by Kal Spriggs
Mel wasn't certain she understood all of that, but she nodded fiercely, “Fenris is as much a person as anyone here.”
Yewell had a distrusting expression, but she didn't argue further. “In any case, I'd been trying to arrange to make contact with you all, preferably without drawing attention to you, when Admiral Rao's coup occurred here. I had to come here to cover it, without enough attention focused on the Harmony Protectorate, I figured that Major General Tibault wouldn't hesitate to rig the elections and put a puppet in place.”
“So you don't like the Guard, then?” Mel asked.
“I don't like corrupt Guard officials,” Yewell corrected. “And among those ranks, Major General Tibault was on the fast track to becoming among the worst. When I heard that Rising Wolf Securities had taken a contract here, I decided to make contact in person.”
“I don't get it,” Marcus spoke up, “how is it that you managed to do so much programming and hacking? The data updates that you scanned through are extremely secure. To get the level of detail you needed to determine our identities, you would have had to pick your way through multiple levels of encryption... and that's even assuming you had access to the full update packet itself.”
Yewell gave him a nod, “Leave it to the former Guard Intelligence agent to point that out.” She gave a shrug, “I'm a major media figure, Mister Leone. I may have used my appearance to get where I am, but that's not my only set of resources.”
“You handled that M244 well enough,” Brian commented.
Mel didn't need the reminder. Yewell had handled the weapon with familiarity that had shocked Mel at the time. There'd been no fumbling or hesitation. Mel had downed two of the infiltrators in their section of corridor, but Yewell had provided covering fire and had killed the third.
“I have a variety of experience and training that I've picked up over the years,” Yewell seemed to be choosing her words with care. “I also have contacts who are able to get me the resources and information I need, often without asking questions.”
“Great, another spy... only this one blabs everything she learns into a camera,” Brian sighed.
She gave him a narrow smile, “Not everything. I kept everything I learned about all of you quiet, and I plan to keep things that way, and not just because my son has signed on with your crew.”
“That I am grateful for,” Mel sighed. “I assume you'd like to continue to do your interview with Admiral Rao?”
“Yes,” Yewell nodded. “If I may?”
“Swaim, how about you show her the way?” Mel asked. There was still the off chance that the woman planned to kill their prisoner, but that idea seemed rather outrageous at this point.
“Uh, sure,” Swaim nodded. Mel waited for the two of them to leave and then she sighed. “Alright, so let's hear what Bob Walker's message is...”
“Wait, we aren't going to address the gaping hole in our security?” Marcus demanded.
“She had a personal interest in keeping our identities quiet,” Mel answered.
“Only so long as her son is on-board,” Marcus snapped. “She said it herself, she's got contacts. Some of those contacts will be Guard officers. How hard would it be for her to talk her son into leaving the ship, just long enough for a Guard Fleet Task Force to warp in and hit us? The woman is a risk... she should be eliminated.”
The room went quiet. “You can't be serious,” Mel said. “Even setting aside the fact that she helped me to fight off those boarders, she's already kept our secrets, even when she probably could have made the story of the century with what she learned just from our data update.”
“That's not enough,” Marcus snarled. “Now she's got confirmation. She probably recorded this whole encounter. She's set up to expose all of us... and make a lot of money doing it exclusively.”
“How about the fact that she's an innocent woman?” Johnny Woodard asked.
Everyone looked at him. Mel had almost forgotten that he was present. Marcus's scowl darkened, “What does that have to do with anything?”
“We don't murder innocent people,” Mel nodded at Woodard. She felt absurdly grateful for the big man's backup.
“She handled her weapons pretty well,” Brian commented. “Who says she's innocent?”
“We aren't going to harm her,” Mel snapped. “As your Captain, I'm putting my foot down. Unless any of you have some kind of proof that she's a legitimate threat to us, then this discussion is over.”
