Chief among his worries was the reception they’d get at Desolation. He was still shaken by the betrayal of the men he’d brought with him, even as he understood the true mistake had been trusting Hackett too far. Hackett had stuffed the crew with those willing to betray Dash, and Dash had missed it. The fact that Hackett and the other twenty men were all dead didn’t lessen the sting.
Before that betrayal Dash would have been certain of his reception at Desolation, certain he would command loyalty and respect. Twenty years of effort had gone into ensuring the pirate organisation he headed up remained his to control. Now, though, he had no idea what awaited them.
If nothing had changed then he felt confident all would be well. Desolation was a fallback location, one that held many ships but only a skeleton crew. It relied on secrecy for protection rather than force of arms.
Most of those stationed there owed Dash strong loyalty. They were among those who had joined him in the early days, back when he controlled a small, tightly knit force. Back when he could take the measure of everyone in his team. Before everything had gotten out of hand. Before he’d started his rapid rise to become a powerful player in the organisation, then on to becoming its leader.
He worried things would have changed, though. Hackett hadn’t acted alone, in fact he must have been confident of considerable support to risk taking the action he did. Could those behind Hackett have spread their influence to Desolation?
It was an obvious target to those who knew of it. If Dash’s power base was damaged but not destroyed, if he needed to make a tactical retreat, then Desolation was where he would head. He could be leading Jess and the others into a trap. One that even the incredible ship they flew couldn’t save them from.
He couldn’t see any alternatives. Not if they were going to save the slaves in the other three ships. That was something Jess and Sal insisted on. That insistence had reminded Dash of his younger self, that he would once have been just as eager to do the right thing as Jess and Sal were.
Sal. Thoughts of Sal streamed through his mind too. There was no denying it, he found himself strongly attracted to her. He cared deeply for her. Dash saw the pain Markus had caused Sal and knew it was partly his fault. She’d met Markus again purely by chance, and that would have been the last of it without Dash’s interference.
She should have had a confusing meeting with someone who looked like her lost love. Any pain would soon have faded. Instead, thanks to Dash’s manipulation, she had been forced to confront the brutal truth.
As if all that wasn’t enough, he was undecided about his own future. If his fears proved unfounded, then at Desolation he’d be able to pick up a powerful ship and a loyal crew. He could return to heading up the organisation, don the mantle of power once again, then hunt down those Hackett had worked for. After two decades it was the obvious choice, the reflexive choice. Yet it felt cold. Sour.
Spending time with Jess and the others had reawakened something deep inside Dash. They’d told him of their plan to cross the Quarantine Zone, somehow, and head for the Wanderer’s home. The thought of just dropping everything and joining them sent excitement through Dash’s veins. The chance to see something completely new, to travel without being crushed by responsibility. And the chance to do some good, real good, along the way. To make a difference to the lives of others.
In his heart Dash already knew what his choice would be. The question now was whether Jess and the others would accept him on the journey. He wouldn’t blame them if they refused.
Chapter 3
Greenseed Station
“Incoming freighter, Sir,” called out the watch officer.
Marsh tensed immediately, as did everyone else in the control room.
“Who is it?” Marsh asked, focusing on keeping the worry from his voice. He needed to project calm confidence, even if he didn’t feel it.
“One moment, Sir…”
Everyone seemed to be holding their breath. Marsh could see the watch officer sweating under the pressure. He was young, maybe seventeen. Much too young to be holding down such an important role, but these were far from ideal conditions.
“Take your time,” Marsh said gently.
“Yes, Sir.” The officer threw him a grateful smile.
Marsh smiled back, hiding the urge he felt to push the youngster aside and run the scan himself. These were the times he really missed captaining a warship, but those days were gone. At sixty-seven, his days of military command were behind him. The Empire had moved Marsh aside, giving him a simpler job running Greenseed station. A safe position. One where he could while away time until he retired, never having to face danger again. He almost laughed at that. How wrong they’d been.
Finally the watch officer managed to pull up the identification.
“It’s the Silver Tramp,” he said, relief in his voice. “She’s about ten minutes out.”
Marsh felt much of the tension drain out of his body. They knew the Silver Tramp. She’d visited several times in the past few weeks, picking up the food which was Greenseed’s main export and taking it where it was needed. She was a friendly.
“All right, everyone,” Marsh boomed out. “You heard the man. We know this ship. She’s a friendly. You know what to do.”
The room instantly transformed. The Battle Stations alert blared out. Weapons were activated, as were the huge defence platforms floating nearby in space. Marsh oversaw it all, not needing to take any action. His people knew what they were doing. They’d done it enough times, and he’d made certain the most critical functions were overseen by his experienced officers. Youngsters got assigned to roles like watch officer. While the information the watch officer provided was critical, if necessary someone else could always take over well before any ship neared the station.
With everyone on high alert and the massive amount of firepower focused on where the freighter would arrive, there was nothing more to do. Marsh sat back to wait, trying not to let his own tension show.
