. This was the latest bit of news.
“I think they’re in trouble. This lot would have been very soon or maybe turned on each other, it is difficult to tell. They would have been desperate. With the ships systems failing, you’d have to be an idiot not to realise what was going on. Most seemed resigned to it. Accepting it was their fate. Malnutrition, disease and dehydration. Feeding them we got more out of them than expected. Many of the ships are struggling to survive. Bases have been disrupted so have food sources. They are going further afield and becoming more daring and reckless in their pursuit for survival. It is logical that that is due to our intervention. The impact of that on other worlds I cannot say but this was reckless with a ship in that condition.”
“They could just be out on their own,” Dark told him. “They have a history of working as individual ships, falling out, going to war with each other.”
“That is true Counselman. There is no record of them being sent out for any specific reason other than to capture any trading vessels, strip them and bring resources back.”
The Admiral sat forward. “Do we know where that is?”
Cage nodded. “A rendezvous only. No base. They are overdue now. There is a possibility that they may just think the ship failed and not bother looking but it is more likely that they will come, just in case there is something to salvage.”
“They have crimes to answer for?” asked Counselman Pain.
Cage nodded. “They all do. Ships records give detailed information.”
“Send the records. Our ships are 22 hours out. Watch your six.” The Admiral told him, and the screen went blank.
His system registered all the reactions from those at the meeting. This was something new for all of them. They’d targeted the pirates because of how they functioned. Because of what they’d found them doing on the Space Station and the intel from their records and those who’d been affected. These were scavengers. Pirates. Abusers. Murderers and Rapists. Mainly the ships were lone sharks with their own king, taking what they could get their hands on. Occasionally, they would come together to fight a larger force for bigger rewards, like the Space Station or another juicy target. Goods, females anything of value or that could be used or sold were targeted. And they’d had it
their way for a very long time until the Empire came calling. Then they’d kicked them out and held them accountable to the Courts of Justice for their crimes. There was no room for that in the Empire.
Those in his cells would face justice too. He understood having to do things to stay alive. They all did. They’d lived it. But humans had a choice, not much of one maybe for some, but it was still a choice and they’d all accepted it.
Good or bad men to start with, they’d all ended up the same in the end and they would pay for that decision with their lives.
***
Marlea tried to get some sleep. She was bone tired, but her mind wouldn’t switch off. She had that itch she couldn’t scratch keeping her awake and that was without the heat coursing through her body. Cage. Just one thought of him and it was pant wetting time again. She was so sick of being ruled by her emotions!....
Tossing and turning she grabbed and punched her pillow. Trying to find a comfortable spot. Taking calming breaths, she told herself to think of nothing. Blank wall. Blank. Nothing. Empty….
Cage Page 9