Brian Liu just shrugged, as if he didn't care now that a decision had been made. Marcus had a sour look on his face, as if he wanted to argue the point some more, but he knew it wouldn't change the decision. Mel wasn't sure if Aldera Kynes even cared about their decision. Woodard looked satisfied and Mel couldn't help a feeling of warmth that he'd backed her.
“Let's hear Bob's message,” Mel said.
A moment later, Bob's voice played from the overhead speakers, “Mel, sorry, but something has come up. I can't go into details, especially not over the net, but this is related to my assignment and the encounter we shared with our uninvited guest that you helped me to deal with.”
Mel thought back to Giles and she felt her stomach twist in worry.
Walker went on, “I don't want to put the rest of the crew at risk, especially not Aldera. The people I'm hunting, they're dangerous, more dangerous than any of you can imagine. Odds are that we won't see each other again, and I'm sorry, but if everything works out, I'll be able to contact you. Good luck.”
They waited in silence for a long moment, but nothing followed. “That's all?” Mel asked. She couldn't help a feeling of betrayal They'd been together for so long and now he'd left them, left her without anything more than a vague warning and more random hints at some greater threat.
Mel looked over at Aldera Kynes, and the woman's face had gone pasty, her normally pale face was chalk white. I feel betrayed, but she and Bob were close, very close...
“That son of a bitch,” Marcus growled. “He's just jumping ship.”
Aldera flinched at those words and Mel felt her heart twist for the woman.
“Shut up,” Mel snapped. “He wouldn't leave us if there wasn't an important reason.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Marcus waved a hand. He didn't seem to notice the glare she leveled on him. He rose. “Okay, so now we're even more short-handed. It's been a long day, Captain, if that's all you have for us?” He ran an impatient hand through his blonde hair.
“You can go,” Mel growled.
Marcus stepped out. A moment later, Aldera rose and left, without saying a word.
“I'm going to go check on our prisoner and see how the interview is going,” Brian said.
Mel just nodded. He left and Mel sat there for a long moment, gathering her thoughts.
“You don't think that Jean Paul will try something, do you?” Johnny Woodard asked.
“What... who Marcus?” Mel blinked in surprise. She'd forgotten the big, dark-skinned man was even in the room. It took her longer to answer than she would have liked. “I don't think he'll try to kill Yewell, if that's what you're asking,” Mel hedged. Blackmail, threaten, or sneak behind my back... yeah, I'm worried he might try that, but I'll have Fenris watch him.
Tank didn't seem reassured. “Look, Captain, I know you think you know him...”
“Oh, trust me, I know him,” Mel's voice was flat. “He killed my parents, Johnny. He ordered their deaths, and the deaths of a dozen other people in a false-flag terrorist attack, designed to scare a Guard scientist out of defecting.”
Tank blanched.
“Yeah, I know Marcus Keller and what he's capable of...” Mel shook her head. “I don't trust him. That's the reason I've had you and Brian on swing shifts watching our prisoner.” She swallowed, “There's something... broken, with him. You don't see it unless you look close or unless he slips up. But it's there, a flaw... like he's not really human. He doesn't understand that there's things you just don't do.”
Johnny Woodard nodded. The
big man looked uncomfortable, “I know. I didn't know about your parents, and I'm sorry... but I've seen him do things...”
Mel shrugged, “I understand. Really, I appreciate you saying something.” She gave a sad smile, “Sometimes I feel like Fenris and I are the only ones aboard who aren't willing to kill anyone we meet out of convenience.”
Johnny snorted at that, “Yeah... Well, Bob wouldn't have, I don't think...” His expression flushed as he realized what he'd said.
“Yeah,” Mel rose and paced, feeling that she had to work off her nervous energy, “and he just jumped ship.”
“Aldera's a good sort,” Woodard noted.
“But she's distant,” Mel paced to the end of the room and then walked back. She and the woman had shared some moments, but the scientist was distant at the best of times. She seemed to focus mostly on technology, the only person who she'd really been close to was Bob. Mel waved a hand as she walked, “Brian won't go out of his way looking for a fight, but he won't go to any real effort to avoid one. Marcus is paranoid about security...”