* * *
As the Silver Tramp eased to a stop at the agreed location Marsh allowed himself a deep breath. Most of the room followed suit. The freighter had been friendly the last time it visited, but that was no guarantee of anything. Its behaviour so far was encouraging, but Marsh wasn’t about to let his guard down. He’d done that once before. He was determined not to lose anyone else.
“Incoming transmission,” the comms officer called out.
“Put it through,” Marsh replied.
A large screen flared to life in front of him, showing a middle-aged man with dark skin and fuzzy hair. Marsh had never seen him before.
“Where’s the captain?” he snapped out.
The atmosphere in the control room changed in an instant, going from merely focused to razor-sharp. Hands hovered over fire controls. The man on the screen paled.
“He’s… he’s in sickbay. A container shifted unexpectedly. Mashed his leg up badly. He’s sedated at the moment. I’m his first officer.”
Marsh stared silently for a few moments, letting the tension build before he spoke.
“Well, Mr First Officer, you have a lot of people with very shaky hands holding them just above firing buttons. I suggest you and your ship don’t give us any reason to feel worried.”
“Of course! Of course, Commander. I promise you have nothing to worry about. We’re just here to pick up a shipment of food.”
“The usual amount?”
The question seemed to throw the first officer for a few moments. He’d been expecting more of a grilling. Marsh knew there was no point. Either things were on the level or they weren’t. If they were, then great. If not, there would only be one outcome, the complete destruction of the Silver Tramp. Finally, the officer managed to nod.
“Very well. Hold your position. The cargo will be delivered into your cargo bay. Once it's completed, we’ll inform you. Until then you don’t shift a centimetre. Got it?”
“Yes. Yes, Commander. And thank…”
Marsh cut him off partway through, killing the connection.
“I don’t like this,” he told the officers around him. “At the slightest hint of trouble, wipe that ship out. No second chances.”
Those in control of weapons acknowledged his orders.
“Get the delivery under way,” Marsh said. “The sooner it's on board, the sooner we can get that ship well away from here.”
Not that the Silver Tramp was that close. Even at full burn it would take a good five minutes to cross the distance to the station, but that was far closer than Marsh liked. He knew that two members of his team were doing nothing but scanning the Silver Tramp, watching for any sign it had dropped anything, or launched something towards the station.
The delivery got under way. It would take nearly thirty minutes to complete. Thirty minutes of tension and nervous trigger fingers. Marsh smiled tightly to himself.
Easy duty my arse, he thought.
* * *
Marsh watched as the last of the cargo containers was launched from Greenseed. A set of automated cargo handlers grabbed each in turn and boosted it out towards the Silver Tramp. More automated handlers waited out by the freighter, slowing the containers then loading them aboard.
Those handlers, the ones that made contact with visiting freighters, would remain in position waiting for the next arrival. None would be allowed to return to Greenseed. No one was going to risk that.
Finally the last container was loaded. The automated handlers pulled away.
“Open a channel,” Marsh told the comms officer. Moments later he was staring at the Silver Tramp’s first officer again. The man looked slightly less nervous than before, but not much.
“Loading is complete,” Marsh said. “Use the flightpath we supplied. Any deviation will lead to your destruction.”
“Thank you, Commander. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated. The food you’ve supplied will save thousands from starving.”
“And turn you a tidy profit, no doubt.”
“We… that is… yes…” The man was completely thrown. “But only from half of the shipment. The other half goes to those most in need. As you always specify. Do you want payment? The captain said you always refuse his offers.”
“No. We aren’t doing this for money. And I was unfair to bring that up. You are taking far more risks than we are, you and those with you. You deserve to make a profit. If you didn’t then who would deliver the food to those who really need it? Anyway, you should be going. I hope the captain recovers soon.”
“So do I!”
The first officer said it with such conviction Marsh smiled a little. The man seemed on the level, and his nervousness was certainly understandable. He knew full well how much firepower was pointing at the Silver Tramp, how small a movement it would take to see him and the rest of the crew killed.
“Safe journey,” Marsh said.
“Thank you, Commander. Stay safe.”
“I certainly intend to,” Marsh replied, then killed the link.
The Silver Tramp slowly started to move away, sticking to the flight plan exactly. Marsh allowed himself to relax a little as it built up speed, but was still tense until it finally reached safe distance and disappeared into jump space.
The relief in the room was palpable. People joked, smiled and in a couple of cases blinked away tears. Marsh didn’t blame them. Even with all their precautions, letting ships so close was terribly dangerous, but the alternative was worse. Stockpiling the huge supplies of food grown on Greenseed, maybe even destroying food eventually, while hundreds of thousands starved elsewhere in the system and at neighbouring stars.
Marsh knew he’d never take that option. No matter the risks, Greenseed would continue to supply the food to prevent at least some of those people from dying. From starvation, at least.
Chapter 4
Jess stared at the others sitting around the living area. He found himself missing Elizabeth once again, both for her sense of humour and her cutting insight. So much of his life had changed since he gained his freedom, and kept changing, that the few friends he’d gathered had become vital to him.