“Might be the rex,” Johnny noted.
Mel paused in her pacing, “It might.” Paranoia was one of the long-term effects of the drug. Marcus wasn't on it anymore-- not that she knew of anyway-- but that didn't mean it couldn't still have effects.
“Lace left us back at Hanet,” Mel stepped up to stand in front of the big, dark-skinned former Marine. “So I really do appreciate your presence. You've got a good head on your shoulders and, more importantly, you've got a good heart. If my decision had been to vent Yewell out an airlock, Brian wouldn't have hesitated. You would have stopped it from happening.”
“I would have,” Woodard nodded. He looked down at his large, scarred hands, “I hope you don't see that as a bad thing.”
“No,” Mel shook her head, “God no. I sometimes feel like the only adult in a room full of children. Fenris has been the voice of reason, of humanity...”
“Thank you, Mel,” Fenris said.
“... and it's good to have someone I can trust and rely upon,” on impulse, Mel reached out a hand and squeezed Johnny's hand. His large hand almost engulfed her fingers. There was a warmth to his touch, and as he held her fingers, she felt a flush climb her cheeks.
“That means a lot to me,” Tank said.
Mel pulled her hand back a bit more quickly than necessary. She cleared her throat. “Good. I'm glad we had this discussion.” She didn't know why she was embarassed, but she felt as if her entire face was on fire. “Uh, Fenris, has Commodore Creed got back to us yet?”
“Yes, Captain,” Fenris's growl seemed almost amused. “He said to give him a call as soon as you have things in hand.”
“Right,” Mel nodded. “I have to take care of this. Thank you, Mister Woodard.”
He stared at her, his expression almost hurt, “No problem, Captain.”
She backed up, running into the conference table. “See you later,” Mel said awkwardly. She turned and left through the hatch before she could get any more embarrassed. God, he probably thinks I'm an idiot...
***
“Did I just get friend-zoned?” Tank asked out loud.
“That's a question outside my knowledge of humans,” Fenris growled. Tank started a bit, he'd forgotten that the ship could hear everything aboard. For a moment, he wondered if the vessel had voyeuristic tendencies or if the artificial intelligence tuned them all out as much as he could.
“Uh, thanks,” Tank said.
“If it's any consolation, I'm not sure she knows how she feels about you, either,” Fenris replied. “Perhaps you might try a direct approach?”
Tank winced. Now he was getting romantic advice from a robot. Alright, an artificial intelligence that operates an autonomous warship, but still... “Thanks, Fenris.”
“I ascertain that my advice was unwanted,” Fenris seemed offended.
“Not that so much as...” Johnny Woodard took a tense breath. “I'm not very good at this, I guess. I've known women, I've been with women... but Mel is different, you know?”
“That I understand,” Fenris rumbled. “She is unique. I cannot explain it, but I find everything runs better with her present.”
“Yeah, me too,” Tank nodded. He looked down at his big hands. “I don't want to mess things up here. If I make some kind of move, if I piss her off or just make things awkward... then I could lose this... whatever it is, call it friendship or whatever.”
“Is that friendship enough?” Fenris seemed interested.
Tank considered that for a long moment. He had thought he was good with being alone. He had come to terms with his life on the run, with working as hired muscle, with casual or temporary relationships. Yet, since joining Fenris's crew, Woodard had made friends. He'd genuinely liked Bob Walker. He and Lace had commiserated with each other over Mel's seeming obliviousness to their interest. Tank had enjoyed discussing games and entertainment simulations with Swaim. Even Brian had become something of a friend, and they'd spent time sparring and weapons training together.
But Mel... she really was something special. Just knowing that she trusted him, that she liked him, meant more to him than any of the others. While he hadn't dared to tell her, he trusted her judgment more than he did his own... and in a lot of ways, that terrified him.