The pain of losing first Matt and then Elizabeth cut deep. Though at least Elizabeth was leaving on good terms, and deep down he wished her well. Matt… Matt had been different. Even now, several weeks later, the pain of that betrayal refused to heal. He found himself suspecting those around him, watching them for signs of treachery.
At the moment that suspicion was focused squarely on Dash. Jess found himself liking Dash, but that just increased his worries. Dash had already shown himself to be an exceptionally shrewd operator, and to be manipulative, too. Jess was certain the betrayal by Hackett and Dash’s other men had been for real, but that wasn’t a guarantee Dash could be trusted.
Ali sat near to Jess, seemingly relaxed. Jess wasn’t fooled. He caught the slight tension in her body and the nervous glances she threw at Dash from time to time. He was certain Dash did too.
Sal sat away from the others, shoulders slumped. Jess wanted to go to her, to offer words of support and a hug, but he couldn’t bring himself to. He just couldn’t think of the right words to say. Another reason to miss Elizabeth, he thought. Since joining the ship she’d been there whenever Sal was struggling.
To his surprise Teeko, was in the room too. Jess had grown used to the alien hiding away in its room, sunk in gloom over the lack of progress finding others of its kind. Now, though, it stood in the living area with Ben, the young boy who had been one of the prisoners Jess and the others had freed.
Somehow, and Jess still hadn’t worked out how, Teeko had managed to get through solid walls to reach Ben. Investigating that was yet another thing Jess needed to get around to doing. Since then the boy and the alien had been inseparable. Standing on all legs, as it was now, Teeko resembled a brown furred table with four legs to a side. Ben sat on Teeko’s back, arms wrapped around its flexible neck. Teeko steadied the youngster with one arm. Ben seemed unconcerned by the sucker tipped appendages Teeko had instead of hands.
Despite the mystery of how Teeko had retrieved Ben, Jess was pleased it had happened. Having the youngster around was doing the alien good. Ben seemed happier too. He’d been separated from his mother just before being loaded onto the prisoner transports.
Jess had searched for her as soon as he heard Ben’s story, but she wasn’t aboard the Wanderer. It was possible she was on one of the other three ships. They’d know for certain once they reached Desolation and unloaded all the transports. Jess knew it was unlikely, though. The Empire seemed to take a perverse pleasure in breaking up groups of prisoners, splitting up friends and family members.
Telling Ben his mother wasn’t aboard had been doubly painful for Jess. He’d seen the pain in the young boy’s face, of course, but it had been matched by a deep wound of his own, one that would never heal fully. Jess had been split from his own mother in similar circumstances when even younger than Ben. He knew just how much pain Ben was in, and how isolated he’d be feeling amongst the group of adults. Ben was coping, though. Thriving even, with the help of Teeko.
And finally there was Dash. He seemed calm, despite the sense of urgency which gripped the others. In only a few minutes the Wanderer would drop out of jump space almost on top of Desolation. That was possible because there were no planets in the system, and Desolation had only a tiny mass when compared to a natural body.
Dash had explained it was important not to appear too far out for two reasons. First, it would make them seem a threat, as anyone with good reason to visit knew better. Second, the area was heavily mined. Any attempt to approach from further out would lead to the Wanderer being crippled or destroyed.
The explanation made sense to Jess but it still felt like an awful risk. Not so much for the Wanderer, she could jump away again immediately if needed, but for the other three ships.
“Do you have the codes ready to transmit?” Dash asked, interrupting Jess’s thoughts.
“Yes,” Je
ss replied. “All ready to send. How sure are you they’ll keep us safe?”
“The codes are good. We won’t have any trouble.”
Jess studied Dash carefully. He seemed calm, but was that just an act? Jess reached out to the Wanderer, accelerating his thoughts and making use of the ship’s internal sensors.
“How can you be sure?” Ali asked aggressively. “Your men already betrayed you once.”
“That was a mistake on my part,” Dash said. “I was distracted when Hackett put the team together. Desolation is completely different. The people there were chosen by me. They’ll have stayed loyal, no matter what else is happening.”
All smoothly delivered and believable, Jess thought. He’d even have believed it… if he hadn’t caught the twitch on Dash’s face at the mention of the betrayal. It had been the briefest of expressions, gone in a heartbeat, but to Jess’s accelerated mind it shone out.
There were no telltale reactions during the rest of Dash’s statement. He really seemed to believe those he’d chosen would stay loyal, or that was the impression he gave off.
“What if they’re gone?” Ali kept pushing. “What if they’ve been replaced by the same group that turned on you before?”
Once again Jess caught a brief flicker of something on Dash’s face. This time it looked as if he’d taken a bite of something unpleasant. Then it was gone again, wiped away from one moment to the next.
“Anyone who tried that would regret it,” Dash said, voice still calm. “Believe me.”
Jess thought for a moment. What should he do? Should he push Dash or let it go? He made his mind up.
“But you don’t believe it,” Jess said calmly. “I could tell. You’re worried about the chance we’ll get a hostile reception, and Hackett’s betrayal still stings you.”
Wanderer's Odyssey - Books 1 to 3: The Epic Space Opera Series Begins Page 52