Johnny Woodard looked down at his big hands, still feeling the warmth of her touch from where she'd given him a reassuring squeeze. “Yeah, Fenris, I think that's enough.”
***
“Captain Amiss,” Commodore Creed smiled, “I understand you had some unwelcome visitors?”
“Nothing my crew couldn't handle,” Mel smiled. He'd answered her call more quickly than she'd expected, with only a few seconds delay from when Fenris had reached the other vessel to when he'd put her on screen. That told Mel that this was a priority for him. Mel put far more confidence in her expression than she really felt. But then again, it wouldn't do for anyone to suspect that they didn't have a full crew, with personnel in the hundreds.
“Anyone injured?” Commodore Creed asked.
“None of my people,” Mel replied. “Unfortunately, our 'guests' were equipped with some kind of deadman's devices. We weren't able to take any of them alive.”
Commodore Creed winced, “I see. Well done, then. I've already lodged a complaint with Colonel Steyn regarding the 'screening' that his people did on that shuttle. I think we can both assume, though, that they let that team through. This probably isn't the last such attempt, either, especially as we approach the election.”
“Indeed,” Mel nodded. “In that case, I've been mulling over a possible solution.” She paused and chose her next words with care. “I think that if my vessel remains in the system, we'll be an easy target. Sooner or later, someone will get lucky.” Or, almost as bad, people will start wondering how Fenris manages to react faster than any human pilot aught to...
“You want to depart the system?” Commodore Creed's white eyebrows climbed in surprise. “Our contract is to safeguard the Harmony Protectorate.”
“Which includes three other inhabited star systems,” Mel noted. “And there are a number of rogue Protectorate military ships on the loose. I understand we do mount presence patrols elsewhere, in addition to the forces stationed in each system.”
Commodore Creed nodded slowly, “We do... but a battlecruiser such as yours is a major vessel to be moving around on a patrol.”
“We're fast enough to catch most other ships and big enough to fight anything we can catch,” Mel nodded.
“While I'd normally agree with you, there are two renegade dreadnoughts out there, somewhere.” Commodore Creed noted. Something about his guarded expression told Mel that she should choose her next words with care.
“The intelligence package I read suggested that Admiral Mizra took his ships to Vagyr and then headed to Drakkus,” Mel replied. “Either way, I have no intention of seeking trouble like that. Some area patrols, maybe take down a couple of opportunistic pirates,
and then back here in time for the election.”
Commodore Creed grunted in reply, though that could have been in agreement or merely an acknowledgment. “A skeptical commander might note that this would be a good way for you to kill Admiral Rao, take payment, and then slip out of Guard Space.”
Mel shook her head, “And go where? Not only would that be double-crossing the mercenary guild by ditching the contract, but I'd make enemies of you and the Centurions... plus, as you've said before, the Protectorate would go in favor of Guard Free Now... so the Guard would be after me.” They were talking over an encrypted tight-beam transmission, so she felt free enough to speak her mind.
“You just presented an option... Vagyr and then Drakkus,” Commodore Creed noted. “That's what Admiral Mizra did.”
“That seems like a stupid course of action for me, sir,” Mel snapped. “For one, Drakkus is on friendly terms with the Guard. They just received several capital ships, just after the annexation of Ten Sisters by the Guard. It seems to me that if I actively pissed off the Guard and the Hanet Mercenary Guild, then the Drakkus Empire wouldn't hesitate to turn me over.”
“Maybe,” Commodore Creed nodded, “or maybe things aren't as transparent as they seem. But even so, you've reassured me a bit... so, let me know your other points.”
Mel tried to ignore the sweat beading her scalp. She didn't like to think how dangerous this situation was... especially since the Guard already had a target on her back... or at least, the local representatives.
“Second off, your company comes out of the Mason Corvalle system, which would be a stopping point on my way to Drakkus. The only other viable route would be to go through Century. The Centurions are a reserve force of their Planetary Militia. Either way, there's the potential that I'd have to go through a potentially hostile system, even assuming I thought Drakkus would take me.”
